7/31/2019 argenue 9

1/219

7/31/2019 argenue 9

2/219

Vampire,InterruptedBy

LynsaySandsChapterOne

Margueritewasn'tsurewhatwokeher,asoundperhaps,orthecrackoflightfromtheked,ormaybeitwassimplyaninstinctforsurvivalthatdraggedherfromsleep.Whatsewhensheblinkedhereyesopenandspottedthedarkshapeaboveher.Someonestoodth.Thatthoughthadbarelyformedinhermindwhenthedarkshapeusedbothhandstozingtheactionfromheryouthwhenbroadswordsandweaponsofitsilkweremorecommoctively,rollingabruptlytothesideastheassailant'sarmsstartedtheirdownwardslamintothebedjustbeforetumblingoffthebed.Margueritelandedonthefloorwithatedcurseasshefoundherselftangledinthesheets.Glancingup,shesawherattackeswungtheswordagain,shepromptlygaveuponthesheets,snatchedthelampofftheocktheblow.Painvibratedupherarmonimpact,elicitinganothershout.Margueriteyingsparksasmetalmetmetal,andsparedabaremomenttobegratefulthattheDorchyandfortunatelymetalbasedlampsthatdidn'tsnapunderasword'sblow."Margueritockattheconnectingdoortotherestofthesuitethatmadebothsheandherattackement,herattackerapparentlydecidedhedidn'twishtotakeontwoofthemandleapt."Oh,noyoudon't,"Margueritemuttered,droppingthelampandlungingtoherfeet.

netosneakupandattackherinhersleep,thenrunofftodosoagainanotherday.Uheetstangledaroundherlegs,andcrashedtothefloorwithherfirststep.Grittingtingthroughher,Margueritepeeredtowardthebalconydoorsasthecurtainsweretuggtelypouredin,andshesawthatherattackerwasencasedfromheadtotoeinblack:b

7/31/2019 argenue 9

3/219

blackpants,longsleevedblackshirt,andallofthatcoveredbyablackcape.Healsoaclavacoveringhisface,whichshesawasheturnedtolookbackather.Thenheslidintodropbackintoplaceasherbedroomdoorslammedopen."Marguerite?"Tinyrushe.Shewavedhimtowardthebalconydoors."He'sgettingaway!"Tinydidn'taskquestiddirection,rushingforthedoorsleadingontotheterrace.Margueritestaredafterhrenothingbutapairofgoldsilkboxerswithabigredheartonthebackside.Thesitthemomenthedisappearedthroughthebillowingcurtainshersurpriseturnedtoconcearlynakedmanafterherattackerwhohadasword.Cursing,Margueriteconcentrateddherlegs.Ofcourse,theyfellawayeasilynowthatshewasnolongerunderthreat.crambledaroundthebedandhurriedtothebalconydoors,chargingrightintoTiny'sbheroom."Careful.It'sdaylight,"herumbled,catchingherupperarmsandmovinghereturnedtocloseandlockthedoors."Didyouseehim?Wheredidhego?"Margueriteaameashepulledoneoftheheavycurtainpanelsintoplace.Theactionblockedoutthwoftheterrace."Ididn'tseeanyone.Areyousureyouweren'tdream?"Tinypausedhtaglimpseofherinthebitofsunlightslippingbetweenthegapinthecurtains.denwideningofhiseyesastheytraveledoverherintheshortpinksilknightieshenallthewaytoherpedicuredandredpaintedtoesandthenjustasslowlybackup,sdedhips,andthenskippingupherstomachtoherbreasts,whichsheknewweremorereseyesstoppedthere,thedazedlookturningtoaconcernedfrown."You'rehurt."Tinerfaceupandtothesidesohecouldgetabetterlookatherneck.Afterasecond,skedashetookherbythearmtohurryheracrosstheroom.Margueriteglanceddownangdownherupperchestandsoakingintothelacenecklineofhernightie.Frowning,shefoundthenickinherneck.Apparentlytheswordhadcaughtherassherolledaway

7/31/2019 argenue 9

4/219

"Tellmewhathappened,"Tinyorderedasheusheredherintotheensuitebathroomanddamanstandingoverthebed.Hehadasword.Irolledoffthebedasheswungit,"Mwardthebedroomandthebalconydoorsashesnatchedupacleanwashclothandturnedasstillpumpingandshenowfoundshehaditchyfeet.Shewantedtopursuethemanwhme,"Tinymuttered,reclaimingherattentionashebegantowashthebloodawayfromhhenrelaxedalittleandsaid,"Itisn'ttoobad.Notdeep,Idon'tthink.Justanickesaidwithunconcernasshemovedawayfromhimandbackintothebedroom.Shewasn'tfortablewithit.Herfeettookhertothebalconydoors,wheresheshiftedthecurta.Therewasnoonethere,andnoropeoranythingelsetosuggesthowthey'dgotontokyline.Theywereontheseventhandtopfloor.Herattackermusthaveclimbeddownfrourhead."Margueritereleasedthecurtainandglancedaroundatthatcomment.Tinywaingthesliceacrossthemattressrightwhereherneckhadbeen.Sheshiftedonherfeerinherhead.Herattackerhadusedasword.Thattoldherhewasdefinitelyanimmoher,withgunsorknives.Iftheyweretryingtokillanimmortaltheywentfortheclsuallythesignofanotherimmortal."DoyouhaveenemieshereinEnglandthatyouforenly,straighteningfromexaminingthebedtospearherwithafrown.Margueriteshookdwiththiscase."Heraisedadoubtfuleyebrow."Why?Wehaven'tfoundoutanythingysgustedbytheirinabilitytounearthevenabitofinformationregardingtheircase.nNotte,afivehundredyearoldimmortal,findouttheidentityofhisdeadbirthmotginning,butitwasn'tturningoutthatway.Alotoftimehadpassedsincehisbirth,onhecouldofferthemexceptthathe'dbeen

7/31/2019 argenue 9

5/219

borninEnglandandhisfatherhadreturnedhometoItalywithhimwhenhewasonlytwtedthesearchinEngland,spendingthelastthreeweekssearchingthroughdustychurcionofhisbirthorevenofthenameNotte.Theybeganinthesouthernmostpartofthelthey'dreachedBerwickuponTweed.ItwastherethatTinyhadfinallysuggestedtheyeiftherewasn'tsomebitofinformationhecouldgivethemtohelpnarrowthesearchtry.Relievedbythesuggestion,Margueritehadpromptlyagreed.She'dexpectedprivatuchmoreinterestingthanitwasturningouttobeandwasseriouslyreconsideringhersedtohelpChristianfindouttheidentityofhismotherandintendedtodoherbestalledChristianinItalyandarrangedtomeetinLondon.Ratherthanwaitandcatchaelduringdaylight,Margueriterentedacarandtheydrovethroughthenight,arrivingawn.Christianhadalreadyarrivedandcheckedin.They'dmetbrieflywithChristianNndTommasoonarriving,butonlylongenoughtoarrangeameetingatsunsettodiscussheirrooms."No,wehaven'tfoundoutanything,"sheagreednow,pursingherlipsassutIcan'tthinkofanyotherreasonsomeonewouldtrytokillme.Perhapstheveryfaorrysomeone."Tinydidn'tlookconvinced.Hedidlookworriedthoughsoshewasn'tsuIthinkweshouldswitchroomspossiblyevenhotels."MargueritewasfrowningatthendmovewhenTinysuddenlyadded,"Itwasanimmortal,wasn'tit?"Herstartledeyeshouldn'tbesurprised.Shemightbeanewbieatthisdetectivebusiness,butTinywasalizedhe'dputittogether.Sighing,Margueriteranahandthroughherhairandnoddeeshouldswitchhotelsandevenuseadifferentname.Butnotthismorning,"sheaddedhisdayandI'mexhausted."Tinynoddedandthenasked,"Didyouleaveyourbalconyd

7/31/2019 argenue 9

6/219

"Wasitlocked?"Margueritehesitatedandthenshrugged."IdidnotopenitwhenIcamdatheranswer,andthenannounced,"Youaren'tsleepinginhere.Youcantakemybedither,"shesaidfirmly."No,"heagreed."IwanttostickclosetoyouuntilwemoveerforgivemeifIletyougetkilledundermynose."Margueritesmiledfaintlyattheeauandhislifemate,JackieMorrisey,whoalsohappenedtobetheownerandpresidentncy,Tiny'sbossandhersnowtoo,shesupposed."I'llnaponthewindowseatinmyru'llnotgetanysleepthere."MargueritemovedtothedoorleadingtotherestoftheTinysnortedatthesuggestionashefollowedherthroughthesittingareatohisdoorrgueriteglancedbackandgrinnedwhenshecaughthimwatchingherbehindashefollowtdidn'ttakeherabilitytoreadhismindtoknowhefoundherattractive.She'dbeenrfriendship.Andshefoundhimattractiveaswell;tall,handsome,builtlikealineidechestsagalcouldspendhoursexploringandhecouldcooktoo,askillMargueriticallyperfect.Therewasonlyoneflawtohimasfarasshecouldtell,butitwasaim.Havingspentthelastsevenhundredyearstrappedinamarriagewithamanwhocousistdoingsoateveryopportunityshewasn'twillingtovisitthatonsomeoneelse.heassuredhimsolemnlyasshecrossedtheroomtohisbed."Marguerite,honey,noma,"Tinymutteredasheclosedthedoor.Hewatchedherclimbintobedandaddedwithaghtie.Whatthehelldidtheymakeitoutof?Ahankieandsomelace?"Margueritepee'treallythatrevealing.Oratleast,itwasn'tasrevealingassomeofherotheroneadeherfeelsexy.Singlegalslikeherselfhadtogetthatfeelingsomewhere.Besides,uldseeit.

7/31/2019 argenue 9

7/219

SheraisedhergazetoTinyagaintofindhimsettlingonthewindowseat.Itwasn'tloimselfonit,backagainstthewallatoneend,armscrossedoverhischest,expressioYouarenotgoingtogetanysleeplikethat,"Margueritesaidwithasigh."Yeah,weld,hisgazeslidingtoherandthenquicklydancingaway.Margueritestaredathimfoydowninthekingsizedbed.Sheclosedhereyesandtriedtosleep,butafteracoupeattheceilingoverheadandthenfinallyturnedascowlinTiny'sdirection.Thiswackofsleeponthatwindowseat,andshewasnevergoingtosleepknowinghecouldn'tentyofroomforbothofthem.Narrowinghereyes,Margueritegaveintotemptationanoklittleefforttotakecontroloftheman,bringhimtohisfeet,anddirecthimacrosideherandthentookamomenttoeasehimintoanuntroubledsleepbeforeslippingfueritepeeredathimforamoment,andthenturnedoutthebedsidelamp,scootedunderereyesonlytohavethempopopenamomentlater.Shepeeredatthedarkoutlineofsassherealizedthatshe'djustdonetohim,whatshe'dsoresentedherhusbanddoinhe'dmadehimdowhatshe'dthoughtwasbestratherthanwhathewished.Margueritetgoutthatitwaslateandtheywerebothtiredandhereallywouldsleepbetterintheling.Tinywasn'tthefirstmortalshe'dcontrolledduringhersevenhundredyearsofthaveanyguiltoverit,butTinywasafriendandfriendsdidn'tcontrolfriendsjthavecontrolledher.Grimacing,Margueritesatupinbedagain,turnedonthelightm.Hiseyesimmediatelyshotopen."WhWhat'shappened?"Hepeeredaroundabitwildlydehimandappearedconfused."What?""Iputyouinbedsoyouwouldsleepcomfortablyghtformetocontrolyou.So,ifyoureallywanttosleeponthewindowseat"Shesnslowangercrossedhisface."Youcontrolledme?"

7/31/2019 argenue 9

8/219

Bitingherlip,Margueritenoddedapologetically."I'msorry.Irealizeditwaswrong,ny'sangerslidaway,leavinghimdeflatedashisgazeslidtothewindowseat.Hedidethebed,butsighedandstartedtoshuffleoutofit,onlytopausewhenherealizedeet."Ithoughtifyouwokeupbeforemeitmightmakeyoufeelbetterifyouwereonhenheglancedherway.Tinyrelaxedandnodded."Itdoes.Iguessit'sokayifweslelme.We'repartners,Margueriteequals.Ineedtobeabletotrustyou,butIcan'tisagreeonwhattodo.""Iwon't,"shepromised.Nodding,TinylaybackinbedandMaowedsuit.Theylaythereinsilenceforseveralmoments,andthenTinysighed."Icaoulddothatcontrolthingandmakeme?"Margueriteturnedherheadtopeerathimwitu?""Justtoputmetosleep,"hemuttered.Thelastofherguiltslippingaway,Margimbacktosleep,andthenlaybackwithasmallsmile.ShelikedTiny.Hewasagoodrolhim.Hewouldmakeagoodlifemateforsomeluckygal.Perhapssheshouldseeiferitethought.Itwouldbeniceforhernephew'swife,Jackie,tohaveherfriendwithouldbeshatteredwhenhediedwhetheritwasnextweekorsometimeinthefardistanargueriteclosedhereyes,hermindfillingwithimmortalafterimmortalsheknewthatan,agentlegiant.Hedeservedasweet,kindwifewhowouldappreciatehimashedesefftosleepwhilestillconsideringthematter.

JuliusNottelookeddownattheemptybedandfrowned.Itwasn'tevenfiveo'clockyetueriteArgeneaushouldbesnuginherbed,butwasn't.Heknewhehadtherightroom.uskylikefruitatharvesttimeassuredhimthatthiswasherroom.Andshe'dobviouslowtheroomwasempty.

