Elisa’s mention of it being a busy day was an understatement. Frustrating and unexpected as Juliette thought that spending the day at home in the manor would’ve been far more restful than running errands in town or going into the Byron warehouse. Really, there was no one to blame but herself. She was the fool that thought inviting Hannah to an event was as simple as raiding her closet for the right dress and then picking a date at random off a list. Who would’ve dared to refuse Juliette Byron a favor?
Her entire first half of the morning was spent going through her contacts and making several phone calls. It was difficult enough trying to find young men that would be a fun date for Hannah – but they had to actually be in town and available for the evening at such last minute notice! Just when she’d thought she might have to ask Jordan for assistance, she managed to hook a Norwegian business mogul that happened to be in town and was grateful for an invitation. The man could’ve crawled right out of the pages of one of Hannah’s filthy viking stories. She would be thrilled.
And she was – except, finding such a great date now meant Hannah needed the perfect evening gown. The second half of Juliette’s morning was spent helping Hannah try on every single dress in the house with every combination of jewelry and shoes and handbags. This time she did have to call in outside help, phoning a professional stylist to bring over a selection of gowns that might suit Hannah’s tastes and styles. Once the woman settled on a gorgeous patterned dress, Juliette was able to set her free to her primping and preparing.
Leaving Juliette free to receive the shipment of books that she was so excited for, she nearly forgot she herself was supposed to be preparing for the evening event. Some of the boxes now stacked in her office were from her own family collections. Things that were previously on loan to libraries, or housed in their private book storage as she’d previously not had anywhere safe to keep them before. (She simply did not trust any of the valuable and historical items to be left with her parents.)
Old diaries, journals and business ledgers were pulled out and curiously paged through before she’d set them aside on a shelf, on her desk, or in a small stack to better organize later. Separate from the books she was loaning herself, shipped directly from libraries across Europe. Old tomes with accounts of vampires and the occult – anything she could find that they were willing to allow to leave their collections.
Even if much in the ancient stories were nothing but myth and legend, there were clearly strains of truth amongst them as well. Juliette intended to do her research well and use the knowledge to manage this mess of a vampiric empire in the present and future.
Her nose was buried in a dusty Byron journal when Hannah appeared in the doorway, her hair and makeup already done up, but still wearing a silk robe.
“What are you doing? You’re not even close to dressed! We’re going to be late!”
Juliette quickly glanced over to her open laptop at a time, then cursed softly under her breath. The open journal was abandoned to her desktop as she quickly followed Hannah upstairs.
After all, she wanted to be fashionably late, not messy late!
With a special guest in tow, the best way to arrive to an exquisite charity event was by stretch limousine. According to the very handsome, Torstein Borstad, who was generous enough to provide the transportation for the evening, anyway. Tall as the gods in a tuxedo that felt just a little too small for his frame, with hair luxuriously long and eyes blue as the sky, he drew the eyes of a crowd in the instance he stepped out of the vehicle to hold his hand out for his date. Hannah stepped out at his beckoning, a vision in flirty red a look of pure unbridled delight all over her features.
Juliette on the other hand, didn’t exit with them. As queen of dramatic entrances, she wasn’t about to try and follow the two as some invisible second act! She gestured for the driver to pull a little down the street, giving the previous pair time to enter the building and use the elevator to where the party proper was being hosted.
In her own time, Juliette did leave the limo, casually strolling down the street with a click of her heels and then in the building itself when she was good and ready. Only to promptly avoid the elevator, as what queen would come walking out of a cramped metal box.
…she was having far too much fun with this!
Juliette floated up the large stairs, enjoying every moment of pause she needed to make in order to greet familiar faces with a bright elegant smile. Dressed in a subtle gown of black velvet and gold embroidery, she didn’t stand out as a flashy sequined nightmare or a preening peacock. After all, this event wasn’t about her!
By the time she made it to the event floor of Rosendrey, her face was flushed but it was worth it. Few bothered with the stairs, which meant she had an easy view of scanning the room for her fiancé.
It was typical to host the charity event at the very venue that was honouring the very thing. Where the top floor was generally for the upper cuts of the company with his own wing selectively arranged to the left of the stairs –right of the elevator- it would have perhaps been a little unusual to host if the place hadn’t been arranged for it. Made with a ballroom open space and a piano that Juliette herself had noted upon her first introduction to the corporate building, such grand proceedings weren’t that uncommon here. Although most were in favour of the staff that made the company function, this was not one of those nights.
Elbow rubbing and new age aristocratic adventures with the vain idea that if they donated the most, they too would be sharing illustrious spread of reputation for their charitable offerings. By no means did one honestly come into this night thinking they were doing good because they wanted too out of the goodness of their hearts. No, most of those within this open room wanted recognition. To be able to praise themselves in a vain humble expression that was barely toeing the line of self-effacing.
It was easy to forget that this was meant for charity when on came upon that final floor. With music and catering making the space seem a thousand miles away from just an financial building! Bodies of plenty mingling to play the game of networking while being off the clock. Likely using this night as a perfect chance to prey upon those that had been dodging phone calls or meeting invites.
Such was the bloody game of business.
The elder man stood at the ready, playing the famed card of jolly representation to apologize for any sharp wit that his employer offered. Looking remarkably groomed –though to say Horus wasn’t usually cleaned up with be a farce- as he gave a lightened pat to shoulder. A silent gesture that the commentary thrust upon him was meant to be jovial, rather than it sounding as insulting as it had been.
It was just the start of this damn night and already he was trying to think of clever ways that may have him sliding into office that was corralled off from someone wandering in to search for anything of use. Less they wanted to be taken down by security that melted amongst the crowd as similar party goers.
It had been a wise choice on his part to employ Elisa earlier this day to find out just what his affianced colours had been. Looking to compliment her elegant form, he’d gotten lucky that the plan for professional help when it came to selecting garments. Notoriously known for selecting items himself that were what one may call, wondrously unconventional in this modern realm. Though favouring the lesser means of bright colours! He wasn’t about to be that daring! But it was a statement to assure eyes knew just whom the building and the event itself had been arranged by. Gloating in a manner of sly wits without speaking so.
Lending the only mix of colour or rather brightness being that of a white to the otherwise dark ebony selection of trousers and shirt. Leaving the means of black and white men’s corset to be the selection piece with a charm of unusual tie as the added gleam.
It was only momentarily before he heard the change in voices. Not that he needed to overly worry about the means of arrival due to having been one of the people that had been gawping at the appearance of some blond chiseled beast of a man toting Hannah around on his arm like she was about to be a pre-snack snack! Telling him that the lady of the hour was to soon follow up, though he might have had to worry that she was being carried in by four other Nord gods just to be sure people knew her means of power.
Although if he wanted to be able to escape this conversation, he’d have to throw a shiny stick to get away. Settling for favouring drink from portable bar.
Juliette had made a grave error in selecting Torstein Borstad as Hannah’s date, if she wanted to make a spectacle of herself. The man was a head taller than everyone else at the party, likely the most gorgeous piece of art attending, with a personality that immediately charmed everyone that introduced themselves to him. With Hannah on his arm, being the delightful little social butterfly that she always was, the pair had completely stolen the show. She could almost hear the man’s conversation from across the room, emphatically telling a story in a thick accent as Hannah laughed along with their growing curious crowd.
This was likely going to turn out in Jordan’s favor, as now with everyone dazzled with a Norwegian Viking, what interest would they have spying at him and his mysterious new fiancé?
Oh, but maybe she took that thought back in an instance when she finally found the man himself lurking near the bar. Prompting her to quickly cover her mouth before any sort of audible gasp slipped out – or worse that instantaneous wide smile that threatened to ruin her perfectly applied lipstick!
Apparently now not giving two shits about the guests to this party or what they thought of her, she crossed the floor in a straight beeline for the man. Grasping his shirt sleeve gently and opening her mouth to say something, only again to bring up fingers to cover lips before she choked on a gasping laugh. Without waiting for him to say a word, she had to do a walking inspection around him. Hands testing textures, making another soft sound to find this wasn’t just an impeccably cut vest but a tied corset in the back – what a cheeky man! To wear something so reminiscent of the past in a modern take, that no one in this room was even going to appreciate as they had no idea the man in their company was a centuries old king!
“You’ve upstaged me!” she declared, not in the slightest bit upset by it, rather so amused that the smile on her face made her cheeks hurt. “Jordan, I- …No. I have to leave now! I’ve got to go and change my gown.”
By the tone of her voice there was no telling if she were serious or not, but she did pull her hands away and take a few steps backwards as if she were about to abandon this event altogether.
Well this night would be memorable in new ways! Where ever the golden haired Fabio came from, the was pulling attention. With Hannah being the added red velvet of a dessert to the man’s arm. If only he had known this maybe he would have requested them to play some cards to garner more coin falling out of tightly sealed wallets. After all this was for the benefit of a select charity that had been favoured by the company since he had begun it.
To be fair he wasn’t even upset at them pulling focal. If anything he might have to later approach Hannah and applaud her for doing so. Well… maybe he wouldn’t go that far.
His own little grouping of guests eventually begun to drift allowing him to take to the mobile unit dressed to look like a fancy wooden bar, to freshening the drink already. Finding momentarily Horus giving him an all too fatherly side eye as if warning that his means of drinking ought to be drastically lessened. If he didn’t have to play socially nice, then it would.
Another head moved by with evident intrigue on the woman’s face. Passing him a wandering look that seemed another one of his board members was being sucked in. Lending a soft sort of nod that seemed to be close enough to a thumbs up till it seemed air was allowed to be passed from lungs. And arm to be taken as hostage to where the sparkling vixen had made her appearance. Apparently missing a grand spectacle to where he might have expected fireworks and a chandelier erupting in pyrotechnics to compliment her eloquent form. Settling glass to bar top as to attempt to break his voice that turned into a airy chuckle at her sudden vulturing! Hands roaming as if checking to see what was real or not before coming back forward so he might have a chance to lay claim to a hand resting upon him. “Have you seen yourself? If you had, then I will need to get your eyes checked soon, dove because there is only one radiant jewel in this place and it is not I.” It seemed that she was about to pull theatrics! Dipping away from him to take a few scheming steps away so he might promptly chase.
Insisting on grasp to find the taper of waist with himself closing that space. Dropping breath to flirt against temple, “The only way you are getting out of that gown is by my hands. And unless you want to truly start a show, my love, then I suggest you stay put and let me revel in your beauty.” Holding for a moment before placing a kiss to said temple so he might retract lightly, his gaze momentarily took a passing survey of heads. “I thought your plan was to be a shining star arriving tonight? I didn’t know it would come in the form of Hannah and… well apparently someone who is doing very well at stealing the show truly. Maybe I should have slipped away before all this while having someone steal you to slip you back home.”
Unable to escape now, even if she’d been serious about it (although, now she was quite tempted to give it a try to see if he’d make good on such threats of creating a show), Juliette found her hands resuming their appreciate of fine boning and perfect tailoring. The entire look was simply stunning and all that was missing was a coronet to sit on that raven black crown of his.
There was a heated tinge of red to her cheeks when she did force herself to look away, following his own gaze out to where Hannah and her date were holding court of their own.
“I seem to be incredibly underwhelming in comparison to my fiancé and my own guests,” she breathed out with a soft laugh. “I’m not sure where I went wrong. I take back everything I said about being a spectacle. Lets us sneak away before anyone else notices me.”
Blast him, how nice he looked dressed like this! It gave her all sorts of ideas that she couldn’t speak out loud in front of gentile company. Instead, she was left with nothing but a winsome agonized smile as she reached up to brush her fingers gently across his cheek.
“This is incredibly unfair, Jordan. I’ll ruin my lipstick if I kiss you.”
If he wasn’t sure they would be written about in a less than favourable scandalous column come the morning, he would make good on such a threat. Just this was hardly the place and he didn’t wish to tarnish the event’s good intentions with him proving to be quite the salacious beast. Although he would blame such things on the way she adorned herself to look like the fine queen that beasts and men alike would want to covet but couldn’t. They’d be lucky to be given an allowance of a look! Having to settle for the way hands made their travelling appreciation on selected attire.
Daring to brush thumb over the red tinge to that of cheeks, “So you can blush. What a wonderful thing to see and lust after.” Not above making such a thing stay if possible, he did have to awe at her ability to have her best friend and random date come to pull all eyes.
Save he scoffed at her. Wrapping grasp to decorate the small of back to be her newest accessory, “Underwhelming maybe compared to those two, but hardly to me. I had to get Elisa to steal a peek at your gown earlier today while you were busy so I knew how to pair well with you. I am but a addition to the ravishing allure that you present.” Gaze playfully danced upon her, growing stronger the very suggestion that they could sneak away. “All you have to do is give me a tug by the collar and I’ll come groveling after you, peristéri.” She did look amazing but he was still a fan of being able to undress it all when time would come later.
There were a few more late arrivals that drew the gathering crowd from those of the colourful barely there entourage, before a wicked grin crossed features. “I thought I was promised of you stealing kisses from behind obnoxiously large floral arrangements!” Gesturing with hand not busy with keeping her close to said items. “I asked for them myself with such a suggestion last night. A last minute detail that Yulia must have been cursing me for.”
“Mr. Harrow,” Someone called and he found himself begrudgingly turning to direct line of sight to that of face of a younger look man that was nearing his thirties. His date on the other hand was easy to classify into the cougar side of things. Having recalled her features from a television show that had replaced her at some point. Likely for a disreputable reason. Enough so that she would be willing to be arm candy to one of the upcoming hot shots for the cities larger newspapers. “We’ve been trying to approach you all night,”
Jordan offered a bare simper, “The night is young, Mr. Dylan Westershire. You mustn’t be trying very hard if that was the case.” The man momentarily paused before grinning through a forced action. “Love, this would be the eager reporter that is aiming for the editor’s position at the Herald and his date—”
“Margaret Sinclair,” She answered with a dip in her chest a little too much. Likely to let loose the barely strapped in pair there, “Pleasure.”
“Ah, I heard you recently were engaged though I scarcely believed it. The notorious Havenbrooke bachelor taken off the market, who would have thought.”
Quite tempted was she to tug at his collar now, directly behind these lovely arrangements that he apparently ordered in the last moment to tease and tempt her into making good on every single silly thing she’d mentioning doing to him last evening. It seemed he not only created the scene for this irresistible seduction, he’d also enlisted the help of Elisa as a wicked little spy!
“So you have set the stage to render me flushing and swooning at your your every word,” she whispered to him. It was working all too well, as in the moment she’d completely forgotten the rest of the party even existed. Has his arm not been around her, she wasn’t sure if she’d have trusted her own knees. Likewise her own arm curled around him, manicured nailed sneaking in between the ties of his corseted vest to lightly scritch and tease at the spine underneath.
Then the world decided to come crashing in with the form of eagle-eyed reporter and a former actress that Juliette was fairly certain now appeared in online video clips that’d send most of the old men in this place blustering to hide in their dens before their wives cuffed them over the head.
“Notorious, is it? I thought the favored word was incorrigible?” she asked with a tilt of her head and a glance up to Jordan. Juliette knew when to turn on the society politesse, though she regretted that it forced her to remove at least one hand from her handsome fiancé to offer the new gentleman for a shake.
“I’m Juliette Byron,” she introduced herself readily. “I am not so notorious myself, but I am an enchantress if that helps.”
“It’s a rarity for it to happen. I haven’t yet been able to make you flush or swoon from my recollection. Colour me properly enamoured to see it in action and the dangerous thoughts coursing along my mind to what I would do in the opportune moment.” It wasn’t actually his intention to do so but by the nines hells itself, it the chance was there he would like to take it. Mentally arranging this image of her neatly in thoughts to be kept as a private memento.
One to be looked after while spine tingled at the teasing scritch she offered. Surely they would not be missed if they disappeared to another room. With a lock on it.
