I couldn’t bear to stay in an outfit that required me to wear those painful heels, but I did take care to wear something I hoped Lucius would appreciate — a low-cut, dark red wrap top, and a skirt in coordinating shades of red and black and gray. A little more care with my makeup, including a matte red lip. But was it too much?
My reflection stared back at me, hazel eyes serious. Since I’d only put on a bit of brown eyeshadow and mascara, the red lipstick didn’t look too overdone. I needed a strong lip to go with the colors I was wearing. After another long look, I decided it should be okay.
Someone knocked at the door. My semivive driver, I supposed, since it was now six-thirty. The pickup time had inched forward a little each evening, no doubt accommodating the gradually lengthening days. In a few days, we’d be back on Daylight Savings Time, and I supposed then I wouldn’t hear from the driver until closer to seven-thirty.
No, it wouldn’t matter, because by Saturday night Silas would have been freed, and I wouldn’t be forced to share these dinners with Lucius anymore. It would have been nice to have had a confirmation from a vision that the future I’d glimpsed with Silas was my true one, but no such luck. I had to cling to the image of the two of us in that sunny green meadow, and hope I wasn’t believing in a future which would never come to pass.
I headed downstairs, pausing to retrieve my purse from where it sat on the dining room table, and to grab a jacket from the coat closet by the front door. Again the day had been mild, but by the time I came home, it would be much colder. I didn’t want to take any risks.
As usual, the semivive really didn’t say anything to me, only nodded and stepped out of the way so I could emerge from the condo and lock the door behind me. Once again I was glad that no one seemed to have noticed my comings and goings; I had a feeling that not-Brian did his best to make sure Lewis was otherwise occupied during the times I was being picked up. The drop-off wasn’t as big a deal, just because at that time of night the two of them should be safely in bed.
Another drive through the dusk, another fifteen minutes where I had to mentally prepare myself for the evening ahead. At least tonight I wouldn’t have to worry about drawing anyone’s blood, but I’d still have to convince Lucius to take me out. Thank God Thursday really was my birthday. I had a feeling he already knew the date, and so would have known right away if I was attempting to pass off another day as my special day.
Through the porte cochère, and into the house. Unlike the day before, Lucius was waiting for me immediately inside. His silvery eyes lit up as he caught sight of me, and he reached out to take my hands.
“You are looking lovelier than ever, my dear,” he said, then pulled me toward him so he could kiss me. Lightly, though, as if he didn’t want to disturb my lipstick.
“Thank you, Lucius,” I replied. “I thought it was sort of a special occasion, since I dropped off the samples today.”
“And it all went smoothly?”
“Oh, yes. The facility looked very impressive. And Ms. Gutierrez made it sound as if she had a team standing by, so they’re probably working on it as we speak.”
“Splendid. That does sound like a celebration. I have food and wine waiting for us, so let us go lift a glass.”
I nodded, and followed him to the game room. As he’d promised, a meal already appeared to be ready to go, although I couldn’t tell what it was, since all the dishes were protected by silver covers to keep in the heat. Lucius went immediately to the bottle that sat in the center of the table, and poured a good measure into each of the glasses that had been set out. He handed one to me, and then took the other for himself.
“Shall we drink to the success of our research project?”
“Absolutely,” I said, and sipped at the glass of wine he’d given me. Bold, but not too heavy, with a hint of spice at the finish. “Tempranillo?”
“Yes,” he replied. “You have a well-trained palate.”
“My father is really into wine,” I explained. “So I started drinking it when I was still in high school. He thought the European way was better — letting us kids have a taste and learn to appreciate it, instead of turning it into forbidden fruit. It was probably wise, because none of us got too hung up on the whole drinking thing when we were in college.”
“Yes, you Americans do tend to be rather puritanical when it comes to alcohol. I always thought a measured approach was better. But please — do sit down.”
I did as he asked, taking the chair nearest me. He put down his glass of wine and sat as well, then lifted the covers from the food. I couldn’t quite identify what it was, but it smelled divine.
“Chile verde,” he said. “I hope it isn’t too spicy for you.”
“I can handle it.”
A hint of a smile, just a lift at the corner of his mouth. Then he picked up the silver ladle and put a portion of the chile verde — which appeared to be some kind of Mexican pork stew, something I’d never had before — on my plate, along with a helping of rice. After getting some for himself, he said, “I suppose it’s far too early to ask if we have any kind of timeline for the project.”
