After Arundel (RP)

"I can't report the disappearance of someone who doesn't officially exist" Emma sighed to herself as she corroborated Kenedi's suspicions that the man she was looking for was 'one of those' people. "Is there anything else we can do? Anything else you can think of?"

"I'll send you everything I’ve got" she said quickly, before Kenedi has a chance to change her mind. She wasn’t sure what she could do to help her, but she had to try. "Listen, there are a lot of people who would rather this 'individual' stays missing. Powerful people" She added one last warning before hanging up the call "Watch your back, alright?"

Jacob takes a moment to listen to his surroundings. Nothing. No birds, no traffic and, for the first time in weeks, no sound of rain.

Suddenly he remembers something and reaches into his jacket. He sighs in relief when he feels that the dagger is still inside. It's strange that he just felt the urge to check it...

"Sunshine and green grass everywhere... I really hope this is not the Summer Court. I remember the Queen of Summer not being too fond of demons. Come on, Crowley, let's try to figure out where we are and how to get out of here as soon as possible," Jacob says. First he checks the place where he left his car in the real world. With parallel dimensions, you never know, it might still be there.

"I don't suppose you fancy a donkey ride to London, do you?" Jacob frowns and then looks at the castle. "I guess we'll have to see if there's anyone in there. Careful," he advises. He starts to sneak around the castle, trying to find any opening to peek in, or anything that might give him a clue as to where they are.

Crowley's plan to find the pond in the centre of the castle seems convoluted enough to make Jacob think seriously about taking the easy alternative. He has never tried teleporting to his place from another dimension, and he's not even sure it would work, but the feeling is there. He could get rid of Crowley and this awkward situation in one fell swoop.

But if Jacob had a sin to answer for, it would be curiosity. The same reason he picked up the dagger, the same reason he's in this business, the same reason he chose to stay on Earth. He can't just leave, at least not yet, until he sees where they are.

"A magic pond, you say? Come on, let's see what clues we can find"

La Clique was unlike any show her parents in law have ever seen. It was advertised as a "provocative, avant-garde spectacle that blended cabaret, burlesque, comedy, and live music in a way that rattles the senses". It was a performance designed more to shock than entertain, with a heavy dose of crowd participation, wild theatrics, and full frontal nudity. Emma knew her conservative in-laws would never go on their own, which is why she decided to bring them along. She wasn’t sure if they would enjoy the show, or be horrified by it, but either way, they would be talking about it for weeks.

She chatted with them as they waited in line outside the theater. She was happy to share the progress in her own projects. It was a topic that might make them feel more at ease. Better that, then let them consider the audacious nature of the show ahead of them.

"Oh, I'm still doing research for the new book" she smiled "It’ll be a while before I actually sit down to write it. I’m not in a rush" she treated writing the book like some sort of an art project, rather than actual work. She didn’t have any firm deadline in mind. The book will be ready when it will be ready. It did mean that all the financial burden was falling on David’s shoulders in the meantime, but she didn’t feel like being evasive. Her last book DID sell pretty well, as a matter of fact, for its genre. Unfortunately, it was her breakout novel, and she didn’t see much from it. It was her book, but her publisher financial investment. It was frustrating, but she was confident she would do better negotiating her next contract. Now that she had some recognition, she had more leverage. She just needed a bit more time, and she’ll make it.

The older Miss Harper, of course, wasn’t asking because she was waiting to read her new erotic horror novel. Emma gifted them a copy of "Under a Blood Red Moon" when it first came out, but it was sitting untouched on their bookshelf, collecting dust. She figured they were asking either because they were polite, or because they were trying to ascertain her and David’s financial situation. That didn’t make her regret her answer, however.

"The party?" that was a topic Emma was far less interested talking about. She evaded the topic, without outright lying: "Honestly, it ended up being a bit of a bore. Too many pretentious stiffs. It felt like everyone was more concerned with looking important than actually enjoying themselves" She handed their tickets to the usher with a quick smile "But the dress? Absolutely stunning. What did you think of it?"

She really liked that dress. It was glamorous, and sexy, and unforgettable. But the cab fare back to London from Arendell had been expensive, and she knew she’d probably have to sell the dress to make up for the cost. She and David couldn’t really afford to be so frivolous with their money. It was a shame, especially since when she thought about it, the dress was the only good thing to come out of the party.

Emma chose to stay quiet when Mrs. Harper critiqued her revealing dress. There was no point in arguing with her mother-in-law.

"Well, it was different from any party I’ve ever been to, so, I guess it was like the play, in some ways?" she kept her voice light and casual, and was much relieved when the topic shifted to David and his upcoming promotion. Finally, some good news! Maybe she wouldn’t have to sell that dress after all.

"It’s about time they recognized his talents!" she couldn’t hide the pride in her voice "I always told him he deserved that promotion. And with all the extra hours he’s been putting in these last few months, because of the weather... it’s good to see his dedication finally being recognized"

Undeterred by her mother-in-law's shocked reaction to the play she’d chosen, Emma led them to grab a bite to eat. With money tight, she couldn’t afford taking them anywhere fancy. Besides – they were on an adventure! She received recommendations from her colleagues at the Independent about a place that promised an authentic experience, and she was eager to check it out. Maybe she could write a review for Mr. Thompson while she was at it.

The small Lebanese restaurant had soft oriental music playing in the background, blending with the clatter of pots, and sizzling from the kitchen. They were greeted by a friendly owner, who showed them to their table himself. The platters of appetizers arrived soon after.

"So, how’s James doing?" Emma asked, steering the conversation to David’s siblings. "And Betty?" She hoped the change of subject would keep things light and enjoyable, even if Mrs. Harper was still frowning at her choice of entertainment.

Emma was swept up in Mr. Harper's exuberance. He had ordered a bit of everything, exactly what she would have chosen herself, and without hesitation, she shamelessly helped herself to a taste from his platters, offering him to try some of hers in return. She knew he wouldn’t mind – he was much more easy going than his wife, and she was pleased that he joined them that afternoon.

She nodded when Mrs. Harper tells her more about David’s upcoming promotion. She regrated to have missed the announcement last night, but maybe it was for the best. This way, they could celebrate just the two of them, later in the evening.

"Iraq? That’s still going?" Emma was rather clueless on current global affairs. She wasn’t even aware that there were British soldiers stationed there. Mrs. Harper had every reason to be proud of James. He was her eldest, brave, and sharp witted – qualities Emma respected as well. Despite their differences, she felt empathy toward the older woman. She imagined it must be difficult to be a mother to a son deployed in such a tumultuous region—countless sleepless nights, constantly checking the news. Had she thought Mrs. Harper would have welcomed the gesture, she would have reached out to squeeze the palm of her hand.

But the news about Betty completely blindsided her. Emma wasn’t one to be lost for words, but the news of Betty’s pregnancy left her speechless for a moment. What could she possibly say? Betty was the youngest of the siblings, too young to become a mother. She wasn’t married, and Emma hadn’t even known she was seeing anyone. Emma could only imagine how much it was troubling her mother-in-law. She certainly couldn’t offer congratulations on soon becoming a grandmother. She couldn’t sound like she’s sorry for her mother in law either. She wracked her brain for something to say, regretting her decision to ask how Betty was doing in the first place. Finally, she managed a soft murmur of acknowledgment before quickly changing the subject. "How long are you staying? How do you like your hotel?"

"Really? There aren’t?" Again, the significance of if there could, or couldn’t, be uniformed Brits in Iraq eluded her. She made a mental note to herself to do some reading about it when she had the chance. Not because she was passionate about foreign policy, or because she wanted to be well informed, but because it had some personal importance to her in-laws.

"Anyways," she continued "It was fun showing you around today." She had already spent more time than expected with her in-laws, and though she couldn’t ignore the subtle hint from Mrs. Harper about staying longer, she did have other priorities. She had to search for leads on Eliot’s disappearance before the trail ran cold, and she had to do it before David came home for dinner. That didn’t leave her much time.

"If you need any tips for a night out, just let me know" she offered, a light tease in her voice: "I do write for the Independent lifestyle section, you know." Her column was aimed at people her age, of course, but she could easily point them in the direction of something fun. But maybe tone it down this time, and avoid suggesting clubbing, or popular pickup bars. "There’s a lot more to London than the usual boring spots. I’ll send you some recommendations."

"God, I hope I’m not too old for fairy-tales!" Emma laughs lightly, not taking the critique to heart "I think it's important to keep that sense of wonder alive. Fantasy, especially vampires, lets me tap into something primal. Fear. Desire. The unknown. It speaks to a part of us that doesn’t age. If we lose that, we lose a bit of what makes life interesting"

She stopped as an idea popped into her mind, and with that, a playful smile crossed her lips:

"How about I take you to my writers' circle later this afternoon? It's a bit off the beaten path, but I think you might find it fascinating. It's where up-and-coming writers, like myself, read selected chapters from the books they are working on. The energy is always so....electric. I know you've both already visited London's main tourist attractions in the past, so this could be something new, something a little more personal. What do you think?"

