It’s strange to hear a vampire talk about God or not be filled with bitter cynicism. Maybe living with monks was a good move for him. In any case, I think he’ll make a wonderful king.
“Thank you, Freddy,” I say. “I appreciate the sacrifice you’re making.” Stepping in to be the vampire king is no easy task. There is no such thing as peace. There is never a dull moment. Our kind is constantly struggling with our demons and our hunger.
He kisses the top of my hand. “It’s my pleasure.”
Michael slaps Freddy’s hand away. “Paws off the librarian.”
I blink at Michael. For a man who claims not to have emotions, he sure is acting possessive.
The flicker of hope rears its head. Maybe his soul isn’t gone. It’s just been hiding under a rock.
Freddy chuckles bemusedly and goes behind his desk. “All right, you two lovebirds, make haste, and be careful. Take the underground passage after you’ve done your PDA.”
Again, my stomach starts rolling. I don’t know why I’m so nervous about this. Maybe because I didn’t allow myself to really believe that Michael and I might be together again. Now that there’s a chance, I’m realizing how big this is. He and I haven’t been a couple in years. It feels like we’re going on a first date and then eloping tomorrow.
But what if he takes the serum and his emotions never come back? What if he does heal that part of his soul but discovers he no longer loves me?
Ugh. I want him back so badly that it hurts. If it doesn’t happen, it’ll be like losing him all over again.
“Come on, sugarplum, time to go,” I say loudly to get Stella’s attention.
She looks up with those big brown eyes from her spot on the floor. “Can I take the book, Daddy?”
“Of course. My books are your books. You may have anything you like.”
Michael hates sharing. With a passion. Especially his books. It’s his one pet peeve in all the world. The fact he would share with her is touching.
She takes her prize, and we walk out into the hallway.
Michael holds out his hand. “If you don’t mind…?”
I try to smile, but can’t. “Sure.” I slide my shaky hand into his.
Just before we reach the elevators, he stops. “What is the matter, librarian? I thought you would be pleased by our plan. Instead you look like you swallowed a bee.”
“I’m-I’m-I’m—never mind. I’m just a little nervous,” I lie.
“Nothing to fear, librarian. I will not let you down this time,” he says dryly. “I give you my word.”
I push away any thoughts of him being wrong again. Too many times he made that same promise, only to be blindsided by something truly terrifying. Nice kidnapping me. Nice turning me. Michael promising to love me forever and then losing his soul.
Stay positive, Mir. After all, things are finally looking up. I got Stella back. Nice is in jail. By this time tomorrow, I might be human again. And, if I’m lucky, I might have Michael back, too.
Michael gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “Ready for some PDA?”
I nod, and a calming vibration passes through me. Even now, our connection is still there, still so powerful. I hope it’s enough to get us through whatever comes next.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
After successfully putting on a little show for some guards and a few other vampires hanging out in the lobby, Michael, Stella, and I made our way through an underground tunnel just on the other side of the jail. I don’t know if I flashed enough goo-goo eyes, but I hope my acting gets people talking.
Who am I kidding? The vampire world is incredibly nosey. Especially when it comes to Michael and me. If they had a tabloid, we’d sadly be on the front page every day.
Hell, maybe there is no spy. I’d bet my autographed copy of Fanged Love that the vampire hunter is just following the latest gossip about us on Facebook. That knitting group keeps pretty close tabs on things and isn’t exactly careful about screening people when they join. Do you like to knit? Are you a vampire? Those are the only two questions asked.
Before hitting the highway, Michael stops for gas and snacks for Stella, promising to get us girls real supplies in the morning. I still have on Lula’s skimpy black dress and heels, which is why I keep fidgeting in the passenger seat. That and I’m nervous about being followed.
“You may relax now. We’re almost there, librarian,” says Michael as we pull off the highway in our nondescript black sedan. The neighborhood is just outside the city in an area that looks like it might’ve seen its heyday in the sixties. Lots of mint-green ranchers, Laundromats, and vape shops. I immediately know Michael chose this location for this particular safe house because I keep seeing Indian restaurants and we’re near train tracks. Food and alternate mode of transportation.
“Sure. Okay.” I don’t say much else as we drive, other than giving a few reassuring words to Stella, who, to her credit, seems much more occupied by what junk food I’m going to let her eat for dinner. Otherwise, my mind is on high alert, scanning every vehicle in sight. That Keeper is out there somewhere, and while Michael might not be worried, I’m a mother. I worry until I’m absolutely sure there’s nothing to worry about. And then I worry some more.
“We are here.” Michael hits a button on his phone, and a few seconds later, we’re pulling up to a tiny pink house with a dried-out lawn and one big window next to the front door. The garage door is flush with the front of the home and is already open, so we pull inside.
“Safe and sound,” says Michael.
Safe? Then why is there a sense of dread lingering in my mind, like something bad is about to happen? Even the
