Chapter 14 #2
Alexander picked his closest flat and took the stairs two at a time, mashing six wrong keys into the lock before finally getting the door open.
The panic was unfamiliar, all-encompassing, far worse than anything he’d felt recently.
He was putting Tobias in danger, and the thought almost strangled him.
He’d wondered about getting Tobias and bringing him to a place where he could watch over him, but how was he supposed to explain that?
Sorry, it turns out that I’m an immortal vampire who’s heir to an entire, incredibly powerful dynasty, and someone may be trying to prove to my father that I can’t hack it by killing people around me, so now I need to be with you at all times to prevent that from happening.
That didn’t seem like it would go over quite so well with Tobias. Or anyone, for that matter.
Alexander just had to trust that no one in the Damianos family’s orbit even knew about Tobias. They’d known each other for barely a week, and unless he was being watched – unlikely, since he’d be able to spot another vampire from the family lurking around – they didn’t know who Tobias was. Not yet.
He dumped his things on an overladen armchair in the corner of his foyer and stripped out of his suit, throwing it onto the floor as he made his way to the shower.
The problem with the last two attack sites had been that he hadn’t been able to smell anything except Tobias’ intoxicating scent.
Scrubbing himself clean and putting on clothes that Tobias hadn’t ever had the chance to touch was the first step, and the second was returning to both locations to see if he could pick up anything when Tobias wasn’t in his nose any longer.
The hot water did a bit to clear his head, and he scrubbed himself so thoroughly that he actually felt as warm as a mortal must, for once.
When he’d dressed in jeans and an old hoodie that he found in the closet, he stuffed his keys and wallet in his pocket and prepared to go out again.
But before he did, he thought better of it.
The scent was likely long gone from the crime scenes, and going back even cleansed of Tobias’ scent no longer seemed like the most important thing.
Not when he was now worried less about who had been attacked and more about who might still become a victim.
He took out his phone, dialling Tobias.
He answered on the first ring. Perhaps the day had made Alexander overly paranoid, but he thought Tobias’ voice shook slightly. “Can’t stay away, can you? Was I that good of a fuck?”
“Tobias,” Alexander said, trying to keep his voice even, “I need you to do me a favour.”
He must have sounded far more nervous than he’d thought, because Tobias was suddenly serious. “Are you alright? What’s wrong? I was only joking – well, half joking about the fuck comment–”
“It’s not that,” Alexander said, leaning into his phone, wishing it was Tobias he could rest his shoulder on. A deep breath helped to steady his nerves – it was important that he didn’t give Tobias enough of a fright that he ran away and never spoke to Alexander again.
“I just want you to be extra careful, extra on your guard, okay?” He threaded just the tiniest bit of power into his voice, enough to make sure that even over the phone, his command would be obeyed.
“If anything seems off to you, just stay somewhere public and call me. Don’t go anywhere with someone you don’t know, and don’t go out alone at night. ”
There was a pause. Sometimes it took mortal minds a minute to assimilate the fact that they’d been compelled to do something, and they froze until their mind obeyed.
“Alright.” Tobias’ voice was small and scared, and Alexander immediately felt guilty that he hadn’t explained the situation before using his power to keep Tobias safe without having to go into any of the very many inconvenient details. “Why, though?”
Alexander swallowed, his throat suddenly dry.
“The serial attacker – you know about that, obviously. I have, uh, a friend with the police, and they’re worried that he’s on the hunt for his next victim.
It’s linked with… the university. But I can’t say more.
My contact didn’t mention anything else.
I just want to make sure you’re safe. I’d not forgive myself if anything happened to you.
I’ll come pick you up from your flat tonight and bring you to the church. I’ve changed my plans. Alright?”
“Okay.” That scared voice again. It twisted Alexander’s gut to hear Tobias sound like that, and to know that he was the cause. “I promise. I’ll see you later, right?”
Alexander should’ve said no. He should’ve done everything he could to distance himself from the other man, now that he knew their association could be putting Tobias in danger. But he was weak. “Yes, little deer. I’ll collect you from home. Text me your address. I’ll swing round at 6:30 pm.”
There was no denying the hesitation that followed. “I don’t mind getting the bus.”
“It isn’t safe,” Alexander growled, letting just a bit of his pent-up anger leak free.
He wasn’t angry at Tobias, of course not.
But the situation was driving his nerves to the edge.
He was losing control of himself to a human, his life to a Damianos threat.
And he knew what would be put at stake if Vladimir officially called Alexander away from Oxford.
Tobias was painfully silent.
“I’m sorry,” Alexander said, breathing rapidly while clutching his phone so tight his knuckles hurt. “It’s been a day. I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”
“Don’t apologise, Alexander.”
“Text me your address, okay?” Alexander pushed a final time, and to his relief Tobias agreed.
Then he said goodbye and hung up, leaving Alexander staring at his phone, feeling lost and wondering how, in the space of a single revelation, protecting Tobias suddenly felt like the most important thing in the world.