Chapter 25

Chapter

Twenty-Five

FLYNN

L eaving Talulla's dorm to go get ready to spend time with a witch I despise was harder than I thought it would be, but here I am, pulling out a damn tuxedo from my closet. Monica has planned this for a specific reason, and I truly can't understand why.

Knowing how broken Monica is almost makes me understand her mischievous ways, but there was no need to interfere with my lover's life. Not when Talulla has been under the torturous spell of a man for her entire life as well. They are so similar yet so completely different. Monica feeds on her anger and grudges, but Talulla—my Talulla—walks all over them and conquers them. She embraces her fears and accepts them as they are.

I look at myself in the mirror as I button my black silk shirt. I can already imagine Talulla's fingers caressing the fabric, and just the thought of her hands on my chest makes my throat constrict. The effect she has on me is just like her touch: ethereal yet deadly.

My daydreaming gets interrupted by a knock on my door, and I growl, knowing it's my unfortunate company for the night awaiting.

I told her I'd pick her up, but she insisted on coming here, where I live, probably just to piss me off even more, and yet I still owe her everything for giving me the cure to save Talulla.

"Good evening, Monica. You look well," I say, opening the door, my temples suddenly feeling unsafe.

"You always look the part, Flynn. I'm glad I don't have to force you out of this penthouse." She walks in, goes straight to the couch, and sits down. Her satin dark green gown complements her features, and her amber skin looks brilliant under the fabric that envelops all her curves. Her dark auburn hair is curled to perfection, and her hazel eyes pop with the earthy-tone eyeshadow she picked. I can't even lie about it. She also knows how to look the part.

"Are we ready to go?"

She eyes me, her head tilting a little before her lips curl into a smirk. "I was hoping for a drink before we take off."

I roll my eyes but make my way to my bar. "Gin martini is still your drink?"

Her smirk grows even wider. "You never disappoint me, pet."

"I'm not going to fall for it a second time, Monica. We're here because of a deal we made. I'm spending time with you because I gave you my word I would, not for any other reason."

"What is it that you see in her?"

I take my time to shake her drink, pour it into a glass, and hand it to her. "Everything, Monica. I see everything in her."

"You're talking as if she is your mate."

"Would it be so crazy if she was?"

"She's a vampire hunter, Flynn—a human vampire hunter."

"Life can be quite ironic, can't it? Me, an old vampire who ends up with a vampire hunter."

"You know what I think it is, Flynn? I think this is your way of playing with Emil's head. What better way to piss off the most famous vampire hunter in history than fuck his daughter?"

And this is when my hands end up around her neck, and not in a pleasurable way this time. "What I do with Talulla is none of your concern. Now, finish your drink, and let's go. This conversation was not part of the agreement."

"Fine, you moody vampire."

I growl as I open my fridge, needing to drink some blood before I break my non-neck diet and suck her dry. I grab my bottle and pour myself a glass, downing it so quickly I almost spill it on my blazer.

We reach the parking lot, and I almost automatically walk to open her door but thankfully stop myself at the last second. "You're an independent woman. You can open your own door." And then I march to the driver's side.

"Your manners have definitely changed."

"They didn't. I did."

"Oh no, you're still exactly the same scared soul that just needs to feel something."

"I do feel something, Monica, and it's not for you."

She rolls her eyes. "We get it. You're obsessed with the Popescu prodigy."

"Yes, I am," I reply, my smile so bright it angers her even more. Good.

The fundraiser is being held in the main building at Bear Creek, and the Victorian-style architecture is giving me a little bit of nostalgia. I've been traveling around for a while, and I wouldn't mind going back to London at some point, but right now, my priorities are elsewhere.

I offer my arm to the witch, and we walk inside. I can pick my hunter's scent almost immediately, but she's nowhere to be found, and the thought of knowing she's close but not visible makes me feel on edge.

"Nervous?" Monica asks, and I just ignore her, trying to keep my senses on high alert for any possible problem. "Well, maybe you'll start speaking after the first few key speakers. I'm very intrigued by these young minds working so hard to discover frivolous things we tried to keep hidden."

