M.O. Kenyan's Blog, page 2

TINDER: LOVE HER RIGHT #Newrelease #romancereads #writerslift

“I love you.”

That’s what cheaters always say when they are caught. As if them loving you absolves them from their sin and the pain they caused.

Where was the love when they were cheating?

They never thought they would find themselves in the position they were in, heart broken and scrolling through Tinder for random hookups.

Sasha, Brian and Vincent turn to Tinder to find comfort in the arms of strangers when their loved ones betray them. They find the love and comfort denied to them from the people they swore to love forever.

Sasha never thought she would have a second chance at love. Her husband’s infidelity and her son’s death had left her broken and hollow. That was until Tinder brought two men into her life.

But she can only have one of them, who will she choose?

#romancenovel #romancereads #romancebooks #romancenovels

Chapter 39- PITCH BLACK #fantasyromancereads #romancereads #writerslift

She cuddled into his arms. She knew after that she would have let him go. It wasn’t something that he was happy about but he needed to sort himself out and she needed time to herself. He had to overcome his past, at that time all he did was posing a danger to everyone around him and himself. Her fingers ran up and down his bare chest, his eyes were closed but she knew he wasn’t asleep. His kind didn’t sleep, not ever. She had a chance to admire his naked body, she was convinced that every single cell in his body was strong and muscled he was beautiful.

“What are you thinking about?” He asked. “You do know that I have a mind reader on speed dial, do I need to get Solara here?”

She gave up on the silence all it would take was a single opening and Solara would have access to all her thoughts, “I was thinking about how I don’t want to give this up, but I have to.” She went silent, she could feel his body stiffen and decided not to say anything else that would hurt him. All she wanted was to be there with him and not think of anything else.

“I think that we should talk about this, I can’t let go of my past without facing them and that could be dangerous, I may not come back from it. You are going to come back to me. I just don’t want to have you live in guilt if anyone else got hurt. We already lost one person don’t risk anyone else.” She knew he knew she meant Sotera and Marcie. They had both been victims of his past and no one else deserved to die because of it. He knew how Marcie’s death had affected Scarlet and he wasn’t about o let her face that pain again.

 “Besides I also have to leave. I have always wanted to do this. So we both have things to take care of. After we are settled then we can continue with this relationship.” Continue by raising the new life she had inside her.

“I understand.”.

She was leaving for Washington in a week. They had decided she had decided a clean break was best. After the terror four weeks ago she decided that it was best, for both of them and especially for him. 

Scarlet didn’t know what else to do. The fellowship couldn’t have come at a better time. She ruled against talking to Kayla about it and she never thought about it when she and Solara around. She didn’t need another complication. One more week and they would be safe.

That night the Kayla and the guys had left to go hunt. She knew that it was a polite way of giving them space to say goodbye properly. They needed time alone for each other not only to make love but to talk. She hoped that they would eventually get to the talking part.

“Scarlet, I know and I understand your reasons. But I don’t want to spend this week away from you. Be reasonable I have given you what you want, so please give me what I am asking for.”

Stephan was desperate to spend the next seven nights in her bed holding her. Scarlet didn’t think it was a good idea. She thought that they needed to spend this week away from each other so that they could get used to not being with each other.

She was trying to convince him of this. She didn’t want him suspecting anything and she also didn’t want him to change her mind about leaving. She had to go. It was the best thing to do.

“I want to lie with you like this. Besides I don’t think it is safe enough for you to be here alone.” 

“I won’t be unprotected. I think you are forgetting about the three other vampires who live in this house.” He was fishing and she knew it. She couldn’t allow him to stay, but she also couldn’t be away from him. Not when she was still in the city. 

“I didn’t forget. I just want this week with you. Please just think about it and let me know in the morning.” He stroked her hair and let his fingers roam her back.

“You should sleep now. You have been looking a bit pale.” She was pale, she felt sick all the time. This was why she couldn’t let him stay. She couldn’t take the risk of him noticing anything else different about her. But she would do that much, think about it and decide in the morning.

She knew it was morning when the overwhelming smell of coffee attacked her nostrils. Before she relished it but now, it only made her stomach knot.

“Stephan could you please take that away, I’m not feeling that well to be drinking coffee.” She buried her nose in the pillow, desperately trying to hold back as the wave of nausea hit her.

“Oh! Sorry. Are you going to be alright? What did the doctor say?” He was stroking her hair again, and for some reason, it reduced the tension in her body.

“He said I was alright. I am just exhausted from all the running around. And the stress from preparing for the fellowship.” She talked into the pillow again. She thought it would be better to distract him. She lifted her head and the coffee was still there. When she wrinkled her nose Stephan threw it out after a quick apology. She rose to a sitting position and decided to lean on the headboard. She was getting dizzy all the time these days.

“I thought about it and I have decided it isn’t such a good idea for you to stay here.” She paused to see the reaction on his face. She could see the disappointment and pain as his eyes glistened with what she thought were tears. He didn’t try to hide them from her because he was looking straight at her.

“It is a bad decision, but so is living with three and a half vampires and half a beast. Not to mention sharing a bed and making love to a person who can turn into a jaguar in a second and drinks human blood for fun. But you are not allowed to try to change my mind about Washington.” His eyes looked more alive now, hopeful.

“So what’s another bad decision, so yes the break up can take effect the second I get on that plane?” She cupped her palm on his face, admiring the smile that had taken shape.

He got into bed with her and let her hold him in her arms. He was too big to cradle so she sank lower on the bed and let him put his head on her belly. At that moment she wished she could tell him everything but one bad decision a day was enough.

“Scarlet. What’s that sound?”

She was confused because she hadn’t heard anything. But his hearing was a thousand times better than his.

“What sound Stephan? I don’t hear anything.”

“It’s coming from you.”

At that moment Scarlet panicked she knew what sound he was hearing. She felt like an idiot letting a man who could hear the traffic in the next state so close to her belly. She needed to come p with an excuse and first.

“I’m just hungry and my stomach’s just complaining.” She gently pushed him away from her trying to make it seem casual. Praying that he bought into the cheap lie she continued with the pretense. “Some of us have to eat every day you know.” She stared at him trying to put on her best poker face. If this lie didn’t work she had to come up with another or tell the truth.

She played the scenario in her head, hey Stephan by the way I’m pregnant have known it for a while but kept it from you. By the way, did you know inhuman fetuses develop at an accelerated rate?

She shook her head shaking the thought out of her head too. She knew how it would turn out he would never let her leave with his baby. Danger or not he would come up with ways to convince her to stay. But she hoped that if he did find out the truth he would let them both go.

Scarlet scrambled to her feet and headed for the bathroom. Before she closed the door Stephan said her name so softly. She stepped out of the bathroom and looked at him. She was sure that he could hear her accelerated heartbeat.

“Thank you. I know a week may not seem like much, but it is everything to me.”

“I know.” She was glad that she had brilliantly evaded the disaster, but was sad that the only time and contact he would have with the child was a week of holding her.

“I’ll go get you some breakfast from the diner. I’ll be back in a while.”

“Thanks. Say hi to the girls. Please tell them I miss them.”

She waited until she heard the front door shut to go back into the bathroom. She stood in front of the mirror and lifted her cotton strap top. The small bump was easily noticeable, at least to her. She wondered how he had never noticed it.

Maybe he did and was being polite not to mention it. Living with her he was able to watch all the soaps she did. She knew he hated but he still watched them with her, so he knew that commenting on a woman’s weight was a big no-no.

She rubbed her hand over the stomach feeling the round bulge of it. Scarlet was too busy looking at herself from all angles to realize Stephan was back. He opened the bathroom door and watched as she examined her body.

As she was about to take a look from a different angle she caught his reflection in the mirror. She pulled down her top and turned to face him. She didn’t know what to expect but she waited for it, for his anger and rage, for him to phase into something murderous. One thing he had hated were secrets and having the things that concerned him hidden from him. She watched his expression but saw nothing but humor.

“Don’t worry you look perfect to me.” He chuckled and went to kiss her on her forehead. “I forgot to ask you what you want. These days I have noticed you are very picky.”

She had been selective of everything she ate. Nothing tasted the same anymore and she only liked salty foods. As much as she wanted other kinds of foods, she tried not to change her diet for it to be noticed.

“Just get me the usual and some salt crackers please.” She was getting nervous. He was standing too close to her. She didn’t need another close call. “I need to take a shower.”

She was kicking him out but as politely as she could. She waited for him to leave but he just stood there.

“Stephan. I need to take a shower.”

“I heard am not getting in your way am I?” He laughed. “I think a shower would be good. Your scent has changed.”

“New shampoo.” She lied. How did I not know that?

 He had a cheeky grin on his face. Scarlet knew it too well, it had the power to easily break her will. She stood her ground, she wasn’t going to lose this one. The last thing she needed was him looking at her nude body without his attention being otherwise engaged.

“You promised to get me breakfast. And I am really hungry and need a shower. Please, Stephan.” She was going to play on his need to make her happy.

“Sure I will be back in a sec.” He kissed her and walked out of the bathroom.

“Stephan could you please drive. Don’t run.”

She needed the half an hour it would take him to get there get her breakfast and come back. She also didn’t need the neighbors to spot him making a ten-second dash to and fro the place.

Scarlet decided to soak in the tub, she needed to calm her rattled nerves. She turned on the radio hoping for some calming music. When she settled on a station she sank deeper into the bubbles. As she relaxed she thought about how the week was going to play out. Part of her dreaded leaving her new family, she could have stayed. She had made that decision once before. Before she found out about the baby, but now she had to leave for the baby. 

Chapter 38- NEW MOON #fantasyromance #writerslift #romancereads

“Chicken, mustard, French fries.” She repeated the three words over and over until they were the only things she could think about. If Solara and Kayla tried to intrude into her thoughts that was what they would hear and what they would see.

Scarlet walked down the stairs and immediately wished she was back in the shower. They all stared at her like something out of a science fiction movie. Scarlet was well aware that she had spent the last two weeks in bed, but she could remember how everything worked.

“Eric get Scarlet something to eat. Am sorry honey but the only thing left is the bucket of KFC Xavier just brought. No French fries or mustard.” Kayla sat up straight and at Solara then the rest of them.

“Did you hear that?” Kayla said as she clapped her hands excitedly. “Scar what were you just thinking?”

“Is that a trick question?” she walked straight to the kitchen where the blonde blue-eyed boy was warming her supper. “Whatever game that is I don’t want to play.” She leaned back into Stephan’s arms when he came up behind her.

She knew Kayla wouldn’t miss the chance to pick up on her brain activity. She brought a new meaning to no secrets, although Scarlet was proud of herself for being able to keep her pregnancy under wraps for that long.

***

The next morning, as promised Stephan drove her to the hospital. He noticed what she was wearing but wasn’t sure why she did. Scarlet could see it in his eyes but he never dared to ask her. She wore one of his buttons down shirts over her small pink t-shirt. The shirt looked more like a robe on her petite body.

She asked for the doctor she saw the first time. The nurse-led her into the familiar doctor’s room, while Stephan sat in the waiting room.

“Ms. McKyle, it’s nice to see you again. How are you doing?” The doctor spoke as he slipped on a pair of sanitized gloves.

“I am fine, although I feel like am on a roller coaster ride.” She walked to the bed that he had signaled her to lie on.

“I am just going to do an ultrasound today, see how you are progressing.” He switched on the scanner, “From the preliminary report your blood pressure is above normal. You should try and take it easy. Stress isn’t good for the baby.”

She hiked up her top and braced herself for the cold gel. The doctor looked down at her belly a shocked look on his face. 

