Growing up I have always been grateful and humble thanks to my parents and those around me. Volunteering together is something that makes all of us happy and keeps our heads on our shoulders. Even with volunteering if it weren't for our monthly ladies gathering, I probably would be crazy by now! Kim has told me that same thing. After everything that happened, I was concerned that they would stop or be postponed. "Of course, we will have our meeting Dae! Nothing's changed." Mama had told me. It's like therapy for me…these meetings with only the girls. We talk about everything from our daily lives to our vacation plans. Things can be taken away…but this time that we spend together….is my everything.
"Since our last meeting many things have changed."
"I'll say! Girl! Are yaw aliens?"
"Yes."
"So, what that make us? Hybrids? Half and half…. what?" I can't help but chuckle under my breath thinking how much alike Kim and her mama are.
"Yes…and no, Sera. Your entire genetic makeup has been altered so there are no longer any traces of the human genome within you. And the children have never been human."
"Wow! Shut up! Why do I feel stupid for not realizing this about myself?"
"I know right! It really makes me feel some type of way." Kim chimes in.
"I always knew we were different. I don't crave blood like the Vamps do." Says Noko.
"Noko. You're just odd…PERIOD!"
"Ouch Sera. That hits right here." Aunt Wendy points a finger on her heart. I would say that Noko and Aunt Wendy are similar in that they are both eccentric. But Noko's outspokenness definitely comes from Uncle Bernard.
"Oh mah god Wendy! Announce yourself next time! I almost didn't see you!"
Everyone laughs.
"But I've been here….the whole time…."
"Grrfffhhzz….oh! Did you say something? I feel asleep because you…tallllkkk….sooo…sloowwww…."
"Hahahahahhahahaha…."
Yea, this is definitely my therapy!
****
These meetings are not bad, I mean we get to really know each other and grow closer. But the meetings with Master Lucian are more calming for me. Sebastian and I are still on duty during these meetings. It still feels like work, I don't even feel comfortable pouring a drink.
"Here you are, Daniel." His soft voice resonates in my ears. I turn to see him standing next to Master Marques. Master Damarcio appears beside him and smiles at me before taking a seat across from Master Christian.
The smell of whiskey fills my nose. I close my eyes thinking back on our meeting a few days ago. As I open them up, I say thank you to Master Lucian.
The two of them smile at me and walk to the bay window. Since being among them I've observed many things and one that I've noticed over the years is that the three of them are extremely close. Am I the only one that notices? Sebastian never said anything but he tries not to talk about any of them. He always says that it doesn't concern him and only focuses on his duties.
I look around for Peter and walk over to him and Michael on the other side of the room.
"Hey Daniel!" I can never get over that brash voice of his!
"Hi Michael, Peter…."
"We were just talking about your new servant in training."
"Really?"
"Yes, I was telling him what a great candidate we have for butlerhood." A bright smile appears on Peter's face. The two of them have become close, but they were close after Matthew very first arrived here.
"Well, he is very good with his duties…"
"…And I hear he was an excellent groomer!"
"Yes, that's true."
"He was amongst the best we have."
"But the one filling his spot is great too." I beam thinking about it.
"I'm actually surprised by that one." He looks from me to Michael then back to me.
"It surprised everyone that he ever served Master Marques. But he proved to be quite capable." I nod my head. Peter nods his and takes a sip of the drink in his hand.
My mind goes to memories of him serving Master Marques. I try to steal a glance of him. He hasn't noticed. When the two of them are together it's as though no one else exists. They are both laughing gaily. Master Lucian glimpses me for a moment. I smile wearily, he smiles back. I return my attention to the two in front me.
"How are things at the mansion?"
"Things are going well, Master Damarcio…."
"Pffft…."
They both turn their heads to look at him.
"You have a different opinion, Alexander?" Master Damarcio says.
"It's just…those people from the broken covens are going around forming little..um…groups like high schoolers…what's the word?"
"…Cliques."
"Yea and causing rifts between everyone there. The harmony that we had built is slowly deteriorating."
"Is that so?" Master Demetrio says, peering over at him having stopped his conversation with Master Tatsuya.
"We didn't want to bother you, Master Damarcio with something as trivial as this." Master Christian's voice is shaking a little as looks at him then Master Demetrio before vowing his head.
Master Alexander has lowered his head too and is sitting there fiddling with his fingers on his glass.
"Don't overthink it father. I'm sure that they can handle this little discourse on their own." He grins slightly looking at the two of them.
They look back up and nod their heads in sync.
*****
"Cisla!"
"Hi everyone!"
"Hi!"
"It's really good to have you back, Cisla."
"It's good to be back."
"Yes, we've missed you."
How do you feel about him being back?
What do you mean how I feel? I feel the same as everyone…. happy.
Pfftt…. does it?
What, Lucian?
I'm just saying…
Wasn't he just a pawn anyway? I can't really blame him for what he did.
And Ahriman?
Ah…that's a different story.
Hmm….
I've forgiven him already…but…I will never forget what he did to me….to us…
Okay, that's good enough for me.
That guy…how did Vastava convince him to do all of that anyway? Eehh…do I really want to know? As long as I have them, I'm fine. What good would knowing do me anyway? But I don't like this secret that Lucian keeps from me…I wish I knew that. I feel that he can't trust me. Not yet anyway.
****
So, we just finished up having our meeting, but I can hear the men are still having theirs in the study. The girls and I walk past, the doors are wide open. I can see the twins each standing with their significant other in deep conversation. They're talking about the growth of the company and its future potential. Bleh! I'm so not interested in that stuff. All the guys ever do is talk about business or world news.
"Ah, I want some ice cream!"
"But we just ate cookies."
"So, you know I like them better together with ice cream."
"Um, yea but you ate all yours."
"Then gimme some of yours!"
"No way! No one told you to be pig!"
"You guys! Stop it! Urgh."
Ice cream it is. Noko finally gave in and shared two of her cookies with Kim. Even though Kim is Seiji's mate and all I think we got closer. She told me instantly the moment she lost her v-card. Lucian and I did it on my birthday night and wow! He was definitely experienced like I thought, but it helped me a lot that he was. It's nice. Everything between us is pretty much the same as before except for that. He spends most of his time with Jakartha and Alexa. Jakartha will pop at any moment now. Wait…. now that I think about it…that was Scott next to him! How did I mess that up! Jakartha has been resting in his room for the past week and doesn't move around much. Why was Scott in there? Even if he's David's slave now they aren't allowed in those meetings.
Hmm…. maybe because his dad is a First Council member, he gets special treatment. No wonder other slaves kinda hate him! And he's our friend to boot so he always eats with us. Ah! Makes sense!