Nomadic vampires. Nothing but trouble. Amaia and Lawrence had already been dispatched by Zenas to deal with nomads who had threatened exposing their species. Apparently, it was common for vampires to take advantage of situations with already high fatalities and increase the numbers when they thought no one noticed. It was reckless, and each vampire she had beheaded deserved it, though there was something unnatural about killing another vampire. “What do you want?”
“Nothing more than to meet you. I was curious about rumors that all these women were the same person—a vampire named Amaia.”
“Rumors from whom?” If humans had caught on, it would cause problems for her and Lawrence.
“Just other nomadic vampires. I first heard of you when you were in Frankfurt. Over time, I realized that all these women had to be the same person.”
“Now you know.” Amaia straightened and continued toward the cottage. Meg and Liam followed.
“I’d like to know how you’ve done it.” Meg continued her chatter.
“Done what?”
“Fooled so many people. Rumors say you can warm your skin without increasing your heart rate.”
“Don’t believe everything you hear.” Even Zenas didn’t know the full extent of her power. She was now able to keep her skin warm anytime a human was nearby to provide the energy, even if she slowed her heartbeat. Lawrence didn’t think it prudent to let Zenas know how far she had come. For now, Zenas thought it a simple parlor trick. Lawrence didn’t want him trying to teach others how to do the same. There was more power for him if he held the monopoly on this little trick.
“We don’t mean you any harm, really. I just wanted to get to know you. Your life sounds terribly interesting.”
Amaia snorted. “That’s a word for it.”
“Are they friends or foes?” They were nearing the house when Lawrence sensed their energies.
“Friends, apparently. Or at least they want to be.”
When she entered the cottage, Meg and Liam followed right behind. Lawrence waited for them.
“This is my sire, Lawrence. Lawrence, meet Meg and Liam.”
Meg curtsied and offered her hand, which Lawrence kissed. Liam merely nodded.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m afraid you’ve come at a bad time. We were just leaving for Vienna.” Lawrence already had all of their things packed and ready for the journey.
Time to move on. “Are we stopping by the house in Paris first?”
“No, we’re leaving everything there for next time.”
“That works out perfectly. It’s on the way back to Prussia. I’ll join you on the journey, if you don’t mind.” Meg spoke as if it was perfectly natural to meet, become acquaintances, friends, and then traveling companions all in the space of less than a half hour.
Amaia focused on Liam. He didn’t seem as keen as Meg. “And what about you?”
“I go where she goes.”
“Of course.” Lawrence nodded to the other man. “They’re mates. Of course he’s not going to leave her.”
Amaia didn’t know much about vampire mates. She had met Zenas’s mate and seen a few others in passing, usually when they came to pay tribute in order to hunt in Zenas’s territories or to assure Lawrence they were just passing through. “He’ll follow her anywhere?”
“Yes. Perhaps it’s time you learned about mating. Traveling together might do you some good.”
“Fine.” Amaia didn’t need any friends, but it was intriguing to have two other vampires to speak to. At least it would make the trip more interesting.
“We’ll run most of the way. Once we get close, we’ll take a coach. Amaia, here’s your bag.” Lawrence handed her a rucksack filled with everything she had brought with her. They would buy what they needed when they arrived in Vienna. She knew the routine.
Two minutes later, they were off. Liam and Lawrence spoke off to one side, leaving Meg and Amaia on their own. Amaia was at a loss. She had never been one to have friends. Especially not other women. Women tended to hate her.
“How long have you been a vampire?” Meg’s voice gave no hint of the speed at which they ran. Since they didn’t need the air to breathe, they could use it all for conversation.
“Twenty-one years.”
“Oh, you’re practically still a child. I’m one hundred and nine, and Liam is one hundred thirty-two.”
Amaia didn’t know what Meg expected her to say to that. Meg didn’t let the silence stretch out for long.
“The life of a courtesan always sounded so romantic.”
“It’s about the least romantic thing I can think of. I trade love for money.”
“Yes, but it must be an exotic life.”
“It can be, if you’re good at it. Most aren’t. Being a whore is hardly pleasant. Girls who do it try to convince themselves otherwise.”
“But you’re good at it. You’d have to be for me to hear about you. Did you do this before you were transformed?”
“Yes.”
“And were you good then too?”
“Yes.”
“Do you enjoy it?”
“Yes.”
“Did you ever want to do something else?”
The eyes of the one man who had offered her something else flashed before her. “No.”
“Has Lawrence always been your pander?”
“Yes.”
“I suppose he must have really liked you to transform you. Were you his best girl?”
“Yes.”
“What do you think makes you better than the other girls?”