Vampire Seekers

Chapter Nine

"If it isn't the old Wildcard of the Demontes!" Willow cheerfully greets jumping up to swallow Velika up in a hug while the Princess remains frozen. Staring into the eyes of her sisters best friend.

Velika can not believe this.

Years she has not come to The Last Drop. Not since Velika decides to wait for her mate, but her people deserved a night off and earned a rather lavish treat, and Velika is hungry.

Hungrier than she has ever been.

"Oh Velika," Willow says, turning to face Maria. "This is Alice Marie. She has just started working here today."

Eli comes to Velika's side. His mouth dropping open as he spots Maria.

"Whatever is the matter with all of you?" Willow questions, gesturing to one of Velika's men to close the glass door behind them that would give them some privacy.

Maria bites the inside of her lip. Another habit of her that she is trying to stop.

"This is Maria." Velika finally says after finding her voice. Even to her own ears her voice sounds strange. A mix of shock, anger, and barely restrained control.

All Velika wants to do is throw Maria over her shoulder and escort her out this vampire infested establishment.

Maria should not be here. Maria should not be here. That sentence repeats in Velika's mind over and over again.

"She is Emily's best friend." Velika adds, her gaze snapping to Willow. Her fangs peeking out from beneath her plump lips.

Willows mouths falls open, a barely audible 'ah', floating in the silence of the room. Maria can not see Velika face, she had turned into gauge Willows reaction when Velika introduced her as Maria, but Willows reaction has her perplexed for a second.

Then Maria remembers Willows words. Velika had a bit of a crush on her sisters best friend.

Maria is Emily's best friend. Maybe Maria is over thinking this. Emily has other friends. It may not even be Emily who Willow was referring too. Did Willow say one of her sisters friends or did she say which one and the seeker wasn't paying attention?

"I." Maria stumbles for words. Everything she wants to say is tumbling over the next thing she wants to say. Maria takes a moment to untangle her thoughts before feeling confident enough that she won't make a tit of herself. "I thought you didn't come to the Last Drop no more."

Velika tenses. The confident and self assured heir to the throne at a loss for words. Of all the people to catch Velika going back to her old stomping grounds it would be Maria.

"Princess Velika has very generously decided to treat her warriors." Eli says, though this is not fresh news. "It is good for Velika to spend time with her warriors outside of training and missions. I advised her to come." Eli lies.

Maria brows draw together.

"Even if Velika just sits for a drink with an old friend it boosts morale." Eli adds gesturing to Willow.

Sensing the tension Willow lifts her cocktail up and takes a sip. "Mmm, now that is delicious."

"Vel you must try this! It's a- what did you call it again Marie?" Willow says enthusiastically.

"A Bloody Mina." Maria says. "They pretty much ripped the name off of Bloody Mary but it's meant to be nice." Maria shrugs.

Willow fixes Velika with a certain look. Maria recognizes what that look means. We'll talk in private - that's what her face says.

"One." Velika sternly states. The single word leaving little room for argument.

"Bore." Willow pouts. "Make it strong Maria. A double. No triple. The amount of alcohol. Vel is so much more fun when her inhibitions has been lowered a smidge." Willow measures a small amount with her fingers, until Velika turns her eyes away to glance at Eli, then the distance between her fingers widens significantly.