Marie sat quietly behind the wheel of her car trying to summon up enough courage to go through with it. Andrew had come through big time with his investigation into Stephen’s allegations against Techtron. There was a lot in the file that had shocked her; she was sure her father didn’t know about the worst parts. He wouldn’t have stood by and let people be hurt in his name. She had made Andrew promise not to tell him about any of it until she’d had a chance to speak with him. She wanted to break it to him gently.

She reached for the file beside her on the passenger seat and opened it. She had the entire thing on disk, but she had a feeling that Stephen would prefer hard copy. The first item was a photograph of Christopher Wilson at a clandestine meeting with John Newman. She didn’t recognise the others with him, but she didn’t need to. Newman was well known as AML’s fugitive leader. Christopher Wilson was her father’s number two, and Techtron’s chief of operations. He was on the board of directors and a very powerful man in his own right. It was worrying that her father didn’t care that the second most powerful man in Techtron was sympathetic with AML’s politics. Andrew said he knew about his political leanings, but he didn’t care as long as he did a good job.

She leafed through the reports and photos then slapped the file shut and dropped it back upon the seat. What was she doing here really? The information gathered in the file was confidential. It could really hurt Techtron’s stock if what it contained became public knowledge, and here she was contemplating giving it to an outsider. Not only that, Stephen was a… he wasn’t even… alive? She winced; she didn’t like parroting AML’s line even in the privacy of her own thoughts. It felt like a betrayal. Why that should be, she didn’t know. She barely knew him, and yet...

She remembered their brief meeting and his laughter. She liked it that she had surprised him. It was a silly inconsequential thing she supposed, but making him laugh had made her feel good. Made her feel alive again in a way she hadn’t really felt since Martin disappeared and she began drifting. She had made him laugh and it was genuine. Stephen had noticed her, noticed that she was alive and a real person not a basket case for her therapist to study like some kind of baffling puzzle, not a daughter to be sequestered and protected from the world, but a person in her own right with her own thoughts. She had made Stephen laugh; an immortal knew that she lived. A silly thing to hold so much meaning for her, but in the centuries to come, long after she turned to dust and cobwebs, he would remember the woman who had made him laugh. It wasn’t much of a mark to leave upon the world, but it was strangely comforting to her that she was in his memories now.

She watched people arriving and leaving the club, wondering who they all were. Andrew wouldn’t like it that she was here. Lucky then that he didn’t know. He thought she was at a friend’s house. She had even borrowed Kelly’s car in case he had people watching hers. He had done it before and she had let him. Just as she let everyone do things for her. It was easier; easier by far to let them take charge than to make decisions. Just drift along, don’t make a fuss, don’t argue or draw attention. Let it all go by.

Her features hardened into a frown. It was time she took charge of her life and did something with it. Helping Stephen was something she was uniquely qualified to do and she was determined that this time she would not let herself take the easy path. Before now, she hadn’t shown an interest in her father’s business, preferring her studies. Her biology major and a future in medicine had been her goal once, but now? She had surprised herself with how much she had enjoyed poking into things when Andrew gave her the report. Double-checking some information, going deeper into other areas herself when the report lacked something she felt needed investigation, had revealed a side of herself she hadn’t known existed. Her father would have been stunned to learn she’d enjoyed researching his work; she had never shown an interest in where the money came from before. He had long ago decided she would not follow in his footsteps, not that he had ever asked of course. It was just understood. He would be more than stunned if he learned why she was interested now.

Marie took a firm hold of herself and climbed out of the car. She crossed the parking lot and bypassed the crowd of hopeful party-goers trying to ignore the glares they aimed her way. She didn’t recognise the doorman and wondered if he would let her in.

“I need to see Stephen.”

“Oh really,” the doorman said, sarcasm heavy in his voice. He waved another couple through the doors.

“Yes really. He knows me.”

“Is that so?” he said sounding amused and condescending.

She gritted her teeth and silently counted to ten. “Look, if you don’t believe me, get Charles.”

He turned a guy away for not wearing a tie and glared at her in irritation. “Look lady, I’ve got a job to do here. I can’t leave the door.”

“And if I don’t see Stephen tonight, I won’t be back. You can explain to him why I didn’t give him this,” she said waving the file under his nose.

