Fate (The Edge of Forever) (17 page)

Grayson chuffed, “You really think it’s going to be that easy Gaby. You are refusing to tell me what is going on. You’d rather lie to me and hurt us both, than to just be honest with me. And you think one outburst is going to make me pull you off this account?” He shook his head in disbelief.

“Damn it, Grayson! Why can’t you just leave me the hell alone!” I shouted. I was trying to keep him alive. Why couldn’t he appreciate that? 
That’s right because you haven’t told him,
 I reminded myself. 

“Because I fucking love you!” He shoved away from his desk. He paced behind it, running his long fingers through his untamed hair. He paused, leaning over his desk, both palms flat against it. My eyes locked on his and I couldn’t pull away.
 “The next time you decide to have an outburst like earlier, I will contact your supervisor and inform him of your unprofessionalism.”

I glared at him before I stood, walking away. I was almost to the door, when I paused and said the meanest thing I could. “I should have just drained you when I had the chance.” I was being spiteful and I knew it even as the words left my mouth. Yes, I loved him and didn’t really want to hurt him, but being forced to work for him and be around him was hurting me more than just not being around him at all. It was like teasing a cat with a mouse and never letting him have it. Maybe that was a poor analogy, but it was the best I could think of.

“You have the chance now, Gaby,” he held out his arms. “No one else is here. Go ahead. Drain me. At least then you’d be doing me a kindness and putting my out of my misery.” I stared at him. I hadn’t expected that from him. I thought I’d be spiteful and hurt him. Maybe make him hate me. He grinned looking over my expression. “You won’t though, will you? Because you love me, even if you won’t admit it.” 

I spun walking out the door, then shouted back, “Good night, Mr. Alexander.”

“Good night, Miss Carmichael. I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting,” he called after me knowing I’d be able to hear him. Cocky bastard.

***

“You said
what
to him?” Shawn’s voice was rising the further into the conversation I got. It was Friday and we were having lunch. I was telling him about my first encounter with Grayson post break up. I had just told him about my spiteful comment that I had hoped to injure Grayson with. 

“Look, I didn’t really mean it. I would never drain anyone. That’s not me. I thought maybe if I hurt him, he’d let go of this ridiculous business arrangement he has going on,” I sighed, drawing it out. “It’s hard to be around him, Shawn, and not be allowed to touch him or even to be close to him. If I don’t have to see him, it would make it easier.”

“That’s because you’re in love with him, baby girl,” Shawn explained with a gentleness to his voice. 

“I know that, Shawn.” I spoke through clenched teeth. “I love him more than my own self, that’s why I’m doing this. I’m keeping him safe,” I whispered the last part mostly to myself.

***

The Saturday passed uneventfully. In fact, it really was a huge bore. Shawn was off with his pack preparing for the full moon, which was Sunday, so I was stuck at the apartment, never far from Anton.
 

Sunday, once Anton rose for the night, his first stop was to my room. I was going over some paperwork. I had arranged an interview for Grayson with CEO of the World magazine to discuss his branching out into the hotel business. I needed his well-polished image to roll over into this area as well. I was going over the list of pre-approved questions when I heard the slight creak of the floor as a knock on my door sounded.

I sighed a heavy breath knowing who it was. My mother would never rush to me first unless it was severely important and she hadn’t seen me before she went to ground for the day. It was crucial for her to feed as quickly as possible, but because of his age, Anton could get away with waiting a considerable amount of time before he was forced to feed. He just wouldn’t be able to pass for a living human until he had.

I opened the door and there he was, leaning casually against the frame. “Gabriella,” he whispered my name. I’m sure to any other women it would have sounded seductive, but it did nothing for me.
 

“Anton,” I replied, not hiding my annoyance. After all, he was the reason I was miserable lately. Because of his obsessiveness.
 

“No late night at work this evening?” Ah! So he was prying.
 

“Nope, brought it home with me instead.” I gestured over my shoulder, but did not step aside.
 

“Ah... Well I was hoping you would accompany me for breakfast. Well, supper, in your case.”
 

I shook my head. Would he ever give up? “No, thank you. I’ve eaten and I’ve got a lot of work to do.” I tried to shut the door, but his hand shot out, stopping it from closing.
 

“Yes, but have you fed?” There was no point in lying, plus, I didn’t have the energy to. I really needed to start remembering to feed before the vampires rose to keep myself out of situations where I needed to lie. I bowed my head. Anton held his hand out to me, but I shoved past him.

In a flash, he was by my side. We walked human pace to the dining room. I noticed my mother sitting at the head on the table, and I suddenly got the feeling that I was being set up. She never sat at the head. She knew when I showed up that I’d sit next to her. Where she was sitting was the only way for her to ensure I sat next to Anton. I just didn’t get it. Did they really think sitting next to him would change my opinion on wanting to be with him? Part of me just wanted to jump up on the table and yell, “It is never going to happen. I’m in love with a human and would rather die than have to tolerate Anton for eternity.” But I didn’t. I did what was expected and took the seat to my mother’s left while Anton took the seat to my left. He called for the blood to be brought. 

“Darling, I’m surprised you’ve been getting home so much earlier this week. I was telling Anton that I was thinking that perhaps your work load was slowing down.” I wanted to scream. Why was she telling Anton my business anyways? No matter how many times I asked, she still kept on drip feeding him information.
 

“No, actually it’s not. It’s just been easier to bring it home and work. I might actually be a lot busier. I kinda got a promotion, I guess.” If that’s what you called what Grayson rigged for me.
 

My mother’s face was immediately riddled with disappointment. “More work, Gabriella. Really? Don’t you think it’s time to put aside this human dream and make a place for yourself in our world?”

