Predator

3. November, 11 am

The low hum of the fridge droned like a restless mosquito in my ears, the sound sharper than it had any right to be. I clenched my jaw willing myself to ignore it but it cut through my thoughts like a dull blade, grating and constant.

It used to be a background hum I barely noticed just a month ago, but now...

Now it was maddening. A vibration crawling under my skin. Proof of the heightened senses I never asked for.

I sat cross-legged on the floor, tracing patterns on the dusty surface. The lightbulb, right above me, buzzed just as irritatingly as the fridge. The ticking of the clock in another room just added to the chaos in my ears.

"Was it always this loud?" I muttered under my breath.

Charlie, seated on the sofa, glanced at me over the rim of his glass. "What, the fridge?"

"It's taunting me. How do you live with this?" My hand wiped the map I was unconsciously drawing in the dust.

Charlie smirked, his expression tinged with pity. "You get used to it. Eventually, it'll all blend together. Or you'll learn to tune it out."

"It's like my head's been stuffed full of static ever since I turned."

"Welcome to the club," Charlie said with a dry chuckle, draining the last of his drink. "It only gets worse."

I sighed wishing I could drown out the noise the way Charlie drowned himself in alcohol.

Cora paced around, cradling her swollen belly. She looked tired, her eyes dulled by the sleepless nights. The weight of her pregnancy seemed to press down on her more with each passing day.

"She's not going to make it like this." I glanced back at him. "She's human. Pregnant. We can't keep running and hiding forever."

"She needs to rest," Charlie cut in, equally quiet but sharper in tone. "Not you plotting to send her back to him."

"I'm not plotting," I argued. "I'm considering options. You've seen her. She's worn out. She barely eats, she's constantly stressed, and I don't-" I exhaled sharply, "I don't know how much more she can take."

"And you think handing her back to the vampire who got her into this mess is the answer?" His eyes narrowed. "Real heroic of you."

"He's the only one who might be able to protect her and the baby. He has resources. Power. Things we don't."

"And what's the cost of that protection?" The vampire shot back, his voice low, laced with venom. "Her freedom? Her dignity? Or do you think he's suddenly going to grow a conscience and treat her like a person?"

"I can't say I know him well, but I do know that he wouldn't hurt her. She said so herself that he treated her well."

He poured another glass of wine and took a slow sip before responding. "You think she'd agree to it?"

I shook my head. "I already asked her, she rejected it."

"Nothing you can do then."

I look back at her. Dismissing her decision is the last thing I would do but she can't stay here. The baby can't be delivered here. She needs proper care and as scary as he is, Calius is a doctor.

"If I cant take her to him, I'll just bring him to her."

Charlie cough as he choked on his wine. He straightened up as he put the glass on the table quickly glancing at Cora who was still not paying attention to us. "Have you lost your mind? You can't just go and bring a member of the royal family in my house. First of all he might kill you on the sight if you approach him, second of all, he will kill me if he sees me near Cora." He wisper-yells at me.