by D. C. Gambel
“Of course.”
She took a seat on the couch then patted the spot next to her before worrying her hands together. Looking back, I didn’t remember my mother ever seeming as nervous as she was at that moment. What made it worse, I think, was that fact she was trying to hide it, making her appear even more nervous. I pulled the shirt down as I sat trying my best not to reveal anything.
“As I know you are aware, your father and I have been spending time together.” I nodded. Even with my life as chaotic as it had been the past few months, that tidbit still managed its way on my radar, courtesy of Jade. “Your father wishes to stay in New York.” Was that it? I thought perhaps she didn’t know how I’d feel with the news in regards to Sebastian, but I didn’t think that detail had ever made it on her radar. Perhaps she thought my father staying was something I didn’t want, although I was just getting to know him and I wasn’t ready to give that up.
“Okay…?” I asked.
My mother nibbled her lip nervously. “He also wishes…” she cleared her throat, “to combine…the…nests,” she drew out her words making sure there was no possible misinterpretation. My eyes widened. This time I was the one shocked.
There were only two ways to combine nests. One, you had to kill the reigning leader. If that was the case, one of my parents would have to kill the other. Or two, the leaders would have to unite as one in a sacrament. My mother held her left hand up showing me the large light blue sapphire ring that was cradled between two smaller dark blue ones that rested on her third finger.
My eyes widened even more and my mouth fell open. This wasn’t something I expected. I knew my parents were still in love and had begun rekindling their relationship once my father arrived in New York, but I thought it was still new. I guess when you put all the time they’d been together over the past several decades, it wasn’t new at all.
“I haven’t given him an answer yet,” she spoke quickly noticing my bewilderment.
“Why not?” I wasn’t sure for the delay.
This time my mother’s brow knitted together. “This isn’t a decision I’d make without consulting you, Gabriella. You are my daughter and this would affect you as much as me.”
I smiled softly relishing in the delight of my mother’s words and knowing that they were unnecessary. She would forever see me as her baby who needed to come first, even over herself. It wasn’t like my life would be turned upside-down if she married him, but she thought it might. “Mom, I love you and thank you for thinking of me, but this is your decision. If marrying Damien would make you happy, then marry him, but don’t do it for me or, at the same time, not for me. I’ll be fine either way.”
“It’s strange, Gabriella. He and I mated long ago, years before you were conceived. We spent decades together. The last few years, being without him, I resolved that it would be forever and tried my best to let him go from my heart. Now he’s here and I…” She let her sentence fall away.
“I don’t think you ever truly expelled him from your heart, mother. I think you just locked him up in a box and put him on the shelf. Over the past few months, you’ve taken him off the shelf and have toyed with the box and debated opening it.” I looked her in her emerald green eyes and held her hand. “Open it,” I commanded. “Open the box. You know you still love him.”
“I’m scared.”
“It’s okay to be scared, just don’t let fear hold you back from doing what you want.”
The next morning, just before sunrise, my phone buzzed.
“Hello?” I sleepily answered on autopilot.
“Gabriella?”
“Hey, mom. What’s going on? Did something happen?” I wasn’t accustomed to her calling at this hour.
“Your father would like to see you today.”
“All right. Can I ask why?”
“We’d like for you to plan our wedding.”
That’s what happens when you complain about free time. When you complain, the universe aspires against you and takes it away. You never know what you have until it’s gone.
Grayson and I fell into an old, yet familiar routine. We’d dress together in the morning, had breakfast then we’d head off to work. Although it wasn’t quite the same as it’d once been. John would drive Grayson to Alexander Holdings Incorporated while he was being escorted in the car by one werewolf and followed by another five. John was unaware of the supernaturals that he found himself surrounded by and briefly Grayson had thought about letting John stay on sabbatical until I relented on his bodyguard detail, which I refused. John figured they were nothing more than your standard bodyguards; after all, Grayson had just been kidnapped so it made sense. The wolves would take positions as he entered the office. One by the entrance, two staked out away from the building, two in the lobby, and one in Grayson’s waiting room. The only place he was ever alone was when he was in his office.
When I went back to work for Damien, I thought it might cause some friction between Grayson and myself, and I’d been right. Grayson urged that I too should have an escort, even though I was in a building filled with supernaturals. He argued that both times when I’d been attacked in recent months had been when I was leaving there, so I relented. Normally it was Chris, Shawn’s brother, but there were some occasions that Shawn would take his place. Grayson tried arguing the unfairness of me hanging out with my best friend while he was treated as an incompetent child. I explained that if he knew of someone he’d feel more comfortable with watching over him to let me know, but of course this was a moot point since outside of the vampires and the few werewolves in charge of his safety, Grayson didn’t really know any other supernaturals.
Things grew rocky between us. We argued more than we ever had. He hadn’t wanted me to take the job, but wouldn’t admit it. I knew it probably had to do with Sebastian, but even on the days that I felt the tether to him, he remained invisible. This did little to sate Grayson. Trust was a fickle thing. All of the fighting did one thing. It made our sex life mind blowing. It became a mixture of hate sex and makeup sex.
