Page 40 of Their Reckless Thief
She was a few blocks ahead, unaware that I was trailing her. I kept my distance, blending into the shadows as best I could, though the harsh daylight made it more difficult.
Celeste walked fast, head down, and I could tell by her body language that she was tense. On edge.
Good. She should be.
She rounded a corner and stopped in front of a shitty, rundown apartment complex that reeked of neglect. The windows were cracked, and graffiti marred the walls. It was the kind of place that made you wonder how anyone survived living there.
Gods, did Celeste live here? She deserved better than this.
She climbed the stairs, then disappeared into the building. I followed after, slipping through the door before it closed. I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t fucking care.
But there I was, climbing several flights of stairs.
I stopped outside her door, listening to the muffled sounds behind it. My senses stretched out, picking up the steady rhythm of her heartbeat, the slight creak of floorboards under her feet. Then came another sound—loud, frantic screaming.
I gripped the hilt of my knife, ready to break down the door, but I listened more closely before I did anything rash.
“Where the hell have you been? I thought you were dead!”
The voice wasn’t one of danger. It was… concern. A human. Her friend.
Good. She was loved.
I stepped back, my heart still racing, but some of the tension seeped out of me. She didn’t need me. She had someone.
So why the hell did I feel like I would always be responsible for her?
I waited until I heard her voice join the conversation, then I turned and slunk back out of the building.
She was home. Safe. Not my problem anymore.
Her face flashed in my mind again. That fragile, beautiful defiance of hers made my blood boil and my pulse quicken.
I clenched my fists, forcing the image out of my head.
Maybe, once there was more distance between us, the effect she had on me would fade.
Maybe.
I stalked through the bright streets, thankful for the charmed watch that allowed me to be outside in the daylight without any discomfort. It was the only thing I was thankful for from my asshole of a father.
I forced myself to shake off the distraction. I had more pressing business. That stray bastard of a police chief, Fred, was next on my list. That fat, greasy fuck had more influence in the human world than he should have. But it was all politics. Keeping the peace between The Below and the human world meant playing nice with the likes of Fred, no matter how much it disgusted me. And I had a treaty to uphold. That bastard was a necessary evil.
The police station reeked of stale coffee and fear. Humans liked to think they were in control, that their little badges and guns kept the chaos at bay, but Fred knew better. As a stray, he didn’t quite belong to either world, but he pulled strings from both. And as much as I hated to admit it, I needed the intel he could provide.
The low buzz of activity screeched to a halt as every officer turned to look at me, their fear as palpable as the stink of sweat and nerves that assaulted my nose. They parted like the Red Sea as I passed, not a single soul daring to make eye contact. Smart. Even though they didn’t know what I was, they knew I was dangerous. Vampires exuded an aura of allure and intrigue, but also fear. It was the perfect combination to draw humans in, keep them meek, and make them bend to our will.
When I got to Fred’s office, I didn’t bother knocking. I shoved the door open and sneered at the overweight, balding asshole who looked like he was about to shit himself.
“V-Vincenzo,” Fred stammered. “What an… unexpected surprise.”
“Save it,” I growled. I was not in the mood for pleasantries. I shut the door behind me, the lock clicking ominously. The bastard was already sweating. Good.
Fred fumbled with some paperwork on his desk, probably to distract himself from my presence. He cleared his throat. “What brings you?—”
“Let’s cut the bullshit,” I snapped. “I don’t have time for your games. Guys like me allow you to run your little empire as long as you keep things quiet and contained. But I digress.”
Fred glanced nervously at the door, then back at me. “O-of course. Right to the point, then. What do you need?”
