The holidays passed and a calm began to settle around the city. I tried to heed my mother’s advice, but part of me just couldn’t let it go. But I kept thinking, what if he couldn’t survive without my blood? I just didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t live without him. I watched as Grayson started to grow weaker even though his feedings increased. He did his best to hide it and I did my best to pretend everything was normal, if only for his sake.

Shawn started to notice my change in demeanor. I wasn’t overly argumentative. In fact, it was the opposite. I was compliant. I was giving up. I didn’t try to persuade him to let me research. I didn’t fight with him when he showed up in the mornings to take me places. He had changed it up after Christmas when shopping no longer held its appeal. He took me to museums and shows. He even drug me to Ellis Island to stand in line for hours to see the Statue of Liberty, which neither of us had ever visited even though we were lifelong New Yorkers. There was no complaining about how unfair the situation was. My mother’s words played on repeat in my head. “Your father is a master mind at hiding. If he doesn’t want to be found, then he won’t be.” I began to feel that she was right and I would never find him and if I couldn’t, what would happen to Grayson? I wouldn’t be able to survive it if he was hurt or worse as a result from me turning him.

“You’re going into zombie mode again,” Shawn mumbled as we walked along the streets heading back to my apartment. People began moving around us, grumbling about how we were being too slow.

“I know.”

“Baby girl, I get you’re upset…”

“Upset?” I interjected. “I’m devastated.”

“Jeez, Gabs. It’s not the end of the world.”

“No, you’re right. It’s just the end of Grayson’s world,” I spat with sarcasm, “and possibly the end of mine.”

Shawn halted and turned to stare at me. His jaw clenched as his eyes pierced me in a way that had me trying to look anywhere but at him. “Is that what you think? Have you not opened your ears once and heard a damn thing that man has said to you? Life in the sun is not his world. You are. Damn it, Gaby! He asked you to marry him knowing full well that his life could be spent in the night while you could live in either world.”

“You don’t know that that is the only problem, Shawn! What if it’s not just the sun? What if he can’t survive? What if there is something more wrong with his transition?”

“Yeah, but...”

“But nothing, Shawn! This has never happened before. Grayson is an enigma. First he was stronger than even Anton and now he’s growing weaker by the day. He feeds from me so frequently that I had to ask for a second blood delivery mid week, because I can’t seem to keep up. I almost fed from a human last week Shawn!” I cried out. “I need to find my father, but he’s been eluding vampires for centuries and I can’t seem to pin him down.” I felt a weight lift from finally saying everything I had been keeping tucked inside.

Shawn was quiet for a moment. He just stood there watching me; almost like he was afraid I was going to crumble any second. Then he took a deep breath. “Alright Gaby, you win. What can I do to help?”

 

 

When I got home, Grayson was already there.

“Hey baby,” he called from the kitchen. I could smell the scent of cheese, white wine and blood.

“Hey.” I walked up to Grayson cupping his face between my palms and pulled him to my lips. His skin was paler and I could see circles forming around his eyes that had never been there before. They were faint enough that only a supernatural could see them. To a human, he was still perfection

“Are you trying to distract me from dinner?” He whispered against my mouth. “Because it’s working.” I shook my head, but held him there. Releasing whatever he held in his hands, he wrapped his arms around me.

“I just missed you today,” I whispered, pulling back.

He gave me a grin that tugged at my heart. “I miss you every day.”

I returned his smile before walking out the room to change.

After I changed into something comfortable, I returned to the kitchen, jumping up to sit on the counter. Grayson had made chicken Florentine with a white wine sauce. He also had a saucepan filled with blood that I could smell simmering. Even though he would drink from me later, he still made sure there was warm blood for me.

“Hungry?” he asked.

“Famished.”

Once we were seated in the dining room and dinner was served Grayson told me about his work day.

“I was thinking about our wedding,” he spoke throwing me off guard causing me to choke on my food.

“Really?” I questioned before taking a sip of wine to clear my airway. “What about it?”

He spoke casually while he swirled his pasta onto his fork; always the confident business man. “I was thinking June sixteenth.”

I smiled. A June wedding. “You wanna get married in June?”

“Is June no good?” He challenged, putting on his negotiation gloves.

“No, no, no. June is fine.” I grinned. “Next year? The year after?”

He looked up at me. His confidence was replaced with confusion. “This year.”

My eyebrows shot up to my hairline as I almost spit my wine across the table. That was six months away. There was no way we could pull that off in time. Places in New York booked years in advance. I relayed all this to him.

“Gaby, if you want to wait longer, we can. I’m not trying to rush you. I just figured, why wait? If June this year is what you want, don’t underestimate the power money has.”

I didn’t want to wait. I wanted to be his wife. “Carpe diem or YOLO or whatever they’re saying now.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means June sixteenth sounds perfect.”

 

 

“Oh, and there is a club I’m thinking about buying.”

“Another club, Grayson?” I sighed with a smile while I enjoyed the show that was Grayson dressing for work.

The last club Grayson had been interested in had ended in his death.

He grinned devilishly at me. “It’s not that bad, Gabriella. Friday I’m going to check it out,” he spoke while tying his tie. “It’s actually a strange story. I was contacted by the owner who’s hoping to sell. He’s been in the business for so long he just wants out.”

“It’s odd that he contacted you directly. Wouldn’t he put the word out and wait to hear back.”

Grayson nodded. “Normally, yes. I’ve approached people before about buying something they hadn’t thought to sell, but this is the first time it’s happened the other way around. I had them send the books over last week. My guys checked them over and everything is in order. There’s nothing lost or unaccountable. The business has been thriving.”

“Then why does he want to sell?”

Grayson shrugged. “He says he just wants out, but trust me if there is anything fishy, my people will be able to sniff it out long before I sign on the dotted line.”

“Friday huh? So I should make plans with Shawn then?” Maybe this would be a good time to see if he was serious about actually helping me.

“I was hoping you’d come with me. In fact, Mr. Malach wishes for you to attend. He heard that you were a party planner and wanted to discuss some business with you and figured he’d kill two birds with one stone.”

“Is this man trying to be our guardian angel or something?”

Grayson shrugged on his jacket. “I have no idea, but I’m going to hear him out before I cast judgment.”

“Good. Keep an open mind.”

“And you?” His lips pulled into an uneven smirk.

“You know I’m not as opened minded as you.”

Shawn had shown up just as Grayson was leaving. I told Shawn about Grayson’s business meeting which he found odd too.

“What man asks another man to bring his fiancée along to a business meeting? That’s just weird. You’re not going, are you?”

“Of course I’m going. Grayson asked me to and it’s a rare thing for him to do.”

