way, I was going to have to get more info. Might as well get started.
My attempt at Temple Bar espionage couldn't get started without a little introductory chat, so after I showered and donned more club-worthy clothes - my black suit pants and another tank, this one in red, matched with red Mary Jane - style heels - I headed to the basement.
The House was four stories of vampire wonder: dorm rooms and Ethan's suite on the top floor. Dorm rooms (including mine), the library, and the ballroom were on the second floor. The first floor held administrative offices, the cafeteria, and the sitting rooms. The basement, however, was all business: training room, the Cadogan House arsenal, a gym, and the Operations Room. The Ops Room served as Luc's office and the HQ for the Cadogan House guards, including Lindsey and, on rare occasions, me. The Ops Room door was cracked open, and this time I had the good sense - and the patience - to peek inside before storming in.
Juliet and Kelley sat at computer stations along the wall, which meant Lindsey was probably outside patrolling the grounds. Luc sat at the conference table that took up the middle of the room - but he was wearing a suit.
Across from Luc sat a tall, slightly gawkylooking man in a suit at least a size too large. He was talking at full speed about his video-gaming hobby.
"And I try not to use cheats, but you can't always rely on the designers to have created a game that progresses logically through any particular portion of the world, so occasionally you have to compromise your standards and find a cheat code in order to move forward, because you really don't want to lose the inertia of forward, progress or you'll completely lose interest in the quest."
When he paused for breath, I found myself sucking in air, too. This guy, whoever he was, did not know when to stop.
"Thank you, Allan. I think that's an interesting answer, although it doesn't entirely speak to how you could contribute as a House guard."
Oh, my God, Luc was interviewing this guy.
We were a man down since Peter's betrayal, so he must have been looking for a replacement. I hoped this one was a safety pick and not Luc's first choice; otherwise, we were in trouble.
Allan's expression was withering. "It goes to the times in which I, as a House guard, would need to rely upon my own fighting instincts and occasionally disobey the standard procedure - the standard protocol, if you will - rather than following the dictates of a Guard Captain who - "
"Wow," Luc interjected, "that is an excellent clarification, and I think that will do it for us today, since we've got another meeting coming up - oh, and look, here's our Sentinel now!"
I muttered a silent curse, but put on a fake smile and pushed through the door. "Hi, there."
Luc jumped up and headed for the door, then put a hand at my back. "Thank sweet Christ, Sentinel," he murmured, then smiled broadly at Allan.
"Allan, have you met our Sentinel? Merit, Allan is interviewing for the open guard position.
He's a Cadogan vamp living outside the House, and he's looking to join our little family."
That explained why I'd never seen him before.
I offered a little wave. "Nice to meet you, Allan."
But Allan had no time for niceties. "Is there really a reason to have a Sentinel in this day and age, given the state of current security technology?"
"Okay, then," Luc said, then moved Allan toward the door. "Just head right up those stairs to get back to the first floor. Thanks so much for coming in."
"When will I find out when I start?"
"Well, we're just at the beginning of our interview process, but we will absolutely let you know when we're ready to fill the position."
"I'll be on vacation in a week. I'm going to Branson. So you might not be able to reach me. But I have a sat-phone. I could take that with me."
"That is exceptional," Luc said, all but shoving him out the Ops Room door. "I'll be sure to get that information. And say hello to Andy Williams while you're down there."
Luc shut the door, then proceeded to bang his forehead against it.
"Interviews not going well?"
Forehead still pressed against the door, he glanced over. "I want to stab myself in the eye with a pencil. This kid's smart, but his head's in the wrong place, and he doesn't exactly