I’m blue too, because I honestly don’t know what my next move should be.
Time for me to grab some space and put some distance between Theron and me.
If Landslide felt claustrophobic to me before, it’s downright oppressive now.
This not being my first rodeo, I’m cashing up after closing the bar, then locking the doors.Those zero crime stats on the Swiss chalet inn website make a lot more sense to me now that I know about the coven.
Going down the passage, I check that the dining room is neat and clean.The first batch of guests arrives tomorrow, but I won’t be around to serve them drinks tomorrow night.I’ll be catching a lift back to the mainland with Monty Hubble.
My priority is to be sure that the vampires will allow me to leave before I make my mind up about anything else.
At any time, I’m expecting Theron to materialize out of the darkness as I walk to my bedroom.But the corridor remains resolutely empty.
Inside my room, I look at the tumbled sheets.I never made my bed after we made love on it.I am still trying to capture the source of Theron’s elusive musk.
Pushing him out of my mind, I strip the sheets off the bed and flop down on the blankets.I think it’s bothering me that Theron sauntered out of the bar this evening without so much as a “goodnight.”And he’s not here now.
Has he accepted the fact that I’m leaving without putting up a fight?
Huffing, I get up and lock my door.Then I slide the window shut as well for good measure.
If that’s how he wants to play the game, then all this is on him.
So why does my night feel so lost and lonely without him?
I’ll shower in the morning.Splashing my face with the lukewarm water coming out of the faucet is not as invigorating as I thought it would be.Nor is cleaning my teeth.
My mind is turning cartwheels as I rehash how I could have played this better.I’ve been on the run for so long that I might have lost sight of what it is that I really want out of my life.
Do I really need to travel and live alone?
Stripping down to my panties, I climb into bed.With the window closed, there is no fresh air in the room.My pillows feel hot and lumpy.
Damn you, Theron.I can’t tell if my life has gotten better or worse with you in it!
And then I smell it.His special scent.That manly musk that is not quite human but still so identifiable as male.A hint of the outdoors.A touch of leather.And a whisper of grit and iron.
Burying my face in the pillowcase, I breathe deeply.A sense of peace floods my body.More than that, I feel… safe.
Kneeling on my bed, I lean forward and lift the window sash back open.
There’s a note on my pillow when I wake up.My stomach jolts when I see it.Before I visit the bathroom, I’m fumbling with the paper to open it.
Hey Aila,
Can you please set the dining room for breakfast?You’ll find everything you need in the kitchen.Amelia and Ben said they want to eat breakfast with you so your mom can say bye.Everything’s on the house.The bedrooms and dormitories have never looked so clean!Thanks for stepping up and serving at the bar last night.Shadow settled it with Monty so you can catch the ferry back to the mainland for free this evening.
We hope your stay on lovely Landslide was the peaceful break that you needed it to be.All the best.
Luna Blackwood (manager: Swiss chalet inn).
P.S.The ferry is due at sunset.If you need help with your cases, please ask Ben.He can stick your luggage in the back of his truck.
The note is not from Theron.
Stomping off to the bathroom, I stare at my face in the mirror.I look pale and puffy.Ugh.My hair is a tangled mass of chestnut knots.I must have slept restlessly last night.
Coming back into the bedroom doesn’t change my black mood, because the note still isn’t from Theron.
