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“She’s a peach,” I said when the doors slid closed.
“What she lacks in manners, she makes up for in efficiency, I assure you.”
Lights whirred into motion as we zoomed upward and…sideways. I was certain Julian hadn’t touched a button either. I raised an eyebrow in question.
“It takes you where you’re needed. Avoids issues with compartmentalized clearances. No mess of accidentally walking in on something you shouldn’t,” he explained as the doors whooshed open.
Julian hissed lightly and stepped out in front, leaving me wondering where exactly the thing had determined we were needed. The truth defied any expectations I may have had.
At least one football field could’ve fit in the center of the dome of screens, each with a camera angle on a plethora of both interior and exterior shots. Judging by the snow on one behind Julian, I had to guess these locations weren’t all on the island.
Spinning slowly in place, I took in the dizzying array along with the sleek terminals facing them. We were above the action on some sort of raised platform that overlooked about a dozen black-uniformed people that scurried around like ants.
“Ahem.”
I spun at the sound of someone clearing his throat behind me and came face to chest with another black uniform. The man sported even more brass than Julian and towered over both of us at an almost unnatural height and width. Whoever he was, he looked like he’d swallowed two football players whole.
“Sir, this is Dr. Charlotte Devaux,” Julian said.
Taking a step back, I tried to smile and reached out my hand. “Char, please.”
“Doctor, I realize you are not military; however, I expect every occupant of this base to behave with the utmost respect and professionalism.”
Once again, I dropped my hand to my side.
“I am professional, Sir, but I also find you catch more flies with honey than—”
“I’m aware of the quaint saying.”
Squinting, I searched for his aura. I doubted he’d ever heard my mama’s version of the saying, though I supposed it was for the best I hadn’t said the S word in his presence.
He took my silence as obedience, I guessed. Which was something I’d never been fond of, being I wasn’t a dog and all.
“Lieutenant Carver recruited you despite the hiring freeze,” he divulged, his crimson aura bulging with the words like it was ready for a fight, despite his statue-still demeanor. “I expect you to prove your worth. Dismissed.”
My jaw dropped open, but before any words could sneak out, Julian grabbed my arm and guided me back toward the elevator, which I now realized was in the center of the raised platform.
“Thank you, Sir. I’m sure Dr. Devaux will prove a valuable asset to the team.”
The doors closed again, and I planted my hands on my hips. “Hiring freeze? Who the hell was that?”
“That was General Fontaine, otherwise known as The General,” Julian said, staring at the doors. “He runs the base and answers only to the Board of Directors. The hiring freeze does not apply to you, he was simply testing your level of intimidation.”
“And what do you think he concluded?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.
Julian shifted those electric blue eyes to me. “I believe he came to the same conclusion I have—that you are not easily deterred.”
Some of my fury melted. “Good.”
“It’s part of why I wanted you,” he said taking a step closer and flooding me with his bergamot scent.
My pulse raced, and I hated that he could hear it. But I couldn’t break away from his gaze. I could have stayed there all day.
“For the job, I mean,” he said finally, when the elevator came to another stop. “I wanted you for the job.”
Julian led the way again, this time into a pristine laboratory filled with every bit of equipment I’d ever daydreamed about. At least double the size of the lab that burned, this one had every high-tech accoutrement in multiples of two. My eyes watered with disbelief as I took in each station and corner, running my hand along the counter where a microscope sat along with petri dishes, test tubes, and every chemical and compound in existence, labeled and stored appropriately in environmentally controlled cabinets.
The last vestiges of my wariness at Julian’s nature vanished as I took it all in. He knew the way to this woman’s heart, that was for sure. And if he was old enough not to have been bothered yet by Mama’s little sneak attack, then my theory about old vampires losing humanity was seriously in question. I didn’t want to think too hard about that or what it meant about my past, so I focused on the present and the incredible gift before me.
