T: “Tell me what happened. I need to know.”Kyla took a deep breath and a sip of grape pop and then started to text him back.K: “I just started bleeding & then I came out to tell you that’s probably why I had that stomach pain and you grabbed me & …” She winced at the memory and wiggled her fingers, trying to think of how to say it, “You tasted down there and your tongue was freezing. Your body was cold. Your eyes turned black and your skin turned bluish gray. Your fangs were huge. Bigger than usual. I jumped back and you grabbed my throat and made vicious animal sounds. I got away and ran into the clost.”She hit send and then typed another message,
“*the closet* You didn’t look like you. Sat rocking to and fro and looked lost. Don’t know what would’ve happened if I hadn’t gotten away. You seemed confused. Maybe you were still in there somehow, stopping yourself?”She hit send and looked at the monitor. The light downstairs was out but there was still lighting from the TV and a lamp. She couldn’t see his face, only that he was lying on the couch with the phone. Sam was staring at the TV and yawning.She waited a few minutes for him to reply.
T: “So sorry I scared you. You did the right thing calling Sam and going in the panic room. So glad we were here! No panic room at the house so hate to think about what might’ve happened if we were there. Or the hospital. Or the banquet.”
K: “Just plz tell me it’s going to be okay.” Her eyes welled up with tears.
T: “It is. Promise.”
K: “How can u be so sure?”
T: “We just have to ride out this week and then we can make our next move. Nothing happened when I was near the door so must be sealed well enough to block the scent.”
K: “You were acting odd earlier tonight, b4 my period even came. I wonder if it was related.”
T: “Been thinking about that, too. Prob was.”
K: “My period started very light. It’s heavier now. It could mean more danger. Did everything go ok with the party?”
T: “As well as could be expected considering I was gone for half of it. More things to deal with tomorrow when Claudio arrives. I’ll be glad when it’s over. Going to let you get some sleep. Just wanted to say I’m sorry. I’ll find a way for you to be safe. I know you could’ve run tonight.”
Kyla stared at the screen for a minute, wondering if a more apt text would be
‘should’ve’ then texted, “Would you have come after me if I did?”
After she hit send she wished she hadn’t said that.
T: “Yep.”
K: “I didn’t stay because I’m afraid of you coming after me. I stayed because I’m afraid of how it would feel to be without you.”
She caught sight of him getting up and walking out of sight on the screen.
She tensed. Where did he go?
The phone rang with her name on it.
She answered, “Where did you go?”
“The bathroom, for privacy. Disable the intercom and just listen to me for a second.”
“Okay…” She disabled the open mic.
“I would not have blamed you if you’d run and yes I would’ve come after you. Not to hurt you, or restrain you, but to make things right. I love you, Kyla. I want you. I want us. I’ll find a way out of this…this mess.” His strong voice was like a song in her heart. He continued, “Believe me. I swear. I will get us out of this. I just needed you to hear that and to know that I never ever want to hurt you, ever.”
Kyla curled up small in the bed and let out a big sigh.
“Listen,” He whispered, “Some other things have happened. I can’t get into it now but I don’t want you to let your guard down with Sam just because he’s helped tonight. Something isn’t right. Don’t, under any circumstances, let your guard down. If you two are alone it means something is very very wrong, okay? Very wrong.”
Kyla’s heart sank, “Okay.”
“He’s staying the night to make sure I can handle this and stay away from you. I don’t even know if that’s a good idea or not so I’ll be sleeping with one eye open. I’m sure I’m going to be fine. I don’t feel edgy. I feel strong. Really strong. So don’t worry. Just sleep. I’ll be up early in the morning to head back to the hotel and deal with other work stuff. Let’s swap phones in the morning before I go, okay?”
“Ok. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, baby. Sweet dreams.”
She hung up. She watched him come back into view. He climbed onto the couch and curled up under the blanket.