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  “Please, don’t apologize. That was amazing,” he replied, smiling.

  “Yeah, but I shouldn’t be out here having a spa day and kissing you when Ezra is in the hospital dying because of me.” I was going to explode from the enormous amount of guilt that was building up inside of me.

  “Ezra is fine,” he snapped, obviously frustrated as he put the car in gear.

  I didn’t feel like arguing so I shut my mouth. Once we got to my apartment, before he left he asked if I wanted to ride to the benefit. I really wanted to say yes, but I declined his offer. I needed to stay away from Axle, at least until I had a long talk with Ezra. We weren’t dating, but I still felt as if I needed his approval. Ezra was such a nice guy, he deserved someone much better than me.

  I didn’t want to take a shower and wash away the goodness, but I felt dirty after the morgue and the kiss. I took a long shower and dried my hair. I rarely put on a lot of makeup, but this was a special occasion so I plastered my face. I curled my long, strawberry-blonde locks and pinned it up letting a few curls fall down. Finally, I put on my new dress and shoes. My breath caught as I glanced in the mirror. I looked absolutely stunning, I almost didn’t recognize myself. My cream-colored dress was strapless and could pass for a wedding gown. The top was form-fitting, and just below my breasts, it flowed to the ground in a relaxed fit. Never in my life had I worn anything so fancy. I slipped on the key necklace from Axle and found a pair of diamond stud earrings.

  I decided to go see Ezra before I went to the party. I walked into his room and was shocked to see him sitting up in a chair reading. He put his book down and smiled. He was still in his hospital gown, but he looked like his normal self.

  “Wow, you look amazing birthday girl,” he stated. He had color in his face that I had never seen before. An IV line was still attached to his arm.

  “Thanks, you don’t look so bad yourself,” I replied in shock.

  “Yeah, I feel great. Riley gave some blood and they gave me a blood transfusion. It was Robert’s idea and it worked.”

  “Riley, huh? So what’s up with you two?” I asked curiously. If I wasn’t jealous before I was now. I knew I had no right, but I couldn’t help that I still felt something for Ezra even if it wasn’t like what I felt for Axle.

  “What’s up with you and Axle?” he asked, matching my tone.

  I shrugged. “Well I’m glad you’re feeling better.” I gave a weak smile. I couldn’t get the words out that I came to say. I knew it was over between us, I didn’t need to hear it. I had at one time thought I loved Ezra, but as I looked at the man I had such feelings for before they began to melt.

  “I’m glad you’re finally on a case, that’s great news. And I heard about your ice incident,” Ezra stated as he studied his nails. The conversation was getting awkward.

  “Yeah, that was strange.” I heard a noise and turned around to see Riley standing in the doorway. She was wearing faded jeans and a blue top. I didn’t know if she had decided to skip the banquet or if she was changing later.

  “Oh, sorry, I didn’t realize you were here. I’ll come back tomorrow,” Riley said as she turned to leave.

  “No, it’s fine. I need to get to the party anyways.” I walked over to Ezra and kissed his forehead, holding back tears. I didn’t know if we would ever be the same, and I wasn’t sure if I cared.

  I blasted the radio on the way to the benefit, trying not to think of Ezra, for fear that I would break down and ruin my makeup. The second time around the block, I finally found the place where the event was being held. It was downtown but in an area I had never even heard of before. I found a close parking space and walked toward the front door. My heels clanked loudly against the pavement. I tripped on my dress and had to hold it up as I walked. There were people standing around the building talking. Some were smoking cigarettes or chatting on the phone. As I walked up the talking ceased and all eyes fell on me. It felt strange and I wondered if I had something on my face. Had my mascara run? I ran a finger under my eyes to check, nope.

  Tucking a curl behind my ear, I opened the door. The building was a lovely place. White tiles ran down the length of the room and ended at an iron banister. As I stepped closer, I realized that the room led to a double-sided stairwell that overlooked a large ballroom. Tan tiles covered the floor, and the walls were the same matching color but laced with white trim. There was a stage at one end and round tables scattered around the dance floor. A buffet table sat just to my left and had to be fifty feet long. People danced across the room as I walked down the stairs. I reached the bottom stairs and was met by Kimmy. She looked amazing.

