by L. K. Below
Can he be trusted?
But on some level, she already trusted him. Her instincts gave her no warnings. Drawing in a shaky breath, she admitted, “I have visions. Sometimes future, mostly past events. Today, I woke from a dream–a nightmare, really. I saw myself dead. Facedown on the ground. Until I saw the corpse in the alley behind Underground, I thought for sure I would die. And when I touched the book, the Spenta Michos’s book, I saw him struggling with someone else. I couldn’t see who.”
“Is that all?” Terrence asked calmly.
“Isn’t it enough?” Clearly it was more than enough for the killer. Scraping her hand over her mouth, she tried to get her emotions under control.
Terrence stared her down, as though he sensed she had more to her story.
Why not spill all her guts on the stained dorm room carpet? Clenching her fists, she didn’t quite meet his gaze. “I have good instincts, too. Extraordinary ones. I get this terrible feeling when something bad is about to happen. Or has happened, and I haven’t heard about it yet. Before I heard the Spenta Michos was missing, I had it for hours. Before I saw the girl today, too, though not as bad.”
She paused. Should she tell him the rest of it? Her aura sensing was her trump card, her way to read into people. If someone knew about it, he could mask his emotions so she wouldn’t be able to see how he truly felt.
But she had her instincts to guide her, so when Terrence asked, “Anything else?” she took a deep breath and spewed her last secret.
“I–I can see people’s auras–moods, if I try. The girl today–she was dead, but it lingers. She felt pain and fear. Intensely. And from someone who felt hatred. And you–you were concerned. Or worried. They’re hard to tell apart. But I think concerned–worried has more blue.”
His steady blue eyes never left her face. “Is there more?” he asked calmly, as if what she had already told him didn’t constitute persecution.
She shook her head. “No, but it’s enough. It’s a witch hunt.”
It made sense, she thought, tears pricking her eyes. Although she’d never meant the Spenta Michos any harm, her powers labeled her as dangerous. And now the killer hoped to rid the Spenta Michos of the threat.
Terrence slid his fingers beneath her chin, his touch gentle. He raised her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye. But his face was unreadable. What was he thinking?
Would he be like the others? She hadn’t confessed her secret in over seven years. Why hadn’t she expected him to be like everyone else? Cringing, she inwardly steeled herself against what would come.
Maybe he’d finally take the hint and leave her alone. But for some reason, that thought wasn’t nearly as comforting as it should have been. She didn’t want him to reject her, not after what she’d said.
When Terrence spoke, his voice was rough. “No one will ever hunt you, Lori. Trust me.”
Before she could gather her wits and spit out a sarcastic comment, he pressed his lips to hers.
His mouth was warm, inviting. Soothing. By the time her common sense returned and she realized no, she didn’t want him to kiss her, he’d had the sense to pull away. To make sure he stayed away, she braced her arm against his chest. She didn’t get involved with faux-vampires, no matter how delicious. And she definitely didn’t get involved with anyone for more than one night. As Order members, they were now acquaintances, nothing more. She would have to do her best to convince him of that.
Yeah. Like your last attempts at convincing him worked.
He dropped his hand, his face hardening. “Do not leave this room alone. I mean it, Lori–go nowhere. Not to Underground, not to your classes, not even to get your mail if someone’s not with you–preferably me. Do you understand?”
She bristled at his tone, but nodded anyway. In her heart, she knew he worried for her, though that only marginally excused his controlling behavior. “I can take care of myself. But I’ll be safe in the University.”
After all, there were too many students milling around at any given time for someone to do violence. At least not without gathering a sizeable crowd.
To her astonishment, Terrence snarled. As he bared his fangs, he looked as feral as a wild animal. She stepped back, the edge of the dresser digging into her ribs.
Still, Terrence didn’t back down. Instead, he growled, “Do you honestly think you’re safe? The killer went out of his way to make his victim look like you. He even dumped the body at a place where you should have been at the time. What makes you think he wouldn’t have nabbed a University chick, too?”
