The next day, a quick headcount from Jen revealed that Kaide was inexplicably missing. Piper yelled into a nearby radio; "Does anybody have eyes on Kaide? Come on people! Get it together! If he's not here in fifteen minutes, I want a search party looking for that boy." As Piper grew more and more frustrated, shouting at the crew members, Jen ran around the complex, trying to get the tech operational and finding out what happened to Kaide at the same time. "Right come on guys. Its been long enough, and he's clearly not here. Sammy, you're with me. Let's go find him. Wrenn, let Piper know where we've gone. Everyone else, carry on with your jobs for the day." Jen ordered as she walked out the door into the glorious sunshine with Sammy at her side.
As the sunlight hit their backs, they shared a smile, slightly strained for Sammy, but she managed it nevertheless. "Hey I know its not the best circumstances, but I'm glad we can find this time to sneak off together."
"You know we're out here to find Kaide, not just to be together." Sammy chuckled. Jen looked at her for a moment. "Well yeah, but I can't complain about the company." She looked around, carefully checking that no one was around and when she was suitably satisfied no one would recognise them, she laced her fingers around Sammy's. The intern glanced at their intertwined hands and beamed at Jen, kissing her cheek and subconsciously rubbing circles on her hand with her thumb. "Now, we should check Retiro Park. Its just a hunch, but I have a feeling."
"Who am I to question your feelings." Jen replied, following her lead with raised eyebrows.
As they approached the park, they noticed many people sitting in the sun and enjoying themselves. In her chest, Sammy felt a pang of jealousy for them and their simple lives as she delved deeper into the wooded area, letting go of Jen's hand. "I'll check around here and you check the paths, it'll be quicker if we split up." Jen nodded resolutely and strode along the path. Once she was sure her supervisor was out of sight, Sammy sprinted into the foliage, focused only on her target. The trees melted into a blur as she pushed on through the dense forest.
Suddenly, a great stench hit her nose and she reeled as if she'd been hit, but still she persisted, until she rounded a corner into a small clearing where two people lay sleeping. She cursed under her breath before shouting at them both; "Wakey wakey, guys! Come on, rise and shine!" When the forms lying on the ground stood up reluctantly and rubbed their eyes, still in a sleepy stupor, she yelled at them again. "Come on Kaide! They're looking for you. I thought you were better than this."
"Wha- Oh shoot. I must have overslept. Sorry, Lina I gotta go." He said, already running to Sammy's side. "And as for you, Lina." She spat with contempt. "I thought I smelled eau de wet dog. I just didn't realise it came with a stench of treacherous harlot." Lina raced towards her, their faces just inches apart, with a dark look in her eye. Even in her human form, Lina's mouth curled into a snarl as she set her jaw. "You can't talk, you anaemic poser. All that expensive perfume can't cover up that metallic stench. Go gargle some garlic, jerk!"
"Aw I'm sorry. Is it that time of the month?" She said in a jeering tone.
"Ugh I'm being insulted by a Twilight reject that clearly can't use a mirror."
"Stay. Good doggy." Sammy whistled as if calling to a dog.
"Bite me."
"Roll over."
"Play dead."
They both stared each other down until a voice cut through the silence. "Sammy! Sammy, I didn't lose you in here did I?"
"Hah and you call me a dog. Go run back to your master. Oh and Hammy," She said, deliberately butchering the name. "Suck this off, you TICK." She laughed, giving her the middle finger. "I'll see you tonight, Kadey." Lina called over her shoulder before sauntering further into the forest, away from them. Sammy huffed a sigh before running through the woods to the sound of the voice, pulling Kaide along after her.
"Oh, thank God. I thought I'd lost you too. I couldn't see or hear you anywhere." She said happily, gathering Sammy up in a warm hug. The intern chuckled contently, kissing the top of her head quickly before Kaide could see. They broke apart as Kaide approached from the fringe of trees. "Oh, Kaide! I, uh, didn't realise you were here. I'm glad we found you, though. Let's get you back, then." Jen muttered, clearly flustered by his presence.
* * *
A month or so later, everyone -except Piper- assembled for a large meeting in the conference room. The whole room was packed, everyone facing towards the front of the room, where Jen stood. "Okay, so I called this meeting to inform you guys about the travel situation. As most of you know, we've been looking for locations to shoot the music videos for this album. But not many of you know where we've decided to shoot them. Piper has decided that here is as good a place as any. So we're gonna be here in Madrid for a few more months to film and edit. If there's any personal items you'd like brought over for our longer term stay, email me and I'll get that sorted for you. For now, everyone get some sleep." She nodded, straightening her blazer and heading back to her office, but at the door, Sammy caught her arm. "Hey, wait up. Where are you going? You know 'everyone' includes you, too." She said, smiling and tucking a stray strand of hair behind Jen's ear. "Sammy..." She whispered, looking around nervously and pulling her into the office.
