7. Liam
Chapter 7
Liam
T he kitchen is a whirlwind of activity, and the aroma of simmering spaghetti tagliatelle fills the air. Mom and Dad are at Mariya’s for their date night. It’s their first time here since I completed the interior upgrade. I’m determined to make this dinner perfect and ignore the guilt of keeping the vampire secret from them, even though it continues to gnaw at me.
I serve the plates with a smile, the pasta adorned with a rich tomato sauce and a sprinkle of fresh basil. As I set the dishes in front of them, I feel a surge of pride. Mariya’s is exactly what I envisioned; warm and inviting, with soft lighting and rustic decor that enhances the intimate dining experience.
“Wow, Liam, this place is absolutely gorgeous,” Mom says, her eyes scanning the surroundings.
Dad nods in agreement, raising his glass. “You’ve done a fantastic job with the restaurant, son.”
“Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad. It means a lot,” I reply, trying to push away the guilt I feel.
They dive into the pasta, and I leave them to their dinner, promising to check in later. It’s six thirty, and the place is buzzing with customers. I make my way to the kitchen, where the clattering of pans and sizzling sounds create a culinary symphony.
My line cooks, Marco and Rosa, are in the midst of one of their debates about the best way to prepare some dish. Marco, a stout man with a thick accent, argues passionately for his method, while Rosa, with her fiery red hair and quick hands, counters with a smirk.
“Come on, Marco, you know my recipe is the best,” Rosa teases, flipping a pan of sautéed vegetables.
I chuckle, leaning against the counter. “You two still going at it? Can we save the culinary battles for after hours?”
Marco grins, wiping his hands on his apron. “Liam, my friend, cooking is an art, and art is worth fighting for.”
Rosa rolls her eyes, elbowing Marco playfully. “Don’t mind him, boss. He just can’t handle a woman outcooking him.”
I laugh, appreciating their camaraderie. “You’re both amazing. Keep up the good work. I’ll be back later.”
As I head back to the dining area, I catch sight of my parents enjoying their meal. They’re engrossed in conversation, the flicker of candlelight casting a warm glow on their faces. I hate that I have to keep secrets from them.
When they’ve polished off all the food, I approach the table with a smile. “How was everything?”
Dad pats his satisfied stomach. “Fantastic, Liam. You’ve truly outdone yourself.”
Mom nods. “We should do this more often.”
I swallow guiltily. “Yeah, definitely. You’re always welcome at Mariya’s .”
“Thank you, Liam,” Mom says with a smile, “but I was saying we should all get together for dinner more often.” “Yeah, I know. I need to come by the house more.”
They exchange knowing glances, and Dad gives my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “You’re a busy man, Liam. But family comes first. Don’t forget that.”
“I won’t. You know it’s just been crazy here with the remodel and everything.”
As they gather their coats to leave, Dad says, “You take care of yourself, son. You know we’re here for you if you need anything.”
Mom adds, “And make sure to come by soon. We miss having you around.”
“I think he’s got the message, Jade,” Dad says teasingly.
I nod. “I will. Promise.”
They head out, and I head back to the kitchen. Mariya’s is still bustling.
As I work, my thoughts wander. I can’t shake the feeling that I’m playing a dangerous game by keeping the vampire’s secret. My thoughts are interrupted when my phone vibrates in my pocket.
A sense of foreboding grips me as I answer the call.
“Hello?”
“Liam. It’s Andrea. You need to come to the hospital. There’s a problem.”
The hospital’s sterile scent hits me as I walk through the sliding glass doors. The werewolf liaison, Andrea, is waiting for me near the nurse’s station. Her blonde hair is pulled back into a tight bun, and her eyes are filled with concern.
“Hey, Liam.”
“Hey, I came as quickly as I could. What’s going on?”
“We’ve got a problem.”
“What is it?”
Andrea glances around before motioning me to a quieter corner. “There’s been a break-in at a nearby hospital. Blood supplies are missing.”
My stomach tightens. I’ve got a bad feeling that I know who’s behind it – Selene.
“How did this happen?”
She sighs, running a hand through her hair. “I’ve heard that the security footage shows a figure sneaking in. Fast and silent. Took only the blood bags, nothing else. It’s got to be someone with supernatural abilities.”
