and talk to people. Im sorry if she bothered you.
No, not at all, Claire said, and nervously fiddled with one of the loose adjustment straps of her backpack. She, um, warned me about the alley.
The womans eyes moved rapidly, from Claire to the old lady and back again. Did she? she said. She didnt sound warm anymore. Gramma, you know better than that. You need to quit scaring people with your stories.
Dont be a damn fool, Lisa. They aint just stories, and you know it.
Gramma, there hasnt been anytrouble around here for twenty years!
Doesnt mean it wouldnt happen, Gramma said stubbornly, and pointed a stick-thin shaking finger at Claire. You dont go down that alley, now. I meant what I said.
Yes, maam, she said faintly, and nodded to both women. Um, thanks.
Claire turned to go, and as she did, she noticed something mounted on the wall next to the old womans porch swing. A plaque, with a symbol.
The same symbol as was on the Glass House. The Founders symbol.
And now that she was looking at the house, really looking, it had some of the same lines to it, and it was about the same age.
Claire turned back, smiled apologetically, and said, Im sorry, but could I use your restroom? Ive been chugging water out here
She thought for a second that Lisa was going to say no, but then the younger woman frowned and said, I suppose, and came down the steps to open the white picket gate for Claire to enter. Go on inside. Its the second door off the hall.
Offer the child some lemonade, Lisa.
Shes not staying, Gramma!
How you know if you dont ask?
Chapter Twelve
Claire let them argue it out, and stepped inside. She didnt feel anythingno tingle of a force field or anythingbut then, she didnt going in and out of the Glass House, either.
Still, she recognized it immediately. There was something about this house. It had the same quality of stillness, of weight, that she always felt at home. Not the same at all inside from a decorating point of viewGramma and Lisa seemed to like furniture, lots of it, all in fussy floral patterns and chintz, with rugs everywhere and a smothering amount of curtains and lace. Claire walked slowly down the hardwood hallway, trailing her fingers lightly over the paneling. The wood felt warm, but all wood did, right?
Freaky, she muttered, and opened the bathroom door.
It wasnt a bathroom.
It was a study, a large one, and it couldnt have been more different from the overblown frilly living roomsevere polished wood floors, a massive dark desk, a few glowering portraits on the walls. Dark red velvet curtains blocking out the sun. The walls were lined with books, old books mostly, and in the cabinet there was something that looked like a wine rack, only it heldscrolls?
Amelie was seated at the desk, signing sheets of paper with a gold pen. One of her assistants, also a vampire, was standing attentively next to her, taking each sheet out of the way as she wrote her name.
Neither of them looked up at Claire.
Close the door, Amelie said in a gentle voice accented with an almost-French sort of pronunciation. I dislike the draft.
Claire thought about running, but she wasnt stupid enough to believe she could run far enough, or fast enough, and even though the idea of shrieking and slamming the door from the other side was pretty tempting, she swallowed her fear and stepped all the way in before she shut it with a quiet click.
Is this your house? Claire asked. It was the only thing she could think of to ask, frankly; every other question had been shaken right out of her head because this couldnt be happening.
Amelie glanced up, and her eyes were just as cool and intimidating as Claire remembered. It felt a little like being frostbitten. My house? she echoed. Yes, of course. They are all my house. Oh, I see what you ask. You ask if the particular house you entered is my home. No, little Claire, it is not where I hide myself from my enemies, although it would certainly be a useful choice. Very Amelie smiled slowly. Unexpected.
Thenhow?
Youll find that when I need you, Claire, you will be called. Amelie signed the last paper, then handed it to her assistanta tall, dark young man in a black suit and tieand he bowed slightly and left the room through another door. Amelie sat back in her