I sat and listened to this tale that Daniel weaved for me, barely noticing that my mouth started slacking open. It was odd to hear that there were legitimately people back then that would throw themselves at us, knowing full well what we were and knowing it could be the last thing they ever did. It made me wonder if there were still people with that mentality walking around. Then it hit me that I grew up in a time when vampires became sexy and alluring.
That's probably how Mikhail gets so many "donations". I mused to myself.
"Not exactly." Daniel answered. "There are some of our kind in pretty much all facets of the world, many of which who are quite powerful."
"Oh." I nodded slowly. "So, there is probably a good chance I've run into a vampire and not even known it."
"Oh, most definitely, dearest." His hands were massaging my feet and I almost instantly felt all kinds of relaxed. "It's nothing to worry about. Those of us that like to blend in aren't the same as our "fuck the world" relatives. They don't kill, but they either see suppliers like Mikhail or they have their own personal donors."
"Wow. There's a lot about us I have to learn." I answered quietly, laying back and closing my eyes.
"I'll help you learn, beautiful." I could hear the smile in his voice, as I felt him position himself on top of me.
I looked up at him, his stormy eyes swirling with life. I simply smiled at him, placing a kiss on his forehead. He laid his head on my chest as I toyed with his hair. After a few moments, I heard the peaceful measured breathing telling me he was asleep. I followed suit not too long after.
I had no idea how long I was asleep for, but I seemed to find myself in the comfort of my bed. I sat up just as Daniel came through the door, two glasses in his hand.
"I didn't know if you felt like going out tonight."
I smiled sweetly to my love as he handed me a glass. He climbed into bed next to me and we both sat and watched the moon rise in the sky. As we sat there in each other's arms, I listened for any indication of Edie, but I found none.
"Gone hunting." Daniel answered, reading my thoughts. "She's grown to love her newfound independence."
"Much to the dismay of her dear big brother." I added, kissing his cheek.
Daniel simply sighed and nodded in agreement. He laid his head on my shoulder, his eyes glued to the moon looming just outside our French doors.
"She's growing up faster than I can keep up." He admitted. "It's taking some getting used to."
"The little girl who needed you for everything is now spreading her wings and taking our world by storm."
Daniel chuckled. "You make it sound like she's trying to take over the world."
"A girl's gotta have a goal, right?" I smirked, sipping from my glass.
"Indeed." He quietly growled, nuzzling into my neck.
I arched my brow, making quick work of the blood in my glass. I set the glass down before pouncing on Daniel, my mouth ravenously capturing his. I could feel him smirk against my lips as he began to lean back onto the bed. Our fun was short lived at the sound of voices in the hallway. I pulled away from Daniel, both of us tilting our heads to listen. One voice, we automatically recognized as Edie's, but there was another that was alien to us both.
I quickly vaulted from bed, Daniel close on my heels. I whipped open the door and peered into the hall. Edie was almost to her room, her arm linked with another woman's.
"Edie?" Daniel called out.
Both turned around, looking like two deer in headlights at first, before Edie broke into a smile. She ran up to us and gave us each a hug.
"I made a new friend!" She announced proudly, running back to grab the young woman. "This is Ana. She's new to town and you wouldn't believe the hell she had to go through to get here! Her makers were almost just like Mom and Dad." Edie quickly put a hand over her mouth, that wide-eyed expression returning. "I-I mean like Damien and Nadine." She corrected herself quietly.
"It's okay, Edie." Daniel gently reminded her. "Don't worry about it. Ana, it's a pleasure to meet you and hopefully our city has been welcoming to you."
"Yes, very." Ana nodded excitedly. "I ran into Edie while she was hunting the other night and decided to help her out. Turns out, I've found a friend."
"I'm happy to hear that, lovely." I smiled at the two. "Well, don't let us keep you. You girls have fun."
"We will!" They chimed in unison before turning around and strolling back toward Edie's room.
Daniel and I ducked back into our room, feeling a bit of a change in the atmosphere. We looked at each other quizzically before we made our way back to our bed. We both sat there, staring at the far wall, ridiculously lost in thought.
"It's finally happened." I finally broke the silence.
"We've become parents?" Daniel ventured.
"Like actual parents." I answered. "This feels weird."
"Our little bean is all grown up." Daniel frowned deeply. "I... I don't think I'm ready. Is that what I'm feeling?"
"That sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach that you're no longer important or needed, which is something that all parents experience because their offspring usually treat them as such?"
