"You’re getting on my last nerve, Charlie." Adrian met the imperturbable ice blue gaze as Charlie tried to cajole Adrian into going along with what he wanted. Most times, Adrian thought it was cute when Charlie tried it, but definitely not tonight.

"What’s the problem with putting Adam Trent to sleep?"

"I don’t do serial killers. I help the restless dead on their way to the great beyond, but I have no sympathy for serial killer wraiths. It’s a firm guide rule of mine."

"He’s within your ten-limit slot for tomorrow night, Adrian. The state is paying really well, way above the normal fee for this one. They want him gone. I’d think you’d want him gone like the rest of us."

Charlie was the type that, if you gave him an inch, you’d be in New York City by sunset. He made a hell of a secretary, but his meddling sometimes drove Adrian up a wall.

"Nice try, Charlie, but I’m not buying. Tell them to call Dakota, he can handle it. The state is damn lucky to have two guides who can." Adrian knew his old mentor would be more than happy to do the work.

"Dakota is on vacation. Donovan Correctional wants Trent out of their hair tonight. There are quite a few seers there."

"Remind me again who’s boss and who’s secretary here. They’ll wait for Dakota or contact Karl in Arizona."

"You’re the boss, and I’m the obedient drone."

Picking up the newspaper on his desk, Adrian scanned the front page, ignoring Charlie for the moment.

"Front page looks like a Who’s Who of the supernatural." Charlie relaxed in his chair, commenting on the article as Adrian read it.

"Yeah, I see. Voting whether ghosts have any rights or not is up in front of Congress. Looks like the newest legislation gunning for the dead is front page news."

"Well, the government has its hand in everything: guides, were creatures, vampires, no exceptions. The most they can do with the dead is deal with the vampires, since they can see them. Think it’ll pass?"

The newspaper, proud in its political correctness, used the term ‘wraith’ and not the incorrect ‘ghost.’ Ghosts didn’t care either way. It made Adrian wonder why they didn’t insist a vampire be referred to as the living impaired. "Senator McCabe is backing it, but I still doubt it’ll go through. The dead can’t vote, and that’s all that really matters to way too many of them."

Once he was sufficiently up on the news, Adrian tossed the paper in the trashcan before checking his desk calendar for whatever he had next on his agenda.

"Damn." Adrian had forgotten the Mayor’s big public relations event. Charlie had sent his acceptance to the Mayor’s office before he gave Adrian the invitation. Adrian didn’t want to go, but this was one of the times an inch got him to New York City. Charlie thought he needed a night out.

"Yeah, I was just about to remind you it’s time to head out and get ready for the Mayor’s party."

As disgruntled as Adrian felt about the party, Charlie almost had a book tossed at his head before he disappeared out the door.

Checking his watch, Adrian realized he had to be there in less than a half an hour. Groaning again in annoyance, he grabbed his pack and list of appointments and dashed out the door.

***

After a stop off at the Burger King drive through, it took Adrian another ten minutes to get to the Ambassador. He finally found a parking space and wolfed down his burger and fries. When he finished, a quick look at his watch let him know he was already late. Too much downtown traffic. Reluctantly, he got out of the car and went inside. One of the men assigned to keep the riff raff out took one look at him and demanded to see Adrian’s invitation. Adrian handed it over, wishing he’d forgotten the damn thing.

"Adrian Debrett? I’d like to see some ID, please."

Rolling his eyes, he fished his wallet from his back pocket and flashed the guy his driver’s license. After examining the license, the man handed it back to Adrian and nodded.

Stepping inside the main ballroom, Adrian immediately noticed the room was already packed with wall-to-wall people. He singled out the vampires from the living and even a few wraiths who had slipped in without an invitation. The dead liked him; the energy inside him was like a beacon to them. The three ghosts present made a beeline for Adrian while he hovered near the front door. Adrian didn’t mind and let them know with a nod they could approach him. After listening to their mental chattering and questions for a moment, Adrian went into his spiel about resting them so they would be at peace. He never said that stuff out loud because it always sounded so hokey.

Since he’d been standing in the doorway long enough to get a few eyes on him, Adrian muttered under his breath, "Just let me get through this, and I’ll help you guys, okay?"

Adrian knew any of the vamps present could hear him talking to apparently nothing if they wanted, but he didn’t pay attention to them. The ghosts appeared to be fine with having to wait and followed him as he walked further into the room. Adrian wanted to find his own place to hide out until he could decently leave. Glancing over the crowd again, he saw Charlie over by the Mayor and headed toward them.

"Adrian, you made it, and almost on time, too." Charlie definitely sounded annoyed at him.

"Hey, Charlie, Rich."

"Evening, Adrian. Charlie just told me about the Trent case." Mayor Richard Carson was an amiable man in his fifties with a perpetually young face, the Dick Clark of politicians. Adrian knew him fairly well since Carson had worked with Adrian’s dad on the police force.

Adrian shot a look at Charlie that should have been able to fry him on the spot. There had been no reason for Charlie to say anything to Rich about Trent. All he got back from Charlie was a smirk.

"Dakota will handle Adam Trent when he returns from vacation, Rich. I’ll have Charlie set it up." Adrian happily passed the buck to his old mentor.

"I’ll let them know." Waiting to get it done didn’t seem to bother Rich.

"Adrian, would you mind if I ask a favor?"

"Sure, Rich, you can ask."

"Could you stop by the house around two? I should be home by then."

