Blood Luster

Chapter Seventeen

"Explain to us what happened, please Magnolia," Giovanni said as he sat next to her on the couch.

"I don't really have anything to tell," she responded.

Giovanni glanced at her bouncing leg then turned his focus back to her. "Close your eyes for me." He demanded.

"O –okay." She glanced to Benjamin momentarily and his nod gave her the confirmation she needed.

Magnolia felt as though all eyes in the room were on her. She kept her eyes closed, but the anticipation was killing her.

"What were you doing at the motel?"

"I was getting my luggage out of the car," she replied.

"Why did you feel like someone was watching you?"

Her eyes squeezed tighter, focusing. "It was while I was grabbing things from the trunk. I chalked it up to being hyperaware of my surroundings, to being scared of my own shadow."

"Did you look around?"

"Yes." She cleared her throat. "When I looked around and nobody was in sight, I grabbed my things and walked to the door."

"When you got to the door did you look again?" he asked.

"I glanced –I glanced, and someone was standing at the end of the building."

"You're doing great." Giovanni sighed. "Can you describe the person to us?"

"It was a woman. She had long brown hair, straight across bangs, and was wearing all black clothing. The cigarette in her mouth clouded her features, her stature held no emotion as she leaned against the building." She shifted on the couch, her eyes flew open, and she raised up. "She had a tattoo that covered the left side of her face."

Benjamin ran his hand down his face, then grabbed hers with a squeeze. "It's Claire."

"Who?" Magnolia asked.

"She's a Gallentine. Which confirms our suspicions, they have been watching you."

Watching me. A shiver ran up her spine at the thought.

"What does this mean for me?" she asked.

"It just means we are going to have to work harder to keep you safe. Don't worry, I ensure your safe with us." Giovanni patted her shoulder.

A woman's voice from across the room spoke rather loudly. "We can't risk all of our lives to protect her."

"We damn well will Brooklyn," Benjamin shouted.

Without saying another word, the girl turned and walked out of the room. Magnolia couldn't help but feel guilty for the obvious stress she was adding to the family. They didn't owe her anything, outside of being Benjamin's girlfriend. "I don't want to cause any problems. I can take care of –"

"You're not causing problems. Brooklyn is scared and extremely protective of the clan. We will protect you and keep you safe, you can't do this without us."

Giovanni told Benjamin, Addeline, and Magnolia everyone needed to come together to not only meet Magnolia but strategize how they would keep her safe. His voice was soft but carried weight. When he spoke, everyone stopped to listen but didn't seem to mind.

"I need something to drink, please." She stared up at Benjamin.

"Okay. She's exhausted. Can we get something to eat then regroup and decide on a plan?"