“I thought she had red hair.”
“She does.”
“She certainly was a hit. I thought she would have taken a bow,” she said.
Eamon turned to her, his expression asked for silence while he thought. He wasn’t looking for her anymore and yet she chose tonight to appear to him. In his mind, he imagined that when he found her, he would grab her up and demand an explanation. Or kill her for her betrayal. Over the past months, he decided he couldn’t kill one of his own no matter what her infraction. But now, when he was faced with the situation, he couldn’t do anything. He was locked in indecision. Eamon closed his eyes and thought of Lauryl. He felt her for a second, like a breeze, and then nothing. She was gone.
“At least she’s dancing again,” he said with a chuckle before he sat down. “And she’s safe.”
“It isn’t ballet, but she seems happy,” Marta added pragmatically.
He stood silently, still amazed at her ability to appear and disappear at will. “Does it seem odd that she’s so skilled at hiding in plain sight?”
“Yes, it does. Everything that you’ve told me about her is odd,” she said as she inspected her manicure.
“I know.” The range of emotions that flowed through Eamon surprised him. He was angry, surprised, relieved, and confused all at once. He closed his eyes and waited for his mind to settle. Marta put her hand on his shoulder and squeezed. He patted her slender hand. “I’m at a loss for what to do.”
“I can see that.”
Eamon looked at the picture of Amelie and her friends. He showed it to Marta. “This is what makes me happy.”
“Yet you can’t let go of Lauryl,” she said quietly. Marta turned back to Isabelle. “Isabelle, why don’t you go and find Dita?” Isabelle nodded and walked out.
“She’s part of me. I’m her maker.” He placed his phone on the arm of the chair and sighed. The burgundy cushions collapsed under his weight and he sank deeper into the velvety chair. “I feel that I’m responsible for her.”
“And you feel that deeply. More than any other vampire I’ve ever seen.” Marta sat down in the chair next to him. “How old are you?”
“Old.” When she continued to stare at him, he sighed. “I was turned in 972.”
“Do you remember your human life?”
“Portions of it.”
“Was it happy?”
Eamon sighed again. “Is this therapy?”
“I’m just curious.”
“As happy as a warrior’s life could be during that time,” he replied.
“But not happy enough that you didn’t mind leaving it behind.”
“I asked for this,” he said as he stretched his legs out.
“Do you still remember being turned?”
“Yes, I do. I’ll never forget that.”
“Tell me.”
“My maker’s name was Eleanor. When she found me, she was already close to my age now. One night, while on a patrol, I came across her. Rather she came across me. I didn’t see her until she was on top of me. As she was feeding on me, something inside of me knew that I wanted to be like her. I knew what she was. She must have been reading my thoughts because she stopped. ‘Strange soldier’, she said. ‘You crave my existence?’ I nodded and she got off me. I got up from the ground, stripped off my chain mail and helmet and left with her. The next evening, I rose as a vampire.”
Marta nodded. “Were you together long?”
“Unfortunately, my maker was already tired of life. She had quite a melancholy side to her. Lauryl reminds me of her. Eleanor made me the kind of vampire I am. I can survive anything. I’ve been through every sort of existence. The only thing I don’t like is—”
“Being alone,” Marta finished for him.
He nodded. “Exactly. I have been alone off and on for the past, good God, almost eleven hundred years. When I was alone, those were unhappy times for me. After Eleanor died in 1417, I was alone until Irina. She had more of a love of hunting than a love for me, though. We could always feel each other. I felt her die. I could feel both of them until Lauryl. I have no idea how she’s learned to hide herself from me.”
“Her skill is a mystery to me as well. Perhaps she wanted so badly to get away from you that it enhanced her ability.”
A frown darkened his face. “Well, that certainly is a pleasant thought.”
Marta placed her hand on his. “Mi amor, forgive me. Bluntness is a terrible flaw of mine. As painful as it is, it’s a possibility.”
Eamon nodded.
“I think affairs of the heart are infinitely more complex than every day affairs.”
