All Souls' Night - Renee Rose Page 0,119

think the logistics of their residential selections through all the way.

Lucius is a little bit of a traditionalist in that way, having a basement crypt. But many of us, if you didn’t know we were vampires, you’d simply think we are extremely security-conscious.

I suppose that’s one way of looking at it.

I’ve just finished checking our blood stocks in the dungeon bar when I hear the coat check room door open above and sense someone blurring downstairs.

“Maximus,” I say without turning. “How are you?”

“That is one sweet new ride you have,” he comments.

I smile to myself and finally turn. “You like it?”

“Yeah. You finally expanded your color palette a little.”

The bastard’s wearing a fangy grin. Everyone thinks they’re a comedian. “Why does it shock anyone that I picked a blue car this time?”

“Because your last, what, twenty or thirty cars have all been black, or dark grey.” He gestures to my clothes. “And let’s talk about your suits.”

“What is wrong with my suits? I wear on my body clothes worth more than what the average human earns in a month.”

He snorts and crosses his arms over his chest. “Yeesss, and yet you can’t be arsed to spring for a fashion consultant?”

“There is nothing wrong with my clothes.”

“If you’re an undertaker, you’re absolutely correct.”

“Fuck you.”

The door upstairs opens again and Theophilus blurs down, appearing next to Maximus. “We ready to open? There’s already a line.”

I glance at my watch. “They’re queuing earlier every weekend.”

He claps me on the shoulder. “They’re our meal ticket. Just keep reminding yourself of that.”

“Any word on Lucius and Selene’s expected return?” I ask.

“Not yet. Although I have a feeling he’s going to be stepping away for a while. And that,” he quickly adds, “isn’t for public knowledge.”

That’s news to me. “He’s going on an extended holiday?”

“Extended honeymoon.” He smiles. “He wants to take Selene on a tour of the world. Visit our old haunts.”

“Settle a few scores?” Maximus arches a brow as we both look at him. “What? You know you’re thinking it, too.”

I snort. “I’m not stupid enough to say it in front of Lucius, or Selene.”

“Anyway,” Theophilus says, getting us back on track. “I’ve got staff working on the preparations for the party next weekend. Any special requests?”

Maybe this is the source of my disquiet. It seems like nearly everyone in our original “family” has a partner now.

Besides me. “No. I’m good.”

“Bringing a plus-one?” Theophilus asks.

“Not as of now, no.” I wish people would stop asking me that.

Yes, maybe that’s one reason I traded in my Porsche for the Mercedes. I needed something new in my life and there’s a hole I’m trying to fill.

Within me, for once, and not someone else’s. Hole, that is.

At least in this modern age, being gay isn’t something I have to conceal on top of being a vampire. Oh, we’ve all dallied with men at some point, whether just to feed or to get a little freaky with them. I’ve had countless women in my bed over the centuries, but only because there were times it was easier to seek out a woman than to woo a man who was likely deep in the closet. And it brought far less scrutiny upon me and the rest of our nest as a result.

Blending in is crucial when we’re so vulnerable during the day. Although now it’s ironically far easier to blend in than at any point in history. With humans so consumed by their phones, and a twenty-four-hour news cycle tugging at their interest, as long as we don’t rip someone’s throat out in front of a camera, we can blend in.

Yet, I’m still in a closet, of a sort.

Well, a coffin, I suppose.

As we all head upstairs to finish opening prep, I draw in a deep breath, more out of habit than necessity. We don’t need to breathe except to speak, or smell something, but some habits die harder than we do.

My unsettled feeling isn’t abating, and that concerns me. If anything, it feels like the storm is drawing closer.

Since I have no idea what portent that feeling might possibly indicate, I really don’t want to raise anyone else’s hackles by saying something yet.

Besides, they’re already harassing me enough as it is tonight. I don’t need to add some half-assed wrong idea to the list of topics for their amusement.

As we approach opening time, Theophilus turns to me. “I’d like you on the door for opening tonight. At least for a while.”

I nod. “Fine.” I’m really not in the