Lori’s pulse thumped in her ears. Her mouth dropped open. She must have been blonde… Terrence had said. As her stomach dropped to her feet, Lori whirled. Dashing through her bathroom, she pounded on the adjoining door.
“Keri! Keri, open the door!”
It seemed just like something the killer would do, kill the girl whose room was next to hers. While a couple inches shorter than Lori, Keri had much the same slim build.
When the blonde wrenched open the door, a scowl in place, Lori nearly collapsed to the floor in relief. “What do you want, Lori?” Keri grumbled. “It’s late.”
Letting out her breath, Lori tried to compose herself. “Uh–it’s just–this girl was killed who looked like she went to University. Her hair was dyed, but I thought she might be you.”
Keri’s face slackened in surprise. “Oh. Well, I’m fine.”
“Yeah, I can see. Uh… Good night.”
Keri shut the door.
Lori turned away, feeling like an idiot. The feeling only multiplied when Terrence looked at her with a raised eyebrow. Instead of commenting, he said, “I’m going to check with some friends of mine. Don’t go anywhere.” He held up the note. “I’ll take this with me, if you don’t mind.”
He turned to leave.
“Wait!”
When he looked up, his blue eyes were eager. Eager for what? Did he expect her to give him a peck on the cheek and wish him a good day at work? Shaking her head, she continued with what she had been about to say.
“Terrence, no one in the Order knows my surname. No one knows my surname!” Biting her lip, she asked, “How did this guy find out? How did you find out?”
The steel doors closed on Terrence’s expression again. “You’re registered at the University, Lori. Anyone who can find your room can find your name.”
As he turned away again, she caught his arm and yelped, “Don’t tell the cops! Not yet,” she amended. “I’ll find one who’s in the Order. Someone we can trust with the whole story.”
His gaze dropped to her hand on his firm bicep. He looked ready to devour her as he stared at her pale arm. Quickly, she retracted it.
When his eyes met hers, they were hungry. “Agreed,” he growled. His voice had a slight lisp, thanks to his protruding fangs. Did they seem more prominent than before? When she stepped back, he seemed to get himself under control. Nodding curtly to her, he said, “Goodbye.”
Absently, she returned his nod. As he left her alone in her room, she sank onto the bed. How long would she be able to cope with being confined to her room?
Chapter 4
Lori regretted her near mental breakdown as soon as she awoke the next evening. Luckily, Terrence didn’t show that night. If he had, Lori would have kicked him out. After venturing to the police station for the intensive questioning regarding her similar appearance to the dead girl, she stayed in her room, developing her thesis and finding every quote she would ever need and more from Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
On Thursday afternoon, she decided to avoid Terrence. Even before her confession, it had been a good idea. Now, she found it imperative to stay away from him–if he decided to return.
But she wouldn’t think about that. If he didn’t come back, all the better. She didn’t need him for protection and she certainly didn’t need him for love. She was better off on her own.
As for whoever had taken on the role of the Spanish Inquisitor in this witch hunt–if she mana
ged to lay low until she finished up her Master’s, for the next eight or so months, she could simply disappear. Change towns and the threat would be gone. It had worked seven years ago.
In the meantime, she was stuck in her dorm room.
Since that seemed as palatable to her as sticking her thumb in a blender, she disguised herself, dressing as a normal University student rather than her usual persona. In yoga leggings and a University sweatshirt–with the sleeves pushed up to her elbows–she marched out into the world. She even fashioned her hair in a preppy fold-over bun. Without her makeup and usual apparel, she looked nothing like herself. If someone stalked her, they wouldn’t be able to spot her in the crowd.
Still, she tucked her dagger into her waistband, just in case.
To avoid taking her usual bus, she walked ten blocks, boarded the bus, and headed downtown. Where to go? She couldn’t visit her usual hotspots–and she cringed at the thought of a different venue club–a hip-hop or, God forbid, country club. Instead, she rode the bus randomly for eight stops before switching to another and riding it for three. Choosing an innocuous building, she climbed up to the top, and sat on the roof.
