“Well, isn’t this more than I can say grace over,” Betsy said. She tossed the duffel bag aside but kept hold of the casserole dish. “Who the hell is this, Ada? Is this the stranger who gave you a ride from town? What were you thinking, sending me that message and then ignoring your phone? What’s wrong with you?”
So she didn’t want cocoa. I untangled from Dragomir’s steel-like and unmoving arms with a shiver of unease but also a hint of appreciation, since he could probably chop the hell out of some firewood and carry it all at the same time. That kind of manual labor was the real way to a girl’s heart when she lived in the woods. I cleared my throat so my voice didn’t squeak. “I didn’t ignore my phone, it was just in the other room and I’m not… speedy.” I looked down at my legs in a blatant ploy for sympathy.
She didn’t bite. “Start talking, because I don’t know what the hell this is and I’m about to start judging you.”
God knew I didn’t need that. I didn’t dare look at the vampire but I wasn’t really brave enough to face Betsy full-on. “He’s a friend, and he was worried when he hadn’t heard from me, so he stopped by to check on me. That’s it.”
Guilt made it harder to breathe as I met her gaze without flinching. I’d have to get used to lying to people as I worked on Dragomir’s, since chances were “I’m helping a vampire walk in the day” wasn’t a socially acceptable reason for doing anything. Even though I’d never lied to Betsy before, about anything. How could I possibly keep it up when she already looked hurt?
The vague warning from Dragomir turned more direct. She would be more than emotionally hurt if I did not abide by the agreement. I swallowed bile. I’d have to get better at deception, then. She’d forgive me eventually. Maybe.
Betsy stared at me a long time before turning her hard gaze to Dragomir. “Aren’t you fine as frog fur. Who are you? Who’re your people? And why are you wearing that getup?” She waved dismissively to take in his fancy suit; I pinched the bridge of my nose and swallowed a vehement “I told you so!” for Dragomir about dressing more appropriate to his surroundings.
I could have explained a lumberjack or good ole boy, but not a corporate attorney.
But Dragomir had a lot more experience lying than I did. He didn’t even hesitate.
“I was visiting family in the area,” he said, smooth as silk and just as cold. “I happened to... run into Ada a short while ago and discovered we have some shared interests. We intended to spend more time together, although she ruined that by getting lost in the woods.” And he smiled indulgently at me, like the condescending asshole boyfriend I’d never had.
My best friend threw the casserole in the fridge, slamming the door, then wheeled around to face Dragomir once more. “She didn’t mention you. At all. Not once.”
“I’m not surprised,” Dragomir said before I could react. “I’m in the business of tracking down and exorcising ghosts; I’m not sure Ada appreciates the nature of my work.”
A ghosthunter. I stared at him. We really should have worked out a story beforehand. He had to be fucking kidding. Although… did ghosts exist too? Was that the next metaphysical bombshell to rock my world?
“She doesn’t believe in ghosts,” Betsy said. “Forgive me if I don’t believe that Ada would hang out with you. She about laughed herself silly when she met my psychic.”
“Look, can we debate the finer details of the supernatural another time?” I clutched my cocoa mug like a lifeline, hoping to keep my shit together for just a few minutes longer. I needed to get blood samples from Dragomir, make sure the furnace was functioning properly, and crawl my way into bed before I collapsed and busted an arm as well. Hopefully my painkillers were in that duffel bag my best friend brought with her. “I’m not feeling great, as hard as that might be to believe. Thank you for bringing my stuff, Betsy. And for letting me stay with you. I really appreciate it.”
“I’m sure you did,” Betsy said. But her expression remained closed to me. The lines deepening around her mouth betrayed her unhappiness, her hurt. Disappointment that I hadn’t confided in her, maybe. “Since you took off like your ass was on fire the first chance you got. I guess your boyfriend will help you drive back to town if you need it?”
“Betsy —”
“Great. Hope you feel better.” She waved over her shoulder at me and stormed out of the cabin.
Her car door slammed and the engine fired up. I tried to chase after her without my crutches, so I could explain what really happened or at least offer a better apology, but I stumbled on the porch and sloshed cocoa all over myself. Her car peeled out, scattering gravel across the clearing in front of the cabin, and she bounced into the night.
When I turned toward the door, I nearly walked into Dragomir after he’d drifted behind me. I froze as the porch light reflected from his eyes like a lion stalking in the darkness, and gulped down the urge to run. My hands shook as I clutched the mug. Predators enjoyed the chase. And I didn’t generally enjoy being prey.