Page 13 of Incandescence

Chapter Eight

Maya

It was surreal walkingthrough the lobby amongst everyday people with their mundane, everyday lives. People who barely spared us a glance. The same people who were totally clueless about the monster who resided in the very same building.

A monster who’d soon wake and undoubtedly seek revenge.

The sharp ping of cutlery and the scent of grilled onions and steak, along with other tantalizing smells, wafted our way. Lunch appeared to be in full swing, and I wondered how long it’d be before restaurant staff noticed their chef was missing.

We stepped out onto the street, hurrying through the humans who were busy going about their day. Suited businessmen, blue-collar workers, and moms pushing prams. I sucked in the exhaust-fumed air. Smog had never smelled so damn good!

But I wasn’t going to get too lost in the moment. Wasn’t ever forgetting what I’d escaped.

“How long have we got before the bloodsucker wakes?” I asked.

A muscle in Alexander’s jaw flickered, his mouth tightening even as he glanced at the clear sky. “It’s after midday. At a guess, I’d say we have between three and four hours.”

“Shit.” I pulled him to a stop and he turned to face me. “But we do have time to head back to my share-house to grab some clothes, money and supplies. One of my housemates is around your height and build. I can grab some things for you too.”

He nodded, though I could see he was both fearful and distracted by everything around him. I had no idea how long he’d been locked away, but imagined the technology had dramatically changed. It would be a lot to take in.

Like he’d been in a time warp.

Two policemen in full uniform strolled past and I turned to stop them. Alexander clasped my forearm and whispered, “They won’t believe us. And unless you want to be admitted to a psych ward, I’d suggest you don’t say a word.”

I blinked back sudden emotion. Was he right? Would anyone believe us if we told them the truth? Hell, before I was captured I wouldn’t have believed it either. I bit my bottom lip until I drew blood, then nodded acquiescence. “You’re probably right.”

He released my forearm to carefully blot away the blood on my lip with his thumb. “I wish I wasn’t.”

I managed a smile, my skin tingling and my emotions dancing at his gentle touch. “My only wish was to escape from the bloodsucker’s nest. Since that came true, I refuse to push my luck wishing for anything else.”

His eyes glinted. “You’re amazing, you know that, right?”

My throat dried, my entire being responding to him. “I only survived a few hours up there,” I said hoarsely.

How he’d survived for so long in the nest I had no idea.

I turned away from the seriousness of the moment and hailed a taxi, before directing the driver to the suburb of Maychim. There was not a moment to waste on being poignant, our future wasn’t secure now we’d escaped the vampire.

It was a relief turn back and see the building we’d escaped recede into the distance. I shivered. Though I knew the vampire still slept, I almost imagined the bloodsucking monster was watching our escape through his telescope.

Fuck you, vampire.

I leaned forward in the seat, directing my attention to the driver. “Can you go any faster? We’re in a bit of a hurry.”

Twenty minutes later the taxi pulled beside the curb of the house I had with two other housemates. The driver read out his fare. But for a moment I didn’t move. It was as if shock had caught up to me and I couldn’t quite believe I’d made it home.

No, not home, I reminded myself. Nothing would ever be the same again.

I managed to smile at the driver. “I left my money inside the house. Give me a minute and I’ll be back outside with your fare.”

Before the driver had a chance to react, I climbed out with Alexander right behind me. I pushed open the front door, thankful for my housemates’ total disregard for security as I headed to my bedroom, then flung open the top drawer of my side table. From inside a textbook I grabbed the notes I’d stashed for emergencies, and ran back outside to pay the fare.

Alexander was still standing in the doorway of my bedroom when I returned, his expression more than a little bewildered.

“Something wrong?” I asked.

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