7/31/2019 argenue 9

9/219

Scowling,heglancedoverthemessaroundhim,takingintherumpledbedwithitssheeloor,thebrokenlampnexttoit,andtheshatteredglassthathadbeenknockedfromtinghisannoyance,heretracedhissteps,instinctsendinghimtothedooroftheotheeretheprivatedetective,TinyMcGraw,wasstaying,butwhenheinhaledhecaughtaferfume.Margueritewasinthere,orhadbeenatsomepoint.JuliusopenedthedoorandChapterTwo

Marguerite'seyessnappedopen,muffledsoundsjerkingherfromsleep.Shewasimmediadtoblinkseveraltimesbeforehermindacceptedthesightbeforeher.TinydangledidabovethefloorbyChristianNotte?Eyeslockedonthetwomen,shereachedbackblkedagainstthebedsidelamp.Findingtheswitch,sheturneditonandsquintedagainseroom."Goodevening,Marguerite."Stiffeninginthebed,shestaredatthemanprestwasn'tChristianNotte.Thismanwasseveralinchesoversixfeetinheight,withwires,anddeepsilverblackeyes.AllofwhichdescribedChristian,butthismanhadshit.Christian'shairwaslongandauburnandshe'dneverseenhiminanythingbutblacou?"sheasked,glancingworriedlyatTiny'sface.Muchtoherconcernthemortalwasominglessfrantic.Shescowledatthemanholdinghimandsaid,"StopbeingsobloodyefriendsofChristian'sandhewon'tbepleasedifyoukillTiny.""Coworker?"Hedripstoscowlather."Isthatwhattheycallitnow?"Margueritedidn'trespond,hertivewasgaspingandcoughingandstrugglingtogettohisknees.Buthewasalive.Thnallyturningherattentionbacktotheangrymanloomingoverthebed.Itseemedobvi

tian,whowastechnicallytheiremployer,butreallythissituationwassomewhatbeyo.Howdidonedealwiththesethings?Shewantedtosnapatthemantogetthehell

7/31/2019 argenue 9

10/219

outofherroomwell,Tiny'sroom,shesupposed.However,shewasn'tsureifthatwaserhapsshewassupposedtobepolite.MargueriteglancedtoTiny,wonderingifhewasguidanceinthematter.Hereyeswidenedwithalarmashelurchedtohisfeetandstilnchedhimselfattheirvisitor.Theattackseemedtosuggestshedidn'thavetobepolatisfaction,andthenwincedastheimmortalrespondedtotheassaultwithanimpatienyflyingbackwardintothebedroomwall."Hey!"shecriedout.Hergazeflickeredbetwatthemortalseemedallright.Atleast,hisexpressionwasgrim,notpained,andhesitionwherehe'dfallen.Scowling,Margueriteturnedbacktotheattacker,mouthopenausedwhenshenotedthathewasnolongerlookingather.Hisattentionwasonthebeatedhimso.Thecomforterhadslidtothefloorandwhilesheclutchedherhalfofthayinplaceonthebed,wrinkledandflatwherethelargedetectivehadsleptonit.Tughshedidn'tknowwhy.Beforeshecouldeventrytosortitout,Tinydistractedherecluckedimpatientlyathisfoolishnessevenastheintrudersimplyrespondedbytossore.Shewincedatthethudasheslammedintoit,andthendecidedenoughwasenoughetbutapparentlynotasbrightasshe'dthoughtdetectivegothimselfhurt.Reachinghebedsidelampandswungitaround.She'dexpectedtheplugtopopfromitssocketasendoffthatattacker'ssword.Herintentionhadbeentosmashitintotheman'schestgleandthetablebeingclosetothewallpreventedthathappeningandratherthanhitthinginherlapasthecordpulledtightandbroughtittoahalt.Mutteringimpatienordthiswayandthatabovethetable,tryingtogetitfree.Honestly,ifshe'dhaddattacked,she'dbedeadrightnow,Margueritethoughtwithdisgust,thencriedoutadpulledbackwardagainstahardchest.Ofcourse,nowthedamnedcorddecidedtogivetflewfree.Cursing,Margueriteignoredthestingofpainandquicklyshotherhando.

7/31/2019 argenue 9

11/219

Herattackerimmediatelyswitchedhisholdonher,hisrighthanddroppingacrossherthandpreviouslyatherwaistnowreachedforthelamp.Margueritesquawkedinshockeast.Shedidn'treallythinkhewasevenawareofitinthestruggle.Shewas,howeveompletestranger,accidentallyornot,andsomehowrelatedtotheirbossornot.Thatightthere.Grittingherteeth,sheswungthelampupandoverhershoulder,smashingtewasn'tsurewhereshehithim,butithadthedesiredeffect.Themancursed,hishurstfromhisarmsandbegantoscrambleoffthebed.Shehadonefootonthefloor,tfthebedwhenhesuddenlygrabbedthatankleandtugged.Pulledoffbalance,Marguerit,andthenrolledontoherbacktositup,onlytofallbackwithanothergruntwhenheetsandfellontopofher,theimpactforcingtheairfromherlungs.That'swhennthelampplughadpulledfromthewall,butthemomentthedooropened,lightfromtentheoverheadlightsbythedoorcameon,brighteningtheroomfurther."Tiny?"Rece,Margueritestruggledoutfromundertheintruderwhohadgonesuddenlystillontodpeeredoverthebed.ThefirstpersonshesawwasChristian'scousin,MarcusNotte.rcushadn'tbeenwithChristianwhenthey'dmetupjustbeforesunrisethatmorning.Hmaninamaid'suniform.Judgingbytheconcentrationonhisfaceandtheblankexpresipingthememoryofthisincidentfromhermind.Marguerite'sgazeslidaroundtherooan.ThesecondimmortalwaskneelingbesideTiny,checkinghimover.Heglancedaroundgwhenhespottedher."Marguerite?"Standing,hestartedtomovearoundthebed,butockwhenherattackersuddenlysatup,poppingintoviewaswell."Father?""Father?"nganamazedgazeonthemanshenowknewwasJuliusNotte.

7/31/2019 argenue 9

12/219

"Yes,"Christiansaid,hismouthhardeningwithdispleasureashehurriedforwardtohrupright,heglancedaround,thengrabbedTiny'srobeandquicklybundledherintoitaidandclosedthedoorbythistime,andassheslidherarmsintotherobe,hehurritingtohisfeet.ShesawMarcuswhispersomethinginhisear,andwhileshedidn'tcass,"What?Areyousure?""Yes,andyouwouldbetooifyou'dtakenthetimetoreadhItoldyoutowaituntil""Iknow,Iknow,"Juliusmuttered,interruptinghim."ButI'svoicemadeherglancehisway,andthendowntoseethathe'dtiedthesashofthekedcuriouslybacktothetwoolderimmortals.Christiandidtoo,butwhileherexpresnoyed."Whatthehellwereyoudoing,Father?"heaskedshortly.TheseniorNottepeesgazebystraighteningthecuffsofhisbusinesssuitashesaidinnocently,"Nothinghyourdetective."Marguerite'seyeswidenedincredulously."Aword?YouattackedTinyughthewasattackingyou."Margueritesnortedwithdisbelief.ItwasChristianwhoasuldyouthinkthat?""Herroomisamess,"heexplainedcalmly."Thereisabrokenlamsandcomforterarestrewnacrosstheroom.Inaturallyassumedshe'dbeenforcedinhanglancedtoherinquestion."Isthattrue?""Well,yes,"Margueriteadmitted,andtnagainassheasked,"Howdidyougetin?""Themaid,"heansweredpromptly,andshe"WhenIreceivednoanswertomyknock,Iknewsomethingwaswrong.Itwasn'tyetsunsaidtoopenthedoorwithhercardkey."Christiannodded."That'showIgotinherendalltheracketinherewokemeup.Ihurriedouttoseeifeverythingwasokayand

7/31/2019 argenue 9

13/219

metMarcusinthehall.Whennooneansweredourknock,wehadthemaidopenthedoorookhishead."Ifyou'rebothhere,who'srunningthecompany?"Margueriteglancedtoonwasaverysuccessful,familyruncompanythathadbecomeinternationalwithjobsiAmerica.SheknewJuliusheadedthecompanyandthatMarcuswasthesecondincharge.

"YourauntVita,"Juliusmurmured,andwhenChristian'seyesnarrowedandheseemedabemanquicklyglancedatMargueriteandasked,"Sowhatdidhappeninyourroom?Wereuptly."There'sbloodonyournightgown."Margueriteglanceddowntoseethattherobeadslipped,revealingthebloodstainednecklineofhernightie.Sighing,shepulledtoplaceandsaid,"Someonebrokeinandtriedtocutoffmyhead.""What?!"ThethreeShenodded."That'swhyIaminhere.Tinydidn'twantmestayinginmyroomincasemeepinginthereforthesamereason,so"Margueriteshrugged."Heofferedtosleeponrgeforthat.Sowesharedthebed."Amomentofsilencepassedasthethreementurnedhereyes,knowingtheywereprobablyreadinghismind,seeingifsleepingwasallthying.Itwasreallynoneoftheirbusiness.ShecouldhaveanorgyinhereanditwouldandMargueritehurriedaroundthebedtokneelbeforehim.He'dmanagedtopullhimsdweaklyagainstthewall,eyessqueezedshutinpain."Areyouallright?"sheaskedtered.Margueritesmiledatthegrumblytonehewasusingandstoodup,catchingTinywnfeetasshedid."Whoa,"hemuttered,grabbingforthewalltohelpstayupright.Hgstufflikethat,Marguerite,you'llgiveaguyacomplex.""Stufflikewhat?"Christ

7/31/2019 argenue 9

14/219

"Stuffthatprovesshe'sstrongerthanme,"headmittedwithawrysmile."I'mnotusedYou'reexaggerating,"shesaidwithachuckleandurgedhimtositonthesideoftheeenhislegsandgrabbedhisheadinbothhandstotiltitdownsoshecouldexaminetg?"MargueriteglancedtothesideandgaveastartwhenshefoundJuliusNotteloominazeshiftedbetweenherandTiny."Checkingforheadwounds,"sheansweredwithirritaaboutlikeaFrisbeeandIwanttobesureyoudidn'tdohimseriousharm.""I'mfine,isheadbackup."Mybacktookmostofthepunishment.""He'sfine,"Juliusechoed,cmbetweenTiny'slegs."Leavethemortalalone.They'reweakbutnotthatfragile.""e,"shesnapped,tuggingherarmfreeofJuliusNotte'shold."No,I'mnot,"Tinyagrsfeet.Margueritealmostexpectedhimtobeathischest,butapparentlyhisegowasntte'sinsults."Igatheryou'rewhatkepthittingthewallandwokemeup,"Christianarchingforsomethingamongthecomforterandsheets."Yes.Iwokeuptofindyourfatymuttered,distractedbyhissearch."Wherethehellismyrobe?""Oh,I'msorry,Ti."MargueritebegantoshrugoutoftherobeChristianhadwrappedaroundher,butglackedinadeepbreathbesideher.Herhandsfrozewiththerobehalfoffwhenshesawerpinknightieandallitrevealed.Tinyhadlookedatherthesamewayearlier,andttlesexy,butthiswasdifferent.Silverflameshadbursttolifeintheimmortal'sbalmostfeeltheirscorchingtrailoverherbody.Ashiverslidalongherbodyunderheresstoppedonherbreasts,hernipplestightenedandstoodatattentionasifhe'dbenongue.Whenhiseyesfinallymovedlower,droppingoverthegentleswellofherstomacderherfleshasifinresponsetoacaress.Andwhentheythenshiftedtosettleatte

7/31/2019 argenue 9

15/219

delicatesilktothetreasurethatlaybeneath,liquidheatpooledthereandshebeganeactedtoamanlikethisbeforeandthefactthatshewasnow,andwithacompletesthhermind,infectingeverycorner."No,no."Tinywassuddenlyatherside,tugginganddistractingherfromJulius."That'sokay.Youkeepit.I'lljustputonmypants."cedoverherheadtogiveJuliusanarroweyedlookandthenwalkedovertopickupthebackofachairbeforeretiringthatmorning.JuliusNotteclearedhisthroat,drawmTinyasheasked,"Whataboutthisattackbusiness?Didyouseewhodidit?"Margueyirritationassherecalledtheeventsoftheevening.Eyesnarrowing,sheaskedsweeefirstone?"She'dmeanttoinsulthim.However,theman'slipsmerelytwitchedwithitescowledinresponse,thenglancedtothedoorasaknocksounded."That'llbemyobed,"Tinymuttered,doinguphispantsashehurriedtothedoor.Theyallstoodsiloyeewhorolledinthetrolleyoffood.Theserver'seyeswidenedashisgazeslidov,andMargueritesupposeditmustlookodd.Threefullydressedmen,Tinyinonlyhise,surroundedbysignsofastruggleThemanwasprobablyabuzzwithquestions,buttosfine,"TinysaidasthemanwasrollingthetrolleyoffoodpastMarguerite.TheseroussmilebeforeturningawaytocrossbacktothedoorTinywasstillholdingopen.iciousaromaswerewaftingoffthefoodonthetrolleyandMargueriteglancedtowardiertopeeratthefoodbeneath.Apparently,thehotelwouldsendbreakfastanytimeofreakfastofeggs,bacon,sausage,blackpudding,friedmushrooms,friedtomatoes,beane.Ifheatelikethisallthetime,Tinywaslikelytohaveaheartattackbeforeheingapieceofsausagebeforereturningthecover.She'dbitintothejuicybitofmeandthenglancedguiltilyaround.Fortunately,everyone'sattentionappearedtobeontdusheringoutthedoor.

7/31/2019 argenue 9

16/219

Shakingherhead,shepoppedtherestofthesausageintohermouthandchewedquicklyeenspendingtoomuchtimearoundTiny.Immortals,orvampiresasmuchtoherdisgustdnottoeatafterahundredyearsorsoofliving.Foodhadthepropensitytobecomeginginsomanymeals,butshe'dkeptTinycompanywhilehehadhismealstheselasttemptedtoindulgebeforethis,butithadobviouslyaffectedherifshewasgoingtosupposeIshouldseetointroductions,"ChristiansaidasTinyclosedthehotelroomdohesausageinhermouthandturnedwhatshehopedwasaninnocent,interestedgazeChrargueriteArgeneau.Marguerite,myfather,JuliusNotte.""Julius?Now,whydoesthat?"Tinyasked.Margueriteglancedatherpartnerwithconfusionasheshruggedintohisname.They'dbeensearchingforitinarchivesforweeksnow."I'vegotit!"hesaidlancedtoMargueriteandaskeddrolly,"Isn'tyourdog'snameJulius?"Marguerite'smes,itis.""He'sabigdog,"Tinyannouncedtotheothers,thoughhisgazewasonJuleapolitanMastiff.That'sanItalianbreed,isn'tit?"heaskedandthenshruggedand."MargueriteturnedawayandcoughedintoherhandtohidethelaughthatshecouldndbythechokedqualitytoJuliusNotte'svoicewhenheasked,"YounamedyourdogJuld,sheturnedbackandadmitted,"I'venamedeverydogI'veeverhadJulius.ThefirstaughtalotofJulius'stoheelovertheyears."AchokedgurgleslippedfromChristiuslylikestifledlaughter.Tinygrinnedwidelyandgaveheranapprovingnod.Marcuseside,andcoughedonce.However,JuliusNottedidn'tlookannoyedasshe'dexpectedainlookedamused.Decidingshewouldneverunderstandmen,Margueriteshookherheadrleadingtotherestofthesuite."Iamgoingtotakeabath.""Justaminute,"Juliainedabouttheotherattack."

