Page 6 of A Memory in the Flame

Noah heaves a sigh. The sound makes our connection crackle. “Okay. Charlotte, whydidyou call me?”

“I forgot. Wait, no, weepers.” I push my fingers through my hair. “There was another attack. Some guys were talking about it at the bar.”

“I’m listening,” he says.

“Oh. That was it.”

Another sigh. “That’s nothing. Charlie, we know they’re attacking daily. That’s not news.”

“Well, I’m sorry we’re not all as perfect as you are,” I snap, swaying on my feet.

Just then, a bachelorette party walks past. Their voices and laughter echoes through the night, rivaling even the constant rumble of cars filling the street. I almost miss it when Noah asks, “How wasted are you right now?”

“I just… I wanted to forget,” I mumble. My surprise is muted by the alcohol, but it’s still there—I’m not quite sure why I’m confiding in a frightening, heartless bounty hunter.

But Noah doesn’t mock me or hang up. Instead he asks, “Forget what?”

I tilt my head back, resting it against the wall, and close my eyes.“Everything.”

“All right, Charlotte, where are—”

Suddenly Valerie is in front of me. She’s wearing even more paint than she was when I left, and her voice shines through the fog in my mind. “Thereyou are!” she says. “Thank god. Listen, I have to go. Alexei is here to drive me back to the mansion. Remember, be here in two weeks. Same time, okay?”

She takes her phone, drops it into her purse, and wraps her arms around me. I manage a nod before she pulls away. My sister raises her slender arm, hailing a cab, and then she’s gone. I move so I’m standing in line again. The wait is shorter this time, being so close to sunrise, and Markus winks at me as I pass. Once I’m inside, I briefly consider returning to the dance floor, but being drunk in a nightclub isn’t nearly as much fun when you’re alone.

The world is blurry as I sidle up to the bar again, but I still see Mia shake her head at me. I pout again. “Seriously? I can pay extra. Whatever you want, just make me another drink. A double, and don’t bother spiking it this time.”

It’ll just dilute the alcohol.

She gives me a stern glare. “Ask again, and I’ll have Markus put you out on your ass. You’re cut off for the night, Charlotte. End of story.”

I narrow my eyes at her. The vein in her neck looks extra mouth-watering now. “You’re fucking lucky I don’t—”

My voice is cut off when a strong arm wraps around my waist and hauls me backward. I snarl and try to break free, but his grip is too strong and he’s got me pinned against his solid chest.Since when is Markus stronger than me?I think in a drunken daze.

“Easy, baby vampire.” Noah’s voice is low in my ear. “You don’t want to cause a scene.”

It’s too late for that—there are already a dozen creatures looking our way. I’m about to tell him that I couldn’t care less about a scene when Noah swings me into his arms. I’m still sputtering as he carries me out of Crimson, and he doesn’t let go until we’re almost a block away. The moment I’m free, I whirl on him and growl, “What the hell was that?”

“You’re welcome,” Noah snaps.

“Forwhat?”

The bounty hunter cocks his head. Licking his lips, he takes a step closer. “Would you have killed that bartender, or just had a taste? No, something tells me you would’ve torn her to pieces. Hungry little thing, aren’t you?”

The monster presses against her cage. I can feel her interest in this vampire, sense the allure she feels at his words. But she’s not in control—I am. “Fuck you,” I spit at Noah.

“Would that make you feel better? I’m happy to do my part for the less fortunate.”

I stare at him, thinking about how much I hate those impossibly emerald eyes… and then I burst out laughing. I don’t know why, exactly, but Noah’s lips twitch, as well. “All right. Come on. You need some coffee, because I’m not in the mood to babysit a lushy vampire.”

“No, Mr. Badass Bounty Hunter, what Ineedis another club. One that doesn’t have a bitchy bartender. You don’t tell me what I need—you have no idea. No one does.” Now I’m giggling again. There’s a short retaining wall to our right, and I climb onto it, wobbling precariously in my shoes. Following a sudden impulse, I tip my head back and shriek at the stars. They stare at me, disapproving things. “All the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put Humpty together again!”

Noah tilts his head back and glares up at me. “Tell me where you’re staying. I’m taking you home.”

“Home,” I echo with a sad laugh. “I guess that would be Alexander’s.”

Noah’s eyebrows rise. “How the hell are you affording that?”

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