Juliette had no argument about resting more, especially has she had him well and perfectly captured as her personal pillow. This time when she slept, she did dream. Awful, grim, devastating things in a field of nightmares. But Juliette was so used to nightmares, she didn’t think twice about them.
She tolerated two days of bed rest before she had enough and couldn’t stand to be in the house any longer. There were so many things that needed to be done before the wedding, not just for the wedding itself but their plans – business and vampire – that simply could not be done from within the walls of their home.
Thus, with promises that she’d home before dinner, long before sunset, and with at least one capable guardian, Juliette planned to kill several tasks with one busy day.
Starting with a new wedding dress and… addressing Emery.
What luck for the vampire woman that the day was drearily overcast with clouded skies that threatened a late evening rain. Juliette had dressed appropriate, both for the cooler weather and for the statement that she was nothing less than a Queen. A stunning blood red that hid the only bandage she had left and the vicious gashes left behind by teeth. Though her wrists and the rest of her body had fading bruises, they were just that – fading. She was otherwise perfectly fine.
And impatient. Waiting there on the sidewalk with Myra, of whom Juliette suspected was chosen simply to get her out of Jordan’s hair, and Hannah who didn’t seemed so irked about spending a day with a vampire. In fact, she was incredibly interested in the politics of covens and was no doubt plotting a future book around it.
“We could have the original dress altered,” suggested Hannah. Juliette had been putting off strange energy about this dress all day, and she was still trying to sus out the real root of the problem. Juliette clearly still wanted to get married, but these last minute changes were far more in depth that just the dress alone. It wasn’t like she was going bridezilla about it, but clearly something wasn’t right!
“Nothing about the dress is right anymore, Hannah. Things are quite different now,” Juliette tried to explain. “…and honestly I hate seagreen while we are at it. You look beautiful in a pastel seagreen, but for a wedding color for Jordan and I? We’ll need to change your dress as well.”
When Juliette turned to give Myra a quick examining gaze with those eagle eyes of her, as if sizing her up too, Hannah knew they were in trouble!
While she may not have known Juliette as well as Hannah did, this whole kerfuffle over a dress was certainly more than it needed to be. Not even sure why it mattered so drastically besides making sure Juliette’s shoulder wasn’t shown off for all to see! Although when she was asked to join in on this task, originally it was because Jordan wanted someone here that would be accountable for not only keeping the girls safe, but the fact that Emery was coming along.
Something that was still surprising to her, personally. Even more so that the coven leader had agreed! “Please tell me you aren’t thinking of making it into Halloween colours now to fit any spooky theme, Juliette.” Myra dared even if she was leaning away from those god damn eagle eyes. Suddenly pointing a finger at her, “Don’t you dare. I’m spiteful, you should know that!” Not even sure why she was getting the mother hen look over but could speculate it had something to do with a dress!
Heels however were clacking across the pavement towards them. Tugging attention towards the steady approach of the dark haired woman as she was lucky the day was overcastted. Enough to walk out without an umbrella handy, as Emery approached looking them up and over. Painted lips curling subtly, “Ah and you brought Myra. How… … fortunate.”
“Oh don’t act like you don’t love me, Emery.” Wiggling shoulders to give her recently newly dyed blue hair a shudder, “We’re gonna be bff’s after today. Bestie’s for life!”
The woman’s smirk dampened somewhat. Nose crinkling as that look went from tempered amusement to downright disgust. Quickly looking away to assess Juliette and Hannah. “Juliette, darling. I must admit I’m still surprised you would want me present but surely some better taste would do you well. Such a lovely figure ought to be dressed in ravishing styles, hmm.”
Oh this was war! No wonder Jordan wanted her to come along, it was time to irritate the shit out of Emery Hart!
Halloween colors for her wedding? Perhaps if no terrible oranges or yellows were involved! Juliette rather liked the idea of an all black gown. Alas, the wedding was not for herself or Jordan. It was a ridiculous show to appease business associates and now to visually symbolize a new beginnings for vampires. It would be a nightmare.
Thank goodness for Emery’s appearance. Juliette welcomed the woman’s insults, as it was going to take all of her focus dealing with Emery that she wouldn’t think about how much she was starting to hate this dreaded wedding.
“I’m glad you accepted the invitation. Though we have things to discuss beyond ravishing styles. Myra is here to make sure no one dies.”
She left that statement off so deadpan serious, that Hannah behind her paused to blink and whisper a Really?? in Myra’s direction.
There might’ve been the ghost of a smile hinting at the corner of Juliette’s mouth, but instead she led the way inside the Bridal Boutique where a very frazzled looking young woman appeared to be waiting for there arrival. Recognizably the same stylist that nearly cried that last time she and Hannah had come browsing for dresses.
“M-Ms. Byron! We have a whole fitting room prepared for you and your guests today. With- with all of the styles and selections you’ve requested. Would you like refreshments?”
“God, please, yes,” exclaimed Hannah immediately, who received a quick squinting look from Juliette. Hannah shrugged. “Never turn down free champagne and mimosas.”
Juliette supposed they might need the alcohol at this rate and nodding her agreement. Once they were safely tucked away into a private fitting room complete with chaise lounge sofas, where several racks of gowns already preselected, and serving tray of treats, Juliette felt she could at least let out a slow breath and breathe a little.
“I’m going to get all of this awkwardness out of the way,” blurted out Hannah, the second there was a glass of champagne in one hand and a chocolate covered strawberry in the other. “I’m best friend Hannah, you’re vampire nemesis Emery, here’s Badass Myra. If you’re changing the color theme, I vote pink. What’s Jordan gonna do, fight us? He’s out numbered and picked a girl for his Best Lady.”
…and that was enough to have Juliette burst into a soft laugh.
Shoulders shrugged at the mention of being sure no one died and how Hannah whispered at her. It was undecided at this point. Emery could very well end up with a stiletto heel in her chest while shrieking about what a world as she fell dead to the floor. Already making up excuses to Jordan as to why the leader of the Hart coven was no longer a blemish on this world.
One might say there was no love between her and Emery.
They’d be right.
Momentarily they shared a sort of stiff stare with another but Emery was the one to fluff herself first. Smiling as eyes flickered with that same sort of dangerous light that one couldn’t be sure was something to fear or merely practiced to perfection. So long as she behaved, then the queen of the vipers would live to see another evening.
Granted when they entered the boutique, the little stylish looked so frazzled that it was her turn to lean over to Hannah with a whisper, “Did you guys traumatize her already?” Honestly, she wouldn’t be surprised. Hannah and Juliette were their own special breed of frightening. Although maybe it had been Juliette as the culprit, if the woman was being as odd then as she was now. Perhaps coming out of the house was not so much a good idea and she was going to see how this day went before she told Jordan to either lock the entire house or let Juliette run wild with her hair in the wind.
Hannah’s exclaim drew looks. Particularly Emery giving her a obvious judgy look up and down but surprisingly saying nothing. Behaving all the way till they were put into a private room. Where doors were shut and the feisty redhead mouth opened. Doing her thing that quickly cut potential tensions that she was making a reach over to take that glass away from her, “If you so much as suggest pink, it won’t be Jordan you have to worry about!” Though she missed getting it away from her only to tap insistently on her own chest. “Look at me, Hannah. Look. At. Me! Pink is not getting anywhere near this.”
The other hand made an effort to set her little bag down before smoothing her attire somewhat. “I’m surprised Juliette lets you out of her handbag.” Suggesting Hannah was on par for a little purse dog, evidently not liking her. Granted who did Emery like. “Juliette, what is the purpose of this very thing. I thought you had everything already tailored for yours and the sire’s wedding. Isn’t it a bit late to be switching details. I thought it was by the end of this week or next that the wedding was to happen.”
“Didn’t you know Emery, this is a test. Survival for who is gonna stay and who is gonna go, and so far,” She gave a mock pout, “You’re the one getting voted off this island. Mmm so sad.”
Hannah was nothing but beaming smiles at Emery’s insults, taking that bite of chocolate strawberry only to brighten up even more at Myra’s rejoining commentary.
“That gives me ideas,” announced Hannah. “Imagine a Queen’s court being decided based on who survived the most intense fitting room meeting anyone has ever seen.” She plopped down on one of plush chaises to make herself comfortable. Having been here before, she already knew this was going to take forever – and that was just when Juliette was being picky!
“Recent events have rendered my original dress no longer… appropriate.” Juliette explained, stepping to the racks, giving a heavy sigh and just grabbing the closet thing. “Now that I’ve convinced Jordan to invite representatives of his coven to the wedding, the entire event no longer reflects what it should.”
Taking her first sacrifice, Juliette disappeared behind a satiny cream curtain.
“We could push back the wed-“
A swish of the curtain and Juliette’s head peeked out with a scowl that could turn them all to stone.
“Demons can crawl up out of the depths of hell and I would not change the date! We’re getting married as planned, even if I have to do it on the ashes of this scorched city!”
Swish! Back behind the curtain.
Hannah made the mental note again, yep! The getting married part wasn’t the problem. Something else was setting her bestie on edge, leaving Hannah to give Emery a curious once over. She’d been surprised to find out about the women coming along on this excursion as well. As far as she’d known, Juliette wanted to throw the vampire in the sea.
On cue Juliette addressed the elephant vampire in the room.
“Everything’s fine. The wedding isn’t important. I’ve actually requested Emery here today to thank you for aiding Jordan in hunting me down.”
Another swish of the curtain and Juliette stepped out in a simple but beautiful white dress. One that unfortunately did not appear to be fully covering up the bandage over her shoulder the way it needed to, as when Juliette stepped over to the small lifted podium to take a look in the mirrors she gave a deep frown. Pressing a hand to the spot as if she could scowl the entire thing away.
