Part 14

"They're going to *what*?" It was the most absurd plan Pythia had ever heard.

Lilah shrugged. "You heard. They're getting some witch to be a fake Wild Power while they take the real one to safety, and Lareina rescues Dido."

Pythia shook her head. She should have known - she *did* know - Garret wouldn't meekly agree to her plan, despite the threat on Dido's life. Secretly, she would have been very disappointed in him if he had. But this plan of theirs...it was ridiculous.

At least Lilah had been kind enough to come and inform her of all the insane details.

"Have they got the Wild Power on their side yet?" she asked.

Lilah frowned. "Um...no. I saw her with Vincent and Arian and their group."

Pythia cursed under her breath. That wouldn't do at all. Not for her getting *her* council seat. No doubt Vincent thought he and that idiot friend of his could seduce the dumb bitch into staying with them.

Why couldn't she be attracted to Garret like most sensible girls?

"What are they going to do about it?"

Obviously the Day Dorks weren't going to stand around and watch those two seduce the girl anymore than they would sit around and let Pythia kill her.

"Well, I know that Dawn's their spy in the group."

"Dawn?" That actually came as a surprise. Dawn had always struck her as too much of a bitch to be a Daybreaker.

"Uh-huh. They've asked Demios to try to get Sati on their side. Lareina and Garret are supposed to be taking her to Thierry Descouedres and the other Wild Powers."

Pythia sighed. Great. She'd never known a girl be able to resist Demios when he turned the charms on. Daybreak, Night World, human or other. She had of course, known Garret was supposed to be taking the girl to Thierry. Which was something she most certainly didn't want to happen.

Twig was lounging in the doorway.

"What?" Pythia asked, not sure she liked the expression on his face.

"There are two new Night People in town. They're hunting the Wild Power as well."

Pythia's eyes rolled. Great. Could she *never* get a break? "Who now?"

"Their names are Elisabetta and Orion."

"Elisabetta?" Elisabetta had been one of Garret's girls, he'd just decided she was cute and he wanted to change her and had gone ahead and done it, during the time the council knew better than to get in his way. Pythia hadn't minded sharing, but Elisabetta hadn't been too keen on it. She knew that Elisabetta worked for the council now. Maybe she could convince her to work together, just this once.

"Someone we know?" Lilah asked.

Pythia shrugged. "Someone I used to know. She's on out side. I've never heard of the other one. Go get Jewel. Bring them both here," she told Twig, who nodded and left obediently.

"What about this plan of Garret's?" Lilah asked.

Pythia sighed. Maybe she should just kill Dido and say to hell with her. She was an irritating hostage as it was. But how could she get Garret? That was what she really wanted. Which meant at some point she'd have to put Elisabetta out the picture. She doubted Garret would be too broken up about that one.

"Maybe there's some way to use the Wild Power's sister," Lilah suggested. "From what I've seen, they're pretty close."

Pythia mulled the idea over in her mind for a few minutes. Dido didn't seem to be working for her at the moment. But maybe Star could turn out to be more useful. One life for another. Same basic plan really. Just a change of names.

"Yes, okay, then, send someone to kidnap Star and we'll see how that one goes."

* * *