“Agreed.” He picked up his glass of scotch and drained it in one swallow. Lauryl said she didn’t want to be with him. She meant it. She certainly felt no fear in showing herself to him. He set the glass down and sighed. “I think the project you want to undertake will be much easier than sorting out the situation I have with Lauryl and Amelie.”
“You’ll help me then?” She straightened in her seat.
“If you think my help will be of any use, yes.”
“Wonderful! I’m so pleased!” She leaned over and kissed him on the lips, socially at first and then more passionately.
He returned the kiss and then smiled. “That doesn’t help me any.”
“Every once in a while, I like to see what I’ve been missing,” she said, caressing his cheek.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
The Things I Do for My Primigenio
Eamon pushed his black Persol sunglasses up the bridge of his nose and frowned. The sun was brighter than he was accustomed to. Even in late October the noontime sun beat down with little concern that it was autumn everywhere else in the world. He stripped off his suit jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt in an effort to get some relief from the heat. The sunlight prickled his skin like a weak electric shock where it was exposed. Common sense and comfort told him to put up the top on the Boxster.
He pulled his phone out and shot a quick text message off to Marta reinforcing his desire that she and Isabelle be on time. Her reply was quick and brief.
Absolutamente.
This was quite a request for him to make of Marta, but she had acquiesced. It was even more dramatic because he’d underestimated the sun so much. Never before had he experienced such intensity. His eyes, although shielded by the polarized lenses, ached and burned. As he scanned the sky, he noticed a line of deep gray clouds out over the bay toward St. Petersburg. With any luck, those clouds would park themselves over the Yacht Club while they ate lunch. He wished that folklore was true in this case and that he could manipulate the weather. His phone vibrated. Amelie had sent him a text message wondering where he was. When he pulled in her driveway, he texted her back and told her to open the door.
Amelie opened the door, holding her phone and laughing. “You’re such a nerd.”
Eamon got out of the car and walked to her. “Yes, I am. But you love me.” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. She slid her hand down his back and sank her hand in his back pocket. “If you start, we won’t make it to lunch,” he murmured through the kiss.
“Okay.” She picked up her purse. “Ready.”
He took an approving look at her. Today she was wearing a short khaki skirt and a navy blue t-shirt that form fit her full breasts. Her dark hair was pulled up in a ponytail and tied with a bow. The outfit made her seem younger than she was, and even more beautiful. Eamon felt a surge of pride and contentment. She was beautiful and brilliant, and she was his.
“Why are you staring at me?”
Eamon shook his head. “I can’t believe you want to be seen with me.”
She pushed him playfully. “Oh, please.”
He replaced his sunglasses. “Shall we?”
As they drove to the Yacht Club, Eamon’s focus remained on the sun. Amelie wanted the top down as they drove and he didn’t want to refuse her. He kept his thoughts on psychically shielding himself from the sun’s rays an
d not on his beautiful girlfriend next to him. However, the distant cloudbank that appeared to be stalled over Tampa Bay just beyond their destination did seem promising. Clouds would allow him to loosen his focus and enjoy her.
Eamon pulled the Boxster in to the yacht club parking lot.
“Do you come here a lot?” she asked, looking around.
“No, but it’s good to maintain a membership for meetings.” He walked around to her door and opened it.
“Your jacket?”
He was already past his comfort level and the idea of donning the jacket again sickened him. “No, it’s fine. Leave it there.”
“Going casual today? Or almost.” She pointed to his tie and smiled. “I like your sunglasses, by the way.”
“Thank you.” The purchase of sunglasses had been an interesting experience. Fearing the mirror-filled environment of a store, he had entrusted the task to Isabelle. Marta assured him they made him even more handsome. Amelie’s opinion confirmed it.
Eamon saw that Marta and Isabelle were already seated on the terrace overlooking the water. He waved and silently cursed Marta’s choice of tables. His irritation with Marta dissolved and was replaced by amusement. She was wearing a large brimmed hat and a pair of large-lens Chanel sunglasses. The hat brim had a circumference large enough that it shaded past her shoulders. Her champagne-colored shirt was long-sleeved and made of thin, silk jersey. The neckline dipped lower on one side exposing one shoulder. She looked like a couture-dressed eccentric. Eamon covered his mouth with his free hand and cleared his throat to stifle a laugh.
