Left for Undead by L. A. Banks Page A

Shadow Wolf, with full silver aura,” Hunter
announced. “Therefore, my testimony requires no blood strike from your pen of
truth.”
    “Agreed,” the crone said, now seeming more curious
than annoyed. “Continue.”
    “Our allies have been accused of opening Vampire
graves to daylight, but they claim that they are innocent. We, the North
American Shadow Wolf Federation, went to the Vampires today—to the Blood
Oasis—to offer them our assistance in finding out who could have done this. The
Southeast Asian Werewolf Federation is a neutral party and is uninvolved at
this juncture. Then we went to the scene of the last crime, to the cemetery
that once held Monroe Bonaventure, Sixth Viceroy of Cartel Elder Vlad Tempesh.”
    Hunter held out the snakeskin for the crone to examine
before he continued on. “We found this in the Vampire human helper’s uniform at
Golden Estates, Mr. Romero, who is now deceased and was killed by his own men,
we presume. This is all we have at the onset of our investigation, but we are
asking the UCE court for more time to investigate before the Vampires are given
free rein to retaliate. At this juncture, we need a go-between to keep the
peace and to keep the business of the supernatural community beyond the eyes of
the already-panicked human population. Open warfare serves no purpose.”
    “Aye,” Sir Rodney said, “especially since we are
innocent.”
    “So they all say,” the crone muttered. “But if you are
found guilty of the serious offense of opening Vampire graves to daylight
without warrant, there will be no mercy this court can offer. You are aware of
the might and reputation of your adversaries.”
    “That we are,” Queen Cerridwen said, lifting her chin.
“But this evidence is strange. I have been blamed because the locks were
shattered by instant freezing.   yet what has a serpent skin from
Hell to do with my so-called handiwork? Something untoward is amiss.”
    Grumbles of Fae soldiers’ assent filtered throughout
the dense foliage and even Garth seemed puzzled as the crone fingered the skin
and then held it out for the pen and book to inspect.
    “This is a rare artifact, something no human should
have had access to—at least not one living.” The crone calmly folded the skin
up and placed it under the last page of the hovering book. “Let it be entered
into the record that the wolves tracked a very interesting bit of evidence that
requires much further investigation. I personally haven’t seen the skin of an
Erinyes wreath in more than a thousand years.”
    Sasha gave Hunter a quizzical look as the Fae
collectively released an audible gasp.
    “What’s an Erinyes wreath?” Sasha stared at the crone
and then her gaze ricocheted around to look at the others.
    “It came from a type of group of demons also known as
the Furies,” Garth said in a hushed tone. “They are kindred to the Gorgons, but
countless in number.”
    “Cousins. The Gorgons have hair made of serpents and
turn an onlooker to stone, but the Erinyes have serpent wreaths in their hair.  
bat wings and avenge the anger of the dead,” the crone remarked casually,
beginning to walk back up the palatial council stairs. She called the book with
a snap of her fingers. “One generally does not see those sharing graves or
victims with Vampires. Yes, all of this is very curious. You may have a case
indeed.”

CHAPTER 9
    “Okay, WTF?” Sasha walked in an agitated circle as the
UCE building sank back down into the swamp and disappeared. “Furies,
Erinyes—what’s any of that got to do with the Unseelie or with Vampires?”
    “WTF?” Queen Cerridwen asked, looking toward Sir
Rodney for clarity.
    “A colloquial human expression,” Sir Rodney replied,
smiling, “one that is a bit off-color, but warranted given the circumstances.”
    “How can you even joke at a time like this? Erinyes
may be involved?” Queen Cerridwen paced away. “Do you know how dangerous those
entities are? Surely I have