I just looked at him, glad that I could give full eye contact. It had always been so hard to do the tough stare back when I couldn't look a vamp in the eyes.
He straightened his shoulders as if only now aware that he was slumping. "You won't even give me that, will you? Please tell Jean-Claude what I have told you. I should have come to you immediately. I thought morals kept me from running to the very power structure I despise, but it wasn't morals, it was sin; the sin of pride. I hope that my pride has not cost more of my followers their lives." He went for the door.
I called after him. "Malcolm."
He turned.
"How big an emergency is this?"
"Big."
"Will a couple of hours make a difference?"
He thought about it. "Perhaps; why do you ask?"
"I won't be seeing Jean-Claude tonight. I just wanted to know if I should call him, give him a heads-up."
"Yes, by all means, give him his heads-up." He frowned at me. "Why would you not see your master tonight, Anita? Aren't you living with him?"
"Actually, no. I stay over at his place about half the week, but I've got my own place still."
"Will you be killing more of my kindred tonight?"
I shook my head.
"Then you will raise my other colder brethren. Whose blissful death will you disturb tonight, Anita? Whose zombie will you raise so some human can get their inheritance, or a wife can be consoled?"
"No zombies tonight," I said. I was too puzzled by his attitude on the zombies to be insulted. I'd never heard a vampire claim any kinship with zombies, or ghouls, or anything but other vamps.
"Then what will keep you from your master's arms?"
"I've got a date, not that it's any of your business."
"But not a date with Jean-Claude, or Asher?"
I shook my head.
"Your wolf king then, Richard?"
I shook my head, again.
"For whom would you abandon those three, Anita? Ah, your leopard king, Micah."
"Wrong again."
"I am amazed that you are answering my questions."
"So am I, actually. I think it's because you keep calling me a whore, and I think I want to rub your face in it."
"What, the fact that you are a whore?" His face showed nothing when he said it.
"I knew you couldn't do it," I said.
"Do what, Ms. Blake?"
"I knew you couldn't play nice long enough to get my help. I knew if I kept at you, you'd get snotty and mean."
He gave a small bow, just from the neck. "I told you, Ms. Blake, my sin is pride."