The room was crowded, bustling with unfamiliar faces. It wasn’t an unusual situation for me. It came with the territory of my chosen profession, but this time felt foreign. Perhaps it was because it was my father’s event. I was the long lost daughter that everyone was hoping to catch a glimpse of like a new animal at the zoo. And like the animal, I was slightly frightened.

I wish Grayson was here already, I thought to myself. I drew comfort from his presence without realizing unless he was no longer there to offer it. He would be along shortly and that was the saving grace holding me together.

Eyes turned inspecting my every move, but I held my head high trying to show no signs of the sinking feeling deep in my stomach. The resemblance between Damien and myself was astonishing, I heard people whisper. Needing some space from all the prying eyes and not so subtle whispers, I headed to the doors that led to the balcony. It wasn’t nearly as large as the one I shared with Grayson, or as luxurious, but it served its purpose to allow me a safe haven to clear my troubled mind. The cool air assaulted my senses cleansing me of my anxiety. It was a drastic difference to the warm air in the swarming room. I was immediately regretting not having a jacket, but I was a vampire. I knew I wouldn’t become ill like a human. The cold just numbed my skin and made it difficult to move my muscles with any decent accuracy.

I leaned against the railing listening to the buzz of the city swimming around me. The cars honking, the tires squealing, the occasional angry driver yelling profanities to a passerby, were the music of the city. Even though some people thought it horrific, or at the very least annoying, the sound let me know I was home.

The rustling of feathers drew me away from the harmonic melody of Manhattan. I looked up into the ominous sky. The light pollution made it a deep hazy gray. It clouded my visions but didn’t stop me from focusing on a large bird approaching rapidly. I watched it with genuine bewilderment. It was winter. Hadn’t all the birds ventured south already? It flapped its wings bringing it closer. I watched it and it looked like it was headed towards me. Impossible. As I stared its true size came into focus. It was huge, far too large to be a standard bird. I began to make out the lines and shape of its figure; the slope of its wings, the chiseled formation of its body. It looked more like a man than a bird. Then recognition hit me. An angel.

Sebastian swooped down landing with a heavenly grace just a few feet from me. He looked at me sheepishly, almost bashful, but my eyes were busy taking in his divine half naked body. “I didn’t think anyone would be out here. I’m sorry if I frightened you.”

“You didn’t,” I lied. Sebastian quirked his eyebrow, suggesting he didn’t believe me. I rolled my eyes. Even angels had that pesky super hearing.

“What are you doing out here anyways? Party’s inside.” He bent down retrieving some clothes that were folded neatly in a pile. They were set away, hidden under a bench so that no one would notice them. His muscles rippled as he moved. I took a moment to openly admire him, but I didn’t look away quickly enough. Sebastian turned to see me shamelessly gawking at him. I blushed and turned away though not before I saw a hint of a grin tug at the corner of his mouth.

“It was too crowded in there. I just needed some air,” I spoke looking out over the rail staring at nothing in particular, just doing my best to avoid looking at Sebastian.

I heard him pause next to me and I couldn’t stop my gaze from seeking him out. He was now wearing a white dress shirt with the top few buttons left undone. My eyes immediately went to his back but I saw no sign of his wings hidden under the shirt. Where had they gone?

“Would you like some company or would you rather be alone with your thoughts?”

I had come outside to escape the crowd, but I liked the idea of company that wasn’t peering and whispering about me. “I wouldn’t mind some limited company.”

He smirked at my smart alec comment. “Are the people inside too much for you?”

“How can you tell?”

“Well, you are out here and it is the middle of winter. So unless you’re actually a penguin in disguise, I can only assume you’re trying to get away.”

I watched him for a moment as he looked out over the city. When he turned his gaze to me, I smirked shyly. “They just keep staring at me.”

“No one ever knew Damien had a child. It’s huge news. Angels don’t normally reproduce.”

“But do all those people in there actually know that Damien is an angel. I mean they’re all vampires.”

“It’s true that they don’t know his true lineage or yours for that matter. But it’s more the fact that Damien managed to find someone, mate and have a child that has all the tongues wagging.”

