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Huge potted plants decorated the foyer, miniature trees in porcelain urns that must have easily weighed a hundred pounds without the weight of the soil or plant. Tables lined the walls--long consoles in marble and wrought brass and bronze. Paintings lined the walls and as I approached the nearest I saw the name Monet and the brush strokes and realized that it was authentic. Whoever owned this estate had money. Good money.>I slipped back outside the room and returned to the kitchen, where I pulled out a skillet and the eggs, then found the bread and butter. I popped four slices of bread in the toaster, then scrambled half a dozen eggs. Might as well make some for my lunch, as well.
Leo came into the room, freshly shaven and dressed. "What's up that you would disturb my beauty sleep?"
"Lots going on today and most of it bad," I told him.
"I guess you'd better give me the bad first." He poured orange juice for both of us and added a jar of jam to the table as I set his plate in front of him and sat opposite with my own food.
"Where to start?" I told him about Peyton and everything I'd found out.
"Shit." He hit the table with his fist. "Not Peyton, too? She doesn't deserve this--she's had a hard life and now . . . now we don't even know if she's alive. So what else . . . and I hope it gets better."
"That remains to be seen. Did you talk to Geoffrey about us wanting to see him yet?" I leaned back in my chair and savored the hot food. I was hungrier than I'd thought.
"Yeah, he said he'd decide in a few days."
"Well, it would seem he's already made up his mind." I handed him the invitation. "What can you tell me about Regina . . . and Lannan? Rhia told me to be careful around Lannan."
Leo's gaze flickered up to meet mine. "Yeah, I can see why she would. Lannan's . . . Lannan is a pervert, pure and simple. He thrives on the decadent vamp scene--the bloodwhores and the raves. In fact, I have a feeling that's what this little party is all about. And for some reason they want you there."
"Give me the lowdown on decorum. I need to know what not to do."
"Good idea. Formality among the vamps is never to be taken lightly. If they were responding to my question, the invitation would have been addressed to me. No, they want to see you for some reason. Don't trust any of them, but you can't refuse to show up. Nobody can refuse the Emissary."
I fingered the invitation, my stomach lurching. Decadent vamp scene didn't sit well with me. And bloodwhores sat even worse. My mother had been a bloodwhore and it had gotten her killed.
"Rhia said something about me being careful around Lannan," I said.
Leo bit into his toast, and chewed thoughtfully. After a moment, he swallowed and said, "I don't like talking about them. They employ me and I have to be careful in dividing my loyalties. But she's right. Lannan Altos prefers his bloodwhores with dark long hair, muscled, and . . . to be blunt . . . hot. You have the look he'd go after."
Hot? Me? I blinked. I never thought of myself in that category. But it would sound like a come-on if I protested. "Wonderful. Just what I need. Some creaking, ancient lecher after me. One with fangs, no less. "He's going to get a surprise if he tries anything. I don't swing that way."
"You're in for a surprise. Lannan is a golden boy. If I swung his way, it would be hard to resist but I'm straight and under Geoffrey's protection, so he can't touch me. Hey, you have anything to wear to this formal shindig?"
I stared at him. "Dude, I just got in from LaLa land, I've lived on the road since I was six--more or less. Do you think I have anything appropriate?" I didn't have time to think about shopping, not with everything going on. But Leo wouldn't let it drop.
"Then let's get going. You were the one invited, you have to look good. I've got a tux they bought me just for these occasions. And I know Rhiannon has some pretty dresses that will work. Finish breakfast. We're going shopping."
Staring at him like he'd just grown another head, I finished my eggs and toast, and silently followed him out to the car.
"I hope you realize I'm not about to spend all of my money on some shiny ball gown," I mumbled.
Leo shook his head. "Don't sweat it. I'll expense the cost. Geoffrey will approve." And just like that, the vampires were buying me a fancy new dress.
After she got home from work and spent a few minutes with Leo, Rhiannon joined me in my room. We had three hours before we had to be at the party and both she and Leo were insistent that I had to dress the part.
"What does one wear to a vampire soiree?" I held up the little black dress I'd bought. It was short, sophisticated, and could pull off cocktails or dancing without a problem. Speaking of cocktails, the thought of what might be on the beverage menu made me a little queasy.
"That's nice--what is it? Silk?"
I nodded. "Leo wouldn't let me buy anything cheap."
"It's got a sweetheart neckline. Hmm," she said, a thoughtful look on her face. "Whatever you do, don't bring attention to your neck. No flashy necklaces or chokers. Not a good place to accentuate."
She smoothed the velvet skirt and top she was wearing. "How do I look? Okay?"
"Okay? That green sets off your hair and turns you into a torch. You're gorgeous. You look Old World beautiful." I paused. "Hey, Leo warned me about Lannan. I'll be cautious. I'm nobody's bloodwhore. Ever."
"I know this is hard." She paused. "How much do you hate them, Cicely? And is it just for what they did to your mother?"
