Seven
Lysander
The week passed by quickly and though he didn’t want to, he enjoyed Avalon’s daily visits. He wasn’t a heartless man but after harming those closest to him, he’d chosen to isolate himself for the safety of others.
Timid footsteps approaching the office caught his attention. They weren’t expecting Avalon. Neither Marcus or Varos were in, nor had Avalon’s usual delivery arrived. She stopped outside the office, the flutter of her heart echoing in Lysander’s ears before a gentle knock on the door.
Refusing to be rude, he opened the door and was greeted by her bright smile. “Varos and Marcus aren’t here right now.”
“Oh…” she stammered. “I-I didn’t know. I didn’t mean to disrupt you.”
Lysander had already stepped aside to invite her into the room. He knew he’d be ripped to shreds if he sent her away. A little hesitant, she walked past him.
“I’m sorry, your food hasn’t arrived yet.”
“Oh, I didn’t order anything. I cooked too much last night and brought leftovers.”
Avalon walked over to the windows while he returned to his desk. Unlike before, this time she sat right in front of the glass, crossing her legs underneath her and placing her lunch bag in her lap. She sat quietly, eating her lunch and observing the view as if she hadn’t seen it every day that week.
He couldn’t help but understand why the other two men were so interested in her. She was simple, easy. She loved her life as it was, not needing much to stay happy. He didn’t know much about her past but had picked up pieces over the years, first from his friends and now from her. Avalon seemed to appreciate the small things, and every new day brought a brighter smile to her face.
Though he understood, he knew he needed to keep his distance. Whether any of them intended it or not, Avalon would only end up hurt—and she deserved better.
Being turned wasn’t an option either. Despite the portrayal of vampires in the media, turning wasn’t an easy process. Most humans died during the transformation, something Varos had learned the hard way when he’d tried to gift the woman he loved eternity.
“Cookie?”
Lysander tore his gaze away from the screen, finding Avalon extending a hand to him.
“They aren’t home made but they are really good. Well, unless there’s some reason you shouldn’t…” she trailed off.
“No.”
The one word was enough, and Avalon leapt to her feet and crossed the room. “They’re my favourite,” she said cheerfully, like a child presenting a new toy.
“Why is that?” he asked, taking the cookie and eyeing it suspiciously.
With a shrug, she returned to her spot on the floor and pulled out her own cookie. “Most cookies are too hard or don’t have enough chocolate chips in them. These are nice and soft and have more chocolate than dough.”
Reluctantly, Lysander took a bite and had to agree with her. Though he didn’t enjoy how quickly the world around him evolved, he did enjoy modern food much more than the past. Yes, technology was amazing and living standards had vastly improved, but there were also more restrictions. Modern advancements made it much more difficult for the three of them to hide their true identities.
Avalon had just shifted her position for a better view when Marcus and Varos stepped through the door.
“I’m so sorry!” Marcus told her. “I hope you forgive us.”
Avalon looked up at him as they approached, giving both men a soft smile. “There’s nothing to apologise for.”
Marcus settled on the floor with her, peering into her lap. “You are too kind. I see you brought your own food today.”
“Yes. I cooked a little too much last night.”
“Have you been waiting long?” Varos asked, setting a stack of papers on his desk.
“No need to worry. We’ll still see each other tonight, right?”
Varos sat with a goofy grin on his face. “Of course, we will.”
Avalon worried her bottom lip and turned her gaze to her lap, seeming to have more to say.
“Is there something wrong?” Marcus asked, ducking to attempt to meet her eyes again.
“Well…” she shyly started. “What are you going to wear? I thought of wearing a dress, one like last time but I don’t know if that’s too… casual?”
“Please feel free to wear whatever you like,” Varos assured her, like the gentleman he was.
Meanwhile Marcus was well… Marcus. “Wear the dress.”
Avalon nodded, seeming to relax.
Varos then changed the topic. “Has Lysander been good company?”
“Yes. We’re no longer strangers.”
Lysander looked at her, furrowing his brow.
Marcus’s eyes widened, sparkling with amusement. “You aren’t? ”
“No. I gave him a cookie and everyone knows you don’t take food from strangers.”
Varos’s lips twitched. “How gracious of you, to share your food with him. You should see that as a compliment, Lysander. She doesn’t seem like a woman who likes to share such joys often.”
“Yes, very lucky,” he deadpanned, trying to keep some distance between them.
He hadn’t meant to give her the impression they were now friends. He hadn’t been aware that accepting food was a custom only close humans shared.
Avalon leaned closer to Marcus. “I don’t think he got the joke.”
“I don’t believe so either,” Marcus chuckled lightly.
With a heavy sigh, Avalon stretched just like she always did before heading back to her office.
“Would you like me to walk you down again?”
“Yes, please.” Then she turned to Varos. “Unless you’d rather stir the rumour mill and walk me down today?”
“A very intriguing offer but I think Marcus has become quite possessive of the elevator ride with you.”
Lysander heard the way Avalon’s heart skipped before a warm flush washed over her cheeks. She ducked her head and collected her things. As she’d done all week, she waved both him and Varos goodbye before Marcus escorted her through the door.
Varos returned to his work, wearing a sly grin but staying quiet. Marcus, however, wasn’t as gracious, returning to the room with a grin that made him want to punch his friend. “So, since you and Avalon are so close now, are you going to join us tonight?”
“No.”
“You didn’t seem to have a problem saying yes to her earlier. Maybe she should ask you herself. ”
“My answer would remain the same.”
Marcus strutted over to him, tilting his head. “Are you sure? Admit it: she’s growing on you.”
“Unlike the two of you, I don’t consider that an accomplishment. The best thing you two can do is leave her alone before she gets attached,” Lysander barked back.
“We just want to spoil her a little,” Varos defended. “Coax her out of her shell—she deserves it.”
“You’re letting the feelings she has for you grow from a tiny seed to a vine that will strangle her heart. No matter what you say, you’re going to hurt her—and yourselves.”
Varos flinched, and he knew his words hurt. Though his skin was already pale, Lysander could’ve sworn that it turned as white as the moon. His eyes a deep red, Varos turned his attention back to the screen, his feelings visibly boiling within his cold chest. Marcus had also lost his mischievous grin, standing where Avalon had sat for the last hour.
He hadn’t meant to offend his friends, but sometimes the truth hurt.