The stomping of heavy boots on cobblestone and the rattle of weapons heralded the approach of her Harmattan.
“Do your men know everything?” he asked quietly.
“They don't know you are Greyfriar, but they know there is an assassin about. And they know I intend to put you on the throne.”
He cocked a sarcastic eyebrow. “You are putting me on the throne?”
“In this scenario I am.”
“Well, thank you for that,” he said playfully.
“You're very welcome.”
Adele and Gareth pulled apart as Shirazi rounded the corner with his men.
“Your Majesty.” The captain's greeting may have been to his empress, but his stern visage did not stray from Gareth.
Adele waited nervously for Shirazi to recognize the vampire as Greyfriar. She saw the similarities so plainly now, she couldn't believe anyone could be fooled. However, Gareth's alteration of voice and posture was subtle but effective, and the soldiers showed no recognition.
The prince bowed. “A pleasure to meet you, Captain.”
Shirazi responded with practiced courtesy. “Prince Gareth, I presume.”
“At your service.”
“And I, apparently, am at yours.” Shirazi stared coldly, and his men looked murderous behind him.
“I bid you welcome.” Gareth's hand gestured around at his castle. A rain shower arrived suddenly, forming a grey shrouding mist. “Let us go inside and discuss our new friendship.”
Gareth led the way, greeting the cats as they rushed him. He picked up a wiry young white cat and placed it on his shoulders. The animal perched there proudly.
“Is she new? She's adorable.” Adele reached up to scratch the cat's head, but it shrank back and slapped a quick paw at her, thankfully with the claws retracted.
“She was a gift. I call her Adele.”
“Oh really. She seems very antisocial.”
“Some consider it strong willed.” Gareth's eyes crinkled at the corners.
Adele longed to reach out impulsively and squeeze Gareth to let him know how much she loved his small gesture, but watchful eyes were everywhere.
“Has Baudoin seen to your quarters?” Gareth spoke to the entire group. “If they are not to your liking, please feel free to choose any room. There are many, and few are used.”
“I chose my old room,” Adele told him. “It suited me then and it will serve me well now.” A gentle smile played about her lips, though she attempted to keep it hidden from Shirazi.
“It is the best room in the castle,” he replied. “Morgana keeps it pristine. I'm sure she's delighted to see you again.”
Adele's smile grew wider. At least she didn't have to be shy about her feelings for her good friend. “And I her!” She regarded him suddenly as she asked, “Do you think it's possible to empty the city in so short a time?”
He nodded. “With your ship here things may move quicker.”
“It's at your disposal,” she said.
“Why remove them at all?” Shirazi countered, obviously not liking the fact that she had just offered up their sole means of escape.
Gareth replied, “It's better the people be removed in case things don't go well in London and my brother retaliates.”
“I didn't realize there was so much love lost between vampires,” Shirazi said. “What do you have to fight over?”
Gareth said stiffly, “Power and food, much like humans.”
“Not quite like us,” Shirazi replied. “We don't fight you over food. We are your food. You eat us.”
“Captain,” Adele admonished. “You forget your place.”
Gareth smiled graciously, but turned a cold glare on the impertinent man. “It's true. We do eat you. You make it sound so dastardly, but it's really just nature. We feed off you. You kill us.”
“Yes,” Shirazi said in a low voice. “Things balance out.”
Gareth smirked, unimpressed by the soldier's attempt at menace. The windows behind him spattered with heavy raindrops. “Every creature has its day. Vampire or human.”
Adele felt a growing ache in her heart. She remembered a distant conversation with Gareth about the fleeting mayfly and the end of the vampires. The thought of a world without Gareth ate at her soul. She stood quietly, unable to reach out to him.
THE NIGHT ENVELOPED Edinburgh. For the first time in many days, the clouds blanketing the sky parted to allow the thin moonlight to hold the worst shadows at bay, keeping them from wandering too far into the streets.
The castle ramparts were lit as if there were a hundred lanterns shining down upon them. Gareth gazed out over his city with a sense of sadness that it would soon be abandoned. Even though it was for the best, he wondered how his people would endure. In time, they could return to Edinburgh.