It was nice just to be out.
With her iPod plugged into her ears, she hardly noticed when the sun began to set.
“What are you doing here?”
She jumped, turned, and nearly fell off the parapet. Not the best thing when she balanced fifteen stories up.
Terrence steadied her.
How had he found her? As she shoved her hands into the pocket of her sweater, she cringed. Of course. Her cellphone. It could be tracked by GPS. Making a mental note to leave it behind next time, she turned back to her view of the city–now lit by a multitude of lights. Maybe if she ignored Terrence, he would leave.
She snorted. More likely she would sprout wings and fly off the building. To Terrence, she said, “I needed to get out.”
“Alone?” he snarled. “Tell me you have a weapon, at least.”
She patted the small of her back.
Closing her eyes, she tried to ignore him. He made it easy–he didn’t even say a word. Still, even without looking behind her, she knew he remained. She felt his eyes on her. Sighing, she muttered, “Fine. Let’s go.”
Why was she giving in so easily, she wondered as she navigated the stairs beside him. Because he’s a persistent bastard and he likely would have rooted himself beside you all night. A quick glance at him confirmed her suspicion. His jaw was set stubbornly.
At least he’s silent today.
As he caught her gaze, he ruined that fantasy of hers. “You should have waited for me to come,” he said. Reaching the ground floor, he held open the door for her.
She refused to justify herself. Hell would freeze over before she admitted to avoiding him. Instead, she glowered at him, thinking, Go away, go away, go away, like he was a telepathic fly she could mentally swat.
“I want you to promise me you won’t go out alone again. If you won’t wait for me, at least take someone else.”
She stared straight ahead, marching over the pavement.
“Promise me, Lori.”
“You don’t own me,” she spat. She had let him get away with controlling her once, and look what had happened! He seemed to think she was at his beck and call, willing to jump or stay put at the mere mention of his displeasure. She snorted. Not likely.
Grabbing her by the arm, he hauled her into a nearby alley, and pressed her back against the wall. She snarled, trying to break his grip, but he was strong. He pinned her to the wall with his frame. Given the state of his excitement, a struggle wouldn’t be in her best interests. Falling limp, she thought back to her self-defense classes. A heel to his foot–which would be much more effective if she’d worn boots instead of sneakers. If her hands had been free, she could have shoved her fingers into his eyes, rammed her fingernail underneath his or thrust the heel of her palm into his nose–although the last had the potential of killing him. Heck, if her hands had been free, she could’ve unsheathed her dagger!
She’d have to bide her time until he let down his guard.
His expression closed as he met her eyes. He waited for her to look at him before he said, “Listen. I don’t know what you’re afraid of, but you can’t just shut me out again. You let me in, Lori!”
And she had been regretting it ever since.
“I’m not afraid of you. This is who I am.”
He stared at her. When he looked at her like that, she felt as though he could see her soul. Squirming, she dropped her gaze, staring at his chin instead. At his mouth, and the flash of his fangs when he said, “No. This is how you are with everyone else–emotionally distant. But you won’t be emotionally distant with me. I won’t let you.”
He wouldn’t let her? Fury boiled the blood in her veins. She struggled against his hold, but he still had her pinned. His solid body shifted against hers, holding her still. “Let me go,” she snarled. “I don’t want to be anything with you.” If he didn’t release her soon, she would take a page out of his bloodsucking book and bite him.
Immediately, he released her, though his eyes warned her he wasn’t through with this conversation. “Lori,” he said, gently but firmly. “I intend to change your mind.”
She sneered. Holding out her hand, she snarled, “Give me your cellphone.” When he fished it out of his pocket, she punched in Shark’s address and cell number before tossing it back. “Go to the address listed and tell Shark I was your mentor. She’ll let you into the circle, and we’ll be done. Goodbye, Terrence. Don’t follow me.”