I took a moment absorbing what he claimed. “Did you know?”

He watched me for a second deciding his next words. “About your mother? Yes. You?” He shook his head. “He didn’t tell Jade or me until we were preparing to come here.”

“Really? But…”

Knowing what I was going to ask Sebastian cut me off. “They disappeared for a while. A few months. When Damien came back he declared that your mother had grown tired of living in fear for her life and decided to return to her sire.” Sebastian shrugged like he knew the whole thing didn’t sound right. “So why are you out here by yourself? Where is the infamous fiancé?”

“Infamous?” I giggled. His tone hinted at jealousy, although I wasn’t sure why. So I ignored it, assuming he was simply teasing.

“Yeah! You can’t go anywhere in this human town without hearing his name. Grayson Alexander this, Alexander that. I mean you really landed a big one there.”

“Ah yes, of course I’m only with him because of his money and reputation. It couldn’t possibly be that I love him.” I pushed away from the railing feeling my anger bubbling inside me. Shawn had already hinted at this scenario and I knew others surely felt the same. “I mean I shouldn’t be upset. That’s what everyone thinks anyways.”

“Gaby,” Sebastian spun and reached for my wrist. Gripping it, he stopped me from leaving. I did my best to ignore the tingling sensation where his hand touched me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. I was just meaning that you’re a lucky woman. I know you adore him. I’ve seen the way you look at him and it’s something I aspire to have one day.”

Guilt rushed in replacing my anger. I was so used to people thinking that I was only after Grayson’s money that I was quick to jump the gun. “No, I’m sorry. Sebastian. I shouldn’t have lost my temper. I just assumed that was where you were going. I just…”

“No, I get it.” His fingers slipped until he was gripping my hand. He took a step towards the railing so that our arms were stretched out between us, trying to pull me back. “Come talk with me some more. Don’t leave just because I stuck my foot in my mouth.”

I opened my mouth to respond. Just before I could get a word out, the doors swung open and Grayson stepped onto the balcony. He looked at me with a staggering grin, but then saw Sebastian holding my hand and his grin faded to a scowl. I released Sebastian’s hand like it burned me. I didn’t see how the situation looked until that moment. We were out here, alone, door shut, holding hands? I could see how anybody would get the wrong impression.

Grayson spoke breaking the silence. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere Gabriella and here you are.” He didn’t say it with any accusation, but I could see it in his eyes that he wasn’t happy to have found me like this.

“Well, it was a bit crazy in there so I came outside to catch my breath.”

“I see.” His gaze bore into Sebastian. When it returned to me, it was gentler. “Well come along then.”

He held out his hand to me with a soft smirk. I took it then turned to look at Sebastian and spoke quickly. “Thank you for keeping me company.”

“Any time.” His eyes flickered to me then to Grayson. Grayson put his arm around my waist pulling me close. I felt like I was standing in the middle of a supernatural pissing contest and I was the hydrant. I just didn’t understand why.

 

 

The following morning I sat at the dining room table eating the omelet I had attempted to make. Grayson sat across from me enjoying the Sunday paper with a steaming hot espresso. I had made him a twin omelet of the one that sat on my plate and he had managed half of it so far. My thoughts were muddled over nothing particular, but as I stared off in space Grayson’s voice broke through to me.

“This is delicious,” he stated.

I laughed halfheartedly. “You know you’re already getting the milk for free, there’s no need to lie.”

He chuckled a deep throaty sound. “Gaby, I love you and I would never lie to you and I hope you would never lie to me,” his face turned serious, no longer showing signs of his earlier humor, “no matter how much you thought the truth would hurt me. Promise me.” He waited patiently for me to respond, yet his eyes bore into mine.

“Of course I promise, Grayson,” I swore.

He nodded like he knew that’s what I would say. “Then tell me what exactly was going on with you and Sebastian when I showed up last night?”

