Christian, Castile, and Ashford were just coming out of the first store on their shopping mission when an emergency siren sounded. Not the auditory sign for an attack on Court, Eddie and Mason looked at one another.

"All Moroi to return to their homes, Guardians to attend their charges," Eddie said, correctly identifying the sequence of tones broadcast throughout Court's PA system.

"Between us, Lord Ozera," Mason said, he and Eddie moving into a formal guarding pattern instead of the more casual stance they usually adopted when out and about with Christian. "Please be alert and follow our directions without question. We need to return to the Dragomir house without delay."

Christian appeared mildly concerned as they left the shopping district, the trio moving homeward. Both Guardians had unholstered their stake and were on high alert, nodding to other Guardians they passed who were likewise moving their charges.

"What do you think is going on?" Christian asked as they approached the home he shared with his Royal Princess wife of two days. "Will Lissa also be brought here?"

"Hard to say," Eddie replied, not wanting to freak out his charge. "If she's in the Palace, depending on the threat, they may secure her there. The best thing we can do is get inside, lockdown, then work out what's going on."

Letting himself into the house, Eddie called out: "Castile and Ashford with Lord Ozera."

Damon Wannan, Lissa's primary Guardian, was standing inside the living room with his mate Laura. They each had a few days off after the wedding, preparing to be on duty the entire time during the Moroi couple's honeymoon, which meant Lissa was with Meredith and Celeste.

"What's happening?" Damon asked, already dressed in uniform and stowing his stakes. Laura stood beside him, doing likewise. As the lead Guardian in the Royal couple's guarding team, an emergency like this meant Damon was on duty and in charge.

"No idea," Eddie replied. "We were in the camera store at the south end of the shopping district when we heard the alert. We came straight here and saw nothing other than people returning to their homes." The Alpha nodded, formulating his defense plan.

"Lord Ozera? You'll be safest in your study and sitting room on the second floor. If directed, you're to fall back into the upstairs powder room," Damon ordered. It was a clever choice. The study and adjoining sitting room faced the rear of the property, so weren't overlooked from the street. On the middle floor, they were more defensible than the bottom or top floors. Moreover, there was a powder room with no windows on that level—a place of final refuge if required.

"What's going on?" Christian demanded, angry that he was being given no information.

"I don't know," Damon said, looking at his mate and wordlessly suggesting she step in to calm the irritable Moroi Lord. "If you could proceed to the study, I'll attempt to contact Guardian Headquarters and find out what's happening."

Christian allowed Laura to escort him upstairs. She checked the suite of rooms, closing the block out blinds so no telltale edges of light would be visible around the edges of the curtains to betray their location within the house. Satisfied Christian was safe, she then moved from room to room, checking windows were locked and curtains drawn. Downstairs, Eddie and Mason were doing likewise while Damon rang headquarters.

"No one is answering," he said when Eddie and Mason joined him in the living room downstairs.

"The phone lines might be jammed? We won't be the only ones calling…" Mason suggested.

"There's a pre-recorded message that should kick in if that's the case," Eddie murmured. "Something big is going down."

"Until we get further instructions, we hole up here," Damon announced. "You two guard downstairs, Laura and me with Lord Ozera. I'll try to contact Celeste and Meredith to see where they are and if they know what this is all about."

"Princess Dragomir was in a Royal Council meeting this morning," Eddie replied. "She's probably in lockdown over there."

"Safest place for her," Damon remarked, heading upstairs and pulling out his phone again to text his other two team members.


"I beg your pardon," Tatiana said to Croft. "You don't have the authority to arrest me! Only a unanimous vote from all twelve Royal Council members can remove a reigning Monarch!" Her voice was loud and filled with disdain. Around them, people stopped talking to hear how Croft would play things.

"Technically, that's true," Abe said on Hans' behalf, standing up and stepping over the low balustrade into the principal part of the Council chamber, followed by Dimitri. "However, you will find in the Moroi/Dhampir constitution of 1907, there is provision for the entire Royal Council, Monarch included, to be detained and removed from office if their decisions are markedly injurious to parts of our society or self-interested. Voting to graduate Novices two years early fulfills both these criteria."

"I don't see how it could be considered self-interested," their Monarch scoffed. There was no point contesting that the age decree would devastate the Dhampir involved.

"Guardians primarily protect Royal Moroi. Any vote by Royals about the Guardian graduation age is inherently self-interested," Abe said, as though he was pointing out the obvious to a simpleton.

"So what's your plan? A coup and then claim the Moroi crown? Because I can assure you, the Royal Council will never let that happen!"

"Tatiana, what you don't seem to grasp there no longer is a Royal Council! However, I have no regal aspirations, and couldn't be less interested in my ass warming the throne."

