by Lisa Olsen
“What I think of him?” Where should I start? “Besides being a major pain, I think he’s trouble looking for a place to happen,” I replied honestly. “We’ve got to find a way to keep him on a short leash before he does something awful.”
“And how do you suggest we leash a vampire that’s as old as the pyramids?” He cocked a single brow. “He could mow through our guys and Lee’s guys combined.”
“I know, you’re right. The best we can wish for is to keep him happy and distracted while he’s here, and hope that he goes home without causing too much of a ruckus. Then he’s Amunet’s problem.”
“And that includes letting him go to Disneyland? That seems like an awfully public place for him to have a meltdown.”
My thoughts went back to the girl who had spilled her own blood, wondering if it was out of compulsion or devotion. He wouldn’t be able to pull something like that in a public place. Did Bakareh understand that? Or was he too convinced of his divine right to do as he pleased? “I don’t see that we have a whole lot of choice. That’s why I wanted to try and convince them to open up for us after hours. Providing the park goes for it, of course, I know it’s a serious hassle on such short notice.”
“Yeah, I’m guessing Felix isn’t going to have any problems with that. You’d be surprised how motivated even the most squeamish can be by money. Or if that doesn’t work, all it needs is a visit in person to grease the wheels.”
“You mean compel them into opening their gates extra late.”
“It is less messy than the alternative,” he shrugged.
“Which is?”
“We kill the gate guards and storm the Magic Kingdom,” Carter grinned, extending his fangs for effect. I joined him in laughter, mostly convinced that he was kidding about that last part. Mostly.
“Hey listen, there’s an extra bonus for you if you can arrange for Bakareh to get stuck on the It’s A Small World ride for a while.”
“You have no soul,” Carter laughed as though it was the funniest thing he’d heard all year. “I like it. Just for that, I’ll babysit the entire party and bring you back some footage of it.”
“Thanks,” I smiled back, not sure if I should be offended or not at being called soulless. “Hey, listen. Can you do me a favor?”
“Isn’t that what I just agreed to do?”
“That was for the lure of a bonus, this is different. So will you?”
“Maybe…” he replied, the word drawn out to reveal his sudden suspicion.
“Keep an eye on Laveda at the party.”
Just like that his mood soured. “This isn’t about you trying to get me to mingle, is it?”
“No, this is about keeping her downwind of Bakareh. If there’s someone he’ll find tasty out of our population, you can bet your sweet bottom it’s Laveda.”
“Do you really think I have a sweet ass?” Trying his best to get a look, Carter turned in a full circle before I smacked him on the shoulder.
“Oh, stop. If you’re looking for compliments, I’d suggest trying Laveda. She’d be a much better judge of your assets than I would.”
“I guess she would,” he considered aloud as we walked through the house. “She has bumped uglies with almost everyone you’ve ever slept with, right?”
I choked on my own spit. “What?” I managed to get out after I stopped coughing.
“Bishop, Rob, and the odds are she’s slept with Jakob at least once in her lifetime if he’s fed from her, right? Did I leave anyone out? That first guy is dead as I remember it.”
“She’s never slept with Rob, he’s her cousin.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure of that,” he muttered, and I grabbed his arm, pulling him to a stop.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means I hear things sometimes.”
“And you’ve heard that they’re not actually cousins?”
“No, I’ve heard that they’re close,” Carter replied, leaving no doubts as to his conclusions. “What’s the big deal? Back in the day, people used to marry their cousins.”
“Yes, but this isn’t that day.” And neither Rob nor Laveda were as old as that. “Tell me exactly what you heard that makes you think they’re…” I couldn’t even say it.
Carter burst out into laughter, and all I could do was stare at him stupidly. “Man, you should see your face right now.”
“Are you kidding me? You were messing with me?”
“It’s just so easy,” he grinned, wiping at his eyes.
Somehow I didn’t see the humor in it. “I take it back, you’re the one without a soul. When did you get to be so mean?”
