by Hayden, Sean
"I really can't say." Let her make what she wanted from my statement.
"I don't think they'll try any funny business tonight. If any assassins did show up, they'd probably be too engrossed in the movie to try anything." Greer's talents were wasted as a governor. He should be in public relations.
"We agree! Thank you for your time, Governor. You too, Ashlyn," the reporter said and backed up, allowing us to make our way into the theater, finally.
* * *
Greer sat to my right in the crowded auditorium. I insisted on the aisle seat in case I needed to get him out of there quickly. He seemed totally engrossed in the cheesy movie shining on the glistening screen. I sat there trying not to barf as I kept an eye on everyone and everything. I don't think I've ever been so bored in my life. I should have stayed outside and looked around and let Thompson sit in the theater with the governor.
The thing that really bothered me was the smell of popcorn permeating the air. I stopped breathing about the time we hit the lobby, but the scent still lingered in my nose. Imagine going to a theater and not being able to eat popcorn, not fun. I don't think any human food ever struck me as so enticing before, and I sighed at the unfairness of it all. From now on, I'd stick to DVD's.
Finally, after what seemed like days, the movie screen faded to darkness and the credits started rolling on the screen. Everybody in the theater started clapping and I joined in, although my reasons probably differed from everyone else's. I stood and the governor did the same while I stepped out into the blue rope-lit aisle and made room for Greer. He began talking animatedly to the couple on his right though, probably discussing the merits of the fine film. This should be a short conversation.
He finally turned and beamed at me. I fought not to roll my eyes as I made a "this way, Governor" sweeping gesture with my arms. I wanted him safe just as much as I wanted the evening to go off without a hitch. A dead governor would definitely ruin that. I flipped open my cell and texted Thompson that the movie finished and to bring the car around. I could almost taste victory.
With him behind me, we skirted around the other patrons and made our way out into the brightly lit lobby. The others who exited before us began milling about in small groups as the rest slowly followed. I knew there must be some sort of after movie party, but so far the governor had not yet received an invitation. My plan was to get him out of the theater before it happened. He called the shots, but that didn't mean I wouldn't manipulate him when I could.
"Ashlyn, I need to pay my respects to Wagner before we leave. If I don't it might make things more difficult." I stopped and looked at him and could see the hope in his eyes. I guess he could manipulate me, too. I didn't like it, but I understood his need.
"Absolutely, Governor." We made our way over to one of the columns littering the lobby, giving us something to put at our backs.
"Thank you."
We waited where we stood for the better part of ten minutes while the crowd slowly made its way out of the theater. I tried really hard not to fidget as I expected danger to come from everywhere and everyone. I'd need a vacation after this assignment finally ended. My nerves of steel felt a little more like tinfoil from all the stress. Finally, Claude Wagner, the master of Los Angeles, made his way out with his entourage.
I expected . . . well, honestly I didn't know what to expect, but Claude overshot the mark by a mile. He had to be at least seven feet tall. Okay, maybe not that tall, but when you're barely five feet, really tall people look like giants. He wore a black tuxedo that must have cost a fortune just from the amount of material alone. Long blond hair flowed unfettered around his head like corn silk and the model worthy beauty of his face made him quite alluring. Quite alluring. Too bad the appearance of Governor Greer darkened his features. He didn't look happy at all to find us waiting for him.
I'll give him credit though, if I saw somebody waiting for me who I didn't want to talk to, I'd pretend I didn't see them and make my way out the door. Wagner didn't do that. He steeled his obvious distaste and made his way over to where we stood, motioning for his followers to stay where they were.
"James, how good to see you," he obviously lied as he approached us. His smile looked more fake than his girlfriends' boobs. Yes, I meant girlfriends, as in more than one. Claude appeared to be quite the slut.
"Claude, it's good to see you too. I apologize for encroaching on your territory unannounced, but the duties of governor are as widespread as they are many. I hope you can forgive me?"
"Just don't make a habit of it, and all will be well. I understand your new role will cause a lot of friction, but a phone call would have been nice."
