Blood Sisters_ Vampire Stories by Women - Paula Guran Page 0,64

against it, Mister Tree,” Saint-Germain warned him gently, with a trace of humor in his expression that baffled James anew. “Sit down.”

The impetus which had driven James to action left him as quickly as it had possessed him, and he permitted himself to be pointed in the direction of the chair he had just vacated. He told himself that he was in the presence of a lunatic, and that he ought to go along with him; but deeper in his mind was the gnawing fear that against all reason, Saint-Germain might be right. He moved stiffly, and as he sat down, he drew back into the chair, as if to protect himself. “You’re …”

“I’m not going to hurt you, if that is what concerns you,” Saint-Germain sighed. When James did not deny his fear, Saint-Germain crossed the room away from him, and regarded him for two intolerably long minutes. “Madelaine loves you, Mister Tree, and for that alone, I would offer you my assistance.”

“You were her lover once, if you’re who I think you are.” He had summoned a little defiance into his accusation.

“I have told you so. Yes, she and I were lovers, as you and she were.” There was an eighteenth century lowboy against the wall, and Saint-Germain braced himself against it, studying James as he did.

“And you’re not jealous?” James fairly pounced on the words.

“In time, we learn to bow to the inevitable. My love for Madelaine has not diminished, Mister Tree, but for those of our nature, such contact is … shall we say nonproductive?” His tone was sardonic; his face was sad. “No, I am not jealous.”

James heard this out in disbelief. “You want me to believe that?”

“I would prefer that you did,” Saint-Germain said, then shrugged. “You will discover it for yourself, in time.”

“Because I’m a vampire, like you two, right?” The sarcasm James had intended to convey was not entirely successful.

“Yes.”

“Christ.” James scowled, then looked up. “I said Christ. If I’m a vampire, how come I can do that? I thought all vampires were supposed to blanch and cringe at holy words and symbols.” He was not enjoying himself, but asking this question made him feel more comfortable, as if the world were sane again.

“You will find that there are a great many misconceptions about us, Mister Tree. One of them is that we are diabolic. Would you be reassured if I could not say God, or Jesus, or Holy Mary, Mother of God? Give me a crucifix and I will kiss it, or a rosary and I will recite the prayers. I will read from the Torah, the Koran, the Vedas, or any other sacred literature you prefer. There is a Bible in the library—shall I fetch it, so that you may put your mind at rest?” He did not conceal his exasperation, but he mitigated his outburst with a brief crack of laughter.

“This is absurd,” James said uncertainly.

Saint-Germain came a few steps closer. “Mister Tree, when you accepted Madelaine as your mistress, you knew that she was not entirely like other women. At the time, I would imagine that lent a thrill to what you did. No, don’t bristle at me. I’m not implying that your passion was not genuine: if it was not, you would not have been given her love as you have.” He fingered the lapel of his jacket. “This is rather awkward for me.”

“I can see why,” James said, feeling a greater degree of confidence. “If you keep telling me about …”

“It’s awkward because I know how you love Madelaine, and she you. And how I love her, and she me.” He read the puzzled look that James banished swiftly. “You will not want to relinquish what you have had, but …”

“Because you’re back, is that it?” James challenged, sitting straight in the overstuffed chair.

“No. After all, Madelaine is on a dig, so her choice, if one were possible, is a moot point at best. I am afraid that it is more far-reaching than that.” He came back to his chair, but though he rested one arm across the back, he did not sit. “For the sake of argument, Mister Tree, accept for the moment that you have been killed and are now a vampire.”

James chuckled. “All right: I’m a vampire. But according to you, so is Madelaine, as well as you.”

“Among vampires,” Saint-Germain went on, not responding to James’ provocation, “there is a most abiding love. Think of how the change was accomplished, and you will