Charlie drifted off, no doubt hoping to find some potential clients, as Adrian answered Rich. "Yeah, I can. I have to be at my first appointment by ten, but I should be done around two."

It seemed Rich didn’t want the ears around them to hear whatever he wanted to say. It had Adrian curious, but only mildly so. With his back to the crowd, Adrian didn’t want to give up his safe haven quite yet, so he asked Rich, "Mind if I hang out here?" "If you can bear the boredom, feel free."

Adrian took up position about a foot from Rich’s side. Not close enough to look like a favorite or anything, but close enough for his sense of well-being. He paid some attention to political maneuvering and knew his place in the scheme of things. Watching the comings and goings of everybody who wanted a word with Rich, Adrian didn’t contribute much to the conversation, and the ghosts stayed close by. Charlie returned, but he was too busy talking to everybody else to engage Adrian.

Social gatherings were at the top of Adrian’s ten least favorite things to do list, so time dragged by, and he stuck out like a sore thumb in his jeans among the evening gowns and suits. Not that it mattered to him.

Occasionally somebody would mention business to Charlie, and he’d introduce Adrian. According to Charlie, Adrian was supposed to give a nice smile to the potential client and agree to everything. The best they ever got out of Adrian was a nod, and occasionally a "No problem." Tonight would be no different; but, bless his heart, Charlie kept trying.

A group of several vampires walked toward them, interrupting Adrian’s secure island of internal reverie. He shifted slightly to the right, adding about six inches to the space between the Mayor and himself. The vampires wanted to talk to Rich, and Adrian wanted to stay out of it.

"Prince Garland, I’m glad you accepted my invitation." Rich did the hale and hearty politician act quite well, but Adrian liked him better when he didn’t.

Regally, Garland inclined his head to Rich, then to Adrian. "Trisha told me that you wanted to speak with me about the Meyer Building. Your secretary should have the folder by tomorrow."

The deep, cultured voice had a faint accent; it caught Adrian’s attention and made him look up. At six foot, Adrian wasn’t short, but still he had to look up. Not liking it, Adrian just gave the man a nod. Damn, he was a gorgeous specimen. Was there such a thing as a not-gorgeous vampire? The official head of the herd of vampires who hung around their fair city cornered the market on good-looking.

"Excellent, I wanted to push the plans through." Rich gave Garland a wide smile, showing teeth. Adrian always hated that smile; nobody really smiled like that except models, politicians and Hollywood types. Rich motioned to Adrian, introducing him. "Have you had a chance to meet Adrian Debrett yet, Garland?"

"No, but I have heard many things about his work." Gabriel bowed slightly to Adrian. "A pleasure, Mr. Debrett."

"Same here." Adrian gave Garland a quick, ‘I really don’t want to smile’ smile. The ghosts clustered nervously next to Adrian, reacting to Garland’s presence. He eyed the outfit Garland had been poured into, wondering how it was humanly possible--The thought broke off as Garland addressed him again.

"Would you care to join my group, Mr. Debrett? I would enjoy speaking with you about your work."

"Some other time." Apprehension did a tap dance all the way down Adrian’s spine, making him take a step back just as one of the wraiths decided to hide behind him. Apparently the ghost was as nervous as Adrian, but he’d temporarily forgotten he was dead and had nothing to fear from a vampire. The cold, clammy sense of Adrian’s body’s co-inhabitant made him shiver slightly.

Garland didn’t look like he expected nor accepted the answer. "Please, won’t you reconsider and join me?"

Though politely phrased, the last two words had a definite emphasis. Gabriel’s words were low, but brooked no argument and intensified the burning sensation. Adrian shook his head, trying to clear it. Suddenly, Adrian felt an increase in the burning tingle at the edge of his mind, and his head jerked up to stare at Garland. None of the others paid attention to them.

Adrian normally would have rejected a ghost trying to ride his skin, but he didn’t because of the aversion he felt, knowing the vampire had tried to take him over. Garland had seriously pissed him off.

He said through gritted teeth, "Like I said, some other time."

The utter stillness among the other vampires put Adrian off stride for a split second. They were aware of what was going on, even if nobody else was. Their gazes fastened on him, though outwardly they looked no more than politely interested.

One of the women moved to Garland’s side, laying her hand on his arm. "Father?"

Garland held up a hand to silence her. "I will deal with it, Indy."

The young brunette fell silent before she stepped back. Charlie and Rich were immersed in their own conversation. Adrian doubted if they would have caught on even if they had been watching.

A quick glance at his watch told Adrian he had an hour before he could get out of there. To hell with it, he’d leave now. "See you at the office tomorrow, Charlie. Later, Mr. Carson. Prince Garland." Adrian threw the vampire a cold look.

Adrian caught the perplexed look in Garland’s eyes before he concealed it. Charlie glanced pointedly at his watch, and Adrian opened his mouth before Charlie could say anything. "Have a nice evening, everyone."

Strolling away, Adrian kept his pace slow enough that it didn’t look like he was beating a hasty retreat. The Prince inclined his head in a farewell salute to Adrian. Tempted to give Garland his own version of a salute, Adrian barely restrained himself.

Keeping focused on the front door, Adrian could still feel the prickle of eyes on his back. He still had the attention of the vampire set. Great, absolutely fucking great. He hadn’t mistaken the look Garland had given him and knew what it meant. He would have the attention of Prince Garland, but he didn’t want it. More often than not, Adrian avoided vamps. They fascinated some people, but he wasn’t one of them. He had enough dead on his hands without the extra help.