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"Sir, you're a dirty old man."
"I'm a dirty old vampire. There's a difference."
Since time was of the essence, we switched places. I turned the shower over to Ethan, deposited my clothes in the laundry drop - maybe the staff could have some luck rehabbing the jacket - and headed back into the bedroom to find something appropriate to wear. Sweatpants and pajamas were out, but Ethan hadn't mentioned jeans. Personally, I'd have preferred some slouchy yoga-style pants, but the meeting would be in mixed company, and I might as well try not to embarrass my boss in front of another House.
I opted for the softest jeans I could find and a fitted Cadogan House long-sleeved shirt. I brushed and dried my hair, leaving it loose. A pair of much-loved Puma sneakers - too light to wear in winter, but perfect for in-House movement - and lip gloss to combat the effects of winter, and I was ready to go downstairs.
"Ready?" he asked, meeting me at the door. Like me, he'd changed into jeans, but the relaxed dress didn't minimize the power and authority in his posture. He was still the Master of his House, even when other Masters had moved into his abode.
"Let's go," I said, then glanced back longingly at the bed and the cozy duvet and pillows. "I'll see you again soon," I promised, and closed the door behind us.
-
As we descended the stairs, we passed Grey House vampires heading upstairs. They carried large duffel bags bearing the Grey House logo, and they were led by Cadogan House vampires wearing black CADOGAN AMBASSADOR badges.
"Cadogan ambassadors?" I asked Ethan.
"Helen's idea. She thought it a good idea to appoint vampires to represent the House at unusual functions. She expected we'd have more of those functions since we're no longer part of the GP. She did not anticipate this, I imagine, but it's helpful all the same. Actually," he said, pausing on the second-floor landing, "let's visit the ballroom and library. I'm curious how they've arranged the beds."
We walked down the hallway toward two of the House's most glorious rooms - the very grand ballroom, and the two-story library. The doors to both were open, and Grey House vampires were beginning to stream inside.
We hit the library first. Normally, a bank of tables filled the center of the main floor. Tonight, they'd been moved out of the way. That space, and the rows between the shelves, were filled with cots. Cotton dividers hung from simple racks in the open areas to provide privacy.
"There are too many vampires breathing on my books in here."
We turned to find the librarian, shorter than either of us and with a rakishly thick crop of dark hair, giving the evil eye to the Grey House vampires who were arranging suitcases, phones, and shoes in the small spaces around their cots.
"They're breathing on your books?" I asked.
"Do you know how much carbon dioxide and water a single vampire breathes into the air every day? And now it's all contained in this room, sinking into my pages."
The librarian was very, very particular when it came to his job and his books. He prided himself on the scope and organization of the library, and he didn't take kindly to the exhalations of vampires.
"I'm sure the collection will be fine," Ethan said. "But, if not, we'll make sure to set aside House funds for restoration."
That must have satisfied the librarian, because he disappeared between a row of books without another word.
"He is a particular breed," Ethan said, and we slipped into the hall again.
The ballroom was similarly decked out, with rows of cots and dividers across the wood floor, the chandeliers above dimmed to cast a gentle glow across the room. A long table had been set up on one side of the room with more toiletries and baskets of bottled water, blood, and snacks.
"Seriously, Helen did an amazing job getting everything arranged so quickly. You should give her a raise."
Ethan snorted. "Trust me, Sentinel, she doesn't need one. We had to double her salary after your transition to vampire."
I slugged him gently in the arm, but I suspected he wasn't teasing. My change from human to vampire hadn't exactly been smooth - and Helen, unfortunately for her, had had the unenviable job of welcoming me into the dark. It hadn't gone smoothly.
Satisfied the Grey House vampires were being cared for, we retreated and continued our journey to the first floor.
We reached the foyer just as Scott, Ava, and the children walked through the door.
"Perfect timing," Ethan said, striding forward to meet them. "Welcome to Cadogan House. I'm sorry it's under these circumstances."
Ava nodded nervously, gathering her children around her. "Thank you for having us."
"Ditto," Scott added. "We appreciate the gesture. I know it's an inconvenience."
Ethan smiled. "Not at all." He turned to Helen, who still sat at the greeting station, and gestured to the new arrivals.
"Helen, this is Ava and her children, Abby and Miguel. They are Scott's particular friends, and they will be staying with us."
If Helen found anything odd in his announcement, she didn't show it. In her typically administrative fashion, she checked her clipboard.
"We have the injured vampires in the guest suite, and it will be a bit noisy in the ballroom and library, given the number of vampires. If you'd like, the children can stay in Merit's old room," she said, glancing at me.
I nodded my approval, but Ethan interjected.
"That won't do," he said. "You can take the Master's apartment. That way you'll be able to stay together, with the children. You'll need space of your own to breathe and plan, and you'll feel better if you can keep them close?"
Ava nodded with relief.
Ethan looked at Helen. "You can arrange cots for the children?"
"Of course," she said. "But what about you?"
"We'll stay in Merit's old room."
Since my dorm-sized room had only a twin bed, it would be a squeeze. But Luc and Lindsey managed well enough in her room. Besides, Ethan was right. It wasn't much of a sacrifice to us, and it would give them all peace of mind.
"Then I offer our thanks," Scott said.
"Margot, if you'll take the desk," Helen said, "I'll show them the way." When Margot nodded, Helen gestured toward the stairs with her clipboard and they moved forward. Ethan turned back to me.
"I hope that's all right with you."
"Of course," I said. "They'll want to be together. Especially after tonight."
"My thoughts exactly." He looked at Margot. "We'll be in the Ops Room."
