my arm。 He never took his
eyes off Jane。
The elevator ride was short； we stepped out into what looked like a posh
office reception area。 The walls
were paneled in wood； the floors carpeted in thick； deep green。 There were no
windows； but large；
brightly lit paintings of the Tuscan countryside hung everywhere as
replacements。 Pale leather couches
were arranged in cozy groupings； and the glossy tables held crystal vases full
of vibrantly colored
bouquets。 The flowers' smell reminded me of a funeral home。
In the middle of the room was a high； polished mahogany counter。 I gawked in
astonishment at the
woman behind it。
She was tall； with dark skin and green eyes。 She would have been very pretty
in any other
pany—but not here。 Because she was every bit as human as I was。 I couldn't
prehend what this
human woman was doing here； totally at ease； surrounded by vampnes。
She smiled politely in wele。 〃Good afternoon； Jane；〃 she said。 There was no
surprise in her face as
she glanced at Jane's pany。 Not Edward； his bare chest glinting dimly in
the white lights； or even me；
disheveled and paratively hideous。
Jane nodded。 〃Gianna。〃 She continued toward a set of double doors in the back
of the room； and we
followed。
As Felix passed the desk； he winked at Gianna； and she giggled。
On the other side of the wooden doors was a different kind of reception。 The
pale boy in the pearl gray
suit could have been Jane's twin。 His hair was darker； and his lips were not
as full； but he was just as
lovely。 He came forward to meet us。 He smiled； reaching for her。 〃Jane。〃