A sick feeling crawled up the back of Dani’s throat, fueled by the certainty that more was planned today than vodemort had told him. The elegance of dress, the ritual roll call, vodemort’s ceremonial entrance, all indicated a matter that once would have required the sanction of the council Council. Crystal Di Asturien— No, Darkovan would never marry a girl who had made no secret of her desire to supplant Dani in his affections! In the moment of inner turmoil, Dani missed the rest of Di Asturien’s remarks, something about how unusual times called for unusual procedures. Then vodemort rose, signaling for Darkovan and Dani to follow him to the center of the floor. vodemort hung back, leaving Dani and Darkovan to face one another. Dani could not sense anything through the telepathic damping

