CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

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          THE CHURCH WAS EXPECTING THEM AT NOON. It was still early and Dakota had just woken up to her alarm. The powder blue sundress was nice against her tanned skin, and she'd done her hair properly, looking well put together. The woman was toying with the straw in her drink as she sat at the hotel bar.

Isabel's human, Hugo sat beside her, wearing a suit as he downed his own drink. Last night, Eric had walked her through the plan, reminding her to be careful on more than one occasion. It hadn't bee difficult to get an appointment with Sarah Newlin herself, especially when Dakota had specified about the 'wedding plans' she and Hugo had.

"You should probably wear this." Hugo turned in his seat, grabbing her hand and planting an engagement ring in her palm. 

"Oh, Hugo." Dakota grinned, sliding it down her ring finger. "Yes, a thousand times yes."

He snorted, shaking his head in amusement. "Also, just so they believe we're a couple about to get married, it'd probably be best if you let me do most of the talking."

"Yeah, absolutely." Dakota nodded, though she tried not to roll her eyes. "I'll just shut up and look pretty."

"That's not what I meant." he denied, shaking his head quickly.

"Yes, it was." Dakota shrugged, meeting his gaze. "It's okay. It'll be easier for me to listen in on others if I don't have to worry about carrying a conversation."

"Good, good." Hugo breathed, relieved Dakota hadn't taken it the wrong way. "If they do ask you any questions, are you sure you're going to be able to say the kinds of things about vampires that they want to hear?"

Dakota never found it difficult to converse with people, so she saw no challenge in befriending Sarah Newlin and saying whatever she wished to hear. The difficult part was finding Godric and not getting caught while doing so.

"Hugo, I don't just hear the things that hateful people say. I hear the things that are so hateful that hateful people don't even want to say them out loud. Don't worry about me. I got plenty of material to work with. I'll be fine."

"Good," he nodded and went to change the subject. "so, how long have you been with Northman?"

Dakota almost spit out her drink and she put the glass down onto the bar top, trying to swallow her sip without making a fool out of herself. The woman began to shake her head as she denied the question.

"I am not dating Eric." Dakota said, brows furrowed.

"Oh," Hugo faltered, twisting his glass between his hands. "my apologies. I must be mistaken. It just seemed that way, vampires don't usually have a human companion without having some sort of relationship."

"Trust me," Dakota began, shrugging. "Eric is way too old for me."

Hugo raised his brows, hiding a grin at her joke before shaking his head at the blonde. 

"We should go." Dakota said, getting up from the bar stool. "I heard it was an hour drive to the church, i'd like to be there early."

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IT WAS INCREDIBLY HOT INSIDE DESPITE THE AIR CONDITIONING IN THE VEHICLE AND DAKOTA WAS FANNING HERSELF WITH HER PUSRSE AS HUGO PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY THAT LED TO THE CHURCH. It was beautiful, plenty of space and acres of green surrounded the area.

There was a woman at the end of the lane, smiling brightly at them as she pointed toward some parking spaces on the left side. Wearing a big pair of sunglasses and a light yellow vest and skirt, it was almost as if she was sunshine itself.

"Why do I recognise her?" asked Hugo.

"That's Sarah Newlin." Dakota informed. "She's on tv all the time. The reverend's wife."

"Ah," he acknowledged, parking in an empty spot and turning the engine off. "She kinda looks like a vanilla pudding."

"With insides made of maggots." Dakota muttered, getting out of the car.

"Hi, there!" Sarah called, waiting for the two of them to come to her. "I just happened to look out the window as you were driving up, and I thought, i'd come out and greet you myself. I'm Sarah Newlin, and you are?"

Dakota shook her hand first, excitedly as she said, "Hi! I'm Holly Simpson. I cannot believe I am actually meeting you in person. We spoke on the phone and I just go so excited! You are cute as a button."

"Oh, thank you, Holly." Sarah expressed. "And you're like a cool breeze on a hot summer day."

"Quit!" Dakota smiled.

Sarah turned to Hugo, holding out her hand. "And you are?"

"Oh, silly me." Dakota said and Hugo gave her a warning glance. "This is Rufus Dobson, my fiance. I just love saying that word. We're getting married, which is why were looking for a church."

"Well, excellent." Sarah nodded. "And i'm pleased to meet you too, Rufus."

"It's an honor." Hugo agreed.

"The honor is mine." she smiled, motioning for the two of them to follow her into the church. "Now how about you follow me in and we'll see if Steve is available. I'm sure he'd just love to meet you both."

"For real?" Dakota widened her eyes. "The revered himself? That would just be super."

Hugo wrapped an arm around her waist, squeezing her skin in warning as Dakota began to ramble. Sarah didn't seem to mind thought, in fact she enjoyed the bubbly personality of Holly. Sarah walked a few feet in front of them and Hugo turned to her, whispering in her ear.

