Ascension - Book Eight - Man x Man

Chapter 117

Sitting in the passenger seat, Rowan in the back and Tomas driving, I glance in the rear view to check that Cleo was still following us. Despite the location being dubbed a pub, and knowing what that meant, she wanted to go and see this entertainment for herself. 

I shouldn't be surprised; she liked socializing and I was leaving our brunch early. Glancing towards Tomas, the pale skin makes me shudder just slightly. I wasn't used to this, being close to him again, seeing him as a vampire instead of a warm and drunken mortal. 

"How do you like being a vampire?" I manage, folding my hands in my lap. 

Tomas glances at me, the broad grin hasn't changed, still kind, still Tomas. A grin cracks my expression, I was glad he'd shown up. "Has its ups and down, that's for sure." He muses, scrubbing his chin with his knuckles thoughtfully as if he was about to impart to me some wisdom. "Could do without the blood and whatnot, but the effects on mah loins and mah youth are pretty spot on."

Rowan rolls her eyes heavily, "Dad..." she grumbles, only to hesitate, quickly darting her gaze out the window. 

I catch her in the rearview, frowning at how embarrassed she'd look. Tomas had raised her, it wasn't fair for her to hide that from us, Verando would understand. "You don't have to hide that from me, or Verando, Rowan. You're allowed to love the man who raised you."

"Row has always felt some remorse for what she nare had, ain't ya lass? S'all right, mah feelin's are strong." Rowan kicks the back of his seat as he taunts her with a faux sniffle, making him chuckle like a madman. 

Row. Reminded me a lot of the nickname Marisol had given Verando. 

"'M glad Randal asked us to tag along. I worry about ya both, ya cause so much trouble where ever ya go. Make my curls straighten and my hair turn gray!" He sighs heavily, running a hand through the heavy firey tangles. I pat his head, making him swat at me with a smirk. 

"Me too, he's really missed you, Tomas. I've missed you. Both of you." Sighing heavily, we pull into some street parking. It never ceased to amaze me how much some cities had tried to thrive and some had hardly crawled back out of the depths. This city was much like some of the more modern societies in France, with it's busy streets and active shops. Yet, not even a mile past it's outskirts was uncharted forest and swallowed depths of old neighborhoods. 

Opening the door for me, Tomas escorts me out as Rowan comes to my other side. "I hope we aren't too late." She captures my arm, maybe for public appearances or maybe because it felt safer that way. 

She was so much like Helen and yet, she was entirely different. Soft, kind, with large full pink lips and heavy long tangles of hair. The light eyes brimmed with long, doll-like lashes just as she had when she was a baby. Her feminine style, the heavy-skirted short dress, and the long sleeve jacket, she reminded me of a film character more than a woman who was sitting with us to enjoy some music. Yet, she did not hold the timid nature that Helen did. 

While she was softer in her speech, it seemed to come from thoughtfulness rather than fear of repercussion. 

I was all too happy to hold her arm, enjoying the contact as my wolf was pining for my soul mate as we entered the building. A rather open pub, with two different levels and a large staircase following the wall to lead to upstairs apartments. Tomas gestures us over to the bartop, this seemed to be the safest place as it wasn't central and our backs wouldn't be to the door. 

Considering these were hubs for magic users, they were made to be safe havens in disguise. In truth, there should be little for 'bad spots' as far as vantage goes. It was one of the few places I could actually relax, save for the slayer recruiter who followed in behind us. It wasn't uncommon for 'normals' to tread into places like these though the typical mortal discomfort would quickly encourage them to find other places to socialize.