by Anya Nowlan
She knew if given a chance, she could really be great at it. There had always been a passion in her to tell people’s stories and to get to the truth, but as of now, she lacked the opportunity to prove herself.
Edgar definitely wasn’t bending over backwards to give her a shot. But after everything that had happened with Seth, Kayla was more determined than ever to make her dreams come true.
So when the meeting came to a close and people started filing out, she hung back, waiting for an opportunity to speak with her boss. Standing by the door, she started speaking as soon as Edgar was in earshot, knowing from experience how the man liked to pretend not to notice her.
“Ed, hey, there’s something I want to talk to you about,” she called out, as he brushed past her.
He grunted something in response, and Kayla hurried to keep up with him.
“It’s about my work… When I started here, you said…”
“Taylor, right?” Edgar asked, sparing a glance at her.
“Kayla,” she quickly corrected him.
“Right. You’re the one who got my coffee order wrong last time,” he replied.
Oh, so that he remembers.
“Very sorry, but you did ask for your regular and I hadn’t realized your regular had changed,” Kayla explained, while Edgar looked markedly disinterested. “Anyway, what I wanted to talk about was me getting a chance to work on a story. When I started here, you said that if I prove myself as a production assistant…” she said, before she was cut off.
“And you think you’ve done that?” Edgar asked, coming to a stop in front of his office door.
“I’ve been here for two years and besides your coffee order, my work has been beyond reproach,” Kayla replied, squaring her shoulders as she looked at him.
“I’ll give it some thought,” Edgar said, as his phone buzzed in his pocket and he fished it out, thumbing across the screen.
“That’s what you said last time, and…” Kayla tried to argue, but it was clear Edgar was more interested in his phone than her.
“Listen, Taylor, I’m busy right now. If I said I’ll give it some thought, I’ll give it some thought, okay?” he stated, not even looking at her, before disappearing into his office.
Kayla let out a frustrated sigh as the door was slammed in her face. She was so sick and tired of being invisible, but she didn’t know how to change that. From early on, since she was just a small child, her mom had instilled in her a sense of humbleness and always putting other people first. God forbid she ever inconvenienced anyone in any way.
It was turning out to be a real hard habit to shake.
So she retreated to her desk, or more precisely, the rickety chair and piece of plywood that claimed to be her desk. The old, blue office chair squeaked as she sunk into it and opened up her laptop.
Kayla had spent most of the day after Seth left crying, obsessively cleaning the kitchen, and trying to find a goddamn roommate. None of her friends needed a place to say, so she had to resort to different internet message boards. Living with a stranger wasn’t something she thought she would be doing at this point in her life, but then again, her expectations were sinking lower by the minute.
She had just packed up her things when her phone dinged with a new message. Throwing her bag over her shoulder, she fished her phone out of her pocket, tapping against the screen to get to her inbox.
The perfect roommate, the title line read, making her chuckle.
Whoever it is, at least they’re confident.Quickly typing back a response as she headed for the elevator, Kayla’s spirits were lifting already.
Maybe I’ll get out of this mess, yet.
Sitting behind a small table in her local coffee shop, Kayla was sipping a latte and trying not to feel sorry for herself as she waited for her potential roommate to arrive.
It was getting late, and she was tired, but Ezra had insisted they meet as soon as possible.
Maybe she’s in a similar bind, Kayla mused, looking down at her phone. She should be here by now…
In her distracted state, she didn’t even notice an older man trying to edge past her, resulting in him knocking her mug over with his elbow, walking along as if nothing had happened.
“Shit,” Kayla muttered, grabbing the cup and patting at the droplets of coffee with a napkin.
“Hello,” a male voice suddenly said, almost making her drop the mug in her hand. “Need a hand?”
Eyes snapping up, Kayla was ready with a polite ‘no, thank you’, but ended up gaping at the stranger, instead. Dressed in a white t-shirt and jeans, he was standing on the other side of the table, tall and built and looking like he just stepped out of every woman’s fantasy.
“I have plenty of hands,” she blurted out. “And I’m waiting for someone.”
“Maybe that someone is me?” he grinned at her, gray eyes giving her a slow-once over.
Kayla could feel her cheeks grow red as she struggled to find a reply. With his high cheekbones, square, stubbled jaw and brilliant smile, he didn’t look quite real.
Normal people don’t look that god without Photoshop, do they?
“Not unless your name is Ezra,” Kayla said, throwing him a nervous smile.
“Well, then, you’re in luck,” he replied, reaching out a hand. “Kayla, I presume?”
Hesitating for a second, Kayla slid her hand in his and gave it a quick squeeze. His skin was cool and smooth against hers, and the way he was still looking at her, completely focused, with that grin on his face, made the contact feel a lot more intimate than it was.
“You’re a man,” she mumbled, feeling a bit dazed.
Goddamn it, why did I just assume Ezra had to be a woman? I can’t just shack up with some dude I don’t even know.
“I’d like to think so,” he laughed, grabbing some napkins to wipe up the table. “Is that a problem?”
It might be, Kayla gulped, unable to take her eyes off him.
