"You had fun today I think," Leila observed as they undressed for bed.
Vlad snorted, then snickered. "I have to admit it was a good idea. Not as satisfying as silver, but then that would have spoiled the outing for Cat, and angered Menchares."
Leila shook her head. "And started a war."
He shrugged noncommittally. Leila was right, of course, and worse yet it would be a war with Menchares himself as Bones' co-ruler. That Vlad definitely did not want.
"Menchares' sister-in-law was freaking terrified of you."
That earned her an evilly amused smile. "Excellent. If she's afraid she will be more careful about who she mentions this gathering to."
Leila made a face at him. "Hopefully she's not so frightened that she doesn't enjoy her holiday," she responded pointedly.
"I'm sure Kira and Menchares will reassure her." He drew her to him and kissed her, silencing further discussion.
XXXXXX
Heavy knocking woke Vlad as guards shouted, and he felt Bones and Menchares pass their bedroom door on the way down the stairs. He snatched up a dressing gown and followed them, Ian on his heels.
"Bloody fricking hell Charles. Couldn't you have called?" Bones' voice reached him, relief mixed with censure.
"I told him to!" A softly southern voice exclaimed.
"Spade." Vlad said, reaching the assembly. "Denise." He nodded to the dark haired woman with him. "Spade, you like to live dangerously. You could have ended up in flames."
Denise's eyes grew. Spade looked somewhat chagrined but shook his head. "I didn't expect you to all be in bed. It isn't that late. Crispin, didn't you get my message?"
Bones raised one dark brow. "Apparently not," he said pointedly.
Spade's lips thinned and he cursed quietly. "My apologies," he said.
"Well it seems the gang is all here, Bones," Vlad said after a moment.
"Indeed."
"Thorliff, please show our guests to their rooms," Vlad said, speaking to one of the servants who lived in this home. Thorliff nodded and rushed to help Spade and Denise with their luggage.
"Feel free to go below to feed, or order something brought up," Vlad continued. "Most everyone was in bed, so I assume you'll want to settle in and get some rest as well. And I know I must go assure my wife we are not under siege."
"I'm pretty sure she knows," Bones said, gesturing to Leila. She stood at the top of the stairs, her electric whip slowly disappearing. "I should go tell Kitten, however. She stayed behind with plenty of silver to defend Katie."
A few murmured parting words and he disappeared upstairs.
"Well that was quite the entrance," Ian said, running a hand over his face and giving Spade a sardonic look.
"Bloody technology," Spade grumbled. "I do sincerely apologize, Tepesh. I assumed we were expected."
Vlad waved a hand dismissively as Leila came down the stairs and stood at his side. "No one was hurt, and it seems it was an honest miscommunication."
Leila smiled politely at them, her whip now completely gone, though she held her right hand pressed to her stomach so she didn't shock anyone by accident. Vlad reached over and took it, and with a few more parting words, the whole assembly drifted back to rooms.
