Id guess her human heritage was Hispanic, with her long dark hair pulled back in a simple clip and her dusky complexion, dark eyes, oval face, very red lips, white teeth, and pretty eyelashes. Her fingers tucking in her blah-brown blouse were long and slender, her nails painted a dull red. I could sense her confidence as she looked up at our entrance, a strong thread of self that ran through her. She was a living vampire, but clearly not high on her masters favorites list. I thought it odd that the more favored a living vampire was, the more emotionally damaged she was. This woman was clearly one of the forgotten. Lucky her. Being forgotten meant you lived longer, and having been forgotten, shed probably lack most of the darker abilities that Ivy, my roommate, had developed in order to survive.
Nina, the supervisor said, and the young woman stood, by all appearances not interested in me as she stacked the papers on her desk in a vain attempt to tidy up. This is Ms. Morgan, and, ah . . .
Wayde stepped into the hesitation, extending his hand as he moved both of us into the small, cluttered room. Mr. Benson, the Were said. Im Ms. Morgans security. Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Ninotchka Romana Ledesma.
The elaborate name rolled off his lips as if hed grown up in the south of Spain, and surprised, I looked at the nameplate on the desk and decided Id stick to Nina.
Nina blinked, her gaze going from him to me as if seeing me for the first time. Ah, good to meet you, she said as she confidently shook Waydes hand. She turned to me, hesitating as she saw my hands deep in the pockets of my red coat. Sit if you want.
I glanced at Wayde. Nina was excited, yes, but not about us. Was someone else coming? I thought, looking at the only open chair in the cramped office.
Uh, I started, blinking when Nina shifted her bra strap and took a peek down to make sure everything was where it was supposed to be. Do we need another chair?
No, she said abruptly as the woman who had brought us back here left, closing the door behind her. Unless your security wants one. But dont they usually stand?
Im fine, Wayde said as he took up a position just inside the closed door. Maam, just what is it you want with Ms. Morgan?
Tense, the young woman ran a hand down her hip and sat behind her desk, hiding her hands when she noticed her fingers trembling. I dont want anything. Its not me, its him, she said, and the tang of excited vampire reached out and smacked me. God, she smelled good, and I felt a tingle from the vampire bites under my perfect skin. Ive never done this before. I didnt even know he knew I was alive, and now this!
Ah, all I want is my license renewed and my car registered in my own name, I said, shaken from the surge of pheromones. Id been right. She lacked control, but if she had been forgotten, it didnt matter much. If you cant help me, Im leaving.
Alarm flashed over the living vampire, and she almost stood. Someone in the I.S. would like to talk to you, she said, her eyes wide. Im the only one here he wants to work through. My cousin is in the I.S., and well . . . Flashing me a nervous smile, she suddenly looked scared. Its an honor to be asked to channel a master.
I felt for the chair behind me and sat down. A dead vamp wants to talk to me? I gingerly perched on the edge of the seat. Sure, it was daylight, but the dead ones were still awake, deep underground. Apparently one wanted to talk to me, one so old that slipping into an unfamiliar living vampire was possible. Not good. But maybe he could get my car registered for me . . .
Uneasy, I glanced at Wayde. He shrugged and fell into parade rest. Fine, I said. But make it quick. Ive got to ask Jenks to register my car since you wont do it through me.
Ignoring my sarcasm, she shivered violently, jerking once as her eyes became unfocused and she reached for the stability of the desk with a white-knuckled strength. Her breath came in with a slow, sensual sound, her hair falling forward as her head bowed. She sighed, her red lips closing and her gaze sharpening on her hands gripping the edge of the desk. Slowly her fingers let go and her hands dropped into her lap. She seemed to grow taller as she pulled herself straight and looked at mesmiling to show her pointy little canines. I shivered at the new glint in her pupil-black eyes. I couldnt help it, and her smile grew wider still as she took in the shape of my face in a decidedly masculine fashion. It wasnt Nina anymore.
I stiffened as she breathed in deeply, shifting her shoulders back as she tasted my unease, something Nina probably wasnt skilled enough to read on the air currents. The slight grimace as she looked down at her clothes made me wonder if she was uncomfortable with being in a skirt, or because of the cheap fabric. Her confidence before had been within herself. Now it was the assurance that she could do anything she wanted and no one would think twice. From the door, Wayde whistled, his arms loose at his sides.