Perhaps it was fate that saw fit to introduce other people less he act upon rising tide thoughts. Turning to present himself as a proper dignified soul that may yet be considering this newspaper junkie as a pest that was yet to be squashed.
Well if they wanted to assure what people were waggling tongues about was true, this as their chance. Seemingly slipped upon by Dylan himself when he came out swinging to suggest his notoriety was so deep that it was being balked at scoffs. The elder woman straightened with her eyes making slow passes over them each. Angling thoughts likely to see if there was something she could snatch her little harpy claws into while in turn he sought to busy hand idle with tapping formerly set down glass upon bar top. Indicating to nearby tender to approach and to refresh. Spurring Juliette up into reply in her easy tilt and practiced lilt. Alighting the youthful man to chuckle from his chest, “It has been noted a few times. Suppose one could say the two go hand in hand describing the sought after and now former bachelor.” Dylan offered a cliché smile as if he was doing well by being able to speak without having to pull a dictionary from pocket.
Save that Juliette seemed to catch him off guard. It was even truly real to see him looking at her with the name dropped or he was better at acting than Jordan was thinking. “Byron. Byron…” he repeated for added length, “Would that be daughter of Arnould Bryon?”
“What would you like to drink, my love?” Daring to interject as he lightly tensed his palm to her back, “Might as well make use of the bar on the company’s tab.” Baring a breezy grin no sooner to that of Dylan and date. “Come now both of you. It would be a waste for me to spend this kind of effort and not seek to you get you tipsy so you spend more money for that of the charity.” The tender set down the amber coloured drink with an expectation looking to those accompanying.
“Is that the ploy, Mr. Harrow? Shake your guests for all they have under the means of drinking fancy beverages?”
Lips remained in that easy spread, raising drink to rest just before mouth. “You make it sound so dirty, Mr. Westershire. I believe you are trying to make me sound dubious for some reason when in all actuality you ought to be paying better attention to the vision of loveliness I’ve been able to keep at my side. It is rude to ignore such a beautiful woman, you know. Especially one with brains and wit.”
The boy paused. Seeming to try to contemplate whether that was an insult to him or to his date!
A new game was afoot. One that Jordan was leagues ahead of her by way of catching her completely off guard with filthy statements and burning stares. Now if she had any intention of wrapping him around her finger and seeing how hot and bothered under the collar she could get him before the night was through, she was going to have to try and focus.
…and she honestly didn’t want to waste her focus on these two, when her fiancé was being such an uncharacteristically oh-so-charming host. This was now part of the wicked game. Seeing what sort of naughty things she could get up to right there in the face of public, where Jordan wouldn’t dare.
“A red,” she responded to Jordan with that slow, mysterious smile quirking into the ghost of a mischievous grin. “Not your favorite red, of course. A syrah.”
With that perfectly innocent request, she directed her full attention to Mister Dylan Westershire and his quiet but busty date.
“Arnould Byron is my father, yes.” she confirmed without an ounce of bitterness to her voice. That indeed was acting in it’s finest, as lord did Juliette wish she never had to be associated with that man in the same breath. “Jordan is trying to distract you, by the way. The auction has quite a few desirable pieces today, and if he manages to snipe the best one it will be me laced up tight with strings. He won’t have the pleasure should someone outbid him.”
Let the man write about that in the newspapers! It’d be sure to be a grand read! Harrow Shark and Shipping Heiress Play Dirty Games for Charity.
If there was one thing he enjoyed, it was messing with those who approach. To see what they might catch onto and what slipped right over their head! Luckily for him, his own partner was following suit swiftly enough. As he sought to interrupt that of the two when Dylan dared to query who’s parent she had been from, Juliette was quick on the uptake of his own question. Baring witness to that morphing beam to the tricky play of words. Sparking him to meet her smile with a slow roguish one of his own. “Not all of us have exceptional taste, my love. Though you may learn yet my selected red is highly addictive when it comes from the right source.” He felt the two other’s eyes upon them. Margaret herself seeming almost bored but at the same time engaged. Whilst her plucky date was stirring in a comment to whether or not the plot was to have a crowd full of drunken suits to throw their wealth down in fraternity efforts!
Jordan chuckled airily as a light tapping on the bar was indicating the asking of a red wine to give to that of dazzling bride to be.
Lending moments in time that Juliette proved her actress abilities by replying to who her father was while keeping the spitting acid from tingeing its effort. Yet she was smart and spoke to follow up less Dylan be caught in asking about the state of the shipping business.
Suggesting that his eyes had been on a particular prize. Causing both heads to swivel to where the silent auction itself was arranged. Eyeing the distance as though they might see just what strings he was vying for. Allowing him to take stem of produced glass to offer it to her. “As you can see, my fiancée is attempting to thwart my efforts as well! Giving those an upper hand while I must play gracious host.” Blue flickering in a knowing length across her, “I may yet find ways to win yet, Juliette.”
“My my,” Margaret seemed to have found her voice in that moment. Laying a hand to her collarbone as if she were embarrassed by their broad efforts of being subtly loud. “The way you speak of another, it’s quite breathtaking.” A nice way of saying it was close to obscene. Perfect. “You both must be quite in love to be so open with your relationship.”
Easily he bore that same effortless grin. “Juliette has been the first to properly tame down my incorrigible nature. Love comes easily after that, I was naturally doomed from the start.” Once more he gave her a length of look, “I’m hardly complaining.” And just like that he cleared his throat, “Please. I’ve got to be ready to address the crowed soon and I will need to bring my wife to be to that of her friend so they may giggle and snort when I fumble over my speech.” He made a point to the tall nord and petite redhead. “Please do say hello to the redhead too, Hannah Lucas. A remarkable novelist, worth every letter to the word to speak with.”
At most events like these, as soon as she had a glass of alcohol in her hands, the majority of it would be gone in two deep swallows just to give her enough gumption to make it through agonizingly dull conversations. Or worse, those evenings spent with her ex whispering in her ear nasty mean little gossips or tidbits of information perfect for manipulating a conversation.
Here now, she merely took a sip, mostly to stop herself from loudly laughing at her fiancé’s disguised teasing of a certain red vintage and his easy acceptance of the flirtatious game they now played. Nothing malicious or vindictive involved. No hostility of foul intentions. This was genuinely lovely and Juliette couldn’t think of a time she’d ever actually enjoyed herself at a social party. It must’ve been, as somewhere she’d lost that stoic, neutral expression across her features enough for the Madam Margaret to make commentary about it!
“I wouldn’t say you are tamed in the slightest,” she corrected with a mumble behind her glass, smile widening. Except he’d gone and continued, dropping that word love so effortlessly. It was of course part of the show, he didn’t mean it. Still, she found herself holding that blue-eyed gaze of his with a wistful sort of wonderment. Not realizing she’d been caught in the mutual staring until he’d cleared his throat and looked away.
Juliette took that bigger swallow of wine then to disguise that rush of heat to her face. Happy to redirect the subject of conversation towards her friend and new companion. Such kind compliments on Hannah’s behalf, she was ready to giggle again in wonderment on whether or not Jordan had actually read one of her filthy novels or if he was simply trying to lure people in unawares!
“Ms. Sinclair, I expect would enjoy Hannah’s work if you haven’t taken it up already. Though, I’m sure Mr. Westershire could learn a thing or two from them.”
He might care to disagree somewhat. He felt tamed in a sense by her efforts and it was certainly reflective to the fact he was willing to listen to what she had to say. Had he not been vaguely calmed down even a degree well… it was unlikely he would have considered her thoughts at all. Likely to ignore them and continue on whatever means of a path he decided was best for that time!
For now he was blissfully able to commit to his bit. Laying it on with a suave effort that ought to be very convincing if not holding a measure of truth to be said at all. Certainly feeling a rifle of flare rise in chest when it appeared even Juliette had come to the whimsy of his reply. Taking a drink to break it and his chance to bid them as vocal grazers to move on. Daring to throw Hannah under the bus seeing as he figured he might enjoy being the newest headpiece on the night’s banquet.
There came a look of curious intrigue from Dylan at the mention of Hannah’s works. “Colour me curious.” Obviously. His arm was held out to invite his date to attach so they might move on. In turn lending him a chance to use that bent arm upon waist to invite them to wander away from the business style watering hole. Offering a nod here or there to those who weren’t lining to talk to another but waiting to see what was on for auction.
Navigating them out of the throng so he might turn to give a watchful eye to the full area. “I think there is a game to be made tonight. How many people we can send to Hannah to see if she scars them for life with her literature.” A wicked grin spread upon features, retrieving grasp from him to make an open display to blend knuckles across the bare cheek to neck, lightly pulling the errant locks of chocolate to follow so he might properly bend to lay press to that apple of cheek. “To spare you having to ruin your lipstick for the time being.”
Good that her hands with occupied with glass of wine, for now that he’d escorted her a cozy little alcove away from the wandering back and forth of their guests, what she truly wanted was to lay her hands on him again! All the more tempted when he so casually kissed her cheek and reminded her how unfair it was that she need to avoid smudging her own makeup.
Juliette had to be satisfied with only a further curious examination, hooking her fingers up under the bottom hem of his corset to see how snuggly bound it was to dark button up and skin underneath.
“I can’t decide if I wish to unlace this at my leisure or leave you in it fully clothed,” she murmured first. Though she did finally glance out to see how the romance author was faring with her new nordic companion.
Unsurprisingly, Hannah appeared to be soaking up the attention as if the night itself had been hers to host. Not seeming to mind at all sharing the spotlight with a charming foreigner that just about everyone wanted to get a chance to speak with. Even when he was otherwise engagement in conversation, she had own circle of enthralled audience – thought Juliette noted every once awhile one might cough on their drink and turn a shade of bright red, only promptly a giggling laugh and apology from the redheaded minx.
And thus, Juliette didn’t feel the slightest bit concerned about Jordan’s suggested addition to their evening’s entertainment.
“Well then, we have several objectives for tonight’s game,” she murmured with amusement leaning in close to reveal the cope of this endeavor. “We shall see who sends the most people to Hannah’s charming company.”
She then held up two fingers with that faeish smile.
“Second, I will not ruin my lipstick, but you are welcome to tempt me if you can. And third…”
Juliette paused then, tapping her fingers at her chin as she glanced around the room with thoughtful consideration.
“Hmm! It is a charity event after all, we should see who gets the biggest fish to bid the most.”
The sound was strictly involuntary. A low rumble bordering on a near growl but kept to a muted rumbling within throat as she seemed to vocalize thoughts. Playing touch across the garment before he was dressing her up and down with gaze. “Are you enamoured with it or me? Because I can shirk it if you just want it instead.” Offering to dress down should she feel the need to get acquainted with the corset. Having quite the surprise that she would find it so enthralling at all.
Although it might just all be for the ploy of the event.
To where in turn bemusement rose to hear her mention there was in fact a few objectives for tonight. Two of them easily making him easily chuckle. Seeming to be well on board for both trying to see how many guests they could turn over to Hannah to mortify in her own special way and then driving the biggest fish to that of the auction. To make sure this evening squeezed out more than a few pretty pennies.
It was that middle one that had him watching her. “I feel I’m rather constantly chasing after you these past few days only to be halted by many means or tests.” Tilting chin up with an imperious turn of sights to rest, “Well be it far from me to continue the means of trying to express my adoration when it seems to be on the means of being tested. I’ll leave your flawless makeup as is and spare my means of vocalizing truths a moment further.” Giving her a slight nod, his attention veered first at the telling approach. Turning grin into something a little more sincere at the elder man’s approach. “Horus.” The man chuckled as hand came to lightly clap upon that of shoulder. “You remember Juliette Byron.”
“Of course. Ms Bryon. You are looking beautiful this evening, it is lovely to have you join us tonight!”
“Horus would you be a chap and escort Juliette to that of her,” he pointed to the duo, watching the man’s face go from easy welcoming to awe at the sight of the attracting couple; “Her plus two. I’ll prepare for the opening speech. And give you perhaps time to scout out who will be the best to open their wallets.” The elder man nodded easily making an offer of elbow, “Thank you. You’ll excuse me,” Nodding to each of them to slide away and back so he could melt into the means of smaller grouping of souls. Playing host as one expected and to actually prepare the means of starting this fraternizing.
“Well let’s see if we can get close enough to the part with their adoring fans, Ms. Bryon.”
Jordan did not seem to understand just how good he actually looked tonight, nor that it wasn’t just the dressing itself but how he carried himself in it! That’d be easy enough to correct with a few softly whispered suggestions in his ear – but then he’d decided to drag her back down to reality by means of accused tests.
That insidious insecurity found it’s way to weasel in, creeping up her spine and nesting so perfectly in the confused wonderment if it were just a part of a tease, or if he’d honestly thought that somehow she was testing him still. The interruptions the past few days hadn’t been her fault! Not once had she tried to dodge him or avoid, in fact she’d been moving mountain and earth to be as close to him as possible, even begging his promise that he’d stay in the same room with her! How had her statements not been clear enough, when she’d all but said here I am for the taking at your leisure. Tonight, how had it not been obvious that he was the only person in this building she cared about.
Chasing! What chasing had he ever done! None, absolutely none. One couldn’t chase what was standing right in front of you. And really, who did she have to blame but herself, who allowed this fantasy of them being a true in love couple to turn her witless and stupid every time he smiled or graced a compliment in her direction.
Years of practice had her immediately taking in a deep breath and smiling, burying these thoughts as quickly as she could to not create a scene in front of the very important man that approached. She ignored the thumping in her chest to gratefully take the elder gentleman’s arm, not daring to cast a look towards her fleeing fiancé. Juliette planned to flee herself as soon as she could do so without drawing attention. She’d play the part she needed to play, and do so flawlessly.
“It’s my pleasure to be here. I was very much looking forward to it,” she congenially answered. “Likewise, Hannah seems to be having the time of her life. She might be able to charm a few extra pocket books open if we get her wheels turning.”
If he was supposed to pick up on anything, there was nothing so easy to see. The man himself was known to be rather secluded in most venues so it wouldn’t have raised a question to the board member that he was retracting to handle other items.
Merely content to be considered as an escort for the esteemed lady of the evening. Giving her hand a polite pat, “You may be one of the few that look forward to it. Many of the employees here at the office dread this evening of rubbing elbows. All in the name of good reasons mind you, but no one enjoys playing nice to those that may just as well try to stick you in the back later.” Horus smiled easily making the broadness of salt and silver beard expand. “Such is the business world as I am very certain you know being a savvy business woman yourself.” One would have to be deaf not to have heard the efforts she put into the business where parent may have failed after their own parent.
Pardoning by a pair of clucking elder women there was little resistance to the way he chuckled at her consideration. “I dare say we should have include you on the organization meeting to such an event, Ms. Byron. And your friend too, she has been making quite the splash! Far better than last year were we had Mr Cooks from the Criminal Law office getting a little too deep in the sauce and tumbled over the 6:30pm news anchor.” He gave a smirk that seemed to still find that event amusing. “Oops, pardon me.” Asking to slide by another as they approached the densely filled collection of bodies, Horus stuck his other hand out to push someone nearly backing into the young lady away. “Mind yourself.” Saying it openly before he was navigating her through the slip as to nearly pop out the other side!
“Ah here we be, pardon me young miss,” he was speaking louder to get Hannah’s attention. “I believe your adoring public may have to wait a moment as I bring you a lovely young lady to join your retinue.”
“To be honest, I find these events just as tedious in most cases. Yet they seem less so when that time is spent with my fiancé.” Or it might’ve been. That’d been her plan and intent and now she was not so sure. Juliette polished off the glass of wine in her hands, using their passing through the crowd to hand it off to a roaming waiter. She didn’t take a fresh glass, however, instead busy fidgeting with her ring with her thumb with anxious twisting.