“Just keeping you on your toes, sunshine. Besides, you can take it. You’re made of tough stuff. The bigger question you should ask yourself is – why do you care who Rob sleeps with?”
“I don’t.” Okay, so maybe I did. But that didn’t mean I wasn’t over him. Mostly. Does anyone like to hear about who their ex is sleeping around with? “Some day you’re going to find a girl who knocks you on your ass, Carter, and oh, how I’m going to laugh and laugh.”
“I haven’t been caught yet.” His lips curved in a smug smile that I couldn’t wait to take down.
“Maybe all you need is someone to trip you up at the right moment.”
That did it, the smile disappeared, immediately replaced by a scowl. “Don’t get any ideas in that head of yours. My life is fine.”
“You said something was missing.”
“I meant the hunt.”
“This is just a different kind of hunt.”
“Stay out of my personal life,” he glowered. “I mean it, Anja.”
“I just want you to be happy. If you’re nervous about it, I could compel that away, you know.”
“Don’t you dare.” His eyes widened in fear. “And I absolutely forbid you to try and fix me up with anyone. If I get a whiff of that, I’m walking. I’m totally serious.”
“Now who’s easy to rile up?” I challenged him, waggling my eyebrows at him until he found his laugh again.
“Touché.”
“Truce?” I offered him my hand, and he took it after a moment’s hesitation.
“Truce.”
“Now, let’s see if we can get through the next week without any bloodshed, and then you can go back to teasing me. But make another joke about Rob’s love life and I really will sic Laveda on you,” I added with a wry twist of the lips.
“What makes you even think she’d be interested? I’m no pretty boy like Bishop.”
“What makes you think all women are interested in a pretty boy?”
“Basically my entire life’s experience,” he shrugged, and my head tilted to the side as I studied him. Did he not get what a hottie he was? I knew girls that would weep from the sight of his abs alone.
“Carter, you’re not pretty, but you’re definitely good looking. Hot even, just in a different way.”
“The way that most chicks don’t go for.”
“Maybe stop calling us chicks and see how that works for you.”
His eyes opened comically wide. “You mean girls don’t like that anymore? Shoot, what about telling her she has a bangin’ bod? Does that still work?”
I just shook my head. If he wasn’t going to take it seriously, neither was I. “Yep, go ahead and see how that pans out. All I’m saying is, you have a lot to offer a woman, provided she has a very broad sense of humor.”
“Thanks, I think,” he chuckled. “But like I said, I’m not in the market for a girlfriend at the moment.”
“Who said anything about a girlfriend? I was just trying to get you some action. I’m pretty sure Laveda would settle for a friends with benefits kind of thing.”
“Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?”
“Not if I can help it,” I quipped. “Now, do you know where Gunnar is?”
“He should be in the kitchen, why?”
“Because I have some work to do, and I promised Bishop I’d keep him near
by.”
“Bishop was here?”
“I guess you don’t know everything, do you, Mr. Surveillance-man?”
Chapter Seventeen
“Tonight is your night, bro,” Mason sang as he opened the fridge, pulling out two beers. Bishop ignored the beer, wiping his hands on his jeans for the fiftieth time. It was only a party, he’d been to scores of them over the years, but for some reason, this one made his palms sweat.
“Why do you keep singing that?”
“Because tonight is your night, bro,” Mason sang back, waggling the beer bottle in his face until Bishop snatched it away.
“You mean the night I bust your teeth in?” he growled, his temper on edge. “That’s really annoying.”
Mason shrugged, tipping back his own beer. “It’s from a movie.”
“Still doesn’t make me want to pop you in the mouth any less.” Maybe he should have the beer and try to calm down a bit? Bishop took a long pull, thinking maybe he should’ve opted for scotch if he was looking to settle his nerves. “What makes you think I’m getting lucky tonight?” He could hardly look at Anja without wanting to take her into his arms anymore, but her feelings for him seemed to run hot and cold.
“You know, a little vino, a little dancing…” Mason did a passable version of the cha cha, a cheesy smile on his lips. “A stroll in the moonlight. Ladies eat that stuff up, trust me.”
