"Nothing you need to worry about," Willow snapped, color marring her cheeks, feeling embarrassed that he caught her in her weak moment.
Lothaire heard her hoarse voice that he failed to notice before.
"Obviously it's nothing if you were bothered about it. Tell me tinker bell, what's eating you?"
"Oh, snap out of it Bones, I said it's nothing"
"Is this about what happened in that alley? The vampire you tortured? Surely, you know that it's not your fault. You are doing what you have to do to get results. No one could fault you for this. You are protecting others by killing one"
Willow felt better after hearing Lothaire's words. The weight that was drowning her into the deep darkness lifted from her shoulders.
His words though said without knowing the true depth of her emotions, are enough to shed her guilt. It also made her bristle at how well he came to know her in so little time. No one, not even her team, understood where her emotions came from.
However, she would pull her teeth before acknowledging that he helped her.
"No. It's about the caveman tendencies you failed to control," Willow snapped, with no bite in her remark.
The corners of his lips turned upside slowly as he gazed, probed, and dissected her words.
Satisfied with the result, he teased her, "Now where's the fun in that?" Leaned in and sniffed her neck.
"I still have my dagger with me, Bones. You bring those fangs anywhere near my skin and I swear I will enjoy pulling them out"
Lothaire gave a fake bite, taunting her with a grin, and then took a step back.
"You will do," he nodded his chin.
Willow didn't put much semblance into it and went to raid the fridge. Thankfully, there is something edible that can be assembled without much hustle.
She took her plate and sat down at the table, her mouth busy, devouring the food. Using her power always burns the calories faster. She is always hungry. But it is worth it.
Lothaire didn't say anything but just stared at her while she ate her food.
"Not creepy at all, Bones. Not creepy at all," she smacked her lips, licking the Mayo.
"The way your lips move... It is fascinating Tinkerbell. Don't stop on my account. I enjoy the show"
Willow wrinkled her nose at his description.
"What happened today can't be repeated," Lothaire informed in all seriousness.
"I agree you can't spring in the middle while I handle the situation. Just to be clear- which part?"
Lothaire threw an irritated look her way and said,
"The part where you sauntered away, swaying your perky ass to face a group of vampires"
"So what?" Willow ignored the homage he was giving to her ass. Frankly, she got used to his flirting at this point. It would be strange if he didn't add anything flirty.
"If we need to work together, you have to fill in the blanks for me. I can't protect you if I don't know what is going on"
"Oh please!!! protect!" Willow scoffed and said, "I don't need protection"
"That's not what I encountered," Lothaire replied sarcastically.
"You-"
"Look, I can't walk blindly around," Willow frowned thinking this through. What he is asking is reasonable. She should inform him. But... Can she trust him? What if he uses this against her? Willow doesn't think Lothaire is capable of deceiving her, at least her gut says he could be trusted. Well, here goes nothing.
Willow sighed. "If you can't fight them, then join them," she said in a resigned tone and filled him in on the events since she entered the vampire kingdom.
She didn't tell him about what the guild's head informed her about her parents' murderer. He doesn't need to know. It's her revenge and she will deal with it in her own fashion.
Lothaire heard everything silently, with a "Hmm" thrown in here and there.
She took her plate to the sink, thinking she would deal with the dishes later, probably when hell freezes over and turned to him with a coffee in hand.
"Tell me what happened when you were captured? Can you remember anything, anyone? You must have seen something," Willow asked, perched on her chair, her eyes sharp noting any tell-tales he might slip.
"Nothing important "
"This is not helping Bones. How long have you been in there?"
"A while"
"Really? Is that all you are going to say?"
Lothaire shrugged.
"You really can't remember anything before?" Willow whispered, feeling a hint of pity for him. How would it be to be locked in a cage not knowing who you are, why you are locked? For others, there might be hope but for him, he can't remember anything to even hope that he might get rescued. How strong one must be to face the unknown while getting tortured?
"Why would I make anything up? Of course, I can't remember. Do you think I will be hanging around here if I know who is behind my captivity?"
