The Vampire (THE VAMPIRE Book 1) (84 page)

“I…uh…I don’t believe Mr. Augere is available now…”

The murmurs of the crowd said otherwise as people began to realize Augere was in fact standing among them. Apparently, this was quite a rare event.

“He’s here!” someone shouted out.

Augere, standing beside Jason, appeared calm and composed. He made no move.

“Mr. Augere! Come up to the podium!” people were shouting out. James definitely appeared quite uncomfortable now as he spotted Augere standing among the crowd.

“All right, yes. Mr. Augere, would you mind please?”

Augere shot James a look Jason was not able to interpret. Slowly, reluctantly, he began to move toward the podium.

As the winning team stood to the side, waiting their turns to collect their prizes and to personally thank Augere, Jason noticed the group of girls, Linea, and her posse, waiting with the other teams.
It figures!
Jason thought. Those girls had come up with the dark themed tree.

Augere stood on the podium now, with James by his side. As the teams came up they spoke briefly to Augere; some of them hugged him as he stood there somewhat woodenly.
Oh, no,
Jason thought.
But he seems to be holding up okay
. By the time the teen quartet reached the stage, their excitement at seeing Augere was palpable. James and Allen handed out the actual prizes so Augere would not have to. But as far as the teams interacting with him, there was not much the brothers could do to prevent this, not in front of everyone.

Linea and the other girls: Kyla, Miche, and Mignon, gushed at him, all trying to talk at once. They regarded him as if he was a celebrity, a rock star gracing them with his presence and granting a not so private audience. Augere’s somewhat pained expression sought out Jason’s face in the crowd— Jason nodded encouragement to him. The girls, each one in turn, hugged Augere, as James and Allen could only helplessly stand by and watch. Augere managed to get through it. He seemed a little more at ease after catching Jason’s eye, and even flirted with the girls briefly. They each fairly floated off the stage, joyful at having physically put hands on their very elusive and attractive obsession. Even Jason breathed a sigh of relief when it was over. He began to gather up his things and headed for the exit. He passed Linea and her group on the way. Each of them was scanning their cell phones.

“No—me either! Not a single one is any good! They’re all blurry! How could he be blurry in ALL of our camera phones? It just doesn’t make sense! Let me see that one of yours again, Mignon—nope. Yours is the best one and you still can’t quite see him clearly! Damn! I just can’t believe none of us got a single good photo of him!”

“Let’s ask around; SOMEBODY must have gotten good clear pictures of him with all of the cameras that were here tonight.”

Jason smiled to himself as he walked by and overheard their conversation. He had wondered about that too—all the cameras taking so many photos. Augere must have some way to thwart all of that. Jason found that rather remarkable.

It was past 2 a.m. and he had already been tired since the previous morning as it was. He was looking forward to getting to the hotel now. It was a walk of just a few blocks; he wondered if he should wait for Augere. His bed and the promise of sleep seductively called out to him; he was ready to go now.

Near the doorway Jason found James and Augere in a fond embrace. They were speaking quietly and seemed oblivious to their surroundings. Jason was touched by the moment, and the open display of affection between the two. It cheered him a little to witness this. Carrie had been moved to tears to think Augere was alone in the world and he had come to realize this was probably true. But the Geniers were warm, affectionately demonstrative people. Jason had been able to experience this for himself. He was glad for Augere’s sake they thought so well of him and that they had in fact become the equivalent of family to him.

He began to feel he was being intrusive, but the two were unselfconscious. A moment later, they both walked toward Jason. James wished them both a good night and a Merry Christmas. He embraced Jason. “I will see you both tomorrow. Christmas Day brunch. You will both be there.” It was not a question. They both responded with a nod.

As they began walking back to their hotel, Jason was already yawning. He looked at Augere. “Are you ready for sleep too?”

“More than you can ever begin to imagine,” Augere answered softly.

