The Vampire (THE VAMPIRE Book 1) (57 page)

“About a week ago.”

“A week! You have been here that long?…I told him I was free this evening. My wife has a social outing with her friends tonight so I suggested I could invite you out to dinner and he thought that might be a good idea; he said he thought you weren’t eating properly…I have to admit Jason—this is all rather unusual and unexpected…so I do hope you will join me for dinner—it seems I have a lot to catch up on. Please select wherever you would like to go.”

It really was true then. All of it. It was not just that he had the key. He nervously glanced at his pillow.
Nope. I’m not lying there asleep. I really am awake and this is really happening. I am really going back
.

“Yes, I would love to do that.” He hesitated for several moments, thinking. “Would it be possible—do you think—could we maybe go to Muriel’s—Jackson Square? Is that okay?”

“Yes, of course. An excellent choice. I’ll call for a table. What time shall we meet then?”

They arranged to meet in forty-five minutes. Jason had time to shower and change; he had to make do with a casual all black outfit and jacket he hoped would be somewhat suitable and presentable.

The restaurant was about a twelve-block walk from the hotel; he was ready quickly and then took his time, deciding for no particular reason to walk along Royal Street, still trying to clear his head. He paused briefly to look in various shop windows. As he lingered a few moments at various window displays, it came back to him: the creepy figure of the strange little girl. He began to search with more purpose as he strolled along, sure he would be able to find that shop again.

He felt light as air as he walked. It was such a pleasure and a relief to be able to turn his attention to something else in the world again. The ordeal with Augere had been consuming him, body and soul. He could breathe easier now. As if to prove it, he took in a deep breath.

He found what he thought was the shop where she was located: other objects in the window looked familiar to him; this had to be the place. But she wasn’t there. It seemed unlikely someone else would have come along and bought the dusty statue. He didn’t think he had just imagined it. But lately it was becoming difficult to sort out reality from…he didn’t want to think about that just now. He arrived at Muriel’s and was still a few minutes early. He lingered outside, watching the people passing by St. Louis Cathedral. For the first time in what seemed like ages, the world could pass by without his intense scrutiny. He touched the key held safe and securely in his pocket, just for reassurance.

Genier arrived, walking briskly toward him, wearing a grey suit and carrying a black zippered leather portfolio. He tried to clasp Jason warmly with his free hand, while he offered a sincere greeting, saying how very glad he was to see him again. Tears started to well in Jason’s eyes. It was so good to see Genier again too. And especially to be greeted and welcomed as if he were a much missed member of the family, home again at last.

Genier was greeted several times by different staff as they entered the restaurant. He was obviously known here. They were shown to a beautifully lavish private salon on the second floor. It was the séance room, the server explained to Jason. Genier must have pulled some strings to get this private space on short notice. A table and two chairs had been placed inside for them. As they took their seats, Genier explained they had needed a private place to talk.

Jason took in the surroundings, wishing now he had thought to bring his camera. Red was the predominate color: red velvet drapes divided the room decorated with full-sized faux pharaoh’s coffins; exposed brick walls alternated with red painted walls. Several large portraits of people from other eras hung everywhere along with musical instruments and other New Orleans mementos. Plush leather couches offered seating as well as sofas and chairs with a multitude of overstuffed pillows. Exotic lamps with different hued shades sat on tables or were suspended from the ceiling or walls. The overall rich, lush and chicly decadent look completely charmed Jason. He was glad he had chosen this place; a perfect setting.

They each ordered the shrimp remoulade and Pinot Grigio to start with; a basket with generous helpings of warm bread and servings of butter appeared. More shrimp in the form of an appetizer came soon after and Jason felt ravenous now. Where had his sudden appetite come from? He could have eaten several helpings. They ordered their entrees.

“Jason—how are you, really? You look as if you have had a very rough time.”

He nodded. “Doing better.”

