I pushed aside the burning feeling in my chest that wanted to answer. “That question is a fairytale. I don’t live in that world, so it doesn’t matter what I want.” Glancing to the kitchen, I noticed Nathan starting on his third bag of blood. “I need to go. Keep a close eye on that one.”
Bradley looked back and nodded sincerely. “Always. You care for her though, don’t you? I could tell by the way you watched her at the cafe.”
I headed for the door and opened it, the bitter evening air blasting me in the face and reminding me to put on my scarf. “Night, Bradley.”
“Night, Wickham. Just remember, one day this will die down, and there won’t be dead bodies and accusations of murder. When things inevitably get boring, how would you like to spend your life? Alone or with a sassy fae-witch who makes every moment an adventure?”
I shut the door behind me, but his words echoed in my mind the entire way home.
Chapter 6
Iwasupatdawn the next morning, waiting outside Cupid’s Confections. After instructing Lydia in guitar, I had some insight into her schedule. This was Thursday, and it was Lydia’s morning to tend to the shop until about noon. I watched the windows and thought about her, wondering how my life would be different if I hadn’t been turned. If I didn’t constantly have the threat of exposure hanging over my head.
But it wasn’t Lydia I was waiting for. This time I wanted to speak with a different Bennet sister. Mary left the home at around 8:45 a.m.
Mary Bennet wore a long, warm coat and a scarf. As she walked, she kept glancing at something near her feet. “What isit?” she said softly. She paused in her walk and turned. I quickly ducked behind a large maple tree that was covered in snow.
“Who’s there?” Mary demanded, adjusting her glasses. “Show yourself.”
I needed to talk to her, and hiding from her definitely wouldn’t make her trust me any more than the little that she already did. I stepped out from behind the tree, my feet crunching in the snow, realizing my footprints going in were also obvious. So much for hiding. I put on my best smile. “Hello, new sister-in-law.”
Surprise flashed across her face. Whoever she expected to emerge, it clearly wasn’t me.
Her eyes immediately narrowed. “What do you want?”
“I wanted to know how Lydia is doing… truly.” I flinched. Those weren’t the words I planned to say, but a part of me couldn’t resist seeking the answer from someone who knew.
Mary folded her arms. “Her husband of only a few days kicked her out and is trying to end her marriage, so she could be better.”
I flinched again. “I guess I deserved that,” I muttered.
She raised an eyebrow. “It’s the truth.”
“Yeah. Look, my life right now is complicated.”
“Because you’re a vampire?”
I froze. I hadn’t expected her words. “Lydia told you?”
“You think she’s running around spilling your secrets?” Mary shook her head. “You could give her a little more credit.”
I had to hand it to these Bennet sisters. They may all differ from each other in so many ways, but they were loyal to each other.
“Then how did you find out?” I asked.
“I put it together months ago.”
“Back when you accused me of Isabella’s murder.”
Now Mary flinched. “Sorry about that.”
“I told you my life was complicated. It’s more than that. It’s dangerous, and by extension that means that I can, without intending to, really mess up Lydia’s life.”
She eyed me. “Lydia can handle a lot.”
“I know that. I just… look, I need to find someone.” I stepped closer to her and lowered my voice. “Someone who might be behind why my life is so dangerous. I have a possession of theirs, a beanie. Someone I know mentioned that you might be acquainted with a werewolf or two who could help me track them down.” Man, this felt weird to say out loud on a sidewalk in the middle of the day. I looked around to ensure we were truly alone. There wasn't a soul in sight, though my phone started vibrating.
I ignored it.
