Page 48 of Vengeful Embers

Me:Heading home. Taking a few days off. Packing for L.A. I was offered a job there even before my PhD defense results were ready.

Renfield:Is that today? I nearly forgot. How are you getting there?

Me:Bus

Renfield:What time are you leaving?

I glance at the time on my wristwatch. “Shit!” I curse aloud, heart lurching as I scramble up. I start throwing things into my tote, hunting around for my car keys. I pull open drawers, overturn piles of books. Nothing. I drop to my knees and start checking under my desk. That’s when I see them. A pair of shiny black shoes.

“Lose something?” Gavriil’s voice cuts through the moment.

I back out too quickly and bump my head on the edge of the desk. “Fuck. Ow.”

As I stand, rubbing my head, he’s already holding my keyring up with a small shake of his finger. “Where’d I leave them this time?”

“Refrigerator in the back room. Bartender found it while grabbing beers.”

“Of course.” I reach for the keys just as my phone buzzes again. A message pops up from Renfield.

Renfield:Have you disappeared on me?

Shit. I forgot to turn it face down onto the desk. Gavriil glances down and catches the name.

“You're dating Dracula’s assistant now?” he asks, brow raised.

I snatch the phone off the desk. “College friend,” I lie smoothly. “You know the professor I used to joke was Darth Vader? We called his T.A. Renfield.”

“Yeah, I remember the Darth Vader professor.” Gavriil gives a knowing nod.

“The T.A. needs my help with his dissertation.”

“Tara, you’re already stretched thin. Isn’t this the fourth college friend you’ve helped in a space of two months?” Gavriil’s eyes fill with concern.

I shrug. “I’m the brainiac of the class. What can I say?”

“You always were,” he says softly.

I throw my purse over my shoulder and grab a stack of books. “I’ve found a new home for these. UCLA said they’ll take my old textbooks. They’ve got students constantly hunting for used ones.”

“Not surprising with the price of those things,” Gavriil replies, following me to the door. “I’m going to miss you when you leave us for good. You’ve been a good friend. And I’ll always love you, Tara.”

I pause, heart clenching.

“I know,” I whisper.

As he steps forward for our usual hug, I fumble and drop my keys again. “Fuck.” I bend, scoop them up, and glance at my watch.

“Fuck fuck. I’m going to miss the bus,” I hiss, rushing down the hallway as he calls out behind me, “Safe travels, Tara.”

Not until I’m in my car do I finally text Konstantin back.

Me:Sorry, got cornered by the boss and had to sprint to my car. I’m probably going to miss the bus.

Renfield:You didn’t tell me what time you were leaving.

Me:In forty-five minutes.

Renfield:Cutting it close, aren’t you?

---