Jason was asleep as soon as he hit the pillow. He dreamt peacefully for a while until his dream took a strange turn. He was in a city reminiscent of New Orleans, but with a subway system like Boston’s. There seemed a strong European influence too, somewhat like Montreal, except there were canals like those of Venice. Jason made his way through the strangely familiar landscape, all the while being pursued by a sexy, alluring and somewhat androgynous vampire. The creature would appear suddenly around corners or step out of doorways, never with a clear view of its facial features, and it seemed to want more from Jason than just his blood… He always just managed to elude the swiftly moving creature only to be pursued once again.

Now he was being gently shaken awake…by a sexy alluring vampire… The room was dark…he was ready for the enticing yet nightmarish dream to be over but he was having difficulty separating himself from the dream state. He became fully awake suddenly as he realized something was pressing against his shoulder. He gasped as he struggled to see in the darkness and tried to sit up. Augere had him firmly pressed to the bed with one hand.

“Mr. Augere! What is it? What’s going on?” Jason’s whispered words rose out of a sudden intense fear.

“Be still and quiet.” Augere’s slow whispered words admonished him. “I believe there is something here you might wish to see.”

Augere slowly released his hold, and Jason’s first thought was to leap out of bed and away from him, for all the good it might do. But then Jason sensed another presence in the room and he struggled to see in the darkness to try to determine who or what it was.

Augere took a step backward as Jason tried to follow his gaze to look beyond him. As his eyes began to adjust to wakefulness and to the dark, they quickly widened. A young girl was standing in his room.

She couldn’t be more than eight or ten, he guessed. In the ambient light he could make out the pastel vision of her hair, her skin, and the long frilly dress she wore, all of the same pale hue. Her hair had to be a light blonde shade; her dress, white or ivory perhaps; a long faded pink sash on the dress matched the one in her long curly hair. She wore small pink shoes. Even in the dim light he could distinguish her heart-shaped face, her sweet expression. Her startling blue eyes were luminous and fixed upon him with intelligent inquiry. She seemed to be studying him intently.

Who was she? Why had he brought her to his room? She seemed curious about him also, but then abruptly turned her gaze from him to Augere. She took two steps toward him. Augere reached out his hand to her. She came to him and he bent to her ear and whispered something to her. She placed her pale hand in his even paler one.

She was now nearly close enough for Jason to reach out and touch her. His eyes were accustomed fully to the available light and now he could see how truly pale she was; could see her long eyelashes, and then became startled as he realized suddenly, he saw the desk and chair behind her, visible through her diaphanous form.

He sat fully upright then, staring, wondering if he might still be dreaming. And then he understood. He stared at her in wonder. She simply took his breath away.

She was looking up at Augere now. Her lips were moving…Jason could hear no sound, but Augere bent to her again, his white cheek nearly touching her own. Again he whispered something to her. Then he straightened up and nodded at her. And then…suddenly…she was gone. In an instant she had just completely vanished.

“Oh! Where did she go?” Jason asked glancing around the dark room.

“She seems to understand her parents are dead…but not that she is also. She is searching for them. I suggested where she might look.”

“She was
real
…I mean an intelligent presence. That was just absolutely amazing…!”

“Yes. You can return to your slumber now.”

Jason nodded slowly in the darkness knowing Augere would be able to see the gesture.

Wait—what? Sleep? Was he kidding?
He had just witnessed an intelligent interacting full body apparition. No. There would be no sleeping now.

“She was looking right at me! Studying me! I could even see her expression change…she stood right here…a sentient presence… and it had to have been for a few minutes, at least! That—is just unheard of! It is the holy grail of paranormal experience! A full body apparition lasting several minutes…”

Augere had already turned to leave.

“Wait! Please! How did she happen to be here—with you? Was she just walking around? Or did she float…? How could you tell what she said? Was she—”

“Tomorrow. Sleep now,” he said quietly and then left.

Jason was exhausted but he fought sleep as he kept thinking of the phenomena he had just witnessed, going over every detail again until he couldn’t keep his eyes open any longer.

They had planned to walk to Christmas Day brunch the next morning. They were expected there by 10:30. Even after his late night, Jason was up and ready but could easily have slept a few more hours. It wasn’t just that he did not want to appear rude by refusing; he really wanted to participate in all of it, not miss any second of it.

