Edith frowned. “You said you had it on good authority that you're innocent, but you suffered anyway.”
“Good authority isn't conclusive, Edith. Alder could've had a hand in it, you never know. Besides, do I really strike you as a guy who's innocent?”
“That's different,” Edith countered, sitting back in her seat before going silent. She must've decided the topic was too complicated to idly discuss, or couldn't figure out what to say, because she ended the conversation by mentioning the high school was at their next right turn.
Isaac took it, finding the school just down the road, and the moment it came into view, Edith muttered, “This brings back memories.”
“Doesn't sound like they're good ones.”
Pursing her lips, she returned, “I don't think many kids have very pleasant memories from school unless they were really popular, good looking, or wealthy, and I was none of those things.”
Isaac gave her a disbelieving look. “What do you mean you weren't good looking?”
As if realizing she'd just exposed something he wasn't supposed know, she muttered, “Nothing, it was just a really awkward time for me. 'Nuff said.”
Somehow, Isaac couldn't wrap his head around that claim. Edith was a knock out in his opinion, but maybe the mortal kids she'd attended school with had a different idea of beauty. If so, they're full of shit.
Regardless, he parked on the side of the street in front of the building, then followed Edith to the doors, ready to ask how they might find her quartz on the way. But the moment they stepped inside, bells sounded to signify a change of class, cutting him off.
Simultaneously, classroom doors opened and kids began flooding the hall, some yelling and chasing after one another while teachers demanded they slow down.
Isaac sidestepped several of them, making his way around with ease. But when one of the older students who was inconsiderately pushing past his peers decided to force his way by Edith via shoving an arm into her side, Isaac opted not to steer clear of traffic.
Righting herself, Edith looked back to make certain her companion wasn't too far away in the crowd—just as the student passed him.
Without losing his pace, Isaac raised his foot to the side before the teenager lifted his leg. As a result, his boot caught the kid's foot, causing him to stumble forward, right into an open locker with his books falling to the floor.
In response, Edith snorted to withhold her amusement amidst the laughter of the students who'd already been shoved.
Grinning, Isaac came to a stop next to her, asking, “So, any idea where to start looking?”
“Science classes, probably,” she suggested, “but they won't let us walk around without going to the office for a visitor's pass first. I mean, unless I cast a repelling spell to make people leave us alone.”
“No, let's just go to the office,” Isaac returned. It wasn't as if they were searching a ghoul's nest, so finding the rose quartz without expending anymore of Edith's magic was preferable.
Several of the students had cleared out by then, though some groups remained by their lockers, chatting amongst themselves as the pair walked by. Even more were standing before an alcove with a set of double doors leading into the school's library—and Edith came to an abrupt halt, glancing over at the entryway.
Curiously, Isaac followed her line of sight to see that the library doors were propped open, and beyond them stood a display of several books, maps, and a cabinet full of rocks and gems beneath a sign that read Discover the World with Geology!
Edith exchanged a knowing look with Isaac, and the two entered the library without hesitation.
Inside one of the glass covered cabinets belonging to the display were various stones with labels stating their names—and a sizable chunk of rose quartz was settled on the center shelf.
“That's it,” Edith pointed out quietly, scanning the case for a way inside. “And naturally the window's locked.”
Breaking the glass was out of the question with so many people around, including a librarian leading a group of students toward the display as if preparing to give a lecture. So Isaac stepped aside with Edith to avoid their attention, rounding a shelf of books to stand in a secluded isle.
“I guess we'll have to come back after hours,” she mentioned softly. “That crystal isn't going anywhere.”
As she spoke, Isaac was looking around for security cameras, but the school didn't seem to have any, prompting his reply, “Fuck that, we're getting it now. I'll be back.”
With those words, he disappeared.
Nine
• • •
“Oh boy.”
Edith sighed the words after Isaac teleported away, having no idea what he was planning. But as she waited patiently while the librarian explained how precious gems were formed to the students, she got the feeling it wouldn't be good.
Peeking around the corner at the group, half of the kids looked ready to fall asleep on their feet in response to the librarian's litany.
But that demeanor quickly changed when the fire alarm sounded.
Everyone present perked up in surprise over the loud bells going off, and immediately started evacuating. Yet Edith merely groaned, her forehead hitting the corner of the bookshelf. Don't tell me he actually started a fire.
As if in answer, the sprinklers went off in the hallway and the power surged, causing the lights to dim in waves before going out completely.
But regardless of the demon's methods, she intended on taking advantage of the fact that everyone was now exiting the library with haste, lines of students marching down the hall outside. It was simply a matter of waiting for them to pass so she wouldn't be spotted and forced to join them.
Once the halls cleared enough, Edith finally stepped out of the isle—and immediately heard the sound of glass shattering. Following it, Isaac came walking around the corner, tossing her rose quartz up and down in one hand while whistling a friendly tune.
Still, she pursed her lips. “Did you start a fire?”
“Just a little one.”
“Isaac!”
“What? I lit some papers in a metal trash can, and fucked with the generators to make it seem more urgent,” he grinned, holding the crystal up for her to take.
