Amelie's delicate brows rose, pale on pale. "I know that the concept of manners has declined, but I should think you would know at least some polite form of address that would be appropriate. "
"Ma'am, " Claire stammered. Amelie nodded.
"That will do. " She lit another candle. The light strengthened, flickering but casting a warm and welcome glow. Claire spotted another door in the shadows, small and fitted with an antique-style doorknob. There was a big skeleton key in the massive lock.
Nobody else in the room, just her and Amelie.
"I have called you to discuss your studies, " Amelie said, and sat down in a chair on the other side of the table. There wasn't any seat on Claire's side, so she stood there, awkwardly. She put her backpack down and folded her hands.
"Yes ma'am, " she said. "Aren't my grades okay?" Because usually a 4. 0 GPA was okay by most standards.
Amelie dismissed it with a wave. "I did not say classes, I said studies. No doubt you are finding the local college beneath your abilities. You are said to be quite exceptional. "
Claire didn't know what to say to that, so she didn't say anything. She wished she had a chair. She wished she could say something nice and get back to class and never, ever see Amelie again, because as superficially polite and kind as the old vampire was, there was something ice-cold about her. Something unsettlingly not human.
"I would like you to study privately with a friend of mine, " Amelie said. "For credit, of course. " She looked around, smiling very slightly. "This is his library. Mine is far more orderly. "
Claire's throat felt tight and uncomfortable. "A ... Uh ... Vampire friend?"
"Is that an issue?" Amelie folded her white hands together on the table. The candlelight flickered in her eyes.
"N-no ma'am. " Yes. God, she couldn't imagine what Shane was going to say.
"I believe you will find him most interesting, Claire. He is indeed one of the most brilliant minds I have ever encountered in my long life, and he has learned so much through his lifetime that he could never teach it all. Still, he has much to pass along. I have been seeking the right pupil, one who can quickly grasp the discoveries he has made. "
"Oh, " Claire whispered faintly. So ... An old vampire. Her experience wasn't so good with the older ones. Like Amelie, they were cold and strange, and most of them were cruel, too. Like Oliver. Oh God, she wasn't talking about Oliver, was she ... ? "Who -- ?"
Amelie looked down. Just for an instant, and then she met Claire's eyes and smiled. "You have not met, " she said. "Not formally, at any rate. His name is Myrnin. He is one of my oldest friends and allies. Understand, Claire, that your actions since you came to Morganville, including your agreement with me, has won my trust. I would not grant this honor to any but those I found worthy. "