Hernando heaved a sigh and relaxed. "You're planning on getting me a special gift to put under your Christmas tree, is that it?"
"That's for me to know and you to find out." She winked. "We have a couple of weeks until Christmas, so don't spoil the surprise for me, all right?"
"I promise. I won't pick up the box and shake it."
"You won't?"
"No, I won't, but I'm tempted. Your little cousins told me it was an ancient ritual of all recipients of Christmas presents, at least for those under ten years of age."
Olivia forced a laugh. "'Men and boys and the love of their toys' as Mom always says." I think he's bought my cover story. We just might be able to pull this spy-thing off after all...
"We're ready for your party, Ambassador," a technician announced over the P.A. system. "Please report to the Portal transport pad with your belongings."
"They're calling us." Hernando sighed and took one last long look around the square. "I really do miss the dark skies sometimes on Earth. Fortunately for me most of my official functions happen at dinners and other evening events."
"It helps for an ambassador to be a night owl. Or is that a night bat?" She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Let's get going."
Annara and her security personnel met them at the entrance to the Portal's pergola. Hernando counted his new security team's heads as they passed. "Fifteen? Are you sure we can spare this many warriors, Annara?"
"I'd like to bring more, Mr. Ambassador, but the council said fifteen was all that could be spared." Her reply sounded business-like and formal. "I've been authorized to hire more guards on Earth if necessary, provided they are thoroughly vetted."
"Okay. Will Olivia have her own bodyguards when we're apart on Earth?"
Annara and Olivia exchanged a quick glance. "If need be," Annara said slowly," but it's your safety we're the most concerned about. Now, if you'll please get to the transport pad we'll depart."
Hernando followed Annara's lead, and Olivia brought up the rear. Whew. As long as Hernando can't read Annara's thoughts and Valori is still recovering here on BloodDark, what could go wrong? I just have to make our separation after New Year's Day seem natural, and then I'll be on my way back here to solve the mystery of the second Portal. Hernando will be proud of me when I do, and I'll never have anyone doubt my loyalty to BloodDark's ruling council ever again.
Olivia took a position next to Hernando and Annara under the great arch of the Portal. A distance she estimated to be approximately five feet square separated each individual. She looked up at the large crystalline focal point suspended under the five story tall arched edifice. The immense size of the apparatus was overwhelming, but the science of how it actually dematerialized and then rematerialized both living beings and inanimate objects alike moving them across vast distances of space was more overwhelming still.
Olivia pondered their unique form of travel as they awaited the countdown to transport. The Pure Bloods possessed great knowledge and advanced technology, but their current society didn't seem to appreciate the wonderful gifts their ancestors had given them. They had degenerated into a culture which had used their extraordinary transportation device primarily for hunting human beings for their survival, only venturing to the closest world in which they could find a compatible life form and no farther.
What had the original Pure Bloods looked like and how had they behaved before they began their genetic experiments mixing human DNA into their own? She considered the implications. Perhaps some of their worse traits have come from us humans, from our genetic heritage?
The thought dematerialized as Olivia felt the familiar tingling along her nerve endings. Here we go. Good-bye BloodDark—hello Earth—but don't worry. I'll be back soon.
Chapter Ten
"Ten...nine...eight...seven...six...five...four...three...two...one. Happy New Year!"
Olivia blew her party horn and cheered with the thousands of others crowded into confetti-strewn Times Square for a full thirty seconds until she realized another New Year's tradition was occurring all around her: Couples kissing.
She placed an arm around Hernando’s shoulders and brought his lips closer to her own. "Happy New Year, Hernando."
"Happy New Year, Olivia." They kissed briefly, as Hernando, being the honored guest had others vying for his attention.
"Mr. Ambassador, can we have a photo with you and the young lady?" a photographer shouted over the roar of the raucous crowd singing "Auld Lang Sine".
"Of course." Hernando turned around and brought Olivia to the edge of the platform to pose.
"Mr. Ambassador, can we have you and your companion over here for a group photo?" another photographer asked from the opposite side of the platform.
"That would be nice."
Back and forth and back and forth... Is this what a runway model feels like? Olivia forced smile after smile and tried to look happy for the attention, but inside she wanted to scream and go back to the hotel. When would they be able to leave? When would they be able to have a moment's privacy?
When would she be able to tell Hernando about her leaving him for her undercover assignment?
She took a deep breath and flashed another smile for the cameras. It wasn't forever—she would be able to return to Hernando's side soon enough. Annara had said so. Olivia's undercover job as a wannabe vampire bride wouldn't last long because she'd find out what was going on in the Alphan clan house in no time at all. No problem.
So why didn't she feel confident? Why was she trying so hard to convince herself she was doing the right thing?
"Let's go. Olivia? Hello? Are you still with me?" Hernando looked at her quizzically as she stood in place, a frozen smile plastered across her lips even after the paparazzi had left them alone. "It's getting late, and tomorrow we've been invited to the British embassy's New Year's Reception