"I thought you were going to let me do the talking?"

"I guess I ramble when i'm nervous."

Sarah led them through a hallway on the left side of the church,  saying she was going to see if Steve was in his office. Hugo and Dakota shared a nervous glance as Sarah opened the office door for them, ushering them inside.

"Honey?" Sarah smiled, coming to stand behind her husband who was working on some paperwork at his desk. "Look who I have found. Holly Simpson and Rufus Dobson. They want to get married here."

Steve Newlin glanced up, bright smile on his face as he welcomed the the couple. He looked even more annoying in real life than he did on tv but Dakota gave him the kindest smile she could muster as he told them to take a seat.

"Welcome," Steve said. "it's an honor you would consider our church."

"It's amazing to be here." Dakota said, smiling at her 'fiance'. "Rufus and I actually met in church, but we both left, like a month later when we realised our pastor was ... a little iffy."

"He was a homosexual." Steve pointed out, guessing.

"We don't know that," Dakota shrugged. "he might have been, but what became all too clear was that he was a symphatizer."

Sarah let out a huff as Steve said, "See, that really ticks me off. I mean, how can you claim to be a God-loving person and then love something God detest?"

"It's upsetting." Hugo agreed, laying a comforting hand on Dakota's shoulder. "That's why my fiance and I are here. We want to make this our new home."

"We are thrilled you have chosen us." Sarah beamed.

Dakota opened her mind to the two people before her, keeping the smile on her face.

I wonder how that platform's coming. I can't wait to bring that vampire from the basement and watch the sun do him justice that two-thousand years of living couldn't.

The rythm of her heart skipped a beat as he confirmed to have the vampire everyone was so desperate to get back. Dakota was disgusted that there were actually people who'd do something like that but instead of voicing her opinion she had to stay in character.

"It's so refreshing to finally be among likeminded people." she chimed. "I don't care what anyone says about vampires being able to control themselves. I know better. I know that every single one of them is a vicious bloodthirsty killer."

"You'll fit right in."

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DAKOTA AND HUGO FOLLOWED AFTER THE REVEREND AND HIS WIFE AS THEY GAVE THEM A TOUR OF THE CHURCH. Dakota tried to remember every exit she saw, but to be honest, the place was just way too big to remember them all. 

The reverend was on his phone as they neared two large double doors.

"Yep, see you soon." He ended the phone call and turned to the couple, face stoic as he said. "Careful now. Sometimes when we open these doors, so much love comes flowing out that'll knock you down if you're not ready for it."

Dakota bounced on the balls of her feet as she hooked her arm through Hugo's. "We'll be sure to brace ourselves."

Steve and Sarah pulled the doors open, and a glow of orange light cascaded down on the couple. Dakota gasped, widening her eyes as she stepped inside. It was truly beautiful, and Dakota felt horrible that people like the Newlin's could have a church like this.

"I just love it in here. The way it glows like it does. Particularly in the late afternoon." Sarah confessed, leading them down the isle.

"It's inspiring isn't it?" Steve asked, turning to face them in the middle of the isle.

"This is where we're getting married." Hugo announced, watching the place in awe before turning to the blonde. "I can't wait to see you walk down the isle."

"Hey!" Steve interrupted. "Have either of you ever been to a lock-in?"

"A lock-in?" Dakota questioned, frowning.

Of course she hasn't. She's no Christian.

"Oh, yeah. It's loads of fun." Steve nodded. "Everybody brings their sleeping bags ..."

Steve, don't bring the girl into this. It was Sarah who began to panic. She's probably so scared. She doesn't want to do this. Those vampires made her do it.

They say she can hear me. I wonder if that fang loving freak can hear me right now. This time it was Steve and Dakota began to breath a little louder, trying to tell Hugo to get out of there with a worried glance. She sure don't look normal.

"That lock-in does sound fun." Dakota began. "Rufus, we gotta get home and get our sleeping bags now."

"But honey, the tour isn't even over yet."

"I know, honey, but I think we really ought to go so we can come back for the lockdown." she urged, giving him a look of desperation.

"There will be plenty of time to get ready." Steve said. "The lock-in isn't until tomorrow night."

The doors behind the Newlin's opened and a man walked toward them, at least a foot taller than all of them. "You wanted to see me?"

"Good, Holly, Rufus, i'd like you to meet an aide of mine." Steve smiled, bringing the man closer. "This is Gabe"

"Pleased to meet you." Hugo shook his hand before Gabe turned to Dakota.

Nice, very nice. She's got just the perfect amount of titties showing.

"Gabe will be joining us on the rest of the tour." Steve announced.

They were fucked.