by D. C. Gambel
Damien’s eyes seemed a mixture of emotions before he uttered a single word. “Sebastian.”
I arrived back at the apartment and could feel that Grayson was already home thanks to our mating bond. I had talked with Damien for a long time. I wanted to know everything. His experiences, his knowledge, anything. I had lost track of time. Sebastian had insisted on bringing me home, but I refused to have him escort me to my door.
I needed to talk to Grayson about Damien’s small gathering. Damien and I had discussed it and he’d informed me that if I did not want it to be public knowledge that I was his daughter, he understood and would not take it personally. He actually hoped that I wouldn’t want it mentioned, knowing that I was safer without people knowing. I agreed. My parents had split in order to keep me safe. Now that I had a clear head about it I was able to understand their reasons, but it didn’t matter. The New York nest was already aware of my parentage and soon so would others. It was easier to control the spin now.
Grayson was in the shower when I arrived home. I carefully stripped then quietly made my way to him, slipping inside effortlessly behind him. He didn’t startle, which disappointed me. Pesky vampire hearing. I wrapped my arms around him laying my cheek against the warm plains of his back and was overwhelmed with the comfort his nearness brought me. His hand instantly covered mine and I sighed at the small contact. Grayson continued showering for a few seconds when he suddenly stiffened. He lifted my hand to his nose, inhaling deeply.
“Gaby, why do you smell like Sebastian?” His senses seemed stronger than they had been or he was gaining better control of them.
The accusation in his voice was troubling. “I was summoned to see Damien today and Sebastian was my escort.” I spoke like what I was saying was insignificant.
“Summoned?” He turned to face me. I inhaled sharply watching the water roll off his body. Even after all this time, the sight of him in all his glory still was enough to get my heart pumping faster. I swallowed trying to regain my focus.
“Damien wants us to attend a gathering at his house this Saturday.”
“Saturday?” I nodded. “And he couldn’t call to ask?” I choose not to answer. I figured he was just spouting his annoyance with the situation. He seemed to ponder the information for a moment before he spoke again. “Gaby, I can’t.”
“What? Why?” My immediate thought was that he was resentful so he was being stubborn, but I knew Grayson wasn’t like that.
“I have a client flying in from California to sign a deal my company has been working on for months. I’m sorry, but I can’t cancel.” I bit me lip and lowered my eyes before nodding slightly. I tried not letting him see the disappointment that was radiating off of me. Grayson sighed. “Look, I’ll see what I can do. Maybe I can move some things around…” I heaved myself into his arms, sealing my lips over his.
“Thank you.” Having him by my side would make the whole thing bearable.
Saturday morning I found myself lying in bed with my fiancé enjoying the simplicity of the moment. My face rested against his bare chest while his fingers gently brushed my hair. The bedding was knotted around us. I wanted to freeze the moment, but all too soon Grayson unwrapped himself from around me.
“I’m going to try Gaby. If anything I’ll just be late.”
I beamed at him reminding myself just how lucky I was to have him. “I know Grayson. I’m just glad you’ll be there. I hate the idea of being around all those strangers. Not knowing anyone…”
“What about your father. And there is always Jade.”
I groaned at the mention of her name. Over the past week I had become more familiar with the ancient vampire. Her personality was a bit rough and somewhat of an acquired flavor that I just didn’t seem to have a taste for. Seeing the look that passed over my face Grayson chuckled. “We could not go? You could just wait for me here…in this bed.” I pressed my lips trying to stifle a smile. Grayson shrugged in a, at least he tried, way. “Tell you what? Once I get there I’ll rescue you from having to make polite conversation, alright?”
I sighed. “Alright.”
Grayson’s mouth lifted in the corner before placing a chaste kiss on my lips. “I’ll see you tonight.”
I settled back in bed for some time after Grayson left when I heard the front door open. “Gaby?”
“Shawn?” I called out wondering what he was doing here and why he just walked into my apartment.
