Where Loyalty Lies

by Hannah Valentine

  I could just about make out a large table with thirteen empty seats. I wasn’t that bothered; I was sure there wasn’t going to be much to see anyway. I let my eyes roam, trying to find the faces I knew. I spotted Holt sitting in the second row from the front, he’d been looking for me and greeted me with a nod before turning back to face the front.

  Henry was sitting almost opposite me but on the lower level. The seat next to him was empty and I watched it, waiting to see if it would be Saul who took it. Sure enough, a few moments later Saul appeared and made his way to the seat with a lot more grace than I’d done. Roy and Thomas were also sitting next to each other, just a couple of rows behind Henry and Saul. I felt a little nervous sitting in this packed room with nobody I knew close by, but I understood there was a strict seating plan. The enforcers were all on one side of the lower horseshoe with Henry and Saul. The vampires who’d worked for The Sénat for the longest sat in the middle with Holt. The rest of the workers sat where they could get seats, but the people who didn’t work and just chose to live at Rillith for the security and social life, had to sit in the upstairs balcony.

  The Sénat appeared on the stage and made their way to their five seats at the table. Once again it was Sénator Aimery who seemed to be in charge. He sat in silence for a moment while he studied the top piece of paper on the stack in front of him, before adjusting the microphone that was attached to the table. Finally he started the meeting.

  As promised it was long and boring. I wasn’t wearing a watch but I moved my phone onto my lap so I could see the minutes slowly passing. I fidgeted in my seat, trying to regain feeling in the lower half of my body. All the MM seemed to consist of was reading lists. The first list contained any vampires who’d been tracked down by the enforcers and it included a note about whether they were in The Sénat’s custody or were deceased. Most of them were deceased. The second list contained any vampires who’d moved from or to Rillith. I was not included in that list. The third list was about anyone who’d changed jobs or positions. I have no idea what the fourth list was about because, by then, I’d stopped listening.

  Just as I was wondering if anyone would notice if I took a nap, my phone lit up, making me tense. I hoped that Saul really had turned it onto silent and my ringtone wasn’t about to blast through the room. The little symbol of an envelope appeared on the screen telling me I had a text message.

  I glanced around to see if anyone was watching me but the closest person was five seats away and he looked like he was in a world of his own.

  Too tempted by the idea of something breaking my boredom, I opened the message.

  Bored?

  That was all it said. I frowned and then looked straight over to Henry, but it wasn’t him looking back at me. As I watched, Saul casually lifted a hand and gave a small gesture that, to me, was quite clearly a salute but, to anyone else, it must have looked like he was swatting away a fly or something.

  Not at all. I’m just paying attention, like you should be.

  I sent the message and watched Saul as he received it. He barely moved and, if I hadn’t known, I’d never have guessed he was using his phone. In no time at all, his reply came back.

  Liar

  I pretended to glare at Saul across the room.

  Fine, I’m so bored that I’m pretty close to falling asleep.

  I sent it and gave a subtle glance at the man a few seats away, just to make sure he couldn’t see what I was doing. I didn’t think he’d approve if he saw I was complaining about the first MM I’d ever attended. I didn’t need to worry, though, his eyes were glazed over and I had a feeling I could strip down to my underwear and he still wouldn’t notice. Saul’s reply made me frown.

  Well if you did fall asleep you wouldn’t be the only one. Look at Tom Millar.

  Before I could reply to say I had no idea who Tom Millar was, a second message came through.

  Centre of the balcony, back row.

  I scanned the area Saul had mentioned, wondering how I was supposed to find someone when I had no idea what he looked like. As it turned out, that didn’t matter. In the back row was a vampire who was actually asleep. His head was titled back against the seat and his mouth was hanging open. The fact that a vampire only needs a couple of hours’ sleep a night and yet he was bored enough to doze off made me laugh. I managed to keep silent, but the motion of my shaking shoulders was enough to stir the guy next to me from his daydreaming; he gave me an irritated look. This clear sign of annoyance threatened to push my laughter into one of those ridiculous fits of giggles that always occurs at the wrong time. I spent the next five minutes staring at my feet and trying to keep control of myself.

