Serafina and the Silent Vampire (18 page)

Blair wasn’t entirely surprised when he sensed the two people entering Sera’s flat through the office door. It was as good an excuse as any other to break off his frustrating telepathic conversation with his annoying “brother” Sebastian.

“I have to go,” he told him.

“Well, enjoy the mass slaughter.” Even telepathically, Sebastian could drawl in a way that made Blair want to smack him one. “Call me if you need a hand.”

“I won’t.” Ending the connection, Blair stood up to face his visitors.

It was the young man—Jack—who entered first, one hand in his pocket like a gangster letting everyone know he was armed. Close on his heels came Jilly, and, judging by the frown between her aggressively glaring eyes, her mood hadn’t softened any since the morning.

Blair stood perfectly still and inclined his head in polite greeting. Jilly ignored him, although Jack’s brows shot together in surprise. As if thrown, he nodded curtly.

“We want you to know that Sera is important to us,” he said sternly. “And we won’t allow you to cause her any harm. We’re watching, and believe me, there will be consequences.”

The girl nudged him with what looked like annoyance, and he added hastily, “
Severe
consequences.”

“We’ll stab you through the heart and cut your fucking head off,” Jilly explained.

Blair bowed ironically.

“Okay,” Jack said, as if that settled the matter. “Are you really on our side? Against Smith’s vampires?”

Again, Blair inclined his head. He left it to them to work out how ironic or not that was.

“I wish you could talk,” Jilly muttered.

“Oh, I doubt you do,” Blair thought as he met her gaze. Anger—semi-permanent anger—emanated from her in waves. Right now, much of it was of the mother-hen variety. She was genuinely scared for Sera, and Blair could sense the powerful ties that bound the two women. They’d stood together, looking after each other, since childhood, and behind her focus on himself, Blair picked up a load of images that explained it.

It was a bond from which the young man, Jack, was excluded. Jilly resented him as an interloper and yet valued his alliance now. And interestingly, her mother-hen blanket of angry protection extended over him too.

Blair felt her sudden blast of fear. She dragged her gaze free, gasping. “Are you reading my mind, you bastard?”

Blair didn’t move. She and Jack exchanged surreptitious glances. Perhaps even the human read the desperation in Jilly’s eyes, for he spoke with a stern dignity that wasn’t entirely laughable.

“Just so long as you know. She’s not alone. And we won’t stand by if you so much as
look
as if you’re going to hurt her.”

They glared at him some more as if they expected him to argue the point. Blair thought of advancing on them, just for purposes of entertainment, but scaring Sera’s friends was not really part of his plan at this stage, so he simply stood still and gazed from one face to the other until Jilly swung around and walked out of the room. Jack followed with a curt nod.

The trouble with humans was, they came with a lot of other humans by way of baggage. Which was one reason relationships with them rarely worked. A vampire needed solitude, freedom. The idea of being hemmed in not just by a lover’s expectations but by the expectations of all her family and friends was, frankly, appalling.

And yet she still intrigued him. He was impatient for her to come back. There were more things he wanted to do to her delectable body. And she smelled so good…

He was growing hard just thinking about her. He began to pace the room once more, feeling like a large, restless animal in a cage that was too small. He wanted blood, and he wanted Sera. He could do something about the former, at least, if he could just find a safe way out of here.

****

It was heading toward eight by the time Sera pushed open the door of Serafina’s, but Jilly, Jack, and Elspeth were all still there.

“I thought you’d have gone home,” she said in surprise. “You didn’t need to wait for me.”

Jilly gave her a significant look and jerked her head at the ceiling. The meaning was clear. They weren’t leaving the place while Blair was in residence upstairs. Sera, who’d had to force herself not to go to the flat first, could have told them he wasn’t there anymore, anyway. Or at least she could sense no more than an echo.

“How did it go with Melanie?” Jack asked. “Did you learn anything?”

“Not really. She knows who Smith is, and she seemed to think it might be possible he was controlling the vampires through magic. But she’s going to do research of her own and get back to us. She seemed hopeful. Anything happening here?”

“A couple of new clients,” Elspeth said. “I’ve booked initial appointments. And Dianne Thomson invited you to her dinner party and wants you to conduct a séance afterward.”

