Most people wore costumes even less definable than mine--rainbow-hued designer dresses and tuxes, intricate body makeup and gorgeous masks--that didn't transform them into any recognizable character or creature. But hey, they looked great, and that, I think, was the point.
Like Lucas, Benicio had opted for the basic black tux. His mask, though, was anything but basic--it was an elaborate red hand-painted devil's face that extended to his upper lip, leaving only his mouth and chin bare. It was gorgeous, and the devil/CEO metaphor was wryly clever, but hardly matched Benicio's normal understated style. After a momentary burst of surprise, Lucas and I had to agree the disguise was good thinking on Benicio's part. Between the simple black tux and the brilliant red mask, there was little chance he'd get lost in the crowd tonight. Keeping an eye on him would be a snap.
Of the Cortez family, the only other members in attendance were William and William's wife. I have no idea what William's wife's name was, because I never met her. From the time we arrived, William found it convenient to be elsewhere, and kept his wife with him, so I know only that she was short, plump, and Hispanic.
As for Benicio's wife, Delores, our invitation apparently revoked hers. Delores was forbidden to attend any function where Lucas might be present. I bet that went over well, informing her this morning that she couldn't come to the event of the season. According to Lucas, Benicio and Delores's marriage had long since become a union of formality. Both lived in their own homes and appeared together only at public events. And if I felt sorry for Delores missing the charity gala, I only had to remind myself that Benicio had instituted the no-shared-events rule eight years ago when Delores tried to poison Lucas at his high school graduation dinner.
Speaking of wishing Lucas dead, the eldest Cortez son, Hector, had been detained in New York, and was expected to miss tonight's event. A damned shame, really. I knew someday I'd have to face Hector but, in this case, sooner was definitely not better. I had enough to worry about without that.
One thing we didn't need to worry about was letting Benicio out of our sight. As I expected, he wasn't letting Lucas out of his. We spent the first half hour being escorted around the room, introduced to what seemed like every politician and business leader in the state. I know I should have been impressed, but I couldn't help thinking that I was in the same room with quite possibly every person responsible for the Florida election snafu, and the subsequent election of George W. Bush, and somehow I couldn't muster a proper feeling of awe.
As Benicio led us about the room, I kept sneaking glances at Lucas, knowing how much he must have hated this. Given the choice between facing down a guntoting vampire again and attending a charity ball with his father, I suspect he'd pick the near-death experience. After roughly fifty rounds of being introduced as the next CEO of the Cortez Corporation, he was probably cursing me for bringing him back from the ghost world. Yet he never showed it. Instead he only deflected questions about his future with a smile and a deft change of subject. Finally, when the constant introductions threatened to start us both yawning, Lucas begged leave to take me onto the dance floor.
"Thought you couldn't dance," I murmured as he led me out among the other couples.
"I can't." A small smile. "But I can fake it for a few minutes."
He positioned us where we could both see Benicio and could be easily seen by anyone watching the dance floor.
"Seems you're learning the steps of another dance, too," I said.
"Hmmm?"
"With your father. I saw what you were doing. He introduces you as his heir, you say nothing. You don't deny it, but nor do you say anything that would confirm it."
"I think I've realized that the harder I protest, the harder he pushes."
"And while that might not wear down your resolve, it does wear you down."
Lucas pulled me closer and brushed his lips across the top of my head. "Yes, I've noticed that. With you here, I've been seeing it though your eyes, imagining how it must look to you, and I haven't been too pleased with the image I saw reflected."
"Well, the image I see is fine. Always has been."
A soft laugh. "That's good to hear. But I can't continue that way, running away, avoiding him, hoping he'll leave me alone. He won't. I'm his son. He wants some kind of relationship with me, and I think I want the same thing. I need to learn to deal with him on his terms, because he isn't going to change. Yes, if I associate with my father, some people will take that as a sign of backsliding, but I can't worry about that. I know I'm not taking over the Cabal. And if you know it, too, then that's all that matters. Which leads me to another area of resolve. Regarding you. Or, I should say, us."
