Free Blood and Fire by Ally Shields

would have taken it.”
    Daron picked up immediately, and the two men began a discussion on the merits of the wine while Ursula sulked. Ari relaxed her grip that threatened to break the delicate stem of her wineglass. That last exchange had veered close to a showdown. She wasn’t familiar with all the spooky things Ursula could do, but two thousand years of vampirism or thereabouts had to give her awesome power. Not to discount the bodyguards—four European vampires and an equal number of beady-eyed wereraptors—standing behind the enforcer’s chair.
    Ari opened the magical link that she shared with Andreas, but the vampire was guarding his thoughts. She shot him a frown. What good was it to have this damned telepathic connection if he wasn’t going to use it?
    Too many ears.
    Startled, she glanced at him. Although he appeared to be paying no attention to her, Ari headed his warning and closed down her thoughts. She let her gaze wander over the other occupants of the hall. Was he trying to tell her that Ursula could break into their private link? Or that someone else had the ability? Ari had never considered such an intrusion was possible, and the concept threw her for a second. Could this other person get into her head or only intercept their back-and-forth communications? She increased her psychic shields. Until she had a chance to talk with Andreas privately, she had no intention of testing the limits. Damn Andreas and his fetish for secrets. Why hadn’t he warned her?
    “Enough!” Ursula’s loud voice bounced around the vast chambers. The vampiress sprang from her chair, bringing her bodyguards to alert. “I did not come here to listen to this nonsense about wine.” Without warning, she flashed across the room and loomed over Ari. “You will tell me how Sebastian died.”
    Responding automatically, Ari shoved her chair away and shot to her feet. She wasn’t going to allow this powerful predator to stand over her. Their standing heights were more than enough to intimidate—Ursula’s six-feet-six versus Ari’s five-feet-five.
    Ari scowled at the vampiress. “You didn’t say please.” Andreas had told her to be herself, hadn’t he?
    Ursula appeared momentarily confused with the answer, then frowned as she figured out it was a refusal. “Do you realize what I can do to you, little girl?”
    “Not really. And I’d rather not find out. I was enjoying the discussion of wine.” Ari didn’t dare look at Andreas or Daron. She felt the waiting stillness in the room as attention was locked on her and the vampiress. Ari’s hand touched the packet of vamp dust in her pocket, and her fingers began to loosen the leather ties.
    “You are an ill-mannered wench. We could have fun together, you and I. May I borrow her?” Ursula swung her gaze to Andreas, now standing less than two feet away.
    Before he could answer, Ari stepped forward. “You need to ask me. He doesn’t own me. That’s not how things work on this side of the ocean.”
    “Indeed? Yes, I have heard of such quaint ideas, a revolutionary way of doing things.” Ursula’s gaze started with Ari but moved to include Andreas and Daron standing together. “The Council of Seven disapproves of all such heretical thoughts.” Ursula drew herself to her full height. “This is your official warning, gentlemen, to renounce such rebellion.” She peered at Ari again. “And, you, child, should learn to respect your elders.”
    With the flick of a sharp fingernail, Ursula cut a scratch on Ari’s throat. Ari retaliated with a handful of vamp dust. The green sparkles struck the surprised vampiress with a wallop, knocking her off her feet. Ursula landed on her buttocks with an angry screech, but before she could strike back, Andreas and Daron stepped between them. Mike and his werewolves trained their guns on her bodyguards.
    “Do not abuse my hospitality.” Daron rested his stern gaze on Ursula. “I will not tolerate threats toward my guests.”
    She rose