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All that jazz.”
    â€œI’m not sure what creature a jazz is, but I am aware of the others you listed. Demons.” Nicolo stifled a shudder.
    â€œYou and me both.” She echoed his shudder.
    â€œBut I’ve always thought vampires—” He glanced skyward where the sun beamed brightly. “Aren’t you supposed to lurk in the shadows?”
    â€œWe vamps can do sunlight for a bit. But we still keep our heads down. But, as it probably was in your time, most humans are not aware of us.”
    â€œSo you are still not a large part of the population?”
    â€œLarge enough. But smart enough to walk in the shadows.”
    â€œYes, shadow creatures. So you are vampire.” So opposite of what he’d expected. Completely un-creature-like, this woman of the enticing blond hair and blue eyes. Save for those vicious fangs. Best not to rile the creature. He could play nice to protect his ass if need be. “I don’t think you should bite me. My blood may be...off.”
    â€œOff?”
    â€œI did just rise from the grave.”
    â€œRight. Don’t worry, buddy. I’m not going to sink in my fangs. You’re a job.”
    â€œA job—”
    â€œSo tell me how you’re feeling after a climb out of the grave? I should probably keep an eye on you. For, uh...possible decomposition.”
    â€œDecomposition?”
    â€œWell, yeah.” She gestured her hands through the air in exclamation and blurted out, “You could be a zombie.”
    â€œA—what? I am not familiar with that term, vampire. What year is it, by the by?”
    â€œ2016. So you could be a zombie.” She pressed the tiny box a few times, then held it before him to display yet another painting. “Because zombies are dead things that have risen from the grave.”
    The image was of a person. Maybe. Whatever it had been, it was decayed and—flesh was falling off its face and it oozed gore.
    Nicolo flinched and made a disgusted face. “That is not me.”
    â€œProbably not. Zombies are usually mindless and gross. They have limbs falling off and look like they just rose from the grave. They also eat brains. You’re...hot. So not zombie-like.”
    Again she did something with the tiny device, then turned it toward him. “Here’s the mirror app. Take a look.”
    He bent to study the reflection in the silvered surface of the device. Indeed, it had changed from showing a painting to a mirror. Marvelous. And diabolical. And yet...
    â€œThat is...me? I look...well.” He tapped his teeth again. They were white and not wobbling in their sockets. “Such a marvel.” His nose, long and with a bend at the middle looked like the same nose. His eyes were gray and clear. His hair seemed longer. As did his face look—well, healthier. Such a handsome fellow, eh?
    Realizing he was mooning over himself, Nicolo cleared his throat and stood upright. “Did you say it was you who facilitated my rising from the grave?”
    â€œInadvertently.”
    He quirked a brow.
    â€œWhen I was inspecting my find, the bow slipped across the violin strings. Played a few notes. But I didn’t do it on purpose. It was accidental.”
    â€œYou have the black violin?” Nicolo’s heart thumped once, and he winced at the aching remembrance of that vile instrument.
    â€œI do.”
    Blowing out a heavy breath, he clutched his hair in frustration. “I asked Achille to destroy that monstrosity! Oh, this is most awful.” He started to stride away, then turned and paced the pavement back up to her. “Do you know what this means?” He slapped a hand over his chest. “That explains why I feel so alive and strong. I feel as though I could run round the world and not pause to catch my breath. And my teeth.” He tapped the perfect teeth in his mouth.
    â€œOh wow.” She peered at his teeth. “I read you had lost all your teeth