The Stars Lie {Myrnin, Morganville Vampires}

Find Me, Damn It!

Chapter 27—Find Me, Damn It!

Claire

Claire awoke slowly; her eyes adjusting to the half-light coming through the dingy small window near the ceiling, announcing morning had come. Or was it afternoon? Scanning the room for a clock; her eyes burned with each blink, dry and sore from the hours spent crying the day before. She resolved to get control over her emotions; she needed to be strong now.

Lifting her body to sit upright on the bed, she stopped, startled by the presence of strange scents. It smelled like someone was...cooking? Her stomach growled in response. Her quest for the time was forgotten as she slipped out of the bed and headed to the door, eager to investigate the wonderful aromas. Claire halted and realized with a shock, that she was about to wander out of the bedroom completely naked. She made a mental note to herself, never stroll through the lab without clothes. Then almost smiled at the notion of having to make such an odd reminder.

Claire hastily turned her attention to the clothes Amelie had provided. She pulled out the closest top and shorts she could find; yanking the tags from the garments with a soft snap, before putting them on.

As she swung the bedroom door open and walked out, she was surprised to see Rhysian in the small kitchenette. He was hovering over two pans, flipping eggs in one and turning the temperature off of the other containing bacon.

"Just in time," He glanced up to smile at Claire. "I figured you would be hungry since we never stopped yesterday to procure sustenance."

"Starving," Claire replied, trying to remember when she ate last.

"It's ready. Come." He motioned her forward.

Claire didn't hesitate. She quickly climbed onto the stool he had moved next to the modest counter. She was amazed at the volume of food he had cooked and wondered if he planned on eating with her. But he slid the entire plate in her direction and walked over to the place himself on the couch.

Claire dug into her meal, confident that no other eggs or bacon had ever tasted so good. She knew her perception was likely due to her shortened starvation, but decided little details like that, didn't change her rapt appreciation for their taste. Surprisingly, she polished off most of the meal.

When she was done, Claire made her way over to Rhysian. "Thank you," she said.

He nodded.

Claire was distracted again by his blue eyes; there was kindness there, uncommon to most vampires. She liked how they crinkled and felt herself relax around him.

Claire sat in a chair facing him. "Rhysian, how long have you been in Morganville?"

He looked surprised at her question; Claire wondered why.

"About a year." He didn't elaborate further.

Claire continued, "And you work for Amelie?"

"Yes." Again, with the short answers.

"What exactly do you do for Amelie?"

"I...take care...of things for her."

Claire quirked an eyebrow. "Am I one of those things?" She knew he was available to her when she needed an escort, but she hadn't expected his daily presence and certainly not his cooking.

"Most assuredly." He affirmed.

Claire pressed on, "Why you?"

Surprise flitted across his features. He was obviously caught off guard by her pointed question, before settling into a small smile. "She mentioned you could be...feisty." He murmured.