"If this is your way of insulting my partner, it's not working."

"Partner? Is that what you call her?" She chuckles, continuing to annoy me.

"I'm done discussing my private life with you. Now, can we please go sit down and get this over with?"

"Fine, party pooper."

We take a seat at a table. Cocktails are being served, and I think I've never been happier to down any kind of alcohol that is being presented to me.

"Are you trying to get drunk?"

"Yes," I reply quickly, paying attention only to the stage. I recognize Cassandra's figure in the distance, a piece of paper in her hands, and then I look a little more to my right and finally see her. My mouth opens slightly as I stare at my only reason for existence. Talulla is also holding a piece of paper, and she's pressing her hand to her forehead and checking on her temperature. She's nervous, and I can't go to her, not when Monica is around, ready to find an excuse to bring her down.

The lights dim, and as the waiters start bringing the appetizers, the first speaker starts talking. It's Ms. Sinopoli, the woman working on Da Vinci's life, who now has my sketches locked in her lab.

Then Eric talks, and as he does, he calls on stage Cassandra and Talulla to add something about human evolution. I'm not really paying attention to what the moron says, because my eyes are on my girl. Talulla completely transforms and turns into this creature that could talk about her interests for hours and hours without getting tired, and I'd listen to every single word she has to say about how civilizations are similar to one another yet so different and how history repeats itself because we tend to always try and forget what happened in the past. She just goes on and on, and I am mesmerized by how confident this side of her is.

She's confident in every aspect of her life, but it's clear how her traumas made her doubt herself and everything around her, but this, this right here, is what she was born to do, and I will do anything in my power to let her have it. I almost wish her father could see her, could see how this side of her should be her entire life.

And that dress. That fucking dress is all I'm going to be working on later. Her full breasts are holding on for dear life as the deep V neckline of her gown shows her golden skin. It's this princess-style red dress that makes her look both regal and sexy as hell. A queen in disguise. I've decided that red is her color and that she deserves to have hundreds of these gowns.

"Are you done?" Monica asks, breaking my hypnosis.

"You're still here. What a shame," I reply, grabbing my glass of whiskey and sipping it as I continue to listen. Cassandra has now taken over, and it's really interesting to see two walking weapons like them light up so much about something like history. Deadly for our world, but here, they're just two women convincing us that their passion can actually help make a difference in the world.

And fuck, sign me up. Take all my money if this is how they feel by using it.

After all that, we finish whatever food they were serving us. Monica is staying silent, but her constant smirk makes me think she has something planned, and I really don't like it.

"What is it, Monica?" I finally ask, unable to control myself.

"Nothing, Flynn. Just enjoying this evening with an old friend."

"We're not friends, Monica."

"Oh, shush. Now, come on, come with me. I want to go say hi to your lovely lady."

"No."

"If you don't want to come with me, then I'll go by myself." She stands up, and I grab her hand so quickly she almost gasps. Not in surprise, she's never truly surprised, but maybe because of the contact of my skin on hers.

We make our way closer to the stage where Eric and Talulla are standing, talking to some other people, and as we approach them, my eyes lock with my favorite blue ones. The corners of my lips lift up as she looks at me. And she smiles back for just a moment because then her eyes look at who is beside me.

Monica's grip tightens, and her hand rests on my chest as she salutes Talulla. "You really do have a death wish," I whisper to her, grabbing her wrist and ripping it off my chest.

"Talulla, what a coincidence to see you here," she says before resting her hand on my chest once more. "Isn't it, Flynn? Such a wonderful coincidence."

I rip her hand off once more before looking at my beautiful hunter. "Yes, such a wonderful coincidence." I wink at her. "Always a pleasure to see you, Miss Popescu. Your speech with Miss Drusus was very compelling," I say, kissing her hand.

Then Monica turns to Eric, who is now holding my Talulla by the fucking waist. "And you are?" Monica's tone is higher, and her narrowed eyes on Eric definitely don't go unnoticed. What game is she playing? She clearly wanted to meet Mr. Wagner for a reason, but what is the reason?

"Eric Wagner," he says, extending his hand to shake hers. "Pleasure to meet you."

