When I woke up in the morning, Damon had already gone to work. I stretched myself, contemplating what I could do for the day. I wasn't ready to start working on the nursery yet, especially when there were so many men at home eager to renovate and remodel.
I preferred to handle things on my own, so I redirected my energy towards other tasks. Soon enough, a solution presented itself as I showered and leisurely made my way to the kitchen. As I opened the fridge, I noticed a lack of meals for the Salvatores. I realized it was time to cook.
Just as I got everything in order, Mariella, Elena, and Katherine walked in, accompanied by the wolves.
With my mouth full of food, I said, "Let's cook!"
Elena frowned and asked, "What do you mean? I didn't catch that."
After swallowing my food, I replied, "Let's cook and bake. We have the time, the kitchen, and our protectees need meals. We have the means, motivation, and enthusiasm."
Mimosa nodded in agreement and added, "What a wonderful idea! It's been a while since I've cooked properly, especially with the kitchen always full of Salvatores."
Katherine's voice carried a smug tone as she remarked, "Well, it's even fuller now, considering four of you are Salvatores too. Thank God I'm not a Salvatore."
Shadow chimed in, "Don't dwell on that too much. You know telepaths, they might get the wrong ideas, and soon you might find yourself as Mrs. Salvatore too."
Katherine shook her head and shivered, but she couldn't help but smile.
She said, "Sure, we've had our bad times, and there were plenty of them. But then there were those not-so-bad times. He can be so roguishly seductive that even in the middle of an argument, he might seduce me into bed."
I nodded, reminiscing. "Once, when Damon was being a jerk and made me listen as he slept with other women, well, Magnum seduced me. And then things happened, but later on, I went to the gym to blow off steam. He ended up joining me there, and I attacked him. But that bastard knows my ultimate weakness, and he's merciless in using it. My ultimate weakness is him. So we ended up sanctifying the damn gym, very carefully."
Elena giggled, while Mariella barely smiled, having heard a version of this story from Damon. It was just another piece of my past.
I was beginning to assign tasks after the meal.
I said, "Alright, first things first, we need to prepare food for the protectees. So get to work. When they come to eat, taste their blood and go along with it. I already know about number one as he made me drink his blood last night, so I'll take care of him first. But I'll also taste the blood of the other Salvatores as they come home. However, we can prepare a meal that suits everyone and then add what is needed."
Mariella responded, "That's a good idea. So what are we doing first?"
I replied, "We're going to Moldova to get some meat and a few other things. I think we should cook enough for at least three days, and then we can start baking. I have the baking ingredients there as well. Let's show the Salvatores how females handle this!"
Everyone was very excited, and we went to gather our supplies - meat and anything else we needed.
As evening approached and the Salvatores returned home, they looked exhausted. I could see and sense it, especially since my bond with Damon had grown stronger during that one night. I coldly instructed them to sit down while I started placing plates in front of them. I tasted their bloods to gather information for tomorrow on what adjustments were needed for each person.
It was surprising to me when Damon ordered me to bed with him, but I didn't resist. He was tired, and I somehow felt his need to be with me. Who was I to deny him that? He was already gone by the time I woke up, but it felt good to sleep next to him.
Even though he fell asleep first, he kept me safe. I could feel multiple mental constructs that Wulfe had built in my mind to keep nightmares at bay. I guess they had discovered some nasty ones. It was just typical for me - my issues always creeped everyone out.
I walked to the kitchen to continue preparing more food and once again instructed everyone on what needed to be done. "Mariella, go and put the horse, wagyu, Kobe, and those three pigs in the pit so that we have the meat ready at some point."
She nodded and began loading the cart with large chunks of meat.
I continued, "Mimosa, go empty the smoking house and add more items. The ones in there are now cured, so you can put lamb, fish, and yak in there. Put the ready ones in foil and place them in the fridge to cool off. It will be easier to handle that way."
Mimosa nodded and continued on her way.
I instructed Shadow, "Please go gather more herbs for us. We need thyme, basil, chives, and mint, but also bring back extra spring onions and dig up some potatoes, will you?"
Shadow eagerly nodded in agreement and headed off to start her task.
Elena and Katherine were also prepared, so I told them, "You two, go harvest as many berries and fruits as you can. We will need them for baking."
They walked away to begin their work.
