“Alas, I have no carriage at my disposal,” Bennett said before sweeping her arm toward the stairs. “Will a limousine do?”

***

It was black. It was long, and it smelled of the leather upholstery it contained. Large enough to seat eight comfortably, a full bar ran down the length, and the moon roof was outlined in fiber optic mood lighting.

“I know I say this a lot, but wow,” Ruby said, looking around. “No offense, I like the gesture, but we could have taken my car.”

“This is courtesy of Max,” Bennett said, tucking her sword under the bench seat. “And your car wouldn’t do.”

As soon as Bennett closed the door, Ruby noticed something else. “Um…why are all the windows so dark? I mean, I can’t see out of any of them.”

“And you’re not supposed to.” Bennett pressed a button, and a glass panel rose between them and the driver, and its glass was as opaque as all the others.

“Okay, so things are getting creepy again. I feel like I’m being kidnapped.”

“No, you’re being driven to a home owned by one of the firsts, and like many of the others, he prefers to keep his location secret from mortals.”

“Meaning he doesn’t trust me?”

“Please don’t take offense.”

“It’s kind of hard not to,” Ruby said, her voice suddenly losing its lightness. “Maybe tonight was a mistake.”

“I have to say, I’m a little surprised by your reaction,” Bennett said, lines creasing her brow. “I didn’t think this would be a problem. We’re private for a reason, Ruby, and I thought you understood that.”

“But I know where you live.”

“Yes, you do. Those who choose not to live on our leaders’ estates are free to let in or not let into our lives anyone we choose, but there are just as many who believe confidentiality is of the utmost importance. Their estates are heavily guarded, and their location isn’t revealed to anyone who doesn’t need to know, mortals being at the top of that list.”

“So I’m the enemy?”

“You’re paying for the betrayal of dozens of mortals before you, those who we trusted, and those who deceived us for a bag of coin or piece of property only never to live long enough to enjoy either. Vampires do not take duplicity well, and if we’re double-crossed, to say there is hell to pay is putting it mildly.”

“Remind me never to get you mad.”

“Yes, I fear that came off a little heavier than I intended,” Bennett said with a laugh. “The bottom line is that you’re safe with me. The tinted windows are only a precaution.”

Ruby looked at the darkened glass again. “Okay…if you say so.”

“Oh, I forgot to mention, we’re going to pick up Gus and Cathleen on the way.”