The soft, lush forest ground felt like home to Nemia. Trotting along the long forgotten paths in the forest. The larger than average wolfs body winded its way along to avoid tufts of spindly thorns. Its large ears pricked for any sound out of the ordinary. Nemia was lost in her own head while the wolf carried on. She knew where it was going and would resurface when they got there.
For the time being, Nemia's mind raced over the events that consisted of today. 'God's. I may actually meet the king.' She thought to herself. A ball forming at the pit of her stomach as she thought about it. 'And I have to go with Mr. Donovan?' The wolf made a hacking sound, feeling Nemia's own disgust at the thought for herself.
Though, she supposed it all made sense now. Why Mr. Donovan had asked her to the formal and was so persistent on it. Considering he used his trump card oh so fast to get her to accept. She just didn't know why it was so important that she was the one he take. Was it because this would be her first time meeting the king? Thinking that by him being a political face she may feel some sort of comfort in knowing that, to help associate? She highly doubted that was the case, but she has seen much stranger things happen.
After those thoughts settled, she found herself wondering about the king. She had never met him. Didn't have a clue as to what he looked like. There were no pictures or statues of him. No texts in the library regarding his appearance, just what he's accomplished. But no photos or paintings.
"He is actually quite lovely and handsome, King Volkov."
Julia's description was the most she had ever gotten about King Volkov, and that was rather vague. She should have asked for more details. Atleast she still had the chance to when she made it back to Julia's apartment.
Nemia's mind wandered for a while after that. Lingering somewhere in her past for a while as the wolf continued trotting. After a short while, the wolf slowed to a stop. The forest was covered in the last few minutes worth of shadows from the setting sun. Soon, the forest would fall into a quiet, comforting darkness. The wolf sat down on its hind haunches, staring down at the small spring it had stopped at. The water freely trickling down stream at its own luxurious pace.
This was the place ten years ago that everything changed. Where she had finally looked down at her self. Covered in blood and filth, clothes ripped and shredded. All hope long since faded from her eyes. It was painful being here, but peaceful at the same time.
Nemia leaned in through her mind, looking out into the world through her wolfs' eyes. She stared down at the distorted reflection of her wolf in the water below. Even distorted, she could still clearly see the massive head peering down. Her mouth slightly open, revealing the sharp canines the size of her human hand.
Nemia's wolf had always been larger than the others, even as a teen before the incident happened. Growing up with the pack, she always knew she was different. Not just the being a hybrid part about her either. No, there had always been something else different. Even compared beside other hybrids she had met. Her wolf was larger and had more self control than any others around. Much less the pattern that marked her fur. A soft, ashy grey base coat with traditional wolf markings along her face and back that was a soft mix of colors between chestnut and auburn. Though sitting in the center of her wolfs chest, a unique pattern erupted from the fur. Vaguely resembling a setting or rising sun, depending on how it's looked at.
Nemia had the same mark hovering just below her collar bone on the left side. Somewhat just over her heart. The mark was very faded and she had always had it. She figures it was a birth mark and never thought much else of it. All she knew was it was just something else to remind her she had never truly belonged in that pack anyways. But was grateful they took her in and raised her while they could.
She felt a sharp pang in her chest and focused back down on the reflection. Witnessing, for the first time ever, a tear dripping from the duct of her wolfs eye. The wolf whimpered lightly, closing her big eyes.
"I know you miss them." Nemia spoke inside her mind to her wolf. Her wolf shivered and withdrew into their shared mind.
"I should have came out. I could have taken on the attackers that night. I could have stopped... all of this." Her wolf spoke slowly. Sounding out all the letters semi-dramatically, showcasing that's she only speaks in grunts and growls. But she was being rather meaningful, even if she was wrong. She was blaming herself for what happened and it's not her fault at all.
"No, you couldn't help it. It was our first season. It would have been dangerous to let you out. Letting you out would have only made things worse because of the frenzied state every male in range would fall into. We would not have survived." Nemia told her wolf firmly. It may have been a bit harsh to tell her wolf that had she of let her out that night, it would have only made matters worse. But the truth hurts.
The wolf growled lowly, but said nothing else. Nemia could feel her wolf shifting back into the forefront of the mind. Coming back into focus with the reality around her. The wolf stood from its haunches and swatted angrily at the stream.
