Page 18 of Hunters and Prey

Chapter 10

Tom was grateful that his self-appointed bodyguards had enough humanity to give them space that day. He didn't doubt for one second that at least one of them was watching the exits outside at all times, but they stayed away. Once they got home, he made Chloe a hot chocolate and spiked it with some rum, because if there was one excuse for underage day drinking, it was definitely finding out that your father had been arrested for murder. Multiple murders, at that.

"It must be a mistake," Chloe repeated, shocked. Her eyes were wide, not fixed on anything in particular.

Just yesterday, he would have agreed. He would have merrily joined her denial party. Now, he just rubbed her arm that felt too cold.

"Let me get you a blanket."

"He can't…he can't have done those things. He just can't."

Tom said nothing. Truth was, even before a band of vampires had crash-landed in his life, he wouldn't have been able to say that clearly. He and his sister didn't know what their father could or couldn't do. George Miller was absent five days a week for work. He paid the bills and made sure to dine with Chloe on Sundays. That was the extent of his parenting.

Once, when he'd been young, before their mother disappeared, things had been different. Tom still remembered playing in the backyard with his dad. He'd taught him how to ride a bicycle and play ball. It had been a long time ago, too long for Chloe to remember any of that.

George owned an antique art gallery, and traveled to find new pieces all over the world. They'd never questioned his absences, but he certainly would have had time to…kill people. And eat them. Jesus, eat them. Did the police have to say that in front of Chloe?

They'd said they'd found evidence at the house. Tom was still feeling queasy at the thought. He'd brought his victims to their house, where Chloe lived. Thank fuck she'd taken to spending time at Tom's.

"It's okay, Chlo. It'll all work out. You wait and see."

He wished he could speak to her, tell her what Viola had said, but she was already tired, in shock, and she seemed so young right now. Almost fragile.

He let her cry on his shoulder until she fell asleep.

Tom carried her to the spare bedroom, and poured himself some bourbon before stepping out of doors.

"How is she doing?"

Viola's voice was soft and sympathetic.

"She's in shock, but she'll cope. We've never been close to our father."

She nodded, unsurprised.

"Is that what's going to happen to me? I'll go crazy and cannibalistic?"

"If you don't turn. So will Chloe."

His everything roared against that notion. Fuck, no, she wouldn't.

"What would happen to Dad if he turns now?"

Viola sighed. "I'm not quite sure, but becoming an immortal only enhances who we were in our mortal life. Your father is insane. It might calm him down, as he'd understand his thirst. But my guess is he'll just be a very fast, very hungry, insane vampire."

Shit. Good thing he'd spend the rest of his life behind bars, then.

"I want Chloe to stay out of this mess as long as possible. Just chill, go to college, live her life…"

Viola shook her head. "We can't change what she is, Tom."

"I'm not saying let's change it. I'm saying, I had twenty-six normal years. Give her that."

The vampire hesitated before saying, "That's eight years from now. In eight years, you will be like your father. I see the signs; the smell of blood has an effect on you. You're fast. Your mind processes too much information at once. You're ready to turn."

"Then let's turn me."

It took a moment for Viola to understand what he was saying. "She'll notice your change. You'll be too cold, too pale, still, and your eyes… If you want her to truly stay out of this, it means not seeing her. You're ready to say goodbye?"

His jaw tightened. "Just for a little while. And she'll be protected. By you, by the rest of your pals—right?"

Viola smiled. "And by yourself, once we get you through training."

He liked that a lot.

"Then, yes. To give her a normal life for a little while, I'll say goodbye.”

For now.

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