Henley looked at the car then to me. I shrugged and got in. There wasn't much choice. With someone wanting one of us dead, the rising sun and the guards searching for us, we would be in trouble soon.

"You're in vampire town and the only way that you're going to get back into the halfways safely is through that jack ass."

Alaric frowned at me.

"You do happen to see my guards, don't you?"

"Yes, you always have been full of yourself."

Henley smirked and got into the car.

"Want to explain why you're so nasty to the king?"

"Yeah," I drawled out, rolling my eyes. "We're kind of related. Don't go telling anyone, okay? I'd rather not be associated with him."

"Really?" He said softly.

I gave a disinterested shrug as he sat down. The guard closed the door and moved into the front with the driver.

"It would tarnish my reputation. I'm the Viper, I can't be associated with the powderpuff."

"Powderpuff?" Alaric said tersely.

I pouted, tilting my head to the side.

"I could go back to the last nickname I had for you."

His nose twitched as he turned to the window.

"I should have let Lockhart take the mission."

"Hmm, that would have worked well. Sending in his men to fall over themselves trying to find the wrong person. When they finally got the job done, you'd have a whole lot of upset humans on your hands. Maybe even an uprising. Killing a goody two shoes mayor, shame on you."

"Goody two shoes? What did we do in the bathroom?"

Alaric heard the whisper, turning with a smug smile.

"My goodness Claudia, you didn't misbehave in a public restroom, did you? Scarlet woman."

"Puh-lease. You knocked up the missus before marriage, scoundrel."

"Actually,"

"Don't," I said with a smug smile. "Emmeline told me she counted the days. You sunk the swimmer ahead of schedule. One hundred and eighty days on the mark. You're a man that definitely keeps to a schedule."

"That's not what she meant," Alaric snapped. "Emmeline meant that she gives birth after six months. Honestly, it's like talking to a smart ass teenager."

I smiled sweetly at him, fluttering my eyes.

The car turned; the first rays of sunlight peeked through the buildings. I winced and pulled the shade down.

"So, how exactly are you related?"

"Cousins on his mother's side. Why?"

"Just curious, that's all."

Silence hit the three of us as the driver sped through the streets. He was racing the impending dawn and whatever was out there. Human, vampire or other. It was unlikely that a Kronthelm would attack the vampires now that we had the agreement and the Hirioaken would not come down this far now that they'd crossed the land bridge. It was either a vampire or a human and even though I tried not to be presumptuous, I was inclined to believe this was the work of a human.

"You are aware that he will have to go into confinement when we return, right?"

To prove a point, I pulled out one of my knives and put it on the seat between us. Alaric and Henley both looked at it. Henley's confused frown looked up at me.

"What's that for?"

"The king of the vampires is right there."

"Yeah, and?"

I said nothing, turning my gaze to Alaric. He stared at me like I was a thorn in his side. Like mother, like daughter I always say. With another fluttering of my eyelashes at Alaric, I returned to Henley.

"The guards are in the front, nothing will stop you."

"I don't know what you're hoping to gain from this."

"I'm proving a point to Alaric. He thinks that you're a threat and yet there is a knife within your reach and you haven't even flinched. You're not going to, are you?"

"I told you that I'm pro-vampire, damn it." He hissed.

"I know."

Taking the knife, I flicked it at the freak. Alaric didn't flinch as it embedded into the seat next to his arm.

"Jeez Claudia," Henley gasped, jumping with fright.

"It's like he's been replaced with a statue," I muttered.

"Are you mad?"

Alaric sighed as he pulled the knife from the cushion.

"No, she's ensuring that I understand the message. I have heard you loud and clear Claudia but you fail to understand that the head of security will demand that Henley is in chains."

"Chains are fine." Henley offered. "If it means that I'm trusted then I can accept it."

"But you shouldn't."

A devious smile filled Alaric's face as he gazed at the blade. The eyes shifted and met mine, that wicked smile grew a fraction more.

"You know, I think that you are right Claudia. Henley has had a traumatic night and it is in everyone's best interest that he is treated with respect while we investigate what is really going on. Of course, if someone has set him up then it is our duty to protect him."

"No," I said, sitting up.

"Oh, my dear, I am afraid yes. By order of King Alaric Eldon, you princess Claudia Rauhmani are ordered to care for the well-being and continuing safety of Henley Davenport Junior."

"Bastard," I hissed.

Alaric smiled, the asshole smirk that he used when he believed that he'd won. I could feel Henley staring at me as well which did not make the tense moment any easier.

"I thought your name was Claudia Robards." He said softly.

"False name for security purposes. Rauhmani is the royal family name, Robards is the name my family adopted when they were hiding from this world."

"Lying, tut-tut." Alaric teased. "Surely you were taught better."

"It's not a lie when it is demanded that we protect ourselves. Your rules cannot be bent to our own will."

"But you risk your life hunting slayers," Henley whispered. "How is that protecting yourself?"

I turned with a scowl, mentally telling him to shut up. It was pointless of course, Alaric was laughing.

"You know, I think I like you, Henley."