The sound of the rain on the umbrella slightly distracted me from the words of the preacher as we all stood around Shane's casket. Daniel had his arm wrapped protectively around me as he held the umbrella. Tammy stood next to me, under the umbrella that her husband held. Her hand squeezed mine as tears rolled freely down her face. I was thankful for a dark day; it would have been damn near impossible to explain to Tammy why I wouldn't have been here.
After the preacher was done saying his piece, I watched in silent agony as my friend's casket was lowered slowly into his grave. Everything in me wanted to scream, to cry, to rip that bitch's throat out and watch her choke on her own blood. I did my damnedest to keep it together, but I was never good with death or funerals. I felt like I was at my mother's service all over again and the heartache I felt physically hurt me.
The angry thoughts were starting to intrude, many of them about myself. I should have been able to find him. I should have tried harder. Why couldn't I save him? Why was I so useless?
Useless doesn't describe you in the slightest, metuka sheli.
I felt love and warmth course through me as I looked up into Daniel's loving eyes. The stormy gray of his eyes swirled like the clouds above us. I gave him a tiny smile of thanks, kissing his cheek lightly. I stepped closer to the grave and tossed a single rose down. I blew a small kiss to my friend's casket and turned away, Daniel's arm wrapping around me. My head lay against him as we came upon Tammy, who was speaking to Shane's mother and father.
"There you are, sweetie pie." Tammy leaned in and gave me a tight hug. "I don't think I'd have been able to be here without you."
"Same, Mom." I nodded. "You know how I am with funerals."
"I know." She smiled at me. "I'm so proud of you for facing your fears."
"Thanks, Mom."
Tammy gave me one last hug before turning to Daniel. "Take care of my girl." She pointed a motherly finger at him.
"You have my word, she's treated like the queen she is." Daniel bowed his head slightly.
Tammy nodded in approval before giving me a wink and taking her leave. Daniel and I did the same very soon after, much to my relief. As peaceful as cemeteries were, they weren't exactly my idea of relaxing.
Most of the ride home was quiet, but I was okay with it this time. I didn't really have much to talk about anyway. Well, that and my mind was racing at breakneck speed again. Daniel had warned me of vampires like this, like his dearly departed parents. I was also aware that the territory, for lack of a better term, belonged to him and Mikhail. Their rules? No killing would be tolerated. Period. So, for someone to blatantly disregard their law, from what I remembered, was punishable by death.
The thought sent a small chill across my skin. I had witnessed quite a bit of that as of late. I guess that's what I deserved for complaining that my life was too quiet and boring.
Careful what you wish for and all that, right? A slightly amused voice floated around in my mind. I simply gave his hand a squeeze just as his phone rang.
"Mik." He answered. "Everything was perfect, thank you. She's holding up as okay as can be expected. I don't know. Let me check with her." He took the phone from his ear. "Mik wants to know if we want to join him for a drink."
I thought about it for a moment before nodding. "I don't think I need to be home right now, honestly. I'm too antsy."
Daniel nodded and brought the phone back to his ear. "We're on our way."
Mikhail made good on his "promise", looking quite cleaned up and dapper this go around. A full three-piece suit, blood red with black accents, right down to the shoes. As we stepped into his grand office, he stood to his feet from behind his desk.
"Daniel, my friend." A hand clapped on Daniel's back. "I appreciate you coming by." He turned to me, taking my hand tightly into his and placing a kiss on the back of it. "My deepest condolences, Printsessa. Your friend should not have suffered so. For that, I apologize."
"It wasn't your fault, Mikhail." I waved him off. "Same goes for Daniel."
"No, no." Mikhail shook his head. "This is our territory and we have allowed it to be infiltrated. Now, you have lost your friend. I will make this right, you have my word."
I nodded in appreciation as he finally released my hand. Mikhail led us to a small table at the far end of the room, with three chairs. Another door near the table opened and in strolled a scantily clad woman, carrying a silver tray with a decanter and glasses. She set the tray on the table and looked to Mikhail with a seductive grin. He simply waved her off, making the woman pout. Her eyes immediately darted to me and she let out a small hiss. I simply arched my brow at this little waif of a thing as I suddenly wondered just how pissed Mikhail would be if I "accidentally" snapped her in half. My thoughts were interrupted by a warning growl from Mikhail. The vampiress stepped back and scurried from the room quickly, her eyes wide as dinner plates. Mikhail simply shook his head as he poured drinks.
"Some of these new bloods." He sighed. "They get a little power and suddenly, they think they're above rules."
