Chapter Twenty-Nine: Mason
“Claire, thank you for seeing me.”
I have not gotten back to Claire since the whole ordeal with Eustace. Her husband was a coward and a bastard for the crimes he committed against me and her.
“Of course.” A tear runs down the old lady’s face. She knew why I had to do it. She may not have been present to the events that led up to his death, but she must have heard what was happening. Her cottage is small. Sound travels. I don’t know what’s going through her mind, nor will I enter her thoughts. That would be rude in this situation, and she doesn’t deserve to have it so. We must be clear here. This is not a meeting for emotional distress or recovery. This is a business meeting, “What brings you out here, Mason? Need to let a few prisoners free?”
She knows as well as I do that nothing between us has changed. They both knew what it meant when they agreed to take up housing my prison, as their predecessors did before them. Betrayal on this level would only lead to death. It was something that I have always been very clear on.
“No. I’m here to tell you that the secrecy of this prison has been compromised due to Eustace running his mouth in a drunken stupor. I don’t believe that there will be any consequences, but one can never be certain. So, I’m going to need you to ready your things and leave. I have a replacement in line.” Again, she begins crying. I know why this time. I am uprooting her from her life. Her family was created here. Raised and sent off to do as they please. She is letting go of years of memories at a moment’s notice because I am telling her to. The sentimental value alone is enough to tug at the heart strings. If only I cared for such small things.
This was never going to pass down to anyone else but who I put in here. A foolish attachment. I don’t tell her any of this. Instead, I take her hand to offer up a small amount of support, showing her she’s not in this alone. That, and I still have more to ask her.
“With the dramatic wealth you have accumulated, I have an offer for you. One that’s simpler than living alone above a vampire prison. Less dangerous, too. You will be running your very own luxury hotel. The prison was meant to keep us in secrecy; this is meant to shine a light on us. Where the prison was a means for the old ways, this is where I will continue to conduct my business as normal, only with you out of harm’s way, earning a very good wage from both myself and the hotel, leaving a legacy that will span further than just the last years of your life. You have grown accustomed to your ways, and I have in mine, and that’s why this decision is good for both of us. Stepping out of the comfort zone that we have constructed and I would prefer having this in the hands of someone I trust who, through everything she faced, still sat in charge of a prison that could have had her killed without a moment’s notice. I believe you are the one to run my hotel. I want none of the profits. Only an added level of secrecy to my meetings. To my existence. My business will be conducted there. The shell has already been created. A hotel that we will renovate and change bringing it, like our relationship, into the future. Giving us the potential to benefit hugely from one another for the next years onward without pause.”
Claire takes a moment. I don’t think she was expecting me to offer her new work, especially once I told her she has to leave the cottage. This house will turn into a fort now. My plans surrounding it is to make sure that there can be no escapees with the added protection of…
I haven’t quite thought that through. No wolves. Maybe witches. No shifters. Maybe a Forsaken? Who would join my cause?
Witches it will have to be then, for now. Just need to find one driven by greed. They’re a dime a dozen.
“So, what do you say?” I gave Claire ample time to think, even finishing the tea she prepared for me. I have never been a fan of tea, but I wouldn’t rudely reject an offer when I am here to bring her into the next step of my operations.
“Why me?”
“Because I trust you,” I reply.
“I’m an old woman, Mason. Even if you trust me, I’m not sure I’m ready for that world. I’m used to the simple life. The easy life. This is taking me into a new direction that I’ve never considered. I was happy living comfortably with Eustace. This is just ludicrous to even consider.”
“I admire your honesty, Claire, but I would not have come to you with this offer if I didn’t think you were the right person. You won’t even be doing anything really. I have a team behind you that will best make the hotel and the money work. Just say the word, and you can have an extravagant life.”
She falls silent again.
When she looks up at me, I know she’s made up her mind, the spark of childish delight burning deep inside her eyes.
“I’m in.”
I knew she would be. “Good. Then you will be relocated closer to the hotel. You will have a driver to get where you need to go. Say goodbye to the days where you were just another person. From today, you are a celebrity.” I embellish a bit. That doesn’t matter, though. Constructing this last great vision for an old woman means one thing. She will have a good life until her end, and when she dies…?
Nothing will be passed down to anyone but myself. This I have secured with this deal. So, let her live in luxury. It will work out cheaper than having to find another. I wonder for a second if doing this, making her sign rights of her wealth over to me… Then I denounce the thoughts. This was Eustace’s doing.
Yes.
Blame it on him.