“I dunno Gabs.” He shook his head. “Something about this whole situation just feels weird.”

“What do you think a couple of humans are going to do to two vampires?”

“I guess you’re right. What’s the name of this club?”

“Cave Lamia.”

“Even the name is weird,” he sighed. “Just promise me you’ll be careful.”

And I did.

Friday came in a blur. It found me staring at my side of the huge walk-in closet debating how to dress. It was a club, so should I dress like I would go out? It was also a business meeting for me and Grayson, so dress-casual? Ugh… I had nothing in-between. I would stick out like a sore thumb if I wore any of my old work outfits to a club, but I also didn’t want to wear one of my dresses that if I bent over my ass would fall out.

Grayson found me a short while later still standing there raging war on my internal dilemma.

“Still nothing?” his mouth quirked in amusement.

I bowed my head in frustration. “God, Grayson, I have no idea. I need something club worthy that also would be okay for a business meeting. I wish Shawn was here.” I turned staring at him wearing dark jeans and a black button down. “Is that what you’re wearing?” I questioned.

“Is there something wrong with it?” He ran his hand down his chest smoothing out the fabric. It was a nervous gesture.

“No. Absolutely not. You look fantastic. God!” I groaned. “Why is it so much easier for men.”

Grayson grunted in amusement as he approached me. “Gaby, it’s not difficult to pick something out. You’d look incredible in whatever you choose.”

“Easy for you to say,” I mumbled.

Rolling his eyes he spoke. “You want me to pick out what I think you should wear?”

“Please?” I didn’t one hundred percent trust Grayson’s female fashion sense. He was no Shawn, but I had been staring at my closet for over an hour and hadn’t removed one piece of clothing. Nothing had seemed worthy to even look at.

Reaching in, he quickly grabbed a hanger. I quirked my eyebrow thinking he couldn’t have possible picked anything worthwhile.

“Here,” he handed it to me.

I let my eyes rack over it. Grayson had handed me a black dress that would come to rest mid-thigh. The back was open half way and the front was complete covered. It would be appropriate for a business meeting, but wouldn’t get me judgmental stares at a club either.

“Okay, how the hell did you do that?”

Grayson chuckled. It vibrated through me doing treacherous things to my body, but I tried not to think about that. We needed to go.

“I’m guessing I did well?”

“You did great.” I grabbed his shirt pulling him down to my level until his lips brushed mine.

“Good, then get dressed so we can leave soon.” He kissed me quickly then swatted my ass before leaving me alone once again.

When we arrived at Cave Lamia, Grayson led me to the man with the clip board standing on the other side of the rope. As we approached, something rippled across my skin. It was an eerie feeling. I looked around to see what could have caused it. I noticed the doorman was watching me with a questionable look, like he was seeing something no one else saw when he looked at me. My eyes were locked with his trying to figure out if he was the cause of what I was sensing when a headlight streaked across his face making his chocolate brown eyes reflect the light much like that of an animal. I hissed a breath when I realized what it was I was feeling. The man was a supernatural, but not just any. He was a vampire.

I did my best not to let my distress show as Grayson pulled me to a stop in front of the unknown vampire.

“Mr. Alexander, Miss Carmichael,” he spoke our names with a nod to each of us. “Welcome to Cave Lamia. Mr. Malach has been notified of your arrival and asks that you wait at the bar. He will be along shortly.” The vampire held the rope up for us so we could pass which was met with a loud chorus of groans from the dozens of people waiting in line. My eyes stayed locked on the vampire until I would have to break my neck to continue watching him.

Grayson and I did as we were instructed and took a seat at the bar. It was strange seeing a vampire working at a human establishment. Even nomads who choose not to be a part of a nest didn’t do common mundane jobs. As bad as it sounds, most vampires didn’t work. The older ones, who’d made their fortune years or centuries ago, invested. The newbies, once they’re able to, would normally influence people to give them things: money, cars, and houses. It was the reason most newbies served the nest for some time before they were released. The older masters didn’t approve of the methods the newer vampires were using. Perhaps this vampire wanted to earn his money the legitimate way. Maybe it was the ripple of power across my skin or the way he knew exactly what I was when we approached. Whatever it was, something inside me told me he was no newbie.

Pushing the thought aside, I tried to mentally prepare for this strange meeting. After waiting for twenty minutes, I decided to order a drink.

“Gaby, this is a business meeting, for us both.”

“I know that, Grayson, but this man has kept us waiting and it’s not like one drink will do anything for me.”

Forty minutes and two drinks later, I was done with the idea of a business meeting.

“Come dance with me, baby,” I begged Grayson as I slid off the stool.

“Gaby…” he sighed. “How about you dance right here for me?”

I smiled and stepped between his knees. “I can do that.” I wiggled my body back and forth with the sway of my hips. My arms slid up around the back of Grayson’s neck allowing me to thread my fingers in his hair. After a moment had passed, I felt Grayson’s hands find their way to my hips following me as I moved.

“Do you know what you’re doing to me right now?” He hissed against my ear. The strain in his voice forced my lower muscles to clench and I let out a soft moan. “Jesus Gabriella! I’m about to say to hell with this meeting and take you home.” I felt his fingers trail down my thigh until they found the hem of my dress. Gently, they eased under it. Shrieks from the dance floor brought me back to reality. I realized what I was doing to Grayson and what I was about to allow him to do to me. I grabbed his hand, stopping his assent. I could feel him grinning against my neck.

“Later?” He challenged. I nodded my head tentatively. “Alright then. Let me go see if I can find out what’s taking Mr. Malach so long and see if perhaps he wants to reschedule.” He tapped me lightly on my hip silently asking me to let him up. Stepping aside, I watched as he moved gracefully around the bar until he disappeared in the crowd.

“Wow! I thought he’d never leave.” I turned to see a petite woman with blazing red hair sitting next to me. Strange, I hadn’t even heard her approach. How long had she been sitting there? She was staring at me like I held her captivated, then eyed me up and down. It was really uncomfortable. “You. Are. Gorgeous!”

“Um… Thanks.” I turned back looking through the crowd willing Grayson to reappear.

“I mean, I knew you’d be beautiful, but damn.” I looked at her through my peripheral. Her elbow was resting on the bar top as she leaned against it. Her legs were crossed allowing her to bounce her foot in her high stilettos. She looked like someone circa the1920s with her short hair pressed smoothly to her head and her silver dress that glittered and adhered to her figure. I didn’t even bother with a reply. “Come with me,” she abruptly stated. Was this woman serious? She must have been sitting there long enough to have seen me with Grayson and as soon as he left she starts hitting on me. Shawn would be so proud. I rolled my eyes.

