Her eyes swept over my form that lay under the sheets and stopped at on my face. "I don't know. When'd you get back from your date last night?"
I swallowed hard and scrunched my face into a frown. "Date? I didn't go on a date." Felicia snatched the sheets from my hands and flung them away. "Hey!"
A wide lecherous smile slipped over her lips. "Then how come you didn't come back before two this morning, and you're still in your clothes?"
"Because I-" I paused and raised an eyebrow. "How do you know I wasn't home by then?"
She dropped the sheets onto the end of the bed and shrugged. "Because I wanted to interrogate you about your rich boyfriend."
I glared at her. "He's not my boyfriend!"
She jerked her thumb over her shoulder in the direction of the living room. "Then how do you explain the shit-load of roses in the living room? Your own work place had them delivered here last afternoon"
I bit my lower lip. "He was just-well, just apologizing for being a jerk, that's all."
Her eyes fell on my covered neck. She nodded at the band. "You hiding a hickey?"
I reached up and pressed my hand against the band. "I-um-"
"What the hell is that?"
I jumped a mile off the bed and looked around me. "What? Where?"
Felicia pointed at my neck. "Where'd you get that thing?"
I followed her gaze and my eyes widened. There, beneath the band, was the necklace Simon had given me.
Felicia scooted closer to me and leaned towards the necklace. "That must've cost a fortune. And he gave that to you?"
I leaned away from her. "I-um, kind of," I admitted. My eyes flickered around the room and fell on my alarm. "Shit, would you look at the time? Guess I'd better get going to work!" I jumped out of bed and raced past Felicia.
She spun around and waved her fist at me. "You can't run forever! You'll come home tonight and then I'll get you, and your little dog, too!"
My coat and purse were in a bundle on the chair closest to the door. I snatched them on my way past and rushed out the door. I didn't stop for a break until I hit the stoop and froze. My car sat on the curb in front of the apartment building.
A chuckle caused me to spin around. I found Harold seated in his usual spot. There was a wide smile on his face as he tipped his head to me. "Morning, Miss Luvena. Have a nice sleep?"
I raised an eyebrow and jerked my head towards my car. "Did you see me drive up?"
He shook his head. "No, Miss Luvena." I pursed my lips and turned back to the car. "It wasn't you who drove up. It was some guy who was driving you."
I whipped my head back to him. "Some guy? Did you know him?"
Harold shook his head. "No, Miss Luvena, but he was a nice man." He dug into one of his bottomless pockets and brought out a fifty-dollar bill. "He gave me this and said I was to tell you it wasn't a dream."
My heart skipped a beat and my eyes widened. I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Did he tell you his name?"
Harold smiled and nodded. "Yep. Said his name was-" He paused and furrowed his brow. "What was it again? Sean? Steve?"
"Simon?" I guessed.
Harold crinkled his eyes and nodded. "Yep, that's the one, Miss Luvena. A right nice fellow he was, but he didn't look too well. He was kind of white and stuff. Like you're kind of looking, Miss Luvena."
I stumbled against the stoop railing. My shaking hands grasped the railing and a sweat broke out on my brow. My eyes stared at the steps, but I didn't comprehend what I saw. I didn't even hear Harold's voice in the background. The only thing I knew was the chant that echoed again and again in my mind.
It wasn't a dream. It wasn't a dream.
I started when Harold shook me on the shoulder. His grimy face leaned to one side and studied mine. "You okay, Miss Luvena?"
I shook myself and moved down the stairs. "Y-yeah, I'm fine. Just-um, just tired, that's all. Late night and everything. I'll see you later."
I hopped into my car and drove, but not to work. No, I needed to go somewhere. I needed answers.
Those answers lay at the top floor of the Park Place Avenue Penthouse.
CHAPTER 2
I slipped into my car and worked at the clasp to the necklace. The workings were beyond me and I gave up after ten minutes of struggle.
I wound my way through the traffic of a weekday and drove onto the prestigious Park Place Avenue. The traffic noticeably declined and I received some unwanted attention from women in fashionable attire who walked the unbroken sidewalks with their labradoodle dogs on the leash. They stared at my car like it was a crime against humanity, and I was the criminal. They failed to notice the tiny slip of paper on my dashboard. That was my ticket to see Simon.
