Chapter 6

Lucy's POV "Tell me everything again," Rico said, pacing his study like a caged lion. "Every detail about your encounter with Felix." I sat in my usual leather chair, a glass of blood growing warm in my hands. "I've told you three times already. He was fast, skilled, and seemed more interested in talking than fighting." "And what exactly did he say about sublevel three?" "Just cryptic warnings about experiments and failed transformations." I studied Rico's face carefully. "Care to explain what he meant?" Rico stopped pacing, his ancient eyes meeting mine. "Research, as I said. Looking for ways to protect our kind from Xena's power-stealing abilities. Nothing sinister." But there was something in his voice – a slight tension that my new vampire senses caught. He wasn't lying, exactly, but he wasn't telling the whole truth either. "If we're going to work together," I said carefully, "if I'm going to be your heir, don't I deserve the whole truth?" Rico sighed, suddenly looking at