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“Because you aren’t being honest with me or yourself. What are you afraid would happen if you opened yourself up to that pain?”
“That it will hurt, obviously.” Duh.
“And then what?”
“Pain isn’t enough? There has to be more?”
“You’re no stranger to pain, Lorelei, both physical and emotional. You’re injured now, although I’m not sure where.”
“That doesn’t mean I enjoy it and want to entertain it.”
“You fear your own power,” he continued. “You fear that if you tap into that emotional pain, you’ll lose control and unleash hell on earth.”
For someone who didn’t know my identity, he was awfully astute. “I’m perfectly in control, but thanks for the warning.”
Otto smacked the keys, producing an unpleasant sound. “You cannot change what you refuse to acknowledge.”
I pushed away from the piano. “If I’d known this was going to be a therapy session led by a vampire who can’t even tell a woman her makeup needs to stay in a bag, I would’ve stayed home.”
“Please don’t go, Lorelei.”
I strode toward the doorway. “I’m not interested in hearing anything else you have to say. Not today anyway.”
“Is this why you left London? Did someone share an opinion you disliked, and so you ran?”
I stopped, turning slowly to look at him. “I’m not a coward, Otto. I never run from a fight.”
“Maybe not the kind that involves swords, but you certainly are quick to flee the scene when feelings are involved.”
“Let’s reschedule dinner. I’ve lost my appetite. Have a good evening, Otto.”
I left the house before I said something I’d regret. I hastily buttoned my coat as I entered the cold darkness. It was my grandfather who’d taught me to run. The moment anyone caught a whiff of my uniqueness, I was out the door of one school and into another. He’d been trying to protect me, and after he died, I learned to leave places I felt threatened to protect myself.
On the other hand, Otto had a point. And I really wanted that caramel drizzle.
I turned back toward the house and pulled out my phone to text him that I was coming back. Two hulking silhouettes appeared in front of me.
“Excuse me,” I said.
“Your presence has been requested,” a gruff voice said.
“I don’t need Otto to send anyone for me. I was coming back of my own accord.” I attempted to sidestep their brawny frames.
They moved in unison to block my path.
I glanced up at their faces and noticed the fangs. Strange. Otto didn’t mix with his kind.
A light went on in my head. “You work for Magnarella.”
“What gave it away?” His voice was a deep rumble, like the start of an avalanche miles away.
“Your cheap jacket and worn shoes. I figured it had to be someone who doesn’t pay his employees a living wage.”
The goon looked down at his shoes as though to verify my claim. I seized the opportunity and clocked him in the back of the head.
I sprinted for my truck. One of them grabbed the strap of my purse and yanked me backward. I heard the dreaded sound of a crack as my phone hit the sidewalk.
“I do not have insurance on that phone,” I seethed.