"Hi everyone, this is Charles, and Evelyn" Emma introduced her in-laws to the dimly lit room full of aspiring writers. The group was an eclectic mix of oddballs, unsure whether they were pursuing a career or simply indulging in art. Some tried too hard to look edgy, dressing in ways that seemed intended to shock anyone who glanced their way. There was at least one substance abuser (that she knew of), a few recluses, and then there was Jonathan—who had once written a piece so disturbing it lingered in everyone’s minds for weeks, leaving a foul taste in their mouths. None of them were serious authors. All of them had their issues.

Emma was the only one who had actually been published. Her darkness was much more subtle, too deep for any casual observer to notice, though her own novel was disturbing in its own right, a tale of forbidden lust and blood-soaked desire.

It wasn’t surprising that her in-laws felt out of place here. Charles was cautiously taking it all in, but Evelyn's fingers were gripping her purse just a little too tightly.

"They’re my father and mother-in-law" Emma continued, her voice warm and inviting. "They thought it’d be fun to drop by and listen to us today." She smiled at Evelyn and Charles before gesturing toward the circle. "Come on, join us"

She should have suspected. That sleek Aston Martin parked outside, so out of place in that sleepy neighbourhood—of course it was his. Her eyes flicked over Henry as he stood there, his tall frame imposing in his perfectly tailored suit. The years hadn’t changed him; the same arrogance still radiated from him, a smirk tugging at his lips as he stared down at her. A rush of memories hit her, of the many thrilling moments they spent together, soured by the way he treated her.

She could feel Charles and Evelyn's eyes upon her. Already they were suspecting something. Henry didn’t look like he was part of the group. They must have already started wondering who he was, and why he was here.

A warm smile crossed her lips the moment she regained her composure, the charm she’d honed over the years sliding effortless into place. "Of course" she acquiesced almost immediately. She knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t back down until he got what he wanted. "Let’s talk outside."

She flashed a quick smile at her in-laws. "I’ll be back in a moment—just a quick chat outside." And without waiting for their reply, she moved toward the exit and waited just outside for him to join her, before closing the door behind them.

Henry was so full of himself that he couldn’t imagine her blocking his number ages ago. She didn’t want anything to do with him, after the emotional scars he inflicted upon her from their turbulent relationship. On the outside, though, she wore a smile, her voice calm and soothing as she spoke to him.

"I’m sorry, I had to get a new number after my book was published" she lied with a straight face.
The fact that Henry knew about Eliot Perry caught her off guard. As far as she knew, Eliot didn’t legally exist. Having been turned into a vampire decades ago, he had created a new identity to stay off the radar. But Henry, of all people, knew. Worse, he knew she had been seeing him.

How?

There were so many questions, but now wasn’t the time to probe for answers. Not with her in-laws and the rest of the group watching them.

"Maybe we can talk about it some other time?" she posed it as a question, knowing how it stroked his ego. Henry always wanted to be the one who made every decision in their relationship "We can meet tomorrow. I make my own hours, so I’m free just about anytime"

"Brunch" she repeated after him

When he asked for her new number, her lips twisted into a smile. He caught her red handed telling a lie, but she wasn't in the least bit disturbed by it. She called out the digits - the same ones he already had, only now she made sure to take her own phone out of her purse and unblock his number.

"Send me the address and the time. I'll see you there"

Those were one of his finest pairs of Italian shoes, so Jacob began to grumble when he had to step the mud to bypass the drawbridge. However, there was no other alternative, right? It was a pity that Crowley was not wearing Hali's disguise anymore, it would have been amusing to see him walking the mud on high heels.

"I will"

It was easy to promise him she would stay away from Eliot, considering it was the vampire that has gone missing. Though she would have likely lied either way. She didn’t feel like she owed him anything after their breakup, not even the truth.

"Thanks for dropping by, and looking out for me" she gave him a not-so-subtle hint, before turning away and walking back inside.

"An old friend" Emma brushes the question with a smile, and quickly changes the subject before anyone else can ask another

"So, who's reading next?"

With a playful glint in her eye Emma took her phone out

"This is still all work in progress" she offered a half-apologetic smile "It’s from my the first chapter of my upcoming book"

She sat back in her chair and waited for make sure she had everyone’s attention (her mother in law included) before starting to read. The protagonist of her story, a beautiful blonde named ‘Emma’, was an obvious self-insert. Just like herself, the ‘fictional’ Emma was an author of erotic horror novels. Just life herself, she was a bit too smart and too curious for her own good.

The chapter itself starts with the heroine sitting to interview a vampire lord – a creature dressed like a cut-throat businessman, but the part Emma selects to read for them pick-up from when the totally fictional protagonist, desiring to experience the sensation of being bitten, entices the vampire to feed on her. Not on her neck, she insists (she doesn’t want any visible marks, especially not for her husband to see), but on the inner part of her thigh. Emma looks up from her phone to capture her audience’s reaction, ever thirsty for adulation, just like the vampire in her story’s thirst for blood. "Still needs some polish, but it's nearly there. What do you think?"

Because that's the way it happened

Emma was about to say the first thing that came to mind, a joke that would have passed for a harmless jest. No one would believe that vampires existed if she just told them that they did, right? But then a warning bell went off in her head.

She didn’t remember Sarah ever talking in their group. The young woman with short black hair and glasses appeared so much smaller than usual, swallowed whole by her oversized grey sweater. She was sitting with her knees pulled tightly to her chest, her arms wrapped around them defensively.

Why did you describe it like that?

The way she asked the question. Almost defensive. As if she knew more then she was letting on
Maybe lying about her reasons would be safer, until she had the chance to suss the young woman.

"Well, I wanted to make it more terrifying and visceral, you know? Something different from the usual cliché of vampires as charming seducers of innocent maidens. I wanted to evoke the feeling of helplessness. Of being utterly overpowered. To capture what it’s like to be prey in the jaws of a predator."

She spoke directly to Sarah, trying to read something in her posture, her expression, the way she sat so guarded.
Or in her eyes, when she posed her own question:
"Why do you ask?"

Emma watches as Sarah’s shoulders hunch further and her gaze drops to the floor. As much as she wanted to press and find out what’s really going on, she knew that pushing her too hard would send her running away, possible never returning again. Something deeper was at play, and she was already beginning to suspect the worst, but finding out what exactly would have to wait. Maybe for the break, or better yet, when they were done for the evening.

Quickly, she turned the group’s attention away from Sarah. Everything to make the young woman more comfortable:
"How about you, Oliver? Why don’t you share something from your book next? We’d love to hear it."

Emma was far less critical of Oliver’s work than he was of his own. The entire point of their writing community was to gather for constructive feedback so they could improve their craft. And besides; it was tough to come up with something entirely new and original. She didn’t consider her first novel to be groundbreaking either. Strong characterization and solid writing were usually enough to keep readers turning the pages. Not every book needed to be entirely unique.

She had a few polite questions for Oliver, and some encouragements to give, but Sarah’s quiet departure had her worried. She was hoping for a moment to speak with her, to understand what was bothering her. Something about the young woman’s reaction to her reading unsettled her, and she didn’t think she would open up on her own. Right now, talking with her seemed more important than giving another critique. There were plenty of other people in their authors’ circle. Let one of the others pick up the slack.

Standing up, she gave Oliver a reassuring smile before heading straight to the door, catching Sarah just as the young woman headed outside

"Be right back"
She didn’t wait to see Oliver’s response. She was too worried about Sarah, and didn’t want the young woman to leave without talking to her first.

Emma didn’t believe Sarah was fine, but she wasn’t about to push her. Instead, she chose a gentler path.

"I’m sorry" she said quietly "I didn’t mean to bother you. It’s just..." her gaze dropped for a moment as she gathered her thoughts "I’ve been going through something recently. Something... difficult. I’m still trying to make sense of it all."

She took just a small step closer "I could really use someone to talk to. Someone who understands. You don’t have to share anything with me. Just listen, if you can."

Emma trailed off, her eyes meeting Sarah’s once more

"Not everything in my stories is made up" she added, hoping Sarah understands her intention

An empty and quiet castle. Perhaps they would be lucky, and this dimension, whatever it was, was empty of living beings (or any beings). But Jacob doesn't want to push his luck, so he keeps moving in a sneaky way, checking all corridors and rooms before making the next step, to make sure they are not caught off-guard. He just hopes that magical pond really exists.

Emma bit her lower lip. She glances back the group sitting inside. At her parents in law.
Why did I follow her out here? Emma curses herself. If she hadn’t, she wouldn’t have to deal with this dilemma. How could she possibly help? Taking her back home seemed risky; what if the vampire still claimed her as his? What if he came looking for her? And how would she explain all of this to David?

She considered what to do in silence.

This is too much trouble, the selfish part of her whispered. She’s not your problem.
But deep down, she knew she couldn’t just turn away. She would never be able to forgive herself if she saw Sarah's face in the headlines: ‘missing’, or worse – ‘body recovered from the Thames’. That’s not something she could live with.

Or could she?

With a heavy breath, she looked into her pleading eyes:
"Let’s go sit somewhere. I’ll buy you some coffee" Maybe things will be clearer once they sat down somewhere. For now, she knew she couldn’t just abandon the poor girl alone.
"Come on" she urged her softly "let’s get out of here"

Jacob looks at the pond with disgust. He doesn't really feel like getting soaked in that green water.

"After you," he offers Crowley. It was his idea, after all.

