Page 45 of Destined for Dreams
It almost felt like he was giving that advice to himself, considering that had been part of his purpose in going on this trip. Would he learn anything in the coming days that would help him figure out how to deal with Cori? Would the distance help her as well?
“I believe our friend is here.” Caius nodded toward the window.
Bartol glanced that way, spotting the man in question across the street in a sharp business suit. He stared directly at them with his dark eyes. They left the restaurant and headed outside.
Eduard, a five-hundred-year-old vampire with short black hair, a lanky build, and pale skin, walked toward them. To look at him, one wouldn’t consider him much of a threat, but he’d fought for control of the area against men and women who should have been stronger than him and won. The only supernatural in the country left who was more powerful lived in Minsk. They’d agreed to stay out of each other’s way, and even after two centuries since Bartol’s last visit, it appeared nothing had changed. Eduard was astute, cunning, and one of the best allies one could have as long as they stayed on his good side.
“It is good to see you again, Bartol,” the vampire said, dipping his chin in greeting.
“Thank you for meeting with us.”
“After what happened here recently.” Eduard shook his head. “How could I not?”
He gestured for them to follow and led them down the street to a two-story stone building with no outward clue to its purpose. They walked inside where they discovered the place was nothing short of a high-end brothel. It was lavishly decorated in red and black with lounging furniture in the front room, as well as a small bar. No women were around now, but Bartol could hear them upstairs moving about.
“This is my nearest establishment from where I found you, but if you would prefer somewhere else to meet, we can arrange transportation to convene elsewhere,” Eduard said, turning to face them.
Bartol shrugged. “It doesn’t matter to me.”
“We’ve been to more than our fair share of brothels over the years, haven’t we?” Caius grinned at him, old memories dancing in his eyes. “It’s hard to believe how long it’s been.”
“I definitely don’t have a problem with it.” Tormod’s eyes rounded as he gazed upstairs where several under-dressed women hung over the balcony. Other than female nerou and Emily, he’d spent little time around women and certainly none of the present variety.
“If you would like to stay for a little while afterward, I’d be happy to introduce you to a lady or two upstairs,” the vampire offered.
Tormod blushed, dipping his head. “I, uh, I don’t know...”
“We’ll discuss it later,” Bartol said.
In all likelihood, the young man was still a virgin. Neither he nor Caius would stop Tormod if he wished to stay for a while, but only if he was comfortable with the idea. It might even prove to be a good learning experience for the nerou and stop some of the sexually explicit graffiti he regularly painted around the compound in Alaska. His instructors were getting rather tired of it.
“Do you have someplace private where we can talk?” Caius asked.
“Of course.”
Eduard led them down the hallway toward the back where he had a well-appointed office. A desk sat in the center of the room, but there was also a comfortable seating area off to the left and a bar in the corner with an assortment of alcohol. The walls were painted hunter green with intricate crown molding accenting them. Bartol noted a lack of windows, but that didn’t surprise him. Vampires often had them blocked off, especially the older ones who could rise earlier in the day. To the right, a wide bookshelf took up the whole wall, filled with various treasures Eduard had picked up over the years.
They each accepted a drink before settling down in the sitting area.
“It’s good to see you again,” Eduard said, addressing Bartol.
He took a sip of his whiskey. It wouldn’t get him drunk, but he didn’t want that anyway. “It’s been a long time. I see you’ve done well for yourself, though.
“Better than some.” The vampire studied him, gaze running over Bartol’s burn scars. “And from what I’ve heard, I’ve certainly fared better than you.”
He shrugged. Bartol wasn’t about to discuss his time in Purgatory—not even with a man who understood pain better than most. Eduard had his own scars from his time as a human when he’d been captured as a prisoner of war, but he came to see them as badges of courage. Women weren’t repulsed by the lash marks on his back the way they would be with facial burns, which helped the vampire.
“What doesn’t kill us…” Bartol began, allowing his words to drift off.
“True enough.” Eduard’s expression became all business. “You came about the flu outbreak a demon instigated, yes?”
Bartol nodded. “But how doyouknow a demon was involved?”
“This was unlike any illness that has ever spread here before.” The vampire took a fortifying drink from his glass. “It struck fast and killed within twenty-four hours. Not only that, but it left the victims with black lips after they died.”
That was unusual. “Were there any other clues?”
“A witch came to me after she lost her brother in the outbreak and told me the disease had demonic ties. She claimed she could feel it.”
