The Vampire (THE VAMPIRE Book 1) (81 page)

Allen paused; his face took on a thoughtful expression. “I like him. I have always been fascinated by him. Well, who wouldn’t be? Until recently he all but ignored me, mostly. Actually, though, he has been friendlier since this recent incident. From the start he had chosen—he had preferred—to have James as his main contact. He has always deferred to James, spoken only to James in meetings. I am quite okay with that. I live in London, James lives here. It all works out. Of course, I lived in London too, part of that time Mr. Augere lived there…but then, he has always been really high maintenance in my opinion, and so, to my relief, he always dealt with James, who seemed better able to cope with all of that than I could, during those London years.

“As I said, since the London incident, Mr. Augere has been warmer to me. He greeted me by name today; made a little conversation. But am I comfortable around him? I would have to say he still makes me nervous. I would be a fool to feel otherwise. And what about you, Jason? Having just recently learned all that you have—are you a little more comfortable now, or are you still getting used to the whole idea of him? Do you find you are fearful at times?”

“All of you, your family, have more history with him. You know what to expect…what to do or say. I have made some mistakes, or nearly have, out of ignorance. That makes me uncomfortable. There is an ever present fear, I guess I can admit that, but it is mostly a fear of the unknown, and not of him so much. I think my fascination might be stronger than my fear at present. I really want to know him better and to understand him. To know what to do or say and to be comfortable around him.”

Allen nodded. “We are here to help you. Never feel like you are just dealing with him alone. I think the more you know and understand—well, that doesn’t always make things better though.” Allen distractedly gazed across the room as he sipped his wine.

Jason nodded. “I think I will be lucky if I can last as long as some of his previous assistants.” He gave Allen a knowing look, but Allen only nodded and then his gaze went elsewhere again. He waved at someone across the room. Then he finished his wine and after a few moments, looking steadily into Jason’s eyes, said, “If that is what you really do want. Avail yourself of help that is offered. There is much to know…” To Jason this seemed a confirmation of the Terrance connection. Was he really so afraid to confirm it verbally, even in private conversation?

The live music switched to an even livelier zydeco, ramping up the energy in the room as the coffee and desserts arrived. Jason wanted to ask more, but the room was too noisy now for half whispered conversations. People were getting up, mingling. Jason was pleasantly stuffed, and got up to work off some of his indulgence. As he walked around the room, more people he had never met greeted him warmly by name, as if they were old friends; they were genuinely pleasant and solicitous, asking if he needed anything, making sure he was comfortable and attended to. “I do hope you try some of this coconut pineapple cake Mr. Sterling—it is as delicious as sin!” a kindly woman with silver hair urged him with a smile. Jason laughed. “Upon that recommendation I believe I will have to have some,” he promised.

He soon found himself surrounded by Linea/Ligiea and several of her peers.

“Can you tell us what Mr. Augere is really like? Do you see him a lot? Is he really nice? What does he like to talk about? Is it great working for him? Are you going to be coming to New Orleans a lot now? Do you have a girlfriend?”

He tried to field all their questions with vague answers. Finally he had to break free, and using the excuse of the men’s room, he was able to escape. When he re-emerged in the crowd, there was a buzz of excitement near the entrance. Jason went to see what it was about and found Allen standing there waiting. Apparently Augere and James had arrived. Augere waited out of sight in the vehicle.

“James is here with the car. You can certainly stay if you like; I would see to it that you get home later.”

“If I stay, I will just eat more, and I can’t possibly without dire consequences.” Jason laughed. “I’ll head back to go to sleep.”

Allen hugged him warmly. “I’m very glad you were able to join us. Welcome to the family, Jason. Sleep well.”

Jason’s exit into the cool night air felt bracing and refreshing. A car with the doors opened waited at the curb. Augere had exited the car and he and James stood beside it, quietly talking.

James seemed just slightly inebriated, far from being drunk though, and was obviously in a pleasant mood. Augere might have been just slightly inebriated as well, though Jason couldn’t tell for sure having nothing to compare with.

