Page 36 of Call of the Blood

“Would it be a problem if I had a sexual appetite and slept with someone? A girl’s got needs, you know,” I snapped.

“Then…” Alexius was finally flustered. “Just not like that, please. What you do…” He stormed off instead.

“This trip was so we wouldn’t go more crazy,” I muttered, then drank my entire meal in one go. I checked my phone to see I had twelve missed calls from Declan and ten texts.

“Holy shit, Declan.” Groaning, I checked the texts. Some were angry with what I had said. Most of them pleaded for me to come over and give him at least one movie to just hang out. No important conversations, no Lexi, nothing like that. Just share space for a moment. The last was that he was worried about me.

That was the one that got me to call him back.

“Oh, Everly! You answered. I was getting really worried you were going to leave for Georgia and never talk to me again.” He sounded so relieved.

“Hey, Declan.” It actually healed something in me to know he had been worried I would do that. I wouldn’t. I’d have to make sure he knew that. I’d never really abandon him like that.

“Look, I want to apologize…” Declan made a noise. “Are you coming over tonight?”

“I have a thing with the local vampire nest tomorrow that I need to get ready for. But please don’t forget that I’m here for a month and we’re on day three or something, Declan. A couple of nights just to cool our tempers after the last conversation isn’t the end of the world.”

“I know… We should probably work out what days you can come over and how free I am, because I can only use so many emergency sick days to stay up late with you.”

“Oh, shit, that’s right! You don’t really have vacation. I bet I could swing something to get you time off.”

“Please don’t involve the werewolves. Make a calendar, and we’ll both fill in our halves tonight. While I’m bummed we’re not going to hang out tonight, I get it. And I know that you have appearances you need to make since you’re a vampire in a place you don’t live. That makes a lot of sense.”

“Yeah. Mistress Maria is kind of really fucking important,” I said, making a face. She wanted me to go to a blood club, and I couldn’t decline. A moment later, I heard a door, and the rumbling SUV started in the garage. I stood up to look out the window as Alexius left, without even saying goodbye.

“That’s one of the vampires you mentioned… You know what? No. I’m going to live intentionally ignorant right now. Get a calendar up, and we’ll make a proper schedule. We should have done it initially.”

“Yeah, but the whole trip was so rushed.” I sighed. “Blame my boss. That’s what I do.”

“Will do. Love you, Everly. I mean that.”

“I love you too, Declan.” I smiled and hung up, feeling a bit better about facing the night.

Should I have told him about Henry?

No. He doesn’t need that right now. I don’t need it right now, but I should figure it out.

I looked at the number I had already saved in my phone and decided it was time to call it. Early in the night. He’d be waking up and getting started with his evening just like I was. Hopefully near his phone and not busy with whatever work he had or would be doing.

From one tough call to another.

“Henry speaking,” he said, something curious in the way he said it. “Who is this?”

“It’s me, Everly,” I said, and heard him inhale.

“You called,” he said, like he didn’t believe it.

“I called,” I said, nodding to myself as I went to sit down on the couch. “So…”

“I’m off tonight, if you want to meet,” he said quickly. “Oh, I’m so happy you called. You have no idea, Everly. I never thought…”

“I have a list from someone of supernatural places in the city. Are all of them like Wren’s place, or is there somewhere we can talk somewhat privately?” I wanted to get right to it.

“There are a few places in Los Angeles we can talk privately that will allow a couple of vampires. You have to pay for the privilege, though.”

“Money isn’t a concern.”

“Then I will send you an address…” Henry was the one thrown off now. Or he seemed like it. “I could just meet you at home, you know.”