Vincent grabbed the cloak that Charlotte tucked around her waist, and he unfolded it, shaking it out the fluttering material that fell down the length of her body before pulling it over her shoulders.
The cloak felt like an oversized blanket, and Charlotte glanced up at him with laughter in her eyes. He smoothly pulled her hair out of the collar, making her freshly honeyed hair fall behind in a sheet of waves.
Charlotte tied the loose strings that were tipped with silver capping together into an elegant bow.
"Are we going somewhere?" she asked.
"No," he responded. "I just wanted to see you in it."
Charlotte rolled her eyes. "Sure. What are the plans today?"
"Whatever you want to do. I'm free for the day."
She brought her hands together. "Ooh. That's exciting. What shall we do?"
Vincent smirked. "I didn't think you would be this excited."
Charlotte sighed. "I do want to leave the mansion to get a breath of fresh air. It's beautiful here, but also... somewhat stifling."
He paused for a moment. "I agree."
Charlotte leaned up to brush the hair that kept going into his eyes, letting the soft strands fall between her fingers, as she softly stroked his hair. He didn't seem to hate it with the quirk on his lips.
The moment was broken when Vincent's phone kept vibrating with numerous messages, and she brought a hand to her lips to cover the laugh at Vincent's irritated expression. He was more irritable than she thought since she had always seen him as someone who was expressionless.
When they first met, he was unbothered by her circumstances, carrying the blank yet striking face that left a strong impression in her mind. She had no idea that all the bad fortunes came from the couple interactions they had. But now they were entangled in the same fate that awaited them.
Vincent finally caved and turned to take the buzzing phone out of his pocket when she lifted her hand and shooed him off. "Excuse me for a moment."
Charlotte nodded. "Go for it."
Vincent walked over to the balcony and brought the phone to his ear, making his longer bangs brush his eyes. He leaned over the railing, chatting to the receiver. Judging by Vincent's reaction, it wasn't who he was speaking with earlier, and he was clearly irritated but was smoothing it over with his gentlemanly voice to which no one could see his true emotions. Charlotte could tell from where she was standing since he was pinching his nose bridge and pacing.
Charlotte slid over to the mirror and twirled once to see how the fabric fluttered around her. The cloak was well-made and thick, clearly resistant to rain and unpredictable weather.
She strode over to where Vincent was and into his open arms when he saw her approach. Charlotte pressed her nose into the curve of his neck and sighed. It was where she felt the most comfortable. They fit together perfectly there.
"I can't make it, Lennox. I'll have to send someone over."
There was a slight pause, and Vincent lightly drummed his fingers on her arm. They were speaking while Charlotte was listening intently. Vincent suddenly stopped his movements to grip the railing. "I'll be there."
Vincent ended the call and Charlotte pulled back from his body with the wind swirling harshly around them. He had a grim expression and slipped the phone back into his pocket. Charlotte didn't get to hear most of the crucial details, but she got the gist. Someone needed Vincent to go somewhere, but Vincent didn't want to go.
"What was it?" Charlotte hesitantly asked. She didn't know if she wanted to press him, but she might as well ask.
Vincent released his hands from the railing. "Vigilantes are on the move. They have a good shot to take some out."
"Why don't you want to go?"
He glanced down at her. "We still need to figure out the situation for you, so that you can get home. But I'll need to clear them anyways since that is our end goal."
"I guess that is true," Charlotte murmured. "I never got to fully ask but vigilantes aren't another race of humans like vampires right?"
Vincent stared comically down at her. "No. They are humans. We call them vigilantes by title since they are offspring of long generations of vampire hunters."
"Oh, I understand."
"Yes, so you'll stay here for the time being."
"When will you return?"
Vincent led her inside when it started to get chilly. "I don't know."
Charlotte turns back with her hands on his chest. "What do you mean?"
"The mission may go on for a month or two."
"What?"
"It's a stakeout. We can't give out our positions at any moment. It's dangerous and must be carried forth carefully."
"That's insane, Vincent," Charlotte said, as she ran a hand through her hair. "Are you going alone?"
"To track down their whereabouts first before calling for backup."
Charlotte gripped his shirt sleeve. "Vincent..."
"Can you stay here?"
"You can't ask that of me. I want to go with you."
"Charlotte..."
"Please allow it. I don't know if I'll be of help, but I promise I won't be a nuisance."
Vincent blew out a breath, hissing out air. "You should know what I do for you, Charlotte."
"Is that a yes?"
"Yes."