Chapter 2

When Samuel walked me home, the night hadn't ended yet.

To get from Raven Alley to Chapel Lane, we had to make our way through three narrow alleys, cross a small bridge, and pass a market that forever smelled of fish.

I followed behind him, the cloak trailing at my ankles.

His footsteps were so quiet that he was like a drifting fog in the night.

As we passed St. Matthew's Chapel, I noticed his steps falter for a moment.

The silver cross on the church steeple glowed coldly through the mist.

I asked, "Don't you like churches?"

He lowered his gaze to me. "I don't like anything that reminds me of the past."

"Was your past really that bad?"

"It went on longer than you think, and it was even worse than you can imagine."

I kept quiet after that.

When we reached my door, I could hear my father snoring inside.

I stood outside, suddenly afraid to go in.

Samuel noticed my hesitation. "Want me to come in with you?"

I nodded.

But he said, "I can't go in."

I didn't get it. "Why?"

"Vampires can't step into a human's house unless they're invited in."

My heart gave a sudden jolt.

Vampire. The word floated through the foggy night, light as a feather, yet somehow, it felt heavy enough to steal my breath.

I thought I'd scream, or run for it.

But all I did was look at his pale face and ask, "What if I invite you in?"

Samuel's gaze turned unreadable. "Letting a vampire into your house? Not exactly the wisest move."

"But you already took my money."

Samuel froze for a second.

I mumbled, "You can't skip out on the bill."

After a long pause, he finally chuckled.

It wasn't that cold, distant smile from before. This time, he genuinely found it funny. "You're braver than I thought."

I sniffled, pushed the door open, and said softly, "Samuel Vane, I invite you into my home."

A gust of wind swept past me from behind. In the next instant, he was standing right beside me. father

My dad was passed out by the fireplace, bottles lying everywhere. My mom was curled up in the corner, her face bruised, and she'd cried herself to sleep.

I walked over and pulled a blanket over her.

My dad jerked awake at the sound of my footsteps, grumbling as he opened his bleary eyes. "You little brat, you actually dared to come back!"

Then his gaze landed on Samuel.

He went stiff. "Who are you?"

Samuel lingered in the dim light, his expression unreadable. "I'm here to collect a debt."

My dad let out a mocking laugh. "Do I owe you money?"

"You owe her peace."

My dad staggered to his feet, like he'd just heard a joke. "She's my daughter. I can do whatever I want with her. Who the hell do you think you are?"

Samuel lifted his gaze. His gray eyes slowly turned red. The candles in the room shivered for no reason.

The smile on my dad's face froze. "You..."

Samuel didn't lay a finger on him. He just kept walking closer, step by step.

But it was like an invisible hand wrapped around my dad's throat. His face flushed red, and his knees buckled, dropping him to the floor.

He clawed desperately at his neck, but no sound came out.

I startled. "Samuel!"

He turned to look at me, and the red slowly drained from his eyes.

My dad collapsed, gasping and struggling to breathe.

Samuel leaned down, his voice cold and low. "Remember this feeling."

My dad's face was filled with terror. "M-Monster..."

"That's right. So don't let me catch you hurting her again."

My dad scrambled and crawled, huddling in the corner.

I stood there, my palms slick with sweat.

Just then, Mom woke up.

She saw Dad kneeling on the floor, stared in shock for a moment, and then threw herself at him, clutching him tightly. "Don't hurt him! Please, I'm begging you, don't hurt my husband."

My heart kept sinking.

Just moments ago, Dad was ready to beat us to death. And yet, the first thing Mom did was throw herself in front of him to protect him.

Samuel glanced at Mom, and then looked back at me.

His gaze seemed to ask, "Are you really going to stay here?"

Mom looked at me, tears streaming down her face. "Irene, how could you bring a stranger into our home? He's your father!"

My throat tightened. "He hit you."

"He was just drunk."

"He almost strangled me."

"But he's your father!"

Her words were like a blunt knife, tearing at my heart again and again.

All at once, I felt so exhausted that I didn't even have any energy left to hate my dad.

I turned and walked toward the door.

Mom called out, "Irene, where are you going?"

I didn't look back.

Samuel trailed after me, and together we stepped out of that damp, moldy, booze-soaked little house.

The fog was still hanging in the air.

He asked, "Any regrets?"

I shook my head. "I'm just a bit cold."

He pulled the cloak tighter around me. "Then let's head back to Raven Alley."

I looked up at him. "Can I?"

"Ten dollars won't buy you much," he said, pausing for a moment. "But it's enough to get you a bed for the night."

My eyes stung. "Just for tonight?"

Samuel glanced at the sky, pale with the coming dawn. "Let's get through tonight first."

But I never could have guessed that the ten dollars I paid for a night of safety would become the longest, softest, and most heartbreaking bond of my entire life.

*****

The clock shop on Raven Alley had three stories.

The first floor was all about clocks for sale, the second was a cozy study and living room, and the third had two bedrooms.

The attic was stuffed with dusty old boxes, and the basement was always locked. Supposedly, Samuel kept things down there that he definitely didn't want me to see.

I settled into the little room at the end of the second floor.

It wasn't big, but the sheets were clean. There was a kerosene lamp, and a pot of white hyacinths sat by the window.

I ran my hand over the soft blanket, wondering if I was dreaming.

Samuel stood in the doorway. "Not satisfied?"

I quickly said, "I am, totally."

"Then why do you look like you're about to cry?"

I looked down. "It's just... It's so nice."

He didn't get it.

I explained, "It's so nice that it almost feels like it's not for me."

Samuel was quiet for a moment. "Goodnight. And don't open the heavy curtains before sunset."

"Why?"

"I'll die."

He said it so calmly that it made my heart clench. "Will sunlight really kill you?"

"It'll set me on fire."

"So what do you do during the day?"

"Sleep."

"Like sleeping in a coffin?"

He gave me a glance. "You really need to stop reading those trashy novels."

I couldn't help but laugh.

He seemed relieved and turned to leave.

I suddenly called after him, "Samuel."

He paused and looked back.

"Thank you."

He stared at me for a long moment, and then said, "Don't be so quick to thank me. Vampires never show kindness without a reason."

"Then why did you help me?"

"Maybe because I can't stand bullies who go after the weak."

"Maybe?"

"Or maybe it's because the way you slapped ten dollars down on the counter reminded me of a foolish girl I knew a long time ago."

"Who is it?"

His eyes dimmed for a moment. "Goodnight, Irene."