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lid and waited for her e-mail program to pop up. She’d let it download everything she’d missed, then started to read the subject lines.
    “You don’t have to get so excited.”
    She glanced back to Blane, clicking on the e-mail with the subject Our First Meeting . “I already have a date this week.”
    “Really? You found someone who’s into princesses, huh?”
    “I found a gentleman, yes.”
    “And where did you find this gem?”
    “That’s none of your business.”
    Blane leaned forward, his black-and-green hair moving smoothly and falling around his face. He whispered, “Tell me it’s not from a dating service.”
    “I met him through the Council’s Web site.” It was true. Vincenzo had known the site and met her in one of the secret chat rooms, which confirmed what he really was. Then he’d contacted her directly after all their online chats.
    Blane chuckled. “You are not going on a blind date with someone you met online.”
    “I didn’t ask your permission.”
    “You should have.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “I’m guarding you. Remember?”
    She grumbled, “I’m going anyway.”
    “We’ll see, Princess.” Blane leaned back and tucked his hands behind his head. That familiar arrogance radiated from him. “If you’re a good girl.”
    She flipped him the bird.
    “Oh!” He laughed harder. “I didn’t know they taught that at prep school.”

    50
    Christiana focused on the e-mail that took up most of her screen.
    Dearest Juliet,
    I will be at the meeting and can imagine nothing more pleasant than meeting you. You will find me at the STATUE in the center of COURT just after midnight during the masquerade.
    Until then,
    Your Romeo
    She smiled. It was a little cliché, but it was the most romantic note she’d ever received.
    Every other man wanted to either control her or own her for power. It was about time she met someone who wanted her just because of her personality.
    “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me! That’s the cheesiest thing I’ve ever read.”
    Christiana’s eyes jerked up to Blane’s snickering face, hovering too close, reading the screen. How had she missed him moving? “Not a word, neonato !” He wasn’t exactly a baby, but he was younger than she was.
    The laptop slammed shut with the twitch of Blane’s hand. He moved back to his chair.
    “You are not going to meet him.”
    “And you are not going to tell me what to do.”
    He smiled slowly. “Watch me.”
    “You’re so…” She let out a screech that pulled Jonas and Elena’s attention. “You’re—
    You leggero . Stay away from me, you ignorant lout!”
    His face went slack, then his jaw clenched.
    In a flash, Blane jumped to his feet and pinned her to the chair, one arm on each side of her. Furniture inside the jet rattled, but she didn’t think it had anything to do with turbulence.

    51
    He leaned down, too close. “Listen, Princess . I know you’re used to having your ass kissed, but I’m not your servant.” He stared at her, almost daring her to say something. “Khalil doesn’t have enough power or enough people to stop me from ripping you apart if you ever try that again.”
    Someone tugged at his shoulder, but he stayed in her face.
    “Blane.” Jonas’s voice was stern. He pulled Blane’s shoulder, and the vampire let him pull him back. The furniture around her stopped rattling with his anger. “Back off.” His eyes cut to Christiana, a warning look. “She’s not worth it.”
    Something about the cold look from Jonas, who had been hospitable up to this point, and the way that his voice sounded made his comment sting. He really did believe she wasn’t worth it. As if she were so much less than him.
    In a strange way, that made sense. To a bunch of Italian mob types, she was nothing more than a spoiled brat and spy for the leader. She’d been foolish to think that they’d see her as one of their own.

    * * * *
Christiana stretched, then glanced around the darkened, motionless jet.