Page 10 of A Song in the Night

“Come back,” Ada says, getting up and taking her mug to the sink. She washes it by hand and puts it in the cupboard.

This isn’t the first time she’s extended the invitation. Though I feel a surge of warmth toward her, I consider my next words carefully. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea. Not with—”

“This ismyhouse, Charlie. If anyone has a problem with the way things run around here, they can deal with me or they can leave. Simple as that.”

I chew my bottom lip. “I don’t want to cause any trouble. I had that same mentality the first time I moved in here, and we all remember how that ended.”

“So control yourself, girl.” Her expression softens when I wince. “And… I’ll be here to help when you need it.”

I tap my fingers against the side of the mug as I consider it. My own bedroomwouldbe nicer than the couch at the office. Even with someone who hates my guts living down the hall. “I’ll think about it,” I say after a long pause. “I’d like to come back. But first I need to talk to—”

“You tell Sylvia that if she has a problem with you staying here, she can take it up with me.”

Curiosity stirs within me. I take a sip from my cup and say casually, “I’m assuming you two know each other? Considering she’s a Travesty?”

Ada hesitates, and it’s such a rare sight that I feel my eyebrows rise. “It’s probably best if you hear the story from her,” the vampire says after a long pause.

“Sylvia isn’t really a sharer, either.” I finish my tea, washing and putting away the mug before I turn back to Ada. “Thank you. For making me feel welcome here. With everything that’s happened, I’m glad to have this place.”

She nods. “I understand you don’t have much money right now. If you do move back in, I’ll waive your boarding fee for a few weeks, if need be.”

Tears prick my eyes, and I make no effort to hide them. “Thank you. Really.”

“I’ll speak to the others and let them know you might be staying here again.”

I wipe the wetness from my cheeks. “Good luck with that,” I say.

Ada smiles wryly. I know she’s probably imagining how that conversation will go, too… and I’m glad I won’t be here for it.

* * *

When I arrive back at the office, I frown when I find the door slightly ajar.Shit.Did I forget to lock it?

I step inside and spot Noah sitting at his desk. My relief is short-lived—I’d hoped to beat them here. I'm not sure why I didn’t want them to know I left, but my pulse is racing as if I did something wrong.

“You're back,” I say, feeling ridiculous the instant I hear the words leave my mouth.

Noah glances up from his computer. “Sylvia has her caseload, and I have mine. We only work together when the other one needs backup. And where were you, baby vampire?”

I sigh and close the door behind me. “I went to check on Nina. I promised Drew I would.”

“I can’t see her taking that too well,” he remarks, still focused on the screen in front of him.

I let out a breath and sink onto the couch. There’s more work to be done, of course, but after the walk from Oldbel, it feels good to sit. “I didn’t actually see her. I did run into Ada, though. She offered to let me move back into the boardinghouse.”

Noah types something as he quirks a brow at me. “Things not fancy enough for you here?”

“No, that’s not—” I stop and shake my head. It’s become clear that he’s trying to push me away. Maybe Noah does it to everyone at a certain point, and that’s why he’s still single. But I’m not going to fall for his bait. After another moment I conclude, “I’m going to talk to Sylvia about it.”

“Please let me be here for that conversation,” Noah says. He looks toward the kitchenette. “I think there’s popcorn in one of those cupboards.”

His amused tone grinds my nerves. I tell myself I’m still not falling for his tricks as I counter, “Why should it matter? So long as I'm around when you need me, I don’t see why it matters where I’m sleeping.”

“It’s the least of my concerns, Travesty. Talk to your cousin.”

He says this without sparing a glance in my direction. Before I can respond, Noah stands and moves to the file cabinets. I sit there, gritting my teeth and remembering the night I punched him in the stomach.

The memory doesn’t have the calming effect I’d been aiming for.

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