And I don’t just feel good, I look good, too. I’m wearing a red suit that I don’t usually have the guts to put on, and I can see myself in the reflection of the gleaming, brass-like elevator doors. My hair has some of the fullness from the night before, and as I walked to work, I managed to put on some red lipstick. It’s strange how life works, that the one time I barely put any effort into it, I somehow manage to look my best. And I wonder if it’s another weird after effect of making love with Adam.
Even Jacob seems to notice. He begins to eye me with interest, even though he’s never looked at me that way before. Probably, he thinks I’m too old for him, a woman his same age. Or he doesn’t think I have the right sorority girl appeal to impress his friends. But today, I’m the one who looks younger than he does. I’m the one who looks like a million bucks, despite his overpriced business suit, and his haircut that cost more than I make in a week.
The elevator finally arrives, and when we get in, he turns to me.
“Hey, Meridian … didn’t we have a business meeting?” Jacob asks, with a cocky grin on his face. He thinks I’m as pleased to get his attention as he is with himself.
“I don’t think so …”
“Yeah, we did. My secretary told me you wanted to take a meeting with me,” he says with a smile.
Of course, I’m being a bitch, just to mess with him. I know we had a meeting, or rather, that I had tried to schedule one, back when I was still desperately trying to figure out a way to climb the corporate ladder. Last week. I’m just surprised that he would mention it.
I was stupid, I thought that maybe I could schmooze and flirt with him, hoping he would remember that we had once been friends. That maybe he could help me get a menial assistant’s position with someone in his group, one that I would never climb out of, just so I could have the thrill of working one step closer to the people who are considered good enough to be creative. And the little jerk didn’t even both to call me back.
But now that he seems to care, I no longer give a shit about any of that.
“What did you want to talk to me about? Maybe we could discuss it over lunch?” he says, trying to douse me with his oily charm. As if I would ever share another meal with this prick.
Things change, and now I’ll never give him another moment of my time. And I certainly won’t tumble into bed with him, so he can have another notch on his belt to brag over with the other jackass executives, or to convince himself he isn’t gay.
“Oh, you know what? I did call your office a few weeks ago. But that’s okay, I don’t need your help anymore,” I say, casually.
The elevator doors open.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m the sort of girl who helps herself, Jacob,” I say, staring him down. “And, let’s face it, the only person you’ll ever really help is yourself.”
I step out of the elevator and walk away without even looking back. As the doors close, I can hear the other passengers in the car snickering at my diss, and I’m sure Jacob is furious at being made to look stupid.
It’s probably foolish of me to insult him. I may have an exciting new boyfriend, but I still have to work here. Ah, screw him, I think. Let him go off to his floor above me with Staci. Maybe I’ll have Adam wipe his mind. I’m sure it’s weak enough to manipulate. And if I do let the vampires buy me the agency, Jacob will be the first person I fire.
When I get to my desk, the phone rings, and I quickly throw my things down to grab it, hoping it’s my new lover. But I catch a glimpse of the screen as the receiver touches my ear, and see that it’s Staci, instead. Which isn’t such a bad thing.
It will be interesting to talk to her, now that I realize she was probably my sister in a past life.
“This is Meridian …“
“Hey, pal. Listen, I’m not going to be able to meet you for lunch today. I’m super swamped with the client presentations we’re having this afternoon.”
I can practically hear Staci getting ready to hang up on the other end of the line, but I know how to grab her attention.
“Oh, that’s too bad. Now you’re not going to get to hear all about my new boyfriend.”
“Oh my God! The stalker guy?”
“Yep. Although it turns out he’s more hunky than stalkery. We went on a date last night.”
“Tell me all about it! Where did you go?”
“Are you sure you want to hear, sweetie? I know you’re busy with all those client presentations …”
I can’t help myself, but I say it in a tone that’s more playful than bitchy. Because I’m in too good a mood to be mean.
“Oh, screw the clients,” Staci says. “This is way more interesting.”
“We went to Grill, that upmarket Korean barbecue place,” I say.