“Yes, it is far too early.” I took a bit of the chile verde. Wow. Tasty, but he was right about it being hot. Luckily, there was enough rice on my plate to temper the sting somewhat. “But Shelby Gutierrez did say that Jackson had hired two shifts of people to do the work, so with any luck, it’ll go quickly enough.”
“That is good news.”
For a moment we were both silent as we ate. Not for the first time, I noticed how Lucius didn’t seem to have any real reticence about eating regular food, unlike his fledglings, all three of whom had appeared about as picky as a three-year-old when it came to consuming everything that was put before them. Maybe dealing with human food was a skill that came with age, or maybe Lucius forced himself to eat what he normally wouldn’t, simply because he was trying to make me feel more at ease around him.
I decided I might as well broach the subject of my birthday. Delaying wouldn’t make discussing the topic any easier. “Speaking of special occasions….”
He put down his fork. “Yes?”
“Well, Thursday is my birthday.”
“Yes, I know. I was wondering whether you were going to bring it up.”
I had to repress a flicker of irritation at his comment. All right, I’d already guessed that he knew exactly when my birthday was, but it was still annoying to think that he had access to all kinds of information about me. Bet he knows my blood type, too, I thought sourly, although I had to admit there were particular reasons why that sort of information would be of value to a vampire.
“Would you have, if I hadn’t?”
“I’m not sure. In general, if a woman doesn’t want to mention her birthday, there are often very good reasons why she wishes to keep it secret.”
“Maybe, but I’m not trying to hide my age or anything. It’s more that…well, with everything that’s been going on, it sort of slipped my mind. This one isn’t a milestone or anything.”
“But it is still your birthday, and therefore should be celebrated.” Lucius tapped one finger against the side of his wine glass. “What would you like to do?”
Here it came. I supposed I should be glad he had asked first. That put some of the responsibility on him. “Can we go out for dinner?”
The request clearly surprised him; his eyebrows lifted, and his head tilted as he gazed across the table at me. “I can have anything you like brought here, you know.”
I’d been afraid he’d say something like that. Pushing aside my worry, since I really didn’t want to get into an argument and blow the whole thing, I said, “Yes, I know that. And everything you’ve provided has been wonderful. But…there’s just something about going out. It makes an event more festive. There are a couple of places here in Pasadena that would be wonderful — Cafe Santorini, or Bistro 45. Or the Raymond. You can choose, because any of them would be fine. But I would like to go out with you.”
“In public. With me.”
I summoned a smile. “Well, yes. Do you think it’s that strange? I mean, we’re going to be together. My visions have shown that. Doesn’t it make sense for us to be seen together?”
His expression, which had been almost blank but at the same time oddly tense, seemed to relax somewhat. “Yes, Serena, it makes perfect sense. I’m honored that you would want to go to dinner with me, to a place where we might meet people you know.”
The odds for such a thing weren’t particularly high, considering how narrow the world of my friends and acquaintances had been lately, but I supposed there always was the risk of running into some of my parents’ friends. It was a chance I’d have to take. Besides, I had no doubt my mother had already mentioned to a few of her fellow ladies who lunch that her daughter was seeing a handsome, wealthy investor who lived in Linda Vista. Such a pronouncement could only raise me in their estimation.
“Of course I want to,” I lied. “I’m proud to be seen with you.”
He smiled then, such a genuine smile that I experienced a pang of remorse. I hated lying to people…even to a vampire.
But I thought of Silas, chained in the cellar, and of all the deaths that could be attributed to Lucius Montfort over all the years of his unnatural life. Lying to him was a very small sin compared to his transgressions.
“And your family?” he asked then. “They won’t expect to see you on your birthday?”
“No,” I said, glad that at least here I could be truthful. “The last few years, I didn’t want them to make a fuss. Actually, I insisted on it. So my parents are used to not doing much, although I’m sure they’ll send flowers, like they always do.”
“That is thoughtful of them. Well, if I’m not taking you away from your family, then I’d be honored to take you to dinner. I’ll be sure to make reservations.”
“Where?”
His silvery eyes almost twinkled. “You gave me some suggestions. I’ll decide which one, however. That way, it can be a surprise.”
“All right. That sounds like fun.”