Once the door was closed, a smile lit up Jen's face, setting off a sparkle in her eyes. Her messy ponytail swung happily as she pushed the intern against the wall, leaning up to kiss her. Sammy chuckled into the kiss, her hands twisting into her tawny hair. "Its the end of the day, hun. Shouldn't you be relaxing?" Sammy asked when they broke apart. "What? This doesn't count?" She laughed, kissing her nose lightly. Sammy shook her head with a giggle, lifting Jen's chin with a finger. "Come with me." She murmured under her breath with a wink and an enticing kiss. "How can I say no to that?"
Together, they rushed out of the office, making sure no one was in the corridors they chose to make their escape. As they escaped into the real world, they both heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank God no one saw us. Now lets go." Sammy heaved, breathless as she took her girlfriend's hand, hurrying through the streets of Madrid. After a few minutes of walking, they rounded a corner to the Hotel Francisco. When she saw it, Jen broke into a smile, rolling her eyes. "Before you say anything, I only have the best of intentions." Sammy giggled, holding her hand as they walked up to her room.
Closing the door, Sammy pulled Jen over to the chair sat beside the window. As Jen giggled and took a seat on her lap, they both looked out at the outside world. "Strange isn't it? How we get so wrapped up in our own little worlds, we forget there's billions of other people out there, just as wrapped up in their worlds." Sammy introspectively murmured, looking at how the sun reached out her fingers, tenderly caressing the world below with her last breath before setting. Jen chuckled, reaching out a finger and turning the intern's head towards her. "Is that what you brought me here for? Contemplating our existence?"
Her lips curled into a smile. "How about a kiss?" Jen's lips reached up to meet hers halfway, murmuring just inches apart. "Well if you're offering." Their lips met softly as Sammy's arms wrapped around Jen's small frame and hers around Sammy's neck. It was a moment of pure bliss. For that moment, they were the only two people in the world. For that moment, she forgot who she was. For that moment, she lost control.
Two mortal blades slid from their lair in her gums, piercing her lip. Blood trickled from the cut as Sammy pulled away. Their eyes widened at the same time. Their chests heaved. Their minds span. But only one heart raced. "Jen... I- I can explain." She whimpered, her fangs still clearly visible. Tears pricked her eyes like soldiers of sorrow as she saw the fear in Jen's eyes. "Just don't freak out. Its okay. I would never intentionally hurt you. I-I love you." She sighed, reaching out to Jen, who was still sat frozen in her lap. "Look, I know this is gonna be hard to take in, that's why I didn't tell you. Just hear me out and if you don't like what I have to say, you can slap me across the face and walk out of here forever. But I have to tell you. Its not fair that I haven't. I'm just gonna do it. Just gonna rip the band aid off." She took a deep breath, tears welling in her eyes. "Jennifer Espinoza... I'm a vampire... There, I did it. I said it. I'm a vampire." She showed her fangs and slowly took her contacts out, revealing two pulsing red orbs. "All of the legends are true. We're all real. All the stories you were told about werewolves, vampires, warlocks, witches, faeries and the like... They were all true. We live in hiding, kept secret from the rest of the world. I should've told you... I'm sorry..." Sammy took another deep breath, tears now flowing down her face freely. "If you hate me now, I get it. Its totally understandable. If that's how you feel I'll quit the internship. I'll leave y-" She was interrupted by a gentle kiss, slow and passionate. Her brow furrowed as she pulled back, curious but still cringing in anticipation of a slap. When she looked down, her bleary eyes met the glistening eyes of Jen. "Never leave me, okay?" Jen whispered, cradling her face in her palm.