I snort.

His eyes turn to me, and I take the hand he's offering. "Mr. Lancaster, I didn't expect to see you tonight."

"What can I say, Mr. Wagner? I'm a man full of surprises and money to throw out the window."

"Well, I'm glad I didn't ask you to give a motivational speech to my students earlier. They'd like to think your money will be well spent."

"I know I have invested my money wisely, Mr. Wagner. I'm not regretting one single penny," I reply, turning my eyes to my Talulla.

Then my senses go on high alert because someone we weren't expecting just walked into the room, and Talulla has no idea how complicated things are about to get.

I turn to look at Monica. "You did not." And she just laughs in response.

"What happened?" Talulla asks, probably hearing my change of tone.

"Eric, please take Talulla away from us." My voice sounds almost like I'm begging, and Eric is confused at my request.

"What? Why?" Talulla asks.

"Because your father is here."

Talulla's jaw drops open. "Fuck, fuck, fuck." The glass of red wine she was holding is now on the floor, her red dress stained. I quickly get to her and force her to move away so that I can deal with this situation.

Monica grabs Talulla's wrist before they even get a chance to leave. "I think you should say hi to your father now. Be a good copil ."

"Monica, let her go," I growl, my fangs definitely showing.

"You don't scare me, Flynn. I can make you fall to your knees in a second."

"You might be able to do that to him, but I will stake you like a fucking vampire if you don't let go of my arm."

"So dramatic." She finally drops her arm.

"Says the one creating the fucking drama," I shout back.

But it's too late because Emil is coming right for us.

"This is going to be so much fun." Monica's smile is so big and psychotic I want to rip her head off right here, in public.

Emil Popescu has his eyes on me and a devilish smirk on his face. "My dear Monica, I thought you had better taste in escorts," he says, kissing her cheeks.

"Always a pleasure to see you, Emil," I say, my teeth basically shattering because of how hard my jaw remains clenched.

"Hi, Dad," Talulla says from beside him. He truly pretended not to see his fucking daughter.

" Copil ," he starts, then looks at who's beside her. "And who are you spending your time with these days?" Her eyes find mine for a split second before she turns to Eric.

"This is Professor Eric Wagner. I work for him, Dad."

"Mr. Popescu, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. Your daughter is quite remarkable."

"That she is," he simply replies, shaking his hand politely.

"Wait, so you two knew each other before?" Eric asks, eyeing Talulla and me.

Fucking moron who talks too much. "I don't know what you're talking about," I simply reply, trying to remain calm and drinking my whiskey.

"If Talulla knew Flynn Lancaster, she would have definitely called me. Wouldn't you have, copil ?"

She's staring at me. "Of course I would have, Dad."

Then Emil turns to look at Eric once again, his disdain palpable. "Is this how you got to stay enrolled? By sleeping with your professor?"

"Dad…"

I don't even realize I'm now standing between them, my rage getting the best of me. "You might want to be careful with the words you use, Emil. You know I like to get my hands bloody." And this is exactly when Emil realizes that something is terribly wrong. Monica just won her little game.

Talulla's hand rests on my back, trying to soothe me and calm me down, but I am one second away from letting my control slip and ripping her father's throat out. "Flynn, it's okay," she whispers, and my shoulders relax, her voice sounding like the best melody I've ever heard. If I had any doubts about how much I felt for her before, I certainly don't have any right now. I already saw her as my world, but this? This is more. I am ready to go against everything and everyone for her, even her own blood.

"Talulla, do you have something you want to tell me?"

"Dad, you're making everyone very uncomfortable with your Romanian ways."

I almost miss Cassandra quickly grabbing Eric's arm. "Mr. Wagner, can I ask you something real quick?" she says, her eyes widening for just a moment as her hand touches his skin. She saw something, but I have no time to think about that when Emil Popescu is about to make a scene. Eric gladly follows her.

"Especially the vampire who's had his eyes on you the entire night." Emil snorts. "Excuse us," he says, grabbing his daughter's elbow and walking away with her. I try to follow them, but obviously, Monica stops me.

"Let me go."

