Ava arrived home really late, and I could see the worry on Mother's and Luke's faces. I couldn't help but feel guilty. As I sat down on the couch, I listened to the stern question from Mother. "Where were you, Ava Brandon?" Hearing my full name on her lips, I could tell she was angry.
"I went on a date, Mother."
"Since when do you go on dates without my permission, Ava?" Mother growled. "You're just eighteen, still too young to be thinking about men."
"I know, Mother." Looking down, I bit my lower lip and mumbled, "The date was with my boss. He lent me the money for the date with him." I looked up and saw her shocked reaction.
"Your boss?"
"Yes, Mother. He said he likes me." I couldn't hide my smile as I continued, "He also said he would like to meet you and Luke someday."
"That is surprisingly strange."
"I know, Mother."
"But that doesn't mean you can come home this late. I have trained you better than this, Ava."
"I'm sorry, Mother."
"As your punishment, you are not allowed to go on any more dates. From work, I want you to come straight home." Nodding my head, I let out a sigh. "I need you to be careful. Men can be scary. You should have learned your lesson by now."
"I have, and I haven't forgotten."
"Your food is on the table, Ava. Eat and then go to bed."
"Thank you, Mother." I moved to the dining table, pulled out a chair, ate my meal, and then retreated to my room. I knew deep down that Alex was probably waiting for me. He must have heard the conversation. What do I say now?
"Yes," I replied to Alex's question.
"With whom?" He stood to his feet, his red eyes fixed on me with intense attention. I could tell he wasn't happy. Shutting my bedroom door, I glared at him. "Lower your voice, Alex."
"Who took you out?" His tone was demanding.
"My boss," I mumbled, letting my hair loose from the high ponytail. "He says he likes me."
"Do you like him?" I averted my gaze from the mirror back to Alex and shook my head. "No, Alex. I hate him. He is cruel." I spoke with a heavy heart as I sat on the bed, sadness engulfing me. I couldn't help but worry about Evelyn. What would happen to her now? Damon mentioned that he raped girls who annoyed him. Could he do such a thing to her?
"Hmm." Alex didn't say anything else, and silence fell between us. I realized I didn't know how to act around Alex. With Damon, there were always questions, and it was never a dull moment. But now, I was speechless, tired, and just in need of some sleep before work the next day. "Ava?"
"Yes." I looked up at him, feeling my cheeks redden from how close his face was to mine. "Are you shy around me?"
"No."
"Do you like having me here?"
Nodding my head, I smiled. "Yep. You have this calm air around you that makes me relax." I watched as he gently touched my face.
"Do I look like a kind person to you, Ava?"
"What do you mean?" I asked, puzzled by his question.
"Nothing," he chuckled and stepped back. "I can see you're tired. Are you feeling sleepy? I can go home now if you wish."
"Oh no." Holding his hand, I stopped him. "I want to learn more about you. Why do you have fangs and why do you believe that your heart is mine."
"That's a lot, Ava." He remained quiet. "I don't think I have answers to why I have fangs. The gods created me that way."
"So you're human?"
"What did you think?" He raised an eyebrow. "A monster?"
"Oh no, I will never think of such." Standing up, I moved closer to him and hugged him. "You're a good and kind human, that I'm sure of."
"Thank you." He withdrew back, not looking too happy tonight. I was left wondering what was wrong. "Are you okay, Alex?"
He shook his head and then nodded. "I am, Ava." Even after saying that, his face remained blank like he was seriously thinking. "I have to go. Some serious work just came up." He moved close and gave my lips a quick kiss, the first time our lips touched.
I felt weird and conflicted. With Damon, it felt right, like it was supposed to be. But I knew I hated him, so why did my body react differently? "I have to go." I watched him jump through the window and was still left wondering how a normal human could do that. He swiftly ran to his car, and his whole expression changed.
And then I realized, there was more to Alex than met the eye.
The next day, Damon was seen sitting in a coffee shop with Grant, talking about ridiculous things, as he would put it. "You never change," Grant chuckled. "Did you plan on scaring the living hell out of her?"
"She should get used to it. The war is close anyway."
"Have you revealed what you are yet?" Grant's voice was filled with curiosity. Of course, this guy wanted to know everything. But did I have enough patience to explain it all?
"No." I shrugged. "At least I told her I'm a dead human."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You know full well what I am. Leaving it for her to figure out is interesting. It will stir up her curiosity, and she will try her best to discover who I am."
"You're such a disorganized man, Damon. I find it hard to understand you," I said with a frown.
"I've heard that a lot," Damon sighed. "Surely, I'm not all that indecipherable. If only you pay attention, you'll be able to read me."
"I don't need that," Grant shook his head. "I have women who will appreciate my mind-reading techniques."
"Hmm."
"Have you read the letter Anna gave you?"
"No, if it's related to my father, then it's extrinsic to me," Damon growled, sipping his coffee. "I want nothing to do with that old man."
"The Black Dragon Clan is in danger, Damon," Grant's tone suddenly turned serious. "This may be ridiculous, but your father might need your help. You helping your clan may show them that you are far greater than your father, even if you're not a dragon."
"Hmm."
"Or the letter may mean something else, something to stir anger in your body," Grant giggled. "All these new events seem to be catching for me, marvelous!"
"You would be foolish to think I will help that backstabbing clan. They can all go to hell. I don't give a damn about them."
"So you'll be happy if Zulu is to die?" Grant's words stopped me in my tracks. Zulu? Has she returned?
"What do you mean?" I frowned, clenching my fists. Grant shrugged.
"I heard she has returned to town, looking for you, I suppose," he said. My emotions flared up, and I couldn't let anything happen to her. Nobody would touch what is under my protection.
"So what do you say, Damon?" Grant mumbled. "Are you going or not?"
"That shouldn't concern you, Grant. I do whatever I want to do," I replied, trying to hide my concerns. But his laughter told me that he wasn't lying. If Grant said Zulu was in town, then she was in town.
"The dynamics of our brotherhood sure are interesting," Grant chuckled, his mischief-filled energy palpable. His reputation as the demon of mischief was well-earned.
"The feeling is mutual," I muttered, my mind preoccupied with the news Grant had just shared with me. It meant I would have to be away from Ava, my dearest, for three whole days. I would miss her dearly, but Zulu's safety was paramount. I couldn't let any harm come to her.
As I sipped my coffee, I contemplated the situation. Perhaps I could take Ava with me. That way, she would stay by my side, and she could witness the horrors of war. It was time for her innocence to be shed. She couldn't remain sheltered forever.