Page 5 of After Darkness Falls

Chloe understood why she hadn’t thought so at first. She hadn’t seen many vampires, even though she was employed by one. Most of them kept to themselves, even in NOLA.

The stranger wasn't at all like Charles, who looked like a very strong man, not a…thing. A Greek god. A predator.

She blushed. "You're not a normal vampire."

Chloe felt silly the moment the words left her mouth, but they earned her a thin, fleeting smile. "Observant. You'll do well at the Institute."

The Institute.

"You know where I'm going?"

The vampire looked around and sighed. "Yes, I do. And we can't stand here. Come with me, or make your own way. Your call."

She only had one choice.

3

A Hidden World

Chloe had done her best to ignore the man—or vampire—whose secretive smile seemed to mock her. He was trying to get under her skin, she could tell, but she was determined to not let him spoil this experience for her.

This week was full of firsts. Her first plane ride, and then her second one from London to Edinburgh. Now, to crown the lot, she was in a train. Not just any train—the Belmond Royal Scotsman, westbound. Better yet, the vampire had paid for it.

Only she should probably stop calling him “the vampire.” She knew his name now: Levi, owner of the Institute. As soon as she'd regained her sense, she'd asked him to identify himself, and checked in with Charles.

“Rose's was attacked?” he’d said in shock. “Chloe, where are you? You need to get off the road, right now. I'll send…”

"I'm with someone, actually. He says his name is Levi De Villier."

Charles had immediately exhaled in relief. "All right. You're perfectly safe. Good. Is he around?"

"Riding in the cab next to me, and probably hearing every word."

The vampire flashed his teeth. "Hello, Charles. Long time."

"Sir. I apologize for the trouble."

Holy fuck. Whowasthis guy? Certainly not just the owner of a college. She'd never heard Charles sound quite so deferential. Her boss ruled all of NOLA and answered to no one. That she knew of.

"No matter. Your protégée is in good hands, and we'll get to the bottom of the issue."

"Of course. I'll contact you when I hear any news."

"Likewise, Charles."

Now, to her, her boss said, "Listen, I have to tell Chelle. She won't be happy. She had several friends and family members at Rose's. Dammit!"

Shit. "I'm so sorry, it's my fault."

"Highly doubtful, Chloe,” he said. "So far, only regular humans have moved against you, and regular humans couldn't have taken the witches of Rose’s. I gotta go."

And on that note, he’d hung up, leaving her certain of what she'd somehow instinctively known despite Levi’s dangerous edge: she was going to be okay with him.

And she had been, so far. Levi flew them to Scotland, and she was now enjoying the Highland countryside in style.

The elegant dining room seemed to belong to the ’20s, with the cushioned velvet seats, thick patterned curtains, and so many damn spoons.

Chloe was acting like a puppy, and she didn't care. Her eyes were fixed on the window. If they'd been open, she might even have popped her head out.

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