  When my mobile lit up with another message I didn’t dare look at it until I knew I could keep a straight face.

  I’m not sure you’re taking this MM very seriously.

  Grateful that the buttons on my phone didn’t make a loud clicking noise, I texted back.

  Well that’s your fault. Stop making me laugh; I don’t want to get into trouble.

  Saul’s reply made my heart beat so hard that I thought I might earn myself another irritated look from my neighbour.

  You look even more beautiful when you laugh.

  Trying not to grin like an idiot, I replied.

  That may be the cheesiest line anyone has ever said to me.

  Don’t you know about the cheesy line loophole?

  What loophole?

  It’s not considered cheesy if it’s true.

  No, I’m pretty sure it’s just cheesy.

  It was a moment before Saul’s next message came through.

  What are you doing this afternoon?

  Assuming I’m not still sitting here?

  It will be over soon.

  I don’t have anything planned. Why?

  Impatience flared through me as the seconds it took Saul to reply seemed to stretch on forever.

  I was just thinking that we should meet so that I can teach you how to use your phone.

  Sounds good. I also would like to know how you got my number.

  It’s pre-saved on your phone. I took it when I put your phone on silent. I will come and find you later.

  Ok. See you then.

  After that, I was in such a dream, picturing how my afternoon with Saul might go, that I almost missed Sénator Aimery finally getting around to mentioning me.

  “Our final subject of the day is that of Miss Faine Hawkes,” he said.

  I suddenly felt like I was under a spotlight as many gazes turned on me.

  “The suggestion has been made that she is half vampire. We are currently conducting tests that we feel are appropriate and there will be a trial held in this room on 15th January to discuss the results and decide the outcome. In the meantime she will be a guest here at Rillith and has a temporary pass to attend any public events that we have during this period of time.” Sénator Aimery lowered the piece of paper he held and looked out at the room. “That concludes this month’s meeting. We will re-adjourn on 1st of November at 9:00am.”

  That was it? I’d just sat through hours of meaningless talk so that I could hear the four sentences that were relevant to me? The only thing I’d learnt was that my trial would be held in front of everyone and in this room. It was something I could have done without knowing; I couldn’t begin to imagine how sick I’d feel when the time came for me to stand on that stage and be judged by The Sénat in front of all these people.

  The Sénat stood and left. Once they were out of sight, the rest of the room also stood and started filing out the doors. Grateful that I could finally move, I stood and stretched. The hallways were so packed that I decided it was pointless to try and find Holt, so I headed back to my rooms, wondering how long I had until Saul came to find me.

  Chapter 22

  As I neared the front entrance hall, the crowd around me thinned and I caught sight of Holt talking to Henry. Holt looked irritated and was shaking his head while he was talking. Henry was nodding in agree
ment. For a moment I thought Holt had seen me on my phone during the MM and was upset that I hadn’t been paying attention but, the second Holt caught sight of me, he stopped talking and his expression became friendly.

  I got the distinct impression they’d been talking about me.

  “So, how did you find your first MM?” Henry asked as we continued walking.

  “Long,” I replied.

  “I’m sorry. If I’d known the part about you was going to be cut so short, I wouldn’t have suggested that you go. They spend hours prattling on about useless information and then, when they finally get to the most important thing that’s happened in years, they barely even mention it,” Holt said.

  “It’s fine,” I said, not wanting Holt to feel bad. “I’m glad I went, I thought it was quite interesting.”

  Henry waggled his eyebrows at me, without Holt seeing, and I knew he’d witnessed exactly why I hadn’t minded sitting through the MM.

  I said goodbye to Holt and Henry at the top of the stairs and stopped short when I turned the corner into my hallway; Saul was standing outside my door.

