never did like snuff, did you?” the man purred, putting it away.
“You know me, sir?” Larten frowned, studying the stranger again, trying to place him. There was something familiar about the voice, but not the man’s face. Had they met in Vampire Mountain?
“I know you well, Vur Horston,” the man smirked. “I also knew you when you went by your real name. And I knew you by another name too.” His eyes twinkled and Larten realised that whoever this was, the man meant him no harm.
“What name might that have been?” Larten asked, relaxing slightly.
“It was one I gave you myself,” the vampire said, then smiled nervously as he removed his monocle and brushed his hair back, revealing his face in full. “I called you Quicksilver.”
The mention of his old nickname astonished Larten, but as the man formed the word, something about the movement of his lips triggered a memory that was even more astonishing. Leaning close, eyes widening with shock, Larten seized the man’s shoulders and croaked with disbelief, “Tanish Eul?”
CHAPTER SIX
Larten and Tanish sat in plush leather chairs in the study of Tanish’s house, sipping wine from France’s finest vineyards. Larten preferred ale to wine, but Tanish was proud of his collection and forced a glass on his guest.
Larten had known Tanish when they were Cubs, young vampires with a taste for war, and the seedier human pleasures. They’d drunk, gambled and womanised their way across much of the world. He had counted Tanish as a close friend, one who got him into much trouble, but who was always fun company. Then Tanish refused the challenge of a vampaneze and was shamed in front of his peers. He departed in disgrace, never again to take his place in the clan. Larten thought that was the last he would see of the dashing, finely groomed vampire. Over the years he had occasionally wondered what might have happened to Tanish, but only idly, never expecting an answer.
Now here was the exile, bloated beyond recognition, wealthy and dressed in the most expensive clothes that Paris could offer, with a coterie of pretty young women and faithful servants.
“I knew you as soon as I saw you,” Tanish said for the umpteenth time. “The scar’s new, but otherwise you look the same. Not me! I’ve fattened out, haven’t I, Quicksilver?”
“You have,” Larten smiled. “But please, call me Vur.”
“Afraid I might ruin your cover?” Tanish smirked.
“Aye,” Larten admitted. He’d sent Alicia home, only telling her that he had met an old friend with whom he had much to discuss. Alicia wanted to meet Tanish Eul, but Larten had asked for some time alone with him.
“There’s no need to fear my tongue,” Tanish said. “Discretion is vital to me too. We both have secrets we wish to keep safe. I’ll say nothing of your past, Vur Horston.”
Larten thanked Tanish, then remarked on how well he seemed to be doing.
“Not bad,” Tanish sniffed, waving a hand at the beautifully decorated walls, the statues and paintings, the giant chandelier. The room was as big as the apartment where Larten and Alicia lived, and it was only one of many in the mansion, which was situated in the most fashionable part of Paris. “Of course this is just my town house. My place in the country is grander. I like an intimate setting when I come to the city.”
“It must have cost a fortune,” Larten noted. “You cannot have made such profits from gambling, surely.”
“Actually I did,” Tanish said. “But from the other side of the table. I run several casinos. There’s more to be made hosting gamblers than playing with them. Most of my profits come from drink and my pretty things, though I get a cut of all the table action too.”
Larten frowned. “What are your pretty things?”
“Women,” Tanish laughed. “We never had problems attracting young maids, did we? But others aren’t as lucky with the ladies as we were. For a price I supply the wealthier men of Paris with an introduction to companions who warmly welcome their attention.”
“Ah,” Larten sighed.
“You disapprove?” Tanish asked quietly.
“No,” Larten said. “I am merely surprised. I thought you might have gone into legitimate business. Having travelled so widely, I assumed import and export would have been more your line.”
“I rarely travel these days,” Tanish said. “No more than I have to. The world’s the same no matter where you go. Better to find a spot you can call home, then set down roots. I realised that long ago and I think you’ve come to see it too. That lady you were with tonight didn’t look as if she was going anywhere soon, and you plan to stay by her side a while, aye?”
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