Note: Please see Prologue for warning, copyright and disclaimer information.

Changes

When I saw the light creeping around the edges of the curtains, I got up and called Jax to invite him to breakfast. We discussed the menu for a few minutes and he said he'd call down to room service before joining me. We sat at the small table while we waited for the food to arrive.

"How is Cormac doing?" Jax asked.

"Much better," I replied, glancing at the closed bedroom door. "It was nice of you to…."

He shrugged. "That's what I'm here for."

I studied his face from beneath my lashes. "It doesn't bother you?"

"To give blood?" He seemed startled that I'd asked. "You act like you don't know what it's like."

Unconsciously I rubbed at the scars on my neck. When I saw him watching the movement, I dropped my hand to my lap. "I know what it's like," I said softly.

He glanced from my neck to the door of Mac's room. "Cormac doesn't seem the type to hurt someone while feeding."

"No," I said quickly. "He's never— I mean— Damn." I sighed and looked Jax in the eye. "You have to know I'm not his ghoul."

"I've been instructed not to inquire into your background, Miss Harrow," he said carefully. "Or into the identity of your domitor."

The contract; I nodded gratefully. "But I know you're curious," I told him. "Mac is not my domitor, and he's never 'kissed' me. I've never… volunteered to be dinner. Every time I've been bit it has not been fun." I pulled my hair off my neck and showed Jax the scars.

He looked at them for a long moment, then unbuttoned his shirtsleeve and pulled it up to reveal the bend of his elbow. I whistled softly when I saw the scar; whatever had bit him had taken a good chunk from his arm.

"Back in the thirties there was a rebellion among the Brujah," he explained, his voice calm. "In the middle of the deciding battle, one of them knocked me out. When I came to, she was gnawing on my arm. I think she thought I was dead, I don't know. It was horrible. Afterward I healed as best I could so I didn't bleed to death there in the street, which is why I have the scar. If I'd left it, Zora might have been able to lick it shut, but I probably would have died before she found me."

I'd seen wounds like that before, knelt over bodies that hadn't been able to heal before the blood loss killed them. I looked back into Jax eyes, but whatever pain he'd once felt from the wound was gone.

"Zora gave me time to heal," he continued with a smile, "then she came to me and gave me a choice. I could live the rest of my life terrified of the 'kiss,' or I could get back on the horse. It was an easy choice."

"What's it like?" I asked softly.

"It's good," he told me. "It's hard to explain, exactly. Warm, calm, almost a stillness. You can feel your heart beat. A lot of it depends on what you feel for the person who's going the biting. It can be very passionate."

I tried not to blush, remembering the dream I'd had of Mac. The knock at the door was a welcome interruption. I cleared the table as Jax got the tray and wheeled it in.

While we ate we talked about cities we'd been to and things we'd seen. I avoided the subject of Baltimore, and Jax made it a point not to ask any questions about my past. When the food was gone, we looked at each other sleepily.

I smiled. "Ever get used to these hours?"

"I was always a morning person, before," he admitted. "I think it's probably jet lag that has us now. Are you planning on going out today?"

I shook my head. "If anything I might hit up the gift shop."

"Watch your back," he warned me as he stood to leave. "I'd hate to explain to Cormac that something happened to you while I was sleeping."

"I'm used to taking care of myself," I told him. "Years of practice." I locked the door of the suite behind him and turned to look around the room.

Abruptly I remembered that I was supposed to call Jared back. I was dreading the call mostly because I didn't know what Jared would think about me being with Mac now that he was a vampire. I picked up the daisy Mac had given me earlier and sat looking at it while I waited for Jared to pick up the phone.

He answered on the second ring. "Hello?"

"Jared," I said softly, not wanting to wake Mac. "It's Eliza."

"Eliza." He sounded a bit hesitant. "Mac said you'd call. So you're with him in Paris?"

"I am," I answered plainly, almost daring him to say something about it.

"Have you talked to Corrine?"

