The next day I woke up with a migraine that wouldn’t quit. I thought over everthing that Tommy had said to me and realized in a twisted way that what he said made sense. I knew that I had to do something to find Alexios to clear everything up, but I had no way in getting in touch with him. Plus, Tommy was waiting and watching me to see if Alexios would come over. How could I get Alexios alone?

I decided to do my own spying starting tonight. I would go out again and see if Tommy or Alexios would follow me. If Alexios knew that Tommy was watching my every move he wouldn’t show himself here, but perhaps in a public place, somewhere we used to go…that’s it! I’ll go to Cafe Laurier by myself and then go to the bathroom and wait. He was bound to show up. It sounded ridiculous, but I was out of fresh ideas.

I wore a dress…why not? Tommy may be obnoxious, but he was kind of right…I should dress up once in a while. I curled my frizzy hair and put on this blue-green dress I looked at myself in the mirror and changed my mind instantly. It’s just not me.

I was too overdressed. I put on my jeans and t-shirt and my high-heeled boots. I applied some makeup, earrings, jewellery and changed purses. Okay, now I was ready.

I saw Tommy as soon as I left my house.

“Hey, gorgeous,” he shouted from across the street. He was parked in his car, listening to his ipod and giving me a thumbs up. Has he forgotten I told him to fuck off last night?

I ignored him and turned to go the opposite direction. I had to catch the bus. I heard him start the car. I looked around to see if Alexios was anywhere, but he wouldn’t be in plain sight. My plan really sucked.

I heard another car right by my side and a blue sedan passengar side door swung open.

“Get in,” a voice scolded, “quick!” the driver had an English accent.

I peered in and saw Alexios ducked in the back seat, gesturing for me to jump in. I glanced at Tommy and saw him screech out of his parking spot with a glare in his eyes. Our eyes met briefly. I hesitated for one split second and then jumped in the back seat. Tommy was speeding up close behind as the driver screeched off.

“Alexios! Where have you been?” I shouted as I landed in the back seat.

“Sh!” he placed his hands on his lips.

“I think he’s behind us! Shit!” the driver said.

“Elysia, Freddy. Freddy is my friend from way back. Why the fuck is Athanasios  following you?” Alexios looked at me.

“Nice to meet you, love.” Freddy said and I half-smiled through the rear-view mirror.

“Is he still there?” I asked.

“You bet your pretty little face,” Freddy replied.

“What do we do?” I asked.

“I lose him like a bad habit,” Freddy smirked. “Hold on, love, it’s going to be a bumpy ride. Alexios, stay low so vampire killer doesn’t see you.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Alexios replied and looked straight at me. “Pretend you’re talking to Freddy.”

“You actually think Tommy doesn’t know you’re in the car?” I looked at him incredulously. “If it’s one thing he’s not, it’s stupid.”

“Tommy? You mean Athanasios? You met him? How?” His green eyes turned darker and dangerous.

“He just showed up at my window one day and then again at a bar when I was out with Dima.”

“Your window? A bar? What the fuck?”

“He told me a lot of stuff,” I said staring at Alexios and twirling the bracelet that Tommy had given me for my protection.

Alexios looked at my bracelet and glared at me, “Where did you get that bracelet?” he lifted his arm to touch it and it stung him back as if it burned him. “He fuckin’ gave it to you!” I saw fear in his eyes. “Elysia, don’t believe a thing he tells you. Athanasios wants to kill me. He’s full of lies. He’ll say anything to trap me!”

The car was going so fast I felt like puking. Also I was trying to have this conversation with Alexios without really looking at him and I kept on turning to see if Tommy was close behind. This whole scene had me in a hysterical state.

“I came to make sure you’re alright.” Alexios said softly brushing my arm with his hand. “I love you, Elysia,” he whispered so Freddy could’t hear.

“I lost the fucker!” Freddy hollered. He stopped the vehicle to the side and signalled for me to get out.

“Quickly, Elysia, remember I told you that Athanasios wants to kill me? His family has been killing vampires for centuries. He’s highly dangerous. He’ll do anything to kill me. The truth is, I was ordered to keep you close to me because your family has a strong connection to vampires.”

“I know, Tommy told me everything.”

“Could you stop calling him that?”

“Whatever. It doesn’t really matter.”

“It’s like you’re buddies or something.”

“Well, we’re not! ”

“You seem different. What is it?”

“First of all, why did your hand burn when you touched the bracelet? And why were you ‘ordered’ to follow me? You sent me all those letters because you were ‘ordered’ to? You don’t give a shit about me. You never loved me.”

“What the fuck?” his eyes narrowed and he appeared evil.

‘I don’t believe you.”

“Alexios, we don’t have time for drama, we have strict orders,” Freddy said. Suddenly, out of nowhere we felt a hit from behind.

“Fuck! It’s that fucker.” Freddy hollered. “You have to let her out! It’s too dangerous,” Freddy said.

“Let me out!” I screamed.

“Elysia, I have to explain,” he continued. I opened the door and I heard him say something about another time and that he still loved me, but I wasn’t listening. I felt Tommy’s hands pulling me from the sidewalk. I hadn’t even realized I was on the concrete floor. My head was spinning. He was telling me to get into his car and I was not responding.

“Babyface, if you don’t start moving that sexy little bum into my car, I’m going to lose the lying son of a bitch, blood-sucking fiend!”

I jumped up and into his car quickly and he placed the car roughly in drive. It was a small car for such a tall man. I saw his long legs under the steering wheel and I felt a slight movement deep in my belly.

“You like what you see?” his blue eyes laughed as he caught me staring at him.

“Keep your eyes on the road,” I said curtly looking straight ahead, “Where are they anyway?”

“I lost them, fuck, but at least I found you.” He glanced at me sideways and ran his hand through his dark hair. “I was worried,” he said as if he was admitting a sin.

“You shouldn’t worry about me. I am safe with Alexios. He loves me.”

“Vampires are incapable of love. They obsess, they lust, they conquer, but they can’t love as humans love. Their emotions are imblanced. Ellie, you’ve ben a fool. It’s a shame Alexios is a player. He is a vampire who has left a trail of broken hearts and limbs across the world. You are just another victim…if he kills you, he kills the connection to your grandmother, which is a powerful connection that has been known to deter vampires. Believe me, it was not love. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I could tell by the look in your eyes, I am..and we’ve fuckin’ lost him!”

It was quiet for once. He leaned back in his driver’s seat and punched some buttons from behind his steering wheel and then I heard Pat Benatar’s Treat Me Right loud and clear.

I glanced at his expression and he had this stupid grin on his face. “I think this song is apropos.” Apropos? His eyes stared into mine a few seconds too long. Fuck, he was right. This song was perfect.

“Ellie, when are you going to get it through your lovely face that vampire boy is not your ideal boyfriend?”

“Okay, tell me more,” I sighed.

“Not while I’m driving. I know a little place.” He blasted the song so we couldn’t talk so I listened to the lyrics and did the only thing apropos, I sang along.