Aeron turned to Darien. "Do you have any specifics of who, what, when, or where? Or do you just have this pathetic summary of future events to give me for all of these gifts you've demanded?"
Darien glared at him. "If I hadn't told you about all of this you would have been blindsided when the two realities collided, as it would come in the middle of your little sibling rivalry."
Aeron dismissed that as well. "After the Shadeworld was created, it was filled with so many magical creatures that it likely is more stable than even the Original, Earth. Even if they told you they planned to do that, it's not worth worrying about the impossible things rebels spout," he said. "I'm afraid we're going to have to choose to lock you up with the other spies in Spire Prison, or perhaps send you back to your city with instructions for them to provide a suitable punishment in light of your years," he said.
Layel stood up from his corner. "I really insist! I absolutely must speak to you all now! What I have to say concerns this matter," he added sheepishly as the room turned to face him. Aeron's mouth dropped open at his outburst.
The vampire leader waved his arm to let the man know he could continue, though, so he did his best to speak up. "I have met Priscilla," he said.
Firelight glinted off of halberds, worn bucklers, and a cuirass on a stand, shown in an artful arrangement that fanned out from the central point of the elaborately-carved fireplace.
"Layel, why did you kidnap Priscilla, knowing that she was put into my care?" he asked carefully, chillily. The purple-eyed vampire shook his head frantically.
"Now, now, Aeron," Cillean smiled, "let the boy speak." His eyes glittered dangerously. Layel`s gesturing became even more emphatic.
"Ne, ne," he protested.
"There is an explanation for all things, but understanding comes best when the atmosphere is receiving," Daerin said wisely. "He shall speak, and explain."
"He gets his chance now, either way," Cillean said. He shrewdly added, "You will have to break from your usual habits and speak clearly now," he added.
"A month or so ago, omm, it began," Layel said.
He went on to describe the actions in the clearing. The information that the renegade shifters had claimed to be working with the wizards caught their attention.
"Wait, wait, wait," Aeron broke in. "Why didn't you do anything to help that warrior? The one who spent his last breath talking about love? If you had kept him alive a little longer, you might have found out more of their plans."
Daerick nodded. "The location of their allies would be valuable as well, yes?"
"I`m also wondering why you didn't chase after that mysterious pair of eyes," Aeron chipped in.
"Well, at least we know some of what they're up to," Cillean murmured.
"Yes! Finally," Aeron said. The vampire king and his aide grinned at his effervescence. It had been awhile since Cillean, Daerin, and Aeron had come together like this, and too many years in court by himself had left him icy in his socializing. "I love seeing Aeron like this again," Cillean whispered to Daerick. The other man nodded and smiled in agreement. "What?" Aeron asked them.
"It is of no great matter, my prince. There is another concern that has been ignored till now," Daerin said, suddenly all business. "Where`s Priscilla? She wasn't in the guest room we put Jackie in."
"My room," Layel answered.
"How long have you been keeping a young and unconscious girl in your room?" he growled, standing and pointing his finger at the purple-eyed vampire.
"Whoa there," Aeron chipped in. "What's with that tense atmosphere? You're like her father or older brother or something," he teased.
"It is a little surprising that he has already harnessed the mantle of brother-in-law," Daerin added knowingly.
Cillean blushed, but persisted. "It`s not appropriate," he mumbled.
"And it would make your girlfriend angry, I see it now!" Aeron teased. "I'll be sure to be a little less of a stern task master in the future, now that I see where your goals are. Of course, I'll want something in return for being nice to your girlfriend." He grinned.
"Jackie is not my girlfriend! We've barely just met. She definitely won't let me properly get to know her better if I let something like this continue, though," Cillean said. "And the price is too high when it comes to favors to you," he muttered.
"Come now. I relinquish my position to you, and now you squander it with that casual attitude," Cillean scolded. "An heir like yourself should have more dignity. Maybe I should ask you to cough up something to make my kindness worth my while," he returned.
"There are stronger spells," Layel said. The other three looked at him in confusion. "There are stronger spells warding my room, so she is, um, safest there. There is no, hmm. She is not in danger from me. I did not say, but she is very young. No room for the questionable."
The girl in question knocked on the door to the parlor. "May I come in," Priscilla asked. She looked at the other people in the room, strangers. Her hand trembled lightly, and her fists were covering her mouth shyly, protectively. Yet she stood with her shoulders squared and walked into the room despite her lack of a direct invitation. "It didn't seem to be about business, so I thought it might be safe for me to join you all," she began.
They gave a good-natured welcome, waving the girl in in short order. "Come in,