She looked up, noticing the moon starting to appear through the thicket of trees. The wolf lifted her head slightly and let out a long, ear splitting howl. After it was over, the wolf shook her head and looked back down into the water. She growled and snapped at the water, then took off running. All that she needed to do was run now.
Her wolf ran for a couple of hours before she began her slow descent towards the outskirts of the city. Only shifting back to normal when it became to risky to let her wolf be out and visible anymore. Her wolf growled and huffed inside her mind for a moment. Not happy about having to relinquish her momentary control so soon. Though she settled quickly and became silent, leaving Nemia to her own thoughts and body.
Sighing, Nemia started her own way down into the city. It didn't take her too long to make it to the edge of the forest line where it met the city's cobbled streets. She looked around for a moment, taking in where she had came out. Her brows furrowed for a moment as she felt around her jeans.
Finding what she was after, she pulled out the bounty fliers that was folded into one of her pockets. She examined them again.
One of them read:
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE: Veera Daines.
LAST SEEN: Local, Delano's Nightclub
CAUTION: Siren, has become prime suspect for recent disappearances.
The other was some rogue werewolf by the name of "Brick" that was causing some chaos around some campsites on the opposite side of the forest. She'd get to that one later. For now, she had a siren to deal with. It was probably the same one that had been causing shipwrecks the past few years over on the transport, seafaring region of Romania. Namely Constanta, one of the larger cities with the biggest shipping bay in Romania.
Nemia swiveled her head to the right, her eyes locking onto the old style iron mount hammered into a stone wall. Fancy ironwork swirled in an intricate design atop a swaying, oval sign that was held to the iron by two small chains. The word "Delano's" stretched across the sign in bold letters that swayed and almost seemed to melt into each other.
Nemia turned and started in the direction of the nightclub as she stuffed the bounties back into her pocket. Figuring since she was here, she may as well see what the owner knows about the siren. If they know anything at all. Sirens were hard to track, considering their ability to mess with minds. A siren erasing their presence in the minds of anyone they encounter was an easy feat to them.
Though that's only if the person is unsuspecting or immune to a sirens charm, like some species are. Nemia fell into the second category thanks to the vampiric side of her. But, she doubted she would run into the siren tonight. Right now, she just wanted to know what the owner knew about the woman while since she was already nearby.
Nemia stopped just outside the nightclub, a low thud from the bass of the music within could be easily heard by anyone. She pulled her cell out and looked at the time. '9:45pm.' She opened her phone then, going to her messages, clicked on Julia.
'Stopping by Delano's for a minute then I'll be coming home.'
She typed the message quickly and hit send. Locking her phone and stuffing it back into her pocket, not bothering to wait for a reply. She adjusted her jacket slightly before opening the door to the nightclub. The volume of the bass increasing as soon as she opened the door.
Her nose crinkled slightly as her brows furrowed. This was one of the many reasons she hated nightclubs like this. It took a moment for her sensitive ears to adjust to the music inside the nightclub. Even the smells coming from inside was a bit much for her. She couldn't understand why some vampires thrived in places like this.
'Did it not give vampires a splitting headache to deal with this every night?' She thought to herself as she pushed through the main lobby area, stopping only to flash her I.D. at a large man in an expensive looking suit. He nodded his head for admission and waved her on down the hall that quickly opened up into a large room filled with roughly eighteen tables scattered around. Mostly smaller ones, though there were a few were big enough for several guests.
Then there was the lounge areas. Comfy looking lounge sofas and chairs were decorated all throughout the room as well. Everything however, centralizing around an half circled stage with a catwalk extending out for about ten feet. Presumably for shows though she hoped she wouldn't be here long enough to witness one.
The lighting inside was soft, ambient even with different shades of blue and purple lights dancing around the room. The place was very beautifully designed and if not for the music she could see herself actually enjoying herself here.
She glanced over to where the dance floor was, which was really anywhere but generalized where the largest group was and associated that as the dance floor, and snarled slightly at the sweaty mass of bodies mingling and rubbing against the others.
"Yeah, I could never enjoy being here." She mumbled to herself.
