“Oh, I thought you were it, Eamon,” Lauryl said.
“No, I’m not. I’m only the guardian of my own line.” Eamon closed his eyes for a second. “And I have enough trouble doing that.”
Marta nudged Isabelle over to Eamon. She sat on his lap, kissed him gently, and then moved the hair from her neck.
“Mi amor, don’t offend me by refusing my gift twice,” Marta said before he could say anything.
Eamon stared into the inviting eyes of Isabelle. He placed his hand on her breast and kissed her hungrily. He slid his hand from her breast to her neck and tilted it closer to him. His tongue traced down her neck and he bit her. As her blood poured into his mouth, and she began to ride him through his pants. Eamon placed his hands on her slim hips and met her body move for move.
“Oh God!” she whispered. Her motions became more furious as he withdrew his fangs from her. Her head lolled back, and she shivered as he licked the last drops of blood from her neck.
Eamon put his mouth close to Isabelle’s ear. “Thank you.”
She kissed him again and put her head on his chest for a moment. “You’re welcome.”
Isabelle slid off his lap and resumed her spot and Marta’s feet. Marta kissed the top of her head and played with her hair.
He took in a deep breath and blew it out. A satisfied smile formed on his lips.
“She has that effect on a vampire,” Marta said.
Lauryl, who witnessed the entire incident, looked from Eamon to Marta to Isabelle. Unbefuckinglievable, she thought. She found herself wishing it was her on Eamon’s lap. She crossed and uncrossed her legs and rubbed her knees, trying to clear that thought from her mind. As soon as she did, the vision of Amelie on Eamon’s lap while he did her replaced it.
“Thank you, Marta, Isabelle,” Eamon said. “That was what I needed; just to be a vampire.” He winked at Isabelle.
“Yes, I think so. Don’t you agree, Lauryl?” Marta asked.
Still stuck in the memory of Eamon and Amelie, it took a moment for Lauryl to acknowledge Marta’s question. “What?”
“I asked if you agreed that my lovely Isabelle was what our Eamon needed.”
“Um, yeah, that would be the thing he would need.” She looked over at Eamon and shook her head.
Eamon laughed. “Lauryl thinks I’m a—”
“Poon hound,” Lauryl finished for him.
“Exactly.” Eamon stretched his arms over his head and then rested one around her shoulder.
“No, querida, he’s simply a healthy vampire. If you were honest with yourself, you would agree and hope your companion is the same.” Marta flashed a brilliant yet condescending smile at Lauryl.
Lauryl nodded.
“Oh, Eamon, I think Lauryl has seen the light!” Marta said with a giggle.
“I won’t be the lucky beneficiary, but progress is progress.”
“Well, that’s a shame. On a lighter note, Lauryl, how is your club doing?”
Lauryl straightened in her seat. “It’s cool. I don’t think there’s been a night where it wasn’t full with people lined up waiting to get in.” Lauryl was proud of Bathory. It was an overnight sensation. Anthony even said it was profitable. Its success surpassed both of their expectations. And there she could still perform. Not like she did before, but she could still dance. The best part about it, though, was it provided the easiest way for her to feed.
“Congratulations. I think it’s fascinating and I’m pleased it’s here.”
“Yeah, me too.”
Marta showed a profound loyalty to Eamon. She took her bond to him deadly serious and showed contempt to anyone who stood against him, including her. Knox and Bernard warned her about that. They told her she had the most powerful maker in the world for a companion, and that other vampires might easily do their best to send her right back to him. Lauryl hadn’t taken their advice. She continued with her plan and found no barriers until she got to Tampa. That’s where she came up against the vampires who worked for Marta. They’d been on her and Anthony nonstop. Fortunately, for her, what she learned from Knox allowed her to elude not only them, but also Marta and Eamon as well.
Eamon stood up. “We should be leaving.”
“I hate to see you go, Eamon. I would love to continue talking to our little impresario.” Marta motioned to Lauryl.
“Oh, she’ll be around. Won’t you, Lauryl? Perhaps she’ll bring the good doctor with her?”
