Chapter 358: Out And About
I made it all the way across the Yard and to Quaid's dorm only to reach for him and find out he wasn't even home. Which naturally made my mind spin in circles wondering where he'd gone and who he was with.
The image of the honey-blonde hanging off him, her oversized chest pressed to his arm, made my skin tight with pent up anxiety. I'd already accepted while it had been my first time, this wasn't Quaid's first romp under the sheets. The juvenile idea he'd had condoms in his room just for the two of us now seemed totally ridiculous, another lie I told myself. Was he with her now? No way was I sleeping, not with worst-case scenarios playing out in my head.
I know I should have gone back to my dorm and fetched Charlotte, but I couldn't bring myself to go back, just in case I ran into Sashenka and had to try to explain. And I was in no mood to fight with my bodywere either. Once she found out I'd knocked her out for the second time so I could sneak off, I'd suffer for it, I was sure.
Besides, I really needed to be alone to torture myself correctly. Wouldn't do to have a possible shoulder to cry on nearby, would it? Naw, better to simmer in my own pity party privately than ask for help or something.
Or reach for Quaid. That I refused to do. No way was I turning into the clingy girlfriend. Okay, clingier. Though I had to give myself kudos for not badgering him all summer at all aside from our weekly Skype chats and daily emails.
I was a good girlfriend, damn it, gave him lots of space. Too much?
Sigh. I just couldn't win.
Your sister is asleep. Sassy's mental voice broke my mental pacing even as I walked the Yard, keeping to the shadows. I'm heading toward you now.
A moment of guilt ran through me. Right. My sister. And then my mind went to Rupe and Simon. I had other things I could be thinking about right now. And other people I cared about who deserved some attention. Clearly Quaid didn't.
I'm tired. Sassafras's tone was a little sharp. I hope you're keeping the pillow warm for... where are you?
Oops.
Out. I tried for authoritative, to let him know I didn't care one way or the other what he thought of my little stroll even as I crossed out of the Yard and headed for Memorial Church.
Sassy ignored my tone. Tell me you have Charlotte with you.
How did he know I'd left her behind? Did he know about last night?
My cheeks flushed bright red at the thought my demon cat knew I'd stayed the night with Quaid.
Oh, get over yourself. Sassy's mental voice sniffed with arrogance only he could pull off. I've been around more hormonal young witches than you, Sydlynn. But Charlotte is with you for a reason.
I'm perfectly safe here. I stopped and looked up at the church, almost glowing white in the light of the full moon. The place kind of gave me the creeps.
That's not the point. He huffed in my head. I'm coming to meet you. Don't move.
Smart ass cat. Like he could do anything I couldn't. Wasn't I part witch, part demon, part Sidhe princess? I was fairly certain I could take care of myself, thanks.
Something flickered down the path, closer to the church, and I found myself gasping for a lost breath, hands pressed to my chest in fright as a row of young soldiers suddenly appeared out of thin air and marched past me. They didn't notice me, the echoes of the Northern Civil War troops only lasting a few steps before they faded out again, but the sight of them was enough to freak me out.
The chill air and absolute emptiness they left behind raised goosebumps on my arms and filled me with deep sadness. I'd find no resolution out here, in the dark, alone. Only an aching heart that refused to let go of Quaid and worried for Liam, growing fear and doubt bouncing between the two boys in my life and making my heart ache.
My emotions finally turned me around. Maybe Sass was right. This place was really old, the oldest campus on the continent. Who knew what lurked where? And though I was sure nothing here could harm me, I wasn't exactly a fan of getting the pants scared off me either. Or of wallowing. It used to be my way, but I was getting pretty tired of the whole poor me thing.
I could feel Sassafras's approach as he bounded across the Yard toward me and finally stepped out of the darkness to meet him. The moment I did, I felt the vampire virus shudder against my skin. Not the light vibration I'd gone through before. This was a violent reaction, as if the entity inside was suddenly wide awake and fighting me again.
But that wasn't possible. It should be sound asleep. I looked down in horror at the bright glow of it almost burning through the fabric of my sweater as I layered more power over it. But it ignored me, bouncing and struggling against my controls.
No. Way. I'd poured so much power over it, the source of the virus should have slept for centuries. Unless... unless it sensed vampires. And not just nearby, and not just one or two. No, they had to be many and right on top of-
I barely had time to raise my personal shielding before the air around me shuddered and a dozen vampires shifted out of shadow to surround me.
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