Blood Bandits

14.

July 27, 2020
New Orleans, Louisiana

"Nope. No story. I was so close." I explained to Jolie on the phone as I stretched my legs out. Sitting at the outdoor table furniture of the cafe I was meeting Damon.

We'd spoken earlier and he invited me to lunch. I wanted to get my mind off my job as much as I possibly could but as much as I hate to say it Jolie wasn't helping. I knew I was going to lose my job if I didn't come out on top. I didn't need her to remind me of how important this was.

"Amina, you have it. Just tweak it." She said, chomping in my ear.

I closed my eyes briefly, trying to ignore the crunching sound that she was coming from her mouth but it wasn't working.

"I can't tweak it, he didn't give any useful information I- will you stop freaking chewing in my ear like that? It's driving me mental, god!" I rubbed my temples and but my lip.

There was silence in the other end.

That's sounded harsh. There was absolutely no reason for me to take my frustrations out in her. She didn't do anything to me.

"Sorry Jo. I'm just going through right now. I didn't mean to come off as a jerk. I understand you're just trying to help." I sighed as I apologized.

"It's ok Mina, it really is. I get it. Your upset but I know that you can do it. You said he was a vampire right?" Jolie asked, automatically forgiving me.

I nodded as though she could see me, "Yes, so? It's not like he's going to admit it. He told me there was no way he was going to tell the papers he was vampire. Nor admit to killing any of the victims."

I didn't want to admit that he had a point. But that wasn't my problem. I needed to him to admit this. It was my job and I wanted to keep it.

She sighed in annoyance, "I get that but you can trick him."

I frowned, adjusting my phone to my other ear. "Trick him? Are you trying to get me killed? Besides I can't do that. Policy is that the person has to agree to be recorded. If they don't, you know the rest Jo."

"Exactly Mina a person. He's not a person, he's a vampire. So in other words-"

"I don't need his permission." I finished for her.

"Get to it." She hummed as if she had just figured it all out.

I nodded to myself but I was distracted by the shadow that was blocking the sun. Looking up, I noticed Damon standing in front of me with his infamous smirk.

"Hey Jo, I have to go. I will talk to you later ok?" I asked, smiling up at him.

"Oh sure. Bye Mina." She chirped before hanging up on her end.

I pulled the phone away from ear and laid it face down on the table. Pulling his chair out, his eyes never left mine. Almost at the same time, we removed our shades and placed them in front of us.

"Hello beautiful." His smooth voice cooed.

I smiled, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.