Page 43 of Visions in Blood
She took my hand, startling me.Other than during my defense training, she’d never touched me.“Relax, Cressa.It’s easy to see you’ve been on your own a long time, making your own decisions.This will be difficult for you, but you must let part of that go.”
When I tensed, not at all happy with her words, she rubbed her thumb over my skin in slow imperceptible circles.“Only long enough to get through this mission.I thought little human girls wanted to grow up to be actresses.”
She released my hand when our first course was removed and a second placed in front of us.I performed a quick sanity check, assuring myself she hadn’t just mesmerized me into submission.
“Princesses.”I tasted what looked like calamari and relaxed when my guess proved correct.And it was scrumptious.So far, the food here was more palatable than the first tea house.I wasn’t into experimental entrées.
“What?”
“Little human girls want to be princesses not actresses.”
“Ah.An even more unachievable goal.”
I snorted.“Didn’t you have dreams of being something when you were a kid?Like an astronaut or runway model?”
She took a tiny bite and washed it down with what I considered a rather earthy and nasty tasting tea.“I dreamed of being free and not whipped every day.”
Okay, I’d stepped into that one.Suddenly, the calamari didn’t taste so good.“I’m sorry.”
She waved a hand as if to dismiss what had to have been the world’s worst childhood.“It was centuries ago.”
“Still, I had no business prying.”
She set down her fork and stared at me.“That is one thing I’ve never understood about humans.And I wasn’t one long enough to learn.”
“What’s that?”
“Why some humans are so compassionate to others while many are cruel and uncaring.”
I snorted again.“As soon as I figure that one out, I’ll be sure to tell you.”When she gave me a disappointed frown, I decided to cut the cheeky responses, and not suggest it didn’t appear much different in the vamp world.
I tasted the tea being served, thankful it was a new blend with a light mint flavor.“There are so many influences that shape a human.I suppose I thought it was the same for the magical.Genetics, environment, experiences, but I think for some it’s hardwired in our brain.”I pointed a fork to my head before trying something rolled in rice like a piece of sushi.
She nodded.“That would explain many things.”
I wasn’t sure what she meant and wondered if she’d been thinking of herself.Before I could decide whether to ask, her head shot up and her gaze narrowed, a bit of fang showing.I tensed, rubbing my left boot against my right, confirming my dagger was in my boot.
“Simone, what a surprise to see you here, especially without your Father.”
The voice came from behind me, and I inwardly groaned.I’d recognize that oily, salesman-pitched tone anywhere.Lorenzo.And here we were without Devon.
“You need to remember what century this is, Lorenzo.Women don’t require escorts anymore.”
He stood close, hovering over us like some lord of the manor.“And more’s the pity.”
Simone glanced behind him.“I don’t think I’ve seen you at a tea house before.”
“It’s not my usual haunt, but it does provide an intimate setting for private meetings.”
I kept my head down, not wanting to invite his attention, but I kept an eye on the other vamps that had trailed behind him.Most passed our table, striding for the exit, but one caught my eye.He kept his head down, as if he didn’t want to be seen, and skirted the tables on the far side of the room.I couldn’t say for sure he was with Lorenzo.It was possible his departure was coincidental.He was a big man with brown hair, and other than his size, was similar to half the men in Santiga Bay.Yet a memory poked that I’d seen him before.
Simone must not have had anything else to say because she returned to her meal as if dismissing him.
“It would do you good to remember you’re speaking to a Council member.One who has a say over who is capable of leading a House.”
I expected Simone to rise up and show this asshole how capable she was of running a House, but she set down her fork, took a sip of tea, and gave him her full attention.The tip of her fangs brushed her lips.“I know how the Council works, Lorenzo.You have no extra sway when not in Chambers.I owe you no more or less respect than any other vampire, and the Council has no say on who rises to lead a House.”
“Not currently.”Then I felt his gaze fall on me, and it was all I could do to not shudder in disgust and fear.I really needed to grow a pair around this guy.“And I see you’re with Trelane’s Blood Ward.How are you, my dear?”
