Mr. Davis sat in the living room of his house, and his wife accompanied him after they were done with the hunters meeting. He had picked up one of the bottles from the cupboard, pouring the whiskey in the glass before taking a seat.

  "Do you think it is a good idea to have Melanie and Conner involved in this? They are too young for this," said Mrs. Davis in a calm voice. She sat on the other couch, where the only light from the room was the side lamp. "I don't think Mel took it well."

  "She's in her twenties, not in her teenage years to not be able to comprehend things," stated Mr. Davis, taking a sip from the glass. "You know the main reason why we even decided to send our children to Veteris because we found it to be suspicious, don't you?"

  "How can I forget. You turned them to sacrificial lambs," muttered Mrs. Davis with a frown on her face and a grim expression coming to settle on her lips.

  "They are easiest to blend in, both Conner and Melanie. And nothing bad has ever come to happen to them. At least we know there are no obvious vampires sticking out in Veteris," said Mr. Davis, and he ran his finger around the rim of the glass. "But yet, I feel something very strange about it. Holton had contacted me."

  "What was it about?" asked his wife.

  "They found drops of blood in the nearby forest of the university. A boy has gone missing, and a girl was found in a truck accident. They are waiting for the girl to wake up to see what information she can give," explained Mr. Davis. He then said, "If there are vampires around, where we have never been able to find a spot of death, it only means there's more than just one around or in the university. "Melanie and Conner will be one of our biggest assets for the next two years. Our daughter has potential, and I will turn her into the finest hunter," with a proud smile.

  Back in Melanie's room, the window had been left open, and the girl was hanging on the outside of her window before she jumped out of it.

  She had worn her pullover to protect herself from the cold, tucking both sides of her hair behind her ear.

  She pulled her phone, turning around to look at her house. When the person on the other side picked up her call, she said, "I am outside. Where are you?…… No, I am going to take a walk around… Yeah, see you later if you are free."

  Melanie cut the call, slipping her phone in her pocket. Slipping her hands in the pocket, she made her way down the street. She needed some air from the crazy information that her parents and the other close members of society had just told her.

  Vampires, they said, and the more she thought about it, the more it bugged her. Knowing her parents wouldn't be dropping by her room as it was past nine in the night, which was when she often disappeared into her room and fell asleep, Melanie took the opportunity to grab a drink.

  Stepping into the store, she made her way to the counter and said, "One Java choco chip with the dusted cocoa powder."

  The man behind the counter gave her a nod, and she waited for the drink to be prepared. When she turned around to look at the few people in the shop, Melanie's lips twitched.

  "We keep meeting each other, are you making an opportunity to meet me in the name of drink?" questioned Simon, who was sitting alone at the table with a steaming cup of coffee in his hand.

  Melanie would have ignored Simon if the other customers didn't turn to look at them.

  Leaving the counter, Melanie made her way to Simon's table. Unlike his loud voice, she lowered her voice to speak to him, "This is not your university but my town."

  "I didn't know you were rich enough to own the entire Greasy Corner. You must belong to the family of the imperial," commented Simon with a sly smile on his lips. "Where's Conner?"

  "At his home. Don't you have his number?" asked Melanie, raising her eyebrows at him, and she turned her body to go back to the counter.

  But Simon, who was utterly bored in this store right now, had no interest in letting the prey that had stepped in here. Like a manipulative spider, he lured her to his web, "I do, but you are often seen hanging around him. It is often easy to know where to find him because you are always following him like a cute little puppy."

  Melanie stared at Simon, who had picked up his coffee with both his hands and took a long sip while staring right back at her.

  "What's your deal, Simon? You aren't someone who helps people out of your way. I am sure you have some other things to do than be here?" she questioned him.

  Simon pulled his coffee cup away from his lips, and he blinked once before asking her, "I am drinking my coffee, what do you want me to be doing?"

  They stared at each other for two seconds in silence. Melanie shook her head, "Nothing."

  "How about you come and join me. Maybe until Conner arrives, yes? I could use some company," offered Simon, but Melanie's guard had always been up to when it came to people like Simon, and it also included the other friends of his. If it weren't for her best friend Julianne dating this person's friend, they would have never crossed paths to speak to each other.

