Chapter 3
Two Months Later.
There was a small office clock staring at me with black and lime green hands ticking away the hour. It was 2:34 am. Eric sat across from me behind his desk in a forest green tank top and loose jeans. He was cool, composed, and unknown to me, very irritable. Either I was getting terrible at reading his emotions lately or he was being more careful about masking them. I knew he appreciated his privacy. After spending a little over two months working for him he had become well practiced in blocking me out entirely. Sometimes it was a little maddening. I never truly knew what was going on in his head and he seemed to much prefer it that way.
"So, what do you have for me?" He steepled his fingers in what struck me as a very cliche gesture. "Any interesting topics come up?"
His tone was so soft and even it sounded sleepy. My mind wandered as I watched a muscle leap in his jaw. Do vampires get sleepy? They don't actually needto sleep, and from what I understand they don't really fall asleep come daybreak. They just die. Sort of. I had begun to think of the process as a ball losing its forward momentum. After all, you couldn't very well die if you were already dead. It's like they simply lost power, or their fuel cells needed to shut off in order to recharge, or whatever force of will propelling them along lost touch with their bodies come sunrise.
"Amelia." He snapped his fingers.
I jerked in my chair as my elbow slipped from the armrest, jarring me to attention. He wasn't the sleepy one, I was. Guiltily I gathered myself up and bore the weight of his stern gaze. "Sorry." I pulled my fingers through my hair to straighten and sort it. "Not all here today." I mumbled. "Brain is very distracted. These nights are really wearing on me." I rubbed at my temples.
It was true. This past week alone had consisted of getting up at 8 am and going well into the wee morning hours. That same schedule could also be loosely applied to define what the past two months had been like. And that's nothing to say of the roller coaster emotional rides some of the evenings had become. Mix in the wrong vampire, a vampire mind reader and things tended to get a bit ugly. You'd think that being in fear for your life on a weekly basis might help you develop an immunity to it, but I was still waiting for mine. It was exhausting work and caffeine did little at all anymore. At this point you could say I was deliriously tired and because of it emotionally unstable.
"Well get all here, or we'll be forced to move onto methods beyond energy drinks to keep you going."
There was a threat in his voice that tightened my stomach and propelled me by means of nervous energy straight out of my chair. Eric's method of motivation with me rarely fell on the side of positive reinforcement. I knew he needed my ability, especially now more than ever, but that wasn't enough to make me feel safe or secure. Even if he seemed to determined to use me as an asset, I held no delusions about what I really was to any vampire; a threat. I did my best to remind myself of that constantly and believing there would always be follow through on Eric's threats helped. Unfortunately it also made me feel incredibly unappreciated and edgy.
I paced about his office, moving quickly from being frightened and anxious to irritable and angry, dwelling darkly on his methods of procuring information from me and that he never even said thank you. I felt myself begin to scowl. I wouldn't be so distracted if he allowed me just one or two nights of real sleep per week. Ever since he discovered my ability I'd been working practically non-stop. It was either for him or with him, practicing my skills, learning vampire politics (in which I had very little interest), or listening as hard as I could to help him strengthen the sound-proof wall he'd built up against me. I still had my daytime life to keep up with and there were things that needed doing that just couldn't get done past normal business hours. It was a constant pain for me to struggle with and there was no consideration shown for it. I felt my temper flare and my cheeks grow hot. I managed to wrestle myself down a few degrees before I responded.
"Listen." I set my jaw and spoke very clearly. "I don't have anything for you tonight. I just can't concentrate when I'm this exhausted."
He shot me a scathing, skeptical look.
"Fine," I sneered. "I can function, but not very well. If a half-ass job is what you want, by all means that's what I can currently give you. Or I can go home, get some sleep, and actually be worth something tomorrow."
I covered my mouth in an effort to hide the jaw cracking yawn that, I had to admit, my body timed perfectly. There was a long stretch of silence during which Eric regarded me with a stony expression. After a few more moments of that unchanging gaze, I was convinced he hadn't even been listening to my reasonable plea, and that thought ignited an explosion of fury within me. I stared at him in disbelief, unable to understand why he was refusing to acknowledge what I had just said. Every additional second of silence was like adding a barrel of gasoline to the fire inside me. Finally, I exploded.
