Chapter 5
AVA
“Shit!” I shout as yet another Lego piece falls onto the ground. “Whoever said adult Lego sets were calming was a fucking liar.” I lean over sideways and grapple blindly under the new coffee table for my piece.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. This is great,” Luna says with a smile as she puts the last piece on her orchid. Her bamboo set is already finished and sitting proudly on the side table.
Luna’s been joining us more lately, which has been nice. I think now that we know she’s a vampire, it’s especially freeing for her to hang out with us. Her drinking blood in plain sight does take a little getting used to, though.
“Yeah, Ava. Sounds like you’re just impatient,” Celine adds unhelpfully with a smirk.
“I hate you both.” I struggle to fit mine together and throw my hands up in defeat. “I’m tapping out. Never again.”
Falling dramatically against the couch, I clutch one of the pillows to my chest and catch a whiff of Valen’s citrusy, sea salt scent.
I throw the pillow to the side before I continue to smell it like a weirdo. Standing, I clap my hands to get the girls’ attention.
“Back to what I really called you here for. Operation Valen.”
Celine and Luna situate themselves on the couch and face me attentively.
“What’s the problem, boss?” Celine asks.
She practically radiates happiness now that she’s consistently getting dicked down by the chaotic and insufferable ginger next door.
The past few days at work have been extra boring without Celine. She decided to take an extended leave of absence after the kidnapping, and I know she’s seriously considering quitting altogether.
“Befriending Valen is impossible.” I pace back and forth and try not to think about the way he wrapped my hair around his finger at the furniture store.
“When I manage to locate him, since he likes to disappear, I end up in a one-sided conversation. I don’t want to make him uncomfortable, so I try not to push, but at the same time, I feel like I’m getting nowhere. ”
Though shopping with him wasn’t too bad. He spoke more than usual, but I’m still nowhere near closer to knowing him.
“What have you tried so far?” Luna asks, crossing one jean-clad leg over the other.
“I’ve introduced him to random things, trying to find a hobby he might like, but no luck so far.
I know Zav said he’s been loving the library, so I got him more books, which I think he appreciated, but it’s not exactly a collaborative activity.
” I count on my fingers as I go. “We’ve tried different cuisines, but he hasn’t been into it, even though he pretends.
” I let out a sigh and plop down between them on the couch.
“At least he’s becoming more familiar with modern day things and speech so he isn’t as old fashioned. But I don’t know what else to do.”
“You’ve been trying, which is all that matters.” Celine pats my shoulder. “Valen’s been through a lot and I’m sure he’s still very overwhelmed. Give him time. This is overwhelming for both of you. Don’t overthink it.”
“What about an animal?” Luna suggests and plays with the corner of the blanket in her lap. “They make everything better. Plus it might help with his trauma.”
“Hmm,” I muse, pondering the suggestion. “That might be a good idea. I’d love a furry friend myself.”
I’ve always wanted a pet. Spencer—my ex—and I talked about getting one down the road but never got to that point.
“Speaking of Valen,” Luna says, crisscrossing her legs. “How are you feeling about the mating bond?”
My shoulders deflate. “I don’t know,” I answer honestly. “It’s weird to have this paranormal bond that tells us that we’re each other’s person—I like him, but is it the mating bond making me feel that way or do I actually like him?”
Celine frowns and grabs my hand, giving it a squeeze.
“Trust me, I know how confusing it can all be. I went through the same thoughts and feelings with Zav. But I … as crazy as he is, I feel it deep down, beyond what I think is the bond, that he’s my person.
I want you to know, though, that if you never get there with Valen, it’s okay, and I’m here for any questions you have. ”
“I’m here for you, too,” Luna says, tugging her blond hair over one shoulder. “I mean, I don’t have any mate experience, but you can always talk to me.”
“Thanks, guys. I appreciate it.”
And I really do. It’s nice to know that I have their support.
A knock sounds at the door and Luna jumps up to grab it. She all but disappears, just a blur, as she runs to the door at her vampire speed.
“Oh, yay, I think the pizza is here!” Her blond hair swirls around her as she opens the door. “Wait a minute, that doesn’t smell like—”
Before she can finish her sentence, a familiar neighbor appears in the kitchen with pizza boxes on his head. Trailing behind him is my MIA roommate.
“Zav? I thought I said no girls’ night for you this time! Ava called an emergency girls only meeting,” Celine huffs out, sending a sympathetic look in my direction. “Last I checked, you are not a girl.”
I notice Valen’s eyes slide my way when he hears that.
“You know I’m all man, baby.” Zav points toward his groin.
I roll my eyes, but Celine’s cheeks stain red.
“I said you had an hour before I needed you back in my sight. Plus, I can’t miss girls’ night!
” Zav whines. “What if you do masks again without me?” He looks two seconds away from stomping like a toddler having a tantrum.
We make our way over to the kitchen island where he’s started to set up our pizza buffet.
Celine and I each grab a slice of the pepperoni, green pepper, and onion pizza while Luna and Zav go for the margherita.
Valen hangs out awkwardly in the corner and doles out glasses of blood for the vampires.
Still so weird. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to that.
I asked Zav once why he still eats human food—and apparently many other vampires do the same. He explained that while it doesn’t taste the same as when he was alive, it does still taste good. But it’s not necessary and doesn’t provide any actual sustenance.
Silence descends, and I have to fill it.
I know some people are comfortable with long stretches of silence, but I’m not one of them.
“How’s it possible that two of us are human and have a vampire mate when it’s so rare?
” I blurt out the question that’s been plaguing my mind.
When Zav was forced to tell me about what he is, and that Celine is his mate, he mentioned it then—how unheard of it is. Luna even shared the sentiment.
“It is very odd,” Luna agrees and settles down on a barstool, pushing a box out of the way.
“But you are not human,” Valen says, matter of fact like I’m the crazy one for claiming to be such.
Everyone pauses, including Zav, who is comically mid-bite, and turns toward Valen.
“Wh-What do you mean?” I stutter, taken aback by his shocking claim.
Not human? He has to be off his vampire rocker. I’m very much human.
Valen leans against the counter and looks at me with his usual deadpan expression. “You are a witch,” he replies nonchalantly. “You did not know?”
“A witch?” Celine reiterates with a surprised laugh. “Ava? Ava’s a witch?”
“Correct.”
“A double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble kind of witch?” I ask incredulously.
“I don’t know what that means, but yes. You are a witch descended from one of the most powerful bloodlines,” Valen supplies as surely as if he’s telling me that it’s raining outside.
He says it as a fact, indisputable.
I laugh out loud at how ridiculous he sounds. Maybe it’s payback for making him try all the food I’ve brought home.
“No, I’m human. I think I’d know I was a witch.” A million thoughts are running through my mind right now, and every one leads to the conclusion that I most certainly am not a witch. How could I go my entire life and not know?
“Yeah, that feels a little far-fetched,” Zav says. “She might be an energetic little pixie, but she feels just as human as any other in this city. How can you be so sure?”
Valen simply shrugs and says, “That’s something I would prefer to discuss mate to mate. I’m sure you understand.”
For the rest of the night, I struggle to settle down.
Could he be telling the truth? I don’t know why he’d lie.
I didn’t know my life could get even more complicated than being mated to a vampire, but now I’m a witch? Fuck.