Chapter 17
Charlotte Sanguinite
I didn’t realize how much of a difference it makes to have someone in your corner.
After talking to Robert, the fear and panic within me have calmed down to quite an extent, and I’m able to sort through my thoughts with more logic. Robert is right. This is merely an intimidation tactic, and I’ve been letting them win.
I don’t know why my father showed up, but it was only once. I’ve been closing with Shelby every night for the past few days. He has had the opportunity to come in then, as well, but he hasn’t. Perhaps it’s because Robert makes it a point to show up around then since his workday typically ends at the same time. He brings his laptop over and ogles me while pretending to be working.
It’s not as annoying as one would think, especially since his main goal seems to be to get my attention and then complain that I’m a distraction. He’s so weird, and yet, every time my thoughts drift toward him, I can’t help but smile. He makes my heart feel light and airy, almost as if I’m walking on clouds when he’s around.
I wipe down the glasses and set them in the stand. I can hear Gina in the kitchen, cleaning up. I glance out the door. Robert is usually here by now; I wonder what’s taking him so long.
“Did you take out the trash?” Gina calls from the kitchen.
I glance at the two trash bags leaning by the doorway. “Not yet.”
Her head pops into view. “Well, what’re you waiting for?”
Closing my eyes briefly, I mutter, “Yeah, okay.”
I was really hoping Robert would be here for this.
Putting down the dish towel, I collect both trash bags and walk out the front door. The business district is usually less crowded at this time of the evening. I move quickly, wanting to be back inside within a minute. Lifting the lid of the garbage bin in the back alley, I toss in one bag after the other, then shut it again. Turning around, I’m ready to run back into the cafe when my heart sinks in dread. Two figures are blocking my path, standing at the entrance of the alleyway.
My feet are frozen to the ground, but I try to keep my voice even. “Can I help you?”
The two men begin walking toward me, and one of them says, “We have a message for you.”
“I don’t want to hear it,” I say quickly, my eyes darting around for something to use as a weapon.
They’re advancing on me. Suddenly, I see a tire iron poking out of a plastic container. I pick it up, shouting, “Come any closer and I’ll beat your brains out!”
The first guy laughs, a sinister sound that turns my blood to ice.
The other one says, “You’re quite delusional. Arabella sends her regards.”
He darts forward, and my first instinct is to smash the iron against his legs, but Robert’s words swim to my mind.
Aim to kill. Always.
Swallowing, I pull the tire iron up behind me and swing it in a forward motion over my head, impaling the vampire. He lets out a choked sound as it pierces his heart.
I feel numb. My heart is thundering in my chest. I can see the blood in the light of the small bulb in the alley. He has a shocked expression on his face.
“Y—You bitch,” he gurgles before slumping to the ground on his knees and then collapsing onto his side. I let go of the iron in shock, and the other vampire charges at me, enraged.
I don’t get a chance to react, but as he comes flying at me, I cover my face with my arms. However, the attack never happens. When I open my eyes, I see someone different standing before me. One vampire is still on the ground, and the one who was about to attack me is off to the side, behind this new guy.
I’m terrified.
The light from the single bulb is too weak for me to see the face of the person in front of me. All I know is that he’s a vampire.
I stumble backward, and he catches me by the arm. “Charlotte?”
He sounds surprised, and his voice is oddly familiar.
“Let go of me!” I cry out, digging my nails into the skin of his hand, but he doesn’t budge.
“Charlotte, it’s me, Terrence!”
All the fight drains from me at the name.
Terrence?
The man holding my arm steps into the low light of the bulb, and I see sharp, handsome features, light brown eyes, thin lips, and dark, tousled curls. He looks like my childhood friend, Terrence Balcom, the son of one of my father’s advisors within the clan. But Terrence left Portland to pursue his education when I was nine years old. He promised to write to me but promptly cut off every form of contact once he was gone. He was the one person I know would have fought for me when my father was dragging me out of the compound.
My mouth dry, I stare at the familiar face. “You’re not—Terrence is in Europe. He left. He left me.”
“I came back.” Terrence looks around and sees the bleeding vampire on the ground and the one standing behind him, seemingly frozen in place. “Are these two bothering you?”
“They—” I look at the vampire on the ground. “They were going to hurt me.”
“Ah,” Terrence says lightly. “I see. Go. I’ll deal with this. Wait for me inside the cafe.”
I don’t ask him how he knows where I work. Terrence was always crazy smart. He was a genius among all the students his age. That was probably why his father chose to send him to Europe to study. He was invited to stay with a prominent vampire clan, which was nothing short of an honor. Losing the one friend I had was scary, but I was happy for him.
