Boris and the Vampire (Legends of Pinewood 2)

If You Take A Vampire Home

Thankfully, there were no curious humans present on the road to my home and we arrived at my house without further issues. 

I wouldn't know how to explain Etienne and I being covered in blood while skulking around in the dusk. I couldn't even explain the part where I was with Etienne at all after telling Mr. Davis we had broken up for good just earlier today. If the news had reached Mrs. Davis, and I was sure it had, the entire town knew by now.

When I carried Etienne into my hallway, I could immediately tell Danny had been picked up by his parents with one sniff. There were three recent scents in the room, aside from my own.

In the living room, a message was waiting for me in my voicemail. Ivana had received the news from little Danny and she was on her way home from the fey woods. Her tone was distant and business-like but, to my surprise, she said we should stay in my house tonight and have a meeting in the morning.

I didn't expect to be left alone with Etienne again after what she'd witnessed in the woods. But, if I was completely honest, I was relieved. I'd had my share of excitement for the day, and I didn't need any more. 

Apparently, Etienne and I were not going to talk about how I left the fey woods either. He didn't mention it while we waited for the sun to set in the factory, nor on the way home. And if he didn't start, I wouldn't either. 

We had other things to worry about, anyway. Like him almost dying in that factory, by the hand of my pack members. The realisation was barely sinking in yet for me, let alone for him. I didn't know what this meant for the future of the werewolves or the vampires. I didn't know what Etienne would say to the other vampires in the meeting tomorrow morning, or how we could ever resolve this clusterfuck mess.

What I did know was that we could use a shower and good night's rest. 

"You can shower first," I told Etienne, as I could tell he could barely stand when I lowered him down on the ground.

"Such a gentleman," Etienne replied with a lopsided smile. "Then again, maybe you simply don't want to bathe. Werewolves aren't known for their hygiene, are they?"

"Ah, but I must smell delicious to you right now with all that blood covering me," I quipped before turning to walk up the stairs, leaving the vampire in the hallway. 

Etienne didn't have his suitcase. He'd need to borrow some of my clothes unless he wanted to walk around in a bloodied shirt and ripped pants.

I figured I'd have to carry Etienne up to the bathroom too, but while I was rummaging through my closet to find anything that would fit the vampire, he ascended the stairs on his own, albeit breathing heavily and taking breaks every five steps.

Since he'd already been reluctant to accept my help before, I pretended I didn't notice and waited until he reached the first floor on his own. The sight of his ashen grey and tired face tugged at my heartstrings, but I knew Etienne didn't want my pity. So, I simply followed him into the bathroom and set the clean set of clothes and a towel down on the edge of the bathtub.

Etienne raised his brow at the plain white t-shirt and the jeans covered in old paint stains. "Not exactly my taste."

"My scent is in it, so I'm sure you will enjoy it anyway, vampire," I replied with a wink.

Etienne rolled his eyes at my remark, but didn't protest or insist I brought him a better outfit.

"You don't need help, do you?" I asked, considering even walking up the stairs seemed to have taken a toll on Etienne.

"Now you're just looking for an excuse to watch," Etienne said with a snort. "I suppose you can wash my feet. If you beg for it like a good boy."

I snorted and shook my head with a chuckle. "Alright, you're still a pain in the ass so you're fine. I'll hear you if you call out. Let me know if you do actually need my help."