“…regardless, I’ve requested you as Hand of the Queen. There will be no more Steele or Hart coven, only the Harrow coven. I need someone to aid me in quite an ambitious plan and you are… a kindred spirit.” she turned away from the mirror to look at Emery directly. “Of course, it is your choice. You could belong to Jordan instead.”
It was kind of funny to see how Emery squinted at Hannah’s lack of response to her attempt to annoy her. While it was an invitation for her personally to step over and plop down as well. Making no attempt to be polite when she put her feet up in turn. Motioning with her hands as if she had the hold of something, “The only way I’m playing that game is if we get those big American Gladiator sponge things that you bap people with.” Only furthering the scowl on Emery’s face. Likely trying to figure out why her and Hannah were even here! Besides best friend and royally selected pain in the ass. “Come on think about how fun that would be.”
The woman scoffed turning her gaze to the one that apparently was the lesser of evils in this room. “You think we wouldn’t have been there one way or another, Juliette?” The question was rhetorical about how at least someone from a coven may or may not have been there with allowance. Not that she was about to say much to it.
The first unlucky dress was tugged into the room with woman. And Hannah daring to speak up what was likely thought in other’s minds too. Leaning back comically as the woman poked her head out as if she was about to go up against Satan, himself. “Geez with that sort of thought, I’m surprised you don’t just elope.” Myra stated even if she was daring a peek at Hannah as if trying to access whether or not the bride was losing her marbles. Did she think if this didn’t go to plan that Jordan was going to explode into smoke and disappear? Or was she about to bail if she didn’t have it?
It seemed that after a moment did she depart her chamber in something that was well… questionable. It did nothing in her opinion for Juliette.
For now it seemed she had something to say while Emery still standing rose to hawk mode. Walking around that of the woman standing on her pedestal with a obvious distaste for the dress. Stopping at Juliette’s back. Looking at her as the one turned, “I belong to no one, let’s get that straight. I’ve just seen what sort of other beasts are out there and I know the odds favour in the sire’s court. You don’t align yourself to just anyone without knowing what they are worth.” Lips curled a little, “I likely know more about your husband to be than you do. But that comes from time, age. Blood and tears.”
“I don’t think being around the same age as another count’s Emery. Not to mention all the times—”
“The adults are talking.” Emery glared with a flip of her hand. “I helped him find you because I’ve never seen the man care for anything since he was made to be one of us. Colour me curious but don’t think I did it from the goodness of my heart, Juliette.” Sharp blues when up and down then, “Ambitious plans you dangle but really? If this is your bait to hook me in, do it in a better dress at least.”
“I’ve had this conversation with Jordan. I say belonging, but I do not mean ownership and control over you. I don’t own or control Jordan, nor do I wish to own or control you. But there is something powerful in choosing to belong to someone. No coercion or force, just a choice.”
The woman was correct however, even if the cut of the dress didn’t hide the patchwork of her shoulder, the style didn’t suit Juliette at all. Juliette gave Emery a cool look, but she did gather the ends of the gown to go claim a new dress and then disappear back behind the curtain.
“I’ve thought about us eloping… gods, I wish that we could,” she admitted along with the sounds of swishing silk as she wiggled out of one dress. “The public ceremony is too important to skip. With my business needing it’s matriarch in stable standing, in setting up Jordan’s human cover with a legacy. To show the coven we are in fact real. It simply has to happen.”
Hannah snapped her fingers, the true problem of the matter finally dawning on her. She leaned in close to Myra and whispered.
“It’s not romantic. She’s mad because it’s not-“
“I don’t need the romance!” insisted Juliette, stepping out with another swish of the curtain. This time in a gown so WRONG that Hannah almost jolted in her seat, her entire face nearly lightening up into a grand, wild smile.
“It’s… uh… It’s-“
“I look like a virginal sacrifice!”
It was even worse when Juliette stepped onto the pedestal and took a look at herself. Creamy ivory white, not a single embellishment and so pure and innocent, not even high slit was going to save it. She gestured her hands at the mirror as if this somehow explained everything about this wedding. Finding that Hannah’s tortured giggling behind her wasn’t helping.
“It’s not the romance — Hannah stop your snickering! Let me explain to Emery how important this is all!”
The snickering barely simmered. Juliette scowled at the mirror, brushing her hands over the soft fabric.
“The original wedding meant nothing to me, as he was no one to me. Now it means everything. It should be meaningful and beautiful – yet how does it even reflect either of us! The ocean. The flowers maybe. Instead it is going to be a schadenfreude for others. Because it HAS to be for us to build something beyond just the two of us.”
“You have your blood and tears, Emery Hart. Yet it is going to take so much more than that. The odds will be in his favor because I will make them in his favor. I now belong to you whether you want me or not, but you also belong to me. And if it takes THIS,” she gestured towards the gown, “nightmare to solidify that future for you. Then it shall be done.”
Eyes practically rolled with audible clacking at this whole belonging nonsense. Still, Emery hadn’t given up the ghost. Which was in fact impressive to her. Half expecting her to start baring fang and claw because she wasn’t getting under anyone’s skin today. It must have been killing her. “I forgot how idealistic humans are,” Taking a side step to glide across the way, idly playing with the twisted tips of hair, “It’s almost sickening.”
She personally had a comment to make about that but Juliette mentioned instead about how she would have much rather eloped after all. “Good lord.” How she was sighing at Juliette’s fussing about how all this stupid grandeur and theatrics was so damn important at all. “You’ve already got the coven. Jordan already looks human and who gives a shit about— huh?” The snapping drew her to look at the spicy redhead, leaning close as to take that juicy little gossip that even pulled Emery’s cool hues.
Something about, “Oh… Oooohhhhh!” Myra grinned catching on, clicking her tongue with a tap to her temple. Only for the fucking curtain to swish back with a declaration of she didn’t need romance.
“By the nine hells, what the fuck is that.” Emery didn’t hold back before nodding. Agreeing with the statement of virginal sacrifice. It was, “Hideous.” Pressing a hand over mouth, brows danced upon her forehead. Trying not to laugh but good lord, who the hell thought that was pretty!
On cue the vampiress sighed. Stepping around towards the rack with a excessive flourish. Scraping each hook across the bar as she was looking to assess the very means while still listening. As the means of glancing back was anything to go by. “You preach easy but in this moment,” She took a dress out to look at it before literally throwing it on the floor, sneering at it as though it has insulted her mother! “But girl, why would I follow a woman who is so busy putting her nose up other’s asses for a wedding now that means nothing to them and everything to you. How would I align my wants, my goals with a dispassionate dot when she doesn’t even act like a queen.”
Another dress was lifted off the rack, turned around and then carried over to push into Juliette’s hands. “Since when does a queen give a damn about those who treat her like nothing. Act like one first and I will… consider your offer. But if you wish to grovel at old men’s feet that have ruined your company, then this conversation is over. Your husband to be may be a bastard, but he took exactly what he wanted, when he wanted it. And that, Juliette, is why he is king. Meet his mettle, stop preaching like a snot nose little girl who wants to make the people who don’t matter, happy.” Placing a hand onto her back, she was given a push. “Change out of that thing, it’s no more suited for toilet paper than a gown.”
The woman was as difficult as Jordan in these respects. Likely so old and set in her habits that actually thinking about the covens and their situations in a new light was going to take a miracle. Jordan seemed to think she could tame this woman… as if she would even dare try. Emery was an echo of things that murmured deep inside Juliette – that instinct and drive to claim everything she ever wanted.
Except it was at an expense of others. And that was something Juliette no longer wanted to be. It’s not what they needed as a coven, either.
“You don’t describe a king or queen, you’re describing a conqueror. While Jordan did successfully conquer and hold you all by the scruffs of your necks what has truly come of it since then? A split coven and now an interloper that has tried use that weakness to their advantage.”
Eyeing the dress that Emery seemed to have so carefully selected, Juliette accepted it warily. Disappearing again behind the satin curtain.
Hannah found herself so completely enthralled with this conversation, even when she wanted to interject with her own opinions, watching it play out was far more interesting. Between sips of champagne and quick shared looks with Myra, she was delightedly mute.
There was a bit of cursing this time behind the curtain, but it was unclear if it was at the offensive virginal dress or the attempts to wiggle into the new one. Regardless, Juliette continued.
“A king or queen is more than just flashing fangs and stomping everyone that dares defy under their heels. Jordan at least knew this, as his plans across sea are an ambitious attempt to make something more of your coven. He is king because he did care, once, about the cruelty that was forced on all of you and intended to be sure it wouldn’t happen again.”
This time on exited the changing room, she didn’t look ready to pull the dress off and throw it immediately into a fire. In fact, the cut was stunning and very reminiscent of the black and gold gown she wore before that Juliette wondered if Emery chose it for that purpose. Ignoring the white (Juliette was never going to like a white gown), it was within her preferred style and would’ve been a beautiful dress to wear.
“I can’t wear this,” she murmured, taking a moment to admire the cut… but with one glaring issue. With shoulders bare there was that full bandage. Even if she’d be healed enough to remove it without bleeding everywhere on the wedding day, the glaring wound of gnarly teeth prints and shredded skin was not something she wanted staring Jordan right in the face.
“I have more than met his mettle in might, Emery, and now I have the scars to prove it. I intend to help him reach the next step, to be a true king. I won’t have the wedding I want, but you can be sure I will a kingdom.”