"Again, my apologies, but I seem to have misplaced your number…"
Claude laughed and rolled his eyes at Greer's obvious attempt at humor. "Everyone is headed to my home in the hills for an after-party celebration. Would you and your…guest, care to join us?"
"We would be delighted," Greer said with obvious interest. I groaned very, very quietly. Not quiet enough, apparently. Wagner gave me a quick glance and a brief nod.
"Not interested in a party, Verminator?" Claude said it surprisingly amicably. Like he thought the name I had earned was a joke. It made me like him a little more. I thought about the party and all the possible security threats to Greer, and this time, my groan wasn't very quiet.
Chapter 14
The limo traversed the winding driveway behind the twenty-odd other limousines. The whole scene seemed very snake-like, or funeral-like. Take your pick. The one thing the procession didn't resemble was anything I wanted to do before I died. Nope, going to an after premier party wasn't on my bucket list. Go figure. Most eighteen-year-old girls would give their firstborn for the opportunity. I, on the other hand, would have traded anything to get out of going. So far, I'd managed to keep the governor safe for the entire evening, not killed anyone, or gotten anyone else killed. It was a record for me since Thompson and I touched down at LAX. I wanted to keep it that way.
Thompson stayed in line and gave Greer and me the rundown while he waited for his opportunity to dump his passengers at the front door of Wagner's mansion. Stay away from the windows, don't drink anything given to us (apparently it was chic for vampires to serve blood in goblets), and don't get dead (his words not mine).
"Agent Thompson, since we didn't know we would be attending this party, how could anybody else?" Greer sounded smug from the back seat. I sighed and refused to backhand him for being stupid. I hope Thompson appreciated my restraint.
"Governor, twenty black limousines traveling in a line from the premier might have given someone a clue. Please be careful." Even Thompson kept it together enough to be polite. I appreciated it.
Our turn came up and just like the premier I stepped out of the limo first and took a look around before motioning Greer to come out after me. I didn't expect any danger at Wagner's home (If he wanted Greer dead he could have ripped his face off at the theater), and put the governor in front of me. I just hope nobody opened fire. I'd grown pretty tired of taking silver stakes for the man. They might not kill me, but they hurt like a bitch.
We made our way up the steps from the covered drive, through the frosted double glass French doors, and into the marble-floored Mecca of California wealth without incident. Waiters with little silver serving trays wandered through the forest of people with tall glasses of champagne and thick, red liquid I didn't think was Kool-Aid. My stomach rumbled a little, but I told it to be quiet, remembering Thompson's party rules. He says I never listen, sheesh.
Greer mingled and schmoozed while I stood behind him with a wary eye on the exits and the guests. I kept in contact with Thompson via text messages. He sat outside the mansion keeping an eye on things. I thought about it a minute, and I felt safer with Thompson outside than I would if there were an entire field office of FBI agents instead. That said a lot about Thompson. I just hoped he shared my feelings. Since I was usually the one causing problems, I doubted it. It didn't stop me fr
om wishing it.
The man of the house finally arrived. Nothing says fashionable like showing up late to your own party. He practically glowed from within, though the girls with the breast implants accompanying him to the premier looked drained and pale. Wonder what he did in the limo on the way home? I felt a little jealous. My hunger kept rearing its ugly little head and Wagner looked more like a nice juicy T-bone every minute. I should have eaten something before we left the hotel. Sometimes I just wasn't the brightest bulb on the string. Maybe I should start keeping a "to do" list in my pocket.
1. Eat
2. Protect Governor Greer from bad vampires
Then again, maybe I shouldn't.
I saw Greer give a little wave to Wagner as he strode into the party. I saw Wagner try to keep his meal down. Why would he invite Greer if he holds such an obvious distaste for him? I wondered if his distaste was strong enough to murder for. Maybe he invited Greer here to make it easier to kill him. If he could do it in such a manner that he could get rid of Greer and still seem innocent in front of all his guests, Wagner would be in the clear. Oh shit.
