"Yes."
Viktor was quiet for a moment. "Is that what you're waiting for? For him to prove he's a monster so you can stake him with a clear conscience?"
Simon didn't answer.
"Because from where I'm sitting, the only monster behavior I've seen is from the vampire who turned him as a joke. Charlie's just a kid who got dealt a shit hand and is trying to survive without hurting anyone."
"You don't know him."
"Neither do you. Not really." Viktor stood, moving to the kitchen. "But you saved him anyway. You fed him your blood and carried him out of danger." He pulled out a beer and offered one to Simon who shook his head. "That's not normal hunter behavior, and you know it."
"I'm investigating?—"
"Bullshit. You're protecting him. And maybe that's because of whatever bond got created when you fed him, or maybe it's because somewhere deep down, you know the Organization's definition of 'monster' isn't as clear-cut as they taught us."
Charlie stirred, fingers searching for Simon again. "Don't go," he mumbled, still mostly asleep. "Please."
The words hit something in Simon's chest he didn't want to examine.
"I should report in," Simon said. "Reuben is expecting an update."
"About the vampire you were supposed to kill?" Viktor took a long drink of his beer. "The one currently drooling on my couch? The one who smells of your blood? Good luck explaining that."
Simon's phone buzzed. Reuben.
"Speak of the devil," Viktor muttered.
Simon looked at the screen, then at Charlie's peaceful face, then back at the phone. He'd have to answer eventually. Have to explain why Charlie Dracul was still alive. Have to lie or admit the truth.
Have to decide what the truth even was.
The phone kept buzzing.
Chapter
Twenty-One
Simon considered letting the call go to voice mail, but that wouldn't solve anything, would it?
God, could any of his problems even be solved anymore?
Maybe not.
But he'd never been one to run away from trouble. He released a breath and answered the phone.
"Where are you?" Reuben's voice cut through before Simon could speak.
"Hunting."
"Your forty-eight hours are up." Papers rustled in the background. "I need you here. Now."
Simon's gaze found Charlie on the couch, the vampire he'd saved tonight. He was still unconscious, the UV blanket rising and falling with his shallow breaths. "I'm close to a breakthrough." Or a breakdown, really.
"Now, Simon. That's not a request."
The line went dead.
Viktor raised an eyebrow from his armchair. "That sounded friendly."