As a bystander –seater?- she could tell the moment that Emery got off her little snotty soapbox, that her intention to get Juliette to agree even a little to wanting something more from even her wedding, it had failed. The coven leader let out a exasperated sigh as Juliette scurried her way back to change out of such a unpleasant dress. Crossing her arms firmly over another to stare at the curtain that was cursing. Momentarily staying quite till the woman was speaking about how there was more to their supposed royalty than flashing fangs and stomping everyone.
Leaning back to look at Hannah, it seemed like a good moment to steal a stem of a drink as well. Not about to interject unless it was absolutely necessary. Even when Juliette exited she found Emery’s selection so far at least better than the other two. Never mind the way her shoulders were bared.
For a second Emery looked pleased but stopped at the soft admitting that she could not wear this. Scowling again.
Tapping foot on the floor to meet Juliette’s eye. “Then we come to an impasse, for I have no reason to feel as though you are genuine. You and your would be husband may do as you wish but what you keep nattering about has no appeal to me. I may not agree with the king often but I don’t think this lackadaisical efforts are necessary either. You say we were slipped into because of the broken coven weakness but you assume this is the first time.” She scoffed flipping her fingers outwards, “This one just got closer because Jordan has a weakness now.” Making a point of gaze to go up and down Juliette as said weakness.
Turning suddenly to step back to that of her bag set down. “You’re playing dolls, Juliette. Wanting everyone to kiss and makeup when in a vampire court, you still need to have some balls. If you won’t even push to have something meaningful with your husband such as vows,” She took a look over her shoulder, “Then why would a coven believe you are making any choices pure of soul or heart when you can push away your own simple wants. We aren’t a normal kingdom, child. We are eternal and monstrous. Sometimes it takes a greedy push to get others to see that you intend well. But I strangely find myself pitying Jordan all the sudden. He has become soft and pliable. Willing to do whatever it is for you because of love and yet,” She looked her again up and down, but added nothing on. “Since we agree to disagree, I will see myself out. I have other business to attend too.”
Juliette was patient. She was trying to be patient. In fact, she was doing so well up until Emery called her a weakness, as if nothing she brought to the table was of value. As if Jordan was made lesser because of her in his corner.
She flexed her fingers and rolled her wrists, seething on the inside but doing the best to reign it in. There was no possible way she’d be able to leap across the room and strangle the woman in this gown no matter how much she wanted to. Why should she even be putting this much effort into trying to win the woman over – as she said, it would be easier to simply have her killed and move on to someone that was actually going to cooperate!
A change of tactics was needed.
Taking in a slow deep breath, a wide imperious smile crept it’s way across her features. She adjusted the sleeves on the dress, still admiring the cut before she’d have to try something else.
Hannah reached out to grip Myra’s arm with a warning squeeze, mouthing a simple you might need to tackle one. She sure as hell wasn’t going to get in the middle if this turned into a physical fight!
“I see,” Juliette said simply. “Easy to criticize me for the sacrifices I choose to make for Jordan and his coven, while you have been spoiled and protected under the umbrella of his rule. Free to turn that impertinent little nose up the second you are challenged to do something more with your life than being a general nuisance whenever you get bored.”
She did finally step off that podium to select something new, gesturing a sweep of her hand at Emery that she was indeed dismissed.
“Go on, then. Leave. I admire your sentimentality over wanting a queen that’s passionate, but I do not have the time to prove myself to you. I would choose you as my hand, as I thought you were a woman who understood the art intrigue and the need to be cunning in the face of the enemies that are trying to play you as fools. But if you would rather play the part of gnashing teeth and selfish tantrums, then I have no use for you. I’ll find someone else and Jordan will do with you as he will.”
Tensing at the grip that came to her arm, she easily agreed. Nodded to scoot her butt closer to the edge of the chair. Ready to hand off her drink if she needed to make a football dive to tackle one or the other to the floor. Hoping it wouldn’t be Juliette because one, she was wearing probably a very expensive dress, and two, she was still recovering. No need to add more bruises!
Although she wouldn’t be sure who was going to leap first. Just that she had to be ready.
Still the other stopped to look back over her shoulder. A cool lens pressed there as she was listening before chuckling humourlessly. “Trying to get under my skin, now are we? Sorry Juliette. You’ll have to try harder. You, are no more than a child playing dress up in affairs that you think are simple. When in actuality, they are far more complex. So take your fake little bravado and put it elsewhere.”
Emery rolled her eyes then. “Then it’s mutual. I have no use for you either. And let Jordan come. He’s let me live this long even after everything that’s happened between us. I have more use to him and to the broken coven than some loud mouth little cat pretending to be a lioness.” Brows tensed at her then, “Remember Juliette, you’re expendable. Mortal. I’m not.” Pulling the door open to let herself out, surprisingly without slamming it back.
Myra sat there a moment longer listening to the sound of feet disappearing before looking to Hannah firstly. “Well… uh…” Yeah well! “How about that champagne?”
“The arrogant, projecting, willfully ignorant little bitch!” exclaimed Juliette, taking the time to throw up her middle finger at the door and looking very much like she was about to grab something to launch at it before Hannah jumped and redirected her hands towards the rack of dresses. Last thing they needed was broken glass all over the place.
“You know, it didn’t go so bad!” insisted Hannah. “She was kinda listening?”
“WHEN did I say I thought things were simple and easy to fix? Did I not directly say it was complicated! To dare call me a goddamned child while her spoiled, ancient ass has been too busy sitting on her dainty little rump and riding Jordan’s coat tails because she’s too lazy to actively have any ambition of her own!”
Sifting through dresses was not enough to curb her temper, in fact it just seemed to make it worse. What, honestly, was the point. Emery could be right, and this entire wedding was nothing but a waste of her time. If she couldn’t have the wedding she wanted, why have a wedding at all. Why not just tell all of those investors she didn’t give two shits about their peace of mine. Why care about the opinions of vampires who didn’t seem to understand the ideas of loyalty and building something lasting, and only cared about who could beat the shit out of them the hardest!
“Heeeeey, why don’t you have a little sip of this before you start a rampage-” Hannah attempted to pass Juliette a glass of the champagne but found herself denied. Instead the woman took to pacing, which visually was quite lovely in that lace dress… if it weren’t the hard expression on her features!
“I could bury her,” paused Juliette amidst her pacing. “A cement hole in the ground with a skylight just big enough to make day hours unpleasant. I can be vicious and cruel and everything she thinks she wants.”
“I don’t think a villain arc is the-“
“Oh no, Hannah, fuck her. I’m not going to spend my life trying to impress her a hoard of fangy upstarts just to prove I am more than just a mortal. I will have this wedding and put her and every other dissident on that boat, send it out to sea, and then burn it with them all inside. If she wants a gods be damned reign of fire, I will GIVE her a reign of fire!”
There it was. Mount Vesuvius exploding all over the place and only stopped from potentially throwing glass around like molten balls of magma! Going off on a well needed tangent as she sort of just sat there for a moment. Watching this happen. Figuring that Juliette needed it even if she was getting to the point that she might as well have thrown her head back cackling like a true villain.
“So—” Myra spoke up, “You just gave her a win by getting all worked up. Sure you were all calm and cool then but now, look at you Juliette.” Holding out a hand then to gesture to the overall scene. “She got under your skin. Prodded whatever bit she could to probably see what sort of lash back it might cause.” She knew there was a reason Emery had been good at her selected job in the old coven. She was not nice. Remotely. Cruel and vindictive to whatever way she wanted to be.
The only part Juliette was winning was the fact Emery didn’t get to see any of this.
Rubbing at the side of her face, Myra sighed a little. “You know as well as I do, that if you reign down fire on everyone, it’s just giving into what Emery wants. I’m sure she is trying to provoke y ou into doing the exact opposite of what you intend just so she at the end can go see. Told you.“
Slowly she stood up then with a stretch of arms over her head. “So are you going to keep tantruming or are you going to calm your tits before they pop out of that dress so we can talk about what the hell is really going on inside your head. Since when do you give a shit about what Emery thinks, says or even want to make the effort of including her in this? I mean I know why, but still why. If you get others in the coven to alliance and agree with you, Emery will come along. She’s that sort of bitch that acts like everything is her idea when others follow along.”
Juliette could take solace in the fact that at least she could do one thing right! Holding her temper until the offending wench had left her sight, so Emery couldn’t have the satisfaction of knowing her insipid prodding was effective. Truly, it shouldn’t have been. Didn’t Juliette herself well understand these kinds of tactics? She was allowing herself to get baited and the only excuse Juliette could think of was that she was simply tired. Mentally and physically tired of dealing with vampires and their moodswings.
Of course, if she admitted it out loud, Jordan was sure to wrap her up in bed for another several days. There simply wasn’t the time for that.
Myra received a dangerous look that suggested she might be next on Juliette’s hit list, but she did seem to take the hint of stopping her tirade long enough to attempt to take in a few deep breaths. Finally accepting that offered glass of champagne from Hannah to have a long, deep swallow until there was nothing left.
“Seems like she wants you to beg for her attention, to me.” suggested Hannah. Now that no one was about to start flinging glass or getting into a fist fight, she took the opportunity to browse through the dresses.
“Yes,” agreed Juliette, brows furrowing as she tried to reign in her own fury to attempt to actually think clearly enough to answer Myra’s question. “…she has value else Jordan would have cut her loose long ago. And she knows it. I suppose she is trying to push me into a position where I am begging for her help and she can put me in place beneath her.”
“I think she’s a romantic too,” said Hannah, draping one of the dresses over her arm but turning to tilt her head and tap her chin. “Not about love, but like… about power. She’s been loyal to Jordan because he’s impressed her with power. She’s just waiting for you to do the same.”
Juliette grimaced with a wrinkle of her nose.
