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“I guess so,” I answered, and there was an awkward pause.

“Are you married?” Eden blurted.

“Yes, but it ended years ago.”

“Oh, sorry.”

“You like that word, don’t you? You keep saying it. Eden, you should try stopping apologising for every little thing. Truthfully, I’m not sorry that my marriage is over. It has been for years. Inka became someone I didn’t recognise.

“Luckily, we have not seen each other for God knows how long, and it doesn’t really matter. We had a son, Michael, but again, I haven’t seen Michael in ages. Michael and I fell out, too. He took his mother’s side without knowing the truth. I’m probably difficult to get along with.”

“I’m sor—I wouldn’t say that. Jacques, I find you easy to talk to.”

“I do my best, my lady,” I said, doffing an imaginary hat.

Eden giggled.

I laughed, too, before sensing a cold presence. I turned stiffly, confronting a vampire. The intruder smirked as I recognised her for what she was, and I felt the blood of a Vam’pir running through her.

Cheekily, she ordered a gin and tonic and sat in front of the windows.

Curiously, I excused myself from Eden, inquisitive as to what a vampire would be doing in my territory. The rabble had been cleaned out years ago, and I was the only immortal in London.

She studied me coldly, like I was under a microscope, as I sat opposite her. I wasn’t going to speak first, and she seemed to be challenging me. We sat silently, observing one another for an hour. I was damned if I spoke first.

Finally, she broke the silence and said in a sultry voice, “You’re the big bad, Vam’pir Jacques. Not what I expected. You look quite normal.”

“Thank you. Since you are aware of my identity, shouldn’t you reciprocate with yours?”

“Yes, I suppose it would. Amelia.”

“Nice name.”

“I think so. Very old-fashioned, but I’m not that type of girl.”

“One of Nathan’s?”

“No, I have yet to find Nathan. I’ve heard of him. Seems Nathan is as big a troublemaker as what you are. Unlike you, Nathan didn’t take that extra step.”

Amelia was trying to get at my temper, and I had no intention of allowing her to. She was baiting me boldly. If Amelia didn’t watch herself, she would get more than what she bargained for.

“Nothing to say on the subject?” Amelia taunted.

In silence, I merely stared, and Amelia sighed. “Pity, it would have been interesting to learn your side of the story. Wouldn’t you like to know the reason for my presence?”

I shrugged and remained quiet.

“You’re a hard one. Anyway, I was sent to find you by another. That is what I do, locate missing vampires or Vam’pirs.”

“A kind of vampire private detective? Hate to tell you this, but I am not lost. Have never been and will never be.”

“No, but this person gave me your name for emergencies.”

“Why doesn’t he extend his senses? Your mystery man can find me if he wishes.”

“Who said it’s a man?”

“Get on with it while I make my mind up whether I let you live or not.”