Vampire Emeritus (Part #3) ✔

Chapter 10: Lost Trust

Ian stood in front of me; a stake in another, his hair rustled, his eyes dim. My throat constricted, momentarily disabling me from breathing in. A chill crawled down my spine, gently reminding me I didn't know the man standing in front of me, I didn't know what he's turned into, but my heart wouldn't listen.

It jumped in my ribcage, urging me to step forward, hug him, kiss him.

But I didn't. Instead, I leaned against the doorframe and shrugged.

"Don't even pretend you thought I would actually listen to you."

"How long have you been here?" Ian glanced around, as if trying to catch someone listening.

"Long enough."

Tina pulled the glass door open and jumped out with a stake in hand. When she saw Ian, she stopped in place and looked at me, searching for signs of trouble on my face.

"This is Tina." I tilted my head towards the girl. "One of the Barbies."

"I thought Barbies were for blood drinking." Ian's cold gaze slid over the black-haired girl.

"Turns out they're good for fighting, too." I forced myself to stay still, but his proximity sent shivers down my spine. "What happened here?"

"I thought you saw everything." Ian stepped away. "Go home, Chloe. You're not supposed to be here."

"Not so fast, bucko." I put my hand on my hip. "You're coming with me."

Ian laughed out loud, "Right."

Just as he was about to turn away from us, Tina jumped around his neck and pulled him on the ground. Ian landed on his knees, grabbed the girl's arms and attempted to pull her over his shoulder. Using his distraction, I took out my stake and pointed it at his heart. Ian's eyes widened and he stopped moving. Tina latched herself around his neck and held him down.

Ian's confusion disappeared, replaced by surprise, and a bit of awe, "You're quick."

"I trained her." I held the stake in place. "And you trained me, remember?"

Ian raised his hands in surrender, "Fine. Get her off me."

I glanced at Tina. The moment was enough. Ian grabbed both her hands and pulled her over his shoulder. The girl's back crashed against the terracotta tiles and she cried out. In the moment of my distraction, Ian twisted my hand and the stake fell out.

"Jerk!" I shouted.

Ian held my arm and pulled me closer until his eyes were inches away from mine. My breath hitched as I stared into the deep, honey brown of his irises. The touch of his skin on mine was enough to stop resisting his pull. His smell engulfed me; sultry, musky cologne with just a hint of blood.

"Go home, Chloe." He spoke, his eyes quickly jumping to my lips.

"I know the locations of the future attacks." I said, trying to ignore the fluttering in my stomach.

A crease formed between his brows and the grip on my arm loosened, but I didn't pull away. I wanted to stay close to him.

"If you don't come with me now, I'll just keep on showing up every time you do this." I shrugged and Ian aggressively pushed me away.

My back hit the wall.

"Goddammit, Chloe." He pinched the bridge of his nose and bowed his head. "Can't you, for once, let it go?"

I put my hands on my hips, "Guess."

Ian looked at me and sighed.

"Will you two stop eye-fucking?" Tina grunted from the floor. "I'm tired and hungry."