A few minutes later, the door to her lair opened. We had replaced the secret bookcase that originally led to her basement suite with a solid metal door that would be almost impossible for any wannabe vampire hunter to break through.
Menolly popped her head out. “Good evening. You didn’t eat already, did you?”
I shook my head. “No, but those sandwiches Hanna and Iris are making for tomorrow look damned good. I gather you’re providing dinner?”
The doorbell rang at that moment. Menolly wove through the crowded kitchen. “Yes, and that’s it.” She and Nerissa hushed us, making us stay where we were.
I glanced around. “Where are the others?” Smoky, Morio, Trillian, Shade, and Vanzir were absent. Roz was in the living room.
“They decided to do a quick patrol of the land. They took the new guards that Aeval assigned to watch over the place, to show them the layout. They’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Iris finished making the last sandwich and she and Hanna began packaging up the food, along with cookies and protein bars and apples for the road. We’d have to pick up trail rations when we got there, but that shouldn’t be a problem.
“Here now, you’ll have food for tomorrow and the next day, at least.” Hanna set the rucksack on the counter. “Don’t sit on it or you’ll have flat sandwiches. I also tucked in a couple dozen hard-boiled eggs.”
At that moment, Menolly and Nerissa returned, carrying two towers of boxes and bags. As they set them on the table and we began spreading them out, the aroma of barbecue filtered out.
“Ribs! From the Wayfarer?”
Menolly nodded. “I know how much you love them, so I had the new cook fix up enough for everybody. Also some slaw, macaroni and cheese, garlic bread, and a lemon cake.”
Smoky and the other men trooped in right about then. There was a general chaos of washing up as Hanna and Iris set the table. Chase carried the babies into Hanna’s bedroom while Roz followed with the detachable car seats that made for handy portable beds, and between the two of them, they tucked the three children in for naps. Delilah moved Maggie’s playpen into the living room and she, too, fell asleep.
As we gathered around the oak table, Iris and Hanna included, and held hands, I closed my eyes and dropped my head back. “Moon Mother, watch down over us. Lady Undutar, guard this house and home. Lady Bast, watch over our felines—and watch over Maggie. Be with us, guard us in our journeys and guide us safely home again. Protect the house and hearth while we’re gone, and let us rejoice in this, the family we’ve created.”
And with that, we set to, one last night of feasting. The laughter rose, and the noise of clattering plates and silverware rang out, along with shouts of “Pass the ribs!” and “Toss me a hunk of bread, will you?” and “Is there any more salad?”
I sat back, eating, watching the people I loved the most. Tomorrow would bring the beginning of a change that would forever affect us. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, but for now, we were safe and together, and the love was flowing.
EARLY THE NEXT morning, we gathered at the Wayfarer. Nobody was there except Derrick, who had agreed to meet us. He quietly escorted us to the basement. Menolly had stayed home—it was too close to sunrise. And we had asked Vanzir and Morio to wait at home. Smoky, Trillian, Rozurial, Chase, Delilah, Shade, and I were there. Smoky took my pack from me, and Shade offered to carry Delilah’s but she shook her head. Instead, he held out his hand to Chase and—without a word—Chase handed over his pack. He knew he was the weak link, and by now, his ego had evolved enough to admit it and do whatever he could to strengthen himself.
Aeval appeared with Bran and Venus, and she motioned me off to one side.
“You are walking into a dangerous situation, yes, but please do not fear. Fear is your enemy. Be cautious, watch for ambush, but remain focused on your goal. You are destined to become the Queen of Dusk and Twilight, and the Hags of Fate do not deal out destinies willy-nilly. You will find the diamond, and return, and after that…” Her voice trailed off, leaving a soft sigh in its wake. “After that, you will begin to understand the true nature of your power and your potential, Camille Sepharial te Maria D’Artigo.” She kissed me on the forehead. “Go now, and return as soon as you can. Even I cannot predict where this is leading, but I’m looking forward to finding out.”
She stood back and nodded for us to proceed. Derrick, who was versed in using the portal, had set the destination for Dahnsburg Lake, near Thistlewyd Deep.
“It’s important you tell no one where we went. I don’t care who asks.” I walked toward the portal.