Page 33 of The Mermaid’s Bubble Lounge (Sam Quinn #8)

THIRTY-THREE

In Which Mustaches Are Discussed

Clive, Vlad, and I shared a confused look.

“We?” I asked.

“Yes. Oh.” He patted his pockets again. “Sorry. How rude of me.” He moved forward holding out his hand. “I’m your great-uncle Bracken.”

I shook his hand and felt steadier. “I’m so glad to finally meet you in person.”

“And you,” he said. He looked between Clive and Vlad before holding his hand out to Clive. “And you must be Clive. It’s good to meet you.”

Clive shook Bracken’s hand, his expression amused. “How did you determine which, if either of us, was her husband?”

Bracken waved away the question. “That was easy. I knew you were English. I heard your voice on our phone calls. Aside from the fact that you look English, you were the one to reach for Sam’s arm when she stepped forward to shake my hand.

You didn’t stop her, but you worried about the safety of the doddering old fool who’d just thrown a spell at the pooka, which seemed like a supportive, loving husband sort of thing to do. ”

He turned to Vlad. “And, I must admit, you look very much like your portrait. As I knew Sam was not married to the Voivode of Wallachia, I assumed I could rule you out as Clive.”

Vlad mustache twitched. “I haven’t heard that title in an age.”

“What does it mean?” I asked.

“Warlord of Wallachia, my home,” Vlad said.

“He was a great general of enormous forces, my dear,” Bracken told me. “In fact, if there’s time, I’d love to interview you.”

Vlad’s eyebrows went up. “I’ll think about it.”

“Fair enough,” Bracken said, turning back to me.

“Perhaps we should go somewhere else to talk. The pooka could be listening and taking notes.” He patted his pockets again.

“Before I forget.” He pulled a delicate chain out of his pocket.

“This is for your fae friend. Arwyn made a talisman for her to ward off unwanted obsessive attention.”

He held the necklace up in the moonlight. Hanging from a thin silver chain was a tiny, but beautifully detailed, starfish. “She said this should help repel the stalkers. Can you give this to the young woman for her?”

I held out my hand. “Absolutely. Please tell Arwyn we said thank you. This will be life-altering for her.”

He nodded, placing it in my palm. “Good.”

I looked at Clive. Can we invite him to the nocturne?

“We were on our way to the local nocturne,” Clive told him. “You’re welcome to join us, but you will be entering a house filled with my kind.”

Bracken looked between the three of us, excitement glowing in his eyes. “Thank you for the invitation. I’d love that.”

“Perfect,” I said. “I’ll drive with Bracken and show him the way. Clive, can you call and let them know we’re coming?”

“I can take him,” Vlad said.

Both Clive and Vlad were tense, watching us.

“He’s my great-uncle. Relax.”

Bracken patted my arm. “They’re just worried. I’m an unknown and you don’t reach their advanced ages by trusting the unknown. You can just give me the address, or the Voivode can drive with me.”

Vlad’s mustache went up on one side. “You may call me Vlad.”

“Thank you, and I am Bracken Corey.”

“Perhaps we should hold the rest of the conversation until we’re behind warded doors,” Clive reminded us. “Sam, will you drive with me?”

I blew out a breath. “Okay, but he can clearly hold his own with the pooka.” I smiled at Bracken. “I’ll see you at the nocturne.”

When we turned, Bracken said, “Wait. Which car is yours?”

I pointed to the silver and green Mercedes-Maybach.

Bracken glanced at Clive. “I’ve never seen one in person.”

“Clive has quite a collection,” I told him.

“Little boys and their toys,” Vlad mumbled, making Clive shake his head.

Bracken went to the back of the car and held out his hands, his fingers twitching. He turned around a moment later. “No pooka stowaways. Drive safely, my dear.” He walked past Clive to where Vlad was standing. “If you’ll come with me, I’m parked out in front.”

Clive opened my door, and I got in. A moment later, he was sliding behind the wheel.

“You’re not really worried about him, are you?” I asked.

He started the engine and pulled out. “He’s right. If we’re not wary and suspicious, we don’t last long.”

