Fatal Circle by Linda Robertson

to Sam’s death and Nana and Beverley’s abduction.”
    Duly reprimanded, he relaxed his posture again. “It seemed like the right thing to do and for the right reason, Red. I had nothing to do with what Sam chose to do.”
    It was a valid point. “No matter what, you can’t reveal this. Ever. Even if it seems like the right thing to do.”
    “Okay.”
    “Swear it.”
    Johnny snorted. “I haven’t heard it yet.”
    “ Swear it.”
    “Fine. I swear I won’t ever reveal the secret you’re about to tell me. Unless it has something to do with Jimmy Hoffa’s disappearance, Jim Morrison’s death, or events on the infamous grassy knoll.”
    That was probably as good an oath as I’d ever get. “Do you remember when I told you that I’d figured out my troublesome issue with the stain?”
    “Yup. You told me not to ‘let any stab of jealousy wound me.’” He semisang the words I’d used. I poked him in the ribs. “What? I used it in some lyrics.”
    I should have known. I squeezed his waist with my fingers. He was so solid and firm muscled. I regretted Menessos’s interrupting us last night. “When I took Vivian’s stake into my hands . . .” I considered telling him the whole of it, but I’d put off these words too long already. Short version . “I flipped the binding. I didn’t know it at first, but it’s become very clear. Menessos isn’t my master. I’m his.”
    Johnny blinked at me as that sank in. “You mean—”
    “Yeah,” I said when he didn’t go on. “I’m not stained, so I’m not going to be manipulated by him. He’s hexed. I have power over him.”
    Johnny launched into laughter. “Then there’s no need for you to become that tiara-wearing heiress-thing.”
    “E-R-U-S. Air-oose. And, actually, there is. We have to keep everyone else thinking that he’s the master.”
    “Why?”
    “The fairies will want to hold him responsible for my actions anyway. If he’s the master, he’s responsible for my actions. It serves the purpose. And it’s my charge to keep things in balance, including the vampire balance. He’s perceived as a very powerful master. If he’s outmastered . . . you see all the trouble that would follow?”
    “Sure, but why should we care if his cronies know you’re even more powerful than he is? That benefits you.”
    “Lower vampires with a desire to move up might challenge him. It could cause an unending parade of challenges—”
    “So?”
    “So that wouldn’t help the balance.”
    “Pendulum’s gotta swing, Red. Things may be better when the smoke of charred vamp bodies clears.”
    I ignored the jibe. “Still, I’m his master, Johnny. I’m responsible for his safety, like I am for Beverley’s.”
    “Uh-uh,” he said firmly. “Not ‘like’ Beverley’s. She’s a kid. He’s a master vamp. He can take care of himself.”
    “The fey are going to try to kill him. I can’t sit idly by and let that happen. I can do something about it. I’m the Lustrata, I’m supposed to do something about it.”
    “You do the right thing, for the right reason.” He pulled me close again. “That’s my girl.” He stroked my hair and we just held each other. “Who else knows you’re the boss?”
    Downstairs, through my thin floor, I heard the phone ring.
    “Menessos knows, of course. Xerxadrea. You.” My totem animal Amenemhab also knew it, but he was my counsel and no one else’s. He didn’t need to be on the list. “I know this sucks. I just can’t risk Beverley having to suffer because I wouldn’t step up to the plate.”
    “And what if it’s you that she needs here, not Demeter?”
    What am I going to say to her?
    “Persephone!” Nana called.
    Johnny released me and I opened the bedroom door. “Yes?”
    “Telephone.”
    “Take a message.”
    “I tried. He insisted there was little time.”
    I went out and down the stairs. “Who is it?”
    Nana shrugged. “Dunno. But the walking corpse went back to the cellar,” she said as I