Page 14 of Wounded Soul
“Still though, you have to have some explanation for it if they ask?”
“I’ll say I’m part of the VLCD. If they look it up, they’ll see there’s no information available and know not to ask questions.” He shrugged as though it was all cut and dried as far as he was concerned. Ian had so many questions, but not one part of him thought Blake was telling anything but the truth.
Cate however, looked far from convinced.
“Vampires,” she said, the disbelief clear as day. “You expect me to believe you’ve joined a super-secret task force that what? Hunts vampires? Should I be calling you Van Helsing now?”
Ian laughed, but Blake’s expression remained neutral.
“I can’t make you believe me—it’s not like I can offer you proof—but Cate, I need you to understand how important it is that you don’t repeat this. Any of it.” His gaze flicked between them. “That goes for both of you. Do you understand?”
Cate nodded. “Who would believe me anyway?”
“You’d be surprised who might be listening without you realising.”
It took a moment or two for Ian to realise what Blake was implying. Cate was only a second behind him.
“Are you talking about your buddies from the VLCD?” She asked, and Blake sighed. “Or suggesting that vampires might be hanging around the supermarket when I’m gossiping to my mum?”
“Both.”
Cate scoffed.
“Assuming you do your shopping at night because, you know, sunlight and vampires don’t mix all that well.” Blake reached for her hand, and Ian was surprised she didn’t snatch it back going by the look on her face. “But for fuck’s sake, do not tell your bloody mother any of this.”
Instead of laughing at him, she squeezed his fingers and leaned close, looking into his eyes the whole time. “You’re totally serious about this whole thing, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
She let go of his hand and covered her face with both of hers. Blake glanced over at him, eyebrows raised, and Ian shrugged. He had no idea what she was thinking either.
“Fine,” she said after what seemed forever. “I’m not saying I believe you, even if you two idiots seem to believe it all. But I won’t say anything to anyone. I promise.”
Blake relaxed a little, shoulders losing some of their tension. “Thank you. That’s more important than you believing me, to be honest.” He stood up as though preparing to leave.
“Where are you going?” Ian reached out to grab his sleeve, only noticing now how dressed up he was. Which was a surprise because normally it would’ve been the first thing he noticed. “I have all the fucking questions.”
Blake laughed. “Yeah, I bet you do.” Then his expression turned serious. “But I have to go. That’s why I came over here now. I’m gonna be away for the next two weeks, training. Because despite what you might think, I know jack shit about anything other than what I’ve watched in horror films.”
“So you’re gonna learn all about vampire shit?” Cate still sounded sarcastic when she said it, and Ian supposed he didn’t blame her. He wasn’t sure why he was so quick to believe it was all true, but he just was.
“Yep. Vampire shit and other stuff.” He pointed at Ian’s mobile sat on the coffee table. “I’ll be out of touch for the whole time I’m away. If you need me urgently, you can leave a message with my old boss. He’ll know who to give it to. But only if it’s life or death, guys. I mean it.”
Both Ian and Cate nodded.
“Right.” He patted his pockets, probably making sure he hadn’t left the card anywhere. “I’ll let you know when I’m back.” He turned to leave when Cate snatched hold of his sleeve.
She looked a little pale all of a sudden. “Say I did believe you and vampires are real.” She glanced at the window where the sun shone brightly in an almost clear blue sky. “Should we be worried?” Her hand went to her neck. “I mean, are we in danger?”
Fucking hell. I never thought of it like that.
Ian was suddenly a lot more interested in Blake’s answer than he would’ve been a moment ago.
Blake smiled and patted his pocket. “That’s what the VLCD is for. To keep you safe.” Ian and Cate must have been wearing the same unimpressed expression because Blake let out a sigh. “Please try and pretend I haven’t told you any of this. Try and just do...” He waved a hand about. “Normal things.”
“Mhmm.” Cate grumbled and Ian could feel her eye-roll; he didn’t need to look at her. “Because that’ll be easy.”
Blake put his hands out. “I thought you didn’t believe me anyway?”