“This is odd.” He squeezed the gel on her belly and rolled the scanner on her belly. “The last time you were here, you weren’t more than two weeks old but now the fetus seems to be twelve weeks.”

Scarlet wasn’t taken aback at anything he said, she more than anyone was well aware of how odd it was. She wiped off the gel and buttoned up her shirt.

“If you will allow me I would like to do some tests. This is very interesting.”

“If you don’t mind, I have somewhere to be. But I will call you about those tests.” Scarlet picked up her purse and slipped out of the office. She wasn’t about to let him conduct any tests on her baby, she knew what he would find and didn’t want to be anyone’s science experiment. 

On her way out she went through the waiting room, she didn’t stop to explain. Scarlet took Stephan’s hand and pulled him behind her. He followed without saying a word.

They drove away from the hospital, once they were a good distance away Scarlet relaxed. “He wanted to do tests on me. Crazy person.”

“I don’t understand. I thought that was what usually happens.” Stephan could see how tense she was.

“Let’s not talk about it.”

Scarlet had to find a way to break the news to him as gently as she could. There was no other way around the decision she had made.

When they got to the house, she asked to talk to him in private. They were on their way to her room when Kayla stopped her at the stairs.

“Scar could I talk to you for a moment.” She looked nervous.

“K could it wait a while, I need to talk to Stephan first.” She kept her hold on Stephan’s hand.

Don’t do it.

Am leaving in a week and besides this doesn’t involve you.

Stephan stood quietly and he watched as the two glared at each other. He knew they were fighting but didn’t want to get in the middle of it.

I have to, stay out of my head.

“Fine suit yourself.” Kayla stomped on the staircase leaving a gaping hole once she walked away.

“Kayla?” Scarlet called out after her annoyed friend. She understood that Kayla didn’t support her decision but it was her decision. But it didn’t mean that she had to destroy the house just because they didn’t agree.

“Come on let’s go.”

Scarlet sat across from Stephan, she wanted to be out of reach. She was sure that if he held her in his arms she wouldn’t be able to go through with it.

“Stephan, I have been thinking about us and Washington and Zen.” She rubbed her hands along her thighs. “I will be leaving soon and you will have to remain here to sort this whole thing out.”

“And as soon as am done, I will come and join you.” He smiled at her, took her hands, and kissed her knuckles.

Scarlet gently pulled her hands from his and crossed them on her chest. “Stephan I think we should take a break for a while.”

Stephan got off the bed and stood by the window. She could see the sadness in his eyes and his body tensed.

“Just until, you sort this whole mess out. I don’t think it will do us any favors if I’m caught in the middle of all this. Your past keeps coming after you and honestly, I am frightened.”

“But I will protect you. You don’t have to worry about that.” His fists clenched at his sides.

She got off the bed and rushed to his side, “I know you can, I know you would give your life for me. But know you need to live your life for yourself. Get rid of your past, it’s the only way if you want a future it’s not forever. Do you think I could live my life without you?” She stroked his face. “As soon as you sort this out, you can come to Washington, or I could come back.”

“Scarlet, I understand what you are saying but we don’t have to break up.” He placed his hand over hers.

“It will be better if you don’t have to worry about me. I won’t be a target or a distraction to you.”

“I think you have already made up your mind Scarlet. And as much as I want to, I can’t refuse to give you what you want.” He kissed her palm before releasing it. He kissed the top of her head and began to walk away.

“Where are you going?” All of a sudden she was frightened of losing him. She didn’t want him to go right away but she knew the distance would make it easier for them.

“Don’t worry. I am just going out for a run.” He pulled his shirt over his head. “I’ll be back in a day or two.”

Stephan left that afternoon and didn’t come back for three days. Scarlet was worried, she knew he was fine wherever he was, that he was trying to clear his mind and think about it all. But she was worried that he wouldn’t come back before she left.

She couldn’t bear the thought that she had hurt him enough for him to disappear before she had the time to properly say goodbye. She checked every couple of hours with Solara, Vincent, and Xavier hoping that he had called one of them. Every time she asked they had the same answer, No.

Scarlet kept to herself in her room. She wasn’t getting the hot and cold flashes anymore, so the others didn’t hover over her. Kayla had convinced her to organize her trip and her apartment while Stephan was away, in an attempt to distract her.

When Stephan finally come back home, he looked like he had been rolling in mud. He walked straight up to her bedroom leaving everyone in the living room. He never looked at Scarlet once, she was sitting on the sofa, in his direct eye view but he never made the slightest acknowledgment of her existence. 

She followed behind, by the time she got to the room, Stephan was in the shower. The door was ajar, Scarlet decided against going into the bathroom and sat on the bed instead.

She made sure the bedroom door was closed, it wasn’t soundproof and was a useless way to soundproof the room, from the immortals with the super hearing, but she wanted to think that they wouldn’t hear what was going on.

They had asked a couple of times why Stephan had left, all but Solara and Kayla, only they knew what was going on, for a lack of a better excuse Scarlet always said she didn’t know.

She sat on the bed facing the bathroom. Scarlet was hoping that he was more relaxed and had time to see reason in her decision. She heard the shower knob turn and the silence that followed it, Stephan was done.

Scarlet got up from the bed only to sit down again, she was nervous. Stephan stood at the door, her pink power-puff towel wrapped around his waist. She sat up resisting the humor of how he looked in pink. It wasn’t a good time for it.

Stephan walked up to her. His body glistened from the moisture of the shower. His black hair was pushed back with only a few strands hanging over his face. He was so close, too close. Scarlet pulled herself back further on the bed but he only moved with her. She edged further and further but he was still right there in her face.

She stopped and stared at him, she brought her face closer to his, and evidently, that was what he wanted. He placed his cheek against hers and used his nose to trace the curves on her face. When she tried to touch him, he held her hands down on the bed. His nose was on her neck, she could hear his hot breath against her neck.  

Stephan’s breathing became more ragged, his body shook and his hands trembled against her. He breathed in deeply, taking her scent in. His tongue licked along the vein in her neck, he could hear it pulsate and was tempted by the rushing sound of her blood in her veins. He buried his nose in her hair and breathed in once again.

Scarlet didn’t move, she waited for the inevitable. She was willing to give him what he wanted, what she yearned for. He pinned her on the bed on her back and moved on top of her. He looked deeply into her eyes and kissed her.

Chapter 37- NEW MOON

“You.” He let another sound of laughter roll out of his throat. “I have never seen you so angry, so determined. Although you wanted to hit me, it was amusing seeing you like that.”

“I’m glad I amuse you.” She continued to stare at his perfect face. “You know you are kind of beautiful when you laugh.” She was glad he was happy, she was ecstatic that her baby would have the same face as the perfect one before her.

“You are kind of beautiful yourself.” He pulled her onto his hips and pressed her against him. “Especially without this.”

He pulled the top over her head and cradles her to his chest, feeling her soft skin against his. 

“You are the only one I will ever love.”

They spent the night in each other’s arms, this night was more special than the others.

***

Scarlet woke up late in the afternoon, she wasn’t in a hurry to get up. The vampires had left at dusk to go hunt and Nikki had been called back to the house. Besides Eric and Xavier, she didn’t have much of a relationship with the other two beasts.

She went about her day lazily, spending most of her time in her room napping or the kitchen eating. She spent most of the kitchen time with Xavier and Eric, amazed at how two different personalities were able to co-exist. 

Xavier was authoritative, smart, and spent most of his time in his head strategizing, his last moments. She assumed that that was the side of him that Eric was able to relate to. He was so much like Vincent, childlike. Eric lived for the joys of the moment, the little victories and accomplishment. She had never seen him serious or violent.

“So what was the commotion about last night?” Eric had one of his silly grins on.

Scarlet’s hand froze mid-air, she looked down at her plate then stuffed a sandwich in her mouth. She was going to do anything so as not to answer the personal question. He was the last resident in the house who she expected to have witnessed the previous night. Eric slept like a log.

Scarlet ignored the question. Xavier casually strolled into the kitchen a curious look on his face.

“What about last night?” he leaned on the door frame his hands crossed on his chest. Scarlet loved Stephan and wouldn’t betray him, but something about Xavier made her want to sin. She took comfort in knowing that Kayla was with her on that.

Scarlet covered her head with a dishcloth and stared at her plate. She didn’t like blushing and comments about her sex life always turned her cheeks red.

“That’s what I am trying to find out. We heard something being tossed, the hushed conversation then Stephan laying down the law.” Eric was laughing hysterically. His arms wrapped around his stomach as he doubled over laughing. Xavier joined in his booming laughter bouncing off the walls.

Scarlet didn’t know what was worse, that two beasts were standing in the kitchen mocking her or that everyone in the house was privy to what happened the previous night.

Sam and Nikki joined them in the kitchen. Scarlet groaned more witnesses to her ridicule. She looked up to see the same wide smile, she was shocked, for as long as she had known him Sam never stretched his face for a grin.

“I am glad that the only thing that amuses you is my vocalized sex life.” She returned his smile, ignoring Nikki as she rolled her eyes. She couldn’t help but despise her, the other culprit in her dream.

“Hey, where are you going?” Eric sat up and tried to keep a straight face.

Scarlet tossed the dishcloth into the sink as got up. “The show is over fellas. I am retreating in my room, where I am going to hide until… actually forever.” 

As soon as she rose from the chair she sat down again. The room was spinning around and she could feel the bitter taste of bile rise in her throat.

“Water.” She used her hand to support her head. Eric was by her side his hands held out as if to catch her. She took the glass of water from Xavier and sipped it at first, and then when she was sure she could keep it down, she gulped the rest of it.

“Should we call someone?” Xavier sounded worried.

Scarlet couldn’t help but be amused by it, the man had no problem chasing after psychotic vampires but a dizzy woman put him on edge.

“No, don’t worry about it I’m fine. I just need to lie down.”

Eric scooped her up in his arms and rushed her to her bedroom. He tucked her into bed and closed the drapes before leaving her alone. He left a small crack in the doorway so that he could check on her from time to time without disturbing her.

Scarlet spent the two days the others were away in her room. Xavier and Sam spent the two nights at the house with them, Nikki always went back to Solara’s when the day was over. Scarlet didn’t mind, she was happy not to spend any time with her.

The pregnancy was more difficult than she thought, she never expected to be like ordinary expectant mothers but she wasn’t prepared for that. She was exhausted most of the time and hungry for the rest. Eric had turned into her go-to guy. He brought her food and water and when she wasn’t too tired entertained her. And when she threw up, he was there beside her to hold her hair up.

She hoped that by the time the others were back the color in her cheeks would be back, and she would be able to make the trips downstairs on her own. Scarlet made sure she swore them all to secrecy, she knew it would be a waste of time as soon as Solara cornered their thoughts but was still hopeful.

“Are you sure you don’t want to go back to the hospital?” Xavier changed the tone that he tried to use on her earlier on. He tried to bully her into seeing a doctor and even threatened to call Stephan but Scarlet didn’t give in. He resolved to pleading.

“Stephan is going to kill us if anything happens to you.” Eric chipped in, he sat at her feet playing with her toes peeping out of the duvet.

“The doctor already warned me of this. He said it would take a while before the bacteria completely leaves my system.” 

She made sure to use words like a while because she wasn’t sure how long it would take her to be back to normal. As for the so-called ‘bacteria’, she wasn’t sure how long it would be before she would expel it. Her body hadn’t made any physical changes so far, she hoped it would stay that way, at least until she got to Washington.

***

The next day at dusk the vampires were home. Stephan snuggled into Scarlet’s bed and cradled her as she slept. She woke up the second his arms embraced her because his skin felt so cool on hers. His cold chest cooled her heating body.