With that, she turned on her heel, marching to the nearest bus stop.
It felt good to finally rid herself of Terrence. She felt as though the handcuffs securing her hands had finally been unlocked. It’s for the best. And she meant it, too.
But when Terrence’s footsteps heralded the fact that he followed, her temporary good mood curdled like milk left out overnight. Stepping up beside her in the queue of waiting bus-riders, he lightly gripped her arm. “Lori–”
She jumped like she had been stung by a scorpion. Wrenching her arm from his grasp, she yelled, “What part of ‘leave me alone’ don’t you understand? Do I have to go to the police and get a fucking restraining order to make it stick? Fuck off, Terrence!”
As those around her shifted uneasily, some even reaching for their cellphones, Terrence flashed them a tight-lipped smile. “Lover’s spat,” he murmured. Snaking his hand around her waist, he urged her away from the group. “Come over here, darling, where we have some privacy.”
She sneered, but allowed herself to be led away. Lowering her voice, she said, “I wasn’t kidding, Terrence. Leave me alone!”
Meeting her gaze, he said evenly, “Just let me protect you.”
“What could you do?” she said, her lip curling. “You don’t even have a weapon.”
Smiling broadly, he swiped his tongue over his fangs. “These are all the weapons I need.”
Faux-vampires. Slap on a pair of fake teeth and they thought they were invincible.
“I can do fine on my own, thank you.”
“Either way, I’m going to see you safely back to your dorm room. Then I’ll back off.”
She didn’t believe him for a second. Still, she was tired of dealing with him. “Just stay out of my way and shut the fuck up.”
Smiling triumphantly, he zipped his lips. “Not a word.”
She clenched her fists, but strode away from him as the bus pulled to a stop. Striding on board, she claimed a seat, sitting with someone already riding the bus, so Terrence wouldn’t be able to sit beside her. He stood instead, clenching the pole.
True to his word, he didn’t try to talk to her. But she could feel his presence–and his stare–throughout the entire bus ride. When she finally stepped off the bus onto the campus, she let out a sigh of relief. Whirling on Terrence, she muttered, “You can leave now. I’m here.”
He crossed his arms and raised his eyebr
ows. “This isn’t your dorm room.”
Scowling, she turned on her heel and stormed across the campus. When finally she reached her building–she didn’t bother trying to lose him then–and the door to her room, she turned again.
He pinned her against the door, pressing his body against hers. This time, she had been ready. Her hand sprang to the small of her back, easing her dagger from her waistband. When he swooped in to kiss her, she laid the cold metal against his lips.
“I’m here,” she said, swallowing to find her voice. She was acutely aware of his muscled body against hers. To be on the safe side, she added, “I promise not to leave without a chaperone. Now, fuck off.” Although she tried to suffuse her voice with its usual acidity, it was overpowered by the husky tone of her arousal.
Terrence heard it, too. Undaunted, he pulled aside her dagger and laid a quick kiss to her lips. “I’ll give you time to cool off, Lori, but I’ll be back. We’re not done here.”
When Lori found the strength to move her wobbly legs, she slammed the door. Maybe she should invest in a bolt lock.
* * * *
Lori would become the University’s head cheerleader before she’d let Terrence dictate her life. The next night, she woke in mid-afternoon and donned her gothic apparel long before she would have. Leaving her phone behind–she wouldn’t make that mistake two days in a row–she tucked her stake and dagger into her boot tops and slipped from her room.
If Terrence couldn’t find her, he couldn’t watch over her like some morbid guardian angel.
Resolutely, she pounded on Andrew’s door.
When he opened the door, he stepped aside to let her in. Instead, she shifted from foot to foot and asked, “Feel up to going to breakfast with me?” Her tone was almost chirpy. Just the thought of avoiding Terrence today made her grin from ear to ear.
Raising an eyebrow, he pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose. “Sorry, Lori, but I ate breakfast about twelve hours ago.”