Page 6 of Eternal Kiss

Luke set his glass down but kept his long fingers wrapped around it. “I’ll be honest with you, Dinah. Your father was the reason the club did so well. He was a gifted musician, and he had a large following. Nobody can replace him, but we will need to hire someone to play each night. It is a jazz club, after all.” Luke lifted his glass, but it froze in front of his face as he looked around. A man just as handsome as Luke appeared out of nowhere and took the seat next to me.

“Pardon the interruption,” he said.

Luke straightened in his seat, placing his glass on the table with a thunk. “What are you doing here, Laurent?”

Laurent focused on me. His eyes were lavender, so I assumed he wore contacts. He stared at me with the same intensity Luke had when I first met him. Laurent leaned closer. “You will remember nothing of this conversation.”

What an odd thing to say. The air around us felt heavy, the way it had when Luke said I should sell him the club.

Laurent stared at me a beat before turning his gaze to Luke. He lowered his voice to barely a whisper. “You have a problem, Brother.”

“We’ve already established that, but why are you in my territory?”

Brother? Territory?I picked up my drink and took a sip, avoiding either man’s eyes.

Laurent leaned back and angled toward Luke. “I’m here because I had a visit from Edward.”

“What’s he doing in the States?” Luke asked.

“He came to warn me.” Since Laurent was under the assumption I wouldn’t remember this conversation, I kept my gaze locked on a painting across the room. He didn’t continue speaking because Justine took that moment to deliver our food.

“Oh, I didn’t realize you had a third person. What can I get you to drink, Sir?”

“A double of your most expensive bourbon, neat.”

“Would you like a menu as well?” she asked.

“No, thank you.”

Justine gestured to our plates. “Can I get you anything else?”

“We’re all set, Justine. Thank you,” Luke responded, but I asked for another drink. I had a feeling I was going to need it. Once she was across the room, Luke asked, “Warn me about what?” Luke didn’t touch his food, and when he noticed me not eating, he said, “You should eat, Dinah.”

I nodded wordlessly and picked up my fork. I was no longer hungry, but I couldn’t let on that this conversation bothered me.

Laurent drummed his fingers on the table as Justine returned with his drink. “Thank you.” He took a sip, waiting for her to retreat. “Did you know Lillith created more of us?”

Created? What the actual hell?I almost choked on my bite of fish.

“No, I didn’t. When did this happen?”

“According to Edward, about forty years ago. They’re spread out in the western part of the world. Or at least they were, hence, your problem.”

“Are you telling me a new Ancient is here? Why didn’t you call me?”

“And have someone eavesdrop on our conversation? You know better, Lukas. I made sure there were none of your coven here before I sat down. I couldn’t even trust a letter not to fall into the wrong hands. Neither could Edward. These new Ancients are ruthless. They aren’t satisfied with what Lillith gave them. Edward took one out about six months ago. Before going after Edward, Titus, the new bastard, killed Elizabeth.”

Luke grabbed my free hand. “How is he even functioning?”

Laurent noticed the gesture. Arching a brow, he asked, “Something you want to tell me, Brother?”

Luke jerked his hand back as though he’d been burned. “No. She’s just the new owner of the club. Nothing more.”

Well hell. Call me all kinds of a fool, but I thought the flowers meant something. That this date meant he was interested.

Laurent continued. “Edward loved Elizabeth, but she wasn’t his beloved. Still, he is now ruled by vengeance. Before Edward took Titus’s head, he compelled him to spill where other newbies are ruling. They’re spread out in Africa and Asia for the most part, but Titus said a few were coming after our territories. After he met with me, Edward sharpened his sword and set out for South Africa.”

“How do you know one is in my territory?”

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