Hear Me When the Sun Goes Down (17 page)

“
He’s my Sire, I don’t know about consort. That term’s sort of out dated, don’t you think?”

“I wouldn’t mind being his consort, or anything else he asked me to be,” she giggled.  “Is it true he’s alive, like actually living and breathing and everything, but still like a vampire?”

They all crowded closer, barely restrained by my team.  “Very much so.”  I realized most of them probably hardly knew what an
Ellri
was, let alone ever meeting one.  Not out west in the hinterlands, as most of the old school vamps considered us.  “The
Ellri
are their own thing, children of the Gods and humans.  Jakob can walk around in the sun, eat whatever he wants, just like a human, but he’s stronger than all of us put together and he can compel anyone to do anything.” 

“He could compel me anytime.”

“The Gods?  Which ones?  Have you met any?”

“I’ve heard his blood is an aphrodisiac.”

The questions came faster than I could answer them.  “I don’t know about that…” I stumbled over the last one, as it started to get too personal. 

“Boys…” Rob’s quiet word was enough for security to push everyone back a foot to give me a
bit more breathing room.  “I think maybe it’s time to go,” he said in a low voice.

“I think maybe you’re right,” I agreed.  Rob signaled to Gunnar, who stepped them back another few feet, enough for me to make my getaway.

“You can all see Miss Gudrun at the inauguration,” Gunnar said, before turning back to me.  “Is it Gudrun, or Evans now?”

“Evans, but either’s fine for now,” I waved it away.  “I’ll see you at the party, Jarrod.”  I’m pretty sure he heard me.  It was hard to tell with all the chatter about the upcoming ceremony and whether or not Jakob would let people touch him.  Sheesh.  No wonder he had such a big ego! 

“There’s no getting around it, I need to invite him to this shindig,” I sighed as we reached the car. 

“Seems that way,” Rob agreed, scooting in beside me. 

“I was kind of hoping to check out a few other places to look for Byrne tonight.  At least the Bleeding Hart.  I feel like it’s been ages since I’ve been there.”

“I can check around for you, boss,” Gunnar volunteered.  “I can put the word out you’re looking for him.”

“No, don’t do that, I don’t want to spook him.  Just pop in and take a discreet look around.  If you find him, call me and we’ll come down lickety split.” 

Gunnar nodded, grinning from ear to ear.  “I can do that.”  I think he envisioned himself as a super spy,
because he was way too gung ho about the chance to go hang out in a couple of bars. 

It was decided that he’d take me home first to ensure my safe return before going back out again, no matter how many times I tried to convince them that Rob was more than capable of seeing me home safely.  Rob didn’t even try to argue for privacy, weighing in on the side of more security. 

“I sure hope this all dies down soon and I can go back to moving around with some anonymity soon,” I sulked, heading straight for my office to start working on the pile of messages Maggie had screened for me. 

Rob followed me in
. “That’s not likely anytime soon, especially if Jakob’s planning to set up permanent shop here.  I’m afraid your anonymity’s a thing of the past.” 

Cool beans. 
At least it was limited to the vampire community (which was probably still too afraid of me to do anything
too
overt).  I didn’t have to worry about TMZ camping out on my front lawn.

“You going to call Jakob up then?” he asked, when my brain was busy conjuring up images of Jakob and me, dodging paparazzi. 

“I probably should.  It seems like everyone’s counting on him to show for this thing.”

“You going to invite him in?”

“Into the house?”  I hadn’t given it much thought so far.  “Does that spell even work on
Ellri
, or can he come in any old time he wants to?”

“It’ll work on him right enough, if you want it to.”

Of course I wanted it to.  More than anything I craved a quiet sanctuary from my increasingly public life, and that included my unpredictable Sire.  The memory of Jakob standing beside my bed in Vetis creeped me out every time it flashed through my mind.  But did I have that as a real option? 

“I don’t know.  He’d probably get mad if I didn’t, right?  I am supposed to be his consort, at least in the public eye.  It’d look pretty bad if I barred him from entering my
house.  The house he paid for, no less.”