7/31/2019 argenue 9

17/219

"Tinycantellyouaboutit,"Margueritesaidcalmly."Iamtakingabath."Shedidn'tedoutoftheroom.JuliuswatchedMargueriteArgeneaugo,asmallsmileclaiminghisavychestnuthairwithitsredhighlights,therobetryingtoslipoffhershoulder,attlebarefeet.Shewasmagnificent.Beautiful,intelligent,sexyashell,andsassytation,butcametoearthwithabumpwhenChristiansnapped,"Stoplookingatherass,ismoodofamomentagoruined,Juliusturnedonhissonandsnapped,"Margueritemayrwhat?"ChristianaskedcuriouslywhenJuliusabruptlycuthimselfoff."Myresponsiboidinghisgaze."Astheheadofourfamily,everyoneis,includingyouandanyonewordhismouthtorespond,butJuliusquicklyturnedtoTinyandordered,"TellusaboutstractChristian.Heclosedhismouthandturnedtopeeratthemortalexpectantly.Ted,"Ineedacoffee."Juliusshiftedimpatiently,butwaitedasthemortalcrossedtohenprompted,"Theearlierattack?"Tinynodded,butreachedoutwithhisfreehandtoisfood.Hegrabbedapieceofbaconandpoppeditintohismouth,chewed,swallowed,okeinandtriedtocutoffMarguerite'shead."JuliusclosedhiseyesandprayedforuchwhatMargueritesaid,"Christianpointedout."Andthat'swhathappened,"thedeteickedupanotherpieceofbacon.WhenJuliusbegantogrowl,Christianmovedalittleivemanner."Yes,butsurelyyoucangiveusmoredetail?""Wastheattackermortaloratdidhelooklike?Howdidhegetin?Washearmed?Wasitahe?"Hearchedhiseyebive,mortal,surelyyounoticeddetailsyoucouldpassalong?"

7/31/2019 argenue 9

18/219

Tinypeeredathimcalmly,asmallsmiletuggingatthecornersofhislipsanditseemaybackfortheearlierattack.JustwhenJuliusthoughthewouldthrottletheman,hepecthewasimmortal,butIcan'ttellyouforcertainandcan'tdescribehimbecaused,hecouldn'tcutoffMarguerite'sheadwithhishand.Hehadasword.MargueriteseersurebecauseasIsaidIdidn'tseehim."JuliuslethisbreathoutslowlyasthemanybythetimeIreachedherroom.Margueritewastangledinhersheetsonthefloor.dcomingdownandrolledoutofthebed.ShehadanickonherneckandbloodonherhenIranin."Heshruggedagain."TheassailantwasnolongerouttherewhenIgotoufandescapedthesameway."Julius'smouthtightened.MargueriteArgeneauhadnearlyriedtokillherbeforehe'darrivedinherroom."Margueritethinksithastodowithdsnappedupatthosewords."What?"Thedetectiveshrugged."Shesaysshehasnoenemothatthereissomeonewhodoesn'twantChristiantoknowwhohismotheris."Juliusidehisridiculoussuspicions.Notthattheywerereallyridiculous,heacknowledged.ythinginhispowertokeepChristianfromfindinghismother.NodoubtbothTinyanduldthinkhimbehindtheearlierattackaswell.Hell."Didyoudoit?"Christianaskehaffront."No!""Don'tlooksooffended,Father,"Christianmutteredimpatiently."YoomymotherisandhaveturnedawayeverydetectiveI'vehireduntilnowtoensureIdomEuropeandMarguerite'sfamilyispowerful.Youcan'tusethreatstomakethemquitnowaboutthat?"Juliusaskedwithsurprise."OfcourseIknow,"hesaidwithdisgustesIsettothetaskwereyoungerthanI.Icouldreadthem.Theyweretellingmetheyteoftime,orthattheyhad'urgentmattersneeding

7/31/2019 argenue 9

19/219

attending'andcouldn'taffordthetimeforsuchanextensivesearch,buttheirmindshit,IhavetogetoutofthisorJuliusNottewillcrushmelikealittlebug'."Julughterslippedfromtheman'smouth."So,didyouattackMarguerite?"Christianaskedgly,"Maybenotwiththeintenttokillher,butjusttoscareheroff?""No,"Juliustianlookedlikehemightbelievehimbutthensighedandshookhishead."Iwanttobnyasked."Ithoughtyouguyscouldreadusandeachothersolongasyouaren'tlifemdingVincentinCalifornia.""MargueriteisolderthanVincent,"Christianexplained.nlessheopenshismindtome.""So,havehimopenhismind,"Tinysuggested.JuliuststillasChristianturnedanarchedeyebrowhisway."Willyouopenyourmindandld.Juliusdidn'tevenbothertospeak,hemerelysneeredattheverysuggestion."Justteredwithdisgust."Youdidcomehereto""Perhapsweshoulddiscussthiselsewhereingthemofhispresence.Whentheybothglancedhisway,hisgazeslippedmeaningfulloodtrolleyinfrontofoneofthechairsbythewindowandwassettlingdowntohisbvesaidwithamusement."I'lljusteatwhileyoutalk.""We'llgetoutandletyoueatnglancedtoJuliusandsaid,"Wecantalkinmyroom."Whenhenoddedagreement,Chrliusglancedfromhisdepartingsontothemortalandhesitated.He'dwantedtoripofdwithMarguerite.Infact,he'dwantedtorightupuntilMarcushadwhisperedinhis

7/31/2019 argenue 9

20/219

Margueritehadn'tdoneanythingbutsharethebed,thattheydidn'thavethekindofrourse,asMarcushadalsosaid,Juliuswouldhaveknownthathimselfhadhetakenthetassumetheworst.Nowhefeltkindofbadaboutthewholething.Thedetectivehadjssafety.Juliusconsideredapologizingforhisearlierbehavior,butthenrecalledthisbigmouthabouthisopeninghismindforChristiantoreadhim,hissonwouldn'tbecelledeachotherout,hedecided.Hedidn'towehimanapology.Scowlingatthemortlowedhisson.ChapterThree

Marguerite'sgazeslidoverthemessinherroomassheheadedfortherackwherehertrievedwhatshe'dneedforabath,andthengrabbedfreshclothestowearafterward,entheyarrivedthatmorning.Itsavedherhavingtorepackeverything.Turning,sheerthingsonthegleamingmarblecounterbeforemovingtothehugetub.Margueritepouebath,pushedthebuttontodropthedrainplugintoplace,andthenswitchedonthethawearylittlesigh.Shewastiredandwouldhavelikedacouplemorehourssleep.weedbutthenithadbeenaverylongthreeweeks.Hermouthquirkedwithirritationngthroughbookafterbookofancient,spiderywritinginnowfadedink,searchingforchtimewasted,Margueritethoughtwithirritation,andallbecausethestubborn,stupedtosimplytellthenameofthewomanwhohadgivenbirthtohisson.Sheshookheriveman,fartooattractiveforhisowngood.Inalllikelihood,thetruthwasprobablmenmortalandimmortalalikethathehadtroublekeepingtrackofthenames.Whichon

anwasprobablyamysterytohimtoo.She'dprobablydumphimonJulius'sdoorstepwhi

7/31/2019 argenue 9

21/219

Wrinklinghernoseatherowncattythoughts,Margueriteleanedovertoturnoffthethatshewasobviouslyinaverybadmood.Hopingthatanice,relaxingbathwouldhelparefullyintothewarm,bubblecoveredwater,releasingalittlesighofpleasureassace.Margueritelovedbubblebaths,andhadneverunderstoodtheattractionofshowersonow.Itgavehertimetorelaxandthink,andshehadalottothinkabout.Christiefusedtorevealwhohismotherwasordiscussanythingabouther.Indeed,thewholefher,sayingonlythatshewasdeadandhewasbetteroffwithouther.Thefewsliversturieswerejusttidbitsthathadslippedoutovertime,nothingthatwouldtellhimwem.Untilthedaywhenheandoneofhisauntswerelookingataportraitofhimasaeonlyafewweeksoldthere.YourfatherhaditcommissionedrightafterhereturnedFinallyhavingsomewheretostartthesearch,Christianhadimmediatelyhireddetectivher'sidentity.TheproblemwasthatanydetectiveforsuchasearchhadtobeanimmoewereeasilyscaredoffbyJuliusNotteandthepowerhewielded.Allittookwasoneswouldbackoffthecase.Untilnow,Margueritethoughtgrimly.ShelikedChristianasmotherwas.Shealsowasn'tafraidofJuliusNotteorhispower.Shewouldcontinued.ItwouldjustbesomucheasierifJuliusNottesimplytoldthemwhothewomanwasound,goingthroughdustyoldbooks.Margueritegrimaced.Sofar,shewasverydisappohisresearchbusinessboringandwasdefinitelyconsideringseekingoutadifferentcaone.Liftingherlegoutofthebathwater,MargueriteranthesoapywashclothoverithertodothesameasherthoughtsturnedtoJuliusNotte.Margueritehadnoideawhyowingwhohismotherwas.Wereshetoguess,she'dsayChristian'smotherhadprobablyefamilykepttellingChristianshewasdead,perhapsherdeathwaswhathadhurthimowtoanimmortal,she'dbeentold.Shecouldn'tsayhowcrushing,she'dneverhadalmmortalscenturiestorecoverfromthelossiftheyrecoveredatall.

7/31/2019 argenue 9

22/219

Still,whileMargueritecouldunderstandthatthismaybethereasonherefusedtodisighttoknowwhohismotheris.Margueritelethersecondlegslidebackintothewatethoverherarms.Whenshethensliditoverherbreasts,shefoundherhandslowingae'dhadtoJuliusNottewhenshe'dstartedtotakeoffTiny'srobeandhadcaughthimiseyeshadslidoverherbodybroughtaboutaresponseinherandshefrownedasheringatheragain.Bitingherlip,shedroppedthewashclothonthesideofthetubanmthelowhumofexcitementsuddenlyrunningthroughheragain.Inhersevenhundredyrbeforehadsuchareactiontoamanjustlookingather,andittroubledhertohaveewasn'tevensuresheliked!Whatkindofbarbarianbrokeintoyourroomandstartedlaimedhe'dthoughtTinywasattackingher,butthey'dbothbeenasleep.Atleast,shedTinyhadbeenaswell.Andreally,Tinywasamortalandsheanimmortal.HecouldnJulius,however,mightbeableto,Margueriteacknowledged.Hewasanimmortal,likehwfromtheirearlierstrugglethathewasstrongerthanshe.HecouldhaveforcedherereasonthatthoughtsentashiveroftheearlierexcitementdownherbackandMargueadjustbeenfreedfromsevenhundredyearsofmarriagetoahorrible,controllinghusedupinanykindofrelationshipwithanothermanatthemoment.ShewantedtoenjoytMargueritehadbeenaliveformorethansevenhundredyears,butfeltlikeshe'dbetionsbottleduptokeepintherageofbeingcontrolled.Herchildrenhadbeentheonerselftofeelanything,andshe'dpouredallhercaringandpassionintothemandthellyunpreparedfortheexcitementthathadrolledoverherwhenJuliusNotte'seyeshatehatedbeingtakenbysurprise,andhadnodesiretopursuetheattractionthemanhsconcerned,thebestthingintheworldthatcouldhappenwastogetJuliusNotteanderlifeasquicklyaspossible.Theeasiestwaytoassurethatwastosolvethiscaseght,andwonderedifshemightbeabletoreadtheman.Ifshecouldread

7/31/2019 argenue 9

23/219

JuliusNotte'smind,shecouldfindoutwhoChristian'smotherwasandbringthiscasee.Pursingherlips,shewonderedhowoldthemanwas.Christianwasonlyfivehundredld,soitwaswhollypossiblethatJuliusNottewasyounger.Ifthatwerethecase,shtely,Margueritehadafeelinghewasmucholderthanthat.Shewasn'tsurewhatmadegethesethingsprettydependablyandherinstinctsweretellingherhewasolder.Andimwouldbemuchmoredifficult,ifnotimpossibleunlesshewasdistracted.Whendisdsometimesbereadbyyoungerones.Margueritesupposedshe'dhavetowaitandseeusrightthatmomentconvincinghisfathertogivehimhismother'sname.Oralternateleroptionwouldgetthemanoutofherhair,andshe'dmuchratherspendanotherthreeivesthanhavetospendanothermomentaroundJuliusNotte.However,ifhewasstill,Margueritewouldtrytoreadhimtogettheinformation.Ifshecouldn't,she'djustehadonher.Shewasoldenoughsheshouldbeabletohandlesuchsituationswithdigeritemurmuredwithwryamusement.Shakingherhead,shesettledbackinthewaterandytorelaxforamoment.

"Now,wouldyoumindtellingmewhatthehellisreallygoingonhere?"Christianaskeuliushesitated,hisgazeslidingtoMarcusforhelpinhandlingthisissue.Beforethianadded,"Don'tbothertryingtocomeupwithalie.Iknowwhat'shappening.Yougocytofindmymotherandflewoverheretomakethemdropthecase,didn'tyou?"Julienyit,"Christianinterrupted."Youmustknowthat,asanArgeneau,Margueritewouldnuprobablyintendedtosendherpacking.Youwouldhavetriedtoslipintoherthoughtabletofindwhatargumentwaslikelytoworkbest.""Er"JuliusglancedatMarcuswhedressingcounter.