"You know what? I quit. I'm tired of being threatened, and I'm tired of trying to function like this. I'm going home and then I'm going to bed." I snatched up my sweater and then my purse, old words of warning from Eric echoing in my head. "And I don't care if you twist my limbs or drain me dry or blah blah blah scary vampire threats. If you're gonna do it, do it. Don't waste my time talking to me about it. Enjoy the rest of eternity." I slammed the door on my way out.
I was rushing, partially fueled by the heat of my anger and the fact that I knew I had a very small window in which to make my exit successful. This wasn't the first time I'd stormed out of his office. Usually he gave me a few minutes to cool off and then he or Pam came to find me. Eric had made it quite clear at the beginning of my employment that he didn't trust me farther than he could throw me, (which, to be fair, was pretty far) and would be heavily reticent to let me go once I started to get my brain all up in his business. Regardless of his warning I had agreed. I had felt so unique and special and was tremendously excited to actually be getting paid for using an ability I knew not many others had. It was a rush and a thrill unlike anything I'd ever known. He'd said it would be hard and often dangerous work, but I didn't care. In the excitement of the early days I may have also glazed over the fact that one evening I had distinctly gleaned from him that he'd rather see me dead than let me go. As I made my way to the car that memory came flooding back, and I hoped to all heaven that I'd be safe until morning so that by daybreak I could be gone.
My heels hit the pavement hard as I grumbled, hating politics, hating vampires, and especially hating Eric. He kept me on a short leash, on which I always felt like he dangled me as bait instead of using it as a lifeline to pull me to his side to keep me safe. It was ridiculous. It was insulting. What hope did I have of protecting myself against vampires if he wouldn't? When he'd hired me I had thought his intention had been to protect me. He had certainly proven me wrong.
My mind raced as I sped down the highway, barely registering any of my surroundings. The numerous threats of my employer echoed in my head, some chilling me, others just pissing me off further. I was done. I could find work and go to school in another state. I didn't need the glamor of being special. The year it took to become a resident I could find a job and save money and just get some rest. In my fury I felt certain he wouldn't dare follow me. I angrily whipped my car into the parking space at the front of my apartment and began digging for the key to open the front door to the building. I should have been watching where I was going, so when I looked up it was too late. I was as good as trapped.
Eric's tall muscular frame was propped against the heavy blue door that the key in my hand would unlock. I stumbled to a halt and blanched at the sight of him. The inside of my head went cold as I realized I couldn't get into the building and I wasn't fast enough to make it back to my car. I tried to regain my composure by making my tone as nasty as possible.
"What?" My eyes narrowed.
"I was hoping for a kiss goodbye." His eyebrows rose in what looked like absolute sincerity. I knew better.
"You've got to be kidding me." I exclaimed, annoyed and now slightly terrified. "Move, Eric." I jangled the keys in my hand, watching his eyes drift to them for the briefest moment. I truly hadn't expected him to follow me, let alone beat me to my own front door. "Now."
"Of course." He took three steps to the left then stopped. "Once I have your word you'll come back to work for me."
The hope of a new beginning in a different state died somewhere inside me and brought with it a sour frown. I could feel the muscles in my brow creasing, clearly displaying my displeasure. I stared at him long and hard willing myself into his head. I was only met with that cool, familiar solid wall. I gave the silence a moment more to breathe loudly between us.
"No."
He shrugged and resumed his lean against the building. I felt myself truly enter emotional overload. I was so angry at him and terrified of the consequences I was facing the two feelings crashed into each other and did battle over the right to control my next impulse like two warring titans. Part of me wanted to rush up and shove him aside, using the small silver dagger I had begun carrying in my purse to defend myself against him if it came to physical blows. The other half of me wanted to just run screaming or buckle under the pressure and continue being his workhorse. Slowly, and with a bit of a tremble, I pretended to place my keys in my purse, fingers desperately searching for the tiny blade. If I could just get a hold on it, I told myself, I'd feel a lot safer.
