"You have to be kidding... Please tell me you're kidding," I pleaded.
Even though I felt safer having Ronald with me, it didn't mean I wanted to spend the night with him in the same house. I'd rather take my chances with the Dark elves.
He gave me a lazy smirk. "Wish I were."
"You can still leave if you want," he said casually. "All you have to do is break the barrier with your... chest-bomb."
I shot him a glare. "Very funny."
He smirked. "Didn't sound like a joke to me."
I sighed. "Look, if I knew how to control that energy, I would. Believe me, I want to get away from you as soon as possible,"
Ronald smirked. "Ouch. Am I really that unbearable?"
I scoffed. "Have you met yourself? First, you act all charming and flirty.. like back at the café. Then, you turn cold and serious, putting on this batman act. And now. I don't even know what personality you're trying to pull,"
He leaned back, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "Well, I am a mystery. Even to myself."
I chuckled, holding myself back from laughing. "You're not a mystery. You're just a pleasure seeking vampire who has identify disorder and some other serious issues,"
I poured out my mind once again, not caring that he could snap my neck within seconds if he wanted to. I didn't know if was courage or stupidity, but I knew he wouldn't hurt me. He was my white knight... I think.
And I was right, he simply smiled, as if amused. Then, out of nowhere, he said something that caught me off guard.
"I see what's going on here," he mused. "You're still mad about the café."
I frowned. "What?"
"You're acting out because you're stuck here with me for the night. But mostly, you're annoyed about what happened earlier... how you thought we had a moment, how you assumed I was attracted to you." He tilted his head. "But you were wrong, and that pisses you off."
I couldn't believe my ears. I blinked, utterly speechless. How could someone be so insufferably full of himself? Worse, how could he be so bloody right?
His assumptions was very true, but I'd rather die than admit it.
"You thought I admired you?" I scoffed. "Please. I'd rather drink poison than fall for someone like you."
Ronald chuckled, as if mocking me. "You're very easy to read, not to mention terrible at lying. I could hear your heartbeat... It wavered, which means you lied,"
My eyes widened, I was shocked. How could he... Oh, right. Vampire. I almost forgot
"But it's okay," he added smoothly. "I know I'm completely irresistible, so I don't blame you."
I groaned. "You're such a narcissist, you know that? How do you even sleep at night?"
"I don't," he said
I rolled my eyes. "Of course you don't. You're too busy sinking your teeth into innocent people,"
He shook his head. "Not really. I don't drink blood anymore,"
I was surprised. Fascinated, but surprised. A vampire who didn't drink blood. How is that even possible?
A smile formed on my face as I got more interested in the guy sitting opposite me. It was an interesting conversation, really. It felt as if I were interviewing a vampire.
"So what do you take?" I asked, out of curiosity
"This," he said, raising the bottle in his hand. "It's a kind of blood-wine mixture,"
I narrowed my eyes at the bottle. "Huh, so that's what it is. I honestly thought it was... you know, actual blood,"
He chuckled. "It has blood in it, but it's mostly magical wine. It gives the same satisfaction as real blood without the whole biting thing,"
I smirked. "So, what, you're like a vampire pacifist?"
He laughed softly. "Well, if you put it that way, then... I guess so,"
"Though my mother and siblings don't approve of my decision to stop drinking blood,"
I blinked in surprise. "Wait, you have a family?"
He chuckled. "Why would you think I don't?"
I snickered. "Well, I'm not an expert on supernatural races. But I just assumed you were all mindless, ugly creatures who weren't different from animals,"
He looked into my eyes and smiled. "Well, what about now? Do you still think I'm mindless... and 'ugly?"
I bit my lower lip. Why did he have to emphasize 'ugly' like that? Bloody arrogant, stupidly handsome bastard.
"No, I don't think you're ugly," I admitted. "But I still think you're an animal."
Ronald placed a hand on his chest in mock offense. "Aww, thanks, Miss Everlane. That means so much."
I frowned with a displeased expression. "Why'd you keep calling me that? Stop with the formalities and call me by my first name,"
He nodded. "As you wish, Miss Everlane," Then, with a teasing glint in his eye, he added, "What was your first name again?"