Lauryl hesitated before she stood. “No, I’m not bringing him around. You hate him.”
“Querida, you are going to have to come to the realization that we’re all like a family. We might not get along but we are connected and need one another.”
Lauryl looked at Eamon for a second. The bland, slightly amused expression on his face had returned. She never learned to decipher what it meant, and she was sure he meant to keep it that way. “Maybe. I don’t know.”
“You see, Marta? She doesn’t trust me.”
“She should,” Marta said firmly.
A little too firmly for Lauryl.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
I’m Pleased That This Has Gone So Well
Eamon adjusted his position on Marta’s sofa again. The wait for her guests continued to strain Eamon’s patience with each passing minute. He tapped his foot against the marble floor and scowled. Marta gave him an apologetic smile, which managed to melt some of the impatience, although he remained irritated. Vampires, much like people, had different personalities with all sorts of quirks and foibles. Older vampires were no different. In fact, they were worse as their idiosyncrasies had been galvanized over long periods of time. It would seem punctuality was not a trait that mattered to these vampires. Many vampires considered clocks and time irrelevant to them so they just disregarded them. Let the humans worry about time. Lauryl had embraced that philosophy with vigor. However, she never paid much attention to time before he turned her.
“Do your friends own watches, Marta?” Eamon shifted again. Lauryl laughed but covered her mouth when Eamon glanced her way.
“I’m not certain, Eamon. I can’t imagine what is keeping them.”
Eamon dropped his head against the chair back. “Rudeness would be my guess,” he muttered. He turned back to Lauryl. “Was the good doctor not interested in joining us?”
Lauryl shook her head. “He’s at the Bat. He doesn’t like politics.”
Eamon shrugged. “Whatever.”
“Whatever?” Lauryl laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say that.”
“Nor I,” Marta concurred. “Our dear Eamon’s speech usually is free of colloquialisms.”
He gave both of them dismissive glances and again checked his watch. Ten more minutes and he was leaving. He wasn’t going to sit here and have his time wasted by a few self-important, younger vampires. He shifted his position again and opened his mouth to say something when he felt the presence of four vampires. Lauryl and Marta turned to Eamon.
“It’s about bloody time,” he said when the doorbell rang.
Isabelle stuck her head in the room and waited for Marta to acknowledge her. “Do you want me to answer it?”
“No, querida. It’s my party. I’ll do it.” She kissed Isabelle on the cheek as she brushed past her.
“Can I get anyone anything?” Isabelle asked.
Lauryl shook her head and Eamon just smiled. Without a word, Isabelle turned and closed the door behind her. A few moments later, Isabelle returned with a glass of scotch and handed it to him.
“You are a delight, Isabelle,” he said, taking the glass. His hand brushed hers and lingered on her wrist.
“Thank you,” Isabelle said. As she lowered her head, she gave him a demure smile.
Eamon took a drink. “I wish you’d look at me. I always enjoy looking at you.”
Isabelle raised her eyes to him. “Thanks.”
Lauryl saw Eamon ogle the girl and shook her head.
I’m simply lonely, he said in her mind.
Marta took the social initiative. “Eamon, may I present my friends? This is Jonathan Tyler, my senior most friend.”
Eamon looked over at the man standing next to Marta. He was tall, thin and pale with a head of spiky blond hair. He was dressed well, Eamon thought. Nothing out of the ordinary or Goth. “How do you do, Jonathan? I’m Eamon Rutherford,” Eamon did not rise. He extended his hand to Jonathan.
“It’s an honor, sir. I was quite excited to come and meet you when Marta called me.” Jonathan turned to Lauryl, who had drifted to Eamon’s side. He extended his hand to her. “And you are?”
Eamon cut off Lauryl’s response. “Not important now. Marta, if you would continue.”
Marta ignored Eamon’s rudeness and continued. “Querido, please make yourself comfortable.” She placed her hand on Jonathan’s arm and nudged him to a chair. “Eamon, this is Anna-Maria Torres, from Los Angeles.”