Emma hesitates. She has a hunch that if she goes back inside to say 'goodbye' to everyone, Sarah wouldn't be there when she came back.

With a quiet sigh, she pulls out her umbrella and extends it toward the young woman.
"It's just around the corner from my house" she offered a faint smile. It wasn't far, but with the relentless downpour both of them might arrive completely soaked, despite huddling under the umbrella.

She did text Charles once they started walking. Just a quick message apologizing for having to leave so abruptly, but that it was urgent, and that they shouldn't wait up for her. Her mother in law will complain, of course, but she couldn't help feeling that she made the right choice.

"What do you mean with 'what'? It was you who had heard about that legend. What are we supposed to do to open the portal?", Jacob asks Crowley.

Emma takes a slow sip of her coffee once they settled into a quiet corner of the café. She took a moment to glance at Sarah, who again curled up in her seat. The girl looks exhausted, and it disturbed her to see her like this. She bought Sarah a cup of coffee as well on the way in (something with extra sugar and cream), and now she gently pushed it across the table.

"Do you have anyone you can stay with?" she probed softly "Family, friends, anyone you can trust?" She watched her carefully. Maybe if Sarah had someone else she could stay with, someone far far away, then Emma wouldn't have to propose something she was reluctant to
"You don’t have to face this alone, but it might help to have someone else around. Just someone who is... safe."

Jacob sighs and moves closer to the water. He crouches down by the shore and lightly dips two fingers into the water, taking them out to look at the few drops running down his skin. He tries to concentrate, just as he did in the armoury, trying to sense if there really is magic in this place.

Emma takes a breath as she considers the offer. She knows it’s a bit of a stretch. Their apartment is small, cramped even for two people, and she was already imagining the awkwardness of it, the strain of having someone in their space, and all the adjustments they will have to make to their daily routine. And the most frightening part was that something might come looking for her. She was inviting danger right into her very home, without telling David what was really at stake.

But the thought of leaving Sarah alone to fend for herself felt like signing her death warrant.

"You’re welcome to stay with me and my husband if you need somewhere safe" she finally said "it’s not much; just our living room, really. But it’s better than being out there on your own." she paused before adding the disclaimer "I’ll need to check with David first, though, just to make sure he’s okay with it. I don’t want to make any decisions without him."

The fear that her parents in law would be disappointed or upset with her for abandoning them has weighted on her. She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding when she read Charles’ message. He recognized that she must have had a good reason for leaving, and that gave her more comfort than she expected. She only hoped Evelyn would feel the same.

"I can’t seem to get a hold of him" she frowned after her call went to David's voicemail. It was unusual for him to be unreachable, but with the weather and everything going on, she figured he might be running all over the city. No matter. They could talk once he got back home.

"But it’s okay, we can head back to the apartment and start thinking about dinner" she smiled reassuringly at Sarah "- right after you finish your coffee"

Seeing how eager Sarah is to leave, Emma quickly grabs her own coffee to go before leading her outside. The walk to her apartment is short, though they both still arrive rather damp from the steady rain. Emma and David's home is small and cozy; just the one bedroom, a kitchen, and the living room that doubles as a dining area. It wasn't much, but it was comfortable, and when the rain didn't completely blurred the world outside, the entire flat was gloriously basked in sunlight from the floor-to-ceiling windows in their living room.

"Here we are" she set down her umbrella and slipped off her coat before heading straight to the kitchen. She decided that for now, it might be good to keep Sarah's mind off things. She kept her busy in the kitchen, asking her to chop up vegetables for the stir-fry while she was getting to work on cooking the ground lamb for the shepherd's pie. "I can loan you a few things until you’re settled in" she probed gently, trying to gauge how big Sarah's predicament was. If she was too afraid to go swing by her apartment to fetch her clothes and some personal items, then it must mean she was still worried the vampire might be back for her.

Something about the wet tights drying on the radiator made Emma think Sarah wasn’t going to head out of her apartment anytime soon, especially not for a change of clothes. She made a mental note to lay out something for her later, just in case.

She kept the conversation light as they worked together in the kitchen, trying to get a sense of Sarah’s situation without prying too much. "So, what’s your routine like during the day? Are you working? Studying?" She glanced over at the young woman. She wanted to know more about her, but was unsure where to start. She hardly knew anything about her. Not even how old she was.

Emma sighs. Sarah was clearly under a lot of stress, and she didn't want to add to it. She hoped getting Sarah to open up would help her better understand what she’s going through, but it was painfully obvious that the young woman wasn't ready for that yet.

Her face lightened up the moment David walked through the door. As she always does when he arrives home, she practically leaped into his arms, throwing herself around his neck and pressing a kiss to his lips. "Hey, you’re home early!" she says, breaking the kiss and looking up into his face, immediately noticing the way he was trying to control his emotions. Her smile widened as she teased him gently: "You know; a man with a beautiful wife and a hot dinner waiting for him when he gets back from work has no right to wear a long face."

Any questions about his day at work slipped from her mind the moment his hands found her. She leaned in for another kiss, and for a fleeting moment, it felt like nothing else mattered. Who knows how far things might have gone, if it wasn't for the schoolgirl-like giggle from behind her.

Right. Sarah.

She gently pulled herself away from him and turned her head just enough to catch his attention.
"...we have company"

"Oh, I’m so sorry to surprise you like this" she smiled at him as she gently pulled herself out of his arms
"This is Sarah. She’s part of my author’s circle. Sarah, this is my husband, David."

Emma hadn’t thought through all the potential issues that could arise with sharing their small living space with another woman. She was certain they could work it out, with a little patience and consideration. And it was not like Sarah would be staying forever - only until she found her feet. It won’t take long to sort it all out, she was sure of it. Still, already her good intentions were being tested, when she found herself unable to freely speak with her husband in the confines of her own home.

"I invited her over for dinner" she hesitated "And… well, maybe we could talk it over in the bedroom for a minute?" She glances at Sarah with a small apologetic smile "Sarah, could you check on the shepherd’s pie in the meantime? It’s in the oven"

Once they’re alone in the bedroom, she turned to David with a sigh "I'm sorry. But she really needs a place to stay for a bit" she lowered her voice, hoping Sarah didn't have her ear against the bedroom door "She was assaulted, not long ago. And... she can’t go back to her apartment. She has nowhere else to go."

She met her husband's eyes, knowing exactly what to say to get him to agree: "I couldn’t just leave her out there."

"I don’t know if she had" her voice was tinged with frustration "Whenever I bring up anything relating to her past, or to what happened, she starts having panic attacks. I don’t think she’s ready to talk about it, not yet" She pauses as she thinks what is the best way to get Sarah to open up
"I’ll try to speak with her in the morning, after she had some sleep. But right now, all I want is to make her feel safe and comfortable"

She didn’t want to be away from Sarah for too long, not while she was still so fragile. But there was one more thing she had to ask before they went back to the living room. "How was your day at work? Your mother mentioned you got a promotion" she forced a small, warm smile to her lips "That’s great, right?"

Emma sensed the shift in her husband's mood and decided to back off.
"Well," she gave him a small smile, and changed the subject "Dinner’s almost ready. How about we sit down, have a quiet meal, and just… relax for a bit?"

"…You made a noise like you were about to say something and then changed your mind," Benji observes. "Is there something else?"

"I’m sure they’ll sort it out" she agreed, even though she had no idea what the misunderstanding was about "Go ahead and take a shower. I’ll finish getting dinner ready." she deliberately pretended like she missed the invitation to join him. Sarah was out waiting for her to come back, and she didn't want to leave her hanging. They could always make time for 'taking a shower' later.

Returning to the living room with a fresh set of sheets for the couch and a clean outfit for Sarah in her arms, she smiled reassuringly at the young woman: "It’s all settled. You’re welcome to stay."

Jacob could definitely sense something. There was some powerful magic in the area, he could tell by the way the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. But it wasn't coming from the water, the pond wasn't the portal itself, probably just a sign to find the actual portal. Jacob stood up again and began to walk slowly around the pond, acting like a human radar.

Ah, finally, there it was. One of the castle walls near the pond seemed to be pulling at him with an invisible force. Jacob touched the cold stones, imagining that some of these edges might form the threshold of a door. He knew it instinctively, he just had to push the right one...

"Of course you can. The outlet is over there" she pointed at the power outlet, next to the tea kettle
"I brought you something you can sleep in" she held out the clothes she’d brought; a simple, soft cotton shirt and a pair of leggings "You can change after dinner, before you head to bed. I’ll put your clothes in the wash, so they’ll be ready for tomorrow. It will do until I can take you shopping in the morning" shopping was Emma’s favorite pastime, and she stated taking Sarah as a matter of fact, without giving her the opportunity to refuse. Besides, it looked like Sarah's wardrobe was in desperate need for an overhaul. That sweater she was wearing was at least three sizes too big for her. Had she had to guess, she would have wagered it belonged to someone else.

"They wouldn’t? Well, in any case, thank you for the advice. I’ll be sure to keep that in mind."

Emma’s foot brushed against her husband’s under the table when he started questioning Sarah about her work, just a nudge to remind him what she told him earlier- ‘no personal questions’. She added a soft warning look while Sarah was busy playing with her food, to boot.