"I might be tired Eric, and even though you scare me I still won't give in. Not this time." I'd found what I was searching for and slipped it deftly into the wrist of my sleeve, making a large flourish of setting my bag down to sit on the pavement. "I also won't burst into flames when the sun comes up." I added colorfully. I felt breathless until I was sure he hadn't noticed my concealing the weapon. Feeling more confident, I boasted. "I can wait all night." I was fairly certain Eric wasn't stupid enough to wait around until sunrise, but it seemed like the best I could do for now.
I watched his eyes narrow slightly in consideration. Then, he sat down. The next thing he did made me want to pull my hair out. He smiled. "You have until just before dawn then."
Of course it had been a weak threat, so I tried another. "What if I call the cops? Get the vamp squad out to arrest you for harassment." I relished the thought. "Or at least occupy you long enough for me to get inside." I smiled and knew it looked unpleasant.
"Ah yes, the vamp squad." He laughed lightly, slipping a hand into his pocket. "They do so enjoy their work." He held out his hand. "You might need this, though. You left it in my office." I squinted. It was my cell phone. Shit.
"Fine." I scowled. "I'll come back to work." I lied prettily and then wondered why I hadn't just taken this route earlier. I could have already been in bed sound asleep.
Eric stood up and strode forward. Startled, I scrambled to my feet and backed away to keep the distance between us the same. Not that it mattered really. He could be on top of me in a fraction of a second but I needed to cling to this illusion of control to stay sane. I think he realized it too, because he stopped advancing and watched at me. I let the sleeves of my coat fall over my hands and nervously fingered the handle of the small blade.
"If I can't trust your word, Ms. Stratton, I have no reason to keep you alive." Something deadly slipped into his gaze and lurked just beneath the surface of his expression. "I think you understand that in more ways than my words can explain."
At that my resolve began to weaken. It wasn't just his threat, though. Because of my severe exhaustion the cold was eating away at me, and I couldn't remember a time when I'd felt more miserable. There was a dull ache in my head and I could no longer feel my toes. I shifted and shivered, huddling down into my coat as much as I could manage. My spirit was breaking, and in the light of getting small amounts of sleep as opposed to never waking up ever again... well, which one would you pick?
Palms upturned in a peaceful gesture he took a small step towards me. To my surprise, I didn't react. "You're freezing. Invite me in and let's talk."
"N-no thanks." I managed through lightly chattering teeth.
He could already enter the apartment lobby, but not the individual residences. I wasn't stupid enough to invite him into my home, but I was starting to think talking to him in the lobby couldn't hurt. My mind spun circles around itself. I didn't want to get any closer to him, but I was aching to get inside to some real warmth so badly. With an audible groan I brought my keys back out. His triumph clear, he grinned and motioned to the door in a way that said 'after you'.
I kept my head low as I trudged past him and unlocked the door. I made no effort to hold it open for him and without so much as a whisper from the soles of his shoes he easily slipped inside. In the time it took me to turn around and settle into one of the few worn out armchairs, Eric had taken his seat and was waiting patiently with one leg casually draped over the other. As I sat he inhaled deeply and it made me aware of the smell of the fading air freshener and the general stale quality of the atmosphere in the lobby. The fixation of his gaze had turned from the poorly hung and ugly decorations to me, which I assumed meant he was ready to talk.
"I don't want to work for you anymore, but I'd like to keep living." As annoyed and tired as I was I did my best to keep my tone level and, in my opinion, professional. I sat up and folded my hands in my lap, keeping myself as upright as possible so I wouldn't fall asleep in the comfortable warmth. "So how do we go about resolving this?"
"Four weeks notice." He said smoothly.
I blinked. "Four weeks. You're kidding. You've gone from imminent death to four weeks notice. Which, by the way, is twice what any job would ask." I shook my head in refusal and tried to look as serious and solemn as possible. I was desperate for him to take me seriously.
