The man owes me ten years’ worth of presents. It's not like he doesn't have enough money to replace whatever I choose. There might be some moral high ground I'm supposed to be taking, but I do need a car, and there is one hell of a vast selection in front of me.
This is more like a warehouse than a garage. The true depth of wonder this place holds is lost on someone as unknowledgeable about cars as I am. Each one looks showroom worthy, and each one has a vivid color choice.
One calls my attention more than the others. It's sleek - silver instead of a vibrant prime color - and it has black leather seats that are begging to be felt. The only thing I know is that it's a sexy Jag.
The chrome wheels, intricate details, and custom interior all call to me. It's then I notice the initials engraved on the steering wheel and headrests. The letters A and D.
Airis Devall.
"You knew I'd choose this one?" I ask while turning around.
He smiles and then shakes his head. "I had a sneaking suspicion you might, but that's not why that's there. All my cars have those initials."
I feel a tear trying to slip out, but I hold it back, refusing to let myself fall too much into hope's web. Since I was ten, I've desperately wanted my father back, but trusting him now could destroy me if I'm wrong.
"This is the one," I murmur while carefully stroking the silver beauty in front of me.
"It's one of my favorites. Good choice, Airis," he says while tossing me the keys.
The other cars shift out of the way as he uses his power to clear a path, and I climb into the driver's seat to see a bag sitting on the passenger side. Again, the initials are engraved with the name of a dead girl.
I unzip it and gasp as I see hoards of clothes from the closet I wanted to rob. Drackus is smiling as he walks out, waving behind him as he does so.
"Until next time, dear girl. Be safe."
With that, he vaporizes, leaving me in my new ride to do my worst. As I pull out into the forest, I find the long driveway I remember riding down as a child.
The trees surround me, but the light peers through their thick limbs without fear. It almost feels comfortable. I decide to see how much torque my new ride has, so I gas it, feeling my head throw back from the breathtaking power.
This is definitely not a good car for someone still mortal.
The car demonstrates excellent grip around the winding roads as I head toward Edgebrook, ready to deal with Kane and his addiction.
My phone rings, and I smile as I use my magic to program it into the fancy system while pressing a button on the steering wheel to answer it.
"Did Drackus suspect anything?" I ask when I see it's Gage.
"Not a thing. Where are you?"
"On my way back to Edgebrook. Where are you?"
"I probably shouldn't tell you this, considering what happened between us last night, but I'm chasing after some sexy blond in a Jag right now."
My grin grows to be painful as I glance in my rearview mirror to see the black Audi gaining on me.
"What if that blond doesn't want to be chased?" I ask, playing along.
"Then I'll just see if she's as good at driving as I am, turn this into a friendly race. I hope she's good at driving because this could go on for a while if she is," he teases, making me blush.
Suddenly, he's on my tail, making me gas the car harder as I skirt around the curves. The immortal behind me doesn't fear something as mundane as a car crash, but I do. He'd walk away from a flaming explosion with a few charred marks on his clothes. I wouldn't walk away at all.
When I'm too afraid to accelerate anymore, I cut him off before he tries to pass me.
"So that's how you're going to play?" he asks, laughing softly.
"I have no choice. Some of us depend on a heartbeat."
He laughs louder, and then suddenly he's gone. Where the hell did he go?