CHAPTER SEVEN
IT WAS TOO late to do anything about my job today. Even if I'd wanted to, it would have been an exercise in futility. In a little less than three hours, the sun would be up, and it would be lights out for me. I considered a moment. Maybe not, now that I'd gotten a pretty big dose of Liam's supercharged blood.
I shook my head. No, I needed to proceed under the assumption that I had my normal restrictions. I didn't want something like last night happening again.
"You don't need that job," Liam said, his voice bland.
I looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "Unlike you, I haven't spent several lifetimes accumulating wealth. That job pays for my rent and all those other pesky little details that come with living."
Once, in addition to providing for my lifestyle, the job also sheltered me from vampire society while giving me exposure to the spook world. That wasn't the case anymore. The bell has been rung on my status as a vampire. There was no going back. However, Hermes still provided an income and allowed me to learn about other spooks.
For all that vampires were at the top of the food chain, they weren't the only dangerous things out there. It paid to know as much about this shadow world as possible—especially since I didn't enjoy the same protections as most vampires. Being a runner for Hermes offered me that. It also meant I had contacts throughout the community that I suspected even Liam didn't have. I could be wrong. He'd surprised me before.
"You could work for us." He met my gaze with a challenging stare of his own, not letting the astonished skepticism faze him.
"That'll never happen."
His lips quirked in a half smile. "You never know. I'm sure you once said you'd never stay in a clan home and yet here you are."
He did have a point there.
"Some things are non-negotiable. Giving you lot that much power over my life is one of them."
He chuckled, the sound warm. "We'll see."
"No, we won't."
I made my way out of the doctor's office, not seeing any sign of Joseph or Thomas. I counted that as a blessing. Even though Liam's blood had helped me heal any wounds they may have inflicted trying to get me strapped to that table, I was still tired—like I’d been up for three days with zero sleep. I didn't want any more run-ins before I recouped some of my energy.
It wasn't long until I found myself totally turned around. With no one to guide me, I'd made a few guesses as to which way would lead back to my room. I could have sworn this was the way Nathan and I had come last night.
I wandered down another long corridor, cursing space-warping magic.
Hearing voices coming from a hallway I had just passed, I about-faced and headed in that direction. If nothing else, they should be able to point me in the right direction. I found myself in a familiar, bright space full of gleaming stainless-steel appliances. It was the kitchen Nathan had shown me last night. Unlike before, several people occupied seats around an island, while a few others busied themselves cooking on the huge stove or chopping ingredients.
All eyes turned to me, curiosity on their faces. Judging by the fact they were in the kitchen, and all the vampires I'd met had expressed distaste for solid food, I assumed they were human.
Theo turned from where he was preparing something on the stove. "Aileen, what are you doing down here?"
A few of the humans shared looks before turning their focus back to me. The curiosity remained, but there was something else on some of their faces. Something a little less friendly.
I didn't want to admit I was lost, but I also needed to think of a good excuse to be down here. "Nathan gave me a tour yesterday and might have mentioned there was ice cream in the freezer." I gave him a sheepish smile.
Theo looked around before grabbing a hand-towel and drying his hands. "Ah, yup, I think there's still some left. Let me get you a bowl."
"I can get it myself if you point me in the right direction," I said, stepping forward.
"No, no. I'll get it for you. Just have a seat, and I'll pull it out." He waved at the island where three people sat.
I hesitated before I headed in their direction, finding a seat on the end and perching on it with a stiff smile. The humans watched but didn't say anything. It was awkward, like I was some kind of zoo animal they were examining for possible signs of aggression.
I didn't know if it was because this was typically their domain and they had rarely seen a vampire breach it, or if my reputation preceded me. It couldn't be because they hated vampires. They were all companions, or at least I assumed they were companions because they were in a mansion stuffed to the brim with vampires.
Theo busied himself in the industrial size freezer, shifting things around as the man and woman by the stove turned back to their work.
The rest of us stared at each other in silence until Theo set a bowl filled to the top with purple ice cream stuffed with giant chocolate blocks in front of me.
"Black Raspberry." I couldn't help the excitement in my voice. It was my favorite flavor.
Theo stepped back and leaned against the counter behind him. "Nathan mentioned you asked about it, so I figured it was a safe bet."
I dipped the spoon in the freezing awesomeness and stuck it in my mouth, rejoicing at the tart sweetness that rested on my tongue. It wasn't quite as good as Liam's blood, but it was damned close.
"Never seen a vampire eat ice cream before," a blond-haired man said from two seats down. He was tall, thin, and sported a scraggly beard. Young, but then they were all young. Most of the companions looked no more than their mid-twenties.
I paused in savoring the unexpected treat and looked sideways at him. There were several ways I could take that statement—especially given the smallest tinge of hostility I could hear in his voice. Maybe I was reading into it, letting some of my insecurities frame how I received their responses.
"Then they're missing out, because never tasting Graeter's Black Raspberry ice cream would be a tragedy." I stuck another spoonful in my mouth to illustrate my point.
"That's true," the woman by the stove said with a smirk. Her dark brown hair fell halfway down her back and had a reddish tint to it. "Ice cream is what makes the world go ‘round."
I pointed my spoon at her and nodded. Finally, someone who recognized the absolute need to have it in your life.
The man snorted. "It's weird. My patroness said eating human food could impact her strength. I wouldn't risk it. It's just not worth it."
"Not even for steak?" Theo asked, his expression teasing.
The blond shook his head. "Not for anything. Those who receive the kiss have a responsibility to do all they can to support the clan. Risking their health and development for some fleeting pleasure spits on that duty."