I stumbled into the entryway where I’d hung my purse. I’d already used one inhaler recently and now I needed the second one. From the side pocket I dug out the back up medicine.
In an instant, Traian was at my side, guiding me to the futon.
“Take it easy.”
I waved him off and sat down. I couldn’t talk yet, as I had the inhaler in my mouth. Why does this always happen? I don’t want him to see me like this.
Traian brought me a glass of water as I waited for the medicine to kick in. In that time, he’d dumped the potting soil box Storm had used earlier into a garbage bag and took it out for me. When he returned, I was getting the kitten bed settled on the floor next to the futon.
Storm immediately curled up inside the plush pink cushion and went to sleep.
Traian sat down next to me. “How are you feeling?”
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
My phone vibrated against the granite countertop of the kitchen island. Once again, Traian was at my side in a flash with the phone in hand. I hadn’t even seen him get up.
Are my blood counts so low that my mind is strobing? I put the thought aside and finally answered my phone.
“Hello?”
“Everly, this is Dr. Hansen.”
“Hi.” I rested my head against the tall back of the futon.
“I have good news for you.”
“Yeah?”
“University of Washington is doing a clinical trial for rare thrombocytopenia. Because your body hasn’t responded properly to the current medication, you qualify for this special study. The new drug has already been tested in Europe with an eighty-seven percent success rate. Would you be interested?”
My hands tingled. Oh shit, not this again. I quickly hit speakerphone on my cell and set it on the coffee table across from me.
“Of course,” I answered.
Storm jumped up and curled in my lap. I didn’t want to touch her, just in case I shocked her by accident. She, however, wasn’t concerned as she purred.
“The only thing is we must transfer your care to the hematologist at the university.” Dr. Hansen continued. “I hate to lose you as a patient, but I really think you’ll do well in this program. And since you’re a student there already, I think this transition will be more convenient for you.”
“Yes.” I gripped my grandmother’s cross with one hand, and the tingling at the center of my palms subsided. “Thank you so much. When do I start?”
“Are you free tomorrow morning?”
“Yes. What time?”
“The assistant at the clinic can see you at seven-thirty.”
I sighed. “Oh, I have another appointment at that time. Is there another slot?”
“Sorry, Everly. That’s the only time they can work you in. The study has already started.”
I could feel the corners of my mouth droop. I glanced at Traian.
He mouthed the words ‘Take it’.
“Hm, well… I guess I can make it work,” I said.
I wrapped up the conversation and pressed ‘end call’ without zapping my phone. I glanced at Traian who sat next me. He handed me a glass of water.
“I’m so sorry. I really need to take this appointment,” I told him.
“Not a problem, we can meet afterwards. I need to bring you your notebook.”
My notebook. The symbol from Eva’s grave. My hands.
I stared at my palms and then at Storm. With the arrival of my new companion, I’d almost forgotten about those crazy things. And what’s up with this tingling? I ran a hand over Storm’s grey fur. Her purrs got louder as her tiny paw wrapped around my wrist. She rubbed her head against my arm.
“Why did you call Storm my familiar?” I asked.
She licked the inside of my forearm at the mention of her name.
“Need I explain?” Traian responded.
“Don’t witches have familiars?”
Traian rested his arm on the back of the futon behind me. “You’re bewitching, if you ask me.”
I turned my head to meet his gaze. Was that a pickup line? I couldn’t tell. I’d never dated. It was time to be honest, painful as it maybe.
“Look. I don’t know what your fascination with me is, but let’s get one thing straight. If you’re looking for romance, you should look elsewhere. I’m a broken girl.” I pointed at the inhaler laying on the futon between us. “This is only the surface. I’m a ticking bomb that can go off at any second.”
Traian sat quietly and listened without saying a word.
“I won’t be able to have sex. Too much excitement could push my heart too far and then it’ll go ping… Dead.”
He nodded.
“Do you understand?” I asked. “I’m not girlfriend quality. I’ve never even dated. Never been kissed, for that matter.” I shook my head. Maybe that was too much information. I focused back on Traian. “So tell me, why are you here?” Maybe I should have asked this question before I invited him into my apartment…
Traian removed his arm from the back of the futon and then knelt by my legs, taking my non-Storm-claimed hand. “I wish I could answer your question, but I really don’t know the answer. Maybe we can talk more over our picnic dinner.”
“You still want to take me out after what I’ve just told you?”
“Of course.” He kissed my hand.
“Are you going to rape or murder me?” Oh my god, where did that question come from?
Traian’s normally steely expression softened. “On my word, I would never raise a hand to hurt you. May the gods have mercy on the fool who would because I won’t show him any.”
The way he talked, his accent, and how he knelt there at my feet, made him seem like a regal prince or a knight from ages past. He didn’t belong in this century, but here he was, melting my sputtering heart. Would it be so bad if the last thing I did was fall in love with this familiar stranger?
Storm released my arm and went over to head-butt the hand that held mine. She sure likes him. But who wouldn’t?
