Page 61 of After Darkness Falls

She frowned at him.

"We get it. This morning sucks. Stop trying to fake having fun for our sakes. It's not working, and it'll only make you more miserable. You smile when you want to, got it?"

She did smile at him then—her first real one since the scarf. "All right."

Outside, both Mikar and Cat were waiting on the pavement, a frown in place.

"Something's wrong."

Chloe wondered how they could tell.

"Someone got into my room and gave me a scarf that tried to strangle me."

The two vampires glanced at each other.

"A scarf?"

To her relief, Blair explained the events of breakfast. Mikar never stopped glowering as he listened.

"Someone got into your room…and just dropped a scarf on the bed. That doesn't add up."

"No one got near the house last night," Cat added, somewhat defensively.

She wanted it understood she'd done her job right.

"I know. Thank you so much for watching me, Catherine, Mikar."

She hadn't said that to them yet.

The vamp relaxed while Mikar walked away, phone in hand. To report to his boss, Chloe guessed.

Chloe was pretty certain that if he'd appeared right then, she would have been fully capable of expressing the extent of her gratitude. She did need her guards. She was powerless.

How many times had they helped her without her knowing it? Had they prevented attacks in Oldcrest?

She wanted—needed—to know. She daren't ask.

"Right. Who's up for a boat ride?"

* * *

Chloe yet again proved that her strongest skill was distracting herself. Out on the water, wind on her face, she didn't even care about the cold. Which might have had a lot to do with the fact that the cruise day included afternoon tea and unlimited champagne top-up.

Afternoon tea, she learned, was an adorable British custom that involved mini sandwiches and cakes on tiered plate stands. She went back for at least five three-inch-tall Victoria sponges and two servings of scones with jam and clotted cream. To crown a wonderful day, her bright yellow waterproof overcoat was doing its job, keeping her mostly dry.

By the early evening, when they were back in the London docks, she had messy hair and a light heart.

She hoped she'd remember this day. Her friends, the food, the boat. The scarf was a bleep on the radar.

"You're so strong. A lot stronger than me. I'd be in pieces, if I were you," Blair said.

Chloe shrugged.

"I'm just used to life getting in the way of happiness. So I learned to enjoy the moments and be grateful for them."

The witch watched her before smiling. "We should toast. To the moment."

Chloe laughed. "We've toasted plenty, thank you."

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