  He was leaning against the wall with his legs crossed at the ankles and his hands in the pockets of his black trousers. It looked like a photo shoot for an expensive aftershave.

  “You got here fast,” I said.

  Saul pushed off from the wall and ran a hand through his hair in a casual way that made me think he had no idea how sexy he looked when he did it.

  “Well, I thought this was high priority; it wouldn’t be very gentlemanly of me to make you go an entire afternoon with your phone on silent. For all we know, you could receive an important phone call that you’d miss if your phone didn’t ring.”

  “That’s a very good point,” I said, mimicking Saul’s deadpan expression. “I’d hate to miss a call from The Sénat, asking me if I’d like to join them for drinks one evening.”

  Saul smiled and nodded his head in the direction I’d just come from. “Come on, I know somewhere we can go.”

  I walked next to Saul, not missing the interested looks we got from the people we passed. As with most vampires, he seemed to glide effortlessly and I felt ungainly beside him.

  We went into a room that was dark enough to make me slow my pace while my eyes adjusted. For a moment I thought it was a strange place to come to and wondered what exactly Saul thought we’d be getting up to, but then I realised why the room was dark. In the middle of the room was a gigantic circular fish tank that stretched from the floor all the way up to the ceiling. In the centre of the fish tank was an expanse of coral and weeds that stopped you from being able to see all the way through to the other side. There were lights subtly built into the coral so that it shimmered and glowed, lighting up the brightly coloured fish as they swam lazily round. I gasped as a shark appeared and seemed to shoot me a warning look before it disappeared. I’d never seen a fish tank this big in my life. I could easily have fitted inside it and swum a few laps.

  “Where’d you like to sit?” Saul asked.

  I spun round to face him; for a moment I’d completely forgotten he was there. I looked around to see that dark purple velvet sofas and chairs were strewn around the room, all facing the grand centrepiece.

  We were the only people around so I indicated to the closest pair of chairs. Saul pulled his chair close to mine so that we could both see my phone.

  It proved very difficult to concentrate when Saul’s arm kept brushing against mine. I eventually got to grips with the basics and was sorry when Saul leaned back in his chair and it took him a little further away from me.

  “So how are you finding it here?” Saul asked.

  “It’s amazing. I can’t believe that, less than a month ago, I was living in a tiny place in Hull, doing nothing but work and now I’m here surrounded by all this.”

  Saul nodded. “I have to admit that Rillith is one of my favourite bases. Most the time the weather is terrible but somehow it just adds to the atmosphere.

  “Have you lived at all the bases?” I asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Where are the others?”

  “Russia, Italy, China and Las Vegas.”

  “Vegas?” I laughed. “You’re telling me that, in amongst all the clubs and casinos, there’s somewhere like Rillith?”

  “Yes. It sounds odd but The Sénat actually owns a large portion of the casinos there. It’s where a lot of their wealth comes from.”

  “I’ve always wanted to go there. I once worked with someone who said it was like Disneyland for adults. Is that true?”

  “I suppose. The problem with Vegas is that the novelty of the place can wear off quickly. The Sénat always stay fifty years at each base before they move on and fifty years in Vegas can seem like a long time.”

  “How long have The Sénat been at Rillith? This time round, I mean.”

  “Thirty-two years.”

  “So, in eighteen years’ time, they’ll move again. Do you know where they’ll go next?”

  “Probably Italy, maybe China.”

  It occurred to me that I had no idea what I’d be doing in eighteen years. I’d already been informed, during my first medical examination, that some of the tests were to try to decipher the age I’d live to. Vampires were immortal; humans lived less than a hundred years. Nobody yet knew which category I fell into.

  The sharp clacking of heels on wood caught my attention and I turned to see Monique enter the room. She came to a standstill just close enough to the fish tank for its lights to shine over her. I sighed inwardly. She looked just as stunning as she had last night at the ball. She was wearing an olive green, knee-length skirt that hugged her slim figure and a white top that once again showed off her cleavage.

