human blood they would be as free as himself to walk the streets during the day.
And whether working for Tristan, or scheming behind his back to gain full control of the Medallion, they would be a danger he could not dismiss.
In a distant corner he came to a halt and waited for the thin lad to wiggle out of the bush and offer him a cheeky smile.
“’Ello, guv.”
“Have you been here all day?” he demanded in abrupt tones.
The urchin who sported ears and a nose far too large for his thin countenance gave a shake of his head.
“No, sir. I followed the lady when she went shopping and then to the lending library.”
“When did she return home?”
“I reakon it be about a couple of hours ago.”
Gideon allowed his gaze to roam over the garden, carefully scrutinizing the few places that could hide a careful stalker.
“What occurred after she returned?”
The lad shrugged. “She came to the garden.”
“Alone?”
“For a time.” The boy lifted a grimy finger to rub the end of his nose. “Then a queer old bird appeared in the garden. Gave me quite a fright, she did. One minute she wasn’t there and the next she was.”
Gideon frowned.
Although vampires could easily shape-shift when filled with the power of bloodlust, they would not be able to leave their lair at this hour.
Not unless it had been ...
His hands clenched at his side as he peered sharply at the lad. “Tell me of this woman.”
The boy gave his nose another rub. “Looked to be a gypsy to me. She had on one of them bright skirts and her hair hanging about her face.”
“A gypsy?” he murmured, recalling Simone’s explanation that she had been given the Medallion by an old gypsy woman.
“Never seen one afore, but that’s what she seemed to be.”
“Nefri,” he breathed.
“Beg pardon, guv?”
Not surprisingly the boy sent him a baffled gaze. No mortal had ever heard the name of the greatest of all vampires. Even among vampires she was more legend than fellow companion. Always a recluse she had been one of the few to maintain the ancient arts when others had fallen into the lure of power that could easily be acquired by human blood. For centuries at a time she would disappear, hidden in secrecy as she studied the old texts and delved into the magic that had been long forgotten.
It was how she had discovered the Medallion and the power to create the Veil.
“I speak to myself,” he said with an impatient wave of his hand. He did not know why Nefri would have sought Simone out, or what she had said, but he at least knew that she would never harm the mortal woman. He only wished that he could have the opportunity to speak with the vampire. Perhaps she could give him some answer as how to ease the wariness that held Simone. “You have seen nothing of the silver-haired gentleman?”
“Well ...”
The boy appeared oddly uncertain and Gideon gave a lift of his brows.
“What is it?”
“Queer thing,” he grudgingly replied. “I was leaving here last evening and I spotted one of the maids down the street speaking with a gent in a cape. Couldn’t see his hair in the dark, but I would swear it was the same bloke. Gave me the shivers just looking at him.”
Gideon was on instant alert. The vampire could easily compel one of the servants to harm Simone if he desired, although it would hardly be his style. Tristan preferred to inflict his own pain.
“Which maid?”
“I think her name be Daisy.”
The memory of a fresh-faced girl who was often at Simone’s side rose to Gideon’s mind. He would make sure he had a word with the maid, just to ascertain she had not been put beneath Tristan’s power.
“Let me know if she meets with this man again.”
The boy offered a mocking salute. “Righto.”
Reaching beneath his jacket, Gideon pulled out a small bag filled with coins.
“Here.” He dropped the money into the boy’s outstretched hand. “Maintain your guard.”
With a grin the boy gave a twist of his hand and the bag disappeared up his sleeve.
“Easiest blunt I ever made. Or stole, for that matter.”
“And if you see the gypsy again send for me immediately.”
