Page 20 of Shift in the Blood
I didn’t know when the last time I felt like there was someone else in my life who shared my burden. Not since before my parents were killed.
Didier touched his left hand, and when he moved his right hand away, I saw there was ring on his middle finger, with the same design as my pendant. “We are agreed. We will enter this together, as Patron and Chosen.”
“As what?”
“Chosen. That’s what the humans in this arrangement are called. The Chosen.”
“You know, for wanting to make this all sweetness and light and benevolence, this whole thing reeks of creepy.”
He laughed once more. “To be fair, this system is very old. At least a thousand years old, maybe more. Things were more formal and creepy a thousand years ago.”
“More ‘I vant to suck your blood’?” I imitated every cartoon vampire I’d ever seen.
He rolled his eyes so hard I thought they might fall out of his head. “I’ve never said that in my entire life.”
It was my turn to laugh. “Okay, I’ll stop.”
“Disappointed I don’t sparkle?”
“I can live with it. What happens now?”
“I think, if you’re in agreement, you and your sister should move in. I have a small cottage out back that you can use, either for your quarters, or your studio. It’s up to you.”
“Telling Carina will be interesting.”
“Forgive me if I intrude, but may I ask if you’ve been honest with her about how you make a living?”
“No.” Where was this going?
“Then perhaps it’s time to do so. She’s an adult. I’d venture she knows more than you realize.”
“No way. I’ve worked really hard to keep all my crap away from her.”
Didier didn’t reply.
“Why don’t you show me around the place?” I didn’t want to talk about Carina.
“That would be delightful.” His smooth manners were back “Give me about ten minutes, if you will.”
“Sure.”
He walked to the door, then stopped. “I’m very glad you agreed, Clara.”
There was more in what he was saying than just the words. I could feel it. I just wasn’t sure what he was trying to say.
“I am, too.”
“I’ll be back.” The door closed behind him.
Going back to where my purse sat on the floor, I picked up my phone and called Carina. She didn’t answer, which made sense. She was in class right now. “Hey, girl. I’ll be home later. We need to talk, so put some time for me in your schedule. Love you.”
Now I just needed to figure out how to explain this to her.
Chapter Eight
Didier
She’d agreed. She’d agreed. The surge of emotion that had been on the verge of overtaking me was joy. Happiness. Satisfaction. All of which were wrapped up into a ball of good things called ‘Clara’.
