I woke up in the bed Matthew had provided for me, restless and wired. My body was tired, but I couldn’t sleep any longer. I hadn’t even slept much during what had been left of the night or into the early morning. After my experiences at Sisters of Mercy, I didn’t know if I’d ever get a good night’s sleep again.

Matthew had kept to his word and didn’t leave on the errand he’d mentioned. I’d changed into the Rolling Stones nightshirt he’d also provided while he was on the phone and was already tucked in bed by the time he returned. It felt good to be in his presence again; even though he was made from the same curse as the other monsters in the hospital, I didn’t see him that way. I saw him as a kind, gentle person, felt safe with him and didn’t want him to leave my side. I needed him with me to be able to comfortably close my eyes at all.

So, Matthew stayed in the room with me. He kicked off his shoes and scooted onto the bed beside me, though he remained above the covers. He kissed me goodnight and I did my best to get some sleep, which didn’t come easy. It wasn’t until he wrapped a strong arm over me that I felt the needed security to finally drift off.

However, he wasn’t here when I awoke. I was alone in the cold room with the door closed. The curtains were drawn, but sunlight still seeped in around the edges, bathing the room in a soft glow.

I padded over to the adjoining bathroom and splashed tepid water on my face. My eyes looked dark, haunted, and tired, but I was starting to get used to myself without makeup, so didn’t even go for what I had in my purse to conceal some of the bags under my eyes. I released the messy bun and combed through my hair with my fingers. It was still matted with dried blood, so I wet my hands and did the best I could without jumping in the shower.

Wandering back into the bedroom, I checked out the closet and didn’t find any new clothes, but a pair of white bathrobes. Instead of changing back into my dirty things, I put one of the bathrobes over my nightshirt and ventured out of the room.

The massive apartment was as quiet as a tomb. All the curtains were drawn, but they weren’t as thick as the bedroom ones; they still allowed light into the rooms, just not direct sunlight.

“Matthew?” I called, but received no response.

As I entered the formal dining room, I noticed another silver tray in the spot where I’d sat the night before. A steepled white card stood atop the cloth napkin beside the tray. I walked over and picked it up. Inside was a note with perfect, elegant penmanship, which read: “Good morning, my sweet. Please enjoy some breakfast and relax. I didn’t know what you would like best, so I ordered a variety of food. I will be home before you know it. Matthew.”

I removed the lid from the silver tray and found he wasn’t kidding. There was French toast, pancakes, eggs, assorted meats, breads, fruits, and oatmeal. It was enough food for an entire family—no way I could eat it all alone. On the opposite side of the tray was a sealed thermos and empty coffee mug. I unscrewed its cap and poured the steaming contents into the mug. The coffee had already been mixed with creamer, so it was light and frothy. When I took a sip, I quickly realized it wasn’t just coffee with creamer, but a white mocha, not exactly like the ones I used to make at work, but wonderfully delicious all the same. I was so touched that Matthew had remembered such a personal detail.

I wasn’t more than a few bites into my decadent breakfast when Matthew came strolling into the dining room, carrying my suitcase.

“Good morning—or should I say, afternoon,” he said with a beaming smile, as he set the bag beside the table. “I hope there was something in there that you like.”

“You didn’t have to do all this. I would have been good with coffee and cereal,” I said. “However, the white mocha was a nice touch.”

“I couldn’t remember the exact specifications, but I did my best in directing the kitchen staff.” He pulled out the chair across from me and sat down. “I’m assuming you have some usable clothes in there—I didn’t look—didn’t want to go snooping through your stuff. Hopefully, what you have will work for now.”

The sight of my suitcase got me thinking about what was coming next. I wanted to know what my fate was with the True North Society and wanted to see Mom and my friends. As much as I also wanted to stay here with Matthew, I didn’t want to feel I was being held prisoner. I knew I couldn’t have it all but wanted some semblance of my normal life back.

“My mother must be worried sick,” I said. “When can I go home to her? You said last night it wasn’t safe.”

“Yes, well…” He looked away and his jaw grew tight. “I needed to make sure whoever came for you in Sisters of Mercy last night, didn’t have anyone else staking out your apartment.”

“What about my mother? Is she safe?”

“I have eyes on your apartment to ensure everyone’s safety,” Matthew assured me.

“That vampire last night, he said I was being punished for something my mother did. Do you know what he was talking about?” I asked.

He looked almost sad when he replied. “I have no idea. What would a vampire want with your mother?”

I shrugged. “From what I heard during my stay in the hospital, apparently there’s a lot I don’t know about my mother.”

“What did you hear? From whom?” Now he looked intrigued.

“Mallory,” I said.

This took him aback. “What does Mallory know about your mother?”

“A great deal, it seems,” I said, but I didn’t want to retell the shameful story Mallory had related to me. It felt too personal. “I don’t really want to talk about it, but let’s just say she’s not the saint I thought she was.”

“Parents rarely are,” Matthew said with an empathetic expression on his face. “But did it have anything to do with vampires?”

No,” I laughed. “Nothing like that. Just normal family drama.” I stopped to take a sip from my white mocha. “You’ve never told me anything about your parents.”

“That’s true,” he said, sitting back in his chair and folding his arms across his solid chest. “They’ve been gone a long time—both having died on the space station. Obviously, I couldn’t bring anything with me when I came here. I tried carrying some pictures, but they were erased as soon as I crossed through the portal.”

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“It was a long time ago now.”

“Do you still miss them?”

“I have my memories, as well as constant little reminders of who they were and what they wanted for me.”

“And what did they want for you?”

“To live—to live beyond the confines of the station and get to experience the best time in human history.” Matthew paused, his eyes burning into mine for a moment before turning his gaze to the far wall.

“Well, you did that. You made it off the station and look at everything you’ve accomplished. I think they would be very proud of what you’ve become.”

“What I’ve become,” he said, sadly.

“You know what I mean. Who you’ve become,” I clarified.

“No; you were right the first time.”

The conversation had quickly gotten depressing, causing me to make a mental note not to bring up his parents again—at least not in casual conversation. So I moved to change the subject.

“What do I have to do next for the True North Society?” I asked. “My candidacy isn’t over, is it?”

“I will talk with President Bolt this afternoon. We need to get the matter of you and Mallory figured out, so you both can hopefully move forward.”

“Can I come with you?” I asked, then picked up a slice of buttered toast.

“I don’t know if that’s the best idea.”

“What about getting a training session in? I need to make up for lost time, right?” I asked.

Matthew looked me over, then nodded. “I think that would be a fantastic idea. Get dressed and we’ll go.”

I scarfed down a few more bites of food, then grabbed my suitcase and headed for the bedroom to change. I had to show Janice that after everything she’d put me through, I was still as dedicated as ever and wasn’t going to quit. I was here to stay, whether she liked it or not.