Eamon smiled indifferently at the petite, dark-eyed vampire standing next to Marta. He easily sensed Marta’s deep attachment to her. In fact, he suspected Marta was her maker. His smile became sincerer and he tipped his head to the side. “Come closer, dear.”
She walked closer to him and bowed her head. He took her hand and stroked her thin fingers. He heard the words My Primigenio in her mind as he looked in her eyes. Yes, she was part of his line.
He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “I rarely meet one of my own line. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Anna-Maria looked back at Marta, who beamed with approval at her. “Thank you. I’m honored.”
“Please. Have a seat,” Eamon said and gestured to Lauryl’s seat. Lauryl tensed up at being ejected from her place. He looked up at her and reminded her silently about behaving.
“Finally, may I present Vivian Strayer and her companion Eliza Hemphill?”
Eamon studied the two youngest vampires. The olive-skinned brunettes could have been sisters rather than lovers. “Ladies, it is a pleasure to meet you both.” He extended his hand, they each shook it, and semi-curtsied to him. “If everyone would take a seat,” he prompted. The last two vampires scurried for seats and then he stood up, bumping Lauryl as he did.
“I would like to introduce everyone to my dear friend, Lauryl Mellis. Her companion Dr. Anthony Wilson, couldn’t be with us as he’s at the club he and Lauryl own in Ybor City.”
Eamon looked over at Marta, who stood behind Jonathan. Her position was inappropriate and annoyed him. To observers, it appeared she was more supportive of Jonathan than of the father of her line. Eamon scolded her silently before returning his focus to the reason for their meeting.
“My friends, I’m here tonight only as a moderator for the discussion tonight.” Eamon looked around the room, briefly making eye contact with each vampire. Everyone remained in some sort of star struck silence. It was just as Lauryl told him. They regarded him as if he was some sort of rock star. And he loved that. “I’ll turn this over to our charming hostess.”
Marta walked over to Eamon. “I know you all have traveled today and aren’t interested in a long, drawn-out conversation, so I’ll be brief,” she said. “As you know, I have for some time felt the need for a governing body for our kind. In this room are the oldest vampires in the country and I feel we are the ones to make this decision and implement it.”
Jonathan, who had been watching Lauryl, turned toward Marta. “Europe has been considering this as well. As our population increases, the need for organization and control is becoming a necessity.”
“This is why we should be proactive. With the exception of Lauryl and Eliza, we are the oldest vampires in the United States. We are the most capable of providing this governing force,” Marta said.
“What are you proposing, Marta?” Jonathan asked.
Marta gave him a dazzling smile. “I’m open to suggestions.”
“Would it be an absolute leadership or a body of leaders?” Jonathan asked.
“Oh, mi amor, no one vampire could or should have that sort of responsibility. It should be a governing body, don’t you think?”
Eamon looked up from his thoughts. Marta’s charming, semi-concealed manipulation wasn’t going to fool anyone. It was enjoyable to watch, but it wasn’t going to fool anyone.
“Jonathan, perhaps the four of you could all serve as members of this vampire government,” Eamon said.
“Four is an even number. If all the votes are equal, decisions could end in a tie,” Anna-Maria said.
Eamon turned to her. “I would be the tie breaker.”
“Think of this as a round table of sorts,” Marta said. “No one vampire would be any more important or have more sway than another,”
“Not to cause a problem, but two of the four vampires here in this government descend from the same Primigenio. And he’s the tie-breaking vote. How can we insure that one line would not be self-serving?” Jonathan looked over in Eamon’s direction. “I mean no disrespect, but I think you can see my concern.”
Marta started to speak, but Eamon held up his hand and she stopped. “My friend, I have no interest in this. I told you, I’m here to support a descendant of mine. That’s all. I had no idea Anna-Maria was also of my line. That came is a happy surprise. My suggestion to you, if you still have reservations, is to bring in more vampires. Perhaps choose representatives from the North East and the North West to bring the number to six members.”