He scowled and ducked his head inside to call someone to take his place on the door. When he turned back he looked pissed. “You had better be real friendly with Stephen, lady. If I take you in and find you conned me, you’re gonna regret it.”

Marie stepped back and swallowed nervously. The doorman’s eyes had changed from grey to gold. She could almost feel his anger radiating from them.

She nodded nervously.

The doorman said a few words to his replacement and led her inside. They didn’t go into the club proper. Instead, he led her through a door marked ‘Staff Only’ and up a flight of stairs into an office. There was a man sitting at a desk working with a computer.

“What is it, Lawrence? I thought you were on the door tonight?”

“Yes sir. I have a woman here. She claims to know Stephen and wants—”

“I do know him,” Marie interrupted as she stepped around him to enter the office. “Are you Edward Tansey?”

“Yes I am. You may go, Lawrence.”

Lawrence nodded, closing the door as he left.

Edward smiled and offered his hand. “Miss Stirling, I am very happy to meet you at last. Stephen has spoken of you in the most glowing terms.”

Edward Tansey was Stephen’s familiar, another name for which was human servant. He had a very pronounced British accent, a legacy of years spent in England with his mother’s family. According to Andrew’s investigation, Edward was Oxford educated, unmarried, and loyal to Stephen beyond question.

She shook the offered hand. “Is Stephen here?”

“Regrettably not—a business meeting, but he’ll be back quite soon.”

She frowned in disappointment and it had nothing to do with the reports she held. She had been looking forward to seeing him again. “I have something he needs to see.”

“You can leave it with me and I’ll see that he gets it.”

“I’m sorry Mister Tansey—”

“Edward please. Only employees call me Mister Tansey.”

“Edward then,” she said clutching the files to her chest. “I can’t let this out of my sight. I had hoped to go over it with Stephen tonight.”

“I’m certain he would be delighted to receive you. Would you like to sit while you wait?” Edward gestured to the leather sofa to the right of his desk. “Can I get you anything, coffee, tea, something stronger?”

Marie bit her lip but moved to the sofa and sat. “Do you have a coke? I’m driving.”

“Of course,” Edward said from across the room and busied himself half filling a tall glass with ice cubes and pouring the coke. He turned back and offered the glass. “Here you are.”

Marie set aside the reports on the sofa next to her and took the glass. She drank the first inch. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” Edward said and sat with her, the reports a barrier between them. “May I?”

She nodded. Andrew had researched Edward Tansey. She had no fear that Stephen would object. “Please.”

Edward picked up the folder and began reading while she watched his reactions and sipped her drink. He read for a short while until reaching the point that referenced the photographs. She knew that because he stopped reading and shuffled papers until he found the right picture. He held it in one hand and frowned, re-read something and frowned again before going through all the pictures.

“Forgive me for asking, but is your father aware that Techtron is sponsoring AML?”

“Techtron is not sponsoring them,” she began hotly. “Wilson is.”

“Forgive me again, Miss Stirling, but that is naive. I haven’t studied this in any depth, but already I can see Techtron and AML have a mutually beneficial relationship. AML wants the non-humans removed from the city, and Techtron wants to own the Waterfront District. Do you know what the locals call this area?”

Marie shook her head.

“Monster Central,” Edward said and looked down at the files again. “If AML were to succeed in clearing Monster Central of non-humans, it would go a long way toward realising their goals. Los Angeles is home to one of the biggest non-human communities in the Republic. Success here would be a huge win for them.

“Stephen and I were puzzled about AML’s strategy, a clever move we thought, and dangerous because it could work. They usually don’t try to buy our people, they butcher them, but now I am starting to think we were looking in the wrong direction. AML are not behind this strategy; Techtron is. Your father’s company is bankrolling AML and using its reputation to... ah, encourage acceptance of its offers.”

“My father is a good man. He doesn’t know about this.”

“You have talked with him then?”

“No but—”

Edward frowned. “Why not?”

Before she could answer, Edward closed the folder and stood, already looking toward the door. Marie turned and watched Stephen flow into the room. Flow, what a marvellous word. It was accurate too. Stephen was so graceful; he flowed through the door and into the room. She smiled when his distracted expression changed. For a moment she saw surprise and delight on his face, she was sure she had seen it, but it was quickly replaced by a smile of welcome. Her smile widened a little more, and she wondered if he was leaking again. The thought almost made her laugh.