She used the opportunity while Sarah was in the shower to make sure she was settled, gathering a blanket for her and making the couch. When she made her way to the laundry to toss Sarah’s clothes into the washer, and couldn’t resist turning the jeans inside out.

Her heart stopped.

On the fabric were clear traces of dried blood, and her mind raced as the awful realization clicked into place. The pattern of the blood stains. Sarah’s youth. Her complete avoidance of discussing her work all pointed to one horrific possibility. The vampire. Sarah was someone’s....possession. Someone who had been feeding on her, using her, las a constant source of sustenance, without ever fully killing her.
Her stomach turned as the grim picture unfolded in her mind. This was convenient for the vampire. It didn’t need to go out hunting for fresh victims. It didn’t need to hide bodies every other night from the police. It was keeping Sarah alive, like some sort of a domestic farm animal.

Her heart clenched with fear. If this was true, Sarah wouldn’t be able to simply walk away. The vampire would come for her. It would hunt her down like a lost animal. She was his possession, and what’s worse – she knew it existed. She was a potential liability, and sooner or later, the trail would lead him here. To David and her.

What would she do? How could she protect Sarah, let alone herself? She knew she had to act fast, but she didn’t know how.

She couldn’t sleep.

The night dragged on, as she lay wide awake in her bed, watching David’s sleep soundly beside her. She envied him. No matter what she did, she couldn’t quiet her mind. She has made a mistake. What if Sarah never wants to leave? What is she’s already trapped in a cycle of dependency? What if they could never get away from whatever was preying on her?

Every creak of the floorboards, every rustle of wind against the window sent her heart racing. She would freeze, holding her breath, listening for the unmistakable sound of a footstep or a whisper of movement. What if the vampire was already here? What if it was watching them, right now?

The thoughts made her chest tighten. She reached out and grabbed the edge of the blanket, pulling it up around her neck like a shield.
Get a grip, she told herself. You’re just paranoid.
Still, she couldn’t relax. Her mind wouldn’t let go of the idea that the vampire would come for Sarah, and who knows what it might decide to do with David and her.

By the time dawn was approaching, she was no closer to sleep. Every muscle in her body ached with exhaustion, and her mind refused to allow her to rest.

The morning itself was a blur of restless energy. Still drained from a sleepless night, she tried to rouse Sarah from the couch, but the girl was as exhausted as she was. Her nerves were frayed, but she was determined to drag Sarah up to her feet and get her some new clothes that would actually fit. Something to help her feel human again, rather than livestock.

It was a quiet and tense shopping trip. Emma picked up some clothes for Sarah – something practical, comfortable, and that would flatter her figure. She barely noticed her own irritability as she rushed through the stores with the young woman in tow. Sarah seemed too tied to protest, not really present. She was on edge by the time they returned home, and Emma was almost thankful for the chance rendezvous with Henry the other night. Who knows, maybe he did have a way to protect her. Right now, she would not rule out anything, no matter how crazy it sounds.

Grabbing her bag, and letting Sarah crash back on the couch, she quickly left the apartment, heading to the restaurant Henry picked for their date.

Henry made her wait. It wasn’t the first time.

There had been so many evenings where she sat by the window, watching the clock tick past the time he was supposed to come pick her up. Sometimes, he wouldn’t show up at all.

She only ever existed only to serve him. His flirting, too, was a constant reminder that she wasn’t enough. He would effortlessly charm the girls at school, just like he was doing now with the waitresses, while she stood by, feeling small and insignificant. And he always knew how to use it against her: 'Do this for me, or I’ll find some other girl who will.' He didn’t just flirt to boost his own ego. It was a weapon, aimed at eroding her sense of worth and make her feel replaceable. All the old wounds resurfaced as she watched him, and though she had no interest in him romantically anymore, he still had a way of making her feel uneasy.

He ordered for her. Again, nothing new. He always made decisions for her like she couldn’t be trusted to know her own mind. He never cared if she liked it or not either. As annoying as it was, she decided against challenging him. She was too tried, and letting him have that small win was a small concession to stroke his ego and make him more agreeable. Still, she couldn’t help feel herself slipping into that familiar role, the one where she tried to please him, tried to make him happy, even when it came at her own expense. He was getting the upper hand again, and she hated how easy it was for him to slip back into control.

"We’re doing fine" her jaw tightened when he asked about David while they were waiting for their order to arrive. How’s David? Like he had any right to ask. Like he truly cared. She didn’t miss his knowing smirk. The only way he brought it up was to subtly rub in the fact that David had never reached the same level of success. It was infuriating that someone as arrogant and self-serving as him had everything: wealth, power, success, while she and David were still struggling. When she was younger, after he dumped her and moved to London, she hoped Karma would finally catch up to him and kick his teeth out, but now, she finally realized the truth: men like him didn’t get knocked down. They thrived. They rose precisely because they were assholes, and the world rewarded them for it.

She deflected his questions about Bellingham too. She hasn’t been back in six years, and had no intention of doing so anytime soon. It was all just empty small talk anyways. Henry didn’t really care. He wasn’t interested in an update on her life or her family. Both of them knew it was nothing more than a thin veneer of politeness. They were just going through the motions, the prelude to the real discussion they were both there to have.

Her interest in the conversation finally piqued when he started talking about Eliot. She listened carefully. Even though she knew so much more about Eliot’s true nature, Henry was still right about how dangerous he was. More then he imagined.

"You offered to protect me from him"

She looked at him thoughtfully, waiting to see what exactly he had in mind. She knew he wasn’t making that offer out of the kindness of his heart. He was always looking for leverage, some way to gain from the situation. But right now, she needed to hear what he had to say, because if there was another vampire hunting Sarah, she couldn’t afford to overlook any potential ally, even if that ally was Henry.

Move me? As if I am a piece of furniture he can just shift into his villa at the seaside?

She forced herself to remain cool, maintaining her poise despite his audacity. His offer to move her to his seaside villa wasn't some goodwill gesture. It was another way of inserting himself into her life, and using his wealth and resources to make her feel indebted. And yet, she smiled softly at him, tucking a wayward strand of blonde hair around her ear. Her outward calm was a mask, but underneath, she was calculating, weighing her options. As much as she loathed to admit it, Henry still had power, still had resources. Perhaps there was something he could offer her. Something more... practical. Something she could use on her own terms.

"That’s a very generous offer, but we can't drop everything and leave. David’s work is here. Our friends..." She holds his gaze for a moment, letting the words sink in. "We can’t just run away"

She pauses, letting the silence hang between them for a beat as her fingers tapped against the edge of her glass. "So, you’ve been keeping tabs on my life for a while then?" Her voice is casual, but there was a hint of a challenge there, her eyes meeting his with a flicker of amusement. If he’s been watching her, it means he’s still invested, still clinging to some version of their past. Meanwhile, she blocked him on her phone, pushed him out of her life as best as she could. The old power dynamic between them had always been so clear, but now she felt like the balance was shifting. She’s moved on. Henry... still can’t seem to let her go.

Emma’s smiled mischievously when Henry mentioned a ‘stunning blonde’. She leaned forward slightly, just enough to draw him in: "Oh? I wonder how exactly they described me, to make you think of me" she teased him with just enough of an inviting angle to keep him on edge. She knows how he sees her—how he still sees her as something to conquer. And for now, she’ll let him think it’s still possible.

"So," she continued, the playful edge still lingering in her voice "Tell me, what did your ‘contacts’ really tell you about me? About... my connection with Eliot?" She lets the question hang in the air, light but pointed.
He’s hiding something. I can feel it.

Emma leans in just a little further, making sure that Henry’s attention stays fully on her. She knows exactly what she’s doing. Her blouse pulls tight in all the right places as she angles her body so that he can’t look away.

"I get it" she lowers her voice "You’re trying to protect me from these... ‘paranoid’ contacts of yours. You’re worried they’ll think I’m a threat. But you know, I don’t want to cause any trouble. I’d like to assuage their fears, show them that I’m not some... corporate spy, like they think I am."

Her lips curl into a knowing smile "I think the best way to do that would be to meet them in person, don’t you?" She looks at him invitingly "Maybe you could introduce me?" She shifts even closer, angling her body toward him to make sure he gets the full effect of her presence, close enough for him to get a whiff of her perfume "We can go together. Tonight. You can vouch for me, and I’ll play the part of the ‘stunning blonde’"

She knows exactly what’s going through his mind. He’ll jump at the chance to spend more time with her, to feel like he has some important part in her life. And she’s already two steps ahead. If he takes the bait, she will have access to his contacts, and if they’re as paranoid as he says, she might get the inside track on what’s really going on with Elliot.

Emma leaned back in her seat and deliberately straightened her posture. The playful teasing is gone, instead replaced with a faint trace of disappointment in her eyes:

"Of course. I’ll be waiting for your call" Henry always made the time when it suited him. She knew it wasn’t about him, but about the availability of his contacts. But she wanted him to try harder. Send him a signal that the playful, flirtatious Emma was withdrawing, just a little, because he wasn’t able to give her what she wanted.

She held his gaze for just a moment longer, then slowly drew her eyes away, shifting her attention to the dessert menu as though she suddenly lost interest in their conversation.

