Page 76 of The Mermaid's Bubble Lounge
“You’re not really worried about him, are you?” I asked.
He started the engine and pulled out. “He’s right. If we’re not wary and suspicious, we don’t last long.”
“You weren’t suspicious of me.” I paused, studying his profile. “Wait. Were you suspicious of me?”
He reached for my hand. “Darling, you were so clearly…hurt?—”
“You can say broken,” I interrupted.
“Never broken.” He lifted my hand to his lips. “Bruised and battered, perhaps. And, no, I was never suspicious of you.” He turned out onto the main road. “Remember in New Orleans when Owen talked about your aura being a bright and shiny gold? He’d said that was the reason so many wicches flocked to The Slaughtered Lamb. They could see your innate goodness and so trusted you. Vampires can’t see auras, but your kind, pure heart is visible a mile away, even to our undead eyes. I don’t know anyone else who could have befriended so many supernatural beings. We were a veritable United Nations of Supernaturals fighting Garyn’s forces on Alcatraz. That happened because of you, darling.”
“I don’t think that’s?—”
“Hush. I need to call Russell.” He tapped the phone app on the dashboard screen and hit Russell’s name.
“Good evening.” Russell’s deep voice filled the car.
“Hello, my friend,” Clive responded. “Sam and I are on our way to the nocturne. We have an unexpected guest on his way as well. Will you allow Sam’s great-uncle Bracken, who is a wicche, to enter the nocturne? He’s currently driving with Vlad to you.”
“He has no reservations about entering a nocturne?” Russell asked.
Clive grinned. “He’s an interesting one. I didn’t get fear from him, only excitement. And don’t be surprised if he asks to interview you.”
I laughed. “Hi, Russell. Maybe tell the rest of the vampires, so they don’t have to meet him if they don’t want to. A bunch of them seemed reticent to even let him hear their voices last night.”
“My lady, how would you know that? You were in my office all night.” I could hear the humor in his voice.
“Just a lucky guess,” I said.
“Hmm, well, I’ll talk with the Counselors, and I’ll have Godfrey alert the guards.”
“Thank you,” Clive responded before disconnecting the call.
“Do you mind if I invite Bracken to stay with us tonight?” I asked. “I don’t like the idea of him driving all the way back to Monterey so late at night.”
“You’ve been taken in by his old appearance.” Clive glanced over, the corner of his mouth ticking up. “Did you see how smoothly he crouched and spun before throwing that spell? How easily he stood from that crouch? I wouldn’t be surprised if the gray hair and wrinkles were a glamour. He’s looking the age he is, as your great-uncle. Never forget he is a Corey and a powerful wicche. As to your original question, of course you can invite him to stay with us. It’s your home too and he is your relative.”
When we pulled up to the nocturne’s gates, they were open, and the guards bowed their heads to Clive. He might not have been their Master anymore, but he was still greatly respected.
We parked next to a new green Bronco. “It’s a green car party,” I said, making Clive laugh.
He came around to open my door. Apparently, the guards had learned their lesson the last time and didn’t try to open our doors this time. So many unspoken vamp rules.
Clive took my hand and tucked it into his elbow. “I think it makes sense for you to join us while we’re talking with your uncle.”
The guards at the front doors inclined their heads to Clive as we passed.
“Good. I want to hear what he has to say.”
Audrey was waiting for us in the foyer. “Welcome to the nocturne. Can we slake your thirsts?”
Clive smiled. “I’m fine, Audrey, but perhaps…” He raised his eyebrows at me.
“I’m good too. Thank you.”
Audrey nodded. “If you’ll come with me, I’ll escort you to the library. Your guest has already arrived.”
We followed her down the hall. Her formality told me that we were being observed. She opened the library door, and we walked past her. She closed the door behind us, no doubt returning to Russell’s study.
