Lenobia bit back a cry of utter frustration. Instead she asked the man, "And who hired you?" He looked down at his clipboard. "Name the boss gave me was Neferet. Is that you?" Lenobia shook her head. "No, but it is the name of our High Priestess." She turned to the grounds manager. "Gaea, did you not receive the information that Neferet was going to be hiring humans to work at the House of Night?"

"I got that information. I just didn't get the information that the humans would be usurping my position!" Of course you didn't, Lenobia thought grimly, Neferet didn't want either of us to be prepared for what she was doing, and you're as protective of your grass and shrubs and flowers as I am of my horses, which is something our manipulative High Priestess is very aware of. Lenobia shook her head, annoyed at Neferet's checkmate. "No, Gaea," she explained in her most reasonable voice. "You aren't being usurped. You're being helped."

Lenobia saw the struggle in Gaea's eyes. Obviously she, like Lenobia herself, hadn't wanted human help at all, but going against an edict created by their High Priestess and sanctioned by the Vampyre High Council would create dissension in the school.

And the ancient vampyre truth was that they shouldn't be showing any dissension in front of humans.

"Yes, well, I can see that." Lenobia let some of the tension drain from her body as Gaea chose to follow the ancient vampyre truth over pride and power. "I was just caught unaware. Thank you, Lenobia, for helping me see this situation more clearly." Then she turned to the man and the workers who were milling nervously behind him. Gaea smiled and Lenobia watched the men's faces go slack and round-eyed as the full force of her beauty hit them. "I do apologize for the initial confusion. It seems there has been a mistake in communication. Shal we discuss exactly what your job is going to entail, and how it would be best if..."

Lenobia unobtrusively retreated as Gaea launched into a lengthy explanation about timing and grass cutting and the phases of the moon. Travis, once again, fell into step beside her.

He cleared his throat.

Without looking at him, Lenobia said, "Go ahead. Say whatever it is you want to say."

"Well, ma'am, seems to me there's an awful lot of job confusion going on at this school."

"Seems the same to me," Lenobia said.

"Your boss doesn't appear to be-"

"Neferet is not my boss," Lenobia interrupted.

"All right, I'll rephrase that. It appears my boss has been doin' a lot of hiring without tell in' the people those hirings most affect anything about it.

So, I'm wonderin', does this have anything to do with the rough times you mentioned before?"

"It might," Lenobia said. By this time they'd made their way back to the main door that led to the stables. She stopped and faced Travis. "You should get used to not being surprised by confusion and chaos. There can be a lot of both around here."

"But you're not going to give me specifics. Am I right about that?"

"You are," Lenobia said.

Travis cocked his hat back. "How 'bout elaboratin' on those birds with the red eyes?"

"Raven Mockers," Lenobia said. "That's what they're called. Horses don't like them; they don't like horses. They've caused problems here lately."

"What are they?" Travis said.

Lenobia sighed. "Not human. Not bird. Not vampyre."

"Well, ma'am, sounds like they're not good in general. Do I shoot if they come around the horses?"

"Shoot if they attack the horses." Lenobia met his gaze steadily. "My general rule is: protect the horses first, ask questions later."

"Good rule," Travis said.

"I think so." Lenobia nodded her head in the direction of the stables. "Do you have everything you need in there?"

"Yes, ma'am. Bonnie and me don't need much." He paused and then added, "Will you want me to change my sleeping hours around to match yours?"

"Well, I'll want you to change your sleep pattern, but you'll be matching the entire school, not just me," Lenobia said quickly, wondering why what he said had embarrassed her. "And you'll be surprised how quickly Bonnie will adapt to the night and day switch."

"Bonnie and I have done our fair share of night riding."

"Good, then you're already a little prepared for the change." There was an awkward moment when they both just stood there, and then Lenobia said, "Oh, my quarters are up there." She pointed to the tall second story over the stables. "The rest of the professors are back there." Lenobia jerked her chin toward the main campus building. "I prefer to be closer to the horses."