AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Tina has always been able to read me like an open book, and while I’m not all that great at hiding my feelings, it’s freaky what she can figure out just by watching someone. If you were going to pick the supernatural out between us, all bets would be on Tina.
Snorting at her comment, I turn to face her, a small smile pulling at my lips. “Orange is the New Black isn’t a documentary, and this place is nothing like that.” Taking a deep breath, I shrug nonchalantly. “I’m safe, don’t worry. No one has hurt me, and I have people looking out for me.” An image of Gabriel flashes in my mind, and I quickly push it back and change the subject before I get too deep into that complex line of thoughts. Clearing my throat, I push my curls back from my face and take in my gorgeous flatmate. “How are you here anyway?”
When I was first arrested, I was told that I wouldn’t be able to see Tina until I was released. Honestly, this lifts my spirits so much that I am determined today is going to be a good day.
“Zane and Officer Hart have been working together to get permission for me to visit,” she explains, her eyes bright. “We finally got permission this morning by stating that I’m your only family and you need some personal items before your assessment.”
The fact that the SNPD allowed her to visit on the day I could be released gives me hope that Tina is a sign of my upcoming freedom, and because of that, I feel ready to get this over with so I can continue with my life.
My head tilts to one side as I process her words. “What personal items?” I ask, confused as to what I might need for the assessment that I would have left at home. As I glance around, I notice a duffle bag by the door that she must have brought with her.
She wiggles her eyebrows in response and grabs the bag, emptying the contents onto the small table at the back of the room.
It turns out that the important possessions she had to bring were clothes—several smart dresses, a pair of high-waisted, navy trousers, and a cute, white, cap-sleeved shirt. Deodorant, a hairbrush, spray-in conditioner, and my make-up are also among the clothes.
The dresses are cute, but more like what I would wear for a job interview, so I decide on the shirt and trousers. I feel so much better in my own clothes, like an actual person rather than an ID number on a piece of paper.
I finish buttoning up the shirt and find Tina looking at me with a critical eye, a finger pressed to her lips. She steps forward and reaches out to straighten my collar. My heart clenches at the action.
Tina brushes her hands over the material to remove any invisible lint, seeming to need something to do with her hands. “I’m not allowed to come in with you, so I got you this.” Voice tight, she turns and pulls a small white box from the duffle bag.
I recognise that box. It’s the type of packaging we use at the flower shop where I work, and perfect for protecting corsages. Tina lifts the lid and removes a single rose. It’s breathtakingly beautiful, with large, black petals. The very tips of the bloom flare open and end in a deep red that makes it appear as though they have been dipped in blood. I remember telling Colin about these very flowers just before I killed him, and as such, it feels like an appropriate choice after everything that’s happened.
I keep still as my best friend pins the flower to my shirt. The effort she went through to get it for me is one thing, and I’m very grateful for it, but it’s more than that. She’s put a lot of thought into this, finding something that will comfort me in a difficult situation when she can’t be there herself.
“This way you have something to remind you of me in there.” She busies herself with making sure the bloom is straight, but I don’t miss the catch in her voice, nor the glossy look in her eyes.
Flowers have always given me strength, due to their determined resilience come rain or snow, as well as their stunning beauty. She went out of her way to get this for me, knowing it would strengthen me. Some people find Tina to be a bit abrupt or abrasive, but that’s only because they don’t know her. With her history, it’s not a surprise that she struggles to trust others, yet once you’ve earned that trust, she is one of the most loyal people you will ever meet.
Stilling her hand as she reaches to fix my collar again, I squeeze it in mine, waiting for her to meet my gaze before speaking. “Thank you, Tina. For everything.”
Hearing the hitch in my voice, she pulls away from my grip and takes a step back, pointing at me accusingly. “Don’t you dare start crying, you’ll make your make-up run.”
I’m not able to cry and I’m sure she knows this now, but I know her actions are for a deeper reason. She’s struggling not to cry herself. I’m sure we don’t have long before they come for me, so I press my hands to my face and pinch my cheeks to snap myself out of it.
“I just thought it was important to go into this meeting feeling like yourself,” she continues with a forced lightness. “It’s a good thing I came, as those generic clothes they had you in were depressing. Having your own personal items will help you feel more… you.”
Smiling fondly, I reach out and brush her shoulder. “You’re right. You’re the best friend ever.”
Chuckling, she grins at me. “I know. Now, tell me what’s going on between you and the cute vampire.” Sitting on the edge of the table, she leans forward and looks at me expectantly, ready for all the details.
Shit, I can’t believe I’ve not told her about Zane yet. I’d been so caught up on getting ready that I completely forgot, and it’s not as though I’ve had the chance to speak to her before this.
“You’re not going to believe this, T!” The buzz of sharing new gossip with my best friend sparks excitement in me. “Zane is my mate.” I whisper the last word, my face animated as I wait for her reaction.
She doesn’t disappoint.
“Mate?” she squeals, her eyes wide. “Like in Vampire Diaries?”
“Yes!” I cry out, then frown slightly as I try to remember what happens in the show. “Well, sort of. Not really.” Shaking it off, I continue to explain, my words a rush. “Anyway, I was drawn to him, and then I was learning to feed properly and almost drained my donor, so he took me to a cupboard and let me feed from him. We then fucked, obviously—”
“Oh, obviously,” Tina comments with raised brows, gesturing for me to continue.
Nodding, I carry on like she never spoke. “When we climaxed, the mate bond slammed into place, and we were mates! Now I can feel him all the time. It’s strange, but also kind of perfect. He says we were predestined to be together.”
My lungs burn, and I realise that I held my breath as I spoke, all of my words rolling into one. It’s a wonder that Tina understood any of it. In fact, she’s staring at me now, her shock obvious in her expression and the way she slowly shakes her head. “There is so much to digest there, I don’t even know where to begin.” Despite this, she seems to know exactly what she wants to ask me, leaning forward again, her voice hushed. “You bit him? Did he taste good?”
This is what I love about Tina, there is no judgement. I just told her that I drank someone’s blood, and instead of condemnation, she’s asking me if it was tasty. My eyes roll back as I remember the rich taste of his blood and how he felt beneath my mouth. Without warning, my fangs slide from my mouth, nicking my lip once more, a tiny drop of blood beading there.
