I remember trying to compel her, the warm haze of my influence sliding right off her mind as if it were glass. Bluffing is not an option.
Thankfully, the bus stops. She grabs my hand and pulls me behind her, leading me out into the business district. The world rushes in at once. Sunlight, sharp and blinding to my night-adjusted eyes, makes me squint. The roar of traffic and the chatter of people create a wall of noise. I’m so disoriented by the sensory assault that I barely register she’s still towing me along until a coffee shop door opens. The rich, overpowering scent of roasted beans and a dozen clashing perfumes hits me, making my nose scrunch in protest.
The wealthy always cover their human scent with chemicals. It’s an old, irritating habit I’ve endured for centuries.
“Sit,” she says, pointing at the same table I occupied the first time we met.
And, like a trained poodle, I obey.
No wonder she’s so successful at dog walking. No hound would be able to resist her.
I expect her to take the seat beside me, but instead she slides into the one opposite, facing me directly.
“So. I’m guessing there are things you can’t tell me. Tell me this instead, why white daisies?”
My eyes widen and I curse myself for forgetting sunglasses again. I can’t hide my foolish reactions behind them today.
I clear my throat and mentally try to find a reason that won’t make me sound like a creepy stalker, when I notice, in the other corner of the coffee shop, a figure who does not blend in with the rest of the rich patrons here.
Thinning dark hair, a sickly-sweet scent of old blood clinging to him… He has the telltale signs of being one of Angelo’s bloodhounds. I have no doubt his eyes are blood red behind those thick shades.
Too much blood makes a monster of us all. A husk. Stark keeps his territory clean of such filth, but Angelo cultivates it, weaponizes it—and he’s just pointed his weapon straight at Kallie.
The husk seems to sense my attention. Its head twitches in my direction before its nostrils flare, catching Kallie’s scent. Its focus snaps to her, pupils dilating with raw, mindless hunger.
Fuck no.
Nobody touches her.
Nobody.
I stand up abruptly, a low growl rumbling in my chest. Kallie flinches back, her hand flying to her throat, and the playful light in her eyes is replaced by a flash of genuine fear.
The sight hits harder than any blade. Fear is the last thing I ever want to see in her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Kallie. Another time.”
With my eyes fixed on the husk, who has gotten up and started for the exit, I reach into my trench coat, place a white daisy on the table, and stride toward the door.
I can’t lose him. I need to know why he’s here, and stop him from reporting back to that worm Angelo.
But just before I push the door to leave the coffee shop, I hear someone call my name.
I turn toward the sound—toward her. She’s standing there, holding my gift to her heart. The sun shines brightly behind her, so bright it seems to emanate from her.
“Thank you for the flower.”
She presses the daisy to her chest.
That’s when I know I’m a goner.
Chapter Twenty-One
FOLLOWING THE CRUMBS
The ding of the elevator followed by soft footsteps signals the arrival of—Shit. What was her name again? Cecily? Caylee? Camila? C-something. I think. She said it on the phone when I called the front desk, but that was almost fifty-five fucking minutes ago.
I flick the deadbolt over and throw open the door before she can knock. The woman jumps back in surprise, lowering her hand.
