Chapter 136

Almara’s Pov

“What did you just say?” I can’t even hear my own words through the shock running through my system. I see Cathy move her lips, but my ears are ringing as if a bomb just internally imploded inside me. I look at Arthur and he’s just as bewildered as I am.

I grab for the couch, something to steady myself. “You risked your life for Arthur, for our family and that’s how you want to be repaid?” I ask making sure I understand the ridiculousness of her request.

“I knew you would judge me.” Cathy says in a I-told-you-so kind of tone.

“I’m just surprised is all. A date with Robert? You hated him when we dated!” I remind her in case the poison she drank screwed with her memory.

“But I see that he’s changed.” Cathy says with a shrug. I let out a scoff and bring my fingers to rub my temples. This has officially become the craziest week of my life.

“Are you sure this is what you want?” Arthur says, finally able to find some words.

“Yes. And if it’s awful then I’ll end it right away.” Cathy says with a firm nod.

“But why?” I ask, still trying to wrap my head around all of this- and all of what’s happened. Cathy lets out a sigh and looks out the large spotless window to her left.

“I haven’t been able to get a date in a while. Too long. Besides, you know how I feel about those dating sites.” Cathy says, looking at me once more with pleading eyes.

“Yeah, you never know you’d meet on there. You might end up with someone like Robert!” I know my sass is unnecessary, after all Cathy did risk her life for my family. Though it’s because of that very fact that I don’t think I can grant her this wish in good faith.

Cathy ignores my remark and continues speaking. “I don’t know, maybe this is a huge mistake. If anything a date with Robert will at least give me practice for other future dates if he and I don’t work out.” I can at least sympathize with that part. I pick up one of the throw pillows and give it a hug.

“When did all this start?” I ask.

Cathy lifts her eyes to the ceiling as though she’s calculating the timespan. “Well, after you left him for good I saw how he kept pursing you. I just thought, wow maybe he did care for her after all. Not that you should have given him a another chance, of course.” She smiles towards Arthur.

“I just thought if he finally realized what he had and it’s gone, maybe he’ll treat the next woman with respect.” I search Cathy’s face wondering if I’ll see any hint that this is all a joke, but the more I look the more I believe her. “Of course, if you’re not comfortable with it then I won’t. Girl code.”

I set the pillow back next to me and rise to my feet. “It’s not girl code that makes me want to say no. It’s just Robert, Robert.” I hope saying his name again will knock some sense into her. Alas, she keeps looking at me with hopeful eyes.

“We’ll arrange it.” Arthur says, stepping forward. I shoot him a glance and he gives a half shrug as though to say what can we do? It’s her request. Before the conversation can persist, a light knock comes from the door. “Come in.” Arthur says.

The same doctor as before enters the room and instantly the worry on his face puts us all on edge. “Sir, we took a look at Robert’s shoulder and we came across something interesting.” Interesting? Lily says cocking her head. That’s an unusual word to choose when delivering bad news.

“What is it?” Arthur asks, putting on his business face and voice.

“There seems to be a tracking device lodged just beneath the rotator cuff of his shoulder.” The doctor tells us in a way that indicates he wishes this was just regular bad news. My body turns cold. That means the vampires know where we live. They know where my daughter lives.

“You are going to remove it, correct?” Arthur more so confirms rather than asks, his jaw clenching.

The doctor pretends to look at his notes, probably folding under Arthur’s intimidation. “The only way to remove it would be cutting into a nerve. It’s possible that would result in his arm becoming paralyzed.”“Have you told this to Robert?” Arthur asks.

“Not yet. We brought the information directly to you first, sir.” The doctor seems to calm at this response, knowing he could do at least that much to the son of the man who signs his checks.

“Don’t tell him yet.” Arthur says. “We don’t know how he’ll react, we’ll tell him when the time is right.” I close my eye’s out of exhaustion. It’s just one thing after the other.

On the bright side, maybe Cathy won’t want to go on a date with a man who can’t use his left arm. Lily says and I tell her that Cathy would never be that shallow. Unfortunately.

“Of course,” the doctor gives a slight respectful bow. “We’re just cleaning him up, should we bring him to you when we are finished?”

“That’s fine.” Arthur says, dismissing the doctor. The doctor leaves and as soon as he does a buzzing sound fills the room. Arthur pulls out his phone and brings it up to his ear. He doesn’t even get a greeting but I can hear Roman on the other end telling him to turn on the news.

Arthur remains silent as he clicks on the T.V. The flat screen displays in vivid detail a well put together reporter sitting tall at her desk with a small picture of Bess up in the corner on the screen. The base of the screen reads, ‘Breaking News’. Arthur turns the volume up and we all glue our eyes on what’s before us.

“The story is still developing, but what we do know is the previous war heroine Elizabeth, known as Bess, in the Hurricane Pack as been put under arrest by the Council of Bloody Hollow. A council thought to be long-gone.” Arthur moves to sit on the couch and I join him. Holding his arm.

“While a list of all charges has not yet been released, we do know that one is theft of a precious good.” The reporter continues, “The Council is seeking other members of the Hurricane Pack with the hopes of working out a plea deal.” Arthur abruptly turns off the T.V.

“I’ve heard enough.” He says. He brings his palms to his face and rubs, letting his fingers slide and hang on his cheekbones.

“We’ve got to go to her.” I say, stating the obvious. I turn to Cathy, guilt weighing me down. We just got here and already we have to run to solve another issue. I open my mouth to apologize, but Cathy waves her hand at me.

“No, no. Please. Go.” She says nodding towards the door. “I’m okay, really. Just don’t forget what you promised me.” She says with a smile. I shake my head and laugh.

“Forget? I’ll be having nightmares.” I lean down to give her a hug. “I’ll call soon, okay?”

“Okay.” Cathy says and gives me a squeeze back.

“I’m going to tell the doctor to keep Robert here. For all we know he could be exactly what they want.” Arthur says in my ear as we leave the room. “In which case it’s better that we have him.” His tone dropped to a level of seriousness I have never heard before.

He leaves me standing in awe after him as he walks down the corridor in search of the doctor. Apparently, they can mess with him but when it comes to Bess- that’s too far.