My fingers flew over the keys of my cell. I had a very bad feeling in the pit of my stomach, or at least the big empty hole where my stomach used to be. I wanted to call Thompson, but Greer stood right by me and Wagner moved closer with every step. Probably not a conversation he would want to hear. Finally my message reached completion and I hit the little send button. I shoved my phone in my pocket and smiled at Wagner as he approached. His blond hair looked truly amazing and I wondered what it would feel like in my fingers. Wagner's hair saved Greer's life.
His hair was so fine, the tiny dot of laser light shining on it made almost all of it glow red Somebody had been targeting Greer and Wagner stepped in the way, fouling the shot. I grabbed the governor with my arm and pushed him behind me to keep him safe.
The look of horror on my face clued in Wagner as to what was happening. He spun, searching for danger just like I had. The laser had to be coming from somewhere; I just couldn't spot the location. Wagner crouched, and I fully expected a shot to ring out, or a silver stake to come crashing through one of the multitude of windows in the mansion.
I didn't expect a small explosive tipped projectile.
Everything in the room slowed. I followed the trail of the tiny missile, but couldn't move to stop it. I expected it to sail over Claude's head and take out the governor and myself, but it didn't. It impacted full force in Wagner's chest and before it could lift the enormous vampire off his feet and hurl him backwards, it exploded.
* * *
A rhythmic tempo being kept on my cheek woke me up from my missile-induced slumber. I drew in a deep breath and opened my eyes to find Thompson kneeling over me, slapping me lightly on my cheek. "You okay, kid?"
"Huh?" I saw his lips move, but I couldn't hear a word.
"Are you okay?" This time I heard him. It sounded like he was talking underwater, but I could hear. Yay.
"I'll live. How's Greer?"
"Fine, between you and the tall vampire, he lucked out enough to be almost completely shielded. I got your text in time to make it to the front door and watch the fireworks. Ambulance is on its way. Good thing the missile didn't pack that much explosive. There was only one fatality. The humans in the room might take a while to get over the shock and flying debris, but they'll be okay."
"Wagner?" I had to ask, knowing the answer before I made his name a question.
"Yeah, he didn't make it."
I nodded and tried to stand. I failed miserably, but I'd tried. Thompson's gigantic paw of a hand made an appearance in front of my face so I grabbed it and hauled myself up. The room spun for several minutes, but it finally ceased its rotation and I got a good look around. I thought my vision had gone red, until I realized Wagner pretty much coated the room. Guess he wouldn't be getting a decent burial, unless somebody got a squeegee. Eww. I looked down at my black silk suit and realized I'd probably need one too.
The room started to strobe in reds and blues and the muffled sounds of sirens filled my ears. The cavalry had shown up. They entered through the front door with guns drawn. The EMT's with stretchers and orange tackle boxes full of medical supplies followed right behind. Thompson and I pulled out our badges and let the police know what happened while the governor stood behind us looking rather green and somewhat grateful. If I were him, I'd be grateful I didn't get blown up, too.
By the time the house cleared out, Thompson and I ushered the shaky governor back to the limo and we returned to the hotel. The police had asked us so many questions I'd lost count. I didn't even know what time it was, and I didn't have the energy to reach into my pocket to pull out my cell phone and check. So much for breaking my "haven't gotten anybody killed today" record, life can be a real bitch at times. I'm pretty sure most of the pieces of Claude Wagner would agree with me.
* * *
I woke in the hotel the next evening praying to all the gods that I'd dreamed the entire night before, but the smell of blood coming from my silk outfit on the floor told me I hadn't. Even after being blown up, Claude smelled yummy. I needed to eat, but not yet. Shower first and then food. Sometimes, I had good plans.
I washed myself and stood under the spray and replayed the events of the night before over and over in my head. Claude had ducked; the missile should have hit us. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't upset; I just couldn't believe we were that lucky. I could sustain a hell of a lot of damage, even silver, but I sincerely doubted I could survive being blasted into Ashlyn bits. Nobody is that good, or lucky. Nobody. I gave a grateful sigh and shut off the water. I still didn't feel like moving, so I let the water bead up on my skin and fall slowly to the shower floor. Almost dry, I finally mustered the energy to slide back the curtain and grab a towel.
