by Judith Post
“I doubt it.”
“Aaah, but we have lots of time. And the longer you’re away from Home, the less angelic you’ll be.” Caleb turned to leave. “Don’t call me for a while, though. You’ve interfered in my life enough lately. I need some time to cool down. And to fix things. Unless you need me, of course. Then you can count on me to be there for you.”
“Like you were for Vlad?”
Enoch's jab made Caleb's eyes flash, but his voice dropped to an even softer and smoother cadence. “We're both angry now. Unreasonable. But what good would come of us fighting?" He flexed and unflexed his long fingers, still struggling to control his temper. "And what would life be down here without you? You're my one tie to Home.” He gave an abrupt salute and was gone.
Enoch held Voronika close.
“It’s done,” she whispered.
“Finally,” he said.
Chapter 65
Maggie looked around Enoch’s apartment. “How rich are you?”
Danny led her to the kitchen and their meal. “He has more money than God.”
“Because God doesn’t need money.” Enoch slid Rock Cornish hens with wild rice stuffing across the bar to them. Voronika placed a spinach salad with warm bacon dressing beside their plates.
“This is rich people’s food,” Maggie said.
“Yeah, and it’s good.” Danny grabbed a fork.
Enoch brought beer and wine. Danny chose a Michelob. “I’m rich,” Enoch told Maggie. “But I’ve already passed through the eye of the needle, so to say.”
She shook her head. “You don't have to convince me. You’ve earned any perks you get. Both of you have.”
They all settled at the bar and dug into their food. When the only thing left of Danny’s hen were the bones, he asked, “How does Three Rivers stand now? Are all the vampires gone?”
Enoch couldn't help it. He glanced over his shoulder, then out the window. He was still waiting for Caleb's revenge, but everything had been quiet. Normal. Too quiet? “Without Vlad, the others left. Everyone should be gone but our two protectors. Bart and Claudia are staying a while to let things settle down.”
“About that…” Danny dabbed at his lips with his napkin. “If I understand vampire lore right, Vlad made Claudia, right? And you killed Vlad.”
“I let Claudia feed on me when she was hurt in the alley.”
"Right. I didn't think about that." Danny looked relieved.
Maggie pushed her empty plate away. “I wish Jason would have fed on you too.”
“It wouldn’t have made a difference. My blood wouldn’t protect him from a stake.”
“But it’s done, right?” Danny asked. “The vamps won’t stalk Three Rivers again?”
"I’d say that you’re the safest city in the world,” Enoch said. “Every vampire knows that if he comes here to hunt, he’s dead.”
“So some good came out of all of this,” Danny said.
“Except for Jason.” Maggie’s expression clouded over, and Danny reached for her hand.
“But he’s finally at peace,” Voronika said. “Every vampire craves that and fears it.”
Maggie blinked. “Just like us.”
“Everyone fears the unknown, but being the undead comes at a price.”
Maggie nodded. “Immortal or mortal, we all return to our source.” And for some reason, that satisfied her. The rest of the evening was pleasant and uneventful. Enoch hoped that many years would pass that way. Him. Using Three Rivers as his base. With Voronika, Danny, and Maggie. Maybe this would be his refuge for a generation or two until Danny and Maggie passed, as mortals always do.
When the evening ended and he and Voronika were alone, he went to the hall closet and reached inside his coat pocket. He took out a small box and handed it to her. "For you."
She looked up at him. "It's not Christmas." She fingered the white gold necklace around her neck, its clasp repaired.
"This is something new to celebrate. An anniversary."
"An anniversary of what?"
"Us. A year from now, I'll buy you something else."
She opened the box and inhaled sharply. "It's beautiful." A white gold ring with a huge ruby nestled in the velvet. Diamonds circled the red stone. "It matches my necklace. Was this Lucretia's too?"
"Catherine the Great's, an extravagant ruler." Enoch bent to nibble her ear. "Next year, earrings. The year after that, a bracelet. After that…"
Voronika raised a silver brow. "Didn't she kick her husband to the curb and take over his throne?"
"He was weak and incompetent, whereas I. . ."
He didn't get to finish. She slid the ring on her finger and kissed him. "Come on, angel. I know how to celebrate anniversaries."
He swooped her into his arms. He knew a few traditions too.