“We don’t move through time,” she said. “We exist outside of it. We build our own worlds and carry them with us, cultures within cultures, orbits within orbits. And we look on you as we would on rats in a cage. Studying you.”
“If you feel that way, why are you even here? Why bother interacting with us? Is someone like Dorian just your milk cow?”
“Some of us feel differently,” she said quickly, almost an apology. “Some of us resist the urge to see the rest of you as livestock. I know you understand—you resist the same urges.”
“But I’m mortal. Changes the outlook a bit.”
She said, “I’m trying to explain what you’re facing. The players in the Game—why consolidate power except to use it? What does anyone use power for but to impose their worldview over everyone?”
“That’s a little epic for me to wrap my head around.”
“Live long enough and you see where the patterns lead.”
“How long?” I took the flyer.
She smiled, thin and wary. “I should retire now. Thank you for speaking with me.”
When she offered her hand, I took it—it was smooth, cool, firm. I still wouldn’t meet her gaze, and this seemed to amuse her, as well. Then she left, disappearing around the corner to the basement door.
I flopped onto the sofa and buried my face in a cushion.
chapter 6
I managed to get a couple hours of sleep. I should have slept more—it’s not like I had to be anywhere—but I kept turning that conversation with Anastasia over in my mind, and I kept worrying.
When I got up, it was still before anyone else. I went for the phone and called Ben. My hand cupped over the mouthpiece, I spoke as softly as I could.
“What’s wrong?” he said instantly. I was being so obviously conspiratorial.
“I need you to check on something for me.”
“You’re still managing to find trouble, aren’t you?”
I should have argued this on principle. But really, I didn’t have a leg to stand on. “This probably isn’t important, but I don’t want to be blindsided. You may need to talk to Rick about it.”
“Do I have to?”
Rick, Master vampire of Denver. Ben didn’t like vampires; I couldn’t much blame him. “Come on, Rick’s a good guy.”
“For certain values of good.”
“There’s a vampire here. Her name’s Anastasia. I’d just like to find out more about her, where she came from, if she has any kind of reputation.”
“Is there a reason for the cloak-and-dagger routine?”
“She’s been asking me about Roman.”
He paused a moment, then said, “Oh. Shit. Is she working for him or something? How are they connected?”
“That’s what I need to find out. She didn’t seem to be all that thrilled with him, which is a little encouraging.”
“The enemy of your enemy is not necessarily your friend.”
“I know that. She seems to be trying to find out which side I’m on. Why can’t people just leave me alone?”
“You’re a popular public figure who volunteered to be on a reality TV show. And you want to be left alone?”
“Okay, point taken.” I pouted.