I could see Daniel nodding out of the corner of my eye. "Is this what being a parent is like?"
"I suppose so." I nodded.
"I don't like it." His head rested on my shoulder. "It hurts."
"It's a painful, thankless job, my love." I patted his head lovingly. "Someone has to do it though."
"I appreciate your sacrifice, my dear." Daniel chuckled.
"And I appreciate yours." I smirked.
I had my first peaceful sleep in quite a long time that morning. I woke just as the sun finished setting in the horizon. I stretched like a content cat and turned to Daniel, who wasn't quite awake just yet. I smiled down at my sleepyhead, running my fingers through his messy hair. I placed light kisses on his forehead, the tip of his nose, then his lips. That seemed to be the one to stir him. He smiled at me sleepily, gracing me with another, much longer, kiss.
"Someone seems to be feeling a bit better." His husky voice mused.
"A good night's sleep will do that to you." I giggled, preparing to lift myself from the bed.
Daniel let out a little mock whine as he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me back into bed. He made a trail of nibbles and kisses from my jawline to my shoulder. I giggled, trying to playfully wiggle my way out of his grasp. Daniel just laughed sleepily as he rested his chin on my shoulder.
"I feel like going out tonight." I said, looking out the French doors at the cloudy night. "I'm feeling a little antsy. We haven't gone out in a few nights and the cabin fever is setting in."
"As my lady wishes." Daniel sighed happily, taking his time getting himself out of bed.
I looked through my armoire, more picky than usual about my chosen outfit. I finally decided on a little black keyhole dress and a red rose clip for my hair. I matched this with my favorite pair of red stilettos and a red clutch. I turned to Daniel, who was dressed in a red button up with black dress slacks.
"We're really doing this?" I laughed, hands falling to my hips.
"Doing what?" He smirked, fixing the cuff-links on his wrist.
"The couple's matching thing?" I pointed to myself then to him. "We're really doing this?"
"Why not?" Daniel shrugged. "I think we look damned good when we match."
"I can't argue with that logic." I nodded. "Are you ready, my love?"
"Always, my darling." He smiled, offering his arm to me.
Hamilton Street was alive and electric, as it was every Friday night. Even in the crisp night air, the ladies mirrored me with their short skirts and dresses.
Beauty knows no pain, I guess. I heard a chuckle circle in my mind as I peeked over at Daniel. He gave me a wink as we came to our favorite bar. Daniel opened the door for me and the music blasted into my ears, slightly disorienting me for a split second. That was one thing I needed to work on getting used to quickly. We strolled in, arm in arm, getting glances and double takes from pretty much everyone in attendance. It actually gave my ego quite the boost, knowing I was finally one of the beautiful people that the world desired. I almost didn't notice that it brought out a bit of a strut in my walk.
We came to our favorite booth, which was surprisingly empty despite how popular the bar was. I turned to Daniel, puzzled, but he simply answered my inquisition with another wink. He bowed low, allowing me inside first. As Daniel seated himself next to me, a waiter came up to us, carrying two glasses filled with dark red liquid. The smell of blood floated to my nose as I grabbed my glass. The waiter smiled at me, his eyes shifting for only a small moment before returning to normal. I nodded my thanks and he scurried on his way back through the bar.
"Well, you did say we were everywhere." I smirked, sipping from my glass.
"Literally everywhere." Daniel nodded.
He was about to take a drink from his glass, when his eyes fell on something that made him stop short. I followed his gaze and saw Edie and Ana across the room. I almost didn't recognize my new little sister. She was giggling and flirting with some raven-haired muscle head and his friend. She was leaning on him, twirling her long hair around her finger and whispering in his ear. I could tell by the red rising in his neck that she was raising his blood pressure. I looked to Daniel, who shared a knowing glance with me. We watched Edie and her new boy toy walk out the door. I nodded to our waiter before we took our leave through the rear entrance.
I slipped out of my heels, knowing they would keep up a racket as we slunk around the building to its dimly lit side, across from the park. Edie and the man walked arm in arm across the street, laughing and talking about some lewd comment the man made. I rolled my eyes so hard I was sure they were ready to pop out of my head. We followed at a safe distance, lest we blew our cover. We waited near the park's archway before following the two inside. Suddenly, I was hearing a racing heart beating in my ears, but the rhythm was slowing at a dangerously fast rate.
"Dear God, no!" I cried as I sprinted toward the sound.