"Then what do you want?" Her Majesty asked, still trying to figure out Abe's angle.

"Me? Peace and love for all," he smirked, before nodding at Croft.

"Guardians? Please escort the Royal Council members to where they'll be detained," Hans ordered. The room again erupted as family members attempted to prevent Her Majesty and the Royal Council from being taken away. Prince Ivashkov tried to punch the Guardian standing by him, only injuring his own hand.

"Ariana? Would you mind coming with me?" Janine asked the Szelsky Princess.

"Happy to, Guardian Hathaway," she said with a grin, picking up a small overnight bag she'd brought with her. The older sister of Janine's charge, she'd known this outcome was a distinct possibility. "If we get there, first, I might get the best room!"

"I'll do what I can," Janine said, giving Ariana a wink before turning to Lissa. "Would you like to accompany us?" Either way, Vasilisa would be detained, but acknowledging her 'no' in the pivotal vote, Janine was allowing her to come on her own terms.

A Guardian she didn't recognize had approached Lissa as soon as Croft made his move. In the minutes since then, Celeste and Meredith had moved toward their charge. They didn't honestly understand what was going on but would take on their own to protect their charge if necessary. Realizing this was not something she could let them do, Lissa nodded to her best friend's mother.

"I will, thank you, Guardian Hathaway. Matthews? Edwards? Could you please return home to Christian and tell him what has happened? Tell him there is no need to be alarmed, and that I will contact him when I can."

Celeste looked at Meredith uneasily. Letting someone detain their charge went against everything they believed in.

"She will be ok," Janine reassured the two younger women. "They'll be in suites in the Palace for a few days."


Rose and Pavel were sitting drinking tea when the sirens sounded. Seconds later, Pavel got a text from his former employer saying: All systems go.

"Earlier than I'd expected," Pavel remarked, downing the last of the tea in his cup and standing up. Abe had determined it was best Rose did not attend the Royal Council meeting, so she'd stayed behind with Pavel to work on another part of the project—the provision of information.

As soon as they announced Her Majesty and the Royal Council had been arrested, there would be panic. While there was precedent and provision in the Moroi/Dhampir constitution to remove a Monarch and the Royal Council, they had always been replaced by different people in the same roles. Abe and his collaborators hoped this time would have a different outcome, but that would require informing and motivating the largely unrepresented non-Royal Moroi and Dhampir at Court and overseas. A gargantuan task, Rose had gathered a team of people all over the world ready to print and distribute information about the proposed new governing structure.

Over the coming days, letters would be sent to every Moroi and Dhampir outlining the suggested changes to their constitution. Reminiscent of the Royal Council, the proposed Representative Council would comprise six Dhampir and six Moroi—all elected individuals advising an elected thirteenth Head of Council. Functioning in much the same way as the Royal Council, the hope was that with equal representation on the Council, Dhampir and non-Royal Moroi's interests were more likely to be protected.

"I'll email the letters and brochures to the printers," Rose said, fetching her laptop and firing off a dozen pre-prepared files to professional printing workshops all over the world. The dissemination of information at Court would be easier—Croft planned to call a public rally—but overseas, and particularly to isolated towns like Baia, information would need to be posted.

"That didn't take long," Pavel said when five minutes later Rose finished.

"I've had it prepared for a few weeks," she said with a shrug. Abe had been in touch with constitutional law experts from around the world, having a suggested new constitution drawn up. Humans, now compelled to forget, had written a document which if accepted would form the basis of a new Moroi/Dhampir government.

With the framework set up, Rose and a small team had worked on simplifying the language, putting it into terms everyday people would understand. That done, brochures were designed and translated into various languages, and a large order pre-booked with printers in several countries. All she'd needed was a copy of the Moroi/Dhampir citizens database Croft had provided, then it had been a relatively simple matter of creating a mailing list by location.

For the next hour, Rose and Pavel were on their phones, setting into action aspects of Abe's plan. So far, no one had come to the house, but then again, with most of Court in lockdown, no one would be out and about.

"I wonder how it's going in the Royal Council chamber?" Rose wondered aloud. She could ask Dimitri through their bond, but she didn't want to distract him.

"No news is good news," Pavel said sagely.


"You're very much mistaken if you think you can arrest me!" Tatiana shouted at Croft over the din. "Guardians! I am relieving Hans Croft as Head Guardian. Arrest him on grounds of treason!"

Those Guardians not immediately involved in the coup looked at one another uneasily, they come first battling with loyalty to their commanding officer and ultimately their race. The fact the Guardians who seemed to be 'in' on the coup were mostly Alpha and huge also didn't encourage others to dispute their authority.

"You can't fire Guardian Croft, Tatiana. You've been removed from office!" Abe said, his face split into a shit-eating smile. "As per our constitution, until a new government is formed, the Head of Guardians is in charge."