So that’s it? He can’t even wait for me to leave before he starts with someone else?
Her stomach tightened in annoyance as she watched Henry shifting his focus to the waitress, flirting with her the moment she got up from the table. He could have at least been more respectful, but no. She was just another option for him, discarded the moment someone else caught his eye.

She quickened her steps as she walked out, but the frustration remained. She shouldn’t even care. He’s an arrogant, selfish prick that always needs to feel like he’s in control. There was no doubt in her mind that he wouldn’t hesitate to follow through if the waitress let him. And who knows? Maybe she will. The idea stings her more than it should, that feeling of being...disposable. Insignificant.

Her mood was a bit sour when she reached the apartment, exacerbated by the lack of sleep, and it was hard for her to remain calm hearing the loud music emanating from her apartment. But she softened once she stepped through the door and saw Sarah, looking so lively and energetic after the previous night. For a brief moment, she felt a wave of relief. The young woman was coming back to herself. Must be the rest, and no longer having to contend with her blood being stolen from her. That was one positive, at least.

"That’s very thoughtful of you, looking after the place" she smiled warmly at her "and I didn’t know you had such moves. Where have you been hiding that talent all that time?" she made a subtle reference to her figure as well. Sarah deserved to be complimented. Boost up her confidence, after everything she has been through.

Emma didn’t miss Sarah’s reaction, but she was too exhausted to make sense of it all right now. She needed some shut-eye, especially if she was going out later that evening.
"Well; I think you’re great. Maybe I’ll take you dancing with me sometimes. David isn’t really into the club scene, and I do have to write reviews for them, every now and then"
She let the statement linger in the air as she studied Sarah’s reaction, half-expecting her to either dismiss the offer or deflect it like everything else.

"I’m going to lay down for a couple of hours. Feel free to use my earbuds if you want to" she gave her a subtle but firm indication that she’d prefer the noise level to stay down, but added a warm smile on top. She did want her to feel at home, not like she has to tiptoe around everyone.

Emma gave Sarah a small, understanding smile. "Yeah, getting some rest sounds like a good idea for both of us." She stretched a little, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle in. She fished her phone from her pocket once she was in her bedroom.

"Hey, Benji. Free this afternoon? Need to catch up. Let me know."

She hesitated for a moment after hitting send. Benji was also a vampire. Could she really call him her friend? Could she trust him? He was part of the very world that made her feel so vulnerable, and now, Sarah, too. But the thought of both of them being in danger, the very real possibility that whoever had been preying on Sarah was still out there, looking for her, finally tipped the scales.

She hit send, the weight of the decision lingering in her chest.

With a deep breath, she climbed into bed, pulling the blankets up and letting her body sink into the softness. Her thoughts started to blur, and before she knew it, she was drifting into sleep, hoping for a few hours of quiet before her plans for the evening.

The following afternoon (or just a few hours later for Emma), Benji meets Emma outside a steak restaurant on the corner of Panton and Haymarket, a few blocks from the train station. He leads her through a side-door next to the restaurant and up three flights of stairs to a cramped studio apartment that smells strongly of mouse.

It’s a claustrophobic little space, somewhere between cozy and dingy, with dim, yellow-ish lighting and outdated floral wallpaper. There is a wardrobe and a cluttered bookshelf against one wall, and a plush green couch that looks like it’s been slept on recently against the other. An upright piano has been shoved into a corner, and a small round dining table with three chairs arranged around it takes up the rest of what little space remains.

Benji has hung paintings over the windows (probably to block out the sunlight, Emma would guess), which doesn’t help much with the overall sense of claustrophobia. Cobwebs abound, but the rest of the apartment isn’t especially dirty or dusty (aside from the pervasive mouse smell), suggesting that Benji may have left the cobwebs there on purpose to avoid disturbing the spiders.

A white raven in a gilt cage watches Emma from atop the piano and there is, even more bizarrely, a giant tortoise basking under a heat lamp in the kitchen. The kitchen has been sectioned off from the rest of the flat with a short wall of books, stacked like bricks, to create a make-shift tortoise enclosure.

"That’s Hermes," Benji introduces Emma to the tortoise as he leads her over to the table and chairs. "He doesn’t normally live here. He’s just staying over for a few days along with my friend, Lizabeth."

He waves a hand at the raven. "And this is—well, I don’t think Jacob ever told me his name, actually—but I’ve been calling him Snowy."

"Can I get you a cup of tea?" he offers politely, pulling out a chair for Emma.

Benji’s apartment is so much different than anything she imagined. The dim lighting, the cluttered but strangely cozy feel. All the eclectic mix of objects. This was exactly why she was drawn to the supernatural world in the first place. The mystery. The oddities. The sense of seeing something out of place. Something strange.

She scanned the room with her writer’s instinct for detail. This was absolutely perfect! All the mismatched furniture, the blacked-out windows, even the cobwebs that Benji seemed to leave untouched. She would have never thought to write a vampire’s lair like this on her own. Her readers will find Benji’s quirky space to be fascinating, and she made a mental note to herself about asking him if he would mind featuring in her next book.

Her attention caught by the tortoise basking under the heat lamp, she crouched down and smiled at it :"Hi there, Hermes" she looked at him like she was a wide-eyed six-year-old seeing a tortoise for the first time. Hermes seemed unbothered in the otherwise chaotic space. She was so curious to know how it ended up there to begin with. There had to be a story behind it, likely a story behind every object in the apartment. She could probably pick his brain and write an entire series based on his life.

Her gaze shifted to the raven perched nearby. The snow-white bird, Snowy, validated her conclusion. There was another story associated with that beautiful animal, though the mention of Jacob’s name darkened her face. Jacob suckered her into that ridiculous scheme, only to abandon her, and never call back the next day.

"Sure, I’ll take that cup of tea" she says while still looking at her raven, clearly distracted. Her mind was buzzing with ideas for the next chapter of her book, fresh with inspiration from the sights at Benji’s apartment. "Do vampires drink tea?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. She had no idea if Benji could even eat normal food, or if he survived entirely on blood. Or maybe he just entertained guests often enough to always have tea on hand.

"Thanks, that’s really kind of you" her gratitude was not just for the tea, but for his words about making it 'for his friends’. Adding just a dash of milk, she stirred gently before taking a slow sip, letting the warmth comfort her for a moment.

"Yes; I need to talk to you about someone" her expression changed once she began to talk, a shadow crossing her face "Her name’s Sarah. She’s... a friend."

She paused.

Friend? She only known Sarah from her author's circle. She saw her once a week for a few hours, and the young woman barely talked at all. She was an acquaintance, at best. Still, she was now a part of her life, in the sense that she took some responsibility over her wellbeing.

"I’m not sure if you have a name for situations like this. There was a vampire, or maybe even several of them…keeping her like some sort of livestock. Feeding on her when it suits him" Emma’s fingers gripped the edge of her teacup "I don’t know how long it has been going on. A while, I think. She’s young, and vulnerable. She doesn’t want to talk about. She doesn’t want to go back to her apartment"

Her voice wavered slightly "I invited her to stay with me. I—I couldn’t just turn her away. But I’m scared. I’m scared that he’s going to come after her, come after me or David, for taking what’s his." She bit her lip, her gaze dropping briefly to her hands holding the cup

"I want to help her, I need to get her out of this situation, but I don’t know what to do"

She paused, taking a breath, before looking into Benji’s eyes. This wasn’t only about Sarah anymore. It was about her own survival, and that of the people she cared about.

"I need your help. I need to know if you’ve heard of this vampire, or if you know someone who can help me figure out what to do. If there is some arrangement or deal we can make with him, to give her up and leave us alone"

Saying it sounded ‘very scary’ probably wasn’t the best way to calm Emma’s nerves, but somehow, she didn’t seem to lose her composure. Maybe it was the way the quirky little apartment made her feel oddly at ease, or maybe it was from being in the presence of Benji himself. Whatever it was, the weight of the danger seemed distant for now.

"I’ll try to get more details from her" It was time to press Sarah for the truth, even if it made her uncomfortable. She couldn’t afford to remain ignorant of the full extent of the threat. She took another sip of her tea, before glancing up at Benji with a raised eyebrow when he mentioned a vampire hunter.

A vampire hunter... The idea of someone actively hunting vampires sparked a surge of curiosity in her mind. And the thought of a vampire hunter and a vampire having a friendship sounded odd, even by supernatural standards. She was sure there was another good story in there. Benji was a font for inspiration for her novel - even better than Eliot!!

"A vampire hunter" she murmured, her mind already spinning with possibilities "I would have loved to meet her even under normal circumstances" She gave him a small, appreciative smile "I’ll be in your debt if you can arrange it"

"I’ve already got something else lined up for tonight. Maybe" she was expecting to hear from Henry any moment now. He was supposed to arrange a meeting with his contacts later that evening, and she couldn't back out of it. She doubted there would be a chance to reschedule. "But I'm free tomorrow. At any time" she met his gaze with a slight apologetic smile

"Any word about Eliot?" she segued into another subject that had been bothering her once she started thinking about Henry, and his and Eliot's shared business associates. There was a hint of concern in her voice, though it was more for what the implications of his absence meant for her, than any interest to the vampire-lord's wellbeing "It seemed like he dropped off the face of the earth"

Emma wasn’t blind to the gravity of the situation. She had sought Benji’s help exactly for that reason. But his words landed harder than she’d expected, the urgency in his tone heightening her sense of unease

"Later tonight then, if it doesn’t inconvenience you too much" She had already made plans to go out that evening, and if David wasn’t going to wait up for her, she might as well return late.