7/31/2019 argenue 9

24/219

"ButthatearlierattackonMargueriteruinedthings,"Christianwenton."Youprobablyhenshewasn'tthere,youwenttotheotherroomandfoundherandTinyinbedand"Hsideringashefinished,"andforsomereasonyoufreakedout.Whyisthat?"Juliusshut,refusingtoanswer.Itdidn'tmatter.Expressionbrighteningwithrealization,Chventhoughshewassleepingandvulnerable,youcouldn'tgetintohermind.Couldyou?iusmuttered."She'syoungerthanI,centuriesyoungerandwassleeping.""That'sribletoreadher,butcouldn't!"Sure,hewasright,Christianwaspracticallycrowingy.Youwerejealous!"Heshookhisheadwithamazement."AslongasI'veknownyou,yosbastard,butwhenyoufoundyoucouldn'treadMargueriteyoucouldn'tstandthefactostit.""Ithoughthewasattackingher,"Juliusinsistedstaunchly,buthismindwasllyhadbeenacold,emotionlessbastardallthesecenturies.Heknewhe'dbeenabitcriptionseemedabitharsh."Attackingher?"Christiansnorted."Youdidn'tthinkththsleepingwhenyouwentin.YoufreakedbecauseTinywasinbedwiththewomanwholumping,JuliusmovedpastMarcustotakeoneofthechairsoneithersideofthesmallidhisgazebacktohissontoseehimgrinningwidely.Juliusscowled."Whyareyou,"Christiansaidsimply."Rightwell"Juliusshifteduncomfortably."AndnowyounIhaveabargainingchip."Juliusstiffened."Whatdoyoumean?"Christiangrinned,sndthenhisexpressionbecamemoreseriousashesaid,"WhileinCaliforniaIfoundouriblyinhermarriagetoJeanClaudeArgeneau.Shehasabsolutelynointerestinfindilationshipthatmightturnoutsobadly."Atroubledexpressioncrossedhisfaceashevensuspectsyoumightbealifemate,she'lldropeverythingandheadbacktoCanadas

7/31/2019 argenue 9

25/219

Juliusreleasedaheavysigh.Marcushadalreadytoldhimsomethingsimilar."Onthebn,soundingmorecheerful."Youneedmetokeepmymouthshutaboutyournotbeingabltayingnearherthatwon'trevealyouthinkyou'relifemates.""Blackmail,son?"heasl.Abargain,"Christianinsistedfirmlyandpointedout,"Youdon'thavetotakeit.ethatyouthinkshe'syourlifemateandhavehertrytoreadyouandseehowshereactshemaybeabletoreadme,"Juliuspointedout,tryingfornonchalanceashereachewlandpoppeditinhismouth."Shemaynotbemylifemateatall."Christianshookhtheating."Juliusstoppedchewingthegrapeinhismouth,eyeswideningasherecognig.Butthenherealizedthathissonhadsaid,'You'rebotheating.'Quicklyswallowinitehaseatentoo?""ShepinchedasausagefromTiny'sbreakfastwhenshethoughtnoothaslowsmile.Juliussatback,asmilecomingtohisownlips.He'dbeenthroughthortal'sappetiteforfoodreturnedwhentheymetalifemate.Hehadnoideawhythathsseditandtheonlyconclusionthey'dcometowasthattheawakeningofoneappetiteasglorious,lifewasgrand,andfoodsuddenlyhadmoreflavor.Whereonceithadseemrythingtasteddelicious."I'mmorethanhappytohelpyouout,"Christianannounced,ncemore.Hethenadded,"ButIwanttoknowwhomymotheris."JuliusconsideredhimdedfirmlybeforeChristiancouldspeak."ThedealisthatyoukeepyourmouthshutansetoMargueriteuntileverythingissortedoutwithher,andthenIwilltellyouabowedhiseyesandtiltedhishead."SoafterfivehundredyearsofrefusingtoeventaymotheristogetMarguerite,"hesaidslowlyandthenasked,"Doesthismeanyou'redandthensaidinagruffvoice,"I'llneverbeoveryourmother,Christian.ButIwa

7/31/2019 argenue 9

26/219

Thewordsdidn'tseemtosurpriseChristian.Heacceptedthemwithasolemnnodandsaheyoungermanthencrossedtheroomwithhandheldouttosealthebargain,hedidn'toahug."I'mhappyforyou,Father,"Christiansaidsincerelyasheslappedhimfirml""Thankyou,"Juliusmurmured."Andnowthatwe'vemadethebargain,"headdedwithhother."IcantellyouthatIwouldhavehelpedyouanyway,evenifyouhadn'tagreeusraisedoneeyebrow,Christianshruggedandadded,"YouforgetI'mnotasruthlessanyouandsomeonewhomighthelpyouforgetmymotherandbehappyagain."Laughingaedawayandmovedaroundthetabletosettleinthesecondchair."So,withMargueriteomeupwithagoodexcusetohaveyoustickclosetoher.Shelikedlongbathswhenwed,"headdedforJulius'ssake,ashesetapadofhotelstationeryinfrontofhimonimhisownchairasMarcussnaggedthechairatthedressingtableandbroughtitoverethisisprobablytostickasclosetothetruthaspossible,"Christiansaidthoughtncludetheattackonher."Juliuswatchedhimwarily,butdidn'tcomment."Wecantelasperpetratedbymymother'sfamily,thattheMorrisseyagency'stakingonthecaseadethemnervousandtheywilltrytostopitanywaytheycan."Juliuseyeswidenedinidiot,Father,"Christianinterrupteddryly."Theattackhastodowiththecaseandw,thatleavesmymother'sfamily.Obviously,someonebesidesyoudoesn'twantmelearBesides,theonlygoodreasonforyoutokeepthesecretallthistimeistoprotectmerth,"Marcusannouncedquietly.Juliusturnedaglareonthemanforrevealingthatangerandpainfortheladmingledinhisownheartashesawthestarkexpressionon

7/31/2019 argenue 9

27/219

hisface,andthenChristianquicklylookeddowntothepadhewasdoodlingon,hidingoat."Right,soit'sprobablyherfamilybehindtheattackonMarguerite.UnlessmymohenIguessitcouldbeher."Whenheraisedaquestioningglance,Juliushesitated,bngtorevealifthatwasthecase."Atanyrate,"Christiancontinuedonasighwhenhnt."I'lltellMargueritethatoutoffearformeyoufinallyrevealedthatmymothererpeoplearebehindtheattackearlier.Thatdespitethis,Iwanttocontinuetheinvusetorevealanymore,youhavedecidedtoremainwithustoensureoursafetyuntilase."Christianpausedandconsideredtheplanandnodded."Thatshouldensureshestoornassfornottellingmewhomymotheris."Juliusstiffenedatthesewords,butChrntyouinamorefavorablelight,aswellasgiveyouareasontostayclosetoher."tunately,isuptoyou.""Unfortunately?"Juliusechoedinawarninggrowl."Well,"Cher,Idon'tknowwhatyouwerelikewhenyouwereyounger,butyouaren'texactlyaRehouseandthesecretariesintheofficeareterrifiedofyou,and""Idoknowhow.WhenChristiandidn'thidehisdoubt,hescowledandinsisted,"Ido.""Hmm,"Chris"Idohavesomeexperiencewiththeoppositesex,Son,"hesaidcondescendingly."Iha.Infact,Iusedtobesomethingofarogueinmyday.""I'msureyouwere,"Christiurdaywasahellofalongtimeago,Father.Timeshavechanged,womenhavechanged"pisallI'msaying."Juliusfrownedasthewordsbegantoraiseuncertaintyinhim.Iman.Infact,hehadn'tsincehisson'sbirth,instead,concentratingonkeepinghimsningthefamilycompany.Butsurelythingshadn'tchangedthatmuch?

7/31/2019 argenue 9

28/219

"Don'tworry,Father.I'llhelpout,"Christiansaidencouragingly."AndI'llreallybu.I'msureitwillbefine.""I'llhelptoo."JuliusglancedaroundinsurpriseasDaeofthedoorleadingintotherestofthesuite.He'dobviouslybeentherelisteninghirritationashewatchedhimleadhistwin,Tommaso,intotheroom."HowlonghavedwithirritationasDantedroppedontothebedandleanedhisbackagainsttheheadbohing,"Tommasoadmittedashetooktheothersideofthebed.Hecrossedhislegsattomach,andrecited,"Marguerite'syourlifemate.Christian'smothertriedtokillhimnattackonMargueritethatweapparentlymissed.AndyouneedhelpwooingMargueriteng.""No,youdidn't,"Christianagreedwithamusement.HethensmiledatJuliusandse.You'llhavelotsofhelpwooingMarguerite.""Godhelpme,"Juliusmuttered,scrubbhhishair.

Margueriteopenedhereyesandgrimacedassheimmediatelybecameawareoftheunpleashe'dfallenasleepinthetubanditseemedobviousfromthetemperatureofthewatertshe'dsleptforagoodlengthoftime.Herguesswouldhavebeenthatshe'dsleptfochtoseeifshewasright.Shedidfeelbetterforthesleep,though,itmadeupforirst,andthesecond,attack.Hummingtoherself,Margueriteturnedonthehotwatertuicklyfinishedherbath,shampooingandapplyingcreamrinsetoherhairbeforerunnihebitsshe'dmissedearlier.Shethengotout,toweledoff,dressed,andquicklydrietbotherwithmakeupexcepttoapplysomelipstick.Shethengatheredherthingstogetminhersuitcase.ShepausedwhenitcametoTiny'srobe,consideringreturningitto.Afteramoment,however,shedecidedshecouldreturnittohimwhentheygottothel.Afteraquickchecktobesureshehadeverything,Margueritezippedupthesuitcas

gertofinishandgetoutoftheroom.Forsomereason,beingintherewasnowgiving

7/31/2019 argenue 9

29/219

Strange,shethought,sinceshehadn'tfeltthatwaywhenshe'dfirstreturnedtothe.Butrightnow,shefeltasifsomeonewaswatchingher.Margueritestartedtoglancgtheterrace,butcaughtherself.Shewassuddenlysuretherewassomeonethere,peerethecurtainsdidn'tquitemeet,andshedidn'twantthemtoknowsheknew.Leavingtleandchairssetinfrontofonesideoftheterracedoors,butdidn'tsit.Shebenttionary,scribblingnonsenseinthehopesofrelaxinganyonewhomightbeoutsideherhenstraightenedasiftoheadbackthewayshe'dcome,butinstead,lungedforthecuhshe'dsuspectedsomeonemightbeoutthere,shestilltookastartledstepback,aspswhenshespottedthedarkfigurepeeringatherthroughthewindow.Margueritewashecurtainwaspulledbackallowinglightfromthehotelroomtospilloverhim,thefalded.Theactionsenthimbumpingintoachair,knockingitover.Hereachedforitaaytoruntotheright.Margueritestaredafterhimuntilthecurtainstillinplacebasgettingawayandlungedfortheterracedoors.ChapterFour

"Marguerite?"Tiny'sshoutmadeherglanceoverhershouldertoseethemortalrushinlightlyswifterChristian,Marcus,andJulius."Therewassomeoneontheterrace,"sheehadbarelystartedtopullthedooropenwhenstronghandsgrabbedherbytheupperiusNotteshesawashesetherdownoutoftheway."Staywithher,"hebarked.Margewhirledtofollowtheotherthreemenoutontotheterrace.ItwasashuffleofsouneeDanteNotteandhistwinTommasocrossingtheroomtowardher.Apparentlyshe'dtak

adpackedandmetinthelivingroomtowaitforher.

7/31/2019 argenue 9

30/219

Margueritedidn'tstaytoask,though,insteadshehurriedoutontotheterraceafterre,"Christiansaidasshejoinedtheminthewarmeveningair.Margueriteglancedarons,DanteandTommaso,astheycaughtupandstationedthemselvesoneithersideofhehadow?"Juliusaskedquietly.Margueritecluckedhertonguewithirritation.Tinyhaddanattackerthatmorninguntilhe'dseenthenickonherneckandbloodonhercollahe'dseenaswell.Honestly!WhywasitmenseemedtothinkallwomenwerehystericalverthatchairwhenIopenedthecurtainandstartledhim,"shesaidimpatiently,gestdn'timagineanything."Allfivemenglancedtothechairthen,butitwasTinywhowatraightenedfromthetask,hesaid,"Thiswasn'tonitssidewhenIcameouthereafteing."Themenimmediatelyspreadout,lookingovertherailingalongtheedgeofthetdtheroofofthebuildinginsearchofsomesignofthemanshe'dseenorwherehemithing,Margueriteshookherheadandmovedbackintoherroom.Shewasextremelyannongthatthechairhadn'tbeendisturbedearlierforthemtobelieveshe'dseensomeoneings.Movementsstiffandjerky,Margueritecollectedherpurseandsliditoverherrsuitcaseoutintothelivingroom,leavingitbythedoortothehallwiththeotherackedupandbroughttheirluggagewiththemwhenthey'dcometomeetinthesittingrviously,sheandTinyweren'ttheonlyonesswitchinghotels,thoughshewashopingonomingandthatJuliusandMarcushadbeenconvincedtogohomeandnotinterfere.Orterwas.Wonderingwhichitwas,Margueritewalkedtotherefrigerator,openedit,andllitheldwasfoodandalcohol.Mortalfoodandalcohol.Hergazeslidtothesmallrertolookinside.She'dfinishedoffthelastbagofbloodinitjustbeforethey'dlgueritehadcalledBastienbeforeretiringthemorningbeforethey'dsetoutonthedrerdaughter,Lissianna,wasdoingaswellasaskhimtoarrangeformorebloodtobesfcourse,ithadn'tyetarrived.They'darrangedforittobedeliveredaroundeightP

gueritehadsuspectedshe'd

7/31/2019 argenue 9

31/219

besotiredafterthedrivethatshe'dprobablysleeplatetonight.Ofcourse,Juliushtherwatchasshestraightened,Margueritegrimacedwhenshesawthatitwasonlyalldprobablyarriverightaftertheycheckedout,shethoughtgloomily.Thatjustseemeng."Thereyouare."MargueriteturnedatthosewordstoseeJuliusleadingtherestidyoufindanything?"sheaskeddryly,alreadysuspectingsheknewtheanswer.Marguenheshookhishead."Tinymentionedearlierthatthetwoofyoudecidedtoswitchhotuliusannouncedashecrossedtheroomtowardher."MarcussaysClaridge'sisanicehllofus.""Us?"Margueriteasked,eyebrowsrising.Juliustookinherexpressionandrstandyourconcern,butIassureyouIhadnothingtodowitheithertheattackonyorracejustnow."Margueritetriedtoslipintohismindtoseeifhespokethetruth.hristian'smotheratthesametime,butshecameupagainstablankwallinhismind.asn'tterriblysurprised.Herinstinctshadbeentellingherallalongthathewasmucurse,herinstinctsmightbewrongandherinabilitytoreadhimcouldmeansomething,oranimmortalbutyoungerthanshe,thefactthatshecouldn'treadhimwouldhaveasn'tmortalandreadingimmortalswasatrickybusiness.Shemightnotbeabletoreaeadandcontrolher.Andshewouldn'ttouchthatwithatenfootpole.Itlookedliketherthehardway.Juliuswaitedanothermoment,butwhenshedidn'tcomment,hesaid,tedtoarguethatshe'dratherhestayedherewhilesheandTinymoved,butmerelypicder,andmovedtowardthedoor."Dantewilltakeyourluggage,"Juliussaidquietly,pausedatthedoorandreachedforthehandleofhersuitcase.