A smile. I could tell he was pleased that I wouldn’t argue with him about the venue, that I’d let him make that decision. Fine by me. I really didn’t care where we went, as long as it wasn’t here. We’d go out for dinner and then…
…and then, Silas would be free, hopefully before Lucius and I even got to dessert.
Yes, I was definitely looking forward to this birthday.
The next day was a quiet one. I thought about going to shop for a dress for my birthday dinner, but realized the black cocktail dress Vanessa had given me to wear at her fashion show’s reception was nicer than probably anything else I could find locally. And I still had some Dermablend to cover up the scars on my leg, so the short skirt shouldn’t present a problem. Some part of me hated the idea of wearing the dress, just because I’d forever associate it with my sister’s death, but I told myself to be practical. The dress fit me like a glove, a quality I hoped I could use to my advantage.
Anything to keep Lucius distracted.
I didn’t hear from Shelby Gutierrez at the lab, but then, I really hadn’t expected to. As impatient as Lucius might be, that sort of research wasn’t the sort of thing where you could expect to see significant findings within the space of a day, or a week. Probably not even a month, although I hoped they would be able to come up with something to help Addison. No matter what a mess the rest of the situation was, she didn’t deserve the cards the universe had dealt her. We needed to find her a cure.
And I’d already contacted Felix the night before, just as soon as I got home. Or rather, I went to Google Maps and zeroed in on Humboldt, and within the minute a message box popped up on my screen. I let him know that we were a go for Thursday night, and to plan accordingly. The only thing I didn’t know for sure was the time of our reservations, but I figured eight o’clock should be safe. Besides, Felix assured me that they would be surveilling Lucius’ mansion and wouldn’t do anything until they saw him drive away, so that particular detail should be handled.
The hardest part was going to the mansion that Wednesday evening and pretending everything was fine, was normal, that I wasn’t praying with every ounce of my being that my birthday dinner with Lucius the following night would be the last I’d ever have to share with the vampire. If he noticed anything off, he didn’t give any sign of it. He didn’t even look all that disappointed when I told him I hadn’t heard anything from the lab. He only shrugged and said he would have been shocked to learn that they’d discovered anything so early on. Well, Lucius was used to playing the long game. Inwardly, he might be experiencing some impatience, but he knew how these things worked.
Problem was, my niece Addison didn’t have the time to play a long game.
I didn’t betray anything of my worry, however. Since the day had been unseasonably warm for early March, Lucius and I walked in the gardens after dinner, and spoke of what we would be able to do once a serum had been developed for him. He wanted to take me to Italy, to Greece. I’d visited when I was in high school, but hadn’t been back since. I told him that sounded lovely, and that I was looking forward to sharing all those sights with him.
At the end of the evening, he kissed me, and I closed my eyes and prayed that this, too, would be one of the last times I ever had to let his lips touch mine.
Before I left, he let me know that he would pick me up at seven o’clock the next evening, and once again I was in the back seat of the Mercedes, having the brown-haired semivive drive me home.
The morning of my birthday, a delivery man showed up with a bouquet of lilies and peonies, some of my favorites. From my parents, of course. Tucked into the arrangement was a card wishing me a very happy day. I’d told my parents that Lucius was taking me out that night, and so they didn’t press very hard about getting me to spend the day with them. My mother added a postscript saying that she hoped I might bring Lucius over for cocktails sometime, but that was all. Very subdued for her, and I couldn’t help but be grateful.
Getting ready took a good deal of time. I washed my hair and set it with hot rollers so it would fall in heavy waves down my back, and then I spent at least a half hour on my makeup, doing my best to get it perfect. No, not as expert a job as the makeup artists at Vanessa’s fashion show might have done, but I still thought I looked pretty good by the time I was finished with everything. I needed to look good. I wanted to make sure that all of Lucius’ attention was on me, so focused that he would want to have the dinner last for as long as possible.
Then the dress and the shoes. Dead simple jewelry — my white gold Longines watch, the diamond studs my mother had given me, a thin silver rope chain around the same wrist as the watch, and on the middle finger of my right hand, the white gold and diamond band that my grandmother had left me.
When I was done, I nodded at my reflection in approval. I did look very San Marino old money. My mother would be proud.
I had to hope that Lucius would be proud to be seen with me as well, that he’d be distracted enough by my appearance and the novelty of an evening out that he wouldn’t be paying any attention to what might be happening back at the mansion.
