"Who's that?" Taeria asked, coming into the room.

  "Oh, I got ambushed on the way back from HoJo. I killed the three men, and rather than surrender or run away, she attacked me with a sword and," he shrugged, "lost."

  "I'm surprised you didn't kill her."

  "Eh, she was really good, almost as good as my mom, so I decided not to."

  "So what are you going to do with her? Make her a concubine?"

  Mihalis laughed as the woman on the floor started to struggle again.

  "Nah. I'm thinking I'll send her to my mom and let her deal with her."

  "Why is she tied up like that?" asked Talin, who'd come into the room while they were talking.

  "She's a trained assassin; I doubt I got everything off of her when I did my quick search."

  Mihalis noticed the woman had gone completely still when he'd said that.

  "Why would they send a woman assassin?"

  "Probably figured he'd make her part of his pride, and then one night when he was tired, she could kill him in his sleep," Taeria said, and Mihalis could feel it as the woman's fear suddenly spiked.

  He and Taeria exchanged glances, and then looked back down at the bound and gagged dark elf on the floor.

  "I think I better call my mom," Mihalis said.

  "Why?" Talin asked.

  "Some of the oaths assassins are bound by can be pretty damning, even if they fail through no fault of their own. Even as a member of House Valens, that oath will still be binding to her, though the interpretation of it may have changed with the changing of her House. I'd rather not deny anyone the afterlife of their ancestors if I can help it."

  "Oh."

  "Yeah, 'oh'. If she's going to be one of ours, unlike her prior house, we have a responsibility to her. Now, let's go see what Beri's making for breakfast."

  "So what are we going to do with her until Cali gets here?" Taeria asked, picking the bound dark elf up and following him into the kitchen.

  Mihalis shook his head. "I guess we need someone to build us some kind of holding cells, don't we?"

  "Who's that?" Beri asked as they came into the kitchen, and Taeria carefully put the bound dark elf into a more comfortable position on one of the older pieces of furniture that had been dragged into the room.

  "Another attempt on Mike's life by Uunregarten," Talin said.

  "Oh?" Beri walked over and took a look at the woman. "Oh! Hi, Tanith! I see Lord Glaven finally got tired of you and sent you off to die for him. Seriously, did you really think he was ever going to do anything more than that? You're even lower status than I was, and look at what that bastard did to me!" Beri sighed. "Well, at least you didn't get yourself killed."

  "You know her?" Mihalis asked, though from the spike of shock, anger, then embarrassment and humiliation he'd gotten off Tanith, it was obvious Beri had hit the mark.

  "Yes, she's one of those who are usually traded away for gain, but Tanith was actually quite talented at a good number of things, and she seemed to think it would make a difference in how she was treated."

  "I'm guessing it didn't?" Talin replied.

  Beri shook her head. "Not in House Uunregarten it doesn't. Maybe it once did, but those days are long gone. Sad, too, because she really deserved what she wanted."

  "Then she'll make a good addition to House Valens," Taeria said with a smile. "You'd think they'd stop sending people after us. Not like they ever do anything other than die."

  Mihalis snorted at that and sat at the table, Taeria and Talin joining him as Beri served breakfast. Over the next few minutes, Caitin, Jade, Kerrie, Azure, and Rika joined them, each learning who and what Tanith was when they came in.

  Azure also recognized her and gave her a hug before sitting down to eat. Mihalis felt some confused emotions from Tanith at that.

  "She always resented that I was allowed to be a model and she wasn't," Azure said with a sad expression on her face, "and I was too young and stupid at the time to realize it really wasn't me she was mad at, but the people who'd forbidden her from doing so. I know I said a few things I shouldn't have. So, Michael, what's up for today?"

  "Town council meeting. Also I need to talk to Biggs. Oh, Oluf will be coming out with a crew tonight. So Beri, you'll be getting your gas range sooner rather than later."

  "You know, you should put in a gas turbine generator as well," Kerrie told him.

  "Why would we need that?"

