Page 45 of Lured

“It is. The would-be hunter.”

“Oh really. I'm not a hunter. Just caught up in all this... Interesting business.” Anais spoke gently as if she wasn't sure she actually cared what they thought and wasn't trying to sell it that badly.

Ludis chuckled. “I was just telling her how good life will be in two days. You're not going to spoil that, are you, butch?”

“No, it's done and arranged. When we get off the boat in two days the meeting will go ahead.”

“And you're confident that they'll show up and have what we need?” Ludis asked.

I lifted an eyebrow and pulled out my phone to look as if I was doing something on it and lingering here for a reason as some humans came down the hallway as well. Not wanting them to try to talk to me, I didn't make eye contact.

Eventually they passed by and I listened again.

Although Butch and Ludis were clearly talking to each other, the noise of people near me and the lowered tones of their conversation made it difficult for me to do much other than make out snippets.

I got the impression that they were trading for something, but I didn't know what. At a guess, I would have assumed some type of magical object. Just as magic had been used to allow my mafia clan to daywalk, there were many other magics and people willing to wield them for the right price.

By the time it went quiet again, Ludis was once again bragging to Anais and telling her all about how powerful he would be. They were vague promises and he focused more on what he wanted to do to and with her, but the meaning behind it was clear.

In two days time Ludis would have what he needed or wanted to do something big and given what I knew of the other mafia clans, this something big was taking out my uncle. Only he had no idea it was my uncle.

Anais did her best to fish for more information, her dulcet tones far too soft for him to pick up, but it made Ludis laugh at her.

“Oh, little butterfly, don't ruin the surprise. I'll tell you everything in a few days, I promise. By then, I will tell everyone in the vampire world and a new life will begin. But enough indulging for now. Butch, go make sure the right vampires are informed of the parts they play. And make sure they get it right this time.”

“Yes, Sir,” Butch replied.

I feared that he was going to come my way to obey the command, but the rest of the vampires that hung around Ludis must have still been in the lounge because Butch went the other way, his footsteps receding.

“Now, where were we?” Ludis asked, focusing on Anais again.

This time I did dare to look around the corner again. He was still holding her up against him with one arm while the other caressed her.

“You are being very persuasive about some very vague plans in two days, but... it's almost dinner time and I need to change... I want to look pretty for dinner.”

He groped her again, running his spare hand over her body. She looked down again as if she didn't mind it, but I had seen enough. Ludis wasn't going to trust her with any more information than he had already divulged, but he had no problem feeling her up in public.

I turned back away, counted to ten to make it look less like I arrived right after Butch left and then strode around the corner as if I had been coming this way the whole time.

“Ludis,” I declared, acting as if I had seen him and not Anais. Immediately he let go of her and she pulled back. She came hurrying straight over to me and I put an arm out for her to cuddle up to me with it draped around her back.

“There you are, Sir. I was then coming to look for you when Ludis found me.”

“Did you enjoy your little explore?” I asked, pretending that everything was fine.

She nodded and smiled up at me before leaning in and inhaling. “You smell good.”

Having her in my arms felt much better and it took a little of the anger I had been feeling away. She had come straight to me and Ludis was left standing on his own.

“Well, if you two are getting ready for dinner, I guess we'll see each other after. Enjoy the little butterfly, Drew. She's certainly an adorable little thing.” Ludis smiled, but the warmth didn't reach his eyes. With that he sauntered onward, heading away from us and toward the lounge again.

I didn't know if he would show up for dinner or if Anais really wanted to go but I felt her body relax against mine, tension I'd not yet noticed leaving her.

“I'm so glad you showed up when you did,” she said, keeping her voice low. “We should go back to the room.”

Although I didn't move, she tried to pull away a little before she noticed I wasn't following.

“I heard everything,” I said quietly, even though I hadn't quite. “But yes, let's go back to the room. I bought you some more clothes.”

---