“You weren’t suspicious of me.” I paused, studying his profile. “Wait. Were you suspicious of me?”

He reached for my hand. “Darling, you were so clearly…hurt—”

“You can say broken,” I interrupted.

“Never broken.” He lifted my hand to his lips.

“Bruised and battered, perhaps. And, no, I was never suspicious of you.” He turned out onto the main road.

“Remember in New Orleans when Owen talked about your aura being a bright and shiny gold? He’d said that was the reason so many wicches flocked to The Slaughtered Lamb.

They could see your innate goodness and so trusted you.

Vampires can’t see auras, but your kind, pure heart is visible a mile away, even to our undead eyes.

I don’t know anyone else who could have befriended so many supernatural beings.

We were a veritable United Nations of Supernaturals fighting Garyn’s forces on Alcatraz. That happened because of you, darling.”

“I don’t think that’s—”

“Hush. I need to call Russell.” He tapped the phone app on the dashboard screen and hit Russell’s name.

“Good evening.” Russell’s deep voice filled the car.

“Hello, my friend,” Clive responded. “Sam and I are on our way to the nocturne. We have an unexpected guest on his way as well. Will you allow Sam’s great-uncle Bracken, who is a wicche, to enter the nocturne? He’s currently driving with Vlad to you.”

“He has no reservations about entering a nocturne?” Russell asked.

Clive grinned. “He’s an interesting one. I didn’t get fear from him, only excitement. And don’t be surprised if he asks to interview you.”

I laughed. “Hi, Russell. Maybe tell the rest of the vampires, so they don’t have to meet him if they don’t want to. A bunch of them seemed reticent to even let him hear their voices last night.”

“My lady, how would you know that? You were in my office all night.” I could hear the humor in his voice.

“Just a lucky guess,” I said.

“Hmm, well, I’ll talk with the Counselors, and I’ll have Godfrey alert the guards.”

“Thank you,” Clive responded before disconnecting the call.

“Do you mind if I invite Bracken to stay with us tonight?” I asked. “I don’t like the idea of him driving all the way back to Monterey so late at night.”

“You’ve been taken in by his old appearance.

” Clive glanced over, the corner of his mouth ticking up.

“Did you see how smoothly he crouched and spun before throwing that spell? How easily he stood from that crouch? I wouldn’t be surprised if the gray hair and wrinkles were a glamour.

He’s looking the age he is, as your great-uncle.

Never forget he is a Corey and a powerful wicche.

As to your original question, of course you can invite him to stay with us.

It’s your home too and he is your relative. ”

When we pulled up to the nocturne’s gates, they were open, and the guards bowed their heads to Clive. He might not have been their Master anymore, but he was still greatly respected.

We parked next to a new green Bronco. “It’s a green car party,” I said, making Clive laugh.

He came around to open my door. Apparently, the guards had learned their lesson the last time and didn’t try to open our doors this time. So many unspoken vamp rules.

Clive took my hand and tucked it into his elbow. “I think it makes sense for you to join us while we’re talking with your uncle.”

The guards at the front doors inclined their heads to Clive as we passed.

“Good. I want to hear what he has to say.”

Audrey was waiting for us in the foyer. “Welcome to the nocturne. Can we slake your thirsts?”

Clive smiled. “I’m fine, Audrey, but perhaps…” He raised his eyebrows at me.

“I’m good too. Thank you.”

Audrey nodded. “If you’ll come with me, I’ll escort you to the library. Your guest has already arrived.”

We followed her down the hall. Her formality told me that we were being observed. She opened the library door, and we walked past her. She closed the door behind us, no doubt returning to Russell’s study.

Inside the library, Bracken was at the shelves, studying the books. Cadmael, Vlad, Ahmed, and Adaeze sat at the table. It looked as though Joao, Pablo, and Thi had decided to sit this discussion out. Russell stood near the door. I gave him a quick hug as I walked in.

Bracken turned to Clive, his eyes shining. “Russell tells me you had this library built.”

Clive nodded. “The ballroom was rarely ever used. It seemed a waste of space.”

Ahmed and Adaeze smiled. Even Vlad’s mustache twitched.

Clive glanced around. “Why is that humorous?”