I groaned. "Ugh. You're so full of it."
He just chuckled and took a sip of his drink.
Shaking my head, I changed the subject. "So, what happens when the barrier goes down tomorrow?"
"I guess I'll contact the headquarters and relay the situation. They'll come get us, and then we'll decide what our next move would be," he replied
I exhaled. "I'm guessing whatever it is, it doesn't involve letting me get back to my normal life. Does it?"
Ronald shook his head and stood up. "You don't have a normal life anymore, Triss. It was compromised the moment you developed that strange energy,"
His voice softened and he stared at me with sympathy. "The dark elves are after you and who knows if they're the only ones. And they've probably infiltrated your life already. So, I'm sorry. But you'll be safer with us,"
I shrugged with a smirk. "Well, it's not every day you become an important supernatural asset. I'm basically a celebrity now,"
He chuckled, and before I knew it, I was laughing too.
Then, he walked over and sighed. "Look, I know we got off on the wrong foot. And I get why you wouldn't trust me. But right now, I'm the only friend you've got,"
I smiled wrly, staring at him. "Friend?"
Ronald didn't answer, he just chuckled and walked toward the door. He opened it, stepped outside, and disappeared into the night, leaving me alone with one burning question.
Does that blood-wine stuff make him high?
But despite everything, it felt oddly reassuring to know that someone had my back.. even if it could all be a lie and he's the villain in the story.
Or maybe... maybe he was telling the truth, and I was just being paranoid. As always.
Either way, something told me this knucklehead wasn't leaving my life anytime soon. And it made me wonder how his family and friends cope with his craziness and... Odd personality.
He is a menace, one who deserves to be spanked from time to time. He's also a lunatic, no doubt. But at the same time, he's... sweet and...
What the hell are you doing, Triss?
I had enough problems to deal with, yet here I was, thinking about him. About that insufferable, ridiculous rascal. I was a walking, talking time bomb, being hunted by vampires and dark elves, and my biggest concern was Ronald's shenanigans?
My life was already complicated enough. No need to make it worse.
But deep down, I knew my life wouldn't be the same anymore. It was just a matter of, if it would get better. Or just spiral into something far, far worse
Or maybe... maybe I was still in my bed and this is all just a bad dream.
Let's see, I started the day as a normal waitress working at the café. I almost got killed by a vampire, but was saved by my cute, mysterious admirer, who also turned out to be a vampire.
After that, I somehow released a destructive blast of energy that still freaks me out by the way. I passed out, and woke up in a secluded cabin with my cute, vampire messiah.. who turned out to be a crazy guy.
And now, I'm stuck here with him for the rest of the night with no idea how it would end. And no idea what tomorrow had in store for me.
Bloody hell. This better be a dream.
Ronald's POV... Finally
I exhaled, tilting my head to the sky. The moon cast its pale glow over the mountains and trees, bathing the earth in a quiet, ethereal beauty. It reminded me of home. Of my mother.
But now was not the time for reminiscing about the past, I needed to focus. The barrier wouldn't come down until sunrise, and until then, I couldn't contact the headquarters. The barrier blocks out all forms of transmission and internet connections.
I sighed, scanning the darkened forest, my mind wandering back to the girl sitting inside the cabin.
Triss Everlane.
A complete pain in the behind. Stubborn, reckless, insufferable. And yet... she was the most interesting person I'd come across in a long time. Excluding my sister, of course.
A small smile tugged at my lips as I thought about how my day had revolved around her.
It was quite vexing, but it also got me excited, all the elements that could be attached to this girl... it was exhilarating.
She was without a doubt, crazy as hell.
A chaotic, unpredictable puzzle. And I wasn't sure if I wanted to solve her... or just sit back and enjoy the show.
Either way, something big was going to happen and Triss was going to be at the centre of it all. I could feel it in my fangs.
As I pondered the dark elves and their next move, a dark figure suddenly darted past me with inhumane speed.
I tried to chase after it, but it vanished into the shadows as quickly as it appeared.
I frowned. "We're not alone,"
******