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“Good boy. Now, you decide where we go today.”
Archie took them to a nearby park, uncrowded as it was still too early but with enough people to indicate it was a public place where the rogues wouldn’t be able to stalk and the rival clans wouldn’t wreak havoc. They stayed under a bunch of trees and waited for the squirrels to come. When they did, the boy visibly grew fur before noting Edmund’s warning look and sheepishly yanking it back.
“What’s the other rule again?”
“No shifting in public,” Archie replied, pouting. “But I want to chase the squirrels.”
“Why don’t you chase them in your human form and see if you can get to their speed?”
It was impossible, of course, but the boy tried until the challenge to be faster dwindled into the enjoyment of just running after little creatures. The squirrels weren’t bothered, returning when Archie sat down to rest, then responding to his soft growls. When more people started filing into the park, it was Archie who took Edmund’s hand.
“Come on. Don’t forget your hat.”
They made it out without getting noticed and ran when they reached an area with no trees. Archie giggled and bounced in his arms, then wriggled away when they reached the door to their apartment. It opened before he could knock, but the person on the other end wasn’t the one he was expecting.
“Archie, get inside now. Your breakfast is ready.” Archie zoomed in without a word towards the kitchen. Edmund stayed behind, unsure if he was even going to be let in.
The man before him was younger, but with a face that was already developing angular lines and a body that was filled out. Edmund suspected all of this happened recently, which made it easy to deduce who this was.
“You must be Charlie Bennett.”
He had Alexa’s hair coloring but not her eyes. Charlie’s eyes were a dark brown and eyeing him like a predator, which put Edmund’s back up. He inwardly shook it off.
“And you must be the Edmund that Archie wouldn’t shut up about.”
Edmund stifled a smile. He took the risk and ducked from the side, relieved when the man let him pass. But he was still being observed as he went to the kitchen, noting Archie’s cereal pouring method before he did the same.
“So, you are the guy who keeps taking my nephew out.”
“Yes. I am the guy.” Edmund sat beside the boy and gestured at the empty stool. “Breakfast?”
“What are your intentions with my sister?” Charlie bit out, then stopped at Edmund’s warning look. They glanced at Archie, who peered at them in interest before Edmund cleared his throat.
“Billy would know.”
“Why would Billy know?”
Edmund shrugged. “Because he set your sister up to help me with some stuff. You can ask him if you don’t believe me.”
It was the easiest explanation there was. Naturally, it had Charlie’s eyes narrowing in suspicion.
“What stuff?”
“You can ask Billy that, too. I prefer to keep it my business unless he deems it suitable to let you know. Cereal?” he offered once more.
There was a long pause as Charlie mulled over it before marching to the kitchen and carrying the stool to the other end of the island, until he was effectively in front of Edmund. The man ate his cereal peacefully, but the silence didn’t last long.
“How are you and Billy even friends?”
“That’s his story to tell, too. But why wouldn’t we be friends? It’s not like all vampires get hung up over an incident and decide to get revenge...no, I’m not taking revenge,” he clarified when Charlie stared just a little too long. The cereal was soggy when Edmund returned to it, so he pushed it aside.
“Where have you been taking my nephew these past few days?”
“Park!” Archie exclaimed. Then the boy began to regale Charlie with a play-by-play of their daily activities, giving Edmund the leeway not to speak. Charlie glanced at him from time to time, then reluctantly focused on Archie, who still didn’t stop talking. The reluctance eventually faded as Charlie responded more animatedly, then urged Archie to finish breakfast so they could watch some television.
Edmund watched on with fascination, seeing with his own eyes how Charlie took care of Archie and understanding why the young man had always been Alexa’s first choice instead of her other kin. When Charlie returned to the kitchen to take care of the dishes, Edmund felt a thorn in his heart that insisted on being let out.
“I like your sister.”