7/31/2019 argenue 9

32/219

Margueritestilledathistouch,herstomachgivingalittlejump.Shetookadeepbreadandturnedtowardthedoorwhenheurgedherthatway.Hehelditopenforherandwow.Theywalkedinsilence,stridingataquickclipthatcametoastumblinghaltwhevatorsandsheduginherheels."Wewilltaketheserviceelevator,"heannounced,uredsuspiciouslyastheycontinuedupthehall."Becausesomeonemaybewatchingthelogfromonehoteltoanotherifweletthemfollowustoit,"heexplainedpatiently.rritationatherself.Sheshouldhavethoughtofthat.Shewassupposedtobeadetecncertpianist,butthatwouldn'tgivehertheskilltobeone.Perhapssheshouldhaveetakingonacase.IsthereaP.I.school?shewondered."Wehaveacarhere,"Tinyabablyknowaboutthattooandwillbewatchingitaswell,"Juliussaid."WhodidyouctedbytheagencywhenwegettoClaridge's."WhileTinyansweredthequestion,Margispleasureatthethoughtoflosingtheirtransportation.Catchingthelook,Juliusrrustratedhandthroughhishair.Shethoughtshemusthavebeenmistakenthoughwhenhallanotheragencyandrentanothercar."Margueritenoddedandforcedherselftorelalevator.TheywereinsideandthedoorswereclosingwhenTinyasked,"Whatiftheyhaeentrancetoo?"Juliusfrownedatthesuggestionandbegantodrumhisfingertipsagaasanunconsciousactionhecommittedwhenthinking,becauseafteramomentthedrummihekeysofyourrentaltoDante.HeandTommasocantakethecaroutforaspintohoposlipouttheserviceentranceunnoticed."DanteturnedtoTinyexpectantly,butitwekeys,retrievingthemfromherpurse."SherentedaJaguar,"Tinymuttered,appearieendrivingduringthistrip."Itwasmanual.Idon'tdrivestick."

7/31/2019 argenue 9

33/219

"Ido,"Dantesaidwithagrinashetookthekeys.Thegrindied,however,whenJuliusgagewithyou.Iwantusallinonetaxiandtheluggagewon'tfit.Besides,iftheyhge,they'llassumeyouaremovingusalltootheraccommodationswhilewecouldjustsllmakethemfollowyou."DanteandTommasogroanedattheannouncement,butdidn'tprevetheothersoftheirluggage."Iwantyoutocallusifyou'refollowedonceyouleaithereuntilwehearfromyou."Dantenodded,andthenglancedtothedoorsastheedopen.HeandTommasodisembarkedfirst,takingtheluggagewiththem.Theywerequitepeeredafterthemwithsympathyastheytrudgedoffwiththeirburden,headingfortine,"Juliussaid,urginghertomove.Margueritenoddedbutremainedsilentashewaletoawaitthecalltoletthemknowthetwinshadleftinthecar.Themenallbegann,andMarcusdoingasmallcircuitbeforeher.MargueritesimplyleanedagainsttheweasshewatchedJuliuspace.Heremindedherofacagedtiger.Theyallstilledandlng.Heslippeditfromhispocket,flippeditopen,listenedbriefly,andthensaid,"rivearoundforabouttenminutes,thenparkbackhereandcatchataxitoClaridge's""Weretheyfollowed?"Margueriteaskedcuriously."Yes,theywere."Shenoddedbutppedoutside.Juliuspausedbriefly,hisgazemovingaroundtheareaandMargueritefogain.Hisexpressionwasgrim,hiseyesalertashelookedforanythreat,andsheknearriorofold.Shecouldimaginehimonhorseback,handonhissword,thatverysameeuldhavebeenformidable,shewassure."Waithere,I'llhireataxi."Margueriteblie.Whileshehadbeengawkingathim,he'dledthemawayfromtheserviceentrance.Thancefromthehotelandalineoftaxiswaitedjustahead.

7/31/2019 argenue 9

34/219

Irritatedbyherownfascinationwithhim,shescowledandasked,"Dowereallyneedaethantenminutesawayonfoot?"They'dpassedClaridge'sontheirwaytotheDorchestelsweren'tfarapart.Itseemedsillytohireataxiforsuchashortwalkwhenitwgit'swarmthfromtheday."Tenminutesonfoot,twobytaxi,"heacknowledged."ButrthechanceofbeingspottedandI'dprefertoavoidthat."Onthatnoteheturnedtosheels."Fatherhadnothingtodowiththeattackonyou,"Christiansaid,drawingheeImean,whenthemantriedtocutoffyourhead.OrtheguyyouspottedontheterrasdraggingTinyoutofbed,thatwasjustamisunderstanding."Margueriteraisedheral.Itseemedimportanttohimthatshenotthinkbadlyofhisfatherandshehadtoweyouforthinkingthat,ifyoudid.EvenIwasn'tpositiveatfirst,but"Hiseyebroatherdoesn'tdosneakattacks.Hehastoomuchhonor.Hisfirstapproachwouldhavebeatenyouintoleaving.Infact,thatwasprobablyhisoriginalintentwhenhewentloeritenoddedsolemnly,acceptinghiswords.Shewasn'tsureifsheagreed,butshewasyishecomingwithus?""Theattackupsethim,"Christiansaidwithquietassurance.hings.Iwillexplaineverythingatthenewhotel,butthegoodnewsis,wecancontinrwithouthisinterference.Iknowyou'llsucceed."Margueritewrinkledhernose.Obvorefaithinherabilitiesthanshedid.Sighing,sheadmitted,"Christian,I'mnotatnyourpreviousdetectivesunlessyouknowsomethingmorethatmighthelpus?"HesholdyoueverythingIknow.IwasborninEnglandin1491.That'sit.""That'sallyouonversation."Youmightbesurprisedatwhatelseyouknowthatmightbeuseful."Hel,"We'lltalkmorewhenwegettoClaridge's."Christiannoddedandthenaskedhimcurctivebusiness?"

7/31/2019 argenue 9

35/219

MargueritelistenedabsentlytothedeeprumbleofTiny'svoiceasheresponded.SheastionandfoundherattentiondriftingtowhereJuliusleanedinthewindowofthefirr.Realizingthatshewasstandingtherestaringatthecurveofhisperfectbehindthsize,Margueriteforcedhergazeawayandturnedtothestorewindowbehindthem,buteryinteresting.ResistingthetemptationtojustpeekbackoverhershoulderatJuliuowinstead.Marguerite'seyesbrightenedastheyfellonacutelittleoutfitinthecgthequietlytalkingmen,shemovedclosertogetabetterlook.Margueritehadspenifeinnothingbutdresses.Formostofherlife,womenhadn'tbeenallowedtowearanes.Ofcourse,fashionhadchangedthislastcentury.Womennowworepantsallthetimtyet.Shetendedtowearmoremoderndressesorskirtandblousesets.JeanClaudehausbandwasdead,shewasconsideringchangingthatandhadgoneasfarastryingonlaverythingshe'dtriedonfeltrestrictinganduncomfortableincomparisontodresses.gsnakedunderaskirt,theeveningbreezecaressingthem.Shewasnotusedtohavingtmadeherfeellikeasausage.Thesepants,however,lookedliketheymightbemorecndshesuspectedwouldlookverylikealongblackskirtwhenshewasn'tmoving.Theyveasthemorefittedjeansanddresspantsshe'dtriedprevioustothis.MargueriteeforesheleftEnglandandiftheyweren'ttoouncomfortableshemightevengosofarintly,knowingherselfwellenoughtoacknowledgethatshewasasslowatchangeasshng.Evenifsheboughtapairofpants,sheprobablywouldn'tfeelcomfortablewearingtinpublic.Maybeshecouldwearthemaroundthehouseatfirst,though,and"MarguedowinsurprisewhenJuliusshoutedhername.Margueritesawthealarmonhisfaceandswidenedasshesawthemotorcycleroaringupthesidewalk,headingstraightforheryplasteredherselfagainstthewalltogetoutofthewayoftheoncomingmotorcyclesengeronthebackofthebikeshothisarmout,catchingherpurseasthemotorcycle

7/31/2019 argenue 9

36/219

Themotorcycleimmediatelyswervedbacktotheroad.Juliusleaptintothepathofthelippinghimandsendinghimtothepavementastheyshotupthestreet.Christiangave'toutrunamotorcycleandheturnedbackafterseveralcarlengthstoreturntothemsked,hurryingtoJulius'ssideashegotbacktohisfeet."Yes,"hemutteredimpatiyandtornpantsofhisexpensivedesignersuit."I'msorry,Marguerite.Theygotawaachedthem."Itdoesn'tmatter.It'sjustapurse.Icanreplaceeverything,"shesaidenglancedtoTiny."I'llreplaceyourphonetoo,Tiny.""That'swhereitwas,"Tinymingtocalltheofficeandcheckinwhilewewerewaitingforyoutofinishyourbathhenshrugged."Ah,well,atleastyouweren'thurt.Phonesarereplaceableandnoonellforadayortwo."Margueritemanagedaguiltysmile.She'dforgottentochargehertforLondonandhadaskedtoborrowTiny'smobilephone,intendingtopayhimbackfoercall,she'dautomaticallydroppeditinherpurse."DoyouthinkthiswasconnecteeglancedupasChristianaskedthequestionandfoundhimglancingupthestreetwithisheadtosayhedidn'tknow,Tinycommented,"Idon'tthinkso.They'vehadarasho""Theyhave?"Margueriteaskedwithsurprise."Howdoyouknow?""IwatchedthemornTheyhadabigstoryonit.Awomanwasseriouslyinjuredyesterdaywhenshewasdraggettingfreeofherpursestrap.Thepolicearesupposedtobemakingcatchingtheseguen,"Juliusmuttered,takingherarmandleadinghertowardthestillwaitingtaxi."YOrgoodluck,"Margueritecountered.Whenheglancedatherinsurprise,sheshruggedvingmyheadcutoffthismorning,andIwasn'tdraggedbymypursestrapjustnow.Th

7/31/2019 argenue 9

37/219

Juliussmiledfaintlyatthewordsandseemedsuddenlytorelaxasshesteppedintotheundassheenteredthevehicle.ItwasnothingliketaxisineitherCanadaorAmericamalbackseat.Thisvehiclehadahighceilingandseemedincrediblyspaciouswithawiackand,facing,twocushionedfolddownseatsagainstthebackingofthedriver'sfroentatthewaist,andactuallywalkedtothebackseat,settlingherselfinthefarcortingbesideher.Sheswallowedthicklyashesqueezedupclosetoherside,thenforcehefolddownseatacrossfromher.Marcuslaidclaimtotheother,leavingTinytotryfthebenchseatontheothersideofJulius.Itforcedhimtoshiftevenclosertohehesuddenexcitementleapingthroughher,andthenletitquicklyoutasshefoundhersaftershave.Notknowingwhatelsetodo,sheturnedhergazeoutthewindowandtrieh,itwasagoodthingthattheluggagewasn'tthere.ThefiveofthemandluggagewourstoodwhyJuliushaddumpeditallonthetwins.Aspredictedtheridetookalloftdthentheywerespillingoutontothesidewalkinfrontofthehotel."Aren'tyougoliustookherarmandurgedherquicklyintothelobby."Ipaidhimquitehandsomely.Whydoyouthinkhewaitedforus?""Oh,"Margueritemurmured,hergazeslidingoveeDorchester,itwasallrathermagnificentandhergazeslidfromthebeautifulglassideandbeautifulstaircase,andthentotheblackandwhitecheckeredmarblefloorattcommentfromMarcusdrewherattentionawayfromtheelegantsurroundingsandtothen."There'snosenseinallofuswaiting,"Christianpointedout."Whydon'ttherestleIcheckusin?""SomeonehastowaithereattheentranceforDanteandTommaso,"J

7/31/2019 argenue 9

38/219

"Marcuscandothat,"Christianvolunteered.Whenthemannodded,hisgazethenshiftehestrangestimpressionhewastryingtothinkofachoreforhimaswell,buthewasrd."Ibookedtheroomsonmycard,"Juliusexplained."MakesuretheygiveusatleaschasIrequested."Nodding,Christiantookthecardandturnedaway."Shallwe?"JulueriteandTinytoleadtheway.TheFoyerwasarestaurantonthemainfloor.Marguerswideasshepeeredovertheglassroom.Theceilingwasagoodeighteenfeethighwiterthatcouldbetterbedescribedasapieceofart.Therestaurantwasdecoratediner,thetablesallsportingapalesilvertableclothandnapkins.Itwasquitelovelyasexpectedtoarriveinthe"properattire."Margueritewouldbefineinthedarkblut"MaybeI'lljustgokeepMarcuscompanywhilehewaitsforDanteandTommaso,"TinyblydownattheTshirtandbluejeanshewore."Oh,I'msureit'sallright,"Marguerbandoningher.ShestaredafterhimwithdismayandthenglancedtoJuliuswhenhetooanteandTommasogethere.Theyshouldn'tbelong,"hesaidreassuringlyandurgedheremomenttheysteppedthroughthedoor.Hegreetedthemandarrangedforatablethatfthemenjoinedthem.Inthemeantime,itwasjustthetwoofthematthehugetableeseatnexttohers.Margueriteacceptedthemenuthematred'handedher,relievedapentthenextfewminutespretendingtoreadtheofferingstoavoidhertablemate,buiousthatshewastryingtoavoidtalkingtotheman.Themomentshesetitonthetaase,"shemurmured,managingasmile.Juliusorderedcoffee,thenaskedforaplateofidehersurprise."Youeat?"

