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Chapter 26

Three days after the opening, Charlotte was trying to go about her life as normally as possible. But it was difficult to concentrate. Although no one other than the Derricksons and her friends knew it, these would be her final days of teaching. On some level she was sad—she’d fought for her career, after all, and she loved her students—but her heart wasn’t in it anymore. It felt like this stage of her life, the one she’d built for herself after leaving home, was over. Perhaps it wasn’t the most responsible decision, but Charlotte wanted a bigger purpose. She would be helping people like Alessandra, keeping them safe and protecting them against a group of extremists.

Of the vampire-hunting sort.

Should she feel guilty for that? Even a desire to help others was, in a way, self-serving.

She knew what Torr would say. And, for a change, she was ready to adopt his laissez-faire attitude.

Except he wasn’t acting so carefree at the moment. She wasn’t sure what had him so on edge. If it was the turning, why didn’t he just get it over with already?

She pushed her way into the bar.

“We’re not open yet . . . oh, Charlotte! Come in.”

“How’s it going?”

Toni appeared to be alone behind the bar—just as Charlotte had hoped. She was eager for some advice.

“Going great,” Toni said, sitting down. “Can you believe this place? First Saturday, and then the grand opening. And the reviews—”

“I know! I’m so proud of you.”

The Vault was a certifiable hit. She and Torr had spent the day here Sunday, the night after the soft opening. A steady crowd had kept the staff busy all day.

“I’m sorry I haven’t gotten a chance to talk to you much,” Toni said.

“Get out of here. Are you kidding? I know how much you have going on.”

“But still—” Toni lowered her voice as one of the waitresses emerged from the back room. Though The Vault didn’t have a full menu and served only tapas, a full kitchen staff was still needed, which meant someone would almost always be on staff, even if the bar didn’t open for another two hours.

“I’ve been dying to know what’s going on with you and Torr. Clearly you’re back together?”

“And will be, for a long time to come.”

She hadn’t told anyone yet about Torr’s decision, and apparently he hadn’t shared the news either.

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

Toni splayed her hands on the bar. “O. M. G.,” she said with a grin. “That’s . . . huge!”

“Pretty huge, yeah.” She was grinning too—she felt like she couldn’t stop lately. “I’m not sure when he’s going to do it. I told him I don’t want to know.”

Toni, who had been straightening a couple of glasses, fumbled them. “Are you out of your mind? I would be walking on eggshells—”

“I kinda like surprises.”

“Girl, that is not a surprise. It’s a life-altering . . . oh fuck.” The look in her eyes promised that a whole lot of not good had walked in through the door.

She turned toward the door. Oh fuck was right.

Everyone had barged in at once—Torr, Lawrence, Kenton, Alessandra, and Laria—and they all looked like they wanted to bite someone.

“What the—”

“Get behind the bar,” Torr said to her. “With Toni.”