“Yes, pets need water, food, and sunshine, Sebastian. Shouldn’t you be resting?” Warin retorts, his hand on my lower back.
“Oddest thing, I wasn’t tired at all, planning on getting some accounting done while the sun shackles me to this house, but a sudden sense of exhaustion hit me. Luckily, I’m no longer affected. Would you happen to know anything about that?” Sebastian directs the question to me.
“Can’t say I do, I only just woke up myself. Still trying to get used to the nocturnal lifestyle.”
Warin’s thumb circles my back like he’s giving me a sign of approval, and I love it. His cool fingertips are a gentle reassurance and I’m about to try and run from these feelings. But as I glance at this threatening vampire in front of us, I know I don’t have a choice.
It isn’t safe here, even if Warin thinks he can protect me.
“Very well. Maybe you’ll have better luck finding our little slayer problem during the day,” Sebastian asks, a smirk on his face.
“Perhaps,” Warin replies, but I can feel his irritation that dealing with the Slayer is the last thing he wants to do. “Let’s go, Ember.”
He directs me into the garage. Achille holds the back door open and I slide in, Warin behind me. Samantha is beaming in the front seat.
“Day time adventures are always exciting. Will I die? Will I find a human who will let me drink right from the source and they’ll taste like the sun? The possibilities are endless.”
Warin rolls his eyes. “You’re here to be backup, Samantha.”
“That doesn’t mean that a handsome chef who eats clean and basks in the sun won’t bare his neck to me and tell me to feed to my heart’s content,” Samantha retorts and Warin just sighs in response.
I shift in my seat a little, wondering if Warin feels the same way. Does he wish there was more than chicken and waffles on the menu for our little outing? Is he going to partake while I sip on my latte and eat French toast?
Warin taps my thigh.
“Don’t worry Ember, we don’t drink from those who aren’t willing.”
“I didn’t ask,” I reply, and he gives me a grin.
Achille plays some light jazz in the car, and there’s no way that the glass in the vehicle is road legal.
It’s only as we’re driving that I realize that Samantha’s and Achille’s faces are both nearly covered up. Warin only has the sunglasses and I wonder if it’s sufficient enough.
I shouldn’t care so much about the manipulative vampire or his pretty face.
We pull into the back of the restaurant. There’s barely enough space for Warin to open the door.
“Wait here. I’ll call for you if there are any issues,” Warin directs to Samantha, before holding out his gloved hand.
I take it and shimmy my way between the car door and the brick wall.
He’s diligent with his umbrella, blocking us from any sunlight, and I’m slightly shrouded in the shadows as Warin shuts the door and confidently slides a hand down my back, directing me through the workers’ entrance.
A man in bright chili pepper pants, an apron, and a black shirt opens the door.
“My old friend, it’s good to see you again, and what stunning company. Come, I’ve reserved you the back table, and turned down the blinds,” he says, leading the way through the bustling kitchen, tasting something on a spoon along the way. “Ramon, those grits shouldn’t be wetter than when I’m touching your mom’s pussy, thicken them up!” He shouts at his sous chef.
I cover my mouth to not burst out in laughter.
“My apologies, if you’ll follow me.”
The kitchen door swings open, and Warin has his umbrella in hand. A few beams of light slither through the shades and Warin avoids them, sliding into the cozy booth, and I follow suit.
The chef only hands me a menu and I look over at Warin.
“Thank you, Tony,” Warin says to the chef, though he’s blatantly staring at me.
“Of course. Veronica will be by shortly to take your order,” the chef says, giving me a wink and walking away.
