AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Turning over onto my side, I stare at the white-painted wall and try to sleep. Then early light wakes me, making me wonder if the Scots have thought about blackout curtains for when LA vampires visit for summers.
Already showered from last night, I dress quickly, choosing jeans and a soft, dark-green sweater, my black combat-style boots, and throw my Barbour coat over my arm so I don’t have to come back for it after breakfast.
Fiona’s already in the kitchen, preparing tea for everyone. One thing I’ve learned since arriving—these Scots love their tea. Apparently, every problem in Scotland can be solved by offering someone “a nice cup of tea.”
I slip my jacket over the back of a chair and grab my mug from the counter. Fiona puts too much milk in, so I try to snag my cup for her before she can fix it. “Thanks!”
“Welcome.” Her hair is now neatly plaited in a braid. Her eyes don’t meet mine, surely still thinking about my sneaking in last night.
The room is bustling with nosy interns.
Which I’m kind of grateful for, honestly, as I slice a piece of bread from the thick, fresh loaf in the bread box. It’s hard to get anything past Fiona and I’m not ready to tell the truth.
I think of the way the leather felt, sliding across my stinging skin. My ass is still sore, a lingering memory I don’t hate. And, of course, last night I checked out the stripes he marked me with in the mirror, heat rushing to my pussy at the sight of the red lines.
I may never be ready to tell anyone about last night.
Carol Ann slinks into the kitchen, stretching and yawning. The purple leather miniskirt she’s chosen to go over her black fishnets today is an exact match of the tips of her hair. She joins us, accepting the steaming mug Fiona offers her—white with two sugars.
“I needed this.” She eyes me as she brings the cup to her glittery pink lips, taking a delicate sip. I brace myself for a talking to, Carol Ann surely still mad at me for running off and not responding to her texts. Instead, the sleeve of her slouchy black cardigan sweater falls over her shoulder, exposing her bare skin as she shrugs. “Didn’t sleep a wink.”
“Why not?” Fiona holds a delicate pink teacup on a matching pink china plate.
Carol Ann’s flawless skin is free of the thick makeup she favors. “I keep seeing dead bodies.”
“Aww. I’m sorry, sweetheart.” Fiona wraps an arm around her shoulders. “I still can’t believe they made you identify Clive.”
“I was the last one to see him. He’s quite the hermit. No family. I checked in on him from time to time.” She shrugs. “He looked peaceful at least. Died of smoke inhalation. They think he slept through the whole thing.”
“I still can’t believe he’s gone.” Fiona shakes her head. “He never bothered anyone.”
“That’s what I thought.” Carol Ann says. “Not in person at least.”
Fiona gives her a curious look.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“I don’t know.” Carol Ann shrugs. “The last time I was up at his place, it was weird—he had all these computers up in his cabin. And three screens. I don’t even know how he got a signal up there but as soon as I walked in, he’d shut them all down.”
Fiona’s brow knits together. “What would Clive be doing with all those computers?”
“I got a peek once. Walked in without knocking so the screens were still lit up. Pretty normal-looking maps of the area. Lots of the waterways our boats use. A couple with tracks charted out to get to the bigger city, Glasgow and such. On the other, some kind of strange emblem. Crop circle-looking thing.”
“That is strange.” Fiona says. She looks off in the distance, her eyes narrowing in thought. “What would hermit Clive be doing with all that? Sounds like he was into something. And then—to shut them down so quickly when he saw you.”
“I know. Something just didn’t seem right. But it’s just Clive, you know?” Carol Ann pulls her sweater tighter around her, giving a little shiver. “He was always a bit odd.”
I didn’t know Clive, so I hold back, unsure what to say.
“There was something else I remember, from the last time I was up there. He offered me tea but forgot the milk. He never forgets that I take it white with two sugars. Something was off.” Carol Ann lifts her cup to Fiona. “Thanks for this, by the way. I’m not sure if I thanked you earlier.”
Fiona wraps an arm around her shoulders, guiding her toward an open table. “Come, sit with me. Let’s talk some more.”
“I’ll make us toast,” I offer, hoping to be helpful.
Carol Ann smiles. “That would be great. Thanks, Kitt.”
I prepare two more slices. Once they’re warmed, I spread a generous amount of fresh butter over the bread, delivering a slice to each girl. I find myself devouring the delicious breakfast. It’s so much easier to eat my confusing, shameful feelings rather than analyze them.