The location was another French Quarter restaurant, where a lavish buffet had been set up. Jason was ready for coffee, and a quick glance at the many delectable items on the buffet made him instantly hungry.

Augere had accompanied him on the walk to the restaurant but there had been no time to talk about the events of last night. Jason hoped to sit down with him at some point and have a long discussion about it.

They spotted Allen first. Augere walked up to him and faced him squarely. He touched and smoothed Allen’s lapel, looking steadily in his eyes as he asked: “Why is your family not here, Allen?”

“The girls are at that age, you know. They did not want to leave their friends and parties and such in London. Their mum wouldn’t come without them of course.” He shrugged. “And our son wanted to ski with his cousins in Switzerland. But they are all eager to come to New Orleans next year. They were torn in their decision this year and you know they rarely miss this.”

“Your acquired accent is ever more noticeable.” Augere smiled just slightly. Allen laughed.

“When did you speak to Terrance last?” Augere’s expression abruptly turned serious.

“Am I supposed to be in contact with him?” Allen replied with a quick look of surprise, not missing a beat.

Augere seemed taken a little off guard. He gave Allen another small smile then. “No. I suppose not.” Augere resumed smoothing Allen’s lapel for a moment and then withdrew. “It is quite good to see you again. You handled things quite well recently. It is appreciated.”

“Thank you, Mr. Augere. Just doing my job.”

Jason had discreetly observed the interaction with great interest. The mention of Terrance’s name had almost made him involuntarily flinch, but he did not. It appeared Allen had handled himself very well too just now.

Jason took the offer of a Mimosa from a passing tray, and then spotted James across the room. A few minutes later he found a moment to speak to him alone.

“There was a problem—an incident at the hotel,” Jason began hesitantly.

James expression quickly became one of alarm. “What happened?”

Jason explained about the broken window. “I think it is partly my fault though. I didn’t even think to check to see if there are individual thermostats—and I suggested maybe he should open a window—”

James sighed heavily, shaking his head. “Oh no, not again. This is what he does. He is going to get himself blacklisted from every hotel in the city. Next time I swear I will put him up in the worst trashy place I can find, miles from anywhere…” Then he sighed. “No, that won’t work either. Okay, thanks for letting me know. I’ll call them. Or perhaps…we can sneak our own repair men in and take care of it…”

Jason nodded meekly.

James managed a weak smile. “How are things going otherwise?”

“Good.” Jason nodded. “Very good.”

They were joined then by Augere and Allen, and the four of them began to mingle. People seemed very surprised to see Augere. He appeared to be calm and at ease. It seemed there were some whispered comments, none of which Jason personally heard, however; but he did notice many curious glances.

They found a table and then James and Allen took off for a private huddle. Jason wasn’t quite ready to eat yet, trying to curb some of his hunger with coffee and the Mimosa, knowing he would overdo it otherwise. In fact the refreshing Mimosa suited him and he desired to have another one now. He stood up.

“You are leaving?” Augere asked suddenly. Jason thought he heard a hint of panic in his voice.

“Just getting a drink,” Jason replied.

“Will you be gone long? Will you be somewhere…close?” Augere asked in what sounded like a worried tone. Jason guessed there could have been insecurity there as well. This was something unexpected and, he thought, possibly rare from Augere.

“No. Not somewhere close…”

“I see,” Augere accepted softly, without looking at Jason.

Jason motioned to one of the waiters as he stood.

“Right here.” He sat down again next to Augere. A waiter carrying a tray of drinks came over a few moments later. Jason removed two glasses from the tray and placed one in front of Augere. Augere made no comment, but Jason thought he sensed his feeling of relief. It was very hard to guess with Augere what he might be thinking or feeling at any particular moment.
Perhaps,
Jason thought,
I’m only supposing what might be going on in that mind
.

Jason was content to sit, surveying the congenial atmosphere of the Genier family, friends, and associates as they mingled. He was content with Augere’s silent company.