Bracken grinned as he took the empty chair beside Vlad. “He also told us that your choice of a library might have had something to do with your desire to woo a bookish werewolf.”

Clive scratched his cheek, his gaze on me. “Perhaps it was.” He pulled out a chair for me. “Bracken, have you introduced yourself to everyone?”

“We were waiting for you two to arrive,” Russell said.

“Why don’t you sit with us,” I asked Russell.

His face softened. “I haven’t been asked.”

“I’m asking you,” I told him. “And, officially, this is your table, your nocturne. You can sit wherever you want.”

He took the chair beside me and gave a solemn nod. “I’ll try to remember that.”

All eyes turned to my great-uncle. “Good evening. My name is Bracken Corey. I’m a member of the Corey wicche coven. I’m a historian of both supernatural and human history.”

“I looked it up,” I told them. “He has lots of human history books on the bestsellers’ list.”

He nodded. “I’m grateful for my success. Writing those books allows me to research the supernatural stories, which don’t pay. No one needs to share their name with me, but I’d love to know who each of you are, if you’re willing.”

Cadmael, looking as stern as ever, began the introductions. “I am Cadmael.” He nodded in Bracken’s direction and then looked across the table, waiting to see what the others would do.

“We don’t mind. I am Adaeze,” she told him, inclining her head in greeting before looking to her side.

“And I am Ahmed.” He reached out a hand and shook Bracken’s.

“We met Bracken at The Bubble Lounge right after you left.” I explained to the others what had happened with the pooka.

“Impersonating Vlad again?” Cadmael mused. “Why you?”

Vlad stared back. “Good taste?”

“I think it’s the mustache,” I told Cadmael. “He once pretended to be Clive with Vlad’s mustache.” I shivered. “Do not recommend.”

Russell chuckled beside me. “Now I can’t unsee it,” he murmured, tapping the side of his head.

“Right? And you weren’t even there for the real thing.” I leaned forward, catching Vlad’s eye. “No offense intended. You have the bone structure and attitude to pull it off handsomely. On anyone else, it looks like a bad disguise.”

He rolled his eyes at me. “Nice save.”

Bracken was watching the conversation like he was at a tennis match. Sitting forward, gaze intent, he enjoyed the byplay and seemed to be taking mental notes.

“He keeps returning to Vlad’s appearance because he enjoys his mustache?” Cadmael asked, doubt clear in his voice. “That doesn’t seem like a compelling enough reason.”

I shrugged. “It’s got to be boring, don’t you think? He’s been at this for a long time.” I looked at Bracken, who nodded. “I’d imagine that when anything catches his fancy, he focuses on it.”

The vampires nodded. They knew what it was to be very old, to have done it all, and to cling to those things that made them even slightly interested. It was like Clive and his cars.

More like Clive and his wife, he said in my head.

Quit eavesdropping. What if I was thinking about how hot Ahmed was looking?

I’d be forced to rip his head off, darling. I’d imagine it would be difficult for you to find a pile of dust hot.

I gave him a dirty look, and he kissed my temple.

I don’t do it intentionally, he told me. Part of my brain is always focused on you and sometimes your thoughts drift in. Just to be clear, though, if you found another man attractive, I would not kill him. I might go into a dark room to mourn for a few years, but that would be the extent of it.

I grinned at him. An emo vampire. A teenaged girl’s dream.

His lips twitched.

And just to be clear on my side, I don’t think of other people the way I do you.

I mean, Joao is objectively attractive, but he gives me the creeps.

I wouldn’t want him anywhere near me. You, I always want near me.

You’re the one who makes my heart race and butterflies flutter in my stomach.

Only you make me feel comfortable, confident, and maybe even a little bit sexy.

The world is filled with potential friends and enemies, but you’re my only love.

He lifted my hand to his lips. I have some work to do if I’m only making you feel a little bit sexy. You are a great deal more than that. And there’s nowhere I’d rather be than by your side, loving you in any way you’ll let me.

“It’s fascinating,” Bracken said. “They haven’t said a word and yet seemed to have had a complete and very affecting conversation.”

“You’ll get used to it,” Russell replied.