“Yeah, you descent?”
I clutched the sheet to my bare skin. “Uh… No. Give me a minute.” I waited a moment to make sure Shawn heard me before climbing out of bed speeding around the room finding clothes.
Once I was descent, I left the confines of the bedroom to find Shawn resting on the sofa.
“Hey baby girl. Long time no see.”
“Yeah. You haven’t been around much. Does Clive have anything to do with that?”
“Don’t be jealous. You’re still my girl.”
“I’m not jealous. I’m happy for you. Not that I’m unhappy to see you, but what are you doing here?”
“I’m your stylist for the day.”
My brow knitted together. “I wasn’t aware of that.”
Shawn shrugged. “Grayson hired me. I think he felt bad that you’d have to arrive by yourself. So I’m here to spend the day with you and help you get ready.”
“Okay. You are aware that the thing doesn’t start until after the sunsets. My guess is it’s going to be vampire galore.”
“What do you expect Gabs? Your father, Mister Mac Daddy, the first vampire himself is throwing the damn thing. Plus, I’m here more for moral support. Your first vampire shindig outside of your nest; you must be nervous.”
“Not until you mentioned it. Thanks for that by the way.”
“Sorry.” Shawn hesitated before speaking again. “So coffee?”
I watched him for a moment. I had really missed him the last week and I knew he was trying hard to be there for me. With a nod I stated, “Coffee.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
The room was crowded, bustling with unfamiliar faces. It wasn’t an unusual situation for me. It came with the territory of my chosen profession, but this time felt foreign. Perhaps it was because it was my father’s event. I was the long lost daughter that everyone was hoping to catch a glimpse of like a new animal at the zoo. And like the animal, I was slightly frightened.
I wish Grayson was here already, I thought to myself. I drew comfort from his presence without realizing unless he was no longer there to offer it. He would be along shortly and that was the saving grace holding me together.
Eyes turned inspecting my every move, but I held my head high trying to show no signs of the sinking feeling deep in my stomach. The resemblance between Damien and myself was astonishing, I heard people whisper. Needing some space from all the prying eyes and not so subtle whispers, I headed to the doors that led to the balcony. It wasn’t nearly as large as the one I shared with Grayson, or as luxurious, but it served its purpose to allow me a safe haven to clear my troubled mind. The cool air assaulted my senses cleansing me of my anxiety. It was a drastic difference to the warm air in the swarming room. I was immediately regretting not having a jacket, but I was a vampire. I knew I wouldn’t become ill like a human. The cold just numbed my skin and made it difficult to move my muscles with any decent accuracy.
I leaned against the railing listening to the buzz of the city swimming around me. The cars honking, the tires squealing, the occasional angry driver yelling profanities to a passerby, were the music of the city. Even though some people thought it horrific, or at the very least annoying, the sound let me know I was home.
The rustling of feathers drew me away from the harmonic melody of Manhattan. I looked up into the ominous sky. The light pollution made it a deep hazy gray. It clouded my visions but didn’t stop me from focusing on a large bird approaching rapidly. I watched it with genuine bewilderment. It was winter. Hadn’t all the birds ventured south already? It fla
pped its wings bringing it closer. I watched it and it looked like it was headed towards me. Impossible. As I stared its true size came into focus. It was huge, far too large to be a standard bird. I began to make out the lines and shape of its figure; the slope of its wings, the chiseled formation of its body. It looked more like a man than a bird. Then recognition hit me. An angel.
Sebastian swooped down landing with a heavenly grace just a few feet from me. He looked at me sheepishly, almost bashful, but my eyes were busy taking in his divine half naked body. “I didn’t think anyone would be out here. I’m sorry if I frightened you.”
“You didn’t,” I lied. Sebastian quirked his eyebrow, suggesting he didn’t believe me. I rolled my eyes. Even angels had that pesky super hearing.