“The one we were going to go to for your birthday? How was it?”
“Super yummy. They bring you lots of these great appetizers. Little seaweed wrappers and rice to put in them, these amazing dumplings. And the meat was, like, scrumptious. But it was hard for me to enjoy the food. I was incredibly nervous. Hopefully, we’ll go again, because I would so not pay those prices on my own.”
“I know. Lauren Fairbanks went, and even she said it was expensive. And we both know she makes bank,” Staci says.
Lauren Fairbanks is one of the lawyers, a woman with gorgeous brown hair and a rail thin frame. And she definitely makes the big bucks. She’s another of Staci’s close friends, I suspect in part because of her good fortunes.
“So did you do anything else? Go see a movie or a play?”
“We walked around for a while. Then we went back to my place.”
“You slut!”
“I know. Well, maybe not a total slut. But things did get a bit R-rated.”
I’m not quite sure if Astral Plane sex makes you a slut, although everything we did there we did in the real world, apparently. And I feel a certain soreness when I walk to prove it. But our encounter seemed more … spiritual, somehow. Plus, there’s still a part of me that’s conservative that doesn’t want Staci to know what a whore I am, how quick I was to go down on a vampire.
“So how was he? Did you have a good time?”
“Let’s just say the evening was quite memorable. He’s really an amazing guy.”
“Wow. You’re so lucky. It’s sounds like maybe you’ve found your Prince Charming.”
“Yeah, I guess so. Although …”
“Uh-oh. What is it? Is he married? Divorced? A recovering addict?”
“Oh, God, no. None of that,” I say, laughing. “It’s just that … he’s very intense. This guy is definitely not some himbo airhead. In fact, I have a feeling this relationship is really going to keep me on my toes.”
“Hunh. Interesting,” Staci says, sounding just a bit confused. “Well, I’m happy for you. Let’s grab coffee in the afternoon, so we can dish some more.”
“I may be calling you before that, to sob. He’s supposed to call me this morning to schedule our next date. It will be the first real test of our relationship.”
“I’m sure he will. Let me know what happens.”
Staci hangs up, and I try to do my work, but it’s pointless. Because my mind keeps getting lost in thoughts of Adam. And I have to admit, a part of me feels annoyed that he ran out so quickly this morning. Somehow, his telling me he’ll call by noon makes it feel like he won’t. But I know I’m being ridiculous. He hardly seems ready to end the relationship. And if he did, that would probably involve his eating me.
Luckily, I don’t have to sit pondering negative outcomes for long. The phone rings again within minutes, and the display reads a familiar message, “Blocked Number.” And I know for sure that it’s Adam this time.
“This is Meridian.”
“I can only talk for a second. But I just had to hear your voice. It’s driving me crazy that I’m not with you right now.”
And I feel a certain warm glow, a secret pleasure that he called earlier rather than later. And thank God f
or that. Maybe now I can get some work done.
“So what are you doing?”
“I’m staking out a possible hive of our enemies.”
“Oh. Wow. So I guess stopping by my place at lunch for a quickie is out of the question?”
“I can’t, unfortunately. But I also can’t wait much longer than that. I want to see you tonight. Are you available?”
“Yeah, I’m available,” I say, laughing inside. It’s almost ridiculous to ask. Of course, I’m available. I’m practically foaming at the mouth to see him again.
“Great. There’s a little dinner tonight. It’s something we do once a week. I’d like you to come, so you can meet my family.”
I involuntarily spring up in my desk chair. In an instant, the entire tone of the conversation has shifted into something very different.
“Wait a minute. Are you saying you want me to meet other vampires?”
“Yes, I am. And this way, you can get a better idea of what you’re getting yourself into by fooling around with me.”
A feeling of anxiety rushes over me. I’m beginning to freak out inside.
“Adam, why do I have to meet other vampires? Can’t it just be you and me? I’m not sure I’m ready for this.”