Before she had slept she had asked Eric to open all the windows and to leave the door open. She wore one of the scanty nightgowns to bed and slept on top of the covers. The temperature inside the room was a huge contrast to that outside her window. It was a week to New Year and the weather was still chilly.

“Stephan?” she raised her head to look at him, he was just as beautiful as the day he had left.

“Go back to sleep.” He pulled her closer to him and gently stroked her hair.

***

Scarlet woke up she was shivering. Stephan had covered her with her duvet and had even taken Kayla’s duvet to cover her. He wrapped her up like a burrito and held her in his arms to heat her body with his. Kayla had turned up the heat in the house and had even placed a hot water bottle beside her.

Scarlet was still freezing. The cold didn’t come from the low temperatures of winter but from inside her body. It was like her body was cooler, freezing her inside out.

“Scarlet what is wrong with you?” Kayla was supervising Eric who was warming up Scarlet’s toes. She made him wear wool winter gloves and rub Scarlet’s toes. He had been at it the whole day but there was no change. They still looked blue, like she had frostbite or something.

Scarlet wasn’t going to the hospital, she convinced herself that she was going to be alright. That it was normal to go through such things especially with abnormal pregnancies.

While Scarlet’s biggest problem was to hide her pregnancy, for Stephan and Kayla was to keep her warm and as for Vincent and Eric, it was keeping her fed. The weird body temperatures hadn’t interfered with her appetite. Xavier, Sam, and Nikki focused on keeping the rest safe, while Solara was worrying about Scarlet’s mind.

He hadn’t been able to get a read on her for the past two weeks. If he did it never lasted long. The pattern rolled on and on just as her body temperature did.

He stood next to the back wall, in the corner of Scarlet’s room. He was watching her facial expressions and body movement. He focused solely on her, his eyes never leaving her face.

“Kayla,” he called out to her in a low tone, barely a whisper but she had him.

Can you get a read on her?

On Scarlet?

Solara nodded once in response to her question. Kayla looked up from her feet to her face. She shook her head as if trying to clear up a blind spot and gazed back at her. Her eyes narrowed as she focused her talent only on Scarlet’s mind. She sighed as her gaze shifted to Solara.

No. Nothing. I see and hear nothing.

Kayla panicked and walked over to the head of the bed where Stephan held Scarlet in his arms. She was asleep, but even then Kayla should have been able to see her dreams.

She leaned over Stephan and pressed her finger on Scarlet’s neck. She could feel her pulse and hear her heartbeat. Although it was unusual it was still there.

“What’s wrong?” Stephan hadn’t missed the mental conversation Kayla and Solara were having. Though no one could hear them, they could always tell when they were in each other’s minds. Stephan wasn’t comfortable with the looks the two were exchanging.

“We can’t hear or see anything from her.” Solara stepped forward he was still wearing a worried from on her face.

“I can confirm that she is alive. But her mind is a complete blank to us.” Kayla was still fussing over Scarlet trying to get around Stephan’s vice hold on her.

“Maybe we should wake her up to be sure.” Vincent had been silent the whole time watching as the others tried to warm her up. He moved on to the bed and tapped Scarlet’s shoulder.

“Scarlet. Wake up, sis.”

The rest watched as Vincent tried to wake her up. Stephan loosened his hold on her so that Vincent was able to see her face from her back. He leaned to her ear and blew into it.

“Vincent.” Scarlet moaned, she grabbed a corner of the duvet and pulled it over her head, “Get away from me.” Although she was muffled by the covers they were able to hear her. 

“She is alive.” Eric chuckled with Vincent.

Scarlet raised her head to look at the two clowns, she shook her head and chuckled with them.

She was getting warmer now. She sat up and kicked the covers off her. Scarlet looked around at her now full room. Most of the residents of the house had relocated to her room and they made it look smaller. She tugged on the heavy sweater Kayla had shoved her into and pulled off the wool socks Eric had just put on her.

“It’s kind of hot in here. Did someone turn the heat up?” she looked around the room at the people staring at her. “Eric please turn it off, no wait Vincent is faster. Go turn it off and if it won’t work, be a dear and break it.” 

She got off the bed and started taking off the layers of clothes that they had dressed her in. They watched her, to remember what they had missed between the second she was freezing and taking her clothes off.

Scarlet stared back at them, they made her feel uncomfortable, so she escaped their stares by ducking into the bathroom. Stephan and Kayla followed while the others left the room.

Scarlet continued undressing, she was down to the final wool stockings. She sat on the toilet seat, exhausted again, but from disrobing mountains of clothing. They felt like extra layers of skin that she kept peeling away but couldn’t reach the surface.

“Scarlet you need to see a doctor.” Kayla raised her foot and helped her pull the stockings off. “This isn’t natural.”

“You are not natural K, and neither are you, my love. But because I love you I will go see the doctor tomorrow.” Scarlet didn’t see the need to, she felt rejuvenated.

She turned the taps on and let the water run for a while. She went about the bathroom as she usually did, brushing her teeth, washing her face, and holding up her hair. She ignored the two immortals that seemed to have turned into statutes.

“I will drive you in the morning,” Stephan added a weary look on his face.

“Sure.” Scarlet chirped. “I am going to take a shower now, Kayla you can leave. Stephan, you can join me if you want to.”

“I think I will leave and Stephan is coming with me.” Kayla smiled at her and pulled Stephan out of the bathroom with her and shut the door. “There is something not right with her. I can’t tell because she is still a blank.”

“I can tell. Don’t worry I will make sure she goes to the doctor tomorrow.”

“I keep feeling like am missing something.”

***

Scarlet could hear them talk on the other side of the bathroom door, she was also concerned about the crazy ride her pregnancy had her on. She was feeling better now, so she convinced herself the worst was over.

When the voices disappeared from the other room, Scarlet stepped into the shower and let the warm droplets caress her body. She took her time in the shower and did everything else at a slow pace. She was relaxing, enjoying the quiet before she headed to the living room.

Scarlet gave herself a glance in the mirror as she walked across the bathroom. She froze when she thought she saw something unusual. She backtracked her steps and stood in front of the mirror.

“OH!”

 It was subtle but it was there, Scarlet saw a small bump under her strap top. Her hand dropped to it and she rubbed circles around it. The first physical evidence of the little one within. She awed at it for a moment before turning back to face the door. She knew she would have to leave the joys of impending motherhood as soon as she crossed the mantle. She took a deep breath and walked into her room. She grabbed one of Stephan’s shirts and threw it on, if she could see it there was no doubt the others would.

Chapter 36- NEW MOON

Scarlet walked out of the room, chanting in her mind. When she got to the others they asked her what was wrong. 

“The doctor says it’s just the stress and I’m not eating well. So I am fine.” She plastered her best smile on her face then took Stephan’s arm.

“I’m glad you are fine, you scared me back there. Vincent keys.” Stephan wrapped his arm around her.

Vincent tossed the keys to him and he and Eric followed behind. They rode with Solara and Kayla back home.

On the ride home Scarlet stared at Stephan, without the two lie detectors in the car with them she was free to think about their baby. She stared at him with a smile on her face, she was picturing their baby with Stephan’s exact face. His eyes, nose, smile, and his jet black hair.

“What are you so happy about?” Stephan returned her smile, he stroked her inner thigh and she crossed her leg over his hand.

“Nothing I’m just happy.” She stroked the back of his head. “You make me happy. We have been through a lot but we are still here. Through all the devastation something good came out of it.”

“I’m glad you’re happy.” He couldn’t help but chuckle, her face lit up and her eyes glowed. “So can I have my hand back, I need to shift gears.”

She lifted her leg and released his hand and crossed her legs again. After shifting the stick, he put his hand back on her thigh. She rose from her seat and kissed his cheek.

“Do you ever want to have kids? Like someday?” Scarlet needed to hear his answer although it was too late to ask him his feelings about children.

Stephan’s expression changed to a serious blind gaze on the road. “Why? Do you want children?” 

“Not soon but it’s something I think about.” She noticed the change in attitude and she was disappointed. Her decision to not tell him was justified.

“I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to give you that. I can’t because of what I am. I’m sorry honey.”

Scarlet turned her head towards the window, she was trying to hide the smile on her face. She wanted to tell him to see the look on his face. But she wasn’t sure if it would be shock or anger.

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it,” she mumbled.

***

When they got to the house Scarlet ran up to her room, she didn’t trust herself not to think about her baby. She turned her stereo on and cranked up the volume, she didn’t trust Kayla not to eavesdrop on her. She stood in front of her full-size bathroom mirror and yanked open her shirt. She scrutinized her body from all sides looking for any change or the slightest change.

Scarlet didn’t know what to expect from the pregnancy. She assumed it would progress just as ordinary pregnancies did. But there was nothing ordinary about what she was facing. She had questions that would never be answered, how long it would take, how dangerous the birth could be to her and whether or not she was strong enough to bring an immortal into the world.

These all scared her. She thought about talking to Nikki about it. She was the only one who came close to having the information she needed to know. But Nikki didn’t like her, why would she keep her secret, and she wasn’t there. She hadn’t been to the house for a while and Scarlet wasn’t sure when she would see her.

Scarlet took a quick shower, although no one had complained about the vile odor of puke, she knew it was there because she could smell it. And if she could smell it so could the others considering they had a super sense of smell.

She lathered the soap on her body but concentrated more on her belly, she was happy. Scarlet didn’t mind not knowing what the future of the pregnancy held, she was only interested in the present and how happy it made her. She could always get help from Nikki and Kayla when the time came.

 She hoped that by then Zen and the threat would be behind them, Stephan would have gotten over the shock of parenthood and like it and they could be a family. She was building castles in the skies but it suited her just fine.

Scarlet stepped out of the shower, she grabbed her hairbrush and stroked through the tangles of her hair. She stared at herself in the mirror, her vision was getting blurry. She took a step back but immediately realized it was a mistake. The ground was rushing up to meet her, she grabbed the sink before she hit the floor. She took a couple of deep breaths and shook her head to clear her vision. When she could finally see straight she splashed cold water on her face a couple of times.

Scarlet carefully walked to her room, letting her hands lead in case she got dizzy and needed to cushion her fall. She quickly pulled on her flannel trousers and strap top, and then she tucked herself into bed. All of a sudden she felt extremely exhausted and sleepy.

She was drifting in and out of sleep when Stephan walked into the room.

 “Scarlet are you sure you are fine.” He sat at the head of the bed next to her.

“I am fine just tired and hungry.” A sudden pang of hunger hit her. “I’m starving.”

She didn’t get up from where she lay, instead, she strained her neck to look up at him. He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear so that he could look at her eyes.

“What sounds good to you?”

“There is a bucket of chicken in the fridge, could you please pop it in the microwave for me. Thanks.” She hoped that Eric hadn’t ventured in the refrigerator yet, because if he had there was bound to be nothing left.

Stephan quickly brushed his lips over her neck and ears before he left her alone. She got up and rummaged through her bedside draw, the hunger pangs grew more and more intense.

“I thought I had a candy bar in here.” She was muttering to herself. “Being pregnant with a half-beast doesn’t sound all that wonderful right now.” She had seen Eric and the other beasts eat, their stomachs never seemed to have a pit it was like a forever never-ending hole.

“Stephan.” She stuck her head out through the crack at the door. “Stephan. Steph…” before she could finish articulating the last syllables of his name, he was standing in front of her. “Oh, thanks.”

She took the bucket of chicken and ignored the tall glass of water he had brought with him. She sat cross-legged on the bed and cradled the bucket of chicken in one hand while the other dug in deep. She bit deep into the chicken tearing it into pieces with her teeth.

