Page 52 of Night of the Vampire
Wiggles barked to be let in. "I know you've grown attached to that chair in the bedroom, buddy, but it's time to pack our things. We're done here."
It occurred to me that I might be acting irrationally. I knew I was feeling rather...sensitive these days. But honestly, I didn't really care. I just needed to get back to my real life, where everything was orderly and sensible and no one was springing life altering surprises at me.
An hour later we arrived at Ancient Magicks. I'd left Killian's key under the mat by the back door. Mike was dealing with a customer when I came in, so I went into the back to check Wiggles' food and water bowls by his nap spot and take a quick look around our inventory while he finished up. When I heard the door chime, I went back out.
Mike had my dog's old face between his palms, rubbing his ears and telling him what a good boy he was. It warmed my heart, and made me feel better about what I was about to do. "Hey," I greeted him. "Sorry I'm late."
"No worries. You're the boss." He smiled up at me and then did a double-take. "Are you okay? You look kind of...off."
"I feel kind of off," I admitted. "I need to do a few things today. Do you think you could watch him for me for a while and handle the store?"
"Of course. Is everything okay? Can I do anything?"
I shook my head. "Um, no. Not really." I started to walk away, then stopped. "Uh, I haven't told you this, yet, but there was a fire in my apartment. I've been staying with a...friend. Today, I need to go back and see if there's anything I can salvage, and also run by the bank and get a new debit card so I can get a hotel room."
He straightened up from the floor, his expression etched in concern. "Lizzy, if you need a place to stay, I've got a second bedroom—"
I cut him off. "No, no. Thank you, but no." I wasn't sure how Killian would react to my staying with another man, but I was sure it wouldn't be good, and the less drama I could bring into my life right now, the better. "I'll be more comfortable in a hotel. Honestly."
"I'm really glad you guys got out okay. How did the fire start? Was it the apartment manager's fault? If so, he or she would be responsible for helping you find a new place to live."
"I'm not really sure," I told him. "But I don't think it was anything wrong with the apartment. It started in the kitchen. I probably just left a burner on or something."
I couldn't tell him my new vampire mate swore up and down and sideways he had sensed it was magic that started it. Magic that wasn't mine.
"Anyway," I said as I gave Wiggles some love and headed toward the door. "I should be back in a few hours. I might stop and pick up some new clothes if I need to while you're watching him, if that's okay? I just hate to leave him alone these days."
"Yeah, yeah. Of course. Take all the time you need, Liz. I'll be here till you make it back. Wiggles and I will hang."
"I don't deserve you," I told him.
He gave me a weird smile. "Seriously, take your time."
At the old place, I sifted through what was left of my clothes. The fire had done quite a job, and there wasn't much that hadn't been ruined, but by some miracle, it hadn't spread to any of the other apartments.
Icy fingers ran up and down my spine as I bent over the pile of my things. Was it possible Killian had been right? Did someone purposefully try to hurt me? But who? And, more importantly, why?
When I was done, I'd managed to salvage one dress, a few pairs of jeans, some underwear, and a couple of summer tops. They all reeked of smoke so bad I had no idea how I'd ever get the smell out.
I left empty-handed and went to the bank. They were very sorry to hear what had happened and managed to get me a new debit card right then and there. I took that card and rented a pet-friendly room just down the street, then did a little shopping and got some new clothes and bath items and a few things for Wiggles. I also went and got a new cell phone with a new number. I'd been wanting to change it since I'd gotten here to avoid any calls from New York. Not that I was expecting any, but this way there'd be no reminders of that life.
Dropping everything off at the hotel room, I changed into some of my new clothes and the pair of comfy walking shoes I'd found that would match just about anything I'd bought. I put my borrowed clothes and shoes in a bag to take to Killian's house. I'd just leave it hanging on the door. I still knew the code to the gate and no one should bother it back there.
I spent the afternoon and early evening back at the store helping Mike.
The sun was just setting when I locked up. It was early, but I really didn't want to deal with Killian tonight, and I'd let Mike go home early. I planned to run (or walk as fast as Wiggles would go) back to my hotel and hide out for the night. We'd order delivery and spend the night binge-watching something on Netflix. I needed to just be me for a night.
I was a block away from my new home when I spotted Jamal on the street. Ducking my head, I tried to turn down a side street, but Wiggles chose that moment to find a particularly interesting smell and would not be budged no matter how hard I tugged on his leash. For a little dog, he had some weight to him.
"Lizzy."
Reluctantly, I looked up at him. Jamal was a good-looking guy, tall and clean cut, and he smelled almost as good as Killian. And vampire or not, there was something in his deep, brown eyes that drew me to him. A kinship, maybe.
"Hi."
He gave me a tight smile. "Look, I can see you're not wanting to be found tonight. And that's cool. I totally get it. But as long as I ran into you like this, I'm thinking maybe we should talk."
"Oh, you couldn't be more wrong. The last thing I want to do is talk, Jamal."
