A Touch of Scarlet

43

I glance down at my phone one last time to make sure that I've got the right address.
I look down at the number on the screen then up at the address on the Starbucks in front of me.

Yup this is it.

I walk forward, push through the door and walk in. The familiar scents of pastry mixed with coffee beans fills my senses.
I scan the room for my lunch date; nope, nope, nope, nope, there.

I walk towards the table and take a seat, "hey Lyd I got your usual" he says before sliding a hazelnut frappiccino across the table and into my clutch. "Thanks Jordan", "yeah no problem, I'm glad you were able to make it".
I bring the cold drink up to my mouth, place the green straw against my lip and slurp up the sweet liquid.

Not as appetizing as blood but it's the next best thing.
"So what's up?" I ask while twirling my straw around the slushy-drink.

"Do you wanna get out of here?" Jordan asks openly. "But I just got here" I reply blankly.

"No I mean do you want to get out of town? We can travel after graduation next year. Since vampires don't age we get into the habit of moving around every few years so that humans don't start to question the fact that we look exactly the same as we did years before".
"What about Carter, Nate, Reece, Val and even Elliot?" I ask, "Nate and Elliot have each other, Valentina and Carter are strong individuals and Reece is going back to Aspen's Circle for a while".
"I guess" I reply stubbornly, "plus Lydia it's not like we won't ever come back. I just think you should see the world, I've got all of eternity to show you around, and I'd love to start sooner rather than later" Jordan says.

"So you believe it too?" I ask my tone changing, "believe what?" He asks but from the look in his eyes I can tell he knows exactly what I'm asking.
"This whole mate thing that everyone's been talking about".
He watches me for a minute or so, his emotions flying left and right across his face.
"I don't have to believe it Lyd I can feel it" he states simply, "you can feel it?"
"Yes, right from the very beginning of my moving to this town I felt something stirring; then when I saw you drive by me in Carter's car that first day, and then when I sensed something off and I ran and found you in that alley-" he pauses, "the bond has always been here, just beneath the surface".

"Do you have to act on a mate bond? Or can you leave it alone?" I ask, he watches me blankly.
"You don't have to act upon it or active it if you don't want too; nothing is forced.

"Oh ok" I reply while mulling it all over in my head.

Jordan is meant to be my mate.

Jordan Adams is a vampire, I am a vampire: the vampirism gene that runs through our blood is meant to be bonded together.

I look up into his crystal blue eyes, I take in his slightly curled ashen-white hair, freckle-covered high-cheekbones and small smile.

Jordan Adams is not only the kindest but the sweetest of the three vampires that I know and love ever so much.

I quickly glance around the CoffeeShop once more to see that it is completely empty aside from us and the two girls behind the counter that seem to be completely swept up in some sort of debate.

Jordan leans forward and picks my hands up from off of the wooden table, taking them into his own.

"Lydia?" He asks sincerely, "yes?" I ask while leaning forward slightly in my chair.
"Will you do me the honour of becoming my mate?" He asks sincerely his gaze hopeful.

I watch him for a second or so, my expression completely serious before I lean forward and press my lips against his.
My heartbeat picks up and my heart begins to flutter inside my chest.
I pull back slowly, my lips parting in a sincere smile.