Free Hidden Trump (Bite Back 2) by Mark Henwick Page A

ideal,” Diana said. “Better addressed after the Assembly.”
    Skylur grunted and sat silently for a minute, his eyes hooded, before he spoke again.
    “My responsibility tonight is settling the immediate issue arising.” He paused. “House Farrell, House Altau, attend.”
    I stiffened.
    “I imposed a ban on House Farrell Blood, on House Altau and all subsidiaries. The penalty for breaking the ban is death.”
    Oh, shit!
    Skylur waited.
    A test. Please, he’s just testing me.
    I clenched my fists and made myself remain sitting. Our eyes met. Whether I swore allegiance to him or not, he was the Athanate Master in Denver. He had power of life and death over me and over my House. And the actions of my House and repercussions of them were my responsibility. He needed to know I acknowledged that. I’d made my choice for the Athanate. I gritted my teeth and dropped my eyes.
    “However, as an Aspirant of House Altau, David Thaler was unaware of the ban on your Blood imposed on House Altau, and unconscious at the time he fed. The penalty of death is put aside.”
    Stop reacting.
    I hadn’t even considered the ban when it happened. I realized all over again I needed to understand more about the Athanate and until I did, I was a danger to myself and everyone around me.
    Skylur went on, “House Altau acknowledges the Blood debt of David Thaler to House Farrell. House Altau also acknowledges and agrees to the change of marque for Pia Shirazi and David Thaler, from Altau to Farrell. House Farrell accepts responsibility for mentoring errors committed by Pia Shirazi, and for dealing with any outcome arising.”
    I could handle that. I would have to.
    He wasn’t finished. “As an allied House, Farrell is required to inform Altau of significant security issues, and the failure to inform Altau of Farrell’s prior knowledge of an Aspirant falls under that. In recompense for this breach, the Blood debt is annulled, and House Farrell agrees to provide ten days’ work, of an unspecified nature, to House Altau.”
    Ten days. Half a working month, free. I could handle that, too. I’d have to, somehow. But he still wasn’t finished.
    “Additionally, Shirazi and Thaler will be assigned back to Altau for a fortnight, barring exceptional circumstances. House Farrell will have access, but if in this time, their marque changes back, Farrell will acknowledge that change without dispute.”
    No, mine! I wanted to argue that, but I didn’t dare.
    “Is this agreed?” he pressed me.
    I cleared my throat. “Yes, House Altau.”
    “So recorded,” Diana said, and my heart missed a beat.
    Skylur spoke to Diana. “The ban on House Farrell Blood remains in place and is extended explicitly to Aspirants as well.” She nodded, and he continued. “We need to understand what’s happened here before anyone else is involved. Amber’s already scheduled to come in to get further briefings on Wednesday. That process needs to be increased as necessary.”
    Diana nodded. “I’ll organize both and free up Bian. I’m not scheduled for anything essential until I leave.”
    Leave? I preferred Diana to Skylur, and I preferred Skylur when Diana was there to take the edge off him. I hoped she wasn’t away long.
    “If you find the urge to bite is becoming significant, you will need to be at Haven, Amber,” Diana said, standing to go. “It is vital that we only progress on that under control. And on your Blood, swear, no more security problems.” Diana smiled a little. “At least until after the Assembly, and then you can show us where we need to tighten up.”
    “On my Blood, I swear,” I answered, the words ringing in my head.
    Damn. What about Larry? What about Adepts? Will they be security problems? Can’t talk about them now.
    “Why not come to Haven now?” Diana asked. “Not in isolation, simply at one end of the house.”
    That might have been intended as an instruction, just politely put, but I shook my head. “I’ll come in on