My Obsession

My Way Or The Highway

Max

The building was a far cry from what I would describe as habitable; the hallways having roaches scattering when we passed, a couple of the occupants dealing what I could only hope was cannabis, and the occasional screaming match here and there. When we got to the fifth floor, half of the hallway lights were out, and a party was being held at the last door. “Great… just great..” Dorothy mumbled to herself when she saw it, rolling her eyes as she lead me to it.

“That’s not your apartment, is it?” I inquired as a young man stumbled out of it only to throw up in the hall.

“No, it’s Chad’s…” she groaned again as another man came out of the apartment, this one catching sight of her and grinning ear to ear as he took a step towards us. When he did, the wind from the opened window at the end of the hall breezed through, allowing me to catch the scent of the man.

Vampires… I growled low in my throat, the sleazy miscreant stopping in hi stracks as we both sized each other up. His bright orange hair and blue eyes took in my appearance as I let some of my aura slip from me, making him turn around and head back into the apartment.

“Huh.. That’s odd.. I’ve never seen him turn down a chance at harassing me.” Dorothy shook her head as we finally got to her door and turned the key in the lock, swinging the door open and stepping inside. “Well, thank you for showing me home. I’m guessing you all will call me when you want the blood tests done and whatnot?” She asked me.

“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” I asked as I peaked around her, curiosity winning over for how this woman lived.

“Ummm… sure?” She opened the door wider as I stepped around her, immediately searching around the place.

“Have you ever had.. Chad.. over before?” I asked her, wanting to make sure she was at least safe in that way.

“No; the bastard always bugs Tracie and I to let him in, but we turn him down each time. He gives us the creeps.” She shivered, eyeing the door to make sure it closed all the way as she joined me in her small living room.

“Good. Never invite him in.” I ordered her, making her roll her eyes at me.

“Never planned to.” She scoffed.

How dare she roll her eyes at me! And scoff?! I’d never had anyone even so much as think of giving me that type of attitude in the pack, making me wonder where she was trained in order to resist my aura so well. Who was this hybrid who defied the basic instincts of our kind.

“Can I offer you a drink or something?” She asked after a minute or two, my silence as I took everything in somewhat unnerving for her.

“Is it just you and Tracie living here?” I disregarded her question, opting not to risk touching anything in this building unless absolutely necessary.

“Yah; roommates for life.” She gave an awkward laugh as she looked everywhere but at me, her tension almost palpable.

This isn’t right. I knew I paid Tracie enough for her to live somewhere decent; but this was even slum standards according to a fey such as herself; leaving me wondering exactly what my other employee was doing with all her earnings. “I see..”

My eyes swept over the meager space again, catching sight of a shoebox that had papers spilling out of it near the end table to the side. On the top was an unfolded letter that was in the letterhead of an old pack; one I had dealings with from time to time. “Oh, excuse me!” She went over and put away the paper before I could read it, giving me a sheepish look. “Here, now you can sit if you’d like.”

I saw a spider scamper from the sofa to the corner, making me grimace a little. “I think it is best that I do not.” I said after a minute. For what it was, I could tell the two girls had tried to make this space more comfortable, with little decorations and small comforts here and there. “About the blood test. I’ll send my driver to take you tomorrow. Does eight in the morning sound alright?”

She nodded her head and sat down, setting the box on the floor in front of her. “Right. That will work. And when can I come back to work?”

“The moment you are healed up and your background check comes through. Just call when your hands are completely healed and we’ll go from there. In the meantime, I had them send over the old menu through your email if you’d like to have a look at it.” I was curious as to what she’d come up with, especially if she could re-create the Waldorf salad.

“Will I be paid for my time?” She leveled her gaze at me, her comment before about money making me grin a little.

“But of course; just keep track of your time.”

Sir; they have news for you at the club. My driver linked me then, his voice filled with concern. I growled a little at that, my curiosity about this hybrid still not sated. They say it is urgent.

“It seems that my time here is done. Please reach out if you have any questions.” I said briskly, heading to the door. When I was halfway through, I paused and turned back to her. “And remember what I said about your neighbor.”

She rolled her eyes again at me, waiving sarcastically as she slammed the door behind me. “A nice piece of ass, right?” The vampire had been waiting across the hall, his eyes flashing red as he caught sight of Dorothy.