Eye of the Beholder Read online

  Growing tired of standing, I hopped onto the railing and bent over my notepad, still sketching the armor and weapons he’d described. He slowly relaxed, even leaning against the railing in front of me, no longer ramrod straight. His amused smile persisted, and I didn’t sense condescension, only enjoyment at our conversation. He never once showed impatience at my continual questions, and rarely gave me a one-word answer.

  Despite wondering when he was changed into a vampire and by whom, I knew better than to ask. That was certainly not something one asked a vamp after so short an acquaintance. In fact, one never asked such a thing ever. It had to be offered, given freely without prompting. Since it was, basically, a rebirth, an intimate act, I understood the restriction.

  “Did you fight Boudicca?” I asked.

  “No. I never visited Britain during Rome’s reign. It was only after the Western Empire fell that I found a desire to visit the island.”

  “And the Visigoths? Did you fight them?”

  He smirked. “Of course. Hearty men and quite determined. Despite the hundreds I took out during the nights, they always had more to march on into Rome’s heart.”

  I eyed him. “You don’t seem bitter about it.”

  He shrugged. “Empires rise and fall. I choose not to weep when they do.”

  “Good point.”

  “I must say that I’m amused by your choosing the name Vulcan,” he said.

  The sudden change in direction threw me for a moment. I smiled and shrugged. “Yeah, I’m sure you are. I would have chosen Hephaestus but, I don’t know, didn’t sound right. So I chose his Roman counterpart. Plus Vulcan, volcano, I liked the association.”

  He quirked an eyebrow. “As one who often deplores the depictions of Roman life modern mortals tend to present, and the way they appropriate my heritage, I appreciate your genuine interest and knowledge of my former people. I give you my blessing to use that name for yourself.”

  I blinked at him. Since I’d been using that name for several years, I didn’t need his permission or blessing. It was my name, the one I’d chosen for myself, so I was a little indignant at that. But considering his words and how he must feel about the myths of Rome, I was also flattered and grateful.

  “Thanks.” It was all I could think to say.

  Cassius regarded me for a moment while I continued my notes. “I met Dain a couple of times. He visited Italy in his youth.”

  I ignored the sharp tug in my heart. I glanced up. “Yeah? What’d you think about him?”

  “He was a prickly bastard.”

  I snorted a laugh. “Yeah. He was. I miss him, though.”

  I didn’t mean to say that. We barely knew each other, and yet I felt at ease in his company. Despite the arousal, of course. That was bad. Vampires were predators first and foremost. Don’t trust them. Dain had been clear on that.

  “I would imagine you do,” Cassius said. “But I hear you do him proud.”

  I sat up taller with the compliment. “I’ve never had any complaints.”

  “I would imagine not. The duchess doesn’t tolerate fools. Might I add you are also pleasanter company that he ever was.”

  I chuckled. “Well, while I’m sure I am, no one’s ever said that to me before. But I’ll take it.”

  He paused, considered the sky. “As much as I hate for this to end, I believe I have no choice in the matter.”

  I gazed at him again, then glanced at the sky. It was lightening, the dark sky turning blue.

  “Seriously?” I looked at my watch. Holy shit. I’d been talking to Cassius for hours. The entire night. I’d eaten before I came but I still should have been feeling some hunger pains. I hopped off the railing.

  “It was a delight to meet you, Vulcan.” He held out his hand. I took it, and his strong fingers wrapped around mine.

  Butterflies erupted in my stomach. He had nice hands. Stop it. The contrast of our skin tones showed more starkly. Despite the lack of sun in my life, I was naturally a light brown courtesy of my mother’s Latin heritage.

  “It was more than a delight for me.” A blush warmed my cheeks, and I stepped away, fumbling with my notebook. “What I mean is that you made the nerd in me very happy.”

  He chuckled with obvious pleasure. “I’m glad. A strigoi is so often the cause of sorrow, not happiness.”

