Page 100 of Heal Me

“For fuck’s sake, please don’t tell me they’re dentists,” Turek says with a shudder, and everyone spins around.

“Charlotte, go ahead and clear your calendar, because your ass is mine for the foreseeable future,” Sam says with crossed arms.

“I’ve never been happier to have Watchers spying on me,” I say with a laugh, a tear running down my cheek. I’m now standing between Turek and Amer; I’m a bit shaky on my feet, and both of them steady me. “And excuse me, but we never trained for the scenario that a well-respected doctor would think he’s a vampire and stick me in the neck with a hypodermic needle!” I defend.

“Why did you not train her for this scenario?” Turek demands.

“William is here somewhere,” I say. “We’ve got to find him, make sure he’s okay.”

“Take them home. I’ll handle this,” Sam commands to Turek and Amer.

“I’ll handle this,” Gabe says, now appearing. He looks me over from head to toe, his eyes stopping on the red marks on my wrists from the restraints, his jaw ticking like crazy.

“Don’t kill them. I don’t want that on your conscience or mine,” I beg him.

“My love, I have no conscience when it comes to your safety,” he tells me.

“Gabe,” I warn, pulling his face to mine so he’ll look at me.

“I promise I won’t kill them. Go with Turek and Amer to see if William needs medical attention,” he says, kissing the top of my head.

“Ah, man, I’m going to miss the good stuff!” Amer says.

“Right?” Turek grunts his displeasure.

As we’re walking out, Amer flings eight knives at Tom, Allie, Lisha, and Meg, pinning them to the wall by their shirt sleeves; Allie and Lisha cry, Meg might have just passed out, and Tom wets himself.

We exit the kitchen and enter what looks to be an abandoned warehouse. And I smile in triumph as I feel nothing but calm and determination, basking for just a moment in how I’ve overcome my fears.

William’s hogtied in the corner, his mouth covered with duct tape, with a look of terror and then one of relief when he spots me. Running over to him, I rip off the tape and he winces. “Are you alright? Your girlfriend is a complete psycho!”

“I know,” he groans.

“No, William, you don’t know,” Turek says, and I close my eyes while he works his magic.

* * *

Gabe

Spotting Charlotte’s panties in this man’s hands, I smile. It’s not a nice smile. I’m now in angelic form with an arrow drawn back, aimed at this fucker’s cock. “You promised Charlotte you wouldn’t kill us,” this piece of shit begs.

Two of the women, the two that look alike, pull away from the knives pinning their shirts to the wall, ripping them in the process. They race for the door, but Sam’s already there, blocking the exit. They wisely stop and scurry to the opposite corner of the room.

“I promised Charlotte I wouldn’t kill you,” I say, lowering my weapon, and the man lets out a sigh of relief. “I made no such promise about my brothers.” Be careful with your wording with a demonic law attorney.

“Rock, paper, scissors for the honors?” Sam suggests to Turek and Amer, who have now returned.

“Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!” the three say in unison.

“Ha! Rock crushes scissors,” Turek says, pounding his fist over Sam’s and Amer’s fingers in the shape of scissors. “And now to crush some minds,” he says, rubbing his hands together in glee.

Epilogue

Charlotte

A few months later…

Gabe and I have settled in nicely at our new house, and I’m currently working a little kitchen magic. I just baked a batch of Mom’s brown butter chocolate chip cookies, but I’ve modified the recipe just a smidge, adding extra vanilla and a squeeze of lemon for love.

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