  "You have your cup of coffee. I don't think you need me and I prefer to take a walk than sit in one place," replied Melanie. "Enjoy your—"

  Simon pulled the chair as if wanting her to take a seat. "Don't be such a prude, darling. Your drink hasn't even been made for you to take a stroll."

  Melanie grabbed another chair, which hadn't been pulled, and she took a seat at the table. She would be here only for a few more minutes before getting him out of her hair, she thought in her mind.

  "So how's your relationship progressing with your one sided crush?" Simon didn't waste his time in beating around the bush and went to hit right at the nail.

  "Is it your hobby to be intrusive and poke your nose where it doesn't belong?" asked Melanie with a polite smile on her face.

  "Actually that's something Conner does, collect gossip and share it. It's how we bonded," Simon's voice was calm, and he appeared to be relaxed as if there was nothing to do in this world except sit here and drink his coffee. "You have been helping him with his heartbreak of losing Reese."

  Melanie didn't have a retort to defend Conner because he had the habit of holding most of the news, and she was often updated with what was going on.

  "We are best friends, that's what one does to help the other," replied Melanie, and she then asked him, "Don't you think Conner should use a senior student's help who is into arts?"

  "You think so? He was struggling with the concept and needed a little bit of direction which I was more than willing to help him with," smiled Simon, tapping his finger on the cup.

  "So how's it going to win the boy's heart? It must be hard to move from the ship of friendship to a relationship?"

  Melanie lightly glared at the senior, and she said, "Why don't you try to find out with your own circle of friends? Olivia and Victoria are beautiful girls."

  "Of course they are," agreed Simon with a slight nod, "But Liv is kinda taken by Maximus and Tori is… well she's not my type," his eyes swept across Melanie's features. Her lashes were dark and long, her lips pale pink, which she pursed every now and then. "Not to mention, relationships are quite troublesome. And girls are even more troublesome. They will whine, cry, and get clingy as fuck. So why not just fuck and live life with no strings attached."

  "I think that suits you," Melanie nodded her head in agreement and the slight smile on Simon's lips stretched.

  "I am glad you agree to it. Something you agree with," said Simon, while knowing the human had meant it sarcastically. "So tell me, how is it progressing. I need something to chew on."

  "Let me get you a muffin so that it can keep you busy," Melanie rolled her eyes, and she turned to look at the counter, wondering what was taking long.

  "I don't have a sweet tooth. I prefer spice in what I eat, or something bitter like coffee," his eyes sparkled in mirth as he watched Melanie's expression, where she tried to listen to him.

  "Chillies," Melanie nodded her head, and Simon tilted his head as if waiting for her to speak about her love life. "There's no progress. And it's none of your business."

  "Maybe I should ask Conner what he thinks about you. But then he seemed to have been looking at you with quite adoring eyes before meeting here," there was something in Simon's eyes as if he observed everything and in much more detail than what normal people didn't.

  The door of the store opened, and in came Conner, who wore a jacket with false fur on its hood, "Wow, it's cold, isn't it," said Conner, rubbing his hands. "What were you guys talking about?"

  "Nothing," Melanie was quick to reply, and Simon, who parted his lips, offered a smile to Conner.

  "Melanie was proposing that we spend time together tomorrow. That she would be happy to show the place around," stated Simon.

  "I am glad that you guys are not glaring at each other," confessed Conner, "What are you drinking?"

  "The usual," replied Melanie.

  Conner nodded his head, and he walked to the counter. Melanie stood up too, but before she could leave the table, Simon said, "If he likes you, he will buy the same order as you. You can thank me later, I am good at things like these."

  "Will you stop it already," Melanie glared at him. It was like they were in high school, and Simon was busy taunting her.

  "It was the truth," Simon brushed Melanie's words and continued, "When you like someone, you unconsciously gravitate towards the other person. At least you know, you have the chance."

  Melanie wondered if her hair was going to turn grey within the next few minutes. Because Simon had the ability to push and step on her nerves. She walked to where Conner was and finally picked up her order.

  Conner was someone she had secretly loved for years, and he meant a lot to her. A person like Simon would never understand it. She was worried that Simon would influence Conner or was being taken advantage of. But the only thing Conner had to offer was his gossip, thought Melanie in her mind.