Juliette had to admire the man’s ability to move through a crowd with such speed, though! Surely he played sports when he was younger!
“Hello? Hello! Oh, you’re a handsome old codger, where did Juliette find you?” exclaimed Hannah. Her momentary confusion launching instantly into being the social butterfly. Including reaching out her hands to shake Horus’ as if they were old friends and only just now having the time to catch up with each other.
“I’m Hannah Lucas. You’re with Juliette so I guess I don’t need to make any more introductions? Well, it’s nice to meet you, regardless. I’m having a devil of a time trying to keep everyone’s names straight, there’s so many Esquires and Seconds and Thirds, so I’m not really sure which Gregory or Johnathon I’m talking to half the time.” she breezed on. “Where’s our dark King?”
“Getting ready for his opening speech,” exclaimed Juliette coolly. There must’ve been something in her expression or tone, as Hannah gave her the smallest squint of a look. Immediately Juliette brightened up, taking Hannah’s hand and leaning in. “This is Horus, Jordan’s right hand man here at Rosendrey and the caretaker of my accounts here as well.”
Whatever it was Hannah had spotted was forgotten in an instant, she casting a quick bright smile.
“Horus? Like the Egyptian god? How interesting!”
There came a old fashioned smile entrenched with almost knowing something that likely passed most of the younger generation by. “I would dare say you two make a most fitting pair. It has been a long time since I’ve seen Jordan go to such efforts to stand out rather than disappear. I suppose we as the board will have to thank you for that. I was momentarily worried that he may just arrange himself with a meeting this night.” He meant it. Likely seeing things in the youth of a CEO that they as young adults didn’t. At least not without the right light and the right insight.
But there was a task to be done which was assuring the fair miss was not bonked, bothered or bumped in their attempt to reacquaint her to that of her charismatic friend. Looking to easily hold the attention of those who all drew close!
Although some might call that being a flytrap. Luring in close and snacking down those that were problematic!
Less he start actually having to throw elbows to avoid those getting too rambunctious to stay still; they had made it through the crowd. To breathe on the other side and his means of gathering the fiery crowned woman’s attention as to be assure the two ladies would be together once more. Chuckling rather easily when in mere seconds of temporary confusion spawned forth a rather amusing way of being greeted. Asking where he had been found, “Ms. Bryon was polite enough to escort this old man.” Suggesting it was her leading rather than him. Offering a hand to the playful little faeish woman till she was rightfully giving a spiel he suspected was practiced at this point.
Deepening the easy laughter as she easily described the means of getting lost in people’s names when they were constantly coming forth. Likely to blend all together in a mishmash of nonsense later. Though the dark king made him snort a little. That one was new but it didn’t need explanation to know whom was being referenced.
“Purely out of conflict of interest. It wouldn’t be quite fair to have the husband be the account manager to your business of course.” Horus offered to the means of being sold as her caretaker to the account. Lightly once more patting her hand in a grandfatherly motion. Directing the pallid hues upon the spry ray of sunlight. “My father is from the foreign lands. It is fitting when you look then. But yes, it is quite the conversation starter!” Making a motion that he was to hand off Juliette to Hannah, he gave them each a softened expression. “It would be my delight to treat you both to a drink at your discretion, but for now I ought to make sure the dark king doesn’t decide to forgo his new leaf turned over to disappear into the night as prior times. We will speak soon, yes? If you need anything, please do not hesitate to find myself.” He gave a quick look towards the motion to where the opening speech ought to take place, “It shall start in about two minutes, you both look beautiful this night. Have fun, you two.” Giving them each a moment to nod and smile before he turned and started to make his movement once more through the crowd.
For all Juliette knew, Jordan might HAVE planned himself to some other meeting tonight, with plots to escape this party the second he was able! As in her spiraling, brooding thoughts, she realized he never did actually say he promised her anything. In fact, now that she thought about it, he had gone out of his way to use any sort of word BUT promise, thus continuing the man’s streak of never being tied down to anyone or anything. She’d missed it entirely, being too wrapped up in soft touches and warm embraces.
Hannah waved the elder gentleman off brightly, before she too the opportunity to pull Juliette to the shadow behind her Norwegian date. Practically using the man as a shield for their conversation, as he was so animatedly regaling a few guests with his current story about surfing icy coasts, that there was no reason to be curious about the two ladies and their hushed conversation.
“You got that blank look on your face, like you’re preparing to kick up a table. Are your parents here? Did David walk in?” she glanced around, just in case David was indeed crashing the party from some dark corner somewhere.
“What? No?” Well, that snapped Juliette back into the present enough to manage to soften her features a little bit. “Everything is fine. I walked up all of those stairs and then drank my wine too fast. Has Mr. Borstad been a charming date so far?”
Hannah glanced up, up, up at the long blond hair cascading down the back of her handsome companion. Not so sure Juliette was telling her the entire truth, but not seeing any reason to argue it either.
“He’s an absolute angel and a great storyteller. Are you sure you’re fine?”
“I need to step away from the crowd for a moment is all, I just don’t want to be absent during Jordan’s speech.”
That at least made sense to Hannah. Juliette could put up a good front for these parties, but she’d never exactly been an extrovert. There were plenty enough people here to make anyone feel claustrophobic, and that was even without having concerns about evil exboyfriends and murderous assassins in the mix.
“Alright, we’ll be human shields until Jordan is finished. Torstein!” Hannah curled under the man’s arm, tugging Juliette along with her, having no issue whatsoever in interrupting his current conversation to completely but in. “I hate to derail you, but you have to tell Juliette about your Pomeranians.”
To his credit, the man didn’t seem upset about this request at all. Merely matching Hannah’s energy and excitement.
“Yes, yes, my puppies! Did you know, if there are enough little pom poms they might pull a moderate sled…”
Juliette suddenly wondered if she should escape now, after all!
The low ambience of music milling amongst the steady hum of voices aplenty was certainly enough to indicate that this evening had been the highlight to most people’s week’s end. Something they had been looking forward too as it had managed to attract enough of a name that anyone who was anyone wanted a piece of this.
Admittedly he felt practically moronic that his own thoughts had managed to find that same motive! While the means of this gala was for the betterment of others, there had been a large part of his mind occupied with making use of it to be for a moment blithely normal. A very word that had no use being placed even within a twelve foot vicinity of himself. Whatever air that had been balled excitement that the evening might at least be a chance to play devil’s advocate for those of the soiree swinging bunch while sharing unashamed laughs and gentle appreciations seemed to have been flushed down the toilet. Unsure of why he ought to have been so personal to the means that the one he had been unusually thrilled lately to see, might have been earnest in reciprocation.
The sense of foolishness for getting caught up in commentary the night prior stuck to him like an unwanted cringey thought that presented itself in mind years later after it had happened at all.
After all, this was the woman made seemingly of many faces. Treasuring the ones of mischief and ghostly teasing events that sure burned a bit too close to skin. To feel the flicker of heat where it threatened to burn and he forgot that all of this was merely a ploy to look presentable to the public eye.
When had he turned into a idiotic teenager once more? Those years were plenty behind him and had no business resurfacing when he was so god damn old!
‘Imbecilic.’ It stood out in his head as a barb for allowing himself to even fall this far into what might as well have been an elaborate attempt to make him soften up. To allow the easing of distant sensations to start budding when it seemed like there was little to be done.
Music softened and he felt a soft nudge approach that came from the elder fellow once more. Having made a recovery back to that of side. Motioning that things had gone well by the means of escorting fair woman to her sharp tongue faeling friend. Just humouring him likely before giving a strong clap to bicep. Squeezing it with the motion that they were to walk forward to that small dais setup to act as spot to where select few would be making their own speeches on behalf of encouraging after to drum up funds for the night. And he felt himself practically sneering at this idea now.
Horus took the lead then. Giving an audible tap to microphone stand to check, check the speakers stationed around the area. Watching heads of plenty turn at the motion like a group of prairie dogs sticking out of their holes. Making slight scurrying movements to start to angle their bodies that a small light filtered down from ceiling to illuminate the elder man’s graying hair. Easily breaking into infectious grins and starting this damnable show with envious ease. “Welcome one and all to the yearly Charity Event hosted by that of Rosendrey Financial!” Immediately reply came in almost beckoned applause as Horus looked perfectly in his place upon that lead. “I thank you all for coming again and see that this year we have many new faces! It does an old heart well to see that our efforts of expanding this event can do so with success. Especially for the efforts that are meant for others within our fair city. Rather than spend the time stealing the spotlight, let me introduce the young man who started this event three years ago and the CEO of Rosendrey Financial itself—” If he could have sneered openly, he just might have. Finding this bluster was already irritating a befouled mood. “Jordan Harrow.”
It was so on script that even coming to take over that means of position before the standing mic, it had to be adjusted to at least be near that of chin. So he wouldn’t have to stoop. Making an practiced ease that offered sincerity that could embody that of self but hardly reached the means of eyes. Grinning fluidly with an intention to ooze that of charm before lightly giving a motion to soften the applause made. Offering Horus a slight eye in impish play, “We all know that our gathered colleagues and partners would much rather you ran this spiel Horus than the snipping pup that has made certain everyone here has jumped through some hoops one way or another.” Horus laughed seemingly sparking many more to join in. Opening arms easily to gesture amongst the dark appearance of gathered and primed souls, “I did have a speech prepared but after such a lovely introduction and half of it stolen by my right hand, I think it would be only fair that I make this short and sweet.” Forming a grin slightly more to feign its reach to that of eyes.
“As many of you know last year we managed to raise over two million for the Funding a Child’s Dream foundation. Surely that was no small feat as we at Rosendrey, know we would not be able to do so without any of your generous offerings! The promise of this project has a personal interest of myself for multiple reasons. Things that do not require me to become a bleeding heart for—” He paused for effect, “Unless that will assure larger bids tonight.” Another chuckle emerged amongst the grouping. Encouraged with his own light simpering. “In Havenbrooke we are all one body. One entity that can do more for our futures. Not simply by the means of saying the right things or treating this night as your one big break that has omitted you for the year because it looks good on a tax refund. Rather it is our chance as the pillars of this noble city to extend our palms and give others that same opportunity we’ve all needed at some point.”
Soft murmuring ran along before he took the motion to carry on. Placing a palm before chest without actually touching, “So for a bit of enticement tonight, should you feel as though you don’t want to start showing how gracious you are, I, myself will be matching the accrued total. Now if this is your chance to bleed me dry, my friends.” Once more he bared a roguish grin, then made an obvious look in the trio’s direction. Upon one in total, “You may thank such an offer to that of my beloved affianced, Juliette Bryon. By her cleverness, she has managed to do what most have not. Let’s see if you can prove my bride to be right that she is the mastermind on how to make me jump.”
There was a fresh burst of laughter. “Tonight, please bid high and drink rich. To you all.” Making a slight dip in the centre, he stepped back. Patting Horus on the shoulder as to step down and to blend backwards into the nearest surface of dark.
“He’s so good at this,” exclaimed Hannah in a hushed whisper in the middle of the speech. Of course, that was after the girl had to clamp her mouth shut tight to stifle some giddy sort of giggling at her fist sight of Jordan for the evening. Juliette didn’t have to read her mind to know what the fuss was about. Yes, Hannah! He is stunning! For why wouldn’t he be, the dramatic man loved to make a grand scene of things – he had from the very start. Today wasn’t something he’d done to impress her.
That tiny vicious inner voice twisted and whispered further. That this was was all to prove a point. She’d counseled him on what to do in his kingdom with ideas that stepped over his boundaries, and now he was making it known how he appreciated her making him jump on command. As if this entire time she’d been manipulating him. It was so easy to imagine this and all the other conclusions he’d be jumping to! And if she stalked over to him to drag him into another room and ask, somehow it’d be her apologizing and trying to bridge the gap again. Expected to soothe his mercurial mood swings and be patient with his royal highness. He was learning and she was supposed to mind his delicate feelings.
Juliette had delicate feelings too, as it turned out.
“I need to get some air,” she muttered to Hannah, gently touching the girl’s arm to gesture she was leaving.
“Wait, do you need me to come with you?”
Juliette shook her head quickly, offering up a breezy smile.
“No, I’m just going to step outside, it’ll only be a few moments. Why don’t you and your date make a few bids with my name? Go absolutely wild.” she suggested. “Find me a beautiful piece of art to put up in the foyer and fight like the devil for it.”
“Oh, that’ll be a great deal of fun,” agreed Hannah, finding the prospect of limitless money and behaving like a lurking shark around one of the auction sheets an entertaining task. Especially with the Norwegian’s help to play distraction.
Juliette excused herself, making a fast exit towards the elevators and thankfully not being paused for agonizing conversation by any of the guests. With most of them already eagerly wandering to the auction itself to browse the silent bids, and any others curiously spying being able to tell by urgent expression that she didn’t desire any conversation.
It truly couldn’t have gone any better, now could it?
To be present in a place that would hardly be considered appropriate for one of their standing, considering the very king himself was the ruling body here and yet it was so profoundly perfect to be. Hiding in plain sight. Where it seemed the esteemed power couple were not providing anything less than wondrous opening points.
Truthfully there had been no belief that such a chance would expose itself so soon. And yet, it all was being presented on a pristine platter in the colours of black and gold. With queen herself making a transition away once her apparently king had finished dancing like a demented ape. One should have expected them to come together and yet, they went opposite directions.
Curious, wasn’t it?
Well damn it from them to be guessing into what tiffs or bullshit was happening between the false couple anyways. They just had to act.
As the woman made her descent towards the elevator, their frame came to follow. Making an obvious rifle into breast pocket for a pack of cigarettes. Sliding quickly to follow said dame, “Hold the door.” They spoke making a motion that they wanted to go outside to smoke and surely they weren’t going to walk their ass down the stairs when the elevator was right there. Throwing arm forward to stop the metal box from shutting but stepped in the way of the door shortly to make an awkward fumbling searching for lighter. “Damn it all, you think you have it one second and the next—”
They huffed as the sliding doors sealed behind them. Raising gaze upwards to smile darkly to the queen, “You don’t.” The elevator began to descend down with them as a pair as they stepped closer. Baring fangs openly, leaping forward to grab at arms to force them together with no consent from said woman. Implying will to hold and push her back against the wall. To save her kicking at them with legs, “Well, well, well… look what I just caught. A wannabe queen bee. Lucky meeee.”
Wrapped up so deeply in her thoughts, Juliette hadn’t even noticed someone was trailing close behind her. Even when they did call out for her to hold the elevator, she’d ignored it – rude for sure – but she was in no mood for idle chitchat, no matter how brief the ride down would be.
So she was quite surprised to see a flash of fangs, stunned a moment into owlish confused blinking, completely unbelieving when her arms were grabbed and her back hit the wall of the elevator. Even then still staring at them in the complete shock that anyone had actually dared to touch her, that she didn’t immediately react.
Then all at once, in a flurry of mix emotions across her features, she’d recognized the danger. Of course it would be a vampire to vex her, there was now a kingdom of vampires to vex her! Absolute fury followed, with this inopportune stranger being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Juliette would never swing fists at Jordan no matter how upset she’d be, but this toothy bastard had laid hands on her first. All bets were off.
“Get your claws off me or you’ll be leaving this box without fingers,” she hissed in a furious snarl, shoving at them with all the force she could muster. Juliette was a small lady, but they’d managed to catch her at a moment where she was ready to fight the devil! All she really had to do was keep them off her long enough for the elevator doors to open back to the public again. The building was far too crowded for any vampire to try to pull a bloody stunt and get away unscathed.
“Oh so mouthy.” Purring in reply, there was obvious amusement pushed onto features. “I heard you were something of a crusty cunt. But that’s the sort of reputation that floats around.” There was no evidence of being perturbed by her hissing. Instead it seemed to give them a intention to tighten their grip upon arms.