I couldn’t help it. The moment I heard the mention of Sebastian my heart rate sprang into overdrive. I knew his vampiric hearing would allow him to hear the rapid increase. His more attuned senses were something that I hated. He still hadn’t mastered his new abilities which meant he didn’t quite know what the accelerated heartbeat meant. For me, in that moment, it was shock. My heart rate wasn’t escalated because I was preparing to lie to him, but I worried that was what he would think which only made my heart race more.

“There was nothing going on Grayson. It was like I said, I needed some air and Sebastian showed up keeping me company. He said something jokingly that I didn’t find funny so he was trying to stop me from storming off when you showed up. I promise you, it was all innocent.”

He studied me for a moment. My heart was already starting to decrease which should have shown I wasn’t lying, but again I didn’t know if Grayson understood that that was what it meant. He nodded then went back to enjoying his paper and coffee, but I didn’t think it would be the last time I’d hear about his concerns towards Sebastian.

 

 

It was Monday when I was woken by the incisive screeching of my phone. It was early enough that Grayson was just getting ready for work. I sighed in relief when the noise was silenced, but then I heard Grayson’s voice as he spoke his greeting.

“Hello?”

My hearing, even dulled by sleep, still picked up the other side of the conversation.

“Grayson, this is Damien. I was hoping to speak to Gabriella.”

I heard Grayson shift his stance and knew he was staring at me. My back was to him so he didn’t know I was awake. It was unexpected that Damien even knew how to use a phone or that he was willing to. Sebastian had even played messenger for him because he suggested Damien didn’t like phones.

“She’s still asleep, Damien. Is there something I could help you with instead?”

“Actually there is. In four months time I want to have a ball in which I bring in humans along with vampires. You are a vampire yet are a powerful figure in the human world. To have you by my side at this event would be most promising and as my future son in law I would consider it a huge favor.”

“And where does Gaby fit in?”

“I wish for her to plan the event. I know she recently left her employment. I also know that neither of you is hurting for money,” I almost giggled at how ridiculous he sound saying those three words. “But she enjoys planning. Please let her know and of course price isn’t an object.”

“I will. You have a good day Damien.”

Once the call was disconnected, I rolled over to face Grayson.

“Were you awake for all that?”

I nodded. “The ringing woke me.”

“I’m sorry, my love. I hoped answering it would allow you to get a little more sleep. After all I was the reason that you’re so tired this morning.”

I blushed remembering our extensive love making session last night, but his heart beat caught my attention. It was slightly rapid. He was anxious about something, but I didn’t know what.

“I gotta go. Call your dad back.” He leaned down and kissed me chastely on the top of my head before he was gone.

 

 

A few days later, I was leaving my father’s nest after a meeting. I had decided taking the job was a way to form some semblance of a relationship with him. I was on the phone with Grayson as I rode the elevator down.

“It went well. I have an idea as to what he’s looking for. Luxury meets decadence.”

“That’s wonderful Gaby. What are you up to now?”

“Nothing. I think I’m going to call and try to have lunch with Shawn before I head home.”

“So you’ll be there before me?”

“Hopefully, but you know how Shawn and I are when we get to talking.”

“So don’t expect you for dinner then?” He joked.

“I’ll try, but I make no promises,” I laughed.

After we hung up, I looked up in time to see Sebastian walking through the door. His leather jacket hung open framing his body. His blonde hair looked slightly tousled, but in a way that looked deliberate. My steps faltered, but I quickly recovered before he could notice. I had a sudden urge to jump behind something to keep myself hidden, but quickly dismissed that idea, not by how childish it would appear, simply because there was nowhere to hide in the open room.

“Gaby?” Sebastian’s gaze locked on me.

“Sebastian,” I offered with a nod. I hoped a simple hello would suffice to get me past him, but as he slowed to a halt in front of me, I knew that hope was lost.

“It’s good to see you. Damien go over his party ideas with you?” His attempt at small talk felt awkward and forced, which was strange. When we spoke the other night out on the balcony it seemed easy, almost natural.

