Nemia forced a smile on her face and took a deep breath before knocking on the door. This was always the most dreadful part of her job. 'Sleazy ass vampire.' She thought to herself, staring at the Mr. Donovan slider plack screwed into the center of the door. Waiting for admission. A moment later, with some notable rustling coming from the other side of the door, the door opened.
"Ah, Miss Nemia. What a pleasure it is to see you." Mr. Donovan's voice slithered around her, making her shudder in disgust as his eyes trailed her curves for a moment. Smirking, he stepped aside and waved her inside. "Please, come in." He said, as she slowly walked into his office and shut his door behind her.
"I didn't expect to see you so soon, you just got the job two days ago." He spoke as he walked around her and sat in his big, black chair at the head of his desk. That sickening smirk coming back into view as she sat in a red lounge chair opposite him and the desk. "Couldn't wait to see me again huh?" He said, flashing his fangs with a daunting smile.
Nemia rolled her eyes and scoffed, "Not even in your wildest dreams Donovan." She lashed back before immediately changing course in the conversation. No need to let him have the satisfaction. "I am early though because you gave me an easy ass job that any simpleton can do here. Even you." She couldn't help to throw in the sarcastic statement. Knowing good and well this damned political face would never dare be burdened by actually trying to help people.
"Oh, we sure are feisty today. Aren't we?" Donovan whistled with a laugh. "I'm not sure if I have anything else available right now. Let me check." He replied, very much unbothered as he causally rumagaged and flipped through papers and files on and inside his desk. After a moment he stuck out two different pieces of paper. "You seem to be in luck, Miss Nemia."
Nemia stayed silent as she waited on Donovan, wanting as little interaction as possible with the vampire. Thankful for when he pushed across two different job listings. Looking at both of them for a moment, she nodded and stood again. Grabbing both papers. "I'm on both of them..." She muttered quietly, turning to head towards the exit before Donovan's voice stopped her again.
"Three things before you go, Nemia." His voice drawled. "First and foremost, I may have a lead on Malcolm soon. Nothing solid yet so I won't waist your time on the suspicions. Two..." He chuckled, causing her to twist around and look at him. "Two jobs? Directly after completing a job? Have you even been in your own house and bed lately? You need to slow down... No need to work yourself to death. Especially with a body like that..." Of course, he was sounding almost nice for a moment there then he went and ruined it with a douche bag sized comment. "... You need to rest, relax. Dare I say I may have to demand it. You are my employee after all. Two falls into three pretty easily."
Donovan breathed in, pausing for a moment while she stood there looking like a deer caught in the headlights and fighting to not let her disgust show on her face at the moment. "The third thing is this weekend is the traditional, and mandatory, treaty formal. Since it is mandatory..." Stressing the mandatory once again. "... And I know you hate these events and always show up alone .... Why not be my date?" He asked then threw his hands up and to either side of him in his exaggerated attempt to pull out an answer like it was a magic trick.
It's not like Donovan isn't bad looking. In fact, to be over three hundred years old, he looked rather handsome. He had deep, amber colored eyes with an aged wisdom hidden within. A sculpted jawline with a slightly narrowed chin. Shoulder length, ash blonde hair. He was average male height also and rather muscular, to the point even his tailored suit couldn't hide all his muscles. So no, he wasn't bad looking. But he was also the head of the Criminal Justice League for Supernaturals. C.J.L.S. for short. Though really it's just the supernaturals version of the F.B.I. mixed with the damned Mafia. Not to mention he was a disgusting pervert that thinks because he has good looks, money. He can get away with damned near anything. Be it legal or not.
The decision of her answer nearly flew out of her mouth before Donovan was even finished asking. "No, nope, nu-uh, not happening. Donovan, I will not go to the formal with you. There is absolutely no chance in hell I would be your date in any given circumstance. Capeche?" Maybe that was a bit too harsh, she realized as she watched him react.
