Bite Shift

45

"What do you mean?"

Will squeezed my hands and let go. He went back to the nervous habit of running his hands up and down his pants, like the feel of the fabric was comforting.

"I don't have anything solid, Kate, just my gut. Rhys never came to Sorin's before last week. I had never seen him. To me, he was a name on a list of people to watch over; a recluse, living a solitary life. It wasn't that big of a deal. There have always been vampires that stay away and silent."

"Last week, I walked into Sorin's office, and Rhys was there. He and Sorin were in a heated conversation. The power in the room was strong, and very clear. They were arguing. Sorin has fought with others in that room; that's not the weird part. What's weird is that, every other time, he has continued fighting when I walked in. Like I said, I am a good assistant. Half the time, he doesn't even know I have come in or left. But, this time they stopped the moment I walked in. They both stared at me, unwilling to let me hear any part of their discussion. I decided that I could speak with him later and left. I'm embarrassed to say that I listened at the door. I was so curious about what secrets Sorin may be keeping."

He stopped then. His eyes were far off, like he was back in that hallway, his ear to the door, hoping to not get caught. I stayed patient, waiting for him to finish. What I wanted to do was shake him and scream What did you hear???

He looked up at me and focused again. "I couldn't hear very much. We all have good hearing but they obviously didn't want to be heard. I heard two things: Sorin saying "You will stop or I will stop you" and Rhys saying 'I will have her.'

The next time I saw him, he had you."

Everything slid out from underneath me. The couch was gone and I was floating for a second. My vision swam and a thundering silence filled my hearing. My stomach slammed forward. The pain in my chest was sudden and alarming. For a few seconds, my existence was flung into chaos. It settled and I could breathe again. I opened my mouth and it took a couple attempts before I could form actual words.

"That could mean anything, Will." He patted my hands and I pulled them away.

"You are totally right, Kate. I bet it means nothing. I shouldn't have even said anything."

But even then, I knew he didn't mean that. He thought it did mean something and I didn't know what to think. My brain frantically tried to come up with any explanation for the timing of the visits to Sorin and the words that Will had heard.

"Just hear me out for a few more seconds. I have heard things about Rhys. I'm sure most of them are stupid rumors and gossip started by bored vamps. Most of it is ridiculous. But I just think you should be cautious for now. I mean, until you really know him. Don't stay with him alone and don't believe everything he says until you can be sure you can trust him."

It was all just a little too much for me. I didn't know what to say or think. I didn't know Will that well.

But you don't know Rhys that well either! Until four days ago, you barely spoke to the guy! I mean, what do you really know?!?!

"What are the rumors?" I asked, amazed that I could think at all.

"They are stupid. Forget it. It's late and I'm getting bitchy."

"Tell me, Will."

This time, he looked down while he spoke. I didn't think he could face me for this part. "They say that he was going mad being alone for so long and was looking for a companion. That he had told Sorin about the girl he had been watching and was planning to turn so he would no longer be alone. And......"