“He did.” I didn’t know what else to say. We stood there in silence for a moment. I saw Sebastian’s eyes catch a glance of something over my shoulder. His face morphed as he glared at it, then his face returned to normal as his gaze settled back to me. I quickly checked my phone for the time, hoping to hurry him along. It didn’t have the desired reaction.

“Am I keeping you from something?”

I knew I couldn’t lie to him. He may not be a vampire, but his senses were just as heightened. “No, I was going to try and catch lunch.”

“Oh, I was just going to do the same. Do you mind if I join you?”

“Um…” He caught me off guard. I expected him to let me be on my way, not invite himself along. I didn’t think Grayson would be happy with me spending time with Sebastian, but if I didn’t, wouldn’t that be confirming his insecurities had precedents? I didn’t know the right answer to the question and luckily Sebastian didn’t make me come up with one.

“I know this great deli that makes the largest sandwiches you have ever seen.” He led me out the door through the busy streets of Manhattan.

Once we were away from The Angelo Tower, the conversation flowed between us like we were long lost friends. We talked for so long that we lost track of time. It wasn’t until the deli was closing that it became apparent how much time had passed.

“Ohmygod!” I exclaimed catching the time. “Grayson expected me home over an hour ago.” I franticly reached for my bag. I paused looking at Sebastian who was calmly staring at me. “What?”

He chuckled then shook away his expression. “Nothing. If you want, I can get you there pretty quickly.”

“How? With your special angel powers?” I teased.

“Something like that.”

I didn’t know what he meant. I assumed he meant flying. It didn’t matter. Explaining to Grayson that I was late because I spent the day with Sebastian would be bad enough without having Sebastian fly me in.

“No thanks. I think I’ll stick to the human transportation.” I explained.

He shrugged. “Have it your way.”

I stood and Sebastian stood with me. “Thank you for lunch and well dinner, I guess.”

“The pleasure was mine, Gaby. Maybe we should do it again.” He didn’t ask, he more just stated. I didn’t want to explain how that wasn’t a good idea so I just gave him a tight lipped smile before walking out the door. I didn’t turn back. I didn’t need to. I could feel his eyes on me as I left.

When I got home, the apartment was surprisingly dark and quiet. It was strange. I had expected Grayson to be home waiting for me, but there was no sign of him. Since it was already late, I decided a hot shower would help me get ready for bed. And it did. Once I was finished, I had just sat down on the couch when Grayson came in.

“Gaby, I’m so sorry I’m late. I’m working on this new contract… I hope you ate without me. I hate the idea of you hungry because I was late.” He seemed flustered, which wasn’t Grayson. I studied him for a moment before telling him, I ate. “Good. I’m glad. I’m going to take a quick shower.” He gave me a hard peck before disappearing into the bedroom.

I heard the shower start and I began going over how I would explain to Grayson my having lunch with Sebastian. I didn’t have anything decided when the shower cut off. A few minutes later, Grayson walked back into the room.

“Have you fed?” He inquired. I shook my head and he busied himself in the kitchen. I stood to follow him. I leaned against the counter as I watched Grayson pour the contents of the blood bag into a sauce pan.

“Grayson…”

“Gaby…” We spoke at the same time. I closed my mouth giving him the go ahead to speak first. He sighed looking down at the ground. After a few moments of silence, he spoke. “Would you come have lunch with me tomorrow? There’s something at the office I need to show you.” Something about his statement seemed to trouble him so much, but I had no idea why.

“Okay,” I drew out.

He seemed visibly relieved by my response and yet more anxious. He finished prepping the blood before handing me my mug.

“Shawn called me at the office earlier.” With that one sentence, my stomach sank. “You didn’t have lunch with him?” I listened for some accusation in his voice, but there was none.

“No. As I was leaving Damien’s office, I ran into someone and had lunch with them instead.”

“Well, that’s good. I’m glad that you didn’t eat lunch alone since he had a date with Clive.” He tipped back his glass, finishing it before rinsing it out in the sink. “I’ve got a long day tomorrow. I’m off to bed. Care to join me?” He held out his hand to me. I smiled and took it, figuring I’d tell him about my lunch with Sebastian later.