7/31/2019 argenue 9

39/219

"It'sarecenthabitI'vepickedupagain,"hesaidcalmly,andthenasked,"You?"Marsuredherselfshewasn'tlying.Thesausageshe'dpinchedthatmorningwasanaberratitablemomentofsilencepassed.Shetriedtothinkofsomethingtotalkabouttofillasthecaseshewasworkingon.Thatmadeherpauseandraisehereyesbacktohimagaant,soMargueritewastedanotherfewmomentstryingtoreadhismind,butagaincamegunhappily,sheturnedherownattentiontotherestaurantdecoraswell."JeanClaudifemate."Margueriteturnedback,eyeinghimuncertainly.Ithadn'texactlybeenphrasetreateditassuchandanswered,"No.""No?"Juliusfrowned."'No'what?YouareJeaes,Iam,"sheadmitted."Butwewerenotlifemates.Justhusbandandwife."Juliussareadable.Afteramoment,hesaidcautiously,"Ihaveneverheardoftwoimmortalswhodlivingtogetherhappily.""NeitherhaveI,"sheassuredhim."Itwasanunhappyuargueriteglancedaway,herdissatisfiedgazeslidingovertheotherpatrons.ShenormboutJeanClaude,hermarriage,oranythinghavingtodowiththelastsevenhundredyren,butshefoundwordsshe'dneversaidbubblingtoherlipsandtryingtoslipoutgapainfulknotatthebaseofherthroat.Finally,sheblurted,"Itwassevenhundreatedamomentandthenfinallyglancedbacktoseehowhewastakingthisrevelation.uthtwistingwryly,shesaid,"Youdonotlooksurprised."Juliusshrugged."AsIsaimateslivingtogetherhappily."Margueritenoddedandglancedawayfromhimagainandcedback."WereyouandChristian'smotherlifemates?""Yes,"hesaidsolemnly.

7/31/2019 argenue 9

40/219

"Oh."Forsomereasonshefoundthatnewsdepressing,butforcedherownfeelingsasidinfultolosealifemate,andthatit'sprobablydifficultforyoutotalkabouther,ow""You'vehadalifemate,then?"Margueriteblinkedattheinterruption,thrownofdmitted,"Well,no,but""Neverinsevenhundredyears?"hepressed.Mouthtighteniring,"Ifear,mylifewhilemarriedwasratherrestricted."Amomentofsilencepasngland."Sheglancedbackwithsurprise."Yes.Iwasborntoamaidinacastlethatws?"heaskedwithinterest.Margueriteshrugged."It'sgonenow.JustrubbleIshouldeanClaudemetyou?"Shescowled."IwouldreallyrathernottalkaboutmylifewithJboutmyselfatall.IamhereinEnglandtofindyourson'smother.Youcouldhelpwit.Isuggestweagreenottotalkabouteithersubject.IwillrefrainfrombringingupoutChristian'smother."Margueritewassavedfromhavingtorespondbythearrivalolidingovertheplateoffoodwithunaccustomedinterestashesetitonthetable.Theddeliciousandshedidn'teveneat.Though,sheprobablyshould,MargueritethoughtuildupherownblooduntilshewasabletocontactBastienandaskhimtoforwardthes."Wouldyoulikeone?"Juliusasked,liftingtheplateandholdingitouttoherasargueriteraisedahand,abouttoreachforoneofthesandwiches,butfrozewhenshemethingabouttheexpectantgleaminhiseyesmadeherlowerherhandandsitbackin

7/31/2019 argenue 9

41/219

"Idonoteat,"sherepeatedherearlierwords.Thesausagereallydidn'tcount.Normaouldn'trecallthelasttimeshehadbeforethestolensausagethatmorning.Butthenmeshe'dbeenwithoutbloodforthislongeitherandsuspectedherhungerwasgettingedsilentlyashepickeduponeofthesandwichesandtookabite.Hermouthimmediateapsshe'dcalldowntoroomservicewhenshegottoherroomandordersomethingsmallhebloodarrived."They'rereallyquitegood,"Juliussaid."Youshouldtryone.""Iitesaidstubbornly."Wehavelovelyteacakes,ifyou'drathersomethingsweet,"thewpotandcupbeforeher."No,thankyou,"Margueritemurmured.Nodding,thewaiterturundhimselffacinganewlyarrivedDanteandTommaso.Margueritehadtobiteherlipaair.Truly,thetwinswereanawesomesight.Sidebysidetheywereawallofblackle."Er"thewaitersaid,hiseyesshiftingfranticallyfromthepairtothetable."Tdhim,takingpityontheman.Nodding,hemovedswiftlytothesidetomakewayfortrgueriteshookherheadasshewatchedhimgo,andthenturnedanaffectionatesmileolinCaliforniawhentheywereallstayingathernephew'shomeandhadbeengladtosttheDorchesterandfoundthey'daccompaniedhim.Thepairlookedfrightful,butrealheywerestillquiteyoung,barelyoverahundredyearsold,andstillatealot.ThegabletoputawayasmuchasthesetwowereTinyandherownsonLucern."Whereareteothersideandthey'rewaitingforusthere,"Tommasoanswered,eyeingJulius'ssandatTheFoyerwasfancydress,"DanteaddedasJuliusnotedthehungrylooksbothmenwetoofferittothem.BothtwinstookasmallsandwicheachasDanteadded,"Wejust

7/31/2019 argenue 9

42/219

Juliusnodded.Ashesettheplatebackonthetable,heasked,"Youmanagedtoloseyckhissandwichinhismouthtofreehishands.Hepulledasmallnotepadfromhispocookthesandwichoutofhismouthwithhisotherhand,saying,"Thisistheirlicensetyoumightbeabletofindoutwhorentedit."Nodding,JuliusacceptedtheslipofpngMargueritefrown.SheandTinyweretheprivatedetectives.Holdingoutherhand,sougiveittome."Juliusshookhishead."Ihaveit.Youalreadyhaveajob."Margueheleastangryashementionedthecasetofindhisson'smother.Consideringhowlongthe'dcomeheretotrytoconvincethemtoheadhome,hewasbeingratherpleasant.Iood,"Tommasocommented.Margueriteglancedhiswayintimetoseehimpopthelastofzethenmovedbacktotheplate,notingthattherewasonlyoneleft.SheforcedherseChristiansaidtogiveyoutwothese,"DantesaidandhandedacardkeytoMargueriteeroomnumbersashedid."Wealreadydeliveredtheluggagetotherooms,"TommasoaddhwhenJuliusheldouttheplate.Margueritewatchedenviouslyasheconsumedhalfofanditanylongerandstoodup."Iwouldliketogotomyroom.""Ofcourse,"Juliuslseeyouup.""No,no,"Margueritewavedhimoff,eagertogettoherroomnow."Ikndjointheboysinthepub.I'msureDanteandTommasohavemoretoreport."Sheturnid,"We'resharingasuite."Turningback,sheraisedaneyebrow.

7/31/2019 argenue 9

43/219

"Iarrangedfortwosuitesnexttoeachother,"heexplained."IthoughttheboyscouldndMarcusandIwillshareonebedroominthesecondsuite,whileyoutaketheother."psetbythisnews,butshewasn't.Thefactwasshehadherownroom,andshewasthedtogetupthereandordersomethingtoeat."Fine,"shesaidquicklyandglancedtoackandrestabit,butcouldyouaskTinyandChristiantomeetmeafterthatsowecntonod,andthenleftthetabletofindherroom.ChapterFive

MargueriteletherselfintotheroomusingthekeyJuliushadgivenher,andthenpause'denteredthesuitethroughthedoorleadingintotheactualbedroomshewouldbeuseadingoffofit.Oneledintotheensuitebathroom,theotherledintothesittingrodtheoneMarcusandJuliusweretoshare.Itwasnice,butallartdecoandshe'dacter.Closingthedoorbetweenherroomandthesittingroom,shepickedupthebookliitiesandleafedthroughuntilshefoundtheroomservicemenu.Shescanneditbrieflylypunchedthebuttonforroomservice.Hergazeslidaroundtheroomasshewaited,asedtofindherluggagethere.DanteandTommasohadseentoitasefficientlyasexpenthey'darrived,tobedeliveredtoalloftheirroomswhilethey'dwenttotherestaedashercallwasansweredandplacedherorder,requestingthatitcomedirectlytoenhungupandstoodtowalktothewindow.Tuggingthecurtainsopen,shepeeredoutrroomhadabalcony,theyweren'tonthetopfloor.ShesuspectedJuliushadarrangedssingthepenthousesonthetopfloorforsuperiorsuitesonthefourthfloor,halfway

ksMews.Themanwasobviouslyusedtohandlingmattersandwasgoodwithdetailsli

7/31/2019 argenue 9

44/219

Thethoughtmadeherturnandmovetothephoneagain.Shehadtocallhimandhavethntedtocheckonherdaughter.LissiannawasinthelastweeksofherfirstpregnancyargueritewasalmostasexcitedandnervousforherdaughterasLissiannanodoubtwasngland,Margueritehadmadeeachofhersons,nieces,andnephewspromisetocontacthntolabor.Ifthathappenedbeforeshefinishedthiscase,Margueritewoulddropeveryristianhadwaitedfivehundredyearstofindhismotherandsurelywouldn'tmindadeed.ItwasashameifhedidmindbecausenothingwasgoingtokeepherfromherdaugharelybeguntoringwhenMargueritenoticedthedigitalclockonthebedsidetableandclockatnightyethereinEngland,whichmeantitwasn'tevenfouro'clockintheaftillbeinbed,sherealized,andquicklyhungup,hopingthatthehalfringhadn'trourcoupleofhoursandthentryagain,Margueritethoughtwithalittlesigh,butthenfficeofArgeneauEnterprisesherselftoarrangeforthebloodtobebroughthere.BaserfortheUKofficesjustincasesomethinglikethisarose.Thenumberwasinheraguerite'sthoughtsdiedabruptlywhenaknocksoundedatthedoor.Standing,shecross,asmilecurvingherlipsatthesightoftheattendantwiththefoodtrolleystandinhinysilvercoversonhertrolley.Onehidabowlofpeaandmintsoup,anothercoveredrare,thethirdprotectedanEnglishtrifle.Admittedly,itwasmorethanalightsnnabletomakeuphermindaboutwhatshewanted.Besides,shedidn'tplantoeatitas,alittleofthatHalfanhourlaterMargueritehadprettymuchlaidwastetothefstriflewhensomeoneknockedatherdoor.Stiffening,sheglancedguiltilyatthetabeandmovedwarilytoanswerthedoor.SherelaxedalittlewhenshesawitwasTinyaimtoenter."Hi."Tinygrinnedashesteppedintotheroom."Christianshouldbehereideningincredulouslyashespottedthefoodtrolleyacrosstheroom.Shockonhisfac'reeating.Youdon'teat."Margueritesighedandurgedhimoutofthewaysoshecoul

'tneedtohearthis.Sheesh!

7/31/2019 argenue 9

45/219

"Sitdown,"sheorderedasshemovedbacktothetable."Marguerite.Youdon'teat.ThtinCaliforniaandthenthethreeweekshere,youdonoteat.Whatisgoingon?"Hepning."You'vemetyourlifemate!""Don'tberidiculous,"Margueritesnappedandgavehhenhecontinuedtoloomoverher.Shescowledathimbrieflyforevenmakingsuchante?Never!She'dbeenmarriedonceandwhileJeanClaudehadn'tbeenatruelifemate,tteacherandMargueritehadlearnedherlessonwell.Shewouldneverwillinglymarryfemate,shewassureshewouldn'teverallowamantohavepoweroverheragain."Welesnarrowedwithsuspicion."IranoutofbloodbeforeweleftBerwickuponTweedyesty.Tinyfrowned."Yousaidyou'dcalledBastientoarrangetohavesomesenttotheh"shemurmuredandthenshruggedathisconcernedexpression."Iwillbefine.Iwasgtsenton,butit'sstilldaylightbackhomeandIdidn'twanttodisturbhimifhewaondonofficeofArgeneauEnterprisesmyself,butroomservicearrivedandIgotdistrad.Nodding,Margueritestoodandmovedtothephone,thenrealizedsheneededheraddoundtheroom."Whatareyoulookingfor?"Tinyasked."Myaddressbook,Iputthecosinmy"Margueritepausedassherecalledthatherpursehadbeenstolen.Hergazemasinmypurse.Sowasmycellphonewithallthechildren'snumbersprogrammedinitrnumbersbyheart?""YesNoDamn,"shebreathedwithfrustration."IknowBastienanna'sjustmovedtoanewhousebecauseofthebabyandIhaven'tgothersmemorizedytI'veneverbotheredtolearnhismobilenumberandhe'sofftravelingwithKate."

7/31/2019 argenue 9

46/219

"Well,don'tworry.Bastiencangiveyouthenumberswhenyoucallhim,"Tinysaidsooreright,"Margueritesaidglancingattheclock.Itwasnearlyten.Fiveo'clockint'lltrytocallaroundmidnight,"shedecided."AndI'llaskifhe'dmindcancelingmyewonestobesentouttome.""Hmm."Tinynodded."Makesmoresensethantryingtoderintheendtoo.Bastienisawhizwiththesethings."Margueritesmiled,recallingncyhadbeendoingworkforBastienforyears.Tiny'spartner,JackieMorrisey,washedbeenherfatherwhohadfoundedthedetectiveagencytheybothworkedfor.Argeneauher'sfirstcustomers.JackierantheshownowwithTinyasherrighthandmanandcon'llbeChristian,"Tinysaid,gettingtohisfeetwhenanotherknocksoundedatthedocktothetableandchairswhereMargueritesat.TheyoungerimmortalgreetedherwitheyandsentagrinTiny'sway."Sothisiswhyyouleftusallearly.Itwasn'ttocomce."Hegavealaugh."Ican'tbelieveyou'restilleating.You'reasbadasDanteandguerite,butwhenshesenthimapleadinglook,hekepthersecretandmerelyrolledtom."I'vebeenrackingmybraintryingtothinkofanythingImightknowthatwouldheen'tcomeupwithanythingspecific.Atleast,noactualclues,"Christiansaidasheuntertothetable."However,asImentionedearlier,FatherandIhadatalk.Theattentabitaboutthisbusiness.""Hashetoldyouwhoyourmotheris?"Tinyaskedwith,"Christiansaidwithawrysmile."Thenwhat?"Margueriteaskedcuriously.Christiad,"HetoldmealittlemoreaboutmymothershetriedtokillmewhenIwasborn."