I checked my watch. Six fifty-two. I drew in a breath, took one last look at myself in the mirror to make sure everything was still in place. My feet were already beginning to hurt from the strappy high-heeled sandals I wore, but I ignored the discomfort. I’d only have to walk from my place to the car, and from the car to the restaurant. Some wine would help me ignore the fact that heels tended to be torture devices for me now, because of the injuries I’d suffered during the accident. Anyway, I was ready to endure screaming agony, if it meant that Silas would be free soon.
Then came the knock at the door. I drew in a breath, ran my hands down the silk dress I wore, and went to answer that knock. Outside stood Lucius, looking impeccable in a black suit with a pale gray shirt and black and red tie. I realized then that I’d never seen him wear anything other than variations on that combination of colors. Didn’t he ever get tired of them? Or maybe he preferred to keep things simple, because that way everything in his closet would go with everything else.
I didn’t have time to ponder the question further, because he smiled at me and said, “Serena, you are simply stunning. Happy birthday.”
“Um — thank you,” I replied.
“Shall we?” He offered his arm.
I didn’t have much choice but to take it. Locking up was a little awkward because I only had one free hand, and I didn’t even bother with turning on the alarm. My parents probably wouldn’t have been pleased by that lapse, but really, the security system was there more to protect me rather than the items inside my condo. Anyway, with not-Brian performing guard duty next door, I knew I didn’t have much to worry about.
Lucius’ arm steadied me as we went down the stairs and headed toward the area set aside for visitor parking. I was surprised to realize that the semivive driver was nowhere in sight; I’d just assumed he would be playing chauffeur this evening.
“You’re driving?” I asked as Lucius opened the passenger door for me.
“Yes,” he said. “I thought it would be more intimate. I can drive, you know — I just choose not to most of the time.”
“Considering SoCal traffic, I don’t blame you,” I told him, and he flashed me a quick smile before he closed the car door and came around to take his place in the driver’s seat.
We pulled out of the parking lot and headed west on Cordova. Lucius did seem to know what he was doing behind the wheel, because he appeared calm and in control the whole time, even when he had to quickly change lanes to avoid getting sideswiped by some idiot in a delivery truck who was a little too aggressive about pulling out of a driveway at the last minute. The near-miss set my heart pounding, but, as far as I could tell, Lucius didn’t even blink.
Since he didn’t comment on the incident, I remained silent, noting how we turned south on Fair Oaks, heading away from old town Pasadena. That seemed to nix several of my dinner suggestions, and imply that Lucius had decided to take me to the Raymond Restaurant, probably the most intimate and — possibly — the most expensive of all of them.
Not that he couldn’t afford to buy us dinner there, of course. But the choice seemed to indicate that he did want this evening to be extra-special. Well, he could assign any meaning to it he wanted to, as long as by doing so we were able to stay away from the mansion for a decent chunk of time.
He aimed the Mercedes into the narrow driveway, and came to a stop at the valet station. Immediately a man in a white shirt and black tie approached the car and said, “Welcome to the Raymond, sir.”
“Thank you,” Lucius replied. He accepted a ticket from the valet, who then came around to my side and opened the door for me.
I got out, doing my best not to wobble on my high heels. Almost at once Lucius was there, again offering his arm, this time so he could guide me into the restaurant.
“A cocktail first?” he asked, after he’d checked in with the girl at the hostess station. “Our reservation isn’t until seven forty-five.”
“Sure,” I replied. The bar at the restaurant was legendary, even though I really wasn’t much of a mixed-drink girl. One drink shouldn’t do too much to mess me up, however.
He guided me into the bar, where we were lucky enough to snag a table in the corner that one of the busboys had just finished wiping down. A waiter came to ask what we’d like, and I ordered a pomegranate martini, while Lucius got a Pimms cup, whatever that was.
The drinks came quickly. As I lifted my glass, I took a quick glance at my watch. Seven thirty-two. Would the gula be converging yet, or did they still plan to wait until after eight o’clock, just to be safe?
I had no way of knowing. The one thing I did know was that I didn’t dare reveal my anxiety, couldn’t give the slightest hint to Lucius that this evening was anything other than the birthday celebration I’d told him it was. I had to smile, and laugh, and pray that he couldn’t see the anxiety behind my eyes.