He watched her, a smile radiating on his face. Scarlet gave him a ‘so what’ look and turned her concentration back to the chicken. She was hungry and didn’t have time to be classy about it.

“You have got to stop looking at me like that. And stop smiling.” She talked her eyes still focused on the bucket. She could feel his eyes on her and when she couldn’t stand it anymore she dropped the chicken she had in her hand into the bucket.

“What?” she licked the sauce on her fingers. “I’m hungry. Stephan you are making me very uncomfortable.”

“Sorry, it’s just that I have never seen you eat like this. Here.” He handed her the glass of water. “At least drink this so that you don’t choke yourself.”

She never ate like this before. When Stephan started spending the nights with her she was careful of what she ate, she wanted to look perfect for him. And when Kayla stopped eating her appetite was on a go slow. The refrigerator only started to get filled up when Eric moved in and now she was pregnant. She intended to eat as much as she should, she was eating for two now.

“Thanks.” She put the bucket between her legs and took the glass of water in one hand and picked up a piece of chicken.

Stephan continued to watch her, amused at how she ate. Scarlet was determined to ignore him and after a while, she barely noticed he was around. When she finished, she tossed the bucket to the side and sagged in the bed using the headboard as her support. She couldn’t remember when she last finished a full bucket of chicken alone, usually, she and Kayla only got halfway.

“Should I get you anything else or is the giant crater you call a stomach full.” Stephan was cleaning up after her. Part of her felt guilty and wanted to get up and help, but she was exhausted.

“Maybe just a glass of water. Thank you for being such a sweetheart.” She slipped under the covers and pulled the duvet up to her chest.

She didn’t hear Stephan come in because she fell asleep soon after he left. He slipped in beside her careful not to wake her and cradled her in his arms. It was too early for her to be sleeping but he guessed she had a difficult and unusual day.

***

Scarlet was getting too hot, she stirred in Stephan’s arms pushing away any additional warmth that wasn’t him. Stephan watched her quietly, he wasn’t sure if she was awake or not, her eyes were still closed. After a while she settled again cuddling deeper in his arms, she was cold again so he pulled the duvet over her for the umpteenth time.

He became alert once more when she began shaking her head. It was slow and subtle at first then it turned urgent.

Scarlet was having another nightmare. She was on the ground writhing in pain, she couldn’t sit up, however, how hard she tried to. She tried looking up, but couldn’t see anything past the huge bulge on her stomach. Her body arched as another shock of pain surged through the mid-point of her body. She rubbed the bulge with her hands, taking in deep breaths.

Stephan emerged from the shadows that surrounded her. She stretched out her hand to him but he never attempted to help her. He watched her, a snarl erupting from his lips. Another figure walked out of the shadows, it was Nikki. She walked up beside Stephan and he tucked her into his arm just as he had done with Scarlet countless times before.

They watched her in pain and did nothing to help her. Another shot of pain went through her, this time it was more intense and focused mainly on her lower abdomen. She could hear a tearing sound and could feel a warm liquid under her thighs. Carefully not to make any pain worse she moved her hand under her. When she brought it up to her face she saw it was blood.

The tearing noise was louder and the pain became worse. Scarlet watched as little fingers emerged from the little tear in her belly. The little hands were ripping her skin even more to create room for itself. Soon it was out and the remnants of her insides were on the ground.

The baby crawled up to her chest and its tiny hands patted her cheeks. She was just taking in the beauty of the little boy’s face when Stephan took him from her and gave him to Nikki. She couldn’t get up or talk, she was too weak to do both.

Once the baby was out of his hands Stephan knelt beside her once more. He stroked the hair off her sweaty forehead and smiled at her. Then he went back to the gaping hole in her belly and out both his hands inside her. He lifted his cupped hands from her to his lips, blood spilling over and slurped up the contents. He was drinking her blood.

Scarlet work up in a panic, her breathing was irregular and she was sweating all over.

“Scarlet what is it? Did you have a bad dream?”

She pushed out of his arms and dropped her hand to her belly. She got out of the bed and ran to the bathroom mirror, she hiked up her top and looked at her belly. She was still intact.

Stephan came into the bathroom behind her. He was worried.

“Scarlet?” 

She held up her index finger to her lips then pointed at him. She had a menacing look on her face. She was angry at the dream, but since he was the only one there and he was in her dream, he was the only one he could take out her anger on. She filled a glass with water and dumped it on him.

Stephan was startled at first. His gaze followed her as she stomped back into bed.

“I am not going to pretend I know what that was all about.” He pulled his wet t-shirt over his head, the simple action flexing every muscle on his torso and arms.

Scarlet watched tempted, she picked up her pillow and tossed it at him. He dodged it easily. She turned to pick up another pillow when in one fluid move he was behind her and had pinned her face forward on the bed. He was on top of her but she could barely feel his weight.

“How about you tell me why you are attacking me?” he was whispering in her ears. For some reason having her under him like this made him yearn for her.

She knew it was silly and wasn’t about to say it out loud. She needed to change the topic and she knew all too well how best to do it.

“How about you flip me over and we can lead this conversation somewhere else.”

Stephan chuckled. His deep laugh vibrating through his chest. “Nice try, but no. Tell me.”

“Get off me first.” She tried to struggle against him but it was useless, she may as well be trying to push against a brick wall.

“I can hold you like this all night.” He held her down with one hand while the other caressed her back.

She knew the sooner he got what he wanted the sooner she would get what she wanted. “Ok. I had a nightmare. You were snuggling with Nikki.” 

She decided to leave the baby and him drinking her blood part out. She wasn’t about to start explaining her dream to him and the real reason why it angered her. The snuggling she could live with, but him giving her baby away to Nikki pissed her off.

He yanked her into a sitting position. She was looking down at her twiddling thumbs, he took her chin in his hand and lifted her head so that she could look at him.

His facial expression was serious and the tone in his voice had changed, “Listen to me, no one except you will snuggle in my arms.” He gave her a hard smile, “I will never love anyone as much as I love you. Especially not Nikki, so don’t ever worry about that.”

Scarlet bobbed her head up and down, she didn’t say anything. What could she say?

“No wonder you woke up so angry.” He laughed at how ridiculous her idea was.

“What’s so funny?” Scarlet was staring at him. She couldn’t help but notice how beautiful he looked happy, even when his amusement was at her cost.

I’d love a cup of coffee

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Chapter 35- NEW MOON

The week flew by. The diner was swamped with customers, most of them were the regulars, and the others just came to see where the red-headed girl had died. This often got on Kayla’s nerve because she heard both their thoughts and conversations.

Once she tossed a couple of young boys out when she heard them speculating how her body was found. They tried to resist but were no match for her. Solara watched from his usual booth amused. He did not attempt to interfere with how Kayla had decided to handle things. Joany and the rest of the staff weren’t bothered either.

“I heard you turned in your resignation already. How did Joany take it?” it was Stephan’s day to spend time with her. He sat at the diner watching her work, it was good enough for him that they were in the same room.

“I did this morning. She wasn’t too happy about it but she understood. She was especially unhappy when Kayla and Vincent also quit.”

“What? Why?”

“They thought it was best. They said that they didn’t want anything else to happen. But I think that they just want to get out of this place.” She put the coffee pot on the table and sat down next to Stephan.

 “It’s kind of hard looking at that wall and not seeing the message written in her blood.” Scarlet looked up at the ceiling, “Looking up and not seeing her hanging from the beams.” then her gaze fell on the kitchen counter, “or her head on the counter.”

“I am sorry.” He kissed her temple.

“It’s not your fault and you need to stop blaming yourself. It happened and we all have to live with it.” She was trying to make him feel better, she had been trying since the funeral.

“That’s what you keep telling me.”

“Besides, Joany thinks she already has our replacement. So she won’t suffer in any way. It’s been a good week, it’s time for me to focus on Washington now. And you and Kayla.” She got up when a customer signaled her for more coffee.

“By the way, this arrangement seems to be working out.” She nodded then sighed. “Well since I still work here, I’d better get cracking.”

“I’ll be here waiting.” He looked after her as she walked across the room. He wished he could but he couldn’t stop time and Zen hadn’t attacked so far and he hoped he wouldn’t for the next four weeks.

***

Scarlet weaved around the room, taking orders and filling coffee cups. She was dead on her feet and wasn’t feeling well either. When the exhaustion was too much to bear she signaled Vincent to cover for her. She went to the back to get some fresh air. Kayla breezed through the door behind her.

“What did Stephan say about coming back here on your own?” Kayla was upset. This was where Zen had spotted Marcie the first time.

Scarlet didn’t lift her head when she pointed in three directions. Kayla followed her finger and saw Xavier, Sam, and Eric.

“I’m not a complete idiot. I asked Vincent where they were and he told me they were here. So I came here.” She used her apron to fan herself. “Besides I’m in desperate need of fresh air. I’m not feeling that great.”

“Scarlet you don’t look that great either. Did you have something to eat?” she crouched next to her, Scarlet’s head had moved between her knees.

“Yes, the ham sandwich.”

“Scarlet, what did I tell you about eating Murphy’s sandwiches. Don’t worry it will pass soon. It’s just your body rejecting the poison.” She teased.

Scarlet wasn’t paying attention to her anymore, she could feel and taste bitter vile rise up her throat. She tried swallowing hard, hoping to push it back down, but it didn’t work. She quickly turned and placed her hand on the wall for support. She threw up everything she ate that day.

“Scarlet!” Kayla barked in fright. “Eric go get me some water.”

Eric ran into the diner to find Vincent. “I need a glass of water for Scarlet, she’s sick.”

Vincent handed him the water a worried look on his face. He watched as Eric ran out the same way he came in, he tried to go on with his work but couldn’t.  He went out to the back he had to make sure she was fine. When he got there, Scarlet was still bent over throwing up.

***

Stephan watched them acting weird, not sure what to make of it, and ignored them. Solara came in and sat next to him.

“Hey, where did everyone go?” Solara was looking around the room. He zoned out for a second staring into space.

Stephan also looked up and for the first time noticed that they had all left. He knew that Scarlet had taken her break but didn’t see Kayla leave.

“Stephan we have to go to the back. Kayla says there is something wrong with Scarlet.”

Stephan didn’t need to hear the rest of it. He ran through the kitchen and to the back. They were all surrounding Scarlet worried looks on their faces.

“Vincent go get me more water.” Kayla was barking orders at them.

“I’m not leaving here.” Vincent shook his head and refused to move. His hand was rubbing Scarlet’s back.

“I’ll go.” Eric volunteered.

“Scar, look at me. What the hell is wrong with you?” Kayla was crouched next to her head.

“What’s going on here?” they all turned to look at Stephan when he spoke. They stepped aside so that he had space to reach her.

Scarlet was squatting on the ground, her apron was off and Kayla was wrapping her hair in a ban.

“I don’t know we were just talking and all of a sudden the flood gates opened.”

“Scarlet are you sick should we take you to a hospital.” Stephan had managed to crouch next to Kayla. She shook her head in response.

“That’s what you think. Solara, get the car, you are going to a hospital.” Kayla said.

Eric came back with the water and handed it to Kayla, she then asked him to get their purses and inform Joany that they were leaving.

“Here drink this.” Kayla fed her the water when Scarlet sat on the ground her legs folded.

She didn’t know what was worse, that she got sick or the fact that she had an audience while she got sick. She cradled her head in her hands. She listened to Kayla and Stephan plan how they would take her to the hospital, and took comfort in Vincent’s company as he sat beside her.

“How are you doing?” She could hear the concern in his voice.

She forced a hard smile, “I feel a lot better now.”

