Chapter 16

“I met Celeste in ‘51. In New York. Every night for two weeks, she came into the club where I played before finding me after a show one Saturday.”

Another piece fell into place. Her Google search hadn’t been pointless after all. “You played the trumpet.”

“How would you know that?”

“I told you. Research.”

“I thought all the records were destroyed.”

“Never underestimate the determination of a fan.”

Her cryptic response kept him frowning, but the melancholy still lurked behind his momentary confusion. “Simon and I are what are called thralls in the vampire world. We serve Celeste, and in return she gives us certain bonuses. Like longevity. Enhanced senses. Simon has some of her strength. “ He stuck his hand directly into the light. “But we’re still mostly human. We don’t have the weaknesses she does. It lets us be her liaisons during the day to keep her affairs in order.”

“You can have eternity as long as you do her dirty work for her, that’s what you’re saying?”