Page 155 of Blood Stone

Chapter Thirty-Three

Nial settled himself into the perilous chair, while Winter and Sebastian sat side by side on the bench. Cyneric was missing.

Khurshid tapped on the glass separating them from the driver with the back of her knuckles. The limousine smoothly pulled away from the curb.

She glanced at Sebastian. “Do you know how to make a dry martini?”

“Not in the least, madam,” Sebastian confessed thankfully.

“I do,” Winter told her. “If you don’t mind a non-vampire waiting upon you?”

Khurshid considered her. “Thank you, child. I appreciate your courtesy, especially as I have disturbed your natural sleep hours.” She waved toward the hidden bar.

Winter eased past Sebastian’s knees, raising her brow at him as she went by. She sat next to the bar and lifted the lid, examined the contents, then set about making the drink.

Khurshid settled her hands in her lap once more and considered Nial. “I am returning to England in the morning.”

“I regret I will not be able to spend more time in your company, madam,” Nial replied.

She waved the comment away with an impatient flick of her fingers.

Nial lifted his own hand as if he wanted to halt her cynicism. “I have a feeling I will be in need of your experience and memories before this has all played out.”

Khurshid pursed her lips. “You may well indeed. I had thought of that. So has Cyneric. I’m leaving him behind.”

Winter paused, the bottle of Vermouth in mid-air, to look at Khurshid, her face blank.

“That is generous of you, madam,” Nial replied without hesitation. He sounded utterly sincere.

Khurshid smiled. “That is one way of putting it. Your wife would phrase it another way, I suspect.” She glanced at Winter.

Winter pressed her lips together and returned to making the cocktail.

“You have no opinion, Sebastian?” Khurshid asked, looking at him.

“None I choose to utter here, madam,” Sebastian replied.

“You have discreet partners, Nathaniel,” Khurshid told him. She gave a small smile. “Cyneric tends to generate more volatile reactions than yours.”

Nial shrugged. “They have experience in this, madam. I, too, am known to stir strong emotions in others.”

Khurshid’s smile broadened. “Which you are doing, right now. You are ever a trouble-maker, Nathaniel. Perhaps that is your way of getting along. But you have chosen to stir this pot, and so I am returning to England and leaving it all in your hands. I’ve learned that you’re more than capable.”

Nial inclined his head forward, in a nod of acceptance. “Thank you.”

She lifted a finger. “You do not get to play your chessgame with complete liberty, Nathaniel.”

He raised a brow, but remained silent.

Khurshid lowered her hand. “You simply cannot force this matter upon us all, willy-nilly. I understand, now that Cyneric has explained it to me more clearly, that exposure of the blood is unavoidable. I agree with your general theory, Nathanial. It is better to pick the time and style of our exposure and manage such a delicate matter than let the chips fall as they will. But exposure of the blood and revelation of each individual’s identity are two different matters.”

Nial frowned. “You want everyone to chose for themselves?”

She gave a nod that was regal in its stiffness. “You live in a country that prides itself on its love of democracy, do you not? Should not each of us get to choose? Is that not the democratic way?”

Nial remained silent for a few moments. “You can attempt to remain hidden, madam, but the humans, once they know of vampires, may unearth your real nature sooner than you would like.”

“That is a chance those of us who chose to stay hidden will have to risk,” Khurshid replied. She gave Nial a small smile. “We will be watching you and your liberators, Nial. And we will watch your new lifestyle among the humans. After a few years, more will see the freedom you are offering and choose to join you, I am sure. But while the human technology is still new and developing, those of us who have no desire to change things will have a brief sunset to enjoy things as they were. Let us have that time, Nathaniel. We will be forced to join you eventually…or not.”