In Time to Love

by Gloria Martin

  “Blayne!” the familiar voice of my buddy Alec, and also the future leader of our coven, beckoned me from the front door of my house.

  “What are you doing here?” the question came out a lot more brusquely than I had intended and part of me knew it was due to instinct, a territorial urge, because on some baser level he was close to Allison and I wanted her…though I shouldn’t.

  “Whoa, I’m not welcome at your home?” he asked me and I took a deep breath.

  “Sorry, I’m distracted. What’s up?” I asked as I stepped inside after him.

  “Well there’s another house that’s been built in our territory and we think it’s another human moving into town.” Alec sighed and ran his hand through his blond hair, it was always cut short and perfectly combed back on his head.

  “I’m already on that first assignment, can’t Luke handle this one?” I asked, Luke was another fighter of my kind, we were bred to be cunning and stealthy. When the coven wasn’t in times of war, we were utilized to keep the territory clean of unwanted squatters… as we called them.

  “I figured you’d be done dispatching that one already. Isn’t the house right next to here?” Alec walked over to the window in the living room and looked out at Allison’s house.

  “I fell behind. I was supposed to get rid of her stuff before she got here…but—well now things have changed,” I said and Alec looked at me with a quirked eyebrow.

  “It’s a she now?” he asked and I rolled my eyes.

  “Yes the human who moved in next door is a woman. Don’t worry, I just have to scare her enough and she’s gone,” Alec nodded, he didn’t seem at all concerned that I had dropped the ball and was even referring to an outsider as she. Usually we spoke of them in the vaguest terms, not putting any sort of persona to them.

  “Alright then, I’ll go to Luke with the other case. Don’t forget the council meeting tonight,” he said and then disappeared. All vampires now of days had evolved that little sensitivity to the sun out of our genes. Though it did pop up from time to time and it was seen as a disorder. Along with all the heightened natural abilities and senses, we could disperse our cells, dematerialize, and inherently ghost away. It was a faster way to travel and track prey. Though in modern times the most hunting we did was break into blood banks and steal some bags for the added nutrition we needed. Humans would have been surprised though, there were just about as many of us on Earth as humans. Their census was all out of whack, the correct number of humans on Earth was about half of what modern governments thought. Though to keep the peace, we vampires simply blended in and lived intermingled with the humans. Though we had our own underground governments and ways of life.

  As I paced my living room, I kept glancing out the window, wondering what Allison was doing, if she was unpacking or wondering about what I said. If I showed up at her door again she’d probably call the cops or something.

  “Hey Blayne,” Alec materialized in the room not five minutes after he had left. “Luke wants to set a fire in that construction site where the new house is being built. But he needs your help,” Alec said and I gestured to him.

  “Why can’t you help him?”

  “Because I’m lazy, you know this, and my father wants me to shadow him on a meeting with a neighboring coven leader,” Alec answered and I waved him away and nodded.

  “Alright, I’ll meet with Luke,” with that Alec was gone once more. I used the same method of transportation, willing myself apart and away to get to Luke’s home.

  “There you are, I was going to call you, but Alec said something about wanting to waste time…” Luke said and I shook my head and chuckled. Alec enjoyed stressing his father for some unfathomable reason.

  “Alec is a strange one, but when has he not been? So are we committing arson today?” Luke chuckled and rubbed his hands together in anticipation. He was a burly guy with strong masculine features that drew females left and right. But Luke was normally a gentle soul, apart from when he did his job of course.

  “Yes, though it will waste whoever’s money it is. At least I don’t have to go about harassing the outsider. I hope I’m not taking you away from your assignment?” he asked me and I shrugged.

  “This one will take a bit of time, but it is nothing to worry over,” I said dismissively and Luke nodded.

  “Alright, so this is what I was thinking. The house is nearly complete and it appears as if the electric systems are being currently installed. We could easily sabotage a bit of wiring, then flip a switch and…” Luke made a blowing up gesture with his hands, his eyes gone wide in youthful excitement and I chuckled.