"I have. She'll be expecting your call in the morning," I told him. "She doesn't want to miss her classes in Boston, but I told her you might have to go with her to her night class."

"What, I'm a babysitter now?" he asked almost indignantly.

"Do you have a problem with helping her?" I asked angrily. "Don't forget you owe me, Jared. I saved your life the night Paul was killed." I'd staked the vamp that had been about to kill Jared, then put pressure on his bleeding leg until Glenn could heal the wound.

"What exactly are we protecting her from?" he demanded.

There was only one thing I could say. "Kate Hepburn."

For a moment there was silence on the line. "I'd heard she was in town," he said softly. "The bitch still giving you problems?"

"Every night of my life," I replied honestly. "Not for long, though. I'll take care of it when I get back."

"You should have taken care of her in Baltimore," he told me, his voice hard.

"I know," I whispered. If I had it was more than likely that things would have turned out so much differently.

"What's Mac like?" he asked suddenly.

"He's Mac, Jared," I answered simply. What else could I say? "Not a lot has changed."

"Other than the body temp and the teeth?"

The venom in his voice didn't deserve an answer. "Are you going to take care of Corrine?"

"She's yours, isn't she." It wasn't a question.

"Does it matter?"

He sighed. "Not really. She's a great girl, Eliza, lots of potential there."

"Is she as strong as Mac was?"

"She could be," he said. "Depends on how the seekings go."

I knew from things Glenn and Mac had told me in Baltimore that mages used what they called seekings to further their knowledge. "I'm glad you're there to help her. From what I can remember, you're the best man I can think of for the job."

"Except Mac," Jared replied, "or Glenn."

"Mac doesn't remember a whole lot," I told him, "and I don't think Glenn would be a good choice under the circumstances."

"Don't you trust him, Eliza?"

Not particularly, but I didn't tell Jared that. "I don't want her to make the same mistakes we did, Jared. I want her to live to a ripe old age surrounded by fat grandchildren. If she hunts, sooner or later she'll die."

"It's been later for you, hasn't it?" His voice was dripping with suspicion.

"I'm good at what I do," I told him. "You should remember that."

"What exactly do you do?"

He probably thought he knew, and I had no problem feeding his fantasy. "Haven't you heard? I joined the Society."

"I had heard that, yes," he drawled. "I have also heard that you and Kate have been close the last few months."

"You heard wrong," I said in a hard voice, but my hands were shaking. "You're one of Glenn's contacts in Salem, aren't you? You've been telling tales."

"I've been passing along information," he confirmed. "I only know what I've been told, Eliza."

"And I'm telling you straight, Jared," I replied harshly. "I'm going to kill that bitch the minute I see her. If I'd known she'd been part of that night I would have killed her years ago. Now you can believe me or not, that's your choice."

"I believe you." He almost sounded relieved.

"You also have to know that I'll kill anyone who gets in the way of that," I told him fiercely, "or even thinks about hurting Corrine."

"Always protective of what's yours," he said with a sigh. "Is Mac yours, Eliza?"

He was asking if I'd kill to protect the vamp that had once been my lover. "Yes, Jared," I stated clearly, "he always has been. Make sure Glenn knows that."

"How can you be sure you're not under some kind of mind trick?" he asked.

"I've been around vamps for longer than you've been alive," I reminded him. "I swear to you I'm not."

He was silent for a moment, as if weighing my words. "Then I hope its not Paris that's turning your brains to mush."

"I'd feel the same no matter where we were," I told him. "The last time I felt like this I was in Baltimore."

"You used to be good at dealing with blood-suckers, Eliza," he said softly. "What happened?"

"I met one that didn't fit the mold," I replied. There was no use lying to him. "Mac isn't like any other vamp I've met."

"I hope for your sake you're right," he murmured. "And for Corrine's."

"Just keep her safe for me," I said. "I'll take care of Mac."

"I'll do my best," he said wryly. "If I don't, I'll have Mac Brennan to answer to, won't I?"