“She’s not given me the opportunity. This is a stupid game she’s playing! …regardless, if she thinks I’ll beg for her, she is going to be disappointed. I’ll ask Augustus Steele to aid me for the time being and seek a more permanent solution when the opportunity arises.”
That look was met head on. If not a bit cheekily as if to say you wanna go?! Certainly willing to tussle if it meant Juliette stopped trying to invent ways on murdering every vampire out there which she wasn’t in the tirade included Jordan or not. Going on the side of not. But if this one thought that she was going to be scared, please. She’d seen spiders scarier than Juliette.
Grateful however that she stopped, downed the glass to finally get her cool back in which Hannah was on the mark. Earning a click of tongue and point of finger to say yup. “Well from what I know the how original reason Jordan kept her alive was to repay every cruelty she did to him. When she became useful? Fuck if I know.” And she wasn’t in any desire to poke that sensitive subject anyways. There was bad blood there but not enough that Emery had lost her head privileges. “But I would agree she wants you to beg for her help, not the other way around. Seems exactly like her whole crappy personality in one.”
A garbage personality that needed to be thrown out completely!
Smirking a little for no obvious reason but figured Hannah was well on the way of seeing things in a broader spectrum for now. Helped likely that she was an outside source. “I am sure Augustus would be on par to help out. He wants the change after all and maybe if you favour him, Emery will be jealous enough to try her way to wiggle into your good graces. Might be a long shot but better than you doing this whole, maniacal villainess speech thing.”
Fingers pointed to the rack, “Is there actually anything in there that is going to be good enough for you, by the way? You’re more wound up than a wind up toy, Juliette. So I’m just guna cut the bullshit. What the fuck is going on with you? Everything, not just little things. You can tell me to piss up a rope by the way, but I won’t listen.”
“That woman makes me want to tap into every dark and terrible impulse I have,” admitted Juliette, which wasn’t something she wanted to claim about herself. How easy it was to slip backwards into someone hateful and nasty, a person that’d been carefully cultivated by the likes of David and drawn out again so easily with simple poking a prodding by a vapid woman. She could almost hear him crawling out of her nightmares, whispering that this was who she was always meant to be!
Juliette turned to follow Myra’s gaze towards the selected gowns, her grim expression softening a bit. Heaving a heavy sigh and dropping herself in her expensive gown down on the chaise lounger.
“…I feel as if something has been lurking under my skin and in the back of my mind since that stupid night, and I wish it were the lingering magic touch of that stupid vampire. Because then at least it wouldn’t be me. Of course it’s easy for Emery to goad me to violence, I’ve woken up every day since craving it! Every morning I am confronted with this bandage and I am so furious, as I know Jordan is going to have to spend his every day seeing those scars and share that fury.”
“So no… none of these dresses will be good enough. But I’ll choose one regardless, as I am not going to let them take this wedding from me. They’ve taken enough.”
Hannah listened to this declaration quietly, her little wheels turning information around and upside down in a way only a writer would do. First of all, Juliette needed a therapist – all these vampires did too! – but that wasn’t a problem she could solve. At least, she didn’t think so? Anyway, that was a problem for tomorrow’s Hannah! Today’s Hannah had at least a few ideas she could pass along to her best friend… and maybe her fiancé too if she could get brave enough to talk to him.
“Being pissed off is normal, you know? Probably easier than being scared too, because I’m flippin’ terrified that David’s skulking around out there, plotting kidnappings and murders. Going through vampire training or whatever they do. No one is going to fault you if you need the time to shake it all off.”
“Emery might,” muttered Juliette darkly.
“Well, we already know Emery is a big angry twat. Maybe don’t try to force yourself to take over the world before you’re actually ready. These vampires are already as old as sin, they aren’t going anywhere.”
It was funny that to hear Emery being the personification of Juliette’s reason for her darker thoughts, was interesting. And funnily enough, a part of her doubted it was actually Emery being the cause for it. Today, yes. Every other day, most likely not. That there was clearly so much more to Juliette that might be dark. Black, angry and vicious as a deadly rattler. Needing just the right motivation to lunge to be sure that whomever got her violent ire, was going down in a halo of gore.
Everyone had those dark thoughts. Some more than others. Some acting on them faster than others. She personally could say if it was human nature or not. But she did know those who fed into those actions were likely the ones that either had reasons too because of fear or because they lost the means to see humanity.
Thankfully this one sat down. Listening to Juliette speak about that night and how something was sitting in her mind. An ugly little presence that would either slip away after it had time to be dealt with or it would grow. Just that as she spoke, Myra lifted a brow. Wondering where Jordan fit into all this. Actually, he didn’t belong in this.
Rather than speaking up about how Juliette was merely assuming right now, she dared a look to Hannah. Practically seeing cogs working till she spoke up. Being the voice of reason –who knew a romance writer could do that while detailing a man’s organ by word!- “Oh if David wants to skulk, that bitch is guna get some.” Myra spoke up putting fist into opposite hand. She had her own wants to make that bug disappear. Simply because someone that vile had no business calling themselves human or anything else. Better as fertilizer.
“Hannah is right. You are going so heavy handed in all of this. They are as old as dirt. Another day, week, month or year isn’t going to matter to them. You trying to do so much will however. You went through a lot Juliette even if you are probably going to say it was nothing in some lengthy way.” She dismissed the notion with a wave of her hand. “I honestly think, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to push this wedding back. You guys can still do the merger shit and whatever else but maybe cut yourself some slack. What are you afraid is going to happen if you don’t slow down and let yourself regain your footing? Juliette no offense but… you aren’t a pillar that needs to hold everything up. Jordan, the covens, everything else has functioned okay enough before you and will still do so even while you need to breath. It’s not an insult but you really aren’t that important. No one is. But it would kill everyone in turn if you lose yourself because you forced things to the point were you are either so unhappy or you keel over.”
Suddenly she sighed, pressing a hand to her head. “God I hate sounding preachy, this is what you’ve made me do! Hannah can be the voice of reason!”
Juliette did NOT want to push back this wedding. To give anyone the satisfaction of knowing they’d managed to ruin something for her, to have forced her to change her plans. She just wanted to get it over and done with, out of the way so her energy could be focused on anything else.
Yet, she couldn’t deny there was a huge part of her that’d be relieved. Push it back, plan it differently… even if it had to be a spectacle for others benefits, at least then it could still be more reflective of her and Jordan as they were now. Not something fake and manufactured, but something real.
“I agree, being preachy doesn’t suit you,” Juliette murmured to Myra, but it seemed the bulk of her vicious mood had now faded, leaving behind nothing but that tired and stubborn shell behind. She scooted herself to the edge of the chaise, forcing a stand and to gather skirts to retreat back behind the changing curtain. As lovely as this dress was, it still wasn’t the dress. …and Juliette supposed there was more time still to decide if she should alter her original one or seek something else.
“…I am not happy about a delay. But I suppose it would be less stressful in the long run to put it off. Perhaps now plan something better without needing to scramble last minute.”
Hannah cast Myra a beaming smile, mouthing a Good Work! and giving her the silliest, silent high five now that Juliette wasn’t watching.
“I- Ah! Oooh.” Hannah suddenly paused, surprised and now thoughtful in a whole different way. “I’m going to have to move back here to the city, if that’s the case. I can’t just go back to Paris now. Do you think Jordan is going to mind me staying at the manor until I find a good apartment?”
“Agreed.” She was not liking this whole gotta talk some sense while feeling like she was rambling at the mouth feel. Just a part of her worried that if she didn’t ramble that Juliette would just put her head down like a furious bull. Scraping hoof on the ground before charging at whatever she wanted! Even if that said thing was shoving down whatever the hell was going on in her head.
There was stubborn and then there was just being stupidly reckless because you had big fuck you energy that served no purpose at all!
Still if it did something in the end that got this damn woman to stop trying to insert more metal rods into her ass because she was being a stupid ass, then so be it. She’d get preachy. Watching all the more as gown was gathered so she might slide away to behind the curtain. Grumbling about how she wasn’t happy about the delay. Grinning then at Hannah like the prized lobster she was! “I’d rather a delay cause then shopping with you won’t feel like torture. I’d rather have a root canal without any freezing than do this again.” Rolling her eyes of course for effect, curiosity piqued at Hannah.
The mention of Paris and then Jordan allowing her to stay at the manor. “That means you’re going to have to talk to the big scary king to ask.” Myra grinned at her, “Can you do that? Cause I’m not asking for you and as much as I like you Hannah, I’ve only got a one bedroom place that is for me. We are not sharing a bed.”
Hannah scrunched up her nose. “Yeah I guess I will. About time, really, I’ve been dodging him a bit and I think it might be hurting his feelings.”
Once Juliette exited the satin curtains, this time she was fully dressed again in her own clothing. While she still sported that grim, pondering expression, at least now it felt lighter than it had before. No hint of brooding to it, simply pensive and thoughtful.
“Jordan mentioned sending you to stay with Felix, but I suspect that was just to cause mayhem on the poor man.”
Hannah laughed, rather delighted at the idea but inevitably shaking her head.
“I wouldn’t mind, but I get the feeling Felix wouldn’t appreciate my revolving door of dates. I’m stilling hunting for my own future husband, and not even vampire drama is going to slow me down.”
Juliette huffed a small laugh, stooping to claim one of the chocolate strawberries now that she was waging war with an uppity twit. In the process a wicked sort of smile snuck it’s way across her lips.
“…you might ask Emery out as your next bar crawling companion.” she suggested. “She doesn’t want to be useful for me, perhaps she can be useful for you.”
The redhead did not seem to find this suggestion as amusing as Juliette did, casting the woman a scowl of her own even as she rest her hands on her hips.
