to know by now, or at least suspect it. I never came home last night, remember? I’m surprised the entire town isn’t in a flurry looking for me alongside my mother, especially after—”
Knock, knock!
Both Tinksley and I exchange a look, then turn toward the door. “Come in!” I belt.
Violet pokes her head inside and smiles remorsefully, a hint of relief washing over her features at seeing Tinksley alive and well. “I’m so sorry for interrupting, Captain, but there’s someone here to see you. It’s urgent.”
What now?
“Escort them to my office and let them know I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
With a quick nod of her grayed head and a warm smile, she replies, “Yes, sir.”
And then she’s gone, leaving Tinksley and I alone in the stillness of her room once more. Looks like this conversation will, unfortunately, have to be cut short. I’ll come back to deal with her once whatever this so-called urgent matter is sorted.
“Where were we?”
“I’m not doing it,” she echoes. “That’s where we were.”
“Tinksley, please.” I’m sighing again, scrubbing a hand down my face. “I beseech you. Think this through clearly, love. Please. There’s more at play here than just vampirism; Draegan confirmed it early this morning. Let me deal with whomever just showed up here and then we can continue this conversation.”
“There’s nothing to think about, Captain. I’m. Not. Doing. It—point blank. I realize that means I’ll die here, but it is what it is. Like I said, I was supposed to die regardless, and if there’s more to be considered as you claim, all the more reason to let me go. I’m a danger to society as one of your kind, and I want nothing to do with it.” There’s not even the slightest waver in her voice, a fact that worries me.
She can’t be serious, can she?
I rise to my full height. “We’ll talk about this later.”
Tinksley isn’t the least bit amused. “If I’m still alive, that is.”
“Oh, you will be. As I stated, there’s more at play. Just don’t do anything stupid in the meantime, like walk into the sunlight.” I tip my head toward the curtains.
“So that’s not a wivestale? Sunlight is, in fact, harmful?”
Her curiosity instantly fills me with hope. “Very.”
“And yet you walk the day?”
“Magic, sweetheart.” I grin, ambling toward the door. “More specifically, black magic. And as soon as you feed, I’ll ensure you can walk the day, too.”
“You don’t listen, do you? I’m not—”
Slam!
♫ Never Be Like You - Flume feat. Kai ♫
Much to my surprise, he never came back.
Draegan, however, did.
I’d never met him prior to that moment, but I did remember seeing him and that auburn mop around through the years. He’s quite young from what I can tell, possibly my age. I can’t help but wonder what his story is; how he died, how he ended up becoming this.
Was it his choice, or did he—like me—not have a say in it at all?
Despite my curiosity, I didn’t ask, didn’t say much of anything, really, while he regaled me with the facts. Or, as he worded it, my prognosis.
They’re things I kind of suspected already but wasn’t sure were plausible.
Apparently, being a half vampire, half Fae hybrid is rare, but extremely plausible nonetheless. Go figure, right? I couldn’t be just one beast. No. I had to be two, one I’ve detested since I was old enough to understand, and another I never thought I’d have to worry about.
Grim outcome and all, at least I know now.
Not that it makes a difference with my decision. If anything, it only solidifies it. A vampire alone is a threat, but a vampire with a Fae lurking in the shadows, waiting to be unleashed? That’s lethal, exactly as Draegan relayed, especially when the chances to trigger it increase after completing the immortal transition.
No thank you. I have no desire to live under such qualms.
Still, I find myself treading the aisles of the library in search of something, anything that might provide more answers than what Hook’s messenger divulged. He swore there wasn’t much information he could provide me with, given how rare and scarce my kind have been throughout the centuries, but there has to be something.
With all of the books Callan has on these floor to ceiling shelves, there just has to be.
Even if I don’t find anything at all, a distraction from my racing thoughts is a welcome reprieve. Evidently, I’m going to need a whole lot more since I have a somewhat longer expiration date