“No, wait,” she said. “I’ll do it. ” She stood, feeling the gentling effect of the wine, and made her way casually toward the vampire.
He stood near the counter of the bar, sipping something from a cup. Even though she was innocently looking away, Victoria felt the moment she caught his attention.
She could imagine the picture she made-clearly a woman who was dressed in men’s clothing, for she’d left her hair unbound and removed her jacket in the warm evening.
The vampire stood tall, nearly as tall as Max, she realized as she came closer. His shoulders were broad, and despite the scar that cut along the edge of his jaw, he was a handsome man. And, she was fairly certain, a Guardian vampire. But she wouldn’t know for certain until his eyes began to glow.
“Well, well,” he said in a liquid voice that somehow penetrated above the dull roar of the eatery. “What is a lovely lady doing in such an ugly place?”
Victoria resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Instead, she gave him large, innocent ones and replied, “I was supposed to meet my brother here, but he hasn’t arrived yet. ”
“Your brother?” The interest in his voice ebbed.
“He was supposed to meet me yesterday evening,” she said. “But he’s late. ”
The vampire laughed, showing normal teeth. “I should say that is the case. How much longer do you intend to wait for him?”
“I don’t think he’s going to come after all,” she said ingenuously. “I’m thinking it’s time that I went home. ”
“By yourself? The streets are dangerous at night,” he said, leaning a bit closer.
What woman didn’t know that? “I’m not afraid. ” That was the truth.
“Perhaps you might like an escort?” he asked.
“I think not,” she said, giving him a coy smile. “I don’t usually walk with strange men. ” She rested some coins on the counter to give the impression that she had approached so as to settle her account. “Good night, sir. ”
She was nearly out the door when she felt the chill at the back of her neck intensify. A knowing smile tickled her lips, and she slowed her pace so that he could catch up to her.
But just as she stepped onto the crooked street, she saw Sebastian and Brim approaching. Both were moving quickly, obviously to see who could win the wager.
“Victoria,” said Sebastian as they slowed next to her. She felt the scarred vampire move past her and slip into the shadows. Neither Brim nor Sebastian made any attempt to follow him. Instead of going into the pub, they stopped at the entrance next to her.
“I’m very sorry,” said Brim. “I’ve made a mistake. ”
“A mistake?” Victoria frowned.
“I was looking for my tenth vampire, so I could win this wager with Vioget,” Brim explained. Victoria felt Sebastian’s eyes on her, and an odd chill went up her spine. Why was he looking at her that way?
Max. It had to be about Max. What had happened?
She swallowed and realized Brim was continuing his explanation. She forgot about the vampire and listened.
“I couldn’t find one, or sense one anywhere, and so I kept looking. I’d found the first nine rather quickly. But then, nothing. At last, I came to a small boarding-house and felt an undead was nearby. I found him. In one of the rooms, sleeping. Just as I staked him, I realized he was-”
“Tied up,” Victoria finished, her heart sinking.
“Tied up,” Brim repeated.
So Anton?n was gone.
She glanced toward T?n and nodded slowly.
That, she supposed, was what she deserved for attempting to interfere with divine will.
The gentle hand on his shoulder brought Max to reality.
He blinked, focused, swallowed, then breathed. A long, shuddering, deep breath.