I end up sitting on a lounge chair with Vincent, Sam, and Eric while the others party. I'm just not
the center-of-attention type. I like being a wallflower while observing others. I gave Vincent and Eric glasses of my blood. I also used my magic to bring out a bottle of wine and a glass for me. I then used magic to bring Sam a glass of whiskey and us some food.
Vincent says, “It's still strange seeing you use your magic for normal things. I just don't want the wrong people noticing.”
“I won't all the time but I need practice. I nearly spilled the drink,” I tell him.
Eric notices my mood, “You're not the party type are you?”
“Nope, never have been. Katie is the one that dances till she forgets not me. I was always the one in the corner either alone or talking to a small group. Honestly, I only ever went to parties if someone dragged me there. I'd rather stay home and read or write. I'm still that way,” I say.
Eric asks me, “Why did you accept my invitation?”
“Katie said I should go for work. Plus it piqued my curiosity a bit. Then noticed I could bring a guest so I brought Katie so that l'd feel less out of place,” I explain.
Vincent smirks.
Eric says to him, “A lot like you, old friend.”
“I've attended plenty, they all fade together over time,” Vincent says smugly.
I look at Vincent and ask, “So our next step will be visiting your maker Vincent Where is he exactly and who? Anything special we should be aware of?”
Vincent sighs, “I'm more concerned with other Princes there sensing me. I have a lot of blood on my hands and I can't risk them using you to get to me.”
I kiss him sweetly, “I know, but I can block them. I have to be able to because if not then me having these abilities is useless if I can't protect those that I love.”
He kisses me as he's thinking, “Some Princes will feel threatened the moment I leave the Netherlands.”
“Why would we need to leave there if that's where your maker is?” I ask.
Vincent smirks, “Call it what you will, but he will no doubt make us talk with my brother.”
Um, does he think that something I might need could be there? Can he sense that I'm not yet complete?
Vincent smiles at me, “He’s not a blood relative like you're thinking either. He's the other person my maker turned a few hundred years after me. He could have vital information for us.”
“Okay. Why don't you want to see your brother? Because I can feel it,” I say.
Vincent sighs, “Ever heard of Vlad Tepes?”
My eyes widen, “As in Vlad the Impaler, as in Dracula?”
Vincent says flatly, “Yes.”
I am getting irritated with short answers, “Stop withholding!”
Vincent sighs, “He's a major arrogant bastard!”
I raise an eyebrow at him as I hold in a giggle.
“Oh stop! He's far worse than me. His ego could power the space station for a millennia,” Vincent says.
“How so?” I ask.
Vincent explains, “He's a womanizer, Eva. He's yet to meet a woman he can't seduce.”
l laugh, “Well there's a first time for everything! Let him try and fail!”
“Let him try, you serious?” Vincent asks.
I shrug, “Yeah. I've already found my mates. I sure as hell don't need anymore or any side
action! I don't even know what to do with you three!”
We laugh.
Eric smiles, “I am glad you are coming to accept all of this.”
I turn to Sam, “I am trying. Sam, why all of this? You never had a chance to tell me about these traditions.”
Sam sighs, “It is a wedding reception but not all rituals will happen tonight because Gran won't force you to do anything you don't want to do. We were supposed to come back after our run and undress so that Gran could bind us under the moon. Then as we mate yet again, there others would strip and start the party. We would break for cake and then the party would resume until sunrise.”
I cross my legs. I feel that heat and pressure building again.
They are all staring at me, “What?”
Then my phone rings serving as a distraction. It's my boss Mr. Rick Crawford. Saved by the bell! I owe you, old man!
I look at the guys, “I gotta take this.”
Rick is who I believe to be a human male in his fifties. He has become like a father to me even though I consider him my boss. He is an editor and chief at Stranger Things, after all.
***Phone Call***
“Hello,” Rick says.
I am concerned and I can feel his through the phone, “Sir, what's going on you rarely contact me this late?”
Rick asks, “Did I wake you?”
I laugh, “Not even remotely.”
“I was under the impression that you slept. Perhaps you're not human,” he says.
I think if you only knew. Rick is human at least I think he is. He's fairly perceptive though. So now I am not sure.
Rick asks, “Are you at a party?”
“Just enjoying company of friends and my adoptive family,” I reply.
“I hate to put a damper on your mood but the magazine is in trouble,” he tells me.
I tell Rick, “I'm putting you on speaker! How is the magazine in trouble?”
“Your articles are great so don't think anything. I got the one you sent earlier about the murders. Hell, you made me think vampires are real,” he says.
I laugh, “Did my job!”
Rick sighs, “The problem is we might all be out of a job.”
“Why?” I ask.
Rick says, “The bank says we owe a sizable sum on a loan.”
I am getting pissed, “I did the taxes earlier this year. We have no such loans! This is more likely a scam or a con.”
Rick sighs, “Exactly, but I am still worried that something could happen.”