The majority of the time I felt like he regarded me like an uneducated child. Someone who would only harm themselves if left to their own devices. Considering the nature of my talent and the closely guarded secrecy in which most vampires lived, in the beginning, that hadn't been too far from the truth. But I had now spent two long months with Eric and felt confident enough that I could take care of myself. I had him to thank for a lot of that, I bitterly admitted, and it made me feel suddenly guilty. For all the threats he'd made, he'd never followed through on them and technically he had saved my life. More than just once.
"This isn't just any job." His stony gaze had returned and his icy blues looked the color of winter air, if it had a hue. "Four weeks, considering the loss I'd be taking, is incredibly generous. It's not as though I can replace you." His cold eyes glittered and fixed on me hard as steel. "Another point to consider is your own safety. How is your control now compared to when we first met? What happens when you become careless and slip up?" He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. "I won't be around to help you."
I grit my teeth, not at all enjoying the implication of his last statement. "And what happens if I just quit and leave tomorrow?" My entire posture had slowly begun slumping forward and now my chin was resting in my hand.
I was so tired and not entirely beyond just pure antagonization at this point. My hope of leaving tomorrow just after daybreak had officially died when Eric had followed me home, so at this juncture I had nothing to lose than a little more sleep. He stared at me making no reply and I simply blinked at him sleepily. It didn't affect my vision, but I could feel the dull glassy film over my eyes and knew I must look as I felt, detached and distant. A few long minutes dragged between us during which my blinks grew longer and longer. Finally I just shut my eyes.
"Alright, Amelia. What do you want?" His tone said: See? I can be reasonable.
His voice broke through my drowsing, making my head spin. He was offering to compromise? My head seemed to empty of all thought and the only demand I wanted to make was a week off to catch up on sleep. I knew enough to know that now was not the time to try negotiating. I drew myself up to stand, staggering slightly before I regained my balance.
"For now? To catch up on sleep and some time to think about what I want." I was looking down at him still sitting in his chair. "At this moment what I feel like I want is being driven by a truck load of stress. It's not that I think I would like to stay, but there is probably a more reasonable way to go about this whole arrangement."
He paused to consider, then said. "I'll be back in two days." He rose from his chair all swift and easy grace.
"Four, and I'll come to Fangtasia." I countered, my tone indicating I was not willing to budge.
It would take me at least two days to catch up on sleep and I would seriously need the third to formulate a plan and the fourth to revise it. I hated rushing.
"If that doesn't work for you then it's back to plan A, which is me leaving at daybreak and we'll have a fun game of cat and mouse across the country."
I began walking to the elevator, not bothering to wait for his reply. I tagged the button with a quick swipe and turned my head to watch him. It would be four days or nothing. If he refused I'd start packing as soon as I could and driving come first light in whichever direction pleased me. Another sleepless day wasn't going to kill me. On the other hand, he just might.
"That is, if you can manage to get away." I grinned stupidly, challenging him. I knew just how busy the bar business kept him. He might be over 1,000 years old, but even that can't make up for there not being enough hours in a day. Or night.
While listening to the hum of the elevator I thought I saw him twitch. It was subtle and I wouldn't have even noticed it if the agitation on his face wasn't so clear. For a moment I was worried. Then, unexpectedly, he softened. I can't say exactly why, but there it was. It was in the way he gently rolled his shoulders back and down, a foot cocked outward, and one long slender hand tucked itself half-way into his front pocket. "Four days." He said, and there was that softness in his smile that I found so confusing, so disarming, and so very not characteristic of the Eric I knew. After that he vanished, or seemed to. Vampire speed was something I was still getting used to.
The chime of the elevator startled me so much that I literally jumped and had to fight with my heart-rate all the way up to the 7th floor. The familiar smell of my apartment soothed my weary heart more than I anticipated and despite the events of the evening I fell easily into my bedtime routine. Four days. I was safe for four more days. Settling into bed I wrestled with my sheets nervously, tossing and turning until exhaustion took over, ensuring a heavy and dreamless sleep.