Chapter 6

There was no denying the spark between her daughter and the vampire. For once in her life, Leonie was all right with that. It served her purpose. "Ephie, I know what you must be thinking—"

Ephie let out a short little laugh. "I really don't think you do. How is he here? How did you just happen to run into him?"

Leonie glanced toward the door, but Remy was gone, no doubt in the dining room already. She lowered her voice anyway. "I have someone who notifies me whenever a new, non-local vampire registers at one of the sanctioned blood banks."

Ephie frowned. "Why?"

Leonie didn't really want to discuss that. She came up with a suitable answer that wasn't a complete lie. "Because I've asked them to. When I saw his name, it got me thinking. I went to see him, and we talked. When he told me he'd come to see the professor, I realized I might have been wrong about him. He's not such a bad guy."

Ephie's eyes narrowed. She wasn't buying this. Yet. Leonie had worried about that, but she really needed her to. "Mom, you hate vampires."

"No, I don't." Except she did.

"Yes, you do. What's really going on?"

Leonie sighed as though her daughter's lack of understanding was hurting her feelings. "I am trying to do something nice for you. I thought you cared about this man and that by inviting him here this evening, you two could get reacquainted and see what happens next. It's not as if you're involved with anyone else. Are you telling me you no longer have feelings for him?"

Ephie edged closer. "Mom, he's a vampire. No matter how softly you speak, he can hear you. He can hear this entire conversation. What I feel is my business. What you did tonight is so … not you. In my whole life, no man has ever been good enough or right for me. Even the ones you've introduced me to. Now, all of a sudden, you've changed your mind?"

Leonie wasn't selling this, and she wasn't sure how to make her daughter believe her. She smiled. "Yes, I have. Am I not allowed to do that? There are far worse people out there you could be involved with. But you aren't. I don't like that you're alone, sweetheart. That you're not happy."

"I am very happy, thank you all the same."

Leonie took a breath, pausing for effect. Then she sighed like she was giving up. "I'm sorry. I clearly made a mistake." She picked up her drink. "I'll ask him to leave."

"Mom, no—"

Leonie raised her brows. "You're all right with him staying?"

"I don't know how I feel about it, but it would be rude to ask him to leave now. Let's just get through dinner, all right?"

Leonie nodded solemnly. "All right." She took her daughter's hand. "Do you forgive me?"

Ephie made a face. "It's fine. There's nothing to forgive. Which isn't to say that I'm okay with this. I honestly don't know how I feel about it. But I guess your heart was in the right place."

"Where you're concerned? Always." Leonie held on to her. "You know I only want the best things in life for you. You deserve to be loved by someone who's going to treat you like a queen. If Remy's not that someone, so be it. I won't say another word about who you spend time with ever again."

One corner of Ephie's mouth quirked up. "If only that were true, but I don't think either one of us believes that."

"Ephelia." Leonie frowned, taking her hand away from her daughter and placing it on her own chest like Ephie's words had wounded her.

Ephie shook her head. "You know I'm right. Come on, let's go eat. I'm hungry, and we're keeping your guest waiting."

They walked to the dining room together. Leonie felt some relief, but she wasn't convinced Ephie would go along with this plan. Worse still, the real burden now lay on Remy. What had she been thinking to entrust her daughter's well-being to such a creature? How desperate had she become to believe a vampire might actually be the answer?

Perhaps she should come clean to Ephie. Tell her about the letters and the threats. But Leonie worried that Ephie wouldn't be able to deal with it. That she'd retreat further into the safe little world she'd made for herself. That there would be lasting effects.

Leonie didn't want that. She'd meant what she said to Ephie. She truly did want her to be happy and in love with a wonderful man. Not Remy, of course. He was just a means to an end.

But if Ephie knew that a real threat existed to her personal safety, she would shut herself off from the outside world. At least that's what Leonie believed.

After Remy had disappeared from Ephie's life, Ephie had closed down. Neither Leonie nor her grandmother had been able to break her out of the funk she'd been in.

Dealing with a breakup was hard, Leonie knew that. Her own heart bore the scars of love lost. But what Ephie had done was let it change her.

Another incident, another trauma, and Ephie might become a complete recluse. Surely, this ghost cat was proof that she was already edging toward that.

Leonie didn't want to be callous, but having a child who was so sensitive was difficult at times. Leonie would have loved to bring Ephie along with her to all the events she attended. There were so many handsome, single men there. Men with purpose and drive. Men who would give Ephie the kind of life she deserved.

The kind of life Leonie had always wanted but had to make for herself. She didn't want Ephie to face those same struggles.

They walked into the dining room. The lights were dimmed to enhance the mood. Remy stood near the windows, hands clasped behind his back, staring out.

He turned as they entered, his smile and gaze focused on Ephie. "I was beginning to think I'd be eating alone."

Leonie made herself smile like she wasn't bothered by this insolent vampire. She'd already allowed him to enter her home, but only after he'd assured her the invitations had to be granted on a per-vampire basis. Granting him access did not mean any other vampire would be able to enter at will.

She prayed that was true. "I'm sorry we kept you waiting. I'll let Alphonso know we're ready to eat."

She slipped away to the kitchen, leaving her daughter alone with Remy. Hopefully, he'd find a way to convince her to leave with him. That was his part of this plan.

Once in the kitchen, she put a hand on the counter and took a breath, eyes closed. This had to work. She just needed Ephie out of town, then she'd contact the police commissioner. He was an old, dear friend. He would know what she needed to do. And he could look into these threats as well.

"You all right, Ms. Moreau?"

She opened her eyes and nodded. "Just a lot on my mind, Alphonso. I only came in to let you know we're ready for you to serve."

"I'll plate up and be right out."

"Thank you." He was a good man and a talented chef. He only worked for her during the week and only made her dinner. Feeding herself was too much for her to think about after a long day of court.

The minute he'd retired from Brennan's, she'd made him a generous offer. He'd refused once, so she'd increased the offer slightly. He'd agreed after that. She'd have gone higher still, though. She liked getting what she wanted.

She returned to the dining room. Remy and Ephie were standing close, talking softly, their body language open, although Remy looked more relaxed than Ephie did. But then, he had nothing to lose in this.

Unlike Leonie. She fixed a smile on her face once again. "Alphonso will be right out. We should take our seats." She gestured to the head of the table. "Remy, please."

She wanted him close to her but close to Ephie, too.

He pulled Ephie's chair out for her. A good start, Leonie thought. But it was going to take more than manners to get Ephie to leave New Orleans. It might take a genuine miracle. Or magic. What kind of magic did Remy have?

She honestly wasn't sure, but she knew vampires could mesmerize humans into doing their bidding. Would that work on a woman with powers? She hated the idea of him using his abilities on her daughter that way, but needs must.

If Remy couldn't pull this off, Leonie had no use for him. In fact, she might just report him to the vampire council. They both knew he wasn't supposed to be here. Not for at least another decade or two.

Maybe she should remind him of that.

She sipped her gin and tonic. Or maybe she'd just let him find out the hard way.