"He was my benefactor. He... looked after me." she objected meekly. She wasn't involved in the politics of the vampire world, but even she recognized Eliot for the authoritarian tyrant that he was. Still, his absence was making her life infinitely more complicated. "I guess... maybe you’re right" she sighed, conceding reluctantly "It's just that if he were here, I wouldn’t have to worry about this vampire hunting Sarah down, or about the Administrator, you know.." She trailed off in frustration

Benji isn’t so sure about all that. "…Perhaps," he says, doubtfully. "I mean, you would have been better protected, certainly, but Elliot’s protection did not necessarily extend to your friends and family. If you’d asked him to help you protect Sarah, it would have cost you and, even then, you may not have liked what that protection looked like. I’m sure it must feel intimidating, navigating this strange new world all on your own, but you’re not really on your own. You have friends. Allies you can trust. You don’t need a ‘benefactor’ to look after you. Especially not one like Elliot."

"I get what you're saying" her voice was tinged with frustration. "But Elliot... he kept the world at arm's length. I didn’t have to worry about certain things because I knew he'd handle them. It wasn’t perfect, but I felt secure."

She sighed, her fingers tracing the rim of her now-empty tea cup "Just look at what happened in Arundel. I ended up getting dragged into the heist with Lady Halifax and Jacob, and now the Administrator has taken an issue with me" She didn’t put any blame on Benji; he had been the one constant in the mess, the only one who tried to deflect the blame away from her. But it didn’t change the fact that she was still caught in the aftermath. "Had Elliot been around, he would’ve stopped me from making those mistakes. He would’ve kept me from walking into situations with people I didn’t know." And he would've introduced her to all the interesting people, the very reason she agreed to go to that party in the first place.

"It’s just harder now. I honestly don’t know who I can rely on anymore" Her voice softened "But maybe you're right. Maybe being involved with Elliot wasn’t the smartest thing, in the long run."

She placed her empty tea cup on the table and stood, her movements a bit stiff as she straightened
"I really appreciate you trying to help me. I just... I hate feeling like a burden"

A small weight lifted off Emma’s shoulders as she stepped out the door. For the first time in a while, someone hadn’t asked for something in return. No price to pay, no favor to owe, no hidden agenda behind their kindness. She smiled at Benji, who somehow felt more compassionate than most people she met these days, mortals included. With a sudden impulse, she leaned in and kissed him lightly on the cheek "Thank you" she said softly. "I’ll see you later tonight." and with another parting smile, she opened her umbrella and stepped into the rain

*******
She slowed her pace after a few blocks, ducking into a narrow alcove to escape the rain. Benji’s warning had unsettled her more than she wanted to admit, and though he was very kind offering to help, she didn’t know if she could rely on a retried vampire hunter to protect her.

She hesitated for a moment, fingers hovering over her phone. Texting felt too impersonal. Henry would just love it if she called him. Make him feel important, like she depended on him for help. With a deep breath, she dialed his number, leaning against the wall as she waited for the line to pick up. "hi" she forced some cheerfulness into her voice when he picked up " I thought I’d check on you. We’re still on for tonight, right?" The words slipped out as if she’d said them a hundred times before – because she did. It wasn’t the first time she called him inquiring about their date, and wasn’t the first time he would assure her he would pick her up. But then he would flake on her for no other reason than to rattle her nerves and destroy her confidence. The mind games, the missed plans, they were all part of his routine, and she hated how it made her second-guess everything. Hopefully, this time would be different.

The sound of genuine laughter greeting her when she stepped inside was unanticipated, though not unwelcomed. It was a huge relief to hear Sarah was finally starting to come out of her shell, and she couldn’t help but feel grateful that David was relaxing too, after his tension from last night over his promotion.

Though she wasn’t suspecting anything was going on between the two, it was best to set the record straight. Walking inside the bedroom, without missing a beat, she crossed over to David and kissed him, slow, deliberate, passionate kiss, making sure Sarah saw it. It was firm, and possessive kiss. Just to make sure there was no mistake.

"Hey, you," she murmurs as she pulls away, a teasing glint in her eye "How have you been?"|

Emma’s eyes fall on the black club dress draped across the bedstead. She picks it up, and holds it in front of her as she glances at David. "Looks like you two have been busy," she says with a teasing smile before tossing the dress over her shoulder.

"I’m going to take a quick shower; I’m heading out later tonight." Her gaze shifts back to the bed, taking in the disarray. "You’ve got lots of work to do while I’m gone, huh?"

With a playful wink, she disappears into the bathroom. When she emerges a long while later, already dressed in the black mini dress, that rides dangerously up her thighs, hugs her frame like a second skin. Her hair is already styled to perfection, and she applied just a touch of makeup to accentuate her eyes and lips. As she steps into the bedroom, her gaze looks between David and Sarah, her playful smile daring them to say something. She knows the effect she has, and she’s not shy about letting it show.

"It’s more work than fun, really" she doesn’t offer any more details, letting him assume it is yet another writing assignment for the Independent "Don’t wait up for me; It’s just one of those nights"

She takes one last glance at her reflection in the bedroom mirror, checking her profile and admiring the way the dress flatters her figure. She tilts her head, checking the angles, savoring the way the dress molds to her curves.

"Take good care of Sarah while I’m gone, alright?" her voice sounded a bit detached as her gaze was still focused on her reflection. Running her hand over her hair, her lips curving into a satisfied smile before finally turning to her husband "How do I look?"

"That’s exactly the look I was going for" she smirks, clearly pleased with his reaction. Her eyes do narrow slightly when he mentions not going to work tomorrow. It was very odd. She knew just how busy everyone’s been at his department, now with the rainstorm, and something about his tone didn't sit right. But she pushes the thought aside for now, choosing to stay focused on her plans for the evening.

"Tomorrow? Sure, we can find something to do" she never objected to spending time with her husband, though she would have preferred if he suggested something concrete, rather than leaving things up in the air. "Just let me know when and where" she looked into his eyes, and gave his hand one last reassuring squeeze before heading out, picking up her coat and her umbrella on the off chance Henry wasn’t out waiting to pick her up on time like he was supposed to.

Emma hated waiting. The rain, and the cold, made the wait even worse then the sting of humiliation. Once again, Henry made her wait for him, as if his time had no value. She tried to push the feeling aside, but it gnawed at her like the biting wind. It wasn’t just the cold; it was the old bitterness creeping back, the memories of waiting for him on countless nights, standing now in the rain, on the street corner, like a common...

The sound of the engine interrupted her thoughts. She recognized Henry’s sleek Aston Martin through the misty rain, and stepped back quickly to avoid the splash of water from the tires. Characteristically of him, Henry didn’t bother to get out of the car and open the door for her. She was expected to climb in on her own, rather than him inconveniencing himself in the rain for some gallant gesture. She had just enough time to see Henry and Sarah walk out of the apartment to see her off when the car took off, barely managing to wave her husband goodbye before she was whisked away.

***********


Claridge turned out to be their ultimate destination. It was impossible to miss the opulence of the place. It had a fresh, modern look to it, while still managing to look effortlessly rich. Polished marble floors, intricate wall panels, and plush leather seating all came together to create a space that felt both cool and sophisticated.

She kept her composure as they were escorted to a private room – a dimly lit chamber with soft, golden hues, velvet-lined walls, and table set with crystal glasses and polished plates.

At the head of the table sat a bespectacled man with long sideburns and graying hair. His voice was slick and smooth, like a practiced politician or a snake oil salesman. Beside him was a tall, striking young woman, silent and still, more like an accessory than participant. Another man, older then the rest, with silvery hair meticulously combed, sat with his equally elegant wife. She was middle-aged, poised, and so perfect in her composure it was hard to imagine her ever letting go of control.

No one spoke as Emma shed her coat - deliberately slow. She could feel the heat of their gazes following her every movement, and she took her time, enjoying the effect she was having. She didn’t miss the hunger in Henry’s eyes, the longing for her body. It was exactly the reaction she wanted to draw out of him. He had made her wait on the street like some insignificant afterthought, and now he was the one squirming, unable to look away from the one thing he couldn’t possess.

She smiled politely when he introduced her, deciding against saying anything when he called her his ‘date’. Her expression didn’t change when he didn’t bother giving her the names of any of the others. It wasn’t an accident, or an oversight, but a clear sign of disrespect, something he had perfected over the years.

The conversation quickly shifted to business once they were seated. Henry’s world, not hers. He dove into talks of recent acquisitions and business ventures, sounding so comfortable and authoritative, while she couldn’t help but feel out of place. She had no way to contribute, and the more they talked, the more obvious it became. He was in his element. She, on the other hand, was just a pretty face.

