Devon ran his hand through his hair, nodding slowly as he mulled over Chris’s words. He was right; Chris had to have hope that Cassie would come back to him. However, Devon knew it was better if he didn’t. He could not allow himself to have such hope, not when he knew that Cassie’s decision was probably for the best. In the long run they could not be together, and there was a good possibility that he would end up hurting her, no matter what Chris believed. No, Chris needed his hope, but Devon couldn’t share it. He couldn’t crush it either.
“Why didn’t she want to join you?” Chris asked softly.
Devon shrugged absently. “Her parents, and now her grandmother, have all been killed by vampires. She was bred to hate what we are. You were all created to destroy my kind.”
“Yes, but she doesn’t have to be a murderer like them.”
“I know that, and so does she, but it’s still frightening to her. Plus, she would also have to give up the sunlight, the warmth and wonder of its rays.”
Chris was silent for a moment. “Eventually she could return to it though.”
“Maybe, but she would have to spend hundreds of years in the dark with no guarantee that she could ever go back into the light. Just because two of us have been able to do it does not mean that others will be successful.”
Chris nodded as he placed his coffee cup down. “That would be awful for her, but I’m sure she would adjust.”
“There will be no need for her too.”
Chris smirked at him as he shook his head. “Man you’re depressing.”
Devon grinned back at him. “There’s nothing more depressing then being dead, which I am.”
Chris laughed as he nodded his agreement. The soft patter of footsteps turned both their heads toward the door. Chris’s mother was shuffling through it, her hand rested on the doorframe as she steadied herself, the ice in her glass of scotch rattled as she moved. “Christopher, what are you doing here? I thought you would be staying with Cassie, and your people.”
Chris stiffened; his feet plopped loudly on the floor. “Luther and Melissa are with her. I thought it best if I returned home.”
“Oh, this is your home now. You never act like it. In fact it’s more like a stopping ground where you keep your clothes.”
“Mom…”
“I have company,” she interrupted sharply.
“Of course you do,” Chris mumbled.
“What did you just say!?” she demanded, her voice taking on a near hysterical edge.
“Nothing mom.”
“Don’t you talk to me like that! I gave you life, I created you! I took care of you even after I discovered what abominations you and your bastard of a father were!”
Devon sat in stunned silence. Chris’s face colored in shame, his eyes darted briefly to Devon as his head bowed down. His look in Devon’s direction caught his mother’s attention as she finally realized that Chris was not alone. She turned toward Devon, her eyes widened in surprise as the furious, alcohol induced glaze slipped swiftly from them. Disgust twisted through Devon as lust bloomed heavily from her.
“You didn’t tell me you had a friend here,” she hissed to Chris.
Chris’s jaw locked tight, his eyes narrowed as his nostrils flared slightly. She might well be one of the most repulsive women Devon had ever come across as she sauntered slightly forward, swaying her hips invitingly. “You didn’t give me a chance,” Chris said softly.
She chose to ignore him as her gaze remained pinned on Devon. “What’s your friend’s name?”
Chris glanced apologetically back at him, shame colored his fair cheeks. “This is Devon.”
“Hello Devon,” she purred, thrusting her hand out. He chose to ignore it.
“Cassie’s boyfriend,” Chris added pointedly.
Her eyes widened slightly, she licked her lips as her eyes raked over Devon once more. “Whoever would have thought it from little Cassie.” Devon’s ire spiked up a level, his hands clenched the arms of the chair. “I’m sure you’ve taught her a thing or two. I could teach you more.”
Revulsion and anger curdled through Devon’s stomach. Chris launched to his feet, his chair skidded back a few feet. “That’s enough!” he snapped. “Don’t you have a stranger to entertain?”
Her sapphire eyes narrowed fiercely. Devon rose slowly, stepping forward he rested his hand lightly on Chris’s shoulder. Chris fairly vibrated with anger, his shoulders were set, his jaw locked as he glared at his mother. His eyes smoldered with ire and humiliation. “I assure you that I am a far worse abomination than your son,” Devon informed her quietly.
Her eyes flickered, her eyebrows drew sharply together. She looked confused for a moment, and then his words finally pierced her alcoholic stupor. She took a step back, fear blazed off of her. “What do you mean?” she whispered. She glanced wildly at Chris, her heart thumped loudly; her terror was nearly palpable in the enclosed porch. Chris gave her a brief nod, confirming the fears and doubts rolling through her.
“Why don’t you go back inside now.” Devon’s voice was low, urging. Though he didn’t use his power of mind control, the tone was compelling enough to make her step further away. Nodding rapidly, she spun ungracefully and hurried inside, glancing briefly over her shoulder before disappearing in the house.
Chris’s shoulders slumped; he ran a hand wearily through his hair. “Sorry bout that,” he muttered, looking defeated and beat.
Devon shook his head, squeezing Chris’s shoulder briefly before releasing him. He turned back toward Cassie’s house. No wonder Chris had spent most of his nights there, escaping from the woman that was supposed to be his mother. “Lily’s death really hurt you too.”
Chris glanced at him, shrugging his broad shoulders. “She was a wonderful person.”
Devon shoved his hands in his pockets. “Yes.”
“Not to mention you and Cassie are killing me. I can’t keep her fury tuned out, and you wandering around like a kicked puppy is really starting to get on my nerves.” Devon quirked an eyebrow, not at all amused to be called a puppy. “The both of you are enough to drive a person crazy.”
“And you can’t deal with your own grief.”
“No.”
Devon turned back to the window, watching as the snow drifted slowly down. It was beginning to stick to the sidewalks and roads now. From inside, music started to play. Apparently Chris’s mother had decided to bury her fear in a party. Digging in his pockets, Devon tugged his keys free, slipping the key to his apartment off he handed it to Chris.