by Lora Edwards
“Delphine, the day you came to me and asked to join the institute, I knew you would be a valuable asset to the team. You have a sharp mind, you are a fierce fighter, and you are always willing to go the extra mile for those of your kind as well as others. Your royal bearing and manners have helped smooth over many a difficult situation since you have been here, and I have been watching you, waiting for this opportunity to arise.”
Delphine just nodded along as she waited for Armand to finish his thought.
“I have been aware of Cleo’s restlessness for some time and have been quietly scouring the institute for her replacement. Cleo was much more than my receptionist and the woman who made snarky comments while filing her lethal nails. Cleo is a private creature and did not wish others to know of the great contribution she made to the institute. In reality, she helped me run it. She knows all my secrets and most of my plans. Now that she is gone, I need someone with intelligence, manners, and wit to replace her, and I would like to offer you her position. If you accept, you will have access to a mage to help you redecorate the outer office. I cannot imagine you feeling comfortable with Cleo’s taste in decor.”
Armand grinned as he looked around the table at the stunned silence that prevailed. He really did love springing surprises on people. He knew they would take care of his beloved institute and continue it in the spirit of he how he’d run it for centuries.
“Teagan and Flynn, as their partners, you have the right to be in on this decision to help them decide if they want to take on this responsibility. You both have young children, and if I read the sparkle in Delphine’s eye correctly, there are more on the way.” He stopped and winked at a surprised Delphine. “You have tonight to talk it over before you decide.”
Both Delphine and Bran moved to speak, but Armand held up a hand.
“Not now. You need to process this change as it will be a big one. You will both be able to go on the occasional mission, but for the most part you will be too busy running the institute to leave it for longer than a day or two. You will have to recruit new operatives to replace yourselves, as I am not sure how long my mission will be, and it will be a vast change in your day-to-day duties. So, go and discuss it amongst yourselves. I want you back in my office at nine AM sharp tomorrow morning with your decision. I have a great deal to arrange in a short amount of time, and if you decline, I need to notify my second choices.”
Armand stood from the table and gestured to the door, going to sit behind his desk and start on the mountain of paperwork there. He was fairly certain both would accept his proposal, and he had much to get ready for them. Then he would be free to track down the countess, tie up that loose end, and start the next phase of his immortal life, something he would clue them in on once the countess was caught. He looked forward to having another surprise to drop on them.
He allowed himself another grin as he heard the buzz of excited voices outside his office as the two couples left. Yes, they would accept, and he knew they would continue the legacy he’d started. They would pass their responsibilities on in time, and the institute would live on, continuing to help supernaturals and humans alike.
Chapter 5
Armand smiled as he replaced the receiver of his phone. The two couples had conferred over dinner the previous evening and were in a hurry to come and meet with him. A few minutes later, there was a knock at his door.
“Enter,” he said, pushing aside the last of the paperwork he had to complete and sitting back in his chair, pressing the tips of his fingers together and schooling his face to look impassive.
The door opened and in filed Teagan, Bran, Delphine, Flynn, and their assorted offspring.
“Sorry to bring the children, Armand, but one of the other children flooded the nursery and the mages are still on cleanup.” Teagan was a bit breathless as she tried to hold her squirming son in her arms.
“It is quite all right. They are most welcome.” Armand smiled at the little ones as they wiggled in their parents’ arms. He looked over at Delphine, who held a solemn-eyed Esme. She had not quite warmed up to him.
“The twins are growing fast,” he remarked as he looked at the babies. They had been born just a few short months ago but were already to the crawling stage.
“Yes, apparently they take after all the sides of their natures.” Bran sighed, both amused and exasperated. He let his daughter down, and she promptly crawled over to Armand and held her arms up. Her brother, not wanting to be outdone by his sister, followed suit.
Armand chuckled and bent down to pick up the rosy-cheeked babies. At one time in his long life he’d thought he would be a father, thought he would find a wife and raise a family on a vineyard of his own. Fate had other ideas, though, and the institute had become his passion, the members his children. He had always loved children, although some were quite wary of his vampire status. The twins had taken to him immediately, and he chuckled as he felt their little minds bumping against his.
Teagan sighed. “Children, we have talked about this—we do not read people’s minds without their permission.” She gave Armand an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, we’re still working on manners.”
Armand waved her concern away and jiggled the babies on his lap, causing them to giggle. Esme still watched him, now with slightly less wariness. Her friends liked him, so maybe he wasn’t as scary as she thought.
She slipped out of Delphine’s lap and toddled over to Armand’s chair. Her friends babbled in her direction, Seraphina slipping out of Armand’s lap to go over to where Delphine sat. Delphine leaned over to cuddle the little girl.
Esme watched this with a frown. “My momma,” she told the baby, who cuddled with Delphine, giving Esme a sly grin a child so young should not have been capable of.
“There is a spot here with me,” Armand whispered to Esme, who whipped back around and stared at him.
She looked at Drake, who had fallen asleep in the vampire’s strong arms, then she shrugged and crawled up into his lap. She looked at Serpahine again and pointed at Armand’s chest. “Mine.”