7/31/2019 argenue 9

47/219

Margueritewassilent,butpurelyoutofhorror.Shehadfourchildrenherselfandcouoheinousastryingtokilloneofthematbirth.DearGod,childrenweresosmallandouldanyonekillachild?Whywouldtheyevenwantto?Whatpossibleoffensecouldaceadhackedoffinthefirstmomentsofitslife?"Isupposehetoldyouthathopingtoly."ItwasactuallyMarcuswhosaidit.Ofcourse,thosetwoarethickasthieves,sogged."Soyourfatherhaskeptthesecretofwhoyourmotherwasalltheseyearsbecaungoutthatshetriedtokillyou?"Margueriteaskedquietly,themangoingupseveralannodded."Whatwillhedonowthatheknowsyoustillwanttofindher?"TinyaskedAtleast,nothingtotrytostoporinterfereanymore.Ithinkhe'scometorealizethitereachedoutandcoveredoneofhishandswithhers,squeezingsympatheticallyassyes.Shecouldn'timagineanymothernotwantinghimforason.Hewashandsome,stronmingwhenhewasn'tgrowlingandgrim.Christianhadatendencytowardbeingmoredowernia,buthavingmethisfathershenowunderstoodwherethetendencycamefrom.JuliuerbrotherinlawLucianArgeneau.Shesupposeditwasacommoncharacteristicamongtehadpassedandtheyhadwitnessedsomuch,alotofitunpleasant.Theunpleasantcogood,especiallywithoutatruelifematetohelpweighdownthegoodsideoflife."Ars?"Margueriteaskedquietlyassherealizedthattheremaysimplybenochanceforantedtoberidofhimsobadlyshe'dwishedhimdead,shewasn'tlikelytowelcomehimgeofheartanddidopenherarmstohim,couldChristianreallyforgiveherabandonmetneedtohavearelationshipwithmymother,"Christiansaid."Iwon'tforcemyselfoedtoknow.JustknowingwhosheisandwhereIgetsomeofmytraitsthataren'tmyfeezedhishandandnoddedinunderstanding."Sowewillcontinuethesearch.""Andyotinuetotrytostopusandconvinceustogohome?"Tinyaskedwarily.

7/31/2019 argenue 9

48/219

"Yes,I'msure,"Christiansaidwithcertainty."Infact,he'sdecidedtohelpinawayobeonhandtoensurenoneofusisharmedandtobethereformoralsupportshouldwdmitted.Christianshrugged."Theviolenceoftheattackonyousurprisedhim.Itwaserthanjustanactofviolencetowarnusoff.Idon'tthinkheexpectedsuchavioleedthatsinceyouarethetarget,he'dbeststayclosetoyou.""Hethinksitwasyouderstand."Oneofherpeople,Ithink,"Christiansaid."Buthedefinitelythinksitestigation?"Tinyasked."Yes,"ChristianadmittedandthenglancedtoMargueriteandewonder.""What?"sheaskedcuriously."Well,I'vehiredotherdetectivesbeforeandened.Ofcourse,Fathersentthempackingprettyquick,but"Hetiltedhishead."Why'seyeswidenedatthequestion.Whyindeed,shewondered."Itmademewonderifperhaightatleasthaveabetterchanceoffindingher."Tinyshookhisheadatonce."Icn,butMarguerite'smarriage"Whenhepausedandglancedapologeticallyherwayfore,sheshookherheadathim,andthentookamomenttophraseherwordscarefullybeallifethroughoutmostofmymarriage.Ivisitedoccasionallywithfamilymembers;Ludsoon,but,otherthanthat,IknewfewofourkindexceptthroughthegossipMartinheothersdidknowmoreimmortals?"Christianasked."Yes."MargueriteglancedtoTinyed."Ishouldhavethoughtofit,"hemutteredapologeticallytoChristian,andthenhismaybewhyyouwerethetarget.YoumaynotknowChristian'smother,butMartineoight."

7/31/2019 argenue 9

49/219

Hereyeswidenedwithrealization.Thathadn'toccurredtohereither,but"Youcouldreadingherlips."Infact,youprobablyare.Martineknowseveryone.Literally.She'sere.She'samemberofthecouncilinNorthAmericatoo.Sheisourbestbet."Marguestbitofhopethey'dhadforsolvingthiscase,andthenhereyeswidenedwithrealizirlswhilehereafterall,andwithouthavingtoplayhookyfromwork.Iwasverysorryrownedatherwords."Youcouldhavetakenthetimetovisitthem,Marguerite.Iwoulderen'tintownatthetime.MartinehadtakenthegirlstoSpainforavacationbeforeothinuniversitynow,"sheaddedandthenshookherheadandsighed."ItseemslikejigglingteensatLissianna'sbirthday.Timepassessoquickly.""Morequicklyforsomeylyandthenadded,"IguessifwewishtospeaktothisMartine,itmeansareturntrheveryidea."Perhapsthistimeyou'llgetmoreofachancetolookaround."Tinyhamanwalls,medievalbuildings,andcobbledstreetsandsnickleways,buthadn'tletiteyhadbeeninthecity.ThistimeshethoughtheshouldtakethetimetotouraroundimalongtotalktoMartine.Shecouldmanagethatherself.

Juliusglancedupfromthecardsinhishandatthesoundofthedooropening.HeandurinChristian'sroomwhilehewenttotalktoMargueriteandTinyandputtheirplanedagameofcardstopassthetime.Juliussuspectedtheyoungermanhadknownhe'dbet.Theywereplayingpokerformoney,andDanteandTommasoweretakingturnsrakingavetofindanATMandwithdrawmoreBritishcurrency,orhe'dhaveonlyEurosanddeb"heasked,settinghiscardsdownasChristianreenteredtheroom."Whathappened?Ho,"Christiansaidasthedoorclosedbehindhim."TheybothseemedtoacceptwhatIsaitedefinitelydoesn't

7/31/2019 argenue 9

50/219

seemtothinkyou'reasmuchofanassnowasshedidbefore.Shebelievesyou'vebeeno.""OfcourseIwasprotectingyou,"Juliusgrowled."DidyouthinkIputupwithyouowheedletheinformationoutofmeformyowngood?""Idonotwheedle,"hesaidinWhenChristianmerelyscowledathim,Juliussaid,"Sowhataretheplansnow?Dotheyt?"Christiannodded."Wediscussedournextmove.TinyandMargueritethinkitwouldewhomayhavebeenaroundatthetimeofmybirth.So,they'replanningtotalktoheussaidwithasigh."Howdidyouknow?"Christianasked,eyebrowsrising."Sheistht.TheArgeneaushadallboysandonedaughter,likemyparentshadallgirlsbutme,"ndwhatinformationMargueritemightgainfromher."Hmm,"Christiansaid,butthenshadingtoYorktomorrownight.Butinthemeantime,sincethere'snothingtodoontheeshouldhaveanightout,visittheclubsmaybe,godancing.""Goout?"JuliusglancestryingtokillMarguerite.Itisn'tsafeforhertogoout.No.WearestayinghereChapterSix

Margueritetappedherfootrestlesslytotheloudandlivelymusic,hergazemovingengagoodtimeonthedancefloor.She'dthoughtthatanightoffafterthreeweeksofomeandrelaxingchange.She'dthoughtwrong.Itwasboringashellandsheplacedthedingher.

7/31/2019 argenue 9

51/219

HerirritableglanceslidoverTinyandthefiveimmortalswithdispleasure.Sincenonndon,theyhadn'tknownwheretogotofindtheimmortalnightclubtheyknewmustbeedtoresorttothemortalclubs.Afterhalfanhourandoneclub,Margueritewasreadhemenagain,alittleunhappysighslidingfromherlips.Margueritehadn't,atfirstindherselfalonefemalewithsixgoodlookingmen.No,she'dthoughtitwouldbefun'dnevermetsuchagroupofstickinthemudsinherlife.ThemusicwastooloudtonMargueritehadannouncedadesiretodanceandheadedoutonthedancefloor,she'dsthemensurroundedher.Eventhatwouldn'thavebotheredherhadtheydanced,butthacingintothecircle,armscrossedastheywatchedherdanceincludingTiny.Theyhanwatchingherwithgrimdetermination.Margueritehadlastedperhapstwominutesontonsciousnesshadmadehergiveupandheadbacktothetablewithexasperation.Sinceootrestlesslytothemusic,wishingshecouldjointhedancers,butknowingitwouldrclescenario.Margueritegaveanotherunhappylittlesigh,andthenglancedtoJuliuhewatchedhislipsmove,butevenwithanimmortal'sextrasensitivehearing,shecouicblaringatthem.Seemingtorealizetheproblem,Juliusmadeagesturewithhishanedoor.Apparentlyhehadnoticedherboredomandwasaskingifshewantedtoleave,snce.WhensheandJuliusstood,theothermenimmediatelyfollowedsuitandmovedtofedtowardtheexit.Withthewallofmenaroundher,theonlywayMargueriteknewtheyasabruptlycutoffandthetemperaturehadrisenfromthecoolerairconditionedinteingair.Juliusurgedthemallseveralfeettothesideoftheentrancebeforecomingyturnedtotellhimshethoughttheymayaswellgiveupontheideaofarelaxingniulledouthiscellphoneandbegantopushbuttons.Closinghermouth,shemovedafel,scowlingattheotherswhenthefiveofthemalsoleftJuliusbehindandmovedwithircle.Theywereworsethanhersons,MargueritedecidedandturnedtoJuliuswithrel

landrejoinedthem.

7/31/2019 argenue 9

52/219

Hemovedthroughthecircleofmentohersidetoannounce,"IcalledVita,andshetoVitaisouraunt,"Danteinformedher."She'salwaysspentalotoftimeinEngland,"w,she'stheone."Margueritenodded,recallingthenameofthewomanrunningthefamdMarcuswereaway.HereyesfollowedJuliusasheslippedawaytoapproachalineofd,"I'msurprisedyouhaven'tbeenherebeforeanddidn'tknowyourselves."DanteshralltocometoEnglanduntilnow.""Andwe'dhardlycomeforpleasure.It'ssupposedthashudder."Juliusdidn'tencouragethemtovisitEngland,"Marcusexplained."HmmverreallyconsideredhishatredofthecountryasimportantuntilIfoundoutitwastforamoment,thenDanteaskedcuriously,"Youwerebornandraisedhere,weren'tyoon'tknowwhereoneis."Margueritesmiledfaintly."Wemovedoutseveralcenturiesaglaudedidn'tmuchlikeEnglandeither.Hethoughtitwastoodamp,toogray,andtoobheydidn'thaveimmortalnightclubsbackthen.AlthoughmynieceandherfriendMirablnightclubinLondon,butasIdidn'texpecttohavethetimetogotoone,Ididn'tmglancealongthesidewalktoseeJuliusholdingopenthedoorofataxiandwavingt,"Juliusannouncedastheyapproached."We'llsplitup,threeinone,fourintheothisone.Therestofyoupickyourride."Margueritemanagednottoscowlatthecommaywarnedherthathisfatherintendedtostayclosetohersolongasshewasonthisatefulhewaslookingoutforher,shesupposed,butfoundthataftersevenhundredyelingattention,itfeltuncomfortabletobelookedafter.Still,shemanagedtoforcentothecab.ShesettledonthebenchseatandsoonfoundJuliusjoiningher.TinyandavingMarcustojointhetwinsinthesecondtaxi.

7/31/2019 argenue 9

53/219

Themomentthetaxipulledoutontotheroad,Margueriteturnedherheadtopeerouttchthepassingbuildingsandtrafficasshe'dintended,shefoundherselfinsteadfascectionintheglassofthemeninthecab.Christianwasmakingoddfacesandgesturesuther,thoughshecouldn'tfathomwhathewastryingtotellhim.Apparently,Juliusingattheyoungermanwithablankexpression.Tinywaswatchingthewholethingwithrtalsdidn'tnotice.Margueritewasdistractedfromthepantomimewhenthetaxipulledancingaround,shesawthattheywereinfrontofwhatappearedtobeaprivateresideheaddressasanythingotherthanjustanothertownhousesqueezedbetweentwoothers.fthetaxitofindthemenonceagaincrowdingaroundherandsighedwithexasperationtwasanimmortalwhoattackedyou,Marguerite,"Juliuspointedout."Ifanything,wee,andthencarefulthatwearenotfollowedonthewayback.Youwereprobablysaferriously."Thenwhydidyoubringushere?""Becauseyouwerenothavingagoodtime,"entranceaheadofthem.Margueritemovedforwardunderhisurging,herminddistracteditethefactthatthemenwouldhavetobemorevigilantandremainonthealert,he'davingagoodtimeandhepresumablythoughtshemightenjoyherselfmorehere.Herminheclaim,herthoughtsrunningaroundinconfusionlookingforthemotivebehindthesd,JeanClaudehadneverdoneanythingnicewithoutamotivebehindit,orsomethinghedthedooranditwaspromptlyopenedbyamaneventallerthananyoftheonesaccomtcaughtandheldherattention,however,butthetwelveinchgreenMohawkhesportedngsinhisface.Themanwasalivingporcupineofsilverandgreen."ThisisaprivatdfeelJuliusbristlingbesideher,butbeforehecouldsayanything,asoftchucklesnturnedhisscowlonher,shegrinnedandshookherhead."I'msorry.I'vejustrealiingmeaboutyou."Hisscowlimmediatelydisappeared,rolledunderbythewavesofaw"

