Page 58 of Discovery of the Vampire
I knew he was right. I looked over at Elias, who was glowering at me, and threw up my hands. "I'll talk to her as soon as the sun goes down."
"See that ye do," Killian told me. "And after ye've done that, bring her back here. It's safer for everyone if we're together when we take our stand against the djinn." The tension in the room lightened as he stepped back. "Now I'm going to go find my Lizzy. Get some rest. Both of ye. We're going to need it."
I stared after him, knowing he was right.
Elias clapped me on the shoulder as he passed by. "You're an idiot if you don't tie down that hot little piñata."
Anger immediately flooded my veins. "Don't fucking call her that."
He grinned and headed for his room. A few seconds later, after I got my temper under control, I followed him. However, sleep eluded me that day. Instead, I tossed and turned on my bed, fighting the urge to chance the sun just to be closer to her.
23
ESME
The next evening at Ancient Magicks, I lingered by the crystal display, my fingers tracing the edge of the shelf. We weren't open to the public today because new shipments had arrived, so we'd only come in for a few hours later in the day to get everything inventoried. Which was good, because I'd had a hard time sleeping after Brogan walked me home, and I was glad when Lizzy and Angel had come by with some coffee and beignets.
Now, Lizzy was humming at the counter, unpacking a new shipment of herbs. The shop smelled like sage and something faintly sweet, but my mind was elsewhere.
“Lizzy,” I started, but then I stopped, not knowing the right way to ask. I wasn’t sure how she’d react.
She turned, her dark hair catching the last rays of the setting sun as it streamed through the window. “What’s up?”
I hesitated for a moment, then pushed forward. “Can I stay here after you close tonight? And may I use the room in the back?” I’d feel a lot safer in there than out in the middle of a graveyard. Although I’d have to return there for the last trial.
Her eyebrows shot up and she stopped what she was doing, setting down the bundle of dried lavender to give me her full attention. “For what?”
“I need to do something,” I said, keeping it vague. I couldn’t tell her about the ticking clock in my head. Not yet. “It’s personal.”
She studied me for a long moment, her brown eyes searching mine.
I hurried to add. "If I'm not allowed, I can find somewhere else. I just need someplace…safe."
For a moment, I thought she would refuse, but then she nodded slowly. “Alright. I'll have to open the door for you. There's a spell that keeps the room hidden. And I'll lock you in the store when I leave. There's a spare key for the front door in the file cabinet by the bathroom. Top drawer, in the back. Just be sure to lock up behind you when you're finished.”
“I will,” I said quickly, relief flooding me. “Thank you.”
She tilted her head, studying me. “If you need help with something, I'd be happy to stay.”
“No,” I lied, forcing a smile. “Thank you. It's something I need to do alone.”
She didn’t look happy, but she didn’t push it. “Alright. But I mean it—if you need anything, I'm here.”
Hot tears flooded my eyes, and I quickly turned away so she didn't see them. I cleared my throat, trying to find my voice, but it didn't do any good, so I just nodded.
"You're not alone, you know," she said softly. "You have friends here."
But that's where she was wrong. I was completely, entirely, utterly alone. I had to be. I couldn't involve anyone else in this. I gave her a watery smile, and told her what she wanted to hear. "I have you."
Lizzy came out from behind the counter and rushed over to me, grabbing me up in a hug as I fought to keep from sobbing outright. When she finally released me, she held onto my shoulders and forced me to look at her.
“I’ll say it one more time. You're not alone. No matter what Judy said. I'm here for you."
"I appreciate that," I told her sincerely. "I do. But I really need to do this one alone."
She scowled at me. "I don't like this. I don't know what you're doing. But I don't like it."
Neither did I. "It's really better if you don't know," I told her honestly.
