Chapter 139

Almara’s Pov

Arthur and I sit across from the mystery lady, Chirstina, at a high end coffee shop. We’re separated from other guests by a velvet red rope and security guards. Arthur wanted to bring Christina here to remind her who she’s in the presence of, lest there be any tricks up her sleeve.

Although, Christina seems to be at home in this elegant atmosphere. She stirs her tea precisely three times with her spoon before clinking the silver against the fine China and bringing the tea to her rosy pink lips. Arthur leans back with his arms crossed and I fidget uncomfortably in my seat.

I expect everyone in the room to be tossing us curious glances followed by hushed gossip, but I’m surprised to see that no one seems to care. Everyone here is wrapped up in their own conversations, touching up their makeup with a pocket mirror, or looking blasé t be here in general.

I suppose I forgot that’s a condition of the rich, they all think everyone else cares about them. And, I suppose this includes me.

“So, you must have a lot of questions.” Christina says with a sincere smile. Arthur gives a shrug and a raise of his eyebrows as if to neither confirm nor deny and leaves the ball in Christina’s court, so to speak.

“Please, allow me to explain and if I miss anything then ask away.” Christina says, setting down her tea. She takes in a long breath as she prepares for what I expect to be a long story.

“I myself suffered the same turmoil that Robert is going through. I was partial wolf and partial vampire, a disgraced hybrid.” Christina says as if it’s a shocking scandal then with a giggle she adds, “Unfortunately, there’s more of us than anyone would like to acknowledge.”

“How does this relate to my grandmother?” Arthur cuts in.

“Back during the war, I was hiding beneath a barstool in a run-down shack. Bess and her soldiers ransacked whatever was left, but she showed me mercy. I don’t know why.” Christina says looking off in the distance as though looking at the memory itself as if it were right in front of her.

“I was a nobody, I was in that bar for the fifth day in a row drinking my sorrows. I like to think Bess saw my pain and figured I’d suffered enough.” Christina shrugs letting the rationalization roll off her back. “She noticed the sotted turquoise rose in my pocket, a gift my grandmother had given me.”

I’ve only ever heard of the turquoise-spotted rose in old legends. I thought it was a myth. Guinevere must read our surprised and slightly disbelieving reactions because she laughs and shakes her hear. “I’m not interested in you believing me, I’m telling you what happened.”

“Are you ready to order?” The waiter asks, the unexpected interruption throws me off guard that I don’t reply right away.

“Yes,” Christina interjects. She orders the sirloin steak cooked rare, the grilled asparagus, and twice baked potato. Even the waiter waits a moment before writing all that down as he takes in the size of Christina and no doubt wonders where she’s putting all that food.

I order the grilled chicken salad and Arthur holds off on food. The waiter collects our menus and hurries away as if sensing we’re in the middle of something.

“Continue.” Arthur says.

“You really should get something to eat, Arthur. You know Bess would want you to.” Christina says.

“Are you trying to be my new grandmother?” Arthur says as a joke though there seems to be a bit of a challenge in his tone.

“Oh dear, honey. Of course not. No one could replace Bess.” A sudden softness takes over her composure and Arthur concedes a little.

“Please continue.” He says more gently. I put my hand on his knee under the table.

“So, she notices the flower and perhaps that’s why she had mercy. She took me to her home and gave me some tea. We had a long discussion that really bloomed into the beginning of our friendship.” She says with a sad smile, and I can’t help but wonder if she’s regretting the way they had a falling out.

“So, why have I never heard of you?” Arthur asks, leaning in close.

Christina holds her gaze on Arthur’s eyes and tightens her lips. “Years after the ear, we opened the shop together, though our business objectives didn’t meet. I wanted to expand our market to the vampires considering I was half them. Needless to say, Bess didn’t. Truly, I couldn’t blame her.”

It’s good to know she’s at least telling the truth. “Roman contacted you, right?” I say, alluding to the fact that I know how the story ends. Both Christina and Arthur look at me with intrigued curiosity.

“Do you know this woman?” Arthur asks.

“No,” I say. “But, she was able to give you the Quartz Dust. Bess had her contact information in a book at her shop.” I turn to look at Arthur who looks like he’s trying to keep up with what I’m telling him. ‘It’s a long story that I can explain later.”

“That’s correct.” Christina says. “Through working with Bess all those years, expanding my understanding on herbs and botanicals, I was able to come up with the anntadote to reverse the vampire bite on a warewolf.”

Arthur sinks back in his seat. “Then, I suppose I owe you something of a thank-you and an apology.”

“Neither are necessary, dear.” Christina says. “I am used to the hostility. It comes with the nature.” She says waving her hand. “So, after I spoke to Roman I realized just how out of touch I’ve been. I caught up on the latest stories and well that’s how I learned about Robert.”

“But Robert has been a vampire and wolf his whole life, he was born that way.” Arthur explains.

“Yes, I know. What I gave you is different then what I’ll give Robert.” Just then the waiter comes and drops off our food. We all sit back in silence looking at one another using this break to gather the information that’s been told.

“Enjoy.” The waiter says while moving away.

“What I can give Robert has only been administered once before. It may not work, but if it does then he won’t only not be a vampire anymore, he also ceases being a werewolf. He becomes a human.”

We let that information sink in and consider what that means for Robert. It certainly would give him a better standing in society, though another form- completely different than either of the two he’s in now. It’s possible Roman may accept him in this form, but would Robert accept himself?

“Ultimately the choice is Robert’s.” Christina says.

“I still don’t get why Bess would befriend you.” Arthur says clearly still tripped up on this new side of his grandmother. Christina cuts into her steak and lifts her one shoulder to ear and lets it drop.

“I guess she started to care more about what’s going on in the inside of people, rather than the outside. It’s cliché I know, but how many of us really do it?”

“So, Bess never really minded dual nature of Robert?” I say to clarify the situation.

“I doubt it.” Christina says. With that a stunned ending in the conversation follows. Only the sound of cutlery against plates and chitter chatter of neighboring tables fills the room. I guess we’ll have to talk to Robert.