Page 146 of Blood Stone

Roman wiped condensation from the side of her glass with his spare hand. “So what were you thinking about at the theatre that got you so wound up, Kate?”

She swallowed. Truth time. “You. And Garrett. Together.”

Roman’s hands paused. Both of them, just for a second. He looked at Garrett.

Garrett stirred. “There’s someone you should meet.” He looked around the restaurant. “Winter.” He didn’t lift his voice particularly high. “Come and meet Kate. As Winter.” Then he listened. And nodded.

“She’ll be right here,” he told Kate.

Kate frowned. “Another vampire?” The woman had been able to hear Garrett easily from across a crowded, noisy room.

“No. Winter is very special. Until a few weeks ago, she thought she was human, like you.” Garrett looked up. “You know her as Annette, my assistant. Here she is.”

Annette walked up to the table, but she looked very little like the Annette Kate had got used to.

She was quite stunning, with sea green eyes and a mane of red hair that put Garrett’s to shame.

“Are you related?” Kate asked Garrett.

He smiled. “I can see why you’d think so, but no. Winter, have a seat for a minute.”

Winter sat down. She smiled at Kate. “I’ve been working as ‘Annette’ – Garrett’s assistant — to help him out while he was on your set. He couldn’t keep Boston going by remote control without the assistance.”

Garrett shook his head. “Not exactly true, but close enough for now. Winter, I brought you over to explain your marriage.”

Winter’s smile softened and grew warmer. She laid both her hands on the tablecloth, palms down. “Which husband do you want me to start with?”

Kate looked at her hands. There were two rings, one on each third finger. The one on the right looked like a normal wedding band, with green stones set in it. The one on the left was a Claddagh ring, the crown pointing toward Winter. It looked very old, though. It was a solid band with the crown, heart and hands carved into it, not a modern Claddagh with the designs shaped into the ring itself.

Kate looked at Winter again, reassessing. The woman was normal, sane. Gorgeous. There wasn’t anything even remotely hippy about her. “Two husbands?” Kate clarified.

Winter nodded. “You know them, too. They’re working on your set under other names. Terry the computer guy and David, Patrick’s handler. They look a bit different, normally. Sebastian and Nial are their real names.”

Kate realized she was squeezing her glass and loosened her grip. She knew the men Winter had named. She had noticed them around. They were both physically in great shape, but she had barely spoken to either of them. “You married them both?” Kate repeated.

Winter gave her a warm smile. Even her eyes held warmth. “We’re all married,” she qualified. “Nial and Sebastian were together for centuries before they met me.”

It was only Roman’s steadying hand on her glass that stopped the champagne from spilling across the table, as Kate physically jumped, like she had been goosed.

Winter gave a small laugh. “These two set you up, didn’t they?” She reached out and picked up Kate’s hand. “They’re not being mean. They’re letting you choose.”

Kate stared at her. All her fear was draining away. She could feel herself relaxing. “Are you…doing something to me?”

Winter nodded. “I’m helping you to relax. It’s better than alcohol. No hangover.”

“That’s what you are?” Kate whispered.

“I’m a Curandero,” Winter told her. “I heal with my touch.” She winked. “Among other things.” She looked into Kate’s eyes. “You need to decide what you want and take it. But I think you already know what you want, don’t you? The only thing holding you back is fear of being judged — and found wanting. The great Hollywood disease.” She put Kate’s hand back on the table. “Tonight you took a massive step toward junking that. I watched it onEntertainment Tonight. It was great, by the way.” She stood up. “These two hooligans brush up presentably well, too.” She pulled all her hair back into one hand. “I guess I just got fired. I’m going to go clear out the trailer and move back to my hotel. And finally take a decent shower. Nial has been hogging room service there since Patrick wrapped up. Night, everyone.”

She walked away, while Kate pushed the champagne aside. Whatever Winter had done to her was perfect. She was relaxed, alert, alive and tingling all over. The last thing she wanted to do was deaden the effect with mind-numbing alcohol.

Garrett was studying her. So was Roman.

“You’ve been planning this, haven’t you?” she accused.

“Winter was an improvisation,” Garrett confessed.

“But this, right now. Ganging up on me.”