Dare to Bleed (Emily Sullivan Series) (23 page)

Chapter Twenty-Six

It took Robert all of three seconds to start barking orders. He sent the back-up rat pack out to ‘search’ for Damon. They cuffed Nelly and she sat calmly in a chair. She was being extremely cooperative. Ezra was inspecting Kimmy, and I desperately wanted to be near her. Gavin noticed my sad look and walked over and pulled me into an embrace.

“
Thanks,” I said into his chest.

“
It’s over now, Em. You can breathe.” He said it made me chuckle, if he only knew how true that was.

“
Is she going to be ok?” I asked, releasing his hold on me and nodding toward the cell. Kimmy looked like a petrified little kitten. This was a new side to her I had never seen before and it worried me.

“
Yeah, she’s going to be fine. She’s a strong girl. Usually when a vampire makes another they take responsibility and teach them the ropes. She’s going through a lot and doesn’t understand. I’m sure she feels pretty guilty that she was going to kill you if she would have gotten free. But she couldn’t help it.”

I sighed, I don’t know what would have happened if she had broken free of that chain before I read the spell. I didn’t think she would even have taken a second look at me before sucking me dry.

“
I’m just glad I got her back.” Kimmy looked up at me, our eyes connected and even through the blood red eyes I could see my friend in there. I gave her a reassuring smile. I turned back to Gavin.

“
So what’s next?” I asked as Axle joined us.

“
Now, you can go back to life,” Axle chimed in.

Life sounded like a funny word after everything that happened. “Life huh? So I’m supposed to forget everything that happened?”

A few of the guys got back and reported to Robert who was still checking out the damage that was left of Damon. He pointed to Nelly and then Kimmy. One of the guys grabbed Nelly and helped her stand. They then started together toward the door.

“
So what is going to happen to Nelly?” I asked curiously.

“
Well, she betrayed us. There is only one punishment for that,” Gavin stated.

“
Oh God, you guys are going to kill her?” I asked. I knew she probably deserved it but I couldn’t see Nelly dying for her mistake.

“
Geez, Emily, do you think this is the seventeen hundreds? She’s going to jail.” Gavin laughed. I didn’t even think about that.

“
Oh, well you never know with you supernatural creeps.” I smirked.

“
Hey, you better not make fun of us supernatural creeps, I think it’s safe to say you are now one of us,” Axle joked as he gently punched me in the arm. Guess he was right, the cat was out of the bag that I was a witch. Interesting.

“
Hmm,” I replied. It was surprising that no one asked me exactly what happened. After one of the soldiers took Kimmy off, Ezra walked over to speak with Robert. I couldn’t hear what they were saying but by the looks I was getting from Robert I had a pretty good guess. What was really upsetting was Ezra never once gave me even a glance. He wasn’t worried at all about me, guess he was over me.

Wish I could dismiss him as easily. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I wanted him to fight for me anymore. Robert nodded to Ezra, which ended the conversation. He looked at Gavin and Axle and they smiled at me and left.

Robert headed over to me.
W
e were alone in the building before he spoke. “They didn’t find Damon,” he stated.

Did he really not see all of the blood splattered everywhere? He had been studying it since they arrived.

“
Trust me, Damon is long gone,” I stated.

He gave me a look of disappointment. Guess he was mad that I took off. “No one ever needs to know what went on here today. I do mean no one,” he warned.

“
I understand you are mad that I stole the book and left, but I did what I felt I had to do. Kimmy and Mom are all I have. Kimmy is family to me. I hope one day you can forgive me.” I explained as best I could to try and make him see my side.

“
Emily, I am not upset. Ok, I was upset when I learned you were missing, but only from love and worry. Whether you believe it or not, I do love you like a daughter. I just want to protect you. And if someone finds out that Damon in fact died here today by the hands of a young and untrained witch, they will ask dangerous questions.”

He was right, someone could do to me exactly what Damon did. I would be forced to relive this entire experience, and next time I don’t think I would be so lucky.

“
Well, Robert, you not trusting someone saved my life today. You’re a pretty smart fellow.”

His smile lit up his face. He put his arm around me and we started toward the door.

“
Can I ask you a question?” I asked.

“
Sure,” he answered.

“
Why do you look so young? You don’t look old enough to be my father,” I curiously asked.

He laughed. “Emily, that is a long discussion we should save for another day.” He kissed my head.

Gavin drove me home. Ezra was already gone by the time we had exited the building. They had found my backpack in Nelly’s car and returned it to me, which was a relief. I can’t live without my phone. He parked in front of my apartment and turned off the ignition. We both got out of the car. I must say it was nice to be going home to my own place again. I had a new love for the fact that I could see my front door from my bedroom.

“
Your things will be brought over tomorrow and your mom is already on her way home. She should be there this afternoon,” he explained as we walked to our building.

“
So what happens to Kimmy?” I asked.

“
Don’t worry. I’ll keep you informed. Soon you will be able to visit her.”

I was relieved. Hopefully she wouldn’t hate me forever for bringing her into this mess.

“
So where is this place that she is going? Or what I mean to say is where exactly do you guys work at?”

He laughed. “Our headquarters is in downtown Baton Rouge.” That wasn’t too bad, our apartment was just outside city limits. He didn’t have to drive very far. Ezra, on the other hand, had one hell of a commute for work. I was beginning to think it wasn’t coincidence that they worked so close to where I lived.

“
So if you need anything, you know where to find me,” he stated as we got to our apartment doors.

“
Wait, you’re still going to continue to live across the hall from me? I thought you just had to do that while you were protecting me.”

He tried to say something, thought against it, and smiled.

