Page 130 of Even Vampires Bleed
I’m not sure it’s like her to sulk, but I have to remind myself that she fled to the humans when she couldn’t cope being in Notre Dame anymore.
Because of me. Past me. New me. I don’t know anymore.
But now I can’t help wondering what she is doing.
Did she start robbing things for the humans? Or is she just hiding with a broken heart once again?
Knock knock knock.
What the hell?
Who just knocked at the door?
The only people who know I have been staying here are Angélique and Elhyor, but Angélique was here just three days ago.
If it was urgent, neither of them would knock—they would just barge in.
I stand from the bed.
Yes, I’m on the bed at three in the afternoon, basking in Cassiopé’s scent. I’m a creep. Sue me.
I walk to the door and open without even questioning who is herebeforehand.
It’s Angélique, alright.
But she didn’t come alone.
I don’t know how she managed to get the girl and what looks like two metallic suitcases through the trees without any scratches, but I can’t see anything on them, not even a torn shirt.
I recognize the other woman.
She’s the one with the AI who made my more than gloomy diagnosis.
Why is she here?
I must have gawked because Angélique pushes my shoulder aside and forces me out of the way so she can get in.
“Miss F might have a solution to your problem. Now, sit,” Angélique tells me, forgoing any salutation.
“Hello to you. How are you?” I answer obnoxiously.
Angélique waves a hand in the air before saying, “Yeah, all of that. Now sit so she can tinker with you, and we can leave. I’ve been in your damn forest for over a day now, and I just want to go home.”
What the hell?
What was she doing in the forest?
And why hasn’t she come to see me if she was around all this time?
It wouldn’t have been the same as having Cassiopé back, but maybe she could have kept me entertained.
Wait.
“Tinker?” I ask and my voice must betray my alarm because Angélique looks at me like I’m too slow to understand.
The other woman looks at us, amused at our interaction.
“I take it that you didn’t ask in advance if I could slip another chip under his skin…” she says to Angélique as if I’m not even in the room.
