“I get that, but you have no choice. Moreover, I want you to put me on.”

Ben shook his head. “Todd, I’m not sure you appreciate how dangerous that is.”

“I can handle myself.”

“We’re not talking about a press conference. We’re not talking about reporters tossing out softball questions from which you can pick and choose. We’re talking about cross-examination by a very experienced, very determined attorney who will not give you any quarter.”

“I repeat: I can handle myself.”

“And there are other dangers,” Christina added. “Some forms of evidence the prosecution can only bring in if you take the stand. Prior bad acts or convictions. Propensity for truth telling. You don’t want to deal with that.”

“If it saves my career-not to mention my life-I do.”

“Senator, I know you’ve had a lot of experience here in Washington, but when it comes to the courtroom, you’d be wise to listen to Ben. He-”

Glancy held up his hand. “You don’t have to tell me about Ben. I know everything there is to know; I wouldn’t have chosen him to represent me if I didn’t.” Ben felt his face reddening-it was awkward being talked about as if he weren’t there. “I remember when he won the National Moot Court Championship back in law school, whipping all those private school butts for good ol’ OU. Brilliant argument, great command of the material. Hell, I remember seeing you at all those hideously boring debutante parties our parents forced us to attend back in Nichols Hills. I remember admiring you.”

“M-me?”

“Yeah. Because while I was off trying to be everyone’s friend and bed every girl on the list and making a fool of myself drinking Everclear tornadoes-you didn’t.”

Ben squinted. “And the point of this is-”

“I must be losing my touch. I thought I’d already made it.” He smiled pleasantly at the waiter, who had just arrived with the food. “The point is, when it comes to smart, you win hands down. I got no bones about that. But when it comes to understanding people, I’ve got the edge. Because while I was making a fool of myself getting to know people, how they think, what makes them tick, you were off by yourself being smart.”

Glancy inhaled deeply, absorbing the ravishing beef-and-pecan aroma arising from his plate. “Isn’t that magnificent? A perfect sensual experience-it almost spoils it to take a bite.” He picked up a fork and began to slice. “I will be testifying, Ben. Count on it.”

Loving masterfully maintained a straight face. “So you’re tellin’ me you use those big sharp fangs of yours to suck blood?”

“Yes,” Morticia answered, her voice gurgling with excitement. She rubbed her tummy with one hand. “’S yummy.”

“Like liquid energy,” Charles added, lisping slightly, no doubt due to the inch-long teeth protruding from the front of his mouth.

Loving shook his head. “I’m assumin’, even if you’re an Inheritor, that you weren’t born with those. Otherwise your mommy would’ve signed you up for some serious orthodontic work.”

“’Course not,” Morticia explained. “He had ’em filed.”

“And where do you find a dentist who would do somethin’ like that?”

“We’ve got connections. The Sire takes care of us.”

Loving’s chin rose. “That’s the second time you’ve mentioned him. Who’s this Sire?”

“He’s the leader of the Inner Circle.”

“Did he get you a nice set of fangs, too?”

Morticia opened her mouth wide, smiled, and sure enough she had a more petite but still discernible pair of fangs. “The difference,” she said, mouth still open, “is that mine can be removed.” She reached up and snapped off her front row of teeth like a pair of fake fingernails. “Acrylic. Snap-ons. Cost me seventy-five bucks. But that’s a lot less than Charles paid. And I have the option of not wearing them to work-unlike him.”

“I work at home,” Charles explained, still lisping.

Just as well, Loving thought. “And you really drink blood?”

“With gusto. The commingling of bloodlines is the ultimate gratification, the sharing of life force. There is no greater stimulation than that derived from walking the narrow tightrope between pleasure and pain. Just thinking about it gets me-”

“Thanks for sharin’,” Loving said, cutting him off. “But I notice all your pals are gatherin’.” The rest of the Circle was congregating in the center of the room, hands joined, facing one another.

“Time for the Ceremony,” Morticia explained.

“And that is…?”

“You’ll see.”

“I can participate?”

“Sure. Open to all comers.”

And why was that? Did visitors become the human sacrifice? Loving was willing to do a great deal for Ben, but becoming a walking, talking blood bag for a coven of vampires was pushing it.

They finished their meals, which all three agreed were fabulous. Glancy assured Ben that the dinner was going on his running tab, which was a considerable relief, and Glancy was in the process of talking them into dessert (“The crème brûlée is like ambrosia in a baking dish, but I prefer the cheese plate, being a devoted turophile”) when they were visited by Brad Tidwell, the junior senator from Oklahoma.

Tidwell seemed genuinely surprised to see Glancy, even though Ben thought it was virtually impossible that anyone could’ve spotted them in this alcove if he hadn’t already known they were there. “Glad to see you were able to get out for a night, Todd. You know, we’re all rooting for you.”

“Oh, I rather doubt everyone is,” Glancy said, dabbing his mouth with a napkin. “But thank you.”

“I meant everyone from Oklahoma,” Tidwell corrected. “We Sooners stand by our own.”

“About that,” Glancy said. “I did notice that your name is on the prosecution’s witness list.”

“Doesn’t that beat all? I don’t know what the deal is.”

“I don’t, either,” Ben added. “And I interviewed you as soon as I saw the list.”

“I guess it’s because I’m on that committee with you, Todd. Did you know I have the best attendance record of anyone in the entire group?”

“Is that a fact,” Glancy said quietly.

Tidwell slapped his hand on Glancy’s shoulder. “I do wish you’d think about reconsidering your position on that Alaska bill, though. I know Melanfield’s an ass, but I think he’s right about this one.”

“It’s our last untouched wilderness area, Brad.”

“I know, but we’ve got to get ourselves out of the Middle East. It would be the best thing for the country.” He hesitated just the slightest second. “I think it would be the best thing for you, too.”

Glancy turned his head slowly. For a long, protracted moment, the two men stared into each other’s eyes.

“I can’t do that, Brad. The price is too high.”

Tidwell nodded slowly. “I’m sorry to hear that, Todd. I really am.”

Glancy did not reply.

“But no hard feelings, right?” Tidwell outstretched his hand. “You just remember that, no matter what happens, I’m behind you all the way, okay? You can count on the delegation from Oklahoma.” He shook Glancy’s hand vigorously, then strolled away.

Christina stared at them both, lips parted. “Did what I think just happened just happen?”

Glancy turned to her. “Now I understand why you’re such a good partner for my friend Ben. You get the subtext.”

“Subtext?” Ben said, turning from one to the other. “What are you two talking about?”

“Opportunity,” Glancy said. “I think I know now how that will be established.”

“And that handshake?” Ben asked. “That promise of support. That wasn’t a peace offering?”

Glancy shook his head gravely. “The Judas kiss.”

Not that Loving was looking for trouble. He really wasn’t. But when you’re hanging with vampires, and someone announces that the Ceremony is about to begin, you form certain expectations. Visions of kidnapped babies being drained. Vestal virgins thrown to the flames. Lucifer the Goat conjured from the netherworld.