Page 20 of Petals and Fangs

“What are we supposed to do? We have an alternative.”

“We need to produce a new formula. Something that will be a better alternative for human blood,” I say as I look at Lily's picture on my laptop. She has a beautiful neck, or I am just hallucinating.

I feel thirsty and I need some energy. I haven't had fresh blood in a couple of days, so it is getting to me.

I walk towards the mini bar in my office and pull out a blood pack. It's the latest invention by my team. It is not fresh, but it does the job. I drink half of the bottle in one shot. It tastes awful. But it's better than nothing.

“As you wish, Mr. Rothschild,” he says.

“Thank you, Alfred. I got this. Don’t forget to hinder any investigations coming our way. I have things under control.”

“This time, they are not taking it easy on us. We might need to come up with another strategy.”

“What we need are witnesses. Witnesses from our kind can testify that the products are not harmful to them. We need to convince the authorities that the products are not addictive or toxic.”

“Should we manipulate random people and convince them to be our witnesses?”

“We did that before. It doesn't last for too long, remember? I don’t want to get my hands dirty and deal with the source of this.”

“The rebels, you mean?"

“Exactly. I want to do things professionally,” I say, then chuckle at myself. I definitely did not do things professionally with Lily today.

“I am sure Perry will look into this matter tonight and tell us what to do.”

“I will see you again tonight, Alfred. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need some air. And more blood,” I say as I grab my laptop and head to my car.

My driver, Johnathan, is already there waiting for me. But tonight, I feel like driving myself home.

I grab my phone. Silly of me to expect an email from Lily so soon. She said she would either call me or email me her thoughts and work plan for tomorrow.

It is selfish of me, but I need her now in my life. I don't care what anyone thinks. I don't even care that she is a human surrounded by bloodsuckers, including myself. I need her, and I am willing to do everything I can to protect her.

“Good gracious,” I rub my eyes and grab my laptop. I click on the notification bar and open an email that has been in my inbox since earlier this morning. It is a response from the admin of a famous dating website. Apparently, I got their attention.

“Get over yourself.” the reply says.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. A hundred bucks for a couple of words? Seriously?” I mutter to myself and scan the page.

Last night I got too involved in reading dating forums, because I need real advice from real people.

When I stumbled across the so-called ‘love whisperer’, I knew I had to message them for advice on how to allow love back into my life. I did not expect that my old love would walk into my office the next day.

“Why did I even get this low? Dating forms, Ethan? Really?” I mutter to myself.

Now that Lily is in the picture again, I might not need this. Or maybe I do. Deep down I know I need advice, but my social circle lacks humans.

“Should I try again? I paid for this after all,” I say to myself as crack my fingers, ready to type.

I don't like being told no; I begin typing. But, when I scan the profile of the admin, I notice something rather odd.

“What in the world is this?”

Chapter 5

Lily

What a hectic day it has been. I can’t believe what I got myself into. My mind is still processing seeing Ethan after all these years.

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