“In what way?”
Raven thought back to his…captivity.He had fought.He’d tried to fight, he really had.But when they had compelled him, he’d been so tired.He should’ve fought even then, he knew that.He should have tried everything and anything, should’ve been smarter, but he’d given in.Sometimes, he’d just let the compulsion rule him.
“Then at least I’d know what to do.”
Maxim shifted in his seat.“Compulsion only makes you think that, and then only when it’s skillfully applied.I will teach you the art of it.There is no guarantee that you will be able to achieve it, but again, you have my blood, and I would judge the likelihood high.”
Raven looked away.“No, thank you.I don’t ever want to do that to a person.”
Maxim accepted that.“You fell asleep.Should we get out?If you would like to rest, we can find you a place that is more comfortable upstairs.Unless you feel thirsty now?”
Raven shook his head.He unbuckled his seat belt then got out.So did Maxim.The hunter picked up the almost empty duffel bag he’d put on the back seat and motioned for Raven to follow him toward the elevator.
Raven wondered what he’d do once they were back in that white apartment.He said I can’t go back to university, but maybe I could just take a month off, learn how to deal with this whole vampire thing.Then everything should go back to normal.I can make up for a month without losing my scholarship.
The elevator’s doors closed behind them, and Raven looked up at Maxim.“Hey.”
“Hmm?”
“I, uh.I don’t want to lose my scholarship.”
Maxim nodded.“I’m sure that can be arranged.Though I’ll have Heath look into it.It might well be that you’ll qualify for a Forum one rather than a human one.But all that is very—” He gestured dramatically, rolling his eyes.“Bureaucratic.And that, I fear, I do not handle well.But we have Heath for all bureaucracy.He loves all those spreadsheets and the fine print and such.”
“Ah.”
Maxim smiled.“Don’t worry about it.I will see that nothing changes in that regard.You will be able to go back to your studies when you’re ready.”
Raven had that feeling, as if the world were closing in on him, as if time and place were contracting around him.He looks and sounds like I can trust him, but can I?What if…what if he wants something in return?Then again, he has a kid.Means he’s into women, right?Raven sighed.That’s a relief.
“Okay.”
The elevator stopped, only it wasn’t on the floor they had left from.Maxim walked ahead of Raven into a wide, airy room, almost square, with walls on three sides, the fourth leading into yet another wider and even airier room.Heath poked his head around that opening.
“There you are!We’re all ready to go.But fair warning, it’ll be rom-coms.One is this dark-ish rom-com and—the fuck is that?”He pointed at the duffel Maxim was carrying.
“Why, darling, these are Raven’s things.”
“You said you were going to take him clothes shopping.For new clothes.Did you cheap out on him?Really?Really?”
“Not at all.”
“Uhm,” Raven said, and both their eyes were on him suddenly, their attention intense.“I just…”
More footsteps approached from the wide-open area where Heath had come from, and a black-haired man appeared, wrinkling his nose at Maxim and Heath.
“Perhaps we can all gather inside?Raven looks like he’s about to run out of the house.But it’s nice inside here, isn’t it?”
“Right, sorry.”Heath gestured.“This is Bryan.He helped with setting up the screen and picking the movies.Especially with picking the movies.”
“None of those houses are going to be as nice as this one,” Bryan said.He wore a green shirt and nicely pressed pants.
Raven looked at the elevator as Bryan and Heath retreated to where they’d come from.
Maxim waited for him.“That apartment was just a guest room.Especially while you adjust, it’ll be easier if you stay up here in the penthouse.”
“The…penthouse?”
The hunter nodded.“That’s right.I live here.Heath moved downstairs.And don’t worry, the guest room up here is a lot nicer than the one you woke up in.”