Her arms wrapped back around Sammy's neck. "I'll admit for a moment I was sceptical. But Sammy, I love you. I wouldn't care if you were a scaly green alien with horns. I love you and there's nothing you can do about it." She kissed her again before continuing. "In a weird sort of way, it kinda makes sense, actually. I mean no offense but sometimes you can have a little bit of an edge. I guess you're just hangry." She giggled, booping her nose. "And that weird moment a few weeks ago when the band sang that song about vampires. Oh God, babe. You must've felt so awkward and nervous just wondering if someone had figured you out." She kissed her cheek. "And actually I had noticed that every time we go out in the sun, you cringe slightly." Sammy beamed, pulling her girlfriend closer, tears running down her face still, but this time they were tears of joy. "Sounds like you've got me all figured out. You know we can't usually go out in the sun, but there's potions you can get from warlocks to help with it, still kinda hurts though. But, um, anyway. Are you sure? I mean you're not trying to sugar coat this for me, right?"
"Yes, I'm sure." She chuckled under her breath, every word filled with passion. For a moment, they both stared into each other's eyes, until Sammy suddenly moved her gaze to the floor, closing her eyes and pinching the bridge of her nose. "Jen... My eyes... I'm sorry... I forgot... I'll, um..." She muttered, reaching over to pick up her contacts. But before her fingers could grasp them, Jen's hand reached out, stopping her arm. "Sammy... no, don't. I love them. They're beautiful. You're beautiful." She whispered, her other hand reaching up to cup her face.
She moved forward to kiss her, but Sammy hesitated, their lips just inches apart. "I-I don't wanna hurt you again..." In response, Jen just rolled her eyes.
"You know I didn't mind it, right. In fact, it might be kinda fun." She laughed, leaning her neck forward invitingly. After what felt like eternity, the two toothy knives sank into her soft, silky skin. Warm crimson lifeline trickled from the wounds, staining her skin for only a split second. Jen wrapped her arms around Sammy, drawing her closer in the warmth of the Spanish night.
* * *
Meanwhile, by the statue in Plaza Mayor, Lina and Kaide met once again. "So where we off to tonight?" Kaide asked, greeting her with a kiss. She chuckled, taking his hand. "I have somewhere special for us tonight. The Darkest Light. Its a great little bar nearby. They have some... stock I think you'll like." He raised an eyebrow curiously, but let her lead him through the sun-soaked streets.
After a few minutes of walking, they approached a large, wooden door, emblazoned with 'The Darkest Light' in all capitals with the logo of a skull with a candle burning in its eye. "Cheery." Kaide snorted.
"Very. The name comes from an old saying. The darkest light is supposed to be the last light a man sees before he dies. Hence the candle." She smiled, walking into the bar. Walking through the bar like she owned it, Lina took a seat at one of the bar stools, gesturing for Kaide to come and join her. Her lips curled into a flirtatious smile as she looked up at the bartender from under her lashes. "Why, hello there, handsome... I was wondering if my friend and I could get some Unholy Flames and a Death Kiss each, thanks." She whispered, leaning over the counter. In response, he nodded with a wink, his eyes glowing a strange purple colour. "Hey, aren't I supposed to be the one you're flirting with?" Kaide tugged at her arm, shaking off the disgruntled feeling he felt when the bartender's eyes glowed. "Aw, you jealous, cutie? Its just to get us some service around here." She replied patronisingly. At that moment, the bartender reached over to hand them two deep amber drinks in old fashioned glasses and two misty black drinks in shot glasses. "Oh, hey can we also get some, uh," She looked around slowly and whispered conspiratorially. "...Nova..."
His eyes widened and his head inclined. "If you guys think you can handle it." He said, taking out two small packets discreetly. "Thanks, hun. I'll pay extra." Lina smiled slyly and settling back into her seat.
"What's Nova?" Kaide whispered to her, catching on to the fact it wasn't to be talked about openly. "Something that'll help you relax a little. Don't worry, babe. Just pour it in like so." Lina smirked, mixing the taffy pink powder from the packet into the shot expertly with a cocktail stick. Kaide furrowed his brow, but followed suit. "And then drink." She barely got out before gulping down her shot with a satisfied whoop as she pounded the table, reacting to the burn as it slid down her throat. With a raised eyebrow, Kaide guzzled his, too. As it slid down his throat, he was reduced to a hunched over coughing mess. Lina slapped his back and swept his silver hair out of his face with a chuckle. "Can't handle the burn, baby?"
"I... guess there's, cff, a reason they call it the... Death Kiss." He wheezed with a slight smile, but as he looked up, the room span. Colours seemed to blend for a few moments and grew more vibrant, pulsing with colour. "Whoa, maybe I'm not feeling so good actually..."
"Oh, relax, that's the Nova... its good stuff right?" Lina laughed, looking around at the fluctuating room.
"Oooh. Hell yeah! Lets get outta here!" Kaide slurred, giggling uncontrollably.