Malcolm sighs in relief on the other end of the line. “Let me talk to her.”
I pass the phone her way and listen as she spends her efforts apologizing, Malcolm countering, and the endless loop. Watching her nervous energy, the self-loathing, it’s clear she’s desperate to redeem herself, even if her actions were the fault of the bastard that manipulated her. No wonder she latched onto the idea of pushing Malcolm and me together with so much enthusiasm; she wants to help.
She needs to be needed; it’s how she knows she’s wanted.
“Hey, Scarlett, can I ask a favor?”
She says her goodbyes to Malcolm and hangs up. “Absolutely, what’s up?”
“Can you show me where the bathroom is so I can wash this off?” I lift my arm to show the red marks, barely any blood worth bothering with, but needing some excuse.
She hops to her feet. “Oh, shit, of course. Come on, I’ll help you wrap it,” she starts walking toward the bathroom with long strides, and by the time I meet her at the doorway, she already has a bandage roll and ointment out on the counter.
“No need to go through all of that trouble,” I assure her. “Perks of shifter healing; it’ll be good as new come morning. I just wasn’t sure if it’d make you uncomfortable.” She gives me a confused look and I shrug a single shoulder. “Vamps are new territory for me, but I figured flaunting an open wound in front of your face was a dick move.” Cringing, I realize how that could have come out and hastily backpedal, “If that was some rude stereotyping I swear I didn’t mean it like that. I ju-”
She wets a washcloth and swipes it gently over the scratches on my arm, cheeks heated. “It’s a smart move. I was so caught up in feeling guilty that it didn’t sink in right away, but now that things have calmed down... yeah, we better wrap it.”
Leaning my hip against the counter, she coats the scratches in antibiotic ointment, the scent of blood immediately muting. I’ve spent a lifetime adjusting to smelling and hearing every little thing in the vicinity, but for someone born human, it’s got to be a real shock.
“Is it only blood, or can you smell everything more than before?”
She startles at the question, focusing on wrapping the white bandage around my arm and avoiding looking at me. “Blood more than anything, but you’re right, everything else is more heightened than before. Supposedly vamps are the knock-off version of shifters, so we probably have more in common than I realized.” Her fingers slow. “Hearing has been the hardest adjustment, honestly. During that trip outside, it was somuch.There weren’t even ten people in the store and their heartbeats hammered away like drums, muted conversations, cars racing by outside. It’s the worst kind of white noise; I much prefer ocean soundtracks for bedtime.” Just like that she flips a mental switch, stuffing down the dark thoughts.
“Taste is the only thing that’s about the same. It’s more like developing a craving for a new food and wanting it for every meal, but the scent of it doesn’t drive me feral. Just-” her cheeks heat and I stare with amusement as her body gives her away. “It’s distracting, is all.”
She tucks the edge of the bandage beneath a strip to keep it in place, moving to clear off the counter. “I’m stuck between a rock and hard place.” My mouth parts in surprise that I lamely shut without a word, thinking the same thing not even a week ago. “I spent years wishing I was born as anything other than human, but now that it was granted, I’m struggling. Yet I wouldn’t go back to my human life if you paid me, so I need to get my shit together and learn how to deal with the sensory overload. The silence saves me from dealing with that part, but it gives me too much time to get lost in my head, and I’m not sure which is worse, truth be told.” She faces me with a genuine grin that reaches her eyes, as if she chased away all of the shadows haunting her by sheer force of will. “So I’m thrilled that you’re here; I know you get what I mean, so maybe you can help me manage it.”
Don’t kiss her. You can’t kiss her.
“My pleasure.” With a sweep of my hand so she can exit first, I follow her out. “Really, I should be the one thanking you.” She looks over her shoulder with a raised eyebrow as we head back to the couch. “You have any idea how dull it was sitting in that office watching the cameras all day? Security sounds glamorous, but not like anyone’s stupid enough to storm Drake Enterprises. There are enough shifters and mages in this building, it’d be like walking into a wasp’s nest. The most thrilling thing I get to do is occasionally escort a big wig somewhere or toss someone out on their ass for making a scene in the lobby. This is a much better way to spend the day.”
She looks around before grimacing. “I mean, it’s pretty much still sitting around watching a screen. Not a heck of a lot to do up here.”
Grinning, I reach into my wallet and withdraw Malcolm’s credit card he gave me. “Then I think it’s about time to change that.”
Chapter 13