  “Very well, are there any personnel on the site right now?” I asked him and he shook his head.

  “It’s Sunday, no work has taken place today so we can go right now and get things set up,” he said and gestured me to follow him to the site. It was strange that I could feel a physical pull towards Allison the farther from her that I got.

  *****

  Alec

  “So you’re saying the humans are onto members of your coven because of their sloppiness in stealing from the blood banks in your territory,” I broke the silence that ensued after Victor, the head of our neighboring coven in Newport, gave his speech. He wanted access to our blood banks until suspicions surrounding the ones in his territory died down. “So now you want to use the banks in our territory…” Victor seemed annoyed, but attempted to hide it. He couldn’t afford not to keep things peaceful with my father and I. Our territory and our coven was larger and more powerful than Victor's.

  “Of course we would not step on any toes. If we collaborate on schedules I’m sure we can figure out a system to share for only a matter of a couple months,” Victor said and my father, Orin, shook his head.

  “Pardon my son’s harsh tongue. But you must admit Victor, this plan, even before conception, is not a good one. The runners of your coven seem sloppy and rushed, greedy even. If I allowed you to make runs on the banks here then I’d be putting my own coven in the same situation yours is in,” my father spoke in measured tones and exuded confidence and power. Some would say that I still had much to learn from him. Yeah I was less patient than he, but I was just as smart as he. Victor took a great long sigh and pressed his lips together.

  “You have to understand that I had to at least try,” he said eventually and my father nodded sagely.

  “Perhaps a better solution can be concocted, Alec. Why don’t you brainstorm with Victor? Unfortunately, I have another meeting I must attend,” my father’s suggestion wasn’t taken well by Victor. But I knew father only sought to give me another lesson in ruling a coven. Which meant getting along with neighboring ones. Orin stood up from his oak desk and then bid a formal farewell to Victor before he left his office. Not only was my father leader of our coven, but he was mayor of Old Town, which habited a completely vampire population.

  “So…any ideas?” Victor asked me and I remembered to try and be patient and measured like my father.

  “How about we increase the amount of units our runners retrieve from our blood banks and simply send it to you via trade route,” I suggested and Victor was impressed.

  “What would you have in exchange for the blood?” he asked me and I sat back in my seat, next to his and across my father’s desk, to think about that. Victor’s coven was small and less powerful, but they did have certain formulas for wines and spirits and such that our coven traded with them for. As well as other covens in the region. In fact, Victor’s coven was known for being brewers.

  “For the duration of our sharing blood with you…your shipments of all wines and spirits will be free, though we of course will continue to share medicines and trade the goods we currently share with you,” I said and Victor considered this.

  “I think we should arrange for another meeting with your father present to decide upon the best configuration of trade in exchange for the blood, then I will return to Newport to consult our council and hopefully a well arrangement can e
nsue,” Victor said and I stifled a sigh.

  “Of course, I shall let my father know of what we’ve discussed. Please continue to feel welcome in Old Town until we can all meet again,” I told Victor as we both stood and soon after we went our separate ways. Perhaps I should have thought the trade question through some more. Since that business was over for the moment, I figured I’d find my father and speak to him quickly. Afterwards I could look in on Blayne and Luke’s business of setting the outsider’s house on fire.

  My father was meeting with a member of our small council in one of the conference rooms of the town hall. I waited outside until he came out and Orin noticed me leaning against the wall.

  “Alec, I hope you and Victor came to some agreement?” he asked and I nodded.

  “I suggested we simply trade them extra blood our own runners would collect. But then the issue of what the handoff would be for that…” my father was a tall and physically impressive male. He had muscles that were most likely made of stone by now for how long he’s lived. He and I looked a lot alike, though I was leaner than his bulk, we had the same blonde hair and deep green eyes.

  “Well…we do trade a considerable amount of spirits from his coven, why not have those shipments free until we no longer need to trade blood?”