Bishop wasn’t so sure. “She’s going to be up to her earlobes in dignitaries, most of whom make her want to scream, I hardly think that’s going to put her in the right mood.”
“So put her in the right mood and give her another reason to scream.” Mason’s eyebrows bobbed as he waggled them playfully, but Bishop couldn’t bring himself to think about that for tonight. This was their first public function together and he wanted to show her that he could fit into her world. Tonight he was leaving the Order aside, to be with Anja in any way she needed him to. Not because she expected or demanded it, as Carys would have, but because he wanted to support her.
“Did you find out what I need to know or not?” Bishop snapped. “Because if you’re just here to give me bad dating advice, I can get that from the internet.”
Mason’s hands came up in surrender. “Okay, Mr. Grumpypants, you want to be all business, then fine. Hanna said that Anja will be wearing a strapless jobbie in a midnight blue with crystal sparkly things around the waist. Is that what you needed?”
“Yes, that’ll do fine, thanks.” In his day, the gentleman dressed according to what the girl he was courting wore to a formal party. Bishop intended to do no less, selecting a navy double breasted suit with a white shirt and a conservative navy tie. He’d been growing his scruffy goatee out since their first date, and it now resembled more of a well groomed beard than before. He liked it. It made him feel different, more respectable. Worthy of being on Anja’s arm.
“I’d better skedaddle too. Hanna should be almost done getting gussied up for the party about now. You should see the dress she picked out.” He let out a low appreciative whistle. “I should’ve taken her out to a fancy party a long time ago.”
“Just stick close to her tonight. You know these things can get out of hand at the drop of a hat, and there will be a lot of unfamiliar vamps in town.”
“Hey, it’s me,” Mason scoffed. “If you want to worry about something, worry about yourself.”
“Why, have you heard something?” Besides checking up on Carter and Gunnar’s security arrangements, Bishop had spent the last few nights with his ear to the ground, making sure there were no rumblings of anything that could sour the evening, and he’d come up empty.
“No. Because tonight, is your night, bro,” Mason sang, dancing out of reach barely in time to evade Bishop’s cuff. “Later, dude.”
*
I tried not to read anything into it that Bishop wasn’t there when the party kicked into high gear. I hadn’t gotten any messages from him, and Mason seemed to think he’d be there with bells on, so I thrust myself into my Elder duties and tried not to notice the way the clock marched on without him.
The party was an overwhelming success so far. The locals came out in strong numbers, on their best behavior, dressed in their finest. The details all seen to, Maggie relaxed on Tucker’s arm with a glass of champagne in hand, looking delicately beautiful in a powder blue, floor length gown, heavily beaded with seed pearls all around the bodice, and the jeweled choker I’d given her for Christmas. Tucker was dressed as formally as I’d ever seen him, in a creamy jacket over jeans and an open necked shirt.
For some reason, ties seemed to be a problem for both of the shifters, as Lee had on a dark jacket over jeans, with no tie either. I had no objections, they both looked nice, and despite the fact that many wore fancy gowns and tuxes, they fit it well enough.
Carter was also looking sharper than usual, in a gray suit with a black open necked shirt – no tie on him either. Only Gunnar and Felix seemed to embrace neckwear, my bodyguard in his basic black suit and tie, and the Warden in a navy pin striped suit.
I noticed almost immediately that there was no sign of Bridget on Felix’s arm, but I didn’t ask him about it. Maybe she had a headache or maybe she’d gotten bored and gone home. Maybe she was off in a room somewhere with a thirsty vamp. I couldn’t care less, as long as it wasn’t Bishop who was neck deep in her.
A brief flash of worry sliced through me, what with Bishop’s absence, but I immediately dismissed it. Bishop would never ever betray me like that, especially after seeing what I’d gone through with Rob. I’d stake my life on it. No, wherever he was, I could be certain he had a good reason for it. That feeling of trust lent me an air of peace that made it easy for me to breeze my way through the receiving line, chatting easily about the new house and some of its history.
