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own.
The black dragons he started to say.
Have nothing to do with us, Baltic said with finality. Dauva was my home before I was wyvern,
and it will be so again. If you wish to lead that pathetic group of stragglers you call a sept, then do so,
but your choice of location does not impact us in any way.
Kostya clearly wanted to argue the point, but his grudging admittance of the truth and the fact that
Baltic walked out of the house stymied that desire.
I still say Dauva should be left in the past, where it belongs, he grumbled before turning on his
heel and walking swiftly to the door.
Well, it s not. And while we re on the subject, let s talk again about Dragonwood, I yelled after
him. His shoulder twitched as he left, but he didn t respond. The rat.
My hand was on the doorknob to the sitting room when my phone bellowed out my name. I glanced
at the caller, answering it with a cheery, Hello, Aisling.
Hi, Ysolde. Has Kostya left yet?
Er& yes, he just left. How did you know he was here?
We re keeping tabs on him. She says he s gone, sweetie, so we can keep driving.
Curiosity got the better of me. Where are you driving to?
To see you, of course. But we didn t want Kostya to know we re in the area, because then he ll
want us to stay with him, and if we do that, he ll tag along when Drake goes to the L au-dela vault you
mentioned, and that would just be all shades of awkward.
I shuddered at the thought. It would indeed. But& um& I guess we can find room for you, although
it may mean doubling up if Drake s guards are with you.
Oh, we re not moving in! Aisling gave a little laugh. Drake takes security very seriously when it
concerns the babies, so he rented us a house in the suburbs of Moscow. We just flew into Riga it
takes only two hours, which means we won t have to leave the babies overnight so that we could
meet with you and get this shindig under way.
Oh dear. I panicked just a little bit.
We should be there in about half an hour. Drake insists that we take back roads so Kostya won t
see us.
All right. How did you know he was here?
She giggled. Drake is having him followed. For his own good, of course.
Of course. She hung up with another giggle, leaving me struck mute with mingled horror and
worry.
Pavel, who was on his way through the hall to one of the back rooms, paused as he strolled past
me. Are you all right? You look upset.
Slowly, I put my phone back into my pocket. Drake and Aisling are on their way out to get some
information from me, and I don t have it.
Information about what?
I hesitated, torn with conflicting emotions. I trusted Pavel completely, but his devotion and
dedication to Baltic were absolute. It just wouldn t be fair for me to tell him something he knew
Baltic would be desirous of knowing but wouldn t be able to impart. If I said I couldn t tell you,
would you be annoyed?
No. He smiled suddenly. Is it something that will enrage Baltic?
I couldn t help but sigh. I m sure it will, although that s not anyone s intention. I m just trying to
fix things.
He inclined his head in a little bow. Then I will wish you Godspeed. Is there anything I can do to
help you?
Other than spread dinner for another I counted mentally four people and one hungry demon,
no. Plus Cyrene. And possibly Kostya, if he s here for Constantine s challenge.
Pavel s mouth worked a couple of times before he said, Constantine has challenged Kostya for the
black dragon sept?
Yes. Kostya named Baltic as his second. I nibbled on my lower lip for a few moments. Maybe I
should make a few snacks for the prechallenge part of the evening
Ysolde! An indignant Constantine appeared behind me, in the doorway. You said you wish to
have a tête-à-tête with me!
My apologies, I said, soothingly. I was caught up in the thought of canapés. Pavel, can you
Holland will help me put together something, and do not worry about the dinner it will be
enough for everyone.
Bless you, I said, and meant it.
Chapter Thirteen
Well, isn t this& nice.
Man, what a hole. And I thought Aisling used to stay in some crappy places.
Jim! Aisling stopped looking around the entryway of the house and whapped the demon on its
head, giving me an apologetic smile in the process. I m sorry, Ysolde. Jim swore it was going to be
on its best behavior, because it knows what will happen to it if it s not.
The emphasis on the last few words was not lost on Jim, who winked at me. Soldy knows I m just
teasing. It s a great house if you like the Addams family. I especially like that tarantula over there in
those cobwebs. Very atmospheric. Hey. The demon sniffed the air a couple of times. Is that dinner I
smell?
We are not staying for dinner, Aisling said quickly, giving Jim a stern look before preceding me
into the sitting room when I gestured toward it. We just came to& er& you know.
Of course you re staying for dinner. Pavel s cooking, and there s plenty for everyone.
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