"Do you want to die, Flynn? No. Because it's three against one, and you know the Popescus are on a different level."

"You played the wrong game, Monica," I say, my breathing getting heavier and heavier.

"I just made the meet-the-dad date happen a little faster. You'll thank me later."

"I'm going to kill you later."

"Always so extra." She rolls her eyes at me. She fucking rolls her eyes at me after the stunt she just pulled. "You had better self-control with me."

"You can play with my head all you want, but you do not fucking touch her," I spit out. Cassandra and Eric both look in our direction, their eyes wide open. Good, let them all be frightened by me. I don't care.

"I might be your enemy every other day, but today, I am playing as your friend," she cryptically says, still digging her nails into my skin.

"Let. Me. Go."

She does, and I walk toward my woman, who's shaking as she tries to keep control of her emotions now that her father knows exactly what's happening here. I keep adjacent to the conversation, ready to step in if and when necessary.

"Imagine my shock when I found out four werewolves died at the hands of a vampire, and then you end up being in the vicinity of Flynn Lancaster."

"What is it with everyone knowing who he is?" Oh, Talulla, always trying to keep the conversation light.

"Why have you not taken care of him? That is the real question."

"Because he didn't give me any reason to do that."

"He is a vampire, Talulla. I raised you to kill his kind. You did kill his kind until, for some reason, you decided this is what you truly want. Which I know it isn't." Emil's voice is a raised whisper. He's trying not to gain too much attention, but his emotions are getting the best of him.

"He isn't behind those deaths, and honestly, no vampire is, but why am I telling you this? Why are you here? I thought you disowned me."

"Monica called me to let me know something happened to you. I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

She snorts. "She's the reason I almost died, Dad."

"I find that hard to believe."

"Then you'll find it hard to believe that the person who saved me was Flynn Lancaster."

This is my cue to walk in.

"Get away from us, abomination."

"Don't call him that."

"Why?"

"Because."

It's time to try and say something right about now. "As your daughter already explained to you, I'm not here to create any problems."

"But you did create a big one, Flynn. You befriended my daughter and somehow were still able to compel her."

Talulla's jaw drops open. "He didn't compel me to do shit. I chose to be here, and I chose to spend time with him, but that is none of your business."

"You are my daughter."

"It stopped being your business when you tried to force me into something I don't want."

"You have a talent, Talulla. I just want you to use it."

"I don't want it."

" Copil. "

"No, this is over, Dad. I found a way to financially support myself as you forced me to do, and now I am out of the business."

"And what about the werewolves?"

"I've been helping the Drusus coven this entire time. You're the one who didn't move a finger and actually made it easier for the murderer to continue with their killing spree."

"You cannot be serious."

"I am."

"You are going to get tired of this, and then what are you going to do?"

Talulla's laugh is automatic after her father finishes his question. "Definitely not come back home."

"So you're just gonna cut me and your mother out?"

"I have no problems with Mom. You're the asshole who constantly tries to bring me down when things don't go your way."

Then Emil turns his eyes on me. "I am going to kill you for what you have done to her."

And before I even get to say anything, his daughter replies, "Threaten him once more, and you won't like what comes out of me." Her fists are clenched, and I can smell the taste of iron coming from her palms, her nails digging in so harshly to the point of laceration.

I rest my hand on the small of her back and whisper to her, "Come on, let's go."

"You are not going anywhere." Emil's tone is firm, its coldness almost making me, a vampire, shiver.

I don't even have the time to reply, because Talulla's hand grips something latched on her own thigh and she says, "You're going to let us walk out of here, or I'm going to kill you the same way you taught me to." She has a stake under her dress. I can see the shape of it as she continues to hold it through the fabric. Blood is dripping from her hands.

Her father's jaw clenches just like his fists. "This is not over," Emil says as I walk Talulla toward the exit, not even worrying about everything else around us.

"It is, Emil. You come for us again, and I'll make sure it's the last thing you do," I say, rubbing my hand on Talulla's back, trying to show her I'm right here and that I'm not going anywhere. Because I am not. I'm staying right here with her, as if she were a bright light and I was a moth desperately trying to be in her proximity as much as possible.