"He'll have to wait in line," I warned him. "If anything happens to Corrine, remember that you'll have to answer to me first." I took a page from Mac's book and hung up before Jared could reply.

With one last glance at the closed door of Mac's room, I went into my bedroom. I took some time to stretch my muscles; I was used to working out every day and I didn't want to lose the flexibility I'd gained over the years. When I was done I changed into pajamas and climbed into bed, setting my mental clock to wake up around four. I wanted to visit the gift shop before Mac got up for the night.

When I got up, I went down to the gift shop and found a gift for Corrine, along with some clothes for me. I knew I should take the money back for my daughter, but a part of me wanted to look good for Mac. It wasn't like she was going to miss the money anyway, I made quite enough of it for her every year doing what I did for her father's clan.

When Mac walked out of his bedroom at sundown I was sitting on the couch reading a magazine wearing tight black pants tucked into the tall boots I'd worn the night before and a tank top. I glanced over my shoulder and saw him standing there in his dress pants and an undershirt and I couldn't help but smile.

"Good morning," he said pleasantly.

I glanced at my watch. "Good evening," I corrected. At his look, I smiled again. "It's like, six. Morning was twelve hours ago," I reminded him.

"Depends on your perception of time," he drawled.

"Sleep well?"

"Like the dead," he replied.

I laughed softly. "I walked right into that one, didn't I?"

"Six foot under," he agreed as he walked around the couch and sat next to me. "What are you reading?"

Turning the magazine so he could see the cover, I said, "Look, this looks like Brenda on the cover." When he sighed, I smiled. "Did you want to look at it? I got a couple more."

"That's okay," he told me. "I have a few things to prepare for and then we'll be off."

I looked up. "Off to…?" He was entirely too close to me, I had a hard time concentrating.

"I need to go back to the chantry and see what I can do about breaking that ward," he reminded me.

"It doesn't bother me any," I said with a smile. "I could turn the pages for you."

"But you don't speak Latin, do you?"

"No," I agreed, "but you could read it over my shoulder." At his serious look, I added, "Don't like that idea, do you?"

In answer he took the magazine from my hands and turned his back to me, then started reading an article in the most annoying monotone voice he could manage. I smiled and put my hand on his shoulder, peeking over to read with him.

"You know," I said after a minute, "I wouldn't actually be able to read out loud because I can't read Latin."

He didn't replied, just kept reading without pause or emotion.

I smiled. "Okay, you've made your point," I told him.

"It's not good to speak Latin in front of the books," he said as he turned to face me and put the magazine on the low table.

"So we're headed to the chantry?" I wanted to get that part over as quickly as possible so we could be alone again. Or as alone as we could be with Jax along.

"Yes, I need to speak with Jax briefly and have him prepare the plane."

"Are we coming back here?" I didn't know if I should finish packing now or later.

"Yes," he said. "Would you care to go to the chantry with me, or would you rather stay here?"

"Oh yeah," I said dryly. "I'd rather stay here doing nothing. I've been sitting here for hours already." I didn't need twelve hours of sleep every day.

"You're in Paris," he began.

"The most romantic city in the world," I added, "and you want me to sit here by myself?"

"Go sightseeing," he suggested.

I looked at him for a long moment. "If you're trying to get rid of me I'll go sightseeing."

"No," he said quickly. "I do not wish you to be bored hanging out with me."

I hadn't found it boring yet. "Are you trying to get rid of me or not?" I asked warily.

"No."

"Cause it sounds like you are," I added.

"I just don't want you resenting the fact that you've been to Paris, the most romantic city in the world, and saw absolutely squat aside from the Pinnacle."

What he didn't realize was that just being in Paris with him was more than enough for me. What did I need to see historical landmarks for? So that I could say I'd been there, done that? I've done a lot more things in my life that were more important than most people did. I could care less if I had the tee shirt to prove it.

I hid a smile. "I saw the Eiffel tower. I was this close to it."

"In the passing lane," he murmured.

