Page 16 of Wounded Soul
“I know Blake said that the VLCD, or whatever they’re called, keep things in check, but we’ve no way of knowing if that’s true? Or how they keep track of them. What if one slips through the net? It’s not like sharks getting close to a beach: there’s no proximity alarm to sound if a vampire is on the loose. Is there?”
“Er...” What did he say to that? Because as much as he believed that Blake had told them the truth, he had no answers to give Cate. “I don’t know.”
“No,” she said softly. “And that’s my worry.” She took a long swig of her drink. “Blake’s gone on his training exercise, virtually uncontactable for the next two weeks, while we’re left here wondering if Nosferatu and his gang are already planning what to have for dinner.”
Ian laughed; he couldn’t help it.
“It’s not funny.” She downed the rest of her drink, lips twitching. “Don’t come crying to me when one of them decides you’d make a tasty snack.”
“Fuck.” It was all he could think to say. Knocking back his whisky, Ian held out his glass for a refill. “You’re right, it’s not funny. But... vampires.”
She pointed her glass at him. “See, you say it like it’s some wonderful thing we’ve just discovered.”
“Do I?”
“Yes! And it’s not.” She shook her head. “It’s bad, Ian. Very bad.”
He cast his mind back over the news for the past few weeks. Had there been anything suspicious reported? He didn’t think so, but he was tired, and the whisky was starting to hit his system. Morning drinking wasn’t something he was used to. “Well,” he said, reaching to take Cate’s empty glass off her. “I think the vamp police must be doing their job because I haven’t seen any mention of serial killers on the loose or anything. Either that or the vamps are good at hiding their kills or picking victims that won’t be missed.”
“Oh that’s very comforting, thanks.”
“Hey.” He pulled her into his side, and she went willingly. “If any vampires ate you, I’d miss you, and so would Blake.”
Thankfully she laughed, which was what he’d been going for. “Seriously though, I work till late most nights. Not sure I’ll fancy walking to my car now.”
“I thought you didn’t believe in all this.” He waved a hand around.
“I’m not sure I do, because it’s fucking ridiculous. But nevertheless, the seed has been planted.” She tapped a finger against her temple. “And at two in the morning when I’m headed to my car in the dark, alone, I bet it’s all going to seem very fucking real.”
She had a point.
“How about I meet you and walk you to your car?”
She huffed out a laugh. “They’ll just eat us both then.”
He hugged her tight, and she rested her head on his shoulder. “Seriously, though. Would it make you feel better if I was there to meet you after your shift?”
“Yeah, but I can’t ask you to do that.”
“Why not?”
“Because I finish late and you have work the next day.”
“You only work late on a Thursday, Friday, and Saturday though, right?”
“Yeah, but—”
“Sorted then. Until Blake gets back from training or you feel you’re okay on your own, I’ll meet you at the end of your shift and make sure you get home.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. After a moment she added, “That whisky’s really starting to hit me. I think I need a nap.”
“Come on, then.” Standing, Ian tugged her upright and led her through to his bedroom. “I think we could both do with one after all that.”
Cate hummed in agreement, kicking her jeans off and sliding under Ian’s quilt. He did the same. It wasn’t the first time Cate had stayed over or the first time they’d had to take a slightly drunken nap, and when his head hit the pillow, he found himself slipping back to sleep easily.
CHAPTER FOUR
Jesse looked up as his bedroom door opened a few inches and Lys popped her head round it.
