* * *
I woke in the hotel the next evening praying to all the gods that I'd dreamed the entire night before, but the smell of blood coming from my silk outfit on the floor told me I hadn't. Even after being blown up, Claude smelled yummy. I needed to eat, but not yet. Shower first and then food. Sometimes, I had good plans.
I washed myself and stood under the spray and replayed the events of the night before over and over in my head. Claude had ducked; the missile should have hit us. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't upset; I just couldn't believe we were that lucky. I could sustain a hell of a lot of damage, even silver, but I sincerely doubted I could survive being blasted into Ashlyn bits. Nobody is that good, or lucky. Nobody. I gave a grateful sigh and shut off the water. I still didn't feel like moving, so I let the water bead up on my skin and fall slowly to the shower floor. Almost dry, I finally mustered the energy to slide back the curtain and grab a towel.
"Hurry up, kid," Thompson called from the other side of the door. "The governor is going to hold a press conference before we head back to Sacramento."
"Oh goody," I called out to him. Just the thing to top off the perfect trip, a press conference full of reporters who would probably have a million questions I didn't have answers for. I needed to quit my job and move to Alaska. I could find some magic bears to eat I'm sure.
I sighed, got dressed, and met Thompson in my room. With a brief stop to meet the governor at his room, we made our way to the limo and sped off to yet another press conference. I could barely contain my excitement, and I think the governor and Thompson knew to leave me alone because we rode in silence the whole way. I stared out the window and looked at the contrasts of Los Angeles. If I had to use one word to describe the city, it would be surreal. Parts of it looked like a theme park, and parts were so destitute you would swear you were driving through a third world country. L.A. differed from Chicago in so many ways I couldn't even begin to list them.
We pulled into the parking lot of a nondescript, grey building and I silently cursed myself for not paying attention to the sign as we pulled in. Thompson parked and we pulled the usual, stand in front of the governor in case there were bad guys with guns (or rocket launchers) waiting to shoot him. Don't tell anybody, but I kind of hoped there were. I was getting tired of protecting the little weasel more every day. I stopped in my tracks when I realized what had crossed my mind. He'd been nothing but polite to me since our arrival, and I had no reason to dislike the man. Then it hit me. All of this was his fault, not directly, but still his fault. Because he'd insisted on not hiding until we could figure out who was trying to kill him. He had caused the deaths of those around him. His guards and now Claude, hell he had even gotten me shot. Small wonder I didn't like him. I started to feel a little better.
Before Greer got to the center of the stage, the press had already started bombarding him with questions. Most of them weren't very nice either. It's kind of amazing, most masters of the city are tolerated if they behave themselves and do a good job of keeping the vampires of the city in check. Some, like the master of Chicago, were outright criminals. Claude Wagner had been one of the few beloved masters. He'd held the status of iconic celebrity and had been featured in more celebrity magazines and television news casts than Brangelina. His death would probably cost the governor more than a few votes at the next election, if he remained alive long enough to run again.
One of the bolder reporters shouted a question at me. I held up my hand and motioned to the governor, letting them know this conference had been called by him and I wanted no part of it. I thought it a great plan until the reporter asked Greer why I failed to save Wagner. I rolled my eyes and shook my head, expecting the governor to make a long speech about the sanctity of life, yada, yada, yada. He surprised me by saying exactly what happened and how I had been expecting the attack, but due to the unfortunate turn of events I wasn't in a location to save Claude. He lowered his eyes and actually looked saddened by his loss.
The press ate it up. They began asking about the extent of Greer's friendship with Claude and how much he would miss him. I smiled at Greer's back when he began hamming it up. I refrained from shaking my head and laughing outright. Sometimes I never ceased to impress myself. The torrential downpour of bullshit coming out of Greer's mouth threatened to bring up my morning meal. Opportunist: Noun, see Governor Greer.
What a douche
. I silently vowed to sidestep the next bullet that came our way.