“No thanks.” I tried not to sound snide.

“You sure?” She swiveled until her body was facing me. “There are things you want to see; answers you seek. The truth will open your mind and blow your world.”

I doubted it. “As I said, no thanks.”

She sat there grinning for a minute longer before she stood with a shrug. “My mistake. I assumed you were Damian’s daughter. I mean you’re basically a carbon copy of him, but I guess I was wrong.” She turned and began walking way. Then it hit me. Damien. According to my mother, my father’s last known alias was Damien.

“Wait!” I shouted.

She turned and stared at me with a hint of mischief twinkling in her eye. “I knew you couldn’t resist my charms. You must be Gabriella.” She held her hand out for me to shake. “I’m Jade.” It was then I realized she too was a vampire. I had been so busy trying to ignore what I had assumed to be cheesy pickup lines that I hadn’t even noticed the eerie ripple of power I felt coming off of her. It was much stronger than the doorman. She was an old one. “Follow me.”

“Wait! My…”

“Your father wishes to speak with you first,” She cut me off. When she saw I didn’t budge, she continued. “Don’t worry. Your lover is already being detained.”

Detained? What the hell did that mean? Before I could contemplate it more, Jade was on the move. I deliberated only a moment before following her. As much as I detested leaving Grayson to his own devices, I needed to speak with Damien. Nothing was more important and I truly doubted that my father’s people would hurt him. They had no reason to. Jade led me to the back of the club. We walked down a dark corridor that led to a flight of stairs. It was oddly silent back there for a club. Reaching the top step, before Jade even had a chance to knock, the door was opened and we were ushered inside.

There wasn’t anything special to it. It looked like you would expect any office over a club to look. There was a large gunmetal desk resting against the center of the wall farthest away from the door. Gray filing cabinets lined the wall to the right of the desk. Chairs were scattered here and there. I froze as we entered taking everything in and watched as Jade strode over to the large office chair sitting behind the desk that was facing away from the door. Bending down she whispered something that, surprisingly, even my vampire hearing didn’t pick up.

The chair spun around and I couldn’t breathe past the lump that had formed in my throat. He looked so familiar from the shape of his face, his full lips, to his killer cheek bones. Then I saw my eyes looking back at me, all the way from the shape to the sapphire blue color. I had always thought I looked like my mother with our complexion, along with our physique, but looking at this man before me, I knew, without a doubt that I was his daughter.

“Gabriella?” he whispered.

I gave a slight shake of my head to ease myself out of stunned state. “Damien.”

His lips pressed into a tight line. “If that is what you prefer to call me than that will be acceptable.”

“It is.”

“Very well then. It has come to my attention, Gabriella, that you have been searching for me. I assume there is a reason, besides wanting to meet your long lost father.”

“There is.” I saw the corner of his mouth twitch and I thought that I had offended him with my honesty. I could deal with the proper etiquette of meeting my father at another time. For now, I needed to know about Grayson and if Damien could help me save him. I prayed he could. I looked around at the room full of what I had to assume were vampires, with the vibe I felt coming off of them. Damien seemed to notice my glance.

“Would you prefer to speak to in private?”

“I would.”

With a wave of his hand, everyone trailed out the room. “Better?” he inquired once we were alone. I nodded. “Good. Then tell me why you have been tracking me down. It has been causing quite the disturbance for my nest and I.”

I knew why I was there. I needed answers for Grayson, but standing there in front of my father, a man I had always assumed to be dead, I couldn’t help but blurt the one question that had been on my mind since my mother told me he was alive. “Why did you abandon me?” I immediately regretted it. Why he left didn’t matter. Grayson mattered, I told myself.

Damien didn’t even blink in surprise. He almost seemed to know the question was coming. His face relaxed as he inhaled a heavy breath. “Surely that is not why you are here.”

“It’s not. I just… I want to know why?”

He stood. Running his hand down his smooth face, he came around to sit on the corner of his desk. “Did your mother not explain to you?”

“She said that it was your way of keeping me safe.” I could hear the sadness in my voice, but I did my best to swallow it. Not needing to cry in front of this man who was all but a stranger to me.

“That is the truth, Gabriella. I have many enemies and I wanted to keep you safe. So I thought the best way to do that was to remove myself from your life permanently. It was why I sent you and your mother back to Anton after you were born. He was your mother’s sire and would be able to keep you both safe.”

“Anton is dead,” I spat. I was tired of hearing how everyone thought Anton would keep me safe and he happened to be the one putting my life, and Grayson’s life, in danger.

“How?” He asked like I hadn’t just dropped a bombshell.

“I killed him. He tried to kill my mate simply because he desired me for himself.”

Damien’s eyes locked on the large three karat diamond resting on my ring finger. “Such human symbolism.” He pointed to my ring. “Staking their claim; marking what is theirs, like a dog urinating on their territory.” His blue gaze moved back to my face. “Please do not tell me your mate is a human?” He demanded, seeming genuinely disgusted by the idea.

“No.” I started. He visibly relaxed. “I changed him when Anton left him for dead.”

His face brightened with enlightenment. “Ah… Now I know why you have come. It’s your mate.” He smiled cocky at me. “As I’m sure you have realized his transition to vampirism is far from normal.” I was shocked that he knew. A moment later I nodded as I watched him stand and pace around the office.

“Please Gabriella, do not look so shocked. I may not look it, but I think you forget how old I truly am. There is incredibly little that I haven’t seen or been through. What exactly seems to be the problem? Is it simply that he day walks or is it deeper.”

“How..?” Instead of asking him how he knew everything, I decided to jump to the point. “It’s deeper. He can’t feed from anyone but me. If he does, he becomes ill, but the feedings are becoming more and more frequent.”

“Ah, yes. This happened to me many years after I fell.” Fell? I didn’t know what that meant, but I figured there was something demonic behind it. After all, it was what human history had been telling us for years. Vampires were soulless, wretched creatures. It was the reason we couldn’t enter people’s homes, why we drank their blood. We were Satan’s creatures.

“You’re demon.” I stated matter-of-factly.

A rumble bellowed deep within his chest. The room shock with his laughter. “Tell me child how do you think vampires came into existence?” I shook my head, unsure and not wanting to envelop myself with random human lure. “I am the first. Surely you did not think that I sprouted from the ground.” I really had never given it much thought except that I believed us to be demons. “I’m sure that the notion of drinking someone’s blood seems demonic, but I assure you, I am no demon, quite the opposite actually.” He grinned. Without giving me a moment to process he spoke, “I am an angel. A fallen, to be more precise.” His smile grew, revealing the sharp point of his fangs. My face contorted with confusion. He smirked then he seemed to distract himself with a bowl resting on his desk. “When I was cast down from heaven, God forgot to remove the task to which he had bestowed on me. It took me some time to realize that I still had the ability to bring death to humans. Only now, with the exchange of my blood, can I give them life once more.”

