by Anya Nowlan
What has even happened to me? When did this engagement go from stalling for time with Stephen to being all too real?
“I get the feeling you’re what people might call… slutty,” Kayla remarked with a smirk. “No shame in the game, just putting it out there.”
“I have a feeling you and Stephen will get along great,” Ezra shook his head at her, a grin tugging at his lips.
“Ooh, planning on taking me home to your Maker already?” she replied.
“Why, do you have a problem with that, Ms. Clarke?” he asked, getting up and walking around the counter to pull her into his arms.
“None at all,” she said, and it was just what he wanted to hear.
15
Kayla
Staring at her computer screen as Ezra was in the other room making a call, Kayla didn’t know what to do. She had written down all the vampire facts Ezra had told her when they were having breakfast – like how silver was poisonous to them and how only old and powerful vampires had their own ‘lines’ – and had even started on an article on how she met a real life creature of the night.
Ezra had already promised to take her to a very special bar – one that only vampires and their donors frequented, donors being humans that had been vetted to serve as companions and snacks. If she could sneak her phone in there she could get some pictures, maybe even video that would make her claims not sound like the ramblings of a crazy person…
But all of it felt wrong. Not only did exposing such a secret have enormous consequences, probably causing mass hysteria… She couldn’t bring herself to go behind Ezra’s back like that. Despite his usually flippant attitude and occasional cockiness, he had really helped her through a difficult time, and been so kind in the process…
And then there was last night.
Kayla’s skin was still humming from his touch, and she knew what they shared together went beyond sex. There was a real connection between them, and the way Ezra was not shying away from it, and spending even more time with her now that he’d gotten her into bed told her he had to be feeling the same way.
He wants to introduce me to his Maker, after all.
But there was a nagging part in the back of her brain that kept telling her this was just a part of selling her as his betrothed, and despite what they had shared, this was all still fake, just a ploy to get Stephen off Ezra’s back.
Yet there was a stronger part of her that made her square her shoulders and straighten her spine. She had spent too much of her life second-guessing herself and playing it safe. Now, she had stepped out of her comfort zone, with a bite mark on her neck to prove it.
She wasn’t about to let doubt ruin how much fun she was having with Ezra. Besides, she saw the way he looked at her. That wasn’t fake. And if the butterflies in her stomach were anything to go by, she was starting to fall for him, hard.
That’s insane, she told herself, but that didn’t stop her from feeling how she was feeling – on cloud nine, and not ready to come down any time soon.
Kayla was about to delete her budding article altogether, when she heard Ezra call out for her just outside her door. Slamming the cover of her laptop shut, she hurried out of her room.
“What’s up?” she asked, slightly out of breath.
Ezra quirked a brow at her flustered appearance, but didn’t comment.
“I’ve cleared it with the bar – as my betrothed, you can go wherever I go. I’ve reserved us a table for tonight,” he said, pulling her close and planting a kiss on her cheek.
“Can’t wait,” she replied, resting her face on his chest.
Clad in a black bodycon dress she hadn’t worn in ages, Kayla resisted the urge to fidget as Ezra lead her inside what looked like a regular old office building. It should have been closed, it being a Saturday night and all, but a burly-looking man standing near the door had let them in.
She didn’t even know why she’d worn the dress in the first place, but for some reason, she had felt like dressing up. And having Ezra’s eyes glued to her curves, now on full display, was just a bonus.
Her arm in Ezra’s, she took a deep breath as they headed for an elevator, also manned by a similarly scary-looking dude. He and Ezra nodded at each other as the elevator opened, before she and Ezra stepped inside.
He pressed the button for the basement, and the doors slid closed in front of them.
“Don’t worry. This is completely safe. The royal families keep a tight leash on these establishments. Some are shadier than others, of course, but all have a basic standard of security guaranteed for the humans involved. No human has been harmed in a vampire bar in over a hundred years,” Ezra explained, as the elevator sank lower, taking Kayla’s stomach with it.
“I believe you,” Kayla nodded. “It’s just the unknown.”
“You look drop-dead sexy, by the way,” he grinned at her.
“Yeah, you’ve mentioned that a couple of times already,” she smiled. “You’re not so bad yourself,” she added, her gaze running over his powerful frame, clad in an expertly tailored navy suit.
Looking at him, her nerves calmed. She had complete trust that Ezra wouldn’t put her in danger, and her anxiety was starting to be replaced by curiosity. As the doors finally opened, her eyes immediately started darting around as she wanted to take in as much as possible, as quickly as possible.
The place had very high ceilings for a basement, with muted lighting that she guessed was set to a level that would be comfortable for humans and vampires alike. Near the back wall was a little raised area that looked like a modest stage, and a bar was tucked away in the right corner.
The people milling around were of all ages, but most looked to be either in their late twenties or early thirties. To her surprise, she didn’t find separating the humans from the vampires that hard. After living with Ezra, she had picked up on some of his mannerisms that she now observed here, as well.