Learning he hadn't actually caused any substantial damage, Edith stared at the item in satisfaction—and surprise. Somehow, it actually felt like they were a team, and she let her smile show while plucking the crystal from his fingertips.
Turning it over in her palm, the item dissolved into her magical cache, disappearing from sight as she remarked, “One down, who knows how many to go.”
Grinning, Isaac took her hand to teleport them outside near a few thick bushes by the street where none of the people waiting for the firetrucks could see.
“You know, this shit's actually kinda fun,” he mentioned while walking back to the car.
Edith decided not to agree aloud, wanting to see if this type of positive interaction would continue first. But in regards to acquiring her rose quartz at least, Isaac was right—telling off her stepmother and starting fires at her old high school had been a blast.
At the door to her car, he inquired, “So how should we celebrate getting your first piece?”
“How about finding somewhere to have lunch?” she suggested. “I'm starving.”
“Not as kinky as I was thinking, but I could go for something.”
Edith noticed a teasing smirk on his face just before he got inside, and shook her head with an amused smile. Maybe it was just the gratification of acquiring the first item needed for her staff without jumping through too many hoops, but she was glad for his assistance.
Despite Isaac's shamelessness, he at least had a sense of humor she could appreciate, and wasn't a horrible conversationalist.
His taste in food wasn't picky either, though it still took about twenty minutes for them to decide on a casual restaurant that served a variety of meals. Inside, the hostess led them to a booth in an area near
the back that was dark enough for Isaac to comfortably remove his shades.
Edith sat across from him, lifting her menu in eagerness to order because of her rumbling stomach. But the sensation of being watched soon swept over her, and she looked up to see the demon staring at her with those intensely fiery eyes.
Striving to keep her heart from thudding out of her chest, she inquired uncertainly, “What?”
He shrugged. “Just thinking about things.”
“Should I even ask what kinds of things?”
“It's nothing dirty if that's what you're expecting. Just the situation, you being here after all the dreams I had, that stuff.”
She nodded, glad to know his mind wasn't always on sex—though it probably wasn't too far from his thoughts if the nature of his dreams was any indication.
“And you've been dreaming about me for ten months now?”
“Over two years,” he corrected. “I was having those dreams a long time before I was cursed.”
Hearing this, Edith ignored her menu in favor of asking, “If you were dreaming about me for so long, why didn't you know what I looked like before I went to Mystikkar? You could've looked me up.”
Scoffing, Isaac pinned her gaze when he answered, “Because I could never see you. I only heard your voice, felt you with me, but it was always like you were still a million miles away.”
“And just out of curiosity, were they always erotic dreams?”
He shook his head. “No, but enough were.”
Well, that's something at least. “Why does your kind dream about their mates, anyway?”
“It's just the males that dream, partly as an indication to keep our eyes open, but also as a part of our bonding. The dreams are supposed to make you desire your mate more than anything, and let me fucking say it works like a damned charm.”
“Oh?”
He sighed. “I was always disappointed as fuck that I didn't know who you were when I woke from them.”
Edith frowned. “That sounds frustrating.”
“Just ask all the sheets I came on.”
Groaning, she muttered, “Guess I walked right into that one. You really are shameless, aren't you?”
“Most times,” he replied, leaning against the table top. “Does it bother you?”
“Not really,” she admitted, “it's just … ”
How did she put it? There was a reason Charlotte called her hooker—she was a virgin, but had no reservations with discussing topics related to sex. Yet the thought that Isaac of all men had been dreaming of her erotically was different.
Physically, he was the sexiest male she'd ever seen. His glowing eyes seemed to bore into her until she nearly forgot to breathe, and that fanged grin was nothing short of swoonworthy.
But to someone who had so little to draw on for experience, it was also intimidating. Even if Edith wanted to pursue something with him, she'd have no idea where to start, and didn't want to seem inept, nor did she want Isaac to realize just how attractive she truly thought he was.
Not yet anyway.
So she finally shrugged, “I'm just not used to hearing that kind of talk where it involves me. Flirting and compliments aren't things I'm used to.”
“Why not?”
He sounded legitimately surprised, as if he thought she should've had at least a few boyfriends by that point in her life—an attitude she'd grown seriously tired of.
“Not everyone wants to go out and date, Isaac, and I don't like socializing. I'd rather read a book, or maybe hang out with someone like Charlotte. So I haven't met many people.”
She would've said something a little more articulate, but their waitress had arrived to ask what they wanted to drink. Without sparing her much attention, Edith ordered a diet soda with lemon, and Isaac made it a double as if too interested in their conversation to put any thought into the matter.
“I can understand not going out,” he replied once the woman was walking away. “Still seems like you should be used to praise, though.”
Maybe if you don't have all the details. Edith looked down at the table, supposing it was time she let him know a little more about her history if only so he'd better understand her reactions to his advances.