When Solara came round with the car, Stephan lifted her from the ground to put her in the car. He tossed Vincent the keys to his car before they drove off.

Vincent and Eric followed behind, while Xavier and Sam opted to wait at the house for them.

When they got to the hospital, scarlet insisted to see the doctor on her own, and miraculously no one objected. She was led to the doctor’s office. The sign on the door read Doctor Murphy, she laughed at the irony. The same man who was going to cure her bore the same name as the one who got her sick.

After telling him what happened he ordered a series of tests. He was also convinced that it was something she ate but wanted to be sure about it.

As she followed the nurse to the lab she scowled at her four escorts. Vincent ran behind her and offered to hold her hand which she immediately accepted.

“Are you sure you can handle it, Vincent?” He was a vampire and the sight of blood would affect him.

“Don’t worry about it, I’m cool.”

“Thank you. I hate needles.” Scarlet gently rubbed her arm preparing herself for the pain.

“Don’t worry if she hurts you, I’ll take off her head.” She laughed. He distracted her long enough for the nurse to draw blood from her without her noticing.

When the nurse handed her a cup, they both stared at her then at the cup.

“You’re on your own for this one.”

“Thanks,” Scarlet mumbled.

Vincent escorted her as far as the ladies’ room door and waited there for her. When she came out holding a brown bag that had the cup of urine inside, he took it from her. She didn’t bother to look at what he was doing with it. She assumed he was just carrying it until they got to the lab and the nurse’s jaw dropped. 

Vincent had removed the cup from the bag and was staring at it.

“Ewe, Vincent.” She snatched it out of his hand and then bolted out of the room. She went back to the waiting room where the others sat. She took a seat next to Stephan and held on to his arm. Vincent followed and took a seat beside Kayla.

“I wouldn’t touch him if I were you K?” Scarlet was giggling.

“Why?” it took Kayla a second to read Scarlet’s mind and her face wrinkled in disgust. She knew that Solara had also read her mind because he leaned his head to the side and raised an eyebrow at Vincent.

“Eww, no you didn’t. How could you? Is there something…? Vincent seriously.” Kayla stood up and took a seat at Solara’s other side.

“What?” Eric and Stephan asked in unison.

Scarlet sat up and turned so that she could see both of them, “They are running a couple of tests and they asked me to pee in a cup and Vincent was playing with it.” She couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“Dude.” Eric was shaking his head, sharing everyone’s disgust.

Stephan just stared at him. He looked at him as if trying to understand him and judging his sanity.

“Hey, do you know when I last saw urine, I was curious and besides I washed my hands?” He waved his hands in the air exhibiting them.

“Ms. McKyle, the doctor will see you now.” she hadn’t noticed the nurse who was now standing next to them.

She stood up and followed her to the doctor’s office. She took a seat in the chair across his desk and waited for him.

He walked in with a folder in his hand. “I am happy to say that you weren’t poisoned, so you can let Murphy off the hook.” He took a seat and smiled at her. “But you might want to hold someone else accountable. Congratulations you are pregnant.”

It took a second for the news to sink in, “What? No I’m not.” she was holding on to the chair. “Are you sure? My friend was fooling around with the tests earlier on, he may have contaminated them.”

The doctor chuckled. She failed to see what part of the news was funny. A baby. She never thought Stephan could have children and now someone was telling her she was pregnant.

“Ms. McKyle could you please get on the bed?” he was gesturing towards the bed.

“Excuse me?” the bed was what had gotten her in this situation and now he wanted her to climb on another.

“I need to take an ultrasound, please?”

Scarlet climbed onto the bed and lay down on her back.

“Lift your top please.” He squeezed a drop of cold gel. That made her flinch on her belly.

“Just relax, this is very simple and won’t cause you any discomfort.” He rolled a scanner over her abdomen. “There we are.”

Scarlet angled her head so that she could see what he was referring to. She couldn’t see anything except a dark spot and other weird things.

He pointed at the dark spot. “There is your baby. And by looking at this I can tell you are about two weeks pregnant. The symptoms don’t usually show until the third or fourth week. But you seem to be fine.”

Scarlet wasn’t paying attention, she was looking at the dark spot he claimed to be her child. Hers and Stephan’s.

“You are doing fine.” He turned the machine off and handed her a box of wipes.

She wiped the gel off her, and then placed her hand over her belly. She couldn’t help but feel war inside. She made a connection with another life, one that she had only known for five minutes.

They were going to have a baby, she thought of how Stephan would react, she was going to tell him immediately she left. At that moment, an alarm went off in her head.

Zen. She had just provided him with another target. A little victim. She ruled against telling Stephan or anyone else. The toughest challenge would be not thinking about it.

“Do you mind if I sit here for a while?” Scarlet asked.

“No, not at all. Please take all the time you need, I will give you some privacy.” He left and closed the door behind him.

Scarlet needed this time to be excited about her baby and also to occupy her head with other thoughts. She jumped off the bed and bounced up and down the room. She was startled by a knock on the door.

“Is everything alright in there?” It was the nurse.

“Yes, I’m fine. I will be out in a minute. I’m fine.” She hugged her arms around herself. We are fine.

Chapter 34- THE MOON SO HIGH

“Are you ok?” Stephan had his hand on the small of Scarlet’s back. She looked like she was hyperventilating and her color had changed to pale white.

 She took a couple of deep breaths. Her eyes were closed and her hand on her chest. She was trying to calm herself down. All of a sudden going to the funeral didn’t seem like a good idea.

“Relax, just breathe. Do you want to go back home?”

She shook her head, she didn’t speak she was sure her voice would betray her. She counted back from ten then opened her eyes and looked up at Stephan. His hair fell forward as he bent towards her.

“Are you sure?”

 She took one deep breath before she answered. “I’m sure.”

Stephan kept his left hand on her back and gave her his right hand to hold on to.

“Mmmmh, I think I am ready, let’s go.”

They walked into the church, Solara was supporting Kayla behind them. Scarlet took comfort that she was feeling the same way she was. She was glad that the fact she was a vampire did not interfere with her emotions.

They took a seat at the last pew. They didn’t want to seat too close, Stephan didn’t think it was appropriate. They watched as people filled the small community church. Most of them they recognized as the customers from the diner.

Kayla nudged Scarlet when Joany approached them. They looked up and smiled at her.

“Hi, Joany.” 

“Hey girls, how are you holding up?”

“So, so.” 

“Marcie’s parents want to meet everyone who worked at the diner. They want us to sit up front with them.” 

She took a step back to give them away. Scarlet slightly shook her head at Kayla when Joany wasn’t looking.

I’m not sure I can bear it sitting so close to them.

Me either, but we can’t say no.

Kayla, I don’t know if this is a good idea.

Hold on to me.

Kayla was the first to stand up, Scarlet followed only because Kayla held on to her hand and didn’t let go. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, and then she opened them and took her first step towards the front. Kayla put her arm around her when she felt her tremble. “It’s going to be fine.” They were halfway up the aisle when they heard Joany’s voice.

“You too. The three of you are part of the diner family just like the rest of us.”

They turned back to see Stephan, Solara and Vincent walk up behind them. She felt better knowing that he was going to be with her. They slowed down their pace so that could catch up.

When they got to the front pew, they saw Marcie’s parents. Scarlet controlled the raspy breath and walked towards them. She forced a hard smile as she stretched out her hand to greet them.

“Mr. and Mrs. Hardy, My name is Scarlet Mc Kyle, this is Kayla Cooper, Stephan Jeraldi, Solara Gomez, and Vincent…” At that time she realized that she didn’t know what Vincent’s last name was and decided to improvise. “Vincent Mc Kyle my younger brother.” She squinted at the lie but didn’t think they would mind. “We worked with your daughter and she was a wonderful girl.”

“Thank you. She spoke of all of you whenever she called home, especially of Vincent.” They smiled at him. “Thank you for coming.”

They walked to the coffin to pay their respects. Scarlet didn’t hesitate, she walked up to the open casket and looked down at her. She was as beautiful as ever. They dressed her in a pulled-neck dress. She thought it was to cover where her head was detached from the rest of her body.

Kayla walked up beside her and took her hand, she placed her head on her shoulder and they both stared at the pale lifeless body. Her hair was just the same, red and in curls. They suspected that the mortician had applied some makeup on her because she had color on her cheeks.

Stephan and Solara stepped behind them, while Vincent squeezed in between them. Scarlet realized how true her lie was, he was their little brother, and he acted like it every single time. Insisting to stand or sit between her and Kayla all the time. They both put an arm around him.

The ceremony was short and simple, Joany was the only one who spoke on behalf of the workers at the diner. Marcie’s father gave a vote of thanks to everyone who came, while her mother stood over the casket and sobbed. The priest gave an encouraging word and asked people to take in the significance of the day.

Scarlet watched her, feeling her grief. She knew how she felt, it was almost like the same pain she felt when she saw her parents lying lifeless in a box. Large drops of tears fell from her eyes as she watched her grief.

“Are you alright?” Stephan was always worried about her. Now he couldn’t stand seeing her so sad.

“Yes, I am fine. She looks so sad.” Scarlet continued to watch Mrs. Hardy as she cried over her daughter’s corpse.

When the pastor declared the ceremony over, they stood and watched the casket carried out and loaded onto the hearse. They walked to their cars, Xavier and Eric waited by the mustang. The hearse drove off. Marcie was going back home, back to Tennessee.

They drove home in silence. Solara was the first to get there, he was always in a rush and it helped that no one in the car minded the speed. Scarlet got to the house and went straight to her room. She wanted some time to herself. 

Since they weren’t celebrating Christmas and Kayla didn’t want to think of the day at all she didn’t see the point of sitting in the living room with the others. She missed her family and hated the fact she was missing another holiday with them.

 She lay across the bed with her eyes closed. She wasn’t sleeping, she just wanted to be shut out of the world for a moment. When she heard the door open she didn’t attempt to move, she assumed it was Stephan and knew that soon she would be in his arms.

“Scar, are you awake?” it was Kayla. She turned her head to face her. She wasn’t alone Vincent was with her.

“Scarlet I wanted to tell you, that what you said about me being your brother meant a lot to me.”

She tapped lightly on her bed and Vincent sat beside her. “But you are our brother, right Kayla?”

“Right. You are our green-eyed little brother” She joined them on the bed.

“Thank you, guys. Let me get out of here before your boyfriends catch me.” They laughed with him. 

Scarlet couldn’t help but think about the first day they met him. Kayla was still human, and so were Stephan and Solara according to her knowledge. He looked ridiculous in his full leather-clad. She was glad that Kayla had been able to educate him in fashion. The jeans and polo shirts suited him. They were still trying to get him to change his hair color.

“I always see him as a kid, although he is a decade or two older than me.” To Scarlet, Vincent was a breath of fresh air. He always knew how to keep her spirits up.

“Speaking of relatives, I can’t believe you will be leaving soon.” Kayla had just five weeks left with Scarlet. Although she would be able to visit her from time to time, it wasn’t the same as having her with her. She was determined to make the most of it.

“Five more weeks and I will start my fellowship. That is if Zen doesn’t get here before then.” She hoped not. In five weeks she would be off his radar.

“Don’t worry about that. That is our part, yours is fulfilling your dreams.” Kayla put her hand on hers. “So I don’t suppose Stephan would object to an equal split.”

“Split of what?”

“Time silly, I get you days and he gets you nights. That is fair don’t you think.”

“One question, what time do I sleep?” she was glad that she was going to spend more time with her, she was sure Stephan wouldn’t mind.

“When you get to Washington. Ok, you can sleep three times a week, I’ll draw up a schedule to work around it.” Kayla was doing the math in her head.

