Paradigm Shift

Unfinished business

[A few weeks later]

* * *
Jasmine

I was making my way across the parking lot in front of my old apartment complex and I could feel someone watching me as I approached my car. I looked behind me, thinking it was the landlord following me out. [I had just finished signing some papers to release me from my tenancy] but I could see that he was still inside. I reached my car and got into the driver's seat. I pretended to adjust my rear view mirror as my eyes scanned the parking lot. With my newly improved eyesight I could clearly see the faces of everyone around me but nothing seemed out of the ordinary until my eyes settled on a 1965 Lincoln Continental with tinted windows. I focused on the tinted glass as I put my seatbelt on and I could see two men, both were bald, one white, one black. Venom collected in my mouth as I recognised them. I didn't know what to do. A part of me [I would guess my human side] was panicked, begging me to start the engine and get out of there and another part of me [my vampire side] wanted to rush over there, pull them out of their seats and rip there throats out. I considered the second option. I could do it. Physically I was definitely strong enough but there was CCTV outside of the apartment complex and I had a secret to hide, a secret that was more than just my own. I started the engine and tried to act nonchalant as I drove past their car. I expected them to follow me but they didn't and even after returning to the house I now shared with Roman and Seth I was still on high alert. Roman noticed something was wrong as soon as he saw me.

"What's wrong?" He asked as he greeted me, his strong arms wrapping around me

His embrace usually comforted me, but I couldn't relax. "I saw Victor and Damon"

"What!?" Roman asked, his whole body tensing up. "Where?"

Seth, after hearing Roman's alarmed response, quickly made his way inside the house

"They were sitting in a car outside my old apartment" I explained. "I wish I could say I was mistaken, but it was definitely them"

"Son's of bitches!!" Seth cussed. "I knew we should have killed them when we had the chance!"

"Did they follow you back here?" Roman asked

"I didn't see them, but that doesn't mean they won't. They know where we live" I explained

"I'm going to check outside" Roman said. "Seth, check the cameras for anything unusual."

Seth threw Roman a look of irritation at being told what to do before checking the camera's from his phone and I made my upstairs to change. I was lost in thought as I made my way towards the window seat in the spare bedroom. All could think about was what happened last time Imperium came to the house. Would they try to take me again? If they did, would I be strong enough to fight them off?. I stared out of the window and watched as Roman made his way back to the house. The concern was clear on his face. I tensed up as I heard the buzzer for the front gate. Someone was trying to get access to the house.

By the time Roman made his way into my room, I was beside myself. "Don't let them near me, Roman. Don't let them take me"

"Its fine. You're safe" he assured. "It's just Frederick"

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Frederick was nothing like Jasmine had imagined. She had expected him to be young and arrogant, but as she greeted him, she was pleasantly surprised as he took hold of her hand and brought it up to his mouth, kissing the top of her hand.

"It is lovely to see you again" Frederick voiced

"Have we met before?" Jasmine asked, confused

"Not officially" Frederick explained. "You were unconscious the last time."