“Fernando? Chris?” Marcus looked startled. “What are you doing here?”
“Waiting for Matthew,” Fernando replied.
“Come inside. All of you.” Marcus beckoned them forward. “Miss Davenport is watching.” His neighbors were old, idle, and nosy.
Matthew, however, was beyond the reach of reason. He’d been nearly there several times, but the unexpected sight of Fernando and Chris had sent him over. Now that Marcus knew that his father had blood rage, he understood why Matthew always went away—alone—to recover when he got into this state.
“Who is with her?” Matthew’s voice was like a musket firing: first a raspy sound of warning, then a loud report.
“Ysabeau, I expect,” Marcus said. “Phoebe. And Sarah. And of course Gallowglass.”
“Don’t forget Leonard,” Jack said, appearing behind Marcus. “He’s my best friend, Matthew. Leonard would never let anything happen to Diana.”
“You see, Matthew? Diana is just fine.” Marcus had already heard from Ransome that Matthew had come from Royal Street, having achieved his goal of family solidarity. Marcus couldn’t imagine what had put Matthew in such a foul mood, given his success.
Matthew’s arm moved quickly and with enough power to pulverize a human’s bones. Instead of choosing a soft target, however, he smashed his hand into one of the white Ionic pillars supporting the upper gallery of the house. Jack put a restraining hand on his other arm.
“If this keeps up, I’m going to have to move back to the Marigny,” Marcus said mildly, eyeing a cannonball-size depression near the front door.
“Let me go,” Matthew said. Jack’s hand dropped to his side, and Matthew shot up the steps and stalked down the long hall to the back of the house. A door slammed in the distance.
“Well, that went better than I expected.” Fernando stood.
“He’s been worse since my mo—” Jack bit his lip and avoided Marcus’s gaze.
“You must be Jack,” Fernando said. He bowed, as though Jack were royalty and not a penniless orphan with a deadly disease. “It is an honor to meet you. Madame your mother speaks of you often, and with great pride.”
“She’s not my mother,” Jack said, lightning quick. “It was a mistake.”
“That was no mistake,” Fernando said. “Blood may speak loudly, but I always prefer the tales told by the heart.”
“Did you say ‘madame’?” Marcus’s lungs felt tight, and his voice sounded strange. He hadn’t let himself hope that Fernando would do such a selfless thing, and yet . . .
“Yes, milord.” Fernando bowed again.
“Why is he bowing to you?” Jack whispered to Marcus. “And who is ‘milord’?”
“Marcus is ‘milord,’ because he is one of Matthew’s children,” Fernando explained. “And I bow to you both, because that is how family members who are not of the blood treat those who are—with respect and gratitude.”
“Thank God. You’ve joined us.” The air left Marcus’s lungs in a whoosh of relief.
“I sure as hell hope there’s enough bourbon in this house to wash down all the bullshit,” Chris said. “‘Milord’ my ass. And I’m not bowing to anybody.”
“Duly noted,” Marcus said. “What brings you both to New Orleans?”
“Miriam sent me,” Chris said. “I’ve got test results for Matthew, and she didn’t want to send them electronically. Plus, Fernando didn’t know how to find Matthew. Good thing Jack and I stayed in touch.” He smiled at the young man. Jack grinned back.
“As for me, I am here to save your father from himself,” Fernando bowed again, this time with a trace of mockery. “With your permission, milord.”
“Be my guest,” Marcus said, stepping inside. “But if you call me ‘milord’ or bow to me one more time, I’ll put you in the bayou. And Chris will help me.”
“I’ll show you where Matthew is,” Jack said, already eager to rejoin his idol.
“What about me? We need to catch up,” Chris said, grabbing his arm. “Have you been sketching, Jack?”
“My sketchbook is upstairs. . . .” Jack cast a worried look toward the back garden. “Matthew isn’t feeling well. He never leaves me when I’m like this. I should—”
Fernando rested his hands on the young man’s tense shoulders. “You remind me of Matthew, back when he was a young vampire.” It hurt Fernando’s heart to see it, but it was true.
“I do?” Jack sounded awed.
“You do. Same compassion. Same courage, too.” Fernando looked at Jack thoughtfully. “And you share Matthew’s hope that if you shoulder the burdens of others, they will love you in spite of the sickness in your veins.”
Jack looked at his feet.
“Did Matthew tell you that his brother Hugh was my mate?” Fernando asked.
“No,” Jack murmured.
“Long ago Hugh told Matthew something very important. I am here to remind him of it.” Fernando waited for Jack to meet his eyes.
“What?” Jack asked, unable to hide his curiosity.
“If you truly love someone, you will cherish what they despise most about themselves.” Fernando’s voice dropped. “Next time Matthew forgets that, you remind him. And if you forget, I’ll remind you. Once. After that, I’m telling Diana that you are wallowing in self-hatred. And your mother is not nearly as forgiving as I am.”
* * *
Fernando found Matthew in the narrow back garden, under the cover of a small gazebo. The rain that had been threatening all evening had finally started to fall. He was oddly preoccupied with his phone. Every minute or so, his thumb moved, followed by a fixed stare, then another movement of the thumb.
“You’re as bad as Diana, staring at her phone all the time without ever sending a message.” Fernando’s laughter stopped abruptly. “It’s you. You’ve been in touch with her all along.”
“Just pictures. No words. I don’t trust myself—or the Congregation—with words.” Matthew’s thumb moved.
Fernando had heard Diana say to Sarah, “Still no word from Matthew.” Literally speaking, the witch had not lied, which had prevented the family from knowing her secret. And as long as Diana sent only pictures, there would be little way for Matthew to know how badly things had gone wrong in Oxford.
Matthew’s breath was ragged. He steadied it with visible effort. His thumb moved.