Blood and Bonds
The hum of the restaurant's lights was faint, but it blended with the comforting clatter of pots and pans. For This place was foreign but oddly grounding.
Elise Carter
*tying her apron* (This is okay. One step at a time. At least it’s steady here.)
Daniel Reed
Elise, can you dice those onions for me?
The routine had become soothing, even if I was still adjusting. The sound of the knife against the cutting board echoed softly until—
Elise Carter
*hissing in pain, dropping the knife* Ah!
Daniel Reed
*appearing by her side instantly, brow furrowed* Are you okay?
Elise Carter
*holding her finger, forcing a smile* Yeah, it’s just a cut.
Daniel Reed
*grabbing a clean towel, pressing it to her hand gently* Hold still.
Daniel guided me to the sink, his touch careful and steady. For a moment, the sting of the cut faded into the background.
Rosa Bellamy
*walking in, her sharp eyes taking in the scene* Slow night anyway. *waving a hand dismissively* Take a break, both of you.
Soon, we found ourselves seated at an empty booth.
Daniel Reed
*inspecting the bandage* You think I don’t need to fuss, huh? *smirking* Someone has to.
Elise Carter
*teasing* You’re enjoying this too much.
Daniel Reed
So, where do you live, anyway?
Elise Carter
Oh, uh, the luxury district. *speaking casually*
Daniel Reed
*sitting up straight* The luxury district? *voice shifting* You mean where all the noble vampires live?
Elise Carter
*quickly* Not all of them vampires. *shrugging* I feel safe there. Besides, my scariest neighbor isn’t even a vampire. She’s a mad woman who thinks I’m a walking problem.
Daniel Reed
*blinking, then laughing* Scarier than vampires, huh? I’ll take your word for it.
Elise Carter
*grinning* She is. Trust me.
His laugh eased the tension, but there was still doubt in his eyes.
Daniel Reed
*his expression darkening* I just don’t trust vampires. They’re… not like us.
Elise Carter
Daniel, I get it. But I’m okay. Really.
Daniel Reed
*hesitating* You don’t understand. *voice low* My parents—they were killed by vampires. Savage ones.
Elise Carter
*freezing* Savage vampires? *her stomach twisting*
His tone grew heavier as he recounted the story.
Daniel Reed
*jaw tightening* They’re the lowest of the low in vampire society. Mindless predators. They live in the slums, preying on anything they can find.
Elise Carter
That’s horrible.
Daniel Reed
The church hunts them. Keeps them from spilling into the city. *pausing, voice dropping* Those monsters took my parents when I was eight.
Elise Carter
*leaning forward, touching his arm* That must’ve been hard.
Daniel Reed
*smiling faintly, though his eyes remained distant* The church took me in. They raised me. Taught me how fight.
Elise Carter
*holding out her phone* Here. My number. Call me if you ever need anything.
Daniel Reed
*blinking, then grinning* Only if you promise to do the same.
The rest of the shift passed quietly until her phone buzzed.
Theo’s text was brief but clear:
"I’m coming to get you. Don’t walk alone at night."
Daniel Reed
*frowning as they locked up* Who’s this?
Elise Carter
Theo. My housemate. He’s here to make sure I get home safe.
Daniel Reed
*narrowing his eyes* A vampire?
Theo Laurent
I’m here to make sure she gets back safely.
Daniel Reed
*snapping* She’s not going anywhere with you.
Elise Carter
*quickly, trying to calm him* Daniel, it’s fine. He’s harmless. Really.
In the end, Daniel insisted on walking with us. Theo muttered something about “stubborn humans” but didn’t argue.
Daniel Reed
*stopping abruptly outside the mansion gates* You live here? *his eyes widening*
Elise Carter
*shrugging* Kind of. I just… stay here.
Daniel’s discomfort deepened as he noticed the vampires lingering.
Daniel Reed
*quietly* Why do you work at the restaurant if you live in a place like this?
Elise Carter
*meeting his gaze* Because I need something that’s mine.
He didn’t seem convinced, but he didn’t press further. As I stepped inside, Adrian was waiting. His sharp eyes immediately fell to my hand.
Adrian Verlais
What happened?
Elise Carter
*showing the bandage* Just a kitchen accident.
Adrian Verlais
* frowning, turning to Theo* You were supposed to bring her home safely.
Theo Laurent
*grumbling* I did! She cut herself at work!
Adrian Verlais
*stepping closer to inspect the wound* Does it hurt?
Elise Carter
*feeling the heat rise to her face* Not really.
Adrian Verlais
*smirking slightly* You know, I could make you feel better. *kissing her hand*
Elise Carter
*rolling her eyes* And I thought you can act normal. *pulling her hand back*
Adrian Verlais
*softly, his voice dropping* I’m can. But you make it very hard to stay civilized.
Her breath caught, but before she could respond, his expression turned serious again.
Adrian Verlais
Rest tonight. Tomorrow will be… busy.
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