In response, Serpahine beamed a picture into her friend’s mind of her and Armand playing.
Esme scowled but continued to sit where she was.
“All right, if the children are settled….Armand, we have all talked—” Bran stopped and looked over at his Siren friend. “Are you okay with me making the announcement? I don’t want to speak for you.”
Delphine chuckled. “Teagan is having quite the effect on you, Bran, but yes, continue. That is just fine.”
“Delphine and I would like to accept the positions you have offered us,” Bran declared.
“Lovely. I am relieved that is settled. You will make a fine team, and I know I am leaving the institute in the most capable of hands.”
Esme slipped off of Armand’s lap and again toddled over to her mother. She glared at Seraphina, who was currently sleeping on Delphine’s lap, the little one oblivious to her friend’s ire.
Esme pointed at Delphine’s flat stomach. “My baby.”
Delphine turned white and then blushed red as all eyes in the room turned toward her.
“Did she just say what I think she said,” Teagan squealed, waking her daughter from her nap.
“My baby.” Esme again pointed at Delphine’s middle as if to reinforce her point.
“Yes, she did.” Delphine sighed, tears welling up in her crystal blue eyes.
“Oh Delphine, I didn’t mean to upset you,” Teagan said, rushing over to her friend.
“I’m not upset, it’s just…you know how hormones are. Flynn and I are expecting a child in the fall.”
There was much commotion, backslapping from Bran to Flynn, and the women chattering at each other about babies.
Armand just sat back and watched, holding Drake, who continued to sleep soundly.
It pleased him to see the people he had handpicked, the people he considered part of his elite team and friends more than employees moving on with their lives, mar
rying, having children, and going about the general business of life. He felt a pang as he always did when watching these scenes. He would never become a father, at least not in the true sense. In all the centuries he had been a vampire, he had never sired another. He had not had time for that as the institute had consumed his time, and siring was a responsibility he could not fulfill properly. He had never really had the inclination to sire another vampire, although at times he did wish to have natural children of his own. When he had been human, he’d thought he would marry, attend to the farm, and have children to help him with the chores as well as someone to inherit the property. Then when he was turned, his life changed. He did not regret becoming a vampire as the institute helped far more people than a poor farmer would have been able to, but during moments like this, it did make him wonder what his life would have been like.
“Armand, we are so sorry we hijacked your meeting.” Delphine gave him a rueful smile.
“It is a joyous event, and I take no offense. We will iron out the details of the transition in the coming weeks. Cleo left a detailed binder of instructions out on her desk—feel free to take it with you and go over it. Bran, I have also left detailed instructions, but I have a feeling you both will fit into your roles seamlessly. Delphine, feel free to call in the mages any time to have your office redone to your tastes, and the same for you, Bran—if you feel the need to change things in this office, feel free.”
“Won’t Cleo be angry if we change the look of her space?” Delphine fretted.
Armand just smiled. “Cleo will come back to the institute eventually, I am sure, but she will not return to her previous duties. The job is yours as long as you want it, so feel free to make any changes you would like.”
Armand held back the amused chuckle at the tiny sigh that escaped her. He did not imagine Delphine had relished spending time in the gilt and red velvet of Cleo’s offices.
Armand stood, handing the sleeping Drake back to his father, and opened the door. They all filed out, talking over the top of each other, making plans and discussing ideas for the redecoration of the outer office to make it suit Delphine’s tastes.
Armand closed the door behind them, enjoying the quiet that descended. He had a lot to do in a short amount of time, but first he wanted to make arrangements for getting to know Victoria better. He could fit in a bit of pleasure amidst all the work.
Chapter 6
The beep of the phone at her elbow startled her. She still wasn’t used to the modern technology, although Teagan and Delphine had been very patient and kind in helping her learn to use the different functions of what they called a cell phone. Victoria still marveled at the modern world and all that had changed since her time. She had an advantage most people of her era thrown forward in time did not: women and men from the future had traveled back to the Victorian time she had lived in and spoken of the modern marvels, so she had some familiarity. The Victorian home where she had lived had been equipped with some more advanced amenities to make the modern people who stayed there feel more at home, though those few amenities were nothing compared to what she had experienced since arriving in the twenty-first century. Some of it was amazing to her, and some of it was just plain odd. The way the people dressed still shocked her despite having seen modern outfits in the past. Wearing pants was a freedom she would regret giving up if she decided to go back to her own time after the mission.
Looking down at the phone, she saw a message from Armand and felt her cheeks heat a bit. A cell phone message from a gentleman was forward, but she guessed it was no different than a man sending his card around indicating his intention to call on a lady.
ARMAND: Victoria, I would like to escort you to dinner if you are comfortable with that notion.
Victoria stared down at the text. They didn’t eat, per se, so he must have been referencing the restaurant he owned. Sanguine was set up especially for vampires, and the taste she’d had the other night had been exquisite. She knew in this time a woman thought nothing of going out with a man unchaperoned. She was not an innocent maid and had experienced the company of men in her long life, but this felt different, more like courting, and it was hard to get her mind around that.