  I saw the brief flicker of satisfaction in her eyes that told me her arriving here had not been a coincidence.

  Monique didn’t even glance at me as she moved a chair next to Saul’s and draped herself over it.

  “I should have known you’d be hiding out in some dark room when everyone is simply dying to ask you what happened with Billy on your last assignment.”

  For a moment Saul didn’t reply and I wondered if there was going to be another awkward scene like there had been at the ball.

  “I’ll be submitting my official report tomorrow, so I’m sure everyone can wait till then.”

  There was definitely a bit of frost in Saul’s reply but I couldn’t tell if Saul was annoyed at Monique or at everyone else for wanting to badger him for information. Judging by the uncertain look she was giving him, I was sure that Monique was wondering the same thing.

  “Can you believe that Jason Heaney has finally taken up a position as an enforcer? We’ve been waiting years for him to make the change. You’ll have to watch your back, Saul; he might give you a run for your money,” she said.

  Even the tone of her voice bugged me. It was smug, as if her conversation with Saul was a big secret, shared between the two of them.

  “Not a chance. It takes more than being smart to be a good enforcer,” Saul replied.

  “Just as confident as ever,” Monique said.

  The intimate look she gave Saul made me feel uncomfortable enough to want to leave, but also irritated enough to want to kick her on the shin. I wished I’d paid better attention during the MM so that I’d have something to contribute to the conversation.

  Monique cocked her head. “Surely you’d welcome a little competition? It must get very boring being right at the top all by yourself.”

  Saul gave a half smile. “It’s anything but boring.”

  I opened my mouth to ask Saul how long he’d been an enforcer but, before the words could form, Monique leant forward and put her hand on Saul’s knee.

  “I know better than anyone how hard you work. Why, I’ve lost count of the number of times you’ve had to cancel our plans because your jobs have taken longer than expected.” For the first time, she flicked a look at me to make sure I was still listening. “Or the number of times I’ve
woken up to an empty bed because you’ve had to get up and leave early.”

  I gritted my teeth so hard I thought I might crack a tooth. My suspicions had been confirmed; Saul and Monique either had been an item or still were. What I wanted to know now was how serious it was. Had it been a casual thing that Monique didn’t want to get over? Or was it more than that? Were they in a relationship and had had a lovers’ tiff? I felt a little sick as I realised that Saul may have been spending time with me to make Monique jealous. I looked at Saul, wondering if he was waiting for me to leave so that he could make up with Monique. He wasn’t looking at me; he was looking at Monique with a strange and intense look.

  Her hand slid further up his thigh, making her whole body lean closer to his. “It’s a good job I’m forgiving,” she said. “I’m having a little get-together this evening; as always you’re more than welcome to come.”

  Saul glanced at me and Monique followed his gaze and gave me a simpering little smile like she’d forgotten I was sitting there. It was clear Saul was waiting for Monique to invite me. The silence stretched into minutes.

  “Don’t you have some sort of tests you’re supposed to be doing?” Monique asked me.

  I stood up. This was too uncomfortable to bear. Yes, I liked Saul and I’d thought he liked me too, but if spending time with him also meant getting a side order of Monique, then I was way out of my league.

  “I should get going,” I said. “Thanks for the help.”

  I hadn’t moved two steps when Saul said my name. For a split second I wanted to pretend I hadn’t heard and leave anyway, but then his hand wrapped around my wrist and pulled me to a stop.

  Still holding on to me, Saul turned to face Monique. “Faine is here because I asked her here. If you particularly want to be here, then I’m sure Faine and I can find somewhere else to go.”

  She looked outraged and the redness of her cheeks would have melted icebergs. I braced myself for the vicious comment that I was sure would be coming my way, but Monique stood and left without a word. She merely shot a dark look at me that wasn’t dissimilar to the shark’s.