Someone cleared their throat behind Nemia then, causing her to turn around. A slender female was standing behind her, hands on her hips and an "I got you now" expression on her face. This must be the owner, or someone closely related based on appearance. Silky blonde hair tied back fashionably so with a few carefully place tendrils falling effortlessly down around her face. Dressed in a black, knee-length dress that fit the woman perfectly and black stiletto's that tied midway up her calf. This was definitely a woman of purpose here.
"I'm sorry?" Nemia muttered with confusion, playing oblivious for the moment.
"You could never enjoy being here?" The woman repeated part of what she had said in the form of a question, giving an exaggerated wounded look. "Then why come here?" She asked sharply, sobering up her act, she crossed her arms and drilled her eyes into Nemia.
Nemia sighed. "I'm here for business, not pleasure. Are you the owner?" No need to beat around the bush she guessed. The lady was already upset, and if she is the owner then she could understand why the lady would be upset. For a stranger to come in and say something just so incredibly rude for no reason. Granted, Nemia had her reason for being here she should've just not said anything.
The lady's' eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Who's asking."
"I am." Nemia replied sarcastically, waving at herself.
"Then who are you?" Replied the woman with a hint of annoyance rendered in her tone.
"I'm not important but a wanted person was last seen here and I need to speak with the owner of this establishment." Nemia snipped, her teeth grinding slightly as the bass in the music seemed to beat louder.
Realization struck on the woman's face. "You're from the C.J.L.S., aren't you?.... I'm the one that reported the siren being here."
That's more like it. "Yes, I am. Moving on." Nemia guided the woman to an empty lounge chair and sat in the on opposite her. "So, you were the one to report her. What all do you know? Anything you may not have mentioned when you originally reported or something? Ms. ...?"
"Oh, Mrs. Alexandria Delano. But you can call me Alex." The lady chimed in.
"Pardon, Alex." Nemia revised after correction and given with a name. Waving Alex on to answer her other questions.
"Well, no. Not really. I just seen her here two nights ago and reported it. But it did seem like she was fixated on a group of men that night and I'm worried the siren may target them if it hasn't already." Alex confessed with a faint smile.
"Do you know the names of the guys from the group?"
Alex appeared as if she were thinking for a moment before she spoke again. "I only knew one of them. He frequents here often. James Marsden."
"And there's nothing else?" Nemia pressed.
Alex blinked at Nemia and slowly shook her head. "No, I'm sorry.. I wish I could tell you more but that's it."
Nemia brushes off the apology and shook her own head. "No it's fine, you were fine. Sirens are tricky to catch anyways and I knew I wouldn't get much honestly. But a possible victim needs to be looked into. Thank you for his name." Nemia stood then, preparing herself to leave.
"Why did you say you could never see yourself having fun here?" Alex asked, standing up with her.
Nemia shook her head. "Don't take it personal, I'm just overly sensitive to loud noises and strong scents. Needless to say, Nightclubs just aren't my scene." Nemia gave Alex a small, forced smile. "Thank you for taking a moment to speak with me. If you see or hear anything else, let the C.J.L.S. know ASAP. Have a good evening." The line was obviously rehearsed, having said it time and time again over her years of employment. But it was always meant well.
Alex smiled and gave a small, refined nod of the head. "Will do, Ms. ...?"
"My name was never needed." Nemia replied, turning and walking off before Alex could respond. Almost running to the exit. All she wanted to do was just get far, far away from this noise.
Nemia turned left kept walking as soon as she had exited the nightclub. Putting as much distance as she could manage between her and the beating music. Granted, it was late enough now that a deep bass, seemingly, vibrated the entire street. It was always like this at night on this side of town.
She pulled out her phone again as she continued walking, checking for a reply and how much time had passed. It was just after ten pm now so she'd only spent a little over fifteen minutes inside the nightclub. Aside from looking at the time, she clicked on Julia's message bubble that had a red mark confirming an unread message.
'Delano's? Nevermind. Just be careful and I'll see you soon... hopefully.'
Nemia knew why Julia questioned her about Delano's. Everyone that knew Nemia, knew she didn't do nightclubs or anything of the nature. So it was odd to for someone to see or hear of her willingly walking into Delano's of all places. One of the hottest vampire nightclubs around. But, she also knew Julia just assumed it was to do with work.