“We have no choice. My people watch one another very closely, and they’ll soon notice that I’m seeing you. If I don’t bring you to meet them right away, they’ll become suspicious. They’ll think we have something to hide. And the first thing they’ll think of is Saga.”
“Why do they care so much about Saga? She’s dead. Can’t they just let her rest in peace?”
“Meridian, they’re not stupid. They know I’ve been looking for you all this time. And every time I’m with a woman, it could possibly be you.”
“So you’ve brought other women to meet them?”
“Yes, I have. Other women who’ve had certain psychic resistances, to confuse them. I’ve had to, so that when you finally came back, they wouldn’t know if it was you, or just another decoy designed to throw them off the scent. Or better yet, to make them think that I’ve finally moved on. But so far, they’re not quite convinced.”
Shit. Shit, shit, shit. This is deeper than I thought. Adam wasn’t kidding when he said he had been waiting for me. And he’s even been planning for my return. But I hadn’t really thought about the fact that there are other vampires out there, that I might have to face them. I hadn’t thought about the more serious implications of the relationship, beyond my romantic yearnings.
And it feels strange, to think about these other women, how Adam might have used them. And I wonder if he truly cared for them, or if they were just pawns. A part of me is horrified to think they may have suffered on my behalf. But I can’t ponder that right now. I have more immediate concerns, such as for my own safety.
“What if they read my mind? What if these other vampires can pick up on my thoughts and figure out who I am?”
A low laughter comes from the earpiece of the phone.
“Those mental midgets won’t pick up on a thing. I’m the strongest telepath among them … well, one of the stronger ones, at least in the States. And if I can’t read your thoughts, they won’t. You have a knack for blocking them out, whether you realize it or not. We’ll be fine.”
Somehow, I’m less than convinced. But it’s Adam telling me I’ll be safe, which has to mean something. And if he’s spent all this time looking for me, he’ll hardly be quick to throw me into the lion’s den, not unless he thinks I can survive.
And he’s right about one thing. If we’re going to have this relationship, this is something I’ll have to face.
“All right, I’m game. Dinner sounds like a hoot. What should I wear?”
“Whatever you wear will be fine. Shall I pick you up at say … 7:30 at your place?”
“Sounds good to me,” I say. And I hang up the phone.
Great, it’s official. I’m definitely going to meet more vampires. I lower my head, and bang it against the desk, in frustration. And I realize what an idiot I am to think that I would be getting any work done today. Because all I can think about now is how to prepare for a vampire dinner party.
I get home from work, and stand in front of my closet for quite a while, pondering potential outfits. Because this is different than dressing for just Adam, who at least is attracted to me. I have no idea what I’m walking into tonight, if the people there will even like me.
And to make matters worse, Adam was frustratingly stingy with details, or hints on what to wear. How many guest will be there tonight? Are we going to someone’s house, or will it maybe be at his home?
I picture myself walking up to a scary brownstone mansion, maybe on the Upper East side, decorated with lots of wrought iron grating that’s covered in cobwebs. And a tall, gothic woman will preside over the event, one who looks like she stepped out of the Addam’s Family.
Or maybe she’ll be unspeakably beautiful, wearing an outfit from the cover of Vogue.
As I flip through clothes, I catch sight of a bright purple splash of color from the dress I wore last night. My “Trevor Dress,” which maybe now I’ll start thinking of as my “Adam Dress.” And for a moment, I wish I hadn’t already worn it, because it would have been perfect for tonight. Or maybe not. Is sexy really the look I want to go for? Walking into a den of hungry bloodsuckers looking like a scrumptious treat may not be the best idea, especially when I’m not entirely certain that I won’t be part of the menu.
I decide that I need to look powerful, like I’m not a victim. And I find a pair of black dress pants I bought on a recent shopping trip with Staci. They’re just a bit flowy, and I hope that they’ll make me look elegant and sophisticated. My one hesitation is that I think they look a bit cheap, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. I paid a fortune for these things at Saks, but for some reason the material looks like it could still be a polyester blend. All I can do is hope that the vampires know their designers. And I have the perfect beige silk blouse to pair with them, one I can unbutton at the top to give the outfit just a hint of sex appeal.
