Page 51 of Midnight Queen

Fate can go fuck itself for all I care.

A short man with a worried expression scurries around the bar. His cheeks are pink and when he looks up at Silas, there’s a mixture of trepidation and respect in his eyes. It’s a combination I’ve seen many of the guests wearing.

“Mr. Laurent,” he rushes out. “We are just putting the final touches on your table, as you requested. It should only be another five minutes. I do apologize for the delay. There was an unexpected issue with an electrical element, but don’t worry, we got it figured out.”

“I’m not worried,” Silas answers. The tone reminds me of the one he first used when we met. It’s cold, lacking any emotion. “I was very clear about what I needed from you all on the phone. I have no doubt that all of my requests will be fulfilled without issue.” Even I can hear the underlying message in that statement. “We have no problem waiting in the meantime.”

The man swallows hard before motioning between us, he begins to ask, “Can I get you or—or your…” he trails off, unsure what to refer to me as. “Yourguest, something to drink in the meantime?”

I chew on the inside of my cheek at this question, unsure how Silas will answer it. As comical as I think it would be for him to order up a nice vintage class of O positive, I highly doubt the serious vampire holding my hand would agree. Though I would pay money to see this nervous man’s reaction.

Silas, without having to confirm with me, orders my favorite type of wine. “A glass of sauvignon blanc for Ms. Page.” It’s not very often I hear him say words in French, but when he does, it turns me into a puddle on the floor. His accent has no doubt weakened over the many years, but when he speaks his native tongue, it sounds like he never left his homeland. “Please ensure you select a bottle from my private wine locker.”

The man nods his head quickly before dashing back to wherever he’d appeared from.

“Ms. Page?” I mimic. “So formal of you, Mr. Laurent.”

Dark eyes slide over to me. “I can't very well introduce you as Mon Soleil, now, can I?”

I know I won’t get a smile out of him now, and that’s okay. I understand that some things will be reserved for when we’re in private, even if it’s something as simple as a smile.

My shoulder shrugs. “I don’t know, I think it has a pretty nice ring to it.”

I’m about to change the subject and ask him why a vampire would have a wine locker when a striking pair of vampires begin walking toward us.

Even though Silas doesn’t react, I stiffen, worried about their intentions, but when the classically handsome man on the right flashes a warm smile in my direction, I relax.

“Silas,” he cheers, a thick accent of some kind evident in his voice. “What a pleasure! I was just telling Bria that it has been too long since anyone has seen you. I was worried that you had decided to become a recluse.”

The stunning, shockingly tall woman next to him rolls her eyes. “And I told him that he was being ridiculous as always.” Her chocolate-brown eyes turn to me, the corners of her mouth curl up. “How could he stay locked away when he has someone as beautiful as her to show off?”

I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure what kind of reactions we were going to see tonight, but one as…nice… as this one was low on my list of possibilities. I expected hostility and cold shoulders. At the very least, I expected typical high school behavior where people huddled together, whispering their disdain for me.

The man nods in agreement, “This is very true.”

“Thank you, that’s very kind of you guys to say.”

Bria’s manicured hand pats the man’s arm. When she talks, she too has an accent, but it’s different than his. Italian maybe? “I had hoped that Silas would venture out with you at some point. I’ve known him for many years, and I think it’s due time that he has someone on his arm.”

When she looks between Silas and I, there’s no resentment or animosity in her eyes. Only admiration. It’s nice to know there are other vampires out there that follow him, not because they fear him, but because he’s earned their respect. I know it’s what he prefers anyway.

I smile politely, still confused by their history, while I remind myself that while all these people have known him longer, I still know him best. They don’t know him at all.

As if he can hear me silently wondering, Silas explains, “Bria and I met many years ago when I needed help getting a shipment from Italy across the Pacific. It was at a time that getting your hands on a ship wasn’t easy. Luckily, Bria’s family background is in importing and exporting.”

She smiles fondly at the memory. “It’s not very often he needs help moving product since Silas now has his own fleet, but I help wherever I can. Our businesses cross paths every now and then.” A look I can't quite decipher crosses her face as she cocks her head in Silas’s direction. “Actually, Quincey, would you mind if I stole him away for only a moment? There’s a business matter that I need to discuss with Silas. I tried to get in touch with him all week, but understandably, he’s been otherwise occupied.”

For a moment, I’m taken aback that she knows my name, but then I remember that Gideon sent links to all the high society vampires. If I had to bet money, I would say all the vampires here tonight saw at least clips of it.

“That won’t be necessary,” Silas states, leaving little option for debate in his tone. “Whatever it is can wait until tomorrow.”

To give her credit, while she does look apprehensive about pushing him further, she sticks to her guns. “It’s regarding the events that took place at the eastern port earlier this week. It will only take a minute, but I do think it’s best we talk now.”

Silas’s body stiffens next to me at the mention of the port and instantly, I know that whatever Bria wants to discuss pertains to the endless phone calls Silas has received all week. He’s put so much on hold so he could stay with me, but he needs to prioritize his business again.

My hand gives a reassuring squeeze to his. “I’ll be okay alone here for a minute. Go talk to her. It sounds important.”

Silas’s brows pull in a scowl when he looks at me.

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