After Vlad watched and laughed at Vincent and I’s impromptu wrestling bout, he decided to open up.
Vlad takes in a stilted breath and then begins, “My story as you saw is similar to Vincent's but a war didn't take my love not exactly. I was off fighting when I was turned. Then you saw what happened to my wife, Cadence, before my return. From then I kept women where I'm keeping you right now until Elena.
I shared my suite with her, then my bed, and then my heart. Something I swore I'd never do! Now you know what's become of her because I couldn't protect her. She always wanted to test herself and I tried to contain her. I drove her away while making her an easy target for Merdon.
When I first discovered Elena, I wanted her power but I grew to care for her and love her. My using a spell to keep my fire from burning her, made her vulnerable too. My desire for her and to protect her led to her distancing herself from me. I should have listened to my gut and never cherished her.”
I can't let him blame himself. Whether she chose to go with Merdon or was bewitched to, he's not completely to blame, “She shouldn't need constant
protecting because of who she's married to. I don't expect my mates to protect me all of the time because I can protect myself without hesitation.”
Vlad smiles as he looks at me, “She's nothing like you.”
I shrug, “She might never be a goddess but how many vampires possess her gifts?”
He nods, “There is that.”
“She must harness them. It's about control. As long as fear controls her, she'll never achieve her true potential,” I say.
“How can you be so sure?” Vlad asks me.
As I look at Vincent, I respond, “I've learned to trust myself and those that love me. She needs to as well.”
Vincent smiles as his eyes shine with love, “We both have.”
Vlad still seems a bit confused, “Do you fight the Haze still?”
I shake my head, “Not anymore. During the full moon, we stay home. We can't fight it at all then. Maybe in time, we will. The seasonal Haze, like right now, we fight in public but privately there's no point. The regular Haze between mates you can turn off and on nearly willingly from what we assume. As we said, there's a learning curve.”
“Okay that clarifies it a bit for me. You and Vincent are similar so I can easily see your connection. What's between you and the others?”
I think Vlad wants to understand where he fits into this. I hope he feels as I am starting to, “Katie is my humanity that I'll never let go of. With Sam there's just comfort and ease. He encourages me to explore myself with no expectations. It's like we've been together all of our lives. With Eric, he tries to keep me level-headed and grounds me. We respect each other above all else. We rule similarly and share common goals. It's a formal connection that turned into a loving one. You three vampires and myself lost humans we loved. I'm the first Sam has loved.”
“That makes sense actually. But this…” Vlad trails off.
I shrug, “Yeah I don't know, but I want to.”
Vincent grins, “I do.”
We look at Vincent as he explains, “Your protectiveness, desire to find the truth, longing for a normal life, and rage. We are parts of you. Once bound I'm betting nothing will stop any of us.”
I sigh. Vincent cups my face in his hand, “You'll see when you're ready. But you know I'm right!”
I roll my eyes as Vincent teases me, “Hate it all you want, my love. It won't make me any less right!”
I remove my head from his palm and smack him, “You ass!”
He chuckles, “But one that's right. Do what you need to, Vlad. I'm going to enjoy my victory!”
I smirk at Vincent’s arrogance, “I can stop you!”
Vincent’s smirk widens, “We agreed no powers. Plus you don't want to stop me. It's written all over you!”
I huff, “You're an arrogant ass!”
“Yep, but one that's getting laid!” Vincent says proudly.
I just shake my head, but once our eyes lock and that's all it takes. Suddenly nothing matters not even Vlad sitting near me. “Haze,” I announce.
Vincent smiles, “Yes, my love.”
We fall into each other in an earth shattering kiss. Our clothes disappear in a flash. Electricity surges, we float, and heat radiates between us. We become one in every way. Hours pass by in a blur of wondrous lust. Eventually we return to normal and notice a crowd in our room.
Eric says, “Glad you returned. However…”
I sigh because I know something happened as it usually does when I give into one of my mates, “What now?
Eric explains, “You caused an earthquake.”
Vlad adds, “And now half the country is without power.”
“Here has earthquakes though, right?” I ask Vlad.
“Not in this area, northeast of here has an active fault line though,” Vlad responds.
“Shit,” I yell.
Vlad squeezes my hand, “I'll have my men compel the scientists to alter the epicenter.”
I return his squeeze with a smile, “Thank you.”
Vlad chuckles, “You both need control or just never to be just you both during the Haze.”
So Vlad didn’t stay to watch. I’m not sure that I would have either. I look around, “Why does here have power?”
Eric looks at Vincent and me, “You both released it.”
“Oh!” I exclaim as I blush and Vincent chuckles.
Eric chastises Vincent, “Vin don't, your cockiness caused this!”
Vincent rolls his eyes, “Whatever!”
“I see it now! F*ck he's right!” Vlad yells as he just figured out how we all fit.
I look at Sam, “I'm hungry.”
Sam shakes his head, “You used your powers, Eva. You need to stop!”
I sigh, “I don't know I'm doing it when I'm with you guys. It just happens so it's your fault!”
Vlad chuckles, “We will all figure it out. Until then let's eat!”
“You said eat, not feed!” I say with a huge grin.
Vlad smiles, “I can taste food again.”
I laugh, “Only if I cook.”
Vlad glares at me, “Then cook.”
I stare at him until he changes his tone, “Please,” he nearly begs.
“Better,” I say with a smile.
We go and eat together like a normal functional yet slightly dysfunctional family. Once dinner was over Vlad headed to the archives. If anyone can help me figure out what goddess I am, it's Vlad. He and I are a book. His chapter picks up flawlessly where mine leaves off. I see him more clearly now and both understand and accept him as one of my mates.