“I guess you’re feeling better, then, if you’re up to mischief! I think I WILL invite Emery out. Maybe a fun weekend will do her some good!”
She cackled suddenly, slapping her knee with effect. “Jordan doesn’t have feelings.” He did but of course in her wild antics, she was going down the path to suggest he had at most a hollow spot to where his heart was. Filled with nothing more than liquor and some sort of animated fluid that made him at least walk. Sure that he might agree with her in this case.
With the swish of current revealing madam contemplative, the mention of putting Hannah to live with Felix was worth a snort. “I am sure he would turn into that father figure that would be standing at the door waiting for you to get back so he can grill your date. And also, what makes you think Jordan will let you do that in his house.” A eyebrow arched, “Remember, he’s anti social for a reason. People coming into his abode, boy you would have to suck up to him something fierce. I don’t think even Juliette could get him to relent to that!”
It would be comical to watch however. Jordan losing more and more of his house till he just entirely gave up and went to another country to seek solace. Granted she might feel a little bad if he did actually feel the need to escape a place because it was suddenly the revolving door for Hannah’s search and bedroom affairs.
Just it seemed that Juliette was being a demon in her own right. Listening and shaking her head, “And hell itself will crack open with blue pigs flying out with wings on their butts. Yeah unlikely. So we done with this torture? Coffee instead then?”
“I am NOT going to bring my dates home to Jordan, that’s for damn sure,” Hannah exclaimed. No way, no how! Felix, sure. He’d probably give her a good first impression opinion and a cop’s perspective. Harmless. But Jordan? That was a man that over protective father energy, and Juliette would add on top of it her mother monster energy, then whatever second date Hannah might get with an eligible bachelor would be ruined in a heartbeat.
She was going to find herself an apartment ASAP.
“Coffee, yes?” she pleased at the suggestion. “Something hot and sugary?”
Juliette huffed softly, but acquiesced to the idea.
“My reign of terror is over. We can get coffee and then go home where I will swallow up my pride and admit to Jordan that postponing the wedding is a good idea.” That would go over well, at least. Jordan wasn’t going to take offense and likely he’d be relieved to have her slowing herself down. It was only Juliette currently struggling with the idea of not spending every hour of her day working to solve problems. She’d spent her whole life grinding for success all by herself and now she needed to allow herself to lean on the people around her.
Perhaps she was more stubborn than Jordan himself.
“Great!” cheered Hannah. “I still vote pink, by the way. Don’t listen to Myra. Pink is a divine wedding color.”
“Oh come on, you got me all excited there. I was going to cross of those evenings just to be there so I could watch him explode and you get all wiggly while whomever you brought back makes a mad dash into the horizon to never be seen again! What a bummer.” Myra deflated animatedly as if this was truly a plan gone wrong!
Only to perk back up at the agreement of coffee. “Works for me, maybe we can find something that will make Juliette smile too.” Eyeballing the woman, “You frown any deeper and your lips are going to be dragging on the ground to trip over.” Myra looked downwards just in case there were some rogue lips laying around. Rolling eyes no sooner as she walked over to the door to pull it open, “He won’t get all upset about it. If anything, he’d probably like that you are talking to him about it. You’re big tough girl act is cute but man, when you guna go soft like he is for you? You two ought to be both disgustingly nasty for another.”
Sure she knew there was likely more reasons as to why Juliette wasn’t but that was none of her business! Especially with this munchkin of a demon speaking up, “Hannah, did you ever get swirley’s in school, cause I might give you one for suggesting pink.”
“Did you want to see us being sweet on each other Myra? I am more than happy to invite you over more often so that you might get to hear those whispered endearments and filthy suggestions,” Juliette offered, perhaps a little too sincerely, knowing full well Myra wouldn’t want to see a bit of it. She’d croak of embarrassment and gag at the thought of Jordan doing anything even remote sweet or filthy.
It did make her wonder, though. Was she not soft enough? To be fair, Myra never got to see what they did when they were away from prying eyes!
“Hey, if you want to wrestle of the wedding colors, I’m down. I’ve been in bridal parties for friends before, I can wrestle!” insisted Hannah. She didn’t think she’d win against Myra, but at least Hannah could put up a good fight.
First though, before they walked out of the fitting room, Hannah scooped up all the chocolate strawberries into a wad of napkins and promptly stuffed them into her purse. Drawing a hissed Hannah! from Juliette, to which she just smiled unabashedly. No shame. No shame whatsoever!
While Hannah led the way out of the shop, Juliette took a small detour to the stylist, having a surprisingly gentle conversation to the poor woman who must’ve at least heard some of the shouting. Many apologies were given along with a few things signed that may or may not have been bribes to ensure Juliette wasn’t going to get banned from the shop.
Once she herself stepped out, taking in the fresh air of the soon to be drizzly day she brushed her hair out of her face.
“If you want pink, you’ll have to convince Jordan. It’s sounds to be a very trying conversation for you so far, Hannah. You might have to bring him a peace offering.”
“Hmm. …I’ll give him one of my books!”
That set Juliette to laughing once again.
“I will die of course but if it makes you both happy, I will struggle through it.” Pressing hands to her chest in an attempt to express she was being sincere. “As much as I harp on the old bastard, I care. And I care about you even if you’re also kind of like petting a bear backwards, I do want you both to be happy. If that means being sweet to another, then,” Tongue stuck out, “I’ll suffer. Whatever god there is knows the two of you need to smooth out another’s prickly thorny ass edges.”
However if she was about to get all mushy about this any further, this idea of stupid pink was a great deterrent. “Oh yeah!” Reaching round to grab the thick of hair to start tying it up. Pulling elastic off wrist to keep it all contained before putting her dukes up comically, “No biting, scratching or hair pulling. We do this.” Not at all serious about this. Sure that Juliette wouldn’t want her matron of honour to look either like a cream puff with a cherry on top or some grunge rave goer because the colour picked by her would black and cyan and blue with flashes of red.
Plus this little monster was busy stuffing her purse full of the chocolate strawberries like a toddler. Giggling to put hands behind her head as they walked out waiting for Juliette to do whatever it was after.
To be caught up momentarily to nod at the suggestion that if Hannah really wanted pink, that she’d probably have to convince the big bad fang lord at the house. Which seemed right now that Hannah might be harbouring a bit of fear or at least unease around tall, dark and fangy. With an offering that a book may be enough to calm Jordan into allowance even if it made Juliette finally laugh. “Please do that, I want to see the look on his face. And how long it takes him to commit the act of book burning while he keels over from such a thing.”
Tugging phone out to text the said master that all was well –seeing as he had made it clear he wanted updates to make sure Juliette wasn’t over estimating herself- she had to google the nearest coffee shop. “So if you delay the wedding, what would you do instead? Curiosity of course.”
“I honestly don’t think he could handle any of Hannah’s books. He might slip dirty commentary here and there, but I think he himself would be the one bursting into flames through any one of those salacious scenes.” It was enough to almost set Juliette to giggling about it. Thoughts of making Jordan sit still long enough for her to read out passages and see how long it took before he attempted an escape.
“All the more reason to give him one,” insisted the redhead. “Maybe not any of the vampire ones, though. He might bury me in the yard.”
Nodding an affirmation that, yes, indeed Hannah would be buried in the yard, Juliette turned to blink at Myra and ponder just what she would do with the wedding pushed back to some far future date.
“…To be honest, my instinct is to spend the time hunting down David. Moving the wedding also means moving the honeymoon, and that opens up plenty of time to dismantle everything he’s ever put his hands on until he’s flushed out.”
“So work, work, work.” accused Hannah.
“Yes,” rejoined Juliette, at least having the sense to look guilty about it. “But seeing as a pair of harpies are lecturing me within an inch of my life, I might at least to attempt to hand the reigns over to others. I did want to start putting my collection away on the shelves now that most of my books have been pulled out of storage.”
“Or it might just turn him on.” Myra added looking rather unhappy about saying it. Shuddering with her eyes squeezing tightly shut. “No, nope! I do not want those images. Be gone thoughts!” Tapping the side of head with the heels of her palms, whatever they did with another was absolutely none of her business. Nor did she want to ever find out the kinky triggers that made the lord of ancients, get his motor running. Or Juliette’s for that matter!
Peeking at Hannah when she suggested this was all the more reason to hand over one even if it was to not be a selected vampire one. Certain that it may in fact invoke the man to be even more disgruntled about his existence and needing Hannah to take a dirt nap. “We’d dig you out. Eventually.”
Surely.
But this did leave a large question mark to what Juliette would do. Which apparently came out as the girl wanting to work more. Leaning over to Hannah as if she was about to be given a juicy secret. “She wouldn’t know anything fun and calm even if it bit her in the ass. We’ve got captain Works-a-lot and colonel scowls. Maybe you should keep the wedding together just so you both get the fuck out of the country for a bit.” Not that she recommended it with David on the loose but still, she had a point. Even if the other suggested that putting her books away was as good as her sense of relaxation was going to get.
“Stop. I might get jealous. So much fun to be had.” Once more looking at Hannah, “Did she ever know how to have a good time or was it always gotta squash this person, or prove that one wrong, while I dominate this other one because I’m the boss?”
“I know how to have fun,” Juliette instead. She had quite a bit more responsibility than these two knuckle-heads did, so naturally she didn’t have the time to spend doing things willy-nilly around town! At least she was here willing to admit that maybe she needed to be more proactive and scheduling downtime!
Hannah actually had to stop on the sidewalk and think about this seriously, which made Juliette cross her arms.
“She did use to dance on bars when she got smashed. Oh! And she used to be a huge slut. Like an absolute whore! Actually a lot scenes in my early books were inspired by-“
“HANNAH!”
