“I don’t. That’s beside the point.”
He shook his head, clearly exasperated. “Just keep this to yourselves, and we’ll talk when I get back.”
“You’re fucking right we will, Mister.”
“Be careful,” Ian offered, because they had no idea what this training might involve.
“Shit, yeah.” Cate looked upset that she’d not said it first. “I expect you back here in one piece.”
“I’ll do my best.” With a wave, Blake turned towards the door, and both Ian and Cate were quiet as they watched him leave.
As soon as the front door closed, Ian felt Cate’s eyes on him. She stood and pointed to the kitchen. “Don’t move. I’ll be back in a sec.”
Ian stayed where he was, not moving a muscle.
Cate returned with a bottle of Glenfiddich and two glasses. When Ian raised his eyebrows, she huffed. “I think this is entirely acceptable under the circumstances.”
Pouring them each a measure, she passed Ian his glass and then downed hers in one, wincing at the burn. “Sooo,” she said, drawing her knees up and resting her chin on them. “Vampires, eh?”
Ian sighed and took a sip of his drink.
Fucking Blake.
Drop a bombshell and then run.
Thanks for that.
“Yeah. I know it’s a lot to take in—”
“A lot to take in?” Her voice rose alarmingly, and Ian reached across to give her knee a squeeze. “Jesus, Ian. The two of you sat there talking about it as though it’s an everyday occurrence. That there’s nothing weird about our best friend telling us he now works for some sort of vampire hunting task force.” She shuffled around to face him. “Aren’t you the least bit weirded out? Or you know, terrified?” She stared at him, waiting for him to answer, but Ian didn’t know what to say.
He shrugged a shoulder. “I don’t know how I feel, other than really fucking excited, becauseOh my God!Vampires!”
“So you def believe him? I know I asked before, but he’s gone now, so you can tell me the truth.”
Ian nodded, trying to look serious instead of like a grinning idiot. “Yeah, I believe him.”
“But why? He’s offered you no proof other than his word. I mean, I love Blake as much as you do—not in the same way, obviously—but I’m still struggling to accept it. Why are you so sure?” She reached for his hand. “Please. Because I want to believe him, I do. It’s just... vampires?”
Her voice seemed to get more incredulous each time she said the word.
Taking her hand in both of his, he gave it a squeeze. “It’s got nothing to do with my feelings for Blake.” In fact, up until that moment, he hadn’t thought of Blake that way since he mentioned his promotion. “I remember when Blake’s uncle visited. Vividly. And we might not have dared search for anything related to the VLCD again, but we did keep an eye on the news and searched for suspicious deaths.” He let out a low whistle. “You wouldn’t believe how many there are. Not round here anymore, thank fuck, but nationwide there’s loads.”
She huffed. “People can be vile dicks. But that doesn’t mean supernatural forces are at work.”
“No, but some of the deaths... the ones that were never solved. There was just something about them that didn’t feel right.”
“If it were true, though, wouldn’t more people know? Wouldn’t it be a thing? I can’t imagine a bunch of the undead swanning around Bristol, or wherever, and no one noticing. Can you?”
Ian ran a hand through his hair and tried to remember everything he and Blake had researched when they were sixteen. “From what we read they can be lightning fast, though. Strong too. And I’ve no idea how long they live for, but I’m pretty sure they must have money after being around for so many years. If you’ve got money, then most things are possible.” He paused, thinking it all over, suddenly struggling to accept it all himself, let alone convince Cate. “And some people do know by the sounds of it. If there’s a special police division set up, then some of the government must know.”
“Mm, I guess.” She poured herself another shot of whisky, holding up the bottle for Ian, but he shook his head. “Say it’s all true then. Say I believe that vampires are roaming the streets.” She took a long sip, closing her eyes for a second. “What does that mean for us?”
“In what way?”
“You’ve just told me that vampires are real. Creatures that want to drink my blood until I’m just an empty sack of skin are actually a thing that exists. Forgive me if I’m suddenly a tad concerned for my safety.”
He pulled a face. “Yeah, okay. When you put it like that.”
