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least that's how he rationalized it. In truth, it was just fun to drive and fun was something he made sure to enjoy whenever he could. The kiss would never let him live it down if they knew, so it would forever remain his guilty secret. Ancient vampires just didn't go around driving acute car. It wasn't good for the image. After slamming the door and pushing the button on his keychain to activate the alarm, James turned toward his offices, briefcase in hand. He opened his senses, and he knew he had a visitor.An ancient evil presence& Nicholas. "Damn," he cursed under his breath. If he hadn't been distracted by extricating himself from the tin can that passed for his car, he would have noticed earlier. Another of the original ancient vampires turned the same time as James, Nicholas could be the poster boy for the bad-assed vampire. His philosophy was to subjugate the food supply namely humans, whereas James' philosophy was to blend in to avoid unwanted notice and thus survive. The last James heard, Nicholas had gone into acting, currently doing a few action movies that enjoyed mild success at the box office purely because Nicholas was willing to bare everything to the cameras. James squared his shoulders and walked through the front door of Wellington Enterprises feeling as if he'd stepped into an enemy's lair rather than his own offices. Astor met James just inside the door. "Nicholas Branson is here to see you." "So I gathered." James continued walking toward his office knowing Astor would rush to keep up. "Why didn't you call me before letting a powerful rival into our lair?" James laid his briefcase on his desk and turned to look at Astor who visibly paled. "I figured you'd be pleased, Master. Nicholas Branson is an up and coming star and sought out our agency for representation." James sensed Astor's lie immediately. He let his lips curve into a smile before allowing his vampire speed take over. In the next instant, he gripped Astor by the throat, pinning the man's body up against the far wall, his feet dangling helplessly, his hands clawing at James' steely grip. When James spoke, he made sure his voice stayed at normal conversation level. Calm always sounded scarier in his opinion and scarier was definitely what Astor needed, if not death. Until James figured out what he was up to, it wouldn't be wise to kill him.Keep your enemies close . He leaned in close to Astor's ear. "Nicholas is the biggest stickler for Page 76 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html vampire law and customs I've ever known. It's just not done to invite yourself to another's lair unless you are specifically invited under a flag of truce. The Master vampire is the only one who can offer such a truce. As much as you dislike the fact Iam the Master." James twisted his grip tighter until Astor's eyes bulged out of their sockets as if they were about to pop, and the cartilage in his throat made a satisfying crunch. "Not to mention, Nicholas had to be invited over the threshold by someone here on the inside. Which I'm assuming would be you." James stared into Astor's eyes for a long moment, letting the younger vampire wonder if he was about to die. "Don't ever lie to me again, Astor. Or I'll be more than happy to turn you into dust. That is if I don't decide to kill you in the next few hours just for sport." With that, he let go his grip and Astor crumbled to the floor. James returned to his desk and opened his briefcase, removing his files for the day. "In the meantime, I think I'll go see to our guest." He looked down to see Astor still struggling with his healing windpipe while he lay sprawled on the floor. "Make sure you're available in case I& need something violent to fill my afternoon." James turned his back on Astor and headed toward the conference room. James knew Nicholas would be aware of him. Nicholas would have sensed him as soon as he was within a few miles. James had gotten in the habit of only using his senses in close proximity. There were just too many bodies within a radius of a block, let alone several miles. It wasn't practical to be constantly on alert it tended to dull the fight or flight response for when it was actually needed. James stepped through the conference room door. Nicholas sat on one of the plush leather couches, his legs crossed at the ankle, his right arm resting along the back of the couch. Time hadn't changed him much. He'd gone back to his natural black hair rather than the grey at the temples he'd used the last time James had seen him, and he now wore an Armani suit. Much different from back in the 1800's inEngland . In fact, it was Nicholas' human servants he'd been in the process of killing when Ariel had seen him all those years ago. James bit back a sigh and stepped farther into the room. "Nicholas. To what do I owe this intrusion?" he said as if inquiring about the weather. James continued across the room and lowered himself onto the couch opposite Nicholas. "Intrusion?"Nicholas asked, feigning surprise. "I hardly think seeking representation is an intrusion, James." Hesmiled, his perfectly capped teeth almost too white against his tanned face. "Come now, Nicholas. Let us not play games." James draped his right arm over the back of the couch mirroring Nicholas. "You and I go back a long way. Your charm and gift of bull may work on Astor, but you and I know the ways of the world better thanthai ." Nicholas threw back his head and laughed. The rich sound flowed around the room and James could see on a purely professional level how audiences would eat up his film persona. But God save any groupies who got too close. Nicholas would literally suck them dry over time. He would promise immortality to many, however, he didn't believe in moving the hunted up in the food chain to hunter. "James, I've missed you. It's been what? Two-hundred years?" Page 77 [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |
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