“K, no. I sleep every night. Draw up a schedule that works around that.”

“She doesn’t have to.” Stephan walked into the room. “She only has to tell me when she wants to spend time with you. I will happily give you to her, I’m not greedy.” He was smiling at them.

His smile always weakened her. It filled her stomach with little butterflies and made her heart race. It made all the blood in her body rush and her muscles turned to paddy. He was beautiful to her, and he was hers.

“Ok, I got dibs on tomorrow morning and every morning this next week.” Kayla turned her attention to the giant in the room.

“Be reasonable Kayla, that can’t work. Three times a week.” They were bargaining now. Scarlet looked at one then the other as they placed their offers.

“Ah ah. No Stephan three days, you aren’t serious. Four days and Saturday nights. That’s my final offer think about it before you say anything.”

Stephan genuinely looked like he was thinking about it. After a long second, he accepted the offer. He didn’t want to push Kayla, she may demand more than one night. He loved his nights with Scarlet, watching the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. Listening to her little snore.

“Fine that’s a deal. Shake on it.” They stretched out their hands out to each other, shook hands to seal the arrangement.

“What do you think honey, does it work for you?”

“Now you want my opinion?” Scarlet chuckled once, “You two seem to have worked it out. If there is anything I have learned today is that time is precious. So I will stay up all night if I have to, to spend time with you both. With all of you.” She smiled up at her best girl and best guy.

“I love you, sis.” Kayla climbed on the bed to give her a bear hug. She held her so tightly Scarlet’s arms began to throb.

“K, you won’t need the schedule if you crush me. Remember fragile goods.” She immediately pulled back an apologetic look on her face.

“I’m sorry. I am going to miss you.” She turned back to look at Stephan. “This arrangement starts tomorrow morning, it being a Monday makes it appropriate.”

She got up to leave when Stephan caught her arm. “Joany called, she asked whether we would go to the wake. I hope you don’t mind but Solara and I thought it wouldn’t be best for both of you.”

“That’s fine with me.” Kayla was relieved, “The only reason I held it together during the mass was for Scarlet. I don’t think I can take another round of that. Thanks.” She smiled up at him and left.

“What about you Scarlet. Are you fine with it?”

“I didn’t want to face a crowd of people. I also know how hard it was for you today at the mass, I don’t want to put you through that again. So it’s fine with me.” She held her arms out to him.

He climbed onto the bed and laid his head on her lap. She combed her fingers through his hair. “You are too good to me Scarlet. You don’t have to stay for me, Vincent and Eric will escort you if you want to go.”

“I don’t want to. I want to lay here with you. Appreciate the time I have with you, with all those crazy creatures downstairs.”

“You keep very bad company my love, vampires, and beasts.” He rubbed his cheek against the black silk she was wearing.

“Don’t I know it? I wonder what you will think of my sanity when I tell you that I am in love with a half breed.”

He sat up to look at her, “I would say that you are positively insane.” He leaned down to kiss her.

He tasted her lips and let his hands caress her as he laid her gently on her back.

Chapter 33- THE MOON SO HIGH

“Yes.” His eyes focused on the road, “he needs Zen gone, dead. So we can trust him to help us when the time comes.”

“Stephan this is too dangerous for your human. She shouldn’t be around for this.” 

He couldn’t help but look at the back seat. From the corner of his eye, he saw Solara’s startled expression. He heard Solara mumble something that sounded like he speaks. Sam had never spoken ever since the first time they met and his deep voice matched his mean look.

“We have that sorted out. She will be leaving soon and as for now I want to keep her as close as I can.” 

He turned to face forward when he heard Solara sigh. They were home, he could hear them laugh and was glad that Scarlet was in a good mood. Her laughter was the loudest, he wondered what they could be doing that made her so happy.

When he walked into the house, he saw that they were pilled on top of each other. He could see a mat with different color circles where they had fallen. He wasn’t familiar with it but assumed it was a game of some sort. Nikki was leaning against the wall but stood straight when she saw him. Stephan couldn’t be sure but he thought he saw her smile for a second. Like she was happy to see him.

“I missed you.” Kayla who was at the top of the pile stood up and walked into Solara’s arm. She stood with the rest of them as they watched the others try to free themselves. They looked ridiculous doing it. She could see that the rest of them were confused. “Twister. It’s a game. We were bored so Scarlet took it out of her closet.”

“Stephan, help.” Scarlet was laughing while she tried to beat Vincent off her. She was at the bottom of the pile, he was worried about her getting hurt but she didn’t seem to be.

“Get off me guys.” She chuckled as Eric stood up and Vincent followed. She lay on the ground taking a minute glad all the weight was off her.

“That was fun.” Eric was more like Vincent, childlike and his blond hair and blue eyes made it more so. 

“It was awesome, we have to play again.” Vincent’s eyes were wide with excitement.

“Yeah why not, but this time the human sits it out. She can watch from the sidelines. Need a hand, honey?” Stephan watched Scarlet on the mat, her face looked so content and her body relaxed. He knew he was being overprotective but he wasn’t sure wrestling like games against vampires and beasts were in her best interest.

With one hand he picked her up from the ground. He held her against him and kissed her before setting her on her feet.

“Thank you for the lift.” She combed her fingers through her frizzy hair.

“Tell us what happened in RWC,” Kayla asked. Personally, all she needed to do was tap into their minds but she wanted the others to hear about it.

“Nothing much, we have their support. So we will be prepared when Zen decides to attack again.” Solara filled them in.

“Zen.” At Stephan’s side, Scarlet whispered her hand dropping from his hair. She thought about the message on the wall and Marcie. She hadn’t thought about the previous night until then. Her body shivered.

“Are you cold?” Stephan bent his head to reach hers.

“No, am fine.” She forced her lips into a hard smile. She was defiantly not fine. She needed to know more about Zen, and now that Stephan was back it was a good a time as any.

“Stephan we have a pending conversation.” Kayla could see Scarlet’s reaction and the thoughts that played in her head.

“Scarlet do you want to take a seat.” He was leading her to the chair, although she shook her head. She didn’t want to move from his side. He could tell but was more worried about the ghostly paled color her skin had turned to. He sat next to her, his arm around her.

“Zen and I used to work together. He was my superior.” He could tell that they didn’t understand him, but that wasn’t important. The story of his past was too long to tell and he needed to get to the present. “He was my superior for a while until he and Mathias got kicked out. The Conselho preferred that I lead their warriors. They were against it, so they were banished for defiance. Zen hates me for it and wants to kill me. He isn’t the direct approach, kind of person. So when he saw me with Marcie at the diner, he decided to kill her first.”

He paused when he felt Scarlet flinch, her color hadn’t returned and he was worried. He looked up at Kayla and she was just as worried as he was. When she nodded to him her eyes still fixed on Scarlet, he continued, he knew that Kayla thought she could handle it and he had to trust her judgment.

“He killed her to get to me. Don’t worry Scarlet, he doesn’t know you. He knows you exist but hasn’t seen your face.” He squeezed her shoulder, but she didn’t react to anything he had said. “He will be back, but not soon. He is hoping that he can wear me out, to make it easier for him to attack. The bad news is that he won’t be alone this time, so we have to get ready.” 

He looked down at Scarlet. He was surprised at how she was handling everything. He kept expecting her to get hysterical, the calm before the storm. Kayla was still concentrating on her but didn’t look worried anymore.

***

Are you ok?

I’m fine, just worried.

Everything will be fine, we have back up. Not to mention the super immortal at your side.

He is super, isn’t he?

Super hot, want to trade?

Kayla and Scarlet exchanged a look and began to laugh. Although Stephan didn’t understand what had happened the past few seconds he was glad, because the pink color had come back to her cheeks. She seemed more relaxed.

***

“How long do you think Mathias will take before he calls us with his answer?” Xavier was more concerned about Zen. There were only four of them and four of Stephan’s party. That made eight. He hoped Mathias would have a larger number. He didn’t want to bring any more shifters into this. He didn’t think his superiors would allow him to fight to protect a human. Xavier hoped that once they helped Stephan, then he would join them and fight for the beasts.  

“We should hear from him by tonight, tomorrow morning latest. He was pretty confident that his coven would join in. But he wanted them to have time to think about it.” Solara was playing with Kayla’s curls. He loved the texture of her hair.

“You don’t seem to be taking this serious enough.” Nikki watched how Stephan and Scarlet cuddled on the seat, and Solara playing with Kayla’s hair. She wasn’t annoyed by how they seemed relaxed about the situation, but by how they relaxed.

“One thing you should know,” Vincent spoke up since the rest of his family had decided to ignore her. “Stress causes wrinkles and since Scarlet is still human, they don’t want her to age too fast.” He dodged the pillow Scarlet threw at him.

“Seriously, this is how we cope with the situation. How we have been coping for the past year. We worry about the danger every single day, every single second, but we take pleasures of now rather than later.” Vincent’s tone was more serious. It was important for him that the newcomers knew why they did the things they do.

“Because we may not have a later.” Scarlet finished Vincent’s thought, her eyes moving to the four people who had become her family the past year. And finally, resting on Stephan’s face, his eyes, and his lips. Her fingers combed through his black hair, before cupping his face.

Kayla wrapped her hands around Solara’s waist and looked at him before meeting Scarlet’s gaze, “We are a family, we fight literary throwing blows at each other, we say things that hurt each other but we forgive each other. We suffer through each other’s pain and celebrate together through the happy moments. This is how we cope.”

“It is isn’t it?” Solara put his arm around Vincent’s shoulder, which had moved to stand beside them. “We are an odd family, aren’t we though? But I would give my life for any one of them.” He sighed.

“Xavier, you need to understand this, before signing up to join us. At the moment our main concern is Scarlet and we are all going to protect her.” Stephan was glad that they were able to grow so close in such a short time. “I know it is me they are after. I have thought about leaving, but I can’t leave without knowing that they are safe. And now that Zen knows where we live, it more dangerous. I can’t risk him finding them here without me.”

***

“Mathias did say it was a suicide mission, but they’re more important things to think about. We understand and we will stay here and fight with you.” Xavier could feel the ties that held them together and was glad of the advantage it posed.

“Why don’t you just change her? It will help you all to focus on the real danger at hand.” Everyone looked at Nikki who hadn’t moved from the window.

“Because she isn’t ready yet,” Kayla answered. “She has to make the decision, we aren’t going to force her into it because of the psychopath coming for Stephan.” Nikki’s presence annoyed her each time she spoke or thought.

“Sam, Eric, go see what can be done to fix the door upstairs. Tell me if it can be salvaged or if we need to get a new door.” Xavier was trying to change the topic, distract them. He could see how angry Kayla was getting and a fight between the two females wasn’t in their best interest.

“My home is always getting renovated. First the wall now the door.” She walked to Kayla and took her hand. She pulled her towards the stairs, she was glad that she always came to her defense. “Let’s go to your room, I think you need some distance from Miss Nikki.”

***

The guys decided to buy a new door. They couldn’t salvage the pieces of wood that once stood as a door. The next morning the same constructors who fixed the wall came with the new door. Vincent had given them the measurements the previous night, so all that was left was them to fix it. Just as before they put up the door without asking any questions and left.

The house was getting crowded, Solara offered his apartment to Xavier, Sam, and Nikki. It was a two-bedroom and since they slept it would suit them well. Eric decided to stay at the house, he crushed on the couch while Vincent watched television. The two of them had grown close and Xavier didn’t object to the sleeping arrangements.

The police had been to the house once to ask them a few questions. Stephan and Solara handled the interview as the rest of them looked on. Scarlet didn’t trust herself to talk about Marcie, and Kayla couldn’t do it either.

