I was weak for Gideon Blake once before. I don’t make the same mistake twice.
“I did think about all the different ways I might separate your head from your body,” I add.
“That’s a permanent solution to a rather handsome problem.” Gideon rubs his chin. “I remember you saying something different last time we were alone together. You said—”
“We’re not talking about the past.” I don’t want to know what I said. Iespeciallydon’t want to know why Gideon remembers what I said to him over one hundred and fifty years ago. “Either watch the film in silence or leave me in peace.”
Gideon leans back in his chair. I watch out of the corner of my eye as he brings the glass to his lips and takes a languid sip, as if he isn’t bothered by my indifference. I want to bother him. I want my words to sting, yet he seems completely content to silently watch this movie.
I try to focus on the storyline, but I keep being drawn back to the man beside me.
What has he been doing since he left me in Paris?
How did he end up in Argleton, of all places? How did he become one of the most innovative property developers in the Upyr world? And how did he do it all without me knowing about him?
How did he end up an Upyr?
Hewashuman when we had our liaison. A vampire can scent another of our kind. Besides, he’d been out during the day. That was how he arranged—
Stop thinking about it.
I try to focus on the film, but curiosity gnaws at me. I pinch the flame of the cherry candle between my fingers, savouring the slight sting of pain.
“When did you become an Upyr?”
“I thought we weren’t talking about the past?” He raises an eyebrow.
“We’re not talking aboutourpast. But this—” I gesture at the general Gideon-ness of him. “—happened after you were with me.”
“Lucien Vega made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.” Gideon’s voice darkens.Ah, so Gideon Blake isn’t immune to secrets.“What about you? You never did tell me howyoubecame an Upyr in possession of a necklace worn by Queen Cleopatra herself.”
I lean across the table and overturn the candle. He yelps as crimson wax drips down his face, hardening on his cool skin to create eldritch dribbles. I pick up my handbag and Gideon’s car keys and leave without a word.
He doesn’t get that piece of me.
Not until he’s earned it.
And he’ll never earn that secret.
EMAIL TO GIDEON BLAKE FROM ÉDOUARD MANET
Gideon, my dear friend. How positivelyscandalousto hear from you! After all the drama you’ve caused within the Conclave, I’m almost regretting not taking you up on the offer of a property at Sanctus.
Unfortunately, my muse does not respond to fog and drizzle. Speaking of which, I can’t convince you to join us in Mykonos at the end of the summer? We’re having a riotous time. You should see Nikola Tesla after he’s been on the ouzo.
Of course, I remember Arabella from La Petite Mort. She was such a lovely addition to our little fete. Alas, I’ve had no contact with our seductive hostess. She disappeared along with the theatre, and I must admit that I’ve been distracted by, well, undead life. 150 years of it, and hasn’t it been glorious? The art world has come a long way and made me obscenely rich. About time, I say! How I wish our dear friend Claude could have lived to see how beloved he became, or that Rodin finally managed to get into Renoir’s pants. I offered them all the Kiss at various times over the years, but they were all too attached to the romance of death to take me up on it.
Artists, so temperamental! Am I right?
To your question. Yes, I recall Arabella’s jewels. That silly curse has certainly proved true in Arabella’s case, has it not?
I have followed news of the Antirhodos Collar over the years, not that there has been much news – only rumours about it resurfacing on the antiquities market in the 1920s before being snapped up by some mysterious wealthy collector.
If anyone can locate the jewels, it’s me. If I do find them for you, you’d better be ready with absolutepilesof money, because they will not be cheap. Give me some time to contact my sources.
In the meantime, if you truly wish to court the elusive and unpredictable Arabella, may I suggest speaking through art? It’s always worked for me.
Yours, Édouard
