11. Liam
Chapter 11
Liam
A s the council meeting begins, I take my seat alongside my mother, Jade, who represents the fairies, and Aunt Alyssa, the human representative. Gabriel, my father, sits on the other side of my mother, speaking on behalf of the wolves. But there are others gathered around the table, each representing different factions of our supernatural community.
First up is the nymph representative, Ariana. She’s ethereal and graceful, with long flowing hair that shimmers in the light. Her eyes hold a wisdom that comes from centuries of living among the trees and rivers.
Then there’s the bear shifter, Raskogr, whose presence fills the room with a sense of strength and power. Since there are fewer non-wolf shifters, he represents them all. His fur is thick and brown, and his eyes are sharp and observant as he takes in everything happening around him.
Next to him sits the elf representative, Elara, whose beauty is otherworldly. Her features are delicate, and her skin iridescent, gently glowing under the lights as she speaks. There’s a mischievous glint in her eyes that tells me she’s always up to something.
There is no vampire representative for obvious reasons.
The meeting begins with the usual formalities, greetings exchanged, and pleasantries shared. But the mood quickly turns serious as my mother speaks up.
“We have a problem,” she says. “We have vampires in the area again, and they have been feeding.”
There’s a hiss of outrage from some of the council members, and I can feel the tension in the room ratcheting up a notch.
As the protector of the treaties, I know it’s my responsibility to address the issue. I clear my throat and stand up.
“It seems there’s been a resurgence in vampire activity,” I begin, my voice echoing in the silence of the room. “I’ve been receiving reports from my informant about blood being stolen.”
Ariana, the nymph, raises an eyebrow. “Where is she?”
“I’m not sure. I-”
Ariana interrupts. “She should be here to answer our questions. Why isn’t she?”
I shift uncomfortably in my seat, knowing I don’t have a good answer to that question. “I’ve been trying to get in touch with her. But she’s been unreachable for the last few days. I’m actually a bit concerned.
A few of the council members look at me skeptically.
“However, I’ve been tracking one of the vampires, and she hasn’t left her house since Wednesday.”
Elara, the elf representative, leans forward in surprise. “ One of the vampires? How many are there?”
“There are two that I’m aware of. The other… She’s been harder to track, but I’m working on it.”
My mother frowns in concern. “Are we sure this vampire is responsible for the murders?”
I hesitate for a moment, struggling with my conscience. I know that Selene is guilty of Mia’s murder, but for some reason, I can’t bring myself to betray her. She may not be responsible for these murders.
“I am not certain… yet,” I say hesitantly. “We need to gather more evidence before making any accusations.”
Gabriel, my father, nods in agreement. “We can’t just go around accusing and killing vampires without proof,” he says firmly.
I feel a pang of guilt gnawing at my insides. I can’t bring myself to speak what I know aloud. Not yet, anyway.
As the meeting continues, a feeling of unease settles over me like a heavy cloak. I’ve been hiding the truth from the ones I love, and I wonder if I’ve made a terrible mistake.
Maybe I should have told Mom about Mia the night it happened.
After the council meeting wraps up, my mom approaches me, obviously concerned. “Are you sure you’re okay, Liam?”
”Yeah, I’m fine,” I offer a smile, trying for more confidence than I feel.
Dad adds, “You should join us for family dinner tonight. Grayson will be coming home from camp, and it would mean a lot to him to see you there.”
I nod, grateful for the change of subject. “Sure thing. But I’ll be a bit late. I need to swing by the restaurant first.”
“That’s fine,” Mom says, smiling. “We’ll save you a seat.”
With that, we part ways, and I drive to the hospital, heading straight for the nurse’s station. Andrea’s absence is gnawing at me, and I’m hoping to get some answers.
The nurse on duty looks up as I approach. “Hey, Liam. How are you doing?”
“I’m doing well. Looking for Andrea. Is she here?”
“No. She left mid-shift a couple of days ago and hasn’t been seen since.”
My stomach churns with unease. “Did she say anything before she left?”
“Nope, just packed up her things and left without a word. But she did send an email to HR the next morning, requesting time off to deal with a family emergency.”
Something’s wrong. It isn’t like Andrea to just up and leave without letting me know.
As I leave the hospital, my mind races with possibilities.
Where the hell is Andrea?
As I finish up with Marco and Rosa, I breathe a sigh of relief. “Alright, guys, can you handle the restaurant until close tonight?”
Marco grins. “No problem, boss. We’ve got it covered.”
Rosa nods in agreement. “Yeah, go enjoy your family time, Liam.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate it.” I give them a grateful nod before securely packing the key lime pie I made for dessert.
The drive to Mom and Dad’s is filled with anticipation. I can’t wait to see Grayson. He’s been away at camp for weeks.
When I arrive, Layla greets me at the door with a warm hug, and a glass of wine. “Hey, big bro. Good to have you here.”
I return the hug, taking a sip of the wine. “Thanks, Layla. It’s good to be here.”
Grayson spots me and rushes over. “Liam!” he exclaims, throwing his arms around me. “I’ve missed you so much, man!”
I chuckle, tousling his hair affectionately. “Missed you too, Gray.”
