The Vampire (THE VAMPIRE Book 1) by Sandrine Genier Page A

he had probably been caught staring. As Augere continued his conversation, Jason realized with sudden clarity something that embarrassed him about his decision to take this job.
    He could easily tell himself the lure was the money; or the chance to live in Boston again. Or that he had really just needed a job, needed to be settled somewhere. All of that was true of course. But now he knew the truth and it alarmed him: he had simply wanted to get another look at this person who now sat in front of him. He was intrigued by all he did not know about him, and already fascinated at what little he did know. He felt a strong curiosity, nearly a compulsion, to know more about him.
    He became self-conscious of the attention he was paying to Augere, whether Augere realized it too or not, and turned his focus to his immediate environment.
    In the short time he had been here, the library had become his favorite place in the house. It was a huge room, but had a welcoming warmth and coziness to it. Dominated by the huge black fireplace and Augere’s dark wood desk in the foreground, and by French doors that led to the large enclosed patio beyond, the room was magnificently done. Not that the French doors were always visible. He had had to go up to them and examine what was behind the heavy burgundy draperies to check out the view beyond.
    Daylight, much less bright sunlight, was scarcely allowed into this room. The library was the domain of subdued lighting and hushed comfort. From small tables holding elegant lamps, placed strategically around the room, adequate lighting was available for reading, or for browsing nearby bookshelves. With the harsh glare of day all but eliminated, the rich earth tones evident throughout the room were gently illuminated, drawing the eye to them and offering an enjoyment of the color and ambience as if seen under the effect of the soft glow of candlelight. The room had a calming, comforting feel to it that Jason loved.
    If the drapes were opened at all, it would be very late in the day, nearly dusk, and then never open at eye level, but always, somehow, only at the lower portion of the doors.
    Augere concluded his call and then regarded Jason silently for several moments.
    “If that is your preferred chair, bring it closer to the desk. Otherwise select another.”
    Jason glanced around him. The forest green one, with a lower back, appealed to him slightly more. He got up and moved it alongside the front of the desk and then sat down.
    Augere motioned him a little to the left. Apparently he wanted a clear view out the doors of the library to the foyer beyond. Jason moved his chair about a foot. That seemed satisfactory: Augere nodded. Only three feet of desk space now separated them.
    “Are the living quarters acceptable to you?”
    Was he being facetious?
    “Quite acceptable, yes, thank you. I never did get a chance to thank you properly, in person, I mean, for the job offer. You did say to me it would be the best of several offers. I am glad I did accept.” And just how would he have known that? Jason wondered now.
    Augere nodded once, with a solemn expression, an unneeded acknowledgement of an already accepted fact. “I detest using these things,” Augere said with a look of disdain as he slid a new cell phone across the desk to Jason. “Keep it with you always. I may call you for assistance at any time. My number is located in the phone. Do not call me unless it is an emergency. Call Genier first with any concerns. You are to use this phone only to call myself or Genier. Do not put this number into any other device that you may use.”
    Jason nodded, his gaze fixed on Augere’s eyes which were a bluish grey just now. Yet another pair of contacts? Or was that his natural color?
    He picked up the phone and the charger that was attached to it. It was a decent enough phone, but a basic model; it lacked most of the features he was used to. But then the phone he was being given only had a limited