“You can’t be pissed if it’s true! It’s not like I’m blurting it out to your fiancé!”
“You may as well, with Myra here! Needless to say, I clearly have new interests.”
Hannah stared at her a moment, fully expected Juliette to start listing off those interests. Because it sure didn’t take a detective to notice that all Juliette ever did was go to work, or throw herself up to her neck in whatever project she was after. And none of those projects ever seemed to be relaxing. She was trying to take over a vampire empire of all the damned things.
“I was thinking of dancing lessons.”
Now it was Hannah out right cackling on the street like a wicked witch!
Stare fell over to her in a dramatic sarcasm. “Oh yeah, mhmm. Sure. Making schedules isn’t fun, Juliette.” As if she knew what the woman did in such ways, just that if she was about to comment further the whole Hannah stopping was a bit of a warrant of attention. Pausing to look at her almost expectantly.
And boy howdy, she got quite the bit of information. Gasping as hands slapped against her cheeks. Eyes brightening with such delicious little tidbits that they might as well have been rolled in sugar. Looking slowly towards Juliette even as she raised her voice to beckon at Hannah. As if that had worked thus far. “No way… No way!” Lips closed and then gave the other a little more of an admiring look up and down. “Oh please, I ain’t saying nothing to Jordan! This is my delicious little secret now.” Giggling fiendishly, “I’m not gonna see you on like Girls Gone Wild videos, right? Tiddies out and shaking about? Cause that well… I might have to share with everyone.“
This turned out to be the best news she had ever heard, which at the mention of dancing lessons, Myra couldn’t resist giggling at the way Hannah broke into cackling. “Gonna climb up on some more bars, Juliette. Twerk that ass around,” Shoulders wiggled and eyebrows waggled. “Though who you going to go to dancing lesson’s with. Oh please… please let us come with. I wanna see this.”
“She sure doesn’t need pole dancing lesson, I definitely saw that first hand-“
“I’m DONE with the two of you. Done!” shouted Juliette, throwing her hands in the air before she turned on her heels to go marching down the sidewalk. They could follow or they could get run over in the street for all she cared. Her college-aged behavior should remain good and buried in the past where it belonged. So did Hannah for the matter! Traitorous monster that she is!
“Wait! Dancing lessons is a cute idea though!” laughed Hannah. She did genuinely meant it, but it was still hard not to cackle at the way her best friend’s face had turned a bright red.
Hannah linked her arm with Myra as they strode after the woman.
“We weren’t party girls, not really,” she leaned towards Myra to whisper that Juliette never did like crowds. “But hole the wall karaoke bars and little dive bars? Those are the best! She always had better luck than I did picking people up.”
Juliette turned around to walk backwards, a wicked sort of gleam that really should’ve warned Hannah that retribution was close at hand.
“Hannah wasn’t trying to pick up men, despite the fact those outings were her idea. She’d spent the evening flirting to get free drinks and writing notes on her phone to write about later. I’m not the only one who spends most of her time buried in work. When is that second date with Torstein, Hannah? He’s been asking about you.”
“Wh-what?”
“He thought you were beautiful and charming. Said you were a dynamic lady and is quite interested in seeing you again, but you haven’t given him that call you promised him. Have you told Myra about him?”
Juicy, juicy gossip. Okay it was now getting hard not to tell Jordan such things! Only cause she also wanted to see his face when such information was dropped. To say that his prim, proper, polished woman that was so busy thinking of ways on how to dominate in the means of work, had danced on bars. Slept around and apparently knew how to shake herself around a pole! To watch his face would be an absolute treat, seeing as it was clear that Juliette was never going to tell him herself.
Of course Juliette declared she was finished with them both but they weren’t with her. Giggling and linking arms to follow less the stiff soul was about to run off to find a ledger to write in. All here for such tea since well, as she grew up she did her own things. Just she didn’t have girlfriends to do such things. Just reckless abandon that drove her father crazy and her mother gray with worry.
“I mean if she is shaking her hips like a maraca, then I can believe her picking up… wait did you say people! Not just men?” Myra’s eyes went round with the unspoken suggestion, only for Juliette to be facing them. Walking backwards like no big deal to shortly give up that Hannah was so busy in her phone making notes that she too was guilty of being a workaholic. “Ooh who is Torstein?” She looked fascinated, “Beautiful and charming, Hannah are you spellbinding poor innocent men? And here I thought you were making dates with Felix.”
“Yep, people. Guys and ladies and more than one at a-“
“That is a ridiculous exaggeration, Hannah. Don’t tell her lies about me, she’ll get her hopes up.”
“We’ll just say Jordan is really lucky, then- What are you doing!”
Juliette had pulled out her phone, having paused on the sidewalk so she wouldn’t go tripping in her designer heels. With a few swipes of her fingers she pulled up the instagram of one Torstein Borstad. Business man and philanthropist from Norway that just happened to love Pomeranians, surfing, and baking. A gem if there ever was one. She promptly held out the phone for Myra to go through his photos.
“He’s got everything on your silly checklist. Though if you’re making dates with Felix, I see why you haven’t called him back.”
“I’m not making dates with Felix!” defended Hannah, pulling a whole face about it. “I’m going to take him out for dinner to thank him for literally saving my life! Besides, I already told Felix I was going to hunt him down someone to spend the rest of his life with. He’s at the top of my list now that you are getting married.”
“Heaven help Felix, then. She’ll come for you next, Myra.” With that wicked warning, Juliette was nothing but faeish smiles, having successfully turned their nonsense away from her onto the pair, were they could vex each other to their heart’s content.
Brows still waggled at this idea of men and women, potentially more than one. Even if it sounded a bit farfetched, watching the antics unfold was hard to stop. Especailly as it turned that apparently Hannah had found someone who thought her charming. Yet that wasn’t mentioned.
Which was enough ammo for Juliette. Stopping to pluck through phone till it was turned over and revealed to her some hunk of a golden beefcake that was out of country, that was business savvy. Surfed and baked. “Where the hell did you find this man, out of a book?” Myra flipped a photo over before pointing at it, “Dude, you could grate cheese on those!” Pointing out pecs and looking at Hannah a long moment. Of course teasing that she had made a date with Felix. “Right, a date for saving your life. Also cliché book material but you know, you do you girl. Suddenly chasing after men left right and centre and hmm… you’re not calling Torsmen or whatever the hell his name is back.” Clicking her tongue with sheer disappointment.
Looking up at Juliette trying to be an imp. “She can try, she doesn’t even know my type.”
“Social networking is exhausting, but I find it a valuable skill,” explained Juliette, rather pleased with herself. “Hannah is not the only one who collects useful people to pull out of her pockets.”
Hannah scowled, snatching the phone out of Myra’s hands, but even she couldn’t help herself from scrolling through the nordic man’s instagram and having to fan herself. Like, no one was going to deny he was a great catch!
“Match making is a skill too, you know.” she defended, but ended up grinning wide at Myra. “I know you dated Augustus, who I am pretty sure now is a vampire too. So. I get the feeling he’s a not wildcard in your repertoire of former trysts.”
“But to be fair, everyone has a weakness for bad ideas, so I can’t really blame you there!” Hannah herself was still struggling to put Augustus on the Don’t do it! list. The man was so gorgeous she couldn’t think when she was standing in the same room with him. How was anyone supposed to resist that?
“Anyway Torstein is an angel, maybe too much of an angel, and he calls his dogs Pompoms which is SO weird. I guess a second date wouldn’t hurt, though.” That she decided on finding a picture of him walking out of the ocean like he was Poseidon himself. Conveniently not bringing up Felix again in hopes they’d forget. That man was nice and she did quite like him, but he also wouldn’t know fun if it bit him in the ass. Not her type at all.
“HeeEEEY! I was looking at that!” Myra complained as the phone was abducted from her little claws. Contemplating reaching over to snatch it back because even if the guy wasn’t her type, she could appreciate the photos. Or rather the subject depending on the scenery because she sure as fuck wasn’t looking at the background. Still she sighed before raising a brow at Juliette.
Slowly making that adjustment to Hannah when she claimed match making was a skill. Even bringing up the fact she dated Augustus. “I didn’t date him. I fucked him. Big difference.” If she was supposed to look appalled, that hadn’t been clued in. “You do realize the only reason I did that was because Jordan and my dad were so far up my ass about not doing so. And I have big fuck you energy.” She frowned a little with a wobble of her hand, “Fyi, ehh. He’s more grabby than anything rocking the motion. And very noisy. Would not recommend. Cute but when the guy is moaning like a whore in heat, it isn’t that good.” Of course she wasn’t about to tell Hannah what her ideal type was anyways.
No one got that deets.
Just in a moment this one was complaining that Torstein was too much of an angel. Involving a lot of eye rolling, “So then who would be less perfect? Dude is jacked, well off, has dogs and seems like he has a personality that would compliment your sugar fluff demon princess one. I don’t see what the problem is, why? You want a dark and moody lover like Juliette?” Hooking a thumb at Juliette for that moment, “Oooorrr you looking at former cop, poker player that protected your bum from bloodsuckers?”
Oh hell no she didn’t forget! Not that she actually thought Hannah was into Felix but it was fun to tease.
Perhaps Juliette had been friends with Hannah for far too long – or any information, no matter how filthy was still useful information. Regardless, knowing the torrid details of Augustus’ sex life was interesting! Would it ever come up? Likely never, but she was a Queen that liked knowing all sorts of lovely facts.
