I sometimes forget how good of an orator Clive is, how passionate he can sound when he believes deeply in what he’s saying. I always see him behind closed doors, where he’s the tired leader, the exhausted man who’s weary of looking for the right decision among so many bad options. But up there, in front of the crowd and cameras, he’s completely in control.
I wish I could see the crowd, but their perfect silence may tell me more than their faces. No boos, no jeering, no rushing to the aid of their beloved anti-vampire delegate.
“Remember this day and remember it well, citizens,” Clive says, hands held up high as though in praise. “Behind me sit several of our Night Watchmen—unmasked at the invitation of Victor Valentine. From him, we have no need to hide. Because of him, you can now know who has been keeping you safe.
“Last night, the Night Watchmen delivered us from evil yet again, but their eyes were not the only ones watching over us, nor were their hands the only hands at work. They were helped, every step of the way, by the Lesser vampires loyal to Victor Valentine.”
A low gasp comes from the audience, and I feel Victor tightening his hold on me, his tension matching my own.
Behind Clive a Night Watchman stands up from his chair, as does the vampire next to him. He’s wearing a suit and looks like any other employee of the Agency, which is perfect. He isn’t threatening or menacing. If anything, he’s a bit cute. And then they shake hands.
“Let this be the new model for all to follow,” Clive says. “These Lesser vampires have proved themselves not only to Lord Valentine, but to us human beings. They protected you while you slept. They lost their lives, lives that were once human, lives whose hearts beat just the same. Let their sacrifice and cooperation serve as an example.
“They need our blood,” Clive says, putting emphasis on each word. “But they are willing to protect us all from those who would take it by force. For that, we must be both grateful and giving to our friends. It is time we roll up our sleeves and show our appreciation . . . by donating.”
Cameras flash as Clive waves goodbye and everyone retreats back into the Agency. For a moment I fear a riot may start out of nowhere, the hushed tones during the speech nothing but anger waiting to be unleashed. Instead, there are quiet murmurs and then a slow dispersion of the crowd.
I turn off the television and call Clive. It’s his voice mail, like I expected, but I tell him he did a great job and he looked ten years younger on camera.
“Tomorrow will be the real test,” Victor says.
“I know. If they give blood, it’ll be the start of something new. If not, it’s back to the beginning.”
A knock sounds. I unfold myself, go to the door, and peer through the peephole. Faith.
I open the door.
“I’m looking for Victor,” she says, before I can greet her. “Thought he might be here.”
“Yeah, he is. Come on in.” She seems a little unsettled as she glides through in her characteristic red.
Victor is immediately on his feet. “What’s wrong, Faith?”
“Something strange happened.” Sitting in a chair, hands between her knees, she’s having a hard time meeting our gaze.
I return to Victor’s side on the couch.
“What happened?” he prods.
She licks her lips, looks around. “I’m not sure how to say this, but, well, I had a dream. I . . . I dreamed of Richard, but it was like I was with him.”
I catch my breath. Dream-sharing between Old Family vampires supposedly only happens when the vampires are in love. She’s finally truly opened herself up.
“Faith, that’s wonderful!” I assure her.
She nods, but her reaction doesn’t seem so wonderful. “I’ve never dreamed before. It was a strange experience, frightening even. I don’t know how you humans put up with it.”
“You’ll get used to it. But what was the dream about? What happened?”
Faith rubs her hands together nervously, completely out of character. “Richard showed me where they were. In Crimson Sands.”
My heart lurches. “Is the town all right?”
“Seems so, from what I saw, but here’s the thing. Some old guy named George told Richard that his scouts spotted Sin and an army of Day Walkers heading into the mountains. Richard thinks they were looking for someplace to rest before moving on to Denver.”
Victor scoots up to the edge of his seat. “Richard isn’t thinking of trying to take them out, is he?”
Faith shakes her head. “No, he knows that they are outnumbered and wouldn’t stand a chance. He’s following through on his orders to destroy the V-Processing center.”
Victor is visibly relieved. “Good.”
“Did Richard say anything about Ian?” I ask.
Faith’s lips flatten. “Yes. Unfortunately, the vampires dislike him even more than they did during the war.”
“But why?”
“Apparently, whenever they’ve taken time to rest the horses, he’s won a good deal of money off them playing poker.”
I laugh, imagining how much Ian would enjoy beating his former enemies in so civilized a manner. “They’re Old Family. They can afford it.”
“Still, no one likes to lose.”
I grow somber. We certainly can’t afford to lose against Sin.
“How much time do you think we have before Sin gets here?” I ask.
“A couple of days, maybe,” Victor says.
Faith stands. “I guess I’d better get to the Agency and start working with Jeff and Rachel to devise a plan for organizing the city.”
Victor shoves himself to his feet. “Clive’s message tonight was a good start. I think the people will be receptive to working with vampires just as the Night Watchmen now are.”
“I hope so. I’ll stay in the city, get things mobilized.”
“If you need a place to stay—” I begin.
“I’m using Victor’s theater.” He used to live in an abandoned theater in the city. Its absence of windows makes it a perfect hiding place. We once watched an old movie there together. “But thanks, anyway,” she says, before taking a step toward the door.
Victor touches her arm, stilling her. “Richard will be all right.”
“He’d better be. If he dies, I’ll kill him.”
With her head held high, she strides from the apartment. I lock the door behind her. When I turn around, Victor is standing on the balcony, gazing out on the night.
I join him and say, “It’s been a while since there’s been a feeling of peace in Denver. Maybe never.”
“And Sin will be here soon to shatter it.” I expect him to go on, but he doesn’t. He turns to me and I see the desire in his eyes burning stronger than ever, so strong that it’s almost overwhelming. I realize he doesn’t want my blood, he wants me.
“How would you like to go on a picnic?” he asks.
“Tonight?”
He smiles. “Tonight.”
“But Sin—”
“He’s not here yet. And when he does get here . . . we may never have more than tonight.”
I don’t want to acknowledge what he’s saying. As confident as he always seems, he’s recognizing that he might not be able to defeat Sin, that he might fall. Any of us might fall before that monster.
I step into his embrace and wrap my arms tightly around him. “I’d love to go on a picnic with you.”
We stop by the manor. When Victor tells Eustace that he’s taking me on a picnic, the old vampire takes control and sends servants scurrying about to gather the necessary items: an old quilt, a fine bottle of wine, a wicker basket that contains delicacies to “delight Miss Dawn.” He seems pleased that he has a role in ensuring that all goes well for his young lord.