Maelin walked down the street, watching for Robin’s face amidst the spots and dots of people passing her by.
None of them came close.
She stopped and leaned against an empty storefront.
She pulled out her phone, went into her saved photos, and brought up the picture of his painting.
Maelin expanded his face and studied it.
No.
None of those people came close to looking like him.
But if I see him, I will know.
She put her phone away and stood there, watching the passerbys.
A man broke out of the crowd and approached her. He readjusted his baseball hat and smiled at Maelin. “First time here?”
She smiled back at him. “First time in Pinkerlee.”
“Ah.” He looked at her as if he were sizing her up. “Are you…” He frowned. “You’re not a vampire.”
“Is it obvious?”
“It’s just…” He shrugged. “You smell wrong.”
“Hm. Are you a vampire?”
He smiled, baring his fangs. “One guess.” He sized her up again. “You’re not scared of me.”
“I don’t scare easy.” She pulled out her phone again and brought up Robin’s picture. “Have you seen this vampire?”
The vampire turned the phone his way. “Huh. Great picture. Looks just like Robin.”
“You know him?”
“Oh, yeah. Has lots of attitude.” He licked his lower lip. “Give me a taste, not a vampire, and I’ll take you over to him.”
Her smile fell. “No. There’s a reason why I don’t smell right to you.”
“Just asking for a taste.”
“It will make you sick and blind.”
“Wha? What are you?”
“Where is Robin?”
He hesitated. “If I don’t tell you, what happens?”
She sighed. “I continue looking for him on my own.”
“If I tell you, what do I get?” He licked his lower lip again.
“I’ll think of something good.”
He nodded. “Sounds legit. Follow me.”
***
Maelin walked beside him. “So, how do you know Robin?”
He side-glanced at her. “I could ask you the same thing. You a hunter?”
She smiled. “No.”
“That’s an easy thing to say and lie about. Robin’s my friend. You hurt him—”
“I’m here to help him.”
The vampire stopped and Maelin stopped as well. “How?”
“I want to reconnect him with someone who loves him.”
He sucked in his lower lip and considered her words.
“That’s all I want.”
He shrugged. “Okay. Let’s keep going.”
***
Robin took another sip of his drink.
Don’t matter how many times I debate it.
I need to go to him.
Isellta.
I see him in my head and I just…
He just does stuff to me.
Even now—
The front door opened.
He looked up out of idle curiosity.
One of his friends, Brian, held the door open for a woman with long black hair.
Robin sat up.
Has Brian gone and found himself someone else? Hope so. That would be nice for him. ‘specially after what happened to his last mate.
Brian led her over towards Robin’s table.
He finished the rest of his drink and set the glass down.
“Hey, Robbie!”
“Hey, Bri. Got a new love there?”
“Nope. Surprisingly enough, this little treat wants to talk to you.”
“Is she safe?”
Brian shrugged. “She isn’t carrying any wood on her. She says she isn’t a hunter.”
“I should be okay. I’ll scream and holler if I need you.”
Brian winked at him. “Got the hint.” He wandered over to the bar to chat up the bartender.
Maelin sat at his table. “It’s amazing. He described you perfectly.”
“Who?”
“Isellta.”
ambroseandelsie 