Page 55 of Visions in Blood
The first time I attempted to tidy up the place, her fangs dropped.
I got the hint and tossed a few of my own new purchases around, just to prove I could—although I picked most of them up before dropping into bed each night.
“Have I worn you out, human?”
I rolled my head toward her.“You’d think with all the daily training I’d have more stamina for shopping and museums.”
She clucked her tongue.“This type of activity requires a different level of perseverance.A Blood Ward would usually spend all their spare time shopping and attending parties.The only reason Devon has restricted the activity is to prevent your face from showing up all over Santiga Bay.”
“Thank heavens for small favors.”
Simone laughed.“One does have to enjoy this type of activity.In the vampire world, shopping is second nature to us, or at least to those Houses that have money.”
“Just one more similarity to humans I’m afraid.”
She growled, but there was humor in it.With her disdain for humans, she allowed me a certain leniency when comparing our two species.At times, she appeared to soak the information in as if still trying to figure us out.I took it as a good sign and didn’t look any deeper.
“I thought you’d be more excited about the library.”She checked the rearview and side mirrors.Something she’d been doing for the last ten minutes.
“I am.I think I’m in recovery mode from the tea house.Did you really know all those people?And why didn’t that mob happen at the other three tea houses we visited?”
“I’ve been going to this one for years.It’s almost a ritual.My friends don’t go to tea parties, and most don’t circulate in Carlos’s circle of friends.”She checked the rearview mirror again.
“Trouble?”
She gave me a side glance.“I’m not sure.Our escort flashed his headlights.I think they picked up on the same tail I did.”
“Another vamp House?”
“Or rogue vamps checking us out.”
“That’s comforting.”
A beep sounded, and Simone tapped her earbud.She didn’t speak, her eyes focused on the road ahead of her, then a quick nod was followed by “got it” and another tap of her earbud.
At the next busy intersection, she took a last-minute right, and seconds later frantic honking soon faded behind us.I seized my first opportunity to turn around.Our escort was gone.
“Are they going to check the tail?”That seemed dangerous out in the open.
“Just slowing them down.Bella will be waiting at the library while our escort takes our mystery friends on a scenic tour of town until they realize they’ve lost us.”
“Does this happen all the time?”
She shrugged.“It depends on the town and why we’re there.Devon does the same thing when strange vampires arrive in town without known business.”
I began to understand.“Is it always a requirement to notify the local Houses you’re arriving?”
“If you’re part of a House, then yes, usually.But it’s not unusual for the courtesy to be ignored.In those cases, a vampire should expect to be followed, more as a warning than anything else.”
I nodded.“You let them know you know they’re out there so if anything goes down, they’ll be first on the list.”
She smiled with a bit of fang.“Then it’s hunting time.”
That didn’t require any further explanation.Simone grabbed the wheel like an Indy racer and cruised the twists and turns of the back streets.I wasn’t sure how much of it was a test for another tail, or her need to feel the wind stream through our hair after twenty minutes in traffic.
Ten minutes later, she turned into an open-gated drive.A small brass sign reflected the hours but gave no indication of the name of the institution.Fifty yards past the gate was a guard house, and several yards beyond that was a spot for cars to turn around.Something told me there were probably more cars turned away than allowed to proceed.
Simone stopped and stared at the guards.If she intimidated them, they didn’t show it.They took note of her House bracelet, and she gave them her name.While one guard typed into a tablet, I scanned the building and camera locations, one of which was pointed at the car.No doubt taking a picture for facial recognition.This form of security was growing quickly in the corporate world as well as high-end residences and wasn’t surprising for a library or museum, especially one owned by a vamp House.
