Page 13 of Seduction in Blood
I was halfway through devouring my meal when I took a break to slurp more coffee. Trelane watched me as he stirred his eggs with a fork, something glinting in his gaze like he had a surprise he was waiting to spring. Then, I noticed his plate of food was different from mine.
I'd always wondered if vampires ate. The few I'd run across hadn't been eating in a restaurant or having a pleasant conversation at someone's dining table. Trelane stabbed at an egg-white omelet speckled with green, which I assumed was spinach. A single-serving fruit bowl was filled with a variety of melons and berries. He was either a light eater or this was the typical diet for a vamp. I decided to hold my questions for Anna.
Besides, I wasn't typically a large breakfast eater, preferring a bagel with cream cheese. These large meals were reserved for celebrating a successful job when I had a few more bucks in the bank. So, I took another swig of coffee, decided to ignore the vamp, and went back to shoveling in the food. Though I did try to use the appropriate utensils.
When I couldn't stuff one more bite, I sat back, hands on my stomach, feeling like a well-fed feline who just wanted a place to sleep it off.
Trelane had finished his bowl of fruit and was sitting back, thumbing through his phone. He raised a brow when he glanced over to see Letty removing my plate and set the phone down. "I apologize for ignoring you while you ate." He pointed to the phone. "I don't usually allow phones in the dining room, but I've been waiting for a message. Not that you left much room for conversation."
My first instinct was to respond with one of my witty retorts, but I gathered this was another of his tests. The man would drive me mad, making me question every word I spoke. "The dining options were less than convenient in the catch box."
He nodded with satisfaction, and I could have slapped myself for the tiny bit of pleasure I derived from his approval. Good grief. I didn't need his blessing. Except, playing by his rules and showing I was a team player could seal the deal on my leaving this place in one piece.
He ran a finger back and forth along his jaw. His direct gaze made me want to squirm, and when I turned mine away, I noticed his silver ring. A square black stone with a pyramid set in the middle. "I'm afraid this breakfast was the last large meal for a while."
I blanched. He wasn't going to feed me?
"Don't pout. You'll be well fed here, but probably not what you're used to."
I grabbed my cup, holding it close as if he meant to deprive me of my bliss—my morning coffee. I was scared to ask what I'd be eating.
"This particular job will put you in the heart of vampire society. High society. You'll be mingling with the city's most respected and most dangerous vampires. To fit in, you'll need to have a particular look with discerning tastes. And you'll need to eat what vampires eat."
I sat back, the grease of my breakfast threatening to revolt.
He laughed. "I'm not asking you to drink blood wine. But I do expect you to eat nutritious, organic meals. Besides excellent hearing, we have a unique sense of smell." He tapped his nose. "We can smell someone's blood when they get close. We can tell its purity and the contents of their last meal. For example, if I were to meet with you in two hours, I'd know you had garlic and onion in your meal. It wouldn't stop me from drinking your blood if I had a mind, but that very scent would tell another vampire that you probably don't belong to anyone. I'm far too old to worry about having to drink very often, so I don't keep humans in the house. But younger vampires require a drink more frequently. Even those a century old still keep humans close for feeding." He shrugged. "They don't need to; they just prefer the old ways." He shook his head as if he found that disgusting. Perhaps just uncouth. Either way, it made me feel a little better. I shouldn't have to worry about him sneaking into my room in the middle of the night looking for a sip. I reflexively rubbed my neck.
He glanced down when his phone vibrated. His jaw clenched, and he held his cup so tightly, I thought it would shatter. Not good news. After a couple long minutes, he took a deep breath and turned to me, returning to our conversation as if never reading his message.
"My point is, where we'll be going, you'll need to not only act the part but smell the part as well. Otherwise, no one will believe why you're with me."
He stood. "I'm afraid I have something to attend to. Anna will start your training this morning. I should be back this evening for our session. A couple of rules for your stay here. You have the freedom of the yard, garden, and anywhere in the house on the first and second floors. The third floor is completely off-limits. Any questions before I leave?"
I had a dozen, but it was obvious I wouldn't have his full attention. And I preferred trying to get answers from Anna. "Just one."
He tucked the phone in his pocket then gave me his undivided attention.
"What am I being trained for?"
He gave me a slow perusal, and this time, it was more heated. The desire to squirm returned. Then, he gave me that million-dollar smile. "To be my human lover, of course."
ChapterEight
Devon staredat the formidable structure with mixed feelings. It had been years since he'd been called to speak with the Council, and he'd always known or suspected why he'd been summoned. This time was different. For the last several years, he'd been on his best behavior, staying out of the limelight. His business ventures held no connections to Council business, so he was a little nervous about the reason for this visit.
It didn't escape his attention that he'd been summoned to the highest court the minute he began a mission to recover what had been taken from him two centuries ago. But worrying before he had reliable information wasn't his style. He pushed his concerns aside as Sergi pulled the limo into a visitor's parking spot.
"Do you want me to come in with you?" Sergi calmly checked his pistol, chambering a round of silver bullets before tucking it back in his pocket. He also carried two silver daggers hidden inside his jacket. The silver wasn't enough to kill a vampire, but struck in the right place, it would slow one down.
Devon scanned the parking lot, searching for the conspicuous red Rolls Royce belonging to the one vampire he didn't want to see today. The car wasn't visible, but that didn't mean the man wouldn't show up before Devon left. And he was the one person who worried him enough to bring a bodyguard. It wasn't unusual for anyone called before the Council to arrive with one. Anything could happen. Devon was a Council member, albeit not active, which guaranteed his right to an entire security squad. But at this point in Devon's relationship with the court, a full team would make him appear threatening and would be an unfortunate political maneuver.
If he'd given it more thought, he would have brought Lucas, since his third guard, Bella, was away on assignment. But he needed Lucas at home with eyes on Pandora. Someone might have already learned of his new guest. The Wolf wouldn't have said anything, but Devon didn't know who'd brought Pandora to The Wolf. He would need to remedy that.
"Stay at my side until someone says otherwise. I'll decide then whether to make a stink over it."
They exited the car together, and Devon felt for his own weapons. They wouldn't be checked at the door. Everyone carried when at the Council building. Unlike human legislative branches and courts, Council meetings and judgments had become bloody in the past; the defendants always had the right to a last battle. He didn't think that would be the case here. Official papers would have been drawn if Devon was accused of a high crime, but leaving weapons behind would be foolish. Council members had been assassinated before, and no one with any sense would walk in vulnerable.
Security was expecting him, and they passed the two men through without comment. One member of the security detail nodded, a sign that confirmed Devon still had friends in the building. More than one would expect for such a notorious Council member, but the truth was, he had many more, yet few would make any outward sign of acknowledgment.
