Chapter 35 #2
Justin shrugs, his eyes fixed on the floor.
“She turned me on a whim, so I guess that means I’m an unregistered rogue vampire to add to my issues.
When I refused to have a relationship with her ’cause I’m not attracted to women…
Boy, she went nuts.” He laughs bitterly.
“I should’ve played the game and got safe before I rejected her.
She hit me so hard… When I woke up, it was to find myself chained to a basement.
She had sold me to the witch. I’ve been here ever since.
” His eyes drift unconsciously back to the kitchen and the basement.
“Must be months… years… Hell if I know.” He rubs the back of his neck.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry that they did that to you.” I get to my feet, and without thinking I take a miniscule step towards him.
He flinches.
The frightened look that flashes across his face makes my heart ache.
So I take a big step away from him to respect his space and keep my hands where he can see them.
“Look, I’m not eighteen yet, and I’m under the guardianship of an angel.
” I roll my eyes. “I’ll tell you all about it when we have time. ”
I puff out a nervous breath. It’s a risk even giving him this next bit of information, but…
I am going by instinct. “So my friend Story, Dexter, and me, we have been living at the angel’s house.
He’s called Xander.” I fidget. “But as a backup plan, we have just rented a two-bedroom flat. I guess you could call it a safe house. It’s not much, but it’s safe, clean…
” I pause and put my hand to my ear, tapping the earpiece.
I hold up a finger to Justin. “I am just gonna check with her. Story? It is your home as well. I know we haven’t even moved in yet, but would it be okay with you if Justin stayed until he gets back on his feet? ” I hear Story inhale.
“Of course I was going to make that suggestion anyway. The guy needs us. He needs friends.”
I grin. “You’re the best, thank you.” I give Justin a warm smile. “My friend, my roommate Story, said it’s okay and you’re more than welcome.”
“You’d let me stay? With you? Why would you do that?” Justin asks incredulously. He narrows his eyes. I can see it in his face, mistrust. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
“’Cause I know what it’s like to be on my own, and I know what it’s like to be frightened.
I know inside you are bleeding, but you are not broken.
I’m not leaving you. Anything bad that happens to you happens to me too.
So we’re going to do this together.” I shrug.
“It feels the right thing to do.” I shuffle my feet and look at the floor.
In the café we have a pending food board, where our customers can buy a stranger a coffee and or a slice of cake.
It’s a small thing, but means so much to people who have got nothing. “Pay it forward when you can.”
“Okay,” he whispers.
“Okay.” I drop the lid of the toolbox and heft it up. The toolbox looks and feels the same. It’s so strange that a witch is stuffed inside there. Pocket dimensions are awesome.
Having Justin staying with us has pushed my timeline as I didn’t want to move out of Xander’s house until the guardianship was resolved, but after living on his own in a basement being tortured by a witch… I don’t know if Justin wants to live alone. He might need somebody to talk to.
I might speak to my unicorn grandmother. Perhaps she might take over my guardianship? I need to live my life. Humans by law are independent at sixteen. It is so unfair… but when I think about it, it is understandable that creatures have so many more constraints.
At least I know Xander is a nice guy with an impressive moral compass. I just don’t feel it’s right to give him another person to look after and just invite somebody into his house.
“Come on, let’s go. We can talk more on the way. Dexter,” I yell back into the house. Dexter trots from around the sofa and gives me a look of distaste that screams no need to shout, human.
I open the front door and step into the front garden; the night is still frozen and fresh. I take a deep breath in to get the cloying vanilla scent and magic out of my nostrils. I’m so glad to be out of that house.
Everything went so well, I think with a satisfied smile.
As soon as the thought bubbles up in my head, of course, everything goes tits up.
The toolbox clunks against my leg as I catch the sound of rapidly approaching vehicles, and when I turn my head, half a dozen cars screech to a stop.
Three come from one direction and three from the other. They completely block the street.
For fuck’s sake, Tru.
Justin is about to step out of the house, and I wave him back inside. “Stay inside behind the ward please.” I drop the toolbox to the floor, dig into my pocket, and throw a basic ward vial at the garden wall. It should hold long enough for me to speak to Justin and grab some weapons.
I look at the house. Or perhaps it might be best to head inside and call the cavalry. I flinch as two vampires jump from one of the cars and sprint towards me. They slam against the ward. The ward flickers and ripples. I have minutes.
“Is this about me?” Justin asks, his eyes wide with fear.
“No.” Well, I don’t think so. It can’t be. This is about the witch or…
Bloody Lord Gilbert steps out of the lead car onto the pavement. He adjusts his suit jacket and shoots me a toothy grin.
Cocky pureblood arsehole.