Page 23 of Primal Dragon

Q shrugged. “You can ask, but that doesn’t mean I’ll share the information.”

Stefano chuckled. “Fair enough. I never share my age either. At least you didn’t brag about being at some big historical event. Always a dead giveaway when someone wants to lie about their age. I was at the crucifixion. I was part of the Crusades. I was by Cleopatra’s side. I had one fool tell me he was Alexander the Great. I ripped out his heart.”

“I’m afraid I’m the guy who goes to the bathroom right in time for the winning homerun at a Yankees game or leaves town just before the British arrive. And I’m not much of a history buff.”

“You and I will get along just fine then.” Stefano dropped his feet off the desk and came around the table. “If you require something stronger than alcohol, just tell the bartender and he’ll send over a girl or a boy if you prefer. But tonight, you drink on me, gentlemen.”

Henrik took the cue and stood up. Q followed suit. They were walked back out to the club. Henrik moved toward a table near the back and sat down. Q sat down across from him.

“We shouldn’t leave for a couple of hours. We don’t want to be rude.”

Q glanced around looking completely uncomfortable.

“You did well with the age thing,” Henrik said.

Q nodded woodenly. “James was always telling me about young vampires who bragged about being in places in time, that if everyone that were there that said they were, historic events would be more like Coachella.”

Henrik chuckled. “Yeah, that is very true.”

A server came by to take their orders. Once they had drinks, they settled into the table like they were enjoying themselves.

“How does your glamour work?”

Q glanced up. “I’m wearing something that has the glamour hardwired into it. The only way it turns off is if I take it off.”

Henrik frowned. “You don’t trust me, do you?”

Q stared at the tabletop. “I need time to process everything I’ve seen tonight. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t what happened. I just want to find James. You seem to want that too, but you’ve got a lot more on your plate than just James. It’s clearly important. I just…I don’t know what’s right anymore.”

Henrik’s phone dinged. He picked it up.

Syrena: Letty’s stats are good. She’s doing all right. I’ve got a lock on her. She’s safe. You’re doing the right thing, Rik.

Henrik: Thanks, Sy. I appreciate your help tonight.

Syrena: Have you met any females out there?

Henrik’s brow furrowed.

Henrik: That’s a weird question, even for you. But yeah, I guess you could say I have.

Syrena: You find your tourmaline?

Henrik: No. Why?

Syrena: No reason. Just curious. Keep me posted. I’ll let you know if anything comes up with Letty. Do you have a plan yet?

Henrik: Not quite. Hey, can I ask you…do you think I can trust Q? You could see more than I can. I just see a fucking vampire, but there’s something about him.

Syrena: Oh, you can trust Q.

Henrik glanced up at his new partner.

Henrik: Thanks again.

Syrena: Anything for you, Rik. Just remember, not everything is as it seems. Good night.

Q was looking at his own phone. “How long do you think we should…”

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