SNAP: The World Unfolds by Michele Drier Page A

eyes.
    Matthais flinched. “Well, the Were’s asked me to let them run a patrol. They said that last night they smelled an intruder in that area.”
    “ What kind of intruder?” Belon, the second Kandesky asked. “Are you sure they didn’t just make that up? Were’s don’t tell the truth when their blood’s up.”
    Hackles rose on one of the Weres. “Who are you calling a liar,” he snapped. “We smelled an intruder. A shape shifter whose scent we didn’t recognize. We think that some one from another family is poaching on our land.”
    “ That’s not your land,” Simon’s great eyes slitted in anger. “And if you think there’s a poacher, you need to bring it up to the Intercouncil.”
    “ The Intercouncil, that’s a laugh. It doesn’t have any power and besides, it’s mostly Kandeskys. Whose side do you think they’d be on?” Matthais had been denied membership and the slap constantly rankled him.
    Simon and Belon glanced at each other. They just may have to call this one a draw. They couldn’t prove or disprove the possible poacher. Their arms were aching even after the silver ropes were taken off and the eastern sky showed a tinge of light.
    “ We’ll write up a report for the Intercouncil. They’ll decide what punishment. I doubt Felix will be happy with tonight’s work,” Simon smiled, tasting a small victory. As he and Belon turned to leave, Matthais hissed, “You’d better be wary. There will be some changes with the Huszars.”
     
     

CHAPTER NINTEEN
     
     
    Downstairs, everything was bustling. The regular staff and the house-demons tore around laying fires, arranging flowers in huge cloisonné urns, carrying linens. I went into the formal dining room and was politely chased out by a footman setting the table for twenty or twenty-five people and at least five courses. “You can get something to eat or drink in the breakfast dining room, or someone can bring you something in the back drawing room,” he said. “The Baron will inspect this before cocktails.”
     
    I didn’t want to be in the way so I grabbed another cup of coffee and went out on the terrace. The day was partly overcast, the pale sun hitting the tops of the trees fronting the forest. It didn’t look as menacing as last night. Sandor came around the corner and slowed as he spotted me.
     
    “You’re up. You don’t look too bad, considering,” he said.
     
    Smiling, I said, “I’m fine. It was a nasty scare but no permanent damage, thanks to you and the other two, what were their names again?”
     
    “Franz and Hermann. They’ve been on the security staff for many years. They were part of the detail that met you at the airport and now they’ve gone to pick up some of tonight’s guests.”
     
    “How many people will be here?”
     
    “I think there are twenty-six altogether,” Sandor said. “Seventeen are staying at the castle for the weekend and the rest are part of the family who still live in this area.”
     
    “Are they all...um...”
     
    “Vampires?” Sandor laughed and his face lit up. He went from looking like a glowering thug to an attractive guy who worked out at the local gym. “No, not all. I think there are about a dozen of you people this weekend.”
     
    The way he said “you people” made be shiver. It set us apart as a minority, not a usual place. It also reminded me of Wells’ Elois. According to the Baron and Jean-Louis though, this vampire family had given up their killing ways for finding food in a much more scientific way.
     
    Sandor gestured down the lawn. “It really is a lovely place to walk,” he said. “At the end of the garden is a beautiful small river with some rapids. The Baron allows fishing, with a permit. This area and down into Slovenia are favorite places for fly fishermen, trout. The Baron will only allow permits for catch-and-release. I think three or four of the guests are planning to fish. If you’d like I can take you down there tomorrow. I’m a