"Ruby, a word with you?" Yuri asked, making Ruby laugh to herself. He was so much like his sire Nikolai who transformed him. Even many of their mannerisms were the same.

"Something is wrong," said Elizabeth in hushed tone. "Come with us."

The three left the late revelers in the main dungeon and found a quiet room.

"What's up?" asked Ruby.

"We have a situation. There's a woman who's just arrived, she's very psychic and she's under attack. Lord Chuck appears to be most sensitive and he's picking up on her distress. I can block the attack from him, since I've tasted him, but the other I can't shield."

"Is she a witch?"

Elizabeth laughed. "You mean as in a sorceress, like you, or as in a not so nice term?"

Yuri grinned and Ruby shook her head. "You know what I mean."

"I'm not sure what manner of creature she is. Both Yuri and I are most concerned. This dungeon is hardly defensible with its doorways to other dimensions and realms."

"All right, then let's stick with the plan. Use your blood bond to monitor my girls. Elizabeth, please help Lord Chuck and we will watch this new arrival carefully. She could be a plant from Myra or anyone else wishing to harm the dungeon's members."

"She could," agreed Yuri. "Or she could truly be under attack. I request permission to visit her."

Ruby shook her head. "If she is as powerful as you think, she may try to do you harm."

Laughing, Yuri took Ruby in his arms and spun her around like a small child.

"You still seek to protect me. I'm not a fledging, Ruby. I haven't been for a hundred years."

"Yuri, please stop or I'm gonna puke."

He set her down and hugged her. "Say, yes. I want to meet her."

"All right, Yuri, go meet the new arrival. Please try not to scare her to death and be on guard."

"Mother hen," he playfully called Ruby before releasing her. "I'll be good."

He left the room, prowling like a jungle cat, his gate flexing his butt muscles beneath his tight pants.

Elizabeth laughed. "He'll be good all right, he's very good."