I stared at him. I let his power beat across my skin, rolled the feel of it around in my head. "Pretty sure."
He smiled. "Do not frown so, ma petite. Being able to hide my age is one of my talents. I pretended to be a hundred years older when Asher was my companion. It allowed us freedom to wander through the lands of other masters."
"What made you stop trying to pass for older?"
"Asher needed help, and I was not master enough to help him." He looked up at the portrait. "I... humbled myself to gain him aid."
"Why?"
"The Church had a theory that vampires could be cured by holy items. They bound Asher with holy items and silver chains. They used holy water on him, drop by drop, trying to save his soul."
I stared up at that handsome, smiling face. I'd been bitten by a master vampire once upon a time and had the wound cleansed with holy water. It had felt like a red-hot brand was being shoved into my skin, like all the blood in my body had turned to boiling oil. I had vomited and screamed and thought myself very brave for not passing out altogether. That had been one bite mark, one day. Having what amounted to acid dripped on you until you died was in the top five ways not to go out.
"What happened to the girl, Julianna?"
"She was burned as a witch."
"Where were you?"
"I had taken a ship to see my mother. She was dying. I was on my way back when I heard Asher's call. I could not get there in time. I swear by all that is holy or unholy that I tried. I rescued Asher, but he never forgave me."
"He's not dead?" I asked.
"No."
"How hurt was he?"
"Until I met Sabin I thought Asher's scars the worst injury I'd ever known a vampire to survive."
"Why did you hang the painting if it bothers you this much?"
He sighed and looked at me. "Asher sent it as a present, to congratulate me for becoming Master of the City. The three of us were companions, almost family. Asher and I were true friends, both masters, both of near equal power, both in love with Julianna. She was devoted to him, but I had her favor as well."
"You mean a menage a trois?"
He nodded.
"Asher doesn't hold a grudge?"
"Oh, no, he holds a grudge. If the council would allow it, he would have come with the picture and had his revenge."
"To kill you?"
Jean-Claude smiled. "Asher always had a strong sense of irony, ma petite. He petitioned the council for your life, not mine."
My eyes widened. "What did I ever do to him?"
"I killed his human servant; he kills mine. Justice."
I stared back up at the handsome face. "The council said no?"
"Indeed."
"You have any other old enemies running around?"
Jean-Claude gave a weak smile. "Many, ma petite, but none in town at the moment."
I looked up at those smiling faces. I didn't know quite how to phrase it, but said it anyway. "You all look so young."