any other day.
His calm acceptance was too much for me. I snapped. “Then don’t just stand there pouring tea,” I shouted. “If you are leaving me, then just leave. Get the hell out!”
His eyes widened, but he didn’t argue. He came to set the little cup of tea on the table in front of me. Then he pulled something from his pocket and set it beside the cup. “Take care, Melody.”
A numbness settled over me with his words, as my emotions swung crazily, unchecked by my damaged frontal lobe. I felt almost calm now, though my hands had started shaking. He made his way to the door and I watched him go. I almost thanked him for saving me, but in the end, I bit my tongue. It wasn’t my fault that I had needed saving in the first place. The little teacup shattered against the door, and I watched the honey-colored liquid make swirling rivulets on the linoleum.
I picked up my bracelet, the one Cashern had sent to Leah when I was kidnapped. The koi charm shifted against my palm, and I wondered if it the fish had any more fight left in it.
“Too many waterfalls to climb,” I said to no one. I let out a massive sigh. “And I’ve yet to turn into a dragon.”
*****
The morning air was crisp and chilly. It was still fall, but if today was any indication, a full-blown Michigan winter wasn’t far off. Chelsea was impatient as I transferred into my wheelchair. She’d cooled down since our last little chat, more than a week ago. But she was still her same old snotty self. “Why do I have to haul you around on my day off?” She stuffed her hands in her pockets for warmth. “Couldn’t you just take transportation?”
I shook my head as I buckled my lap belt and arranged my legs. “It’s too far out.” My words were clipped as I looked up at the house, my stomach a slurry of anxiety. The coven house was far enough outside of town that it wasn’t part of the public transportation route.
Chelsea tossed her hair and went around the other side of the car. “I won’t be long,” I said as she slipped behind the wheel. She waved her hand dismissively and reached for the radio. Steam floated up from the car’s exhaust and I could see my breath puff out in white clouds as I wheeled myself up the driveway.
I slowed as I neared the steps. Haine was waiting on the threshold, his broad shoulders blocking the door. He held up a hand in greeting. “You came!” It probably wasn’t a secret that Peter had dumped his crippled human girlfriend.
I nodded. “Is Leah home?” I tried to sound confident. I had no idea what I was doing. The vampire nodded affirmative, then glanced at my chair.
“Is it okay if I bring you up here?” I gave him a wry smile, embarrassed at my inability to climb stairs. If he hadn’t been here, I would have had to sit here and yell for service.
“If you wouldn’t mind.”
He jogged down the stairs and, gripping my chair by the sides, lifted me up onto the porch as if I weighed nothing. “I was just going in,” he said politely, “you can come with me.” He made it sound like I wouldn’t be welcome without an escort.
“Thanks.” What a nice vampire. I turned and went in, rolling my eyes at the absurdity of my life.
I didn’t see anyone in the living room, but I could hear voices from down the hallway. I wheeled toward them, following the sound of Leah’s soft tones. “I don’t know,” she was saying. She sounded tired. A male voice replied, but it was too low for me to catch what he said.
The door jerked open just as I raised my hand to knock. Peter stopped in the doorway, halting abruptly mid-step. He looked pissed. His eyes landed on my companion and his entire expression went flat, shutting down. It was more terrifying than his visible anger had been.
“I’m here to see Leah,” I said, automatically defensive.
“Of course.” He gave me a wry half smile and stepped back, gesturing for me to come in.
I wheeled into the room, and then froze. “Uh, are you having some kind of meeting? I’m sorry.” The room was full of people. Vampires.
Leah was pacing on the other side of the room. She looked… upset. The coven leader came to a halt and turned to me.