new vampire's gaze. ”No one enters. No one leaves.“ ”No one enters. No one leaves,“ Theorn repeated dutifully. Cassiar turned to Erith and Marys. ”Keep an eye on Jander, my dears. His heart's a little too soft for the sort of sport we enjoy.“ ”Aye, master,“ said Erith obediently, smiling a little. The wolf, Marys, whuffed. Cassiar continued up the stairs. Jander watched him go, hatred twisting his face. Rhynn's voice interrupted his dark thoughts. ”You won't get away with this. If any of the Riders notice that no one's on guard duty-“ ”Theorn will send them off on some fruitless search,“ Jander interrupted harshly. ”Your Riders won't know you're here until they stumble across your body tomorrow.“ She flinched at the brutality in his voice, but Jander didn't soften his words. She had to see the true horror of the thing and join him if he was to accomplish what he wanted tonight. ”He'll take Aluise-in every way possible-and when he's done he'll throw her away. It won't be that long. Then he'll come down and everyone will be systematically killed and the place set aflame. We'll flee like the gods-cursed night things we are, and wait until the talk dies down. And then we'll go to another town, and we'll do it again. And again.“ ”Stop it.“ ”Only if you help me stop it.“ ”Excuse me,“ came a tentative voice. Jander glanced toward the speaker, startled to see that it was the young priest. He's braver-or stupider-than I thought, Jander noted to himself. ”May we tend to our wounded?“ the priest asked. Jander's face flooded with compassion. ”By all means, care for your injured,“ he said, raising his voice slightly. Erith overheard him and lifted a ruby lip in a snarl. ”Cassiar's right. You are soft, elf,“ she hissed. Jander growled. His eyes locked with hers, and she retreated a few steps, glancing over at her compatriot for support. Marys shrugged her massive wolf shoulders, unconcerned. Erith frowned, but ceased to protest. She kept her eyes on Jander, however, and snapped acidly, ”Have it your way. Do your bit of good and busy yourself with the cattle. Cassiar will be down soon enough, and don't think I won't tell him.“ Jander ignored her. ”And clean up the floor,“ he told the priest ”The scent-“ He broke off and turned away. Confused, Rhynn queried, ”Don't vampires like the smell?“ ”Gods, Rider, are you blind?“ he cried in Elvish. ”I haven't tasted human blood since we met! Starve yourself for a month, then have someone lock you in a bakery. Perhaps you'll have some faint idea of what it's like! I haven't had so much as a rat in almost a week.“ The anger faded, and he made a halfhearted joke. ”Pogg runs far too clean an inn.“ ”You do not feed," said the priest in perfect Elvish. Both Rhynn and Jander
turned to stare at him. Few humans in Mistledale spoke Elvish. “You let us care for the wounded and even seem distressed by what is happening. You are not like the others. Why?” Jander answered with a smile, also speaking in Elvish. “Of course a morninglord would know my tongue. Now you answer me, why have you not attacked us, priest?” The young man's green eyes widened. At last he said, “I did not think I was so obvious. My name is Frajen. I have been a bard longer than I have been a priest, and the odds were hardly in my favor. I was waiting, watching you. Tell me, what keeps you from doing as your friends do?” “My name is Jander Sunstar of Evermeet. I-” A sharp hiss interrupted him. “Don't say things that I can't understand, eh0,” Erith snapped. “Cassiar commands my movements, not my tongue. I'll speak my native language if I wish. Unless you want to force me to stop.” Erith knew the better part of valor and quieted. Jander returned his attention to Frajen, his voice gentling. “I followed your god, priest, and as long as I can remember the beauty of the morning, I will not willingly embrace evil. If you and Rhynn will trust me, we may be able to save lives here tonight.” Frajen nodded without hesitation. Slowly, Rhynn did likewise. Jander let himself relax. “Give me time to think. Frajen, be careful-keep your symbol well hidden