The Prince sends an invitation.

Prince Arthur Middleton humbly requests the honour of the presence of Countess Carmilla Von Karstein to attend the kindred court and extraordinary assembly of the elders at her earliest convenience, so we might authenticate the identity of Countess Carmilla and thereafter extend the appropriate honour and rights warranted by her lineage.

"Damn, girl! That's a long-winded way of inviting folk to come visit so they can check you out," Kesha was reading the Prince's reply. "They don't talk so fancy when they want to talk to me."

"Just how old is this Prince?" Claire asked Kesha, glad that English was her major so she could make sense of the elaborate text. "So what happens if they decide I'm not Carmilla, or at least have Carmilla along for the ride inside me?"

"Oh, I expect they'll kill you," Kesha replied, matter-of-factly. "Probably beheading. Prince Arthur is old school, Revolutionary War type. Got embraced just after independence, or so I was told."

"Kill me?" Claire was shocked and wished the spirit, or whatever she was, of Carmilla had not been so arrogant and announced her name. "They take identity theft that seriously, then?"

"They sure do," Claire's friend answered, nodding. "Carmilla would be hundreds of years older than the Prince. Strong enough to take his throne without a fight if she demanded it. Every so often, there's some kindred claim to be some long-lost elder trying to become Prince. I've seen two bogus Count Draculas get their heads lopped off with my own eyes."

"This is horrible. What if Carmilla doesn't step in and prove she is inside?" Most of the time, Claire could barely sense the presence within her, as if it was watching and waiting. "I can't control when she chooses to make herself known."

"Relax, she stepped up when I wanted to bite you and then to stomp Lars and Mikey to the kerb," Kesha assured her, leaning in and brushing her cool fingers down Claire's cheek "I saw how strong she is, if anyone tries to hurt you, I'm sure she will be back, kicking ass in an instant."

"But...but...Mmmmh," Claire's further worried protests were smothered as Kesha kissed her.

Carmilla's presence stirred, though not as before, to control her like a puppet. Claire could feel the spirit's excitement and pleasure as Kesha moved her body against her own, and soft lips met in a gentle and passionate French kiss. Carmilla seemed content to merely share the sensations and touch of Kesha's body rather than take full control and dominate the African-American vampire. Despite still having full control of her body, Claire knew Carmilla's lesbian desires were overriding her previously heterosexual orientation. Claire did not attempt to fight this. Kesha's lush body pressed against her, and those hot lips were too pleasurable for her resist.

"I think Carmilla might be a switch," Claire observed, as Kesha broke the kiss for a moment to look at Claire's face and gauge her reaction. "It feels like she is happy for you to take the lead this time."