  "I'm sure Doc Ruxton would appreciate a power source that didn't require him to keep shipping in fuel. Also, it would provide cover for the other reasons the pipeline exists if people want to know how it got there."

  "He's not using magic to generate his power?" Caitin asked, looking surprised.

  "With how much he uses over there, no, he isn't. Noje and Harmony mentioned the other day that they were asked about making something for them, but the requirements were pretty hefty."

  "It would make it easier to set up some of the places we're looking at building," Mihalis agreed. "Guess I'll need to talk to Biggs, Oluf, and eventually Doc on that."

  "What time are you meeting with the council?" Jade asked, smiling at him.

  "After lunch, why?"

  "I guess that means you're free for the rest of the morning?"

  Mihalis almost laughed at the seven very hungry looks he was now getting.

  "Just let me finish eating first…" he said as he quickly went to work on clearing his plate.

  Day To Day

  Hengity sat back and watched as the incubus took all their reports. He hadn't been kidding about having their accounts gone over. Thankfully, Hengity had gotten into the habit of honesty before Prince Talt had died. Being dishonest with Prince Talt would've had both a life- and career-ending outcome.

  Cynthia, who was some sort of Earth demon, and Schmerz, who was one as well, though a different type, hadn't been as honest, and had spent several days scrambling to correct their records, as none of them were fool enough to believe this incubus, or this incubus lord , would hesitate to kill them if they displeased him.

  Or worse yet, tried to steal from him.

  The byplay between Cynthia and their new boss was interesting, and perhaps not as strange as he'd first thought. He knew Cynthia had been engaging in sex with their previous boss, though she'd never pursued it with him. He'd been the instigator, a lord taking his due, or at least that was how Hengity had always perceived it.

  But that dynamic had now changed. Cynthia was, as Schmerz had pointed out previously, playing up to their new boss, and seemed to be quite interested, despite Schmerz's comments that sex with an incubus would leave one in their thrall, while they slowly consumed you until there was nothing left. Hengity was not without his own sources, as well as resources, which he'd cultivated back when his prince was alive, and he had actual power.

  What he'd learned was, while they were quite capable of destroying whoever or whatever they wished, they seemed to have much more restraint in their actions. Case in point was Cynthia herself, who was much more powerful than Schmerz, and appeared to be well-versed in her counterpart Earth demons and their abilities. She didn't believe their new boss would consume her or kill her, not unless she forced him to. It was also clearly obvious that she very much wanted to be a loyal servant to this incubus lord, where she hadn't been interested in such with their prior vampire master.

  Their new boss had so easily and handily defeated their prior one, it was clear he was powerful.

  Then there was Lord Ennakoida. Ennakoida's failed attempts to retake the Auction House, and his complete removal from any control over the city, had been a shocking surprise to Hengity. That Ennakoida was not moving to retake it with his full might made it quite clear to Hengity that Lord Ennakoida was afraid of this incubus lord. There was no any other explanation. Hengity knew Ennakoida was currently gathering up the parts of Prince Talt's former domain he could lay claim to before the other lords did, but it was equally clear he was using that as an excuse not to challenge the new Earth demon within what was his established domain.

  That act was making him wonder.

  Hengity hadn't been very optimistic about his own continued longevity or survival. He knew once Ennakoida had taken the city and the Auction House back, he'd be killed and eaten by whomever Ennakoida set over the place. It was only his connection to Prince Talt that had stayed his hand in the past.

  Hengity looked over at Ärsyttävä, or 'Arsy', as their boss had renamed him. He looked far less combative towards their new boss than he had before. His behavior today had made it appear he was now looking to curry favor instead. Then again, if Ennakoida was afraid, why would he act that way? Hengity would expect him to be equally fearful, as Arsy was even less powerful than Hengity was.

  "Hengity, do you have any questions?" Mihalis asked, turning towards him.

  "No, I do not. Am I to take it you are happy with my performance?"

  "Yes, actually, I am. I'm also surprised you're not taking a larger percentage of what you bring in, now that you no longer have Prince Talt to support you. Now, I don't recall what the evolution path is for Padomdevejs—whether you just grow in strength, or if you become something else?"

