CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

The room falls silent, and so is Doctor Luke.

A faint but steady growl has me shivering. I look in the direction of the noise to see Dante going wild. He hinges the corner of his lips, baring his now elongated fang.

More afraid than myself, doctor Luke starts assembling his stuff, perfectly playing pretense. Done, he turns to excuse himself and away from our troubles.

My heart drops, and as little as a minute alone with Dante in this state would be the end of me, not a doubt about it.

Oddly, the noise dies down. Bless goddess.

Dante doesn't repeat himself, he simply strolls toward Doctor Luke, intimidating him with his height and obviously ... looks.

Doctor Luke stops on his track, trying every means possible to mask his fears, but his trembling feet give him up. He starts backward, one step at a time, still mute. I feel pity for him.