“Yes. But why? Again, I don’t know.”
I was still puzzled as hell. “What are we talking, here, as far as the rarity of weird-smelling humans?”
“In all my years of being vampire, I’ve encountered but a handful of humans with this mutation. I call them Cataclysmics.”
He hadn’t said mutation in a kind tone. “Cataclysmics? As in a cataclysmic event—like things being destroyed?”
“You’ll understand soon but do try not to look so insulted. You cannot be faulted for the way you were born.” A strange smile formed on Michael’s lips.
The city lights were now behind us, but I didn’t dare bring it up. I couldn’t deal with another one of his outbursts. I’d just have to stay calm and wait him out. “Do other vampires share your outlook on these Cataclysmics?” I asked. I hoped he couldn’t glean what I was thinking, which was that these abnormal smells might be all in his head. Clearly, the man had issues, but far be it from me to point it out.
Michael shook his head. “The peculiar thing is that I may be the only vampire in existence who can smell Cataclysmics. I can’t say with absolute certainty that I am; there could be others in the world who I simply haven’t yet found. But, as far as I know, it’s just me.”
You don’t say, I thought. “I’m not sure why you’re telling me all this, Michael,” I said. The insinuation being: how about you stop wasting time and take me the hell home?
“As I touched on earlier, I can smell it when a human has fallen in love with a vampire. But when a Cataclysmic falls in love with a vampire, I can smell it from a mile away. Like you, Olivia. I can smell it all over you,” he said, giving me a onceover. “How you feel about Robert.”
I folded my arms across my chest. I didn’t like the way he was looking at me, like I was an insect under a microscope.
“I smelled that you were different the first night we met, you know. That you’re a Cataclysmic.ThatI could smell from across the bar. And then when you fell in love with Robert, oh the stench . . .” He made a disgusted face.
I glared at him. Screw Michael and his nasty opinions, none of which I’d asked for. I lived in a free country and could love any vampire I wanted. I could smell any way I wanted, too.
Michael continued, “As I mentioned, I can see visions of the future.”
“Wait! Where are you going?” I sat up with a start. “This isn’t a regular exit. You can’t turn around here.”
Michael slowed and took an exit ramp marked REST STOP. We drove onward and Michael parked the car. As late as it was, we were the only ones there. My heart leapt into my throat when he cut the engine.
When he turned to face me, his eyes were illuminated by the dashboard, two green goblin orbs. “Yes, I’m aware. But the ending of my story is so fascinating that I know you’d be upset if you didn’t hear me out.”
I told myself to stay calm. This wasMichael. Michael! He was probably lonely, with Marlena serving as his closest option for company. He just needed someone to talk to.
Right. I wasn’t buying that for a second. “I’d love to hear the rest of this story,” I said, placating him. “Why don’t you pull back onto the road and keep telling me?”
He frowned. “But we’re so close to Robert’s. I’m afraid I won’t have time to finish before we arrive.”
“It’s just that it’s late—”
“It’s notthatlate, Olivia.” He waved his fancy wristwatch at me.
“Robert will be getting worried that I’m not back yet. I don’t want to keep him—”
“But he’s not waiting for you, is he?” he argued. “He’s out of town, remember telling me that?”
“That’s right.” I swallowed. “I did.”
“In fact, nobody is waiting for you.Nobodyeven knows where you are.”
Was that a threat?
He continued, “So, you have no need to hurry home, do you?”
“No, I guess not.” I could think of no tactful way to illustrate to Michael that, while it may have been customary for vampires, normal humans—men especially—didn’t usually pull into deserted rest stops in the middle of the night with women they’re supposed to be driving straight home.
Actually, itwasn’tcustomary for vampires, either. Barring James, the ones I’d decoyed for had gone out of their way to ensure that we remained in the company of others, as to put me at ease. Whatever situation I’d landed myself in with Michael was bad. Very bad.
I said, “Well, it’s late for me. I haven’t been keeping vampire hours since James’s attack, being a human and all.” I’d mentioned the attack in hopes of reminding Michael that I was still skittish, and that maybe he should take the hint and start acting less creepy.
