Page 33 of Ophelia's Vampire

“We’re here,” Casimir says, shaking me from my thoughts as he pulls over to the curb and leans forward to look quizzically at our surroundings.

We’re in an industrial park, not exactly the typical spot for an out-of-towner’s accommodations, but the brother of one of my former college classmates owns a seasonal snow removal business around the corner. Since he’s still in his off-season, he agreed to let me pay him a couple hundred dollars to park in the yard where he keeps his plows. It’s not perfect, but it’s got an electrical hookup and a gym a few blocks away where I got a temporary membership to work out and shower, so it’ll do.

Casimir’s brow is lowered, his mouth set into a harsh frown. “Where are we?”

I reach for the door’s handle to let myself out, but his heavy hand lands on my knee. Ignoring the way my whole body hums under that touch, the way it echoes all the way to the mark on my throat, I roll my eyes.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got my camper van parked around the corner in a lot that belongs to a friend of a friend.”

“You’re not staying here.”

I can’t help it, I have to laugh at that. “Really? Says who?”

“Ophelia—”

“Have a good night, Casimir.”

Opening the door before he can reply, I step out into the cool Boston evening. It’s not far to the van, but I barely make it a dozen steps before his door slams shut and his footsteps trail me down the sidewalk.

“We’re not done discussing this.”

“Yes, we are.” I look back over my shoulder to find Casimir there. Right there. Crimson eyes blazing as his hand lands on my shoulder.

“If you insist on staying in the van, you’ll park at my home.”

“Uh, no. I won’t. I’m fine here.”

“Ophelia.” That deep voice of his books no argument. He takes a half-step closer and drags his hand from my shoulder to my neck, fingertips trailing over his mark.

My entire being lights up at the soft touch. A cascade of starlight through my veins, a hitch in my breath as the night burns with sensation.

Casimir drops his hand. “I won’t have you staying here alone. You’ll be safer parked at my home. And, if that’s not enough to convince you, I have a guest bathroom on the first floor that might.”

Damn, he knows how to go straight for the jugular with that one. Ignoring the whisper of temptation over the idea of having a real bathroom to use rather than relying on the showers at the gym and my composting toilet, I shake my head.

“Youwon’t have mestaying here alone? Since when do I answer to you?”

A low, displeased noise breaks in the back of his throat. “You don’t. But things have changed, the stakes are higher, and if you’re in danger here I can’t let that—”

“Again. Not your job toletme do anything.”

“Ophelia.”

He needs to stop saying my name like that. Deep. Commanding. With an exasperated edge that just makes me want to argue with him more.

“Casimir.”

A pause in all that exasperation, an unlikely smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “You can call me Cas, you know. Most of my friends do.”

“We’re friends now? I’m touched, truly, Casimir, but that still doesn’t mean—”

“Cas,” he corrects. “And let me win this one? You may not consider me your friend, but it would be a weight off my shoulders to know you were safe and close by in case anything happens.”

I shouldn’t say yes.

It’s another line, blurred. Another concession, given without me knowing whether it’s the right thing to do.

Didn’t I intend to do this all on my own? And while I might see the sense in partnering with Casimir—Cas—on this investigation, that doesn’t mean I have to stay at his damn house.

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