“It means a lot, okay? More than normal. Point is, if it weren’t for me, it would have failed.”
“But then she’d be dead!”
“Exactly.”
“Liv!” he says, scandalized. “What are you saying? You’d rather she be dead than turned?”
“I can’t say the thought hasn’t crossed my mind,” I snap at him. Everyone is always so judgy. “Remember when I told you about the correct way of doing things? Like we did? And how perfect you were when you woke up?”
I can sense his glow down the phone at my words. “Yes.”
“Well, this is the exact opposite of that. It was attempted suicide, Cole. It couldn’t be worse if we had planned it. She will wake up a monster and Devon is not prepared to deal with it.”
“A monster? Is that not a little harsh?” he chides me.
“No, Cole. You don’t understand. Bad intent makes a difference, coupled with the fact that she will be a Lesser Immortal. She will be nothing like you.”
“I see,” he says. “It’s going to be that bad? I suppose this means then that you won’t be coming with me to Miami,” he adds sadly.
“Oh, baby, no, we’re still going, all of us. To Europe as well. I am not sacrificing being with you to play keeper to some silly little girl who thinks this is all a game. I can assure you of that,” I say firmly.
“Good,” he says, relieved. “I was worried there for a minute.”
“Don’t be. I love you. I miss you. I can’t wait for all of this to be over and we can be together again. All the time. You are not working again after this. I forbid it,” I order him with a smile.
He chuckles. “Yes, ma’am. I had already thought that I would retire after this. I am no longer interested in being in the Industry. And, I think that it is probably best to shy away from the public eye. I have already ditched most of my friends, so I don’t think it will come as any great shock when I drop off the grid. You will have to keep me, though, in the life to which I have become accustomed.” He snorts to show he is joking.
“Always, my love. You don’t have to drop off the grid completely, Cole. You just must keep our secret. That’s all.”
“I know, but it is easier this way. I find that I no longer have anything in common with them anymore.”
“Yes, I can understand that. When all of this is over, I want to take you away. Far away. Just the two of us.”
“Hm, how far?”
“Very far. Where no one can find us.”
“Too bad we can’t stay there for very long though,” he says sadly.
“Don’t worry about that. Leave it to me. There may be concessions on my part, but I will deal with the fall out.”
“Fall out? No, Liv. Don’t risk it if it is going to cause a rift again.”
“It won’t. Don’t worry about it and I will sort it. You just keep thinking of where you want to go.”
“Is New Zealand far enough away to stop everyone from interrupting?” he asks sarcastically.
“No,” I giggle.
“I didn’t think so. I should go now. I will try and call you later. Are you expecting her up anytime soon?”
“Tomorrow probably, or the day after. We are staying here until she does. It unfortunately means all of us will be coming up to Toronto on Saturday. But they will all be under strict instructions to leave us alone unless there is an emergency.”
“There’s always an emergency,” he grumbles.
“Goodbye, my love. I will speak to you soon.”
“Bye, I love you.” He hangs up.