Adele scowled. “Of course, Captain. You do realize that I've been there?”
Pet chose that moment to complain about having his nap interrupted and stretched to find a more comfortable position.
Shirazi gave an exasperated huff. “Is it wise to have brought your cat along on this mission?”
“I did not bring him. I found him here in my cabin.”
Hariri chuckled and pointed at the animal. “Ah yes. The imperial cat often comes on board while we are in dock. I suspect we are on his daily route. I don't mind. He is a consummate rat catcher. Apparently he must have dillydallied a bit too long. Or realized that you were on board as soon as your luggage arrived.”
“It doesn't matter now. He's here.”
“Is that all, Your Majesty?” asked Shirazi.
“No, it isn't. This mission is twofold. We have a rare opportunity to put into play another plan.” Both men exchanged glances. Adele smiled in advance of her news, and hoped she would still be smiling after she explained the entire mission. “First, it is with great joy that I inform you that my brother, Simon, the prince of Bengal, is alive and well.”
“Praise Allah!” Hariri clapped his hands and did a small dance in a circle. Shirazi's reaction was more subdued, but Adele could see the relief in his eyes as he touched his heart, lips, and forehead in a reverent gesture.
“The report that Prince Gareth of Edinburgh attacked him was manufactured.”
“Why?” Shirazi asked.
“Word reached me that my brother was to be a target for assassination. I wanted him removed from any possible threat.”
“Where did this information come from, Your Majesty?” Shirazi's questions were steady and quick, even a bit annoyed. All this had been done without his knowledge or cooperation. He seemed galled by it.
“From Prince Gareth himself, our inside man in the heart of the vampire empire.” A ripple of shock went through both men. Adele stroked Pet's silky coat in an attempt to still her trembling hand, and she hurriedly continued. “It was crucial for us to lend credibility to him, making him the assassin of Prince Simon, in order to bolster his position inside his own clan. I know this is a great deal of information to take in, frankly strange information. And I realize you feel as if you haven't been kept apprised, Captain.” She looked with understanding toward the two men, particularly the silent Shirazi.
He shifted to appear unconcerned, but confirmed the statement with a grunt.
Adele continued, “Trust is at a premium in Alexandria. There are traitors and plots everywhere. You gentlemen may be shocked to learn that both Lord Kelvin and Lord Aden were pawns of Prince Cesare.”
The two men now looked incredulous, unable to speak.
“Quite,” Adele agreed with their horrified furrowed brows. “Men at the highest pinnacle of Equatorian society. So I've had to be most careful with information about our own spy at the top of the vampire world.”
“That's understandable,” Hariri remarked for both men, although Shirazi was rigid in disbelief.
“So Greyfriar was sent north to rendezvous with Gareth in Edinburgh, and make certain arrangements. However, I learned of Mamoru's assassin, and therefore we are heading for Edinburgh too.”
Finally, Shirazi asked, “What is this vampire's angle? What does he want?”
“Simply his brother, Cesare, dead. We will assist him in that because it serves our purposes as well. Cesare is the architect of the vampire alliance. His death will weaken the clan armies considerably.”
“And this Gareth is fine with that?”
“Yes.” Adele sat up and leveled a stern look at her guard commander. She was the vampire expert; she could tell these men truths, half-truths, or lies and they would have to believe her. “Vampires are naturally tribal and belligerent. Cesare is the one holding them together. He's something of a visionary. Gareth, however, is a more traditional vampire.” She suppressed a smile. “He doesn't think beyond his own desires. He doesn't care what happens to vampires in France or Germany or America, as long as his brother is dead.”
Shirazi muttered, “Sounds like a fool.”
Adele felt herself redden and tamped down her immediate retort. She cleared her throat. “He has his own motivations. But no matter, he gets what he wants, and so do we.”
“Cunning,” Hariri said with a guffaw.
Shirazi remarked, “Perhaps we should have brought more than just the Harmattan if we are flying into vampire territory. We are putting these soldiers in a very difficult situation.”
“If all goes well, your men won't even see action.”
“So you trust all vampires in Scotland as much as Prince Gareth?”