“Death? As in the angel of death?” Disbelief dripping from my word.

He popped a piece of candy into his mouth, “We are death.” He shrugged. “We move throughout the world, feeding on mankind, leaving a trail of bodies everywhere we go. We are a plague upon humanity, devouring them. Although, I am sure that was never God’s intention or that those I created would acquire my blood lust.”

“Well as fascinating as this little history lesson is, what about Grayson?”

“Ah yes, Mr. Alexander. As it so happens I do have the knowledge you seek.”

“Really?” I heaved a sigh of relief. After all this time I would finally have the answers and hopefully a solution.

“I am sorry to disappoint you, but I will not be sharing that knowledge with you tonight.”

“What?” My excitement was short lived. One moment everything was falling into place, then Damien yanked the rug I was standing on out from under me.

“This meeting was simply to find out what it was you wanted of me.”

“You can’t be serious? You set this whole thing up. You contacted Grayson, made up a bogus meeting, all so you could figure out why I wanted to find you and now that you know, you’re refusing to help me.” I couldn’t believe the audacity of him. He simply wanted to ease his curiosity and didn’t give a damn about helping me. The key to Grayson’s existence was standing in the room with me and was in my grasp, but just out of my reach. “He could die! He grows weaker by the day!”

“If you would have let me finish; young people today have no manners,” he mumbled the last part as he crossed behind his desk taking his seat. “I will not share that knowledge with you tonight. I assume that the knowledge is not the only thing you seek, but a solution as well, yes? Without losing the abilities you have bestowed on him?” I nodded worried to get my hopes up again. Damien dropped his head and scribbled something down. “Bring your mate to this address tomorrow an hour before dusk. Then you shall have your answers and the solution you seek. It will be up to him if he chooses to take it.”

I hesitantly took the paper from him. “How do I know I can trust you?”

His face looked pained at my words. His voice lowered shoving all joking aside. “You are my daughter, Gabriella. Everything I have ever done was to protect you. I understand trust is earned and this is my way of trying to earn yours.” He pressed a button on the phone. “Jade,” was all he said. The door swung open and in walked the redheaded vampire. She held open the door for me gesturing for me to leave and followed me out.

We walked along in silence. Coming to the end of the stairs she spoke. “He’s a good man, you know.”

“Who?” I wondered.

“Your father. Once word got to him about Anton’s demise, he up and moved us all, his entire nest across the country. He was thrilled to see you. You should give him a little credit.”

“When he heard about Anton? How long ago was that?”

“Right after it happened. It’s hard to move an entire nest.”

Damien came looking for me after Anton? But he said my looking for him had been causing trouble. I didn’t know what to say so I said nothing. She led me out and deposited me back at the bar where I was met with a frantic Grayson.

“Gabriella, where the hell have you been? I have been looking everywhere for you.” He wrapped his arms around me clutching me to his chest. I could hear the hysteria in his voice. I wasn’t the only one that relived the night Anton tried to destroy us.

“Calm down lover boy. No need to get your panties in a twist,” Jade spoke. I had forgotten she was there. Grayson’s grip on me loosened. He seemed confused that she had spoken to him. Jade stepped into Grayson’s personal space wedging herself right between us to straighten his collar. His eyes narrowed and I could tell he was wondering who the hell she was. “We were just upstairs having a bit of a family reunion.” Her hand trailed down his shoulder. It was meant as a comforting gesture, but did quite the opposite to Grayson. Jade turned her green gaze of me. “Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow, beautiful.” Jade turned on her heels and walked through the crowd, disappearing among them.

“Who the hell was that and what family reunion was she talking about?”

I sighed. Not wanting to drag it out, I immediately answered his questions. “That was Jade. She just took me to meet my father.”

“Your father? But I thought…”

I cut him off with a shake of my head. “This whole thing was a set up. He wanted to know why I was looking for him.”

“So he had no answers,” he stated instead of asking. It seemed he had already come to terms with the notion.

“Not exactly,” I looked down at his chest picking at an imaginary piece of lint. “I think he might be able to help.” Grayson stilled my hands. Gripping my chin he forced me to look him in the eye.

“What?” He questioned almost afraid to believe his ears.

I let out a long breath. “We are going to meet him here tomorrow.” I held up the paper Damien had given me. Grayson took it and examined it. “He says we’ll have our answers then and our solution.”

Once in the car on the way home, my phone jingled, alerting me to a text.

 

Shawn: Be careful Gaby. I looked up Cave Lamia. It’s Latin for Beware of Vampires

 

Well that would have been nice to know earlier.

 

 

My stomach was twisted in knots the whole day leading up to our meeting with Damien. I was excited and nervous. Once dusk came, we’d hopefully have a solution to Grayson’s problems.

Regret still bombarded me when I thought about what I had taken from him and I’m sure it always would. I would never see immortality as a gift, because to me it wasn’t. He’d have to watch everyone around him grow old and die. Plus, if Damien’s solution turned him into a traditional vampire, it would be a cruel thing for Grayson to share his life with a day walker only to have to bare the constant reminder that he would never be able to share in that ability. I hoped Damien would come through, not just on the blood part, but also to allow Grayson to be a day walker like me.

Grayson chose to drive us that evening. John hadn’t noticed the difference in Grayson since his transition to vampirism. Why would he? He never saw Grayson drink blood or shy away from the sun, but to have John drive us to a vampire nest and wait for us there just seemed like we’d be playing with fire.

An hour before dusk we arrived at the address as Damien had requested. At first I thought we’d made a mistake and were in the wrong location. It was strange. It looked like we arrived at an office building. I risked a glance at Grayson and saw the same befuddled expression. Then I saw the sign, The Angelo Tower and figured we were in the right place. I’m not sure what we expected, but neither of us had been expecting that; perhaps something a bit more medieval or gothic for the nest of the first vampire. When we made our way inside my skepticism only rose. Sitting across the entrance was an information desk with one employee stationed behind it. The room smelled like a hospital which was odd. It was Saturday so it wasn’t unusual that an office building might seem empty and I began to wonder if Damien had somehow given us the wrong address. I was expecting an apartment or even a hotel, but an office building?

“Hello. Can I help you?” The woman behind the counter asked when neither Grayson nor I approached.

“Um…” I hesitated. “I’m not sure. I think we may be at the wrong place.”

“What’s the place you’re looking for?” She seemed awfully cheerful. I read her the address. “You’re in the right place. Who are you here to see?”