  “That is what I suggested, but Victor would like your input…” I said and had to work to veil my annoyance.

  “You go back to Victor, tell him you felt no need to consult me because your solution to his problem is a solid one. Victor is ancient, he will need persuasion. Remind him of the risk we are incurring for stealing more blood. We do understand his coven’s spirits are their main source of extra currency to keep up the lifestyle of vampires. But make him see that you are well aware of this and are also taking into account the best options for your coven,” father understood what Victor was doing. He didn’t want to speak to me, Orin’s son, but Orin, the current coven leader.

  “I’ll explain to him that speaking and negotiating with me is in no way a slight,” I said and my father shook his head and put his hand on my shoulder.

  “Do not, that can convey weakness. You will soon lead our coven and Victor will have to get used to this…” he trailed off and then his gaze held mine with a sincere weight. “Alec I would like to begin the process of your truly taking up my position. You know what you must do, find a mate, appoint a second in command, and take my seat,” in that moment I lost whatever paranoia or bitterness that my father might never give me the position as leader of our coven.

  He conveyed pride and trust and honor in his gaze and I was humbled and ready to follow in his footsteps.

  “Thank you, Father,” I said and he pulled me in for a kiss on the neck and clapped a hand on my back, his smile wide.

  “You will be a great leader, my son, but perhaps learn some punctuality. Oh and I think you should consult your mother about the business of finding a mate. I know she’d be thrilled to arrange you with someone,” he said and then got called away by another council member. I did not know how I felt about being arranged with someone for a lifelong mating. I’d want to find my own mate…but where would I start?

  *****

  Allison

  The only drawback of buying a big house and being the only one to live in it was that unpacking appeared endless. Maybe I should have just waited until Rylen flew in so she could help me. I startled when someone knocked on the front door, hopefully it wasn’t Blayne or another strange neighbor… I hurried from the kitchen and checked the peephole that time. It was Blayne. I sighed deeply before ingrained politeness forced me to open the door after he knocked once more.

  “Hi… Blayne…” I answered and he smiled at me, it wasn’t the odd smirk he gave me before. But a real polite smile that just made his face that much more gorgeous and unreal. He was dressed differently, in dark jeans and a dark blue t-shirt.

  “Hello…I thought I should apologize for before, for being so weird,” he said and I had to admit I was relieved. If he knew he was being weird then he couldn’t be crazy… or anything, right?

  “Well that whole outsider thing was kind of weird,” I said and he laughed then rubbed the back of his neck kind of nervously. “Um, how about you come in? I just got back from grocery shopping so I have coffee and stuff if you’d like?” I asked him and he perked up.

  “Sure, that sounds great thanks,” he said and he stepped inside, shutting the door behind him as I walked towards the kitchen.

  “Excuse the boxes, I’m still taking up the fight with unpacking,” I said and Blayne chuckled. The sound of his voice was directly behind me and I hadn’t even heard him walk over. I glanced back at him, he was leaning against the wall near the pantry where I was fishing out the coffee and filters for the coffee maker.

  “I can help you know, I’m very handy to have around,” he gave me a cheeky grin and I giggled. His head sort of ticked to the side and he stepped over to me and took the coffee and filters form my hands. I held my breath and simply watched to see what he’d do. But he only went over to the coffee maker on the counter and got the pot going.

  “Well um… I wouldn’t mind some help with unpacking and it would be cool to get to know someone in town. Maybe you can show me around a bit, tell me the best places to hang out,” Blayne smiled and then his brows furrowed as if some thought crossed his mind.

  “I could take you around, sure…” he seemed unsure about it and I wondered about the whole outsiders thing again.

  “Are you afraid the locals will shun you for being seen with me?” I teased and he laughed.

  “No…”

  “Oh come on, what’s the deal around here? When I went to the grocery store I swore I wouldn’t have made it out alive if stares carried any weight,” I was half joking, but also mostly serious. It was weird how everyone just… stared at me.