Her attention sharpened, though, when the bespectacled man said something about an upcoming retreat, asking Henry if he will be bringing ‘Emma, Claire, or perhaps Christine’ with him. It was the first time she has been referred to by name, and for a moment, she knew his question was part of a show. Everyone in the room was playing a part, but for once, she wasn’t going to let them control the narrative: "If it’s anything like the snooze fest you’ve been having tonight," she interjected with a smirk "then there is no need for me to travel all the way for a nap. I can fall asleep right here in this chair."

Here they go again, talking about her as if she wasn’t even there. The subtle implication that she was nothing more than eye candy, there to look pretty and keep her mouth shut was hard to miss. Her smile was a bit too controlled as she fought to suppress the spark of flaring inside her. She couldn’t count on Henry to defend her; she knew he would never stick his neck out for her, even if he felt any differently then any of the men about her. That, more than anything, made her decision for her. If she wanted to people to notice her for more then her looks, she had to say something disruptive, get them to notice her.

"Thank you, but I’ve already ‘powdered’ at home" she smiled sweetly at the woman who invited her to accompany her to the bathroom. She wasn’t going to be ushered away like a child. She wanted to know what was really going on.

She didn’t hesitate once the women left the room. She turned her attention back to the older man and leaned forward slightly, meeting his eyes to make sure she had his undivided attention: "So, how do you know Eliot Parry?" she threw the bait out. She knew they had some interest in the vampire lord, and wanted to see if they suspected anything about his true nature. If they did, it could be the leverage she needed to play a different game, right above Henry’s unsuspecting head "Is he part of your... club?"

Really? That was it?

Disappointment settled once she realized they only knew of Eliot Parry through Henry. She was never one to be impressed by wealth or influence. If they weren’t connected to anything otherworldly, she couldn’t care less about them, or their exclusive little club. Just like they clearly didn’t care about her.

She’d already made her decision. No point in continuing to engage in conversation with any of them, not when they clearly had no interest in her beyond what she looked like. She will play their game, smile and conform. At least she could find some enjoyment in the evening, even if it wasn’t for the company. She never had the chance sit down in an exclusive place like this before. A fine dinning experience and a few glasses of expensive wine were more than enough to make the night worthwhile, no matter how dull the conversation might be.

"I’m sorry, I overstepped my bounds" she shifted with a light apologetic smile and an almost demure voice "I’m not really accustomed to... these kinds of meetings." She let the words hang in the air, with just the right amount of hesitation to make it seem genuine. "I didn’t mean to cause any trouble. Blame it on the exuberance of youth"

It was the perfect act. Just the right amount of contrition, just the right amount of innocence. If they wanted to think she was an airhead, so be it. She was happy to play along, and let them think her as one.

"Thank you for the invitation" she said politely, choosing her words carefully. "But I’m sure I’d only get in the way. I don’t really belong in a place like that… I’d probably just end up being a distraction." It wasn’t lost on her that it was the older man, not Henry, who invited her. That struck her as odd, especially considering they had only just met. He hadn’t even paused to consider whether Henry would prefer to bring someone else. It was a subtle tell of the power dynamic between the two men. Interesting.

Her gaze shifted to Ekaterina when the young woman returned and took her seat. Emma had seen enough of the club scene to recognize the signs. She’d lost count of how many times she’d been invited to indulge, but no matter how tempting and enticing they made it look, it wasn’t a habit she could afford. Still, she didn’t judge. Everyone had their vices.

She turned back when he mentioned "protection." Now she knew for sure: these people didn’t know a damn thing about Elliot, or the supernatural world, if they considered the Vampire Lord of London to be a mere ‘thug’. Hell, they didn’t even know he has gone missing!!

But she couldn’t afford to blow the game now, after she had already used the "protection" angle to justify being invited to meet them. So she took another sip of wine, stalling to gather her thoughts. She needed to appear interested, even though she knew she would eventually turn down their offer.

"Elliot?" she feigned nervousness "I plan to keep my distance from him, now that Henry filled me in." She offered Henry a quick, thankful smile "But, just in case he becomes more... insistent, what exactly did you have in mind?"

"Oh. Publicity?" she repeated after him "So, like, if everyone knows I’m with Mr. Parry, that makes me safer… does that mean I should, like, spend more time with him?" She glanced between Reginald and Henry, as if looking for their approval. Of course, she would never think of doing anything without Henry’s say-so.

But inside, she was already making her own conclusions. Elliot was missing, and no "protection agency" was going to defend her from a supernatural vampire. But that wasn’t the point. She just needed to get through the night and move on to meeting Benji’s contacts. A vampire hunter, even a retired one, was looking more and more appealing than these clueless gentlemen.

She took another sip of wine, keeping her expression deliberately blank as she skimmed the menu. She made a point of furrowing her brows, pretending to be utterly lost in the options, before looking back at Henry with an almost apologetic smile.

"I’m sorry," she said with a small, nervous laugh. "I don’t know what half of these dishes even mean…" Her voice trailed off, a hint of embarrassment creeping in. She hinted he should order for her just like he is loved to, fully playing the role of someone utterly out of her depth.

"Oh my god, he does sound scary," her voice was full of feigned awe. "I definitely want nothing to do with someone like that. I better keep away then!"


Internally, she was far from convinced that any amount of "publicity" would deter Elliot if he ever truly wanted to make her disappear. She had seen the police commissioner at the party in Arundel. He could make any case vanish for the right favor, probably like he has already done many many times before. There was a reason the authorities never looked too closely at Elliot, no matter how many bodies he dropped, right?

She turned her attention to the meal, letting the conversation slide for the moment. The food was superb, and for a moment, she allowed herself to get lost in the indulgence. A few sips of wine, and her mood lightened. For the first time in a while she was able to relax and just enjoy the moment; forget all about the scheming and plotting.

It was a shame Ekaterina barely spoke English, because she looked more like her sort of people than any of the others. Less full of herself, for one. She tried to engage her in conversation, and even managed to exchange some fashion tips with her, feeling an odd sense of camaraderie despite the language barrier. She followed her Instagram account too. Who knows, maybe she could contact her one day to get the inside scoop on that little club, in a much more inconspicuous way.

Meanwhile, there was a part of her that found a little guilty pleasure in watching Henry. The way his new friends weren't giving him the attention he clearly wanted, and how they were leaving him in a sort of subdued, mopy state. It was almost too satisfying. For all the humiliation he’d put her through, this felt like a small, sweet victory. Sweeter than the desert they were served.

As dinner came to a close, and everyone began to make their way out, she chose to play along and get in the car with Henry, though her mind was already turning toward the next phase of her evening. She slipped into the passenger seat, casual but clearly enjoying herself.

"That was a lovely evening, don't you think? Very interesting people" her tone was light, almost playful "The seaside villa you mentioned earlier… The man I talked to mentioned one too. I mean, I’m sure both are beautiful, but I was just curious if all members of the club own one" She paused, glancing at him to check his reaction, while inwardly she felt guilty over enjoying rubbing salt in his wounds "And what’s this ‘retreat’ thing they keep bringing up? Have you ever been to one? I’m really curious what goes on at a place like that"

Even though she couldn’t help but feel a small sense of satisfaction as she watched him squirm throughout the evening, she wasn’t vindictive enough to wish for him to fail - despite the way he had treated her in the past.
"I’m sorry. I was just... caught up in the moment, I guess" she said softly "I didn’t mean to make things uncomfortable for you, especially with your business dealings." She made sure to appear genuinely apologetic, even though, truth be told, she thought most of the blame lay on him. Maybe if he introduced her properly or bothered to include her in the conversation, she wouldn’t have felt the need to interrupt so rudely. Still, she acknowledged that she might have overstepped. She had no intention of sabotaging him.

"They all seemed like important people" She offered a small, reassuring smile. "I’m sure you’ll fit right in with them"

Her phone beeps interrupted the moment. She quickly checked it, making sure to like each of Kat’s photos as well as sending her a quick message: "Had a great time tonight, and you were the best part. Let’s do it again sometime!" She didn’t mind having Ekaterina as a friend, but it was also important for her to keep the connection open. Who knows when it might come in handy?

Looking up from her phone, she flashed Henry a playful smile. "I didn’t realize you actually read my columns" she teased him "I didn’t think they’d be your type of reading."

Kat’s reply made her smile. The girl was definitely enthusiastic, maybe a bit too much, but Emma could understand. She was new to England, and probably didn’t know many people, and even less her own age. How could she probably turn her down? Plus, she seemed like she could be lots of fun when she didn’t have to behave around stuffy old gentlemen.

"Tomorrow sounds great! I’ll call you in the morning once I wake up, and we will make some plans!"

She did promise to spend some time with David, but not for the entire day. She was sure she could find some time for Kat.

Smiling to herself, she turned to Henry, who was the last person she would think would refrain from critiquing her columns. He used to nitpick even the smallest things, usually for petty or imagined reasons. Her columns were actually pretty well written, all things considered, but gossip, fashion, nightlife, and new sexual positions weren’t exactly Pulitzer material. But they were her things, and a reflection of her life. Maybe he read them to keep tabs on her?

"What did you think of my book?" She knew the book was done well, and received positive reviews (for its genre). She was curious to hear his take on it. Would he, for once, give her a real compliment?

He actually read it? It was a surprising thought, almost a shock, considering how often he brushed off her interests. And even more of a shock was that he was willing to engage her in conversation about it.

