My thoughts wander back to the vampire from last night, Roslyn Night, the one the other vampires call Crimson. I suppose she must be the…the boss, or the CEO, or whatever it is in a vampire clan.
I can’tbelievewhat she did to that other vampire. There’s a twisting feeling in my stomach when I think about it. The expression on her face, so fierce and determined. The way her fingers flexed against her dagger. I’ve never met someone so…so assertive like that. So commanding. My stomach twists again when I remember how she told me to go to her office, how she spoke to me on her couch. I’ve never been spoken to like that. Firm, but not condescending. Dominant, but not forceful. She spoke to me in a way that…that made me almostwantto give myself to her…
I shake my head. What a silly thing to think. I can’t stay here. It’s much too dangerous.
I’m startled out of my daydreaming by the sound of my ringtone. In the mansion, my cell service has been patchy, but I must have a few bars here in the restaurant. I see that it’s Miles, and I quickly pick up the call.
“Hi, Mi,” I say brightly, pushing all other thoughts from my head. “How are you doing? How’s your first week?”
“It’s good,” he replies. He voice sounds a little strained, but there’s a hopefulness in his tone that immediately relieves all my fears. “It’s…hard, but it’s good.”
“I’m so glad to hear that,” I respond. It makes me a little emotional to know that he’s getting the support that he needs. The support that…that so many people never get. But I push back those feelings. I need to be here for my brother right now.
“This means so much to me, Paige,” he says. It sounds like he’s getting a little broken up too. “I…I’m sorry, I just…”
“Take your time,” I tell him gently. “I’m here.”
“It’s not easy, going through withdrawal,” he continues. “But I know I can do it. I want to do it, for you.”
“You should do it foryourself,” I insist. “I love you, and I’m here to support you, ok?”
“Thank you,” he whispers. “I know that you had to use all your savings on this program, and I promise, I’m going to make it up to you.”
“You don’t have to do that, Miles. I’m your older sister. It’s my job to take care of you.”
There’s a pause on the line. Miles’s voice becomes very quiet. “Paige? Do you think…do you think if mom had been in a program like this…that she would have…?”
He trails off, and a heaviness weighs down inside of me. But I have to be strong. Miles needs me to be strong right now.
“Don’t…don’t think about that right now, honey. Just focus on yourself, and working through the treatment. Call me anytime you need to. And I’ll be there next week for our family session.”
“Ok. I love you, Paige.”
“I love you, Mi.”
I put down my phone, breathing steadily against the emotion rising in my chest. My little brother is the only family I have, and he means everything to me.Howam I going to afford to keep him in his treatment? And afterwards, he’s going to need support as he gets back on his feet. I don’t care about nursing school anymore. All I know is that I need to take care of Miles, no matter what.
There’sgotto be a way I can make enough money to support him.
“Your appetizers, Paige,” says Clarance, arriving at my table with an enormous tray of small plates.
A mouth-watering array of smells mingles in the air as he arranges the plates with a flourish on the table before me. My stomach growls powerfully at the sight. I’m so distracted I don’t even hear the names of the dishes.
Clarance gives me another grin. “Enjoy, Paige.”
I stare at the table, unable to believe my eyes. This is enough food for four people, there’s no way I can finish all of it! Each dish is small, but plentiful: two spring rolls, a tangerine salad, bacon-wrapped mochi, french fries covered with a generous amount of freshly-grated Parmesan cheese, an incredible-smelling lotus leaf that parts to reveal a perfect, steaming helping of sticky rice.
“This…this isincredible,” I gasp. “Thank yousomuch…it smells amazing!”
“The expression on your face is thanks enough,” Clarance chuckles. “Enjoy, and I’ll be out with the sampler of lunch items once you’re finished.”
“This isn’t the lunch sampler?” I ask.
“Of course not! These are your appetizers, I asked the lunch chef to prepare a few of her favourites for you. Your lunch sampler will be out shortly. Did you enjoy your coffee and drinks?”
“They were delicious,” I reply, not sure what else to say. “But really, this is too much.”
“It’s nothing at all, Paige. Can I get you anything else?”