“Darling, this is my cousin, Marta Jimenez de-Castillo and her friend Isabelle Simmons. Ladies, this is my Amelie. Amelie de la Puente.”
“Izzy?” Amelie asked.
Isabelle’s usual stoic expression became animated. She slid her sunglasses down her nose. “Amelie, oh my God! I haven’t seen you since we graduated!”
“I know!” Amelie grabbed Isabelle in a hug.
“You two know one another?” Marta asked.
Isabelle nodded. “Yes, Amelie and I went to high school together.”
“Well, isn’t that nice?” Marta looked at Eamon and her eyes sparkled. Who could have imagined a more divine coincidence? she said silently.
I’m surprised you can see anything under that umbrella on your head, he replied.
You told me to wear a hat.
Is that what that is? He watched Amelie and Isabelle chat, catching up on life since high school. Did you know they were acquainted?
She looked over at the two girls. I had no idea.
He adjusted his sunglasses and glanced at the waiter who appeared at their table to fill their glasses with water.
“Can I tell you about the specials?” the waiter asked.
Marta smiled at the young man. “Oh no. I have an idea. Choose four entrees and bring them. We’ll rely on your expertise.” She turned to Amelie and Isabelle. “Will that be acceptable?”
The girls nodded and went back to their conversation.
The waiter looked at Eamon, unsure of what to do. “Are you sure?”
“That’s fine with me.”
Marta shrugged. It’s all an act. I don’t care what they bring me. Why waste time on the charade of everyone trying to decide what to eat? I know what you want to eat. She nodded to Amelie.
Eamon scowled at her. Human, we’re appearing human.
She nodded at the sky, which now was more overcast. Yes, we are. That’s the only reason I would be out in this ridiculous heat and sun.
Behave. “So Isabelle, you and Amelie went to school together?” Eamon asked.
Isabelle nodded. “Yes, but she went away to college. I stayed here and went to the University of Tampa.”
Amelie turned to her friend. “God, Izzy, you look even more like a supermodel than before.”
Isabelle’s pale cheeks turned pink. “No.”
“Ah, querida, you’re so modest. Both of you are lovely.”
“What a luxury to have such beautiful lunch companions,” Eamon said, keeping his focus on Marta. He sensed she was up to something.
Marta took a drink from her water glass. “Tell me how you two met. Eamon is very close mouthed about you.”
“We met outside the bookstore in Hyde Park Village.”
Eamon reluctantly turned from Marta. “She thought I was a pervert.”
Marta’s blonde eyebrows lifted over the lenses of her sunglasses. “Really?”
Amelie blushed and laughed. “He was watching me in the bookstore. I thought he was a creeper.”
Isabelle laughed and Marta glanced at her, silencing her. “Eamon is many things, but not a creeper or a pervert. But I suppose you’ve found that out.”
Eamon scowled at Marta.
“I simply meant that Eamon is a rare sort. He’s not what the world thinks he is.”
I’m warning you, Marta.
“Oh, I know that,” Amelie said. She looked at Eamon. “I’m glad.”
Marta’s eyes lit up again. “I am too. I know I would not be the same person if he were.”
Stop this right now! Eamon took his sunglasses off and locked his gaze on to her. Marta continued to smile and even lifted her eyebrows in a challenge.
“He’s not the big bad corporate bastard he’s made out to be,” Amelie said, oblivious to the stare down between Marta and Eamon.
“No, that’s simply a characterization,” he said. “Invented by the media and my rivals.”
Marta tilted her head slightly to the side for a moment before lowering it in submission.
“Sometimes appearances are necessary for survival and success though,” she said as she lifted her head.
The waiter brought the food and placed it in front of them. Amelie and Isabelle switched plates and Eamon and Marta didn’t say a word.