There was this silent grace, a smoothness of movement to the undead that no mere mortal could possess. Every gesture was measured, executed with a poise she found beautiful. The humans looked right at ease, walking around or chatting with others with drinks in their hands.
Knowing that vampires had excellent hearing, Kayla kept her voice low as she and Ezra walked over to a sitting area, a small couch and some armchairs, with a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket sitting on the table in the middle.
“All these people know vampires exist,” she shook her head. “I’m surprised no one has leaked anything,” she said, recalling the way she hadn’t even been searched as they arrived.
“Who would believe them?” Ezra chuckled, gesturing for her to sit on the couch. “Besides, these humans know very well what would happen to them if they betrayed us.
“Believe me, there have been those who didn’t know when to keep their mouths shut, and they were made an example of. No one wants to share their fate,” he said, and Kayla didn’t even want to imagine what happened to the poor souls who didn’t follow the rules.
Suddenly, she was very glad she had decided to bury her idea of turning any of her experiences with vampires into an article.
“Why even do this, then? Be someone’s food,” she commented, as Ezra opened the bottle of champagne and poured out two glasses.
“For the thrill of being in on the secret, I suppose,” he mused. “And then of course there are those who hope to catch some vampire’s eye, maybe get turned someday… And the biting part isn’t exactly unpleasant,” he raised a brow at her, and she couldn’t help but blush.
Ezra sat down beside her, shoulder to shoulder, and handed her a glass.
“But what about me?” Kayla asked, suddenly realizing the implications. “You’re not actually going to turn me, and we’re not actually getting married. How am I even allowed to see all this?”
“When I claimed you, it was as if I vouched for you. I didn’t think you were going to go running to whomever would listen, rambling on about vampires,” he laughed. “And now th
at I know you better, I know that you can be trusted with all this.”
He grew more serious as he said that, getting lost in thought for a moment. When he looked back at her, there was an emotion on his face Kayla couldn’t quite place. All she knew was, her heart suddenly started beating faster.
“I may have been reckless, getting you involved in all this. But if there’s one thing I don’t regret, it’s claiming you as mine. I thought having as much fun as possible would keep my very long life from becoming dull, but now I see, it was a true companion that I needed,” he said, taking her hands in his.
“What are you saying?” Kayla asked.
“I don’t want this to be fake anymore. I want it to be real,” Ezra replied, stunning her into silence.
16
Ezra
Ezra didn’t even know where the words had come from, but he meant every single one. Somewhere down the line, this fictitious relationship with Kayla had become all too real, and he didn’t want her thinking anything to the contrary.
To think, he had hated Stephen’s idea of leaving town and coming to Cleveland, not to mention being thoroughly annoyed at his insistence that Ezra become a Maker. Yet it had all brought him to Kayla, a woman who had made him rethink his choices with her kindness and hidden strength alone.
“I don’t know what to say…” she muttered quietly, looking at their intertwined hands. “I thought after Seth, I’d be more careful, so I don’t get that blindsided again…” she trailed off, before her eyes snapped back to his. “But I’m tired of being careful. This thing between us just feels right, and I want to see where it takes us,” she smiled, and Ezra grinned back.
“I wasn’t sure where you were going with that for a moment there,” he replied, relieved that she felt the same way as he did. “I know it’s going to be a bit complicated, and there are many things we still don’t know about each other, but I have this sense it doesn’t really matter.”
“I know, I feel it in my gut,” Kayla nodded, smiling at him. “It sounds naïve,” she shook her head. “But I don’t care.”
Her arms were around his neck in a flash when his mouth slanted over hers, the kiss sweet yet urgent. She tasted of champagne, and he loved hearing her breathing accelerate as he deepened the kiss. When she pulled away, breathless, she spared a nervous glance at the rest of the bar.
“Oops, maybe that’s a little too much PDA,” she whispered.
“Trust me, no one here cares,” Ezra waved a hand. “The humans are used to seeing all sorts of things, and the vampires are certainly not easily shocked. Once you’ve been alive a certain amount of time, the affairs of others become inconsequential. What importance does someone else’s opinion hold when you’ve had decades to get to know yourself?”
“That actually sounds… nice,” Kayla remarked. “I tend to care too much about what people think,” she admitted.
“You’re considerate, and I like that about you. But you shouldn’t let fear get in the way of you showing everyone how amazing you really are,” Ezra replied, pulling her to her feet.
“What are you up to now?” she asked, throwing him a warning look.
“Showing you how not to care,” he replied, waving a waitress over.
Whispering in her ear so Kayla wouldn’t hear, he asked the woman to play a song for them, something slow and romantic. The waitress nodded and gave him a quick smile before running off.
“I have a feeling you’re not going to tell me what that was about,” Kayla remarked.
“You’ll see soon enough,” he replied, leading her toward the small stage near the back wall.
She protested at first, especially when smooth jazz started coming from the speakers, with a woman’s smoky voice singing about finding that special someone. But she let herself be pulled along nonetheless, blushing yet smiling to herself as well.
