He couldn't take offense at that, right? I knew better.
Vampires could take offense at anything they liked.
"Mr.
Blackwood," I greeted him, when he looked away from Amber.
Keep it simple.
I didn't know if vampires could sense lies like the wolves could, but I wasn't going to say, "It's very good to meet you," or something similar when I was wishing myself a hundred miles away.
I did my best to keep a social smile on my face while stupid thoughts began to pile up.
How was he going to eat with us? Vampires didn't.
Not that I'd ever seen.
What were the chances of a vampire's showing up and it not being some plot of Marsilia's? Blackwood hadn't sounded like a vampire who would do anyone's bidding.
"Call me Jim," he told me, just a hint of a British accent shading his voice.
"I'm sorry to intrude on your visit, but we had some urgent business this afternoon, and Corban insisted on bringing me home." His round face was merry, and his handshake was even more practiced than Corban's had been.
If it weren't for that little talk I'd had with Bran, I'd never have known what he was.
"Shall we go eat now?" Amber suggested, calm and in control now that the preparations were finished.
"It's ready and not going to get better if it sits around.
I'm afraid I kept it simple." Simple was pepper steak over rice with salads and fresh rolls followed by homemade apple pie.
Somehow, the food disappeared from the vampire's plate.
I never saw him eat or touch his plate--though I kept half an eye on it with morbid fascination.
Maybe a little hope.
If I'd seen even a single bite go in his mouth, then I'd have believed him to be just what he seemed.
I stayed quiet while the men talked business--mostly contract language and 401(k)s--and I was very happy to stay unnoticed.
Amber slipped in a sentence here and there, just enough to keep the conversation going.
I heard Chad sneak by the dining room and into the kitchen.
After a while he left again.
"Very good meal as always," the vampire told Amber.
"Beautiful, charming--and a fine cook.
As I keep telling Corban, I am going to steal you one of these days." I felt a chill go down my spine--he wasn't lying--but Corban and Amber just laughed as if it were an old joke.
Just then, he looked at me.
"You've been awfully quiet tonight.
Corban tells me you went to school with Amber and you're from Kennewick.