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A fire alarm started blaring in Angela’s ears, muffling several startled cries. The fright of everyone around her overwhelmed her senses. Prudence yanked her away from the heat, and she stumbled, almost falling forward.

Two powerful arms caught Angela and drew her close. A deathly chill enveloped her, stifling the fear she was channeling from everyone else. A vampire was holding her—she assumed Corin—and she hugged him, focusing on the stillness of his lifeless body to settle her emotions. Her senses cleared, and it then dawned on Angela that the man holding her was calm and collected, whereas her uncle would have been sick with worry over Angela’s safety. This person was also taller and more muscular than Corin.

“Steady, Ms. Thorne,” a deep voice called over the sound of the fire alarm. Angela opened her eyes and looked up into Ezekiel’s reassuring gaze.

Corin came up behind Angela and drew her away from Ezekiel, pulling her into his embrace. Smoke wafted through the room, stinging Angela’s eyes. She blinked several times and looked around to see where the smoke came from. She covered her mouth in horror when she saw the damage.

Two security guards were putting out the last of the flames with fire extinguishers, but there was still a six-foot-wide scorch mark on the wall, plaster crumbling away to reveal singed beams and insulation underneath. A burned portrait hung in the center of the blackened wall, seared tempera flaking from the charred wood and the relief carving eaten away.

“Everyone, stay calm,” one guard shouted. “Take the stairs and exit the building.” Visitors followed his instructions and filed out of the gallery.

“No, no, no,” Angela moaned. “What did I do?”

“It’s all right,” Corin said, speaking into Angela’s ear to be heard over the alarm. “The fire is out, and no one was hurt.”

Angela noticed Ezekiel staring at her. “I’m sorry,” she said, the alarm drowning out her voice.

Ezekiel glanced at the burned wall, then gave Angela a sympathetic smile and mouthed the words, “I’ll take care of it.”

“What started that fire?” Prudence exclaimed, moving toward Ezekiel.

“I’ll find out,” Ezekiel offered, stepping away.

“What? Edgar, don’t go near that!”

Ezekiel ignored Prudence’s warning and strolled over to the wall to inspect the charred plaster. One of the security guards instructed him to stay back, but Ezekiel acted as if he didn’t notice and reached through the crumbling stucco. His brows furrowed in concentration as if he were working magic. He removed his hand and said something to the security guard, gesturing for him to look. The security guard glanced through the hole and nodded, then motioned for Ezekiel to step away. Ezekiel gave a curt nod and rejoined his companions.

“I found a frayed wire in the wall that runs up to the overhead lights,” Ezekiel told them. “It must have sparked and caused the fire.”

“And you just stuck your hand in there?” Prudence yelled, smacking Ezekiel’s chest. “Edgar, you could have been electrocuted!”

Ezekiel gave her a sheepish smile. “Apologies, curiosity got the better of me.” He shared a look with Angela, his gentle gaze easing her fear.

“We need to leave the building,” Corin called, guiding Angela away. “I can’t take that blasted alarm any longer.”

The four of them followed the rest of the exiting visitors, making their way downstairs to the lobby. They retrieved their coats and hats, then headed outside to where a crowd of visitors had congregated. It was much quieter on the sidewalk, but the echo of the fire alarm reverberated in Angela’s ears. There were so many people, she thought, the pounding in her head subsiding. So many people near the fire. I could have killed someone. I could have killed everyone! Angela burst into tears.

“Oh, honey.” Prudence took Angela’s hands and gave them a squeeze. “It’s okay. That fire really scared you, huh?”

Corin held Angela to his side. “I should take her home.”

“I think we could all use some rest after that hullabaloo,” Ezekiel concurred. “I’ll drive you home, Prudence.”

“Edgar, our apartments are in opposite directions,” Prudence said, touching Ezekiel’s cheek. “I’ll just take a cab like I did before.”

“Are you sure? I don’t mind the detour.”

“I’m sure, sweetheart.” Prudence stepped up to the curb and started to raise her arm.

“At least let me hail the cab for you,” Ezekiel insisted, moving next to Prudence and raising his arm.

“Here we go,” Prudence said, catching sight of a cab, but it pulled over several yards up the street to take a different set of passengers. “Oh, never mind.”

The cab was picking up Stephen and Violette. They were too far away for Angela to read their emotions, but it was clear by their facial expressions that they were still angry with each other. As the cab pulled away from the curb and drove past, Angela caught Violette’s eye. She looked at Angela with worry. Or was it pity? Angela wiped tears from her cheeks in embarrassment.

“I’m sorry our first meeting was cut short,” Prudence said.

Corin nodded. “Short, yes, but it was nice to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Hughes.”

“Maybe the four of us could reconnect another evening.”

“Perhaps.” Corin tapped the brim of his hat with his cane. “We’ll be heading off then. Please stay safe, Mrs. Hughes, and have a good evening.” He then directed Angela toward the nearby parking garage.

“You feel better, Angela,” Prudence called.

“It won’t stop, Uncle Corin,” Angela whimpered once they were out of earshot.

“It’s going to be all right,” Corin soothed.

“No, it won’t.” Angela covered her face. “I’m going to kill someone else.”

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