Still Confused

Eva

Eric tries to calm me, “We need to find out. I'll search our home and see what I can find.”

My mind swirls with shadows. “She had a darkness attached to her, so could that be involved too somehow?”

Sam looks like he thought of something, “That could be useful. We need to go to my pack.”

I'm a bit hesitant, “Is that wise? I'm like a vampire, but not a vampire or witch. We don't know what I am. I could accidentally hurt someone.”

He looks at me, “You saved Steven.”

“So? People help others all the time,” I reply. Now he stares into my eyes, God, the pull. What is this? Why is it happening?

“Eva, you saved a wolf from a high-level vampiress. No, people do not do that every day! Even other immortals don't!” he says firmly.

I don't like anyone implying that I’m special because I am not. “Well, more people should!”

Sam gets closer to me, “Stop being stubborn! My family is in your debt, let us honor you our way.” I'm used to being stubborn. It has been Katie versus the world for so long. But can I trust these guys? I look at the vampires.

Vincent takes a step back, “Oh no, this is between you and the fleabag.”

Vincent and Sam look at each other, and you can tell that they are moments away from a fight. I have to do something, “Oh, hell no!” I get between them as I lock eyes with each man and tell them the same thing, “I say who I am around, I dictate who my friends are, and I control my destiny. Now chill out, or you both can leave and never lock eyes with me again.”

Eric just observes our interaction. Vincent speaks first, “Fine, but if he puts you in danger...”

I roll my eyes. “He won't.” Besides, if he does, I will find a way to save myself, I always do.”

Eric is still trying to assess what I am. “Interesting, Eva, are you accustomed to resolving disputes?”

“I guess. Why?”

He looks troubled as if he's afraid to say what he's thinking, “This may sound odd...”

I have to bring some levity, “And vampires and werewolves living among us, isn't that odd?”

He chuckles, “Point taken, there are also witches, like we said, and other beings. I think a witch killed my wife. She talked about what a witch forbade her to do.”

I want to learn all that I can because it's not every day that you get the opportunity to interview a vampire. “So witches can control you guys. Is that why the darkness was on her? What about me, though? Could a witch control me?”

He cocks his head, “Don't know. If some of the prophecies are true, then no one can control you, because there were only a few beings that none could control, and all are long since gone.”

I wonder if he's referring to any I have studied, “What prophecies?”

He thinks for a minute, “You'll have to find someone older than me. All I know is, there will be a leader, unlike the others, who will unite the immortals and humans. This leader will fight to keep the balance. One existed long ago, but according to legend, she was just a witch who was bitten by a werewolf. She was just a normal hybrid, but an excellent warrior. You're nothing like that.”

I roll my eyes, “Yeah, ah, right.”

Vincent takes my hand, “Do you know all that you can do, Eva?”

I feel a pull to him, too. I can sense him far closer to me than just holding my hand, “Ummm…no, I guess not.”

Sam interjects as he glares at Vincent, “My grandmother may know something more; our family kept some records.” Why does he want me to meet his family so much? We only just met.

Eric says, “Well, if witches are involved, one thing is certain, Eva, you're in danger, as is your friend and anyone you are in normal contact with.”

Oh shit! “I rarely go into the office. My coworkers should be safe, right?” Both Eric and Sam tell me that they will assign men to watch over my colleagues. That makes me feel a bit better, but I'm still worried. I decided to distract myself by asking questions: “What happens to vampires during the day?”

Eric responds, “We are just vulnerable and weak. We don't sparkle or anything. Our healing, hearing, and reflexes don't work well in the sunlight, but they do still work. We are closer to being human in the daylight, but we still have our immortality.”

“So what turns a vampire to ash?”

He says, “Beheading, destruction of the heart, or breaking a sacred oath.”

“So your wife broke her word?” I inquire, as I'm just still processing all that has happened tonight.

He nods, “Yes.” If she knew that breaking her oath would lead to her death, why did she do it? Did I make her confess somehow?

I continue with my questions, “How does it work for wolves?” I don't want to kill, but the information could prove useful.

