Vampires 101
Devin
It was late afternoon by the time we reached the coven. "Your coven is in a hotel?" one triplet asked as we drove into the underground garage of the Walden Emerald Hotel.
I simply nodded to Aaran and explained, "Yes, it makes it easier than living in some obscure mansion estate somewhere. This way, we don’t have to hunt for our food; we always get a fresh source of blood from the travelers that come through these doors."
"So, you just drop fang on any unsuspecting human and take their blood?" Angus asked. He seemed the most laid-back of the three. He was definitely the most humorous, and someone I could picture using the term “drop fang” in a sentence.
"Also, how are you and Ben out in sunlight?" he continued.
"Yeah, I saw you eat actual food, too. I didn't think you could do that," Aaran chimed in.
Ben, who was seated in the back of the massive SUV, stared at the brothers. "Haven't you all met a vampire before? You knew I was one when you came to the door yesterday."
"We've met vampires before, but they thought we were human, and we couldn't just come out and ask these questions. The law, you know," Addison responded.
“Well, I'll give you the Vampires 101 lesson,” Ben said with a grin. "All the stuff you’ve heard from Hollywood, forget it," he continued.
"The only thing they got right was the need to drink blood.
You're born a vampire, and you can't be made. We are not undead. We age very slowly, living about a thousand years. We can go out in the sun, but we can get sun poisoning if we stay out in it too long. We are not allergic to garlic or holy water, and we eat authentic food. In fact, we need it. If we just drank blood, we could go into bloodlust and go around killing and draining people dry. The same thing would happen if we just ate actual food. It’s a balance," he explained.
"As far as 'dropping fang' on an unsuspecting human, well, that happens, but the vampire bite is very pleasurable and usually happens during sex. So, humans don't mind."
They all took in the information eagerly.
"How pleasurable?" Angus and Aaran asked at the same time, curiosity in their voices.
Roarke replied with a smirk, "Why don't you find a vampire and find out? We are going into a coven full of them."
Krispin navigated the SUV into a spot, and the conversation stopped as we exited and made our way into the hotel.
The hotel lobby was a gorgeous sight. It was a mix of modern elegance.
Light, bright colors surrounded a giant fountain in the center of the room.
The floor-to-ceiling windows allowed the light to stream in.
To the right of the lobby was the hotel restaurant. To the left was the hall that led to The Renegade, the bar slash dance club. The Renegade predated the hotel. It had been a saloon at one time and even back then had been the primary source of finding a human to snack on.
"Second Devin, it’s good to see you," Carson, the head tracker of the coven, said with a smile.
“It's good to see you too, Carson. You remember Roarke, my beloved,” I replied.
"Yes, it’s good to see you too, Roarke. Ben, Krispin, I see you brought little Callum. Master Stephen will be pleased. He was upset that you hadn't brought him yesterday."
I chuckled. "That's part of the reason we are here. We are meeting Master Stephen and Semais for lunch."
I pointed to the triplets. "These are my brothers-in-law, Angus, Addison, and Aaran."
"It's nice to meet you," Angus purred as he took Carson's hand. "I hear the vampire bite is very pleasurable. Care to show me?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
Carson laughed. "You're pretty forward, and I'd definitely take you up on that offer, but I'm in a committed relationship."
Committed relationship? When did that happen? Most vampires played the field until we found our beloveds. I went to question, but Ben stopped me.
"Come on, you all need to meet the Master before you go picking up any guys. Let's head on up to lunch," Ben said, nodding toward the elevator.
"Later, Carson," Ben said with a wave.
Once we were in the elevator, I turned to Ben.
"What was that about?" I asked.
"Basil told me a while ago Carson was dating a human. He knows he's not his beloved, but Carson fell in love with him," he replied.
For Carson to tie himself to a human that was not his beloved was big news. He would have to watch the human grow old and eventually die. I felt for him.
The elevator stopping and the doors opening drew me out of my thoughts.
"There is my grandson," Master Stephen's powerful voice boomed.
He swooped in and took Callum in his arms, pulling him from the car carrier.
I smiled as my friend and powerful vampire master cuddled and cooed with the little baby.
