Chapter 4

Chapter

Four

FLYNN

I finally persuade Cassandra to give me Evanora's address, but before I let them go, I slip my number to Talulla.

"In case you find evidence and need to stake me."

"Can I just do that without the evidence?" Her comebacks are quick, and I like that a lot. I like a creature that needs a scolding.

"I'm sure you can do just about anything, little hunter." I start walking away before she has the chance to reply to my statement, but she's feisty and doesn't let me go that easily.

"You really need to stop calling me that."

"And why is that?"

"It's—I don't like it." She crinkles her nose.

"Your mouth says one thing, but"—I inhale, enjoying the sweet scent coming from her—her desire—"your body says another. Besides, I like to name my pets."

"I'm not your pet, Flynn."

I chuckle at her firm tone. Her blonde hair is shining in the moonlight, and I can see her blue irises sparkling as she looks straight up at me. She's so small but so strong and angry with the world. She needs to take out her sorrow and pain on someone, and if she feels comfortable doing it with me, then so be it. Let me be her punching bag. Let me be her salvation. Let me be the anchor that pulls her out from the deep abyss obfuscating her soul.

"Not yet. You're still an animal, but you will be my pet after I tame you."

She slaps me in the face so hard I almost feel it. "You're an asshole."

"You're gonna be punished for that one, Talulla." I massage my cheek, letting her know she did, in fact, do something to me. Too bad I actually enjoy pain. And I can tell she does as well.

"You two stop flirting. We gotta go. One body has now turned into three. All drained." Cassandra enunciates. That's odd. Very odd. What vampire would find joy in drinking tasteless blood from a creature that could rip his head off?

"Seems like you've got some work to do," I say before adding, "and I have a witch to go visit."

"You and I are not done, Flynn Lancaster."

"I certainly hope we are not. I am having so much fun."

She's said my name only a handful of times, and it's already one of my favorite sounds. I feel the fabric between my legs getting tighter the more I stand in her vicinity.

"I'm going to murder you."

I could let her end my misery. Dying at the hands of Talulla Popescu is a good way to go if things don't go according to my plan. "I'm counting on it," I reply, winking at her and then walking away from my absolution.

The drive to Evanora's house is almost an hour long. I have all the time in the world, but the pull I feel to go back to Talulla's campus is strong. Three supernatural creatures died in the span of a couple of hours.

Drained.

It could just be a sloppy vampire, but why would a vampire go for another supernatural creature and risk dying indefinitely? It makes no sense. Not my problem. I should not make this my problem. I'm getting the potion, and I am leaving. That is the plan, and I will stick to it.

I pull into a dirt road and slow down, trying not to ruin my car. Of course, a witch would be this secluded. After a couple of minutes, I finally see a Victorian-style house in the distance. This is it. The moment of truth. As I park the car and get out, I look at my surroundings and make sure there are no wards up. Evanora is well known for those, and I know I have to make myself be seen to even have the chance to walk up those steps that lead to her front door.

"Evanora?" I call out. "It's Flynn Lancaster. I have a question for you and a lot of money to spend."

A laugh fills my ears as if a siren is right behind me. Freaking witches and their spells. "Well, this is a surprise."

"Is it? I'm sure Cassandra called you as soon as she gave me your address."

A light on the porch lights up, and then the door opens. "Come in, Flynn Lancaster. I haven't seen you in ages."

As I step into her home, I see plants of every type filling every inch of the house. Then, from where I suppose is her kitchen, Evanora stands with her arms crossed over her chest. She looks older than the last time I saw her—probably in her late forties. Her dark curly hair is now mixed with some grays. Her skin looks almost bronze in the dim lighting. She is still as beautiful as she was fifteen years ago.

"You haven't changed a bit, Evanora. Still as bewitching as ever."

She laughs before raising an eyebrow. "Flattery never worked on me, Flynn. You know it very well," she says, shifting from one foot to another. "What can I help you with?"

She lets me sit down at her kitchen table as she puts a pot of tea on the stove.

"I have a request for you, and I know it might sound strange, but I would like you to hear me out before you say no."

"Go on."

"I've been alive for a very long time. In a state of non-death for much longer, and I feel like it's time for me to put a stop to this purgatory."

"What are you trying to say?"

"It's time for me to die, Evanora. Indefinitely."

"If you want me to kill you, that's never going to happen."

I cackle a little at her quick response. "I knew you would say that, but I had something else in mind."

"Which is?"

"I know you have a recipe for a potion that would make my imminent suicide a little easier."

"Flynn—"

"My last wish in this non-existence is to have one last moment as a human. Being turned was something I didn't choose, and I've been alone long enough to know it's time for me to make a decision."

She takes a seat around her kitchen table. "That potion worked only once, and I don't even know if that vampire actually stayed human. It's not—"

I interlock my fingers, resting my hands on the table. "I know it might not work. What I'm asking you is to just try."

"And what happens if I fail?"

"I'll accept the fact that a cure isn't in the works for me and find another way to end my misery."

"Why don't you just stake yourself?"

"Because, for once, in my many years on this earth, I'd like to feel something again."

Her eyes fill with water. Being vulnerable with an old friend, with her, is the only way I'll have her agree to what I need.

"You feel many things, Flynn. You always say that you don't, but you do."

"It's not the same," I add to her statement, taking out an envelope full of cash and putting it on the table. "Let me know if this is enough."

She waves her hands before collecting the tears she wasn't able to stop. "I don't need your money."

"I know, but someone will have to spend it when I'm gone. Use it for the ingredients."

"The potion—It will take time to gather everything and then brew it."

"How long?"

She taps her chin a few times, probably trying to predict a time frame. "A month at least."

I nod. "I'll stay in the area."

"Before I agree to it, I have one request for you."

"Go ahead."

"You have to promise me you won't get murderous with me if it doesn't work and will try to enjoy this last month you have if this is truly what you want to do."

"That's two requests." The corners of my lips lift into a smile. "I won't kill you, Evanora. You know I don't kill people who try to help me out."

"I know, but you do tend to kill people who piss you off."

I slide my tongue against my fangs. "You could never upset me. You know better than that."

"Cassandra is friends with a Popescu. Don't forget that. Nora's daughter."

"Oh, I know." I chuckle at the mention of my little hunter. "I had the pleasure of meeting Talulla."

"And you're still here. Must have been your lucky day."

"Definitely a very lucky day indeed." A smirk grows on my face.