  I frowned even as I handed him one of my business cards and stuffed my notepad into my back pocket. “A strigoi?”

  “A vampiric being in Romanian folklore. Similar to strix and vrykolakas.”

  “Now you’ve done it. Now I’m going home to research all that instead of sleeping.”

  Cassius smiled as he led me back into the ballroom. He put a gentle hand on my back to guide me, and the touch sparked throughout my entire body. Good God, I really needed to jerk off when I got home. That was first priority.

  Who would have guessed an ancient Roman soldier-turned-vampire could be such a nice guy?

  “I hope to see you again soon,” he said when we stopped by the front doors.

  “Yeah, uh, me too. But I really should say goodbye to Her Grace before I leave.” I just then remembered she had a commission for me.

  “I suspect she has already retired to her rooms,” he said. “I will pass on your regards.”

  I could see the imminent rising of the sun was already affecting him. He struggled to remain alert, his eyelids drooping, and his shoulders were slightly hunched. I could only imagine how strongly the sun would affect someone his age. It was impressive he was still walking and talking.

  The butler appeared and handed me my jacket. Then Cassius completely flustered me by grabbing the jacket and helping me into it. I wasn’t a girl, for God’s sake, though I secretly found it nice to get such attention and courtesy.

  At a loss for words, strange considering our nonstop talking for hours, I gave a little wave. “Later.”

  I turned and stepped outside.

  “Until next time,” he said. Then he shut the door as the sun appeared over the horizon.

  I took a deep breath and headed for the limo that would take me home.

  Chapter Two

  True to my word, I did spend a couple of hours upon returning home researching strigoi and the other creatures Cassius had mentioned. I also stuffed my face, my stomach finally notifying me that it needed sustenance. Around two in the afternoon, I finally dropped into a deep sleep. After the sun had set, I woke up to a text. I sat up in bed and leaned against my headboard.

  Good night. This is Cassius. Are you awake?

  It still made me chuckle to think of vampires texting. To imagine him texting was even funnier.

  I’m up. I keep the sleep pattern of my nocturnal clients. Makes things easier.

  Two seconds after I sent the text, my phone rang. I took a breath and answered. “Cassius?”

  “Vulcan,” he said.

  I snorted. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

  “I sent an email with attached images. I wondered if you could replicate one of my favorite battle swords from my younger years.”

  My heart leapt into my throat as I flung back the covers. I scrambled out of bed in my underwear and to the living room where my laptop sat. “Hells yes I can!”

  He chuckled. “You haven’t even opened the email.”

  “Still yes,” I said as I booted up my computer and waited impatiently for the browser to open. “I’m in between jobs right now so this is perfect timing. When did you want it by? It can take me a couple of weeks to a month depending.”

  I finally logged into my email and opened the one from [email protected].

  Cute.

  Janus was the old Roman two-faced god, with one face pointed to the past and one to the future. He was technically the god of doorways and new beginnings—probably one of their only gods that didn’t have an obvious Greek counterpart.

  “That should be fine, there’s no rush.”

  I studied the pictures. Yep, that was definitely a gladius. The sword was
in decent condition considering its age. A bit rusted and dull, and that handle and pommel must have been replaced. “Where’s the original being kept?”

  “In my home in Italy, in a temperature-controlled room.”

  “Smart.”

  “I have been known to be at times.”

  I laughed. “I would think you’d have to be to live as long as you have.”

  The sudden silence on the other line pulled me out of my contemplation of the sword pics.

  “Cassius?”

  “Will you have a drink with me?”

  I blinked at the sudden change of subject. “What?”

  “A drink, Vulcan. With me. How about the duchess’s club? She mentioned you often frequent the place.”

  “Um….” I didn’t want to say no. I really, really wanted to say yes. Damn it all, I enjoyed his company. But….

  “As a favor to me,” he said gently. “Her Grace often says I need to get out more. As if spending most of my life traveling around the world doesn’t qualify as getting out.”