Donovan's eyes grew dark and Nemia could hear the faintest growl come from him. "I guess you don't want to find Malcolm that bad then, do you?" He challenged with the growl. Nemia's face contorted with a quick flash of anger before she stole it away.
Through gritted teethe she replied. "Fine. I'll go with you. But you need to do your job and get me some decent damned information. It's been ten long years, Donovan. I need information damn it." She was pissed he used that against her. Granted, she knew he would. He knows how important it is to her to find that bastard that completely destroyed her life ten years ago.
She had came to the council shortly after that dreadful night to explain what happened. What she seen and remembered. As if she could ever forget anything from that night. After explaining everything that had occurred, she proceeded to offer herself to the cause and in return be a part in the investigation of the scarred wolf she had seen. About a year later, there was finally a name to put to the wolf and since then it's felt like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands.
That's when she was placed under Donovan's employment. She takes any job she can get her hands on now so she doesn't have to be around Donovan. Though in the last year or so, it seemed like everything concerning Malcolm was a dead end and he dropped off the face of the earth.
Funnily enough, at the same time Malcolm seemed to vanish, Mr. Donovan started trying to steer her from pursuing Malcolms path and began being extra sleazly. Making her do things she's uncomfortable with, like hurting those she cares about, using that very same threat. Always sure to put her in her place. At this point, it's more like he just doesn't want her to find Malcolm with some sick thought that if she doesn't then she will forever stay in his services. Too bad for him though. She had started her own investigation after she figured Donovan's game. She seemed to be getting closer too. As soon as she finds him, she is running the hell away from here and never looking back.
Donovan sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "At least you said yes... I'll try to get you something substantial soon. But you know just as much as I know. He's disappeared somehow. We will find him though. It just may take a little longer. Maybe this lead comes through with something good." Lies, all lies. Those were rehearsed lines without a single doubt.
Nemia nodded her head. "Okay." She said simply and turned, making her exit finally. Glad to escape from Mr Donovan without anything else to stop her. She shut the door behind her and looked up and down the hall. Heading left to find the exit out of the entire building. Desperately wanting to get her distance from this damned council building.
Sometimes, she regrets ever coming here when everything went to hell. Offering to become a slave to the council willingly until that wolf bastard was found. It didn't seem like such a bad idea at the time though and was really her only option given her circumstances. But now, now she sees that the council is only using her and never plans to bring Malcolm to justice for what he's done just to keep her here to do the dirty work.
"It's for the king," or "It'll help us in the future," and even better "They were all going to die anyways." Excuses, through and through. She has seen and done horrible things in the name of the council and its king. Even though she has never even met the king yet, she suspects he's just as bad as all the councilmen that works under his name. Which is definitely likely considering the king never seems to appear at any of these mandatory meetings and parties that are thrown mainly for him. But he never appears at them?
Nemia took a deep lungful of fresh air as she pushed open the large wooden door in the main lobby to exit out into a quaint, yet busy cobblestoned street. She hadn't even realized she had already made it outside until the setting sun caused her a momentary lapse of blindness. Blinking a few times, she focused. Taking in the beautiful view that is none other, than in the place of Brasov, Romania. A place closely neighboring Bran Castle. Otherwise know as the infamous Dracula's castle by the humans. The tale from humans are misleading at best but not entirely false. The poor vampire that caused the dreadful tale was crazed with bloodlust. Some vampires succumb to it if they don't find their mate. Going insane from the need for their mate and turning to a sick bloodlust for satisfaction.
Then there's when another tale comes in of another crazed vampire that had similar features to the actual Dracula that did find his mate. Thought, by humans, to be the return of dracula with a need to "claim his bride". Again, misleading but not entirely false. In the end, neither survived because he was so bloodlust driven when he found his mate that he "accidentally" drained her and mutilated her corpse.
