Vampire Seekers

Chapter Four

Velika looks at the photographs in her hand with a scowl. Her mate is far too close to her 'friend' and the princess does not like how familiar the pair seem to be. 

Velika closes the file and takes a sip of her preferred bloody type but it does not hit the spot like it used to. In fact, Velika finds it completely un-enjoyable. Velika finishes her cup but does not pour another. Velika cannot abstain from drinking altogether but she refuses to drink more than is necessary.

"Is everything alright, Vel?" Emily asks, from where she is seated across from Velika.

Velika pushes the file to one side but even with the picture tucked away the image still bothers her.

"There has been an increase in the number of crimes being committed as of late." Velika responds, though that is not at all what Emily meant and she knows it.

Velika has not told her sister, nor any one else, that she has found her mate and she has no intention of doing so either. Her family can be meddlesome and Velika does not need anymore complications

Velika spots her father, the king, from the corner of her eye as his lips twitch upwards. His eldest daughter certainly took after him. While their mother is honest and direct their father deflects questions he does not wish to answer with facts and just about relevant responses.

He always finds it amusing when Emily tries, and very often fails, to get a real answer from Velika. 

Their mother fixes her steely gaze on her daughters. "No paper work at the table." She reminds Velika. "And no phones." Their mothers gaze turn to Emily. "This is family time and we so rarely get together these days."

Velika sets the file down on the table in front of the empty seat at her side. The one that will one day seat her mate. Emily pulls a face and throws her phone down.

"Not like they're answering anyway." Emily grumbles underneath her breath, much to their mothers disapproval. 

"Something wrong?" Velika questions.

"Maria isn't replying to my messages." Emily complains. Her bottom lips jutting out as she pouts.

"You are aware that Maria has a job, are you not?" Velika questions. "She is most likely at work. As I previously stated the crime rate is up."

"Eugh! You are so annoying. All you talk about is work." Emily whines, "Maria's my friend and she always replies within a few hours but it's been a whole day and nothing!" Emily gestures to her phone and throw her hands up in air in annoyance.

"I am giving you a plausible reason as to why your little human friend has not replied. Crime is up. She works in law enforcement. The two are not unrelated." Velika reasons. 

Emily hates to admit her sister might be right. It is better reason to one she has been worrying about since yesterday. Maria may be avoiding. She might of frightened one of the few true friends she has off. Emily has other friends, vampire friends, but some of them she doubts their motives.

Some may like her out of blind loyalty and admiration for the Demonte family but Maria likes her despite of everything she has been told about vampires. Humans are raised on fear of vampires and yet Maria still chose to be her friend.

Emily gives Velika a meek smile. "I guess." Perhaps her sister is right. Maria has been talking a lot about work lately. 

A knock sounds on the door before Velika can voice the thought that has been in her head since yesterday, maybe Emily really scared Maria off this time. Instead she turns to her mother and asks "Are we expecting company?"