The Terrible Twelve

Chapter 17: The Bear Leaves His Den

"I don't want you to go." Nadia was on the edge of their shared bed standing up on her knees wearing one of Ivan's shirts. She was tugging on Ivan's shirt wile he stood in front of her holding onto her waist.

"I know you don't but I must. We don't have any blood in the house and we need to go check in at the Summit." Ivan placed a kiss on her lips.

"But I don't care about that. We can eat out."

"That only solves one problem." Ivan laughed.

"Why do you have to go to the Summit?" Nadia pouted. Usually she was very pulled together but not when it came to Ivan. Ivan was her world and he knew it. She was wrapped around his finger in every way imaginable.

"Because I drew the short stick. You'll probably get chosen next time and I'll be begging you to stay." He smiled. "I'll only be gone for the night my love."

"No you'll be gone all night and all day. I won't see you for twenty four hours." Nadia was whining again but she couldn't help it. She just didn't want to be without him, she didn't want to be strong about it.

"I know, but you won't even miss me. You can watch movies, or practice your dancing. Maybe you can hang out with Viridian."

Nadia slumped down onto her legs. "I know that I could do all of those things but I won't."

"Nadia, my dear, I will be home holding you before you know it. But I have to leave now." He pulled her close and kissed her passionately. When he pulled away, he wished he hadn't. "I love you more than life itself."

"I love you more than blood." Nadia answered with a small smile on her face. It was something that they'd said ever since they'd met. Theirs was a true love story that never had an ending.

"I'll love you when the moon descends." Ivan picked a small backpack up off the ground and slung it across his chest.

"I'll love you after my life ends." Nadia responded as he blew her one last kiss and closed the door behind him.

Ivan always hated leaving Nadia for any reason but he did get randomly chosen and they did need blood. Luckily, he was going to have Rivka and Callum for company but he would much rather have Nadia.

He stood in the foyer while Rivka and Callum got their things together. Viridian and Ian were sitting on the stairs that lead upstairs and Ivan joined them. "How are you two this evening?"

"Pretty good. Where are you headed?" Viridian was pointing to the backpack.

"Oh he, Rivka, and Callum are headed to the Summit." Ian explained.

"We're also picking up blood on the way back." he added.

Viridian looked between the two as she asked, "What's the Summit?"

"It's a gathering of vampires that happens once every month. We have a sort of loose government in the vampire community so that we can keep track of our numbers. Every month we sign in and tell the council if we've gained or lost anybody since the month before."

"Oh I guess that makes since." Viridian answered.

"Yea, we draw straws and we were the unlucky ones."

"Oh, will I have to go?"

"Eventually, but it won't be for a while. We won't put your name in the jar until I know you're ready to handle it love. There are hundreds of vampires that come through the Summit for our area and it can be a little overwhelming."