  "We grow in strength, sir, though we do not get to the level of a biskop, nor do we gain any but the most rudimentary of powers."

  Mihalis nodded and gave him a thoughtful look. "Increase your take to twenty percent, and I want you and Arsy to make sure the feed pens have enough of the lesser djevels you eat, so there aren't any food shortages. Make sure both of you have enough to eat, as well. I suspect neither of you are keen on going outside the wall and hunting for your own food."

  "No, sir, we definitely are not."

  "Thank you milord!" Arsy piped up.

  "Now, I'll be with Cinn in her office for the next hour or two if anyone needs me."

  "You know," Cynthia said, smiling warmly at Mihalis, "you could spend some time in my office if you wish…"

  Mihalis looked thoughtful at that. "You know, I can't say I've ever had sex with a cambion before. I might just take you up on that one of these days."

  Hengity noticed the expression on Cynthia's face was one he'd never seen before, though from the way she was smiling, he was fairly sure it was a happy one.

  "I would like that, Michael."

  Mihalis laughed. "Oh, trust me, I'm sure you will."

  With that, Mihalis walked out of the room, and Schmerz shook his head. "I cannot understand your fascination with him, Cynthia."

  "He means to change Bartertown, to grow its size and importance, so that he may grow his own power. Before, I thought perhaps I might control him, but now I see that in time, he will control me. He will control us all, I am sure, and if he finds any of us too difficult to control? We will be replaced. Well, you will excuse me if, upon realizing who I will be serving, I seek to enjoy it.

  "Unlike you, I do not have an instinctual need to spread discord."

  Schmerz didn't reply to that. Instead, he got up from his seat and left the room. Irrie followed a moment later, then Cynthia, who winked at him. Hengity would've frowned at that, but Cynthia was powerful enough—more so than he was—she undoubtedly knew what his current concerns were.

  Then again, he'd just been given more money and told to feed more. Standing up, he turned on 'Arsy'.

  "Why are you looking at me like that?" Ärsyttävä said, sliding his chair back from him.

  "What is going on with your lord?"

  "That is none of your concern!"

  "But I am making it my concern."

  "You have no prince, no lord, backing you! You are but a lone Padomdevejs! You would incur the wrath of Lord Ennakoida?"

  " Lord Ennakoida is not here, nor does he control Bartertown! You are just as alone here as I, Ärsyttävä! You are only a byrokraatti!"

  "Lord—"

  Hengity cut him off, "Is not here! Has no power here! Now you either tell me what you know, or I will eat you and find out for myself!"

  "You would threaten Lord Ennakoida's envoy?" Ärsyttävä said, eyes wide and looking very fearful. "What of the incubus lord?"

  "That would not be your concern, as you will no longer be here, now would it?" Hengity growled. "Now, why does Lord Ennakoida not seek to retake this place from the incubus? Why are you respectful to one who is not only in conflict with your master, but whom your master fears ?"

  "Lord Ennakoida does not fear him!" Ärsyttävä said, retreating backwards from Hengity as he moved closer.

  "Oh? Then why has he not come? Talk, Ärsyttävä, while you still have the ability!"

  "He is a prince!" Ärsyttävä blurted out, then clapped his hands over his mouth in shock.

  Hengity stopped and frowned. "Who is a prince?"

  "Umm…"

  "If you do not explain yourself, I will contact Lord Ennakoida and ask him what you meant."

  "No! Don't! I didn't…"

  Hengity stared Ärsyttävä down.

  Ärsyttävä sighed and shuddered a little. "Lord Ennakoida believes Michael, the incubus lord, is a prince of djevels from our destroyed home."

  Hengity took a step back, shocked to his core. "How can this be?"

  "Our scribes recalled that a race of winged djevels once existed back at home, but left many, many duodaers ago. It was discovered that they had come here, but we thought they had been destroyed by the lions. But now we find one, who not only does not fear the lions, but is avoided by them? Who reforms after death? Who has powers beyond that of any but perhaps a lord?" Ärsyttävä raised his hands in pleading. "There, I have told you all! Please spare me!"

