Benoit's eyes swept over me from head to toe, his one-fanged grin widening.

"Well, well," he chuckled. "Old Volkir did not lie. You are a pretty one."

Finding my voice at last, I expressed my surprise. "Monsieur Beaumort! Whatever are you doing here?"

"You know this guy?" Dennis asked. He'd moved to my other side, and stood slightly in front of me, in the same position as Gray. Avery remained a few paces back, still frozen with shock and uncertainty.

"Yes," I confirmed, and then hesitated.

Everything I had heard of Benoit Beaumort told me he was not a vampire who stood on ceremony. He was still a Master, though, and as capricious as the seas he once terrorized. The wrong words might have deadly consequences.

"He is...an ally," I finished, though I was no longer certain this was true.

It was one thing for a Master to offer another aid; it was quite something else to show up, uninvited and unannounced, in another's territory.

"When it suits me," Benoit agreed. "But you have me at a disadvantage, mon chéri. Won't you introduce me properly?"

He looked past me to Avery, and to Dennis and Gray.

I swallowed. It seemed he had no interest in hiding who he was, which did not bode well for anyone he decided not to trust, and as my initial shock at seeing him faded, a deeper fear took root. It made so sense for him to be here: not only in Soren's territory, but here — at Dennis McCleary's house.

"Monsieur Beaumort, these are my friends," I said in a quiet, breathless voice. "My dear friends — Dennis McCleary, Constant Gray, and..." I realized I did not know Avery's full name. "And Avery."

"Enchanté." Benoit bowed at the waist, one hand over his heart and the other behind his back. When he straightened, he smiled again and looked at me expectantly.

"And this," I went on reluctantly, gesturing at him, "is Monsieur Benoit Beaumort, vampire lord of Quebec."

"Beaumort," Gray murmured. "So you are here for vengeance, then."

Benoit smiled and ran his tongue over his short, gold fang. "In part, yes. Your family has long been a thorn in my side, but I could not move against you before. There would have been too much...collateral damage. When your father moved you all here, though, I saw an opportunity. I've long envied old Volkir this territory, but he is not one to challenge. Besides that, I owed him too much respect. His son on the other hand..."

He tilted his head back and drew a breath through his nose, eyebrows lifting with theatrical speculation.

"Well, he may have his father's power, but he is as a babe in the wood. It is his witch-born consort that concerned me. Now, however, I have the keys to both kingdoms in my hands."

Looking between me and Gray, he grinned more broadly. In the distance, the eerie wail of the phonoi, like wind whistling through wires, came again.

"Monsieur Beaumort," I said, beginning to tremble with anxiety, "please — you do not understand. Gray is not our enemy, and other dangers walk abroad this night!"

"Ah, yes — the witch's shadows, that follow her like wild dogs," he said, looking past me to Avery. "An unforeseen, but fortunate coincidence, that another witch-born line would awaken here, of all places. And then old Volkir's pet, that he kept for so long and guarded so jealously, like a sweet little secret, emerged at last, and fell right into the soup." He laughed. "With Volkir himself out of the way, I could hardly resist. The dominoes lined themselves up. All I had to do was knock one over, and start a bit of trouble to keep Soren occupied — too busy with other people's problems to see the ground eroding from beneath his feet."

"And all this," Gray said softly, "for a tooth you lost when my father was a boy?"

Benoit turned his dark gaze on him. "Yes, though the tooth is but a reminder. When your father was a boy about your age, his father attacked my house. Foolish man. And because I also, was a fool, I lost something very dear to me — and a tooth. Now it is his turn to lose something he cherishes."

Gray shook his head.

"If you think he will surrender, or bargain for my life, you are mistaken," he said. "Kill me in front of him; he will not blink an eye."

"Children often underestimate the complexity of their parent's character," Benoit said. "But in this case, perhaps you are right; we will soon find out, either way."

He turned to me.

"You have a choice now, mon petit. I need you and the Silverblood. The witch and the mortal I do not. Cooperate, and we can do this like gentlemen; resist, and their blood is on your hands. What shall it be?"

"Don't listen to him, Fenn," Dennis said, drawing himself up and lifting his chin. "As long as we don't invite him in, we're safe. Right?"

"Dennis..."

Benoit laughed. It was a deep, sonorous, and not unpleasant sound, but it was the laugh of a man with the upper hand. I could imagine it booming out across the waves, as he stood upon the bloodstained deck of a ship he'd just taken.

"Lemme guess," Dennis whispered over his shoulder at me. "The 'can't enter without an invite' thing is a myth?"

Benoit answered before I could. "Not entirely. But there is only one reason vampires do not enter the homes of others uninvited, Mr. McCleary, and it is the same reason that applies to everyone else. It would be rude."