"Like hell!" Tatiana screeched. "Adrian? Do something!"

Ariana and Lissa were voluntarily leaving the Council chamber, followed by the Tarus Council member. Rufus Ivashkov was being dragged toward the doorway by two enormous Guardians who had every appearance of enjoying themselves mightily. Meanwhile, the various Royal family members were arguing amongst themselves or receiving shouted instructions from their representatives. Hearing his name, Adrian stood up, walking over to Abe, getting up nice and close. This got the attention of most of the room.

"You will tell the Guardians to let my Aunt go," Adrian said to Abe, pouring as much Spirit as he could into his compulsion.

"Your family thinks they're above the law, don't they?" Abe said, grinning at Adrian's confused face. "Compulsion doesn't work on me, but last time I checked it's still illegal to use it on a Moroi or Dhampir. Belikov? Please apprehend Lord Ivashkov."

There was no denying it. A member of almost every Royal family and several of the Royal Council had just witnessed Adrian attempting to compel Abe. One of the fundamental tenets of their laws, the young Ivashkov had blatantly flouted it in front of numerous witnesses.

"With pleasure," Dimitri said, stepping forward.

"Don't touch me!" Adrian snapped, trying to throw a punch at Dimitri who allowed it to land on his chest.

"You just hit me," Dimitri drawled softly enough only Adrian heard him. "That makes this self-defense…"

Before Dimitri's words registered, the Alpha Guardian had punched Adrian in the jaw, his fist landing with a loud, decisive crunch. Knocked off his feet, Adrian landed on his ass, his casual pants contrasting with the serviceable Axminster.

"Are you going to come quietly?" Dimitri asked, grabbing Adrian by his collar and lifting him back to his feet.

"Fuck you!" Adrian spat, trying, unsuccessfully, to hit Dimitri again.

"Have it your way," Dimitri said, lifting the Moroi Lord and incapacitating him. "Where do you want him, Croft?" he asked the new leader of their world.

"Compulsion is a serious offense. Take him to the Palace holding cells," Croft said with dignity. Tatiana looked on with horror as one of her great-nephews manhandled the other, dragging him with no appearance of difficulty towards the door.

"You ok here?" he checked with Abe. There were at least twenty additional Guardians on their side in the room, and so far there'd been no opposition from the other Guardians present, yet Dimitri wouldn't leave his charge without express permission.

"I'll be fine," Abe replied with an arch smile. "Take your time… Enjoy yourself!"

Dimitri exited the chamber, followed by two other Guardians. The Palace holding cells were rarely used, so eventually, Adrian would be transferred to the main cells in Guardian Headquarters, but for now, they'd do.

"Umm… excuse me, Mr. Mazur?" a Drozdov family member reluctantly asked. Florin. Nice enough fellow. A few years back, Abe had helped him out of a sticky situation involving his son and some gambling debts with the human mafia in Georgia. "We're wondering where the Council members will be taken? Should we organize legal representation? Some of them are elderly—we hope they'll be well treated?"

"The Council members will be well cared for," Abe promised as Tatiana finally gave in and allowed three Guardians, including Guardian Croft, to accompany her from the chamber. "They will be detained in comfortable suites here at the Palace for the next few days."

"And then we'll vote on a new Monarch and Royal Council members?" Florin checked.

"That remains to be seen," Abe answered enigmatically. "My advice is you return to your homes. Someone from each family should pack a bag of clothes and essentials for their Council member. Husbands or wives are welcome to join their partner in detention if they wish, but they won't be able to leave the suite."


"What the HELL is going on?" Christian asked when Celeste and Meredith arrived back at the Dragomir house sans Lissa. Their phones had been pinging as they traveled the short distance between the Palace and their home, but this seemed information better delivered in person.

"Fucked if I know!" Celeste said, flopping onto the sofa in front of her charge and the head of the guarding group and his partner. "They have arrested her Majesty, along with the rest of the Royal Council!"

"WHAT?" Damon asked, springing to his feet. "When? By whom?"

"In the Royal Council meeting and by Guardian Croft!"

"They have Lissa?" Christian asked, his eyes blazing with fury.

"Yes. But she went willingly. She ordered us to come back here and let you know," Meredith said, speaking up for the first time.

"Tell me what happened," Damon demanded, calling Eddie and Mason downstairs so they could hear, too. "Start at the beginning."

Celeste and Meredith explained how the Council chamber had been unusually full due, no doubt, to the fact the Guardian age law was being discussed. News to everyone there, every Dhampir in the room could understand how things got so heated.

"The Princess argued against it," Celeste explained, "but they held a secret ballot. Lissa and Princess Szelsky both openly voted against it. Still, it passed. As soon as the secretary announced the decree, Guardian Croft stepped forward and arrested Her Majesty. He said she and the Royal Council had breached the Moroi/Dhampir constitution, and they were being removed from office."

