“No. I have everything I need for the moment. If I have questions, I’ll call you.”
I was surprised at her response. I had expected to have to fight her over this. Do a little threatening, maybe some wheedling, possibly some outright begging. Her acceptance threw me.
“Ok. That sounds fine.”
She got out. Guess that meant the conversation was done. I left the keys in the ignition and stepped aside. She climbed back in without speaking to me, avoiding my gaze as she drove away.
I watched her go. If I’d been a good friend, I would have apologized. Told her I knew she didn’t mean those things, even if a part of her had.
I didn’t do any of that. It was better this way. There was a reason I’d distanced myself from my nearest and dearest, and tonight had proven my decision correct. Even something as simple as a gala at an art museum ended with a body on the ground when I was involved.
It worried me to think of what could have happened if Caroline had decided to go looking for me and stumbled across that scene. The vampires may have killed her or barring that, tried to wipe her memory. Neither option left me with warm, cuddly feelings.
I clattered up my steps. A woman stepped out of the shadows onto my landing. I nearly twisted my ankle trying to flee. I only ended up stumbling and clutching the railing to keep myself from tumbling down the steps.
“Miriam,” I snapped, fear making my voice harsher than I intended.
“Vampire.” She watched me struggle upright, amusement twisting her lips.
“That’s a nice trick,” I said, advancing until I stood next to her on the landing.
She inclined her head.
I’d like to know how she did that. It would come in handy the next time I had to hide a body.
“I suppose you want to come inside,” I said.
“It would be preferable to standing out here all night, yes.”
I unlocked the door and opened it, kicking off my shoes as soon as I was inside and making a bee line for the fridge. Miriam could follow or not. Her choice.
My fridge, I found, was in serious need of restocking. There was little besides my bottle of blood masquerading as wine and a wedge of cheese. Guess I wasn’t going to be offering my guest a snack.
“I have water if you’re thirsty,” I said, closing the fridge.
“I’m fine.”
I turned and placed my hands on the counter. “Sorry about that. I wasn’t expecting guests and it’s been awhile since my last store run.”
“I wasn’t really expecting edible food in a vampire’s house to begin with,” Miriam, said looking around. She didn’t seem overly impressed with what she saw. “Your living conditions are very different from others of your kind.”
I snorted. What a nice way to say I lived in a dump. The paint was peeling, the ceiling was drooping in places, and I’d picked all of my furniture up at garage sales or thrift stores. It was a long way from what I had grown up with, but I loved it because it was mine. It might not have been the nicest furniture in a decent apartment on a nice side of town, but it was home.
“I take it from your living space that you are sticking to your edict of remaining clanless.”
“Hm.” I made a noncommittal sound that was neither affirmation nor a negation.
Her eyes fell on the counter by my hand. I followed her gaze and bit back a curse. That damn book had popped up where it didn’t belong again. It was like a clingy puppy always wanting attention at the worse times.
“I see you’ve visited the bookstore,” she said neutrally.
“You recognize the book?” I asked. Maybe she could answer some questions.
“Not this particular one, but others like it. I recognize the aura around it.” Her head tilted as she examined the book. “May I?”
I slid the thing over to her. The bit about the aura sounded a little new agey to me, but then she did own a store that catered to that set. Maybe witches were able to see auras like the humans who claimed that good chi or chakra could improve your health.
She laid her hands to either side, just shy of touching it. To me it just looked like she was staring at it. There were no fireworks or colorful sparklers. She frowned and drew her hands away.