"Hurry up, kid," Thompson called from the other side of the door. "The governor is going to hold a press conference before we head back to Sacramento."
"Oh goody," I called out to him. Just the thing to top off the perfect trip, a press conference full of reporters who would probably have a million questions I didn't have answers for. I needed to quit my job and move to Alaska. I could find some magic bears to eat I'm sure.
I sighed, got dressed, and met Thompson in my room. With a brief stop to meet the governor at his room, we made our way to the limo and sped off to yet another press conference. I could barely contain my excitement, and I think the governor and Thompson knew to leave me alone because we rode in silence the whole way. I stared out the window and looked at the contrasts of Los Angeles. If I had to use one word to describe the city, it would be surreal. Parts of it looked like a theme park, and parts were so destitute you would swear you were driving through a third world country. L.A. differed from Chicago in so many ways I couldn't even begin to list them.
We pulled into the parking lot of a nondescript, grey building and I silently cursed myself for not paying attention to the sign as we pulled in. Thompson parked and we pulled the usual, stand in front of the governor in case there were bad guys with guns (or rocket launchers) waiting to shoot him. Don't tell anybody, but I kind of hoped there were. I was getting tired of protecting the little weasel more every day. I stopped in my tracks when I realized what had crossed my mind. He'd been nothing but polite to me since our arrival, and I had no reason to dislike the man. Then it hit me. All of this was his fault, not directly, but still his fault. Because he'd insisted on not hiding until we could figure out who was trying to kill him. He had caused the deaths of those around him. His guards and now Claude, hell he had even gotten me shot. Small wonder I didn't like him. I started to feel a little better.
Before Greer got to the center of the stage, the press had already started bombarding him with questions. Most of them weren't very nice either. It's kind of amazing, most masters of the city are tolerated if they behave themselves and do a good job of keeping the vampires of the city in check. Some, like the master of Chicago, were outright criminals. Claude Wagner ha
d been one of the few beloved masters. He'd held the status of iconic celebrity and had been featured in more celebrity magazines and television news casts than Brangelina. His death would probably cost the governor more than a few votes at the next election, if he remained alive long enough to run again.
One of the bolder reporters shouted a question at me. I held up my hand and motioned to the governor, letting them know this conference had been called by him and I wanted no part of it. I thought it a great plan until the reporter asked Greer why I failed to save Wagner. I rolled my eyes and shook my head, expecting the governor to make a long speech about the sanctity of life, yada, yada, yada. He surprised me by saying exactly what happened and how I had been expecting the attack, but due to the unfortunate turn of events I wasn't in a location to save Claude. He lowered his eyes and actually looked saddened by his loss.
The press ate it up. They began asking about the extent of Greer's friendship with Claude and how much he would miss him. I smiled at Greer's back when he began hamming it up. I refrained from shaking my head and laughing outright. Sometimes I never ceased to impress myself. The torrential downpour of bullshit coming out of Greer's mouth threatened to bring up my morning meal. Opportunist: Noun, see Governor Greer. What a douche. I silently vowed to sidestep the next bullet that came our way.
Greer finished up and said, "No more questions, please." He silently closed his eyes and bowed his head before turning and exiting the stage. I gave a quick sigh and took my usual spot behind him. We made our way to the limo with cameras pointed at us and reporters trying to get in a few more questions. I didn't relax until the door shut behind me. Now all I had left to do was try not to kill Greer on the way to the airport.
Chapter 15
It felt good to be back in Sacramento. Dropping the governor off at his mansion–even better. Back at our hotel, we related the entire story of what happened to a concerned Marcel and a very concerned Victoria. Finally, we said goodbye to the guys and she and I retired to our room. She held me the entire day, and I can't even begin to describe how much I enjoyed it. I felt a little guilty because I had the title of "her master," and yet she comforted me without asking anything in return.