  Hengity thought about what Ärsyttävä had just told him. Their new boss a prince? If that was so...

  "Lord Ennakoida is going to… what? What would he do with a prince?"

  "What he would not do with Prince Talt because of his former prince's animosity towards Talt. But a new prince? One who has kept his power? Who knows how to survive, and even thrive in this new world?"

  "Then why hasn't he already?"

  "You do not come begging to a prince! You come showing your worth and value!"

  Hengity nodded slowly in agreement. "Ennakoida is right. You do not come begging to a prince if you want him to swear you. Even as Prince Talt's most junior advisor, I know that to be true. If your lord is correct, that would also explain why the incubus lord has come here, of all places."

  "Oh?" Ärsyttävä said, looking suddenly interested.

  "This is where the remaining djevel lords live, here , in this place. If he is going to gather them to himself, he will need a castle, a sign of his might and strength among them, so they may come to him. That would explain why he is working to draw those of earthly power here as well, so he can join their power to his and increase his might."

  Hengity nodded again, considering it. "I must think on this."

  Turning, he left the room and went back to his own office, closing the door behind him. Prince Talt had never tried to force Ennakoida to join him, because he'd wanted him to come willingly. Ennakoida was a smart and crafty lord. His pipeline under the wall that had been built to shut them up in here had shown that. Prince Talt had believed that over time, Ennakoida's animosity would disappear.

  But had Ennakoida found another option? Was this Michael also a prince? If so… If so, Hengity should work to curry his favor. There were not many Padomdevejs left in this world, and none beyond him who had worked for a prince. Who understood the needs of a prince. Hengity was well versed on all the remaining lords. He had value, and he had worth.

  Best of all, he was here, and he was already working for this possible prince. He'd even made a good impression today and been well rewarded for it! Even better, if this Michael, this incubus lord, was in fact a prince, Hengity would not have to fear any djevel killing him and eating him, because no one wanted to anger a prince!

  He smiled. For the first time in a very long time, the future held the faint glimpse of the darkness he and his kind so loved.

  #

  "So what's this I hear about you having another girl?" Cinnamon asked, frowning at him.

  "I'm sending her home to Mom Cali, so no, I don't have 'another' girl."

  "Where'd she come from, and why are you sending her to Mom Cali?"

  "She came from House Uunregarten, along with three men, to kill me," Mihalis said with a sigh. "I killed them, captured her, and left her at home with the girls, all trussed up."

  "Why didn't you kill her?"

  Mihalis shrugged. "Because she was good? Or maybe because she was the last one, so I could afford to show a little mercy?" He sighed again. "I don't know. We haven't really questioned her, but we're pretty sure they thought I'd take her as one of mine, and then when I was asleep one night, she was supposed to murder me."

  Cinnamon sighed as well. "Where have I heard that story before? She good looking?"

  "Yeah, she's pretty hot." Mihalis winked at her then. "Almost as hot as you!"

  Cinnamon blushed a little. "Thanks. Oluf's coming out tonight, isn't he?"

  "Yup. I'll send her back on the flight. Kerrie thinks we should put in a gas power generator."

  "Well, she's hands down smarter than you or me," Cinnamon said with a chuckle, "so I'm guessing you agreed?"

  "Yup. She had good reasons, more than one, actually. But getting back to the attack, talk to Sampson and the rest of the guard when you get the chance, and see if they can figure out the when and where of them showing up."

  "Why not ask what's-her-name?"

  "I don't want to go too rough on her."

  "Why not?"

  "Well, both Azure and Beri know her, and honestly? We could use a couple unrelated females in House Valens."

  "Thinking of marrying her off?" Cinnamon asked with a surprised laugh.

  "Well, SJ's only got four; I guess it's possible Mat or Nug might decide they want a wife, then of course there's my younger brother—"

  "Who isn't even born yet."

  "Hey! That didn't stop R&D from getting SJ!" Mihalis said with a laugh of his own.

  "You know, maybe you should ask the First about infecting my mom?"