Page 58 of Visions in Blood
Lucas had become personally involved in Cressa and Ginger’s life—the lives of humans.If he ran his House like many in the aristocracy, Lucas would be moved to another assignment, or possibly traded to another House.It was a harsh reality and cruel.When a vampire was traded like that, some retained their rank, but some lost all they’d risen to and were forced to start over, almost as if they were freshly made.The practice disgusted him.
He stared out the window.And worse, it would make him the largest hypocrite of them all.He kept Cressa at arm’s length—until he couldn’t.Then he would build back his defenses and remember what was at stake.The actions he’d taken regarding the dreams and the necklace had been for Lyra’s sake, but that wouldn’t be the complete truth.So, he couldn’t punish Lucas for feelings of protectiveness for the humans in their midst when he couldn’t control his own.
The meeting today, however, had to happen, and he didn’t have the time or energy to fight with Cressa about it.Not when it interfered with his business, his livelihood, and the safety of his family.He didn’t want to think about dealing with Cressa after the fact, but perhaps that would maintain their personal distance, because there wasn’t any doubt she would be spitting mad about this meeting.
When Sergi pulled in front of the posh restaurant in the Castle Street district, Lucas made a call.
“She’s waiting at the table with a glass of wine.”Lucas’s tone was warm, and when he opened the back door, he gave Devon a wicked smile.“The hostess mentioned your guest was a bit irritable.”
Devon squeezed Lucas’s shoulder.“Thank you.”
He strolled past the front entrance with Lucas trailing behind him.They followed a path that wove around the building to a side entrance leading up to a private section of the rooftop patio.This exclusive dining area was reserved for privileged clientele.
Lucas left Devon when they reached the roof to wait at the bar with other drivers and bodyguards.
The host, a young man with olive-toned skin and dancing amber eyes, bowed his head before greeting him.“Mr.Trelane, it’s an honor to serve.”
Devon grinned at him.“Hello, Thomas.Are you still enjoying Santiga Bay?”Thomas was a rogue vampire, and the only one working at this restaurant as far as he knew.He’d moved from Egypt a couple of years earlier and had found it difficult to find acceptance.Another vampire societal issue.If he wanted to live in the Hollows, no one would question him.But he wanted to live in a better neighborhood, specifically one close to the galleries.He had skill with a paintbrush, and when Devon had heard of the young man’s plight, Devon found a job for him and granted him permission to live anywhere in the city.
Devon didn’t have an issue with rogue vampires.It was a fallout from current Council policy.He didn’t see a reason not to use someone to their full potential, and what a waste for the world if this young man’s talents weren’t shared, assuming the vampire kept to the rules.If he stepped out of line—well, that was different story.
So, whenever he saw Thomas, he asked the same question.If Thomas was being persecuted or hunted in any way, this was one way to inform him.
“It reminds me of springtime in Cairo.Your guest is reviewing the menu with an exquisite merlot.”He strode toward a table that faced west, an umbrella tilted to block the sun.
The woman watched the horizon with a hand resting on the wine stem.He couldn’t see the other side of her body but thought she might be twirling a lock of chestnut-colored hair that hung to her shoulders.Though he and Thomas barely made a sound, he detected the slight bend of her head as she sensed their approach.She took a long sip before Devon reached the table, and he nodded at Thomas that they’d be fine.
Each of the five tables on this side of the rooftop were separated by twelve feet and a glass partition.With the sound of the city streets just one story down and the soft coastal breeze, even elder vampires would have difficulty picking up full conversations—nothing but bits and pieces floating in the wind.
Devon sat without preamble, preferring to keep her rattled, if she wasn’t already.
“Thank you for meeting with me, Mrs.Underwood.”
She stared at him, and though she had a lighter coloring than her daughter, it was easy to see signs of Cressa hidden behind the heavy makeup, and based on her smell, Valium.Was that simply to calm her nerves or more of a habit?Based on her eyes, complexion, and mild scent, she didn’t appear to be a regular user.
“Somehow, it didn’t seem you’d take no for an answer.”
“Or maybe you were curious?”
She fidgeted with her napkin and glanced around the patio.“I’ve been up here once before.A couple of years ago, I had lunch in one of these private cubes with Christopher and some man from eastern Europe, who’d brought his mistress.The men huddled together, whispering amongst themselves, all smiles and chuckles.The man’s mistress didn’t speak English, so we sat here and gazed toward the ocean as if we could see the waves and hear the gulls.”
He wasn’t sure how to respond to that.“How’s the wine?”
She blinked before staring down at the table.“It’s really rather good.”She took a sip as if to prove it.
He drank to calm a nerve or two of his own and agreed with her assessment of the wine.“I have a feeling you know why I’m here.”
“If you’re going to tell me my husband is cheating on me, I already know.”Her eyes remained clear, but they were shadowed, and fine lines formed around her mouth as she pursed her lips.Something she must do frequently.
Devon removed the envelope from his inside pocket and laid it on the table between them.Her hands were steady as she opened it and dropped a handful of photos on the glass tabletop.She spun them around with a perfectly manicured sunset-colored nail.
She bent over to get a better look, then clucked her tongue.“Well, this is a new one.”
He grimaced.“I’m sorry.”
She appeared shocked by his response, then she snorted, sounding so much like Cressa.“They say we make our own beds.Or perhaps it’s the sins of the mother coming to collect their fee.”
“Which brings me to why I asked you to meet me.”He studied her, and to her credit, she didn’t flinch.He imagined that came from years of practice, living in a house that had turned Cressa into a thief.