“Did you enjoy the evening?” James asked, lightly touching his arm.

Jason nodded and smiled. “Everyone was so nice to me.”

James smiled and nodded. “We were in the upstairs salon, and we could see everyone below.” James took hold of Augere’s arm then. “He does not like the crowds. We arrived here after everyone else had pretty much finished dinner.”

Jason nodded. He, and then Augere, climbed into the backseat of the car. James got into the front, next to the driver.

As they reached the cottage, James was explaining that tomorrow’s brunch started at 11:00 a.m. at The Court of Two Sisters. He said the full schedule of activities for the next few days had been printed and copies left at the cottage for them. They could move into their hotel before or after brunch.

James exited the car with them and embraced both of them warmly before saying good night and departing. Augere used his key to open the door to the cottage. Jason was exhausted and well sated. It was late and he was really looking forward to sleep now. Without a word Augere went to the room he had emerged from earlier. Jason took the other room; too tired to shower, he fell asleep as soon as he had undressed and climbed into bed.

Jason had to rush a little the next morning and his hair was still damp from his morning shower as he climbed into the waiting car. He really could have used more sleep. Augere was already in the backseat, and gave him a nod as he entered. They soon arrived at the restaurant on Royal Street.

A live band was playing an upbeat jazz number as they entered. People were gathered thickly at the bar and some of the crowd had spilled out into the lovely courtyard. It was a truly charming place with fountains, much greenery and open spaces. Jason wished he hadn’t been in such a rush; he had forgotten his camera.

James and Allen were present and a few other faces Jason recognized: Sean Genier was one he hadn’t seen last night. They were ushered into a private salon on the Royal Street side of the restaurant; Jason was surprised Augere sat at a table with all of them. He worried now about eating in front of Augere, thinking he would feel self-conscious and inhibited. But he took his cue from the others.

Augere was served a drink concoction he had requested from the bar and menus were brought to all but him. It was understood this meal tab, as was the one last night, Jason had learned, was picked up by the Geniers and Augere. This was part of the generosity provided to all family, as well as to close business associates. The Geniers made a point of taking good care of their own.

Jason followed James and Allen’s example and ordered whatever appealed to him: bananas foster, shrimp and grits, a side of bacon and coffee, and then he added a Mimosa as well. As they waited for their food, Jason took a look around. There were probably seventy other people in the party, most of them having some kind of cocktail. Jason ordered a Szazerac after finishing his Mimosa and found it much to his liking. When the food arrived, he ate hungrily as did the others, all but Augere. No one seemed uncomfortable with this, at least not outwardly. Jason’s full appetite had returned even after all he’d indulged in the night before. So much so that he paid little attention to Augere, a rare thing for him to be able to accomplish. At the conclusion of the meal, James left to speak to several others at a different table. The rest of the party at Jason’s table were silently enjoying the friendly festive atmosphere and chatting among themselves. Everyone in the party seemed in a happy mood and Jason enjoyed being fully included again. Augere seemed calm, complacent.

James returned after several minutes. “You and Jason,” he said to Allen, “will join several others later tonight at your reserved table; the other seating arrangements are still being worked out. We have the rest of the afternoon free; most of us will not be arriving at Muriel’s until around 6:30. I expect to see both of you there by then,” he said, directing his comments to Jason and Augere. He stood behind and slightly to the right of Augere and placed his hand on Augere’s shoulder, “And I will be staying with you.”

“You…will stay?” Augere seemed hesitant and surprised.

“Of course. I told you I would.” He placed both hands on Augere’s shoulders then. It seemed to Jason as much a gesture of affection as well as of reassurance.

They rose to leave and Genier took the bill to pay it.

They all exited the restaurant together and then James and Allen waved as they walked off down Royal Street, leaving Augere and Jason standing alone. It was Christmas Eve day.
Now what?
Jason wondered. He had no plan in mind.

Augere turned to look at him.

“I was given to understand if I am not nice to you, there would be serious consequences.” His eyes held a trace of amusement. “Of the very worst kind.”