“What are you doing out here anyways? Party’s inside.” He bent down retrieving some clothes that were folded neatly in a pile. They were set away, hidden under a bench so that no one would notice them. His muscles rippled as he moved. I took a moment to openly admire him, but I didn’t look away quickly enough. Sebastian turned to see me shamelessly gawking at him. I blushed and turned away though not before I saw a hint of a grin tug at the corner of his mouth.
“It was too crowded in there. I just needed some air,” I spoke looking out over the rail staring at nothing in particular, just doing my best to avoid looking at Sebastian.
I heard him pause next to me and I couldn’t stop my gaze from seeking him out. He was now wearing a white dress shirt with the top few buttons left undone. My eyes immediately went to his back but I saw no sign of his wings hidden under the shirt. Where had they gone?
“Would you like some company or would you rather be alone with your thoughts?”
I had come outside to escape the crowd, but I liked the idea of company that wasn’t peering and whispering about me. “I wouldn’t mind some limited company.”
He smirked at my smart alec comment. “Are the people inside too much for you?”
“How can you tell?”
“Well, you are out here and it is the middle of winter. So unless you’re actually a penguin in disguise, I can only assume you’re trying to get away.”
I watched him for a moment as he looked out over the city. When he turned his gaze to me, I smirked shyly. “They just keep staring at me.”
“No one ever knew Damien had a child. It’s huge news. Angels don’t normally reproduce.”
“But do all those people in there actually know that Damien is an angel. I mean they’re all vampires.”
“It’s true that they don’t know his true lineage or yours for that matter. But it’s more the fact that Damien managed to find someone, mate and have a child that has all the tongues wagging.”
I took a moment absorbing what he claimed. “Did you know?”
He watched me for a second deciding his next words. “About your mother? Yes. You?” He shook his head. “He didn’t tell Jade or me until we were preparing to come here.”
“Really? But…”
Knowing what I was going to ask Sebastian cut me off. “They disappeared for a while. A few months. When Damien came back he declared that your mother had grown tired of living in fear for her life and decided to return to her sire.” Sebastian shrugged like he knew the whole thing didn’t sound right. “So why are you out here by yourself? Where is the infamous fiancé?”
“Infamous?” I giggled. His tone hinted at jealousy, although I wasn’t sure why. So I ignored it, assuming he was simply teasing.
“Yeah! You can’t go anywhere in this human town without hearing his name. Grayson Alexander this, Alexander that. I mean you really landed a big one there.”
“Ah yes, of course I’m only with him because of his money and reputation. It couldn’t possibly be that I love him.” I pushed away from the railing feeling my anger bubbling inside me. Shawn had already hinted at this scenario and I knew others surely felt the same. “I mean I shouldn’t be upset. That’s what everyone thinks anyways.”
“Gaby,” Sebastian spun and reached for my wrist. Gripping it, he stopped me from leaving. I did my best to ignore the tingling sensation where his hand touched me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. I was just meaning that you’re a lucky woman. I know you adore him. I’ve seen the way you look at him and it’s something I aspire to have one day.”
Guilt rushed in replacing my anger. I was so used to people thinking that I was only after Grayson’s money that I was quick to jump the gun. “No, I’m sorry. Sebastian. I shouldn’t have lost my temper. I just assumed that was where you were going. I just…”
“No, I get it.” His fingers slipped until he was gripping my hand. He took a step towards the railing so that our arms were stretched out between us, trying to pull me back. “Come talk with me some more. Don’t leave just because I stuck my foot in my mouth.”
I opened my mouth to respond. Just before I could get a word out, the doors swung open and Grayson stepped onto the balcony. He looked at me with a staggering grin, but then saw Sebastian holding my hand and his grin faded to a scowl. I released Sebastian’s hand like it burned me. I didn’t see how the situation looked until that moment. We were out here, alone, door shut, holding hands? I could see how anybody would get the wrong impression.