Greer finished up and said, "No more questions, please." He silently closed his eyes and bowed his head before turning and exiting the stage. I gave a quick sigh and took my usual spot behind him. We made our way to the limo with cameras pointed at us and reporters trying to get in a few more questions. I didn't relax until the door shut behind me. Now all I had left to do was try not to kill Greer on the way to the airport.
Chapter 15
It felt good to be back in Sacramento. Dropping the governor off at his mansion–even better. Back at our hotel, we related the entire story of what happened to a concerned Marcel and a very concerned Victoria. Finally, we said goodbye to the guys and she and I retired to our room. She held me the entire day, and I can't even begin to describe how much I enjoyed it. I felt a little guilty because I had the title of "her master," and yet she comforted me without asking anything in return.
When the sun dropped below the horizon, I woke to find her still sleeping. Her arms wrapped around me like a cocoon, and I just basked in the feeling of being safe. The governor would be spending the entire evening in his office doing governor things, so we sort of had the day off. Well, we didn't have to play body armor at least. Does it make me a bad person to hope somebody blew up the mansion? That way we wouldn't get blamed, and we could go home. I missed my small apartment in DC. I just hoped Vic would like it.
"Morning, master," Vic whispered in my ear and gave it a little kiss. A shiver ran from my earlobe, down my neck, and straight down to lower things. I smiled and gave her a quiet thank you. I couldn't come up with a better way to wake up, until my thoughts drifted to Marcel.
What the hell is wrong with me?
Vic released me and got off the bed. I slept in my underwear and T-shirt. Vic must have crawled into bed with me buck-naked. I hadn't even noticed I'd been so tired. I noticed now. As she bent over to retrieve her clothing from the floor I caught sight of her magnificent body and felt a slow, hot blush creep up into my cheeks. I resisted the urge (with some difficulty) to run my hand over her ass to see if it was as soft as it looked. Don't get me wrong, there isn't a spot on her that isn't incredibly muscled, but her skin has an almost glow to it. She must have been even more breathtaking when she could tan. I found myself wondering what she'd looked like as a human.
A knock at the door broke me from my reverie. "Who is it?" I expected it to be Thompson.
"It's me,
chere.
May I come in?" Marcel's voice sounded slightly muffled.
"
Oui,"
I answered jokingly. Vic stifled a giggle.
The door opened and he stepped inside. I shot a quick glance at Vic who still hadn't dressed, nor did it appear she was in a rush to do so. I guess working at a strip club will get you over any nudity issues you might have. I wish I could. I didn't even like to be naked in front of myself. Maybe hanging out with Vic would rub off on me.
"Still in bed? I thought the youth were supposed to be full of energy."
"Not after the night I had, Marcel. What did you need?"
"Yes, I can see how you might be a little drained. I wondered if I might take my leave. With Strozzini gone, you don't really need me here right now, and I have some urgent matters to take care of back in Chicago."
I turned and gave him a concerned look. I understood his need to leave, but I didn't like it at the same time. I wanted to plead with him to stay, but said, "Sure."
"Would you promise me one thing? When you have some time, please make your way back to me. There is much I need to teach you. Your
premier enfant
understands much. She will keep you safe while I am gone."
"Marcel, I can't begin to thank you enough. My ass would have been grass if it weren't for you." He stared at me before glancing down at my comforter-covered butt. I guess he wondered what it would look like green.
"Just promise, come as soon as you can."
I nodded and pulled myself out from the covers and walked to him. He refused to lower his gaze below my neck. I felt a little pride at standing in front of him in just my underwear. I leaned in and gave him a hug. He made a little harrumph noise and I thought I might have been embarrassing him until I heard his rib creak a little.
Oops
. I guess I hugged him too hard.
I pulled away and he touched the back of his fingers to my cheek. He nodded once at Vic and gave her a quick, "Keep her safe." I didn't turn to see if she nodded back, but he gave Vic another of those melt your heart, make you swoon, grins. He needed to bottle those. My heart did something a little funny when he turned and left, pulling the door closed behind him. I decided I better get dressed and figure out what Thompson planned for us to do today. If he suggested a movie I would punch him in the face.
