Page 130 of Plug and Drain

Arken

It had been a terrible morning. Successful…but utterly catastrophic.

Will you come in?

Arken considered Susie’s question.

Then he considered his answer.

Then, for the thousandth time, he questioned the potential danger he was putting her in simply by being here.

Henrikk had spies everywhere. But the worst had already happened, so what was the use? He had to see her, even if it was for the last time.

He hesitated before answering, “You do not have to invite me in, Susanna.”

“I want to,” she replied, before adding, “Just to talk.”

He nodded. “Of course.”

That she was willing to talk to him was a good sign. The heaviness that had been weighing him down eased a fraction. Even so, he was cautious. “Are you quite sure? The first time you invited me in, I’m afraid I took advantage of you. Something I now profoundly regret.”

Susie startled, her hand on the edge of the door. “Thank you for saying that,” she said cautiously. “But it’s not something you need to apologise for.”

“It is,” he insisted. “I mistreated you.”

She glanced down, then back up. “You treated me better than anyone else ever has.”

His jaw slackened, and it took him a moment to compose himself. “I’m…incredibly sorry to hear that. And I’m deeply sorry for all that you’ve had to endure at Volmasque. The feedings…”

Those were his fault too. If he’d only done something to prevent the nightly visits vampires made…If he’d had some sort of safety net for wolves who did not have a powerful pack to protect them…If he’d been a little less worried about Henrikk and a little more concerned with the safety and wellbeing of his students…

“You can’t blame yourself,” Susie began, but he cut her off.

“I can, Susanna, and I must. I am solely responsible, and I ought to feel the shame of my failure. I should have protected you better. All of you.”

Susie gave her head a quick shake. “It doesn’t matter. That’s not why I…” She gave him an uncertain smile. “Will you come in?”

Arken returned her smile. “When you put it like that…I cannot say no.”

She took a step back into the depths of her room. Her receding proximity was an irresistible draw, and he followed her inside.

Her scent was stronger in her room, more alluring than any perfume. He was keenly aware of how privileged he was to be here, more so than the first time he’d set foot inside.

It made him remember the items on Susie’s list. Specifically, her recommendation—or plea—for locks to be placed on the doors. She’d detailed how the necessity for locks went beyond the physical realm of keeping out intruders, but also the intangible aspects of peace of mind and emotional wellness.

It now seemed like a prudent measure long overdue, especially now that there was someone precious to him who he very much wanted to protect.

The thought of anyone waltzing into her room without her express permission…

The fact that they could, and had…

It left an acrid taste in his mouth.

He could not tolerate it.

Susie stood by her desk, hugging herself and watching him. She glanced around as if to offer him a seat. “Would you like to…?” she trailed off, and he followed her gaze, which settled briefly on the bed before she blinked profusely, her cheeks flushing a delicate shade of scarlet.

“That’s all right, I can stand.”