  “Hi there, beautiful,” she greeted me. She was wearing a long, black sparkly dress that swept the ground. She wore her hair down and curly. Stunning was an understatement.

  “Hiya, gorgeous! I didn’t know you were coming.” We went to give each other a hug and gave up, not wanting to mess up the hair and make-up. We laughed at our awkward almost hug dance.

  “How’s Ezra?” she asked. Nothing gets past Kimmy.

  “Actually better, they gave him Riley’s blood,” I replied.

  “Ew,” Kimmy scrunched her nose in disgust.

  “You’re a vampire, that shouldn’t gross you out,” I informed her.

  “Could you feed your arm to a cow?” she asked.

  “I don’t really know what that has to do with—”

  “Oh geez, I’m such a bad friend. Happy Birthday! What are you, like twelve now?” she interrupted.

  I laughed. I was twenty-three, but still looked like I belonged in high school. I looked to the entrance and spotted Riley. She strolled in and started down the stairs wearing an impressive dark blue dress. She had gotten dressed awfully fast, must be a vampire thing.

  “Do we still hate her?” Kimmy asked as we watched her descend down the stairs.

  “I’m not too sure at this point,” I replied.

  “Well, I tell you I hate her. She stole your man so I will never like the tramp.”

  “Well if you think about it he was her man first, so I kind of stole Ezra from her,” I replied.

  “Hmm, awkward,” Kimmy joked.

  “Hi guys,” Riley greeted us.

  “Hi Riley, I’m Kimmy,” Kimmy replied like Riley was the coolest person in the world.

  Riley nodded. “I’m going to see if there is anyone here I know.”

  “Bye, Riley. Hope to see you later,” Kimmy called out to her as she walked away.

  “What happened to hating her?” I questioned Kimmy after Riley was far enough away.

  “What? She’s my people,” she answered.

  “Your people?” I asked as my left eyebrow shot halfway up my forehead.

  “I’m a vampire now, us vamps have to stick together. Plus, she’s like my grandmother. I can’t hate my grandmother.”

  I felt the atmosphere in the room shift as he walked in. I glanced up to see Axle walking down the stairs. Our eyes connected and everyone else disappeared. His gaze took my breath away. He was dressed in a black tux and looked handsome. He had shaved his stubble away and had a fresh haircut. He was perfect. I couldn’t look away.

  “What about Ezra?” Kimmy asked, breaking my trance.

  “I’m moving on to bigger and better things,” I stated as I began walking toward Axle.

  “Pumpkin, there are no words for how good you look.” Axle smiled and his eyes traveled up and down my body. His hand gently swept down my arm, giving me goose bumps.

  “Thanks, you look great, too,” I stated as I ran my hand over his jacket. His eyes looked deep into mine.

  “Would you care to dance?” he asked, linking my arm in his.

  We moved together to the middle of the dance floor. He placed my hands over his shoulder and I laid my head on his chest. We swayed back and forth to Adele. His hand ran down my bare back and sent a wave of chills though my body. He began humming and I stopped, looking up at him.

  “What? I love this song?” He smiled.
/>   “Why do you have to be so perfect, Axle?” I asked.

  “I hate to break this to you, sweetheart, but I am not perfect.”

  “You know what I mean,” I said.

  “What happened to Ezra?” he asked.

  “I think Ezra has already replaced me.” I looked over to see Riley talking with Robert, who was wearing a nice tux and even had his hair gelled down. He looked over at me and smiled.

  “So what are you going to do?” he asked.

  “I’m not sure yet, I honestly don’t know what to do. He just told me the other day that he was staying human to be with me and now he’s spending time with Riley and taking her blood,” I rambled.

  “I definitely saw that coming.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He shook his head. “I didn’t mean about you. I only meant I can understand why they are getting closer. I mean, Riley is his maker and with them being married once before it doesn’t seem—”

  “Whoa, whoa. What do you mean married?”

  He looked at me confused. “I thought you knew. I’m sorry, Emily. I wouldn’t have said anything if I had known.”

