Bite Shift

61

If he was surprised, it didn't show in his face. He showed nothing; just sat and listened. I continued, knowing that if I didn't, I would lose my nerve.

"I want to start by saying that I don't have any real proof and I may be wrong. It's all just thoughts and feelings. I could just be going crazy because of everything that has happened...."

"But," he prompted.

I gazed at the floor for the next part. "I don't know how he could have been there in time to save my life but not have seen what attacked me. His story doesn't make sense. And, there is a file on his computer that is full of all these pictures and articles about me. I used to talk to him at work, I mean just quick conversations, but we weren't best friends. Why would he risk everything to save me? Why would he turn me when he has never turned anyone, in hundreds of years?"

"Companionship?"

"Maybe," I agreed. "But it doesn't feel right. He is too nice, too giving."

"Those who become makers do so for many reasons. Have you asked him his reason?"

I took my eyes off the stone floor and met his. "He says it's because I was kind to him and he didn't want my daughters to lose their mother. He gave me the choice to turn or die for real."

"So, he did not force you?"

"No," I thought about it. "But he must have known I would choose to stay with my children. What mother wouldn't?"

That brought a flash of emotion across Sorin's face. It was gone as suddenly as it had come, too quick for me to know what he had felt. "I do not know Rhys well enough to tell you what his motives may be."

Then, what were you fighting about?

Shut up, Kate. He can't sense that you are holding back.

I continued so he would focus on my words and not my feelings. "His search history shows that he has been searching... let me show you." It occurred to me that my phone was tucked into the left side of my bra and I, probably, should have gotten it out before coming in. It was a little late for that so I retrieved it and tried to not look embarrassed. Sorin's eyebrow rose in response. He, wisely, didn't say anything.

I pulled up the photo of Rhys' search history and handed it over. He read it silently and, again, betrayed nothing in his face. Before I could stop him, he swiped his finger over my screen. "Are these your daughters?"

I was furious. He had no right to look at those. I bit my lip. "Yes."

"They are beautiful," he handed the phone back. I dropped it, facedown, in my lap. "I shouldn't have looked. I apologize. I thought there was more to read."

The angry washed away. "It's okay."

"The list," he paused, "could be him investigating the murders."

"I thought that, too."

"However, the folder that holds your namesake is interesting."

It was my turn to arch an eyebrow. "That's one way to put it."

He leaned forward, a forearm on each thigh, and I waited for him to speak. "I need to think about this. We cannot accuse him without stronger evidence. I do not wish him to flee, or harm you in retaliation."

I didn't even think about that.

I wanted so badly to ask Sorin about the conversation that Will had overheard but I couldn't. There was no way to explain how I could have known about that without betraying Will.

Do I tell him about the story Rhys told me? The killings overseas? Collin?

If I'm wrong, that knowledge may get him executed anyways.