Really old. "What do you want, Gregori?"

His guest whipped around and squinted in Roman's direction. "Why are you sitting here, all alone in the dark?"

"Hmm. Tough question. I suppose I wanted to be alone. And in the dark. You should try it more often. Your night vision is not what it should be."

"Why bother to practice my night vision when the city's lit up all night?" Gregori groped along the wall till he located the switch. The lights came on with a muted golden glow. "There, that's better."

Roman leaned back into the cool leather of his wingback chair and took a sip from his wineglass.

The liquid burned his throat. God-awful stuff. "Is there a purpose for your visit?"

"Of course. You left work too early, and we had something important to show you. You're going to love it."

Roman set his glass on the mahogany desk in front of him. "I have learned that we have plenty of time."

Gregori snorted. "Try to work up some excitement here. We had an amazing development at the lab." He noted Roman's half-empty glass. "I feel like celebrating. What are you drinking?"

"You won't like it."

Gregori strode toward the wet bar. "Why? Are your tastes too refined for me?" He grasped the decanter and sloshed some red liquid into a wineglass. "Color looks good."

"Take my advice and get a new bottle from the fridge."

"Ha! If you can drink it, so can I." Gregori tossed back a good portion before slamming the glass down with a victorious sneer aimed at Roman. Then his eyes widened. His normally pale face turned a purplish red. A strangled sound vibrated deep in his throat, and then the sputtering began.

Coughing, followed by choked curses, followed by more coughing. Finally he pressed his palms against the bar and leaned forward to gasp for air.