The only instruction I got from Alexandr was to wear layers for tonight’s date. I need this date to give me a much-needed break from my mind trying to puzzle out Gill-Eoin’s cryptic information the other day.

Taking a few moments, I admire my outfit in the mirror and the fall of my cinnamon hair down the back of my sweater. My leggings hug my hips and thighs, pressing into my rounded belly. Thick knee-high socks top my leather boots.

The early spring nights are still chilled and often wet. It’s been a completely new experience dating Alexandr, not because he’s a vampire and I’m mortal. But because I’ve dated no one before. I’ve had people I have one-night stands, especially Sasha and Daniel.

A small part of my mind asks what I’m doing with the prestigious Alexandr. It has to be a trick or some cruel joke and any moment the laughing will roar in my ears and my cheeks will flush hot with embarrassment again. The forced memories taste bitter on my tongue and the rising sting of my eyes detests me.

The voice and feelings take me deeper into my memories of growing up at the orphanage. I didn’t date, ever. Especially the kids there or at normal school. They made my life at school a nightmare.

Memories of their taunts and beatings. How they would corner me and call me half-breed, dirty, and cursed. They took their ques from the workers at the orphanage. Adult lips pulled back in scorn if they had to give me any attention. I’m sure a few thought I should have drowned or maybe my father should have taken me up on that rooftop and taking my hand before he jumped.

Most of the others had the charisma to blend in and be cool at school. I might have been able to blend it too, but they brought their hatred of my blood status to the school in the normal world. Normal kids never questioned why they hated me. They either feared joining me in being bullied or because they sensed that there was something different about me, but they couldn’t put their finger on it. If it hadn’t been for Bella, I don’t think I would have made it through. Bella somehow straddled the world of the cool kids and held onto me at the same time.

Bella, short for Arabella, picked me as her best friend from the first day we met. She was taller than nearly any other kid there and she made a wall between me and my biggest bullies. Even after her adoption by Hunter and Maruim, she didn’t drop me as I feared she would. Inviting me over to her house to play dolls or practice make up when we got older. Her family even took me on vacations and camp outs, treating me with a kindness I’d never known; or, more than likely, a required tag along. I envied her life and family, heck I became a detective because of her adopted father.

Shaking myself from those melancholy thoughts. I remind myself that I survived that and I’ve proved myself to be a damn good detective despite the treatment I still encounter. I check my appearance again and, satisfied that I’m as ready as I can be, head towards my living room. After the last time, I felt it best to stay inside and let him knock. I don’t want to pass out on the landing and fall off.

Alexandr’s been creative at choosing our dates lately. He surprises me every time. One night, we visited a jazz club in the Camp Bowie neighborhood. I don’t care for Jazz, Talon learned that once. Talon tried to introduce it to me. As I sit here, I can’t help but wonder if this was the club we visited together. I hope Talon finds a new club in Seattle and a better partner there, one he doesn’t have to shield from prejudice constantly.

My chest aches at the thought of him so far away, when I could really use a partner. I don’t even know if he heard about Rafe’s death. That sad thought causes me to pause and fist my hand to my chest as the ache grows stronger and grief dims the excitement of the night to come. Am I even fit for company tonight? I ask myself, before wrapping a long cream scarf around my neck.

I watch a long black town car pull into the parking lot from the living room windows. I changed out the dark heavy winter drapes in here for the sheer icy ones to let in as much light as I can for as long as I can.

The back passenger door opens and Alexandr steps out of the car and takes my breath away with his beauty. Long wavy sable hair tied back in a queue, his lithe muscled body in a tailored suit. His face holds a mischievous smile as he looks up at my apartment window. I know he sees me watching him and he knows the effect he has on me. I turn away as he walks up the stairs.

He knocks a short time later, and I open the door.

“Ma petite amie.” He steps over the threshold and whispers against the skin of my neck. Then he takes me into his arms, blocking the wind and wraps his arm around my waist, and ushers me down the stairs.