“I’m sorry if this has been hard on you. I want you to know how saddened all of us were at your departure.” James sighed. “I feel I should say…we have our rules, and Mr. Augere has his. We do try to follow those, but we often bend, if not break them. It is our policy—and Mr. Augere too is especially adamant about this—that once things are ended, all contact must be severed as expeditiously as possible. We are not supposed to interfere in his personal business. And we are not supposed to let our personal feelings get in the way. This was especially hard on all of us though; we really do like you. And more importantly, you seem like a good fit for Mr. Augere.” He paused as he looked into Jason’s eyes. “I have much to ask you—well, first of all, I’m not at all sure how it came about that you were able to speak to him and that you are returning to work…” He paused, hoping Jason would fill in the details. Jason made no comment.

“But before we do go any further, I must be certain. There can be no ambiguity about this: you do know the truth about him—absolutely?”

Jason looked into his eyes but made no comment.

“I don’t mean to seem like I am overstating the point here, but…” James paused, “I need to hear you say it.”

“Vampire.” Jason nearly whispered the words, though just the two of them were present. Then he nodded slowly. He hadn’t meant for his anger to show, not now, in what was for him a joyous reclaiming of the life he desired, but it couldn’t be helped.

“And you knew…all of you knew…all along, and you weren’t going to tell me?
Vampire?
! You knew what kind of danger I was in, and you just let this happen? How long did all of you think you could get away with this?” He allowed more than a trace of bitterness to show, while managing with some difficulty to keep the rest of his anger suppressed.

Genier raised the palm of his right hand. “I can explain.”

Jason did not want to be angry with Genier, nor with any of them really. But the anger was there, newly awakened, and not to be put off. This had better be good.

“The whole assistant thing has been a work in progress for a long time. Originally, only Genier family members took on the role, and only very sporadically, as needed. And that was all a very long time ago. After some decades, it became less feasible, less convenient, for my family to perform that role.

“The family discussed ways this might be handled. It was decided we should be open and honest about it and tell prospective assistants the truth. Well…” He looked directly into Jason’s eyes. “…as you might imagine, that did not go well. People thought we were pulling some scam or hoax that could get them arrested; those who did believe us thought we must be insane, and wanted no part of it, especially if it was true. And some of those who did not believe it and thought we were charlatans of the worst sort wanted to get cut into ‘the deal, the con.’

“There were some believers…trusting souls perhaps… or maybe those who were just trying to be good sports about it, who went along until they very soon found out it was all quite true, and all too real for them. This created a lot of problems. Added to that was the fact that Mr. Augere was often quite ambivalent about not wanting ANY assistant and he would do things to sabotage our efforts…but I’m getting off the subject here.” Genier reflected for several moments before speaking again.

“Then one day he announced he had found an assistant. Someone he deemed suitable, and he chose not to tell this person anything about himself. We thought for certain this venture was doomed—a huge mistake—more of the same negative responses could be expected, perhaps just in a delayed fashion. But time passed and gradually this person did come to find out the truth. Yet, it still seemed to work out. And probably the arrangement would have lasted even longer, except…well, but that had nothing to do with Mr. Augere. So we, my distant relatives that is, looked at what had gone right, and decided we would try to duplicate that. Which brings us, more or less, up to the present day, though of course, modifications in the process have been made by each generation as needed.

“We found that finding the most suitable candidate to begin with was an important first step. And it seemed once people got to know Mr. Augere, and maybe even developed a kind of rapport with him over time, when they did find out the truth, as they invariably did, they were more likely to be able to deal with it in a positive way. Not one hundred percent of the time of course; some people still freaked out and wanted to leave. But, fewer than one might imagine.”

“That could have described me.” Jason nodded. “If I hadn’t left. If I had felt I would be able to stay.”

“And that is another thing I have to be certain of. Jason, are you sure about this? About wanting to return—”

Jason was already nodding.

James gave him a doubtful look. “You can take more time, if you need to think about—”

“I am absolutely sure this is what I want.” He met Genier’s direct gaze with his own.

