Marina's Awakening (Seduced By Shadows Book 2)

Chapter Twenty-Two

The wooden cue stick feels cool and smooth in my hand as I line up my shot, eyes narrowed on the vibrant green felt of the pool table. I have no idea why Drake asked me to go hang out at a bar when there”s so much preparation to do, but when a vampire king commands you to come play some pool, it would be pretty rude not to oblige.

I”ve never been to this particular bar in town before, but apparently, it has an extensive collection of fine scotch. And from what Drake told me when he invited me along, they have one drink in particular that I simply must try: a sixteen-year-old scotch named Screaming Eagle. The name sounds ridiculous, but he assured me it was well worth the price tag.

There are a few people here already—mostly young, trendy vampires sipping martinis or whisky neat and chatting amiably about their daily lives. It”s not an environment I”m used to, and I guess it makes sense now that I know vampires are real and have figured out how to identify them that they”d prefer places like this over... well, any place else. It”s dark and private, and most importantly, off-the-grid for humans, making it the perfect location for a discreet get-together.

Drake leans against the opposite side of the table with a playful smirk on his lips as he watches me. ”Careful, Gabriel,” he taunts.

I chuckle, shaking my head as I take my shot, sinking the striped ball into the corner pocket with a satisfying clack. ”Just warming up,” I reply, straightening up to give him a knowing look.

He laughs, nodding appreciatively. ”Fair enough, mate. Fair enough.”

As I lean over to line up my next shot, I can”t help but think about everything that”s riding on our shoulders—the upcoming journey to the Forbidden Forest, the looming threat of the Shadow Extractors, and whatever is going on with Marina. It”s a lot to take in, but right now, in this moment, it feels good to just be here, playing pool with Drake, letting the world fade away for a little while.

”So,” Drake starts, breaking into my thoughts, ”how are you holding up, really?”

I straighten up, setting the cue stick down on the table”s edge as I meet his gaze. His eyes are sharp, probing, cutting through the casual banter to get to the heart of things. ”Honestly?” I pause, considering my words. ”It”s a lot, but I”m managing. Marina and I... we”re figuring things out.”

Drake nods, taking his turn at the table, sinking a solid ball into a side pocket with practiced ease. ”She”s something special, isn”t she?”

”Yeah,” I admit, watching as he lines up his next shot. ”She”s incredible. Strong, smart, and... complicated. But in a good way.”

He sinks another ball, leaving the cue ball in a tricky spot for his next shot. He assesses the tricky position of the cue ball. With a practiced flick of his wrist, he manages to sink another solid, leaving the cue ball in a favorable spot for me.

”Seems like you”ve got some things on your mind,” Drake observes, leaning on his cue stick as he waits for me to take my turn.

I step up to the table, eyeing the layout of the balls before deciding on my shot. As I sink a striped ball into a side pocket, I feel a little of the tension ease from my shoulders. ”Yeah,” I admit, ”there”s a lot going on.”

Drake watches me, his gaze steady. ”You”re not a vampire, Gabriel. You don”t have to be part of this fight. Why are you so eager to jump in?”

I pause, considering his question as I lean on my cue stick. ”You know,” I begin slowly, ”I can”t really explain it. I”ve only known Marina for a short time, but there”s something about her... I can”t shake the feeling that I need to protect her.”

He nods, his expression thoughtful. ”Love works in mysterious ways, mate. Sometimes it sneaks up on you when you least expect it.”

”It”s not just about love,” I say, realizing as the words leave my mouth that it”s true. ”It”s about not being able to stand by and let someone like Charles hurt her or anyone else. Maybe it”s crazy, but it feels like the right thing to do.”

Drake”s eyes meet mine, and for a moment, I see a flicker of understanding there. ”You know,” he says quietly, ”sometimes doing the right thing is crazy. But it”s also what makes us who we are.”

Drake leans back against the table, setting down his cue stick with a thoughtful expression. ”You know, Gabriel,” he starts, his voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia, ”when I met my wife, she wasn”t a vampire either.”

I look up, surprised by his revelation. ”Really?”

He nods, a wistful smile playing on his lips. ”Yeah. She was human, just like you. But even though she”s become a part of our world, there”s always been a part of her that”s remained human. And that”s something I”ve come to cherish about her.”

I consider his words, turning them over in my mind. ”Marina may not be a vampire in body,” I acknowledge, ”but I know that”ll always be a part of who she is.”

Drake”s eyes lock onto mine, serious once more. ”That”s good to hear, Gabriel. But it”s not just about recognizing that part of her—it”s about accepting it. Can you accept all of Marina, vampire or not? Can you stand by her, even when things get... complicated?”

I take a moment to think about his question, letting it sink in. It”s a valid concern, and one I”ve been grappling with myself. But as I consider the time we”ve spent together, the connection we”ve formed, and the fierce desire I feel to protect her, I find my answer.

”I can,” I say, my voice steady with conviction. ”I may not understand all the complexities of her world, but I know what I feel for her is real. And I”m willing to stand by her, no matter what.”

Drake”s eyes soften, a hint of approval shining through. ”Then you”ve got more strength and wisdom than many who”ve walked this earth for centuries. Remember, Gabriel, love isn”t about understanding every facet of a person—it”s about embracing them, flaws and all.”

The thought that”s been lurking at the back of my mind suddenly bubbles to the surface, and I find myself voicing it before I can second-guess myself.

”Drake,” I begin, hesitating for a moment as I meet his gaze, ”have you ever... changed someone? Turned them into a vampire?”

Drake”s eyebrows lift in surprise, his expression turning serious. ”You”re asking me to turn you?”

”If it means I can better protect Marina, I... I want to be able to do whatever it takes.”

He studies me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine. ”Gabriel, I can”t do that. Not without Marina”s blessing.”

The finality in his voice stings, but I know he”s right. Marina deserves a say in something that would change both our lives so profoundly. ”I understand,” I say, swallowing hard. ”It was just a thought.”

Drake nods, and for a moment, the only sound is the quiet hum of the pool table, then he looks up at me again. ”That doesn”t mean you won”t make a fine vampire though. It simply means it will require more time.”

I let out a slow breath. ”Thanks, Drake. You”ve given me a lot to think about.”

He claps me on the shoulder, his grin returning. ”Anytime, my friend. Now, shall we finish this game, or are you too busy pondering the mysteries of love and vampires?”

Laughing, I pick up my cue stick, ready to dive back into our friendly competition. But as I line up my next shot, my mind continues to mull over Drake”s words. Could he really make me a vampire? And would Marina agree? Maybe it was silly to think of asking him to turn me—he doesn”t even know what Marina plans to do yet.

But the idea has taken root in my mind now, and no matter how hard I try to push it away, it won”t go away. If I were a vampire... then there”d be no barrier between us, physically or emotionally. The thought makes me feel lighter somehow, less conflicted. But at the same time, I”m still just a man. There”s so much I don”t know about being a vampire—so many things that could go wrong.