We go inside and sit on the couch by the fire. We decide on a nice brandy. The more that I am around Vincent, the more I can see myself in him and more importantly with him. How can just a few hours seem as if we have spent decades together?
“This is fairly good. I don't usually drink brandy if I drink,” I say.
He sighs as he takes a sip, “Thought it might relax you a bit after what happened in the woods.”
The woods…yeah the woods. He probably thinks that I'm still confused by what abilities we explored, but that's not what has me nervous. It does a bit, but what terrifies me is how quickly things are progressing. I am not sure if I can fight this bond, and honestly, I'm not sure that I want to. But I can't just give into what my body wants, can I?
I sigh, “This is all surreal. I suppose it's easier to grasp the whole immortal thing because of books and movies. But where do truth and fiction meet?”
He runs his fingers through his hair, “I'll help what I can. We might have to travel to the Old World.”
I snap myself from daydreaming about his fingers running through my hair and all over my body, “But you ran probably for good reason too, I'm sure you'd prefer not to return!”
He looks at me with genuine reverence, “I didn't have a reason to before.”
I can't let him risk anything for me, “Don't trouble yourself for me I'm not worth it.”
I have never been of significance to anyone but Katie and Kevin. I don't matter. I never have and I still don't. Mate or no mate, powers or no powers I'm still that awkward freak.
He takes my hand as he looks into my eyes, “Stop thinking like that! Who put these notions in your head?”
I shrug, “Many over time have said similar to what you heard me think. Nothing has changed.”
He stands and holds his hand out to me, “Well they were either stupid or jealous, they aren't worth your time or sympathy! Get dressed, I'm taking you to the club the Prince owns!”
“Why?”
Vincent leads me to my room, “We need to talk to Eric. Change into a nice dress. I have to prove something.”
———-Vincent’s POV———-
The more that I am around Eva, the more certain I am that she's my mate. She's not any singular being, that I'm certain. I just wish she knew her parents so that I could find out what they were. There aren't many beings that could have a vampire as a mate. I need to take her to Eric's because I need to test something and I'm curious if she might be Eric's mate too. She read Eric's thoughts when Vicky became ash. That is a huge indicator. Plus he sought her out. He like me, doesn't approach others especially women like her.
Once this test works, maybe she will stop fighting the bond. My control is slipping the more that I'm so around her. If she doesn't accept me soon, I am likely to fly her off and f*ck her until she does.
———End POV———
I came out of my room to meet Vincent in the hallway.
He exclaims, “Well f*ck!”
I laugh as I run my hands along my off-white dress. It has a mesh under it that makes you appear nude. “What? This is one of the only dresses I grabbed,” I say. It's the truth because I didn't grab much. While packing, getting done quickly was all I could think about because I wanted to be with Vincent.
Suddenly, he is very stern, “Stay by my side! Please don't find trouble.”
I look at him annoyed, “What is your deal?”
He rolls his eyes, “Did you look in a mirror?”
Asshole! “Um no, can you?” I retort as snidely as possible.
He glares at me, “Yes we can. Ugh, just behave!”
I laugh and say sarcastically, “I'll be a good girl, Master.”
As he growls and shakes his head, we walk out onto the balcony. Then he grabs me and we fly off. I squeal at first out of shock. It is amazing to feel the wind on my face and his hot, hard body pressed against me.
I feel safe and exhilarated too. We talk in our minds…
I think, “This is amazing.”
I can feel him smiling as I hear his thought, “It's a way to travel quickly, but the view can be very lovely.”
I turn my head and notice that he's looking at me. I giggle to myself, but as I do I feel his smile widen as I feel his hot breath against the back of my neck.
We land at the club called 'Nightly Tendencies'.
I giggle as we continue to talk in our minds…
“It's just for our kind,” he says, “but since you think it's so funny what would you call a vampire club?”
I don't have to think, “Night Moves or Eternal Bliss.”
He smirks, “Yeah those are better but we probably shouldn't tell him that.”
I give him a look, “Why not? I'm not afraid of him.”
He pinches the bridge of his nose, “Eva seriously show some restraint you already outed his wife.”
I shrug, “She was rude and evil. She had it coming.”
He rolls his eyes, “Just stay by me.”
I pout, “Fine, I'll be good.”
