Page 27 of Watch Me Turn
Angel's eyes dart between the phone and me as the ringing intensifies. Sharp, loud, insistent.
That phone was designed to dial out. To only call one number. To be used in emergencies only. For some reason it never occurred to me that it would go the other way.
It rings a fifth time.
"Sophia?" Angel's voice is careful, uncertain. He's pushed himself up on his elbows, fever-bright eyes tracking my face.
I can't move. Can't breathe. I'm too busy thinking about what awaits me on the other end. Julian is probably just checking in. A routine call to ensure we're on track. That's gotta be it. All I need to do is pick up the receiver and buy some more time. Just a three more days, and I'll figure this out.
"Sophia? Are you going to answer that?"
My legs are unsteady as I make my way over to the table and lift the receiver. When I press the cold plastic to my ear, the line crackles as it connects. Old school, the same way the old yellow one on my parents' kitchen wall would.
I force a breezy, nonchalant tone. "Um...hello?"
That clipped tone unmistakable. "Miss Vijil? It's Julian. What took you so long to answer?"
"I...erm...sorry. I was preparing a feed for the precious cargo. Keeping him well fed and building up his strength." I twirl the cord around my finger. "So, what's up?"
"What's up?" he snorts. "This isn't a social call. I'm looking for an update. How is Mr. Ruiz progressing? What can you tell me about his condition?"
I chew my lip and look over to Angel, still pale, still slumped, still dying.
"Everything is developing nicely," I say. "Really good. Must be the quality of the sire's blood. Very potent."
Static fizzes down the line, then, "Indeed. Very potent. How is his demeanor? Is he still agitated?"
Just a few days ago, Angel was climbing the walls and ready to tear into them with his bare fingers if he thought he could get out of here, but now? "Content and cooperative."
"Oh?"
"Yes, we've come to an understanding."
Angel's eyebrows shoot up, and I flash a smile, the tension bleeding out of my spine. The phone feels lighter in my hand. This is fine. Just a routine call. Julian doesn't suspect a thing.
"Good. Very good." There's a pause, then his voice drops lower, almost conversational. "Mutual understanding is important for something like this. I hope you've been able to get comfortable."
The word lands awkwardly. Like it doesn't quite fit.
"It's been fine," I say carefully.
His tone is cold. "I'm sure I don't need to remind you of your obligation to your client, but you should know that there will be severe consequences if Mr. Ruiz is not turned as planned."
"Excuse me?" I squeak.
"I'm sure you know how important it is to maintain a professional boundary when you're in such intimate quarters."
The word “intimate” slithers down my back like ice water. My eyes dart around the room, landing on nothing, finding nothing. What does he know? How could he know?
"Thank you for the update, Miss Vijil. This has been very enlightening indeed."
The line goes dead before I can respond.
I stand frozen, receiver still pressed to my ear, listening to empty static. My hand is trembling.
"Sophia?" Angel's voice cuts through the white noise in my brain. "How bad is it?"
I lower the phone back to its cradle, my mind racing.
