Okay, now when a supernatural knows who Cassandra is and doesn't know who I am, we have a problem. Not that I care whether anyone recognizes my name, considering it's because of my infamous parents if they do. The problem is that while most supernaturals would leave the city to avoid contact with a vampire, there are . . . others.
"I met Josie a couple of years ago," Eloise said. "She is such a hoot. We went out drinking. Well, my kind of drinking, I mean, not hers, though I wouldn't have had a problem with that."
"Good," I said. "That's a very open attitude. So, about Anita--"
"And when I was in Toronto last year, I tried to meet Zoe Takano. Everyone said she hangs out at this bar. Miller's. Only she wasn't there and they wouldn't help me find her, and I think I had the wrong place, because it was so grungy."
"No, that's Miller's."
"She must have just been away, then. I really wanted to meet her. Is it true that she"--she lowered her voice again--"likes girls? That's what I heard. And she's really cute. She's Japanese, right? I think Japanese girls are so pretty. I don't, you know, swing that way. But for a vampire?" She grinned. "I'd totally make an exception."
Cassandra inched back. My phone vibrated. I checked discreetly and saw that I had a message--from Cassandra. How badly do we need to speak to this woman?
I texted back, Wondering the same thing.
"So, Eloise," I said. "About--"
"Do you think I might get to meet Aaron?" she said. "I was hoping he'd come out himself. Of course I'm completely thrilled to have you, Ms. DuCharme, but if both of you could have been here, I would have died. I have this thing for vampires."
"Really?" Cassandra murmured.
"Me and some friends--supernatural friends, of course--we love vamps. I've met more than anyone else. The next thing on my list is to, you know . . . party with one." She waggled her eyebrows suggestively. "That would be so hot. Do you think there's any chance I could meet Aaron? Maybe later?"
"No," Cassandra said.
I leaned forward. "Between us, I'd strike vamp-screwing off your list. Ain't gonna happen. It can't. You know that, right?"
She stared at me.
"Basic biology," I said. "Guys need blood to get it up. Vampires don't have blood."
"So you mean . . ."
"Yep."
"Viagra?"
"Nope."
"That's awful."
"The true tragedy of a vampire's immortality."
Cassandra nodded sadly. She's a very good actor. Truth is, biology is bullshit, at least when it comes to supernaturals. I had a feeling I'd just started a very nasty urban legend, one that would not endear me to the male half of the vampire community. Cassandra seemed okay with it, though.
"Now, about Anita Barrington . . ."
It took a few minutes--and a fizzy pink drink--to ease Eloise's depression, but once she got talking about Anita, she zoomed back on track. Seems Eloise was an amateur immortality quester herself, which came as no surprise. A fascination with vampires and a hunger for immortality went hand in hand.
Questers usually wanted a literal piece of vampires, something they could study. Matthew Hull had almost lopped off Zoe's head to get the biggest lab specimen of all for his experiments.
"Anita Barrington is famous," Eloise gushed. "When we heard she was dead, we all said 'no way.' It's a cover-up. She's found the secret to immortality and she's used it."
"Then you saw her last week."
"Uh-huh. Right here in L.A."
When I asked her to describe the woman, she took out her cell phone and showed me a picture. I did a double-take. Then I cursed myself for not asking someone for a description of Anita, because if I had, I might have realized I'd already met her.