7/31/2019 argenue 9

54/219

"She'sadearfriendtomydaughter,andnieceandnephew,"Margueritesaidwithanodtively,andthenheasked,"Marguerite?"Shenodded,eyeswideningwhenhesuddenlyleerupinabearhugthatliftedherofftheground."Welcome!"heroaredjoviallyasrmthroughhisinanalmostcourtlyfashionandturnedtowardthedoor."Mirabeauandpleweeksago.""Yes,Iknow.That'showyoucameupintopic.Thegirlswereatmyhoantalkingaboutthetrip.JeanneLouisedidn'twanttobotherincludingEnglandinthnsistingshehadtobringhertomeetyou,"sheexplained,glancingoverhershoulderlswithvaryingexpressionsrangingfromTiny'samusementtoJulius'sdisgruntledlook"G.G.announced,drawinghergazebackaroundasheledherupalonghall."JeanneLid."Margueritepattedhistattooedarm."Andyouwillhaveagoodtimetoo,"G.G.assdme,butwhateveritisyouwantisyours.YoujusttellthemG.G.saysso.""Thatidathiskindness.Themanshookhishead."MirabeauandJeanneLouisethinktheworlditesqueezedhisarmgently,andthensettledintheseathestoppedbeforewhenhewaourorders.Thefirstroundisonme,"heannouncedandmovedawayasthemenquickly"Christianaskedassoonasthemanwasoutofhearing."ShortforGreenGiantbecausithagrin."ItishardtobelievetheywouldhiresomeonewholookedlikethattoworthamazementashepeeredaroundthequietroomwhereG.G.hadsettledthem.Margueritginthesoothingatmosphereoftheroomtheywerein.TherewasaVictorianfireplaceerchairsandsofasarrangedingroupings,aswellashardwoodfloorswithvariousthr

7/31/2019 argenue 9

55/219

"FromwhatMirabeausaid,thereareother,lesssoothingroomshere,"sheinformedthehers,andthenadded,"andhedoesn'tworkhere,heownsit.""What?"Juliusaskedwiinganimmortalnightclub?""Thatguyismortal?"Tinyaskedwithsurprise.Tommasorcingsshouldhavetippedyouoff.Ourbodieswillnotaccepteither.""Ohright,Isreignbodiesorsomethingandshedthem.""Howdidamortalcometoownanimmortalningtroubleacceptingit."Moreimportantly,whytheheckisheguardingthedoor?"Ttedout,"Ifhetriestoturnawaythewrongimmortal,theymightturnhimintocreamgtoMirabeauhehasbackupifheneedsit,"Margueritetoldthem,andthensheexplaherwasmortalandheisfromamortalmarriage,butwhenthatdissolvedshefoundsheedG.G.tobeturned,butherefused,sohisnewstepfatherfinancedthisclubforhimroundedbyimmortalwomendayinanddayout,hewouldmeetanimmortalwhowouldbehusmakinghiswifehappy.""Hmm."JuliussatbackandthenglancedatChristian."PerhhisforyouinItaly.Thenyouwouldfindalifemateandstartgivingmegrandbabies."tingyourownlifematefirst,"Christiansuggestedmeaningfully.Margueritefrownedamefromthetaxifollowed.Itwasawigglingofeyebrowsandjerkingofeyesinherdittractive.Leaningforwardwithconcern,sheasked,"Areyoufeelingquitewell,Chrispasms."DanteandTommasoburstoutlaughing,butChristianjustsighedandstoodup.oom."Juliusglancedathimwithsurprise,andthenpeeredaround,pointingwhenhesahereitisthere,son."

7/31/2019 argenue 9

56/219

"Yes,Iknow.Isawthesign,"Christiansaidwithexasperation."Ithoughtperhapsyous.I'lljust"Juliusstoodandbegantosqueezethroughthesmallspaceleftbetweentepeeringathimwithraisedeyebrows,hemuttered,"Ihaveto"Hewavedvaguelyandhoutfinishingsayingwhathehadtodo.Margueritewatchedthemengo,notingthatChgJuliusastheywent,thenturnedbacktoseethatDanteandTommasoweretryingdeskinghisheadwithapparentdespair,andTinywaslookingthoughtful.LeaningcloserppositesidefromthechairJuliushadoccupied,sheaskedquietly,"Doyouhaveanyited,andthenmurmured,"Iftheyweremortals,IwouldsaythatChristianistryingtoincetheyareimmortals"Heglancedinthedirectionthetwomenhadgone,thenbacks?"Margueritestilledinherseat,warinesscreepingthroughher.Shehad,butsuddenoadmitthat."Youhave,haven'tyou?"Tinyasked.Hiseyesnarrowedonherfaceandhtitbecauseyoucouldn'treadhim."Margueriteblewoutanirritatedbreathandglanc"Shestiffened,andscowled."Thatdoesn'tmeananything.Itoldyou,I'moutofbloo'vebeensittingwithyouateachmealforthreeweeks,Ihaveprobablyjustpickeduprniawhenwealldid,"hepointedout.Margueriteblinkedathiswords,thensankweakorovercameher,butthensheralliedandpositivehedidn'tknowaboutthesausageliny.""Onemealandyoucan'treadhim,"Tinypointedout.Margueritewavedthatawaylyolderthanme.It'sdifficulttoreadimmortalsolderthanoneself.And,"sheaddedeak,"JustbecauseIcan'treadhim,doesn'tmeanhecan'treadme."

7/31/2019 argenue 9

57/219

Tinyclosedhismouthonwhateverhe'dbeenabouttosayatthatcomment.Heknewabou.Noddinginunderstanding,heletthesubjectgoandsankbackinhisseat.Marguerit,hergazeslidingtowardthemen'sroom,andthensheleanedtowardTinyandwhisperoutChristianencouragingJulius,Imeancouldyouerrunintervention.""Youmeaniyly.Margueritenodded."Iwouldappreciateit."Tinynodded."Thankyou,"shemurmuorktogether,andyou'rereallyintraining.It'skindofmyjobtolookoutforyou."erealizedhowridiculousitwasforhertoevenputhiminthatposition.ThetruthwainstanimmortallikeJulius.Ofcourse,shedidn'thurthispridebysayingasmuch,orcingasmileasawaitressappearedtotaketheirorders.

"Whatareyoudoing?""Whatdoyoumean?"JuliusleanedagainstthecounterinthemengetherashewatchedChristiancheckthestallstobesuretheroomwasempty.Finishsedandproppedhishandsonhiships,lookingforalltheworldlikeaparentconfronudoing?"Christianrepeatedwithexasperation."You'resupposedtobewooingMarguereandtrustyousoshewon'trunwhensherealizesthetwoofyouarelifemates.""I,turningawaytopeerinthemirror.Hedidn'treallyseehimself,hewasjusttryingmore,butranahandthroughhishairashewatchedhisson'sreflection."Youaren'tou'vebeenstaringatherallnight.Youshouldhavedancedwithherwhenwewereattskedwithhorror.

7/31/2019 argenue 9

58/219

"Yes.Danced.WhydidyouthinkIwaselbowingyouonthedancefloor?Jesus!"Heturnthofthestallsandback."Idon'tdance,"Juliussaidwithdignity."Atleastnotthhere.Margueritedanceswell,though,doesn'tshe?"headdedwithasmallsmileashencedbeforethrowingherhandsupwithexasperationandreturningtotheirtable.Sherhipsswaying,bodyundulating,andbreastsjigglingasshe'dJuliusblinkedandscpedhisthumbandfingerinfrontofhiseyes."Snapoutofit,"Christiangrowled."ooning,"Juliussaidstifflyandturnedawayfromthemirror.CrossinghisarmsoverhrmanresentfullyandwonderedifChristianreallywashissonatall.Heneverwouldnfather."Okay,"Christiansaidwithagreatshowatmaintaininghispatience."Soyoasttalktothewoman."Juliusfrownedandavoidedhisgaze."Iamtalking.""Youareuhaven'tsaidmorethanahandfulofwords."Scowling,headmitted,"I'mpracticingidatthis."Practicing?""Well,youdon'tjustblurtoutthefirstthingthatcomestoation."Ihavetoapproachthiscarefully,soI'mpracticing.""Inyourhead?"Christiiusnodded."Inmyhead.""RightGood,good,"henodded,andthensaid,"butyouknowaisedhiseyebrowswithinterest."What?""Talkingtoheroutloud!"Christiansnapped,you'reasoldastheearth.Yourunahugecorporation,dealingwithpeopleevenwomngacoupleofwordstogetherandmanagealittleconversationwiththewoman?"

7/31/2019 argenue 9

59/219

"Iamnotasoldastheearth,"Juliusgrowled."Besides,you'retheonewhosaidthatd""Oh,hell,"Christianinterruptedwithasigh."What?"Juliusaskedwarily."Itrconfidencewiththosecomments."Juliusglaredathimbriefly,thenletoutaslowbIwasfineuntilyouandthetwinsstartedspoutingthatnonsenseabouthowlongithandthatIArethemaidsandsecretariesreallyscaredofme?"heinterruptedhimselftdedhiseyesasheassuredhim,"No,ofcoursenot.""You'relying,"Juliussaidwithesandlie,andyouwon'tmeetmyeyesnow.Theyarescaredofme."Christianshruggerumpy.I'msureyouwouldn'tbewithMarguerite,though.Infact,IthinkshecanhelplguyyouusedtobebeforeIwasborn.""HowwouldyouknowwhatIwaslikebeforeyongonhissonwithsuspicion.Christianshrugged."Theauntstalk.Whenyou'reatyoureadsandlamenthow'wonderfulandeasygoingandhappy'youwerebefore'thatwoman'rntingalot,"headdeddryly."I'dsayit'sanItalianthing,butmostofthemweren'timace,butsaidquietly,"Shedidn'truinmylife.Shegavemeyouandthatwasahellightly,andthenheglancedaway,uncomfortablewiththeemotionalmoment."Yeah,welleveralminutesofsilencetopass."Toobadshedidn'tagree,butinsteadtriedtokiluliussaidquietly,troubledbythepainhesawflashonhisson'sface.Christiangld""Shetoldhermaid,Magda,tokillyou,"heexplained.Christianconsideredthisdshehavebeenlying?"

7/31/2019 argenue 9

60/219

7/31/2019 argenue 9

61/219

"No,IwasthinkingmaybenextApril.Thenyoucouldmaybegiveheracall,arrangeadsnapped,"Yes,now.""Oh,right,"Juliusglancedarounduncertainly."Justpretendgested."I'msittingatthetableoutthereandyouandIcomeoutofthebathroom.Yoaited,andthenfrownedandasked,"What?WhatdoIsay?"Christian'sshouldersslumpeecounter."Youweresupposedtotellmewhatyouwouldsaytoher.""IfIknewwhatringatherallnight,"Juliuspointedoutimpatiently."Right,"Christiansighed."Orenttactic.We'llthinkofsubjectsyoucandiscusswithher."Juliusnoddedandtheiancursedwithexasperation."Father,youaren'tthisstupid.Theremustbesomething"Ofcoursethereis,"hesaidwithfrustration."Iwanttoknowwhatherlifehasbeenhereyouare!"Christianbrightened."No.ThereI'mnot,"Juliuscorrected."IfIaskppymarriagetoJeanClaudeandasI'vediscoveredthatwillhardlyencouragehertotionship.""Well,maybeyoucouldaskaboutherchildrenthen.ShelovesherchildrenanClaude,whichwillremindheroftheirunhappyunionand""Herjobthen,"ChristiJuliuslookeddoubtful."Itwillbeaveryshortconversation.Yourcaseisherfirst."atedhandthroughhishair."Well,wehavetothinkofsomething."Theywerebothconcegrowled,"Itsoundstomelikeyou'dbebetterofflettinghertalk."

7/31/2019 argenue 9

62/219

JuliusandChristianglancedsharplytothedoortoseeG.G.watchingthemwithamusemre?"Christianaskedwithirritation."Longenoughtoknowthatasoldasyoubothproboutwomen,"G.G.saidwithamusement.Pushinghimselfawayfromthewallwherehe'dbmtotheurinals."Andyoudo?"Christianaskeddryly."Yep."Hespoketothewallaslf."Tonsofthempassthroughthisplaceeverydayandit'salwaysthesamething.Taenallstandorsitaroundinlittlegroupslookingseriousandsayingverylittle,buometimesbringsaroundofnodsorlaughter.Butthewomen?"Hefinished,gavehimselfdmovedtothesinktowashhishands,glancingatthemasheadded,"Thewomentalk.liusaskedwithinterest.G.G.nodded,histallgreenMohawkunmovingonhishead."Thttotouchahand,anarm,oraknee,thentheyleanbacktolaughbeforeleaningforwheychatteronwithwhateverstorytheyaretelling."Themanwasspeakingwithgreatoks,heobviouslylovedwomen."Womenliketotalk,"hecontinued."Mendon't.Itworeyarenotbothtryingtotalkatonce.Thewomantalks,themangruntseveryonceinnwasstaringathimwithwide,ratherhorrifiedeyes,butJuliusnoddedandadmitted,,butsheisshowingadistressingreluctancetodoso.SheisquieterthanIrewouldapsandmovedtodryhishands."Youhavetogetheralone.She'salonefemalewithsren'tbigtalkers.Besides,fromwhatJeanneLouiseandMirabeauhavetoldme,shewasasmarriedto.It'snotanaturalstateforhertobesubmissive,butitwasforcedonllandstartmanagingthingssincehisdeath.That'smorenaturalforher,butnewatedbysomanymales.Getheralone.Askonequestionandshewillbloomforyou."Julnddidaskherquestionsandsheshutdown."

7/31/2019 argenue 9

63/219

"Youdidn'tasktherightquestion,then,"G.G.saidwithcertainty."Whatistherigh.G.consideredthepossibilitiesbriefly,andthennoddedashecametoadecision."Werauntwascominghere,shesaiditwastodoworkforadetectiveagency.Thathelpiidetobeadetective.""Yes,"Christiansaid."That'showImetherandhiredher."raboutthat.HowshelikedCalifornia.AbouthernephewVincentandthelifemateshet'saboutherfamily,whichfromallaccountssheloves,butfarenoughremovedthatirriage."Finisheddispensingadvice,henoddedandturnedtoleavetheroom."Ilikesedbehindtheman."Foramortalwithgreenhair,heis""Interesting?"Christiansuliusslippedhiscellphonefromhispocketandbegantopunchinanumberasheheadhatistakingussolong.AndIfindmyselfnoweagertogetoutofhereandgetMarguChapterSeven

Margueritepickedupherdrinkandfinishedoffthelastsipwithalittlesighofpleloodmixedwithtomatojui