to risk it.”
“I see.”
“Besides, this place has one of its own, so go in there and get us some dinner.”
I look to him for more direction, but he didn’t offer it.
“Sure thing, boss.”
I walk right through the front door like I own the place, past the waiting area, past the front desk. The place is a flurry of activity at 3 a.m. I study the signs posted at the end of the hall. They even supply a floor plan. A gurney speeds by, doctors yelling orders, juggling IVs.
I press my back against the wall to make room. As they rush past, the scent of fresh blood hits my nostrils and I immediately react. I bring my hand to my mouth and feel a hand grab my shoulder.
Catch pulls me into a nearby stairwell.
“Calm down. Control your senses.”
I sit on the steps and after a moment the fire leaves my body.
“That was a close one.”
“No kidding. You really didn’t consider all the open wounds in this place?”
“Can’t say I had.”
I stand up.
“I’m good, Catch. I can do this.”
He shakes his head, clearly about to protest, then reconsiders.
“Alright then, follow me this time.”
Turns out he knows the place like the back of his hand. He snags us some scrubs to change into and minutes later we are standing in front of a refrigerator.
“Here.”
Catch grabs a cooler from the shelf.
The door is unlocked. Like stealing milk in a grocery store.
We head through a door marked “Employees Only” and nearly smack into a nurse.
She points at the cooler. “Is that for Jackson? Chopper’s due any minute.”
Completely unflustered, she doesn’t miss a beat as she rushes by and we simply freeze, nodding dumbly.
A few minutes later we are sitting on the roof across the street, watching the chopper land on the helipad.
It was that easy.
Besides the whole ‘not turning into a demon at the sight of blood’ thing.
***
“You did good.”
“It wasn’t much of a test. I failed the really challenging part.”
“True, but you’re a quick study. It’s difficult to control your impulses. You have to start somewhere.”
“Guess I should hang out in hospitals till I’ve mastered it.”
Catch laughs. “I wouldn’t advise it.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure, what’s on your mind?”
“Will they accept me? The others? You said before about rules…a hierarchy…”
Catch gives a comforting smile and squeezes his arms around me.
“Babe, take my word for it. They’ll be treating you like a savior.”
“What was it like when Marcus brought you in?”
“Relief. I found what I’d been craving all along.”
“I don’t share your passion for this power. But I admire your confidence. You weren’t worried they’d reject you? Eliminate you?”
Catch shakes his head. “Since Adrian turned me, I was untouchable. We share his bloodline, you and I. We’re all connected. You won’t need protecting.”
Treat me like a savior? What can I possibly offer them that would warrant that?
“And you still won’t answer me why?”
“I’m sorry, I was drawn to you. I can’t explain it. Don’t hate me for it.”
As implausible as it is, there is a real apology in there somewhere. An apology I don’t want, but it is enough to know he doesn’t want to hurt me. It is enough to get me to stop pressing.
“Come on, it’s going to be daylight soon and we’ve got to get across town.”
Chapter 7
“I want to go home, Catch.”
We are sprawled on a fairway in Central Park, our backs flat against a grassy knoll, eyes on a gray, seamless sky.
“I thought we were done with this rubbish. You cannot go back to your old life.”
“It’s been well over a week; my friends will be worried.” I continue, “Besides, this Adrian guy you’re so intent on me meeting hasn’t shown. You’ve been waiting for orders that haven’t arrived.”
“He’s shown.”
Catch is not looking at me, so I don’t bother to hide my surprise.
“And?”
“He is observing us to see how
“I see.”
“Besides, this place has one of its own, so go in there and get us some dinner.”
I look to him for more direction, but he didn’t offer it.
“Sure thing, boss.”
I walk right through the front door like I own the place, past the waiting area, past the front desk. The place is a flurry of activity at 3 a.m. I study the signs posted at the end of the hall. They even supply a floor plan. A gurney speeds by, doctors yelling orders, juggling IVs.
I press my back against the wall to make room. As they rush past, the scent of fresh blood hits my nostrils and I immediately react. I bring my hand to my mouth and feel a hand grab my shoulder.
Catch pulls me into a nearby stairwell.
“Calm down. Control your senses.”
I sit on the steps and after a moment the fire leaves my body.
“That was a close one.”
“No kidding. You really didn’t consider all the open wounds in this place?”
“Can’t say I had.”
I stand up.
“I’m good, Catch. I can do this.”
He shakes his head, clearly about to protest, then reconsiders.
“Alright then, follow me this time.”
Turns out he knows the place like the back of his hand. He snags us some scrubs to change into and minutes later we are standing in front of a refrigerator.
“Here.”
Catch grabs a cooler from the shelf.
The door is unlocked. Like stealing milk in a grocery store.
We head through a door marked “Employees Only” and nearly smack into a nurse.
She points at the cooler. “Is that for Jackson? Chopper’s due any minute.”
Completely unflustered, she doesn’t miss a beat as she rushes by and we simply freeze, nodding dumbly.
A few minutes later we are sitting on the roof across the street, watching the chopper land on the helipad.
It was that easy.
Besides the whole ‘not turning into a demon at the sight of blood’ thing.
***
“You did good.”
“It wasn’t much of a test. I failed the really challenging part.”
“True, but you’re a quick study. It’s difficult to control your impulses. You have to start somewhere.”
“Guess I should hang out in hospitals till I’ve mastered it.”
Catch laughs. “I wouldn’t advise it.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure, what’s on your mind?”
“Will they accept me? The others? You said before about rules…a hierarchy…”
Catch gives a comforting smile and squeezes his arms around me.
“Babe, take my word for it. They’ll be treating you like a savior.”
“What was it like when Marcus brought you in?”
“Relief. I found what I’d been craving all along.”
“I don’t share your passion for this power. But I admire your confidence. You weren’t worried they’d reject you? Eliminate you?”
Catch shakes his head. “Since Adrian turned me, I was untouchable. We share his bloodline, you and I. We’re all connected. You won’t need protecting.”
Treat me like a savior? What can I possibly offer them that would warrant that?
“And you still won’t answer me why?”
“I’m sorry, I was drawn to you. I can’t explain it. Don’t hate me for it.”
As implausible as it is, there is a real apology in there somewhere. An apology I don’t want, but it is enough to know he doesn’t want to hurt me. It is enough to get me to stop pressing.
“Come on, it’s going to be daylight soon and we’ve got to get across town.”
Chapter 7
“I want to go home, Catch.”
We are sprawled on a fairway in Central Park, our backs flat against a grassy knoll, eyes on a gray, seamless sky.
“I thought we were done with this rubbish. You cannot go back to your old life.”
“It’s been well over a week; my friends will be worried.” I continue, “Besides, this Adrian guy you’re so intent on me meeting hasn’t shown. You’ve been waiting for orders that haven’t arrived.”
“He’s shown.”
Catch is not looking at me, so I don’t bother to hide my surprise.
“And?”
“He is observing us to see how
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