  I scowled. “You sneaky jerk. Now I have to say yes. I bet you have some great stories to tell.”

  I heard the grin in his voice as he said, “You won’t know unless you accept my offer.”

  I stared at the ceiling and swallowed a sigh. “How about we raincheck that for now? I really want to start on your sword, and I think I need to order some things. I see you included measurements, so that’s good.” I then quoted him an estimated price that could fluctuate a tad depending on labor and materials. “I’ll send you my standard contract, and I’ll text if I have any questions.”

  “As you wish,” he said.

  Did I imagine the disappointment in his voice?

  “I’ll talk to you later,” I said.

  “Yes, you will.”

  I raised an eyebrow and ended the call. I stared at my phone for a moment. Did that just happen? I tossed the phone on the couch and went to make myself some coffee.

  It was going to be a long night.

  Vampires weren’t undead, per se. They were more like a subspecies of humans. A highly advanced subspecies of humans, for sure, but they still had weaknesses. Sunlight was a big one, and since the day acted like a sedative, they had best find themselves someplace to hole up when it came. They were highly flammable, so fire was treated with extreme caution, and they were also hemophiliacs. It took some effort to cut one, but once it happened, if the wound wasn’t treated, they could easily bleed out. That was a rarity since vampires also had special enzymes in their saliva. Dain told me their saliva acted as a coagulant to keep their victims—humans or other vamps—from bleeding out when they were done feeding. Oh, and they were telepathic as well, as if they didn’t have enough superhuman powers already. While they had more mental control if they fed on a mortal’s blood, they could still communicate mentally if a person’s mind was receptive. Since most mortals didn’t know the first thing about mental blocks, it wasn’t hard to hack into their minds.

  In most parts of the developed world, covens have ceased hunting humans and, instead, form contracts with willing subjects, called thralls. Thralls acted as feedbags as well as emissaries, carrying out duties during the day while their masters slept. I suspected the hunting didn’t really stop cold but went underground since it was technically illegal in the vamp community. It was mostly for self-preservation, not for any moral reason. Did a lion have a moral dilemma when hunting a gazelle? I don’t think so. With all the cameras and media recording every bit of the globe, vampires and other predators had to adjust if they wanted to remain off slayers’ radar. Covens owned and operated several blood banks and were also pushing into medical science to formulate drinkable synthetic blood.

  Vampires were nearly the perfect predator. No offense to werewolves or ghouls since those buggers were just as fierce, but I thought it was the combination of vamp supernatural strength plus their sexual allure that beat out the wolves and ghouls. Their prey came to them. With the vamp mania going around, all they had to do was sit and wait, and the feedbags would line up to be punctured.

  I made sure I wasn’t one of them. Dain had told me all the vamp secrets he knew, and I was still alive and kicking. He’d drilled into me that though there should be respect and alliance, never, ever turn your back on a creature of the night. For that matter, he always added, never turn your back on a human either. They could stab just as quickly.

  The same night that Cassius commissioned me, I paced my workshop, ticking items off my list and making notes on what I needed to purchase. I didn’t have music on so I actually heard my phone ring. I usually muted it when I worked or turned it off completely, depending on the difficulty of the job.

  I looked at the screen before answering.

  “Good night, Your Grace,” I said.

  “Good night Vulcan,” the duchess said. “I was wondering if you had time tonight to stop by. We never did continue our conversation about the gems.”

  I grimaced at the oversight. “No, we didn’t. My sincere apologies.”

  “It is no problem. But I would like to discuss these soon. I have a gala opening in a couple of weeks. A few pieces now and you can finish the rest later.”

  I swallowed a sigh and looked longingly at the pictures I’d printed from Cassius’s email. “Can you give me two hours? I’m not sure about the traffic.”

  “I can send the limousine. I don’t like the thought of you on that death machine.”