We continue talking in our minds as we enter the club. It is a very elegant establishment. Men are in suits and women look as if they stepped out of a magazine.
“Why are they staring?” I ask him via our mental link.
“I've never brought anyone before and I don't come often,” he informs me.
“Oh, so thanks for making me a target and even more of an outcast.”
He pulls me closer to him, “You shouldn't be targeted, they're just surprised. Read their emotions and tell me.”
I glance around before I answer him, “Most are just shocked. Some of the women though wish me dead.”
He kisses my hand, “They are nothing. They're just jealous.”
True but I still have an odd feeling, “If they come at me, they will regret it. I'm not defined by your laws, but they are.”
“Eva, please. Try not to cause a scene. I need you to stay safe,” he pleads.
I smile, “I promise that I won't start anything.”
He smiles, “Good, I will be listening.”
We stopped our telepathic conversation for the time being. He gets me a glass of wine and we sit. It's not long before he's called to talk to Prince Eric. I know I'll be called soon too so I decide not to try and listen in. I am going to try and give Vincent the privacy as I want him to do for me. He said to think of the telepathy as a radio that I can turn off and on as well as adjust, so that's what I am going to attempt to do.
I am approached by a female vampire. Outwardly she looks a year or two younger than me, but she's likely hundreds of years old. She's dressed in a designer dress that looks like it was painted on. She strikes me as a pretentious Barbie b*tch.
“Since when is food allowed? If I knew he changed the rules I would've brought a snack too,” the unidentified whore said.
I roll my eyes, “I'm not food. I'm here with Vincent.”
She scrunches up her nose, “Him and his mortal obsession. You're just a passing fancy.”
That pissed me off because I know that's not how Vincent is. Even though I haven't truly known him very long, it feels as if I do. My Vincent doesn't see me as disposable. If I were he wouldn't have taken me to his home and I most certainly wouldn't be in this club either.
I laugh at her, “Oh that's rich coming from a rag doll like you that's been passed around like a joint. Hell, Vincent never went past first base with you.” I know what I'm saying is true. I know my Vincent!
She lunged for me. I just reacted, “Be blind!” There was a flash of light followed by a crack.
“I can't see what the hell. Witch witch!” she screams as she's grabbing her eyes. She bumped me into the table.
I laugh as I pick up my wine glass and dump it on her, “No I'm human, just smarter than you!”
Vincent comes over, “Eva!”
I bite my lip, “You heard.”
He nods, “I did. I'm not mad. She had it coming.”
He stood in front of that vampiress. “Get Veronica out of here. She's clearly had too much. To my office both of you, please,” he said.
So the chick who thought I was food is named Veronica. I will remember that.
We walk into his office. It is very nice. He pours us a drink. I giggle because it looks like I drive these guys to drink.
Eric shakes his head, “It's scotch, we are going to need this!”
I go on the defensive, “She provoked me and tried to grab me!”
He sighs, “We know.”
I look at Eric more confused than ever, “You mean Vincent told you.” They look at each other and then at
me, “Don't even think nor suggest! Not happening!”
Eric smirks, “Prove me wrong.”
I think 'f*ck you'.
They both answer out loud. Vincent says, “I’d love to when you're ready.” Eric says, “Is that an invitation?”
I huff as I throw my hands up, “For fucksake! Can't you just unlike me!”
Eric chuckles, “There's no unfriend button, Eva.”
I look at him, “Well I'm going to make one. I was single earlier today. Is this why we are here, Vincent?”
He nods, “One reason, yes. I thought you might be Eric’s mate and I knew that you had to see it for yourself.”
I roll my eyes, “So what's the other?”
He says, “I am to test the limit of your mindlink and I needed to know that you'd be safe as I did so. I trust Eric and more so now that I know he's a mate. I'm going across town. Give me 15 minutes and try to talk to me. Don't look for a trace like you did for the wolf.”
I agree and he leaves me with Eric while he conducts his experiment. Eric and I use this time to talk.
“Vincent told me that you can control the elements,” he says.
“Maybe, it just kinda happened. We don't know what caused it,” I reply.
“He said your blood is like no other as well,” Eric mentioned.
I nod, “Yeah but I don't know what all he's comparing it to.”
Telepathically, Vincent said that he compared my blood to all nonextinct immortals, humans, and many animals. That shocked me because it scared me.