“Damien Malach?”

“Mr. Malach,” she looked down appearing to be reading something. “Ah yes. You must be Mr. Alexander and Ms. Carmichael. This way please.” She slid out from behind her desk. Bouncing as she walked, she led us to the elevator. She pressed the call button, the doors immediately opened and she ushered us inside. “You need a special code to get to the top floor,” she proclaimed punching some numbers into the key pad and pressing the button for the top floor before stepping off the elevator. “Enjoy the ride.” She waved us goodbye as the doors closed.

“Well, she was awfully chipper,” I mumbled.

“Any of this seem strange?” Grayson asked.

“What? You mean the office building, the antiseptic smell or the overly enthusiastic receptionist?”

“Well, when you list it all out there like that...”

The car opened to what appeared to be a vacant floor, but the moment the doors opened, I could feel power invading the small area where we stood. There were definitely vampires around. A lot of them. It crashed on me almost like a tidal wave. I braced myself against the railing that wrapped around the elevator car.

Recalling the entrance to the building I expected to be in an office area, but what we were met with was a penthouse. The floor plan opened into a huge sitting area, much too big for just my father and the few close lackeys that I was sure he kept around. A set of stairs rested in the corner of the room leading to the floor below.

“There’s no one here.” Grayson stated looking around.

“Oh, they’re here alright.”

The moment I shoved myself away from the wall, I began to feel like I was tethered to something. Placing one foot in front of the other, I left the car behind me and allowed myself to be pulled forward. I walked past the sitting area and the kitchen following a sporadic trail of doors.

“Gaby?” Grayson called for me, but I ignored him. I didn’t know where I was going. My body seemed pulled by a strong source. I felt it rippling through the air and across my skin. The part of me that was still mindful figured I was being pulled towards Damien, although I hadn’t recalled feeling the connection the night I met him, perhaps the alcohol and my hormones had dulled my perception. Grayson followed close behind me. I could hear him trying to gain my attention, but I could only focus on where the source was. I abruptly came to a stop in front of a closed door near the end of the hall. Turning to face it, I knew the source was behind it. I could feel the power pulling me, beckoning me in. I twisted the knob swinging the door open revealing a man standing alone in what appeared to be a bedroom.

The muscles on his back rippled as he tugged a t-shirt over his head covering the hint of two parallel scars on his shoulder blades. Before he even spun to face us I knew it wasn’t Damien. The man before me was much more muscular and had blonde hair instead of Damien’s black. I focused on the draw I felt, sure I had somehow misread the pull tugging at me even now, but it was definitely coming from this room. I clung to the door frame to prevent me from walking farther in the room. The stranger’s green eyes locked on me, seeming unfazed by my invasion. It was almost as if he expected me. We stood fixed in place, staring at one another quizzically. I could feel my heart pounding, trying to punch its way out of my chest and knew that he was the source I was feeling, although I didn’t know why. He was certainly attractive with his hard, chiseled features. My eyes trailed down his body noticing the definition that even his shirt couldn’t hide. I thought I heard a hint of a chuckle come from him drawing my eyes back to his face when I realized I was gawking at him.

“You’re not Damien, are you?” Grayson’s voice broke the connection. The stranger turned his head in Grayson’s direction, and I snapped my eyes away. I shook my head clearing the spell that had overcome me.

“No, sorry,” he risked a glance at me and my gaze met his briefly. There was a hint of disappointment in his face; almost like he was sad that the moment had passed. Then he returned his attention to Grayson. “Damien isn’t on this floor. He’s on the one below. The elevator doesn’t stop there, for safety reasons,” he stated, as if that should explain it all. “Go back the way you came. Take the stairs and his is the last door on the right.”

“Thanks,” Grayson held his hand out to me. “Gaby,” he beckoned. I placed my palm in his. The moment his skin touched mine, my head cleared. I turned to the stranger who was intently watching us leave. Once we were a good distance away, Grayson asked, “Why’d you take us there and why didn’t you knock? Did you get confused as to where Damien told you to go?”

“No,” I cut off Grayson’s onslaught of questions. “I thought Damien was there. It was my mistake.” Even I didn’t believe that. I didn’t know why I had felt the draw to the stranger we just met, but I had. It was different than the power I felt coming off of supernaturals, although I was pretty sure he was one, even though I didn’t know what he was.

“I don’t understand.”

“Neither do I,” I mumbled under my breath. I tried convincing myself that the draw I felt to him must have been because he was so powerful, even though deep down there was something erotic that caused me to flush whenever I thought about the pull.

Following the stranger’s direction led us to stand before a door. Grayson stepped forward rapping his knuckles against it. I was sure he didn’t want me barging in on another half-dressed stranger.

The door swung open revealing Jade wearing something that would barely register as a dress.

“Well if it isn’t Bella and Edward.”

“I’m sorry?” Grayson seemed perplexed. I rolled my eyes wondering how the Twilight phenomena had completely bypassed my worldly fiancé, but not the ancient vampire before us.

“Never mind,” Jade mimicked my eye roll. “Come on in. His holiness is expecting you.” She walked away not waiting to see if we’d follow.

Damien sat behind a chrome desk. His head bent, focused on a phone call he was having. The room was uniquely modern, but set up strange. With how large the rest of the place had appeared, this room was fairly small. It was no bigger than our master bathroom. There was room for Damien’s desk and a small couch that sat to the right of it. It didn’t make sense. I let my eyes wander over the room. I looked behind me and saw a floor length curtain pulled across the entire width of the small room. It was similar to that of a stage curtain that was pulled closed at the end of a play. I couldn’t help but wonder if it was there for aesthetic purpose, but I doubted it. It only made sense that it was separating this room from something else; perhaps something Damien wanted to keep hidden, but close by for his own purposes.

Damien stood after ending his call making his way around his desk. He didn’t have to walk far before standing in front of us.

“Gabriella,” he pulled me into a tight hug. It felt awkward, but I hugged him back. He was, after all, my father and was hopefully helping Grayson. “And this must be your mate, Mr. Alexander.” He held his hand out to Grayson.

“Please, call me Grayson,” Grayson answered shaking Damien’s hand.

“Of course. We will, after all, be family soon. Yes?” Damien’s eyes fell to my engagement ring.

“Yes,” Grayson agreed, stunned, but didn’t let it fluster him.

“I do not wish to waste your time with small talk. I hope there will be plenty of that at a later time.” He paused, waiting for us to agree. Both Grayson and I nodded. I was still resentful to Damien for abandoning me, but what he was doing for Grayson was a great first step in mending that fence. I had always wanted to know my father and now fate was giving me a chance. Who was I to snuff it?

