Chapter 4

“Juliet.” I listened on the way home.

My steps were hesitant. I clung to my coat hard while fighting with nails and teeth so as not to collapse. The night was even darker than the previous one, so terrifying and so suitable for predators.

Like the one who followed me without any dissimulation.

The day of work at the bar became a torture since I came acrossed this man. Should I call him a man? Or maybe a vampire fits better with his description.

I had gone crazy. Yes, that made more sense. I was probably working tirelessly. Because vampires did not exist. Right?

I felt my heart hit my chest tightly. I did not feel good and even if I did not like to admit it, I was about to faint. I had to get home. And I need to get rid of the dangerous stalker that’s following me closely. His steps were not heard on the sidewalk. As if he were so light that he was unable to produce any sound.

I knew that he followed me because he had made it clear since I left the bar. With my pepper gas in my hand, I could use it against him, but maybe it was not the best of ideas.

It was already a nuisance meeting a friendly vampire. I did not want to meet the unpleasant vampire.

“Freaking stalker.”

“That’s not my name,” he mocked. “I’m Donovan, little creature.”

I rolled my eyes with annoyance. It was cold and I just longed to get home, wrap myself in a blanket and forget that terrifying experience, not having to deal with a vampire with airs of greatness.

Although vampires did not exist …

I was no longer sure of anything.

“I’m not interested.”

“I’m protecting you,” he explained, although I had not asked him. “You do not have to fear me.”

I turned towards him, feeling suddenly brave. I nailed my index finger on his chest, although he did not even flinch. His face felt indifferent, although his eyes, now dark, reflected him. He wore a hoodie, as if with that he could go unnoticed. He seemed to be having fun when he saw me exasperated. However, I was not in the mood to deal with something like that.

“ Protecting me?” I asked with irony. “I remember accurately your fangs on my neck, scum. You are a vampire.”

I should not have said that! Now I would look like a crazy, deranged woman who imagined things. My opinion did not matter, but I did not want others to know the kind of thought I had.

“I am,” he agreed, which left me frozen. “I am a vampire, Juliet.”

There were too many emotions for a single night. One thing was to have thoughts a bit out of normal and another thing was a firm statement. Vampires? Really? This could not be happening. And it could not be happening to me!

I was flattened in a line, my eyebrows frowned until they were almost touching each other. He raised a hand to touch me, however, dropped it to see that I was moving at great speed.

“It’s because of the first bite,” he explained gently. “It will take a couple of times before you get used to it.”

“First bite? Get used to it?” I repeated, hysterical. “You will not put a finger again on me!”

“It’s not the place to have this conversation.” He scratches his head.

“I do not want to have to talk to you again!”

“I’m just going to accompany you home.” He raised his hands, sighing down. “I’m not going to touch you or drink your blood. I am wrong and I want to make sure you arrive safely.”

He sounded in some way sincere. It was strange. An attacker, a predator, a vampire. However, I felt safe on his side. As if he had already shown that he would take care of me, as if something in me would scream that being with him was the right thing.

I trusted that he would meet his word.

Also, if he wanted to attack me, he would have done it.

How should I act around him? He was a very difficult person to read. First he looked playful, indifferent. Then he showed that there was much more in him. Concern and warmth.

Why should it be so difficult? I would not trust him, but I did not see how to get it out of him either.

I snorted, starting to walk in the direction of the house. I hoped not to be making a mistake, which I least wanted was to indicate my direction to a vampire, but something told me that he knew perfectly where I lived.

“And …” he began, doubtful. “How old are you? Aren’t you too young to work in a place like that?”

“It’s none of your business.”

I had no strength to fight with him. I was exhausted and my body was sore. On one night I had confirmed the existence of vampires and also had a terrifying one just by my side. I did not feel very conversational and I did not feel like pretending that it was the most normal thing in the world to walk by a vampire towards my house.

“I just want to know.”

“My age doesn’t matter. It is the best work I have achieved in months. They pay well.”

“Do you have monetary problems?” he asked without any kind of prudence.

He spoke as if it were the most normal thing in the world. As if he was already used to introducing himself in my life.

And I did not have intentions to allow it.

“What interest do you have in me?” I asked with a frown.

“In you?” He smiled. “I am interested in many things about you, but I already told you that we will not have this conversation at this time.”

“I live here.” I pointed out.

“I know,” he confirmed what I thought.

Damn insolent.

“What a good night, little creature.”

He did not move until he did not see me enter. He was a peculiar being. I was not sure how to feel about him.

Vampires …

No, it was not easy to process. Did I sleep all day? That made more sense than vampires. It even made sense that they would have drugged me at the bar with all this.