Lothaire snapped, his voice rising high with each word until he was shouting by the end.
Willow felt as if he had stabbed her. Of course, why would a person willingly hang with her, risking their life? How silly of her to start trusting him? Good thing she didn't put much stock in his flirting.
"Of course, why would you? We are strictly partners in crime," Willow grumbled, avoiding his eyes.
"Willow..."
"Stuff it Bones. Not in the mood to hear your stammer"
She cleaned the table, landing everything in the dishwasher to deal with them later.
She then went inside her bedroom, picked her bag pack, and retrieved a Ruby ring.
"Here. It is similar to mine. It will conceal your aura. Don't lose it. This is the only space I have. If I would have known I will be picking strays I would have stocked up," Willow said offhandedly.
"Look at me"
Instead, Willow got busy arming herself once again as she took note of the time. There is still time before dawn. A time that she must keep herself busy. Or else her disturbing thoughts will swallow her whole.
"Where do you think you are going?" Lothaire stood tall, his arms folded, crowding the front door.
"Out"
"Willow"
"To gather intel on Elite Parker," Willow said with a sigh.
Lothaire nodded and followed her, not before muttering under his breath- "now that's not too hard, is it?"
Willow found out the info on Elite Parker from the same guy she bought weapons with.
However, the conversation didn't go as smoothly as the previous one. The reason stood beside her, throwing a dangerous frown at her, promising retribution.
Lothaire was calm and collected until he laid eyes on the vampire Willow approached. Then his demeanor changed. It's as if he is marking his territory before the other vampire and daring him to cross.
He growled, he snapped, he grits his teeth, he narrowed his eyes, in short- he threatened the vampire to stay away from her if he likes living.
If the vampire moved an inch or looked at Willow for more than a second, Lothaire growled some more.
"Hold your wolf boy here. I don't want any mess in my garage," the vampire finally snapped.
A muscle ticked in Willow's jaw. She turned towards Lothaire, her eyes throwing lasers as she muttered, "bad puppy... bad, bad puppy"
The vampire before them gave a hearty laugh, his hands on his knees as if he can't control the joy bursting out of him.
Lothaire stilled as if he can't believe she tried to ruin his macho attitude before another vampire. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, trying to give her a piece of his mind but words failed him.
How dare she? No one... no one sallies his reputation like her and gets away without a scratch.
Lothaire pinched his nose as he heard the vampire controlling his laugh long enough to say to him- "I feel for you bro. I really feel. Good luck handling her. She proved to be a handful," and winked.
Lothaire frowned at him, deciding not to answer.
"So... what do you know about Elite Parker?"
"Why do you ask about him?" The vampire cocked his head, rubbing his chin, thinking how he can benefit from this.
"As if I'm that dumb to tell you"
"Worth trying. What do you want to know?"
"His location"
The vampire whistled seeing money floating before him. A vampire's location is the best-kept secret as they are vulnerable to sun rays. Anyone who covers his position or is greedy enough can hire a mercenary of other supernatural beings and can easily terminate his existence.
"That's classified. I need major bucks for this"
"You will get what you want. First the location"
"Give me two days," the vampire said, rubbing his hands in anticipation.
"No. That's too much time. We will come again tomorrow night. By then the information must be ready"
"That's too soon. I can't work miracles you know"
"If you want the pay, you have to whip your magic wand"
"Fine. Let me do what I can. But I can't promise any sure results"
"There is no room for error. I want results," Willow nodded once the amount was settled.
"Fine fine"
Lothaire is still sulking when they exit the garage.
"Bad puppy?"
"Oh, come on! Are you still stuck on it? It's just an endeavor. It worked like a charm and the vampire never questioned your origin. Of course, your growling also helped"
"Bad puppy?" Lothaire repeated as if he didn't hear her.
"Get over it. Now come on puppy, come on... who is a good doggy?"
Lothaire growled as he tried to lunge at her. But Willow was fast and ran before he could grab her. Her jovial laugh can be echoed in the street.