Squeezing down till the knobby bone could be felt through skin and muscle. Digging said claws into supple flesh with no care to whether or not it hurt. All they were told was to make sure she was alive. They didn’t say she had to be perfectly healthy!
“As much as I would love to get a chance to make you squeal like a sow, we’ve got a date with new faces and some familiar ones.” Reeling back free arm to drive its solid form into belly as hard one could without crushing fragile organs within, it was funny how these events went. It wouldn’t be unfamiliar for a person to drink too much that they needed to be carried out. It wouldn’t even pull a second blink! “Nightie nightie sweet queen…”
“You crass little shit,” she shot back, having halted her shoving at the sudden sharp throb digging into her arms. That didn’t stop her though, she was squirming enough to reach up and retrieve the knife she now always kept stashed hidden in her brassier.
…but not quick enough! The breath left her in a startled, choked squeak. A wave of heat and nausea washing over her, too fast for her to really feel the pain.
As her vision blacked out, all Juliette could think was that Jordan would believe she’d walked out on him again.
It seemed that he was going to have to try and negate his path to that of the other woman. As he hadn’t caught glimpse nor hide of Juliette since the opening speech. Granted he had been pulled into one conversation after another. Each beckoning tit pushing his receding patience ever further till he had to make a polite excusal less he reach out and see if he would squish someone’s voice box into a squeaky toy!
Wondering once more why he played amicable host when he was hardly that!
Surely hoping that if he was able to at least lay eyes upon that of fiancée, he may have leverage to escape from the same song and dance from each person. Just that she was absent from view. Unsure if she was entertaining others or if well, she left. At this point he wouldn’t have been surprised seeing as it seemed that was how they got along with another. It was good and then it wasn’t. Wondering personally at his own sensitivities and just how fruitless they were at the end of the day.
He was a vampire after all, who heard one of them having anything close to emotions beyond I’m hungry or I’m bitchy.
Pardoning past a eager looking duo that seemed as if they were intending on becoming his next blockade; it took a special skill of footwork to navigate around them. Offering a passing smile speaking he hadn’t the time to wait, only to finally, finally approach the belle of the evening in her red patterned gown. “Hannah,” Jordan called strongly. Putting a strength into voice rather than catching her rudely by the elbow. Waiting for her to spin to face him and to speak first less he get some sort of lecture he hardly wanted to have by anyone. “Where’s Juliette?”
Hannah broke away from her gorgeous date to peer at Jordan with a confused look, then glanced around to see if she could spot Juliette somewhere nearby.
“Isn’t she with you?” she asked, almost dumbly. Obviously, she wasn’t or he wouldn’t be asking with such a serious look on his face. There didn’t seem to be any immediate sight of the dark brunette, unusual too. Juliette wouldn’t have abandoned this event with how important it was for Jordan, and more than that, she’d been so looking forward to it. Now that Hannah was thinking about it, she hadn’t seen Juliette for quite some time. At least an hour or so.
“She’d not been feeling well and went to get some air, but did say she’d be right back. I suppose she might be having a seat somewhere quiet if the room’s feeling claustrophobic. We could call– Eeeexcept, I have her phone.”
Hannah gave a bit of a grimace, snapping open her purse to reveal two phones, a couple girly items, and two smaller pouches that likely held I.D.s and credit cards.
“I’m on purse duty so she could have her date with you undistracted. She’s likely nursing a cool glass of wine around here somewhere and cursing whomever has managed to trap her.”
In his best effort he didn’t give her a what the fuck look when she asked him point blank that Juliette was supposed to be with him. Simply making a slow shrug as there was practically a blinking silhouette that was abundantly vacant. Practically following the movement of gaze across the room when Hannah made the effort of scrolling, coming up likely the same way he had.
Nothing.
Instead he let out a heavy sigh when there was a suggestion that she had been feeling unwell with the want to get air. He figured already her feeling unwell was more associated to him not bending the way she may have liked. Save rather than telling Hannah, it was faked as a temporary suffocation that crept on ones organs. Although the idea that they might as well have called her was promptly put to bed.
Turning him to humourlessly laugh at the suggestion of purse duty and date. “Some date.” He muttered, starting to get the picture that she may have even walked home… or anywhere else just to get away from this place. If it meant she wouldn’t have to tell her own friend the truth of the matter, then he wouldn’t have put it past her.
What the hell were they doing in this convoluted game if this was how it was going to be? Suppose if this was the thought process now then may be in his best interest to start making amends to untether her at all to any of this. To him. They weren’t likely to get on the same page.
He wasn’t malleable enough to bend to wills. Likely the one that would prove to be a determent to anything made. This had been a scheme originally so why had he started to care? A sucker was what he was!
“I guess I’ll look about.” Jordan squinted, “Apologies for interrupting.” Giving Hannah a polite tip of crown as he didn’t mean to pardon himself into her date and her guests.
Something was amiss here. Juliette behaved strangely earlier, and now her dashing fiance was looking as if someone had just pissed in his morning Cheerios.
Completely abandoning her own date (sorry Torstein, you’re hot, but besties trump boys!), Hannah caught up to Jordan, resting her hand over his forearm to pause him but not being so rude as to actually grab him.
“Hey,” she started, to make sure she had his attention. “She was thrilled about tonight, you know. If you guys had some sort of fight, I’m sorry, but she wouldn’t have left you here without telling you. Gods, you know her, she would’ve shouted at you loud enough for the whole damn party to hear and then left in a storming hissy fit.”
Hannah furrowed her brow.
“…at the very least she would’ve taken her phone so she could call a car. She’s never so mad that she’s not practical about it.”
The catch up had him glancing down towards her then around. Making sure no one rogue was about to back-step into her because they were energetic with potential conversation so a bit too deep in drink. Making a motion to actually bend limb around to avoid Hannah being bumped as she did have his attention. Not that it was a glorious view. Lightly frowning as she suggested that Juliette had been thrilled about this night. Something he didn’t find himself believing.
Thus far, it seemed he hadn’t quite reached the real face that she offered. More commonly it was presented behind a ghosting grin or a mischievous gleam, a luring bait that didn’t open every often to something tangible. Starting to clue in that she didn’t believe likely much of anything he said either. Suppose it was only fair that this was translating over to a new disaster.
But that wasn’t Hannah’s totem to bare. Nor would he put that sort of weight on her shoulders. She was Juliette’s friend of course but to throw her a weight like that was just unfair.
Considering her a moment longer, he wouldn’t conflict with her. Honestly, he didn’t know Juliette. “I understand. I’ll still look around. Thank you Hannah.” he was going to have to default into adhering to Hannah’s knowledge because at this point, he was likely the least knowing person here.
Hannah was starting to see a hint of that brooding melancholy everyone kept saying the man possessed. She didn’t know how the pair found the time to somehow have some tiff between them, when they’d seem so ridiculously magnetized to each other every time she saw them together. Even when she glanced around the room again, hoping to catch a glimpse of the woman, she couldn’t see how or where an argument might’ve started. Certainly not a moment of jealously as Juliette wasn’t the sort. Money too wouldn’t be an issue. …whatever it was, it must’ve been something silly.
“Listen,” she stated, quite seriously in contrast to her usual cheerful lit. “I’m going to give you some advice here, and you don’t have to follow it but I hope you do.” Despite him being in a frightening position and potentially putting her best friend (and collaterally herself) in danger, Hannah did actually like him and so far he seemed to be so good for Juliette. He needed a little help.
“Please don’t take her for granted, okay? Somehow she loves you enough to stay even with all your dangerous drama. Flat out old me you’re inspiring and she wants to conquer the world for you! I know it seems like you could throw daggers at her and she’d be unaffected, but she’s so very soft and fragile. She’s had her whole life being told she’d not worth anything and now she’s finally happy and I’m so afraid she’s gonna get herself killed just to stay with you.”
“So take care of her, alright?” she stressed earnestly. “Please don’t let her stupid pride and stonewall shield trick you into thinking she isn’t afraid.”
Internally he sighed as she continued once more. Though he kept that slight annoyance from showing in features or body language as focal point became the woman yet again. Listening acutely to the magical words she wanted to speak –wondering if this all came from her romance writer motif- with the advice she was giving.
Just there was a lot there to unpack now wasn’t there.
Tugging the cornflower rims back and forth upon the enlivened redhead with a glaring knowledge that there was more trouble in her reply than he cared for. An ugly truth disguised as a sharpened shard of reality.
This would have been so much easier if there was no risk of catching feelings. Something he was abundantly cursing himself for but Hannah’s little spiel did make something clear. Polishing that little shard in her words to gleam and glow with an renewed comprehension that knew what was going to be done. It’d be cruel to be that selfish, now wouldn’t it.
“Alright.” He wasn’t going to look a gifted horse in the mouth. Rather made a visual point that her date was still presiding here, making a motion to take the purse that had been Juliette’s. “Once I find her, I think it would be best if you both headed back to the house. I have to stay till the end of the event but if she is unwell, it would be good for her to have you present.” Jordan once more gave that congenial nod to the spicy writer, “I’ll bring her to you when I can.”
Hannah nodded slowly, not sure if her advice was being taken, but well… what could she do? He clearly cared about Juliette as much as she did about him, they could hopefully work through whatever fight they were having. Hannah couldn’t fix it all for them, as she could barely handle her own romantic drama as it was!
“I’m going to look around too and enlist Mr. Borstad for the search. I’ll send you a message if we come across her first, so you don’t have to worry.”
Even Hannah was worried now. Fight or no fight, a missing Juliette meant something legitimately was wrong. She might’ve genuinely been unwell, or from the leaps Hannah’s imagination was taking, something much worse.
Giving Jordan a last supportive squeeze to the arm, Hannah in her dazzling red dressed glory went to enlist the help of her date for what was beginning to be a very worrisome search.
There came a strong discomfort coursing through his stomach after fifteen minutes of no success. Even branching off to the halls that lead to the various board member offices with catching one pawing couple pressed into a corner like a pair of horny teenagers! Startling them and himself before they were making awkward shifting of clothing to slide past in a vain hope that he might not recognize their faces. Wishing he hadn’t but it was hardly pressing to him to know the two were necking at each other. Their respective spouses could find that out themselves! But the search here was nothing more than that.
Inviting himself to lurk back through the halls to the opposite side of the floor to where Yulia’s reception desk and his own hallway to the office was. Praying he wasn’t about to find something more intimate on the floor behind his assistance’s desk! With much relief but it didn’t span well in his chest.
His own office was locked up with the only key being his own and as far as he knew Juliette hadn’t snuck her hands into his pockets to snatch the metal piece away! Still he had pressed a momentary look in there in case she proved to have some impressive lockpicking skills!
With nary a hair found, it seemed his means of searching next was to go a floor down. To start searching meticulously on other department floors! Intending to use the elevator for the means seeing as walking through the main hall would merely pull attention right now from the guests. Requiring not to be stuck talking currently under the search for missing fiancé. Starting to debate how true Hannah was about saying Juliette wouldn’t bail. If he made her that mad, wouldn’t she?
Honestly at this point, he wouldn’t be surprised. Expecting it really.
Dour thoughts held quick upon the opening of the elevator door. Stepping within that as those metal panels closed with him thankfully being alone within; the discomfort grew monumentally. Drawing focus to glimpse around the box as it begun to hum downwards. Feeling irritating pulling on mental synapses that begged to scream something was familiar. Faint, truly had to tell. Urging him to turn as if looking for the source of the signature in the corner of the lift. Seeing nothing to the eye but feeling that telltale prickling against the nape of his neck that was foreboding. Like an old itch to the back of his mind. Practically forgotten about but still so close it might as well have been licking its fetid tongue across his lobe. Spurring a shudder to spring and a holding of door to open when he arrived to the main floor. Grateful that any company down here was beyond the glass front walls busy smoking or chatting with one of their friends that did so.
Something was wrong. Bidding the step soon from the box to the open entry floor of the office. Tilting attention left to right in search for anything to stand out. Besides a mere niggling on his nerves. Trying to decipher it and finding that each time he tried to mentally look at it, it was as though it was sand slipping through his fingers. No matter how hard he tried to squeeze, it kept sliding through!
With a whirl of frame to step back into elevator, did he give a hard push to the button. Demanding it close and rise back to the top floor so he might made a hurried pace back in looking for the red head. Though stopped to grab Horus by the arm as the man startled. “I need you to grab the security room key. Quickly.” His voice was quieted, “Discreetly.”
“Jordan? Is there—”
“Horus, now is not the time. Do as I ask please.” A squeeze to the man’s arm was made to express urgency before slipping away after the redhead and her big blond stripper pole. Thankfully easy to find because of said golden mad. Though this time he lightly reached for the feminine arm and gave her date a bit of a look that requested they be separated. “Follow me quickly, don’t ask questions yet as I don’t know. But we are going to find out, please.”
Hannah herself could not sour the building looking for her missing friend, but had her own means of searching with the aid of the handsome Mr. Borstad. She peeked about in every place she knew Juliette might nestle herself if she were trying to stay away from the larger crowds. Spoke with a few of the guests, casually asking about if they’d met or seen the heiress that evening. Other than a few on the main floor having seen her head towards the elevators earlier that evening, not a single peep was made!
Worry growing increasingly high, Hannah called up Elisa at the manor to see if maybe Juliette had left the building in a fury and returned home. It wasn’t likely, but for all she knew maybe Juliette didn’t want to ruin her evening – or maybe Jordan had finally pissed her off so badly she wasn’t thinking!
But there was no Juliette back at the manor. On a few extra calls, she hadn’t left for a work emergency either.
Jordan catching her by the arm and urgently beckoning her to come with was a bit of a startle, but she murmured a quick apology to her date and followed along with dark haired man without question.
“Elisa said she hasn’t come home, and there’s no emergency at the warehouse.” she relayed to the man quickly to fill him in on her side of things. “A few saw her leaving the floor earlier, but none have seen her since. I’m, REALLY worried, it’s not like her to disappear without saying something to someone.”
Two backsteps with the hand upon that of the maid of honour, he didn’t do well to disguise the press of brows or worried frown expending upon features. To hear that she had reached out to Elisa to see if Juliette had slipped home was helpful. But not in the way that could have brought any sense of relief to either of them. Rather merely adding to it as he gave a nod to agree he heard her completely.
There was no emergency at the warehouse and people had seen her leave the floor. Just no one seen the woman return.
Only giving that strong discomfort in his mind more ammo to play with. “Come.” Was his mere reply turning then so he wasn’t walking backwards. Keeping gait leisurely as not to start something in the eyes of the guests but led them along till Horus was coming up once more. Looking the means of unbridled concern and question. Parting mouth to ask something but was stopped when he made a opening for the key. “Keep everyone happy Horus.”
The elder man gave him a look that was probably on par with a fatherly irritation. “Happy, Horus.” Reminding the fellow before making a motion for Hannah to follow him. Back to the elevator so they could go down to the third floor where the security camera room was. Flipping the keys in his hands waiting a moment till the elevator doors were shut before he spoke up.
“As you said, things are quite dangerous as of recent. And I fear we’ve just made a grave error tonight.” Jordan spoke in a cool reply listening once more to the motor of the lift chugging them down. Just to stop briskly so they could step out into the dark room only illuminated by after hour lights with a tapping to her shoulder to follow him to their immediate left. Negating around the cubicles into a short hallway that had offices and the door clearly marked as security. For keys to be used to slide in and opening that space. “What we haven’t seen should be picked up by the camera’s. How long ago has it been since Juliette said to you that she was stepping outside?” He asked with a motion that she ought to shut the door behind. Leading him to the desk with its variety of different monitors with various camera’s selected. Many on each floor of course though there were blind spots but the one he was particularly looking for was the one and only elevator one.
“If we can see the elevator footage first, we can determine if she stepped out of it to a certain location. Which way she left and figure out if anything has happened. Though I do not give light hope to suggest otherwise.” He sneered these words at the end.
