Xan’s . . . Not Xan’s Guy: Vincent
The only man Xan ever truly loved was Elric, but Elric’s true love is Lizzie, so them’s the breaks. Xan does not mess with true love, she’s not a fool. Also, she’s really a career woman at heart, she lives for her magic, which just isn’t what it used to be. Which is why she’s dating Vincent. Which is not easy:
Last night, Vincent had leaned close to her, his tux immaculate in the low light of the restaurant, his white hair perfectly styled, and said, “We should always dine by candlelight,” and she’d been fairly sure there’d been a snicker in his voice.
You can see why Xan’s concerned about the age thing. The world is full of Vincents. Of course, once Xan is finished with him, he won’t be snickering, and she’ll be younger, but he’s still annoying. Still, he’s not going to be around for long, so she puts up with him.
Xan stood in the middle of the room, silent in liquid silver silk, gripping the see glass that hung around her neck like a pendant as she tried to slow her breathing. Deep slow breaths, from the diaphragm, cleansing breaths, because if she didn’t, she was going to turn Vincent into something unfortunate, and that would be too good for him.
“You’ve really completely lost your sense of humor, darling,” Vincent said, flicking an invisible speck of dust from his satin lapel. “Jennifer meant nothing by that remark.”
“I’m sure she didn’t.” Jennifer was such an airhead, she didn’t have the concentration to mean anything by any remark. Xan opened the cupboard hidden in the silver paneling and took out a plain glass decanter of deep red wine, burgundy, like blood. I’m in the mood for blood.
“When she said her grandmother had known you, she didn’t mean you were the same age as her grandmother,” Vincent went on, his smile sly.
“Of course, I’m near her grandmother’s age,” Xan said, taking down two goblets. “But Vincent, you’re older than her grandmother. Her grandmother slapped you for taking liberties when she was a teenager.”
Vincent’s smile vanished, and Xan filled the goblets.
“Jennifer is a silly girl, but she’ll get older and wiser.” Xan handed him a glass. “Everybody does.” She looked at Vincent’s stupid, smiling face. “Well, they get older anyway.”
“I don’t think you quite understand,” Vincent said, taking his wine.
And then Vincent does something unforgivable. Did I mention Vincent isn’t too bright?
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Not too bright and somewhat of an ass. He does not receive my pity, yet I feel oddly compelled to learn of what Xan might decide his fate should be.
I _really_ like Xan. She reminds me of my mother, except in a good way. Both of them are scary and sort of mesmerizing when they get pissed. You know you should run but you can’t. turn. away…
I think Xan is the “bad guy”, but these is an appeal to her…her view of her world…her sense of humor.
Like Alexis said - You know you should run from her, but you can’t turn away.
Well done. She will an interesting character. Can’t wait to read this book.
I’m sure there’s a karmic cost to turning people into something unfortunate (or whatever worse thing is going to happen to Vincent) - but it’s so much easier to justify, in the sense of “they had it coming” than plain old nasty violence.
Xan is a very sympathetic antagonist!
I am so looking forward to this book. 59 more days? le sigh…
i got to say, i really love Xan.
and i can’t wait to see what happens to Vincent. slimy toad. never make fun of a woman’s age. hasn’t he seen the Dove commercials?
Vincent reminds me slightly of Jude. hmmmm…
For some reason Vincent reminded me of Vincent Price, at least as he would have looked if he’d been the eponymous character in The Portrait of Dorian Gray.
Jenny, was there a placeholder character for Vincent?
There wasn’t, but there was some throwaway line in there referring to Dynasty or something, so John Forsythe-ish. (That was the Dynasty guy, right?)
Yep. That’s him. Hmmm. I’ve been through this manuscript more than anybody but…well, Jen and Krissie. And I never saw John Forsythe. Maybe because I like John Forsythe. I’d say George Hamilton, but Xan has better taste. I know! That guy on Dancing with the Stars. The soap opera guy with the deep voice.
Well, I just read my reply from earlier. I must stop drinking before I post! LOL LOL
Consider this an edit:
I think Xan is the “bad guy”, but theRe is an appeal to her…her view of her world…her sense of humor.
Like Alexis said - You know you should run from her, but you can’t turn away.
Well done. She will BE an interesting character. Can’t wait to read this book.
Do not drink and type. Hazardous to the reading public!