Stephen exuded power. He was about six-one, and had short blond hair and dark brown eyes that almost looked black.
He was always smartly dressed in tailored suits.
I don’t think I’d ever seen him in a pair of jeans in three hundred years.
"Don't hog all the attention. I want a cuddle," Semais, the master's Beloved, said as he reached for little Callum.
Semais was a small wolf shifter. He stood only about five-five. He had wild brown hair and light green eyes. He was Master Stephen's opposite; he loved jeans and sweatpants. I think that came with being a shifter and changing into his wolf.
Reluctantly, Master Stephen released Callum and allowed his beloved to take him. He turned to us as if realizing we were there for the first time and greeted us.
"It's good to see you, Krispin, Ben." He nodded to Krispin and drew Ben into a hug. Ben was like a son to him. Stephen had raised Ben after finding out that rogues had killed his family and coven.
He then turned to me. "It's good to see you too, my old friend. You're looking well. Does this mean you’re well and truly bonded?" he asked.
I smiled as I pulled Roarke to my side.
"Master Stephen, it's my pleasure to officially introduce you to my beloved, Roarke MacNair," I said with pride.
Master Stephen smiled. "Welcome to the coven, Roarke MacNair," he said with a tilt to his head.
"Thank you, Master Stephen," Roarke said, bowing his head in respect.
"Might I introduce my brothers, Angus, Addison, and Aaran MacNair, sons of Lord Alister MacNair, Leader of the Glenfinnan Dragon circle."
"Welcome, gentlemen, to my territory and coven," Stephen said formally, acknowledging the three. “Come on, let's go get lunch.” He showed the direction with a wave of his hand, and we made our way to the coven’s dining hall.
Ben, Krispin, Callum, and Semais were already seated at one of the tables when we entered.
Ben already had a plate of lasagna and was digging in while Semais held Callum.
The food looked good, and I realized I was famished.
I broke from Roarke's side and bee-lined it for the buffet.
I started piling food high on my plate. After my plate was full, I turned and saw my beloved giving me an amused look.
I rolled my eyes, sat down, and dove in.
As my hunger eased, I slowed down. Conversation flowed around the table. It was nice. This was family. I was going to miss living here and being a part of the coven. I turned my attention to Master Stephen, who was still doting on a now awake Callum.
"Stephen," I said, clearing my throat.
He stopped immediately and looked at me. It had been a long time since I’d just called him Stephen; it was always Master Stephen. I looked into his eyes and continued.
"Do you have a moment so we can speak?" I asked.
I wanted to do this privately. I didn't want the entire coven to hear. Even whispering in this room, the vampires could hear, and my business would run through the coven in minutes. He nodded his head and stood, indicating that I should follow.
Roarke went to stand, but I stopped him. It's okay, my beloved. I need to do this alone, I thought to him. He nodded and settled back into his seat.
I followed Master Stephen to his office and shut the door. "Have a seat," he said, pointing to the nice chairs around his desk.
"Thank you, Master," I replied as I took my seat.
"None of that Master stuff here. You asked to speak with Stephen, not Master Stephen. Now, what's going on, my old friend?" he asked.
"I'm not being fair to the coven," I started.
Stephen started to say something, but I raised my hand, cutting him off. I needed to say this.
"I've been gone for five weeks. After Roarke almost died, I thought I'd die too. I needed to be with him. But by being with him, I neglected the coven and my position. I realized after bonding with him I couldn’t continue to live here.
He's a Dragon Duke and has a position and obligation to Krispin.
Also, I'm pregnant with twins. I won’t have time to be here and be your second.
It would be best if you filled that position with another member who can," I explained.
He sat there for a moment. "Twins, really? You're making me an uncle to twins? That's amazing!" he said with a smile. Of all I’d told him, he’d focused on that. My confusion must have been written on my face.
"All that other stuff will work itself out. Yes, I understand that circumstances have changed, and you won't be able to fulfill your duties as second, but you will always be a member of this coven and my best friend, my brother," he said earnestly.
I realized at that moment I wasn't losing my family. I was just making room and growing it. I smiled at Stephen.
"Now, tell me how you know you’re having twins and what Roarke's brothers are doing here."