"I hope it's along the same lines," I said. "Standing firm instead of running."
"I've been resolved on that point for four months. Since the first flicker of interest on your part, I knew I wasn't going anywhere without a fight." He paused and frowned, eyes scanning the crowd.
"Talking to two women near the bar," I said. "Can't miss that mask."
"Ah, yes, I see him. Now, what was I...? Resolve. It relates to your participation in my investigations."
"You don't want me there. I understand--"
He pressed his forefinger to my lips. "No, my resolve is to see this conversation through to the end, saying what I want to say without backing down for fear of frightening you off with a proposal that may impose upon your need for independence."
"Uh-huh. Once more, please...in translation."
He leaned down to my ear. "I'd like...no, I would love for you to be my partner, Paige. In my work, in my life, everything. I know you have your own aspirations, and if you don't wish to share my life quite so completely, I understand. But if you do, you are more than welcome to play as large a role in my investigations as you want."
I smiled up at him. "You may regret saying that."
"No, I don't think I will. Is that a yes?"
"It's a 'we need to discuss this more, but I'm definitely interested.'"
He grinned then, a grin so broad Benicio did a double take from across the room.
Lucas noticed his father's reaction and laughed softly. "He probably thinks I just proposed."
I tried to glance over at Benicio, but another couple blocked my view.
"We'd better hurry over and set him straight," I said. "Before he has a coronary."
"No, he looks quite pleased," Lucas said. "I believe he'll be disappointed when he learns I didn't propose. He'll have to wait for that. I know better than to push my luck. I'll give it some time before I take that plunge." His grin broadened. "At least a week."
I laughed, but before I could respond, he checked his watch.
"Speaking of time, we're late for our rendezvous with the others. We should go--"
"I'll go. Your dad's not letting you out of his sight tonight. Don't worry, I'll be careful."
"Then I'll track down a couple glasses of champagne for your return."
We disengaged and I slipped from the dance floor.
I found Jaime alone in our agreed meeting place, a nook between the kitchen and the bathroom hall.
"Sorry I'm late," I said. "The others get tired of waiting?"
"More worried than impatient," she said. "Elena didn't like us all hanging out here where we can't see what's going on, so I nominated myself for the job. Not like I can do much else. If I try following them around, I just get in the way. I've had stalkers, but never quite developed a talent for it myself, and all four of them are pros."
"Hunters."
She shivered. "Yeah, well, I try not to think about that. Werewolves, uh, they only hunt animals, right? The four-legged variety?"
"Pack wolves, yes. Other werewolves...you take your chances."
"Uh-huh. Well, there's nothing to report. No sign of Edward. No Natasha, either. I think I've seen the last of her. Which leads me to something else. I'm really not doing any good here, Paige. If you think I'm helping, I'll stay, but if not--"
"If you want to l
eave, that's fine."
"No, no. Well, yes, I want to leave, but for a reason. I'm thinking I might be more help if I keep looking into thisritual, call some more people, see whether I missed something. I could go back to the hotel room with Jeremy and Savannah, make my calls, and help them man the control center."
"Manning the control center, hmm?" I said with a grin. "Sure, that sounds like a plan. Go for it."
"I didn't mean that," she said, reddening. "Seriously, I think I'd be more use checking out this lead, don't you? Okay, the control center probably doesn't need extra manning. Maybe I should make the calls from our hotel instead--"
"No, go stay with Jeremy. That's safer all around, and you can bounce ideas off him. He might not know much about necromantic ritual, but he's a smart guy and he's very easy to talk to."
"He is, isn't he? I mean, for a werewolf, and an Alpha werewolf at that, you'd expect the guy to be all high-and-mighty, brawn-over-brains, but he's not, and he just seems like such a--" She buried her hands in her face with a moan. "Oh, God, I'm too old for this shit." She peeked up at me. "Lack of sleep. It's lack of sleep...and emotional trauma. I've been traumatized by this vamp-spook, and I'm not thinking straight."