The things I do for my Primigenio, Marta said silently.
And you will always have my protection and affection in return, he replied. He replaced his sunglasses.
I’d rather have another member of your line, Marta said silently.
You will. All in good time.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
With a Wink and a Taunting Smile, She Was Gone
“Where are we going?” Amelie asked Eamon as they drove past Channelside toward Ybor City.
He took her hand and rubbed her fingers. “It’s a surprise.”
Eamon turned the Porsche on to one of the old, red-cobbled streets of Ybor City. Crowds of people lined the sidewalks and filed in and out of the clubs. Eamon turned off Seventh Avenue and stopped behind a warehouse. She gave him a puzzled look and laughed.
“Should I be scared?”
“When you’re with me, you’ll never have to be frightened of anything,” he said softly in her ear. The rusty back door of Bathory opened and Sasha walked out, followed by the unnamed, muscular security guard. Eamon got out of his car, walked around to Amelie’s door to help her out. The security guard jumped in and drove off with the car leaving Eamon, Amelie, and Sasha standing in the street.
“What’s his name?” Eamon asked, pointing at the taillights of his car as it screamed around the corner.
“Trevor. He doesn’t say much, especially when he is kicking the asses of drunks. He doesn’t miss much either.”
“That’s a valuable skill to possess.”
“Yes, it is. It’s good to see you, Mr. Rutherford.” She lowered her head in a slight bow. Her eyes looked up at Amelie, taking in all of her features. A knowing smile appeared on her lips.
“Good evening, Sasha. I’d like you to meet my girlfriend Amelie.” Eamon placed his hand on Amelie’s lower back.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I have your usual room. If you’ll follow me.”
She motioned them inside the dark hallway and closed the door.
Amelie moved in closer to Eamon as they walked down the hall. Sasha glided through the dark and up the stairs. She was fluid, almost unnatural. Her skin was paler than Amelie
’s and her black hair was piled on top of her head and secured with ebony sticks.
“Have you been here a lot?” Amelie asked, her eyes on Sasha.
“A few times with Marta and Isabelle. They enjoy it more than I do.” He turned back to Sasha. “You know what I like, Sasha.”
She nodded to him and turned to Amelie. “May I get you anything?”
“Red wine.” Her grasp on Eamon tightened.
“I’ll send it up.” Sasha smiled at Eamon. “Let me know if you need anything else.”
Eamon gave Sasha a stern frown before she left. “I’ll do that.” He sat down and patted his lap. “Come and sit. I like it when you are close to me.”
Amelie walked over and sat down. With a sigh, she put her hand on his chest. “I don’t like her. She makes me uncomfortable.”
“I think she does that on purpose. She’s supposed to be playing the part of a vampire.” He kissed her. “Just act like her.”
“I couldn’t act like that even if I tried.”
“I don’t think it would be too difficult for you,” he said, rubbing her shoulder.
“Yeah, but walking like her would be.” She stood up and looked out of the window down at the dance floor. “How come you don’t go down there?”
“I prefer it up here,” he said. Amelie’s hips moved in sync with the music and Eamon relaxed. “It’s more private.”
The door opened and Dita walked in with their drinks. “Good evening, Mr. Rutherford. It’s good to see you.” She set the wine glass down and placed the scotch in Eamon’s hand. “Dita, this is my girlfriend, Amelie.” Eamon nodded to Amelie.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Dita said keeping her eyes on Eamon.
Amelie nodded at Dita and looked back at the dance floor. “Is it like this every night?”
“Crowded? Yeah, it is. Tonight is the floorshow so it’s crazy crowded. People dig the audience participation.” Dita nodded to Eamon. “If I can get anything else for you, let me know,” she said, inching toward the door.
Eamon continued to watch as Amelie bobbed and swayed to the music. “I will.” Dita scurried out and he took a drink from his glass. Was Lauryl performing tonight? Eamon wondered. For all he knew, she was in the building at this moment, maybe even right outside the door. He couldn’t feel her though.
Life in Moonlight: The Primigenio Tales: Book 1 Page 21