* * *
The helicopter touched down in the arid San Jose night. I'd have preferred going to a movie rather than being quickly shipped ninety miles to look at a dead vampire. What was the old saying about being careful what you wished for? Such is life. Apparently, somebody killed the master of San Jose. With the death of Claude Wagner and now this, the Deputy Director feared somebody was targeting all the influential vampires in California, and not just the governor. Thompson actually asked me if I wanted to fly solo on this one. He would stay and guard Greer, and I could come and check the body to see if I could find a connection. I wanted away from Greer for a while anyway.
The pilot shut down the rotors and I listened to the rhythmic
thwump, thwump, thwump
as the blades slowly halted their spin. "You can exit now if you want, agent," the pilot spoke to me through the intercom in my helmet.
"Thanks, Charlie," I shot back and began to un-strap my harness before taking off my helmet and opening the door. I watched two people dressed in black suits rushing across the landing field.
They must be my babysitters in this strange land
. Even though the rotors of the chopper had almost completely stopped, they still ran hunched over. I never really got that. The blades of the helicopter are almost fifteen feet off the ground. Even a professional basketball player could stand with another professional basketball player on their shoulders and not worry about decapitation. Yet whenever humans get near one, they instinctively hunch over like they have appendicitis. It'd be funny if they did it with ceiling fans, too.
I stepped off the edge of the door, dropped the few feet to the concrete pad, and stood proudly straight,
I ain't afraid of no chopper
. I could have started walking forward, but the agents went through all that trouble to face their fear of having their heads detached to meet me, so I let them come.
"Ashlyn?" The taller of the two made my name a question. I didn't like that he left off the "agent" but I let it go and nodded. "I'm Special agent Devries, this is Agent Mahoney. We're supposed to take you to see our dead vampire?"
"Lead the way," I said in a little bit of a snit.
They get titles, and I don't? Oh well, maybe I was just being childish
. I tried to not let it get to me as I followed them to their black SUV. They weren't running, so I fell into step behind them. Devries made his way to the driver's seat and Mahoney rode shotgun. I opted to sit behind him.
"Don't know what you expect to find here," Devries said as he started the vehicle and drove out of the helipad parking lot.
"I don't know either. We've had a lot of dead masters in different cities popping up. Just making sure they're not related." I experienced a little twinge of guilt since the master of Sacramento definitely hadn't been murdered by the same people as Claude and the attempted murder of the governor.
"Well, I'll take you to the body and let you decide. Warning you though, it isn't pretty."
"It never is." My reply made Devries look up from the winding road and glance at me in his rearview mirror. I could have met his gaze and not enraptured his mind, but I looked out the window and pretended not to see him looking at me.
"So, why did the Deputy Director send you? Do you have crime scene forensic experience?"
I gave a little bark of laughter and didn't take my gaze off the road. "You could say that." Apparently, Devries and Mahoney didn't know who or what I was. Sometimes I think Sanders did stuff like this on purpose. I mentally clicked him up a notch on my people who annoyed the crap out of me list. "Let's just say I have special abilities that help out from time to time," I finished.
"You're a supe?"
"Yes. Yes I am."
We rode in silence after that. Finally, after about twenty minutes, we pulled into the parking lot of a bar.
How come Claude Wagner seemed to be the only vampire who lived in a house?
Vampires are just plain stereotypical. I caught the name on the sign and gave a little chuckle.
Bloody Mary's
wasn't the most original name for a vampire bar. Especially when you considered some of the ones I'd been to.
"Come on, Ashlyn, your body awaits," Devries said and opened the door, letting the dry, hot air back into the Suburban. I didn't say anything in return. Devries plucked a nerve in me and I tried not to let it show. I could be a good little agent and play nice in the sandbox. I could.
I noticed Devries and Mahoney practically running through the parking lot to get out of the heat. I didn't mind it. It felt like something inside me had gotten a little warmer
. I could get used to this
. I finally reached the glass double doors leading into the bar and pulled the right one open. The blast of arctic temperature air instantly washed my newfound warmth away.