Accession of the Stone Born: The Vigiles Urbani Chronicles (37 page)

He looked around the room. “Any chance you’ve got something to drink?”

Andrew looked a little pale. “Like what?”

Lazarus licked his lips and beamed. “A good red wine…no, how about something else…something harder.” He clapped me on the back with surprising strength. “I’ve got cause to celebrate.”

Looking from Heather to Kimberly, I picked up on their concern as Kimberly put a voice to it. “What about us?”

Lazarus made an unpleasant face. “I’ve instructed the nephilim—Gabriel, I believe is his name—to handle Robert’s remains. As for you, I have no quarrel with either of you. It’s clear that Robert acted of his own accord against the Archive.”

Kimberly nodded. “We are free to go?”

Lazarus smiled, sat, and waved for Kimberly to do the same. “I may be the caesar, my dear, but even I’m not so cruel as to punish a woman and her daughter for being unfortunate enough to be related to a traitor.” His voice was kind and soft as he spoke. “You have my full support in all matters.” Lazarus gestured for Heather to step forward, and he held out the old Roman coin that I’d dislodged from her father earlier. “Sorceress, I’d invite you into the circle if you are willing.”

Heather paused before stepping forward. “You believe I’m worthy?”

Lazarus laughed and shook his head. “I see power in you the likes of which your father never possessed. I also see a heart that has been wounded.” He placed the coin in her hand and clamped it shut. “You and your mother are far better people than the man you knew as your father.” Lazarus smiled once more and turned to Andrew as he patted his stomach. “I’m starved; any chance of dinner?”

Andrew grinned and nodded. “About that…I’ll have to order in for all of us.”

Lazarus smiled. “Sounds good. In the meantime, drinks?”

Andrew ducked out of the room only to reappear moments later with several bottles of Dalmore in hand. Isidore was close behind with a tray of sparkling crystal glass tumblers. A drink was poured for everyone, and for the first time in fifteen hundred years Lazarus relaxed and let his hair down, so to speak. It would have been great to see if he didn’t scare the shit out of everyone.

The evening grew late and Kimberly and Heather were the first to leave, returning to their home to deal with their loss. Lazarus didn’t so much leave as much as he vanished a few hours later, with a promise to be in touch soon. Alexander and Isidore smartly left Andrew and I to sort through our issues alone.

Over the next month things returned to normal. Well, as normal as they could be now that Lazarus was out walking the earth again. Alexander and his clan were now officially on the payroll as centurions in much the same way Gabriel was. Several of them were using Brad’s place on the river as a makeshift headquarters to be close to the Elmwood facility without having to live with Gabriel.

I was in the process of purchasing a condo in the CBD when I got the call from Heather. “Hello,” I said into the phone.

Heather smiled. I didn’t need to see her face to know that was what she was doing. “Sorry I haven’t been in touch lately. It’s just been a little strange since that day.”

That day being the day I’d ripped her father’s soul apart. That was the day I’d turned into a reaper. That day was the day she’d become a member of the triumvirate. That day was a LOT of things.

“I understand,” I said hopefully.

“You still owe me a dinner,” she said quietly.

“I do.”

She snickered. “There’s a great little place I know in Gentilly. Do you like sushi?”

“I love sushi.”

Her voice was full of mirth as she spoke. “Meet me at Good Time Sushi at seven tonight.” She paused. “That is, if you’re free.”

That made me laugh. “I’m finishing up some paperwork now, and of course I’m free. I’ll see you at seven.”

With that I hung up the phone, signed for my new home, and gave the realtor a big fat check. Being the caesar’s
vigiles
came with 949 years of back pay. Who knew?