Page 38 of Risking Immortality

“And how, pray tell, is that going to work with the bartender?”

“Her name is Erin. You may have your opinions, Dana, but do not disrespect her in my presence again.”

Dana is sufficiently chastised. I see her visibly back down. “I apologize. It’s a shock.”

“Me with a human or me finding a mate?” It’s occurring to me that Dana is feeling jealous. She knows our trysts are over.

“Both, I admit. I’ll miss our times together.”

I wish I could say the same. Sex with Dana was fun. It scratched an itch. But, if what I feel with Erin pre-sex is anything to go by, I know when we bond physically; it is going to be indescribable.

“Can I meet her?” Dana places her hand on my arm. It’s a friendly gesture, but I know Erin has just witnessed it and she is pissed. I don’t need to see her to know.

Slowly, I pull my arm free. “You can. But Dana, she doesn’t know about us yet.”

“What do you mean?”

“Vampires.”

Dana studies me for a second and then bursts into laughter. It’s loud, obnoxious, and causing people to pay attention to us, which I don’t want. “Dana, pull yourself together,” I growl.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” she howls. My patience is running thin. I can feel Erin getting anxious. Taking Dana by the arm, I escort her to the garden, far away from prying eyes and ears.

“Stop,” I boom. The tenor of my voice pulls Dana up short. She pales before nervously straightening herself out. Being one of the most influential and affluent vampire families holds sway. There is a social hierarchy that I am at the top of. Dana, whether or not she likes it, knows not to cross me.

“Amelia, I’m sorry.”

“Have you any idea the stress and anxiety we as a family are going through?” It’s a rhetorical question. “Not only have my parents and siblings been through hell thinking I would never find my mate, but they also now have to help me navigate uncharted waters. We have no idea if I’m still going to descend into madness when I turn thirty. I’m already suffering crippling side effects because my soul hasn’t been satisfied. My bond with Erin is tentative and yet, I know in my heart I cannot live without her. Don’t you dare come here and give me your unwarranted opinions on something you have no idea about.”

“Amelia,” Dana sighs, her hand finding mine. “I’m truly sorry, you are right. I was out of line. I had no idea what you’ve been going through. Please tell me how I can help.”

“Just be a friend, Dana. A loyal and supportive friend.”

“Always. I swear.”

“Amelia?” Erin is standing a few feet away, her eyes bouncing between me and Dana and our clutched hands.

“Erin, come here,” I say, dropping Dana’s hand and extending it to her. “I’d like you to meet my good friend, Dana.”

“Good friend, huh?”

“Oh, I like her already,” Dana grins. “She’s got spunk.”

“What I lack in height I make up for in scrappiness,” Erin comments. I’m not entirely sure she’s even joking. The thought of Erin fighting Dana for me is highly arousing.

“No need for scrappiness,” I chuckle.

“No, indeed. Amelia was just letting me know we are strictly friends from now on.”

“Good,” Erin nods. “Now that’s all sorted, are you coming back to my party?” The question is directed at both of us. It seems Erin doesn’t hold grudges.

“Lead the way you feisty little minx.” Dana has no boundaries, I swear it. Erin chuckles and takes my hand.

As we rejoin the party, Erin opens her presents, of which there are many. My parents have gone way overboard, and Erin is a deer in headlights again. I don’t think she’s ever seen so many sparkling jewels in her life.

Although everything is going well again, I can’t get the conversation with Dana out of my head. More to the point, the part where I confessed Erin doesn’t know about vampires. Now we are dating, exclusively, I have to tell her. But how? Really, how am I going to explain such a massive thing? This will change Erin’s view of the world forever.

There is also a gigantic possibility that even if she believes me, the very idea of being with a vampire will be unthinkable. Then what? My thoughts are spiraling. I need air. Excusing myself, I head to my old room. It’s only when I lay on my bed that I remember it’s been far too long since I had serum injected. With all the excitement of just being with Erin, it completely slipped my mind.

---