“It’s your home though, not his.  Something to think on at least.”  And with that, Rob left me to mull it over on my own. 

I decided to put the decision off for now, focusing on trying to find out if he was even coming any time soon.  Taking a chance on reaching his voicemail, I dialed his cell, hoping the number was still the same. 

His deep voice answered after a single ring.  “I
wondered how long it would be until you called.”

“Why?  What have you heard?”

“Nothing.”  He paused, suspicion creeping into his tone.  “Why, has something happened?”

“No, not at all, I just thought you meant…” I took a breath.  “What did you mean then?”

“Only that I knew you’d miss me before too long.”

“Oh.”  Was that all?  I sidestepped the observation, not wanting to feed that inaccuracy.  “So, am I catching you at a bad time?”

“Not at all, petal.  It does me good to hear your voice.  All is well, I hope?”

“Yep, we’re doing fine, thanks.  Listen, I know you had some more business to take care of over there, but do you think you’ll be back in time for my inauguration?” 

“Already you miss me… I like this.”

I could picture the smug satisfaction on his face.  “Well, it’s just that everyone’s pretty excited to meet you and they’re wondering if you’re planning on coming.”

“I will be there,
älskling
, have no fear,” he chuckled. 

“Great, I’ll see you then.”

“Make yourself ready for me.”

Good gravy…
What did he mean by that?

For the next few nights it felt like the only thing anyone talked about was the inaugural party.  A spectacular creation of red silk and chiffon arrived from
FF Fashions
, but it was hard to get excited over it.  More than anything I wanted the night to be over with, so I could get back to business and leave Jakob to his groupies. 

Gunnar didn’t have much luck spotting Byrne at any of the usual vampire spots in town and all we could think was maybe he’d gone into hiding upon my return.  At least the violence against the Order
had simmered down, and I wondered if Bishop had anything to do with it.  He’d left me a couple of messages since our return, but all I had time for was a quick text back to tell him I’d talk to him later. 

Actually, scratch that.  I could’ve made the time to talk to Bishop, but I was trying to put
some distance between us, the better to maintain that friendship thing instead of the soulful longing I inevitably got from him whenever we talked for more than five minutes.  I did reach out to Laveda, inviting her to the party, but all I got was her voicemail and Rob said he hadn’t heard a peep from her since we parted ways. 

On the night of the inauguration ceremony, Maggie helped me into my dress, and I was glad I didn’t have to breathe or I might’ve passed out.  Either the
ladies’ calculations were a bit off or I’d gained some weight on my trip.  Since the latter didn’t make sense with my undead metabolism, I chalked it up to the rush job and kept it sucked in as much as possible.

When I saw my sister Hanna’s number come up on the screen, I was more than ready for a distraction from the primping, giving Maggie a break from the curling iron.  “Hey, Hanna.  Long time no hear.  How’re things?”  I kept my voice light, no need to bother her with my nerves over the upcoming ceremony.  The less she knew about my vampire life, the better, as far as I was concerned. 

“Couldn’t be better!”  I could tell she was in a great mood right off the bat, her voice full of laughter, and possibly, not a small amount of alcohol.

“That’s good to hear.  What are you up to?”  I wasn’t entirely sure if Mason had told her about the party or not.  Hopefully they’d stay in the Silicon Valley where it was safe. 

“No good,” she laughed.  “I’m in Tahiti, being plied with fruity rum drinks as we speak.  So, no complaints from me.”

“Mason took you to Tahiti?”  My jaw dropped.  It was easy to guess why he’d decided to get her out of town, but a sun drenched spot like that would be the last place I’d think of for a vampire vacation.  Maybe that was the point though.

“Mason?”  She made a squishy sound with her mouth.  “God no, that’s over.  Way over.”

“You broke up with Mason?  Oh, Hanna, I’m so sorry
.  What happened?”  

She let out a long breath.  “A few days ago.  He kept pestering me to get out of town with him and then I came home from work the other night and he had my bags packed and everything.  He said it wasn’t safe here for me anymore, and he wanted me to leave everything behind and run away with him.  Just like that.  Can you imagine?”

