Free Wuthering Frights by H.P. Mallory

life, something that wanted to invalidate any and all associations with my friends because I realized I was now a different person. Even worse, knowing me could be detrimental to their wellbeing. I mean, who knew what sorts of power trips Melchior could hold over my head now? He already had Knight for insurance, so it wasn't too much of a stretch to imagine Sam or Dia could be next. Yep, my father had me exactly where he wanted me, and that was a desperate place to be.
    Trying to avoid the naked truth in my thoughts, I searched the fridge for something to eat, but it was just as bare as it had been the last time I'd opened it when Knight had visited after his release from the Netherworld.
    Knight ... just the image of him filled my gut with a deep-rooted sorrow, and a tremor that rattled me. I felt like I’d soon cave into a puddle of jelly.
    At the sound of my doorbell, I pulled myself together, forced myself to put on my poker face and see why the hell someone was visiting so late. The fact that my alone time was now nonexistent was really getting old. I huffed over to the front door, expecting to find Quill or Baron and checked the peephole, instantly recognizing Bram. A sense of guilt washed over me as I remembered I'd never paid Bram a visit to tell him I was okay. And that was bad—especially after he'd acted as my guide and protector in the Netherworld.
    With a sheepish smile, I pulled the door open and found the dashing vampire glaring at me. "Then it is true?" he asked, pushing past me and showing himself into my living room.
    "What's true?" I asked as I closed the door behind us. I was actually happy to see Bram. Somehow, along the course of our Netherworld adventure, I'd actually grown fond of the vampire. If nothing else, he was definitely amusing.
    "That you have escaped the Netherworld and returned to Splendor." With his raised brows and frown, he looked pissed off. There was something livid in his eyes, which surprised me. I mean, even though it wasn't exactly polite that I'd failed to inform him that I was back, I didn't imagine he'd be this bent out of shape.
    "Oh, yeah, it's true." I took a deep breath and caught his eye. "About that, I, uh, had been meaning to come by and tell you."
    "And yet it appears you did not find the time?" he chided, crossing his arms against his chest.
    That was basically the short of it, but it wasn't like I could tell Bram exactly what I'd been up to. Yes, I'd never painted Bram as a "good guy," but I also was fairly convinced he was nowhere near the likes of a Baron or even my father. Nope, Bram basically ran in his own circle.
    "I'm sorry, Bram," I started, shaking my head, not really knowing what I could say to lessen the blow of my obvious bad manners.
    "Perhaps I was not important enough?" he pouted. Jeez, he was really wringing everything he could out of this. But, I guess I deserved it.
    "I really was meaning to come tell you," I said in as sincere a voice as I could. "I feel really terrible about it, I mean it."
    "I see," he grumbled but I could tell his mood was lightening. Note to self: apparently Bram likes panderers.
    "How did you find out that I was back, anyway?" I asked, trying to change the subject because there was only so much ass-kissing I was prepared to do. And where Bram was concerned, I'd already reached my limit.
    "I make the goings on in Splendor my business, sweet," he answered and when he called me by my pet name, I guessed he was well on his way to forgiving me. Forgiving me was important because I wanted to keep Bram on my good side. He wasn't the type of person to have as an enemy. Nope, he was powerful. Just how powerful, though, I wasn't sure, but that's exactly what I intended to find out.
    "And I was quite concerned with your whereabouts," he continued, inspecting his fingernails as he spoke. "It has been the only subject to occupy my mind."
    "I'm sorry," I said again, trying to belabor the point. "I really am, Bram."
    He said nothing for a few