“Riley! What a surprise!”

I smiled timidly as I sat down at the round table with Draven and Lady Serenity. Adrian sat in the seat to my right. I looked over at him with a shy grin and then looked back at Draven who implored for an explanation with his eyes.

“I figured it was time for a visit,” I said with a shrug. A number of days had passed since my secret meeting with Adrian under the moon light, and we had spent the last few days engaging in deep conversation, getting to know each other on a deeper level.

“It took a little convincing, but here we are,” Adrian announced.

Draven raised his eyebrows.

“I'm curious as to what you might have said to convince our lovely budding vampire to attend. Her last visit wasn't as...well, it wasn't very pleasant,” Draven explained.

I flushed slightly and looked down at the wooden table, picking at a chipped piece.

“I just figured I need to become accustomed to the rituals here,” I replied.

“You missed your feeding,” Draven pointed out. “We'll have to get you hooked up immediately after dinner.”

“Of course,” I said.

“I would love to come along if that would be alright,” Adrian said.

I looked over at him and nodded.

“I would like that,” I whispered.

Silence fell over the table. I watched Draven and Lady Serenity exchange a curious glance as Adrian took a goblet from one of the servants. He raised the cup to his superiors.

“To Riley,” he announced. “May her transition be of ease.”

They each raised their goblets and took a long sip, setting them down shortly after. I took a deep breath and kept my eyes from wandering around the grand dining hall. It was a lavish cafeteria decorated with a multitude of antique lamps, portraits, and a few modern tables. The one we sat at was particularly round and set off in the corner away from the rest of the group. It seemed purposeful that Adrian chose it, not to mention that his maker and my beloved mentor were occupying said table.

“You know, I once had a pupil who also had an aversion to blood,” Draven commented.

I raised a curious brow.

“He was a small fellow, about your frame size, and he simply couldn't bring himself to bite. The little man was quite talented with luring humans into the nest for feasting, but he would have to leave the room while the blood was being drained,” he explained.

“I think I recall that young man. Wasn't he from the states?” asked Lady Serenity.

“He was a Scot, actually. Quite a strapping young thing. He made such a wonderful fang,” he replied.

“Was that Alban?” she asked.

“Yes, that was Alban. He keeps in tough regularly,” he replied.

“He left?” I interrupted.

“Yes, he left a number of years ago to create our sister coven just across the sea,” Draven replied.

“I didn't think anyone was allowed to leave,” I wondered out loud.

“On very special occasions, yes. Sirus appointed Alban to our sister coven in order to branch out our online business. It was to help us double our revenue to keep our coven alive and well. We can't very well afford this sort of lavish living on a regular paycheck,” Draven explained.

A round of chuckles erupted at the table, and I joined them, tittering as Adrian took my hand beneath the table. I smiled.

“Eventually, you will be given a job as well. You could even apprentice with me in the basement,” he offered.

“Really?” I asked with surprise.

“Of course! I believe it would be beneficial to you to learn a new skill. It would encourage you to really integrate,” he replied.

Adrian squeezed my hand and I smiled wide.

“I think I would enjoy that,” I whispered.

“It's no easy job, but I'm sure you could pick it up easily. I need help organizing my desk, filing papers, and keeping up with experiments. I could show you how to mix potions and even how to cast one day,” he went on.

My smile grew.

“I could become an alchemist,” I gasped. “I've never even dreamed of such a thing.”

“You could become much more than that, Riley. You could lead us to the very edges of creation. Remember how you told me about your science studies in college? It would be triple the excitement. Your brain was made for learning, young one,” he explained.

“This is more than just a frivolous collection of fangs surviving in the forest,” Lady Serenity added. “We're a real family. We advance ourselves as much as possible.”

“We're always ahead of the human game,” Adrian chimed in.

“And you can be part of that,” Draven affixed. “With Lady Serenity's help, you'll be prepared for your ritual and you can be part of the most extravagant family you'll ever have known.”

“And we'll never leave you behind,” Adrian whispered.

“Never?” I asked breathlessly.

I studied his blue eyes as the rest of the room became a blur of white noise and unnecessary chatter. Everything faded as I looked into those blue pools. Surely, I was drowning now. I couldn't pull myself from this tide.

And I didn't want to.

“This bond is eternal,” he replied. “And that means this is forever.”