The Immortal Greek Read Free

exclusive Coppedè neighborhood on the Tagliamento Avenue where Drako resided.
    Ravenna knew where the Greek immortal lived. Everybody in the paranormal community knew. As well as many humans who knew of him as the millionaire playboy the gossip magazines adored.
    The cabdriver pulled the car to a stop before one of the most prestigious addresses in Rome and whistled low. “Late-night call, ah?”
    The man didn’t see it coming. Ravenna’s left elbow struck the back of his head over the steering wheel. His forehead was pushed against the horn, which in turn woke several stray cats who weren’t happy about it. He tried to say something, but Ravenna shushed him to silence, while pointing her lipstick against his right temple.
    “One word and I’ll shoot you. I’m sure nobody will miss your winning personality.” She pushed the open, circular case to his skin, leaving an indentation resembling the hollow muzzle of a gun.
    The man managed to open his mouth and say in a high-pitched voice, “Let me go. Free ride.”
    “Of course my ride is free. Also, you never picked me up and I’ll report you to your company for negligence because you left me stranded at the airport.”
    “Sounds about right.” The man was crying.
    Ravenna brought her armed hand to her side before the man realized she had just left a red lipstick mark on his temple and left the cab. Smiling a satisfied smile, she opened the wrought iron gate leading inside Drako’s villa as the car left with the sound of squealing tires. She looked up at the eclectic Liberty Style house illuminated inside and out. All turrets, nooks, and colonnaded terraces, it was the late architect Coppedè’s wild dream come true. She had met the architect once and smiled at the memory. Interesting man.
    The front windows were open and she could see people everywhere. Samuel hadn’t mentioned a party, but she should have assumed it given where the death had happened. She remembered Drako’s End of Summer celebration falling around this time of the year and put the two together. She had received his invite, as everyone else working for the Immortal Council had, but she hadn’t opened the ivory envelope sealed with the A and D initials in black wax. As she did every year, she had torn the invite, threw it in the garbage bin, and forgot about it.
    Partygoers were standing by the entry, mulling over what had happened in that house, judging by the comments she heard while passing. A few vampires were leaving. One recognized her and said hi, but she barely acknowledged him. The main door was ajar, and the sounds of hushed voices filled the night. Once she entered the foyer, an older gentleman with a majordomo’s livery met her.
    “Ravenna Del Sarto.” She handed her business card to the elegant man.
    He raised one gloved hand and accepted it with a nod of his white head. “Miss Del Sarto, we were expecting you. We hope your coming at this early hour hasn’t inconvenienced you more than necessary. May I offer you anything?”
    She smiled at him, knowing it was his job to be impeccably polite, but she was tired and not in the mood for pleasantries. Also, missing her flight to Singapore for what was her first vacation in years was more than an inconvenience. “I’m fine, thank you. Could you escort me to the body?”
    The majordomo bowed his head and opened his arm to the right, showing her a corridor. “Please, this way.”
    Ravenna automatically checked her appearance on the gilded mirrors hanging on the walls at regular intervals. She looked professional enough given the hour. Everywhere she looked the place was filled with people, and she was appalled by the women’s apparel. Youngsters and mature paranormals alike wore couture she would have associated with the oldest profession in the world. She straightened her back and moved her hair behind her shoulders by tipping her head left and right.
    The majordomo led her through the whole first floor of the villa, and she