I turned into the parking garage of the Penthouse and stopped at the booth. A wide, striped pole blocked the way. A different man than the night before slouched against the counter of the window and studied me with disinterested eyes.
"Yes?" he asked me.
I tapped my dashboard. "I need through."
He followed my finger and his eyes fell on the parking ticket. They widened, and he stood at attention. "Yes, ma'am. Sorry for the delay." He pressed a button and the barrier lifted.
I drove into the parking garage, but glanced in my rear view mirror. The man in the booth glared back at me.
I parked my car in the thirteenth berth. The limo from last night sat two spots down from me, and there were no cars between us. Simon must have rented most of the parking spaces along that wall.
I stepped out and made my way to the elevator. The gloom of the garage cast a deep shadow over the closed doors. I reached them and stretched out my hand to press the call button.
My finger was an inch from the button when the button lit up and the doors swung open. I started back. The sole occupant was Certus and his red eyes stared unblinkingly at me. He stood in front of the button panel and bowed his head to me.
"Good morning, Miss Luvena," he greeted me.
I frowned. "How'd you. . .did you know I was here?"
He pointed at something above and behind me. I followed his gaze and noticed a curved mirror in the high corner of the garage. "Mr. Cruor doesn't leave anything to chance," Certus told me.
I returned my attention to him. "Is he able to talk to me right now?"
Certus nodded. "Yes. He's waiting for you now if you would accompany me."
I hesitantly stepped into the elevator, but I pressed my back into the farthest corner of the space. The doors shut and Certus pressed the button to the top floor. I swayed as the elevator shot up.
My eyes flickered to the pale man close to me. "How old are you?" I asked him.
He didn't look at me when he replied. "Two hundred years." After what I'd been through I didn't doubt his answer.
The elevator reached the thirtieth penthouse and I stepped out. Certus didn't follow. I turned to him and frowned. "Aren't you coming?"
He shook his head. "No. Mr. Cruor wishes to see you in private. Good morning." He bowed his head to me and the elevator door shut.
I pursed my lips and turned to the closed doors to the penthouse. I steadied myself and strode up to them. They were unlocked, and I peeked my head inside. The curtains on the windows were shut, but the main room was lit with electric lamps.
Simon occupied one of the chairs that was turned towards the door. His legs were crossed and his hands were clasped together while his elbows lay on the wide arms of the chair. He wore a posh gray suit with a red tie. The dim light cast shadows over his face and illuminated his red eyes.
He bowed his head to me. "Good morning."
I pursed my lips. "That depends."
"On what happened last night?" he guessed. I nodded. He gestured to the couch to his right. "Please have a seat." I reluctantly sat on the edge of one of the cushions. My eyes never left him. His smile widened. "Trying to read my thoughts?" he teased.
I shook my head. "I can't do that, but you can, so you know why I'm here."
; He chuckled. "I have no need of mind reading to know you want an affirmation of last night's events. They did happen, and you are changing into a vampire."
That was the blow I was waiting for, but no amount of will could have prepared me for the disappointment. I fell back against the couch and sank down.
Simon tilted his head to one side and studied me. "You're still disappointed."
I raised my head and glared at him. "No shit, Sherlock. What am I supposed to do now? Slowly die of sunburn?"
"You could work for me as my protege," he suggested.
I frowned. "I already have a-" My phone rang. I pulled it out of my pocket and cringed at the number on the screen. It was the flower shop. "Hello?"
"Where the hell are you?" Vorax growled.
"I'm-um, I'm sick," I replied. "I can't even get out of-cough-bed."
"Then stay in bed for the next couple of months, because you're fired!" Click.
I set my hand in my lap and looked dumbly at the screen. My heart sank along with my shoulders.
Simon chuckled. "You seem to have an employment problem."
My eyes flickered up to him and my eyebrows crashed down. "And it's all because of you," I retorted as I stuffed my phone back into my pocket.