Grayson spoke breaking the silence. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere Gabriella and here you are.” He didn’t say it with any accusation, but I could see it in his eyes that he wasn’t happy to have found me like this.
“Well, it was a bit crazy in there so I came outside to catch my breath.”
“I see.” His gaze bore into Sebastian. When it returned to me, it was gentler. “Well come along then.”
He held out his hand to me with a soft smirk. I took it then turned to look at Sebastian and spoke quickly. “Thank you for keeping me company.”
“Any time.” His eyes flickered to me then to Grayson. Grayson put his arm around my waist pulling me close. I felt like I was standing in the middle of a supernatural pissing contest and I was the hydrant. I just didn’t understand why.
The following morning I sat at the dining room table eating the omelet I had attempted to make. Grayson sat across from me enjoying the Sunday paper with a steaming hot espresso. I had made him a twin omelet of the one that sat on my plate and he had managed half of it so far. My thoughts were muddled over nothing particular, but as I stared off in space Grayson’s voice broke through to me.
“This is delicious,” he stated.
I laughed halfheartedly. “You know you’re already getting the milk for free, there’s no need to lie.”
He chuckled a deep throaty sound. “Gaby, I love you and I would never lie to you and I hope you would never lie to me,” his face turned serious, no longer showing signs of his earlier humor, “no matter how much you thought the truth would hurt me. Promise me.” He waited patiently for me to respond, yet his eyes bore into mine.
“Of course I promise, Grayson,” I swore.
He nodded like he knew that’s what I would say. “Then tell me what exactly was going on with you and Sebastian when I showed up last night?”
I couldn’t help it. The moment I heard the mention of Sebastian my heart rate sprang into overdrive. I knew his vampiric hearing would allow him to hear the rapid increase. His more attuned senses were something that I hated. He still hadn’t mastered his new abilities which meant he didn’t quite know what the accelerated heartbeat meant. For me, in that moment, it was shock. My heart rate wasn’t escalated because I was preparing to lie to him, but I worried that was what he would think which only made my heart race more.
“There was nothing going on Grayson. It was like I said, I needed some air and Sebastian showed up keeping me company. He said something jokingly that I didn’t find funny so he was trying to stop me from storming off when you showed up. I promise you, it was all innocent.”
He studied me for a moment. My heart was already starting to decrease which should have shown I wasn’t lying, but again I
didn’t know if Grayson understood that that was what it meant. He nodded then went back to enjoying his paper and coffee, but I didn’t think it would be the last time I’d hear about his concerns towards Sebastian.
It was Monday when I was woken by the incisive screeching of my phone. It was early enough that Grayson was just getting ready for work. I sighed in relief when the noise was silenced, but then I heard Grayson’s voice as he spoke his greeting.
“Hello?”
My hearing, even dulled by sleep, still picked up the other side of the conversation.
“Grayson, this is Damien. I was hoping to speak to Gabriella.”
I heard Grayson shift his stance and knew he was staring at me. My back was to him so he didn’t know I was awake. It was unexpected that Damien even knew how to use a phone or that he was willing to. Sebastian had even played messenger for him because he suggested Damien didn’t like phones.
“She’s still asleep, Damien. Is there something I could help you with instead?”
“Actually there is. In four months time I want to have a ball in which I bring in humans along with vampires. You are a vampire yet are a powerful figure in the human world. To have you by my side at this event would be most promising and as my future son in law I would consider it a huge favor.”
“And where does Gaby fit in?”
“I wish for her to plan the event. I know she recently left her employment. I also know that neither of you is hurting for money,” I almost giggled at how ridiculous he sound saying those three words. “But she enjoys planning. Please let her know and of course price isn’t an object.”
“I will. You have a good day Damien.”
Once the call was disconnected, I rolled over to face Grayson.
“Were you awake for all that?”
I nodded. “The ringing woke me.”
“I’m sorry, my love. I hoped answering it would allow you to get a little more sleep. After all I was the reason that you’re so tired this morning.”