Though now, those are just myths and legends to most and causes a large tourist attraction. Which brought Nemia back to reality and she turned on her heel and started making her way towards the outdoor market. She never actually bought anything, but always loved to smell the fresh fruits. And the tellers there were actually quite lovely. Homely and quaint. She always felt comfortable mingling with the humans here. For a moment or two, she'd let herself feel some sense of peace.
Only a moment though. Her cell started buzzing in her pocket. Pulling it out, the caller I.D. flashed across the screen. "Julia". She sighed, answering the phone, "Hey Julia, was just about to call you I swear." She squinted her eyes at the lie and started making her way out of the busy market to a much quieter street. Already making her way towards Julia's apartment presumptively.
There was a crackle on the other end of the line before the well known feminine voice broke through with an obvious snort of disbelief. Knowing all too well how she was. "Yeah, yeah. Sure you were kiddo..."
Nemia cut her off. "Not a kid, don't call me kiddo."
"Shush, respect your elders. You're a kid to me and always will be. So deal with it." Julia replied with an almost motherly tone. Which was to be expected. This was the woman the council had brought her to that dreadful night so long ago. Julia had allowed her to stay with her until she could get out on her own. It took time and they had grown rather close. Nemia seeing Julia as kind of a mother figure and Julia seen her as a daughter.
Julia's voice cut in again. "So?"
"Everything's fine. No lost limps or unexplainable holes or burns. And if you give me five minutes I'll be at your apartment for you to see for yourself. Okay?" Nemia paused.
"I already have a pot of coffee brewing. I'll meet you with a cup at the door." Julia replied happily and hung up instantly.
Nemia sighed. Locking her phone before stuffing it back into her pocket. Keeping a steady pace until she was face to face with the apartment building when she stopped. She took a deep breath to prepare herself. It's not that she didn't like Julia, she loved her really. In her own way. But she hasn't been around lately and haven't been able to be completely honest with her yet about the investigation she had started in her own. But she knew there was no other way around getting out of visiting with Julia. She squared her shoulders and opened the door to the building. A few moments of walking later, she was standing at Julia's already open door with the woman standing there. Her golden blonde curls tied up on either side of her head, and baby blue eyes creasing at the edges from the warming smile she offered. Making her look all the more like a porcelain doll, with the starting signs of a withering age.
Julia had a mug of coffee in her hands just as she had promised and Nemia took it out of her hands before she could even say anything. Bringing the cup to her lips and taking a sip. Closing her eyes for a moment to relish the bliss. It had been a while since she had taken the time to enjoy a cup of coffee. A moment later she was back on earth as Julia's hand grasped her arm and started pulling her inside.
"Hey, hey! Watch it, don't make me spill the coffee." Nemia protested, but walked in with a smile and made her way to the sofa, plopping down and waited for Julia to begin.
Julia walked over shortly after and sat down next to Nemia with a cup of coffee nestled in her hands. Placed gently on her lap as she scanned her eyes over Nemia for a moment before she began speaking. "Well, you look good on the outside atleast. And your hair has definitely gotten longer. But what about inside? What about that boss of yours?"
Nemia scoffed at the mere mention of her boss. Instantly bringing up what just happened when she went to pick up the new jobs. Her usual unreadable stoned face cracked suddenly and she tilted her head back with a groan as her brows furrowed in resentment. Her nose crinkling in disgust.
"What? What is it, Nemia? Everything alright, can I help?" Julia bombarded her. Worried written all in the fine lines on her face.
Nemia shook her head and sat back up to look at Julia, her head hanging defeatedly. "No.. it's just my sleazy boss conned me into going to the treaty party when I went to see him about more jobs.... I had to say yes and now I'm stuck going with him." She shivered in her disgust.
"Well... Look on the bright side, you're not going alone." Julia replied jokingly though Nemia shot her the look of "not funny" so Julia didn't press it any further. "Well, it'll still be an experience. After all it is another decade." Julia spoke after a moment.
