Page 78 of Immortal Unveiled

32

“Security is extra tight tonight,” Virginia said as she stopped in front of a large building with a glass-fronted lobby that was lit up like it was daytime. Two guards flanked the entrance.

Virginia turned her head to Manus, who was sitting in the passenger seat, then glanced back to Kim sitting behind him. “Normally, I’d be able to drive into the underground garage, but with two non-Scanguards passengers, they won’t let me through.”

“Samson isn’t taking any chances, is he?” Manus asked.

“Not with practically all Scanguards’ wives and children on the premises for Delilah’s party,” Virginia replied.

“So, how are we getting in?” Kim asked. After all, Virginia had made the suggestion to come to the party.

Virginia pulled a cell phone from her jacket pocket and made a call. “Wes will get you guys in, and then I’ll park the car.” She put the phone to her ear. “Hey, babe, I’m outside with Manus and his charge… Great, thanks.” She disconnected the call. “He’ll be right out.”

Charge? Why had Virginia referred to her as such? Was that all she was? Manus’s protégé? Now that Kim thought about it, she recalled that from the moment they’d arrived at Virginia’s home, Manus had let go of her hand and hadn’t made any physical contact. Was he trying to hide from Virginia what had happened between them?

“There he is,” Manus suddenly said and opened the car door. Manus exited and hugged a tall dark-haired man in his mid-thirties.

“That’s your husband?” Kim asked.

Virginia turned her head back to meet her gaze. “Handsome, isn’t he?” She chuckled. “Never thought I’d fall for a man so much younger than me.”

“Younger?” Kim stared at Virginia, who didn’t look a day over thirty-five.

“Yeah, he’s barely over fifty, and I’ve already passed two hundred.”

Kim’s chin dropped open, but she didn’t get a chance to reply. The door opened, and Manus offered his hand to help her out.

He introduced her to Virginia’s husband. “This is Wesley. Wes, this is Kim.”

Wesley shook her hand. “Any friend of Manus’s is a friend of mine.”

“Thank you. Nice to meet you too.”

“Come on in, guys.” He waved them toward the entrance, then said to the two guards, “They’re with me.”

Inside the elegant lobby, it was warm and smelled pleasant. Kim felt as if she was entering a spa, which was odd because Manus had explained to her earlier what Scanguards did: they were a security company run by vampires. She’d expected something different, something darker. Maybe black walls and red velvet curtains, a bunch of antique wall sconces throwing dim light down the corridor they were entering now. But instead, the corridor was well-lit and could have passed for a hallway in a five-star hotel. Clearly, her preconceptions about vampires had to be updated.

“Party’s in the V Lounge,” Wesley announced, walking ahead of them. He turned his head and winked at Kim. “V stands for vampire, but then I’m sure you’ve already guessed that.”

Kim nodded and smiled.

“You did prepare her, right?” Wesley asked Manus.

“That Scanguards is full of vampires? Yes, of course.”

“And you’re one of them?” Kim asked though she could see no outward signs.

Wes threw his head back and laughed. “Me? God, no! I’m a witch. An excellent one, actually.”

“A witch?” Kim caught Manus rolling his eyes.

“Yes, Wes is a witch, and clearly a very humble one.”

“Hey, somebody’s got to do a little PR,” Wes said, grinning. “And since nobody else is doing it for me, I’d better do it myself.” He winked at her. “I’m really very good.” Then he stopped in front of a door. “We’re here. Word to the wise: if the drink is red in color, don’t automatically assume it’s wine.”

“You mean they serve—”

“On tap, in a glass, very civilized,” Wes interrupted. He passed an access card over the card reader next to the door.