"Well, houses aren’t magical, sure" she said wistfully "but homes—homes are something else entirely. All the emotions, the connections. Memories. There has to be some magic in it"

She turned to look at him, her voice dropping a bit lower:
"But I’m curious. Have you never wished something magical could be real, even just for a moment?"

"Don’t you ever feel like your world is missing something? Like... adventure? Wonder? Something that breaks the monotony of the everyday?" she held his gaze, looking deeply into his eyes "Don’t you wish for more excitement in your life? More...magic?"

She allowed her words to linger in the air before she finally pulled back, breaking away from him.

"Thanks for a splendid evening" He was the one who invited her to the restaurant she could never afford going to on her own. And she did enjoy herself, even if himself made for poor company. She gave him one last nod before slipping out of his car, leaving him to ponder what she truly meant.

Emma appreciated the compliment, but she didn't want to give him any ideas. She didn't respond, her lips curving slightly behind her back. Then, she closed the door behind her and simply turned and walked toward the entrance of her building.

She didn't take the stairs, instead waiting inside just long enough to make sure he drove off. Once the coast was clear she stepped out and headed for her car, parked further down the street.

If she didn’t know any better, she would have sworn Henry had been replaced by a body double. The man she had known was always self-assured, smug, always ready to belittle and mock her. She's never seen him off-balance, or not in control of the situation. Tonight she couldn't shake the feeling that he was somehow more...vulnerable. Frazzled. The way he clung to her every word in the car. Admitting to reading her book. Waiting outside her apartment like some sort of lost puppy. And then there was the club. She’d never seen him so uncomfortable in the presence of others before, no matter who they were; he was just too full of himself to care what anyone else thought of him.

Something was definitely going on. Maybe he was just slipping. Or maybe something bigger was at play.

She sighed

There were only so many people she could help, and right now, a rich asshole was at the bottom of her list. If Kat couldn't shed some light on this mystery tomorrow, she was ready to let the whole thing go and let him figure things out for himself, like he always had.

Pulled out her phone, she typed Benji a quick message before turning the ignition key:

"On my way"

The old gray Volkswagen’s engine sputtered as Emma put it into park. The rusty car was the only reason Emma believed some sort of higher power was looking after her- she was convinced her daily prayers were the only reason it didn't move on to the great beyond.

"Hi!" she greeted benji with a warm smile as he climbed into the car. She was wearing her coat, but the faint scent of her perfume still lingered in the air "How have you been? Hope this isn’t too late for you" she checked the rearview mirror, though the only thing she could hope to make out were the incoming headlights of approaching cars through the heavy rain. "Where are we headed?"

"I wrote that book before I knew the first thing about vampires" she offered Benji an apologetic half-smile. "So, you know, it was pretty popular... with women" Her first book had been a bit on the raunchy side, leaning into the vampires-as-seducers-of-maidens trope. But her second one was shaping up to be more of a true horror story. She was sure it would do even better than the first—if she could ever finish it.

The problem was, if anything, that her second novel was starting to feel a little… lacking. It was missing the "erotic" part of the "erotic-horror" genre. She had been thinking about spicing it up with a few sex scenes, but she wasn’t sure which of the characters would hook up. She sighed inwardly to herself. Honestly, adding romance was the least of her problems. There was just too much going on. So many plots were spinning out of control, and she wasn’t sure how to keep track of it all. She might need to split them into separate books. Hell, maybe a series. But that meant editing would be an absolute nightmare. She hardly had time to write it all down, let alone clean it up later.

Take Eliot, for instance. She introduced him in the first chapter, but now he was missing, and she wasn’t sure whether to write him out or make sure he reappeared. Benji told her it would be easier for if he stayed missing, but it wouldn’t be good for her book. She had to find him, at least for the sake of the plot, but the more she focused on her writing, the more it felt like she was living in a story herself. A story that didn’t always go the way she wanted. She’d been so caught up in documenting her supernatural encounters that sometimes she didn’t stop to think if it was good for her. She was acting more like a character in her own book than someone who was living her life.

"I’m getting a much better portrayal this time, though" she finally said "I’ll send you some drafts if you’re interested. See what you think."

She glanced through the rearview mirror, hoping to catch a glimpse of any car tailing them. The downpour made it nearly impossible to see beyond the headlights of the vehicle behind them. She couldn’t even tell if they were being followed, though she had a feeling Benji might be right. If he said not to worry, maybe she shouldn’t. But then again, what a centuries-old vampire considered to be 'harmless' could still mess up the life of a mortal like her. There wasn't anything she could do about it, however, except put her trust in him.

"Had dinner with my ex and his business associates earlier this evening" she tried to keep her voice light "Henry was worried about my association with Eliot, but turned out he and his friends all think he is some kind of a mobster. They didn't even know he had gone missing. So, all their advice was pretty much worthless. Still, the food was fantastic!"


The mention of food reminded her of something she’d been meaning to ask for a while. It was a bit personal, but she was genuinely curious, and this seemed like as good a time as any to ask "How often do vampires have to eat? Like, is it every night?"

"Sex and Death are huge existential forces for humans" she tried to justify the appeal of erotic horror "But I guess not so much for someone who doesn’t need sex, or is basically immortal" She paused to wonder how Benji viewed death. He had lived for centuries. Seen friends, lovers, acquaintances fade away, entire civilizations vanish into the pages of history. Did that make him numb to human life, considering they were all bound to die eventually? Or did it make him more sensitive to how precious it was? She glanced at him briefly, but didn’t ask. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to hear the answer.

She turned her mind back to his words. Every day. Every single day. She imagined what it must be like for Sarah. How often the vampire must have fed from her. But now she was starting to realize that Sarah couldn’t have been the only one. How many others were there? How many men and women served as unwilling vessels for vampires? Did Benji have a similar... 'arrangement' with someone? Did he ever feed from someone against their will, over the course of all those centuries?

Did he ever kill?

She already knew the answer. He called it an ‘accident.’ Just like Mr. Christobal warned her about, back in Arundel.

The thought unsettled her more than she’d like to admit, and she visibly tensed as they reached Miriam’s door. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to think too deeply about vampires' feeding habits. Better to think of Benji as a kindly sweet gentleman, than someone who preyed upon humans for substance. But for a moment there, she couldn't help but feel like she was standing in the presence of a monster.

Emma took a moment to take it all in with her usual attentiveness to detail. Like Sarah, Miriam lived on a schedule most would find unnatural – awake when the rest of the world was asleep. Their lives mirrored those of nocturnal predators, and it was more than just a matter of habit. It was survival. These women stayed up, because the dangers of the night demanded them to be vigilant.

But there was more. All the clutter and reliance on take-outs, not taking care of the space she occupied hinted Miriam was suffering from some sort of depression; chaos in her mind manifesting itself physically. She obviously didn’t host guests very often, if at all. She imagined her loneliness was a choice born out of necessity. Being a vampire hunter was a very dangerous job, one that could put people close to her in great danger. Shutting herself out of the world might have been the best way to avoid vampires targeting people she cared about – because she didn’t have any to worry about.

The disparaging remarks about her book took on a different light in that context. It was as if Miriam was pushing her away, keeping her at arm’s length so she wouldn’t get too close.

The unease Emma had been feeling grew. What was at stake here; the danger to the lives of the people she cared about, was starting to feel more and more urgent.

" - but it sells well" she murmured, deciding against contradicting Miriam. She didn’t feel angry, only empathetic. She couldn’t begin to imagine the amount of willpower and sacrifice it took to lead the life she has chosen.

"Sorry to call on you at such late hour, but we have some sensitive things to talk to you about" She hoped Miriam would get the hint. She really didn’t want to go out in the pouring rain for coffee, especially at this hour. Aside from the practicality of discussing vampire-related matters in a McDonald's, she still hoped to get some sleep tonight, and more travel meant less time in her bed.

Emma bites her lip, and exchanges a quick look with Benji. She doesn’t want to press Miriam. It wasn’t fair to show up the middle of the night with a problem that could put her at risk, to expect her to drop everything and help a total stranger, no matter what the cost to her might be.

She had half a mind to turn away and let the woman be, except Emma has faced this same dilemma a couple of nights ago. She could have turned Sarah away. And she could, even now, throw her out to the streets and let her fend for herself, while she and David slept soundly in their bed. But she couldn’t. Maybe it was because was being naïve, and didn’t have the same life experience as Miriam, but she couldn’t find it in her heart to leave Sarah to her fate.

"Please" she merely added to Benji’s appeal for help

"You know what?" Emma made her decision "Grab your coat. Lets go grab some coffee from the McDonalds"

It looked like she wasn’t going to get back home before David fell asleep after all. And she wasn’t going to get anything out of Miriam either– at least not tonight. She didn’t miss the signs of exhaustion; both physical and mental. The clutter. The way she was barely holding it together. She didn’t want to push her, unload her issues on top of the ones she was already carrying.

What Miriam needed most, at this moment, wasn’t to solve a problem or give advice. What she needed was to get out of her apartment and breathe some fresh air. Talk with someone about anything other than the dangers of the night, after being holed up in her apartment for who knows how long. She could do that much for her

"I promise we’re not going to talk about anything heavy. Just go out, and unwind for a bit. Alright?"