Jason stared at him in mild shock.
What on earth…I …oh…Carrie
. “I’m sorry—my sister…she’s just, she really doesn’t mean anything by it, she’s just very—” He stammered and then paused, then nodded. “Yeah. There could be trouble. I’m a little afraid of her.”

“Shall we walk now?” Augere took off at a brisk pace down the street, not waiting for a reply. Jason had to hurry to keep up. He had thought they were going to part company, and now he was invited to walk in the French Quarter with Augere. This felt like a gift to Jason. And he was relieved not to have to say anymore about Carrie. He did not want the subject of her brought up. Definitely not now at least.

They walked briskly in silence for several blocks. Finally, Augere seemed to become mindful of Jason’s struggle to keep up and he slowed his pace. Two blocks later he stopped at a corner. He was staring, at what, Jason couldn’t tell; he could see nothing out of the ordinary. Augere’s nostrils flared slightly and Jason glanced at him and then quickly away. He suddenly moved closer to Augere, fearing it might be another one of those portals. Here? In daylight? He didn’t know if that could happen or not and he didn’t especially want to find out.

But Augere turned the corner then and resumed at a leisurely pace, stopping at the end of the next block. He stood surveying an old building, one in need of much repair. It appeared to have been vacant for years; broken windows, cracked walls; dirt and debris everywhere. It nearly marred the view of some of the other well-kept buildings around it. Jason was puzzled at Augere’s interest in the decayed structure.

“A carriage house stood here…once,” Augere said softly. He paused, still gazing at the structure, but, it seemed, seeing something else entirely. “I had a very splendid shining black coach. With a quite lavish and comfortable interior. As expensive as any fine automobile is today. There were lantern lights on the sides—” He seemed to be gesturing at the location of these—as if he could see them still. Jason was caught up in the smooth soft voice as well as the spoken description. He began to picture it. Augere was sharing something with him; a personal memory. Jason acknowledged this was something rare to be able to experience.

“You lived right here, then, in—”Jason began.

“No.” A long pause.

“I had two black horses; very sleek. For the carriage. Quite large and powerful creatures…this many hands high.” Augere gestured. “The most beautiful horses you could imagine.” He paused, remembering them, seeing them again in his mind’s eye. “They would not let me touch them, ever, of course. But after a time they grew less frightened and sometimes they would let me stand quite close. I spent much time admiring them.” An immeasurable sadness filled Augere’s voice now. “They were quite exquisite; I enjoyed them very much.”

Augere fell silent. He stood, staring, no longer seeing the structure in front of him, but looking beyond it into the past. For several long moments, he stood and stared, as Jason began to feel a little uncomfortable. If he glanced away, it was as if Augere became absent, just totally gone. Jason had to keep him in sight. And, he began to realize now, perhaps get him moving again.

“Time passes; things change…eventually cars had to replace—” Jason began, but it was as if Augere had not heard him. After several moments he began to speak again.

“Three men had been drinking and gambling one night…they were in the building adjacent to the carriage house. To my carriage and horses. A fire started; they were surely to blame for it. A woman in an upstairs flat began screaming, witnesses said; she was trapped and people came to help her. They saw the three men flee the lower part of the building, where the fire was thought to have started. The woman was rescued but later died from her injuries. Several others suffered grievous burns. The carriage…my beautiful horses…all were destroyed.”

Jason’s expression conveyed deep sympathy. He could imagine the horror of it. And the vision of it seemed as present to Augere as if he had just now come upon the acrid smoking rubble of what had once been, and now stood gazing upon the burned flesh of the doomed horses. Augere turned his gaze upon Jason briefly; Jason’s face reflected Augere’s deep sadness.

Maybe it is best to get moving again, away from the scene of this tragic memory
. This had become a little too intense suddenly. Augere’s gaze returned to the ruined structure in front of him. It seemed to hold him there.

“Fires…were a common enough tragedy in those times. Many could have been prevented. This one, certainly.

“The three men were apprehended. Information had been provided to officials as to their hidden location. There was a trial. Somehow, the three men managed to escape the court’s justice. They did not, however, escape mine.”