Of course, Hannah didn’t believe a bit of it. Not that it wasn’t true for Myra, but Myra’s experience was her own and not necessarily going to be the same for others. Unfortunately for all of them (and it was a flaw Hannah was well aware of) was the more someone said not that one, the more interested Hannah got. At least it wasn’t fuck you energy!
At the mention of the dark and moody Jordan, she ended up laughing.
“Maybe not Jordan’s level of… uh-” she struggled to think of something that wasn’t offensive with Juliette standing there raising an eyebrow and daring her to continue. “Stubbornness. But you know… a little danger isn’t so bad? A teeny tiny, spicy bit.”
“…so indeed a poker playing former cop that can protect you from vampires.” chimed in Juliette helpfully.
“Uuuughhh. I’m going to tell Felix you’re both rooting for us, I’m sure he’ll appreciate it!” she huffed.
Easily she giggled at the fact that Hannah thought she was going to escape any of this. Please, if she didn’t let Juliette live down random facts, she wasn’t about to be excused either! Though to bare witness to just how Hannah was intending to describe Jordan’s ‘stubbornness’ –that was totally not the word she was going for and everyone had to know that-, lips remained upwards. Lifted with ease as the bride to be pointed out just who might be a little dangerous with teeny tiny, spicy bit.
“Please, I’ve been harassing him since I was eighteen. He wouldn’t even bat an eye at knowing I’m doing this shit. Maybe Juliette since they really haven’t gotten to know each other yet.” Trotting a few paces now ahead since she wasn’t getting that phone back to look, Myra gave Juliette a bit of an eye.
“Well if Hannah doesn’t want mister surfer man, then I’ll take him out for a ride. Who knows maybe he doesn’t need sweet little spice, but wants dark and wild instead.”
Juliette held out her hand, demanding her phone be returned to her, to which Hannah reluctantly passed it back. While the now sulking redhead caught up with Myra, Juliette used the opportunity to thumb out a quick text to Jordan, letting him know she’d be home after coffee and they needed a conversation.
Then she very quickly added on it was a good conversation, not a bad one.
“I admit I fear for the poor man’s safety in your hands, but if you’re truly interested I can pass him your number. You’ll have to try not to traumatize him, however.”
Hannah scoffed.
“Maybe I should start a dating service. Or go back to college and get a full degree in psychology, as all of you need therapy!”
“Hey I am a woman who appreciates the male body in ways that should not be discredited.” Myra grinned, “A little traumatizing does a man good. But I’d totally behave. Wine and dine him that the last thing he needs to remember is which god he wants to pray too.” Adding on a cheesy wink, she would totally take this challenge on. “I on the other hand am not looking for husband material of specific requirements. Just good bones to put to work.”
Of course it seemed Juliette was feeling finally as zesty as they had been. Suggesting a dating service, “Do I get a eleventh date free if I fill in my punch card? Because girl you ain’t talking shit about us needing therapy like you aren’t included. Acting like you’re untouchable, please. The only way you would be a therapist is if you made it exclusive for the coven to do. And I don’t think you want to be an alcoholic after that level of commitment.”
“Ah, but I have seen reason, that I am not an island here to solve the coven’s problems all on my own. Hannah can return to school with me. We’ll start a joint practice. Emery Hart can even be our first client.” Juliette had that way of saying things so seriously, that even the most wild of statements somehow came off as the gospel truth.
If Hannah were drinking something she might’ve spat it out.
“Uhm! I like the dating service idea better. I’d get on board for that one! We’d not have to go back to school for it either. As much as college was fun, I’m not about to do homework again. Or council vampires.”
…though now Hannah’s wheels were turning. It wasn’t like a bad idea. She did so love meddling into the lives of others and giving her well educated and often correct opinion. Did you even really need a license to council vampires? It’s not like they could sue!
Eat her maybe. Hannah reconsidered.
Meanwhile Juliette was laughing again, the ghost of those darker thoughts having finally faded off.
“Well, I suppose I’ll attempt to stick with things that won’t bring me more work or mayhem. Leave the chaos to the two of you.”
Myra on the other hand gave Juliette a strong look over. If she wasn’t inkling that her little speech was complete horseshit, she may have bought how seriously it was said. Just this woman was already seen handling Emery this day in a similar manner. So no she wasn’t buying it and just continued to walk them up to the coffee front door. Reaching out to wait a moment before shaking her head at Hannah’s idea of dating service instead of homework and vampires. “Sounds like my highschool years.” She grumbled with a hard tug on the handle.
Allowing them to file in at their own leisure, “Good, cause I think Hannah and I have chaos good and covered. And you don’t need another project anyways. Less you really want to go mental.” Vision scrolled over the variety of heads in the place just out of pure habit. Checking over the vibes to make sure no one was going to suddenly leap up with a knife in hand to stab at anyone.
Or was a vampire sitting there in the broad daylight with a grin because the gray sky’s outside made it easier for them to wander about! “I think for all intents and purposes, we should totally focus on finding Hannah a man that isn’t perfect but perfect at the same time. I feel like that is more of a tall order than anything else. Emery seems like a piece of cake by comparison.”
The cafe itself was a lovely corner spot with big windows and a vibe that blended industrial with cozy, giving the perfect atmosphere for business folks who needed to bunker down at a table for a quiet place of work, or for the coffee hipsters that’d plop onto one of the plush seating areas to compare the tastes of bean roasts and milk foam. Hannah, being just the sort of laptop carrying author that felt at home in such a space was happy to walk up to the counter to take over the ordering and paying.
Juliette, though, seemed to be on the same page as Myra, if a little more subtly. Having that casual look around as if she were just admiring the architecture and not checking were the exits were and counting how many people were in the space and where they were situated. Being hyperaware of public spaces was always a natural thing for Juliette, but now? She intended to never be caught by surprise again.
Once they had their orders, Hannah again was the one to choose their spot. A nice place by the window for a view of the sidewalk and a full view of the cafe so she could see everyone coming and going. Unlike the other two, who were looking out for trouble, Hannah just loved watching people in their daily lives and getting some of that sweet inspiration.
Almost as sweet as the nightmare drink she’d ordered. A witch’s brew of sugar that could’ve fueled an army of one hundred children.
“Agreed! I need the future Mister Hannah Lucas sooner than later,” chimed Hannah on the subject of her dating life. “I mean, I don’t have like a fifty step life plan like Juliette’s, but I do want to have a few fun romance years with my hubby before having our three kids and a menagerie of pets.”
Juliette pulled an immediate face at the thought of children, but didn’t make any rude remarks about it. Instead she took of a sip of the simple cappuccino she ordered and gave a serious response instead.
“You’re going to have to give someone longer than two dates if that’s the case. Unless you’re serious about me betrothing you to someone.”
Hannah grinned and laughed.
“We’ll call that plan B! No, no, I figured it out! It’s the sex thing. I’m just gonna have to pop the seal on this bad boy and then I wont be spending all my dates over thinking it. It’s time for the Hannah is a slut era.”
With no desire to make her teeth rot out of her head at this very second, a standard coffee –as standard as a place like this could make- was suitable enough. Finding that so far nothing was staring out as questionably dangerous for the shop. No one was triggering the stranger danger alert, but it was still appreciated to get close to the window front to watch people come and go. Wandering by with a watchful eye picking across those who would make the streetfront their avenue to wander.
“And what if your husband doesn’t want three kids and a menagerie of pets?” Myra asked noticing the face Juliette made. Not sure if it was about the pets, the kids, or how Hannah seemed to have this master plan that seemed unrealistic. Unless the man that was found was a robot. Made to the precise whims of Hannah’s expectations.
“A sex thing? You’ve had sex before… right, Hannah?” She asked curious now as she wasn’t sure if she was hearing this incorrectly or if that was the actual thing being mentioned here.
“The amount of kids and pets is negotiable. Wanting kids and pets, though is a big one on the top of the list,” Hannah nodded emphatically. Then she immediately started laughing and reached over to lightly slap Myra’s arm.
“Did you think I was joking? Oh my god,” Hannah set her coffee down, as apparently she needed both of her hands to tell this story in all of it’s ridiculous glory.
“Okay, so obviously I am totally down and into it, being the sexy little writing minx that I am! And I date! I’ve been on so many dates, since I was sixteen, I’ve been dating. Then we get to the hanky panky part and I’m thrilled, right? Like we’re doing it! we’re doing it!, then all of a sudden my brain slams on the breaks faster than a devil can fly.”
Hannah was not watching the volume on her voice with this little story, so now she had a very curious group of young girls seated not so far away just enraptured by this tale. Juliette didn’t mention a thing about it, only sitting back in her seat with her cup in her hands and making herself more comfortable.
“At first I was like, obviously I’m just not really that into the person right?” continued Hannah. “I’m a romantic, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to really love the person before you let them down in your nethers. Except, like… I’ve dated aaaaalll of these people! I could’ve at least let somebody shove their-“
“You’re obsessed with sex, Hannah.” Juliette quickly interjected before she ended up traumatizing a cafe full of people with way too descriptive commentary.
“Obviously!” Hannah agreed. “It’s all I think about! I must’ve developed a complex about it. So I’m just gonna grab a good guy and get it out of the way. Let the guy punch my v-card, so I can date people without it looming over my head like this huge thing.”
Eyes widened at this reveal that it was in fact true that the smut writer here at this table who was apparently very enthralled with the aspect, hadn’t done it herself. Honestly, she had thought Hannah was bullshitting before about it!