“Why not let everyone see the prettiest girl in the whole place is mine?” he asked, as they took the couple of steps to the stage and he pulled her closer.
With one arm around her waist and her hand in his, they started to slowly dance, bodies moving to the music and eyes glued to each other.
“You are such a flatterer,” Kayla rolled her eyes at him, as he led her around the stage.
“Just honest,” he winked, and she just shook her head, grinning from ear to ear.
Having her in his arms felt like the most natural thing. The future was still uncertain, with him being immortal and her being human complicating things, but he didn’t want to think about that now. All he wanted was to enjoy the moment.
When he dipped her low and kissed her throat, she giggled, and when he pulled her back up, she wrapped her arms behind his neck.
“Even if everyone was staring at us right now, would you care?” he asked, whispering the question into her ear.
“I had already forgotten there was anyone else here,” she replied.
Kayla was still smiling when they got back home, and Ezra watched her hips sway in that skintight dress of hers, unable to keep his eyes off her.
“I liked that place,” she said over her shoulder, before heading for the bathroom.
“I hope the company had something to do with it,” he called out after her, before sitting down on the couch.
Ezra knew his Maker was eager for an update, and he had felt his phone buzzing in his pocket before. No doubt it was Stephen, trying to get more information on Kayla. He knew he would have to call him back eventually, but spending time with Kayla seemed more important at the moment.
“It did,” she replied, returning to the living room with her hair now up in a bun and her earrings gone.
Curling up next to him, she grabbed the remote from between the couch cushions, but didn’t turn the TV on.
“What show should I introduce you to next?” she mused aloud, tapping her chin with her finger. “If you’re going to be walking around with a flip phone, you should at least know a little something about popular culture to make up for it,” she teased.
“Are you making fun of me?” Ezra asked, raising a brow at her. “No respect for the undead these days,” he huffed dramatically, making her giggle.
“There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask, though…” she said, growing more serious. “Do you like it? Being a vampire, I mean. I know it’s kind of a silly question…”
“You can ask me whatever you want,” he assured her. “And it’s a valid question. Many grow tired of endless existence, especially the ones who haven’t found someone to share their lives with or have lost them.
“But other than that, on the physical side… I never get tired, I barely need to sleep, I’m faster and stronger than any other creature out there,” he counted off, “and I save a ton of money on food.”
Kayla rolled her eyes at him, but there was a smile on her lips.
“But you’re still the same person you were before?” she asked.
That made him think a little harder, and maybe prompted him to be a little more honest when looking at himself than he had been recently.
“I think at my core I’m still the same,” he said, thinking back on himself lifetimes ago. “I make the same bad jokes, I like to have fun, I’m loyal to the people I care about… I guess I have been feeling somewhat lost lately, and distracting myself with one party after the next.
“Time has an effect on all of us, but that doesn’t mean I’m not still me. Stephen turning me only changed me physically, any other changes came with experiences, like they tend to do.”
“I think you’ve made me different,” Kayla replied, sounding far away.
“I hope in a good way,” he prodded, wrapping an arm around her.
“Definitely,” she smiled back at him, tilting her head upward, her eyes darting to his lips.
To his frustration, there was suddenly a loud knock on the door just as he was about to kiss her. Even Kayla groaned as she let her head fall back on the headrest. Ezra only counted one heartbeat in the hallway, its rhythm a
little faster than usual.
“Hold that thought, I’ll see who it is,” she said, getting up from the couch.
“Whoever it is, they better make it quick. I’m not a patient man when it comes to kissing you,” he warned.
Kayla gave him a brief grin over her shoulder before pulling the door open, and Ezra could see her skid to a halt and still as she saw who it was.
Seth. What the fuck are you doing here? Ezra thought, but didn’t say aloud.
Whatever business the man had here was between him and Kayla, and Ezra didn’t want to intervene. Kayla’s ex might be a huge douche, but that didn’t give Ezra the right to butt into her private affairs.
“Can I talk to you for a moment?” Seth asked, his eyes darting over her shoulder to Ezra. “Alone?” he added.
“Seth…” Kayla started, but Seth didn’t let her finish.
“I know it’s late. I came by before but you weren’t here. I just need a moment,” he said, and from the way Kayla’s shoulders slumped, Ezra knew she would agree.
“Can you give us a minute?” she asked, turning back to Ezra.
“If that’s what you want,” he shrugged, and Kayla shot him a brief, grateful smile.
Retreating to her bedroom, Ezra couldn’t help but keep an ear on their conversation. For him, it was easy to hear, and he could only avoid making out every word perfectly if he really tried tuning it out.
He didn’t feel like putting in the effort, this time.
Why are you here, Seth? Kayla asked, and Ezra was wondering the same thing.
To stop himself from pacing around the room like a caged lion, Ezra pulled out his phone, only to see it was dead. If Stephen was trying to reach him and found his cell turned off, who knew what kind of scenarios his Maker could be cooking up in his head already?
The man is getting paranoid in his old age, Ezra thought, just as he spotted Kayla’s laptop on her desk. A quick e-mail might calm him down.