Chapter 2
"You two definitely had sex," I said after Beth had closed the door. She turned and gave me a look, and I shrugged.
"Why do you say that?" she asked. I walked back into the living room and sat down, crossing my arms.
"Well, a couple of nights ago I went to your place. I heard Mick's voice and decided right then wasn't the best time. So, the next morning I went back and he was still there. Now, that's not entirely abnormal for a vampire, but still very strange. I came to only one conclusion," I told, looking at my nails. She sat down on the couch across from me and crossed her legs.
"Okay, fine. So, we did." I smiled, glancing up from my hand to her. She rolled her eyes and leaned forward, laying her arms on her knees.
"Who was on the phone?" she asked.
"Terrance. It seems that list the Emma threatened us with has gotten into the hands of the Assistant DA," I answered, folding my hands in my lap.
"Talbot? How did he get the list?" she questioned.
"No idea. But, the guy that gave it to him is giving him hints about what he's looking at," I replied, and she nodded.
"What will happen if he finds out what he's looking at? What will they do?" she asked and I shook my head, not sure myself.
"I actually don't know. There's multiple ways that they could take care of it, but a few do come to mind," I said and Beth sat back, turning her gaze from me to the floor.
"You don't think they would? I mean, plenty of humans know about them but they don't kill them, right?" I nodded, but only half of her logic was right.
"Yes, but if a person, vampire or otherwise, threatens our secret or we know they might try to tell the authorities, well, then things are handled differently," I stated and Beth turned her gaze back to me, her eyes anxious.
"They wouldn't. He doesn't even know what the list is," she responded, shifting nervously.
"True, but he in himself is the authorities, Beth. If he figures it out, then something is going to have to be done. We need to get it back before things get that far," I said and she nodded, standing up.
"Well, then we have to go. We can't just sit here while he stares at it, we have to do something," she declared, grabbing her purse and heading to the front door.
"Whoa, whoa. We can't do anything. It would help you to remember that there's a killer vampire on the loose, and any of us could be his next target. We need to stay put and wait till Mick gets back with Josef," I uttered, jogging up the steps to catch up with her.
"No, we can't. Plus, we can just call Mick and tell him where we're going. Not to mention I've got a vampire of my own on my side," she retorted, walking backwards to the door as she smiled at me. I rolled my eyes as she opened the door and turned around, Mick stood there, his hand out in a frozen motion where he hand been reaching for the door knob. Josef stood behind him with his hands in his pockets, his eyes meeting mine.
"Nice timing," Mick responded, stepping in. She smiled up at him as he hung up his coat, Josef sauntering in behind him. Things were about to get awkward.
"Glad your here, now we have to go," she replied, stepping through the doorway. She was serious about going to see Talbot, and it seemed the even Mick might not be able to stop her.
"Hey, wait a sec. Where are you going?" he asked, grabbing her wrist. She turned and faced him, a look of determination on her face.
"We're going to see Talbot," she declared, holding her head high in defiance.
"We?" He looked over and me, and I only rubbed my temples in response. "It doesn't seem the second person in your team in willing to go any where." She frowned, walking back into the apartment. She stopped in front of me, staring straight into my eyes.
"We have to go." I shook my head and smiled.
"No, we don't. He's currently the only one that knows about the list as far as we know and he hasn't told you. Wouldn't it be kind of weird if you just burst in and demanded the list from him?" I said, crossing my arms. She huffed her breath and scowled, raising her eyebrows.
"Alright, you have me there. We but we can't let them kill him, it's wrong," she responded. I rolled my eyes as I turned around, walking back to the living room.
"I never said that they were going to just kill him, Beth. I said that they might have to if he figures out what he's looking at," I countered, sitting down heavily on the couch and looking across the coffee table at Josef. He gave me a small smile, just enough for me to notice. I crossed my arms and smiled back, just enough for him to notice. He looked to Beth and crossed his legs as she stepped down into the living room, glancing between us. I raised my eyebrows, watching her.
"Problem?" I asked and she shook her head, sitting down next to me.
"But, you know they will. We have to do something," she whined and I sighed, shaking my head.
"They will not do anything, Beth. Not until they figure out how much he knows and who he might have told. He's safe," I responded and she shook her head, looking over at Mick as he sat down.
"No, he's not," she stated, turning back to me. "They'll do something to him, and we can't let them." I rolled my eyes, turning my head and looking at Mick.
"Please, tell her." He shrugged, a coy smile on his face.
"I don't even know what's going on, let alone tell her not to do something," he said.
"Alright, we'll do it your way. Talbot has been given the list that Emma had-" Mick cut me off, putting his hands up.
"Whoa, hang on. The list of over three hundred vampires right here in Los Angles?" Mick questioned, tapping the table with his finger.
"Yes, if you would let me finish. He doesn't know what all the names are just yet, but the man who gave it to him is dropping hints. We need to get that list back before he has enough time to figure it out." He sat back, cupping his mouth with his hand. "Not to mention we're all on there. Me, you, Josef, Beth." Mick dropped his hand, obviously surprised at the last bit.
"Beth? She's not a vampire, he should know that," he said and I nodded.
"True, but from what I understand Simone was on it, too." Josef looked up from the table and studied me, his eyes suddenly interested.
"Why would she be on it? It doesn't make any sense," Mick muttered, entwining his hands.
"Simone was Josef's freshie, maybe this guy thinks that Beth is yours. He obviously spent a lot of time figuring this out, he was probably watching you," I replied, shifting. He sat back, worry all over his face. There a solid rap at the door and the murmur of voices in the hall. Mick stood and went to answer it, opening the door slowly.
"What are you doing here?" he asked as I heard the shuffle of footsteps as multiple people entered the premises.
"Well, considering that the authorities now have the all of our names, we thought it was a good idea to come on over figure out a plan," Logan replied sarcastically, heading to the living room. He can be such a jerk, I thought as he stepped down into the sitting area.
"Hey guys, Abigail's here. This is good, a least someone around here will have an idea of what to do," he stated, sitting down. Josef stood and straightened his jacket, just as the Cleaners came into view. I tried not to roll my eyes as everyone except Logan stood up, turning to face the women in black. I had to admit, there outfits looked like something strippers would wear.
"I'm sure you've heard what's going on," said the leader, I could never remember her name. I nodded. "What do you suggest we do?" I had been thinking about it, and I had quite a few decent solutions.
"I say we take shifts watching him, it's the only real thing we can do without making him suspicious." She nodded in agreement, Terrance and Mick stepped down behind me.
"Alright, who volunteers for the first shift?" asked Mick. We all turned and looked at Logan.
"You've got to be kidding me! Why do I have to take the first one?" I smiled, looking down at him.
"You obviously like to sit, I really don't think that aspect will be a problem," I said, making him frown. He stood up, glancing between everyone.
"I can stand just as well as the next guy," he retorted.
"Good for you, if that's the way you want to do it, go right ahead. Either way, you're on the first shift," I stated, and he sat down in defeat.
"How long are these things going to be anyway?"
"Four hours." He looked up at me in shock, his face horrified.
"What?!" I chuckled, smiling down at him.
"I can always increase your time, it would probably help the rest of us out," I responded, and he put his hands up.
"Nope, four hours is just fine," he replied.
"Thought so. You better go, you wouldn't want to be responsible for missing anything." He disappeared and I heard the door shut silently as Beth looked at me.
"Alright. Logan, then Mick, Terrance." The Hispanic nodded in approval. "Me, then The Cleaners, whoever wants to do it then, and Josef. Simple. Everyone waits until their replacement shows up, clear?" Everyone nodded, even Beth. This should be fun, I thought sarcastically.