Mason wanted her to leave town?  “Did he say why?”

“It had something to do with his work, I don’t know,” she sighed heavily.  “I’m just, I’m done with secrets, you know?  I was prepared to accept the whole vampire thing, but I don’t want to leave my whole life behind at the drop of a hat.”

“So you ran away to Tahiti?”  I couldn’t help but frown.  “That doesn’t sound like you.  Why didn’t you call me?”

“Because you’re busy with all that vampire stuff, and that’s the last thing I wanted to hear about.”

“I’m sorry.  I’d like to think I could still be here for you if you needed me though.  I can keep from talking about vampire stuff if you want me to.”

There was a delay, I think she might’ve been taking another drink.  “It’s not a big deal, really.  I’m having a blast with Logan.”

“Who’s Logan?”

“Oh, didn’t I tell you?  He’s the guy
who brought me to Tahiti.” 

“Wait… you’re in Tahiti with some random guy?”

“No, I’m in Tahiti with a
hot
guy.  Important distinction, I think.” 

“But what do you know about this hot guy?  What’s his last name?”

“See, I knew you’d get all grumbly over this, that’s why I didn’t call you before now.  That and I’ve been pretty busy, if you know what I mean,” she giggled.  My sister never giggled.  Not even when she was a teenager.  Junior high, maybe, but most of the time her sense of humor was more snarky than giggly. 

“Where did you meet this Logan?”

“He was my knight in shining armor, saved me from a fate worse than death.”

“Um…”

“Public transportation.  He gave me a lift when my car broke down on Highway 17, even had his driver get my car fixed and dropped off at my work.  Who does stuff like that?”

“You tell me, sis.  What’s his last name?”

“Oh, I’d better motor.  We’re going skydiving, could you die?”

“I thought you were afraid of heights.”

“Only one way to conquer fear, and that’s to soldier through it.”

Where had that platitude come from?  “Hanna, I’m not so sure you should be skydiving if you’ve been drinking.”

“Oh, come on, you gotta live a little, Anja.  I thought you of all people could understand after what happened to you.  I gotta run.  I’ll call you when we get back stateside, I can’t wait for you to meet him.”

“I can’t… either.”  She’d already hung up.  I was still sitting there holding the phone in my lap when Maggie came back in to finish my hair. 

“Did you have a nice visit with your sister?”

“She broke up with Mason.  Can you believe it?”  I shook my head.  “I
sincerely thought they had a shot at making it once she got over the vampire thing.”

“Perhaps she found this world a
bit frightening?  I know I do sometimes.”

“She didn’t sound frightened.  In fact, she’s already moved on to another guy.”

“Perhaps that’s it then?  She fell for another man.  It happens all the time.  You think your life’s headed in one direction, and then a chance encounter sends you off in another entirely different.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, meeting her gaze in the mirror.

“About what?”

“If you find this world a
bit frightening sometimes.  I know I’ve said it before, but if you want to try a new start somewhere less fangy…”

“I didn’t mean now,” she said with a shake of the head.  “For once
things are going exactly how I want them to be.  For the most part.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” I smiled.  “I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”

“You can ask me anything,” she smiled back, fingers arranging a curl, just so.

“So… Marcus asked me for permission to court you.”

“Yes, I know.”

“And how’s that going?”

Maggie tapped the cool tip of the curling iron against her bottom lip.  “It’s strange.  If anything he’s less forward with me now that you’ve given your permission.”

“That’s probably my fault.  I warned him if he rushed you into anything, I’d make his guts ooze nice like melted malted.”
  I quoted a line from a movie, but I didn’t think she caught the reference.

“Ah, I see.”  She nodded in understanding.

“Do you want me to ask him to step up his game?”

Her eyes flew wider.  “Lord, no!”

“Well then… maybe it’s your turn to make a move?  Basically, I said it was up to you to set the pace.  So, maybe you should set it.”

“You mean… be the aggressor?”

“Why not?”

“I suppose I could at that.”  The realization changed her entire demeanor, from the slope of her shoulders to the shape of her eyes as she caught onto the idea.  “Are you
fine here to do the rest of your make up on your own?”