“Eva, your eyes are glowing,” he worriedly says.
“Crap, that happened before the tornado formed around us,” I reply as I try to hide my face.
He puts his hand on mine, “Well we are inside so that probably won't happen. He didn't say what you were doing when your powers emerged.”
I look away.
He inquires, “You weren't were you?”
I shake my head, “No, just kissed.”
He huffs, “Why are you in my head?”
“I'm trying not to be,” I say. I'm so nervous. I can't control anything and fighting the bond isn't helping either.
He sighs, “Please stop singing Marcarena.”
I look down, “Sorry, it's a reflex.”
Then we hear Vincent in our minds, “For the love of God!”
I laugh at him and Eric.
Eric shares his thoughts, “We need to find a linked couple to talk with. There's a few that frequent here. Not many exist like they used to. I will have my men see if any are here tonight.”
I go back to talking out loud. Silent conversations just feel alien to me, “Eric, all of this is far-fetched. Yet I can't discredit it.”
He pats my arm, “I bet, growing up thinking you're human and then suddenly learning you're not. Just that alone is nearly impossible to grasp.”
I reply, “Just don't go poking around in my mind, it gets a bit crazy in there. Vincent and I are
trying to control the link. I'm guessing you want me to write about something, why you invited me to the Gala.”
He nods, “My pull to you aside, yes that's why I initiallyI nvited you to the Gala. There's been unauthorized feedings as well as other
things. I want you to write about the missing humans and those discovered among what else I tell you. Mention our true abilities so vampires will pay attention. I am hoping some will come forward before Hunters get involved.”
“So the murders the news is downplaying as a serial killer?” I ask.
He nods. I smile, “Consider it done.”
As I said that my alarm went off. Eric joked that he didn't see me set it. I told him that's why I'm so good at my job.
“I am going to put my hands on your desk so you can tell Vincent that I didn't cheat,” I say.
Eric chuckles, “Good call.”
In my mind….
“Hey, Vinny!”
He groans, “Don't call me that!”
I laugh, “Are you where you said?”
“Yeah been here a few minutes waiting on you,” he croaks.
I roll my eyes, “It was only just now time. I haven't touched anything but the desk either!”
I hear the surprise, “Wow I'll be right there shortly!”
I giggle at his childlike tone, “Toodles.”
This time I pretended to hang up an imaginary phone to end our telepathic connection.
Eric shakes his head, “You know he doesn't like that name.”
I huff, “Well he never told me that I couldn't call him Vinny.”
“You know that you and him are a lot alike, right?”
I shake my head, “No, we come from different worlds.”
“Eva, in this world it doesn't matter. You are mates. There's no denying it now,” he says.
I look at him, “Fine. Then how does your world explain why you hear my thoughts and why the wolf does too?”
He smirks, “You are likely going to hate this, but the answer is simple. Rare but simple, we are your mates.”
I exclaim, “This is so messed up!”
He puts both of his hands on my shoulders. I feel a current of electricity. I see his greatest loss. His wife died in
childbirth. I pull away, “I'm sorry.”
“Did you see all of that? Tell me,” he says.
“Your greatest loss which is similar to mine But you lost two at once, I'm sorry,” I tell him.
I'm trying to fight back the tears. Suddenly the lights go out and the sprinklers turn on. I jump.
Eric says, “Eva I think you have to calm down.”
Vincent rushes in, “Eva!” He embraces me before he kisses me and wipes away my tears, “It's fine, don't live in the past.”
He kisses me again and we float. The lights come back on and the sprinklers turnoff.
I laugh, “Um, we are floating again.”
He curses as he lowers us back down.
“It's not funny,” he says.
“So is,” I tease.
Eric says, “See you're both alike.”
“Not even close,” I say.
Vincent says at the same time, “Not even close.”
Eric laughs, “Point proven.”
Vincent starts, “This day just keeps…”
I finish, “getting weirder and weirder.”
He says, “Stop that!”
I reply, “I didn't mean to.”
“So do I need to start singing some stupid song in my head again?” I ask.
They both yelled ‘No!’ at the same time. I couldn't help but laugh.
Soon we all shared a laugh. This is just absurd. Me, whatever I am, having three mates is just insane. But I can't shake that it just feels right. There is this connection to them. This pull that wraps us together as if we are bound by coiled rope.