"And that's why I offer you a position as my protege," he reminded me.
I raised an eyebrow. "What the hell does that even mean?"
He stood and strode behind the couch. I twisted around to follow him and he stopped behind me. He set his arms on the back of the couch and leaned towards my neck. His voice softened, and I felt that familiar hot thrill run through my body.
"It means I would like you to accompany me on several errands."
I jumped to my feet and spun around to face him. The greater distance helped me gain back some of my self-possession. I balled my hands into fists and glared at him. "Why the hell would I want to be with you after what you've done to me?"
I blinked, and Simon vanished. He was there one moment and gone the next. I whipped my head left and right, but there was no sign of him.
A pair of arms wrapped around my chest above my breasts. They pulled me backwards against a strong, cool chest. I stiffened as I felt Simon lean down and nip the trembling flesh along my neck. His whispering words made me close my eyes and shudder.
"Don't torture yourself with what was. Fate had greater plans for you than that little flower shop, and I as her agent directed you to this new life."
I bit my lower lip. My voice trembled. "I . . .I just want a normal life. Have a job, win the lotto, and die wealthy."
He chuckled. "Then I offer you a job, my wealth, and the possibility for an endless life of wealth."
I swallowed the lustful desire inside me and tilted my head back to look into his bright eyes. "Don't you ever regret what's happened to you? What you are now?"
The smile on his lips faltered. Sadness crept into those bemused eyes. He turned his face away from me. "What's done is done. The past cannot be changed, and the future awaits." He returned his gaze to me and his expression softened. A wistful smile crept onto his mouth. "Perhaps some day you may forgive me for being Fate's agent." His arms slipped off me. He stepped back and bowed low to me. "Until that day comes I offer myself as your guide through eternity."
I half-turned to him and sighed. I ran a hand through my hair and shook my head. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but-well-" I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, "-I guess I'll go along with this."
He straightened and his mischievous smile widened. "I'm not sure I quite understand what you mean."
I whipped my head towards him and glared at him. "You know damn well what it means. It means I'll be your 'protege' and you can show me this whole creatures-of-the-night world."
He stepped up to me and took my hand. I blushed when he pecked a delicate kiss on the back. His bright eyes flickered up to mine and he had that devilish smile on his lips. "Forever your servant, madam."
I pulled my hand from his grasp and turned away. "Whatever. Just where the hell do we start with this stuff, anyway?"
Simon strode past me and plopped himself on the couch beside me. He stretched his arms along the back of the couch and crossed his legs. "We start with the mistake I made last night."
I turned to him and frowned. "You mean turning me?"
He shook his head. "No, nor will I ever consider our union a mistake. What I was referring to was your intruding on my hobby."
I raised my eyebrow. "What hobby?"
Simon chuckled. "I have several weaknesses. One of them is for beautiful women and the other-" he nodded at my neck, "-is for that."
I followed his gaze and saw his eyes lay on the necklace that still hung around my neck. My eyes flickered up to him, and I held out the piece of jewelry. "You stole this, didn't you?"
He bowed his head. "Guilty as charged."
"Then I don't want it." I tried to pull off the necklace, but the clasp was beyond my limited skill.
Simon patted the seat beside him. "Let me assist you."
I reluctantly took a seat beside him and turned my back to him. He unclasped the necklace and slid the jewelry from my neck. I twisted around to find him admiring the jewels and gold.
"It's quite exquisite, isn't it?" he commented.
I frowned. "Did you steal this from another of your friends?"
He shook his head. "No, an acquaintance with a very fine store in Venice."
I stood and turned to face him. "I'm not going to help you steal from everybody."
Simon chuckled. "On the contrary, it's merely a matter of stealing from those more fortunate and less deserving, and giving the proceeds to those who have more need."
I snorted and crossed my arms over my chest. "So you're some sort of modern-day Robin Hood?"
He bowed his head. "In a way. I steal from the wealthy and invest, or keep, the proceeds for other purposes."
"Like your own?" I retorted.
"Sometimes, but-" There came a knock on the door. I turned to the entrance in time to see Certus step inside.
