Vampire Seekers

Chapter Twelve

The contract came through the post yesterday. It sits on Maria's bookcase tormenting her every time she looks in it's direction. Maria did not doubt for one second that she would be offered a job at The Last Drop after her trial shift.

Ruka had called to check she got the letter. The asian beauty had been a buzz over events that transpired after Maria's departure. It would seem Willow had showed a great deal of interest in Maria and practically told Madam Bishop that hiring her would ensure her continued patronage. Then there is Velika.

The Princess told Ruka not to tell Maria, but she had. Velika asked to be kept informed of the outcome of the latest hiring's. Apparently the Princess had been watching Maria from the bar when she made the request.

Maria had called base to confirm her successful infiltration of The Last Drop and as luck would have it Henry had passed the hiring process as well. More mixed feelings.

Maria is glad to not be undercover alone but at the same time she knows it will always be in the back of her mind to be aware of Henry, or what he sees, Maria does not want to become gossip in the Seekers staff room.

Maria wants to ask Dani what she would do but she also knows she needs to play on the safe side for a while. Limit contact with any seekers. Even if Maria told Madam Bishop that she had been a Seeker and that her father continues to be one it does not change protocol. Maria also said her relationship with Seekers became strained and that she left because of her difference in opinion. She can't go to base.

Her start date is the day after tomorrow which gives her free time to kill.

Maria sends Emily a message.

MARIA: What you up to? Got the day off.

EMILY: not a lot just finished studies📚 total snooze fest😪

MARIA: Take it you learnt a lot lol

EMILY: loads . . . not. come over?

MARIA: Be there in a few x

Maria grabs a pair of worn black jeans from the top of her washing that has yet to make it to the drawer and finds her favourite three colour block t-shirt. Maria yanks it over her head and pulls her hair out from beneath the shirt.

Maria uses her tangle teezer brush through her golden locks and notices how the sun has lightened her ends. In winter her hair is always a slightly darker shade of blonde but in summer she ends up with an almost balayage type of effect on her hair. Maria begins to plait her hair in a French braid and ties it with a bobble.

Maria grabs her bag and pale pink blazer coat, just in case, and is descending the stairs within minutes.

The journey to the palace doesn't take long and if Maria didn't know better she might have believed Emily had been waiting at the door for her.

"Maria!" Emily throws her arms around Maria and Maria can not help but flinch. When she steps back away from the hug Emily releases her and checks her friends face to see the look of uncertainty.

Maria thought she over this, but she isn't as comfortable in Emily's company as she used to be.

"Sorry Em, sore shoulder." Maria smoothly lies without her heart beat giving her away. "Got my blood taken yesterday for the draft."

"I know! I thought that's why you had today off." Emily says striding towards the kitchen.

"Nah. It's a long story, kind of boring really." Maria skates around the topic. Emily is her best friend but she can't divulge information about an ongoing undercover job. "Anyway, what's the plan for today."