Vampire Seekers

Chapter Fifteen

The three vampires sit there in a silence that is anything but comfortable. Emily has been staring awkwardly at Velika whilst twirling her sleeve round her fingers. Willow's eyes remain fixed on the privacy booth Maria disappeared into over fifteen minutes ago.

Willow has been up to something, Velika is sure of it. Them getting separated was no accident and Velika cannot help but worry about what Willow might have said in her absence.

"Do you-" Emily starts and stops, glancing around the room, but no one can hear them. "Do you like Maria?"

Velika is stunned. She sits there with her jaw clenched and her heart pounding in her chest. Willow told Emily? How could she. Why would she. It takes Velika a moment to collect her wits and she tries to steady her breathing. Does she like Maria? Of course - but Emily said nothing of love.

"Obviously. She's a very likable friend." Velika says skating around the topic, "I can see why you two get along so well. I forget how you met though, was it a family event or-"

"Sorry Vel, but I'm not going to let you deflect the question and change the topic this time." Emily stubbornly states, no longer playing with her sleeves. 

Willow smirks at her side and pats Emilys hand that is now fisted on her knee. "Well done, sweetness."

Velika scowls at her old friend who simply shrugs and tells her 'don't give me that look'. Willow did meddle, Velika knew it, she can be just as bad as her mother for interfering in her private life. It is not very often that Velika finds herself at a loss for words and the determination of Emilys face makes it clear she cannot get out of answering this one. 

Velika has two options:

1.) Lie. Tell her sister she does not like Maria in that way.

2.) Confess the truth. But does it have to be the whole truth?

"I like Maria." Three words. It should not have been so hard to say, especially at her age, but Velika has never had time for feelings such as 'love'. Love is a weakness. It's an opening for your enemies to exploit, but there is not denying that Velika is not simply mated to Maria, she has fallen for her. 

"And what are you going to do about it?" Emily asks.

"Look Em, I get that Maria is your friend I can't help being attracted to her-"

"I didn't mean it like that stupid." Emily interrupts, "We're all grown ups. If you and Maria want to act on your feelings for each other you should grow a pair and go for it."

Willow snickers at the side of Emily, "Yeah, Vel. Grow a pair."

Emily shakes her head at Willow and turns to face Velika again who is simply staring at her as though she cannot quite believe what she is hearing. "Maria fancies the pants off of you." 

"She does?"

"Ugh! You two are hopeless." Willow groans, "I mean helloooo! Could it be any more obvious."

Velika does not have time to press for more information as to why exactly it is apparently so obvious because as soon as Willow goes to say 'Marie literally sai-' and then she snapped her mouth shut just before Maria returns.

"Everything okay?" Maria questions, looking from one tense vampire to another. The seeker gets the distinct feeling she interrupted something.

"Yeah everything's cool." Willow says, "But they only have three menus. Hey Em, let me see." Willow says leaning closer to Emily to peer down at the menu in her hand. Velika is grateful for Willows performance skills as Maria seems to just shrug it off and grab the last remaining menu.