I made my way to the fridge and grabbed packets of steaks, a few large roasts, and some rabbits. I began seasoning them and placed them in the oven. I had already made plans and discussed with everyone what they needed, so we had a list of dishes to prepare. Some meals would be shared among multiple people, while others were tailored to meet the specific dietary needs of individuals.
As we cooked and chatted, Elena asked me, "Do you remember your first kill?"
I raised my eyebrows and nodded, taking a deep breath before answering. "Well, my official first kill as a killer was a scientist. I was on a mission with Adam, but as for my very first life taken, I believe I was still human back then. I can't say for certain who it was, as I have no recollection of anyone surviving."
Mariella frowned and inquired, "What do you mean? Have you ever told Damon about this?"
I shrugged and replied, "I've shared bits and pieces with him. Perhaps he has glimpsed them in my mind. But as for my first kill, I was in a place I can't recall. Morrissey and Kendrick had me captive, fueling my rage, which drove me mad. I despised being drugged and restrained, and I was desperate to escape. Nothing and no one could stop me. I remember encountering a nurse with brown hair who came into the room to administer more saline to the drip. I had managed to free myself and was in a somewhat feral state. I grabbed the IV pole and struck her, slicing open her neck. Then I ran away. I believe she died from a severe wound. It was a gruesome sight, and while she was innocent in a sense, she was aware of the atrocities being committed there."
Shadow commented, "It's awful, I mean, not for her, but for you. I can't even imagine what it feels like when someone is building up rage in your mind."
I looked into the distance, my voice sounding somewhat hollow as I replied, "I have been broken for so long that I can't even remember what it feels like to be whole. But then again, is anyone truly whole? Are we all broken to some extent?"
Mariella nodded in agreement, and I continued, "Just think about the irony of fate. One single choice led me to this point. My life would have been normal and uneventful, and I would have died as a mere human if I hadn't ordered that DNA test."
Mariella lifted her gaze from the pork shoulder she was cutting and said, "You're wrong. I know one thing for sure. This was your destiny. If it hadn't been that DNA test, it would have been your lab tests. Someone would have obtained a sample of your blood or found some old results. My friend, it was never an option for you to die as a human. Forces stronger than even God himself had already decided your path."
My mouth hung open in astonishment as I stared at Mariella for quite some time.
Finally, as my tongue started to tingle from dryness, I said, "That's quite a revelation. Of course, you could have told me this sooner, but then again, I have no idea if it would have made any difference."
Mariella replied, "This is the right time for this revelation. Some things have to happen at certain times, and this was one of them. Now that you know, it will help you grow even more. It will allow you to move on and maybe be more gentle with yourself."
Katherine inquired, "Why are you targeting those financiers? During our holiday, I noticed there was a list of them to be eliminated. Surely, accountants can be replaced, no one is that crucial."
Mariella glanced at me and agreed, "You must have your reasons for considering them important targets, but I agree with Katherine, they can be replaced."
I rolled my eyes, realizing they didn't know everything, but it was time to educate them.
I sat down and began to explain, "Allow me to clarify. Let's take the example of a drug company like Sarks. They manufacture substances such as fentanyl, ketamine, and even veterinary drugs in their factory. However, there are no strict logs in place, unlike in a hospital, where every drop of medication is closely monitored. Now, suppose there was an 'incident,' a mishap that caused 300,000 vials of fentanyl to get mixed with ketamine, rendering them useless. There is no burden of proof for disposal, so naturally, that batch would be removed, the production line would be maintained, and those vials would simply disappear, becoming just another entry in the log."
Mariella nodded in understanding, and Mimosa added, "But you're implying that it's not an accident, right? But why?"
I responded, "Indeed. These contaminated vials are packed into a van, supposedly for disposal. However, the destination would be one of Sark's facilities, and it's not difficult to manipulate the logbooks to make it seem like the vials were properly dealt with. In reality, they are taken to a secret lab, where further processing occurs. Approximately half of the vials are mixed with substances like erection enhancers, male boosters, and steroids, creating drugs targeted towards males. The other half receives doses of synthetic pheromones, intended for females, along with a few other substances, resulting in drugs for females."
Elena nodded and asked, "But why? And how are the financiers connected to all of this?"