“Marie! This is a surprise.” Stephen reached for her hand and clasped it in both of his as she rose. He held her hand stroking it with a thumb as if unaware. “Have you eaten this evening?”

A shiver ran down her spine, she couldn’t concentrate on anything but his hand holding hers. His skin was dry and cool, but not cold. She had imagined he would be cold, but his touch was pleasant. More than pleasant. Another shiver ran down her spine and her short hairs lifted. She was fascinated by his touch. She stared at his hand, his thumb stroking back and forth, back and forth and imagined him touching other things. A glow of warmth began low in her belly. Goddess, he was...

She forced herself to look up. She found his eyes and a thrill of fear shot through her. Never look a vampire in the eyes! Everyone knew that rule. She quickly focused upon the knot of his tie, but then she realised he hadn’t tried anything. Daringly, she flicked a look at his face and found nothing to fear. He was still smiling, waiting for an answer.

Talk fool! Say something intelligent for goddess’ sake!

“Ah... eaten? No I...” she was acting like a child! She tugged gently and Stephen released her hand. Had she imagine his reluctance to let go? “I brought something you need to see.”

Edward offered the folder back and Marie accepted it gratefully. She needed the distraction. She opened the folder to the photograph of Christopher Wilson meeting with John Newman and turned the entire folder toward Stephen.

He glanced down reluctantly but his eyes sharpened when he realised what he was looking at. He reached to take the folder, glancing up for permission first, and took it out of her hands. He glared at the photograph as if it offended him. Good thing vampires were not pyrokinetic, because the strength of his glare might have made it burst into flames.

“I got it for you, the information you wanted. You said last time you needed me... my help I mean so... well I got it for you.” She forced herself to shut up. She was babbling!

“Thank you, Marie. This is more than I expected.”

“We can go over it together. I mean if you would like to. I can’t let you keep it; it would do bad things to Techtron’s stock if what that folder contains got out, and it would devastate my father to learn his friend is doing this.”

Stephen’s eyes danced over her face, studying her. “Be at ease, I give you my word I mean no harm to your father, and of course you must take this away with you.”

Edward shuffled his feet, his expression uncertain. “But we need—”

Stephen raised a hand and cut Edward off. “I would very much enjoy your company for dinner this evening. We can go over this at the same time.”

She hadn’t planned to make this trip into a date, but she hadn’t eaten yet. She had been too nervous. She wanted to accept, she realised, and she had to stay to go over the information with Stephen anyway, so why not over dinner?

“Dinner would be good,” she said, and felt proud of her daring. She really was starting to take responsibility for her life again. She doubted her father would be thrilled with the way her new independence had manifested. “I don’t think my jeans will look right in your club.”

Stephen’s eyes glowed briefly and Marie felt his delight in her acceptance of his offer. He was leaking again. The thought made her grin.

“No need for concern.” He closed the folder and used it to gesture toward the door. “I have an apartment here.”

“Here at the club?” she said as they left the office.

“Beneath. We call it the underground. It’s very comfortable. My staff and I live there. AML are always a threat. It’s safer for all if we stay together.”

The thought of AML hurting Stephen chilled her, and ruined the mood that had been building. What must it be like, living in hiding and always on guard against attack? The club must have a giant target painted on it even without Stephen’s presence. So many non-humans partying together must be like a slap in the face to Newman and his friends.

“Have you ever thought that your club is asking for trouble?” she said as they crossed the lobby toward another door on the far side.

Anger sparked in his eyes. “Blaming the victims?”

“No! That isn’t what I meant at all. Lost Souls is a monster club. Humans don’t come here.”

“Some do, you did after all, but I know what you’re thinking. Our people do need places like this where they can be themselves.”

“But you didn’t ban humans.”

“That would be illegal,” Stephen said wryly. “I have people on the door whose judgement I trust to weed out troublemakers of the human variety. They only let in those we can trust.”

She made a face. It wasn’t fair, but no one said it would be. In the Republic, non-humans were barred from many venues and businesses by law, but that same law protected human rights. It was literally illegal to discriminate against humans based upon their sex, or race, or age. Such hypocrisy was breath-taking.

“It’s not fair,” she said. “But I was thinking how your club must look to AML. It’s a slap in their faces. You painted a huge target on it. They could bomb the place without fear of killing too many humans.”

