Danse Macabre   ::   Гамильтон Лорел

Lisandro holstered his gun and frisked Meng Die. He did it quickly, efficiently, and very, very thoroughly. «There are rivets and ridges throughout the leather. They could hide a few things. Do you want me to rip the leather open?» He asked it as if it were an everyday question.

«Your word of honor that you are not carrying anything else?» Claudia said.

Meng Die hesitated, then finally said, «There was just the one knife. This outfit doesn't leave much room for hiding weapons.»

Claudia's eyes flicked to Jean-Claude. «It's your call, Jean-Claude, do we back up, or do we finish it?»

«Will you behave yourself, Meng Die?» he asked, and this time in as normal a voice as he could manage.

She gave him a look of such hatred that she didn't look quite sane. «I will not try to kill anyone tonight.» Not exactly a rousing yes, but Jean-Claude nodded.

Claudia hesitated, then stepped back and lowered her gun. She didn't holster it, though. I couldn't say I blamed her.

London went to one knee in front of me, head bowed. It was a gesture that should have had a cloak and a plumed hat with it, so old-fashioned. «I am able to serve my lady again, if she has need.»

It took me a second or two to work out what he meant. «You mean feed the ardeur again?»

He looked up. «Yes.»

I looked down into that so-serious face. «You know if you act as food for the ardeur too often, it can be fatal?»

«Yes, but I can feed the ardeur every two hours or so in a twenty-four-hour period without ill effect.»

I stared at him. «You're joking, right?»

«Why would I joke about such a thing?»

«I don't know, but… London, even the strongest, most powerful person I feed on can only feed twice in a row with a break of at least six hours between.»

«It is my gift, Anita,» he said.

«London is the perfect food for the ardeur . He can truly feed every few hours day after day, to no ill effect. In fact, Belle Morte said he seemed to gain power from it,» Jean-Claude said.

«I'm scrambling to figure out how to feed and control this thing, and we have someone who is made to take care of it, and you didn't mention it to me sooner?»

«And if I had?» he said, simply.

I opened my mouth to protest, then closed it. If he had, what would I have done? «I'd have accused you of trying to set me up with London.»

«Since he did not wish to be captured by the ardeur again, I thought it wisest not to mention his talent.