  I could feel the heat rising. I wondered if Robert had known all along. Maybe he figured that I wasn’t a good enough reason for Ezra to fight for his life so he had to bring in the ex. What was worse, she opened up to me about his past but forgot to mention that little tidbit.

  “It doesn’t matter, we’re not the same anymore. I don’t know what he wants,” I stated sadly. I still cared for Ezra. I didn’t want anything bad to happen to him. But I couldn’t say out loud what tore at my heart. We were over.

  “Can I cut in?” Robert asked, smiling at me with pride. Axle kissed my cheek and walked off. “Emily you look exquisite.”

  “Thanks, Robert. You look good, too,” I complimented. We began to dance, as simple as it was it felt almost like a dream come true. All I had ever wanted growing up was to meet my dad and have a father-daughter dance with him.

  “I know this isn’t the place, but I wanted to speak to you about something,” Robert started.

  “Okay,” I said cautiously. I decided now wasn’t the time to bring up Ezra and Riley.

  “I know I’ve left questions unanswered and I apologize for that, but this I believe this may need to be said sooner rather than later,” he tried to explain.

  “Go on,” I encouraged.

  “Growing up I’m sure you wondered why you never had a monthly, uh phase like other girls?” he asked.

  I was confused for about three seconds. Once it clicked my face became instantly beet red.

  “Seriously, Robert, you’re going to explain this now?” I thought I would die of embarrassment.

  “I don’t want you to assume incorrectly so I feel as if I should explain. You see our kind doesn’t procreate especially easily. You may not go through what most women do each month but you can still … ah how should I put this?”

  “Get knocked up?” I offered.

  “No exactly my choice of words, but yes, you can bear children,” he explained.

  “Well, all right then. Anything else before I go kill myself?” I begged that he was not about to start his birds and bees discussion.

  “There is one other thing I’ve wanted to tell you. This isn’t easy for me,” Robert stated. He was having a hard time getting whatever was on his mind out. I couldn’t imagine anything else he would say to be more embarrassing that what we had just discussed.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Before I met your mother there was another woman that I courted. This was before I even knew what I was. Your grandmother and grandfather were very powerful people, but they kept me in the dark about my powers for a long time,” he explained.

  “I didn’t even think about you having parents. Are they still alive?” I asked.

  “Yes, they are, but that’s not what I’m trying to tell you.” He started to say something else, but I heard yelling close by that caught my attention.

  “Robert, we’ll talk later that’s Kimmy,” I explained and began walking away. I stopped next to Kimmy, who was pointing her finger at a man’s face and began talking way too loudly.

  “Even if you were the last crayon in the box I’d use finger paints,” she fussed, poking him in the chest.

  “Kimmy, what is going on?” I asked.

  “Well, if it isn’t the infamous Emily Sullivan,” the man stated in a thick British accent. I knew instantly I would hate him.

  “And you are?” I snapped.

  “The name is Andrew Stanfield.” He introduced himself as if I should have known his name. He looked mid-twenty’s with black spikey hair and bright aqua blue eyes. He was wearing a tux. I didn’t want to admit it, but he wasn’t terrible looking.

  “Andrew here was telling me about the job you both are going for,” Kimmy sounded annoyed.

  “What job?” I asked, facing Andrew.

  “Ah, well if your father has not explained yet I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise,” he stated with a big grin plastered on his face.

  I stormed off and grabbed Robert by his jacket, pulling him to the side where we couldn’t be heard.

  “What is the job I just heard about from Andrew Stanfield?” I demanded.

  He sighed. “I’m getting promoted.”

  “That’s great, but that doesn’t answer my question.”

  “The agency wants me to transfer to the Pentagon. That means my current position is up for grabs. You and Andrew Stanfield are the two applicants who are in the running,” he explained as he jammed his hands into his pockets. The action made him look much younger than what he already looked.

  “What? I’m a nobody, why would I even be considered?” I asked. In the eyes of the world I was just Robert Sullivan’s daughter who couldn’t do magic. No one knew about my powers.

  “Due to recent events—”

  “You mean me turning Ezra human,” I offered. I wasn’t in the mood for games.