Colt is there, too, head down, focused on his phone. He gives me a brief nod in greeting before returning to whatever he’s doing.
Alyssa and Lennox are already seated at the table, chatting quietly as they watch Dad manhandling the roast. The smell of roasted meat fills the air, and my stomach grumbles.
Dinner is filled with laughter and conversation. I listen intently as Grayson recounts his adventures at camp. “It was so cool, Liam! We went hiking, swimming, and even learned some survival skills.”
Dad raises an eyebrow. “Did you have any trouble, Gray?”
Grayson shakes his head. “Nah, Dad, I was careful. I didn’t tell anyone about... you know,” he says, lowering his voice.
Layla jumps in, changing the subject. “So, Gray, are you excited for school to start?”
“Nope,” he says with a grin, eliciting laughter from everyone at the table.
Then he turns to me, his eyes hopeful. “Can I hang out with you, Liam?” he asks. “I only have two days before school starts again.”
“But Grayson, you just got back,” Mom protests.
“It’s okay, Mom. We’ll just hang out tomorrow, and then I’ll bring him back,” I say reassuringly.
Grayson leans in to kiss her cheek. “Thanks, Mom,” he says, flashing her his most winning smile.
As we eat, Layla mentions that Night Corp, the family company, is reporting profit margins of 23 percent. “That’s great news!” I exclaim.
Throughout the meal, we avoid discussing anything supernatural because Alyssa’s wife, Lennox, is unaware of our true nature. It’s a rare moment of normalcy for our family, and I cherish every minute.
After dinner and dessert, Alyssa and Lennox bid us goodnight, leaving just the family behind.
Dad smacks Grayson playfully upside the head, grinning. “You’ve got to be extra careful around humans, kid.”
Grayson nods, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. “Sorry, Dad,” he mumbles.
Mom chimes in. “You’d better go get your clothes, Gray, if you’re leaving with Liam.”
As soon as Grayson disappears upstairs, Mom leans in close. “Take good care of him, Liam,” she whispers. “And make sure the wards in your apartment are still up. If you need Layla to reinforce them, just let her know.”
I’m touched by her concern and give her a grateful hug. “Thanks, Mom. I’ll keep an eye on him,” I promise.
She nods, squeezing my hand before releasing me. Grayson returns, carrying a massive oversized suitcase. Colt chuckles, teasing him. “Are you moving into Liam’s house or what?”
We all laugh, and I thank them for dinner before Grayson and I head out.
As we drive to my apartment, Grayson fiddles with the radio, his fingers tapping impatiently against the dashboard. I glance at him, catching his eye. He’s trying so hard to seem grown-up, mimicking my casual demeanor with a forced nonchalance.
“You know, you don’t have to impress me with the radio,” I say teasingly. “Just pick a station you like.”
He grins sheepishly, adjusting the volume. “Sorry, just trying to find something we’ll both like.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “So, how was camp?” I ask, steering the conversation away from his attempts at maturity.
Grayson brightens, launching into a flurry of chatter about classes, camp guides, and the latest drama among his friends. But as we pull up to my apartment, his excitement fades, replaced by a hint of uncertainty.
“I’m gonna unpack,” he announces, heading inside.
Alone in the living room, I take a moment to breathe before following him. Grayson’s growing up too fast, trying to navigate the complexities of adolescence while still clinging to the simplicity of childhood. I know he looks up to me, seeking guidance even as he struggles to find his own footing.
“Hey, Liam?” Grayson calls from his room, his voice hesitant.
I step into the doorway, leaning against the frame. “What’s up, kiddo?”
He fidgets with the hem of his shirt, avoiding my gaze. “Um, so... how do you know if a girl likes you?” he asks, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
I grin, crossing the room to sit beside him on the bed. “Ah, the age-old question,” I reply, nudging him playfully.
Grayson leans in, eager for advice.
“Well, if she laughs at your jokes, even when they’re not that funny, that’s a good sign,” I explain. “And if she finds excuses to touch you, like brushing against your arm or something, that could mean she’s interested.”
Grayson nods, soaking in the information. “What about texting? How often should I text her?”
I chuckle. “Don’t bombard her with texts, but also don’t wait too long to reply. You want to show you’re interested but not desperate.”
“Got it,” Grayson says, nodding along. “And... how do you ask someone out?”
I smile, remembering my own awkward attempts at dating as a teenager. “Just be yourself and be confident,” I advise. “Ask her if she’d like to grab a coffee or see a movie. Keep it casual.”
Grayson grins, looking more at ease. “Thanks, Liam. You’re the best.”
I ruffle his hair affectionately. “Anytime, Gray. Just remember, it’s all part of growing up. There’s no need to rush it. You’ll figure it out.
“I know, it just feels so awkward.”
“Oh, ho! Is this about a particular girl?”
His cheeks turn ruddy. “Yeah. She is a camp counselor. Mikayla.”
“Isn’t she a little too mature for you?” I cock an eyebrow at him.
“The next time, I will be sixteen, and she will be nineteen. Anyway, Mom’s a lot younger than Dad.”
He has a point. This is just a harmless teenage crush, anyway.
I think it will go away eventually.
Like Selene? A part of my brain questions.
I shake my head, willing the question to go away.