I never thought I’d see him again, at least not like this.
My heart skips a beat, not from happiness but from fear. My father always had high hopes for Terrence, and there is no way any vampire would come here to save me. If Terrence wants me to go inside the cafe, then…
“You can’t kill me in there,” I breathe, my hands unsteady. “There’s a human inside. And—And I have friends. They won’t let you. They won’t let you kill me.”
“Kill you?” Terrence blinks, and he cocks his head.
Suddenly, Shelby’s voice comes from around the corner of the alley. “Charlotte? What’s taking you so long? Do you need a hand? I’m coming out!”
Even Terrence wouldn’t risk having a human witness a murder unless he wants to add her to the death toll.
“Go,” he says, his voice almost gentle.
I run.
Past Terrence.
Past the petrified-looking vampire who doesn’t even shoot me a second glance.
I sprint out of the alley, around the corner, and straight into a startled Shelby, whom I drag back into the cafe with me.
“What! What!” she cries out in alarm as I lock the door, not that it’s going to make much of a difference. Getting past a locked door is no problem for Terrence—or any other vampire, for that matter.
“I—” Panicked, I look at her, not knowing how to tell her that my childhood friend and possibly a hit man for my father is outside, ready to kill me dead. “There’s—um—There’s a crazy person outside. And, uh, I think he has a gun. We should hide! No, we should leave!”
“We should call the police!” Shelby bursts, looking horrified. “Let’s go in the back office—”
“No!” My response is instant. “Not the police!”
Shelby gives me a confused look. “There’s a lunatic outside with a weapon, and you don’t want to call the cops?! He just tried to kill you!”
“I know!” I reply, flustered. “But I think our priority should be to hide. I don’t think he’ll be able to break in.”
“Charlotte—”
Whatever Shelby intended to say is interrupted by a loud knocking on the glass door. Both of us jump out of our skin, and we clutch each other, crying out in fear and shock, only to see Robert outside, waving at us and then pointing at the lock. My legs are like jelly as I wobble to the door.
Robert catches me as the door opens. “What’s going on?”
“Get in here!” Shelby pulls him inside, slamming the glass door shut behind him. “There’s a crazy person outside with a gun!”
“What?” Robert looks at me, trying to follow this new series of events. “Who?”
“I don’t know,” Shelby enunciates, annoyed now. “He tried to kill Charlotte, and she won’t let me call the police!”
Robert’s smile fades. “What? Where is he?”
Since Shelby is listening, I can’t tell him what really happened. I jerk my head to the door and tell him, meaningfully, “In the alley. He was waiting for me.”
I see the understanding dawn in Robert’s eyes, and he lets go of me. “You ladies stay here. I’ll go check it out.”
“He’s a lunatic with a gun!” Shelby yells at him, frustrated, as Robert walks out the door. “What is y’all’s deal with the cops?!”
Fortunately, Robert returns soon after, saving me from having to answer the older woman’s question.
“He’s gone,” Robert announces, “but I’m going to stay here with you till you close, just to be safe.”
Shelby immediately hurries back to the kitchen. “I just need five minutes. My son is coming to pick me up.”
As soon as she’s out of hearing range, Robert tells me, “There’s blood but no bodies. How many vampires?”
“Three,” I reply heavily. “I did what you said. I stabbed one of them with a tire iron I found. And then Terrence showed up.”
“Terrence?” Robert’s gaze turns sharp. “You knew one of them?”
I don’t like talking about my past. Eight years isn’t enough time to sufficiently disconnect with who I once was.
“Terrence was a couple of years older than me, but he used to be my friend, even after I became like this. His father used to bring him around to our home a lot, and Terrence was always kind to me. When my own family started turning their backs on me, he still stuck with me. He never let anyone bully me when he was around. But now…” My stomach twists as I recall the expression on his face. “He went away for school, and we lost touch. But he was in contact with my father. Beruth trusts him. Terrence was here tonight, outside. That can’t be a good thing for me.”
Robert studies me. “But he let you go?”
“Shelby—She called out, and he told me to go inside. I thought he was going to follow me into the cafe. You’re usually here at this time. I don’t—Why weren’t you here?!”
“I got sidetracked.” He reaches into his coat and brings out a small, black case. “I had ordered this for you, and I went to pick it up.”
He hands it to me, and when I open it, it’s a small, compact-looking gun.
“I can teach you how to use it—”
“I know how to shoot.” I pick up the gun, weighing it in my hand. It’s quite a bit lighter than what I’m used to. “I practice at the shooting range. My old friend Edgar taught me. He was a fanatic about guns. I never got a license, though.”
