The Vampire's Goddess- Book 1

Chapter 24- The Plan

Ettore's POV

"Certus, I don't think I will be able to get her back" I tell him as we stand out on the balcony of my bedroom. "Fate definitely knows how to deal a hell of a hand doesn't she? How am I supposed to get her to talk to me?" 

"I thought you might say that. I got to thinking the other day." 

"You actually think?" I joke.

"Yeah, had to oil the gears up there!" He shoots back laughing. "The university holds a fall formal every October right?"

"Yeah?" I reply raising an eyebrow.

"Well, last I checked the University hadn't found a venue to host the dance." He continues. "Everyone and their grandma attends the Fall formal including Annalise." 

"Yes but she is still with that human male." I bite out bitterly.

Placing a hand on my shoulder he smiles deviously. "Then maybe it is time for you to shuffle the deck of fate. You already know that he's unfaithful, why not help things along?"

"Pretty damn genius if I do say so myself!" I laugh clapping him on the back.

"There is a reason I am your second. It's not just because of my gorgeous looks." He replies batting his eyes at me.

"We figured you might agree with our plan, so we already made the necessary arrangements." Comes Donta's voice as he and Basil made their way over to join us.

I turned to Certus who was now trying to wipe the smirk off of his face. Under any other circumstances I would likely be angry and throw his ass from the balcony but it made me realize why I took such good care of my family.

"Formal will be held on October twenty-seventh."  Basil adds in his thick Russian accent. "Send Yvonna to take care of boy. Formal come girl be single." I look at the gentle Russian giant and the corners of his eyes that crinkle when he laughs. He was gentle vampire but he was an absolute beast when needed.

"It's going to be a masquerade ball that way she won't lash out at you as soon as she lays eyes on you since she won't recognize you. You have already been voted the Fall Formal king but by new rules of the game you get to choose your queen." Donta says looking at me. "Tylil and Gaysha are taking care of the rest as far as food and decorations. They know your taste in formal events and the university's definition of formal isn't quite up to par." I look at the three men standing before me and knew that no matter what happened they would be with me to the very end.

The rest of the quarter passes with little incident between Annalise and I. It was the most miserable five weeks of my existence. She wouldn't look at me and she barley talked to me. I had known when she had caught the boy and wanted to do nothing but hold her and console her when she came to class with red, swollen eyes from crying. I felt pangs of guilt as I saw the heartache in her having found out how the boy really was and my heart ached because I knew that I had caused it.

 After finishing our presentation on the last day of class she had left with not so much as a glance in my direction. "Wow! What did you do to her?" Andretta asks as we walk to our cars.

"I didn't do anything. It's what she thought I did?" 

 "Did you try and explain it to her?" 

"Yes, Andretta. I tried. You know how you women are sometimes." I answer with a sigh running a hand through my hair.

"Watch it lover boy." She warns with a raised eyebrow. "Question is what are going to do about it? You've waited centuries for her to come back." 

"I don't know if it's her or not." I reply before stopping dead in my tracks. I turn to look at Andretta who's eyes glow a dark purple in the darkness of the side parking lot.

"Oh yeah honey. I'm definitely a supernatural, a witch to be exact. I knew what you were the day I walked into the class." She laughs amused at my shocked expression. "You think you're the only supernatural that gets bored?"

"I don't know if it's her Andretta, she's human." 

"Babydoll we have got to get you past this. No offense but you're a bit dense when your courting. Your senses are as off as the day is long. Annalise is not what she appears to be Scott."

"What do you mean?" 

"It's not my place to tell you anymore but you will find out in due time." She says walking toward her car before turning. "I'll make sure she comes to the Formal, the rest is up to you." She adds before getting into the dark blue Lexus and driving away.