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I stiffened as Mom’s gaze locked on the point of contact.

“Regardless, I was being kidnapped, and Julian stopped it. He’s the one who arranged for us to come to the Island where it’s safe. And now we should really be going to work.” I turned back toward the car and began speed walking toward the open door.

“Char,” Mom called, freezing me in my tracks. “We still have a lot to discuss. Maybe you should start tomorrow.”

“Can’t,” I said with a grin, spinning around again but staying halfway to my escape. “Pretty serious case. I’m needed. Right, Julian?”

Julian’s eyes slid to me and back to Mom so quickly I wondered if he could read the yard, so to speak. Please go with it, I begged silently.

“I could certainly use the help. It was a pleasure meeting you both. I’ll be sure to have Charlotte home for dinner.”

To my relief, he started toward the car as well.

“Well, enjoy,” Zoe called as I climbed inside. “That’ll give us plenty of time to get the wards up before you return.”

Julian shut the door and I grimaced. That was a not-so-subtle jab letting him know he wouldn’t be setting foot on our property again without being burned to a crisp. I had to give him credit, though, since he simply waved and joined me in the car, smile still plastered on his smooth face until we’d driven out of view.

“Don’t worry,” he said, breaking the silence. “You get used to people not trusting you after the first hundred years or so. I’ve had worse. At least your mother let you come with me, though I’d appreciate it if you could remove the charm she added to your pocket.”

“Charm?” Stunned, I checked my pockets. Sure enough, a bright yellow marble the size of a penny had been slipped in my left side, a concentrated daylight spell by the looks of it.

Vampires could walk in the daylight, as evidenced by Julian’s appearance next to me, but they used spells and good old sunblock to avoid the irritation it caused. It was almost like an allergy that caused itching and mild pain like a sunburn and in high concentrations could cause serious distress. Being near this tiny charm probably felt quite uncomfortable to Julian. Pretty quick thinking on Mama’s part to keep him away from me physically.

I rolled down the window and flicked it out of the car.

“I’m so sorry,” I said. “That was rude. And it couldn’t have been comfortable.”

Julian’s expression was bemused, but I wished I knew what his aura would look like as he slid his intense gaze over to me. “Thank you. A mild irritation at my age, but if you had it all day, I’d have become quite uncomfortable.”

“Why didn’t you say anything back there?” I asked. I would have if someone pulled a stunt like that with me.

“As I said, I’m used to it. And I find the best recourse is to let it go. Honestly, that sounds more magnanimous than it is since that usually irritates people worse than any comeback or retaliation could.”

I pictured Mama’s frustration when Julian put his hand on my shoulder and didn’t remove it. It would likely drive her crazy to think it hadn’t worked. Though I sympathized with what she must be thinking, I couldn’t hold back a chuckle at the way Julian had handled things.

“Nice,” I said. “I’ll try to remember that.”

“Do you…want to tell me why she feels so strongly that I’m a danger?” Julian asked, carefully watching the road.

“You don’t think it’s normal for a mother to worry about her daughter getting in a car with a handsome stranger who happens to be a vampire?” I challenged.

“You think I’m handsome?” The look Julian shot me made me squirm in my seat again.

“You’re a vampire. It’s part of your nature.” I failed miserably at trying to control my blush but pretended it hadn’t happened.

Julian returned his focus to parking close to the front doors of the giant glass building I’d seen last night. “Yes, worrying about her daughter is normal. But having that charm on hand for just such a circumstance? Unlikely.”

I followed him out and up to the entrance where the doors slid open in greeting. At least he hadn’t waited for an explanation, though I assumed he’d want one eventually. Scowling, I fell into Julian’s wake as he strode through the enormous lobby. Everything was gleaming white and glass with screens and touchpads about every ten feet. A single desk sat sentry before a mirrored elevator door, a woman seated behind it, focused intently on something other than us.

One elevator and no stairs? I searched my surroundings for confirmation as Julian greeted the receptionist.

“Gladys, this is our new hire, Dr. Charlotte Devaux,” Julian said, pausing right in front of the middle-aged woman, who finally glanced up, removing her spectacles and eyeing me with mismatched gold and green eyes.

“Call me Char,” I offered, extending a hand. “Pleased to meet you.”

“You’ll be on the third floor. If you don’t like it, don’t come complaining to me. I’m an administrator, not a decorator.” She returned her focus to the screen on her desk, though it appeared blank.

I snatched my ignored hand back, and Julian strode toward the elevator, which opened immediately.