We moved through to the dining room, where Kula had already set out our dinner.  Carter had already seated himself at the end of the table.  He stood as soon as he saw us enter the room and eyed me warily.  Vittorio caught the exchange.  "Is there a problem, Carter?"

I inwardly cringed, but didn't allow it to show on my face.  Had I over-stepped the mark earlier?  Was Carter going to end up looking victorious here?

   "I just wondered if Miss Darroway was going to send me away again," he informed Vittorio.

   "Send you away?" Vittorio raised an eyebrow.

Uh-oh! Baby Si was on edge.

Carter's face broke into a sly grin.  "Yes, I arrived earlier, but she sent me away.  Said something about her being in charge when you were unavailable."

   Vittorio looked at me. "You did?"

I didn't answer, I simply held his gaze. My innards were absolutely dancing with rage at Carter though.  Vittorio held out a chair for me to sit.  "Well, Carter," he began, taking his own place at the table and flicking out the  neatly folded napkin.  "I don't see what the issue is here.  It is her home after all. Of course she is in charge!"

Woo hoo!! Baby Si was tying her own napkin round her neck. He's cool!

Carter did a double-take, the grin wiped instantly from his face.  He only sat down again once his master invited him to.  It was good to see the creep put in his place.  I smiled at Vittorio, who winked at me in response.  He was even more delectable now, if that was at all possible.

Kula took the remaining seat at the table.  We began eating.  As usual, she had prepared an exceptional meal.  I had to credit her with that at least.

   "Any word from Peter?" I asked her.

She almost spilled her wine.  Vittorio watched quietly.  "Yes," she regained her composure. "He has to go to Europe, on business."

   "Ahh yes, your husband." Vittorio said, lifting his glass.  "The construction engineer."

   "Yes." Kula replied.

   "And where in Europe is he going?"

She was quiet for a moment.  I noticed her hand shaking slightly.  "Greece." 

I just knew she was lying.  Why would she be so nervous otherwise?  Why?  One thing was obvious though, Vittorio had not met, let alone harmed Peter, so at least in that knowledge,  I was relieved.  So what was she covering up?

   "It has exquisite architecture," he commented.

   "So I believe.  I have never been, myself."

   "And does he not wonder where you are, when he is away?" I asked her.

She shot a glare at me.  "I travel much, Sienna!  He has no need to concern himself about my whereabouts."

   "Girls!" Vittorio smirked. "Claws in at the dinner table please."

I could not suppress a grin. I hid it  with my napkin. 

   "So, Carter.  What progress are we making?"

Baby Si pricked up her ears.  As did I.  Progress in what, I wondered.  Carter finished chewing before he responded.  "Everything seems on track," he started.  "The council has verified that our Elders and Heirs have convened at the High Seat.  They voted in favour.  A large number of  offenders are currently being detained, awaiting trial. "

Voted for what? Our Elders and Heirs?  Who were these offenders? What offences were they accused of? I was desperate to know, but I refrained from allowing my curiosity to voice the question. I kept my head down and ate my dinner.  

   "And what of the others?"

   "We are still uncertain of their numbers.  From what we have discovered so far, we are  still talking hundreds.  We need more trackers, Vittorio."

   "Hmm." Vttorio was silent for a few moments.  "Have Cesare and Gregorio organise the trackers.  As for the gathering, request that the Countess, the Heiress and their broods are always at the ready."

My curiosity could not be stemmed any longer.  "Countess? Heiress?"

Vittorio smiled.  "Ahh, I apologise, Sienna.  I forget that you are not yet fully aware of vampire hierarchy.  I will explain later...when we are alone."   His last four words had my sex implode with millions of butterflies.  Baby Si was frantically fanning her face and neck.

Kula then spoke.  "And what shall I do, Vittorio?"

The vampire tossed his napkin on his empty plate.  "I think, Kula, having enjoyed that meal so much...thank you, by the way..." 

She nodded appreciation of his compliment. 

   "...you should stay, and cook us another wonderful dinner."

   "Do you not require anyth'ng else of me?"  she sounded a little insulted.  Perhaps it was not what she had expected to hear.

   "Yes.  I am sending you to  Marsico Nuovo."

