Page 12 of Relic

TWELVE

I wake disoriented. It feels like I’ve slept for a thousand years. As I sit up and look around the room, the day’s events rush back and replay in my mind. Fuck.

I’m alone and I have no idea how to get out of this room. While I’m still finding my bearings, the door opens and the man from earlier steps in carrying a tray.

“Ah, you’re awake, Master Emery.”

“Master?”

“I brought some refreshments. Coffee, orange juice, and fresh beignets.”

“Um, thanks. Where’s Horatio?”

“Taking care of some business. He’ll be back soon.”

“Sven, right?”

“Correct.” He sets the tray down on the chaise next to me. “How do you feel? Do you desire a blanket?”

I shake my head. “No. I’m comfortable.” Sven stands in front of me, hands folded as he smiles. “Are you, um, are you…like Horatio?”

“I’m not sure what you mean?”

I shift in my seat, vaguely recalling an earlier conversation. “I don’t know if it’s polite to ask, but are you a vampire?”

“Oh.” Sven laughs softly. “Yes. I worked for Master Horatio when I was mortal. I asked to continue my service for eternity and he granted my request.”

“Were you scared?”

“No. My life before Horatio was difficult. He gave me stability and a home. He’s a kind man.”

“He said he would never go back on his word.”

“That is very true. He doesn’t make commitments lightly, but when he does, they are forever. He has chosen you, Master Emery. I hope you are worthy of him.”

“Me too.” I rub my forehead. “I trust him, but…” I stop myself. I don’t know if I can actually trust Sven.

“But?”

“Nothing.”

Sven smiles, stepping forward. “If you’re scared, that’s okay. This is new to you. But now that Master Horatio has chosen you, you never have anything to fear again.”

Somehow, his words make me feel better. “Thanks for the talk and the snacks.”

“My pleasure. Master will be home soon. You are to stay here until he returns.”

“There are worse places to be.”

Sven laughs. “Very true.” He bows before turning and leaving the room.

The heavy door closes with a clank like a vault door. I know I’m trapped in here, but after the last couple of days, that doesn’t feel like such a bad thing anymore.

I dig into the coffee, savoring the rich taste of chicory, and dunking a warm beignet in it before eating it. With my belly content, I lean back against the chaise, admiring the beauty around me. I’m too nervous to touch any of it. It makes me wonder how wealthy Horatio is. Not that I want a sugar Daddy, I don’t, but it would be nice not to worry about the rent and having enough money to buy groceries.

I can’t lie and say that it isn’t a nice feeling knowing that if Linx shows up, Horatio will be there to help me. The last time I saw him, he threatened to kill me, and with a guy like that, you can guarantee he’ll follow through.

Not long after, the door opens again and Horatio steps in. A shiver runs down my spine at his presence, a mixture of fear and desire all at once.

“Hello, Emery.”

“Hi.”

“Did you sleep?”

“Yeah. Sven brought me a snack too.”

“Good.” He sits next to me, so close our knees are touching. His hand cups my cheek as he gazes into my eyes. “I have some news to share.”

Nodding, I brace myself. “Okay.”

“Linx will never bother you again.”

My brow crinkles. “What? How do you know that?”

He lifts my hand and puts it on his chest. “I can’t lie to you. I had Mattheus locate him in Atlanta and bring him to me. We found some of your artwork too.”

I gasp. “What?”

“I couldn’t bear the thought of this man existing with contempt toward you. What he did was unforgivable.”

“So you did what, Horatio?”

“I killed him, of course.”

I open my mouth to speak but no words come out.

“When Mattheus located him, he was busy beating a woman. The man had no morals. You don’t hit people to get what you want.”

“You killed him? He’s… dead?”

Horatio tilts his head. “Are you upset?”

“How is what you did different? You hunted him down and murdered him.”

“Emery, my sweet. You misunderstand me. I never said I was gentle or benign. I’m not Mother Theresa or Martin Luther King Jr. I’m a vampire, and with that comes great advantages. Why would I allow a man, a bully like Linx, to go unpunished?”

I open my mouth to speak but he continues.

“And before you say I should have gone to the police, I’ll ask you, why didn’t you? Because you knew there would be no justice. Even if there were, and he were sent to prison, when he got out, he would come straight for you. You would never be safe. Unfortunately, I’m well aware that abuse cases amongst mortals are notoriously difficult to prove. So you ran. Well, my sweet, I do not run. I’m whom others run from.”

I’d argue, but he’s got me there. That’s exactly why I ran. I knew the police would never believe me, and not only that, but my own activities would be scrutinized. “He’s really dead?”

“So very dead.” Horatio smiles, obviously pleased with himself. “Just to make you feel that much better, he was unrepentant for his cruelty toward you. I gave him an opportunity, but he didn’t take it.”

“That sounds right.”

“I’ll do anything to keep you safe, Emery, including murder. I rarely harm innocent people anymore. There’s no joy in that which is why I’ve made it my mission to rid the city of IDVs. You know as well as I do that Linx was not an innocent man. I did the world, and you, a favor.”

Unexpected tears fill my eyes as I tremble with relief. “Linx can’t hurt me anymore?”

“No, darling, he can’t.” Horatio wraps his arms around me. “Nothing will ever hurt you while I still walk the earth.”

For the first time in weeks, the tension I’ve been carrying noticeably drains from my body. The constant looking over my shoulder, the nightmares, the fear. It’s gone now. All because of a vampire. I should probably still be afraid, but I’m not. I feel the safest I’ve ever felt in my life.

“Would you like to take a bath, Emery?”

“That sounds nice.”

He pulls back enough to meet my eyes. “If you’re agreeable, I’ll send for your things from your apartment and have your lease taken care of.”

The pride I’ve struggled to maintain is silent as I nod. I guess a vampire sugar daddy isn’t the worst thing to ever happen to me. “Thank you.”

“It’s my pleasure and delight to care for you. Later, Samson will come and look at your stone. One battle was won today, but the war rages on.”

“I’m not afraid anymore.”

The smile on Horatio’s face could light the city of New Orleans.