“
Well, I mean it’s a great place and I did sign a contract.” He winked.

I laughed and went inside. I closed and locked the door. It was so nice to be home. I threw my keys on the kitchen counter and decided I desperately needed a shower. I heard a noise behind me and jumped. Harold was sitting on my couch with his legs crossed looking uncomfortable.

“
Harold? What the hell are you doing here?”

“
Well, you didn’t show up for work for the past week. Where have you been?”

I was not in the mood for Harold after a day I had. “So you decided to break into my apartment to ask me?” I questioned.

He gave me a puzzled look. “No, I did not break in. I got a key from the front desk.”

“
Why would they give you a key?” I asked.

“
I told them I was your boyfriend. What was I supposed to think, you showed up at my house in the middle of the night to confess your love to me.” He turned red with embarrassment.

Gag me. I wasn’t even mad they would give my key to a complete stranger. I was pissed they actually thought my standards would be that low, including him. “Oh Geez, Harold just leave.” I was beginning to have a headache.

“
Where were you? I fired you a few days ago. I wanted to give you the opportunity to ask for your job back face to face.”

I laughed. He fired me and then broke into my apartment. “Thank you for firing me, Harold. Now I never have to see your face again.” I walked over to my door, opened it and pointed out. He took the hint and left. I slammed the door and groaned. Now I was jobless. I really needed that job, and it paid well. There was no way I was going to beg for my job back to Harold of all people.

I took a long hot shower and got dressed. I did my hair and makeup. I decided I gave them enough time to get my mom back home. I grabbed my keys and purse and headed for my car. I got in and inspected my baby. I missed my car.

I drove to my 7-eleven. It was late in the evening by then so I was expecting Billy to be working. Sure enough he was, and I was actually excited to see him. I got some ice cream and a paper. We were alone in the store.

“
Hey, Emily, where have you been?”

“
You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” I winked. It sounded strange that I said that to him, seeing as though he was a vampire. Perhaps he would’ve believed me. I paid for my stuff and walked out. My mom still wasn’t home so I sat on her couch and read the paper while I waited. I opened my ice cream and started eating. It wasn’t long after that I heard the door open.

“
Hey, Mom I’m in here,” I yelled.

She walked in. She didn’t say a word, just sat down beside me and grabbed my spoon and ice cream and scooped a big bite.

After she ate she finally spoke. “Life is so complicated.” She pulled me in close.

I sighed. “I know, Mom.”

She reached for the paper. “Why are you reading the classifieds?” she asked as she opened the front page.

“
I got fired today.”

She looked at me with large eyes and then shook her head. “You want to move back in with me?” she asked as she became consumed in a story.

“
Ha, no thanks, Mom, I’m sure I’ll find something,” I answered, not sure if she was kidding.

“
Can we promise something?” she asked in a serious tone and sat the paper down.

“
Sure, anything,” I answered, worried. She was acting so differently.

“
Promise me that we will never again talk about what happened these past few days,” she pleaded.

I laughed with relief. “I would love to make that promise.”

It was late when I got back to my place. It felt good to not worry that someone may attack and kill me as I walked to my door. I opened it and inspected my couch. Empty as I left it. I half expected to see Harold sitting there waiting. I changed into some pajamas and lay out on the couch.

I turned on the TV but wasn’t interested in watching anything, I wanted to reflect on what had happened. I also wanted to forget, but knew that would never happen. I heard a knock at my door. I rolled my eyes. I would kill Harold if he didn’t leave me alone. At least he had the decency to knock this time.

“
Harold, seriously, dude. Take a hint,” I yelled as I unlocked the door. Surprise took over as I wasn’t greeted by Harold, instead it was Ezra. My heart about jumped out of my chest.

“
Oh, hi,” I greeted him. He looked awful, like he was beating himself up for coming. I didn’t ask him to come, it wasn’t my fault this time.

“
Can I come in?” he asked softly.

“
Of course.” I stepped aside and opened the door for him to enter.

“
Is everything ok? Did something happen to Kimmy?” I asked, suddenly nervous.

“
No, Kimmy is fine. She is almost back to her loud, irritating self,” he answered.

I sighed, what I would do to hear her voice again. “So why are you here?” I asked.

He sat on my couch, and I took a chair next to him. Figured it would be best for me not to be too close.

“
I wanted to apologize,” he answered. “I had no right to keep you from saving Kimmy. If it had been me in your shoes, I would have done the same thing. I can understand if you never forgive me again.”

I didn’t know what to say to him. If I was being honest with myself, I would never be able to trust him again, but I had already forgave him. Kimmy was alive, in a sense. I had done what I wanted. No one could have stopped me from that. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to let him back into my life, but I felt so strongly for this man I didn’t want to fight my feelings.

“
Can you still read my mind?” I asked.

He looked up. His bright blues were burning into mine. “No, you’re blank. I haven’t been able to even hear a buzz from your brain since we showed up earlier.”

I was pleased with this piece of information. Ezra was so hot. I just wanted to run my hands all over him and make up. We were so wrong together but it felt good.

“
Well, I forgive you. I can’t blame you for trying to stop me. Just promise me you will trust me a little more from now on. I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.” I knew I was lying. I lived because I got lucky this time. But I wanted to make my own decisions.

“
Let’s hope I never have to. But yes, I will trust you.”

“
Good then we can be friends.” From the look on his face this was not the answer he was hoping for. He had a defeated look.

“
Yeah, that sounds good.”

I laughed out loud. He gave me a perplexed look.

“
This is fun that you can’t read my mind. I’m going to enjoy this.” I laughed as I stood up and walked over. I sat down next to him. It got very quiet and neither of us said anything for a while.