Page 106 of Eternal Craving

“How do you know it was because of me? Perhaps a candle fell over?—”

“I’m assuming it wasn’t you who left the rose by the bed this morning?” She glanced at the bobbing corpse. “You’re only thinking of yourself.”

“I was just about to ask about our blind landlord.”

“Half-blind.”

“Did he get out?”

She sighed. “Yes.”

I gazed at the city skyline. “Jacob is out there right now, alone.”

“You’ve brought attention to our kind. They don’t like that.”

“I’ll be more careful.”

“I’m done cleaning up after your nightly escapades.”

“You should be out there searching for him, not wasting your time.”

“Keeping us alive is not wasting my time.”

I turned my back on her. “I’m going to find my son and then we’re leaving this godforsaken city.”

“Are you even listening to me?”

“What do you want me to say?”

“That you’ll use discretion, follow the rules.”

I glided up onto the bridge wall. “It’s time we came out of the shadows.”

“That attitude will get us killed.”

Holding out my arms, I shouted, “Hello, London!”

“Get down. Now!”

I sat on the wall. “It’s time the world knew that we’re not myth.”

“Have you lost your mind?” She joined me up on the ledge and wrapped her arms around my waist. “Please stop this.”

“I miss Spain.”

“I feel like I’ve lost you.”

“No, never.” I kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry I put you in harm’s way.”

“Have you considered that he may have left London? Found his way back?”

“Rotten luck,” I said, pointing. “Look.”

The body had been snagged near the left side of the riverbank.

“Did you hear me?” she continued, impatiently.

Within seconds, it bobbed off again.