Dianne Thomson was a local celebrity and news reader. She paid good money. “We’ll do it,” Sera said.

“Oh, and that policeman was back looking for you. PC McGowan.”

Sera frowned. “What did he want?”

“He didn’t say. Actually, he looked relieved when I said you were out of town for the day.”

“I’m sure he’ll catch up with me eventually. Nothing else? Good, let’s all go home. I’ll lock up.”

She shooed them all toward the door, pretending to be oblivious to Jilly’s frowns and Jack’s hisses, although in the end, they only gave in when Elspeth had left, and Sera said, “He’s gone, okay?”

“Gone where?” Jack demanded.

“He can’t have,” Jilly said. “It’s not dark yet.”

Sera shrugged. “I’m sure he has ways of getting around.

Jilly gave her a skeptical glance. “What, through ancient sewer systems?”

“For all I know, yes. Though he seems more a smoking-blanket type to me. Shove off, and I’ll see you both in the morning.” She was about to close the door on their reluctantly retreating backs when she remembered. “Jilly?”

Jilly glanced back.

“Thanks for breakfast.”

Jilly smiled sourly. “I’d like to say you’re welcome, but actually, it wasn’t me.”

Blair?
Sera thought, stunned as she finally let the door shut.
Blair made me breakfast?
It almost made up for him not being there now.

She spent five minutes pottering around the office, signing a couple of checks Elspeth had left out for her and taking a note of the new clients for research purposes. What she really wanted to do was go up to the flat and soak in the bath for an hour. After which she’d make herself sexy and beautiful, just in case Blair came back.

“Sad old bat,” she told herself crossly. But the bath still sounded appealing. She grabbed her jacket and bag off the desk just as the outer door opened.

“Sorry, we’re closed for the day,” she said politely but firmly as she turned to face the man in the doorway.

Nicholas Smith stepped inside and closed the door. “It isn’t a professional call.”

Sera listened to the beat of her own heart. Every sense was on high alert as she scanned for any sign of vampire presence. But, of course, as Jilly had pointed out, it was too early for vampires.

“Don’t be alarmed,” Smith said. “I’m quite alone.” And strangely enough, she felt no sense of threat from him; she never had. Blair had said he was hypnotizing or mind controlling her in some way, and he was probably right. She had to be on her guard every instant, be aware of herself as well as of everything around her.

“What can I do for you?” she asked, trying to sound as neutral as possible.

“May we talk?”

“Sure.” She leaned her hip against the desk behind her but didn’t invite him to sit.

He didn’t seem to notice. Instead, he looked around the office, glancing through the open door into the inner office as he remarked, “Nice premises. I’ve been making enquiries about you, Sera—may I call you Sera?”

“Sure,” she said again. She smiled. “Nick.”

“I see. We’ve both been researching. I find you interesting on many levels, but since we barely know each other, I’d like to concentrate on the business angle.” He grinned openly. “My dear girl, you have a fine scam going here, with just enough genuine stuff in the mix to promote your reputation above the norm. Congratulations.”

“Thank you. I think.”

“Oh yes, it
is
a compliment. Which is why I’ve come to talk to you today. You don’t object to making a little money, do you, Sera?”

“Who does?”

“Exactly. I don’t know how much you’ve worked out for yourself, but you should be aware I am in the process of acquiring a little money myself.” He smiled. “But why be modest? I’m in the process of acquiring a
huge
amount of money. A lifetime’s inexhaustible supply, in fact.”

Steeling herself, she gazed directly and deeply into Smith’s eyes. “Wouldn’t that get boring for a man like you?” she asked lightly.

“Oh no. A redistribution of so much wealth must change society and government, and I plan to have rather more influence on those things than I do now. That too comes with wealth and could never be boring.”

“Let’s be clear here, Nick,” she said carefully. “Are you planning on governing vampires or humans? And if the latter, do you really imagine there will be many humans left to govern while your vampires are running riot through the country?”

“The balance will be altered,” he confessed. “But I don’t foresee the extinction of humanity or anything like it.”

“Don’t you?” she said, fascinated in spite of herself.