“Sir, I don’t mean to question anyone’s motives. I’m only making sure that all voices are heard.” Jonathan nodded at Marta and Anna-Maria. “I don’t have the birthright and breeding of Marta and the protection of her and Anna-Maria’s Primigenio. I’ll just say I am speaking for the less posh vampires.”
“What we have is amazing, yes, that’s true. However, you have age and the strength that comes with it. And the respect,” Marta said.
“Vivian, you’re awfully quiet,” Jonathan said. “Usually you’re not so sedate.”
Vivian dropped Eliza’s hand. “I’m thinking, Jonathan. This is huge. Not just the thing Marta is talking about, but sitting here in this room is someone even you should be in awe of.” She stared pointedly at Eamon.
Lauryl leaned in and poked Eamon in the arm. What did I tell you? she said in his mind. Eamon furrowed his brow at her and she sat back.
“While I appreciate your admiration, my dear, I would expect you to carry on as if I were any other vampire.” From the corner of his eye, he saw Lauryl roll her eyes. “Jonathan, I respect your concerns and I’m sure Marta and the others do as well. I would have the same ones in your position. But again, I have no desire to use this as a way to become some sort of master vampire of the world.”
Lauryl burst out laughing. All the vampires in the room turned to her and stared. She looked at Eamon and tried to stop but she couldn’t. “I’m so sorry, y’all but I just got an image in my head of Eamon like superman wearing a crown and had to laugh.” She covered her mouth with her hand and snorted a few times before settling down.
“Ignore her,” Eamon said. “She tends to be inappropriate.”
“We’ll recruit two more vampires for our group. Jonathan, will you do this for us?” Marta asked.
“Yes, of course. I’m for this, Marta. You can count on my support.” Jonathan nodded his head to Eamon. “And of course my fealty.”
Anna-Maria hesitated a second. “I’m in as well.”
Vivian nodded and walked over to Marta. “You know you always have my support.” She kissed her cheek and hugged her. Vivian then crossed over to Jonathan and shook his hand. He pulled her into him and kissed her cheek. “You’re a dog,” she mumbled playfully as she walked over to Anna-Maria. “Niña, we’re all together in this, verdad?”
Anna-Maria hugged Vivian. “Siempre. Alwa
ys.” Both Anna Maria and Vivian looked at Eamon, who watched them. “May we?”
“Of course.” He stood up and hugged each of the women.
“I’m pleased that this has gone so well.” Marta smoothed her blonde chignon.
“Did you expect a problem?” Jonathan asked, reaching out to kiss Marta’s hand.
Marta shook her head. “Well, one never knows when vampires gather.”
Jonathan nodded his head at Lauryl, who sat in Eamon’s seat and looked bored. “What’s the story between Lauryl and her maker?”
Marta clucked her tongue and gave Jonathan a cautionary look. “They’re no longer together but I wouldn’t approach her in his presence. Eamon tends to be quite territorial about his offspring, perhaps to a fault.”
“I sense a story.” He smiled at Lauryl when she looked up at him.
“One better left untold,” Marta said, patting his arm. He started to walk in Lauryl’s direction and Marta caught him by the elbow. “You were warned.”
“I’m just going to talk to her about her club,” he said innocently.
* * *
Eamon watched Marta walk away from Jonathan as he continued to talk with Anna-Maria. His eyes tracked Jonathan’s approach to Lauryl but chose not to say anything to her. He would watch and wait.
Marta leaned against Eamon and sighed. When he didn’t acknowledge her, she sighed again. He put his arm around her and continued his conversation with Anna Maria. When he finished and Anna-Maria walked away, he hugged her.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m surprised at how things went this evening.” She looked at the other vampires.
“Why is that?” The sound of Lauryl’s laughter drew his attention back over to her and Jonathan.
“I just am.”
“You just are? Well, you’ve been discussing this with your friends since before I came here so it came as no surprise to them. And you’ve known them for quite some time.”
“Yes, those things are true.”
“Perhaps you should hang on to your surprise until this is finalized. It will prevent you from becoming complacent.” He watched Eliza and Vivian whispering to one another.
Life in Moonlight: The Primigenio Tales: Book 1 Page 26