15. Amber Hart, anew again
The university's library is arranged in several floors of a circle around a central rotunda. Plenty of little quiet corners and nooks, not even considering the actual study rooms. With a bit of time to kill before this new vampire arrives, Amber checks her phone. Too many messages. Most of them work - she dismisses those out of hand. But one from James, far more interesting.
This 'Cortez' guy you're looking for goes by the name of Hernan Salazar in the city. Whether or not that's his actual name is anyone's guess, but it's what people use. You didn't hear it from me, but he's got dangerous connections.
He must assume Amber is smart enough to not need him to add "so watch your ass." Salazar. Amber turns the name over in her mind. Best not to try and do research online - the sort with 'dangerous connections' might not appreciate her poking around. An introduction would be best. She ponders it as she waits.
After a half-hour, Amber is fairly certain that the "owl" must have shaken off her command - but then the hooded man from the apartment is in the chair opposite her across a reading table, hood pulled up and a baseball cap pulled down low to shade his bright red eyes from casual investigation. As he appears, Amber realizes he has already been there for a few minutes. It would send a shiver down her spine, if her body was still untamed and living.
"What do you want?" Comes the resentful murmur, remarkably articulate despite the mouth full of shark teeth.
"To come to an arrangement," Amber opens, dropping into her professional demeanor to hide her unease with his appearance. Siveri, herself, her sire... all of them look human, more or less. This creature does not. It's hard to look past the surface and negotiate with him on equal terms. If he carried himself more powerfully, she might have said 'to offer apology' - but if anything, he's the one that needs to give one. There's no need to humble herself for someone without the position to demand it. "I didn't know you were there until we... met. An unfortunate introduction, and I'd like to move past it."
"What do you want with her?" The vampire asks bluntly, seemingly just ignoring her polite overtures.
Amber taps her lip, considering the best answer. It's Carissa he seems interested in then, not the building or even just the roommate. "She has a rather sweet taste. This isn't our first encounter, you know," she adds, watching carefully to judge his reaction to that tidbit.
Pale fingers leave a dent in the wood of the table as the vampire takes an unnecessary breath. "You need to stay away from her. And anyone else in that building." He says darkly.
"Did you know the building is for sale?" Amber purses her lips, but changes the subject. Perhaps a different tact is in order. "That's why I came here tonight. I was considering buying it. I didn't know it was your hunting grounds," she offers him a chance to do more than threaten her. "That's why I talked of an arrangement. I have no desire to rob you of your herd."
"...What do you want?"
Amber holds up two fingers, ticking each one off as she makes a point. "I want her, and I want the income from owning the place." She attempts to move the discussion on, before his rage can rise too high again, brooding about that first demand. "In return, I'll make sure everyone knows the building and its occupants are off-limits. And I'll quiet any rumors that start up about your activities there."
His jaw clenches. "Why should I bother to deal with you?" He asks challengingly - but not with the same edge of his territorial instincts pounding war drums under his tongue.
"Because the mob is already hounding at the current owner, and Dona Dominguez - an Elder freshly awakened, if you don't know the name - is threatening to tear the perpetrators the bloody ribbons." She arches an eyebrow. "You need some friends in the limelight, if you want to stay in the shadows unseen."
There's a long moment where it could go either way. Amber knows she's needled this vampire hard. But in the end he caves. He knows she's right. "Fine. Fine." He says, sounding defeated.
"I already covered up your attack earlier, Convinced them it was an owl. Shouldn't have any more trouble there." Amber relaxes back into her chair a touch. "I'm Amber Hart. Do you have a name I should use?"
He sighs, all the tensed and angry energy draining from the room. "Liam will do."
"I'll stay away from your place in the future," she puts her hands on her knees, ready to stand up and get out of here now that their business is concluded. "Come find me at Aventure if you want to talk, or if there's anything you need. Money isn't the only resource I have available."
"Did - did they know? That I was there?" Liam seems almost ashamed to ask, but desperate to know the answer.
"They felt like they were being watched. It scared Carissa enough that she asked for my help." Amber isn't sure she should bring her up again, but the desperation feels like it deserves an honest answer. "They thought they saw someone, occasionally."
His face twists in a complex emotion. "Thank you." And with that, he vanishes again, wiped from the world.