"It being the most romantic city in the world," I told him, "you're not supposed to see it alone, unless you're looking for romance."

He looked at me questioningly. "Are you?"

If I were, I'd be out there now, not arguing with him. "Not the last time I checked. Would you like me to?"

"No, just asking," he assured me. "Don't get so defensive, dear."

I shook my head. "It sounds like you want to get rid of me."

"No." He sighed. "We will be flying to Nashville some time this evening, I thought maybe there was something you wanted to see before we left."

Actually… but he'd said he was in a hurry. "Not really," I said aloud. "I wouldn't know where to begin sight seeing anyway."

"I hear the Arc de Triumph is rather breathtaking," he suggested. "The Louvre."

Okay, he was trying to get rid of me. "Fine." I stood up and walked toward the bedroom.

"No," he said. "Maybe we'll come back later."

Like that's going to happen. Did he really think Elvira would let me out again? This was my one and only chance to see Paris, and I sure as hell didn't want to see it alone.

Mac went across the hall while I started throwing the rest of my stuff into the suitcase. A few minutes later he came back and stood in the doorway of my room.

"Jax will not be accompanying us to the chantry," he told me.

I glanced up at him. "You're going to make him sit here?" I asked. "I thought you were going to make me sit here."

"I'm not making anybody do anything," he said irritably as he crossed to his bedroom. "I haven't dominated anybody in at least fifteen hours."

He made it sound like that was a long damn time. I kept packing until I caught a glimpse of him undressing in his room. I straightened to look, but it seemed like he changed all the important things out of sight from the door. When he came out into the sitting room still half dressed, I pointedly looked away.

He was sitting on the couch doing his tie when I joined him. When he stood I put my jacket on and turned toward the door. He put his leather on and reached into his inside pocket for his phone. I bit the inside of my lip to stop from smiling and handed his phone to him.

It took him a minute to check his voice mail, and the only message was from the Christina chick. I'd never met her and hadn't heard very much about her, but I wondered what she was like and why Mac was keeping in such close contact with her.

"Shall we?" he asked when he was done.

"Sure," I replied. "Unless you're going to try and get rid of me again."

"I would never do a thing like that," he said as he opened the door for me.

Ri-ight. I went through the door and waited in the hall while Mac got the keys from Jax. We went down to the car and Mac drove toward the chantry.

He called ahead and it was a good thing he did; both Ignatius and Isabelle were gone for the evening and there was no one available to do ritual that would take the ward from the book. He seemed disappointed, but shrugged and turned to me.

"So where do you want to go?"

I smiled. "Oh, we get to go sightseeing now?"

"Yes, Ignatius and Isabelle are both out of the chantry for what seems like the evening," he told me.

"Bummer." I tried to sound sincere, but I wasn't really upset that we'd have this time together alone. "Didn't you say there was an arc de something or another?"

"Arc de Triumph?"

"Is that a drive through thing?" I asked, hoping for a laugh from him. He smiled instead, but I laughed anyway. "Like the McDonalds arc?"

"That's an arch," he said patiently.

I shook my head. "Forget it," I told him, trying not to laugh. "Maybe it's the food thing you're just not getting."

We visited the Arc, and the Eiffel Tower, doing more this time than gazing at it from across the street. The view from the top was breathtaking, at least for me. Mac didn't actually have any breath to lose. We also stopped for a little while at Notre Dame, but we didn't stay long. I didn't understand how humans could build such a beautiful building to a God that didn't exist, and Mac didn't seem inclined to stay.

During our sightseeing, Mac asked questions about Corrine and I did my best to answer him. There had been so many things I hadn't been there for because of the contract. I avoided all of them, and told him everything that I could about our daughter.

"So have you had any more dreams of fangs and fireplaces?" he asked softly as we walked through the Louvre.

I tried not to look at him. "No, have you?"

"Fangs, but no fireplace."

I glanced at him in surprise. "Fangs?"

"Not mine," he assured me. "The vampire that attacked Bobby in the alleyway."