“What's going on?” I ask.
Rick tells us, “All Trust United says I signed loan documents six months ago and now it's time to pay up, but I don't remember doing such a thing.”
Did someone compel him? I hope not, but if they did I will find them and they will pay!
Sam can feel my agitation so he takes over, “That bank has only been in operation just under two years. Some ultra wealthy guy founded it. It's very shady and doesn't smell right if you ask me.”
I look at Sam and point to Vincent
and Eric. Sam nods. Vampires! Vampires are behind this!
Rick asks, “Eva who's that?”
Sam smiles at me, “Sam Fall good friend of Eva's. She's currently at one of my homes.”
Rick asks him, “You own several businesses, correct?”
“Yes, this rings of a scam to me. Fly by night company preying on smaller ones. They
could've forged the documents,” Sam explains.
Eric agrees, “Well it is illegal if those documents were forged and they should be brought to justice.”
Rick tells him, “I assure you they were forged. They have to be! I don't remember signing them like I said.”
“I'd know too guys. Rick tell me everything that concerns the magazine,” I tell them.
Rick sighs, “Why I hate burdening you, Eva. You do too much already.”
“I refuse to let good people be taken advantage of. They must be doing this to others,” I say.
Eric suggests, “I'll contact my sources in law enforcement. I am sure that they will uncover something.”
Vincent adds, “I'll get my lawyers on it too.”
“I will do some digging as well,” Sam says.
They know how much the magazine and those there mean to me. My mates are wonderful men!
We hear Katie squeak and squeal with delight in the background.
Rick laughs, “I hear Katie having a good time.”
I giggle, “You know her. She'd have a party in the dentist's office.”
Rick reminisces, “I remember she threw that one in our office.”
I laugh because I remember it well, “When I got that award, dumped my ex, and got that tattoo!”
Rick laughs, “You talked the cops into joining our party.”
“Better than the alternative,” I say.
Vincent shakes his head, “Somehow that doesn't surprise me.”
Rick asks, “Who are helping you besides Mr. Fall?”
Eric says, “Pardon my manners, I'm Eric Wood. A pleasure to formally meet you, Mr. Crawford.”
“Ah I remember now. You're the one that called a few weeks ago requesting some back issues,” Rick says.
Eric grins as he looks at me, “Yes and they proved quite useful. Why I'm happy to return the favor.”
I shake my head, “My other helper, perhaps the most annoying one, is Vincent Black.”
Vincent raises an eyebrow at me, “Is that anyway to talk to the man that gave you a home?”
That cocky asshole! “Why yes, yes it is!”
Sam sighs, “Focus please!”
Rick says, “I wasn't aware you moved, Eva.”
I need to explain, “Kind of a sudden thing. Victor came back.”
Rick pleads, “Please tell me you're okay and you seriously won't go back to him!”
“Oh he and I are very much done. Just moved for safety,” I say with a huge smile.
Rick sighs, “You find more trouble than anyone.”
I shrug, “Or it finds me.”
“I'm really sorry to bring this to you,” Rick tells me.
“Stop! Everything is fine. We will fix this!” I tell him.
Rick says, “I'll do whatever it takes.”
“Work with my lawyers,” Vincent tells him.
Eric says, “Work with the officers I send to you tomorrow, Mr. Crawford.”
“Let us work some angles. I'll see you tomorrow or the next day at the office,” I tell Rick.
“Again I'm sorry everyone and I'm especially sorry Eva,” Rick says.
I smile, “It will be fine. You'll see.”
I know that it will be or else we all will make it be!
***We end the call***
I sigh, “Well we have a bank to break into. We need those documents!”
Eric says, “Let us handle this. We don't have to break in to get them.”
“No, it could take too long,” I tell him.
“We will just pay off the loan,” Vincent suggests.
I yell, “No! Then they'll just get away with it!”
Sam sighs, “You just have to do something don't you?”
I nod, “With or without you I will, although it will be much easier with you.”
Vincent huffs, “Fine, but we are not putting you at risk in any way. You will listen to us!”
I break my wine glass. I wasn't aware that I was squeezing it that hard.
“Shit!” Sam exclaims.
I sigh, “Sorry.”
As he's removing glass from my healing hands, Sam says, “You need a distraction. Let's say our goodbyes and then we all can go to the cabin. Katie will be fine.”
———-Eric’s POV——-
I knew I needed Midnight Rose. Little did I know how much. Yes, she can be very stubborn but she's immensely creative. I need that in my life. I need her in my life! I know Vincent has fallen hard even if he won't admit it. I knew that the moment he showed up at my club. That night, I too realized Eva was my mate. I didn't want to push it because I didn't want her to bolt. Her accepting all of this so quickly is
miraculous. It's all the more reason to believe that we are all bound for a reason. It goes beyond us being mates and beyond the prophecy we know.
I hope we discover more and don't have to be abroad for long. I feel that a dark storm is coming, and I don't want us in its path.