  “Yes, that. I had to report it to the agency, along with everything else you’ve done,” he stated, staring at the ground. I had never seen Robert look so vulnerable he always held his head high no matter what was going on.

  “What things did you tell them?” I asked.

  “Well, I informed them that you killed Damon. I also told them about the ice spell and about the candles on your birthday cake,” he explained, finally meeting my eyes.

  “The candles were trick candles. I don’t think that really constitutes magic,” I stated.

  “Yes it was, Emily. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to freak out, but Gavin couldn’t find trick candles so he and I performed a spell on regular candles so they could never be blown out. Yet you broke the spell with ease,” he explained.

  “So you did the spell wrong, whatever. The point is why me? Gavin, Axle, or even Ezra would be perfect for the job. I’ve only been working for you for a little while. I’m still working on my first case.” I should have felt honored but I was scared. I couldn’t be left in charge, I didn’t know what I was doing. Not that I wanted to see Andrew get Robert’s job, but I was a worse applicant than he was. I was irresponsible and inexperienced.

  “Trust me, you are perfect for the job. Plus, this has nothing to do with me. Honestly, I was happy where I was at. I don’t want to move, especially now,” he said, letting the last comment linger. I knew what he meant, words were not needed. Even though we didn’t spend father-daughter time together outside of work it was nice to finally be able to be around each other.

  “So, if I decide not to take the job—” I started.

  “Andrew Stanfield becomes your boss. He also will become Axle’s, Gavin’s, Ezra’s, Kimmy’s, even Riley’s boss,” he said, finishing my statement.

  I thought about it for a minute. I wasn’t sure that I was up for the job if selected, but I knew I needed to keep Andrew as far away as possible. I didn’t even know the guy, but my gut was screaming at me not to trust him.


  “Fine, if they offer me the position I’ll accept,” I stated finally.

  Roberts face lit up like a Christmas tree. He pulled me in, holding me in a tight embrace. I patted his back awkwardly.

  “There is something I wanted to talk to you about,” he said as he let me go.

  “I thought that was it?” I asked curiously.

  “No. I mean I did want to talk to you about that, but this is completely different,” he explained, fidgeting with his tie.

  “Tell me.”

  “I, uh … you know what, we can talk about this at another time. This is not the right place. You go enjoy the party,” he stuttered. Two sweat droplets beaded down his brow.

  “Okay, see you later,” I murmured, concerned. Whatever Robert wanted to talk about had to be serious. I was curious, but I figured he would tell me when he was ready. I turned to walk away when a face in the crowd made me stop. The man’s eyes were glued to me, and not in a romantic way, almost like he was calling me over. I began walking toward him and lost sight of the stranger.

  “Hey, did you talk to Robert?” Kimmy popped into my line of sight.

  “Yeah, apparently I am up for Robert’s job and so is your buddy Mr. Fancy pants,” I explained searching for the man. I couldn’t figure out where I knew him from and it was killing me.

  “Are you looking for Axle? He’s by the bar talking with Riley,” Kimmy explained looking around with me.

  “No, I’m not but geez, Riley is not satisfied with stealing one of my guys she needs them both?” I demanded. It sounded so bad when I said it aloud. I had picked Axle, but it was an automatic response to think of Ezra and me still together.

  “Yeah, you should pick one and stick with him,” she said as she adjusted her necklace.

  “I did pick one, I’m just too much of a coward to tell Ezra that it’s over,” I snapped.

  “Whoa, grumpy. What animal crawled up your pants and bit your butt?” she asked defensively.

  I spotted the man nearby and his eyes caught my own. He walked through a door marked exit. It was an obvious invitation to follow him. “Sorry, I have to go,” I replied as I walked away.

  The door swung open and led into a long dark hallway. It was dimly lit with fake candles attached to the walls on either side. I began walking faster to catch up. My heels made it difficult, but there was no way I could go barefoot. It was dark, and there was no telling what was lurking on the floor. The hall ended at another set of doors. I pushed them open and was met by the cool, brisk night air. I looked around and spotted the mystery man nearby leaning against the brick wall with a smile on his face.