Dracula: The Series

Companion

Chapter Two

"Mr. President, I am sorry to hear about that latest…incident." Lucard tilted his head back as he listened, "Of course, I can help with that. Let me send one of my people to assist. They can be there by this evening."

A light smile played along his lips. He hung up feeling pleased; another diplomat under his fang, a good end to the day.

The intercom on his desk buzzed, "Mr. Lucard, you asked me to remind you of the art opening this evening."

"Thank you,"

He stood up smoothly and collected the days papers. He left his office feeling positively wonderful. That nasty business from the other night was a distant memory. Save for the memory of deep blue eyes, they haunted him whenever he was not hard at work.

The art gallery was filled with a low hum of people. They stood clustered in their little groups, sipping champagne and muttering about the works. None of them really looked at what hung around them Most of them were too busy stroking their own egos, to notice the art.

However, the moment Alexander Lucard walked in, the room fell silent. He stood in the center of the room with all eyes on him. A slight smile touched his lips as he sought out the artist. With a smooth step, he crossed the floor and came within a few inches of the man.

Lucard was accustomed to the wide-eyed, awe-like expressions he inspired. He ignored the face and held out a hand instead.

"Congratulations on your opening, Mr. Quintus."

The artist managed to nod, "Thank…thank you Mr. Lucard. It was made possible because of your kindness."

"I am always looking for new blood," Lucard smiled warmly.

The party continued on without further moments; no one noticed the girl that slipped into the room. She was not someone you noticed.

Lucard laughed gently at the very tired joke told; he was bored. Dimly he searched the room for his next meal. As he glanced about, his gaze kept falling on the back of a particular woman.

She wasn't dressed in the same glamour as everyone else. Her black coat was sensible and nothing to be noticed. Her hair lightly brushed her shoulders, which he noticed, were nicely shaped under the black material. In fact, the more he looked, the more he noticed she had a lovely figure.

"Mr. Lucard?"

He turned his gaze back to the group, something must have shown on his face. They all looked a little hesitant suddenly.

"Please," He said gently, "Excuse me. I see someone I must speak with." He stepped away from the tedious group.

He was a step away from the girl in black when a hand touched his arm. He tensed automatically as his head turned, a look of slight annoyance on his face.

"Mr. Lucard, this is Mr. Patterson, from the London office."

It took him a moment to follow the reference but he nodded. "Good to see you again, Mr. Patterson."

Lucard glanced at the spot where the girl had been, she was gone! He lifted his head slightly, trying to see her in the crowd. She wasn't here.

Inwardly, he cursed and resigned himself to more boring chatter.

&&

Leaning back from his desk, Alexander Lucard was distracted with the images of dark blue eyes and simple black coats. For a reason he could not name, there was something haunting him about the owner of those two items.

The intercom buzzed, "Mr. Lucard, you're two o'clock is here."

He looked at his watch absently, right on time. He was pleased, punctuality was it a must with him.

At the hushed whoosh of the office doors, he turned. His hand went still at the sight of dark blue eyes and a black coat.

The woman stopped shortly, she was uneasy, he could tell. Her hands were stuffed into her pockets, but she pulled them loose, folding them in front of her. A moment later they were fidgeting with the edge of her coat zipper.

Lucard stood automatically, coming around his desk in smooth strides. He had an overwhelming urge to put her at ease.

"Please, sit down," He waved to the chairs before his desk, "Can I offer you a drink?"

"No, thank you." She spoke quietly.

The soft whisper of her voice pleased his ears. She wasn't brash and loud like most of the people who walked in here. She stood as if unsure of her welcome.

It made him think better of her.

Lucard folded his hands in front, "You asked for this meeting, Miss…?"
She blinked twice and seemed to realize he was asking her name. "Oh, um, Graham, Lexa Graham."

"What can I do for you, Miss Graham?" He asked politely.

In truth he was unnerved at the hold her eyes had on him. He could do nothing but stare into them; lost to the dark color and the secrets he saw deep within. He tried to detect an ulterior motive from her, anything to dampen the flood of peace he got from her.

"Oh, right," She blushed and looked away, her gaze focusing on the floor. "You wouldn't know me." She seemed to be reminding her self of that fact. "Well in truth, I'm Charles Graham's daughter. You hired him about a month ago, as part of your Arts Advisory Board."

Lucard recalled the name and the face; the man was showing promise. "I see."

"And well, I just wanted to thank you for hiring my father." She glanced up quickly.

He was hit again with that enthralling power of her eyes.

She looked away, "You really did help my father a lot, Mr. Lucard. I just wanted to say that. I mean….I guess you have a lot of people thanking you for all that you do. But, well…" She seemed lost, "That's it really."

Lucard was both amused and suspicious. This girl didn't seem to be trying to get anything from him. It appeared to be a genuine expression of thanks. But, as he had learned, appearances are not always what they seem.

"Miss Graham," He paused at the flutter in his chest at saying her name. "Your father has done a lot of good for my company. Why have never seen you at any of the company functions?"

He caught the surprised flash in her eyes. She shifted her weight anxiously, he'd hit a nerve. Suddenly he was hungry. The scent of her blood filled his nostrils, it was like a rich wine, begging to be tasted.

Lucard caught himself, he'd taken a step toward her. He forced himself to lean on the edge of his desk instead.

"Is there a company policy that says family members have to attend?" Her voice was nervous.

"No, but someone of your beauty, I would have thought you'd enjoying going out."

She lifted her head, looking at him full on. Her eyes wide, her mouth open in a slight expression of surprise. Many thoughts crossed her mind, he sensed them. All of them were surprised, a touch worried and more interestingly, they were all sad.

"Far be for me to contradict you, Mr. Lucard. I don't attend because large groups of people make me nervous."

He was taken back for a second, "I see. So what do small groups do to you?"

She looked away, "Why?"

"I haven't seen you before," He lied smoothly, "I was simply making conversation."

"Oh," She looked confused for a moment, "Well, I am late for my job."

Lucard was surprised, "You work?"

Her gaze fell on him again, "Yes. My father was surprised as well when I told him. Your generosity has made the work unnecessary, but I find it keeps me from growing bored and discontented."

He moved to speak but cut himself off for a moment. "I don't want to make you late."

She did something then that would influence the rest of her life. She bowed to him, not formally, but she did it. Lucard stood upright as she left the office, no one had really bowed to him out of free will in years.

As he turned to desk, a decision was made. It was a choice that would take several hours to sink in. And when it did, it would change his life.