The servant bowed to us. "Mr. Cotio is here, as you requested."
"Show him in," Simon replied.
Certus bowed and stepped out of the room. In a moment he returned with a small, stooped man. The stranger's hair was grayed at the temples and he grasped his hat between his hands. His attire was a plain brown overcoat with a dapper gray business suit beneath that. He shuffled along behind Certus, but his keen eyes looked straight ahead and fell on Simon without flinching. The stranger shuffled up to Simon and bowed his head. Certus left the room and closed the door behind him.
Simon returned the man's bow. "Good morning, my dear Cotio."
Cotio studied Simon with a raised eyebrow. "I was surprised to see your message so early, sir, but I brought the item as requested." He reached into his overcoat and pulled out a flat, square velvet case. Cotio handed the case to Simon.
He opened the case. I leaned forward and my eyes widened. There, nestled atop a bed of silk and glistening in all its glory, was the missing bracelet of Miss Eileen Eres.
Simon closed the lid and handed the case back to Cotio. "Now return the item."
Cotio's mouth dropped open and his eyes bulged. "Return the item, sir?"
Simon nodded. "Yes. I needn't tell you to be as discreet as possible."
"B-but sir! The value on this piece alone is-" Simon held up his hand.
"I'm well aware of its value, but the catch was too easy. Return the bracelet as soon as you can," Simon ordered him.
Cotio snapped his mouth shut. He tucked the case into his overcoat and bowed his head. "As you wish. Will there be anything else?"
Simon shook his head. "Not at the present, but be prepared to receive the bracelet into your custody within the week."
Cotio blinked at him. "Into my custody? Again?"
Simon smiled. "Yes. I intend to steal it again, but in another way. Now go."
Cotio shook his surprise off and bowed his head again
. He shuffled out of the penthouse. I turned to Simon and raised an eyebrow.
"What are you doing?" I asked him.
"Making a sport of things," he replied as he stood and flashed me his sly smile. "Your intrusion on my hypnotizing Gemmarius last night made me realize my method of acquiring these jewels was too easy and too careless. We will try another route."
I held up my palms towards him and backed up. "Oh hell no. I'm not going to be a part of some thief business."
He chuckled. "Think of it as a hobby."
"Stamp collecting would be a less dangerous hobby," I pointed out.
"Yes, but not quite as amusing, and when you're as old as I the challenge is all that is left," he countered.
I dropped my arms to my side and frowned. "Seriously? Stealing from your friends as a challenge?"
His smile slipped from his face. "There are merely acquaintances, and chosen because of their various sins."
I snorted. "A vampire thief with a conscious? Yeah, right."
He strode past me to the door and grabbed his coat from the hanger. "Perhaps you would think differently of them if you knew what I knew, but that realization is something I'd rather show than tell you."
I turned around to face him and raised an eyebrow. "How? It's daytime. I thought sunlight killed vampires."
He turned to me just as he put his top hat on and smiled. His hands were covered by a pair of thick gray gloves and one hand held his cane. "A keen presentation also allows one to walk in the daytime, provided the sunlight doesn't directly touch my skin."
"So what if it indirectly touches your skin?" I wondered.
"Nothing. A reflection is a poor shadow to the real majesty of the sun," he told me. He opened the door to the penthouse and swept his hand towards the opening. "But would you care to come, or perhaps you'd prefer to remain here?"
I pursed my lips. "I'll go, but no stealing."
He chuckled and bowed his head. "I promise you will not be a party to my thieving."
"Fine. Let's get this over with."
CHAPTER 3
We rode the elevator to the garage where an idling white limo awaited us. The windows were tinted darker than the black one from last night. Certus stood beside the rear passenger door. He bowed and opened the door for us.
Simon strode up to Certus and I followed. "To the docks through the usual route," he instructed our driver.
Certus bowed his head. "Yes, sir."
Simon ducked inside and we took opposite sides in the rear so that we faced each other. Certus shut the door and the interior was plunged into darkness. I could vaguely make out Simon's outline just three feet in front of me. The car engine roared to life and we started on our way.