Blood red love
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Charlie was picked up by Vidar. She had tried to tell him she could just as well take the bus, but she had lost the discussion. To be honest, she hadn’t put up much of a fight. The part of her that had been let down by people she trusted was battling against letting Vidar, or anyone, help her. But the part of her that had missed Vidar’s presence since
he had left her apartment was more than happy to get the extra time with him. Charlie was fairly certain that once they got to the bar he would go back to ignoring her. It had been the standard for the last weeks. He had said something would change now that she knew who they were, but
he hadn’t explained how.
“Does Jenni know?” she asked Vidar. she kept her question non specific as she didn’t know
what the driver knew. She figured Vidar would understand.
“She does. Jenni is much older than she looks,” he told her.
“Is she… part of the community?” Vidar chuckled at the way she phrased the question.
“In a way. She had a demon lover a long time ago. He introduced her to the community and gifted her with a nice enchanted keep sake that prolongs her life. He was killed about a hundred and fifty years ago. She opened the bar as a means to support herself,” he told her.
Charlie looked at him with big eyes.
“A hundred and fifty years?” she asked.
“I think so,” he said and nodded.
“But she didn’t know what I was?”
“No, she is human. She has no magic abilities. To her, you were just a good employee.” They returned to the silence which usually surrounded them in the car. At the bar, Vidar opened
the door to the car for her.
“I need to go and change. I’ll bring the first round of drinks when I’m done,” she told Vidar.
“You don’t need to change,” he said.
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“I do. I’m at work,” she insisted. He shook his head, but didn’t object as she headed to the
employee room. She got changed and ordered the anal drinks from the bar before heading
for the back room. The door was opem, so she stepped inside. To her sumpmise, all the men
stood waiting for her. Vidar walled up to her and took the tray from her and handed it to
Millard. Milland looked like he had bimen into a lemon but placed it on the table.
“Come.” Vidar said and took her hand as the shut the door behind them. He led her to where the others stood. They all smiled at her and one by one they
stepped up and took her hand. placed a k*ss on the back off it and indiced themselves to her. Vidar stayed by her side. which Chantie was grateful for. It was a little overwhelming. They all were tube gentlemen anodi when they served her besitamiom, they dhew back a little to give her space. Everyone excepti Milland, who took a step forward, intent on k*ssing her hand. Vidar was the first one to lent co a growl, and it took Chhulle by such sumprise, she almost missed the other joining him. Millard’s upper lip curled like he was about to grow back, but thought the better off in and withdrew. It earned him a sup at the back of his head from Henry.
“Mammens,” Henry sowded.
“Keep your f**king hands off me,” Milland said. He was slapped in the back off the head by
Nasin
“Language” Nasir hierd Challie saw Vidar looking at then with a worried bolt. He munt le wonnied they had themed her, hut Charlie had to giggle. They all tunned towards the with
sumprised koolest
You all look like a group off bothers trying to get the youngest to behave,” she told him. Eservome her Milland huddled.
“It’s mon far from the fourth, maiden Maxhard.” Adisa told ben.
“Penne, it’s junt Chunifie, like it always has been,” she said.
“Wonhe most going to let us know your first nume? Manin antedi.
*Win. I thought it was understood. You need to guem in” she said.
“The cruelty, after we have shumed our biggest seen with wou,” Hiery said, aming like he had
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never seen something so unjust. Charlie laughed.
“You are all old enough to deal with it,” she told them. They laughed and invited her to sit down at the table. They took their drinks and then looked at her.
“Let me get you a drink,” Vidar said. Charlie shook her head.
“I’m working,” she told him. Six men shook their heads.
“How about a soda?” he insisted. She was about to turn it down again, but changed her mind when she saw all the determined faces around the table.
“Yes, please. A coke, thank you,” she said. He smiled and walked out to the bar. He was back a moment later with a can and a glass. “Thank you,” she told him. As she poured her drink, she got the feeling of being watched and looked up to see everyone was watching her. “Okay, so no need to beat around the bush, I guess. I know what you are, I know what I am, and that you know what I am. Is it okay if I ask you some questions?”
“We will answer any questions you have,” Nasir told her.
“It is our honour and duty,” Jun agreed.
“Right. Vidar mentioned something about that. Okay. So you don’t sleep in coffins, but do you sleep upside down if you get to choose?” she asked. Vidar had slept in a bed, at least he had last night. The question wasn’t that serious, but Charlie had seen how confused Vidar had
been by questions like it, and she found it hilarious.