The plans for my parents wedding proved to be a little more difficult than I had expected. My mother couldn’t go out in the daylight for obvious reasons and all the arrangements had to be done during those hours. It meant that what could be relayed through the grapevine was, but it also meant that I had a few late nights of going over things with her. After waking with Grayson then working on the wedding all day, I was exhausted. My blood intake had almost doubled just trying to keep up. I was glad that the event wasn’t being prolonged. It wouldn’t be months of this lifestyle, just weeks. I didn’t know if I could have handled it if it was any longer.
“So you’ll show her these and let me know tomorrow?” I asked Damien as I handed him the programs. My mother was unsure of what type of paper she wanted them printed on, along with the color of font. I had two of every shade of white, including crèmes and off white. One would have silver while the other would have gold. My mother thought traditional black was far too morbid for a wedding. I made sure not to bring up the fact that there were more colors to choose. I believed giving her fewer options was going to be my best option.
“Are you sure you do not wish to show them to her yourself?” I could feel the hunger pains stir in my stomach shooting up to my fangs. I had already had two mugs of blood in the two hours that I’d been at The Angelo Tower. I was grateful that Damien didn’t mention anything of it.
“I’ve got to make calls tomorrow and if I meet up with her tonight, it’ll be late before I get home and it’ll mess up my schedule tomorrow.” This was all true, although I only had to place a few calls. What I really needed was some rest.
“Of course. It is just that you know she prefers to go over these details with you.”
“I know, but it’s difficult. I have two nights a week set aside to go over things with her, but sometimes I need answers sooner than those allotted times, especially now as deadlines are getting closer.”
Damien walked over to
me and put his hand on my shoulder. “You are doing a marvelous job.”
I gave him a closed lipped smile feeling the hunger bubbling. Before leaving I grabbed my mug and drank the last bit of blood, which wasn’t even enough to ease my hunger. Once I was in the elevator and felt the car move, I finally relaxed letting my fangs fall. It was draining trying to hold them in especially when I was already so fatigued. It was such a relief that I breathed a sigh from the ease I felt. I was so pacified that I didn’t notice the elevator paused until the doors opened revealing Sebastian. I closed my mouth hiding my fangs before he noticed. The confussion on my face matched his. I hadn’t seen him since the night I walked in on my parents and that had been weeks, not to mention that I hadn’t felt the bond build as we drew closer. His steps halted before he could cross completely over the threshold. I didn’t think he planned on seeing me. His curiosity appeared genuine.
“I can wait for the next one if it’s a problem?”
I wanted to tell him to please wait, but I didn’t want to open my mouth. Fangs could be a sign of hunger, but were also a sign of being turned on. I didn’t want there to be any misunderstanding. I simply shook my head. He must have taken that as my consent because he stepped into the car and turned to watch the doors close. I took a few steps back placing myself in the corner and focused on trying to retract my fangs.
Closing my eyes, I managed to retract them before I spoke “Is this how it’s going to be now?” I asked, but he remained silent. “Even being alone, with no one in sight and you’re going to give me the silent treatment?”
I heard him sigh, “What would you have me say? I’m sorry I’m in love with you? I’m sorry you chose him? Nothing seems enough.”
“You’re right. It’s not.”
He glanced at me over his shoulder. “That’s why I stay silent.”
The elevator doors opened and I wasn’t sure if I was relieved or frustrated. I went to move past him, but he grabbed my arm pulling me into him.
“Sebastian,” I began to protest, but my eyes locked on his face stopping my objections. What I saw there was concern. His brow was knitted while his eyes narrowed as they scanned my features. His hands fell on my face touching my forehead and cheeks before moving down to my neck. There was nothing sexual about the gesture. It was the same thing a mother might do to an ill child, but feeling his hands on me had my eyes flutter closed for a brief moment. I took a deep breath before opening them.
“You’re burning up,” he stated. “Are you sick?”
“I’m just tired,” I whispered. Gently I placed my hand over his that was resting against my cheek, silently asking him to release me. Choosing Grayson didn’t make being close to Sebastian easy, especially with his hands on me. “This wedding is taking its toll on me.”
“Gaby,” his thumb ran across my cheek before turning his hand in mine holding me there. “Exhaustion doesn’t make a vampire run a fever. Let me take you to Damien. He’ll know…”
“No,” I cut him off.
“Then at least let me take you home.”
“No!” I said a bit more exaggerated then necessary. Realizing it, I adjusted my face into a reassuring smile and added “Thank you, but no,” slowly pulling my hand from his. “I’ll be fine. Let Damien know that it will be Thursday before I need my mother’s opinion on those programs.”
He nodded, but hesitated before releasing his hold. I could feel his eyes on me as I headed out the front entrance and into the car that Chris had waiting for me. As the car pulled away, I saw Sebastian standing outside watching as we drove off. My eyes locked with his briefly and I could see he was wavering on whether he made the correct decision in letting me go, even though I wasn’t his to take care of.
Chris sat in the front seat next to the driver as we made our way through the city. I pulled out my phone to check my messages. Shawn had texted me while I’d been in with Damien. He was hoping for a night out and away from Clive. Since moving in they seemed to be arguing more. I told Shawn that it just meant the honeymoon phase was over and now came time for the real relationship stuff. He didn’t buy it.
