Chapter 143

Almara’s Pov

Roman was right. A few days have passed and we’re still locked in this cell which seems to be getting smaller by the day. I desperately want to change out of the little red dress that I’m wearing, which seemed fun and flirty on date night and now has become nothing but a pain.

We’ve been using Arthur’s jacket as a community pillow and Cathy’s sweater as a blanket. I have the feeling they offer more comforts to the vampires they arrest, though there’s no way to prove it. At least a guard escorts us to the bathroom five times a day so we get to stretch our legs.

It was seven times, until Robert had the wise idea of trying to fight the guards which ended quite miserably. Though, for a brief moment in his outburst I had a glimmer of hope, but alas- we’re still stuck.

No one tells us anything, Roman hasn’t been back since he left. I know it’s only been three days, but with no windows in this dinky room it feels much longer.

To pass the time we’ve been playing a game where someone starts a story and another will jump in, having to say ‘yes, and’ to continue with tale. Either we’re all literary geniuses or the scraps of food and water have been making us delusional because we all end this game kneeling over in laughter until the guard yells at us to shut up.

The door swings open and the dramatic entrance commands all our attention. A young fellow struts in with his head held eye in a nicely fitted navy suit.

I must say the pop of color is more of a refreshment than I expected. The guy is cleanly shaven, his after colognes travels across the room and hits our nostrils with a captivating force. His eyes are a piercing ice blue, the type of ice that seem to cut to the heart and his hair is white blonde.

The leather brief case in hand tells me he’s our lawyer, Calvin, and Cathy’s ex. I find it challenging to picture Cathy snuggled up in this mans arms. The two are polar opposites. Cathy is soft and timid, everything about this man is piercing with intensity.

“I’ll be speaking with my clients alone, now.” Calvin says, his voice is fresh like crystalized water as he sharply annunciates his words especially compared to the gloomy and lifeless tones of the blood suckers.

The guard leaves without a word. Calvin waits until the door is fully shut before looking back our way. He smiles broadly flashing is white as snow teeth. “You four look like Hell.”

“What took you so long to get here?” Arthur asks sitting hunched over on the bench, his elbows leaning into his thighs.

“Semantics.” Is the only reply we get as Calvin swings his brief case to rest on the steel desk across from us. He pops open the lid and shuffles some papers around. “The good news is, I used my time away wisely.” He lifts his eyes and settles his gaze on Cathy giving a wink. Cathy rolls her eyes and Calvin pretends to not notice.

“I don’t think they have much on any of you, in fact from what I can see one major accomplice is now dead, correct?” He asks, but no one responds.

“I know I’m right.” He tucks his papers under his arm and looks at me. “I’m guessing your Almara, right?” I give a slow nod.

“You’re my troubled one.” He says with a hint of regret. Arthur rises to his feet, his ankles cracking under his weight as he drags himself to stand by me.

“What do you mean?” He asks.

“She’s the only one I can confirm for the breaking and entering-”

“She was saving my life.” Arthur interrupts.

“And I know that, and the folks back home know that. Hell, they love that. It’s a cute story. Truly. Unfortunately, it’s also illegal.” He takes in the concern written across our faces and shrugs.

“Not to worry, I’ve dealt with more challenges in my life than this before,” He nods toward Cathy “Isn’t that right, sweetheart?”

“Watch it.” Robert growls and Calvin flashes another smile. “You must be the boy toy for the time being. Pleasure to meet you, wish it were in better circumstances.” Robert snarls, but Cathy quickly intervenes.

“So, can you help us out or not?” She asks equally annoyed as she is concerned.

“Sure. Under one condition.” Calvin says as he lets his eyes lazily drag over Cathy’s body. Cathy pulls her sweater over her low-cut v-neck shirt just as Calvin licks his lips. “I want a date.” He says plainly, finally pulling his eyes from her breasts.

“No way.” Cathy says just as Robert inserts his own objections.

“Such a shame,” Calvin says turning to slide his papers back into his brief case. “For you four anyways.”

“Cathy!” Is all I can manage to say as Calvin packs up and gets ready to leave without hesitation.

“We’ll double your pay.” Arthur says.

“How kind, though this case is pro-bono.” He shuts his brief case and crosses the room. Cathy folds her arms and watches him leave.

“Why wouldn’t you just say yes? He could have helped us!” I know I sound hysteric, but it’s been three days since I’ve seen my daughter and that man was the only chance I had of seeing her sooner rather than later.

“It’s a catch. I say yes to one date and he’s back in my life again.” Cathy raises her arms to the air for a moment just before letting her palms fall and slap against her thigs in defeat. “He’s like a leech. Do you know how hard it was to finally remove him from my life?”

“You could’ve just said yes and then never went on the date!” I argue back.

Cathy shakes her head and laughs as the absurdity. “You don’t get it. Why can’t you respect my no? Calvin at least did.”

“Hardly.” I with betterment. “He walked out on us.”

“So? We’ll get a new lawyer.”

“Right, because they’re lining up to take on our case.” I shoot back.

“Well, if you would have controlled your publicity the past few weeks we wouldn’t be in this problem.” Cathy says under her breath, which only causes my voice to grow louder.

“Are you saying it’s my fault Arthur got sick?”

“No.” Cathy says as if she’s been thinking about it. “But, obviously you didn’t handle it very well.” She adds with a wave of her hand as if to summarize the situation we’re in.

Anger seizes my body and I step forward not sure what my next move is but Lily is growling from within getting ready to pounce.

“Girls, girls. Now is not the time. Okay?” Arthur puts his gentle hands on my arms and his loving touch cools my anger slightly.

We stay to our opposite sides of the cell for the remainder of the night. I lay my head on Arthur’s lap and he strokes my hair telling me how he’s going to come up with a plan to get us out of here. Until then, another day passes without freedom.