Then I remembered I had class in two hours. I couldn’t miss it, but I also wanted to stay with Traian. For a moment, I couldn’t believe I was choosing a complete stranger over my education. I let the shock roll off of me and pushed all else out of my mind.
My time was limited, so I would make the best of what I had left. I focused all my attention on the guy holding my hand. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 13
We walked through the open entrance of Pike’s Market. I hated to leave Storm alone again, but she had curled up in her new bed and fallen asleep at the mention of me staying on her behalf. I’d always read that felines possessed superior intelligence—my brief and only encounter thus far had not proven that theory wrong.
What a strange day.
First, the missing symbol on Eva’s grave, then the eccentric woman watching me. Mr. Perry showing up unannounced only contributed to the series of bizarre events that had led to the end of my petlessness. Now I stood in one of Seattle’s most famous tourist locales, holding the hand of a stranger who felt more familiar than my mother or sister.
The longer Traian held my hand, the more comfortable I felt, as if we’d been doing this our whole lives. Inside the hub, we wandered through the throngs of people. We sampled the various offerings of the vendors. More like I sampled—he only watched and smirked at my eyes watering from the spicy chicken I’d just tried.
“Don’t you eat?” I pulled on his hand.
“I do, but I’m hoping we can grab some of our favorite foods for our picnic down by the water.”
“What a great idea.” It hadn’t started to rain, even though grey clouds hovered overhead. He had said the sun would come out.
Traian bought nothing, nor did he talk to the vendors. Instead, he insisted on giving me two twenty-dollar bills to purchase my favorite foods. So not only had he paid for Storm’s stuff now he was also buying my meal.
He’s taking care of me.
The feeling didn’t si
t well, but I focused on the green juices from a fresh-pressed juice stand. I’d never had vegetable juice before.
I came back with some brie, olives, salami slices, a loaf of sourdough bread, two red velvet cupcakes, and grapes. Traian carried the bag of goodies and one drink, and I carried my juice.
“Is this any good?” I grimaced at the green liquid in the transparent cup.
“Very enjoyable.”
We walked across the highway bridge to the pier side and turned north toward the aquarium. Along the wooden walkway, we found a dry, empty bench. There we spread our loot into a delicious feast. We sat saddle-style on either end of the bench with the food between us. Everything looked so appetizing, including the guy sitting across from me.
I sure didn’t plan for this today. Nor did I plan to play hooky.
Traian held up his cup. “To new friendships.”
“Cheers.” I tapped my cup to his and took a sip. “Oh, wow, this is good.”
I’d expected the juice to taste like grass, but what I got instead were flavors of pineapple, pear, and a hint of basil.
“It’s also good for you.” He sipped his drink.
We dug into the bread, breaking off chunks and slathering brie over the pieces. Paired with the salami and olives, a yummy party erupted inside my mouth. Traian seemed to enjoy our little feast as much as I did. He licked his fingers clean of olive juice and threw a couple grapes up into the air only to catch them in his mouth. For a moment, he seemed like a young boy playing with his food. The seriousness usually present on his face faded away.
“You have good taste.” He wagged his finger at me with a smile.
The clouds broke, and sunlight bathed our little picnic. Traian held out his hand and turned it palm-up. A nostalgic fog filled his eyes as he flipped his palm back down.
“It’s lovely to be in the sun again,” he whispered.
“Yeah, we haven’t had sun in a while,” I responded and amused at his reaction to the rays coming from the giant ball of fire in the sky.
Traian met my eyes. We stared at each other for a handful of seconds before his brow creased.
“Who are you?”
“You keep asking that. Don’t you know all about me? You’ve been following me for the last two weeks,” I teased, shaking my head. “You know, I should really report you to the police, not inviting you into my home and having a picnic with you.”
He nodded. “That would be wise. However, they wouldn’t do anything.”
“Why is that?”
Traian glanced over his shoulder. “Because, technically, I don’t exist.”
“Technically?” I jerked my head back. “What are you, some kind of international spy or an assassin?”
“Very perceptive.” He bobbed his head. “You are not like the rest.”
“Like the rest of what? Girls? Americans? You have an accent, so I know you aren’t from here.”
Traian bowed his head. “You are correct. But what I meant is people your age. You see things differently.”
I shrugged. “Well, when it’s a miracle you are breathing each day, you tend to have a different perspective on life.”
“Tell me?”
“Pft.” I glanced over at the sparkling water of the bay. What could I tell him? He was obviously dangerous, and a much stronger person than I. What could possibly be interesting about me? I focused back on him. “I’m sure my life is boring. Why are you following me? Don’t you have more important things to do?”
“I do, but you are very puzzling. I’m trying to figure you out.” He rubbed his chin. “I’ve seen many things in my life, but nothing as mystifying as you.”
“Ha! You must live a boring life, then. Trust me, there is nothing interesting here.” I waved my hands over my body. “I already told you, it’s only a matter of time before my ticker goes caput. If you’re after my money, don’t bother—I’m a college student with a part-time, minimum wage job. Oh, and did I mention the medical bills I’ve accrued over the course of my life?”