My jaw tightens. “Thanks for calling me. I’ll look into it. We need to get this sorted out quickly and quietly.”
Andrea nods. “Be careful, Liam. Whoever’s doing this is dangerous.”
I give her a tight smile. “Don’t worry. I always am.”
I need to find Selene before this escalates further. I head over to her apartment just in time to see her stepping out, looking carefree in a red sweater and black jeans. Her black hair dances in the wind as she sips from a tumbler.
“Where are you off to?” I mutter to myself.
I decide to tail her, keeping a safe distance. As I follow her through the city streets, I can’t help but notice the smile on her face. She seems content, oblivious to the fact that her actions have drawn attention to herself. My steps quicken to match her pace, and I keep to the shadows, watching.
She takes a turn into a coffee shop, and the bell jingles as she enters. I find an inconspicuous spot across the street and watch and wait. She orders a coffee and then settles into a corner, engrossed in a book. She’s acting like any other normal person, but I know the truth.
Selene’s gaze remains fixed on the book, but there’s a restlessness about her. When she finishes her coffee, she glances at her watch and closes the book. As she leaves the coffee shop, I trail behind, blending into the rhythm of the city.
As we walk, Selene glances over her shoulder, her eyes scanning the surroundings. Does she sense me? I stay in the shadows and maintain my distance.
She stops in front of a vintage store, her eyes lighting up as she examines the window display.
I wait outside as she enters the store, the bell chiming softly. What is she doing?
Selene emerges from the store with a small bag in hand, and a smile playing on her lips. The night air carries a chill, and I pull my jacket tighter around me as I continue to follow her.
I watch in disappointment as Selene heads towards the park. My mind races as I see her greet another dark-haired woman—by the look of her, another vampire.
Another vampire in the mix—this is bad news. I can’t ignore the implications of two vampires in town, especially with my past experience with their kind.
I pull out my phone and dial my mother’s number. She’s part of the council, and I need to report what I’ve discovered. The call connects, and her voice comes through the line.
“Hey, Mom. It’s Liam.”
“Liam, sweetheart! I just saw you. Is something wrong?”
I sigh. “I need to talk to you about something important. Can we meet?”
“Of course. Where are you?”
I give her the address of a nearby café, knowing it’s best to discuss this in person. As I wait for her, my thoughts swirl with the implications that the presence of multiple vampires brings. The council needs to know that there are vampires in town, and it’s time to face the reality that Selene might not be the exception I hoped for.
Mom arrives, approaching me with a concerned expression. “What’s going on, Liam?”
I steel myself and plunge ahead. “I’ve seen a vampire in town. Actually, I’ve seen two.”
Her eyes widen in surprise. “Two? Liam, this is serious. Where did you see them?”
I recount the details of Selene and the other vampire and then tell her about the stolen blood.
“So, there’s more than one vampire here, and they’re organized. We need to inform the council immediately,” she concludes.
“That’s what I was thinking. We can’t ignore this.”
Mom pulls out her phone. “Stay vigilant, Liam. We’ll figure this out.”
While she’s on the phone, my mind keeps going over the scene between the two vampires. I want to know what they are up to. And if there are more vampires in town.
After Mom finishes the call, she looks at me seriously. “Liam, promise me you’ll be careful. Vampires are dangerous and can be unpredictable.”
“I know, Mom. I’ll be cautious. But I need to find out more about Selene and the others. There’s something off about them.”
Mom’s eyes narrow sternly. “Liam, I know you’re curious, but remember what happened to us. Remember Mariya’s injuries? You do not want to underestimate vampires.”
I grit my teeth, remembering. “I won’t, Mom, but I need to understand what’s going on.”
She sighs, her gaze softening. “Just be careful, Liam. And if things get too dangerous, don’t hesitate to step back and call for reinforcements. Your safety is top priority.”
I give her a small smile. “I will. Thanks.”
As she leaves, I’m left alone with my thoughts. The council will handle the situation, but my curiosity about Selene gnaws at me. Mom’s warnings echo in my mind but so do my unanswered questions. She’s right. This is a precarious situation, dangerous, deadly even. But I can’t just leave it behind. I have to uncover the truth about these mysterious vampires.