I sent him a quick reply,
Me: Hey. I’m sorry, but I’m so tired with handling this wedding and need an early night. Rain check this weekend?
Shawn: No problem baby girl :(
I frowned at his reply. I hated that I was disappointing him, but I didn’t know how many more late nights to early mornings I could take.
I looked at the time and saw Grayson still had another two hours before he’d be home. Locking the screen with a frustrated sigh, I managed to see my reflection. I did look off, but not ill. My cheeks were flushed, my lips a bit swollen, but otherwise I appeared fine. I was a astounded that Sebastian had noticed the difference when no else did.
I was grateful when the car finally pulled up to my building. The hunger I felt was only building. Chris offered to see me up, but I refused. Even though he was a werewolf, his blood was beginning to smell appetizing. I concentrated so hard on trying to maintain a normal human speed as I walked into the building. I wanted to opt for the stairs instead of the elevator but there were cameras in the stairwell. Served us right for living in an upscale building.
Once I was in the apartment I sped straight to the fridge and pulled out a blood bag. I sliced it open fidgeting as the mug filled. Once the first sip touched my tongue, I was able to breathe a sigh of relief. I was still famished, but it no longer felt overwhelming. Now that my thirst was being quenched, I began to feel the heat that Sebastian had pointed out.
Carrying my mug with me, I headed to the bedroom, stripped out of my clothes and started the shower. I ran the water with no heat. When I stepped in, I expected to feel the shock of cold, but instead it felt cool and refreshing. More often than I would care to admit, I was forced to stick my head out of the shower and take a sip of my blood. Realizing that this wasn’t ideal, but refusing to give either up, I decided to fill up the bath instead. I was able to keep myself submerged in the cool water while still drinking my mug. I relaxed in the water while holding my mug with two hands almost as if I was afraid I might drop it and lose it contents.
When the water started turning warm, I drained the tub, toweled off, and began dressing. I slipped into a white bra and panty set when the need for another drink slammed into me. Reaching for my mug I found it empty. I told myself that I could wait until I was dressed, but my body argued. Almost like I was being controlled, I raced into the kitchen and grabbed a blood bag from the fridge. This time my thirst didn’t even allow me a mug. I sliced open the bag and began chugging it. It did nothing to satisfy my hunger.
I don’t know how many bags I went through, but one after the other I drank them in a frenzy with no satisfaction. I could feel the blood spill from the bag down my chin. It trailed down my neck, covering the front of my body staining my underwear, but I didn’t care about the mess, only that I was wasting precious blood. I tried catching it with my hand while I drank from the bag. I licked what blood I caught, off my palm while trying to open the next bag.
I had the next bag to my lips when I snapped my eyes to the front door just before it opened. I growled until recognition enlightened me. Grayson stood there spellbound as the door closed soundlessly behind him. His eyes locked on me, but there was no shock or disgust on his face as he watched me drain the blood bag even though I must have looked like I just walked out of a horror movie. I could see his breathing was labored and his grip on his brief case looked like he might break it. No longer feeling thirsty, I set the bag down, my eyes locked on Grayson the entire time. I eyed him ravenously like he was prey. His gaze drifted over me mirroring mine.
Dropping his brief case, he shrugged out of his jacket. He began undoing his tie as he moved towards me. My body responded. Like magnets, we gravitated towards each other. We collided in a passionate embrace, our mouths claiming the other. All other thoughts vanished as he pulled me against him. Neither of us cared about the blood that was now stai
ning his white shirt or questioned the drastic need for the other. I realized that this is what I had been hungry for. Not just sex, but Grayson. I ripped his shirt open as he scooped me up and I wrapped my legs around him.
In a blur, he laid me out on the floor. His mouth left mine following the trail of blood down my body. His tongue diligently licked at it on my breasts like it was chocolate causing me to groan and writhe underneath him. He followed the blood down to my belly button where he nipped at me. Everything felt heightened, but never felt so right. The way our bodies moved together, his mouth on me, the blood that covered us, the way it helped his hands glide across my skin; it all felt utopic. Before I could even form a thought Grayson was already accomplishing it. He answered my desires before I uttered them. It was like our minds melded together as one.
When his face hovered over mine, there was blood residue on his mouth. My insides clenched, seeing him like that. He was a vampire. There was no denying it with how transcending he appeared. I leaned up to kiss the blood off his face. My body was in a supremely elevated state. I was a sea of nerves and pleasure. Everywhere he touched just sent me higher. His fingers traveled down my arm, leaving goose bumps. His hand gripping my thigh made me moan. When he unclasped my bra and took my nipple into his mouth before claiming the other, I thought I would die from the intense erotic sensation. There was no relief, only a build to something more.
Soon, we were both naked lying on the kitchen floor. Blood stained both our bodies. I wiggled my hips until I felt Grayson position himself at my entrance. Every instinct in my head screamed for him to enter me, but just before he did, the veil that shrouded me lifted and my lust sat momentary on the back burner. The only time we had been this lust ridden was when we mated, which made me wonder what supernatural event was causing this frenzy.