Chapter five
Matthew's POV
The moment Gabrielle left my office, I was left in an unsettling quiet, her lingering scent of jasmine mixing with the faint metallic tang of blood still swirling in the air. I exhaled deeply, trying to rid myself of the storm brewing in my mind. The confrontation with Julian had left me on edge, and Gabrielle’s unexpected presence had only intensified that feeling. She had seen too much, but her unwavering look of concern gnawed at me, unsettling me more than any threat Julian could pose.
I glanced out the window, squinting as the bright afternoon sun streamed in through the curtains. The sunlight felt harsh and intrusive, pressing against the darkness that had settled deep inside me. With a sigh, I decided I needed to step out. The urge to get away from the office was overpowering; I needed air, space, and above all, a moment to gather my thoughts.
I grabbed my black umbrella from the coat stand, a custom-made piece lined with UV protection. It wasn’t just any ordinary umbrella—it was essential for survival. The sunlight was a glaring reminder of my own vulnerability, a sharp edge slicing through the power I held at night.
As I stepped out of the building, the sun's rays hit the pavement like a blast furnace. I opened the umbrella, its dark canopy shielding me instantly. The stark contrast between the light and shadow it cast felt like a metaphor for my entire existence. I moved swiftly, avoiding eye contact with anyone who passed by. It was an odd sight, I was sure—a man in a suit, walking under an umbrella on a clear day. But no one dared ask questions. I made sure of that.
I slipped into the backseat of my black sedan, the interior dim and cool. "Drive," I ordered the chauffeur curtly.
"Where to, sir?" he asked, his eyes briefly meeting mine in the rearview mirror.
I leaned back, closing my eyes for a moment. "Take me to the old house," I muttered.
The car sped off, leaving the towering glass of Gorvell Enterprises behind us. I watched the cityscape blur by, my mind wandering to the old house and the vampire I was about to meet. It had been a while since I’d seen her—Valeria, an ancient being who carried the kind of allure that could seduce any mortal or vampire with a mere glance. She had called for me last night, her voice dripping with an urgency that piqued my interest.
We pulled up to the crumbling iron gates of the old mansion, the kind of place forgotten by time and ignored by the city’s rapid expansion. Ivy crept up its walls, and the windows were dark, lifeless. But I knew better. The house was anything but abandoned. The chauffeur opened my door, and I stepped out, the umbrella still shielding me as I made my way to the entrance.
I didn’t bother knocking. The door swung open on its own, creaking as if it were alive and welcoming me back after ages. Inside, the darkness was comforting, wrapping around me like an old friend. I could feel the house’s pulse—the energy of the countless supernatural beings who had walked these floors over centuries.
I made my way through the grand, dusty hallway to a sitting room dimly lit by a flickering chandelier. There, draped across a velvet chaise lounge, was Valeria. Her presence filled the room before she even spoke, an intoxicating mix of power and seduction.
She looked up at me with a slow, predatory smile. "Matthew," she purred, her voice as smooth as silk and twice as dangerous. "It’s been too long."
I gave her a tight smile, closing the umbrella and leaning it against the wall. "Valeria," I greeted her, keeping my tone neutral. "You look as vibrant as ever."
She laughed, a rich, throaty sound that echoed in the hollow space. "Still the charmer, I see. Come closer, darling, let me get a good look at you."
I approached, taking in her appearance. Valeria had not changed a bit in the last few centuries. Her long, dark hair cascaded over her bare shoulders, her dress—if you could call it that—was a deep crimson, clinging to her every curve. Her eyes, however, were the most striking. They were a sharp, gleaming gold, like a predator's, and they were locked onto me with a hunger that I knew all too well.
"What brings you to this forsaken place?" I asked, eyeing the glass of blood-wine she swirled lazily in her hand.
She took a slow sip, her lips curling over the rim in a way that could make any mortal man weak at the knees. "I missed you," she said, her gaze piercing. "And I heard rumors—about a certain human woman at your office."
My jaw tightened. "I don’t appreciate spies in my affairs."
"Oh, Matthew," she chuckled, setting the glass down. "I don’t need spies. Your little assistant is quite the talk of the supernatural grapevine. A human who catches your interest... well, it raises eyebrows."
I clenched my fists, keeping my expression impassive. "Gabrielle is none of your concern."
"Isn’t she?" Valeria raised an eyebrow, tilting her head like a curious cat. "You forget, darling. I’ve known you for a long time. I can tell when something has changed. There’s a... softness in you now. It’s almost cute."
I stepped closer, my anger bubbling to the surface. "Get to the point, Valeria. Why did you call me here?"
She smirked, leaning back on the chaise lounge, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Very well. I need your help. There’s a situation brewing—something that could tip the balance of power in our world. And I thought, who better to help than my favorite vampire CEO?"
I narrowed my eyes. "And what exactly is this situation?"
Valeria’s smile faded, replaced by a look of genuine seriousness. She pushed herself up, sitting straight. "There’s a new player in town. A rogue vampire, one who doesn’t follow our rules. He’s been turning humans recklessly, leaving bodies in alleys. If this continues, it won’t be long before the humans start noticing. And you know what happens then."
I frowned. "The hunters."
"Exactly," she nodded. "I need you to deal with him. Quietly."
I stared at her, weighing my options. Valeria wasn’t someone to ask for favors lightly. If she was coming to me, it meant the situation was worse than she let on.
"And what’s in it for me?" I asked, crossing my arms.
Her smile returned, slow and seductive. "Oh, I can think of a few rewards," she said, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. "But let’s start with this—I’ll owe you a favor. A big one."
I took a deep breath, the tension easing from my shoulders just a bit. "Fine," I said. "I’ll look into it. But if I find out this is one of your games, Valeria—"
She held up a hand, her eyes wide with mock innocence. "You wound me, Matthew. When have I ever lied to you?"
"Too many times to count," I muttered, turning away from her.
She laughed, the sound following me as I grabbed my umbrella and headed for the door. "Be careful, Matthew," she called after me. "And do give my regards to your little human."
I didn’t respond. The door creaked shut behind me, the cool air of the evening washing over my face as I stepped back into the street. I opened the umbrella, shielding myself from the last rays of the setting sun.
As I walked away from the old house, I couldn’t shake the feeling that things were about to get complicated. And Gabrielle... well, she was already more entangled in this world than I had ever intended.