Thank goodness Jordan could be so calm in this situation, and somehow oozing this air of having everything under control. Because Hannah herself was freaking out, twisting her purse up in her hands as they left the party and seemed to be heading elsewhere in the building. He’d ordered his man to keep the party happy – of course he would! There was no reason to create a panic if nothing was actually wrong.
Maybe they were just overreacting and they’d find that Juliette just waltzed across the street to fetch a coffee and to calm herself down. She closed the door quickly behind him, looking up at the dozens of security screens, hoping that maybe they’d just kept passing the heiress by and she’d be somewhere ridiculously plain in sight.
Yet Hannah couldn’t help but think of crashing cars and shrieking bullets and how easy it was to just pop out of a dark corner somewhere to do a murder and hide a body in a closet.
“Right after your opening speech. She didn’t want to miss it, then she asked me to bid on art for her and said she’d be right back. That was AGES ago!” she answered quickly.
Entering a password and then a pin code into the system to open the program’s functionality; he gave the chair a push out on the carpet. Rolling it with an look towards woman to suggest that she should sit down. Allowing himself to bend over the bridge of desk with a clicking of mouse opening particular tabs in the system to find which camera he required.
Yet humming as she expressed that Juliette stepped out after his speech. Then looked a little conspiratorially at Hannah with the suggestion that she was asked to bid on art pieces in Juliette’s name. Neatly looking at watch seeing as he gave his opening speech around seven. It had been a few hours, but it was a good starting point.
Double clicking on the box to full screen the item as a small timebar appeared at the bottom of the elevator to scroll it backwards. Making all sorts of people coming up and down the motorized lift in hastily rewind motions at hundred and twenty eight speed, blurring by. Watching the number of time backtrack in army time till nineteen hundred hours. Stopping the screen and making it play forward with a picked up speed of three times so they could watch.
For a few minutes there was no activity. Dragging on to seven fifteen, but he hit the play button to remove the speed once more. A spread of light indicated the door opened in the camera’s over door angle.
And there she was. Stepping in.
Just… not alone. Exposing quickly how fast everything transpired. A man had followed in and grabbed her. Sadly there was no volume on the camera but the scuffle was quick and violent. Forcing her into the wall with no room to react till the assailant delivered a punch to that of belly. Demanding an involuntarily sleep before rag dolling her into arms. Making her move into a princess carry with putting head to shoulder as if she had been worn out needing to be carried.
Blood itself boiled. Glaring at the screen before pushing it to minimize. Quickly grabbing the foyer camera that overlooked the elevator to the same time to see them exiting on the main floor. “No no, someone had a bit too much to drink!” The man laughed to someone asking if they were alright. “You know how some people get.”
That… voice? It struck that same faint memory and yet… “Fuck!” Spitting the word with every letter crusted with venom, he couldn’t even place the face of the man. Though had he known that perhaps Hannah could, as her and Juliette had met the fellow at the Iron Dog the night of their little party. A blond man that appeared to be rather young when in all actuality, he was much older than even him.
The camera watch as they left the lobby to an awaiting car. And simply… left.
Hannah already felt sick to her stomach, so she had no problem sliding into the offered chair when he pushed it for her. Eagle eyes just as focused on the scanning of speeding forms until he’d rolled all the back to right moment in the evening. Finding her wayward best friend exiting just as she said… and the rogue that dared to follow her into the elevator and grab her!
The second the fiend unleashed violence and Juliette crumble, Hannah let out a shaken squeal of ohmygod, throwing her hands up to her mouth. Almost feeling the hit as if she’d been socked in the stomach herself. The blood drained from her face, knowing full well how frightening to was to have someone come after you… but this was worse yet, as unlike with Hannah who’d had stalwart protectors to help her escape and keep her safe – Juliette was alone and successfully stolen. At the mercy of strangers that’d had plenty of time to get far, far away.
“They’re going to kill her,” she croaked out, hands shaking a tears spilling out. “She’s going to wake up and not comply, because of course she wouldn’t because she’s so stupidly stubborn, and they’re going to kill her! We’ve got to contact the police!”
Staring at the screen, he had little to go off of. Just he knew it was likely part of the same group that had gone after Hannah, Felix and Myra those nights ago. Just then they had failed or… had they? Was this a sort of elaborate plot that was intended to pull attention in ways he wasn’t grasping?
“They won’t kill her.” Jordan replied darkly. “It’s not what they want. They want a different attention.” Nose wrinkled and he turned to look towards Hannah drip dropping from eyes. “Hannah.” He bid her gently, “The police won’t be able to do anything without leads. This is not a lead. It’s only a start to something cold.” And he frowned then, straightening his back easing out a growl in frustrated echo. “Nor will the police be able to do much even if they could. This is out of their league, not even they can fight something like what has her.”
What would they do against vampires? A whole lot of screaming before becoming lunch. He had to think… “I know that man’s voice. Just… I can’t remember.” It scratched. It scratched and it bit at his mind with fruitless attachment.
Still he pulled that of his phone out. Putting it to speaker as a number was dialled and it was ringing. Till, “Jordan, what do I owe this pleasure?” It was a woman’s voice. Strong and sweet all at once though there was a level of strong authority present in its holding. “Are you not at your event tonight?”
“Eden, I need you to get a hold of Augustus. And free Emery from her confinement. I need them both to meet me at the estate immediately. Bring yourself and Myra as well. Baldwin will have to do some recon as there is security footage at Rosendrey that we need to pull and see if we can pull information from. Juliette has been abducted by someone that is neither one of theirs. I don’t recall the face but the voice is striking too many bells in my antique mind. I need Emery to see if she recalls as well, as she’s the only other one that has the same recollections as I do.”
“Alright. Will you be returning to the estate or will you be going back to your house?” Apparently there was two places.
“Estate.” He supplied then considered Hannah. “Fifteen minutes. Move quickly.”
“As you wish.” The phone was hung up and he tugged in a stiff breath. Still keeping his gaze on the woman. “You can either come with or I can arrange a ride for you back to the house to be with Elisa. Just know, if you come with me, what you see now cannot ever be spoken about. Because it’s not at all what you think it is and it will put you further up the roster of danger.”
Grateful that at least one of them had some sort of sense to remain calm, Hannah only sniffled and listened as he tried to explain that they couldn’t call the cops. Seriously?! Because of why, political red tape and international scandal? She stilled wrestled with the audacity of the statement as he called up one of his associates and made plans, apparently having a long list of names and people that he could enlist on this rescue mission, which should have filled her with some sense of relief.
He made an offer. To send her to the manor where she could safely wait until all was resolve. Or to come with him and apparently get an all access pass to something he claimed to be more dangerous than what she even imagined. The choice twisted in her gut, tilting one way and the other.
In the end, she jumped to her feet quickly, swiping the tips of her fingers against her cheeks to furious wipe away traces of tears. Desperately swallowing the giant lump in her throat. Her best friend was at the mercy of the same scary psychos that attempted to assault her and Myra, and shot up poor Felix. How could she just go back home and twiddle her thumbs now? Hannah doubt she’d be useful, but at least she could be present!
Or maybe she could be useful!
“I- maybe there IS a lead,” she muttered with surprise, her eyes going wide as she slowly started to recognize the face on the stilled security screen. “I don’t- Well- he was with that crazy girl Kendra at the Iron Dog. He never really said anything and was just sitting there and she called him Lucas, which is honestly the only reason I can remember him at all!”
He’d likely be getting the gears from Juliette after all this. To even tell Hannah anything that was really going on was most likely just another nail in that coffin of his. But at this point he almost suspected that if he insisted she go back to the house that she might kick up a fit! Which was exactly not what they needed.
As she rose up and he turned to look around the room a moment to grab at least a box that was provided. The place got dusty so tissues weren’t that uncommon to have nearby. Offering the item sticking out the top to dry her weepy eyes before she started talking.
Growing curious as she expressed there could be a lead. Pivoting on the ball of heel to look back at the screen. Squinting to where he paused to see the man’s face. Staring at it with still no tugging eureka moment. At least not to facial features, but he did recognize the name Kendra. Pressing brows together, “Lucas?” Saying the name outloud in vain hopes it may trigger something but it truly didn’t. “Kendra is one of Emery’s fledgings. But Lucas isn’t remotely familiar.” Jordan huffed but motioned that now they had to go. So they could come out into the foyer though he did pause to slip the keys into the front reception desk before messaging Horus that something arose that needed to be taken care of and the security room keys were needed to be given to a man by the name of Baldwin coming down. Leaving it to his right hand to handle.
Daring to take a moment as they walked the back hall of the main entrance towards the side employee parking to text Eden and Myra. Asking if either of them knew a Lucas amongst the coven’s. And to include bringing Hannah a change of clothing since he doubted she wanted to be trumping around like one of her women in her novel’s! Just he was being mute till they were soon to that of his car. Unlocked and indicating that she was to crawl into the passenger side. Giving the car a quick look over just out of as he made the effort of tugging the damn strings to the item he wore so he could pull them lose and unbind the front so he could toss the item into the back of the car upon entry.
Removing the fancy tie in quick succession so it too could be tossed with the rest. “You might as well ask whatever questions you want at this point. I don’t make this a habit of revealing such stuff to have a practiced monologue at the ready.”
Hannah took a hefty handful of tissues, an obscene amount of tissues that should anyone catch them walking down the hall to see her hands stuffed with the cottony white, they’d wonder just what sort of chaos they could be up to. She herself stayed silent on the brief walk to his car, might’ve even remarked on how fancy it was on a better day, but still hadn’t said a word when she plopped into the passenger seat and buckled her seatbelt.
Pulling down the sunshield to catch a look at herself in the mirror, Hannah grimace. Good thing she did snatch all those tissues, as her mascara and eyeliner had run so badly and was smeared on her cheeks from her rubbing that now she looked like sobbing raccoon. All of this was so painfully scary and serious, how was anyone supposed to speak to her and believe she could handle it when she looked this wild!
Using the tissues to clean up and wipe away as much of the makeup as she could, Hannah shot Jordan another startled look. Questions! Hannah was always filled with a million questions, but right this moment all her brain could think of was the millions of ways a woman could be tortured at the hand of kidnappers! If they didn’t intend to kill Juliette, then torture was the next best thing. As how easy it’d be to get Jordan to cave in to their wishes than to send the man videos of his fiancé getting her toes chopped off with a hedge pruner!
“I- So-… DID you have a fight?” she blurted out stupidly. She flung her hands up and shook them with tissues balled up into his fists. “I know, I know, I know– it’s the worst time and totally not appropriate right now, but I can’t stop thinking about her strapped to a table while some crazy asshole is trying to fillet all her skin off so please, PLEASE just talk to me about stupid relationship stuff so when she’s home safe I can tell her we had a great talk and we’ll all laugh about it.”
Of all the things he expected to come out of that surprisingly devious little mouth, it was not her blurting out the means of them getting into a fit with another. Momentarily having to stall actually backing out the car to stare at her like she was crazy.
She kind of was. Which it seemed she must have realized because she was promptly stating the fact that her mind was going ten thousand miles per hour in ways that were only victimizing Juliette far worse than they could confirm. Though he was seeing where her imagination got her in that of writing books. And likely a lot of research that would make police officers question her internet search history!
Less he continue to gawp at her in confusion, the vehicle was removed from its stationary spot. Turned and letting them collect upon the road to the right away from the normal route that would have been back to the manor. This time they had to go into the den that should have been a fully functional coven’s meeting grounds. Just obviously that was not the case. Listening to this one plead to know what was going on in that of a relationship that was founded on lies, deceit and an eventual what he thought mutual benefit. “It’s nothing so grand. Merely a new blunder on my part.” Seemed he was aware that his own inaction had been the result of the fluff this night. “It’s nothing new. I don’t know what to say about it, this whole relationship was never original made to be anything you write about in your books. It’s just a partnership that got too close to crossing a line that I’ve stumbled across.”
With the help of the tiny mirror, Hannah managed to clean out the bulk of smeared mascara and eyeliner from her skin. There was no helping the fact her eyes were bloodshot red from the crying, and frankly, she was probably going to cry some more, so what was the point of trying to hide all that?
She shot him another curious look though with a slight frown.
“You almost sound like it’s been the worst thing to happen to you, falling in love with your fiancé. It’s not how she talks about it.”
Here and now, Hannah could see how it probably did feel like a burden. Having a huge weight of dangerous responsibility on your shoulders, finally finding someone who fills that hole in your heart, and now facing losing them in the worst way possible. Gods, she had to stop thinking about these worst case scenarios, at this rate she was going to throw up in his car.
“It’s too hard, isn’t it. To love somebody.” she confessed, taking the moment to pull off her earrings and other jewelry to stash inside her little purse. Just to give herself something to do with her hands. “I always want it and then I have the potential right in front of me and I just can’t. All I can think about is how it’s all going to blow up in my face and I bolt as fast as I can the other way.”
“You’ve both been so fearless with taking a chance on each other even with all the crazy circumstances and I’m envious. I know it’s not all romantic like my books, but it’s still special. What are the chances of meeting someone by sheer accident that actually inspires your whole future together.”
The thing of it was and maybe it might be surprising was there wasn’t denial present at her first bid of nonsense. “It just might be.” There was no statement that he wasn’t dealing with all these mushy feelings. “And you’d know more about the how talking thing, it’s not as though we’ve spent a great deal doing that. Spending more time using stupid double meanings and sly smirks. Where what you think on the inside doesn’t seem to be reflected on the outside.” He wasn’t in the mood to play the hard nose turtle.
“I’ve been alive far too long to keep playing games that are better suited for doe eyed teenagers.” Sighing at himself, Jordan glanced at her momentarily. As she spoke and made use of her hands. Frowning a little as she expressed more than he thought was possible. About her own dying attempts.
Before he scoffed. “You shouldn’t be envious of something that feels like a pain and certainly with me present, I’ve done more wrongs than rights. And it wasn’t an accidental meeting Hannah. What you are going to see tonight is just the tip of the iceberg to a means that I invoked originally for my convenience. I had my intention of using Juliette to my whims for things that are out of this world unusual. And look what’s happened in reply.”
Somehow the conversation was actually working. Steering her away from having a full blown panic attack by getting her wrapped up in the romantic inclinations of her best friend’s fiancé. Because she was a writer and her business was knowing the ins and outs of people’s feelings or motivations, it gave her the opportunity to have a little insight to reading between the lines.
He didn’t deny that he loved her, in fact it was pretty obvious by the way he was struggling to talk about it that it was the problem for him. He loved her and didn’t know what to do about it. Which seemed pretty stupid in her opinion, as literally all they had to do was just talk about it and be happy.
But it seemed, at least from his perspective they hadn’t talked at all. Surprising Hannah again.
..of course he also said some pretty strange and concerning things. Being alive for too long. Admitting his intentions with Juliette had originally been nefarious. Jesus, at this rate she might think he really was a mafia king after all!
“Do you really think she’s playing games with you?” she asked, honestly curious. “That she hasn’t fully been honest? Unless you’ve been holding her hostage, and believe me that’s NOT how she tells it, then why on earth would she go through all of this and stay. It’s insane.”
Hannah paused a moment, shifting uncomfortably in her seat as a fresh, thoughtful frown fell over her features.
“Unless she’s been the villain all along. An evil vindictive witch that’s been twisting your feelings to use for her advantage. Manipulating you to her whims and agenda even in the most intimate of moments. Maybe that dick David Gates saw the truth in her after all and he’s where she belongs. There’d be no reason to go find her, honestly, maybe it’s better if you ran as far as you could.”
Well he had been willing to talk with her a little but in a manner of moments if he was likely to start thinking about things with a broader skew, her attempt to goad him by reverse psychology was not it. Letting Hannah rattle off till she felt content to see if he was going to jump at that bait or not.