“Because—go or stay—he can deal with that.” James paused. “It is the ambivalence, the ambiguity Mr. Augere cannot tolerate. If you were to change your mind, say perhaps after a few days or weeks —he could become–well, it would likely become very unpleasant. Your safety concerns us. If someone needs to leave he can understand and deal with that. Or once you decide to stay, that could be fine also; it is the uncertainty that creates problems, that he is not able, or will not—”

“I am sure.” Jason pronounced the words with finality.

He took a sip of his wine and then his face took on a thoughtful expression. “I hadn’t even thought to ask for my job back, though thinking about it now, I guess it had to have been in the back of my mind.”

“That wasn’t why you wanted to talk to him?”

Jason shook his head.

“I really need to hear how all this came about then. How did you happen to come to New Orleans, to start with?”

“I thought he might be here to look for a new assistant. I came here to try to find him.”

James just stared at him for several moments. “You thought you could just find him…? Or, you knew, somehow, where to look…?”

Jason shook his head. “I came here knowing it was going to be impossible to find him. But I had to try. I know it was crazy, but somehow, it did happen.” Jason shrugged.

“So…” Genier was still trying to understand. “He did finally call you then?”

“No.”

“Then…you were able to call him?”

“No.” Jason shook his head.

“But I thought…he said he spoke to you…wait, you don’t mean you actually saw him? That you found him?”

“Actually he found me.”

“Ah, I see. Yes that would be more likely. I’m still not understanding how this all came about. But then all of this is so unprecedented.” James shook his head. “I’m not sure what was said, what passed between you…”

Jason thought about what he had actually said to Augere. What stuck in his mind at the moment were words that now embarrassed him with their desperation. As if he had practically groveled and just about humiliated himself. He hadn’t meant to lose his pride completely and beg Augere to kill him…though what he was essentially asking for was his job back, but not knowing until he said the words how much he actually meant them. Those were the words he was not comfortable sharing just now with Genier.

“I don’t understand. How is it unprecedented?” he asked Genier.

“You have made history within the realm of assistants. Others have changed their minds after extended intervals and asked to come back. Some have had a change of mind or heart, perhaps. And he has always said no. Always.”

Jason was stunned. It couldn’t have been his desperate pleading that could have changed Augere’s mind. If anything he sensed that would probably have caused Augere to regard him with further disdain. Augere had seemed cold, angry, and dismissive on initial contact. He barely seemed to want to be in Jason’s presence for a second longer than he could help.
But then why had he come to find me, never mind how he found me precisely?
Jason tried to recall what words had been spoken between them.

He had been so taken with the sight of him, the surprise and joy of him appearing so unexpectedly, that he failed to take full notice of Augere’s responses and was just now doing so in retrospect.

“He didn’t ask you to try to talk me out of it, did he?” Jason asked in a sudden moment of paranoia.

“No. He did not.”

“But are you trying to talk me out of it?”

“Absolutely not. In fact, I want to say again, on behalf of all of us, how very glad we are you will return to us. I sincerely believe you are a good choice. We were very upset and devastated you felt you had to leave.”

“Thank you Mr. Genier. That is very kind of you.” Did that include Augere? Had he been devastated as well?
Not when I saw him at the Maspero. He seemed angry; bitter
.

Jason sipped more of his wine. “Does it just seem so incredible to you…? Well, I guess you must be so used to it by now… But I am still getting used to the whole idea of him…”

“He still manages to amaze me quite often. The sound of his voice, the very sight of him—sometimes it is still quite awesome to me. He is an extraordinary being.”

Jason nodded, enthralled to hear that James’ view mirrored his own, even after long acquaintance. But just how long? How far back…?

“Part of the difficulty for me was—is—that I never actually saw anything—never saw him do anything—well, except for that portal incident, that would make me believe any of it was true, even for a minute,” Jason began.

“But you do believe it?”