"You didn't tell me that Hailey is a human correlation officer."
"I didnt think it was important." She shrugs as she slides into the car.
I start the engine and slowly reverse out of the driveway.
"Just interesting." I shrug. "Any more questions?"
"Lots."
"Its a forty-five minute drive to Elise's, I already text her letting her know we've left."
"Okay, can you turn people into vampires?"
"Yes, with approval from the council, again not like that movie with the glittery dude."
"Twilight." She giggles. "How does it work?"
"Its more like a psych evaluation." I frown slightly. "Just to make sure you're doing it for the right reasons, so you cant tell them you wanna be one of us because you want revenge or something."
"How does it work?"
"Its a ritual, it has to be done under a blood moon, a blue moon or a new moon. Its an exchange of blood."
"Have you witnessed it?"
I nod slowly.
"A friend from school found his spark, a human. She was raised by her grandfather and the Council granted her change when they married, but she couldn't live an immortal life without the man she saw as her father." I sigh softly. "Unfortunately, it didn't work for him."
"What happened?"
"His body rejected the blood, while we can do a transfusion and it heals illnesses...drinking it is different. He was ninty years old, he didn't survive."
"Is she okay?"
"She grieved hard, but I know they're both happy and have a child now."
"What happens if someones spark dies?" She suddenly changes the subject.
I gulp, shaking my head slowly.
"We die, a horrible painful death." I sigh sadly. "Thats what happened to my dad."
"I'm so sorry."
"Its alright, my mom got sick. Vampire illnesses are different, she caught onto the fact she was sick far too late and passed a week later, I watched my dad go through it."
Val sighs softly, placing her hand on my knee and giving it a soft squeeze.
"I hope you like kids." I change the subject myself.
"Oh yeah! Why?"
"Elise has twins...her husband." I grip the steering wheel tightly. "Ignore Kai."
"You dont get along with each other?"
"Not one bit." I scoff. "He's stuck in the old ways of vampires are monsters and can't be trusted, but Elise loves him and while I don't understand what she sees in him, I love her like a sister and stand by her."
"That's pretty Nobel of you."
I chuckle softly, shaking my head once again.
"I'm trying to prove him wrong."
"So, anything else I should know?"
"A lot, I you have any questions ask away."
"I'll think about some more, thank you for being so open with me."
"I wouldn't hide anything from you."
"One more question actually."
"Go for it." I smile, reaching over to put my hand on her thigh.
"When do you think...actually forget it."
"Val, come on." I squeeze her thigh softly.
She gasps softly, obviously I hit a soft spot there. I'll have to remember that.
"Do you think you could maybe try the blood play thing tonight?"
I almost lose control of the car, pure shock washes through my body.
"I shouldn't have asked, sorry."
"No, its alright." I breathe in slowly. "What part of it?"
"Like...the drinking part?"
Oh gods, she's going to break me.
"Are you sure? I don't know how I'll react or even...stop."
"I trust you." She puts her hand on mine. "I know you wont hurt me."
"We can try." I nod once. "I was actually thinking we could have a bath together tonight too?"
"I'd love that." She giggles excitedly.
"I have one of those jacuzzi mats in the tub, its really relaxing. We can light some candles, cuddle. I'll bring the projector into the bathroom and we'll see where the night takes us."
"You have a projector?"
"Its a little wireless one, its actually great quality."
"You have so many gadgets."
I laugh softly, keeping my eyes on the road.
I pull up onto the driveway, I slide out of the car before quickly rushing to the passenger side to open the door for my girlfriend...girlfriend, I could get used to that. I take her hand, leading her to the door. I ring the bell and listen carefully.
"Uncle Felix!" I can hear the twins getting excited already.
Elise opens the door, looking between Val and I. Her eyes wander down to our interlocked hands, a smirk lifts onto her lips.
"So, this is your guest."
"You remember Val right?" I grin.
"Oh, I do. Looks like I'm right again." She ushers us inside.
I wait for impact as the twins run over, launching themselves into my arms. I lift them up and put them on a shoulder each while they laugh loudly.
"Val, this is my niece Harriet and my nephew Jackson." I grin proudly.
"Nice to meet you guys." Val grins back.
"Are you dating uncle Felix?" Harriet tilts her head to the side.
"I am." Val nods.
"You're really pretty." The eight year old smiles as she climbs down.
"Thank you, you're pretty too."
Harriet wastes no time in kidnapping my girlfriend, no doubt she's showing her the everlasting collection of stuffed animals. Jackson laughs, using me as a climbing frame as he usually does. He hangs upside down by his legs on my arm, thank the gods for vampire strength.
"When did that happen?" Elise smirks, nudging my side.
"That's an adult only conversation." I wink.
