“And have you tell me what you think I want to hear? Oh no. Tell the story, Don Ricardo.”
Her smile seemed pleased. “You remember me! I’m glad.”
“How are you?”
“I have to admit, I’m a little stunned. What are you doing here?”
“I was going to ask the same thing,” he said. “Could you perhaps ask your man there to lower the weapon? I know how slippery the triggers can be on those things.”
“Xander, it’s fine,” she said over her shoulder, and the man—who appeared young but that meant nothing—lowered the crossbow. Didn’t put it away, though. Hand on her hip, she considered Ricardo, her gaze narrowed. He knew better than to look into her eyes. The lock of hair framing her cheek was enough.
“You’ve been traveling,” Ricardo said. “When did you leave Ciudad de México?”
“It’s been a while,” she said. “Ricardo, tell me what you’re doing here in Santa Fe. Be specific.” She sounded urgent. Panicked even, if he didn’t know better.
Ricardo decided to tell the truth. “My friend is dying. I’ve only stopped here to witness his passing.”
“Your friend,” she said, as if she couldn’t believe him having one. “You could save him.”
“Saving. Why does everyone call it saving when they know better?”
“Are there any other of our kind in town? In the region?”
“Not that I know of. Are you looking for someone?”
She glared. Yes, she was.
“It’s none of my concern,” Ricardo said quickly. “I’m only curious.”
“You’ve met no one?” she said. “You’re still solitary, even after all this time? You should be ruling this territory by now.”
He chuckled softly. He’d heard this before. “I only want to be left alone. Myself and my friends, that is.”
“I don’t believe you.”
He shrugged, using his whole arms. “I can’t help that.
”
“Ricardo. The Master of Spain has been overthrown. La Reina Catalina has declared independence from his successor and will not defer to him. And now Dux Bellorum is coming, to occupy the territory to the north in an effort overcome her.”
War, Elinor was speaking of war. Was such a thing—a war between vampires—normal? Common, even?
“What . . . who is Dux Bellorum?” Ricardo asked.
She laughed. “How can you be three hundred years old and still such a ninny? You really haven’t heard of Dux Bellorum, in all your years?”
“No.”
She hesitated a moment, then repeated, “I don’t believe you.”
He almost walked away but for his suspicion that this was about to get ugly and he still didn’t know enough.
“This Dux Bellorum—he’s here?” Ricardo asked. “Or he’s coming here. And you come to make war on him. Is that right?”
“How can you not know this?”
“Because I don’t care to! Leave me out of it. I do not know this Dux Bellorum, I want nothing to do with him or you.”