We chatted, saying nothing of much consequence because there were too many listening ears close by. Or rather, it certainly seemed as though everyone around us was absorbed in their own conversations, but you couldn’t be too careful. Just as we were finishing our drinks, the hostess came into the bar to fetch us, saying our table was ready.
She led us outside to the patio, where strings of lights hung overhead and a fire crackled away in the large stone hearth off to one side. Although the day had been warm enough, the air had cooled as soon as the sun set. That didn’t seem to matter out here, though, because gas-powered portable heaters had been set out at judicious intervals around the space, providing plenty of warmth. It also helped that we got a prime seat very close to the fireplace, and I was able to sit with my back to it. Even so, I was glad of the lightweight black wool shawl I’d brought with me.
A minute or so after that, the waiter came by to tell us the specials. Lucius hadn’t even glanced at the wine list, but he seemed to know exactly what he wanted, as he ordered an ’03 Cotes du Rhone.
“Did you have something particular in mind?” I inquired as I looked over the menu. So many things sounded interesting, but his choice was so specific that I guessed he’d already decided on our entrees.
“The rib-eye for two? That does seem like a rather special meal.”
Really, as long as he wasn’t ordering blowfish purée or some other abomination, I really didn’t care. However, since I also didn’t have an issue with red meat, I nodded and said that sounded wonderful, and maybe we could try the cedar-planked vegetables to start things off?
Lucius was amenable to that. He truly did seem to be in a very mellow mood, although I supposed he was also on his best behavior because we were out in public. For a Thursday night, the restaurant was fairly crowded, but no one seemed to be paying much attention to us.
The wine came, and Lucius pronounced it excellent, and then gave the waiter our order. Once we were alone again, he raised his glass and said, “Happy birthday, Serena.”
I lifted my glass and clinked it against his, then drank. The wine really was marvelous, complex, with rich tannins that would stand up to the steak we’d ordered, and I wished I could relax and enjoy it more. However, I knew that wasn’t possible, not when I couldn’t help brooding in the back of my mind over whether Felix and his team had arrived at the mansion yet. For all I knew, Silas was already free, and yet I was forced to be here with the vampire who’d imprisoned him.
Once we’d both had a few more sips of wine, Lucius went on, “I wanted to get you a birthday present, but I wasn’t quite sure what you wanted.”
I smiled at him. Right then, I could only be glad that he hadn’t bought me anything. I knew I shouldn’t feel guilty for the subterfuge I was currently engaged in, and yet I still experienced just the slightest niggle of remorse for having him take me out to this restaurant merely so the gula would have an opportunity to stage a commando raid. “This is enough,” I said, with a tilt of my head toward the rest of the patio, toward the restaurant itself. “It’s just lovely out here.”
“I’m glad you like it, but I fear you misunderstood me.” He paused there, and set down his wine glass so he could reach into the inside pocket of his suit jacket. “I did get you something…but in a way it’s something for the both of us.”
The box he produced was robin’s egg blue. Tiffany blue. My heart seized up. No, he couldn’t have. He didn’t —
He opened the box. Inside glimmered a large square-cut diamond set in a minimalist mounting of white metal. Platinum, I thought faintly. Lucius wouldn’t bother with white gold.
My stomach heaved, even as he said, “I know this may be somewhat premature, since so much depends on the outcome of your brother’s research, but I found I could not wait. Serena, we will be together. I want ours to be a formal joining. Will you be my wife?”
I stared at him, mouth dry. My first instinct was to get up from the table and bolt out of there, wobbly sandals or no, but I realized that wasn’t a very mature response. Worse, it would only prove to Lucius that I had no desire to be his wife…or anything else. I swallowed, just to get some moisture back in my throat. “Lucius, I — I don’t know what to say.”
“Well, ‘yes,’ is generally considered to be the appropriate answer.”
He didn’t sound annoyed. One eyebrow was lifted at a rather ironic angle, but all he did was sit there, holding the box. Obviously, he was waiting to see how I would respond.
“I — ” God, what to do? I realized I had to tell him yes, of course I would marry him, or the gig would be up. I didn’t have any choice. Anyway, agreeing to someone’s marriage proposal wasn’t legally binding. I’d back out as soon as I could. For now, though….
I’d given Lucius a lot of fake smiles over the past few weeks. However, this one was the hardest to force. He had to believe that I wanted nothing more than to be his wife. So I smiled at him and said, “Yes, Lucius. Yes. Of course I’ll marry you.”