I met Bee’s gaze, as she met mine. “My sire is Master of the Wild Hunt. He killed the cacica for the sacrifice. And then he took Vai.”

Her grip crushed my fingers. “Did he kill him?”

“He carried him away alive. Now it is up to me to get him back.” I shook off her grip. “Bee, you really must allow me to introduce you to everyone. Do you have some exalted title now with which I must address you? Your Fragrant Pompousness, perhaps?”

“Nothing so splendid. Your Exalted Magnificence will do.”

“Noble Ba’al, Bee. Are you really a queen now, like the didos of old?”

“I am something better. I can walk the dreams of dragons, and because of the very clever thinking of my dearest cousin, I know where to hide on Hallows’ Night to escape the Wild Hunt. That means there are a great many things I’ve always wanted to do I’ll now have time for.”

“Like what?”

“Where do I start? Revolutions to plot. Enemies to crush. Handsome men to rescue.”

I actually laughed, because she heartened me so. “But what about you, Bee? What happened to you?”

“Blessed Tanit!” she said portentously. It seemed she had reassured herself that I was for the moment safe, for she turned to look around the courtyard and include every person there in the axe-blow of her smile. “I can scarcely wait to tell you the tale!”