  “Well you are a beautiful woman, maybe everyone was just shocked to see a beauty such as yourself,” my chest warmed at the compliment, especially coming from him. It was also a bit of a surprise.

  “Stop, you flatter too much.” I said and he chuckled.

  “It’s not flattery if it’s true,” I looked at him and saw his gaze intent on me. The coffee maker had been sputtering in the background and had finally fallen silent. I went to one of the few cabinets I had unpacked into and pulled out two coffee cups. When I went over to Blayne and the pot he didn’t move aside or back to give me space to pour. Instead, once I set the cups on the counter, he touched my chin so that I’d look up at him. His icy blue eyes were mesmerizing and suddenly my fingers itched with the need to brush his hair out of his face.

  Acting on impulse, I went for it and Blayne leaned into my touch, his eyes closed briefly until my hand fell away from his hair. He laced his fingers with mine and then slowly his lips touched my own. It’s as if he wanted to be careful with me and I couldn’t fathom why. I wanted him to kiss me harder and his lips were so soft, not to mention he smelled like mint and the woods. I leaned into him and his other hand went around my waist, pulling me closer against him. As soon as my chest hit his, the kiss grew heated and I was swept up in his spell. My skin was warm and I felt all tingly, not to mention Blayne was pressing his hips into mine and I definitely felt the bulge in his jeans.

  Then his lips slid to my neck and he grazed his teeth along the jumping vein under my sensitive skin and I shivered in arousal at the sensation.

  “Shit…we can’t—I shouldn’t be…” abruptly he backed away from me and the sudden absence of his presence was a bit jarring. One second we were wrapped around each other, the next he was at the other end of the counter.

  “I’m sorry I came in to be polite and help you unpack… I shouldn’t have just… done that,” he said and my heart actually warmed at his bashfulness, he was concerned about being a gentleman. “First I weird you out and now… I should just go,” he said and made to leave, but I stepped forward to stop him.

  “No, it’s okay Blayne, I’d really like the company a
nd if I was freaked out by the kiss I wouldn’t have kissed you back,” I explained and he studied my gaze for a moment before he nodded cautiously.

  “Alright… I actually can’t believe you’re giving me so many chances,” he said as I poured us the coffee finally and handed him a cup.

  “Well you’re the only person I know in this town and you don’t seem like a bad guy… also you’re kinda cute, so you’re not too bad to have around,” I teased and he quirked an eyebrow at me after taking a sip of the coffee.

  “Only kinda cute?” he asked and I shrugged one shoulder while giving him a grin. Blayne chuckled and then he looked at the boxes still stacked in the corner of the kitchen. “So how about we see to this unpacking,” he said and I nodded.

  “Yeah definitely I can’t thank you enough for agreeing to help,” I told him and he gave an old gentleman’s bow.

  “It’s my pleasure, my Lady,” he then walked over to the boxes and opened one up. When he pulled out a ladle and held it up with a smile I couldn’t help but laugh. “First things first…where does this ladle go?” he asked and I laughed again. I couldn’t believe how much I was quickly growing to like or definitely more-than-like Blayne. I partly blamed his looks, but his personality was great too.

  *****

  Blayne

  After spending the entire evening with Allison I was definitely certain that I wanted her as my mate. Hell, part of me was already identifying her as my mate. I just had to find out a way for her to be turned into a vampire. We got through a few rooms before she called it a night, though I could’ve unpacked and hung out with her all night. She was funny and cute and there was just something about her that was enrapturing. Of course she was gorgeous, but there was just something that drew me in and kept me wanting more with her. More time, more contact, more anything… everything.

  I spent all night simply watching over her house. Maybe if I went to the mayor he’d allow for her to be turned and to become a part of the coven, then Allison and I could be mated. With one last glance at Allison’s house I dematerialized and ghosted over to city hall. Orin was usually in his office pretty early and if anyone wanted a one-on-one with him it was best done in the morning. I was seen right back to his office when I materialized in reception and when I knocked on his office door he beckoned me in.