At least in Paris, he'd be able to protect her and with Enhard's unknowing help, he'd arranged a meeting for Victoria with the Witch Clans. Her presence in Paris would be under the guise of meeting others like herself, and under his protection because of the recent slew of vicious attacks. As a royal and Council advisor, his position was unassailable. It wasn't the most foolproof plan, but it was the best he could do on short notice.
When they had arrived, she had immediately fallen in love with Christian's apartment on Boulevard Saint-Germain, the evening bustle of the busy street making her as excited as a small child. The two-bedroom apartment was simple and tastefully furnished with old-world charm. It boasted a lovely balcony that overlooked the Seine and the glorious Eiffel Tower luminously draped in golden lights, holding court over her city. Paris was already living up to every expectation she'd ever had and she'd barely been there a day.
The limousine pulled to a stop at their destination in La Défense. They walked into the ominously beautiful obsidian tower and took the elevator to the very top floor. Victoria was awed by the opulence and the magnificent view.
The same beautiful receptionist greeted Christian who had met him before and she extended the same lush invitation as she had the last time. Victoria's eyes narrowed and Christian chuckled under his breath at her jealousy.
"Relax chérie, she's paid to do that."
"Well, she didn't come on to me, so obviously she's not doing her job properly," Victoria said. Christian laughed.
The receptionist ushered them into a small room set up for an informal meeting with deep armchairs around a small coffee table. There was a buffet table at the end of the room covered with an assortment of fruit, bread and cheeses.
Victoria tried to get comfortable as Christian stared at her from beneath a heavy-lidded gaze. He could appreciate why she was nervous, but despite it, she looked lovely, with her thick blue-black hair pulled back off her face and secured in a neat chignon. She had chosen to wear a plain white shirt with a ruffled collar and a black pencil skirt. The overall look was austere, but somehow made him want to kiss her thoroughly and demolish that tidy, proper hairstyle.
"Why are you glowering at me like that?"
"Because that little chignon of yours is driving me crazy," he said honestly, which forced a surprised laugh from her chest. "And Catholic school girls look the same in any era," he added with a grin.
Victoria laughed again. "Perv. I decided jeans weren't appropriate, so I borrowed this skirt from Charla. Considering she's four inches shorter than I am, I'm surprised it fit."
"Well, you look beautiful."
"Merci monsieur, so do you."
Victoria had been so overwhelmed earlier that she'd hardly noticed Christian's appearance. Clad in an immaculate dark navy suit, he looked like he'd just stepped out of the pages of a business magazine, some kind of young tycoon. She couldn't decide which look she liked better. He looked just as good in jeans and a T-shirt as he did wearing a jacket and tie. Her gaze flicked to his. His silver eyes were still smoldering unsettlingly.
Victoria shivered in delicious response dragging her eyes away. She was just about to reprimand him for staring at her in such a suggestive manner when the door opened and an attractive dark-haired man walked in.
He introduced himself as Enhard and embraced Christian warmly. Christian then introduced Victoria. When he said pointedly that her name was Tori, Victoria noticed that Enhard started visibly, his eyes snapping to Christian's who nodded imperceptibly. Enhard smiled with genuine pleasure, engulfing Victoria's hands in his own and telling her that he was honored to meet her. Victoria was taken aback by his effusive greeting but when she looked at Christian, he just smiled.
What's that about? she asked silently.
Nothing really, I just told him a little about this wonderful girl I had met.
She was staring dreamily at his face when she realized that Enhard had asked her a question, a smile on his own face at her diverted expression.
"Sorry?" she said, turning red. Christian pretended to study his fingernails but she knew that he was laughing inside at her embarrassment. She glared at him.
"Did you have a pleasant trip?" Enhard asked, his voice mellow like butterscotch. Victoria felt like she was going to melt from the tone of his voice. What was with these vampires and their ability to charm the senses!
"Yes, it was fine, thank you," she responded with a winsome smile. She felt the gentle brush of his mind on hers that was undoubtedly intended to have been unnoticed, and responded with an answering touch of her own, leaving him in no doubt of what she was. Enhard's eyes widened as he whirled to face Christian.
"She's ... a witch!" he accused.
Victoria tensed in response to the almost angry tone of his voice.
"Yes," Christian agreed, his face implacable.