Mika looks flabbergasted, unlike Sean, who snorts, "what would you know?"
I take a step towards him, "more than you'd like."
"Come back with us," Mika pleads.
"Rafael said I needed a Clan," I take a step back, "I found one."
Sean laughs, "of course, you'd pick them."
"Considering this regards my safety," I cock my head to the side, "I'd say they're the better choice, unlike the cesspool Rafael wanted me to join."
"I'm glad to hear," Marcus drapes his arms over Carmilla and me hugging us towards him, "after all you left quite an impression," the look he gives Sean and Mika would make grown men cry, "are you children lost?"
"You…
Mika stops Sean from speaking, "Lord Marcus, it's lovely to see you."
Marcus gives her a bored look, "can't say I agree," he turns his attention to us, "now, are you ladies done, I've made reservations."
"Where?" I ask
Carmilla laughs, "Your excitement will always amaze me."
Marcus smiles at me, "it's a surprise, don't worry, you can eat till your heart's desire."
I turn, taking his arm into my hands, "then what are we waiting for."
Without a second look, I let Marcus lead me away, "don't worry, someone already took your bags to the manor," he sends.
"Stop doing that," I send back.
"No," he gives me a side look. Once outside, we climb into yet another expensive-looking car.
"Carmilla will meet us there," he closes my door and walks over to his side. Once inside, he starts the engine, "thanks for playing along."
"It's always come easily," I lean my head against the window.
"You should be an actress," he says.
I sit up, "Do they even exist anymore?"
"Yup," he makes a turn the stops at a red light, "just because the government has taken over the media doesn't mean acting is dead. Most have gone back to the old ways."
"You do realize the old ways to me have two meanings," I say, "old ways like my when my parents were growing up and old ways like when you were first around."
That last remark earns me a flick on the forehead, "I'd argue I'm not that old, but I'd be lying."
"Whose Naran?" I ask.
Marcus tenses a bit, "What?"
"Carmilla and Drishika said you know him and that he Sired them," something makes me want to know more, "is he your Sire to?"
He relaxes his hold on the steering wheel, "Naranbaatar is my uncle, my Sire and him where lovers. She turned me thinking it would please him."
"I take it, it didn't."
"Naranbaatar Rurik does not like surprises and while he had promised his sister to watch over her bloodline. He also promised not to turn any of her descendants, unless we asked him to."
"What happened then?"
Marcus laughs, "Seraphina was persistent in being with him, they had a love-hate relationship," he pauses for a moment, "when she died Naran lost his mind. No longer carrying for the coven they had founded, he walked into the sunlight, but by then he was too old to die."
"Wait, you're telling me because he's ancient he can't die?"
"I didn't say that," Marcus makes another turn before parking, "the sun while it bothered his eyes will not kill him. Now, beheading would kill him, but then again, who wouldn't that kill."
He steps out of the car and comes around to open my door, "So, where is he?"
"Carmilla doesn't like to wait," he points towards a candlelit patio.
"How did she get here before us?" I follow him inside.
"You made me take a wrong turn," Marcus smiles at the faun before us.
"When?"
"When you asked about Naran," we follow the faun to a table set up next to a fire pit.
Carmilla occupies one of the four chairs set up, "you're late," she says with a small smile.
"My apologies," a male voice resonates from behind me.
"Don't let it happen again," Carmilla rises to greet the stranger, "Eicca meet Lilith."
Eicca takes my hand and kisses my knuckles, "you are enchanting."
I just stare at him, his voice is so deep and his eyes, the left one is green and the right ruby.
"How?" I ask, unable to contain my curiosity.
"How are yours like fire?" he asks.
Marcus clears his throat and takes my hand out of Eicca's, "why don't we sit?"
"Old friend, don't worry," Eicca pats Marcus's shoulder, "I already married."
"And what a shame that is," Carmilla winks at me, "don't worry, Eicca, when she grows old and dies, I'll be waiting."
Eicca turns to Carmilla, "that joke is never funny."
I take my seat between Carmilla and Marcus, "she's not serious, is she?"
"Unfortunately, she is," Marcus hands me a menu, "order whatever you like."
"I've spent a lot of your money," I open the menu and avoid looking at him.
Marcus lets out a laugh, "Don't worry, you'll pay it off."