Stephen snorted as they followed the corridor to the end and called the elevator. “They have tried various things, not bombs yet, but they wouldn’t care about killing a few collaborators and thrill seekers. That’s what they call humans who associate with us. To them, such people are collateral damage at worst, not even worth a second thought.”

Marie knew he was right. The story about AML killing a shifter and his family wasn’t the first of its kind she had read about, it wasn’t even that unusual. His completely human children hadn’t warranted more than a brief mention by the media. A day or so later they were forgotten.

The elevator doors slid aside, and she joined Stephen inside. He entered a code into a keypad and then selected four. The elevator dropped smoothly and opened less than half a minute later to reveal a corridor with a few doors set in the walls. The floor was carpeted with a silvery grey carpet and the lighting in the ceiling was subdued. The walls were white, while the doors were varnished wood. Stephen ignored the rooms each side, leading her toward the double doors at the far end of the hall, but as they neared the last door, it opened to reveal Terry.

Marie stopped, startled. “What are you doing here?”

Terry closed the door. “I live here,” he said and a strange light flashed in his eyes.

She stepped back giving him some room, feeling a wave of dizziness and nausea pass over her. Stephen was suddenly there. His hand flashed, once then twice, so fast she barely saw it move, but suddenly Terry reeled back from the backhand slap to his face. Blood trickled from split lips.

Stephen moved forward into the vacated space making him back away. The look of hatred on Terry’s face was terrifying, and Marie wanted to shout for help, but then she saw his eyes burn red and his fangs descend. The realisation that he was a vampire shocked her into a horrified silence. Had he been attacked? Was Stephen looking after him? She didn’t understand any of this.

“You dare!” Stephen hissed angrily. “You dare to insult my guest and compound it by trying in front of me? Never try that on her again. I swear you are one breath from the final death at this moment.”

“I’m sorry, Stephen! I swear I didn’t mean—”

Another slap. “Don’t lie to me!” Stephen roared. “I made you, I can unmake you!”

Marie covered her ears and screamed; Stephen’s roar had power, not just volume. Terry cringed, turning his face away from Stephen’s wrath. It was wrath, not anger. She screamed again as Stephen’s rage poured over her.

“Marie?” Stephen said softly an age later. “Open your eyes love, it’s all right now. He’s gone. I won’t let him hurt you.”

She shook her head.

“Please.”

She shook her head again, and tried to speak. It wasn’t Terry that had scared her.

“I should have thought. It’s my fault. I knew he was down here, but I would never have believed him stupid enough to try that on you with me right there. I’m twice the fool now.”

She didn’t think he was a fool at all. He was as sexy as anything on two legs that she could imagine, as scary as ten demons appearing in her bedroom naked and ready for action, as powerful as... as powerful as a very powerful thing with no safety catch! He was all that and more, but she didn’t take him for a fool.

“Tw... tw... twice?” she stuttered.

“For honouring my word and giving him the reward he sought, and then allowing you to meet him this way. It won’t happen again. I will ensure he is elsewhere during your visits. Will you still have dinner with me?”

She opened her eyes and looked beyond him at the empty corridor. There was no sign of Terry. “It wasn’t him. I mean he surprised me, but it was your reaction that scared me half to death.”

Stephen’s face fell. “Ah.”

She felt his self-disgust clearly. “What did he try to do to me?”

“He tried to glamour you.”

“But all it did was make me feel dizzy. Was he trying to do that, why?”

“No, you misunderstand me. He’s too new; his power is weak. He tried to take control of your mind and make you his toy.”

Marie paled.

“It’s all right. I have impressed upon him the consequences of repeating his error.”

She could guess what Terry’s punishment would be if he angered Stephen that way again. She nodded, only then realising she was still kneeling on the carpet, and Stephen was crouching at eye level to talk to her. She gave him her hand.

“Help me up?”

Stephen’s relief was obvious. He pulled her up, and steadied her. “Dinner?” he asked hopefully.

Why was he so interested in her, why so intent upon dinner? It wasn’t as if he could eat. All he could do was watch her. It was flattering that he wanted to do that, but she was no child to believe an immortal saw merit in her. She was nothing special. The more she thought about it, the clearer it became that the only thing special about her was her father.