Xavier and the others came to the house in the afternoons and left at dawn. Nikki didn’t accompany them most of the time. Scarlet didn’t care about her jealousy over her and Stephan, she rarely saw her anymore and was all too happy about it.

A week after Marcie’s death, the investigation had stopped. The police couldn’t find any physical or forensic evidence. The only thing they were able to conclude was that the blood was not hers. 

The diner closed for two weeks and only opened the day of her funeral. Joany wanted to open it in her memory and thought that it would be the best place to hold her wake.

Marcie’s parents traveled to San Francisco so that they could take their daughter back home and bury her on their farm in Tennessee. They agreed to have a mass in town for the family and friends she had made there.

The ceremony was simple, a Christmas funeral. It drew in a larger crowd than was expected considering it was a religious holiday. All the friends she had made and every life she had touched during her past five years at the diner came to spend Christmas with her and her family. 

Marcie’s picture was the cover of the program. A huge picture of her was at the door a pen on a table beside it so that people could sign it. Another picture was at the front of the church near her casket. The church was adorned with her favorite flowers, lilies, and the Christmas decorations blended in with them.

Scarlet, Stephan, Solara, Kayla, and Vincent all went to the funeral. Xavier and Eric also joined them determined to pay their respects. The other two beasts opted out. Kayla was glad Nikki decided not to accompany them, this was Marcie’s day and she didn’t want her thoughts distracting her from her friend’s memorial.

Kayla was afraid of going to church that day. She was familiar with all the vampire movies and was well aware that the damned aren’t allowed in the holy place.

“Are you sure it’s ok if we all go? If Scarlet goes and represents us am sure they will understand.” Solara was buttoning up her black dress and planted a kiss on the back of her neck.

“Those are just stories, my love. You won’t turn into a fireball if you do go to church. And the holy water won’t burn into your skin, so you are safe if the priest decides to go crazy with it.” He was chuckling. Her worries were ridiculous to him.

“I don’t see what so funny.” Kayla was beginning to get annoyed.  

“What are you talking about K?” Scarlet was crossing the hall and could hear, Kayla whimpering. She leaned against the door frame.

“I was asking Solara whether it’s safe to go to the church. He says it’s fine but I’m not so sure.” She turned to give him a mean look that made him laugh even harder.

“Yeah I know, I asked Stephan about it and he says it’s cool.” A smile formed on her face, “why are you afraid you are going to turn into a ball of fire or something.”

“Haha funny.”

“We need to get going people.” Stephan emerged from the other room and stood behind Scarlet. “Kayla since you don’t believe us, let’s go test the theory.” He was grinning at her.

“You guys think you are really funny huh? Let’s get moving.”

They decided to take both cars, Vincent rode with Solara when the two beasts rode with Stephan. When they got to the church, they lingered at the doors. She stared at the picture at the door. Marcie’s beautiful smiling face. She walked to it and picked up a pen to sign it.

Marcie,

I am sorry you had to lose your life like this.

Bring happiness to all the people on the other side just as you did to us

Merry Christmas

We love you

Scarlet and Kayla

Vincent picked up the pen after which he and wrote only two words. 

Stay cool

 They hesitated, they saw how she looked like before and they weren’t sure how she would look now. She could feel the anxiety creep up on her.

Chapter 32- THE MOON SO HIGH

Solara couldn’t help but laugh. He saw the same things she did, but he knew that Nikki wouldn’t hurt Scarlet. He clamped his arms around Kayla and pulled her further away from Nikki.

“Cool it. She didn’t mean anything by it.” Solara was using his calming techniques with her, but with his mind.

“What’s going on? Kayla what’s wrong with you.” Although Scarlet wasn’t surprised, she was curious what set her off like that.

“I think it would be best if we didn’t leave Nikki behind. The last thing we need right now is she and Kayla going head to head.” Stephan was well aware of what was going on but didn’t want Scarlet to find out. Although he was worried about what Nikki was planning in her head.

“No, she will stay and behave. Make every effort not to annoy Kayla. Won’t you Nikki?” He was staring down at her. He also had grown impatient with her. They didn’t have time for love triangles.

“Sure,” Nikki said it through clenched teeth.

Scarlet ignored them, she was sure they weren’t going to tell her what had happened. She dropped her hand from Stephan’s waist and tried to walk away when he caught her.

“I’m just going into the kitchen. I need some coffee.” Stephan moved with her into the kitchen, his arm firmly around her waist.

Vincent blew into the room and stood next to Solara. He whistled at Scarlet, “Nice legs. But I don’t think that t-shirt fits you very well.” He had his usual smile on his face, but his eyes didn’t mirror his smile. There was a hint of sadness in them.

Scarlet chuckled as she put the coffee machine on. Kayla took a seat at the counter, and Stephan leaned against it, his eyes on her.

“The diner is swarming with cops. Joany told all the other girls to head back home. She didn’t want them to see Marcie like that.” Vincent filled them in on the situation at the diner.

 “How are you feeling?” Stephan turned her around to look at her face. Her eyes glistened with tears but so far she seemed in control.

“I’m feeling fine.” Scarlet turned back to the coffee machine and stared at it.

“Joany called her parents already. She said she will give us a yell when everything has been arranged.”

Scarlet was well aware of the feeling of loss. But she didn’t understand their pain. The loss of a child was far worse for a parent than she could imagine. She took a deep breath trying to control the grief that was setting in.

“What time are you going?” She tried to change the subject. She couldn’t handle talking about Marcie. She directed her thoughts to the earlier conversation.

“As soon as you give me my shirt back.” Stephan smiled at her, he admired how determined she was to control her emotions.

“Oh. Sure. Kayla, please watch this for me. I’ll be right back.” She let him lead her back to her bedroom. She could feel Nikki’s gaze follow them, and when she turned her head back, she looked right into her eyes.

When they were in her room, she shrugged off his t-shirt and pulled her robe on, before he could react to her naked body. “I think she likes you.”

Stephan put his shirt on in deliberate silence. 

“Nikki. I think Nikki likes you.” She raised her voice. She knew he heard her the first time, but decided to beat him at his own game. Now he couldn’t deny he had heard her considering she spoke loud enough for the other immortals downstairs to hear her.

She raised her eyebrow at him when he turned. “Why would you say that?” He acted oblivious to her statement that sounded more like an accusation.

“It may be the holes her eyes are burning into me, her dislike for me, or Kayla’s reaction to whatever thoughts she had against me.” She was pulling her flannel pants up, under the robe.

“You don’t have to worry about that.” She had her back turned to him. “And you are going to leave her here with me. Aren’t you concerned about my safety?” 

 “Vincent and Kayla will be with you. Besides Kayla seems prepared to take her down if she so much as frowns at you. And if it does come to a fight, it’s two on two. Vampires are more superior in that arena.”

“Oh? How so?” That fact comforted her, but she was sure it wouldn’t come to that.

“When we phase, we are stronger. But depending on what you phase into you could be limited. If you are on all fours, you will be able to sense the danger but, the reaction to multiple dangers will not be fast enough.” He tried to demonstrate it so that she could understand.

“The turning part isn’t as fast. And when they climb on your back, you can’t throw them off. But it does have its advantages.”

“Hmm.”

“Stephan, we need to talk about what happened last night when you get back.” She dug her fingers in her head and squint her eyes. “I have been trying not to think about it as much as I can. But the image of her… the message on the wall.” She bit her lip and shook her head.

“We will. Just get some rest for now. When you think about her, think about the good things. Did I ever tell you she helped me set up the beach that night?” 

“She did?”

“That is how you should always remember her as a kind person, trusting and full of life.” He would never forgive himself for being the cause of her death. “Ok, enough of that I need to get going. I will be back as soon as I can.” 

He kissed her lips, slowly at first then intensely. Gathering her into his arms and holding her against him. Scarlet could feel her knees weaken, she thought of how glad she was that she wasn’t on her feet. He had lifted her so that he didn’t bend so low to kiss her. He loved how small she was compared to him, but wasn’t fond of how low he had to bend down to kiss her.

“Hey, Xavier.” When Scarlet saw she got his full attention, she continued what she was saying a stern look on her face. “My door isn’t going to fix itself. So when you get back you’re going to get right on that.”

Xavier flashed her one of his devilish grins, which looked so perfect on his face. He nodded and followed Stephan to the car.

***

Scarlet stayed home with Vincent, Kayla, Eric, and although she protested, Nikki. She didn’t spend more than five minutes at a time in the same room as them. She sat at the doorstep most of the time, looking out to the street.

“Kayla you never told me what she did that got you all worked up.” They were on the sofa watching TV. Vincent sat between them with the remote in his hands flipping through the channels.

“It was nothing.” Kayla sat up so that she could look at Scarlet over Vincent’s head. “She has a thing for Stephan. You know how the male beasts kind of fight each other to be alpha or something that ridiculous. Yeah, that’s what she was thinking when Stephan held you.”

Scarlet was glad for Kayla, she didn’t think, no she was sure that she would never win a fight against Nikki regardless of what the prize was.

“What about Stephan?” it was a ridiculous question, but she always wondered what would happen if a woman closer to his kind would come along. Nikki was beautiful and her tanned skin made her all the more so.

“Is that a serious question? I can’t tell you what he thinks of her but I can sure tell you what I see when he is with you.” She reached out to tap her shoulder, “Don’t worry about it. As far as I can tell Stephan likes his women tender.”

***

“This is going to take a while, why didn’t we just run there?” Xavier was still complaining about using the car. “Don’t get me wrong Solara, it is a nice piece of machinery, but it’s not fast enough.”

“Don’t worry about it, as soon as we get to a less populated area, preferably somewhere with a lot of trees we will go the rest of the way on foot.” Stephan decided to put him out of his misery. They always drove there but Xavier was too impatient. He also wanted to get there as soon as possible so that he could get back to Scarlet.

They ran the rest of the way as promised, they were all fast on their feet but Stephan was much faster. When they got to the house, Stephan took the lead. He didn’t want Mathias to see Solara or the beasts first and think he was being attacked.

He knocked on the door and waited for the usual old man to open, but it was a beautiful Asian girl who was there. They let her lead them to the living room where the vampire in question was. He sat in his chair in the dark corner. It was a very strategic place to sit. He could see all the exits and entries in the room.

“Stephan. I was sure you will be here today.”

Stephan’s gaze followed the Asian girl as she sat on the arm of the chair Mathias sat in.

“There was a bit of a scuffle and the old man lost. But I think she is more inviting.”

“That is not my concern Mathias. I am here about what we talked about.”

“Why don’t you introduce me to the beasts’ first zookeeper?”

Stephan was offended by the remark but decided to ignore it. He was pleased that Xavier and Sam didn’t react to it either.

“Xavier, Sam and you know Solara.” They each nodded to their names, all except Solara.

“Yes we have met. So I suppose you have brought them into the fold”. Mathias stood from the chair and met them at the center of the room.

“They helped last night and have volunteered to help me.” Stephan held his hands behind his back as he spoke, making his shoulder muscles look bigger.

“You mean to die.” He chuckled, “Yes I heard about what happened last night.”

Solara took a step forward, towards Mathias. He was sure he had something to do with it and the grin he had on his face when he referred to Marcie’s death set him off. Sam quickly stepped beside him and placed his hand on his chest.

Mathias looked at Solara but showed no sign of attacking or retreating. He stood his ground and only his eyes followed Solara around.

“Zen was here last night.” He returned his gaze to Stephan, “He told me what he did and he was very pleased with himself.” He chuckled once. “He told me he knew where you were, but instead of going at you directly, he was going to cause as much pain before he finally kills you.” 