I smiled and casually remarked, "You know, the next step after manufacturing drugs is converting them into pills. Picture small heart-shaped pills that are highly potent, so one tablet is all you need. Interestingly, they make pink pills for girls and blue pills for boys. These pills are then distributed through various channels. Now, individuals like Sark and others have their network of street vendors selling these pills. Their pimps receive shipments of around 300 pills for boys and 300 for girls. They even have specific instructions on who to target, such as females aged 16-24 and males aged 18-26. These peddlers know exactly where to sell, like at sorority parties or clubs. Since one tablet is quite strong, it can fetch a price of over 100 dollars, making it a highly profitable business. They cleverly market these pills with names like 'love drug' or 'heart of lust,' promoting them as the ultimate sex enhancer. Give one pill to a girl, and she becomes more willing to engage in raw sexual encounters."
Mariella shook her head in disbelief and exclaimed, "Are you telling me they produce and sell these dangerous concoctions to innocent children? It's absolutely disgusting!"
I nodded in agreement and continued, "Yes, it's even worse. These pimps are depositing the money they earn into specific accounts managed by shady financiers. Each person can handle over 40 different accounts, all filled with drug money. They utilize shell companies, fake identities, and other illicit methods. As a result, Sarks' operation now has 'new donors' and 'investors,' which are essentially just fabricated identities. This drug money is then legally invested in his facility."
Katherine's expression turned to one of disgust, while Mariella clenched her fists in anger. Mimosa, with her vampire side awakening, emitted a scent reminiscent of burning paper. The intensity of the story even caused Shadow to growl, her eyes glowing a fiery ruby red.
I said, "So there you have it. Sark is getting legal money now, thanks to these controlled substances being tested. He has data on what works and what doesn't, and it's not pleasant at all. In this particular case, I killed the financier, but the damage was quite severe. Since only one pill was needed, the police had no evidence. 35 people died from an overdose, or perhaps it didn't suit their agenda. Additionally, one girl was gang-raped and impregnated by seven men. She gave birth to seven babies, each with a different father. Two men accepted paternity, while five did not. Even when it went to court, there was no evidence. Sark's associates had instructed the boys to use condoms and dispose of them, so in court, they claimed to have used condoms. They also accused the girl of being mentally unstable and intentionally getting pregnant to extort money from them. It was a complete lie, but the evidence supported the boys' story. The girl had been affected by the pill for four days, and when she received contraceptives from the hospital, they didn't work. She became pregnant, and her family refused to let her have an abortion due to the damage to her reputation. She had to face the consequences of her mistakes."
Mariella's eyes flashed green, and her mouth tightened.
Katherine exclaimed, "I mean, how is this even possible? Are humans truly this stupid?"
I nodded and replied, "Now, when I kill one of the financiers, the police will freeze their accounts and investigate. However, Sark and the other bastards don't want the police or anyone else snooping around, so they will get rid of any evidence and cut off those accounts. That's when my hacker group steps in, takes the money and puts it to good use. All the police will find are empty accounts, further suggesting that the financier was involved in something shady. This will lead to more investigations and put pressure on Sark. No more money from drugs. But as you mentioned, they will eventually be replaced, and I'll be back in business, taking them out."
Mariella hissed, "I will inform the Magic House, hell, I will tell everyone. We will put an end to this nonsense. Don't tell me it's useless; we will make a difference, even if it's something small."
I smiled and said, "This world is far from perfect, and I've learned to appreciate the opportunity we have to bring our children into a better world. A place without corruption, drugs, or Sark. Even if it means giving them up, they will truly be better off in their own world than in mine."
Mimosa nodded, frustrated yet determined.
Shadow asked, "My guess is Damon doesn't know this either. Who does know about this picture?"
My reply was short. "Alaric, Magnum, Tim, Taylor, Adam, Charles. I am protecting Damon. He doesn't have to know. We will fight as hard as we can, but he can remain blissfully ignorant. No need to burden him."
Mariella said, "He is your husband, your confidant. It is time for you to tell him and let him see the ugly side of the world too, so he can support you. And who knows, he may have his own ways. My guess is not many vampires would be happy with drug pushers poisoning children and forcing them to be pregnant."
I said nothing, deep in thought. Surely Mariella had a point, but then again, I felt Damon. My soul felt connected to him, and as the alpha female, I protected him without needing to ask if he needed protection. It was just who I was - the ultimate protector.
The cozy kitchen felt somewhat tainted by this story, and I had to push the ugliness of the world out of my mind. I continued cooking, setting an example for others. It was good to know the twisted world we were living in, but there was still hope, at least a little.