   "What?" her eyes were huge.  "I meant here, Vittorio! What about Sienna?  You need someone to watch her during the day!"

The vampire's emerald eyes looked at me.  They were tender, inviting, sensual.  Suddenly they darkened as they turned to Kula.  "I don't think that will be necessary somehow.  Furthermore, you will not question my orders, Voodoo witch!"

Voodoo?  The word had my mind reeling.  I was sure I had heard specific reference to Voodoo recently. It wasn't something Kula normally spoke about, for all she came from a place steeped in that particular belief.  Yet......

   "Sienna?"  Vittorio looked concerned.  "Are you feeling alright?" He rose and came to my side. 

Kula was staring at me.  No, her gaze was penetrating me, like she was trying to probe my mind.  "Y-yes. Fine...I think,"  the words stumbled from me.  Carter was staring at me too.  His seemed just mild curiosity, though.

Taking my hand, Vittorio helped me rise.  I glanced at Kula again.  Her eyes were intense. A solitary bead of sweat trickled down her brow.  My head started to hurt, pulse.  God! Was she actually trying to read my mind? How could she ?  I was awake. Wasn't I?   "Take me out of here, Vittorio. Please!" I whimpered.

He lay me gently down on my bed.  I felt dizzy, nauseous, though the pain in my head had lessened.  Had she drugged me again?  No stupid! Everyone else is OK. Baby Si reasoned.  Vittorio came out of my en-suite bathroom with a dampened face-cloth and placed it lightly on my forehead.  God, he was lovely!  His eyes were gentle green once more, studying me closely.  "Any better?" he asked.

   "It's easing," I replied.  "I-I don't know what happened though.  I just felt,...peculiar." 

The emerald pools travelled over my body.  I lay still, not daring to move.  "Breathe, Sienna, or you will pass out."  His eyes met mine.  I felt blood coursing through my veins, my heart racing, sounding in my ears.  His lips parted a little and I glimpsed the sharp fangs.  Baby Si was awe-struck, speechless, for once.  I felt his hot breath, like waves, wash over my chest, my neck, my face.  Gently, he removed the face-cloth and lightly  kissed my brow.  "You are so beautiful, Sienna." His lips hovered over my cheek.  " If I was not so full from Kula's dinner, I could eat you now." 

I flinched.  He laughed lightly.  "Just a figure of speech, nothing more." I smiled with him. His mouth was millimeters from mine.  Then our lips met.  His kiss was warm and soft, for all he was quite  literally armed to the teeth.  I felt myself surrendering all common-sense and morality.  I wanted him.  I ached for him. He lifted his head to look at me.  "You have no idea what you do to me, Sienna.  I have searched for you all your life."  His breathing deepened. His eyes darkened and fangs extended further over his bottom lip.  But still, I wanted him.  I reached up and carressed his cheek.  He nuzzled the palm of my hand, closing his eyes as he did so.  " There were many times I almost had you in my grasp, but, the nights would give way to morning, and I lost you again."  His voice was calming and hypnotic. "And now, you are here.  Your scent, your taste....your body."

I couldn't take it any more.  I pulled him to me, my arms encircling him.  He responded hungrily, holding me tightly as our kisses deepened.  I could feel his hardness straining against the fabric of my dress. His kisses travelled over my chin, down my neck, my breasts.  Oh my god, I was going to swoon.  Then I felt the sharp stab as his fangs broke the skin just above the breastline of my dress.  I held his head as he started to drink from me. The sensation was intoxicating! I succumbed completely to the torrent that was thundering through my entire body now.  I felt as if I was glowing.  I opened my eyes.  Dear god! I was glowing, literally!! I inhaled sharply.

Suddenly, he pulled away.  His eyes were no longer my beloved emerald green, they were black. No whites, just black.  He jumped up from the bed.  Breathing hard and fast, he wiped my blood from his mouth and stared at it on the back of his hand.  "Forgive me, Sienna," he whispered.

   "Vittorio! What's wrong?"  I sat up.  "Is it this?" I held out my arms as the glow was starting to fade. "I don't know what it is, but...."

   He stared at me.  Was it horror in those black eyes? Or regret?  "I- I can't do this!" he said.  And in a flash, he was gone. 

My bedroom door clicked closed as I fell into my pillow and cried myself to sleep.