"On what grounds?" Christian spluttered. While he was with Liss opposing Novices graduating at sixteen, his wife had just been arrested and he wanted to know all the details!

"Something about if the Royal Council voted in self-interest or in a way that injured parts of our society? I didn't really understand what Mr. Mazur was saying in that bit," Meredith offered.

"Rose's father was involved?" Christian asked Meredith, his eyes widening.

"I think so. Croft was giving the orders, but Mr. Mazur was talking about the constitution and all that. He certainly knew what was coming. And Rose's mom took Princess Szelsky and Lissa off to where they're being detained."

And at that moment Christian understood what Rose had foreshadowed a few days before. She'd known this was coming, and she'd done fuck-all to protect her best friend!


"Where are you taking me?" Adrian demanded as Dimitri all but dragged him through the deserted hallways and corridors of the Palace. They'd quickly moved down from the elegantly decorated 'Moroi' levels into the basements primarily frequented by Guardians and other Dhampir service workers.

"Somewhere private," Dimitri replied. "I've been waiting to have a conversation with you…"

Guided by one of the other Guardians—an Alpha allocated to guard the Palace—Dimitri moved Adrian deeper and deeper within the labyrinthine passageways that formed the lower level.

"We're here," the Alpha said ominously. An aged solid metal door, complete with rivets, at the end of a concrete-walled, dimly lit corridor boasting flaking paint in a malignant shade of pale green. Nothing was welcoming about the space leading to the Palace holding cells. Opening the door, fluorescent automatic lighting kicked in, illuminating four small, dank cells. Two on either side of the central hallway, the walls were thick metal bars, the entire space could be observed in a single glance.

"When's the last time anyone was held down here?" the second Guardian with Dimitri asked. The air smelled stale and fetid, and rusty watermarks were running on the wall in the far back corner.

"Fuck knows," the palace Guardian answered. "I've been allocated here four years, and it's the first time since I've been here." He turned to face Belikov and gave him a grin. "We'll wait outside… Give you and his Lordship some privacy."

The Alpha men shared a knowing look. Anyone who disrespected an Alpha's mate deserved what was coming to them. It was bad enough Adrian had pursued Roza back at the Academy, and even after they married. But groping his wife on the dancefloor at Vasilisa's wedding was the straw that broke the camel's back. Dimitri was going to beat the shit out of Adrian, and he didn't care who knew it!

Whack! Dimitri's first punch threw Adrian against the iron bars of a cell. Still in the central space between the cells on either side, Adrian hit the bars and slid downwards.

"That is for chasing after my Roza when she made it clear she was not interested," Dimitri growled, pulling Adrian back up and propping him against the bars so he would take another swing.

Thwack! This time Dimitri had aimed at Adrian's midsection. Not a paunch, per se, Adrian certainly lacked the heavy musculature Guardians and in particular Alpha's sported.

"And that is for compelling my mate. She has a right to her privacy, and you violated that!"

Adrian was bent over, clutching his belly. He wished the Alpha Guardian would leave him alone, but suspected the worst was yet to come.

Crunch! Without warning, Dimitri brought his knee up into Adrian's face. The Moroi Lord screamed as the Dhampir's kneecap connected with his nose. Adrian didn't need a mirror to know Dimitri broke his nose, and that he'd be sporting a couple of black eyes the next time someone saw him. The pain was indescribable and try as he might, he could not prevent the pathetic whimpers that passed his swollen, distended lips.

"That is for interrupting our first day as a married couple! Because of your actions, the morning after our wedding my wife and I had to return to Court! A special time in our life together was sullied by you, and neither of us appreciated it!"

Adrian had once again slid down the bars. One hand across his midriff, the other touching his shattered nose, he was incapable of speech. Indeed—the only noises from him now were soft whimpers as he tried to curl himself into a ball on the cold concrete floor.

Squelch! The last noise was quieter than the rest. It turns out that a size fourteen combat boot applied to a person's rear end was relatively soundless. Curled up as he was, Adrian hadn't presented many open surfaces, so Dimitri had settled for his derriere. Specifically, the area at the back near the top of his thighs. The same place Adrian had fondled Rose. Colliding with the Moroi Lord's anus and balls, Dimitri was certain that Ivashkov would be unable to shit, piss, or get it up for a month without being in pain. That worked for him! Dimitri lifted Adrian by his shirt and threw him into the furthest, darkest holding cell, slamming the door shut behind him. With a bit of luck, it would be a few days before anyone remembered he was down here.

"And that's for touching my mate without her permission. Consider this your one free pass—because you touch her again, and I'll kill you!"