The Awakening

Chapter 9

"Vampires are real. They're usually not the cape-wearing 'mwah-hah-hah-ing' types but rather people with ordinary jobs who just happen to consume blood"

                           -Marissa Fessenden.

"Miss Jenkins"

I glance up at my name to see Jamie from the finance department smiling at me.

I smile back at her "Jamie, what are you doing here?"

"Mr. Cavanaugh would like to see you," She says.

My heart skips at her words, butterflies taking flight in my stomach. Mr. Cavanaugh.

Robin.

I bite my lip "Is there a problem?"

I've never been to the finance department, there's never been any reason for me to go there when I could just reach out to Jamie via email, or the interoffice message platform.

"I honestly have no idea. I just do as I'm told" She shrugs.

I sigh "I'll wrap up what I'm doing and be there in a few minutes"

"You got it" she gives me a thumbs up as she leaves.

I save the spreadsheet I was working on then close the document. I open the bottom drawer on my desk, taking out my compact mirror and a lipstick tube then pause.

What am I doing?

I return the mirror without opening it and put away the lipstick. I resist the urge to pat my hair as I get on the elevator. As the elevator moves up I contemplate the reason Robin might have called me to his office. I have no reason to be called to the finance floor.

Did he find out I eavesdropped on him and Valkyrie? Does he know I suspect he's not human? I tap the toes of my pumps on the floor nervously.

Am I about to get fired?

No, he's not the one I report to so there would be no reason for him to do that.

All too soon I'm on the 30th floor.

Swallowing hard, I raise my chin up, keeping my face carefully blank.

Jamie is on the phone when I pass her desk and she mouths, go right in. I nod at her.

I pause in front of his office. Half of the wall is made of clear glass which surprises me. He struck me as a man who valued his privacy.

His name is written boldly on the frosted glass door.

He raises his head from his computer and stares at me through the glass. His eyes just stick to me.

My breath shudders out at the heat in his gaze.

My heart stutters then starts pounding.

I open the door hesitantly, "You asked for me?"

He nods slowly "Yes. Come in. Take a seat?" He points to one of the chairs in front of his desk.

Biting my lip, I sit at the edge of the chair back ramrod straight.

"I know you heard us" He says without preamble.

I open my mouth to reply but he waves a hand "Don't even bother trying to deny it"

I purse my lips wondering the best way to phrase my words but at the end I decided to just be honest "Yes I heard you and Valkyrie discussing me"