at him. “Okay. That’s going to take some getting used to.”
He laughed, feeling lighter than he had in…
Well, since before his transformation.
“So I’ll see you tomorrow?” he asked.
She smiled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Good night, Emma.”
“Good night, Cliff. Be safe.”
“I will.” He had good reason to now.
Giving her one last kiss, he dashed out into the night. A cool breeze buffeted him as he headed for Bastien’s place. He would have to run at top speed to get there on time but didn’t mind a bit. Energy surged through him, fueled by happiness.
He shook his head at himself as his lips stretched in a grin. One night with Emma and his inner monologue sounded like the corniest of chick flicks. The stars seemed brighter. The air smelled fresher. His feet felt lighter. If he wasn’t careful, he might soon find himself bursting into song as he twirled around on a hilltop while cartoon birds fed from his hand.
Laughing at the image, he skidded to a halt.
Bastien lay on his back a couple of feet away, ankles crossed, fingers linked behind his head.
Still grinning, Cliff nodded at him. “What happened? Did some vampire lookie-loo come searching for your legendary lair and knock you on your ass?”
Bastien laughed. “No. I just got bored waiting and thought I’d do something I rarely have time to anymore.”
Cliff arched a brow. “Stargaze?”
“Yes.”
While Bastien rose, Cliff propped his hands on his hips and studied the sky. “They are pretty, aren’t they?” No clouds hid their sparkle, and the new moon allowed them to dominate the night.
“Yes, they are.” Bastien swept some dirt and grass from his coat tails. “You seem awfully chipper tonight.” Had his voice not been so dry, Cliff might’ve worried he suspected something.
Instead he laughed. “I guess I am. Must be the fresh air.”
His friend grunted. “Anything alarming happen I should know about before we head back? You leave any bloodbaths the network might grumble over having to clean up?”
Cliff grinned. “Nope. I was on my best behavior.”
Bastien snorted. “Sure you were.” Together they started strolling in the direction of network headquarters, having left Melanie’s car behind tonight. “How are the voices?”
Cliff couldn’t seem to wipe the smile from his face. “They’re gone.”
Eyebrows rising, Bastien halted. “Completely?”
“Completely. I haven’t felt this good… this normal… in a long time.”
The British immortal’s lips stretched in a smile. “Excellent.” He clapped Cliff on the back. “I’m glad hunting is helping. You want to go out again tomorrow night?”
“Hell yes.”
He laughed. “I bet you do. How would you feel about having more time to yourself while we’re out and about?”
“Really?” Excitement filled him at the prospect of having more than two hours with Emma. “You’d do that?”
“Of course. I know you’ve missed having the freedom to come and go at will. And clearly having at least some of that restored is helping.”
“Won’t Reordon object?”
He shrugged. “Can’t object to something he doesn’t know about.”
“What about Seth?”
Bastien shook his head. “Seth has so much on his plate right now I doubt he’d even notice. Just don’t do anything that would make Reordon complain to him.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
“No thanks necessary. I wasn’t just thinking about you.” His lips quirked. “If you’re off doing your own thing, I might be able to coax Melanie into indulging in some illicit midnight rendezvous.” He waggled his eyebrows.
Cliff grinned. “Maybe so.”
“Aside from the voices being gone, how do you feel? Want to race home?”
He let his shoulders sag and injected his voice with fatigue. “I don’t know. Honestly, I’m feeling a little—” Cliff took off like a rocket toward network headquarters. “Tired!” he called and laughed when Bastien swore far behind him, then belatedly tried to catch up.
Chapter Thirteen
Emma woke with a smile the next day. She’d never been much of a morning person. But after Cliff had left, she’d showered, tumbled into bed, and slept like the dead.
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so rested. Or so happy.
After tugging on a pair of paint-splattered sweatpants, a stained T-shirt, and some old sneakers held together with duct tape, she ate a quick breakfast, then headed into the garage. The dusty economy car took up almost half of it. A washer and dryer with cabinets above them occupied the space in front of it. Beyond that lay a conglomeration of materials and tools that might seem chaotic upon first inspection but were actually organized into categories.
Emma hit a button just outside the door to the house. Sunlight flowed in as the garage door rolled up