"Glad I wasn't that ambitious." I snickered, taking a sip from my glass.
"Yes," Mikhail chuckled, his eyes watching me intently, "Daniel tells me you were quite the willing and attentive student."
I suddenly felt self-conscious, lowering my gaze to my glass. "Just wanted to be smart about it, is all. Nothing terribly special."
"Not true, darling." Daniel chimed in. "That's what keeps the balance and what keeps us alive. I couldn't be prouder of you."
My heart swelled with joy. It meant the world to me to know that I had made Daniel so proud. My love suddenly stood to his feet, quickly downing the rest of the blood in his glass.
"Back momentarily." He announced, looking deep in thought. "I wanted to check with our 'residents' on a couple things."
"We excitedly await your return, my friend." Mikhail answered, raising his glass slightly.
I'll be back as soon as I can. I was sent feelings of warmth and love as he smiled down at me. I nodded and off he trotted.
I took another big gulp of blood as I could feel Mikhail's eyes falling back to me. It would have been a lie to say I wasn't nervous to be around this man, who looked like he wanted to add me to his "collection". The thought turned my stomach, but I willed myself to stay polite.
"How long have you known Daniel?" I attempted to strike up conversation.
Mikhail looked deep in thought before answering. "I met Daniel right after he was turned." He answered nostalgically. "We were a couple of hellions back then."
"How long ago was 'back then'?" I ventured, genuinely interested.
"I'm sure he's told you how old he is. It was so much easier to get away with mischief, then. Then the Roarin' 20s came along and oh, boy." Mikhail smiled proudly at my wide-eyed expression.
"The-the 20s?" I stuttered excitedly. "I love the 20s! What was it like? Was it everything I dreamed it was?"
Mikhail laughed heartily at my childlike wonder. "Don't be fooled by the rose-colored glasses, Printsessa. It had its ample share of bullshit, but the good times were plenty as well." My storyteller took another sip from his glass. "Lavish parties almost every night with a beautiful woman on each arm. We were like kings."
"Sounds like a dream." I chuckled into my glass.
"It was, for a moment." Mikhail suddenly looked miles away. "I even met the love of my life back then."
"You? Tied to one woman?" I giggled. "I didn't even think that was possible."
Mikhail joined in my laughter. "What can I say? I like to surround myself with beauty." He eyed me above his glass as he took another sip. "But, once upon a time, she was the only beautiful thing I ever wanted or needed. I felt like I was on top of the world when she was with me." Mikhail stared into his glass. "Our time was short, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world."
"I'm sorry." I said sheepishly. "She must've been something special to be able to tie you down."
"You have no idea." Mikhail smirked, still staring into his glass. "You remind me a lot of her, honestly."
"I-I do?" I stammered.
"She was strong, resourceful, intelligent, with such an air of innocence." Mikhail's eyes traveled to me once again. "The likes of which I hadn't seen in a long while. That is, until I met you." He leaned forward, seeming to stare into my soul. "Daniel is so lucky to have found such a precious jewel. I envy him very much. He should take special care to watch over you, always, lest someone try to steal you away."
I found myself unable to look away from Mikhail, his sharp blue eyes seeming to deepen in color. Those pools were entrancing, and I could feel my hands shaking. I felt like a silly little school girl who somehow caught the attention of the most popular boy in school. After what felt like an eternity and a metric ton of effort, I finally tore my eyes from him.
"I'm sure he feels the same way." I answered quietly, my eyes staring intently at my shaking hands. "I appreciate the kind words."
"My apologies, Printsessa." Mikhail chuckled. I saw him lean back in his seat out of the corner of my eye. "I had no intention of making you uncomfortable."
I lifted my gaze to meet his after a couple seconds and managed a smile. "It's fine. I've just never had anyone speak about me like that. Outside of Daniel, of course."
"Such a shame." Mikhail mused before emptying the contents of his glass.
At that moment, Daniel came rushing back in and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. Mikhail looked up at him with a smirk. Daniel gave him a small nod and took his place back in the chair next to me. He looked at me, an eyebrow arched. I turned to him, mirroring his look. He let out a small "hmm" before turning to Mikhail.
"Apparently, this isn't the first appearance she's made." He began his explanation as Mikhail refilled his glass. "She's been seen around, but for the most part, she's kept a low profile."
"Until now." Mikhail added with a sneer.
"Until now." Daniel agreed. "We've got eyes out for her now, though."
"She'll rue the day she showed her face in this city and hurt those closest to me." Mikhail raised his glass to us both. We did the same, all of us emptying our glasses.