Chapter 12

Chapter

Twelve

TALULLA

A s I walk toward my classes the morning after, I still replay the past night in my head.

I'm already yours, Talulla .

How can I already feel so intensely about someone I'm supposed to want dead?

The walk to Mr. Wagner's office is a little more nerve-wracking than usual, but as soon as Eric sees me, he lets me come in and take a seat.

"I was worried I wasn't going to see you today, Talulla," he says, taking off his reading glasses and putting them down on his desk.

"We had class, and I always help you after. Why wouldn't I be here?"

He snorts before replying very quickly to my question. "Because of last night's unfortunate discussion."

"That was uncalled for. I am so sorry, professor."

"You're apologizing for him?"

"I—Yes. He tends to be a little intense."

"Talulla, you're a vampire hunter, and he's a vampire."

My eyes widen as his words settle in my brain. He does know what I am. He knows what Flynn is as well. "I—" Getting the words out seems to be harder than expected.

"I've known since your first day. You're safe."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Eric moves his chair right in front of mine, and as he sits down, he says, "I didn't want to worry you. I know how hard it is to keep everything hidden. I understand how hard it is to live your life, and I didn't want to make you think I was a threat."

"And are you?"

"What?" His head tilts a little to the side.

"A threat. Are you a threat?" I repeat, my tone raising slightly. I've been his assistant for a long time, and not even once have I had even the slightest suspicion he knew what I was—what I am. I, one of the deadliest people on the planet, trained to analyze and work under pressure, didn't realize my own professor knew my secret. I feel like this would disappoint my father even more if he knew.

He laughs at my question. "I think we both know I am no match for you, Flynn, or anyone else from your world ."

"That isn't a real answer, professor."

"I would never be a threat to you. I fully understand your struggles, and I wish I could help you more with your… family situation."

"Thank you. I appreciate you saying that. I'm dealing with it. It's all good."

"Is it?"

My head tilts a little. "Yes, I work at a gym a few nights a week." It's not entirely a lie. "It's not much, but it gets me what I need."

"Good, I'm glad," he says before going back to his papers. "But please talk to me if you ever need more. I might not be able to do much as a professor, but as a friend, I can lend you some money."

"I truly appreciate the thought, but I know how much you make, and you also can barely make ends meet at the end of the month. It's okay, really. I'm doing okay."

"Okay, I'll drop it for now, but my door is always open."

"Thank you, really." Then I look past him and see the picture Flynn was looking at last night, and the question comes too naturally. "Professor," I start, "how do you know about the supernatural?"

Eric looks at me and then turns to look at the picture I'm staring at, his eyes widening for just a split second. "My late wife," he says, clearing his throat. "She did a study on the existence of the supernatural, and well, she found it." He starts fidgeting with his bracelet. "And this is how your friend wasn't able to compel me last night."

"A charmed bracelet?"

"Yeah, my wife gave it to me a bit before she got into the accident. I never take it off. I feel like it's a way to keep her with me, you know…"

"Yes, I understand."

"Well, enough of this," he says, clearing his throat once more. His voice is trembling now. "Now, back to work."

The following hours fly by, and I don't even realize how late it is until I get to my dorm and two witches and a vampire are waiting for me inside.

"Well, I didn't know my room would get this crowded on a fine Friday evening."

Flynn keeps his hands interlocked behind his back as his eyes burn into mine, his tongue tracing his soft lips. I can almost imagine them on mine. Just the thought of it makes me nearly fall to my knees, and he knows it. He knows the effect he has on me just like I know the effect I have on him, even if I still wonder why this is happening. His smile grows, and as I stare at his now poking fangs, I truly wonder how they would feel sinking into my flesh.

Asmodeus clears his throat, and I almost jump at the sound of it, my head snapping in his and Cass's direction.

Cassandra's eyes are wide open, probably because of the little staring competition Flynn and I had going on, and with good reason. It's one thing to discuss the situation, but it's another to see it with her own eyes. A vampire hunter together with a vampire… It's just unheard of. But that's the thing, isn't it? I don't know if what we feel is only momentary or if it's going to last.

"Nicely done, Flynn." Asmodeus chuckles before Cassandra's elbow ends up in his stomach. "Ouch, Cass."

Flynn hasn't said a word, yet I know how much he wants my friends gone. But if they're here, there's a reason. The vampire cracks a smile and makes sure to show his fangs to Asmo. It's his way of saying, ‘Don't piss me off.'

"Okay, well, what's up? Why are you all here?"

"Right," Cassandra starts before scrolling on her phone to find something. "We went back to the bodies with Set and did some tests."

And I am back in detective mode. "Okay?"

"The werewolves took a potion before they died."

"A potion?"

"Yes, something that made them feel sick and then slowly killed them."

"Jesus fuck."

"Language," Flynn finally speaks.

I raise one eyebrow as I turn to look at him once more. "What is it with you and swearing?"

"I like swearing," he replies before getting close to my ear. "On certain occasions."

"Okay, can we focus here for a moment?" Cassandra snaps her fingers. "Then you two can go on with your sex session."

"There's not gonna be—" I get interrupted right away by Flynn's hand on my mouth. Rude. And kinda hot. Dammit, Talulla, focus.