Peering through the glass of the car that made it become silent once more. Loathing the idea that he might have opened a smidge up only to feel as though he was being ridiculed for even remotely feeling anything that wasn’t strictly storyboard written. As if he were a two dimensional character that better not develop anything more confounding than trying to figure out what a hair brush was for wildly untamed golden locks on the front of a romance novel!
“I’ll do what I need to in the end to assure what is best.” Was all he was willing to give then.
Hannah waited quite patiently for his response, even long past the moment that it felt like the atmosphere in the car had dropped down to Antarctic levels of ice cold. Just sat there quietly, occasionally giving him a glance or two, wondering if he knew how much he said with just a facial expression.
When he did finally speak, her eyebrows went up and then a sad sort of apologetic look fell over her features.
“If that’s the way you’ve been having conversations, I can see why you feel like you’ve not had any…” she murmured.
Lucky for him, Hannah didn’t get her feelings hurt through people’s angsty argument. Or lack thereof in his case, because apparently Jordan was the type to shut things down the second he felt uncomfortable or threatened. She spoke plainly, but not accusatory… because, damn, she understood. If she didn’t already know Juliette’s insecurities inside and out, she definitely knew her own and could relate.
“Life must’ve really done it’s worse to you. I’m sorry it’s been so difficult and now it’s even worse. It just sucks, cause she probably has no idea how much you care about her. She’s so broken up inside she doesn’t believe anybody could love her and apparently you’re just as bad as she is.”
Hannah sighed, flopping back in her seat and flipping the sun visor back up so she didn’t have to look at her own dreaded face.
“I hope you don’t give up on her. You don’t have to listen to me though, I write relationships, I don’t actually have them. You know yourself better than I do.”
The mood of this already uncomfortable track across the city was not unfamiliar to him. It was the messy means of emotions around it that was. Having been alive for so long and managing to negate the means of ever really getting attached to someone on such a personal level. It had become easier to watch those he had known wither away and die till eventually it didn’t really bother him. This whole transaction by piggy backing off of Charles sickening contract had purpose.
And it wasn’t to find hidden sensations with it. Just it happened whether he approved of it or not. Merely waiting at this point for the best friend of the woman to merely point out that anything he said, did, or thought was wrong. It was natural to have the back and front of a person that had grown up beside you.
And it as all the more reason he didn’t care to offer much in reply if it was going to be turned, twisted and pointed at him in a way that it was a fair reminder that monsters didn’t get to feel anything.
Right now what was important was getting to the estate. Most choosing to ignore Hannah at this point seeing as he wasn’t sure she wanted to listen without a sense that he was picking up that she may just be a man hater in her own way. It was likely wrong of a thought to have but he didn’t find it benefitting either of them if he tried to say much of anything.
Allowing the tedium of this car to dip into its measure of strained silence. Eventually coming upon an older homestead that thankfully wasn’t pulled out of some old world lord that was Edwardian in fashion to fit the motif of vampire domain. It was just a house. Considerably large but it was a property that was notably not maintained. Likely with no one living in it for obvious reasons. It was slightly outside of the city’s limits. Just now it had a variety of vehicles parked out front with his own joining.
Putting down the car to come to an idle state as attention veered to consider the bodies standing outside. Each looking perplexed in their own way was Myra launched herself off the front stoop with a older woman coming behind. Running up till she slapped a hand onto the car hood while waving the bag in her other hand as he stepped out. “I brought pants!” Myra exclaimed at him as he gave her a raised brow. “And a shirt.” Pointing to her bag, “For Hannah.”
“Thanks.” Muttering the reply as his attention shifted to consider Eden as she came to stand near. Giving him a look over as she lightly pressed her brows then. Notably the two others were slowly making their way closer with Augustus giving Emery an obvious side eye. Seemingly pardoning Myra to lean over the passenger door when it opened to shove the clothing at the other.
“I don’t think the coven has been this busy with chaos in many years, Jordan.” Eden sighed a little, “I don’t know if I care for it.”
“Neither do I.” He replied truthfully before the remaining two joined up. Furrowing his brows at the two of them. “I’ll just cut to the chase, Hannah may have been able to identify the face that was on the screen having made off with Juliette.” His stare shifted to the dark haired woman as she lifted her chin slowly at him. Debating if she wanted to be haughty or not, “Do either of you know a Lucas?”
“Who?” Emery asked swiftly though her tone expressed an known evidence that she wasn’t bluffing. Augustus was shaking his head in agreement. “You know who is in my coven and I haven’t expanded anything. I know what happens when we make new ones against your approval.” Arms crossed under bosom as he considered the tall male. Who still looked like he was trying to search his memory for the name. “Why?”
Pulling in a breath one moment before sighing it out next, “The security footage itself played the man’s voice. I recall it but Hannah stated the guy’s name was Lucas and that Kendra,” Her eyes widened and then narrowed into a displease sort of muted fury, “Had spoken to them at the Iron Dog the night they were doing their bachelorette party.”
Lips moved and shut. Before opening, “There was no Lucas on the list when I searched the names that night. There was Kendra but we all know how she likes to enjoy the drinks from those who have a bit too many chemicals in their blood.” Hands lifted, “There was a name of Leopold—”
He felt a sort of sickening twist in his gut but it was Emery that let out a disgusted sound from right in the back of her throat. “Leopold! That’s not even a little bit amusing Augustus. That name still haunts me.” Her tongue peeked out from lips then, as she gave him a side eye. “Wretch little vermin, I think he may have literally crawled out of Charles rectum as a personal side job after he was bitten before you and I, Jordan.”
“Who’s… Leopold?” Myra asked before looking around, “Should you be talking like this is all casual too by the way? You do recall that Hannah is right here.“
The man was as stubborn as Juliette, Hannah concluded. Good for them both if they could make it over these humps.
If Juliette LIVED.
The redhead was more than grateful to see a familiar face in Myra and have some less ostentatious clothing to change into. As much as she loved this dazzling dress, it felt strange to be prancing around like a ruby princess when things were so dire. She stayed in the passengers sheet, wiggling into the pants and doing a bit of undercover wiggling with Myra shielding the view until she’d swapped out the dress itself for the shirt. Her heels she’d left in the car along with the dress in the bag and she’d finally climbed out to join the growing group.
All the while, she tried to keep track of their quick conversation. Augustus she recognized, the two women she didn’t. Or rather, she did catch which one was Eden now realizing that was the voice over the phone. So the other would’ve been Emery – Emery Hart – the very women that Juliette had decided was her newest nemesis.
“I’m sorry, covens?” she asked, standing there confused with her hands up in little okay symbols, as if between those pinched fingers she could grasp onto the meaning of this conversation. “Bitten?”
This was that silly vampire BDSM talk again. This time an entire group of very grim looking people, speaking of the frightening situation of her best friend being kidnapped. As if the woman had been snatched away from the party by vampires.
“…Oh my god. Oh my god!” she exclaimed shrilly, pointing and shaking two accusing fingers as it all suddenly dawned on her in a big rush. She hadn’t been imagining any of the strangeness from the other night from those rabid psycho bastards. The weird conversation from that women ambushing Juliette at the Iron Dog. All these weirdass damn conversations! Juliette actually knew this entire time and she’d chosen this? It left her shaking with anger, leaving her feeling like the hugest moron on the planet!
And so so scared.
“A vampire king! Vampire. They’re going to kill her! They’re seriously actually going to kill her the second she opens her mouth and starts telling them to eat shit! Oh my god!”
As much as he could appreciate Myra’s intention of keeping things pure and unaware to Hannah, surely she could have surmised he brought her along because he already decided it might be best for her to know. Well maybe not the best but it was doubtful she would stay quiet if he just said it was going to be alright. That the police weren’t needed in a reasonable need and so forth.
Just that it seemed she was about to prove to be the probably most human one here when her brain started taking pieces and chucking them back out verbally. “Little slow this one,” Emery replied earning a look from Eden. Enough so that it was a suggestion that the female ought to know when her tongue was to be requested.
Only for Hannah to shrill making the three of them flinch. A low grumbling exited Augustus while Emery turned to glaring at the vocals on this one. Leaving Myra to reach forward to drop her hands onto shoulders. “Hannah,”
“Stop!” If she needed that final bit in conclusion, he was now glaring at her with the prime red rings. Holding hand forward to insist her means to talk as such was hardly necessary. Or helpful. “Not another word like that.” Growling at her in reply, “Leaping to conclusions like that is helping no one and it’s doing me no favours to be shrieking like a barn owl!” Myra rubbed hands down arms then. “Myra keep Hannah with you and Eden, here. At the estate. It’s the safest place besides the house and right now we don’t need Elisa being the next human to figure this all out.”
Pinching his brow, Jordan pointed with the other hand to the other two. “We need to figure out who the hell Lucas is and I fucking hope to whatever bullshit God there is, it isn’t Leopold once again.” Emery shuddered once more, “Can you pull Kendra here, Emery.”
“Of course. Though what help do you think she would be?” He gave her a slight narrowing of a look. “Alright, don’t get all huffy puffy at me. I’ll get her to come here.”
“Eden, grill her for everything she’s got. If she starts to get lippy, or refusing to answer questions then you have the approval to use whatever force you want.” She gave a easy nod in reply. Seeming truly unbothered by the far too easy call on that front. “Finally you two will be coming with me. You want to pressure me into being the king then, you’re both going to start fucking working like you’ve never done before. Together.” Grounding the word out as if it physically pained him. “Emery, I want you to use your compulsion if we need too. As much as I don’t think they actually will hurt Juliette, I don’t want to sit here picking my ass either.” Then he looked to Augustus with a slight tilt of his head to indicate towards the car. “Inside is Juliette’s purse. I want you to use your telesthesia to see if you locate her whereabouts. Even just a proximity will be enough. If you do well tonight, we’ll see just how things can start working forward.”
Myra smirked to herself seemingly annoying him, “What.”
“Nothing, just you know… try to keep the murdering and flinging people around to a minimal tonight. Last time was a bitch to clean up.” Eden suppressed a smirk with a motion of her hand, rather turning to look at that of Hannah.
Opening hand with an invite, “Let’s get inside. No sense standing out here like we are trying to see shooting stars. You’ll stay in contact, Jordan?”
“When we find her yes. After that, we’ll see what mood I’m in.”
Hannah shut her mouth the second he shouted at her, wide-eyed and stiffed. Hardly registered that Myra reached out to try and sooth her. Part of it was from that sudden flash of red in his eyes and the intense expression, but somewhere in her panic she recognized too that maybe he didn’t want to keep hearing his fiance was about to die.
He was right, it wasn’t helping.
As he barked out orders to the others, her head was in a frenzy trying to process. Wringing her own wrists in her hands until she could feel Myra guiding her towards the dilapidated looking old house. Some haunted looking non-descript home, perfect for a nest of roosting vampires! Words like compsulsion and telesthesia twisting up in her thoughts, hinting that this world of vampires was so much more than just bloodsuckers in the night!
“She’ll be okay,” she muttered in the house, casting Myra a quick glance for confirmation but nodding herself to confirm it. “She’ll for sure be okay.”
“…I am going to need so much therapy.”
Eden motioned for them to step towards her as it seemed Jordan and his two little unlikely lackeys were going to take Augustus vehicle. After he grabbed out the purse that had been claimed as Juliette’s. Figuring this was the perfect moment to let them go off into the night like the stalkers they could be while playing hold the fort in waiting. Thankfully while the house was hardly anything nice to look at, it had a few rooms that were setup to be cozy. Not lovely by any means but cozy. Made to be a functional spot that was suitable for them to work from without distraction. Although there was a time or two when a group of teens came in only to be chased away by whatever means necessary!
It wouldn’t be her first or last time throwing a full beer can at some heads!
“Eden darling,” The blond woman turned to look to that of Emery sauntering back. Pointing a manicured nail forward, “Kendra will be coming shortly. I just sent her a message and if you could be a sweet little nosy thing, grill her if she knows anything about who killed my Zephy.”
As much as Eden didn’t react, she did. “Ick, your Zephy?”
Her nose scrunched, “Myra, why don’t to go play with the trolls in your spare time. Maybe you might become one of them.”
“Oh I wouldn’t want to take your spot, Emery. So thanks but no.” Once more rubbing hands up and down Hannah’s arms in hopes to just keep her going. Nodding no sooner, “Juliette will be okay. You’ve seen her go up against scarier things than some losers picking on a girl because they can’t stand the fact she’s got bigger balls than them.” Catching the glimpse from Eden, a nod was exchanged before she hip checked the broken front door. Chuckling no sooner, “I have one. You wanna go in on couple’s therapy? We could save a bundle together!”
Pushing them both to the immediate right to a smaller room that at least had a functional door and few couches arranged haphazardly around a couple laptops and a small fridge that looked like it was a new addition. “Come on you, lets get hunkered down. Maybe if you’re up for it, we can prank call Felix and annoy him in the mean time! He just got back to his place today so I am sure he would love us annoying him!”
Hannah prayed to whatever gods that were real that trolls weren’t also real.
Oh gods, if vampires were real, what else was real?! Werewolves? Witches? Ghosts? DEMONS?
Suddenly her stomach was did a lurch, and she felt ever so dizzy and nauseous. Hannah swallowed hard. Keep it together, girl! It’s real and it’s always been real, and we’ve been just fine up until now! Prompting to nod again at Myra, even straightening up a bit and taking in some deep breaths.
“Yeah, she’s got it. She’s clearly not afraid of vampires.” Although, that fearlessness was what had Hannah so worried. Fearlessness could get a person killed if they didn’t know when to sit still and be quiet!
At least this banged up old house seemed to be kind of livable. Hannah plopped herself onto one of the couches, so unsure what to do with herself, but knowing that pacing the room shrieking was definitely NOT the way to go. She perked up the slightest bit at the mention of Felix, only to follow up with a soft frown.
“I do kind of want to talk to Felix, but maybe he needs all the rest he can get right now,” she muttered. He’d been fighting off not random drugged out weirdos, but real life actual vampires to save her life. He really didn’t need to deal with listening to Hannah cry in the background!
“I don’t know if she’s not afraid, she just has the king on her side making the grossest cow eyes every imaginable. So that has to stand for something. I just think Juliette knows when to swat at them as if they were dogs with a rolled up newspaper and when to just let them pout.” Of course she wasn’t sure about this new one. Who the hell Lucas was and why it seemed both Emery and Jordan were trying their best not to vomit each time the name Leopold came up. All the more reason she didn’t want to know right now. It sounded gnarly.
Right now what she had to do was keep Hannah from hyperventilating or tug out fistfuls of her red hair. Distracting in her own way while trying not to suggest that the situation wasn’t serious.
She almost could pity those blokes that kidnapped Juliette. Because the fact that Jordan called on both leaders of the spilt coven ought to be a sign he was beyond angry. So much that he was willing to rely on two people he didn’t much care for.
Satisfied that she was sitting down, she came to plop alongside. Sinking into the couch deep down before huffing at her reply. “Are you kidding me? He wouldn’t stop complaining about the nurses at the hospital. How they kept bothering him each time he wanted to rest or scratch his arse! He exactly needs to be bothered because no one gets to take my job away for bugging him. Rest be damned!” Squirming sideways to worm out phone, she looked at it. Then flipped it over when it was the wrong wall in time for Eden to enter. “We’re calling Felix.” Announcing this to the other as she gave her best exasperated sigh of all time.
“That poor man. What has he done in your lifetime to warrant your harassment, Myra.”
“Existed.” She punched the numbers into the phone before leaning back to Hannah. Listening to the dialtone for two durations and the audible pick up on the other side. “Hiiii Felix,”
“I shouldn’t have answered.” He grumbled, “Myra this is this fourth time today we’ve talked, you’ve seriously gotta be bored of it now.”
