Just as I opened my mouth to ask him what he was thinking about he said, “Come on.”
Bryan hopped to his feet and held out a hand. The moonlight made his eyes sparkle as he looked down at me smiling. “Let’s go clean up those dinner dish—” Suddenly, he stiffened and looked down the beach behind him. “Run!” he yelled, yanking me to my feet so quickly that he could have accidentally hurt me if he hadn't been careful.
I looked in that direction. Barely discernible in the moonlight, figures were running toward us. I couldn't make out who they were or even any details about them, I just knew that they scared Bryan.
He pushed me in front of him, halfway lifting me and propelling me until I got my footing and began running in earnest. I felt like I was in one of those old cartoons where their legs are working but they aren't going anywhere, until suddenly they zoom off. Admittedly, I wasn't zooming anywhere, but I could move when I needed to.
Apparently right now I needed to.
“Faster!” he yelled.
I had no idea why, but faster I went. When we were safe, I'd be demanding some answers that was for sure.
THIRTEEN
Emma
The limo was pleasant.Well kept, almost brand new looking, and had the soothing scent of vanilla, as well as, somehow, being the perfect temperature. I was certainly happy with my life, but being rich didn't seem half-bad either.
"So," Vance drew out the word. "How are you enjoying being back in Mystic Hollow?"
"I'm loving it," I told him brightly, trying to cover up my nervousness. It felt a little strange to be seated so close to him, at the very back of the limo, with all the seats on both sides of the compartment empty. I had the strangest instinct to gather my skirts and scoot away from him, but ignored the instinct, knowing how weird that would be.
"I'm glad to hear it. I remember occasionally seeing you as a young girl out with your brother and family. You all seemed very happy. Even I felt sympathy when I heard of your parents' deaths."
Wow. That was a lot to take. A lot of emotional were things covered in just those few short sentences. But I tried my best to push aside the old hurt, thinking about that car accident and the time before we lost our parents, brought to life and instead focused on what was weird about his admission. His words reminded me that vampires lived a lot longer than humans, and so, this man, who appeared to be around my age, had seen me as a young girl. What was more, it was strange to hear his interpretation and reaction to my parents’ car crash. I guess when not a lot of tragedy hit this town, even the supernaturals take notice.
"What's it like?" I asked.
He lifted a brow, and I realized I didn't form a complete thought.
I started again. "What's it like living for so long?"
His dark eyes held mine for a long moment, like he was trying to read me, before he answered. "It's a little strange, even for us sometimes. We age, just like humans, at least at first. When we hit our thirties to our early forties in appearance, our aging slows down quite a bit. Which is something we're all thankful for. I don't think any of us actually wants to see what a three or four hundred year old vampire looked like if he aged like a human does."
"Good point," I said, glad to be learning more about vampires.
He smiled. "But it can be weird to care about humans and watch them age and die. It can be unsettling in many ways, namely, that there is magic wrapped around all vampires. Magic that de-spells disbelief a bit when it comes to our interactions with humans. While they might vaguely recall knowing us at certain times in life, they also, unless sensitive to magic, find nothing at all strange about the fact that they age and die, and we don't."
Interesting. I wouldn't have thought about that, but I guess that explained why these vampires didn't have to leave every few years to avoid suspicion. "I have another question if you don't mind."
He nodded, giving me an encouraging smile.
"Why do we have to play this whole date charade. I mean, if supernaturals are as aware of me as they seem to be, won't everyone suspect I'm Karma, there to figure out their possible role in this murder?"
He hesitated, then began speaking, his voice lower and smoother. "Perhaps some of them will suspect it. But, Emma, you are not only a beautiful woman but also a powerful woman. No one would be surprised if you and I began a romantic relationship. They would see you as just another addition, adding to the power of Clan Scarlet. We tend to be a bit different from the other clans. We rarely Turn humans. We often have supernatural partners outside of the vampire race, and we have an affinity for rare and exquisite things. No one would blame me for wanting to add you to our,” he paused and seemed to search for the right word for a moment before deciding on one. “Our collection, if you will. If anything, they might have wondered why it took me so long to invite you over."
Oh boy, how to take that weirdly insulting explanation. "I'm surprised vampires would think... so shallowly. That they would see me as an object more than a person. And, I'm sure, if they're paying as close attention to me as they seem to, they'd know about Daniel."
He gave a little laugh and straightened his cuffs. "No one truly believes that man is anything but an amusement to you. A bear shifter? Emma, please. That man will never be able to understand the scope of your power. You will dwarf him in every way. And the moment you meet a man who can truly show you what those incredible powers of yours can do, Daniel will be nothing but a memory." His dark eyes blaze. "Imagine if you had a partner like me. You could unleash pleasant karma on all of our enemies. You could bring us good karma. People would fear us even more. They'd worry each and every day, and it would keep them in line. No one would dare challenge us."
I felt pissed as hell. "Daniel is not an amusement. My bear is my equal in ways that might be difficult for vampires to understand, but are no less important to me. And what's more, I would never use my powers to hurt enemies and reward the people who I want to reward That's not how my powers work."
He scoffed. "Come, Emma. That's exactly what you do."
Maybe on paper it seemed that way, but it wasn't. "I have no interest in becoming another pretty thing to a vampire empire."
He sighed. "I'll accept that answer. For now. But I do think one day you'll change your mind."
