Page 112 of Black Rose

“Where’s the rest of them?”

“Solon and Lenore are exploring the area. Wanted to give us some time alone with Rose.”

“And I’m right here,” Van Helsing says loudly from the other side of the door.

I go back over to it and open it, still wiggling my nose back and forth.

Van Helsing glances at my towel, a brow raised. “All of us catching you at a bad time?”

I roll my eyes and usher him inside. “Get in here.”

Wolf is now with Amethyst and Rose in the bedroom, their reunion continuing. I’m not about to intrude, lest I get punched in the face again.

“Help yourself to some coffee,” I tell the doctor, gesturing to the machine which is currently brewing Wolf’s cup.

“Don’t touch my coffee!” Wolf roars from the bedroom.

I shrug. “Careful, he’ll fight you for it,” I comment and then drop my towel.

Van Helsing winces and turns his attention to the espresso machine. “I don’t care how long we’ve known each other, Val, I never need to see that.”

“Phhff,” I snort. “You’re a doctor, you should be used to the human anatomy. Also…” I lower my voice as I slip on my boxer briefs. “Got any pills?”

The doctor turns around and looks at me in mock surprise. “I can’t believe it. You, Dracula, Prince of Darkness, King of the Undead, who would rather starve than take pills, is now askingmefor that very thing.”

I give him a tired look. “Yeah, well, I’d watch your mouth if I were you. After all, you did bring Rose to me under false pretences, you lying motherfucker. I should be punchingyouin the face.”

Van Helsing looks chagrined. “I do apologize for that. But in the state you were in, I thought it was worth a shot if Rose could make you remember. At the very least, I thought if you would have some sort of affection for her, it could soften you.”

“I’m afraid it worked, for better or for worse.”

“Well, I do have to say, it’s for the better. It’s good to have you back,” he says solemnly. “I mean, have youreallyback. You were a changed man, Val. It wasn’t a good change.” He pauses. “I’d hug you, but I’ll wait until you put on pants.”

I take the hint and grab my pants, slipping them on. I’m buttoning up my shirt when the Doctor comes over, holding out a black pouch, the same one he had given Rose. “Here,” he says, opening the pouch and takes out a red pill. “This will help.”

“You gave the same ones to Rose,” I say, taking one from him.

“Did she like them?”

“I don’t know. I flushed them down the toilet,” I admit.

Oooh, he doesn’t like that. His eyes narrow. “You’re a fucking dick, you know that?”

“I’m very aware. Come on.” I pop the pill in my mouth and then pull my oldest friend into a big bear hug, squeezing him tight.

“At least you’re wearing pants,” he mutters against me.

I laugh and release him, slapping him hard on the back just as Rose, Wolf, and Amethyst come out of the bedroom. The girls’ eyes are red and puffy and even Wolf’s look a little bloodshot.

Rose’s face lights up when she sees me and she goes straight over and into my arms, occupying the spot that Van Helsing was in, who quickly steps aside.

“Hey, darling,” I say to her, wrapping my arms around her and kissing the top of her head, unable to ignore the fact that Wolf and Amethyst are staring at us with blatant disappointment. I don’t blame them. On paper, I am the worst vampire in this world for Rose to end up with. But it is what it is.

And it’s beautiful.

“Oh, hey Abe,” Rose says, pulling back to greet the Doctor.

“Ms. Harper,” he says with a tip of an imaginary hat. “Oh,” he says and then takes another blood pill from the pouch. “Apparently your boyfriend approves of these now.”

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