“Alright, you asked about my experience earlier, and the truth is pretty simple. When I was in school, I was bullied a lot. It all started not long after my dad died. Sheryl was neglecting me, and I was so stressed by everything that I stopped eating, lost a ton of weight, and developed a serious case of acne. So the kids were always picking on me about it, and there was no one to talk to.”
Isaac seemed to be hanging on every word, and she finished by stating, “It gave me a really low opinion of myself, and I just never thought I was … good enough for anyone. So I never tried.”
Feeling as if her throat was about to close up from the overflowing emotions, Edith didn't say more, keeping her gaze downcast until the threat of tears had passed. But when Isaac remained silent, she glanced back up to see a stern expression, his jaw tensing as if grinding his teeth.
“What?”
“I'm trying to figure out what I'd like to do more; hunt those assholes down and slaughter them, or torture them until they beg your forgiveness first.”
Edith stared at him with widened eyes, making sure to keep her voice down when she exclaimed, “You can't just hunt my old classmates down!”
“Not until your Calling's over, no.”
“They were just kids!”
“They're adults now,” he reasoned.
“Isaac!”
She wasn't sure whether she wanted to continue scolding him, or actually smile in amusement at his insistence on hunting her former schoolmates for bullying her. But the thought that he actually could find them if he truly wanted was a little too worrisome for comfort.
So, grabbing her menu again when the waitress returned with their drinks, she finally pointed out, “I'm a lot better now, anyway. Besides, they wouldn't even remember me.”
“Goes to show how much their opinions meant to begin with, don'tcha think?”
“Yeah, but that kind of treatment has a lasting impact.”
“I know that,” Isaac acknowledged, and when the server tried to ask what they wanted, he held up a silent hand in her direction with his gaze still on Edith, adding, “and I don't expect you to just get over it.”
“Then what would you suggest?”
“To keep moving,” he answered sincerely. “In another century, you'll forget what those assholes said. In two, you won't even remember they existed. They'll be long gone, and you'll still be just as fucking gorgeous as you are now.”
Edith hadn't thought of it that way, and took his advice to heart. Not only was it actually insightful, it was also very sweet—though the waitress was giving Isaac an extremely strange look.
Yet, as if he hadn't said anything unusual, the demon motioned to the menu and asked, “What do you want?”
Smiling, Edith followed his lead, apologizing for making the server wait as if nothing was out of the ordinary, and ordered a chicken fajita plate with a side salad and cheesecake for dessert.
Isaac went with a steak dinner, then handed the menu over, giving Edith a fanged grin. “So, when do I get the chance to flirt with you some more, anyway?”
Still feeling magnanimous after acquiring the first piece of her staff, and also curious after their conversation to see what he'd say—or do—Edith shrugged casually. “As long as you behave, go ahead.”
At her invitation, Isaac immediately stood and moved to her side of the booth. Settling next to her, he reached beneath the table and hoisted her legs over his lap, then hooked an arm around her lower back.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I'm gonna feed you.”
The thought heated her cheeks. “Isaac, no.”
“Why not?” he inquired, snagging his drink from the table for a sip—and immediately cringed. “What the hell is this?”
Smirking, Edith reminde
d, “You ordered a double of what I got, diet soda.”
“Diet?” he muttered, setting the glass back down. “How the hell do you drink that?”
“It's an acquired taste,” she chuckled, sipping from her own glass with ease.
In fact, she actually felt quite comfortable with her legs draped over Isaac's lap and his arm around her, as if they just fit together. It truly made her wonder about the way fate worked, and if the two of them might actually end up looking something like Charlotte and Ulric after all.
Isaac had already surprised her quite a few times, anyway. She hadn't expected him to show such a capacity for understanding, proving that there was a lot more to the demon than one might first assume.
She didn't know if that meant it was a good idea to give them a shot, but at the very least, she was interested in learning more about him.
And maybe that was the best place to start.
“So, does my inexperience bother you?” Edith asked. “Or any of that other stuff?”
“Not in the slightest,” Isaac answered, half distracted when she closed her plump lips around the end of the straw to sip her drink.
The mere sight of it had him fighting an erection he worried would end their seating arrangement. Though she'd invited him over to flirt, she'd also asked him to behave, leaving a compulsion in place that prevented him from adding you're sucking that straw well enough, so I'm pretty sure you'd catch on quick.
Forcing himself to look away, he added, “The only thing that bothers me right now is the blood oath I took to give you space.”
Edith eyed him curiously. “Saying you'd be all over me if you were free of it?”
“Not exactly, but I'd like the chance to kiss you again at the very least.”
Settling her drink down, she bit her lip considerately. But the waitress appeared with their tray before she could give him permission. Fucking damn it all to the Pit.
Still, for as frustrated as Isaac was, their meal was spent sitting together just that way, and simply having her in his lap, cracking jokes and idly chatting between bites, was more enjoyable than he'd expected.
Isaac had often wondered what type of personality Edith had, and Charlotte informed him before her return that she was usually boisterous and loved to laugh. Still, he never would've guessed just how satisfying such a simple sound could be, and wanted to hear it more often.
The Final Calling Page 9