"Exactly."
"Right. So, I'll just go over there and start making my calls. If Jeremy can help, that's great, but otherwise, I'll just do my thing, and he can keep Savannah company. He's great with Savannah, isn't he? I mean, other guys would tell her to go off and play a video game or watch TV, but he pays attention to her and--" She inhaled and exhaled. "Okay. Fine now. Leaving now. If you need me, I'm heading straight to the hotel." She paused. "Well, after I swing by my hotel room for a quick shower--I think I spritzed myself with your hairspray earlier and I'm all sticky. So I'll shower, change my clothes, and then head to their hotel."
"Got it," I said, biting my cheek to keep from smiling.
"First, I'll find Elena and tell her I'm taking off. She seems nice. We haven't really talked, but she seems nice. Down-to-earth."
"She is."
With that, Jaime left, and I headed back to the party. I found Lucas near the buffet tables, holding the promised champagne flutes.
"Your dad hasn't shanghaied you yet?" I said.
"He's heading in this direction, but keeps being way-laid by other guests. In light of my new strategy for paternal relations, I am not using the situation as an opportunity to initiate a game of hide-and-seek, but standing firm and allowing him to make his way here, however long that may take."
I told Lucas about Jaime, and he agreed there was little for her to do here. Between the vampires and the werewolves, security detail was covered.
"I'll admit, I am concerned that Edward has yet to make an appearance," Lucas said. "Given the time constraints he's under, this would be the opportune moment to grab my father, and quite possibly the only chance he'll get before morning."
"Maybe he's having trouble getting past security," I said. "It is tight."
"It appears to be tight," he said. "Yet the others had no problem getting past it and they've been skulking about the perimeter for nearly two hours now without incident."
"It doesn't help that this is a masquerade." I looked out over the crowd. "But Elena or Clay would still have scented Edward, or Aaron and Cassandra would have sensed him, so--"
"Champagne, I see." Benicio appeared at Lucas's side and clapped a hand on his shoulder, beaming a smile. "May I assume that congratulations are in order?"
"They are. Paige has agreed to join my investigations on a permanent basis."
Benicio's smile faltered, but only for a second. "Well, that's a start, then. You've made an excellent team so far, and working together will certainly give you more time together, which I know was one of your concerns."
Lucas snuck a look at me. "It was," he murmured.
"And the house?" Benicio said.
"We're buying a house," I said. "Maybe the one in Portland, maybe not, but we're definitely buying a house."
"Good, good."
We braced ourselves, waiting for Benicio to start offering advice, but instead he turned to me.
"May I have a dance?"
"Uh, sure."
We walked on to the dance floor.
"Have you considered Seattle?" Benicio asked as we launched into our dance. "If you like Portland, I'm sure you'd like Seattle."
"Portland seems fine, but we'll probably look elsewhere, too, just to be sure."
"As you should. Buying a house is a major commitment. You also have Savannah's security to consider. Has Lucas mentioned that we have a satellite office in Seattle?"
"Really. How...surprising."
I caught Lucas's gaze across the floor. He put his fingers into his ears and mouthed "Ignore him." I grinned back.
Benicio plowed ahead, explaining all the benefits of living in a city with a Cortez corporate office. How much safer it would be. How we could share resources. How we could keep an eye on local corporate operations to ensure no serious crimes against supernaturals were "accidentally" being committed. As I listened, I realized Lucas had the right idea. There was only one way to deal with Benicio. Let him talk. Let him "suggest." Don't argue. Don't even answer. Just listen...and let it all flow out the other ear.
While we danced, and Benicio talked, I tried to keep an eye on Lucas, but it proved increasingly difficult. Benicio seemed determined to steer me away from Lucas, probably so his son wouldn't notice he was using the opportunity to "advise" me. Soon we were so deep in the mass of other dancers that I lost sight of him.
