Page 26 of Into The Light

“I can’t believe he didn’t kill you right there!” I said between gasps.

“I know!”

“So then what happened?”

He struggled to contain his laughter. “He ignored me, obviously. But I kept at it. I may have had a few martinis before this so let’s keep that in mind. So a few more cheesy pickup lines and he finally left. Not long after, I went out to hail a cab and saw him by the alley. The alcohol forced me to stumble over for one last go. I mean look at him, can you blame me for trying?”

I shook my head. “What did you say this time?”

“Oh God. Are you ready?”

“Ready.” He hadn’t even told me, but a stream of giggles escaped.

Mark snorted. “Do you work at Starbucks because I like you a latte.”

“No!”

“Yes!”

We both collapsed again and laughed until tears poured down our faces. Breathing became near impossible now while I gasped for breath.

“So then, he yanks me into the alley and slams me up against a wall. I think, he’s either gonna kill me or kiss me, preferably the latter. Turns out he was quite amused by me. He gave me an address, much how it happened to you, and when I arrived, he told me he needed a new assistant. Lots of money, great clothes and I made him sweeten the deal to do all his bidding.”

“With what?”

Mark speared me with a knowing look. “He’ll turn me after ten years of service.”

The statement made my heart stop. “You’re going to be a vampire?”

Mark nodded eagerly. “Yes. Immortality here I come! And I hope before I get any more wrinkles. I’ve got a line right here between my eyebrows starting and I don’t want any more for all eternity.”

Shock didn’t quite cover my whirling emotions. “You want to be a vampire?”

“Who wouldn’t?”

“Me. I don’t think I would want it.”

“Give it time. You’ll be begging him to turn you one day.”

I shook my head in amazement. “Wow. That’s crazy!”

“Only a few more years left. Then you’ll have two vampires to live with!”

The thought of immortality scared me. I couldn’t even comprehend the reality that it could actually be a possibility, much less something I may want.

Me? A vampire?

“Oh, before I forget. We need to put your bracelet on.”

“Bracelet?” He pulled me out of my Vampire Emilia daydream.

“Don’t freak out, but to ensure the safety of Aiden’s identity, we need to put an alert bracelet on you that tells us if you leave the property.”

“What?” Shock sat me upright.

“It’s not a big deal, and it’s diamond so at least there’s that!” He tried to lighten the blow.

“You want me to wear a bracelet like a dog inside an invisible fence?”