atmosphere like the air right before a thunderstorm. He moved with the liquid grace of a jungle predator, seemingly at ease but ready to strike at any moment.
Servia and Varney kept their heads bowed and didn't move a muscle as their lord and master glided past. Devona didn't react to Galm with the same sort of subservience as the other two – he was her father, after all – but she looked shocked to see him, which was understandable, since the last time they'd spoken Galm had cast her out of the Bloodborn, told her that she wasn't welcome in his home, and – most hurtful of all – that as far as he was concerned, she was no longer his daughter.
I wasn't a vampire – at least not in this dimension – but I still felt the psychic impact of Galm's presence. I refused to let myself be intimidated, though. I'd dealt with Darklords before, Galm included, and while I respected the fact they were on top of the supernatural food chain, I'd be damned if I'd allow any of them to think they cowed me.
'Hello, Galm. I'd say it's nice to see you again, but my mother taught me never to lie to bloodsucking monsters.'
Galm looked at me, his eyes flashing a dangerous crimson, but all he said was, 'Richter,' before turning his attention to Devona. He crossed to her bed and stood beside it, on the opposite side from where I was. He didn't smile, didn't reach out to take her hand. His eyes – cold blue once more – looked at her without even a glimmer of affection.
'When you were admitted, the hospital staff contacted the Cathedral and told my people. I came as soon as I was informed.' Galm's tone was reserved, each of his words precisely enunciated, almost as if it required extra concentration for him to speak. He was thousands of years old, and I wondered if he was so ancient and powerful that he sometimes had difficulty remembering simple things, like how to use language. As inhuman as vampires can be by their very nature, the older they get, the more alien they become – and no vampire is older than Lord Galm.
Devona's initial surprise gave way to anger, and she struggled to control her voice as she spoke. 'I didn't know you cared, Father.'
Galm opened his mouth to reply, then stopped as if reconsidering his words. He looked at Servia and Varney, who remained kneeling, and said, 'You two may rise.'
Servia and Varney did as they were commanded. Neither spoke and they stood very still, as if afraid to draw the vampire king's attention. Unfortunately for them, Galm did not take his gaze off them.
He pointed to Varney. 'What is your purpose here?'
Varney quickly – and without stuttering too badly – told Galm about the documentary he was filming. Galm looked at him a moment, and then said, 'You may wait in the hall.'
Varney, looking very relieved to be dismissed, bowed his head once, and got the hell out of there. I half- expected him to leave one of his little bugcameras behind, but I didn't see him launch one. As much as Varney wanted to get good footage for the documentary, it seemed he wanted to risk angering Galm even less. I can't say I was sorry to see Varney kicked out.
Galm then looked at Servia. 'You are her doctor, I assume?'
'Yes, my lord,' Servia answered in a docile tone that contained no hint of her former haughtiness.
'Tell me about my daughter's condition.'
Servia did so, clearly and concisely, and then Galm dismissed her. She left with more dignity than Varney, but it was still obvious from her expression that she was just as relieved to go. When the doctor was gone, Galm turned back to Devona.
'I am glad to hear that you and your baby suffered no permanent ill effects from your journey.'
'Let's skip the pleasantries, Father,' Devona said. 'Why are you here? It's not out of concern for me, so there must be something you want.'
Galm's features were as composed as any statue's, but as I looked across Devona's bed at him, I thought I detected a slight softening of his gaze. If he had been human, I might have thought her comment had hurt him. But this was Galm; mere words could never harm a being like him. Could they?
'Devona… as you know, live births are rare events among our kind.'
That was putting it mildly. Vampires' primary method of reproduction was to exchange blood with a human who they'd drained near to death, hence the term Bloodborn. Vampires considered these converts to be their true children, normally carefully chosen and groomed to enter the realm of the undead. Sometimes, however, vampires mated with humans because their crossbreed progeny often possessed powerful psychic abilities that fully undead vampires didn't. That was the reason Galm had impregnated Devona's human mother, who had died during childbirth, as is often the case when human women bear half-vampire children, even with the help of the doctors at the Fever House. Galm had never demonstrated any love for Devona. He'd viewed her as nothing more than a useful tool, and when she was old enough, he'd put her to work in the Cathedral. In time, she had demonstrated an aptitude for understanding magic, if not casting spells herself, and Galm had made her the caretaker of his collection of rare and powerful artifacts. It had been her task to maintain the wardspells protecting the collection, and she had done so successfully for over fifty years before one of the objects was stolen and she'd hired me to find it.
'Don't tell me you're becoming sentimental in your old age,' Devona said. 'You're not exactly the type to get all excited about being a grandfather.'
Devona was being pretty harsh with Galm, and though the sonofabitch undoubtedly deserved it, I couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for him. But only a bit.
Galm continued as if she hadn't spoken. 'And no half-vampire has ever become pregnant before. This is a unique occurrence in the history of the Bloodborn, so naturally I am interested in following its progress.' He paused. 'I have had some time to think about what I said to you when we last spoke, and I have come to the conclusion that I was too hard on you. You have twice saved the city from destruction…' He looked at me, and one side of his mouth curled in mild disgust. 'With your help, of course, Richter.'
'Nice to be included,' I said.
'And you have gone on to create a successful business for yourself. In only a few short months, the Midnight Watch has become the most soughtafter security firm in the city, with a reputation for providing protection equal to none. All most impressive accomplishments, befitting the daughter of a Darklord.'
I could feel Devona's emotions through our link. On one hand she was deeply suspicious of her father's change of heart – he was a Darklord, after all, and none of them are to be entirely trusted – but she also couldn't help hoping that what he was telling her was true, that if he didn't exactly love his half-human daughter, he'd at least finally come to see some value in her. Me? I didn't know what to believe, but I figured remaining suspicious was the safest bet.
'Does this mean she's no longer outcast?' I asked.
Galm looked down at Devona and smiled, though the expression looked unnatural on him, as if it had been many years since he'd last attempted it and couldn't quite recall how.
'You are once again a full member of the Bloodborn, my daughter, and you are welcome in my home whenever you wish to come.' He glanced at me. 'And as her… partner, you are also welcome in the Cathedral.'
'Does this mean I get to call you Dad?' I asked.
His ice-blue eyes flashed red and a low growl escaped his throat. 'As the saying goes, 'Don't push your luck.'' His eyes returned to normal and he looked at Devona once more. 'I… I don't know what to say.'
Galm smiled once more, and this time it seemed more natural. 'You could always try 'thank you.''
Galm hadn't exactly apologized for how he'd treated Devona, but he'd come as close as a creature like him could. Evidently Devona thought the same thing because she returned his smile and said, 'Thanks.'
Galm nodded briskly, as if they'd just concluded a business deal. 'Good! And now that the matter is settled, I urge you to consider moving into the Cathedral for the remainder of your pregnancy.'
'What?' Devona looked shocked, and I couldn't blame her. For the last several months, she'd been an outcast among her people, and now not only had her father welcomed her back into the fold, he was asking her to move home.
'The doctor advised you to avoid exposure to magic until you deliver your baby. In the Cathedral, I can arrange for the construction of a completely magic-free chamber for you. Not only would you be protected from mystical energies there, you could avoid some of the more, ah, hazardous aspects of your profession. You could still