“No, not really. So whatcha doing? Looking at nudey magazines?”Eden shook her head. Holding her hands up in the I’m not getting involved way so she could go and sit before one of the laptops. Not her circus, not her monkey’s. “Listen, listen, since I’ve got your ear,” he cursed at her though unsure if it was because of her former comments or because she was still talking; “And I’ve got a fun little person for you to talk too.”
“Please let it be anyone else but you.”
Myra grinned, “I’m the best you’ll ever get bucko, but you get the next best thing. Hannah! Say hi Hannah! It’s Felix.”
There was an odd pause before shuffling was heard. “Miss novels huh? That is far better than Myra any day of the week. I was expecting you to bombard my phone a lot sooner. And more often.”
Hannah wasn’t prepared for Myra to just bulldoze straight through with calling the man, she ended up awkwardly trying to brush her fingers under her eyes to make sure there wasn’t any stray tears or smears of mascara there despite the fact this wasn’t a video call. The Eden woman didn’t seem to have time for these kind of shenanigans either, seeming to wash her hands of the pair of them. Hannah at least understood she had her own job to do tonight.
“Hiiii,” she weakly hummed out as a mirror mimic of Myra’s greeting. Put on the spot like this was embarrassing as it could get, but well… it was doing the trick of being distracting. Somehow Hannah managed to get herself together to actually talk like a normal person.
“I didn’t want to assault you with my cheery disposition so soon, but I did plan on hunting you down for a face to face visit.” Hannah explained, giving Myra the dirtiest of annoyed squints. Not only was this embarrassing, how was one supposed to properly give their gratitude over the phone! This was meant to be in person!
“I wanted to say thank you, and that I know how much your job sucks, and so an extra thank you and I that am so, so very sorry that you’re a bullet pincushion just over me. This was supposed to be in person with a gift basket full of treats, so I’m sorry for that too.”
“Do you not realize who I was just speaking with. Compared to that, you’re a cool welcomed breeze Hannah.” Sticking her fingers into cheeks to spin back and forth clearly un-offended at his attempt to call her a pain in the ass. Paired with the dirty look she was having the time of her life!
Save that Felix sounded personally relieved to hear from Hannah as well. Or it was because he was done talking to her. But she was going to go with the former over the latter in assumption. Listening to the low rumble of a chuckle, “What do you mean just over you? Hannah, just because I had a job to do doesn’t mean what happened didn’t matter. Or that somehow you were inferior to the whole thing. Sure my job ain’t a cake walk, it certainly isn’t no novelist job making old ladies prove how perverted they are, but don’t go apologizing for things that don’t need sorry’s. It’s okay. We all made it out alive and maybe bullet scars are cool or cute? You’d have to tell me, you’re the romantic expert after all.”
Myra stuck out her tongue then. Gross this wasn’t what she wanted to hear. “It is nice to hear your voice though. But, are you okay?”
Hannah had to cover her mouth quickly, to stifle the half laugh, half cry from hearing his absolute ridiculous statements about perverted old ladies and scars. Her head was in such a hyper emotional state, that even though she had nothing but relief to hear Felix being just as cheeky as ever, it still was triggering that want to sob response.
Thank goodness she managed to swallow it, leaving behind a weak amused grin.
“I don’t know about cool or cute, I’ll have to see them and find out. But yes, ARE you okay? When you’re up to it, let me take you out for dinner. I can tell you my newest book ideas, it’s always good to hear from a critic before I set pen to paper.”
“Hannah Lucas, are you trying to ask me on a date?” Felix spoke up with an evident amount of mirth in his tone. Though it wasn’t harsh or snide rather it was an authentic sort of question that was maybe trying to make the effort of keeping this conversation merry! “Cause I’m not the type of man that shows a girl some battle scars on a first date, seems kinda of weirdly macho or primitive. I’m not sure yet.”
Felix chuckled softly, “I’m okay Hannah. Honestly. Nothing like a gun fight to make you feel alive and somehow very old for being in one’s thirties.”
Never mind the way Myra was looking at Hannah all the sudden. Then to the phone and back. Why was everyone so gross tonight. Something had to be in the water. “Though I’m flattered you think I’m a critic. But I wouldn’t be opposed to hear book ideas. Only so I can question what sort of title they are going to get and how much your editor will nag. I think that was what she was. I don’t remember besides her being impressively cranky.”
Hannah did laugh this time, genuinely and without the tears as Myra’s contorted icked out face was providing an unnecessary peanut gallery to the conversation. He’d completely dodged the question on whether or not he was okay, of course. But it seemed he was spritely enough to be quick of wit.
“Listen, copper, if I were trying to get you undressed I wouldn’t be doing it in front of an audience,” she chided the voice on the phone, merely for the joy of Myra’s squirming.
Her expression did soften though and her voice not dallying too much with the nonsense, staying somewhere sincere in her replies.
“I’m serious, though. It’s the least I can do. You might even save me from my editors and publicist. Which means, you should probably go try to get as much sleep as possible. I think Myra is about to throw up, anyway.”
“I’d appreciate if you didn’t do it before an audience. I’m a little shy. I’d be as red our both of our hairs combined.” Granted had he known at first that Myra was said audience, it might have changed a bit of the story! Unlikely a lot but still, it was a thought to never consider. What mattered at the moment was it seemed that actually talking to said copper was doing wonders to bring Hannah’s spirits back up. A vital need considering how she was taking all this brand spanking new news in. With the added knowledge that her best friend had been taken by some rogue twatwaffle that really didn’t have a glint of an idea the amount of trouble they were going to be in.
A shit storm would have been a summer day by comparison.
Yet in that little devious moment, Hannah decided to reveal it all. Pulling a strong intrigue from the man on the other side. “I mean I would offer to save you any time. Though now you mentioned Myra is going to throw up, I may want to keep you on the phone!” This time he laughed, “Okay less I get a lectured by the eloquent speaking Hannah Lucas, I will take your advice for sleep. But, don’t hesitate to you know call on your own behalf. If you need anything, just let me know.” There was a pause then, “Be safe, Hannah.”
Hannah would’ve been delighted to talk and tease all night, whether it was him or with him in cojoined efforts to make Myra squirm. But he did actually need the rest and fussing at him to sleep was the best help she could give him at the moment.
“You can count on me to stay out of trouble. Goodnight, Felix.”
Once Myra hung up the phone, Hannah sat there quiet for a minute. Then in a sudden instant she sprag to throw her arms around Myra’s neck to give her a tight hug. Hannah sighed heavily, still squeezing tight enough that it could be problematic. At least in terms of Felix she could put her worries away, perhaps even send him a few texts about her interesting date before all of the dangerous drama happened. Something to keep her occupied while she was forced to sit around like a useless couch ornament.
“Thank you for that! That’s one less person to worry about tonight.”
Making sure the call ended so she didn’t have to listen to the potential of disgusting fake kissy noises, she dared a look towards Eden. Watching the older woman look like she wasn’t paying attention when in actuality she was as keen as a damn eagle. Or that weird monster from Monster’s Inc; always watching.
Giving Hannah the prime moment to spring and nearly snuff the life out of her. “Aiiiir!” Wilting dramatically so she might be freed, of course her antics about being grossed out by love or teasing about it were purely theatrical. Simply offering a cheesy grin before shrugging it off. “I figured if anyone deserved to pluck at Felix for a few minutes, it ought to be you. I get to do it so often than the novelty just isn’t the same.” Offering a mock pout that quickly turned into a sly smirk. “Now you know what would be fun, if we had Jordan’s phone to prank call ot—”
“Myra.” Out came that mother tone. Causing her back to straighten just a little bit and to grin all the more. Inspiring the disappointed clucking whilst Eden turned in her seat to consider them both.
“We didn’t get to properly be introduced earlier for obvious reasons. But I am Eden Toth, funny that I would meet Juliette’s best friend before I met her. But that won’t last for long. Though I am sure you are a little overwhelmed with everything, I can answer some questions if you need while we wait for Kendra.”
“Oh boy talk about a space case.” Myra sighed, “There’s junkie and then there’s junkie. Though in all fairness, you recognized the person who is probably guna have his balls bruised once Juliette gets a good kick in?”
Hannah was glad for Myra’s devilish nature, but after she’d seen Jordan at his most snarly, Hannah was never going to step out of line and poke that beast. Not after realizing that all these jokes about him being murderous may not actually be jokes, especially with him being this real and true vampire king.
In fact, at Eden’s beckoning question, Hannah found herself at a loss of what to even say. A Mafia ring would’ve been easier to swallow and live with. She didn’t want anything to do with vampires, and definitely didn’t want to know anything about them. Let her remain in blissful ignorance, back in her uncomplicated life where the most difficult thing was fighting her publisher and navigating her dating routine.
Except… damn her own curiosity. This was a wealth of privileged knowledge at her fingertips. A literal real life adventure. Oh, she didn’t want it, but now that she was here in the middle of it, she might as well know what she was in for.
“He was forgettable, really. I’m not sure he even said anything while Kendra poked at Juliette, and Juliette spun this absolute masterful tale – which I guess wasn’t bullshit after all. I mean, it’s not like Augustus who had me sitting there stupid for two minutes from being a stone cold fox.”
Augustus had been there tonight, but it seemed his handsome wiles had worn off. Really, Hannah was far too wound up to even care about that missed opportunity. With a scrunch of her nose, she realized her date for the evening had also been abandoned abruptly without explanation. Poor Torstein Borstad!
“Just to get the worst out of the way, there’s not like a collection of tasty humans for feedings times, is there? Like there really is no reason to hunt and hold people hostage when you have blood banks and vampire fetishists. …right?” Gods, PLEASE let them tell her she was right! Hannah couldn’t imagine letting Juliette marry some vampire super villain that was breeding people juice bags and passing them around like Capri Suns!
“Forgettable.” A singular word repeated upon lips as fingers lightly scrubbed at chin, “Suppose that would be something one would want to be if they are trying to subvert things. Be as unremarkable as possible.” The blond woman hummed a little longer before seemingly looking over at the way Hannah expressed Juliette had formed a grand tale while she herself had been gawping like a fish outta water at Augustus. Leaving the other companion to momentarily look almost bothered by the ick again. Almost.
Instead it seemed whatever Hannah may have recalled was of the favour to this Lucas fellow. Leopold? That was the issue with beings that looked human but could live forever at a permanent age. They could slide in and out of the world rather easily if they knew when to go and when to stay.
Still brows rose delicately when it appeared there was to be a query of sorts. Just in the way that was likely feeding the macabre plots developing in the girl’s mind. “It seems this Lucas if of neither coven. Augustus and Emery are like counts in the hierarchy of the vampire world, they answer to Jordan. Lucas for this moment is a rogue vampire. Most vampires when they are created tend to follow the one that turned them with an unnatural sense of loyalty. Not always but mostly. And they are bound to that in which they either call king or queen.” Eden offered a little more just so Hannah could understand the means that Lucas was a blip on the radar thus far that appeared to come from somewhere else. “With Jordan as the ruling patriarch, he doesn’t allow his coven’s to hunt humans. If they do, its typically punished by well… death. Baldwin, our other associate is a doctor within the medical field. He will typically host blood banks for the hospital but takes half the donations to bring to a secure location that is distributed between the two covens. As you know Augustus club also hosts that of a sensual business. People that like the idea of vampires and blood, some believing themselves to be one while not realizing they are actually giving the real deal blood. Thus far, it has kept things moderately calm.”
Now Myra exhaled. “Ever since Jordan took up this god damn old contract from the previous king and Juliette’s ancestors, things have gotten hairier than a hippie’s undercarriage. With his own two covens being practically broken and Juliette likely to become the queen of it all; things have been less than wild.” She gave a slight look to Hannah then, “Juliette thinks David knows about this all too. Or rather knew Jordan was a vampire. So at this point we have to also think that her creepy ex might be involved somehow too. So fun and games for us all. But myself, Eden, Baldwin and Felix are all human and we work with Jordan, just in case you ask to see some chompers, you will be disappointed.”
This was a lot of information to take in, and unlike the calm unreadable way Juliette would sit and listen, Hannah herself was expressive as it could get. Every little thought and surprise and confusion flying across her pretty features, with every new little tidbit they tried to explain.
So much to get straight. At least there was comfort in knowing Jordan wasn’t harvesting people like tv dinners at a grocery store, and was quick to make sure the vampires he ruled over didn’t do the same. By the way they described things, though, with how easy it was for this creepy jerk sharing her name to sneak about, there were far more vampires out there potentially under the reigns of not so benevolent rulers.
“So a former vampire king made that contract with Juliette’s family centuries ago. And here Jordan ends up with Juliette. …I guess I can see where that would turn things upside down.” Not even knowing the details of this stupid old contract, Hannah could figure it alone meant something huge. But throwing in the fact that Juliette was no passive little miss to be a sweet silent wife? Naturally she’d have figured things out, and then took up the mantle of being a Queen like it was as simple as building a house. The woman loved challenges and what was more challenging than ruling a vampire kingdom.
Then they stupidly fell in love with each other, it was amazing! Beautiful! Absolutely the worst possible thing that could’ve happened if Jordan had been looking for an easy fix to current problems. No wonder the man was a hot mess of brooding angst.
David’s potential involvement was where the true surprise lay.
“David knows?” that brought the biggest look of disgust and horror to her face. Gods, she couldn’t help with the creepy kidnapper, but at least she could give insight to David.
“He’s… I can see it. When I first met him he has this charm, but there’s just… something icky underneath. He attached to Juliette immediately. Like obsessively, possessively and spider webbed into every part of her life to the point I couldn’t even come see her anymore. I wouldn’t doubt at all that he’d have dug up everything there is to know about her, even after she left him. If I didn’t know better, he’d be the one I thought I was a vampire already!”
Both of them nodded simultaneously at the whole turn things upside down part. Agreeing shamelessly with the very fact. As far as either of them knew the contract was merely an agreement that the old court of the previous king would give the ancestors of Juliette’s what they needed for themselves. It didn’t give specifics of course but in reply they had promised to wed off one of their daughters to the king. Just that it never happened due to Juliette’s line having sons for a long, long time. Add on the fact that Jordan had made a coup and took the former king’s life to take the throne, it was understandable that no one knew what the contract really entailed.
It just had a written contract attached that had been originally used to try and get a shipping company for the benefit of Jordan’s plan to unite the European coven with his. A bold move, especially when his own coven was a complete wreck!
Add on the means that Juliette was hardly a mousy soul and Jordan seemed to have stepped through the door that had love scratched all over it but conveniently missed. They were stumbling over another. A man that hadn’t been in love or with these personal feelings for however long and woman that suffered neglect and possession by other hands to think her value was little to none. Now together making awkward circles and missteps on another while shirking away like screaming possums!
It was messy!
But that was hardly the curiosity in a manner of seconds. Rather the reveal from her that Juliette said she believed David knew of Jordan being a vampire. Watching Hannah’s face play the roulette of expressions, she in turn nodded slowly at her repeat of whether David knows. Shortly listening to her express how the man slipped in and stuck himself to every part of Juliette’s life. “A person like him would have made a great vampire in the olden days under the former king.” Eden supplied, “Now, well if he tried to become one of the vampires in the current two covens, he would be compelled to follow Jordan even a little bit. And a fledging like that—”
Lips pursed, “That would be a dangerous new vampire to have. Likely the type that would be unable to handle the change or just go completely feral eating people in the streets. But,” She looked then between the two women, “Do you think David would even do that Hannah or, well you just said he had gotten himself so deep into Juliette’s life, that do you think her calling it quits that he might be trying to you know… re-insert and take over her again?”
