not…
“How much more is needed?” I ask.
“At least double,” he says.
Double! Has he gone insane in his old age? I fight not to let my shock show. No emotions. I can’t show him any emotions or he’ll take advantage of the situation.
“I’m sorry, Lord Valentine, but that will be extremely difficult.”
“Then I cannot guarantee the safety of your city or its citizens,” he says, finally turning toward me. His eyes are dark. So dark I can’t tell if they’re staring straight into mine or at my neck. It’s a threat. Not an empty one either. This conversation, my life, could be over before my next heartbeat.
“I’ll see if I can increase the supply,” I say to placate him for now, until I can talk with Rachel.
“I hope, for your sake, that the citizens of Denver find their charitable side,” he says in that icy, dead tone.
My heart jumps when I hear the door open. I assume it’s the servant coming to escort me out, but I dare not look; it’s bad form. I’m just relieved the meeting is over.
“You’re late,” Valentine snaps.
“My apologies, Father,” a deep voice says. “I only just got your summons.”
My breath backs up in my lungs and I manage somehow to remain still. I know that voice. But it can’t be. It can’t.
I hear the quiet footfalls. I see movement out of the corner of my eye. Suddenly he’s standing there. Beside Valentine.
My savior from last night. Victor.
He’s not a heralded Night Watchman. He’s a damn vampire!
Chapter 6
“D awn, I don’t believe you’ve met my son, Victor Valentine. Victor, allow me to introduce Miss Dawn Montgomery, our new delegate.”
I feel as though I’ve dropped into the seventh level of hell. It’s taking everything I have not to display any sign of recognition. To keep my face impassive. To reveal absolutely nothing at all. What games are being played here?
Victor bows slightly. “Good evening, Miss Montgomery.” His manner has changed. He’s more like his father, more refined and formal. It doesn’t fit him.
He’s wearing a black shirt beneath a dark blue silk suit, and the corner of a red handkerchief—decorated with two embroidered Vs—peers out of the pocket over his heart. He’s definitely projecting Old Family. It explains so much. The car. The carbonated drink. He’s filthy rich. It also explains why he was so insistent that I not tell anyone about him or the theater. He’s a vampire, living in the city. Maybe spying for dear old Dad.
I want to strike out at him for deceiving me, for talking with me as though we had things in common. For making a fool of me. He had to know that I assumed he was human. Instead he’s a bloodsucker.
But I’m pretty sure none of my thoughts, my sudden hatred of him, is showing on my face, because Lord Valentine continues as though nothing is amiss.
“We were discussing the blood situation,” he says. “Miss Montgomery assures me that the supply can easily be doubled.”
That has me snapping my attention from son to father. I did no such thing! But I’d be a fool to contradict Valentine.
“I’m sure that will be much appreciated,” Victor says. “We have many starving vampires.”
Like the ones last night? I want to ask. But I don’t. I hold my tongue.
Valentine swirls his goblet, the blood dancing in it. “As you can see, Miss Montgomery, my son understands the value of blood.” I hear pride in his voice and something more. The blood he’s referring to isn’t only that which comes from humans. He’s talking about bloodlines. The blood of family.
Victor takes a seat beside his father. I can’t tell what he’s thinking. Then a sudden thought pops into my head. Maybe Valentine summoning Victor is part of tonight’s test. Maybe he knows that I’ve met his son before. I hate the games vampires play.
“Now, Dawn, where were we?” Valentine asks.
I don’t realize I’ve been holding my breath. I’m not looking at Victor, but I can feel his gaze boring
“How much more is needed?” I ask.
“At least double,” he says.
Double! Has he gone insane in his old age? I fight not to let my shock show. No emotions. I can’t show him any emotions or he’ll take advantage of the situation.
“I’m sorry, Lord Valentine, but that will be extremely difficult.”
“Then I cannot guarantee the safety of your city or its citizens,” he says, finally turning toward me. His eyes are dark. So dark I can’t tell if they’re staring straight into mine or at my neck. It’s a threat. Not an empty one either. This conversation, my life, could be over before my next heartbeat.
“I’ll see if I can increase the supply,” I say to placate him for now, until I can talk with Rachel.
“I hope, for your sake, that the citizens of Denver find their charitable side,” he says in that icy, dead tone.
My heart jumps when I hear the door open. I assume it’s the servant coming to escort me out, but I dare not look; it’s bad form. I’m just relieved the meeting is over.
“You’re late,” Valentine snaps.
“My apologies, Father,” a deep voice says. “I only just got your summons.”
My breath backs up in my lungs and I manage somehow to remain still. I know that voice. But it can’t be. It can’t.
I hear the quiet footfalls. I see movement out of the corner of my eye. Suddenly he’s standing there. Beside Valentine.
My savior from last night. Victor.
He’s not a heralded Night Watchman. He’s a damn vampire!
Chapter 6
“D awn, I don’t believe you’ve met my son, Victor Valentine. Victor, allow me to introduce Miss Dawn Montgomery, our new delegate.”
I feel as though I’ve dropped into the seventh level of hell. It’s taking everything I have not to display any sign of recognition. To keep my face impassive. To reveal absolutely nothing at all. What games are being played here?
Victor bows slightly. “Good evening, Miss Montgomery.” His manner has changed. He’s more like his father, more refined and formal. It doesn’t fit him.
He’s wearing a black shirt beneath a dark blue silk suit, and the corner of a red handkerchief—decorated with two embroidered Vs—peers out of the pocket over his heart. He’s definitely projecting Old Family. It explains so much. The car. The carbonated drink. He’s filthy rich. It also explains why he was so insistent that I not tell anyone about him or the theater. He’s a vampire, living in the city. Maybe spying for dear old Dad.
I want to strike out at him for deceiving me, for talking with me as though we had things in common. For making a fool of me. He had to know that I assumed he was human. Instead he’s a bloodsucker.
But I’m pretty sure none of my thoughts, my sudden hatred of him, is showing on my face, because Lord Valentine continues as though nothing is amiss.
“We were discussing the blood situation,” he says. “Miss Montgomery assures me that the supply can easily be doubled.”
That has me snapping my attention from son to father. I did no such thing! But I’d be a fool to contradict Valentine.
“I’m sure that will be much appreciated,” Victor says. “We have many starving vampires.”
Like the ones last night? I want to ask. But I don’t. I hold my tongue.
Valentine swirls his goblet, the blood dancing in it. “As you can see, Miss Montgomery, my son understands the value of blood.” I hear pride in his voice and something more. The blood he’s referring to isn’t only that which comes from humans. He’s talking about bloodlines. The blood of family.
Victor takes a seat beside his father. I can’t tell what he’s thinking. Then a sudden thought pops into my head. Maybe Valentine summoning Victor is part of tonight’s test. Maybe he knows that I’ve met his son before. I hate the games vampires play.
“Now, Dawn, where were we?” Valentine asks.
I don’t realize I’ve been holding my breath. I’m not looking at Victor, but I can feel his gaze boring
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