“You must please forgive my people for deceiving you with the false meeting,” he spoke to Grayson. “I was eager to meet my daughter and,” Damien circled Grayson like a predator stalks its prey. Damien leaned in close to Grayson. It almost looked like he smelled him. “Her new mate.” Damien turned to face me. “Human when you mated him by the smell of it.” I stared stunned for a moment that he had actually smelled Grayson and he was also correct before slowly nodded. Ancients seemed to have no sense of personal boundaries. “Ah!” he added like that was a piece to the riddle he was trying to solve. “I can’t imagine that your mother nor Anton were too happy with that.”

Obviously! Anton went into a psychotic rage and because of the damage he inflicted of Grayson when he kidnapped him, I was forced to convert him, but something must have gone wrong, I wanted to blurt out. Instead, I simple answered, “No, they weren’t.”

Damien slowly smiled at me, almost like he was reading my unspoken words. “Nothing went wrong, Gabriella. It is because you are from me that he is able to walk in the sun or have your immunities. It is not a bad thing.” I looked over at Jade nervously. I wasn’t used to discussing this with people I didn’t know. I knew I needed my father’s help, but who’s to say Jade wouldn’t take this information and spread it or come after us. She was propped up on the couch looking like a queen waiting for a servant to pop a grape in her mouth while another fanned her. Damien followed my gaze. “Do not worry about Jade. If anything she can help.”

Help? How could another vampire help?

“What are the problems you are having with his transition?”

I was beginning to think this was getting us nowhere. All this time spent tracking him down and he didn’t even know what the issues were, yet he said he’d seen it before. “His thirst, his lack of ability to tolerate human blood and I worry that with his increased thirst, that his immunities are fading.” I looked hesitantly to Grayson who was watching me with uncertainty on his face. “He has to feed from me more frequently and take more each time.” We had never acknowledged this to each other, but he didn’t seem alarmed that I knew.

“Well,” Damien sighed as he crossed the room back to his desk and taking the seat behind it. “The thirst for his sire’s blood is not surprising. I’m sure you know the laws and know why this is prohibited for a reason. What did you expect when you turned a witch or in his case a warlock?”

I stood there stunned to silence. Damien’s words didn’t make sense. Grayson wasn’t a warlock. He had no alters or spell books. He wore no medallions. He had always presented himself a 100% human. I lived with him for months now. If he were a warlock, I was sure I would have noticed it.

I turned hesitantly to stare at Grayson, realizing he hadn’t uttered a single protest to Damien’s allegations. “Grayson?” He didn’t turn towards me. His eyes stayed focused on the ground. “It’s not true,” I declared to Damien. He put his head down, waiting for me to come to my own realization.

“Can it be fixed?” Grayson questioned ignoring me pursuit for his contradiction of Damien’s claim.

“Yes,” Damien stated. “You just need a witch to cast a spell. It just so happens I have one in my pocket,” he smiled with a signaling glance at Jade, who stood and exited the room quickly.

I remembered when I told Grayson that I was a vampire and how well he’d taken it, too well, I thought. I had never really assessed it since his acceptance had been exactly what I had wanted, but now with this new information, it made me wonder.

“You wanted this!” I spat with accusation at Grayson. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t seen it before. His brow knitted, appearing wounded by my words. “When I first told you I was a vampire, you weren’t shocked. You accepted it entirely too easily. I didn’t care at the time because it was what I had wanted, but now I see it was because as a warlock you were already aware of my existence.”

“Gaby, I’m not a warlock.”

“Then why are we waiting for a witch to fix you?”

“You misunderstand.”

“Then explain it.”

“My great grandmother was, on my mom’s side. We always just thought she was a little off with all her supernatural babble.”

“Grayson, as you sire, I command you to tell me the truth.”

“That doesn’t work on him.” Damien chimed in reminding us of his presence. “Because of his witch lineage there was never a sire bond.”

If I hadn’t been so upset at that moment, I would have rejoiced in the knowledge that Grayson had been honest about his choice to become a vampire, but instead it fueled my anger.

“When you found out that I was a vampire you didn’t freak.”

“I didn’t because I grew up being told vampires and other creatures that go bump in the night exist. I was entirely sure if it was true until that moment.”

“And you had hoped I’d turn you?”

“No,” he stated blatantly. “Gaby, it was never my desire to become a vampire. It was my desire to be with you for as long as possible. The thought to become a vampire had never even crossed my mind until after we had been together for a while.”

“How can I believe you, Grayson?”

“How can you not? I have never lied to you, Gabriella.” I was about to open my mouth to protest, but he silenced me as he continued. “This, me being a warlock, was not a lie. The only thing that my great grandmother passed on was her lack of ignorance. I never thought my ancestral lineage was an issue. Would you think that your great grandmother would be relevant to our relationship? Cause I sure as hell didn’t.”

Part of me felt wounded, but also thought he was right, about everything. Before I could speak, there was a knock at the door.

“That would be the witch, but if you two are not done arguing, I can ask her to come back at a more convenient time,” Damien announced. I wasn’t sure if he was being sarcastic, since his tone lacked the edge.

“No, let’s do this.”

Without waiting for an invitation, the door opened and in walked Jade with a graying older woman that I could only assume was the witch. She halted when her eyes took in Grayson. It wasn’t the same way that countless women before had gaped at him. She seemed to be almost studying him. I saw Grayson shift uneasy under the weight of her stare.

“You are right, Damien. This one was definitely one of ours, and changed by an original no less.” Her gaze shifted to me. “Your daughter, I presume.”

“She is. What do you need from me Maria?”

She smiled showing a missing tooth in the front of her mouth. “I have everything I need, except for the blood of the fallen.” Blood of the fallen? That sounded awfully rare.

“Will mine do?” Damien asked. My head swung to stare at him. He was a fallen? A fallen angel, I reminded myself.

“No. It must be one that is untainted.”

Damien nodded then looked to Jade, who without uttering a word, slipped from the room. The old woman went to Damien’s desk and plugged in a hot plate. She began pouring ingredients into a bowl. A pinch here, a dash there.

“What are you doing?” I wondered aloud.

“Making a potion,” she declared without turning from her task.

“On a hot plate?”

My question froze her. Eerily slow, she turned to glare at me over her shoulder. “Well, if it would please you, perhaps I could set a fire up here on your father’s desk, if my way isn’t authentic enough for you.”

“No, that’s…”

“Or perhaps you don’t think that I know what I’m doing.”

“No, I just…”

“No one is questioning your talents, Maria,” Damien butted in, giving me a wide eyed look that suggested he knew she was irrational.