He grinned again and reached across the doorstep to straighten the collar of Dennis' 'pirate' shirt, which he still wore, his fingers lightly brushing the side of his neck.

"And we are creatures of courtesy," he went on softly, "by and large — even an old pirate like myself"

A shiver arced across Dennis' shoulders, and he stared up at Benoit with more fascination than fear, which made me wonder if he truly understood his peril.

I did, and I could not bear the thought.

"Please, Monsieur Beaumort—"

"Benoit," he interrupted, "to my friends."

"Please, Monsieur Benoit," I said, trying again, "what is it that you want?"

His dark eyes flicked past Dennis to lock on mine. "Why, I wish to take you home, of course. Volkir's Stronghold is legendary — that is the lure of this land: the perfect 'high ground.' From there, I will have all the advantage I need against Maurice d'Argent and his bloody brood."

"Soren will never let you in," I said.

"For you? I think he will. But that does not matter, anyway. He and the witch-god are...preoccupied. All that fuss between those other houses that has been keeping your master so busy and distracted..." He clicked his tongue. "You would be surprised how easy it is to stir up trouble among vampires who take themselves too seriously. Earlier tonight there was a little 'emergency' that required immediate attention. Of course the threat of two vampire houses going to war is no laughing matter, so naturally, Volkir's boy went running to the rescue, and brought his favorite weapon with him, just in case negotiations should fail."

"Favorite weapon?" I echoed. Soren was skilled with many, but I did not know he had a favorite.

"His consort," Benoit clarified, "the godling."

"So, while the kings are out, you will take the castle and make yourself at home?" Gray interpreted.

Benoit nodded. "My people 'arrived,' earlier today, and Volkir's fool son welcomed them without suspicion. In truth, they have been here all along, my espions, keeping a close eye on all and watching for the perfect opportunity, which has come tonight. Now they await me in your master's unguarded home."

"Our home is never unguarded," I said defiantly, though my voice was high and thin. "Soren will not stand by and let you do as you please."

"Nor do I expect him to," Benoit agreed. "The other houses will not accept my claim on this land unless I do things properly. I am a former pirate, after all, and I've no desire to be outcast again. I will challenge Volkir's boy, and he will accept, and I will win."

"You are quite sure of that," Gray said.

"Of course." Benoit nodded. "I play by the rules; that does not mean I must play fair. Things will go my way, because if they do not..." He glanced at me and raised a brow. "Just like you will all come along and cooperate, like good petits chatons, or else..." 

This time, he glanced at Dennis and Avery.

"So, do we understand one another, or must I demonstrate my sincerity?"

"We understand," Gray said, speaking before I had a chance. "We will do as you ask."

"Good," Benoit nodded. "Then you know you have a part to play as well, Silverblood."

"Yes," Gray acknowledged with grim resignation. "I know."

"Very well. Henri?"

He beckoned one of the other vampires forward, who produced a pair of slim iron manacles etched with symbols. I recognized them as the sort that dampened magic. Gray held out his hands obediently, and the vampire secured the cuffs about his wrists.

"And now for the witch."

Avery took a step back, her eyes wide with fright. I reached for her hand.

"Please, Avery," I said. "They won't hurt you if you do as they say. Monsieur Benoit may be a pirate, but Father Volkir says he is honorable, if not trustworthy."

"That's not exactly reassuring," Avery whispered, but she retreated no further.

"Come here, ma chérie," Benoit said in a softer, low voice, and beckoned her towards him.

Reluctantly, she obeyed.

"Your shadows are bound to you more closely than you know," he said gently, his eyes fixed on hers. "But they are strongest when you are awake. And so, sleep."

He raised his hand and lightly touched her forehead. She slumped towards him, and he caught her, then handed her off to the vampire at his side.

"Hey! What the—" Dennis started forward, but I caught his arm.

"It is all right, Dennis," I said, "she is only hypnotized."

Dennis continued to struggle a moment, but I held him firmly, and after a moment he stopped.

"Come then," Benoit said, looking us up and down and showing us his gold-fanged grin again. "We have a party to start."

He turned and led the way down to the street, and towards a large white van. There were two rows of seats at the front, but the back was empty. The vampire carrying Avery put her there, and Dennis, Gray and I followed, Dennis pulling Avery into his lap to protect her from the rough walls and floor.

"This is so not how I pictured this night ending," Dennis complained, trying to find a comfortable position.

"At least you're not missing out on the fun," Gray replied.

"Yeah. Kidnapped by vampire pirates," Dennis whispered as they shut and locked the back doors. "Goals, am I right?"

Gray breathed a laugh and rested his head against the wall, and shut his eyes. I moved closer and leaned against his side.

Then Benoit and his men got in, one of the other vampires at the wheel, and took us away.