Simon picked it up. It was nearly empty, and there were teeth marks on the cap like someone had been gnawing on it.
Mr. Denton glanced over. "That's Charlie's new favorite snack. Caught him with another bottle of it earlier." He shook his head. "Kid's a basket case. But he shows up, works hard, doesn't steal from the register. That's more than I can say for most."
Charlie stirred.
His eyes fluttered open, unfocused. He tried to sit up, made it halfway, then stopped as the room apparently spun around him.
"Easy," Mr. Denton said.
But Charlie's gaze landed on Simon, and his whole body went rigid. He tried to stand—too fast—and his legs immediately gave out.
Simon moved on instinct, catching Charlie's upper arms before his knees hit the floor.
Charlie's hands came up, gripping Simon's forearms for balance.
They froze.
Charlie's fingers pressed against Simon's jacket, and even through the leather, Simon felt how cold they were. The vampire stared up at him, eyes still dilated but clearing, confusion giving way to recognition and then panic.
"You," Charlie breathed.
"Me," Simon agreed.
Charlie's grip tightened for just a moment—surprisingly strong despite everything—before he seemed to realize what he was doing. He jerked back, stumbling until his back hit the wall.
"I need to—I should—" Charlie stuttered.
"Sit your ass down," Mr. Denton ordered. "You just fainted. Again."
"I'm fine."
"You're not fine. You look like death warmed over. Why did you even come in?" Mr. Denton pulled out his phone. "I'm calling someone to cover the rest of your shift."
“But I only came in because?—”
“Well, it doesn’t matter. You're going home." He looked at Simon. "You. Make sure he doesn't pass out again while I find coverage."
Mr. Denton left, already dialing.
Simon and Charlie stared at each other across the break room.
"You cut yourself on purpose," Charlie said quietly, sitting back down on the couch.
"Yes."
"To test me."
"Yes."
Charlie pulled his knees to his chest, making himself smaller on the couch. "Are you going to kill me now?"
The question should have had an easy answer. Yes. That was Simon's job. That was why he was here.
But if he killed Charlie now, he'd never get answers to the many questions this vampire stirred in him. Like who the hell had set him on Charlie's trail, and why?
Who would profit if Simon killed this incompetent fledgling?
Somany questions.