  I smiled. “Believe it or not, I feel very safe on my motorcycle. Expect me in two hours.”

  She let out a little huff before conceding. I hung up. I quickly put things in order before leaving and locking up my home. I stroked the handles of my motorcycle lovingly before getting on and starting her up. I hadn’t been lying about my comfort level. While cars still gave me the shakes, feeling like a tin can that could be crushed, my baby was freeing. I could see everything from her back, and there wasn’t a passenger to worry about. And, best of all, I maneuvered better and swifter.

  I slipped on my helmet and took off, smiling as the backroads turned into main roads. I noted the glaring neon lights that turned night into day, the crowds of people swarming from one club to another, and the constant drug deals, sirens, prostitutes, and other seedier nightlife activity. I also spotted a few ghouls and quickly looked away. They could pass for human until they decided to feed. Then they became truly monstrous.

  I arrived at the duchess’s manor with time to spare and was mighty proud of myself. I announced myself through the speaker at the gate, and they promptly sprang open for me. After roaring up the driveway and parking, the butler opened the main door before I could even approach.

  “Her Grace is on the patio with her family in the back. Shall I lead you, sir?”

  I took off my helmet and then combed my fingers through my hair and nodded. I strode quickly to him. “I would appreciate that, thanks.”

  He led me straight through the manor and out the back. A small number of her coven were there, sipping blood and listening to violin music. Even as I looked for her, I realized everyone was watching a dance of some sort. I stepped out further and the butler closed the door behind me. Bodies shifted and I saw what had everyone’s attention.

  My stomach tightened with need and my jaw dropped. I might have actually drooled.

  Cassius. Was dancing. With a sword.

  I’d never seen anything so beautiful and elegant in my life. I could only stare, marveling at the skill and grace. He was shirtless, barefoot, his pants making me think of I Dream of Genie. His hair was bound tightly in a bun at the back of his head, and his eyes were half shut, as if in a trance. He twirled around a stone circle as the music played, the sword appearing weightless as it slipped and slid around his arms, his chest, his back. I suspected the sword might be a zhanmadao—a Chinese anti-calvary weapon from the Han Dynasty. The grip was nearly as long as the blade and the balance had to have been perfect for him to wield it like he was doing. I envied the craf
tsmanship just as I was entranced by the dance itself.

  How many times had he practiced and possibly hurt himself? The blade never touched his skin, only the handle. I could see the sharpness from where I stood. Damn.

  Then he stopped, standing straight and the sword appeared to travel up his arm before coming to rest in his palm. The music ended and he smiled at the crowd, blue eyes twinkling. I applauded with the rest, barely resisting whistling. I was hot and bothered and fascinated. Where had he learned that dance? From who?

  It struck me again, how old he was. How much life he’d lived. How much he’d seen and done. I was an infant in comparison. No, more like a fetus. How could I not feel intimated by his mere presence? His existence?

  I backed away from the crowd that was surrounding him, laughing and praising his moves. I scuttled back into the shadows and took a breath.

  “He is marvelous, no?”

  I jumped. Muttering a curse, I turned to the duchess. She grinned, her amusement clear.

  “Must you?” I said.

  She giggled and slipped her arm through mine before pulling me towards the crowd. I’d barely managed to get myself under control before her appearance and now I was losing the battle the closer I got to Cassius. It should be illegal to be as attractive as him.

  “I thought you wanted me to look at your gems,” I said, slowing my steps.

  “We will in a minute. Cassius deserves our praise, don’t you think?”

  I grunted.

  The crowd parted for us and Cassius looked our way. He noticed me and grinned.

  “That was magnificent, mon cher,” Her Grace said and gestured for him to bend down to her. He did and she kissed his cheeks.

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it. It’s been a while since I’ve performed for an audience.” He looked at me, and I forced myself to stare at his nose. I really wanted to check out his chest. He was leanly muscled and the moonlight made his skin look like marble, like one of those Roman statues come to life.