Roman (The Clutch 1)

“Roman, where are you?” I say out into the open, hoping for an answer, waiting for him to knock on my door any second. “I know you can hear me, and I’m worried. Please come home.” I sob, and slide down the wall, the rough concrete scraping my knees as I do. This pain is nothing compared to what my heart is feeling.

I don’t know how long I stay outside, waiting to hear from Roman. When I look down at my phone, it’s dead, which sends a rush of panic through me. I scramble into my home and plug in the device, praying there’s a missed call from my vampire. The Apple symbol shines and then changes to my home screen.

Nothing.

Not a single notification.

Something must’ve happened to Roman, and he’s hurt, it’s the only logical explanation. I mean, it’s unlikely, unless he’s run into someone deranged like my father. If Roman was to be staked, is there a body or does he turn to dust? How would I know? It’s not like he carries a call my consort card in his wallet in the case of death. Thinking Roman could be dead makes me physically ill. I rush to the bathroom and expel the contents of my lunch into the toilet. I can’t lose him, not without a chance to say goodbye.

I clean up, washing my face and brushing my teeth. I avoid looking at myself in the mirror mostly of fear I’ll start crying again when I see my reflection. I have no doubt my eyes are bloodshot, my cheeks are red, and I probably have snot dried on my face.

Back in my living room, I start to pace again, stopping only to look at my phone to see if Roman has reached out. He’s never waited this long to return one of my calls. It’s useless for me to look.

There’s really only one person I can ask, and that’s Lydia. She’s my resident expert on all things vampire, and maybe she can shed some light on why mine would suddenly disappear on me. Unfortunately, this requires me to leave, which means I need to fix my hair and make-up.

After I reapply most of my make-up, I change quickly and head toward the Bellagio, hoping Lydia’s working. It would’ve made sense for us to exchange numbers, but during our double date, I was so in tuned to Roman, I didn’t give Lydia and Damen a second thought. I just wanted to be with him, and I completely ignored everyone around me.

The clouds from earlier cast dark shadows over the grand marquees that generally light the path of the Strip. It’s an eerie feeling out on the street tonight. People are quiet, almost somber like something terrible has happened. As I cross the road, I pull my phone out of my purse and look at my notifications. There’s nothing. I barely have a signal, which I find odd.

At the Bellagio, I rush through the lobby and stand impatiently at the hostess stand. When she finally rounds the corner, I smile. “Hi, yes, can you tell me if Lydia’s working tonight?”

“She is. Would you like to sit in her section?” Yes and no. What I really want to do is talk to her, but I don’t want to get stuck ordering food I’m not going to eat. “Can you tell her Fiona Weston is here?” The hostess nods and disappears. Once again, I find myself pacing and checking my phone as I do. Too many hours hav

e passed since I’ve heard from -Roman and with the way the weather is tonight, I really don’t want to be alone.

“Hi, Fiona,” Lydia says as she approaches.

“Is there somewhere we can go to talk? It’ll only take a minute or so.” Lydia nods and points to the wall, across the hall.

“What’s going on?”

“It’s Roman.”

“What about him?” she asks.

My hands wring together as I try to compose my words. “I’m trying not to be a crazy girlfriend, but you have to understand since I’ve met Roman he hasn’t left me alone until today. Earlier this morning when I left him to go see my father, Roman begged me not to go because he and my dad do not get along, but I went, and I promised him I’d call as soon as I was done. I did, but Roman’s not returning my calls, and I’m having trouble feeling our bond.”

“I haven’t seen Roman, but I imagine he’s at Clutch.”

“Why would he be there?”

She leans in closer. “Have you seen any vampires around today?” I look over her shoulder and glance at the people walking by. None of them carries the mark.

“No, why is that?”

“The Sisters are here. Every vampire has to report to the Keeper.”

“The Keeper? I have no idea what you’re talking about, Lydia.”

“The Keeper is a vampire chosen by the Fates to deliver the message of their impending arrival. I don’t know who the Keeper is, as Damen didn’t say, but I do know, they’re in a meeting.”

“Wait, who are the Sisters?”

“The vampires’ creators. According to Damen, they only come when times are dire, or someone has broken one of the Covenants.”

Roman and I haven’t discussed his laws. I hadn’t really asked either. Deep down I figured they were like our Ten Commandments; thou shalt not kill being the most important.

“What if they’re here because of me?