Who? | The Dhampir (Book Two)

XXVI

Stacey

I let out a sigh as I fidget my finger on the table before me. I've been overthinking whether to tell all that I know about Dmitri. We were told that the killer of the next king of vampires would be the next Alpha. But at the same time, she's the only person to ask for help. I'm pretty sure Dmitri trusts her more than anyone else as of now.

I've been sitting at the shop for over an hour now. I told George that my shift ends at 6 am. I told myself that if she's not here by 7 am I'll leave. But here I am telling the same thing.

"8 am. If she's not here by 8 am I'll leave."

Fast forward now. I watch her confused reaction. 

"Father?" I watch her reaction.

I'm sorry, Dmitri. I will break the promise. It's for the best.

"It was Christmas Eve," I start as my mind returns to that memory.

We should be celebrating right now but no. Loud groans were heard in the front yard of our house. My body was shaking while watching my father beaten by a group of young men. I was hiding behind one of my dead mother's tall vases.

'Hide Ana! Don't let them catch you!'

"I don't have the money yet," my father groaned in pain.

The skinny man with a baseball bat clicked his tongue. "Deadline is deadline, Mr. Smith," he said, hitting my father's back with the baseball bat.

"Well, we can take your daughter with us as a payment," the tallest one said.

"N-no!"

They continued beating my father. His cries made me want to run towards him. I balled my fist. My tears began to fall.

"Stop! No-" A gloved hand cupped my mouth.

I hitched my breath. Scared. I was scared that someone had caught me. I fight from his grip on my mouth. I tried to push him away. The vase behind me fell and the loud crashing sound made the group of men turn their heads in my direction.

"Damn it," the man behind me cursed in his deep voice. "The reason why I cover your mouth is to avoid any unwanted noise," he grumbled. "Way to go tiny human!"

He let go of me and hid me behind him. I now have a proper view of his back. He was wearing a black long coat. He was extremely tall. I hugged his leg tight. His knees were the same height as my face. He fisted his glove hand. The knuckles of his leather gloves have spikes. A Deep growl escaped from lips as he flexed his broad shoulders. He tapped my hands and I let go of his leg.