“You shouldn’t feel tired from using your magic.” He said. “If anything, you should feel energized. This is likely a phase in your immortality.”
“Oh, I didn’t think of that. I guess I just need some more time to sleep then.”
“Do you need me to come over?” He asked.
“No. I appreciate the offer, but I’ll be fine. I’m just going to go back to sleep. I’ll call you when I wake up.”
“Okay, well let me know if you need anything.” He said. “Hey, before you go, I wanted to let you know we talked to Chad.”
“What’d you find out?” I asked.
“Well, he admitted to being with Jordyn the night she was murdered. Apparently, he met her on her break. I found footage of them slipping into a janitor’s closet for a while right before she stepped outside to the loading dock. He gave us a list of all the women he’s been with over the past month. Well, the ones that he can name anyhow. I have a man looking through the films from each evening Chad was at Voyeur-Gasm but it’s going to take a while because he’s been there a lot.”
“Wow, that sounds like a lot of fun.” I said sarcastically. “Hey Vance, thanks for calling but I really need to go back to bed. Can I call you later?”
“Sure Karli. Are you sure you don’t need anything?”
“No, I’m good. Bye.” I barely hung up my phone before I collapsed back into bed. I stayed there all day and throughout the night feeling like hell. Every muscle in my body ached. I called in sick on Thursday because I was still too tired to move.
Leo and Vance tried calling me several times but I didn’t answer. I heard someone buzzing at the door twice but I ignored them. I thought a shower would help but I barely made it out before fainting on my bathroom floor. When I came to, I crawled back into bed still soaking wet. I woke up sometime later because a familiar hand was petting my hair. Leo.
“What are you doing here?” I asked groggily. “How did you get in?”
“I’m here because I was worried about you.” He replied. “You already know that locks are not a problem for me.”
“Oh, yeah. I forgot.” I rolled over to look at him. Crap, I’m still naked. Oh well, at least I pulled the covers up before I fell asleep. At least I think I did.
“What’s going on, my love?” He asked, concern heavy in his voice. “Is this about the detective?”
“Huh? What would Vance have to do with this? I just don’t feel well. I’m really tired so if you don’t mind, I’d like to go back to sleep.”
I tried rolling back over but he stopped me. He held my shoulders into the bed, forcing me to face him. “Don’t lie to me Karli. You must forget that I can sense your emotions. You are distraught. Why?” Damn your vampire abilities!
I scowled at him. “Don’t worry about it Leo. I’m just tired. Really, really tired. I’m not upset; I just have a lot going on. I think it’s starting to take its toll on me, that’s all. I’ll be fine in a day or two.”
“What did he do to you?” He stood up and started pacing. “I swear if he hurt you, I will kill him.”
Startled, I sat up in bed, almost forgetting to clasp my comforter to my chest. “What? No, Leo you have it all wrong. Why do you think Vance is the cause of this?”
“Because I know you spent the night with him.”
“What?” I asked incredulously.
“Your scent was all over him the night that girl was found in the dumpster.” He replied, clearly trying to fight back his rage. “And again the next morning. I found it very hard to control myself back then Karli, but I dealt with it because I want you to be happy. But seeing you like this makes me want to harm someone. Specifically Vance Alexander.” Great, the last thing I needed on my hands was an angry, jealous vampire.
“Look Leo, calm down. It isn’t like that. Vance isn’t the reason I’m like this. This is about me. This is about my issues with who I am.”
He relaxed marginally and sat down on the bed. “I’m confused.”
“I can’t explain it Leo. Trust me, I wish I could. It would be a lot easier. But I can’t. You just have to believe me that Vance is not the cause of this. I am. I’m sorry about calling in sick but I’m just so tired. I even collapsed coming out of the shower. I just need some rest and I’ll be fine.”
“I don’t give a flying fuck about you calling in sick!” He shouted. Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever heard Leo use a profanity before. Lowering his voice he added, “I’m here because I care about you. I’m concerned about you. Your despair is killing me. I don’t like feeling helpless my dear, in any respect, but especially not when it involves you. I want to make this better for you. I just wish you’d trust me.”
“I do trust you.” I said.
“No, you don’t. Not enough at least. I don’t know what I can do to change that since you won’t share your problem with me.”
“Leo, please just let me be. I’ll see you tomorrow night at work, okay? I promise I’ll be fine by then.”