VICTORIA: Dinner in your company would be acceptable. What time?
ARMAND: I will be pick you up at your apartment at 8 this evening. It will be an elegant setting.
VICTORIA: I look forward to seeing you then.
Victoria sat on the edge of the bed and looked into her cavernous wardrobe. The few modern outfits she had acquired sat lonely in the large space. She did not own anything that would be considered elegant, so she did the only thing she knew to do.
VICTORIA: Armand asked me to dinner. He says it is an elegant setting—what do I wear?
OVIDIA: I’ll be there in 10. Wear comfortable shoes.
Victoria laughed at the text then looked down at the sensible shoes she was wearing. She hoped they would be up to the task.
Victoria sat down on the couch and rested her aching feet. She glared at the supposedly sensible shoes Teagan had helped her buy when she had decided to stay in the twenty-first century for the time being.
“You let me down.” She glared at the offending footwear once more as she flexed her aching toes. She laughed at herself. She was talking to shoes now; what was next?
Victoria looked around at the piles of glossy bags that surrounded her. She had asked Ovidia to help her choose an elegant but modest dress for her night out with Armand, and she had come home with an entire wardrobe from the skin out.
She was not even sure what all she had purchased, the entire trip having been a whirlwind. She had started out feeling slightly shy as Ovidia had watched while she whipped off one outfit and donned another, but by the fourth—or was it the fifth?—shop, her modesty had gone out the window, replaced by the thrill of the sensations of the different fabrics against her skin. She had looked in the mirror and seen a confident modern woman, not the scared mouse she felt herself to be inside.
Victoria reached up and smoothed her hand through shining hair then looked at the simple French manicure on her nails. She had bags of underwear she had paid a fortune for, another bag full of the paints, powders, and scents women had used for centuries, shoes, bags, loungewear, casual clothing, and two beautiful dresses to choose from for that evening.
Ovidia was nudging her toward the shorter form fitting black dress, telling her there was no way to go wrong with a classic LBD.
Victoria looked at the antique clock on the mantel and noted the time. She had just enough time to drag her purchases into the bedroom and freshen up before Armand arrived for their date.
Chapter 7
The sound of the bell had her wiping sweaty palms on her dress. She had gone with Ovidia’s suggestion of wearing the shorter sleeveless black one. It still felt strange to not be wearing a corset, but she felt confident as she slid her feet into the blood-red, sky-high heels Ovidia had chosen to complete the outfit. Rubies dripped from her ears and circled her throat. She had spent more money in one day than she had in the past ten years. As she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror as she walked past, she decided it was well worth it. She giggled a little as she strode across the floor to answer the door, and she was very glad that the old wives’ tale of a vampire not being able to see their reflection was false, just as she was glad her bloodline was one of the daywalkers. She did feel the pull of the moon and loved the silkiness of night, but she was thankful she could safely walk in the sunlight. She imagined all of her kind felt the tug of the moon and the comfort of the night, even those who were blessed with the bloodline that allowed them to walk in the light of the day.
She took one more deep inhalation before she pulled the door open. She felt her breath catch in her throat as she surveyed Armand where he stood in the doorway. He had slicked his dark hair back away from his face, making the sharp angles of his patrician features stand out. He was dressed in a dark charcoal suit that had obviously
been tailored especially for him, and he had paired it with a dark silver silk dress shirt and a blood-red silk tie.
He looked good enough to eat, and she felt her fangs descend, her mouth watering as her heart that did not need to beat fluttered in her chest.
Armand gave her a slow, thorough once-over, and she could hear his heart pick up and beat as well. She was having quite the effect on him if the sound was any indication. It made her stand taller, and her smile went a little sultry around the edges.
“You look stunning.” His rich accent deepened as he took her in.
“Thank you. You present quite the handsome picture yourself.”
“Shall we?” He held out his hand for hers, and she placed her cool one in his then let him tug her out of the doorway and into the hallway. He placed her hand in the crook of his arm as they walked toward the elevators.
“It is nice being with another vampire—no complaining about the cold hands.” She squeezed his arm playfully.
Chuckling, Armand pushed the button for the ground floor. “Yes, the warmbloods are quite particular about the coolness of our skin, aren’t they. Always complaining with comments such as You must have put your hands in a bucket of ice or some such thing.”
The two of them stepped off the elevator, oblivious to the stares of the other occupants of the institute, but they did hear the whispers as the doors shut.
“You will be the talk of the institute, Victoria. Everyone will be asking about the stunning, mysterious woman who has captivated the director.”
Victoria looked up at him. Captivated? Before she could question him further, they walked out into the night, and Armand stepped up to a long black car that sat idling at the curb.
He opened the door and guided her into the plush interior of the vehicle.
Victoria tried not to gawk, but she had never seen such a thing. She had seen cars, of course—she had been in the modern world long enough that the sight of one was no longer a shock—but she had never seen one so luxurious.