I yawned, my eyes watering, and tapped lightly on the door to Jamie's apartment. I stared sleepily at the small gold plate that had his number on it. When no one came to the door. I fished my key chain out of my side bag and looked for the key to his apartment. With triumph I found the little one marked 27b and twisted it in the keyhole.

The door swung open silently and I was engulfed in that Jamie-ish smell that his apartment always had. Closing the door, I kicked off my shoes and traveled towards his room. Stopping momentarily and resting against the side of the leather couch. I jumped when I noticed there was a person lying there. Black hair, pale skin. Nikolai. His eyes were closed and his mouth was parted, but couldn't see his fangs. I furrowed my brow and then jumped to my senses.

What the fuck is a vampire doing asleep in Jamie's apartment, on Jamie's couch?

It was a startling discovery to say the least, I didn't think Jamie brought anyone home. Much less a strange vampire man. I stood and gawked at the man like an idiot, until I finally realized why I was here. Right. Check up on Jamie. I slipped away and continued towards his bedroom and pressed my hand to the thin wood.

"Stop," came a voice, deep and hoarse, "you can't wake him up." I blinked and turned around, Nikolai stood before me, clad in sweatpants and a wife beater. Dark circles rimmed his tired eyes.

"Uh. What the fuck are you doing here?" I dead panned and shielded Jamie's door.

"Sleeping over?" He joked, I frowned and crossed my arms. "Jamie had a rough night, don't wake him up." He sounded more serious. I sighed and stepped away from the door, walking to the tiny kitchen.

"I'm going to need some coffee."

-

"I met him a few nights ago at the bar, and he had a break down, I think I scared him." Nikolai explained, he looked hurt. "And I couldn't just leave him there, it was closing time anyways, so I took him to my car." I gave the vampire a suspicious glance and sipped my coffee. "No. Not like that. I just checked his wallet and drove him to the listed address. Here." He motioned around the apartment.

"Doesn't explain why you stuck around." I muttered looked down at the swirling dark liquid.

"I like Jamie. He's very," Nikolai searched for the word, while a million ran through my head, "gentle, and intelligent. I wasn't just going to leave him alone like that." Nikolai said and rubbed the back of his neck. I felt a surge of admiration for him in that moment, he stayed with Jamie! He comforted him!

Then I had a disturbing thought. What if Jamie was a potential mate? Did he feel the bond? A possible mate pull? Demons met hundreds of people in their lifetimes, and each one has a different pull. Whether it be platonic or romantic, but everyone said they could just tell who their mate was at a first glance. And I hoped to hell that Jamie's wasn't too strong.

"Does he know you're a vampire." I asked slowly and deliberately, I watched him carefully. He looked absolutely terrified for a moment.

"Yes." He whispered slowly, I was fuckin' shocked. "He's, uh, coping." I felt my face flush with rage.

What the fuck is that supposed to mean?

What did he do?

"I swear to whatever God you worship," I hissed and got in his face. "If you have hurt him in any-" I shut my mouth instantly and waved innocently as Jamie appeared at the doorway.

He looked like he wanted to say something, but took a sour look on his face and spoke. "I'm not even going to ask." I grinned in response and leaned towards Nikolai.

"I will kill you." I whispered, but Nikolai wasn't even paying attention. His hooded blue eyes were glued to Jamie. As if nothing else in the world existed. I felt a tug at my heart, if only Cassius would look at me like that. Jamie turned around and leaned against the counter, his gaze flitting to Nikolai first. They shared a glance before he looked to me.

"So, what's up. I didn't get a chance to call you back." He drawled and pulled a ceramic cup from the cupboard. His shirt lifted up a little bit as he did so. I don't think I've ever seen him wear it before. It seemed two sizes too big. I slumped over, a frown on my face.

"The dream Cassius, he wasn't dream walking. I was kind of hoping it would really be him though." I muttered and pressed my forehead to the couch. Jamie poured coffee into the mug.

"But he was a jerk so don't feel bad." Jamie spoke indignantly and plopped down between Nikolai and I.

"Yeah, but it still hurts. I really miss him." I turned my head to look at Jamie. Then I narrowed my eyes. "And what the hell is he doing in your house?" Jamie looked flustered.

"Uh, he, uh, helped me a little bit," He muttered sheepishly.

"So I've heard. But that doesn't explain why you let a freaking vampire sleep on your couch." I studied him carefully, Nikolai wasn't even paying attention at this point. He was leaning against his knuckles and staring down at Jamie.

"He was nice to me. And it's easy to forget he's," Jamie struggled with the word, "that, when he does that thing." I blinked.

"Uh. What thing?" I blinked, I hoped to all that was unholy Nikolai hadn't stolen his virginity.

"No!" Jamie blushed, "not like that. The fangs. They're retractable." I knew that, it was basic knowledge, but I didn't realize that it would help. But that did kind of make sense, fangs were a defining feature for vampires. Take them away and they look like any other demon.

"Well, I will destroy him if he hurts you." I stated indignantly and looked at Nikolai. "And no biting. Ever. Unless Jamie says so." Gotta lay it down, before he crosses a line. I never, ever, want to see Jamie get hurt. Nikolai looked up at me and grinned, putting his hands up in mock surrender.

"I would never."

-

"I'm so glad it's a sunny day." I remarked happily as Jamie and I walked down the street. Nikolai had to stay at Jamie's apartment. Ha ha. I win. "So, Nikolai." I stated drawing out the 'o'.

"What about him?" Jamie replied coolly, but I could tell the topic made him nervous.

"Do you like him?" I asked bluntly and stuffed my hands in my pockets.

"He-he's attractive." His voice cracked slightly, I looked down to catch his eye. But he darted his gaze away. I noticed that, like Nikolai, he had dark bags under his eyes. Questionable.

"Fine, don't tell me about it. But if he tries to make a move I will murder him." I muttered and opened the door to the cafe, the bell rang as we stepped in. I was greeted with the warm smell of cinnamon and coffee.

"He's not a bad person, Allie." Jamie reasoned and chewed on his bottom lip.

"You're right, he is not a person. He's a fucking vampire!" I whispered as we took a seat at an old booth. Jamie looked at his feet and squirmed uncomfortably beneath my gaze.

"He's a demon too Allie. Don't be mean." Jamie replied and I knew he was right but I was fucking worried about him.

"I know, but I don't want you to suffer if this goes any further." I spoke gently to him, "but I'll support you whatever you choose to do." A light blush dusted his cheeks but he nodded his head, the waitress came by and I ordered for the both of us.

I love waffles.

-

Halfway through breakfast a group of demon enforcers entered the diner. At first I was curious, they looked so professional in their gear. Black and military. But then I noticed what they were here for. Each one held a photograph, one showed it to the manager, they were only a few feet away.

Then I saw the image.

Me.

It was a fucking photograph of me.

My palms were clammy, my blood turned to ice. I needed to hide.

Why the fuck did they have a picture of me?

Without a second thought I scurried to the bathroom, Jamie looked confused but I shot him a pleading glance. He shut up just as a soldier stopped at our booth. I looked back and the soldier looked up. And for that split second we made eye contact I knew it was a mistake.

I stepped into the bathroom and locked the door behind me. It was one of those small dingy ones, with a tiny flickering artificial light and only one toilet. No windows. No way out.

I'm fucking screwed.

May 2018