4
Ezra
Looking at the woman in front of him, Ezra was beginning to think all his problems might be solved. He needed a place to stay that was somewhat under the radar, since it was all too possible Robert was still holding a grudge, which was why Ezra had replied to a Craigslist ad in the first place.
But he also needed a bride, and he didn’t exactly have time to dawdle. Shaken from the death of his friends and needing to know Ezra could step up to the plate, Stephen was very serious about Ezra finding someone to turn sooner rather than later. He’d made that very clear.
And since Stephen knew Ezra wasn’t thrilled with the idea of claiming a human for himself, there was a time limit, to make sure Ezra wasn’t wasting time and trying to get out of their agreement.
Ezra liked human women, and it was no secret they enjoyed his company. But getting engaged to one had never crossed his mind. If he was going to stumble upon a woman he’d gladly claim, however, Kayla definitely fit the bill.
Glossy, brown hair with thick bangs in the front framed a gorgeous face with a cute, upturned nose, huge hazel eyes and delicate pink lips. The loose sweater hanging from her shoulders couldn’t hide her luscious curves, and he found the flush on her cheeks absolutely beautiful.
“Well, I think we should maybe talk a little before you start moving in,” she said, blinking at him.
“Sure, let’s talk,” he smiled, settling into the seat opposite her.
“Uh…” Kayla started to say, fidgeting with her hands. “Okay…” she finished hesitantly. “I think you’ve already gathered you’re not exactly what I expected.”
“The name can be a bit ambiguous, considering trends these days,” Ezra shrugged. “Just last week, I met a nice young woman named Billy. Call me old-fashioned, but didn’t that used to be a boy’s name?”
Kayla didn’t seem to be that interested in discussing the shifting nature of gendered, names, however, studying him with a furrow between her brows.
“I’m just looking for a place to stay, really,” Ezra ass
ured her. “I didn’t mean to mislead you.”
“No, no, of course not,” she shook her head. “And I am looking for someone that can move in as soon as possible, like you said in your e-mail. The place is pretty big, and I didn’t intend to live there all on my own.”
“You last roommate bailed on you?” Ezra asked.
“Something like that,” Kayla replied, fussing with the sleeve of her oversized sweater.
“Well, you’re in luck, because I’m the best roommate, and I’m not even a serial killer or anything,” Ezra smiled at her.
That sounded reassuring, right?
“Alright,” Kayla nodded, still looking a little hesitant, but seemingly starting to get on board. “So, do you have any pets? Are you going to be bringing friends over to party, coming and going at all hours of the night, playing loud music, anything like that?”
“If I want the apartment I’m not going to admit to bringing along four Bernese mountain dogs and a posse of perpetually drunk friends, now am I?” Ezra cocked a brow at her, and he could swear there was a hint of a smile on her lips.
“It would be nice if you were honest,” she tilted her head, studying him.
He enjoyed the way her heartbeat sped up when he grinned at her, and the way she kept stealing glances at him. After a couple of decades of roaming around, one got a good sense for people, and Kayla struck him as a genuinely sweet person.
Not the type he usually went for, but then again, the women he tended to get involved with brought along trouble, more often than not. And he was in enough trouble without outside help at the moment.
“No pets,” he said, counting on his fingers. “No friends in town, yet,” he continued, shooting her a loaded look. “I own a great pair of headphones, noise canceling. And I do go out at night, but I’m very stealthy,” he finished, holding up four fingers.
“Oh, so you’re new in town,” Kayla nodded. “Welcome. I think you’ll like it here,” she smiled.
Ohio really wasn’t Ezra’s scene, but looking at Kayla, he didn’t feel that bad about being stuck there anymore.
“And did I mention I’m all ready to move in and start chipping in on the rent?” Ezra asked.
“Yes, you did,” she laughed. “Is there anything else I should know, or questions you might have for me? This is all a bit sudden, and we’re going to have to get along,” she said, and she sounded a bit wistful all of a sudden.
With no time for lies, or easing Kayla into his reality, Ezra decided to just go with the truth. He was fully aware it might not go over well, but what did he have to lose? Better to lay all his cards out there instead of starting off with lies.
“There is one thing,” he admitted, keeping his voice low, and Kayla perked up. “I’m a vampire.”
It was clear she didn’t really know what to make of that. Surprise turned into amusement, which turned into her clearing her throat and putting on a more neutral expression.
“You mean, like those people on TV? The ones that have a sun allergy or something and start wearing capes and stuff? Oh, I don’t mean to be insensitive about your lifestyle or anything…” she trailed off, looking markedly uncomfortable as she shifted on the couch.
“It’s not a lifestyle,” Ezra chuckled. “I’m the real deal, fangs and wooden stakes and all that. No turning into a bat, though, unfortunately. I was a little disappointed about that myself,” he shrugged.
“Wait, you seriously believe that you’re a vampire? This isn’t some live action role playing thing or whatever?” Kayla’s eyes widened. “I can play along or whatever, but you need to be straight with me right now so I know what I’m getting into.”
“I do like roleplaying, but not like that,” Ezra winked.
“I don’t think this is a time for jokes,” she remarked, starting to look unsettled again, glancing over at the other patrons sitting on the other side of the shop.