Nemia didn't bother with replying since she was making her way through the emptying streets to Julia's apartment already anyway. Instead, she scrolled through her contacts and found one under the name of Milli.
Milli was actually Mr. Donovan's secretary and a human to boot. She was one of the few humans on earth that actually wanted to know about the supernatural creatures in the world and could handle what that entailed. Nemia somewhat liked Milli, though she never would hang around her very often.
She clicked on the Milli contact and pushed the green phone symbol. She held the phone to her ear as it started ringing while she continued her trek through the city to Julia's apartment.
A few rings later, and the crackling sound of the other end picking up replaced the sound of the ringing.
"Hello?"
"Hey Milli, it's Nemia. I got a possible target for the siren and need some information dug up on the name as well as some men to go watch over him till the siren is caught." Straight to the point.
"Oh, hey Nemia What's the name of the target and I'll get started on that."
Nemia loved that Milli would always just jump straight to the point with Nemia and not try to bring up small talk like most others. Granted, she knew the girl could talk anyone's ear off but she was all business when it came to the first mention of work. The human girl wanted to prove herself more so than she already had.
"James Marsden. All I know is he's local and he frequents Delano's. He was with a group of guys the other night that Mrs. Delano thinks was targeted by the siren. She only knew the one by name though, so if you can get info on the others that'd be wonderful."
"James Marsden." She could hear the girl repeating the name quietly and faint sounds of a keyboard clacking as she typed. "The name isn't pulling up much on Google, I'll see if I can dig up more using the database later and get back to you. I'll also send some men when I get an address. Anything else?"
"No that's it. Thanks Milli, you're the best." Nemia replied with a note of fondness.
"Awe, thanks!" She could almost hear Milli's blush on the other end. "You have a great night Nemia. Try to relax .... if that's even something you do." Milli laughed nervously, but Nemia knew she meant well and also knew that everyone thinks that Nemia needed a break and to relax.
'First Malcolm, then peace and relaxation.' She thought to herself for a moment before giving a faint laugh to ease Milli's nervousness. "That's a big if. But you have a great night too Milli, bye now."
Nemia hung up while she could hear Milli saying her own goodbye's on the other end of the line. She had just rounded the last corner and was coming up on Julia's apartment now. "Perfect timing." She mumbled, stuffing her phone back into her jeans before she opened the door to the building and quickly made her way to Julia's apartment door.
She was about to knock, then decided against it and just opened the door instead. Plastering a smile on her face as the door swung open and she found Julia on the small couch, crocheting.
Julia looked up and met Nemia with a smile of her own. "Oh goody, you're home. How was Delano's? Did you meet with Alex? She's a sweet girl though she can be just a bit dramatic.
Nemia's smile thinned slightly and she shut the front door before walking over to the couch and flopping down next to Julia. "Loud, so loud... But yes, I did meet Alex. She's... okay. But I went for business. There's a siren passing through and she may have picked out some targets from the club." She replied, cutting to the point of her being there. She didn't know if Julia knew about the siren being spotted in town yet or not and wanted to make sure she was aware.
Julia's smile fell and was instantly replaced with a worried look on her face. "A siren was spotted here? But the coast is so far from here..." She mumbled quietly, clearly just now finding out about the siren.
"It's most likely the one that's been evading authority's and wreaking havoc in Constanta. Bored now and moving on. She's probably trying to cut through land and get to the opposite coast. But she's making too many stops along the way." Nemia explained her assumptions.
Julia's brows were knitted together in their worry. "Be careful Nemia... Mia.. Sirens are not the easiest creatures to deal with."
Nemia smiled then, putting a comforting hand on Julia's knee. "I'm not the easiest of creatures to deal with either, but don't worry. I'll be careful, I promise." She assured her with a light squeeze before removing it and bring it to her mouth to cover a yawn.
Julia smiled back and the worry drained from her face slowly. "You are most definitely right about that. You should have came with the biggest warning label out there." She laughed lightly.
"Oh don't I know it." Nemia retorted with a laugh of her own. Something so strange to hear her do unless she's with Julia.
They laughed and carried on together. Catching up with what was latest in each other's lives. Not much other than work being said from Nemia but apparently Julia had started the process of opening a bakery shop in the market square.