I turned, gaping at her. I was opening my mouth to argue when Anton spoke. “Now Persephone, Gabriella enjoys her job and likes to have something to do with her time.” I turned to Anton, my face transforming to one of shock. “It’s very important to her and it gives her something to do while we all rest. You can’t really expect her to sit inside all day by herself. Even her furry friend has a job.” I couldn’t believe he was taking my side. As much as I appreciated it, I wasn’t going to feel indebted to him. I was sure it was one his tricks, one that I would not fall prey to. 

“I don’t like it, Anton. I never have. If people found out…”
 

“What people? It’s not like I’m munching on my coworkers,” I stated.

“She is right, Persephone. She is of age. Out of respect to you as my fledgling, and as her mother, I have allowed you to be overbearing with her in hopes you would see the responsible woman she has become, yet you still treat her as you would a child. No longer; Gabriella has transitioned, therefore, she is subject to
vampire law
.” My mother sat there open-mouthed. My guess was this wasn’t part of the plan. 

“Anton...?” she whispered.
 

“It is done,” he raised his hand silencing her. “Gabriella, come with me. I believe your mother needs a moment to collect herself and to remember that in this house, I am ruler.” I didn’t know what to say, or do, for that matter. Had that really just happened? Anton had just given me my freedom. I no longer had to answer to my mother. I could come and go as I pleased. Seeing my confusion, Anton grabbed my hand pulling me to my feet. He rested it on the crook of his arm then handed me my wine glass of blood. I was in complete shock as I allowed him to lead me away. A cold breeze woke me from my dazed state.
 

“Did you enjoy that?” Anton turned to face me.
 

I couldn’t help but giggle. “I did. I love her, but as you said she has been overbearing. A lot more since I transitioned.”
 

“You are her only child, Gabriella. It is hard letting go.” He spoke to me with kindness instead of his usual arrogance. A smile broke across his face. “I, of course, did have a selfish reason for it.” I had expected as much.

I huffed, “Let’s hear it then.” 

His grin grew bigger showing off his white teeth. “Go on, how do they say, a date with me?”
 

Seriously? “Anton, you know I don’t have feelings towards you.”
 

Anton’s face darkened, his smile turning wicked. “Gabriella, I think you misunderstand. I ask you solely as a formality. Under the old law a single female must entertain the advances of
any
unmated males.” The shock I felt earlier was nothing to now. Somebody could dump a bucket of ice water on me and it wouldn’t even affect the chills I had at the moment. My stomach was in my throat and I felt like I was riding a speeding roller-coaster, tossing and dipping in all directions, leaving my stomach behind.

“You did it on purpose!” I exclaimed. He simply shrugged. “You bastard!”
 

“Now, Gabriella, you’ve known I have always had an interest in you. All I’m asking for is an opportunity to prove I am worthy of your attention.”
 

“And forcing me to date you is your way of proving you’re worthy? You can’t be serious.”
 

His lips drew into a thin line. “Tomorrow, you will be home no later than eight. That should give you plenty of time to wrap up with work. Oh and let me make this abundantly clear, you will show up. After tomorrow, if Monday’s do not work for you, you may pick another day of the week.”
 

“What if tomorrow is no good for me?”
 

“Tomorrow is nonnegotiable.”
 

“And what if I choose not to show or if something really does come up?”
 

“Whichever the case, you do not want to know. Let’s just say, I
will
punish you.
Your work
is a kindness I allow you. Other vampire masters would not be so generous.” He leaned in close to whisper, “Push me on this, Gabriella, and see if I do not lock you up during the day. You will only be allowed out at
my
convenience.” He walked back inside leaving me standing there alone. I was being forced into dating Anton. Unlike when Grayson did it, which made me feel happy and giddy, I felt sick to my stomach.

Chapter 9

The Dating Life

I called Shawn Monday, leaving him several messages, but he never got back to me. I understood why. After the full moon werewolves tended to take the following day for rest. After a night of shifting and hunting, who could blame them? I really just needed someone to talk to that would understand what I was going through. Not having any other supernatural friends, besides Shawn, meant I’d have to wait. I thought about leaving the supernatural stuff out and talk to one of my coworkers but even then, how do you explain being forced into a date. Blackmail, perhaps?

I had Rachel call Grayson’s secretary, informing them that I had the interview arranged for Wednesday. Hopefully with that settled, there would be no reason to contact him or see him until then. I wasn’t looking forward to it, but at the same time I was anxious to be around him. I missed him.

The day passed in a flash, not giving me much time to figure a way out of the mess I found myself in. I definitely needed to freshen up on my vampire laws in hopes to find a loophole.
 

I arrived home, right after work. Not knowing what Anton had planned and not caring to impress him, I slipped on jeans and a black tee. I pulled my hair into a ponytail and removed all my jewelry, along with my makeup. It took me only moments to prepare. Glancing at the clock, I realized I still had plenty of time before the vampires woke, so I decided now was as good a time as any to search through the vampire’s archives.
 

I made my way to the archive room, which was on the third floor. The room was dark and musty smelling. Flipping on the lights, a single bulb flickered on, barely illuminating the crowded room. There were several books on the old law. It was the same for all vampires. The books sat on a shelf, a set of ten. Papers and files were scattered everywhere. I wasn’t sure what else was here but I only cared for one thing. I pulled the first book off the shelf. It was tattered and dusty. Obviously, it hadn’t been read in some time. I was one of the youngest in the nest. Everything I knew about the law I had learned second-hand. This would be my first time experiencing it for myself. I laid the book carefully on the table, easing it open.