Sam answers, “We heal faster than humans, but nothing like a vampire. Vampires can regrow limbs, we cannot. Even those of us born as wolves can't regenerate a limb. We age, but very slowly, so we can die.”

I didn't know most of that. What is the difference between a made werewolf and a born one? Are there any? They are all just so forthcoming. My barrage of questions doesn't faze them. So I continue, “What about witches?”

Vincent replies, “They die like a human. They live longer but aren't fully immortal.”

Then a question pops into my mind, “Couldn't they weave a spell to make them immortal?”

Their eyes go wide. I must have triggered a memory or something. They talk amongst themselves. Eric says, “Surely, not.”

But Vincent adds, “Would make sense.”

Sam responds, “Something like that would have to be forbidden and is well protected.”

Eric thinks, “Maybe it's linked to one of the prophecies.” Vincent agrees with Eric.

I scratch my head, “Okay, backup, since it looks like someone is trying to become the supreme ruler of the world, how can we keep humans like Katie safe?”

Vincent offers, “She can stay at my place. You both can. There's plenty of room, too.”

Sam suggests, “Or the pack house.”

He's still trying to get me to meet his family. It's sweet, but, “Wouldn't that put your family at risk?” Eric and Vincent both agree. Sam looks dejected, and my heart feels for him. But why? I don't know these guys. Why do I feel for them? I have to ask, “How do I explain my moving to Katie?” They all just look at me. I roll my eyes., “Fine, I will think of something.” I think to myself, 'Just fucking great, why can't I be normal?'

To my surprise, Vincent responds, “Because normal is boring.”

My eyes widen, “What the fuck? You can hear me think?”

He says, “Only just now.”

Eric smirks, “Now this is interesting.”

I glare at him, “Spill!”

Eric chuckles, “I don't take orders from anyone.”

But I have a surprise for him, “Well, it's time you start, or I could just tell everyone what you thought when your wife died because I heard every word.” Which I did, and now I remember it, since I am no longer caught up in that moment. Eric looks down. “Thought so. We all have our secrets. Just some of us wear them differently. That one you didn't hold close enough to your vest, so to speak.”

Now Vincent is thinking, “So you can see vampires' thoughts and secrets. You can compel. What else can you do?”

I shrug. Sam asks, “Can you do the same with witches?”

I say, “I don't know. I just figured I was good at reading people and trusted my feelings. I thought I was human. I just thought I could do some odd stuff, but was only human.”

Eric lightly touches my hand, “Everything is fine, Eva. We will figure it out.” His words just calm me. I know that we don't have the answers yet, but I know that he will help me. I can feel it!

We exchanged phone numbers and exited the office without our masks on. We went back to our table and sat down for a nice dinner. Katie jokes about how full she is.

I say, “It was pretty good. But I'd have preferred a good steak that you could cut with your fork.”

She replies, “No, thank you. You can enjoy all the bloody meat you want. I'll stick to chicken and fish.”

Sam chuckles, so I point my fork at him, “Don't even crack a joke!”

Vincent laughs, “I'm just glad it's not directed at me.”

I shake my head, “It would be more appropriate if it had been.” We all laugh. If Katie only knew that we weren't fully joking. Which reminds me, “Oh, before I forget, Kati, we are going on a little vacation.”

She perks up, “Oh, to Mexico or something?”

I say, “Not yet, but we will travel. This is more local. I was told there's a library, pool, laundry

service, and movie theater.” I wasn't to,ld but did read Vincent’s mind. Vincent looks at me, and I smirk. He shakes his head.

Katie says, “Oy? Cool. I'm down!”

I think her quick acceptance amazed Vincent, “What the hell, Eva!”

Sam whispers sarcastically into my ear, “Have fun.”

I think he knows that Katie’s zest for life will drive Vincent insane, and he's loving every minute of it. I tell Katie, “Okay, then we will swing by our apartment, pack real quick, and then go.”

She exclaims, “This is going to be fun, like staying at a hotel!” I love how ride-or-die Katie is. I always admired her spirit and zest for life. I just hope that I can keep her safe, and I'm not making a huge mistake.