Page 8 of Lucas
“There are far better trainers in the manor than me. I’m sure we can find someone to fill in while I’m gone.”
She shrugged then dropped a large tome on the writing desk.
I stared at it. “I don’t have time to read this in two days.”
She tsked. “You and Cressa are like two peas.”
I laughed. “Well, at least you’ve had practice.”
She grinned, though didn’t comment. Instead, she pulled over a rolling whiteboard she’d taken from one of the conference rooms. Then she placed two pads of paper and three pens on a side table I’d use for a desk.
“For notes. Now, open to where the bookmark is.”
I leaned over the book that was at least a thousand pages thick and found the slim marker. When I opened it, I grinned. Printed across the page in two languages—one I didn’t know and the other English— read The Houses of Aramburu, Renaud, Trelane, and Venizi.
“This is perfect.”
“I’d considered asking Cressa to join us since she could use a refresher on House Aramburu before leaving for Spain, but that would dilute your training. So, I’m working with her in the mornings.”
“She didn’t tell me.”
“It just started today.” She turned and began writing the names of each House across the top of the whiteboard. Then she wrote bullet items under each name. “This is just basic information on each House to give you what Cressa calls the speed-read version.”
I held back my chuckle, remembering Cressa’s pain with Anna’s need to start centuries in the past and provide minute details on everything. We’d laughed over wine when she spoke of those early days at House Trelane. Evidently, that training had paid off—painless or otherwise.
For the first half hour, Anna went over additional information about the Trelane, Venizi, and Aramburu Houses. The last half hour was spent solely on House Renaud since that was the mission I was going on with Lucas.
“The House Renaud’s homeland, as you know, is in France. But the Family is global, mostly in the States, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East. In the States, they consider New Orleans the home library as that’s where House Renaud was established in the early 1700s. The second oldest son operates the House. The oldest son remains in France running the European branches.”
“What about the Father?”
“He’s an ancient. A thousand years old, give or take a century. From what I’ve heard from various sources, he prefers to roam the main library outside their French estate and carries on philanthropic pursuits.”
“Wow, that’s really hard to get my head wrapped around.”
Anna laid down the marker and dragged one of the heavy chairs next to me. “For being raised around vampires, I have to admit, some of these ancients and the things they’ve seen, the changes in the world, is mind-boggling. If you ever meet one, treat them as if they’re as old as they look rather than their true age. It will save you some embarrassment.”
“Good to know.”
“Since we only have a few minutes left, let me point out some areas to take note of. Since you’ve already been to one of the libraries with Lucas, you probably already know the basics: the interior floorplan is the same in each library, although the inventory will be different. The Renauds are meticulous in the maintenance and recording of the inventory within each collection, and you must have special dispensation from the curator to remove any of the inventory.”
She pushed the book toward me and tapped a finger on it. “I’d like you to read as much as you can on House Renaud. We’ll go over your questions tomorrow, and I’ll provide any other pertinent information you’ll need before you leave. Then we’ll delve more into Aramburu.”
I sighed. “We’re still doing the etiquette thing?”
Her lips twitched. “Did I not fist bump this afternoon?”
I sighed, rolled my eyes, and dragged out a long, “Yes.”
She grinned. “Don’t worry. Only the bare minimum of utensils will be involved.” When I snorted, she shook her head and gave me an excellent school principal stare. “But there are things you should know as a Blood Ward if you want a vampire to believe that’s what you truly are. Lucas tells me you did a finejob at the San Francisco annex, but it’s possible you’ll attend functions or visit other Houses in Lucas’s quest. You need to be prepared for everything.”
I nodded. She was right. This wasn’t my first assignment for the House, but for some reason, it seemed like a test. I’d be foolish to not take her instructions to heart. And neither of us said a word when the last fifteen minutes ran to thirty.
After luggingthe huge tome to my room, I collapsed on the bed. A knock at my door woke me in darkness. The sun had already set.
“Come in.” My words were drowsy as I raised up to my elbows.
Cressa peeked around the door. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
