Needing is One Thing

Chapter 1. Lines are drawn

James smiled to himself, straightening his glasses before smoothing the jacket of his tuxedo. He ran his fingers through his short black hair, ensuring he looked impeccable.

It was he and his four younger brothers' first time acting as Mika's servants since she'd generously allowed them to stay with her in the mansion and they had everything in hand. There were a few heavy drinkers, a few over-bearing executives that they defused before anything too untoward could occur. The housewarming party was progressing rather well, all things considered. Especially since it was unconventionally full of employees from the Anderson Toy Company; an event where Mika's father could show her off.

The housewarming party was progressing rather well, all things considered. It was unconventionally full of employees from the Anderson Toy Company; an event where Mika's father could show her off. There were a few heavy drinkers, a few over-bearing executives that James and his four younger brothers defused before anything too untoward could occur.

Mika was being barraged with questions from the prying businessmen and women assessing her capabilities. They were testing her as her overlord of a father loomed in the background, always judging. It annoyed James to see him treat her so, but Mika handled it as easily as James himself had back in his father's court. Maybe even better. She was a natural at small talk and her energetic personality enhanced her reputation with the employees. They would never have guessed how nervous she looked before the party started.

James was concerned that Mika might have been a little overwhelmed, but a quick check-in with his brother Damien confirmed she was alright.

"She's finally starting to relax a little." Damien shook his coppery bangs back and closed his eyes to focus his mind-reading ability on her from where they stood in the dining room. "She's doing well, everyone is impressed by her," he said with a proud smile.

James felt his pride swell. Mika was quite the young lady: poised and polite, trying so hard to be capable and confident, and succeeding. Even when they had first met, he and his brothers trespassing here in her home, she was strong. She confronted Sam, his surly younger brother, insisting on an apology when he stole a kiss' worth of energy from her.

An apology! Looking back on it, James had to admit she was a girl after his own heart, above petty arguing while still standing up for herself.

Mika even dared challenge them to prove that they, incubi, the demons of desire and sexual energy, were real! James wouldn't lie to himself, it had annoyed him. He'd been exhausted and concerned about his brothers, worried after they were nearly killed in a gunfight with the devil Malix and his gang. Still, that was no excuse for his behavior. He had practically served Mika up on a plate to his brother. Erik pounced on the chance to enthrall her, drinking some of her energy as he tasted her lips as well. James hadn't known at the time what he was offering, he hadn't known her, otherwise, he would have swept Mika off her feet right then and there.

It made him cringe internally. He wanted to, but now he couldn't warrant getting a kiss of his own after they'd already brazenly taken her energy twice. Someone had to set a good example for his brothers.

James walked among the guests in the dining room, checking the food laid out on the table, letting his thoughts continue to wander around Mika. He didn't notice Damien watching him, bemused by his uncharacteristic thoughts.

She finally opened up to me at this very table last night, James mused. Speaking freely of her grandfather's death and how she found herself inheriting and moving into this mansion all alone. She was learning some of the same lessons he had as her own father prepared her to lead the family business. She knows the pressure of expectations.