“But you are. You always will be. And after I take the serum with you, I am very confident that my human cells and body will be perfectly capable of having all those weak, sappy human emotions I loathe. Also, I no longer feel the burn of hot peppers as much as I used to, so there would be that added bonus.”
I could have the old Michael back? The one who laughed and charmed me? The one who loved me so much, it blinded him to everything else? My heart flutters with excitement.
It’s funny how before he changed into the man standing in front of me, I saw his emotions as a liability. He always put me first, ahead of his people, ahead of our world. I was raised to always serve the greater good and looked down on that. I thought his love kept him from making the right choices. But now, I miss him so much, my heart aches in a way that I wonder if it will ever feel right again. I don’t just want him back. I need him back. And now he wants to give up the throne just to be with us. I blink away the threat of tears. “I don’t know what to say.”
Michael’s phone starts buzzing in his pocket. He slides it out and looks at the caller ID. He silences it, but then it starts buzzing again.
I raise a brow.
“It’s Lula,” he says. “She’s been calling nonstop since we returned.”
“Maybe you should talk to her—I mean, she did catch Nice, and she saved your life. Even I’ve forgiven her.” Though, I wouldn’t ever trust her. I’m not stupid.
“Her actions are a start, but she is the reason Nice was able to separate you and me for five long years.” He silences his phone again and returns to our conversation. “Which is why it is important for us to get back the life that was stolen. So will you say yes? Say yes to a human life with me?”
It’s not easy to reconcile the fact that Michael isn’t doing this out of love, because he can’t really love in his current state. He’s doing it out of a deep sense of right and wrong, out of loyalty. To me and Stella.
I glance over at our daughter, who’s not paying attention to any of this. She’s thoroughly engrossed in a book about squirrels. I wonder how becoming human will affect her. What if she needs me longer than I live? What if someone finds out she’s not human? “Who will protect her when we’re gone?”
“She will be fine, librarian,” Michael says. “We have the experience and knowledge to raise her to be strong, fearless, and independent, just like her mother.”
More than he’ll ever know, I appreciate his words, but they’re not nearly enough to convince me. “Can I have time to think about it?”
“Of course.” Michael dips his head. I can tell he’s displeased that I don’t want to jump in without giving it serious thought. I never wanted to be a vampire, but it does have its perks. “However, I advise you not to take long. The assassin will try to finish the job. Unless they see we are human again.”
I can’t believe I forgot about that. “How do you know? And how in the world would we show him or her we’re human again?”
“There is a spy among us. That is the only way they could’ve known I’d be at your library, and where to find me in Miami. This is why we must move fast; I will be making the announcement tomorrow about the cure. We will parade you and myself—posing as Freddy—as proof that the serum works. The spy will report this back to the assassin, who is very clearly a vampire hunter. Problem solved.”
So this was why he wasn’t giving the assassin priority? He figured the issue would resolve itself. “But what if the assassin goes after Freddy?” This plan is based on the real Freddy staying behind and pretending to be Michael, the Executioner King.
“They would be very foolish to murder the only vampire capable of offering a cure to vampirism,” says Michael.
“The serum will significantly reduce our population,” Freddy adds. “It’s also a cure for anyone in the future who finds themselves turned against their will.”
He has a point. I guess. But, “Are you absolutely sure this person wants to kill us because we’re vampires?”
“It is the only logical explanation,” says Spock—I mean, Michael. “So you will give it some deep consideration this evening?”
“Yes. Of course.”
“Very good. Now, let us leave Freddy to his work. There are many preparations to make in the lab downstairs. I will take you to one of my safe houses. And do not forget, we must put on a convincing display as we leave for anyone watching.”
Both men look at me expectantly.
“Display?” I ask.
“Well,” says Michael, “you and Freddy are supposed to run off together after the big announcement tomorrow.”
“Oh, you mean the affair.” I’m supposed to make people believe I have secretly fallen for Freddy, the kinder, nicer vampire. And since Michael is posing as Freddy, he means I’m supposed to put on a show with him.
My stomach flips. I still love Michael, and it hurts to think that any affection he might show would be fake when mine is real.
“Do not look so afraid, librarian,” says Michael. “I merely meant that we should hold hands or that you might giggle at my jokes as we leave. We are not going to copulate in the lobby.”
I shrug casually. “I’ll hold your hand while you pretend to want me. Got it.”
“I may not feel desire, but you are still mine,” he says.
We exchange meaningful stares. My stare says that I belong to no man. His stare says guess again.
Breaking the stalemate, Freddy walks over and reaches for my hand. “Miriam, in case I don’t get the chance tomorrow, I just want to wish you and my brother