“Sure, of course.  Why, where are you going?”

“I’m going to change into another frock.”

“Oh?  Which one?”

“Something more… aggressive,” she grinned, her eyes alight with mischief.

* * *

Jakob’s knock came far sooner than I’d anticipated, but I was ready for him, finishing with the clasp on the diamond choker he’d given me months ago.  I had earrings to match now but I left my wrists bare, the only other jewelry I wore being the amber ring Jakob had given me.  Felix had already taken my ring of office, to be formally presented to me again during the ceremony.  Immune to the cold, I didn’t bother with a wrap or coat.  Besides, it would be a shame to cover up the dress for even a moment, even if it was too tight.  

As I crested the top of the stairs, Rob flashed me a look, and I could tell he was hoping for some sign as to what I’d decided to do about inviting Jakob in.  There wasn’t a way to acknowledge it with everyone standing around though.  Instead, I offered him the briefest of smiles before Gunnar pulled the door open, directing my attention to Jakob, who stood resplendent in a tuxedo with tails
.  The formal look softened by the lack of a requisite tie, his shirt open at the throat. 

“Hello, Jakob.  Don’t you look dashing tonight,” I smiled, stepping out onto the porch to join him.

“And you,
älskling
, look positively radiant, and eager to go?  I thought we might enjoy a private drink before we leave.  We must let the anticipation for our arrival grow, I think.”

“It’s already grown plenty big, trust me.  I’d rather get to the hall and see what Felix has cooked up for the night.”  I slipped my arm through his, giving him a subtle tug toward the street.  “Come on, let’s get going.  We’ll have plenty of time to talk later.”

“Are you so eager to be presented on my arm?”  His brows drew together a fraction as he fixed me with a penetrating stare.  “No… I think there’s some other mischief at work here.  Why do you not wish me to enter your home?”

Okay, so apparently I wasn’t quite as subtle as I’d thought.  “There’s no particular reason, I’m just ready to go.  Aren’t you?  Your public awaits.” 

The furrow between his brows grew deeper, and I practically felt Rob tense behind me.  “Are you refusing me your hospitality?”

I drew in a steadying breath, refusing to flinch from the steel in his voice.  “I’m sorry, I can’t invite you in.”

Instead of going ballistic, his face crumpled in pain.  “Why do you seek to hurt me, petal?”

The pain was harder to take, but I kept my resolve.  “I’ll let you into my world, but not into my home.” 

His eyes searched my face, as if he was looking for some sign I might be kidding.  “Did you not tell me you would count the hours until I returned to your side?”

“
Yes, but that was just for show.  You didn’t really think…” 
Frak, he had
.  “I’m sorry, Jakob.  I thought you understood we were playing a role.  You and I haven’t been together like that for a while now.  You know I’m grateful to you for everything, but I need my own space.  This is the only way I know how to get it.”

The furrows on his brow hardened from pain to anger, but his voice
was restrained.  “I could compel you to cease this foolishness and let me in as is my due.”

“We’ve had this conversation before.  Is that
seriously how you want to play things?”  It took everything I had to hold my ground.  If I gave in now I was lost, any chance at free will gone forever, let alone those few stolen moments with Rob. 

Jakob stared me down for long seconds, before a grudging nod was given.  “I’ll allow it – for now – as long as you do the same to anyone else.”

“What do you mean?”

“You may not invite anyone else into the house unless they’ve been vetted by me.”

“What?  That’s ridiculous,” I sputtered over the heavy handedness of the request. 

“Those are my stipulations.”

“It’s not up to you.”

His eyes hardened once more.  “Don’t challenge me in this, petal.  You will lose.”

We stared back at each other at the threshold of my house, and I wondered what would happen if I suddenly dashed inside and refused his ridiculous rules?  Would he huff and puff and blow the house down?

“Fine, I won’t invite anyone else in.  Happy now?”

“Transcendently.  Now, shall we go?” The smug smile was back, the one I wanted to knock off his face, but I took his arm, my face a mask of serenity.