“The killings are accidental,” he said sadly. “They’ll learn in time. They do understand they’re not meant to kill unless I say.”

Thoughtfully, Sera swung her foot, brushing it against the leg of the desk. “Aren’t you at all afraid they’ll turn on you? You must know they’re not famed for obedience or disciplined living.”

His lips twitched with genuine amusement. “No, I’m not afraid. I’m in control, you see.”

“But for how much longer?” It was a shot in the dark, but she pushed it home anyway. “Isn’t there some limit to numbers or distances you can influence?”

He didn’t quite like that. She could sense that much. In fact, without touching him, she was pretty sure he planned to lie. Then he said reluctantly, “There may be a limit. If so, it won’t matter. I still have the nucleus of my own vampires to protect me.”

She held his gaze. “And who will protect everyone else?”

“That isn’t our problem.”

“Our?” she pounced. “Whose is ‘our’?”

“Yours and mine,” he said steadily. “That’s my offer, Sera. I’ll cut you in.”

She stared at him. He lifted his hand, offering it to her. She didn’t know if she was meant to shake on the deal or confirm the truth of his offer through touch. Did he really know that much about her? She reached out and grasped not his fingers but his wrist.

“I’ll cut you in,” he repeated.

It was no lie. He meant it. But her head felt suddenly heavy. She was getting lost in his eyes. Until she worked out what was happening and threw him out.

“Just testing,” he said, unabashed as she let his hand drop back to his side. “I didn’t think I could influence you, and I can’t. But my offer stands.”

“Why?” she demanded. “You’ve got it made, apparently. What good could I do you?” Enlightenment dawned, and she laughed. “You think I’ll bring Blair. You want Blair on your side because he can kill your vampires as easily as you or I breathe.”

“I’d welcome Blair,” he admitted. “He has power and influence among the older vampires. His compliance, or at least nonaggression, would be a distinct advantage. And I certainly can’t compel him.”

“Well, neither can I,” Sera said dryly.

“I think you underestimate yourself. You were the deciding factor last night. But in any case, Blair is purely secondary, a fringe benefit, if you like, to my offer.”

“Why?” she asked again. And this time let him come up with his own answers.

He said, “I find I want you to be safe. If you’re with me, I can keep you safe.”

She blinked. “Why?” she asked for the third time. “What the hell’s so special about me? You obviously don’t give a shite about all those other people you’re feeding to your tame vampires.”

“You know,” Smith said.

“No, I fucking don’t.”

“Sera, you’re my daughter.”

Once, long ago, when she’d been very young, she’d lain awake at night imagining scenarios like this, when some kind, handsome man radiating security and happiness would come and claim her as his daughter. She’d dreamed of his sweeping her away from the institutionalized dullness of the home and from the hidden dislikes and cruelties of various foster homes. He’d even looked a little like Nicholas Smith. That was dreams for you.

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m not.”

“You are. I found your birth certificate.” He shoved some document in front of her eyes. The letters danced illegibly. She snatched it from him, blinking until she could take in the words. Serafina MacBride. Her date of birth. Mother: Rebecca Frances MacBride.

Rebecca.

She swallowed and dropped the paper on the desk. “Father conveniently blank. Insert as required. Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Why would I make it up?”

It was a good question, but she was in no mood to play. “Because you’re insane? How should I know?”

He leaned forward, all but peering at her. “You’ve never seen that before, have you? You didn’t even know her name.”

“Why should I? I’ve never needed it.”

“Weren’t you the least bit curious?”

“Why? The only thing they ever told me about her was that she was dead.”

“But you can talk to the dead.”

She didn’t mean to laugh, but it escaped anyway, short and strident and derisive. “Only those I don’t—” She broke off and straightened, brushing past him, but he wouldn’t make it easy for her.

“Only those you don’t love?”

Not Mattie. Not George. And certainly not her mother.

“I have no interest in my ancestry,” she said coldly. “I’ve made my own life.”

“Then choose to throw in your lot with me. Please, Sera. We have a lot to catch up on.”

Somewhere, she registered the genuine pleading in his voice, but it wasn’t enough. It wasn’t nearly enough.