“Are you kidding?” Hannah asked, as if the woman had just made the understatent of the century. “I thought he was going to serial kill her and wear her skin at some point, and that was before she’d even broken it off! Throw vampire shit into the mix…”
There was no need for her imagination to work hard on that one. A guy like that with charisma and limitless money was already one of the most dangerous things in the world. He could get away with murdering someone in broad daylight on the street and still be able to weasel his way out of it. Give him fangs, bloodlust, and the perfect opening to make chaos?
Hannah shivered.
“He’d jump on this in a heartbeat,” Hannah confirmed with another shudder. “Inspired even by this whole vampire coven drama to have grand delusions of being a king himself. Gods, it’d be a complete nightmare!”
Once more a look was shared between them. This knowledge that Hannah thought David already to be in the same leagues as someone wearing a human skin coat was bad enough. But to hear her speak out that David would jump on this and think he could ascend to king? “Then we had better make sure no one is trying to turn him into one. It’s one thing with Juliette becoming the queen as a human but to actually rule them as their flesh and blood, he’d have to be one.” The elder one of them all was shaking her head as she spoke. “I suppose we had better start getting eyes on David, if he isn’t already knee deep in.”
“He’d be unable to walk in daylight that’s for sure if he was already one. Fledglings get all the fun things that are stereotyped to vampires. No sunlight, no reflections, red eyes, holy water is a bitch, and so forth. He’d be hard-pressed to be discrete. Add that to a double if he has been turned and the one that did it didn’t help them for that first you know, twenty five years, he’d be far more likely to eat himself! And that’s if he didn’t develop a type of psychic ability like Emery or Jordan or Augustus.” Their abilities were another reason why they were higher up the ladder. Well exclude Jordan cause he was all sorts of different but coven leaders under their monarch were known to have extra abilities! It gave them an edge and why they were garnered to rule the covens with their monarch’s grace.
Fingers pressed into her forehead then, “So do we assume right now that this rogue vampire and David are probably working together. Then David would have wanted to go after Juliette for his own reasons assuming… but does that account for Jordan? In all fairness this is the first time the big dumb dork has loved anyone on such a level. Do we account for the kidnappers thinking that Jordan wouldn’t bend or do they know he’s practically one mushy look away from melting for Juliette?”
“I don’t know.” Eden replied but she was pushing herself up from the chair. “Hannah’s the only one right now that has the insight at least on David. But that doesn’t answer everything. All I know is when Jordan is aligning himself willingly with Emery and Augustus, he means business. And I’d hate to be on the receiving end of his ire. It’s not often he gets this angry after all.”
“Hmm, suppose.” Then looked curiously at the standing woman, “Where you going?”
“It sounds like another is here. Stay with Hannah. I want to make sure its Kendra and not some unwanted guests. You have a gun however, in case you need to put a few rogues down.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Hannah had that unsettled look on her face again as Eden stood up and reminded Myra about a gun. Would Hannah be able to handle some fresh attack now knowing the truth about just who was doing the attacking? Myra and Eden were human too, but they actually knew how to deal with vampires! Hannah could basically only scream real loud and tell a good story!
Once Eden left the room, Hannah turned to Myra with a deep grimace. Her stomach was twisting up into all sort sof nauseous knots again.
“I don’t know what’s worse,” she muttered. “That they might’ve snatched her because they want her and holy shit if that is the case you know they won’t let her loose. They might already be disappeared forever! …or if they did it to make Jordan act, to which he must be walking into some sort of trap that’s going to get HIM murdered, and we’ll still never see her again anyway!”
It was bad that one could become desensitized to this stuff. Granted she had grown up knowing all this –from a reasonable age of course- but that didn’t mean she was going to go full Rambo mode either. Merely knowing that if they did have unwelcomed guests, they were going to get a few bullets to the chest! New world staking with blessed bullets, eat that Blade.
For now she offered her attention to Hannah. And frowned. “Talk about a fucking creepy ex, though if they tried to disappear what benefit would that bring them? If we go on the thought that say David wants to be the vampire king, he’d have to kill Jordan first. Then uh… you know what I won’t explain how that works.” Such details were not necessary, “So to me it seems like they wanted to bait out Jordan. Just the problem here is likely they weren’t expecting Augustus and Emery. Since the coven is basically a broken doll house, they aren’t really aligned like they should be. This might be the first time they have come together. Which maybe is a boon in itself. Whatever trap there could be, may not work.” Leaning into the back of the couch, Myra gave a lazy shrug. “Plus Jordan is pretty hard to kill. Being king gives him some extra advantages. Not that I am saying it would be fine but you know…”
The door opened to the room once more and in entered the dopey looking vampiress holding… what the hell was that. Was she holding a baguette in her hand!? “Been a while since I’d been here. Pretty dope still,” And her eyes moved around to fall on them both as Eden entered behind. “Maymay! How’s it going? Oh and you got a friend too! That’s cool. Wait… don’t I know you?”
“Don’t ever call me Maymay.”
“Kendra why don’t you take a seat. Could I… take your bread?”
Hannah wasn’t sure if Myra’s explanation helped and made her all the more concerned. The very sight of Kendra – whom she did immediately recognize, as she still looked just as bonkers – brought to mind that strange conversation at the Iron Dog.
“Ach, ew she tried to feed me a blood shot!” exclaimed Hannah suddenly, wrinkling up her nose and eyeing that baguette in the woman’s hands very much wondering if that was some sort of deranged disguise for an actual weapon. Of course, it was actually Juliette she’d tried to get to drink it, but still!
…she also remembered she’d told the vampire girl to her face that she thought vampires were uninpsiring. So. Oops.
Man, Hannah had known a lot of this information all long with the way Kendra wagged her tongue that night. Leaving Hannah examining the woman with new curious interest, as this was about to be a bountiful well of fresh gossip if that trend continued.
As if the mention of the bread had been enough to recall her attention to it, Kendra hummed at the yeasty creation. Eyeing it a long drawn moment before offering it to Eden, “I just bought it uh… somewhere.” Readily she didn’t seem that concerned about it. Actually it would be worrisome if she was concerned about her loaf! Graciously however Eden took it with her effortless professionalism. Walking it over to set down on the desk whilst Kendra herself bent over. Perching hands to her knees giving Hannah a rather deep look. Grinning dopily, “Hah yeah. Blood shots are pretty good you know, gives you a right good kick to the chest and such a rush.”
“Kendra, Hannah is human. We don’t drink blood.”
“Right. Riiight, forgot about that. Heh.” Lips drooped open a moment till she righted and flopped backwards to the nearby couch. Lucky it was close less she bounce across the floor. “So Emery said you needed me to do… what?” Slowly she blinked then like her brain was struggling to push enough air into it to function!
Eden seemed to physically sigh without actually doing so, “Do you remember someone by the name of Lucas?”
“Markus?”
“Lucas.”
“No, he’s not here right now. I could take a message. I know Crocus would be all over getting a message.” Oh for fuck sakes, how did they have the drugged up vampiress to rely on! Arms raised and flopped heavily into her own lap as she looked to both Hannah and Eden with pure exasperation. “Didja know about how the king is apparently getting married. Wild isn’t it? I met her once and she had a other chick with her.”
Hands pressed into her forehead, “He did this on purpose. Whoever Lucas is, he selected this twatcake for a reason.”
“Lucas, yeah he’s cool dude. Haven’t seen him recently tho… hey where the bread come from?” Pointing at the damn thing, this was going to be a real fun time.
Kendra was a party girl, alright. Hannah bet she was a blast at parties, but this daffy dingdong didn’t seem to have two wits about her. Which was kind of astounding considering the circumstances.
“She wasn’t like this when we met her,” Hannah said, leaning close to Myra. A bit wide-eyed about it. “I mean, she seemed drunk but she was focused. Her conversation with Juliette was skillfully fishing, and not this st-“
She was about to say stupid, but had a feeling maybe insulting wiley vampires wasn’t a good move tonight. Even if she did seem about as bright as a box of broken light bulbs. Maybe Kendra was just extra high tonight – which in itself was surprising to Hannah, cause that meant vampires could totally get messed up.
“You know you offered to kill Juliette’s ex and Emery Hart, right? In the name of the Steele coven?”
“She was probably sucking on someone’s next that was a little too delectable.” Myra supplied, “Drugs and alcohol in blood really can get them to a high that is apparently like no other. Which no thanks.” Hands themselves were expressed outwards in a clear decline.
It wasn’t unfamiliar for the vampires to enjoy nibbling on affected blood. If it brought them a bit of joy, just there was those who were addicts to it. Case and point, Kendra. She was like a mystery box of nonsense! You weren’t sure what you would get.
Curiously however Kendra seemed to look upon Hannah when she spoke about killing some people. Not really figuring out the ex part but surely recognizing Emery. Causing her to blink and nearly well with tears! “Emery’s like the best thing that’s happened to me! Why would I say something so mean?” yet before she started making crocodile tears she paused. Thought and hummed. “Steele coven, oh.. Augustus. Did we meet at like the club? Yeah… heh, the Hart coven isn’t supposed to come in there but you know how else is a girl supposed to get a drink?”
“Let’s try to focus on figuring out Lucas right now.” Eden suggested though she looked perplexed to Kendra suggesting the Hart coven wasn’t supposed to enter the Iron Dog. Unless something happened that was going between the two leaders, she hadn’t heard of that. “You said Lucas was cool, but who is he Kendra. It’s very vital we know as Emery herself wants to know.”
This seemed to take a moment to process. Rubbing the heel of her palm into forehead, “Uh… he’s a guy I meet at the Iron Dog. He said he was… he was one of Zephyr’s mate’s. I mean I never know how is coming or going from the coven so I didn’t think about it. We just joined up a few times and had a good time.”
“He wasn’t part of either coven from what we have learnt.” She blinked hard to Eden’s mention then looked to Hannah.
Pointing at her, confused. “Why were you there… I said things?”
This was like trying to talk to the drunk sorority girls in college.
“You drugged out, dingus, I’m Juliette’s Maid of Honor! The Queen’s Right Hand or whatever! Oh my god,” she almost growled, throwing her hands up in frustration before flopping backwards on the cough. Her hands then went to covering her face as she audibly groaned.
“You basically spilled all about Jordan’s thing over seas, offered yourself up as a volunteer to Juliette as any good butt kisser would, really laid it on thick that Emery was the problem, and then you got scared off by Dominic.” Hannah explained, although at this point it was pretty clear to her that was pointless. Everything any of them said seemed to fly in one ear and out the other, to be followed up with some new daft statement. Conflicting ones too, cause Hannah very distinctly remembered the girl being all about Augustus and not Emery.
“Gods, it’s like you’re brainwashed or something!” she exclaimed with a huff. “Like someone crawled into your head and used you like a meatsuit!”
They were likely all feeling the frustration till there was Hannah being Hannah. Saying something that notably made both Eden and Myra sit up straight while Kendra looking like she was trying to count pours on the girl’s face. Really squinting at her.
Fingers on hand twirled in a sense of rewind. “Brainwashed.” Myra said as she made the motion. “Hannah, you’re an accidental genius!” Almost tempted to shake the woman for it. “You just said that Kendra was far more focused that night and now well,” She stole a look at captain dumbstick, “Well this is normal for me. She’s a space case. But buuttt, some vampires have compulsion abilities! They can use them on humans and on weaker vampires. Kendra is about as useful as nailing jell-o to a wall.”
“She very well could have been. If this was some long haul game plan and if it is a compulsion used then they would likely use it as a means to try and control the situation. While giving false information. Remember, Zephyr was claimed as a blame that night you three were attacked and he was killed. Now Kendra had spoken about being all for Augustus when she is part of the Hart Coven. So far we’ve been getting lead around to blame each other coven’s.” Eden hummed then, “They are distracting with the known conflict while working in the background with another unaware.”
Vampires could do WHAT NOW?
Okay, like if she thought about vampire lore and made the assumption at least some of it was real, then compulsion and thralling was definitely a real thing out there.
“Well, great, I’m a genius!” complained Hannah with all the agony and despair that could be expected out of a teenager, and not a fully grown woman with a novel empire of her own. “That doesn’t make this better at all! They’ve been riling everyone up with misdirects and mind control, and who is to say that aren’t doing that with Juliette now!”
Hannah was already picture it – Juliette given the vampire swirly eyes, thralled and charmed into being either Jordan’s next assassin, because wouldn’t that just be the worst to be murdered by the woman you love. Or more horrifyingly, David’s beautiful mindless puppet for all of his gross machinations.
“I think I’m going to throw up,” she squeaked, quickly covering her mouth as her stomach churned.
For the matter of the moment Kendra was at least a dumb doornail of a stunned vampire that offered no real threat. Pretty sure the biggest thing she would be terrifying too right now was a cake. And regret it later.
Although in mere seconds whatever the hell was going on inside Hannah’s head seemed like it was about to come out of her. Not without added chunks, “Breathe Hannah,” Myra softly requested. “Whatever you are thinking, stop it. We’ve gotta stay calm, cool and collected right now. If we start getting all buggy, we aren’t going to be able to do much of anything.”
“Agreed. But this information is good to have. Enough so that messaging Jordan wouldn’t be a bad thing. And suggesting that he could be stumbling into a trap though I suspect he already has an inkling to that. All we can do right now is,” She picked up the bread with an offering back to Kendra. Looking as excited about that as a not quite yet potty trained puppy. “Kendra, why don’t you stay here and take your bread for a walk around the house. Give it a tour of the place.”
The dumb thing grinned, “Kay!” Happily taking the offering to spring up and zombie walk her ass over to the door.
Seemingly giving Eden a moment to think, “Do you want to go to the manor Hannah? The house is protected so no one unless invited by Jordan can enter. You’d be okay there with Elisa, it might do you good to be somewhere at least less,” Gesturing around as a whole to the very situation, “If you wish.”
Hannah knew her head was going to spin every single potential horrible thing under the sun around until she legitimately threw up everything in her stomach. She honestly couldn’t help it, good things, bad things, she always spun a bunch of stories around then. The torture of having a creative brain!
Watching that blonde dingaling going to take her loaf of bread for a midnight walk, at least was enough to snap her out of actually vomiting all over the floor.
They were right, now that she’d offered them everything useful that she had, there was no sense in her sticking around and freaking out over tiny details until she made herself sick. Back at the manor she could hide under the blankets, maybe text Felix, and if she were lucky pass out and wake up to good news.
“Yeah, yeah. Going back to the manor is good. Um. Thank you both, though. For looking out for Juliette. She’s had so few people actually have her back. And me too. I appreciate it a ton.”
“We are happy to help when we can. I appreciate you giving up as much as you could Hannah, it was greatly useful.” The woman gave in earnest before motioning hand outwards to that of Myra. “If you wouldn’t mind taking her home, I will keep Kendra busy.”
“You wouldn’t happen to have a laser pointer, she’d probably think that was out of this world.” Lightly she patted Hannah’s knee before getting up off the couch. Almost falling back into it but managing to not to make an ungraceful flop. Never mind the way Eden eased out a soft titter but said nothing about the means of using a toy to distract Kendra. Hell she might find a really nice hole in the floorboards to be fascinated by. “Tell me when you arrive and when you leave as well.”
“Yes mother.” Offering an arm to hold out to Hannah, “Come my dear, you’re not so valiant steed awaits you.”
Pleased that she at least was offer to able something to aid in the search for her stolen best friend, Hannah couldn’t hope for anything more than that. Even with worst case scenarios swirling in the back of her head.
She accepted Myra’s arm to pull herself up off the ravenous couch, brushing her palms then on her pants cause apparently they were sweaty now from anxiety. Hannah swayed a little on her feet, but got her barings quick enough. Everything happening so fast and being so much to take in definitely did a number on her brain and her body. That twisting in her gut wasn’t going away any time soon. She needed some seltzer and a couple of night night pills.
“I told Juliette my therapist said I process my trauma through writing. Boy, my next series of books is going to turn out real interesting. Lets get out of here before I end up with any more traumatic ideas.”