On the Far Side of Darkness Read Free Page A

the Third Estate was up to so the nobility could counter or neutralize them. He spread disinformation so that the bourgeoisie were ineffective. He disappeared not long after The Terror started. It was assumed the Jacobins killed him.”
    Mandy’s face starts to turn red. “How do you know that?”
    Because I was the Chevalier. The vampire that turned me knew I sympathized and forced me to be his spy.
    “The records of the de Vaudemont family have his letters to his siblings. He bragged about his actions and they, having republican leanings, cut him off.”
    That was me removing any ties I had to my humanity. They could never know.
    “Furthermore,” I go on, “The Archives Nationale s hold a number of records confirming this.” I tell her exactly where those records can be found.
    Ms. Richardson’s reaction is a surprise. She slams her notebook closed, snatches up her book bag and storms out of the classroom. The Court follows in her wake. Christy, her sub, looks frightened. I feel sorry for her. She shouldn’t suffer on my behalf.
    I can’t help but wonder at Ms. Richardson’s behavior. As the people here in America say, “What is her problem?”
     
    * * * *
     
    Even though all I see is movement in my peripheral vision I know at once it is Diane. Her scan of the restaurant meets my turning towards her in perfect synchronicity. She speaks to the maitre d’ and he leads her towards the table I’ve reserved for us.
    I rise to greet her, then pull out her chair. Once she’s seated I return to my own chair.
    “Thanks for the invitation, Georges,” my redheaded dinner companion tells me with a warm smile. “I’d been hoping I’d hear from you again. I really enjoyed that night.”
    “ Moi aussi . It was a most enjoyable evening. I wanted to repeat it.”
    Diane looks around. “I didn’t expect this place. It looks like you’ve got money a visiting instructor usually doesn’t have.”
    “My books do well. So I can indulge a beautiful woman once in a while.”
    That garners me another warm smile, so warm that I feel it all the way through my body. It’s a strange sensation. Since I am dead usually I feel cold. This is a very pleasant change.
    The sommelier approaches and hands each of us a wine list. “You pick something you like, Diane.” I pause, worried about what I’ll say next. I can’t eat any human food. It sits in my stomach until it rots. But I’d thought ahead and have an excuse ready. “I won’t be able to partake I’m afraid.”
    She looks at me with a puzzled frown. “You were drinking last week.”
    “Courtesy. I hadn’t actually drank any of it. But it wouldn’t be polite not to buy a drink in an establishment such as that.”
    She ponders that for a moment. “May I ask why you can’t?”
    “Of course. It’s not a big secret. I’ve a very rare genetic disorder. Among the various effects is a gastrointestinal problem, reflux. Anything I eat or drink will force acid into my throat. It’s most painful. There is very little I can eat and I have to cook it myself. I’ve found restaurants have difficulty preparing the food I can consume. Even a bit of contamination and I get to spend some uncomfortable days.”
    Diane spends another moment pondering. “Okay,” she says. “I’ll remember that. If you’re ever over to my place for dinner I’ll ask for tips on how to cook for you.”
    She blinks then, and blushes a little. “That didn’t mean what it sounded like.”
    I chuckle. “I don’t know what it sounded like except good.”
    The lovely lady across from me smiles at that and buries her head in the wine list. She orders a small carafe of the house wine finally and decides on filet mignon for dinner. “You’re buying after all.”
    Our meal together is a reprise of our night at the pub. Our conversation wanders from subject to subject. We have differing views but neither takes that as a personal insult. At one point she makes an observation that causes me to