Caliste & Gerard

I'm Not a Monster

Chapter 4

Caliste walked up to the roof of Gerard's estate, towing her bag of supplies. When she reached the top, she froze.

Ordinaires.

She scanned the trio of what looked like college aged girls. They stood peering over the railing, pointing out the city landmarks in excited tones.

Caliste's head snapped to Gerard. "What's going on? What are they doing here?"

Gerard glanced at the women and back to her. "They're the ordinaires."

"Yes. But why are they here?"

He took a sip of his wine and shrugged. "They are our way into the market."

Anger flared inside her. Did he really think she would agree to that? Using innocent girls as bait?

She folded her arms across her chest and gave him a hard look. Confusion written on his face, Gerard stood and walked to her side.

"I am sensing that you don't approve?"

Heat spread up her neck as she glared at him.

His lips quirked in a smile. "Did you have a better idea?"

The girls fell quiet, wide eyes watching her and Gerard. She fought the urge to shake her head and scold them. What were they thinking following a strange man to his home in a city they didn't know?

Though a quick glance at Gerard and she could see how easy it had probably been to lure them. Darkness usually hid itself within beauty.

She sighed and looked to the vampire viceroy. "I thought you were the one coming up with a plan of success."

He waved a hand toward the humans.

Caliste scoffed. "That doesn't involve endangering innocent lives."

"They won't be in any real danger."

Anger flared inside her. Did he even care about the ordinaires? Why had he agreed to help her in the first place? Was it just that he had nothing better to do with his time as viceroy?

"Send them away."

His eyebrows knitted together. "I beg your pardon?"

She lifted her chin to meet his gaze. "I'm not risking any more... people."

The young women were whispering together now, seeming to realize, they hadn't been brought there to party or whatever Gerard had promised them.

"You asked for my help. I am giving it. Are you saying this isn't good enough for you?" His accent thickened in what Caliste imagined was anger. Angry that she hurt his ego?

"This isn't what I wanted," she insisted.

His eyes narrowed on her.

Yes. He was definitely angry.

"They stay."

His steely words incensed her. They squared off, staring each other down. Out of the corner of her eye, Caliste watched as the ordinaires shuffled on their feet, their fear and doubts growing.

She flexed her fingers, ready to cast a protection spell over them if needed. Gerard's gaze dipped to her hands, his nostrils flaring as if she'd challenged his authority and power.

Viceroy or not—if the humans wanted to leave, she would help them.

"You think I'm going to hurt them?" His voice was soft, but his eyes were full of outrage.