“I’m not a nutjob,” Ezra tried to assure her, before realizing that was exactly what a crazy person might say in this situation. “And I can prove it,” he added.
“Of course you can,” Kayla nodded, slowly getting up from her seat. “But maybe you can show me tomorrow, because I’m starting to feel tired and I think I’m ready to go home.”
Great, now she’s afraid of me, Ezra sighed to himself.
Glancing at the empty coffee cup in front of her, he got up, careful not to spook her with any sudden movements.
“Just keep an eye on that for a second,” he pointed his chin at the mug.
Before Kayla could answer, he pulled on the preternatural speed inside him, a dark and nebulous thing always floating close to the surface. Checking to make sure no one was looking directly at him, he pushed himself into motion. The edges of his vision turned blurry as he sped into the shop’s kitchenand back in the time it took Kayla to look at her mug and then at the spot where he was standing.
As she started to move her head, confused, Ezra was already back where he had been, the table between them was now empty.
“Wait…” she muttered to herself, lips parting as she tried to make sense of what just happened. “How did you…” she trailed off, looking up at him.
“Just one of the many perks of being undead,” he replied, giving her a little bow.
Kayla started backing away from him, hands trembling slightly and her heart beating a mile a minute.
“Don’t come any closer,” she warned, looking horrified at the sight of him.
And now I’ve managed to make things worse. I knew this whole thing would turn out to be a disaster. Thanks, Stephen.
5
Kayla
“That’s not possible,” Kayla muttered to herself, eyes darting between Ezra and the spot where her coffee cup used to be.
“Look, I know I’ve turned your world upside down here,” Ezra said. “But everything I said before is still true – I’ll be a great roommate, I promise.”
“What?” Kayla mumbled frowning at him. “You just moved around the coffee shop faster than a speeding bullet, and you want to talk about being roommates?” she stared at him, fixed on his every movement.
This all was too much to take in. She didn’t know whether to be amazed or terrified, while Ezra was acting like this wasn’t a big deal at all. No one else in the shop didn’t seem to have even noticed anything was off, and she wasn’t sure if she should scream, or run, or…
What am I going to do, start raving about vampires with superspeed? That’s not going to go over well.
“I’m still just a guy,” he shrugged. “And you don’t have to be afraid of me. I’m harmless, I promise.”
“Why are you telling me all this?” Kayla asked, fighting through her fear and ending up at suspicion, instead. “I would never have figured you a vampire, so there was no need to reveal that about yourself,” she said, whispering at the word ‘vampire’.
“Well, the truth is…” Ezra paused, looking displeased with how Kayla was standing as far away from him as humanly possible. “I don’t just need a place to stay, I also need a bride.”
“Like, wedding bells and white gowns, that sort of bride?” Kayla asked, hearing her voice turn higher as her eyes widened.
What the hell is going on here? Is this some hidden camera experiment? Am I on some sort of a reality TV show?
“Kind of,” Ezra nodded. “And wouldn’t it be convenient if I had a two-for-one type of thing going on.”
“How romantic,” Kayla scoffed, before her brain had properly caught up to what was going on. “Oh, no, no,” she shook her head at him. “I am not marrying some strange guy, and even less a vampire! You can just forget about that.”
“Relax, I don’t want to actually marry you,” Ezra replied, and Kayla didn’t know whether to be relieved or offended. “It’s just that my vampire dad is kind of insisting I settle down and be my own Maker…” he trailed off, noting the confused look on her face.
Could it be I’m actually asleep right now? Is this some kind of delusio
n?
“You’re not going crazy,” Ezra sighed, as if reading her mind. “I’ve seen that look before,” he said, gesturing toward her face.
“If I’m not insane, you certainly are,” Kayla countered. “I have no intention of living with a vampire, nor do I want to marry one,” she said, managing to sound somewhat firm and even.
“Ouch, a little discriminatory, aren’t we?” Ezra raised a brow at her. “As I said, I’m just a guy. Sure, I drink blood, but I never hurt anyone in the process and I always ask permission first. My mother taught me proper manners, I’ll have you know.”
Kayla was caught off-guard by that. She had to admit, she knew very little about vampires, and what she did know came from fiction. That knowledge was unlikely to be of much use when it came to real, actual vampires.
Am I really going along with this reality, where vampires are real? Is that the only explanation to what’s going on here?
When no alternative theories popped into her mind, Kayla realized there was no way out of having to admit the way she saw the world was now changed forever. The undead, walking among regular people? How the hell had something like that remained a secret for so long?
Now that’s the story of the century… the thought popped into her head.
“You don’t have my permission,” she hurriedly said, after processing what Ezra had told her.
He looked like he was about to roll his eyes, but then thought better of it.
“Kayla, I’m not here to bite you. But I really do need a place to stay, and for my Maker to know I’m taking my bride-search seriously. Why don’t we make a deal?” he said, reaching into his back pocket and pulling out a thick wallet.
Thumbing through the stack of bills there, he separated a healthy wad of cash and placed it on the table in front of her. Kayla’s eyes darted around, wondering just how suspicious she was looking right now, making cash deals with a stranger in a public place.
