Fireworks burst overhead. Music blared from every street. War drums pounded along the avenues. King Msiri was departing in the morning to campaign against Jaga, the ndoki chief of the Rwenzori Mountains. A massive parade was planned tomorrow to see off the elite of Katanga's army. Days had passed and Adele had expected to be confronted at every turn, assuming the queen mother had confessed Greyfriar's secret to her son. But nothing had changed. Adele couldn't help but wonder why. Perhaps it had something to do with the coming conflict with the vampires. The martial drumbeats surrounded Adele; the deep booming filled her with a confidence, even eagerness for battle. The warm, humid evening had sent Gareth to his quarters and the relief of a cooling kit. Adele sought a calm moment in the dark tropical garden beneath her balcony. Birds flew overhead in slashes of color with strange cries and long plumage trailing. Insect droning was audible even above the drums, but a turgid breeze kept her from being swarmed.
