Part 19 (1/2)
”I recall you mentioning something about one,” Vincent said. ”Rafe is the consultant.”
Trixie appeared surprised as she said, ”A gardener? Coming down in the world, Rafe?”
”Hardly, my dear.” Rafe sat on a chair opposite Vincent and Trixie and placed his briefcase on the gla.s.s coffee table. He opened it and removed what appeared to be a long, thick plant stem.
Sir Edward took the stem from Rafe and turned it between his slim fingers. Closing his eyes, he sniffed the brownish plant, then held it out to Vincent.
Vincent's heartbeat quickened as he examined a plant that looked completely foreign to him. He inhaled the sweet, wild scent. If this was what he thought it was...
”Yes,” Sir Edward whispered. ”It is what the Network calls the Flower.” Vincent and Trixie exchanged skeptical looks.
”It's the truth,” Sir Edward continued. ”Why do you think you've never been able to give an accurate description of some of the blood served here? It's the essence of the Flower. Smell it.”
Vincent sniffed the stem, then pa.s.sed it to Trixie who did the same. ”Taste it,” Sir Edward murmured.
Trixie hesitated, and Vincent grasped the stem from her fingers, almost fearful she'd change her mind and taste it. Certain poisons were deadly to their kind, and he didn't trust Sir Edward a bit.
”Please.” Sir Edward took the stem from Trixie and bit. By the pressure their host applied to break through the stem, Vincent well understood why their kind possessed fangs. If this was truly the food of the Originals, they would need sharp teeth simply to survive.
Sir Edward pa.s.sed the stem back to Vincent who took a hesitant bite. It smelled and tasted almost exactly like some of the wine they'd been drinking since arriving at the mansion.
Vincent licked his lips clean of the sweet taste. ”If you've had this all along, why hide it? And since you have hidden it, why tell me now?”
”Because I felt the need to be honest with my people.”
Sure, and you want to sell me some swamp land in Florida, too, Vincent thought.
”It's long past the time for secrecy. This could mean a whole new way of life for us.”
”Disappointing,” Vincent murmured.
”What is?”
”That we're equipped with all these natural weapons, and all they're used for is to suck juice out of a weed.”
”That was crudely put, Vikenti,” Sir Edward said. ”The existence of this plant could help make the world far more endurable.”
”By whose standards?” Trixie demanded.
”By anyone who loves peace and hates violence,” Sir Edward said.
”Where did you get this plant from?”
”From the private collection of an old hybrid.”
”Where is he now?”
”Dead. Killed over a decade ago. His name was Edrik.”
Vincent grunted. He was familiar with Edrik. The world was a better place with the b.a.s.t.a.r.d dead, but he'd always thought it a pity no one had access to the plants and poisons he'd possessed, most from the vampire home world.
”Why tell us this?” Trixie said.
”We plan to tell everyone soon and thought it would be a good idea to start with a couple of our guests.”
”Shouldn't you be informing the Network instead of us?”
Sir Edward held Vincent's eyes for a long moment, an odd smile on his lips. Finally he murmured, ”All in good time, my friend.”
Vincent leaned back, taking another long sip from his wine gla.s.s. Son of a b.i.t.c.h. He knew they worked for the Network.
”So how long have you been married?” Rafe asked Trixie. Vincent allowed his fangs to slip from their sheaths. This pasty-faced p.i.s.ser was really starting to bug his a.s.s.
”We're newlyweds,” Vincent growled, leaning forward to rest his forearms on his knees, his eyes fixed on Rafe's.
”You're a lucky man.” Rafe accepted a winegla.s.s from Sir Edward and lifted it in Vincent's direction. ”Carol -I mean Katrina is a woman of many talents.”
Trixie stared at Rafe, and Vincent didn't doubt he was the only one in the room who could feel her hatred of him. Vincent's stomach tightened with antic.i.p.ation. Looks like it was getting to be time to clean his claws again.
After finis.h.i.+ng their drinks and engaging in some useless chatter with Sir Edward and Rafe, Vincent and Trixie excused themselves and left the stuffy room filled with the intoxicating scent of wine and the Flower.
”Motherf.u.c.kers,” Trixie hissed under her breath as she stormed down the hall and into their own room.
He closed the door behind them and leaned against it, his arms folded across his chest as he watched her literally rip off her clothes and drag on shorts and a tank top.
”So are you going to tell me about it?” Vincent asked. ”It's in the past. Doesn't matter.”
”Oh sure.”
She flew at him, one hand pressing his throat to the door, the index finger of her free hand pointing in his face. ”Just leave it alone! And don't be trying to act like the big man over me! I can take care of myself!”
The odd sensation of hurt feelings washed over Vincent. d.a.m.n. He forgot emotions like that went along with love.
He grasped her arms and shoved her on the bed. ”Do you know how many women would like a guy like me showing his fangs over them? And you're b.i.t.c.hin'!”
”Pocket the ego!” she snarled. We're here on business, Dilorenzo! IfRafe is going to affect your performance, it is my business! Nothing affects my performance!
”Fine,” Vincent snapped. Then on to the case. You know why he showed us the Flower, don't you?
He's on to us, Trixie thought. And he's trying to use the Flower to divert us from something bigger.
Something Seraphim's hiding in that cave, I'll bet.
We'll know that soon enough. Didn't you say the rest of the Jury will arrive on Friday? They'll question him then.
Vincent shook his head. If Seraphim wasn't such a d.i.c.k, I'd almost feel sorry for him. The Jury can be ruthless. I remember the living h.e.l.l they put Matthew through once upon a time. No wonder why he'll never join the Network. They want information from Seraphim and they won't care what they have to do to force it out of him.
I get the feeling Seraphim can take care of himself.