I found Edie hunched over the man on the ground, his eyes rolling into the back of his head. I grabbed her by her shoulders and pulled her off the man. She recovered, jumping to her feet with a small hiss. I turned to her, a low warning growl rumbling in my chest. This quelled any attitude she called herself having. Daniel was completely silent, and I couldn't read his thoughts, but at this moment, I couldn't have given less of a damn. I turned back to the young man, leaning down to close his wounds with the swipe of my tongue. I easily pulled him onto one of the park benches hidden in the shadows, so he wouldn't be accosted or disturbed. When I was sure the poor man was going to be okay, I turned to Edie, so much anger coursing through me, I was shaking.
"Sylvie," Daniel began cautiously.
"Not now, Daniel." I growled, my eyes never leaving Edie. "Have you lost your mind, little girl?" I hissed.
"Little girl?" Edie looked at me like I had just slapped her in the face. "How dare you call me-"
I let out a growl that sounded more like a roar. I didn't mean for it to happen, but dammit, it got my point across. She immediately shut her mouth, trying to give me that deer in headlights look. I took a step toward her and she stumbled back a few steps. Smart girl.
"Your brother has damn near killed himself to keep you safe," I began, my voice still an angry growl, "to try and keep a home for you, me, all of us. He raised you better than this and this is what you do? How could you do something so stupid?"
"He's just a human." Her quiet voice answered as her wide eyes watched me cautiously. "There are thousands of them in this city, who's going to miss a few?"
Before this little pain in my ass could react, I lashed out, gripping her throat tightly.
"Who's going to miss a few?" I roared. "Did you so easily forget where you came from, little Edie? Where I came from? And Daniel?" My voice lowered in volume as I continued. "Since when did this become a practice of yours? Who taught you that this was right?" She was graveyard silent, her look of defiance returning. I had absolutely no patience for that childish bullshit at this moment. My grip tightened, and my roaring growl made its second appearance and I could feel a slight chill run over her skin.
"Ana!" She answered quickly. "Ana and I were talking and a lot of things she said made sense!"
I roughly released her, not paying attention to her stumbling in the slightest. My goal was finding that little bitch Ana and putting the fear of God into her murderous ass. I arrived back at the rear entrance of the bar, opening the door so hard, the hinges whined in pain. I knew my eyes had shifted and my fangs were extended, so I made sure my mouth was clamped shut. The eyes I didn't have to worry too much about. Girls wore contacts all the time, right?
I looked around at all the patrons, but Ana was nowhere to be found. It took everything I had not to let out a frustrated growl as I turned and left the way I came. Daniel and Edie were both waiting for me outside. I saw my shoes in Daniel's hands, which I was thankful for because they had completely slipped my mind. I turned back to Edie, who had a very hard time looking me in the eyes.
"Ana is no longer welcome in our home." I said, my voice deathly calm. "She is no longer welcome in this city either. If I see her or catch wind of her in any way, shape, or form, I will personally end her with my bare hands. Have I made myself clear?" Edie simply nodded as I continued. "Next time you see that little friend of yours, let her know that this is her first and last warning." Another nod. "Now, I suggest you make your way home as soon as possible."
Edie looked to her brother for some kind of intervention, but Daniel only shook his head at her. With the tiniest of whimpers, she dashed off, disappearing into the night. When she was finally gone, I leaned against the stone of the building, willing my pulse to calm itself so that my features could return to normal.
"I'm sorry." I finally said, my breaths coming out shakily. "I have no idea what came over me."
"I was about to ask, but I felt it wasn't the time." Daniel answered quietly.
"She is going to cost our family everything." I finally turned my gaze to Daniel. "Everything that you tried so hard to provide for her. Everything we went through with your parents, just so we could keep our little family safe. Now, she's willing to throw it all away and for what? Some newcomer who she barely knows?"
"When I saw her in there earlier," Daniel began, leaning on the stones next to me, "I had no idea who she was. That woman in there was not the Edie that I have been protecting and raising this entire time."
"And all because of that-" I stopped myself, knowing that if I finished that sentence, I would get myself all riled up again. "I'm going to see Mikhail tomorrow." I sighed. "He needs to be aware of her, as well. Till this is done, Edie doesn't need to go hunting on her own."
Daniel nodded in agreement. "I'll go with her. She might be a tad sore at you for a while."
"Sometimes, we gotta be the bad guys." I smirked. "Parental duties and all that."
He smiled at this and I could feel warmth and love circling through my mind. I took my shoes from him and slid back into them. He took my arm and we both strolled down the sidewalk towards home.