Page 4 of Vampire so Virtuous

“It’s on Fairfax Street.”

“Lovely,” she repeated, dialing up the faux-girlish charm, “What number?”

He smirked. “34A, since you’re so keen to know.”

The waiter arrived with the bill, looking uncomfortable. “Was everything to your satisfaction?”

“Everything except the company, thank you,” Cally said coolly, dropping the act. “I’ll pay half.”

Stefan’s expression had hardened, his lips curling into a snarl. “Bitch.”

She waved her phone over the payment device the waiter presented and gave him a far warmer smile than any Stefan had earned. “Thank you so much.”

Then Cally pushed back her chair and rose, grateful she wasn’t against the wall after all. She didn’t bother to hide her disdain. “Now I know where you live, Stefan. Stay away from me, and stay the hell away from Lily. If I ever hear her mention your name, I’ll be sure to give you a personal demonstration of how ‘sporty’ taekwondo can be.”

“No wonder you’re alone,” he spat back at her. “Women like you are all the same, thinking you’re better than men.” He laughed scornfully. “You’reprobably a dyke.”

“Enjoy the rest of your wine.” It was tempting to pour it over him, but he wasn’t worth the effort.

The waiter made a point of escorting her to the door and opening it for her, the small act ensuring Stefan would leave no tip. She gave him a last smile, and stepped into the clean chill of September air.

It wasn’t a long walk home. Down Harvard Avenue, past the dojang where she trained, then a cut-through to drop her back at her apartment in under ten minutes.

Eve would be disappointed for her. Lily’s judgement had received one hell of a black mark against it, and maybe a warning about pick-up artists.

First time in God knows how long I agree to a date, and that’s what I get.

So done with them all.

But there was a hint of relief. If Stefan hadn’t been so blatant, she might not have seen his true colors until the second date, or the third, or—God help her—after she’d slept with him.

Eight months since Rob walked away, and I’m still wondering what part of me was too much.

At the time, she hadn’t bought the ‘you don’t open up enough’ excuse, then Stefan had gone and leveled the same accusation at her.

It had to be a coincidence. Just a line. No way Stefan could tell so quickly, right?

She crossed the road. Joon would be taking a class; it was tempting to go and watch, but Stefan had managed to temporarily drain her enthusiasm for people. Instead, she walked past, between the shops and across the parking lot, into the alleys that would bring her home in five minutes.

It was usually quiet here, but not tonight. A large man staggered ahead, veering across the alley as if drunk. His steps were too stiff, like his limbs didn’t quite belong to him.

Cally slowed in irritation, keeping her distance.

The usual background noise had dropped away. No traffic hum, no beeping crossings, not even the faint rattle of the T. Everything behind her felt hushed and heavy, as if the air had thickened.

Farther down, a single streetlight cast a dull pool of amber. The rest of the alley lay in shadow, broken only by the occasional glint of glass or metal.

Some sixth sense prickled at the back of her mind. The air felt wrong, too still, like it was holding its breath. She looked back over her shoulder.

Nothing there.

Would Stefan have followed her? Was he that petty? Had she misread how…committedhe was to spending the evening with her?

Part of her almost wanted him to try.

Her heart thudded at the thought, but the alley behind her remained empty, the parking lot beyond still quiet.

Just being paranoid.