Just now to listen just like everyone else in this shop, Myra was almost amazed. If not a bit skeptical at this point. Leaning back into her chair with a long sip. Thinking this over before shaking her head to look at Juliette. Extending a pointed finger towards the redhead. “So how much you wanna bet that regardless of whoever she picks now, it’s never going to happen? Because it’s built up so high in her own head and by the things she’s written that it’s just going to be impressively disappointing.” Myra sighed softly, “At this point I don’t think anyone even as a fling is going to be good enough for you, or you will just be an asexual person. Which is fine too though I don’t know if an asexual person is as obsessed about sex really.” Scratching her head, she wasn’t that knowledgeable about all the different sexualities honestly.
“Statistically speaking, the first time is probably going to suck, right?” Hannah asked them both for the confirmation, with a gesture of her hands, but didn’t really wait for the reply. “I’ve cockblocked myself enough waiting for these perfect moments. So I’m just going to lean into the cringe. I’m going to be bad at it, anyway, so I might as well find someone down to make it entertaining.”
“It’s not a performance, Hannah. You thinking so hard about all the details ahead of time is what gets you in trouble,” chided Juliette.
“Says Miss Micromanaging Mother Monster! What don’t you plan to meticulous detail!” defended Hannah.
Juliette in turned laughed, finding no insult in what was most certainly her fatal flaw. The fact she couldn’t plan out every minute of her day was surely a pain, but even she knew there were things you needed to feel your way through, else you lose the entire moment.
“Well, I am fine with this plan of yours, but if you want someone simply to sleep with then my carefully curated selection of bachelors are not going to work.”
Hannah shrugged it off.
“It’s gotta be someone never, ever, going to see again too. Like NEVER. I mean, unless it’s so awesome we fall in love, but that is exactly the sort of thinking I am not allowed to do. Who do you know, Myra?”
The longer she listened to this, the more she was convinced that Hannah may have had this plotted down to the exact minute of how it ought to go. Till she mentioned that she had cockblocked herself enough times for the perfect moment. To instead lean into the cringe, “Well, it might suck. Depending if you find someone who is new or if you find someone experienced.” Myra pointed out between a sip of drink. “So long as he isn’t trying to stuff his—” She paused to look around the shop deciding that her added to the crass-ness wasn’t necessary, “In the wrong place then you’ll be fine. And you might be surprised if you are cringe or not. Depends how much you get into it letting primal instincts take over.
Just that Juliette came to remind that this wasn’t some scripted performance. Which turned into a delightful little roast that nearly had her snorting coffee out of her nose!
Giggling had the very notion of Juliette being so micromanaging that her sex life was also included. Imagining in some glossy imaginery just how this was instructed.
Turn here. Left. Right… back.. done.
Only to find eyes upon her again. “I know enough though you seem conflicted. To never see them again or to have an amazing time that you fall in love over sex. Maybe you should just play spin the bottle and see what happens at this point. You’re ability to plot this shit out is leaving me thinking you’ll chicken out.”
Hannah took to laughing immediately, a joyous and ridiculous giggle considering both Myra and Juliette were criticizing her love life habits.
“Primal instincts? Myra, you have a writer’s soul! Here’s to hoping I can tap into being primal and wild and not chicken out. Maybe I can learn something from our toothy new friends on how to just… go for it!”
The comment nearly had Juliette coughing over her cup, drawing the woman to sit up straighter and clear her throat before wound up choking and spilling her drink on her designer slacks. Partially because she wanted to laugh herself – imagining Hannah shadowing frustrated vampires and demanding they teach her their ways – but also being a little afraid that was exactly what Hannah would actually do. Of course it was fun to think about the woman hassling feral beasts, but in reality she get herself chomped on when their patience ran out!
“I am starting to like the idea of betrothing you off to someone carefully selected more and more,” muttered Juliette.
“Okay, Mother.” Hannah laughed again. “You know what, give me a year to get my shit together! If I haven’t at least dated someone seriously by then, I’ll let you AND your brooding King of a fiancé marry me off like the unwanted seventh daughter in some Regency novel.”
“You tease, Hannah, but I CAN do that quite easily,” warned Juliette. “I suspect Jordan might enjoy such an unusual challenge as well. He seems to have a flare for romantic drama.”
A brow hooked and head shook. Still convinced with how quick witted Hannah was, her mind was likely to be the noisiest bastard in any sort of hanky panky time. The one who would ruin the whole moment because it seemed like it needed to have the last say, the last point and the critical need to follow some unwritten script to make everything perfect.
Though she found great hilarity being able to sit and watch the figurative ping pong ball going back and forth between Juliette and Hannah. Showing why they were best friends even if they were like night and day.
Till the littler one mentioned taking notes from the vampires. Earning a narrowed look of suspicion. “You remember I was with you that night right.” Eyes went up and down with accusation that she doubted Hannah was about to get that talkative with the chompy sorts.
Yet there still came a terrible idea out of all of this. “Hark, ye ol’ arranged marriage.” Myra scoffed and smirked knowing she was being a hypocrite seeing as Juliette and Jordan started out similar. “I don’t even want to know what sort of input Jordan would have in such things. Especially since he can be petty as fuck. Though romantic drama, him? Really…” She shook her head unconvinced of this. Granted did she even want to know.
Probably not.
“At this point, I think you should just call up some old flames, get drunk and slap some skin together. Less thought needed.”
Considering this idea of looking up old flames, Hannah did pull out her phone and started scrolling through her contact list just out of pure curiosity. Not that she wanted to revisit past awkward moments, but she was still friends with most of the people she’d had a date with even if it never went anywhere.
After all, what better way to play match maker than to already know what a person is like on a first date?
Leaving Juliette to smile mysteriously wide at this talk of Jordan and his romantic inclinations.
“Oh no, he’d never be petty about the match itself. Jordan is so sentimental at heart. He might snarl and suggest bringing someone absolutely horrible for Hannah to force her into making a choice herself, but I suspect he’d take it quite seriously and try to arrange something sincere. Then he’d enjoy being smug about it.”
Hannah glanced up from her phone to laugh again.
“I’m glad there’s someone genuinely romantic in your life now. Lords know you need it.”
“I don’t need it,” defended Juliette.
“But you liiiiike it,” Hannah sang back.
Juliette scoffed. “I think it is time we head home. I might just tell my fiancé that you’ve upset me deeply, and then see what happens when you ask permission to stay!”
The exaggerated face of pure horror Hannah made was well worth the entire conversation.
“Gods, I guess I’m getting buried in the back yard after all. It was nice to know you Myra. Plague them all in my honor.”
Love smove. Whatever reason they felt or rather Hannah felt like such things were needed, she clearly didn’t find that memo anywhere. Happy to be flopping bed to bed when she damn well felt like it. Though the idea of looking at old dates may have been done on purpose. To see if Hannah might accept someone she already dated and hit them up with the good ol’ fashion booty call.
Then they could drink and let their brains forget the effort of having to be proper, cute or whatever.
Just now it seemed while that one was scrolling, a horror of being told about Jordan seemed to come out. “I mean he probably would be smug about it, but you do remember this man is like archaic. He’d still be petty.” She was convinced of that. If Hannah did something to annoy him or somehow upset Juliette in some roundabout way, he’d totally find someone fine enough but with some annoying habit. Like picking their teeth with their car keys or something. Something little that wouldn’t be obvious right away.
Eyes rolled still making that motion that she also agreed it was time to take these two back to the manor. Smirking as Juliette had declared this motion rather than giving Hannah the verbal satisfaction of saying she enjoyed the romance. Instead showing that she too was a bit petty in her own ways. “Just leave me all your books finished and unfinished, and I’ll be sure to be a right proper terror. Carrying on your legacy.” Stepping back as she stood, noticing a few people were watching them. Likely because they wanted to hear more about these miss-adventures.
“Maybe I would do a live reading of one of your books at the Iron Dog, just for you.”
Myra had made a terrible mistake in that suggestion, Juliette knew it immediately. Carefully keeping a cackle held back as she quickly swallowed what was left of her cappuccino, then promptly standing and abandoning the two of them as if she intended to make her own way home without them!
The way Hannah’s face lit up was the warning sign.
“…That’s a fantastic idea! To do while I’m still living and breathing! No one ever does live readings at nightclubs, it’d be such a genius move with good drinks and nice seats, a little stage and the ambience. …’course I couldn’t read any of the books with vampires in them, I might get mauled, but it’d be so entertaining!”
Entertaining for Hannah, at least, Juliette thought. Then again, maybe Jordan was not the only book reading vampire out there. At least others might appreciate Hannah’s storytelling!
“Sounds like Myra is going to be your new publicist. She’s all yours now, enjoy!” Juliette chimed, cheekily blowing them both a kiss before she escaped out the front doors with that delighted wicked laughter.
Hannah blinked for a moment before her face lit up even more.
“…do you need a new job, Myra?”
“You’re deranged.” Giggling at the way Hannah’s face lit up like a Christmas tree at the nonsense of even suggesting that she had a good idea. A live reading of smut in the Iron Dog. She doubted Augustus would like that but it could be fun. Watching the vampires cringe and she was sure it could be pitched in such a way that they would get some interesting new bites that wanted to play around with the vampire experience.
Just maybe she ought to talk to Hannah about that later, seeing as the missus was trying to escape. “We can talk pay while we get after Juliette. Neither of us need her being swept away by some hungry eyes again! Or deal with Jordan’s ire later!”
Rising up to promptly go sweeping out the door with a holler, “What sort of posh twat are you that you wanna take a taxi home instead of my bitch ass ride, Juliette!”
Hannah knew exactly what Jordan’s ire would look like should something happen to Juliette, and she wished the woman could’ve seen it in all it’s terrifying glory! As Hannah herself hoped to never personally see it again. The next time someone told her you can come, but you’ll know my secrets, Hannah was going to give a resounding NO THANKS.
Oh, who was she kidding. Her curious ass would still go and have all the same regrets all over again.