"Ah, the one that you helped him take care of."

"Yes," he agreed. "And Glenn and Jane and a few of the others."

That was quite a lot to remember. "Wow."

"My first night in Baltimore," he said, then looked questioningly at me. "Or some of it."

"What?" I didn't understand what he wanted me to say. "If you're expecting me to fill in some blanks, you need to tell me what you dreamed."

"The brownstone, the Memphis, the vampire."

"The beheading?"

"Yes."

"The first no I ever told you." I smiled.

"Yes." He looked up at a painting for a moment, then glanced at me. "What was in that box?"

I didn't get it. "What box?"

"I brought Glenn a box from Ireland," he told me.

That was the first I'd heard of it. "What was in it?"

"I don't know." He took my arm and led me toward the next painting.

"Who was it from?" I wanted to ask why I'd never heard of the box before, but chances were he wouldn't remember.

"My father."

"Really? I didn't know your father knew Glenn." Not that I had asked, I guess, but then there were a lot of things the Dreamspeakers hadn't shared with me about their society. I'd lived on the fringes of their group, a part of the family yet separate from it because I didn't have their abilities.

"My father knew Glenn's mother," he told me.

"Oh?" That didn't make sense. "How did your father know Glenn's mother if your father lived in Ireland and Glenn's mother lived in Baltimore?"

"He never really said."

"Or if he did you don't remember," I added.

"Not yet anyway," he agreed.

"Well, maybe you'll remember it," I said softly. "Because I don't remember hearing anything about a box." There were so many things about his life he hadn't told me about, and not wanting him to dig into my past, I hadn't asked.

"What else did you dream about?" I asked a few minutes later.

"The first no," he told me with a smile. "Bobby."

I grinned. "You won him over that night."

"So I remember."

"Its not every day a teenager comes across someone who's willing to help them behead something," I drawled.

"The world would be a lot scarier place if it were," he murmured.

"Or a less scary place if all the beheadings were vampires," I suggested dryly. "I'm not real clear on that."

He looked down at me in reproach. "I resemble that remark."

I tried not to smile. "Yeah, you do, don't you?"

"Quite."

Never in a million years would I have thought I'd say something like this, but, "I guess it would depend on the vampire being beheaded."

"Perhaps we'll start with Kate," he suggested.

"Hey, I like that plan."

"We just need to find the teenager to do it," he added.

"I look like a teenager," I reminded him. "Is that good enough?"

He just grinned and we continued on.

We returned to the hotel several hours later. I would have to say that seeing the most romantic city in the world with someone you love is much better than seeing it alone. Not that I'd been alone my first time through, but you know what I mean.

Mac called Jax and let him know we were almost ready to go while I picked up what little I'd left in the sitting room and took them into the bedroom.

"Have you found anything touristy to take back to Corrine?" he called in to me.

"Yeah, I have," I called back. "It's cute, you have to see it."

I pulled the box from my suitcase and opened it carefully. I eased the snow globe from the box and held it so that he could see it as he came in the room. I touched a switch on the back and the music box played a pretty tune that I didn't know the name of.

"Very nice," he told me.

I repacked it and laid the box gently back in the suitcase as Mac turned to leave. He'd only taken a few steps when he turned and looked at me oddly.

"Do a little shopping today?" He'd apparently seen the empty bags from the gift shop I'd put in the trash bin.

Was that so surprising? I had Brenda's money after all, why not spend it? "Yeah, can't you tell by the pants I have on?" Then I remembered. "Oh, you didn't see what Corrine got me. I just bought a few things in the lobby. I didn't have anything to wear with the boots."

"Besides the skirt," he added with a smile.

I shook my head. "Like I'm going to wear that in public often."

"Often?"

"Ever," I said firmly.

"We'll see," he drawled.

We picked up our things and stopped to get Jax on our way down to the lobby. I stood by our luggage while Jax settled our bill and Mac stepped into one of the shops in the lobby. Soon we were on our way to the airport.