We arrive at our destination shortly thereafter. We probably could have walked in all honesty, but my sire definitely prefers the more luxuri
ous way of doing things. Not that I’m complaining as I glance down at my ring. Not the easiest thing to wear all day every day but he doesn't want me to take it off, so I don't.
He helps me out of the car but then steps to my side with his hand lightly on my back taking my words about Cole seriously.
Once seated in the restaurant, with drinks ordered, he looks at me seriously. Uh oh. Not usually a good sign.
"Can I ask you something?" he starts, and I gulp.
"Sure," I say, now wary myself.
"When you said that you could go and live on a mountain somewhere, did you mean it?" he asks cautiously.
Somewhat taken aback by that question, I recover and say, "Yes. For a time. It would be nice to just get away. Why?"
"Well, I think my use of the D'Arcangelo name is coming to an end and it is time to move on, although it isn't going to be as easy as all that this time."
I blink at him, not quite registering what he is saying. "What do you mean? It can't have been that long?"
"Twelve years, my sweet. And I am clearly not getting any older in an aging sense. I am not sure I can successfully pull it off any longer."
"Twelve years? Already?" I do the math and yes, it would be. I mean I have been Liv for coming up on nine years now. As that thought registers, it must pass across my face. We used to be able to stick with our old identities for decades – even centuries – if you moved from country to country. Without global fame and fortune it was easy. Nowadays it is so much more difficult. Well, not for me, obviously, but for the others. Also, his plans to move on, goes some way to explaining why he is happy to suddenly be seen out in public.
"I can't change. Not yet," I say, mild panic setting in. "Cole is still new. I can't pull him away from his life yet and Shift. He needs to feel normal still. Like things haven't drastically changed."
"I'm not suggesting you ask him to," he says mildly.
"No, you are just asking me to leave him and come away with you?" I say angrily.
He shrugs. "He can visit. You can still be you, be Liv. He wouldn't have to see a change in you if we did go and live atop a mountain for a few years."
"Constantine! That is not our agreement."
"No, it's not. But I have to think about moving on and I don't want to do that without you."
Softening slightly, I rack my brains for an alternative when suddenly, he peers over my shoulder with a sardonic look on his face.
"Now this feeling I remember well," he says with a sigh.
"What?" I ask, now confused.
"Being out in public with you and having every man in the room staring at you," he grouses.
I turn to look over my shoulder and while it's not every man staring at me, there is one in particular, standing casually at the bar and it makes my blood boil. Cade, I think angrily. I stand up to confront him. CK stands as well, seeing my anger, and as I take a step forward the whole room slows down until it comes to a complete stop. The whole room and everyone in it, that is, except me and, turning to CK, him as well.
"What the fuck?" I ask. He looks just as perplexed.
CHAPTER NINETY-EIGHT
"V alamAtrux. Sorry for the intrusion, but I was getting impatient."
I spin around towards the deep voice and see before my eyes the most attractive man of height with piercing blue eyes and short black hair. Christ, I do have a type and he is it. I raise my eyebrow at him, and he continues, "I am Xane Draconis of the House of Dracul and Demon Overlord, at your service, My Queen."
"Come again?" I say a bit stupidly.
He laughs at me. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you. I was beginning to think I never would."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Draconis, but you seem to have me at a disadvantage. Am I supposed to know who you are?"