"Oh that's absolutely wonderful! Congratulations Julia!" Nemia congratulated her for the bakery. "I call dibs for your first customer." She added with a cheerful grin.
"The doors will remain locked until you are on the other side." Julia remarked with a foolish grin of her own. "But thank you, I'm rather excited about this." She added softly.
"Of course you are, you've wanted to do this for years. I'm excited you finally took the plunge." Nemia confirmed and leaned over to give a small, quick hug.
Julia smiled softly as Nemia pulled back away from her. "I know. It is exciting." She agreed. "So... anything else new?" Julia asked with mild interest.
"Nope, just work and catching bad guys. the only other new thing was today that you already know all about. That with meeting with my boss, him conning me to the formal with him, oh and me getting to meet the king for the first time ever apparently at the formal." She added bitterly, unable to help her resentment for everything.
"Oh yeah! Speaking of that, I was thinking..."
"Oh no.."
"Shh, I was thinking with that untameable red hair and your olive skin tone.. royal blue. A long, flowing royal blue dress with a thigh high slit. Skin tight from the waist up with thin spaghetti straps holding it over your shoulders. A simple, yet elegant diamond swirled design lining the low v-neck with dangling jewels centered where the v shape connects. A creme colored shawl with creme colored heels that have a buckle at the ankle. Then adding product to your hair to give it that natural, wet curl it has when you first get out of the shower. Leaving it down to be abrasive against the blue of the dress." Julia's eyebrows rose as she finished dressing her in her mind and she gestured to Nemia about her thoughts.
Nemia stared blankly at Julia sfor a moment, taking it the description in. She cleared her throat to speak finally. "While all of that sounds absolutely breathtakingly sexy. I'd really rather not go to the formal and meet the king for the first time and have to explain why I had to murder my date before I berate him for being a lousy king. All of that just kind of leaves a bad taste in my mouth, you know?" She finished with a horrified look at Julia.
Julia began to double over with laughter. "That face is priceless." She said through breaks of laughter. After she could control herself again, she started talking again. "Really though, wear something blue. It'd look stunning on you either way and you want to make a good appearance. I'll take off the jewels that accentuates the chest. That's it. Remember, I am the one dressing you."
Nemia glared at Julia for a moment before slumping her shoulder in defeat. "Then I guess I'll be calling Donovan tomorrow and letting him know I will be having a plus one on the way there and if he could bring you a date as well." A smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
"Hey now wait a minute, what makes you think I don't have a date?" Julia retorted.
"We literally always go together because we both hate that they are mandatory so we don't have a choice to go so why have a date?" Nemia retaliated.
"Ugh." Julia scoffed and crossed her arms. "Fine... But that means no killing him in the car with me in it." She said with a sulk.
Nemia gave a short laugh before nodding her head in agreement. "Alright, deal."
"Yeah, yeah."
Nemia gave another small laugh and shook her head as she stood. "Well it's past midnight and we have things to do tomorrow since it's the day before the formal. I'm going to bed, night Jules."
"Alright, night Mia." Julia replied as she stood and left off down the hall to her room.
Nemia trailed down behind her till she got to the only door on the left hand side of the hall. She walked in and flicked the light on. It flickered a moment before it would remain lit, signifying how little it's ever turned how now. How little she is ever here anymore.
The desk pushed into the corner of the room closest to the door was still piled high with papers and books from whatever she had last been doing here. She took her jacket off and placed it over the desk chair. Then, she started moving around the room. Looking at photos scattered around the room as well as digging around in her dresser drawers. She was reliving little moments with every passing step, pulling a hand to her mouth she yawned again.
"Need to sleep, pajamas." She mumbled to herself. She rummaged through drawers until she found some fuzzy pajama pants with cupcakes on them that Julia had given her years ago and and old, loose fitting t-shirt. She took the clothes to the bathroom attached to her room and turned the shower on.
After the water was at an acceptable temperature, she undressed and began to wash the day down the drain. About fifteen minutes later, she emerged from the bathtub and reached for a towel to dry off with before dressing in her found pajamas.
She slowly trudged up to the bed, cutting off the bathroom light as she went by and hit the bedroom light as well. She fell onto the bed as soon as she felt her knees touch it. "Sweet bed." She mumbled softly, scooting herself up more onto the bed before she drifted off in what would be a restless night of sleep.