“Here we go again,” he groaned as the others looked to him. He waved his hand as if to ask
them to answer.
“Well, no, why would we?” Henry said.
“Well, I guess that one was tied to the bat thing and since that wasn’t true, it makes sense you wouldn’t,” Charlie agreed. As only Vidar knew what ‘the bat thing‘ was, the others looked confused. “Vidar showed me his teeth last night. Really impressive. But when you are filled
with blood lust, does it make ridges appear on your forehead?” she asked.
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“No,” Adisa answered, somewhat hesitantly. Charlie continued having her fun, drawing inspiration from every pop cultural source she could think of. It was her revenge for them playing with her for weeks.
“Where do you get all these questions from?” Vidar finally asked.
“It’s how vampires are portrayed in human books and movies. I’m just making sure I can tell fact from fiction,” she told him. He raised an eyebrow and when the others were distracted by discussing the fabrication of liquid synthetic blood, instead of supplements, he leaned closer to her. She felt the familiar tickle of his breath against her ear.
“Don’t play with us, lilla lo. You might not like the punishment it would bring,” he whispered. The way her b*dy reacted to his words had Charlie convinced she would like it fine. She
turned her head, making eye contact with him.
“Try me,” she told him in an open challenge. He looked surprised at first, then he grinned at
her.
“There will be no mercy,” he said.
“Two can play that game, Vidar. I haven’t even begun asking questions about all the other species. The information I have stored on werewolves alone will make you all blush like schoolgirls,” she said. He raised his stupid eyebrow again. The question was clear. “I have read. a romance book, or two, with werewolves as the main character,” she told him. He leaned back and laughed, drawing the focus from the others.
“What about you Charlie?” Jun asked.
“What about me?”
“What do you feel about all of this? It’s a new world, a new reality for you,” he said. Charlie
nodded.
“It’s strange,” she admitted. “There are a lot of things I need to reevaluate and learn. I’m a bit. worried I will make a choice and then regret it. I’m guessing there are no take backs?”
“No, no take backs. Once the maiden has chosen, they will live in that form the rest of their
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life,” Adisa confirmed.
“But there is no need to be scared or worried,” Henry told her.
“I know Vidar explained this to you, but it’s a lot to take in. The choice is made in your soul, it will resonate through your entire being. A choice like that is not something you regret. Most of the time, it’s not even a conscious choice. You will just know,” Nasir said.
“Don’t worry about it, Charlie. Focus on exploring the new world around you. We will all help you,” Jun said. Their little pep talk did make Charlie feel better. Even if they weren’t right and she would magically wake up one day, knowing what she wanted. It made sense to explore all of this and learn more about the different species out there.
“Thanks,” she told them. Charlie would never have thought she would think of the Thursday: club as friends, but they started to feel like it. Vidar and Millard being the exceptions. Vidar was more than a friend. He would never fit into that compartment. And Millard. Millard gave her the creeps. They could tell her they all were going to protect her, and she believed them, except for Millard. There was something about him which made her keep her defences up.
The evening went by fast. There were no cards being played. They all focused on talking and making sure Charlie felt comfortable around them. Vidar did a splendid performance of hot and cold, which made Charlie’s head hurt. One moment he was attentive and almost sweet, the next he was brooding and lost in his own thoughts. It got to the point where she thought he would have one of the others drive her home. But as she came back out into the bar after changing back into her regular clothes, he stood waiting for her. Jennie handed her the usual envelope with her tip for the night. Charlie looked at it. It didn’t feel right to take it. She didn’t feel like she had worked. Vidar sighed and gave her a gentle push to get her moving.
“I can’t accept this,” she told him as they were walking to the car where Malcom was waiting.
“Of course you can,” he said.
“But I didn’t work today.”
“It is you that has been insisting all evening that you were at work,” he pointed out.
“I know, but all I did was sit around and talk to you and get you drinks,” she said.
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“It felt different,” she insisted.
“Just take the money, Charlie. We wouldn’t have placed it in there if we didn’t want you to have it,” he said and closed the car door behind her. The first part of the drive was spent in
silence.
“Is it your day off tomorrow?” Vidar asked.
“Yes. I don’t have to work until Sunday evening,” she told him. She was hoping he would ask her out. She wanted to spend more time with him, get to know him.