When we finished our dance, Benicio accompanied me back to where Lucas had been standing. He wasn't there. Benicio lifted one hand, just slightly, and Troy appeared.
"Where's Lucas?" Benicio asked.
"Morris was watching him; I was watching you."
Troy glanced around, then waved Morris over. As Morris approached, Troy slipped away.
Morris admitted he'd seen Lucas head away from the buffet table, but when he tried to follow, couldn't find him.
"I figured he just went to the bathroom. You said not to crowd him, and he was heading in that direction."
Troy returned. "Tim saw Lucas leave, sir. He tried to follow, but Lucas said he needed to use the washroom, so Tim backed off. He's waiting at the end of the hallway. Lucas hasn't come out yet."
"That's right," I said, turning to scan the room so Benicio wouldn't see the lie in my face. "Just before our dance he asked whether I'd seen where the bathrooms were. He probably decided to slip away while we were busy. Now that you mention it, I could use a quick trip myself. If Lucas comes back before I do..."
"I'll tell him where you are," Benicio said.
"Thanks."
I hurried off.
I did hope Lucas had gone to the bathroom, but I doubted it. Knowing I was already worried about his safety, he wouldn't take off for something so trivial without telling me. The only thing that would make him leave his post would be spotting Edward or, rather, catching so fleeting a glimpse of the vampire that he knew if he didn't follow immediately, he'd lose him. When he'd seen the Cortez security guard following, he would have used the bathroom excuse to get rid of him.
Edward had already lured Lucas to his death once. Could the same ruse work twice? I told myself it couldn't, that Lucas was too savvy for that. Yet, if the situation were reversed, and I'd seen Edward while Lucas was otherwise engaged, would I say, "Humph, not falling for that one again," and stand my ground? No. I'd realize it could be another trick but, given the choice between protecting myself and catching Edward before he killed again, I'd prep a good spell and proceed with caution. But I would proceed. And so would Lucas.
As I surveyed the partygoers, I tried to evaluate the situation logically. The last thing we needed was for me to panic and rush headlong into a back corridor, and straight into Edward's grasp, while Lucas returned from an emergency bathroom visit. First, I should try his cell phone. I reached for my purse...and remembered I didn't have one.
Nor did I have a cell phone.
I hurried to the bathroom. Standing outside the men's room, I cast a sensing spell within. It picked up one person. Good. Then the door opened and an elderly man walked out. Once he was gone, I cast the spell again, but the bathroom was empty.
"Damn, damn, damn," I muttered.
I had to find Lucas--no, I had to find the others, who would help me find Lucas. As much as I bristled at losing a few precious minutes tracking down the others, I knew the extra effort would be worth it. They could track Lucas in a fraction of the time it would take me.
I shot one last look around the ballroom, then headed into the warren of back halls, where the others were supposed to be prowling. As the noise of the gala settled to a distant murmur, I realized I was entering uncharted--and unoccupied--territory. Time to ready a self-defense spell. I started my suffocation spell, then stopped. Would that work on a vampire? Of course not. They didn't breathe. Fireball spell? Nonlethal, but it could startle him enough for me to make a getaway. Or would it? Fire didn't hurt a vampire. Goddamn it! Why didn't I think of this--
"Hello, Paige."
I jumped and spun around. There behind me was, not a green-eyed, sandy-haired vampire, but a dark-eyed, dark-haired sorcerer. Hector Cortez.
A Coward's Plan
"WE NEED TO TALK," HECTOR SAID, BEARING DOWN ON ME.
Of all the moments Hector Cortez could choose to reenter my life, this was quite possibly the worst. A voice in my head told me to run, forget how bad it would look, forget how embarrassing it would be, get away from him and continue looking for Lucas. But my feet wouldn't obey me. After a lifetime of refusing to run from confrontations, they were damned if they were going to start now.