When I lift my gaze, Robert has an intrigued look on his face. “I never took you for someone who could handle a gun.”
My lips twitch slightly. “I’m a very good shot. But how is a gun going to help me against vampires?”
“Silver bullets.” Robert reaches into his coat once again. “I’ve gotten you 20 bullets. I’m arranging for more, but for now, these should hold you. Aim at the forehead or the heart. One clear shot. That’s all you need.”
I’ve heard of silver bullets. They’re lethal to both vampires and shifters. The fact that Robert is giving me this gun and these bullets is a testament to how much he trusts me. However, there’s no happiness in my heart at the moment. These bullets are a means to kill, an act I despise, even though I know it’s a necessity.
Robert seems to be able to tell what I’m thinking because he says, “This is just for emergencies, Charlotte. In case I’m not able to make it to you in time.” Then he wraps my hand around the gun, his tone becoming firm. “I need to know that you’ll be able to protect yourself.”
I raise my eyes to meet his. “I don’t want to be a burden, Robert. From the moment we met, you always seem to be helping me one way or the other. How long do you think you’ll be able to keep this up?”
“You’re not a burden to me.” Robert’s expression is serious, and the sincerity in his voice pierces my heart. He really does believe that.
But I don’t. Sooner or later, when he has to keep rushing to my rescue, to fight for me, to defend me in front of his pack, he’s going to start wondering if I’m worth so much disruption in his life. If he and I were on equal standing, financially or at least strength-wise, perhaps things would be different. But I’m well aware of my shortcomings.
It’s just a matter of time before Robert catches on.
Shelby reemerges with her bag just as a car pulls up outside. “My son’s here. I’m going to go. Robert, will you stay until Charlotte is done closing up? Or I can stay. My son will be with us.”
“No, go.” I smile at her. “I’ve got it.”
She hurries to the car, and I start switching off the lights. “There was no one in the alley when you went to check?”
Robert shakes his head, holding the gun case and the small box with the silver bullets for me. “I smelled blood, but the vampires were long gone.”
“They all know where I am, Robert.” I turn to face him as the light we leave on overnight glows dimly. “I’m beginning to think I shouldn’t stay here in the city any longer. It’s one thing to be attached to a place, but I would rather not put myself in danger.”
“Nothing is going to happen to you,” he assures me yet again. “I’ve made arrangements. There will be someone watching the cafe at all times. And you will be armed. Carry this gun with you wherever you go. I’m going to help you apply for a permit. Normally it takes over a month, but I know somebody who can fast-track the process for you.”
He seems to have thought everything through.
My hand reaches out to take the gun from Robert.
Having it is a little reassuring even though it signifies having to kill someone. It does give me a sense of safety. However, I have to be realistic. Angie’s vision revealed to her rivers of blood in Portland. She claimed that I would be in the center of the chaos that is soon to arrive, and yet that my future is unclear.
If I take myself out of the equation altogether, I might be better positioned to protect myself.
“And then there’s this,” Robert says, cutting off my train of thought. He reaches into his pocket and takes out a thin bracelet. It’s plain-looking, not very fancy.
“You got me jewelry?” I ask hesitantly.
“No.” He grins, as if amused by my question. “This is a product my company makes. It will hide what you are. Whether you are a vampire or a shifter, it will conceal your scent altogether. It will help you pass as human.”
I stare down at the bracelet. “You’re telling me this little thing does all that? Is it magic?”
“Technology,” Robert chuckles. “It’s proprietary. My company is the only one in the world producing these. We’ve had requests from vampire buyers, but we don’t sell to them. Conflict of interest and all. We vet all our customers.”
“But it’s okay for me to have one?” I want to confirm.
“Yes,” Robert takes my hand in his and slips the bracelet onto my wrist. He then squeezes it, and it compresses, leaving only a small gap between it and my skin.
“How did you—?” I ask, awed, unable to finish my question.
“It shrinks to adjust to the wearer’s wrist,” he explains. “Wild, huh?”
I lift my hand, studying the bracelet. “It’s so bizarre that such a tiny thing can hold so much power. You designed this?”
“Yeah.”
I blink at him. “You must be really smart.”
I can see the smugness in his eyes as he tries to play it cool. “Maybe a little.”
“At least you’re modest,” I snicker. “That’s always a nice character trait to have.”
As I tuck everything in my bag, Robert protests, “I am modest.”
“I just said you are.” I’m enjoying having the upper hand for once.
“It doesn’t sound like you mean it,” he complains.
