Reluctant Partnerships by Ariel Tachna Page A

because the new vampire was turned against her will,” Denis replied, keeping his voice level despite the roil of anger at being challenged so soon. Expecting it did not make it any easier when it happened. He knew the way le Jeu des Cours worked. He had used it on Renaud, challenging him subtly in gatherings such as this, slowly undermining his authority until he was positioned within the eyes of the Cour as the logical successor for a man who had lost their confidence. Now he had to play the game to keep his position, and any show of anger or discomfiture would weaken him in the eyes of his peers. “She didn’t see her attacker, and I am not accusing any of you, before you jump to another false conclusion. However, the actions of the vampire who did turn her put us all at risk. I’m not asking any of you to account for your whereabouts Sunday evening. I’m not investigating the crime because that is the purview of the local police, who have been notified and who are working on the case. If they come to me for more assistance than I’ve already given, though, I will give them all the information in my possession.”
    “What are you threatening?”
    “Absolutely nothing if you weren’t the one to turn Pascale Auboussu against her will,” Denis replied, keeping his smile as hidden as he had his anger. If they felt threatened, then they still recognized his authority. By the time Denis had challenged Renaud, the former chef de la Cour had resorted to wild threats of banishment or worse for anyone who did not follow his dictates. Army experience aside, Denis had never been one to yield easily to orders. “The vampire who did this is extorris , which is what I summoned you to announce. By his actions, he endangered not only the vampire he turned and abandoned, but also all vampires who do their best to function as law-abiding citizens. Bellaiche will make the same announcement to his Cour in Paris, although suspicion is far more likely to fall on us than on his Cour simply because of proximity. Our hope is that other chefs de la Cour will make the same announcement as well, but our decision stands regardless of their action or inaction on the matter. If a detective comes to ask you questions, I suggest you cooperate. Human justice may be less harsh than vampire justice, but they are far pickier about what you do to begin with.”
    “And until you know who the extorris is?” Auguste demanded. Denis thought he heard a change in the other vampire’s tone. Auguste might still be making demands, but he had gone from being hostile to wanting Denis’s assurances. If Auguste had backed down, Denis was probably safe from a fight to hold onto his position.
    “Until we know the identity of the extorris , I will defend all members of my Cour equally,” Denis said. “I will not have my Cour persecuted, but neither will I have innocent vampires endangered by the actions of someone who has stepped outside our laws. If you were not the one responsible for the involuntary turning, I will protect you with every ounce of authority in my position and every bit of cunning and strength I possess. We are not facing this alone. Already, l’ANS is drafting legislation to address the crime that was committed and to protect the rest of us from being tarred with the same brush. The same political force that ended l’émeutte des Sorciers and brought about the equality legislation that has improved things for all of us is working to make sure we don’t lose ground because of this now. We owe it to ourselves and to them to do nothing that would impede that process.”
    “And how do you suggest we do that?”
    “First, by giving all assistance we can to the authorities,” Denis said, meeting the eyes of every vampire in the room as he spoke. “Secondly, by showing a unified front in condemning the actions of the extorris in any setting where it comes up.”
    “We have survived for centuries because we have always defended our own,”