“Good. Because if they are…” she began as she raised the bowl of the ingredients she had been mixing.

“Not at all. Please continue.” Damien muttered as he defused the situation.

She continued her task. After a short while she began speaking. I wasn’t sure if it was to anyone particular or simply to herself. “See the problem is, witches are guardians of nature,” the witch said as she continued over her potion. “Vampire’s are an abomination. So as punishment for breaking the sacred bond, witches that are turned can only survive by feeding on the blood of those who made them and we all know that vampires can’t survive on vampire blood alone.” She poured in some liquid that smelled of rotten eggs. “Getting close,” she spoke to herself. “Now, over the centuries, a witch came to realize, that on rare occasion, it is not always the witches fault for being turned. So she came up with a spell to remove the witch’s essence from them, allowing the true vampire nature to take over.” She peeked a glance over her shoulder and saw the shock and worry on my face. True vampire nature? That sounded terrible. Would that turn Grayson into a blood thirsty, killing machine that only come out at night? “Do not worry day walker. He will be the same as he is now, but will no longer have the need to feed from you unless it is desired between the two of you.” I felt myself relax.

“And the day walking?” I inquired hopeful that he would keep the ability.

“A day walker? Really?” That notion seemed to grab her attention away from her potion just briefly before she shrugged. “Not my area. That’d be your father’s.”

I looked to Damien, pleading with my eyes for an answer, but before he could speak, the door opened and I became momentarily distracted by the same pull I felt before as it slammed into me causing me to inhale sharply. I turned and saw the blonde stranger I had met prior walk in behind Jade. When he entered, like earlier, I felt this connection to him. My skin began to prickle in a way that I wasn’t familiar with. It wasn’t goose bumps. It was something deeper. Almost like my blood was tingling. Normally when I met a supernatural, it was a ripple, but with him, it was a damn tidal wave crashing down on my senses. My entire body became alert to his presence. He was powerful and I knew it.

 “One fallen angel. I’d have brought him in on a silver plate, for effect, but he’s too much of a stick in the mud to participate,” Jade poked at him in a sisterly way. I felt a twinge of jealousy that quickly subsided at the realization that they were close, but most likely not lovers. Then I felt uncomfortable at the thought that I cared. Why should I? I didn’t know the man, but for some reason I did care and I didn’t like that I did.

“Sebastian, Maria needs your blood for a potion to reverse my daughter’s mate’s condition,” Damien emphasized, all the while Sebastian’s eyes rested on me. Remembering that Grayson was here, I didn’t want it to become awkward so I did my best not to stare back at Sebastian, even though the tether inside of me begged me too. I reached for Grayson’s hand and like earlier the tension I felt dissipated. I sighed in relief.

 

“Anything to be helpful,” Sebastian stated before walking over to Maria.

“I need your blood too, day walker.”

I wanted to groan, but I didn’t. Instead I released Grayson’s hand with a nervous smile and felt the pull reestablish.

I walked slowly towards Maria, all the while being drawn to Sebastian who stood next to her. I could feel his gaze on me as I approached. I tried to ignore it, but I could feel my blood hum being near him. Maria held out a knife. Without taking his eyes off of me, Sebastian held his hand out to her. She sliced his palm then moved to place it over her concoction, but stopped just before a drop fell in. “Oops, I’m sorry Sebastian, but I’m going to have to do that again. I need it last.” I wanted to be upset with the word oops, but when the scent of his blood hit my nose, my eyes flared to the honey green color and the oops was momentarily forgotten. It was different than anything I had ever smelt. I followed the knife in Maria’s hand around with my eyes like a child who wanted to lick the spoon after their mother made cookies. And I did want to lick it.

“Your turn.” She washed the knife clean then ran it across my hand spilling my blood into her potion. Only her and Sebastian saw my eyes change and neither of them said anything.

“Why do you need my blood?” I challenged, trying to distract myself. It became easier when Maria dipped the knife into her potion easing the scent of blood in the air.

“You want him to keep it down, don’t you?”

“He has to drink it?” I spoke a bit stunned. It made sense, but the smell of it was so toxic that I couldn’t image having to stomach the vile concoction down.

“Of course. And it ain’t gonna be pleasant either.”

“Painful?” I pleaded that it wouldn’t be.

“Not sure. I’ve never seen it used, but I image ripping the essence out of someone would be excruciating.”

“And what if we decide not to?”

“Gaby?” Grayson chimed in. His tone telling me that he didn’t want that as an option, but he had been through enough and I didn’t want him to suffer anymore.

“That’s your decision,” she spoke to Grayson. “But I must warn you,” she turned to me, “that if you continue allowing him to feed from you without doing what I’m offering, the effects of your blood will diminish until they no longer work.”

I swallowed hard past the lump that was forming in my throat. “If the effects diminish…”

“You’re a smart girl. You don’t need me spelling it out for you.”

I looked to Grayson and he stared back at me. A small knowing smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. We knew that we had no choice.  

“While they finish up here, Gabriella, would you please follow me? I know you have questions you wish to have answered.”

Remembering that I did and desperately so, I moved towards Grayson even though the tether pulling me towards Sebastian was still tugging at me. It was like walking against the wind. I asked Grayson if he would be alright.

“Of course, baby,” he replied then placed a soft kiss on my lips. I tensed as he did. For some reason it felt awkward. Never had I reacted like that to his touch, let alone a kiss. I wanted to think it was because he kissed me in front of my father, but I knew I was just lying to myself. Not liking how I felt about it and seeing the confusion on Grayson’s face, I quickly stood on my toes and pulled him to my lips. There it is. The familiar sensation I had always felt. The one that made the rest of the world disappear. I could feel my body starting to react to the kiss and remembering that we were still in a room full of people who had in fact not disappeared, I pulled back and beamed up at the love of my life, who seemed surprised that I had pushed it that far.

“Don’t let us distract you,” Jade announced. “I don’t mind the show.”

 Later, I mouthed the word because in a room full of supernaturals, I knew I’d never be able to whisper it quietly enough for them not to hear it. Grayson chuckled then nodded. I turned to Damien, who gave me an approving smile. Not in a creepy way. In a way that said he approved of my happiness.