Asmodeus continues for Cassandra. "There's a pissed witch around, and we need to find out why."

Flynn tilts his head. "It's not Evanora."

"We weren't implying it was her." Cassandra crosses her arms over her chest. "And it's not even the witch who dealt with Scott. Set went to check on her. The pack bought some protection potions—nothing sketchy at all, unfortunately."

"Then I don't understand why we're all still here," I reply, grabbing a denim jacket and heading for the door.

"Actually," Flynn interrupts me, and I turn to look at him, his icy-gray eyes penetrating mine, "I had a different plan for us this evening."

"Oh?"

Cassandra and Flynn look at each other as if they're having their own conversation—which is truly starting to get old. The fact that they clearly talk behind my back pisses me off. "Right, yes, of course. How could I forget? You guys go. We will keep you posted."

"Wait, what?"

"You heard me," Cassandra replies.

"What is happening?"

"What's happening is that you're going to get ready to have a nice evening out with a vampire," my witch friend replies, tying her long, black hair in a high ponytail before she heads toward the exit.

My hands are up in the air. "I'm so confused right now."

"Just have fun and don't think about anything."

"Listen to your friend. She's a clever one," Flynn adds.

"I—"

She doesn't even let me finish. She opens my door and steps outside. "Bye! I'll send updates, I promise."

"Bye."

FLYNN

I reach for her arm and pull her to me. I've been wanting to throw her onto the bed and fuck her since she got to her room.

"Are you going to tell me what's happening?"

"Nope."

"Where are you taking me?"

"You're gonna have to get ready to find out." I look at my watch. "You have about forty minutes. Then we have to hit the road."

"Is this your plan of making me yours?"

My mouth curls into a devilish smirk. I make sure she sees my eyes because she clearly forgot a little detail about last night, and I have to make sure she says it loud and clear. I move so quickly that she doesn't even realize it until her back hits the wall, my hand making sure she doesn't hit her head from the impact. My body presses over hers. Her warm scent mixed with flowers and… strawberries? I can't get over it. This is all I need for the rest of my existence. "Wasn't I clear enough last night?" I whisper in her ear, and I can almost feel her core throb as my voice reaches her skin.

"You said…" she starts but is unable to finish.

"Yes, what did I say before I left last night?"

"That you're mine."

"Before that, you little brat. Don't disappoint me. Come on, you can say it."

"I'm not gonna say it, Flynn."

"You've gotta learn how to follow orders, or you won't get your reward."

"I grew up following orders. What makes you think I'm going to enjoy following yours?"

"Because I am not going to make you give up on your dreams."

"Flynn—"

Lifting up her chin with my fingers, I rest my lips on hers. It's soft and gentle, and her warm skin is making me feel the sweet pain of hunger in my throat. "Whatever you want, it's yours. I'm going to make sure you have it."

Then I see a single tear trailing down her cheek, and I force myself not to lick it off. But I do catch it with my thumb. She needs reassurance. She needs someone to remind her that she is strong and capable of getting what she wants. Her eyes close as my fingers touch her skin. I have the same effect on her that she has on me, and I didn't think this feeling was possible for me—not like this, not anymore. Not after all the pain I've felt and caused over the years. She is here, capable of ending me at any moment, yet she shows herself as the most vulnerable being on this earth. For me. Talulla's stubborn personality, her anger against the world… It just falls when she's with me. She can be herself and let herself go.

"I'm yours, Flynn," she finally speaks. Her voice is so soft I can barely hear it. "You already knew that."

"Go get changed. I have a big surprise for you."

"Any hints on what I should wear?"

The corners of my lips lift up. "Comfortable shoes—maybe sneakers—a T-shirt, and I don't know, something short."

"You're in a suit, and you want me to wear what I wear every day?"

"First of all"—I take the blazer off, showing the tight black T-shirt I'm wearing underneath—"I'm clearly wearing casual attire."

"You call your brand clothes casual?"

"I didn't think you disliked my wardrobe."

"I—" She sighs. "I like what you wear. I just feel like I have nothing in comparison."

My head tilts slightly. "I like what you wear, Talulla. You don't have to change for me. It's a casual place we're going to, and the lights will be off most of the time anyway, so you could be naked, and no one would know." I smile. "Well, I would definitely know."

"Okay, well, I'm not going to wear another band shirt. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I have to attempt to look the part if I have to bring a model-looking vampire everywhere."

I pretend I didn't hear or notice that the girl wears this band's shirts all the time. It's too bad she's in for a real surprise tonight. "Model-looking?"

"You—" She screams in her hands. "You look very good right now, and I don't."

"You're kidding me, right?"

"No, I am not."

"Where is the confident Talulla who knocked out a seven-foot-tall man in less than a minute?"

"That's different. You're you ," she replies, gesturing at me.

"Let me make myself very clear right now." My hand is now around her throat. "I only want you, Talulla, as crazy as it might sound. I want to be around you. I want you to be around me. You make me feel alive, and no one has ever done that since I was turned."

"A miniskirt will do, then?"

I lick her lips as my hardening cock presses to her core. "That'll do."