DAVID: I assume you mean Roland?
SHELDON: [grins] Yes, but don’t tell him. Speaking of family, I heard you love Ami like a daughter. What do you think about Seth assigning her to serve as Marcus’s Second?
DAVID: [ponders that a moment] Marcus’s behavior since he lost Bethany has been worrisome. He has become more reckless, taking chances he shouldn’t. I think Ami will temper that, if not bring it to an abrupt end.
SHELDON: How? Most of the other Seconds think Marcus is going to scare her off.
DAVID: [laughs] That isn’t going to happen. If Marcus should attempt to drive her away, he will find her a very shrewd adversary.
SHELDON: That’s what Seth, Roland, and Sarah all said. Is it true that you and Seth rescued Ami from a facility you then burned to the ground?
DAVID: [expression darkening] Where did you hear that?
SHELDON: [swallows] I… may have overheard Chris talking to Marcus.
DAVID: You would be wise to forget everything you heard.
SHELDON: Yes, sir. I’ve already forgotten it. But if you don’t mind my saying so… If Ami has suffered some sort of trauma, do you really think pairing her with Marcus’s crazy ass is the best thing for her?
DAVID: I trust Seth’s judgment implicitly.
SHELDON: Then I will, too. I’m curious to see what happens.
DAVID: [smiles] As am I. In fact, you’ll get an inkling tonight. They’re on the way over.
SHELDON: [acquires a deer-in-the-headlights expression of panic] They’re coming here? Ami is?
DAVID: Yes.
SHELDON: I gotta book.
DAVID: Let me guess. She’s still angry with you about—
SHELDON: Yes. Thank you again for the interview.
DAVID: You’re welcome.
December 2011
Night Reigns Blog Tour
SHELDON: Thanks for sitting down with me for another interview, Seth.
SETH: No problem. The last one ended precipitously.
SHELDON: Did everything go okay in Germany?
SETH: It did.
SHELDON: Glad to hear it. Now, the last time we talked, I asked you who you would want to be the leader if you were to step down. But I forgot to ask… has anyone ever challenged you for leadership of the Immortal Guardians or tried to force you to step down?
SETH: [laughs] No.
SHELDON: Are you laughing because you’re so powerful that no one could defeat you?
SETH: While that’s true, I was actually laughing, because… who would want the job? I love each and every one of the immortals—
SHELDON: Even Roland?
SETH: [still smiling] Even Roland. But they require much of me. And watching over them is a never-ending task. I don’t know from one day to the next where I will seek my rest. I have no downtime. No days off. And sometimes I must go days without sleep.
SHELDON: I never thought of it like that. You don’t have a Second, do you?
SETH: No. I don’t need one. I’m old enough and powerful enough that I can walk in sunlight without suffering any ill effects. David can withstand a few hours, but even he benefits from having Darnell for a Second.
SHELDON: Will you assign Roland a Second now that he and Sarah are together?
SETH: No. Roland refused to welcome a stranger into his home before, and he’s doubly committed to refusing one now that he worries over Sarah’s safety.
SHELDON: Do you think Roland and Sarah will be together for the long haul?
SETH: Absolutely. Sarah makes him very happy.
SHELDON: I have noticed him smiling quite a bit.
SETH: As have I.
SHELDON: It’s actually kinda creepy.
SETH: [laughs] Well, get used to it. He promised Sarah he’s going to try to be less antisocial in the future.
SHELDON: That’s even scarier. So, has any immortal ever rejected your leadership?
SETH: Yes.
SHELDON: Was it Roland? It was Roland, wasn’t it?
SETH: No, it wasn’t Roland. Roland was happy to see me after his transformation. He was concerned he might harm his children, and was glad I was there to aid him in adjusting to his new life.
SHELDON: Then who was it?
SETH: There have been a few over the millennia. Men who were leaders themselves as mortals and found it difficult to suddenly have to report to someone else.
SHELDON: What did you do?
SETH: [dark smile] I convinced them it would be unwise to cross me.
SHELDON: [swallows] What about refusing to follow an order you give? Did that ever happen?
SETH: Every time I sent Roland a Second. He absolutely refused to trust a human guard. Marcus didn’t exactly welcome Ami as his Second either.
SHELDON: David, Roland, and Sarah seem to think Marcus won’t be able to scare Ami off if he tries.
SETH: They’re right. Ami may appear small and fragile, but she can kick some serious ass.
SHELDON: Mortal ass maybe.
SETH: [arches a brow] Haven’t you heard? She’s bested a couple of the younger immortals in sparring matches.
SHELDON: [stares] Ami has?
SETH: Yes.
SHELDON: Shy, tiny Ami? With the red hair and pretty green eyes?
SETH: Don’t be fooled. Beneath that shyness, she’s stubborn as a mule and wickedly proficient with both guns and blades. I’ve given her a job to do, and she’s going to make damned sure she does it whether Marcus likes it or not.
SHELDON: So this could actually get interesting.
SETH: Especially since Marcus has a deep, abiding respect for women and a particular fondness for strong women. [frowns] Wait.
SHELDON: Dude. Do you think he might fall for her the way Roland fell for Sarah?
SETH: [brow furrows] Nnnnnno. I don’t—[cell phone buzzes] Hold on. I have to take this. Do? … Ble? … Sut drwg? … Rwyf ar fy ffordd. [puts the phone away] I have to go.
SHELDON: Yes, sir. Thanks again.
SETH: You’re welcome. [vanishes]
December 2011
Night Reigns Blog Tour
TODD: Thanks for joining me for a second interview.
SARAH: [smiles] We’re happy to be here.
TODD: I have to admit I was surprised to get your call.
SARAH: [elbows Roland]
ROLAND: [grunts] We’re happy to be here.
TODD: Really?
ROLAND: [looks askance at Sarah] Sure.
SARAH: [big grin]
TODD: Okay, what’s going on?
SARAH: What do you mean?
TODD: The only one Roland is ever happy to see and spend time with is you. And your smile, while lovely, is way too bright.
SARAH: [wilts] Okay, here’s the thing. We’re kind of… hiding out.
TODD: Why, what did Roland do?
ROLAND: How do you know I did something?
TODD: Because you’re… you. They don’t call you antisocial for nothing. So what’d you do?
SARAH: I took him Christmas shopping.
TODD: [gapes] You what?
SARAH: Well… I just thought… the Immortal Guardians have all been so sweet and wonderful, welcoming me into the fold… and I’ve been trying hard to bring Roland into the fold along with me since he usually lingers on the outskirts…
TODD: Roland doesn’t linger on the outskirts. He lingers about a hundred miles beyond the outskirts. So far beyond them that the outskirts can’t even catch a glimpse of him, which frankly neither the fold nor the outskirts mind.
ROLAND: [scowls]