Page 66 of Of Mercury and Mist

“I’m going to miss you,” Kayla said, lowering her arm to give me a hug, which I returned.

“It's not like that; it's only a month. I can probably come visit.”

“Still.”

Kayla knocked on the door and Matthew’s voice boomed from behind the panel, “Please, come in.”

TWENTY-TWO

Ashley

“Wish me luck,” Kayla said.

“What? You should be wishing me luck.” I laughed.

She joined me, letting out a short laugh before she said, “Here goes nuthin’.”

Kayla opened the door, and I stepped over the threshold, listening to the quiet snick of the panel closing behind me. Matthew was seated at his desk, leaning back with his hands behind his head.

To his left was my sponsor. We eyed each other across the office, his gaze softening as he took me in. With relief, I noted he appeared to be pleased with what he saw, if his soft smile was any indication.

Matthew gestured for me to come forward and I took the time to check the man out who was changing my future. His dark hair was shoulder length, slicked back to reveal extensive, elaborate tattoos. They peeked out from his navy-blue collared shirt and weaved around his neck with words, symbols, and a pattern of ivy. His lightly tanned skin was covered with ink, right down to the hieroglyphics staining his well-manicured fingers.

Matthew watched me carefully, presumably to make sure I didn’t display any untoward or unwanted behavior. I’d heard the stories of these meetings going wrong, though they were few and far between. But he didn’t have to worry about me. The vampire I’d been assigned to was pleasing to the eyes, though his dark aura suggested hidden desires.

He was the same man who’d stared me down the other night out on the main floor.

I’d dealt with Micha; I could handle this guy.

“You may greet him,” Matthew said, pulling himself up from his seat.

“Hello,” I said, softly. “It is nice to meet you.”

“My name is Isaac.” He rose and took my hand, flipping it before tenderly kissing my palm and making my knees weak. “The pleasure is all mine.”

An unsettled feeling rolled through me, leaving me dazed. I felt connected to this man though I’d never met him. I glanced at Matthew, searching for a sign that something was wrong or that he’d noticed the effect Isaac had on me, but he just stood there, looking proud of himself.

It was uncanny, how I wanted Isaac despite not knowing a thing about him. I wanted to throw myself in his arms. The novel sensation concerned me until I realized he was the antidote for my conflicted feelings for Micha. I was about to rub the slate clean.

I gave Matthew a beaming smile. It didn’t matter if this attraction was the addictive spell of a vampire that I’d heard so much about since I started at Angels. I was about to have the time of my life.

My boss stepped forward a little more. “I can see this is an especially successful pairing. That being said Isaac, I will require Ashley to work one shift a week for the duration of the trial month. She will be here Thursday night and work as a waitress—no private entertaining in consideration of your contract.”

Annoyance flashed in Isaac’s eyes, but he nodded. “Very well. I will ensure she reports for her shifts.”

Matthew twisted and reached for his iPad before handing it to Isaac who then scrolled and signed.

I watched as Matthew strode over to a small dagger suspended on a brass frame and retrieved it. Glancing up at the tall man beside me, surrounding me with his heat, I sucked in my breath at the desire in his eyes.

I was in trouble. Big trouble.

“This will seal the deal, so to speak,” Matthew said, stopping in front of us. The blade gleamed in the light; its edge so fine it was nearly invisible. I’d been warned about this, the blood joining, but hadn’t expected it due to the short duration of the arrangement. My guess was they were both assuming this would be a permanent situation.

My heart twinged and I had force visions of my ex-tormentor out of my head. It wasn’t fair to Isaac, or myself. I’d committed to this man. I would keep my word and see the promise through.

Matthew grabbed Isaac’s hand first. “Both of you must agree to everything I say with a ‘yes’, per the terms of the contract. If either of you have any questions about anything you gave your consent to, they can be addressed afterward.”

“Isaac, do you swear to protect Ashley with your life, faithfulness, and loyalty, for as long as you live?”

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