Traian caught one of my hands in his. “Why do you diminish yourself like that? You are one of the strongest humans I’ve known. And money matters nothing.”
My breath caught again. Every time our skin made contact, my brain had a harder time thinking. “‘Humans’? This is the second time you’ve referred to our species as ‘humans’, as if you regularly interact with beings other than us.”
“Well, there are many species on this planet, not to mention the others outside of our world.”
“Right.” I eyed him suspiciously, but silently prayed he’d never let go of my hand.
“Tell me about yourself,” he requested.
“There’s not much to tell.”
“Where do you work?”
“You know the answer to that. Capitol Hill Florist.”
He nodded. “Do you like your job?”
“I love it. My boss is a little crazy.” I drew air circles next to my head with my free hand. “But I’ve never have a bad day at work. Flowers make me happy. It’s the perfect job.”
“Unless you are allergic to them.”
“True. Thankfully, I’m not. Haven’t you seen my apartment?” I laughed. “Now it’s your turn. Where are you from?” I popped a grape in my mouth and waited.
“I’ve been in Seattle for a long time. I consider this my home now.”
“So, before Seattle…?” I rolled my hand for him to continue.
“If you must know.” He rested the hand holding mine on his knee. “Originally, I’m from Romania.”
“Ooh, that’s where Dracula comes from.”
Traian rolled his eyes. “You Americans and your fascination with vampires and Dracula. There are so many other wonderful things about my country than that joke of a story.”
“Like what?”
“We have a beautiful landscape, excellent food, amusing music, and an ancient, interesting history.” He sipped his juice. “We also have fantastic poets and artists.”
“Then what brought you here?”
A hint of sadness flashed in Traian’s eyes before he answered. “A friend’s death.”
“I’m sorry.” I squeezed his hand.
He said nothing as he stared out at the water like his mind was in a distant place. I felt bad for bringing up a painful memory and changed the subject.
“So where do you live?”
Traian didn’t answer me right away, as he appeared still lost in thought. Just as I was about to repeat my question, he met my gaze. “Capitol Hill.”
“Ah, that is why I’ve seen you around there.”
“How is it you see me?”
What a strange question to ask. “Um, with my two eyes.”
“I’m superb at not being noticed except when it comes to you.”
I didn’t understand where he was going with this. “Okay, so you are a spy. Are you a Romanian, spying on America? Or do you work for Russia?”
Traian threw his head back and laughed. The sound fell on my ears like a soothing balm over the racket of the city.
“First, I never said I was a spy. Second, I work for no one.” He ripped off a chunk of bread and stuffed it in his mouth.
“Yeah, that was kind of stupid of me to ask.” If he truly was a spy, it would explain why he had excellent stalking skills.
He swallowed the bread and shook his head. “Not stupid.”
“How old are you?”
“Older than you think.”
Weren’t those the exact words Mr. Perry had used? “Oh, please. What, twenty-five or twenty-six?”
Traian grinned. “I am twenty-two. Technically speaking.”
He looked more like twenty-five.
“What does that mean? Is that what your handler told you to say?”
“I have no handler.”
“What, you’re an independent contractor? Have you killed a person?” I don’t know why I had asked another stupid question—one to which I didn’t really want to know the true answer
.
He stared at me with a straight face. “Yes.”
“Which one, indie or killing?”
He released my hand as if to give me the option to retrieve it if I didn’t like his answer. “Both.”
I nodded and curled my fingers around the side of his hand. I should be afraid—I had invited a killer into my home. I should be terrified. I knew he spoke the truth, but that didn’t frighten me, which scared me more. Had my subconscious hunger for intimacy and being noticed blinded my rational brain?
I observed our hands. His looked paler than mine. When Traian realized I would not bolt, he closed one of his fingers over my hand. I pushed all thoughts of death and killing out of my mind.
“Why were you at my school?”
“I had an assignment at the library.”
Fair answer, but too vague. I needed to be more specific. “Tuesday night two weeks ago, you were outside of Lake View Cemetery. Why?”
He gave his signature smirk. “I was out for a walk. You looked terrified, and I almost crossed the street to help you, but then you got on the bus and seemed to have recovered.”
Terrified only scratched the surface of what I had felt that night. My hairs stiffened just thinking about the electric shock I’d received touching that grave. Random lightning must have just happened to hit me or the gravestone when I touched it, and the images I’d seen after were probably just a weird trick of the brain. But I wasn’t done asking questions.
“What about the next day, outside my work?”
Traian let out a weak whistle. “Talk about an interrogation.” He closed the rest of his fingers over my hand. “I live in Capitol Hill, remember? I happened to walk by. Our paths keep crossing.”
“Why didn’t the guy see you at the library?” I would not give up. I glanced around us to see if people were watching, but nobody paid us any attention.
“Some people choose not to see what is right before their eyes. However, enough about me. I want to learn more of you.” He squeezed my hand.
I met his gaze. “Really, there is nothing to learn. I work, go to school, and then come home. That’s it.”
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