I flatly refused to sit in the throne Felix had set up in the corner, it wasn’t my style. Bakareh set himself up there, and I didn’t mind at all. There were a ton more people crowding around to get a glimpse of the Child King in person, glutting himself on the fresh blood being served; that left me able to mingle instead of the mind numbing smile and shake hands that usually went on for the first hour or two of these kind of parties.
Amunet came to see me, perhaps eager to escape her master’s court. The stunning beauty wore the traditional dress I’d first seen her in, dripping with ornate jewelry, her black hair hanging in shining waves. Perfect lips curved into a smile as she approached, surprising me by embracing me warmly.
“Anja, so lovely to see you again,” she smiled, standing back to place her hand on the arm of a gorgeous guy in a tux, who looked vaguely familiar.
“Always a pleasure to see you too, Amunet,” I replied, finding that I meant it. It wasn’t her fault her boss was a pain in the rear.
“Thank you for being so accommodating with Bakareh’s wishes. I know it can’t have been easy for you to arrange the after hours visit to Disneyland. He sends his thanks as well.”
“Funny how he’s not much for giving them in person,” I observed, but didn’t push it. “I’m glad he had a good time. Did the two of you go too?”
“Yes, we had a most exhilarating time, didn’t we?” Amunet smiled up at the man candy, and that’s when I placed him.
Holy smokes – was that Chad, the guy from the dive bar down by the docks? Boy howdy, did he clean up nice. “Maybe I’ll have to go next time,” I replied, but I don’t think she heard me, they were lost in each other’s eyes for long seconds before she turned to face me again.
“You look altogether well. That’s a lovely dress.”
“Thanks, I like it too,” I smiled back, smoothing my hands over the skirt. It was a deep sapphire, strapless, the bodice gathered and tucked so that it fit me like a second skin. The sheer chiffon skirt was asymmetrical, falling above the knee on one side and almost to my ankle on the other. A band of silver set crystals crossed the front waist, adding a touch of sparkle that matched the diamond choker Jakob had given me. It was fu
n and flirty, and I felt pretty in it.
“It is gorgeous, you must tell me where you bought it,” Jennike gushed, sidling up to the conversation. Her voice lacked the usual spite, and I tried to figure out if she actually meant the compliment, or was baiting me for a later dig. The Elder of the East wore an attention grabbing dress in gold lamé, the skirt scandalously short, revealing long legs, her back completely bare. The front was relatively modest by comparison, with long sleeves and a high, draping neckline. Her dark hair was pulled up into an elegant twist. The diamonds at her ears and throat no doubt cost enough to feed a small country for a year. It was probably the swankiest thing money could buy in the eighties, but to me the overall ensemble looked kind of tacky.
“The ladies at FF Fashions were kind enough to make it for me. I’ll have to let them know you approve,” I smiled back politely.
“If you’ll forgive me, I see someone else I should say hello to,” Amunet excused herself, and I was about to offer to come with her when Jennike grabbed my arm, linking it through hers.
“Shall we take a turn about the room?” she asked, leading me into a light stroll as I calculated exactly what kind of political suicide it would be for me to pull my arm free and tell her to shove it.
When she didn’t immediately explain the odd request for a private talk, I took the bull by the horns and made an observation of my own. “I have to say, I’m surprised to see you here tonight. I was under the impression that you didn’t care much for the West.”
Her eyes went wide with surprise. “Whatever could’ve given you that idea?”
Life was too short to pussyfoot around. I decided to lay my cards on the table. The worst that could happen was she’d get offended and stomp away, and I’d be no worse off than I was before. Actually, the worst that could happen was she’d try to scratch my eyes out, and I was pretty sure I could take her.
“Come on, Jennike, I’m not a total moron,” I replied, keeping my voice light. “Admit it, you took one look at me and decided I wasn’t someone you wanted to be bosom buddies with. I’m not offended. To be honest, you’re not the first person I’d pick to invite over for a Buffy-athon either. So what’s up?”