"Jackson, baby why dont you get to know Val. I have a feeling shes going to be your aunt soon."
"Yes mama!" Jackson hops down and rushes away.
Elise and I stand in the kitchen, I take the wind glass from her and lean on the counter.
"What happened?"
I explain everything from the day at the blood bank to the events of last night. Elise squeals, hugging me tightly.
"How does it feel?"
"Amazing." I sigh happily. "She is...everything I want."
"You look brighter." She pats my cheek softly.
"So where is...Kai." I try to hide the disgust in my voice.
"Work, he is on his way home though so dinner will be ready soon."
I nod, sighing hard. I just hope he behaves himself.
Dinner is served, Elise being the amazing best friend she is, had blood ready for me so she prepared my dinner separately from everyone else's. Kai looks between me and Val, the look of disgust is prominent on his face.
"So, Val..." Kai clears his throat. "You're dating Felix."
"Thats right." Val looks at me with a smile.
"You do realize he could rip you apart if he wanted to."
I clench my jaw, watching Elise give him a quick swat to the head.
"I trust Felix, he's a loving and gentle man." She takes my hand, squeezing it.
"You haven't seen him angry." He scoffs.
"That was a long time ago, Kai." Elise frowns.
"Still." He sneers. "Just wait."
I can feel my anger rising, I would never lash out in front of the kids or even Val for that matter but this prick grinds my gears and he knows exactly what he's doing right now.
"You remember that night, don't you Felix?" He takes a sip of wine. "What was it, two years ago?...should've seen him."
"That was the past." Val frowns. "I don't care what he did, if he wants to tell me he will."
My anger subsides, she's actually defending me. I take a sip of my own wine, staying quiet.
"He almost killed a man."
"In self defence." Elise steps in quickly. "Kai, enough."
"I'm just saying, this guy is a dangerous person...you wanna have kids with him?"
I freeze, waiting for Val to answer.
"If thats what we both want then yes, but right now we're only in the dating stage of our relationship and I think we should just enjoy that."
"Do your parents know?"
"Not yet, but they'll be happy as long as I'm happy." She smiles sweetly, but her voice drips with venom.
"He could suck you dry too."
I feel my body shaking a little from the building anger, Val moves her hand from mine and moves it to my thigh, giving it a squeeze. I try to focus on that and only that.
"I'm not answering that."
Kai scoffs, standing slowly.
"I lost my appetite." He storms on upstairs.
"I'm sorry, he promised he wouldn't do this." Elise sighs.
"Its fine, I knew he wouldn't hold that promise." I grumble.
The kids look between us silently. I turn and give them a small smile.
"We think you're cool." Jackson grins.
"Yeah, and you wouldn't hurt us." Harriet adds.
"Thanks kids." I smile more.
I look at Val who just watches my movements carefully. Shes studying me, I can tell.
"I think you're a sweetheart." She moves her hand further up my leg.
I stiffen slightly, hoping she won't take it further.
"Kids, say goodnight and get ready for bed." Elise smiles.
The kids say goodnight, Harriet is totally loving Val which is a first for any girl I introduced them to.
"I'm leaving him." Elise frowns once the kids disappear. "I can't deal with his judgemental ass anymore."
"Finally, what made this happen?" I sit back a little.
"He's judging the kids now, berates them...Harriet was crying because he told her she was going nowhere in life, told her he wishes he didnt have kids."
I clench my jaw tightly, thats it. Too far. I stand slowly, clenching my fists in anger.
"Felix." Elise warns. "Dont you dare."
"He cant do that." I growl.
"Baby." Val stands up. "Look at me."
I slowly move my head to face her. Something about looking into her eyes makes the anger disperse. I slowly sit back down with Val following my movements.
"Wow." Elise chuckles. "What was that?"
"I think they call it a spark." Val grins.
"That's definitely it." Elise agrees.
After saying our goodbyes, Elise agrees she's going to make a leaving plan. Val has offered her help and we decided to include Hailey in the plan, thankfully she agreed and she knows human cops too so if anything goes wrong we can involve them. The start of the car ride is quiet until Val asks that dreaded question.
"What was he talking about?"
"Two years ago, I lost both of my parents within days of each other." I sigh. "I wasn't in a good place at all, I was in an awful relationship with a girl and...we were on a double date with Elise and Kai. Turns out my ex was cheating on me and the guy happened to be there."
"So you beat him up?"
"It was fine until he started pushing my buttons, told me everything they were doing together, how I was a disgusting monster...I snapped." I gulp. "I didn't mean to, but I saw red."
"I understand. I don't think youre a monster."
"Thank you for being so sweet to me." I cant help but smile.
I feel so incredibly lucky right now.
