"You have lost that air of humbleness that I found so appealing, Jean-Claude. Have you refused Serephina's invitation altogether?"
"I will come to Serephina's party, but on my own with my people around me."
I glanced at him. Was he crazy?
He frowned. "Serephina wanted you at the party in chains."
"We can all live with this choice, Janos."
"Are you saying you would challenge us all here and now?" There was an edge of laughter in his voice.
"I will not die alone, Janos. In the end you may have me, but it will cost you dearly."
"If you will truly come of your own free will, then come," Janos said. "Our master calls; let us answer that call." Janos, Bettina, and Pallas were just suddenly airborne. It wasn't flying, or levitation. I had no word for it. Larry whispered, "Dear God." The first time you see a vampire fly is a red-letter night.
The others scattered into the trees in that blurring motion that made them disappear almost as fast as flying. Ellie Quinlan had vanished with the rest of them. Her brother had been carried away by Janos. Until that moment I hadn't known a vampire could carry more than its own body weight while "flying." Learn something new every night.
We found our guns and walked down the mountainside. Our crosses were well and truly lost. Even Jean-Claude walked, and I knew he had other methods of transportation. Was it considered impolite to fly when others couldn't?
The Jeep was still where I'd parked it. The night was still thick. It was hours until dawn, and I just wanted to go home.
"I took the liberty of choosing clothes for you to wear tonight," Jean-Claude said. "They are in the Jeep."
"I locked the Jeep," I said.
He just smiled at me.
I sighed. "Fine." When I tried the handle it was unlocked. Clothes were folded in the passenger seat. They were black leather. I shook my head. "I don't think so."
"Your clothes, ma petite, are on the driver's side. Those are Lawrence's clothes."
Larry peered over my shoulder. "You've got to be kidding."
I walked around the Jeep and found a clean pair of black jeans. The tightest pair I owned. A bloodred tank top that I didn't remember buying. It felt like silk. There was a black duster coat that I had never seen. When I tried it for length it hit me at mid-calf, and billowed capelike when I moved. I liked the coat. The silk blouse I could have done without.
"Not bad," I said.
"Mine is bad," Larry said. "I don't even know how to get into these pants."
"Jason, help him dress." Jason picked up the bundle of leather and carried them to the back of the Jeep. Larry followed him but didn't look happy.
"No boots?" I said.
Jean-Claude smiled. "I didn't think you would give up your jogging shoes."
"Damn straight."
"Change quickly, ma petite; we must arrive at Serephina's before she decides to kill the boy just for spite."
"Would Xavier let her kill his new toy?"
"If she is truly his master, he has no choice. Now, dress, ma petite, quickly." I walked towards the far side of the Jeep but that brought me within earshot, and nearly eyesight, of Larry. I stopped and sighed. What the hell.
I turned my back on Jean-Claude and slid out of my shoulder holster. "How did you guys get away from Serephina?" I slipped my shirt over my head. I fought the urge to look back. I knew Jean-Claude was watching; why check?
"Jason jumped her at a crucial moment. It was distraction enough for us to flee, but little else. I'm afraid the room is something of a mess."
His voice was so mild I had to see his face. I slid the red tank top on and turned. He was standing closer than I'd thought, nearly within touching distance. He stood there in his white clothes, spotless and perfect.
"Step a few paces back, please. I'd like a little privacy."
He smiled, but he did what I asked. A first.
"Had she underestimated you that badly?" I asked. I changed jeans as quickly as I could. I tried not to think of him watching. It was too embarrassing.
"I was forced to flee, ma petite. Janos calls her master, and he defeated me. I cannot stand against her, not in a fair fight."
I slipped the shoulder holster back on, threading the belt I'd been wearing back through it. The straps chafed a little with no sleeves but it was better than not having it. I got the Firestar from under my seat and tucked the inner pants holster down the front of my jeans. It would show, even with the duster. I finally put it at the small of my back, though it wasn't my first or even second choice of places. I got the silver knives out of the glove compartment and strapped them to my forearms. I also got out a small box. It held two extra crosses. Vampires seemed to always be taking them from me.