The Last of the Red-Hot Vampires

"Murder? Hope was murdered? When?" I asked, backing away from the muscular young woman who bowled in through the door. "I had no idea where she went, let alone what happened to her, but I certainly haven't killed her!"

Theo, what's going on here? Murder?

I don't know, but the mare must be handled carefully. This is a serious situation.

You ain't just whistlin' 'Dixie'!

"I fear there has been a misunderstanding about my client's situation, your grace," Theo said suavely, positioning himself between me and the bailiff.

The mare stared at Theo for a moment, thawing visibly when he smiled at her.

Oh, that's subtle, I thought at him.

Subtle doesn't win the fair maiden.

I sent him thoughts of what I'd like to do to him at that very moment.

You are a bloodthirsty little thing, aren't you? You can stop mentally sharpening your neutering knife. I simply mean to win her over to our side, not seduce her.

"You are the champion?" the mare asked, giving Theo a much more thorough eyeing than I thought strictly necessary.

"Theondre North at your service, your grace," he said, bowing, charm positively oozing off him.

Just see that you don't. I like to think of myself as a generous person, but when it comes to men, I don't share.

Neither do I, but that's not the issue at stake.

I won't say the mare actually cracked a smile, but she stopped looking like she was going to have me gutted on the spot. "One moment, Mathilda," she told the bailiff before turning back to me. "Am I to understand that you did not seek an audience with me in order to turn yourself in for the crime of murdering the virtue named Hope?"

I lifted my chin and gave her a polite smile. "That's correct. I am here to discuss the continuation of the seven trials I have been forced to undergo. I also wish to discuss the process for submitting a petition. And finally, I want to lodge a complaint about two old ladies who beat me up without due cause."

The mare's eyebrows rose, her eyes chilly. "I see."

"I can reassure you that my client is not the type of person who would commit murder for her own gain," Theo said, moving closer to me in a show of faith. As a gesture, it warmed me to my toes. "She is innocent of the charge you have laid at her feet."

The mare didn't look at all like she believed him. "And did you take on the role of her champion before or after she summoned the virtue?"

"After, your grace. I discussed the situation with her at some length—"

If you could call almost choking me to death discussing the situation.

Hush.

"—and determined that she summoned the virtue without knowing that she was doing so. The virtue assumed she wished to take on the position, and since she was desirous of leaving, she passed on her powers without Portia being aware of exactly what she was committing herself to."

"Save your defense for the hearing," the mare said, gesturing to the bailiff.

The bailiff grabbed my upper arm in a grip that would no doubt leave bruises. Above my head, the cloud began to form.

"Your grace, please, we ask that you recognize the extenuating circumstances of this situation, and grant leniency." Theo sent the mare another sultry smile.

I'd really appreciate if you could stop doing that.

Saving your life, you mean?

No, sending her those wicked smiles.

Are you jealous?

Not in the least.

There was a pregnant pause during which Theo laughed into my head.

Oh, all right, perhaps a little, but it's justified. I know you're trying to get us out of this situation, but it…oh, never mind. Just get it over with.

"On what grounds do you ask for leniency?" the mare asked, thawing just a bit more under the influence of his smile.

The air grew thick, but not with static. I fought to control my anger, aware that it was triggering the ministorms around me. Once I got my emotions under control, everything would be fine.

I noticed the mare kept her eyes on Theo, not paying me much attention. It irritated me that he was using his masculine wiles to sway her almost as much as it irritated me that I was bothered by that in the first place.