Nemia's brows furrowed again. "What? Is every decade somehow different from a party thrown every single year?" She remarked sarcastically.
"Actually.. every decade King Volkov comes to every mandatory meeting and social gatherings to maintain his position. And every decade, every mandatory event he has to do a speech of some sort and meet with each individual." Julia smiled. "He's actually quite a lovely and handsome man. It only took him till my third decade going to remember my name on the first try."
Nemia shifted slightly. She didn't know about the king actually being at the gathering and no one had ever told her about it before. Granted, she had been just barely to young to attend the mandatory meetings the last time he had appeared, apparently. But why had no one ever talked about it before?
Nemia couldn't hide the obvious doubt etched on her face. Her brows crinkling the bit of skin between them as they furrowed. "But why only every ten years? Not every year, like the meetings held every year that's mandatory? It's a heartless gesture just to show his face every ten years like the whole supernatural world isn't at war with itself. Countless creatures being hunted out of existence. But he shows up to meetings, that's held every year, every ten years and is glorified and it reinstates his image?"
Nemia huffed and crossed her arms, trying to reign in her wolfs temper that was breaking through. "I hope he really is there. I'll bet he remembers me after the first meeting at the treaty party." Nemia growled out before cutting her eyes at Julia.
Julia leaned away from Nemia for a moment and cocked her eyebrow, the amusement behind her eyes calling her bluff of seriousness. She gave up on the charade a moment later and bent over on the sofa as she started laughing. After composing herself, she looked Nemia over.
"Oh I completely agree with you, he will never forget meeting you even once." She erupted with a devious, fanged grin. "That being said, I'm dressing you for the party. No if, ands, or buts."
Nemia groaned. "What? No. I don't do your flair and you know that."
"I'm dressing you."
"Julia, no..."
"I'm dressing you, end of story. It's your first time meeting the powerful lycan king. And you plan on calling him out on first meeting. I'm dressing you just for that occasion." Julia grinned gleefully, almost like a teenage girl. "Everyone will be talking about the super sexy, tiny female that gave the king a run for his money for years after the party!"
"Oh gods." Nemia groaned again. "That's it, I'm killing myself before this damned party." She half laughed.
Julia laughed and nudged her shoulder lightly, before giving her that typical motherly look. "Well, will you be staying in town for the party then? Since it's only two days away? Your room is still open to you, you know. And it definitely beets a motel." Julia asked softly. Simply. Nemia knew, out of anyone, she could trust Julia with most aspects of her life. She also knew it would hurt Julia if she said she wouldn't stay.
"I have a few things I need to sort out first, just some mundane parts of work. After I get done, I'll be back." Nemia lied. Not about being back but about the things she needed to do. She didn't have anything for work to do, other than work on the two jobs she recently got but that could wait. No, what she really wanted to do right now was go running through the forest since she was back here for a few days. Something to relax her mind and get prepared for the chaos she knew would be heading her way.
Julia smiled sweetly and nodded her head, waving her hand towards the door. "Go on then, when will you be back? Later tonight or tomorrow?" She asked casually.
Nemia was already standing by the time Julia finished speaking. Her wolf growling her approval of running and urging her to the door. "More than likely later tonight, I'll let you know if something changes." Julia gave her a look, that look. The motherly look that would cause the entire council to quiet in fear. Nemia sighed, walking over to Julia and leaned down slightly to give her a light hug. "I promise I'll be back."
Julia relaxed a bit and leaned up to embrace the given hug and gave Nemia a small kiss on her cheek. "Be safe, my child." She whispered, then let her go.
"Always." Nemia replied with a wink and a slightly upturned mouth that somewhat resembled a genuine smile. Then, she turned and walked out. Slowly walking the cobbled streets until she came to the forest edge. Her wolf beating at the surface of her mind, growling lowly in approval as she started stepping into the forest. Deeper and deeper, until it was safe to let her wolf free.