Charlotte paced the living room from the doormat all the way to the other wall that showed the expanse of the glorious city at night with glowing lights that never slept.
The far wall was all glass and exposed how tall they were up with no rivaling building nearby except for those that are located in the Centennial Center. The beauty was astonishing no matter how many times she admired it.
Crossing her arms against her chest, she glanced at the clock on the wall that showed that Vincent had stepped out for over two hours. It was midnight nearing one o'clock, and she was showing how signs of stopping her anxious pacing.
She ran a hand through her hair frustrated at how he had immediately shut her out, although she was going to admit that she poked him first. Then again, what if something went wrong which was why he was late? Charlotte shook her head. It couldn't be... but what if he needed help?
With her mind made up, she went to the doorway and bent down to grab her shoes before slipping them on. Her tall boots looked funny with her casual outfit when she turned to the mirror that was positioned directly towards the doorway, and she was just about to open the door when it swung wide open.
She dodged the door that practically slammed into the wall before it slid closed with a beep. Charlotte lifted her eyes to meet Vincent's golden ones, and her brows drew together. What has gotten him agitated enough to make his eyes come out?
Charlotte stared at the gash on Vincent's chin, the deep groove that had blood dripping down it. She knew he was going to heal quickly, but it was still troubling. With hushed words muttered to herself, she reached out to touch the scratch with her trembling fingers before slapping him on the shoulder making him sigh tiredly.
"Where were you? I was so worried," Charlotte said, as she pulled him aside to the kitchen, looking for a medical kit.
"I had to stop a vampire from getting into a fight with another vampire," Vincent murmured, sitting down on one of the barstools that were oddly shaped next to the island of the kitchen.
"Here?"
"Yes, or rather outside."
"Why were they fighting in a public area?"
"It wasn't public since they were in an alleyway."
Charlotte shook her head as she disinfected the small wound with a cotton swab. "What is with vampires and dark alleyways?"
Vincent shrugged. "It makes it easy to cover our presence there since it's easy to lure somewhere there."
"That sounds so shady."
"It's the truth."
"You don't use any magic spells do you?"
Vincent rolled his eyes. "No. Magic doesn't exist."
Charlotte smiled at his blatant answer. She shouldn't be hoping for too much since she had seen with her own eyes how far technology advancements had taken the world. The proof was right outside the windows. "Aye, aye sir."
"I broke up the fight and cleared the woman's memory," Vincent sighed. "I also thought I caught a trace of a vigilante, but it was too early to tell."
"What do you mean?"
"There were remnants of ashes that resemble vampire ashes as they die strewn around here and there around the area."
"Don't the ashes disappear?"
"They do after a moment, but if a vampire is killed in an unnatural manner, the ashes remain."
"Meaning?"
"The vigilantes mutilate a vampire's body before killing them which puts stress on the body. It was how they were taught to kill."
Charlotte frowned as she took in Vincent's words. The ashes of a vampire dying were still fresh in her memory of when they first met, and it seemed as though a vampire dies when their hearts are taken out of their body and fully destroyed or something along those lines.
She pulled back from his body and put the medical kit away that was tucked under the cabinets of the kitchen which she miraculously found quite easily. When she returned to him, his eyes returned to their natural color, and he grasped her arm, making her stumble into his embrace.
Charlotte stood between his legs and brushed the long strands out of his eyes. His hair was soft and fluffy, and she smiled at him before her face pulled into a frown when she thought back to their awkward moment earlier.
He broke the ice for her. "I drank my blood bag in the employee break room alone."
"I see," Charlotte answered. "Was it filling?"
"It will do."
"I didn't mean to assume earlier," Charlotte whispered.
Vincent shrugged. "I don't blame you for doing so. We, vampires, need to feed off of blood. It is already off-putting as it is. Vigilantes have the purpose to kill vampires, as we have the purpose to kill vigilantes. It is a never changing cycle but is needed."
Charlotte nodded. She wasn't going to say that she fully understood it, but it was their way of life. Vincent stood up from his chair, bringing them face to face, and she took a step back, placing her hands on her hips.
"I also got you a present," he said.
She cocked her head to the side. "And what would that be?"
There was a slim black bag, and Vincent gave it to her while Charlotte had no idea what the gift could be. She took it from him and smiled.
"I don't know what it is, but thank you."
"Open it."
Charlotte pulled the box out and laughed. "What? I didn't need a phone."
"You don't have one, and I need a way to reach you. Take it."
She held the box up to her face. "Wow. Thank you."
"You surprisingly took it easier than I had first thought."
Charlotte sighed. "You can take it back if you want."
He put two fingers up to his head before walking away. "I'm going to shower."
"Sure," Charlotte agreed. "I'm taking the spare bedroom though."
"Why's that? I believe the master bed is large enough to fit both of us."
Charlotte dragged her eyes down his body while biting her lips. Vincent pinched her cheek making her squeak, as she rubbed it. He leaned down brushing their foreheads together. "I promise I won't bite."
She sighed and didn't want to admit it out loud to him, but she would feel safer with them in the same room. Lifting a finger at him, she demanded, "You better not. I just desperately need some good sleep these days."