Chapter Four: Watchdog

Seth

"Mandy, come on; we're going out to eat in Port Angeles," I called.

She hurried after me, the alpha command in my voice not letting her stop to do more than grab her purse on the way out.

"Seth, what is it?" she asked as I peeled out of the driveway.

I stared straight ahead, keeping my eyes fixed on the road. "That was Winnie on the phone just now," I said tensely. "Some red-eyed bloodsucker took Esme Renée out to eat; I have to make sure she's not the main course."

"Seth!" Mandy exclaimed, horrified at the news and uncomfortable with my way of phrasing it.

I drove with utter disregard for the speed limit, slowing just enough at intersections to make sure that no one was coming the other way.

When we got out at the restaurant, I knew immediately that they were here — or at least, some vampire was. I didn't mind the scent of vampires as much as some werewolves did, but it was still just about the most distinctive scent there was.

With a quiet word and a bill slipped into the hand of the hostess, Mandy and I were shown to a secluded booth with a good view of Esme Renée and her vampire. Her back was to me; I really didn't want her recognizing me and wondering what I was doing there.

As the waitress set our water glasses on the table, I saw the vampire lift his head and sniff the air; drat. The last thing I wanted was to provoke a confrontation that could lead to Esme Renée finding out about the mythical creatures that inhabited her world. But my wolf scent had faded somewhat in the decades since I had last phased, and there was no reason for him to have heard of the Quileute shape-shifters. He turned his attention back to Esme Renée, seemingly satisfied; probably just assumed I was a dog owner or something.

I ordered my meal and ate with relish; being on guard duty was no reason to starve. And unless Esme Renée managed to cut herself, I really didn't think she was in danger right now, anyway. Why should he take her in front of a restaurant full of witnesses when he'd have her alone later?

I was actually surprised he was taking her out to eat at all; maybe he liked his prey well fed? I guess it would make sense that a high blood sugar level right after eating would make for sweeter blood; I'd have to ask Edward about that next time we talked.

The vamp had ordered a meal, but he let it sit untouched as he leaned across the table toward Esme Renée. Whatever he was saying was making her blush occasionally, and I wished I were a little closer so I could hear what it was. Filthy bloodsucker better think twice about trying to seduce our Esme Renée…

He treated her to dessert and a cup of hot cocoa —Esme Renée hated coffee and wouldn't touch it. Finally he paid the bill and stood, holding Esme Renée's coat for her.

They would be moving at human speed for her sake, so I gave them a full minute's head start before following them, lightly touching Mandy's hand to warn her to stay where she was.

I watched from the shadows by the building as he helped her into the car and got in himself. I began mentally counting down; more than five seconds and I was going after her.

But in a mere three seconds he had started the car and pulled out. I melted into the trees, keeping pace beside the road. She should be all right while they were driving; no doubt he could "eat on the run," but I couldn't see why he would want to.

But the second he pulled over, I was going to yank his door open, shout for Esme Renée to get out, and phase. She'd see too much, of course, but I didn't see how that could be helped.

To my relief — and, ashamedly, my disappointment — a rescue wasn't necessary. He took the most circuitous route possible, but he didn't pull over to take her blood, and he pulled into her driveway at ten thirty on the dot.

And I couldn't help wondering why.

oOo

Winnie

Once I was a little calmer, Justin tried to get me to tell him what was wrong. I tried to tell him it was just what most mothers felt, watching their daughter go off on her first date, but I don't think he believed me. He had been in too many courtrooms not to recognize when someone was lying, and he knew I wasn't normally that emotional. But he let it pass, seeing that questioning me was only upsetting me further. I was glad; when he switched into lawyer mode, it could be very hard not to tell him what he was digging for, and he couldn't know this.

I was determined to sit up until Esme Renée came home — though I never had with Carl or Jazzie — and Justin attempted to sit up with me. But he had been working all hours on two important cases the past week; after he dozed off for the second time I told him to just go to bed.

It was only after he had gone that I realized what a comfort his presence had been, even asleep. Alone now with my thoughts, I couldn't help imagining the worst.

But Esme Renée was fine; she had to be. Uncle Seth would have called if-if anything had gone wrong.

Unless he couldn't. Unless that red-eyed monster had killed him.

But even then, he might have bought Esme Renée time to escape. I would mourn Uncle Seth's death, but it would be worth it, to have my daughter safe and sound. How far could she get before the monster reanimated?

Or…maybe Uncle Seth wouldn't call. If he failed, would he go off to hide in shame like a whipped puppy?

I suddenly laughed a bit hysterically. Of course he wouldn't call; not right away. Not if he'd had to phase. He'd have lost his phone with his clothes, and who in their right mind would let a naked stranger make a phone call?

I wished now that I had listened to Jazzie when she said she didn't trust him. I had assumed she was just vaguely jealous of the fact that Esme Renée wouldn't need her as much anymore. I had been forgetting that she was one-fourth Quileute, descended straight from the alpha wolf. Of course she'd be more wary of vampires than most people, even without realizing why.

I jumped as the clock began chiming ten thirty, and at the same moment I heard the kitchen door open.

"Esme Renée!" I cried, jumping to my feet. Running to the kitchen, I hugged my little girl fiercely. His scent clung to her, but not as much as there could have been.

Esme Renée returned my embrace, though I could see in her eyes that she didn't understand its ferocity.

"Did…you have a good time?" The question came out stilted; I didn't want to know the answer.

"Yes," she said simply. She pulled away from my arms. "I'm going to bed; good night, Mom." Esme Renée had never been much of a night owl; not like her sister. It was sometimes a problem, what with them sharing a room.

I leaned one hand against the wall, weak-kneed in my relief. My Esme Renée was home. She was safe. The vampire might try to get into her room, but I doubted he'd go so far as to break a window when he could easily get her alone. And by midnight Uncle Edward would be here to "deal" with him.

I wasn't sure if that meant killing necessarily; I wasn't sure if I wanted it to. I'd be satisfied if he could be warned off with an appropriately dire threat.

My nerves were so tense, I nearly screamed when a knock came at the door.

Holding my breath, I cautiously moved the curtain just enough to see out the door's small window. Illogically, I more than half expected the vampire to be standing there. But if he wanted to come in, why would he bother to knock?

My relief at seeing Uncle Seth was so great, I nearly crumpled to the floor. It was all I could do to fumble the door open before collapsing into his arms, dry sobbing against his chest.

"Hey, Winnie, it's all right." He picked me up easily and carried me to one of the kitchen chairs, sitting and cradling me in his lap. He was past seventy now, but the years he hadn't aged while he was phasing made him look like he was in his mid-fifties — and very fit, at that.

I closed my eyes and imagined I was a little girl in Dad's arms…when the only vampires I knew wouldn't have touched a hair on my head.

"You all right, Winnie?" Uncle Seth asked softly.

"He's been in her room, Uncle Seth!" I choked out. "I locked the windows — but he could get in if he really wants to."

Uncle Seth frowned. "I made sure he left, but he could just be getting rid of the car… It's been a while since I pulled an all-nighter, but I'll run patrol tonight and make sure he doesn't get in."

"Thanks," I whispered. "And it's only till midnight; I called Uncle Edward and he said he'd be here by then. Uncle Seth…you can still phase, right?"

He shrugged. "According to all the old stories, I should be able to; I won't know for sure until I try. But don't worry about me, Winnie."

I smiled weakly.

"Now you go to bed, Winnie, and don't worry. Esme Renée is going to be fine."

Next chapter coming next week!

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