I go to my dresser mirror, and begin putting on some blush. And as I stand there, stressing over how my look will go over, a strange thought crosses my mind. Maybe I know more about what I’m stepping into tonight than I realize. Adam had said it, didn’t he? That everything I need to know about vampires is locked away in my mind, from my time as Saga. Maybe I’ve even met the people who we’ll be mingling with. They live forever, don’t they? That’s the vampires’ thing. And remembering it all would be an incredible advantage to have.
Maybe now is the time for me to press my powers.
I reach out, and put my hand on my dresser. It’s four drawers high, a cheap piece with a thin layer of varnish, like the rest of the stuff in my bedroom. I screwed it together from a box I ordered off the Internet. And though it’s hardly sturdy, it’s something to ground myself with.
I stare off into the imaginary distance, the way I always do when I meditate or try to tune into the energy around me. And the room seems to flicker and bend. And I can see it, a slight electric haze that fills the air, rushing back and forth before my eyes. But after a moment, it fizzles and everything snaps back into place.
I try it again, but somehow, I can’t summon at will the weird random shifts that have been happening, I can’t call on the past no matter how hard I try. But there is something I sense; a subtle wall of emotion that blocks me. Somehow, I know that whatever lies in the past is intense, or maybe even frightening. I know there’s something there I don’t want to see. But maybe it’s for the best. Lord knows, I have enough drama on my plate for one night.
Screw it, I’ll just have to face the vampires with the knowledge and experience that I’ve gained from this lifetime. How much worse can they be than the monsters at Creative Quorum?
I finish my hair and make-up, and it’s still a bit early. And I’m far too antsy to wait around for Adam to knock on the door without buzzing up. So I go
downstairs to beat him to the punch. And the night air helps to calm me. But I don’t have long to wait. He walks up to the front of my building right at the appointed hour.
Adam doesn’t seem terribly surprised to find me standing outside. Instead, he has that wonderful expression on his face, like he’s glowing when he sees me. And it makes me happy to have clicked with someone in a way that isn’t forced or fake.
He kisses me on the cheek, and we start walking down the street.
“Did you miss me?”
“Oh, yeah,” I say. “It’s getting so that you’re the only thing that I think about.”
“I like that,” he says. “Now you know how I’ve felt for the past hundred years.”
And though it’s heaven being with Adam, ever since I’ve met him, I can’t shake this strange feeling as we walk along. It’s as if I’m constantly being watched. Or followed. And tonight is no exception.
I look around at the buildings and cars, the faces that pass us on the sidewalk, looking for something suspicious. But New York is so busy, and I can’t spot anything out of the ordinary, aside from a red van parked on the street that advertises “Hammond & Sons -- Bathtub and Sink Refinishing.” Which could be hiding detectives or undercover cops. It’s almost too obvious, and I wonder if it holds some of his foes. But if Adam is worried, I can’t tell. He bears a pleasant expression, seemingly enjoying the night. But I have to ask. There are too many questions in my mind that have been left unresolved.
“So if you have all these enemies …”
“The one enemy, Meridian. The Luminos. Trust me, there aren’t many out there who are gutsy enough to come after us.”
“Ok, the Luminos. Why aren’t you worried about walking on the street?”
“They’re more the ones who need to worry, if I find them,” Adam says, smiling.
And again, a chill runs down my spine, as I get a quick glimpse of his dangerous nature.
“Actually, they haven’t attacked us for quite a while,” Adam says. “Which in itself is a cause for concern. And we’re trying to figure out why. But in the meantime, we’re still diligent about monitoring our surroundings. We have cameras and agents who canvas the area. And though my powers aren’t effective against you, I am telepathic. I continually scan the crowd, as we walk along, to see if they’re close. It’s not everyone who can shield their mind. And the ones who can shouldn’t come near, because it’s a giveaway.”
The Meridian Gamble Page 11