I was waiting to see which name was going on the door and now I know. Eat with us.’ ‘No thanks. Marie wants us to go to String of Pearls, we need ...o rehearse. We will be dancing at nine if you’re interested.’ ‘We will be there.’ Mo was still kissing her way out before Penny and I said, ‘What?’ ‘As you know I was not making much money as a lawyer, not enough juicy divorce cases lately. Mo told me the school districts legal department head was retiring and asked me to apply for the job. I did and. Um." Denise drew a deep breath."It's Tom. Last night we made love, well after the dance we were sort've fired up, you know?" Elizabeth nodded, thinking of Stan that morning, but letting Denise continue."Well, one thing lead to another last night, and it happened. He's pretty darn persuasive, and he certainly knows his way around a woman's body, but when we finished he... he just simply got up and left, after telling me we had a date on Friday."I mean, I really enjoyed myself with him, he's got. ’ Then without waiting for me to agree… perhaps assuming I had no objections… she pulled herself up along my chest, lining up our faces. Her expression, which had been sparkly and smiley, turned more serious. Her lips parted and our noses nearly touched. Her eyebrows moved closer together and she seemed suddenly fragile. She pulled her head back just slightly, as if having second thoughts. I decided that for once I would be the one who carried her past the hesitations. With only a little. Thefirst was a large man, a hard man, with grizzled features and shortblonde hair starting to go grey. The woman who stood next to him washave a foot shorter and was very thin with just enough curves to markher as a woman. Her hair was black as the night and features reflecteda slightly oriental heritage. She appeared to be in her late twentiesand she was also a vampire.The woman with the staff and Athame glared at the two for a moment andthen said, "One of you had better explain."The man.