Once we were outside the room, we began walking the floor. “As I’m sure you are obviously aware, I once made my first vampire too.” I had never really thought about it, but of course Damien had to make at least one vampire for the race to begin. I nodded. “I did not know what to expect. I had been cast down from heaven for some time and had fed from many humans. It became clear to me that if I did not predict my cravings, I would savagely kill without meaning.” I looked at him, slightly shocked that he too experienced the same hunger we all did. “It was the way God wanted it. Angels were never meant to stay on the human plane for long periods of time. The hunger was his way of making sure we didn’t. It was also his way of cursing me.” His stride stopped and he turned to me, stopping me too. “I know it may seem surprising, given that I am the father of a savage race, but I am remorseful for what I have done to mankind. The guilt weighs heavily on me as it was meant to.” I nodded, seeing the pain in his eyes. Damien began walking again and I followed. “As I was saying, my first vampire was never something I planned. I was trying to save a girl’s life the same way I had once been saved; by feeding her my blood. I did not think. Instinct and the need to save her took over. I bit my wrist and fed her from myself. When she died, I thought I failed and nothing more. The next night, however, at dusk I felt this light turn on in my head. It was the sire bond clicking into place, like a beacon directing me to her, but I did not realize it at the time. I tried my best to ignore it, which I regret now, but at the time I did not know what it meant. It was not until sunrise that I found her…” He trailed off. I could tell whatever he was remembering was bad. “I knew then that God had forgotten to remove the task he had assigned me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I am still the angel of death; just instead of killing them permanently, I touch them with death and turn them like me, to feast on the blood of humanity.”

“What happened when you found the girl?”

He paused almost like he was trying to summon the strength. “She had killed her entire family as they prepared her body for burial. I found her weeping over her little sister, with the sun beating down on them both.” The sun? “That image is something that will be burned into my mind until the end of time. She begged me to help her sister, but it was too late.”

I felt guilty for making him relive that, but my curiosity hadn’t been satiated. “What came of the girl you turned?”

Just as Damien opened his mouth, another voice cut through. “Are you telling our story again?” Jade pried, peeking her head out the door.

“You’re…” I couldn’t even finish, I was too shocked.

“The first vampire ever turned? You bet your sweet ass I am.” I couldn’t believe it. Almost like she heard me, she elaborated, “I know, right? I look damn good for my age, but you don’t need to keep checking me out. I mean Jesus, your boyfriend is right in there.”

“Fiancé,” Grayson corrected from inside the room.

“Mazal tov,” she exclaimed before turning to Damien, “The witch says she’s almost done, if you wanna come back.”

“Are you even Jewish?” I questioned as she turned to reenter the room.

“Have you ever seen a ginger jew?” she muttered with a roll of her eyes. “But I’ve got nothing against them. Jesus was a pretty awesome guy,” she spoke as she disappeared, the door swinging shut behind her.

“She met Jesus?” I queried.

He chuckled. “She did. She is an easily adaptable soul, which is good considering she is well over two thousand years old.” My eyes widened. “Being adaptable is extremely important to an immortal.”

“How is she a day walker?” I pleaded for answers before Damien entered the room while the remained shut hoping that since I hadn’t heard anyone while in there that it meant the room was soundproof.

“The first always is.”

“I don’t understand. So Grayson will remain a day walker?”

“Yes,” he stated, but when he saw the confusion on my face he elaborated. “Imagine your essence as an orb,” he made a circle with both his hands. “It’s what you share with those you create. No matter how many you turn it doesn’t deplete your personal power, but you have a certain amount you are allotted to share with those your fledgling. Every time you make a vampire your orb is cut in half.” He pulled one of his hands away showing the essence split. “The first is always the strongest. They are closest to your strength. The day walking capability is only there for the first vampire created. Grayson is your first. Even though you are my daughter, you are still a first vampire as far as strength. The essence you share may diminish with each, but at the same time it never runs completely out. It splits and splits forever.”

“So it has nothing to do with feeding on my blood,” I mumbled to myself. It had been my second greatest worry. The first had been my fear for Grayson.

“Absolutely not. I can understand the uncertainty you must have been feeling over that, but you needn’t worry. Your blood is not the key to day walking” He placed his hand on my shoulder in a comforting gesture before opening the door and leading me into the room.

“Are you ready?” Maria stood in front of her makeshift altar with her concoction bubbling away.

“We’re doing it here? Can’t we take it home?” I walked over to Grayson needing his touch to ease my anxiety along with the pull towards Sebastian I felt the moment I reentered the room.

“It won’t maintain its properties once the blood of the fallen has been added. You have no choice but to do it now.”

Grayson’s hand gripped my hip, pulling me against him. He turned us until his back was facing the room giving us the semblance of privacy then bent down resting his forehead against mine. Placing a gentle finger under my chin, he drew my gaze to his.

“Hey, it’s going to be fine.”

“You don’t know that.” I choked back my tears.

“Yes, I do. I should be dead right now, Gabriella, but you saved me, just like you’re saving me now.” I forced a tight lipped smiled with all I could muster. I tipped my head until my lips found his. It wasn’t chaste. It was heated and heartfelt. My fingers were finding their way into Grayson’s hair when someone cleared their throat. We broke apart giving the other a small grin.

“Jeez, you two. It’s not the end of the world.” Jade stated. “Seriously, though? Watching the two of you is better than Days of Our Lives.”

“Jade…” Damien warned. Jade shrugged her shoulder oblivious to why Damien would warn her.

“Shall we?” Maria suggested. Grayson nodded. Maria motioned him over to her where she was standing next to Sebastian. It was strange for me seeing the two of them so close. They were so nicely contrasted. Grayson’s dark hair to Sebastian’s light. Gray eyes to green. Grayson was a few inches taller than Sebastian, yet they were both well muscular, but Sebastian was slightly more so.

Maria slit Sebastian’s wrist this time, mixing a good portion of his blood into the bowl. Once his wound healed and the blood stop flowing, she quickly handed the bowl to Grayson. “Drink it all,” she commanded. Grayson’s eyes locked on me as he tipped the potion back.

“It will be alright, I assure you. Maria is exceptionally good at what she does.” Damien whispered to me. My anxiety was overpowering my senses that I hadn’t even heard him approach. I nodded trying to show that his words had offered me comfort, even though they hadn’t.

After a few moments, Grayson dropped the bowl which clattered across the floor, before stumbling back against Damien’s desk.

“Grayson,” I cried before speeding to his side.

“As I said it will not be pleasant, but this is a good sign,” Maria explained.

“A good sign?” I spat a bit more hostilely than I meant.

“Yes. It means the potion is working. Take him home day walker and do not allow him to drink from you tonight. Tomorrow, I’m sure you will know if it worked,” she spoke as she shuffled out of the room.

“And what if it doesn’t?” I called after her, but heard no response.

“Gaby?” Grayson’s voice summoned me. I shifted his arm around me so I could support his weight.

“I’m taking him home now.”

“Of course. Jade will help you get him to your vehicle, while I attend to the witch’s payment.”

“Thank you, Damien.”

“You are most welcome, my daughter.”