“He is just a coward. If he thinks he will wear me down he is wrong.” Stephan was determined to stay strong. He had to make sure Scarlet was safe. She only had six weeks before she left for Washington, where she would be much safer away from the craziness he attracted.

“He knows the house, but he doesn’t know who lives there.” Solara’s head tilted to the side while he read Mathias’ mind. “He plans to attack again, but only when he has the hunters with him. But he won’t do it immediately. He is going to take his time to prepare.”

Mathias stared at him, “You know it is very rude to eavesdrop.”

Xavier spoke up for the first time since they got there, “We also prepare, and while we do that anticipate his attack.”

Stephan slightly turned his head to look at Solara, “So he doesn’t know about Scarlet.”

“Yes, he does,” Mathias spoke up before Solara could. “He knows her by name though. He says the girl he killed kept calling her phone to reach you.”

Stephan looked at Solara to confirm it and with a nod he did. The only thing that worried him was how Zen had found him. He knew how the other vampires had found him, with Vincent’s scent. But that was only because they wanted Vincent, and him being with him was a bonus on their part.

“How did he find us?” His head was still inclined at Solara. This was important and he didn’t want anything to be left out.

“The seer.” Mathias was laughing harder, “Zen visited him and he spilled the beans. He told him about Solara and his strange friend and told him where to find you. So Zen went to the house but didn’t find anyone, then he…”

Solara jumped in at this point, “he went to the diner. He was going to go in until he saw you talking to Marcie outback. He thought you were attached to her, so he waited for her to be alone. And when the opportunity finally presented itself he killed her.” Solara’s voice trailed off on the last word.

“Anyway, he killed the seer. Which I think was a bad judgment call.” Stephan face changed from amusement to a deathly expression, “because he won’t see it when I finally kill him.” his whole body language changed. His fingers were balled into a fist and his eyes turned blood red.

Xavier was glad, they needed all the help they could get and anyone who wanted Zen dead was welcome. The remark about him volunteering for his death still lingered in his mind. They hadn’t ever faced the vampires in a fight, so he didn’t know how their tactics or what numbers they would come in. They only received the usual training from their elders, most of them had fought against them and won.

“I assume you and your coven will join us.” Xavier took a step forward.

“I will join, but as for the rest of the coven, they will have to decide for themselves. This house is run on free will. I will reach you once the decision has been made.” Mathias stepped back into the dark corner where his chair was.

Stephan and the others left the house. He knew Mathias had to discuss it with his people. He knew it wouldn’t be easy to convince them to walk to their deaths. He only hoped that there were others there who hated Zen as much as he did.

“Solara, what made Mathias decide to join us?” Stephan wasn’t sure why he had quickly come to that decision.

“Zen asked him to join him and he said no. So on his way out, he took off the old man’s head. Mathias surprisingly cares for the people in that house and wasn’t too happy that Zen had openly challenged him like that.” 

Solara was driving as fast as the car could. He was anxious to get back home, especially since he found out Zen knew where they lived, and was planning another attack. His eyes darted to his phone every two seconds, he was worried that Kayla hadn’t called him, but was glad because it meant everything was fine.

“Do you think we can trust him?” he directed the question to Solara, he was the only one who was familiar to his mind.

Chapter 31-THE MOON SO HIGH

“Stephan!”

Kayla walked into the room with an angry look on her face. She stopped when she saw Scarlet neatly tucked into his arms. She was still asleep, but she saw her eyes looked swollen. He was gently stroking her hair and didn’t look up.

“What is it, Kayla?” His eyes never left her. He spoke in a low tone. Kayla didn’t need him to raise his voice, her hearing was perfect, but he didn’t want to wake Scarlet up. 

“When did she fall asleep? I could hear her crying in the shower for a while last night.” She went and sat at the other side of the bed. Scarlet looked rested and relaxed, she didn’t want to imagine what she would be like when she woke up.

“Around four in the morning.” He kissed her forehead and breathed in the scent of her hair.

“What’s going on down there? Why are they back?”

“How did you… what the hell am I asking. He wants to speak with you. He said it’s important and you should go see him now.” Kayla was twirling a strand of Scarlet’s hair on her finger.

“Tell him to come some other time. I don’t want to leave her.” He watched as Scarlet’s chest rose and fell while she breathed. He appreciated that simple movement of her body. She was breathing, she was alive.

Kayla could sense his resistance, but he had to talk to Xavier, she would volunteer but Nikki’s thoughts annoyed her.

“Solara is down there with him now. You should go. I will stay here with her.” She patted on the hand he had in her hair.

He heisted for a moment before he sighed and eased away from her. He froze when she stirred but she didn’t wake up.

“If she wakes up…”

“You will be the first to know.” She cut into his sentence as she pulled the duvet to cover her, trying to compensate for his warm body.

Xavier sat in one of the armchairs while the other three stood in strategic places in the little room. Stephan wondered who they expected to attack but after the previous night, he couldn’t blame them for having their guard up. Xavier stood up when Stephan got closer. He nodded his head in greeting. “I know that it isn’t the best time, but I thought we should talk.”

“I’m listening. Before I forget, I wanted to thank you for all the help you gave us yesterday.” He stretched out his hand and Xavier shook it.

“We aren’t here to harm you or the life you have made for yourself. I hope you understand that now.”

Stephan acknowledged the other three beasts in the room. “Thank you, all of you. But you need to understand that I left your world along time ago. Wars and battles aren’t my things anymore.” He stretched his hands out, pointing around the room, “this is, so I am sorry I can’t help.”

Solara walked to the middle of the room. “What he means is that we won’t join in the fight. But whenever you need our help we will be there. It is the least that we could do.” His gaze fell on Nikki a look of wonder on his face. He stood at Stephan’s side trying to act as a buffer of some sort, blocking her direct view of him.

“Stephan maybe you should go put on a shirt. Especially since we have guests.” Solara put in.

Solara elbowed him and Stephan followed his eyes to Nikki. He had gotten reactions like this before from women, he never cared for them. Stephan could smell her want. Their bodies worked just like the humans, but their emotions were stronger and more evident. He could smell it on her but ignored it.

“Xavier and I are almost bringing this visit to a conclusion. Isn’t that right?” Stephan said.

“Yes.” Xavier chuckled. He knew perfectly what they were talking about. He shot a glance at Nikki who stood at the far end of the room.

“Now that Zen has found you I’m sure that the rest are not far behind.” Stephan had a look of shock on his face.

“They know about the hunters sent after you. He thinks that Zen is leading them. But instead of capturing you, he knows Zen is going to kill you and they are not willing to let that happen.” Solara filled in the gaps for him.

“You are a mind reader aren’t you? Well, he told you everything. I just wanted to know what you plan on doing.”

“Solara, Vincent.” when he mentioned his name he realized that Vincent wasn’t there, “and I have already discussed that. We have a plan but it involves other vampires.”

Xavier’s upper lip raised in a snarl. “You are still going to trust them after they have proved over and over that they can’t be trusted.”

“I should take offense but I won’t. I understand that our kids have never played well with each other the closest our kind has been to each other is in Stephan,” He chuckled “But we need the backup. These vampires once served under the Conselho but defected. They are our best bet.” The previous night had made him see Mathias in a new light. Although he wasn’t sure how deep his deception ran, he hoped his hate for the Conselho ran deeper.

“We had to get all the help we could, to protect the girls. But since Kayla’s transformation, has made it easier for us. She is going to take care of Scarlet…” a snarl from the other end of the room interrupted him, it was Nikki. “Scarlet and Kayla will leave before they get here, and the rest of us will face the hunters.”

“All three of you. I am assuming that since I can’t see any of the Vampires here, you are all alone in this.” He looked around the room at his men and nodded. “We will help you, with or without the vampires’ help.”

“Thank you, but I have a feeling that Mathias will be willing to join the fight.”

“Mathias?”

“Yes, do you know him?” Solara stepped forward his curiosity peaked.

“I had the pleasure of meeting him once. From what I saw the only negative thing about him, is his bad choice of company.”

“Zen and Mathias used to be acquainted. But he tried to steal his coven from him so you don’t have to worry about that.” Stephan was glad that Zen’s mistake would work in his favor.

***

Scarlet woke up to find Kayla staring at her, but Stephan wasn’t there. She didn’t know why but she panicked when she didn’t see him.

“Relax, he is downstairs. Xavier came to see him and they are talking in the living room.”

She sat up and the duvet slid off her naked body. She remembered the previous night, how she fell asleep in the shower and how relaxing the water was. But she wondered why Stephan hadn’t bothered to dress her after that. She grabbed his shirt off the headboard and put it on.

She looked out of the window, it was a beautiful day that Marcie had missed out on. She wasn’t sure how she felt. She couldn’t go into the diner that day. She couldn’t face the people who would be there. Their tears, their questions, she couldn’t handle their grief.

“Why is he here?” She was walking into the bathroom, then she stopped. The door was missing. She saw pieces of wood carefully stacked at the side. “I hope he came to fix the door.”

“I don’t think so, but we will ask.” Kayla leaned on the frame and watched her friend clean up. “He is here about the hunters. They are making a new plan about that.”

She turned the tap off and tossed her toothbrush into a cup. “Well, let’s go see.”

“Scarlet, Joany called. They found her and she doesn’t want us to come in. We won’t be facing anyone’s grief but our today.” Kayla gave her a weak smile. 

Scarlet hugged her, and they stood in silence for a few seconds. She pulled back and pointed towards the door. 

“Lead the way.”

***

“I think we should go see him, to talk to him about this.” Xavier’s crossed his hands on his chest. He was sure that there was a chance of being attacked but with Stephan there they would listen. 

“We shouldn’t waste any time. I will only bring Sam with me. They won’t see the two of us as a threat.” He turned to Nikki and it was evident she wasn’t too pleased with the arrangement, “the two of you will stay here, make sure their mates are safe. You should also leave Vincent behind with them.”

“Where is Vincent?” Stephan asked Solara, his absence was unusual.

“Joany called earlier on to ask the girls not to come in, that there had been a break-in. Vincent went to the diner to see what was happening. I didn’t try to stop him.” Solara shrugged.

“You should call him back. I would feel more at ease with him here.” He looked up to Nikki, he wasn’t sure how safe Scarlet would be with a jealous beast with her. He would feel better with Vincent backing up Kayla.

“Sure.” Solara used his phone to call Vincent and walked to the window to speak to him.

“We will leave as soon as he gets here.” Stephan could hear movement from upstairs, Scarlet was awake.

Solara turned away from the window, “He is on his way. He will be here in two minutes tops. I will just let Kayla know that we are leaving.”

“Leaving, for where exactly.” Scarlet emerged into the room, her legs peeking out of Stephan’s triple XL t-shirt.

Stephan stretched out his arm to her. She walked toward it and tucked herself into his side. He kissed the top of her head, inhaling his favorite scent. It was like taking a fix. He couldn’t go a day without it.

“Where are you going?” Kayla asked.

 “Red Wood City,” Stephan answered. “We are going to see a vampire called Mathias. We need his help with the hunters.”

She didn’t like the idea of him being far away from her, not after last night. Part of her thought that he would come back, and this time she would be hanging from the ceiling. Stephan hadn’t told her anything about Zen yet. She wanted to know but was not ready to hear it.

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” He was whispering in her ear while kissing along her neck. She nodded in response.

“Nikki would you like to step outside.” Kayla’s voice was edgy. She was tired of her attitude and her murderous thoughts. She was folding the sleeves of her shirt up. “If you are going to do all that planning in your head, don’t let it go to waste.”