“I was hoping you’d consider this a favor,” I said carefully.
“I could. But then I wouldn’t be lending you my jet. You choose which you’d prefer my help with. The jet or Ahrun.”
There was no choice.
My shoulders slumped in defeat. “The jet.”
“Then I’ll see you and Connor the first Friday after your return,” Thomas said jovially. “This has been a most pleasant conversation. I’m so glad you called.”
That made one of us.
“The jet will be fueled up and ready for your use by sundown.”
There was a click as the line went dead.
“Connor is going to kill me.”
And this time, I wasn’t sure I’d blame him.
The sun wasn’t fully down a few hours later when I trudged outside with my single bag, the sky a range of pinks and purples as the blue above deepened to a color so dark it was just one shade off black.
I lowered my sunglasses to protect my eyes which were smarting even from this limited exposure. My skin prickled, tiny dots of discomfort running up and down every inch that wasn’t fully covered. Not quite enough to breach the barrier to true pain. Just enough to remind me that day had not yet given sway to night.
Stupid sun.
Most vampires grew less vulnerable to its presence over time. Why, then, did it seem like I was growing more sensitive?
Shaking off the thought I headed toward where Deborah was already in the process of stuffing her luggage into the minivan Connor had purchased last night.
“How many bags did you bring?” I asked.
I counted one.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Four bags if I included the travel sized purse slung over her shoulder.
“Are you planning on staying there?”
Deborah tugged my bag from my shoulder, tossing it on top of her pile. “No one told me what kind of trip this was going to be. I wanted to be prepared.”
“You certainly are that,” I said, still a little shocked at the amount.
“As your companion, I can’t let others look down on me. The best way to do that is to dress for the occasion. I have outfits suitable for the high roller rooms and other sophisticated venues. Outfits for if we find ourselves in the desert needing to hike a little. Casual outfits for environments that aren’t so high class. Oh, and I brought a few swimsuits and cover ups in case we have to go to a pool.”
I gestured at myself. “You think I’m pool material?”
I could barely endure the light of the sun a few minutes before sunset. Sitting by a pool in full daylight might actually kill me.
Or at least make me wish I was dead.
Deborah flicked her hair over her shoulder. “That last one is mostly for me. Besides, you never know. I’ve heard most of the casino pools in Vegas are open late into the night. Plenty of time for even you to enjoy a little swim time.”
“Crazy,” I muttered, shaking my head as Deborah walked around the side of the van and climbed in the back.