“That sounds like a you problem.” I press my lips together, trying not to smile.
I lock the door and begin pulling down the shutter. Robert gives me a helping hand by yanking it down easily. I give him an annoyed look. “I can do that myself, you know. I’m not that weak.”
He seems determined to get back at me for my earlier comment. “You’re pretty darn weak. Should I hold your bag for you? I don’t want you to fall down under its weight, after all.”
“Shut up, Robert.”
“Or maybe I should carry you altogether.” Without warning, he sweeps me off my feet and into his arms.
“Robert!” I yelp, outraged and pounding on his chest. “Let me down! People are staring!”
“I’m just being helpful,” he laughs. “See, I’m helping you cross the street.”
“You’re not funny!” I hide my face as passersby stare at us curiously. “Put me down, you— you—!”
I can’t even think of an insult appropriate enough for this moment.
He brings me all the way to the parking lot and opens the door of his car with one hand, then settles me inside. “There. See? Not a hair on your delicate head harmed.”
I glare at him. “Eat dirt.”
“What are you, five?” he sneers. “Is that the best you got?”
I slam the car door in his face.
Robert is one of those people who doesn’t mind being silly. There is no haughty arrogance in him. He’s beaming as he gets into the driver’s seat. “Alright, buckle up.”
We drive to his house, and Robert parks out front. But as we get out of the car, he comes over to me, takes my hand, and starts leading me directly away from the front door. I ask, “What’s going on? Where are you taking me?”
“We’re not going home just yet,” he tells me. “I planned a date for us.”
“Shouldn’t you be asking me if I want to go on a date first?”
He glances at me. “You already said yes a few days ago.”
The man has an answer for everything.
I sigh, already knowing arguing with him isn’t going to get me anywhere.
“You’re taking me into the woods on a date?” I ask warily, eyeing him. “I think I want to bring my gun with me.”
He looks amused. “Why?”
“In case you try anything funny.”
“Don’t be a baby.” He puts his hands on my shoulders from behind, gently pushing me so I’ll start walking.
As we head towards the woods, I quip, “There better not be some fancy restaurant in there, Robert. I look like crap, crapped over.”
He grins at my description. “I think you look beautiful.”
I roll my eyes but can’t help blushing.
“Don’t worry.” He nudges me with his elbow. “It’s nothing fancy. Come on.”
I comply, still voicing my apprehension. “People get murdered by serial killers in the woods after dark, you know. I’ve seen the horror movies. It’s always an idiot like you who plans an evening like this, and everybody else gets killed by a machete-wielding lunatic.”
Robert is roaring with laughter now. “How about this: if I see someone holding a machete, I’ll steal it and give it to you. Nobody’s going to bother you with a machete in your hand.”
“You think you’re funny, huh?” I look up at him, my voice dark.
He presses a kiss on the top of my head, flustering me. “What are you scared of when you have an Alpha by your side? I’m not going to let anything happen to you. Now come on.”
He wraps his arm around me, and I can’t deny that his presence always makes me feel safe.
After another ten minutes in the forest, I finally hear the sound of rushing water. Emerging from the trees, I see a breathtaking sight.
There’s a small waterfall, and by the edge of the river, there are four poles set up and a thick blanket on the ground, along with a low rise table that has covered dishes on it. Robert lets out a sudden howl, making me jump. After a second, there is a responding howl, and he turns to look at me. “Now we’re alone.”
“Who was that?” I look around, expecting to see someone pop out from the bushes.
“My faithful assistant, Harry. He and Maria, the healer you met the other day, helped me set this up. They’re gone now.”
Fairy lights are strung over the poles, illuminating the area, and my chest tightens with an unknown emotion. “Why would you do all this for me? I don’t need—I mean, I would be happy with hot dogs on the side of the road. I’m not very high maintenance.”
Nobody’s ever done something like this for me, is what I’m silently saying. I don’t know how to react to it.
“Just because you think you’ll be happy with not even the bare minimum doesn’t mean I think that way, too.” Robert loops his arm around my waist, turning me around to face him. “I think I want to shower you with everything because you’re such an incredible woman.” A sheepish look forms on his face. “I know we have a rather large age gap—”
“I don’t care how old you are,” I murmur, my heart swelling with emotion. “I just don’t know what to say when you’ve put so much effort into this. It’s beautiful.”
“You don’t need to say anything.” He kisses my cheek. “Just enjoy the moment. I had Mrs. Mallory make some of your favorite dishes.”
As he takes my hand and guides me to the blanket, excitement in his eyes, I wonder dimly if this is what falling in love feels like, this tender emotion brewing within me.