  Though Melanie believed that her relationship with Conner over the years was not fragile, she couldn't help but worry how things could turn if he were to know that she had been growing feelings for him all these years? She wouldn't be able to take it back once she would reveal it, and having Reese in the picture earlier had changed things.

  It had made Melanie realize that Conner had never thought or seen her that way. But at the same time, today was a little different than usual.

  But more importantly, how did that person at the table notice it? Asked Melanie.

  "Did you speak to your parents about what was discussed?" Conner asked Melanie in a low voice.

  Melanie shook her head, "It was too weird to bring it up again."

  "True, I didn't speak to my folks about it either," replied Conner, and he sighed. "It was like suddenly the world is different. Why would they even send us to Veteris or anywhere outside if they know there are other things running around?"

  Melanie turned to look at Simon, staring at his coffee cup. She wondered if he had believed it when Conner had mentioned it this week. About seeing a vampire because he had accompanied them. Was it because of boredom?

  While Conner waited for his order, at the same time, the two troublesome boys who were from the other hunters' family appeared in the store.

  "Oh look, who is here. It feels like we are destined to be around each other," said the one who had bumped at Melanie. "On a date are we?"

  Melanie clutched on the paper cup that she held in her hand.

  "Are you ready for tomorrow?" asked another person to Conner.

  "What about tomorrow?" questioned Conner.

  "For the start of the training of course, what else?" laughed the person.

  Melanie slightly frowned, and she said, "We are not interested in it. Until I see this creature myself, I will only believe that it doesn't exist."

  "I second the thought," Conner lightly chuckled.

  "I thought you would be braver and manlier than that, man. People's lives are on line and you are agreeing to a girl's words?" On hearing these words, Melanie stepped forward.

  "Do you have a problem?" questioned Melanie. As small and meek she appeared, there had always been more to her when she was tested and pushed.

  "Jalen, how about we go grab our drink?" said the boy to his companion, who was staring at Melanie.

  The boy named Jalen looked down at Melanie and said, "I wonder if you will turn out just like your mother. Because of her mistake, it once costed a fellow hunter's life. I think it would be right for you to sit back and drink your whatever and let the men do the work."

  "I can only tell that you have issues with women. If you have a problem, why don't you speak about it during these meetings?" asked Melanie, only for the three of them near her to hear, while not knowing the vampire in the store was closely listening to them.

  Conner tried to maintain the peace and said, "How about we calm down. We have had a rough evening with the new information."

  "Yeah, it must have been rough for fragile people like you. Maybe it would be good that both of you don't get to the training, because you won't be able to handle it," said Jalen.

  "Doesn't even know to speak, I wonder how we can trust you in the group," stated Melanie and Jalen went to take a step forward when a hand came in between them, and Conner and Melanie stepped backwards.

  The two hunters looked at Simon with a startled look on their faces. "The fuck do you think you are doing coming here between when there's place on the other side?" questioned Jalen.

  Simon turned to look at the hunters and offered them a polite smile, "The counter is here, so obviously I will be coming here, you dimwit."

  "You fucker are asking for a fight," said Jalen, pulling his hand back while turning his fingers into a fist. He then went to hit Simon, who caught his hand and turned it around to twist the arm.

  "We were politely speaking, there's no need for violence. I don't think the owner would be happy to see his things be broken," Simon gave a little push such that the boy staggered back. He then turned to look at the woman who had hurriedly come to the counter with another coworker to stop the fight, offering the woman a polite smile. "I will have a Java choco chip with a muffin to go with it, muffin."

  The woman's tension disappeared, and she nodded her head.

  The hunters stared at each other and were about to leave. But Melanie, unable to contain herself, said, "Maybe while we are at it tomorrow, you can get some training on how to behave civilly rather than wild animals."

  Conner turned slightly worried and turned to look at Melanie and tried to stop her, "Mel, that's enough."

  Jalen, this time came at Melanie, and before he could get too close to her, Simon raised his hand, and the next second, the hunter boy was on the ground. "Who the fuck are you getting between us?!" grunted the boy.

  "A law abiding citizen, who enjoys some peace," replied Simon and the boy's glared.

  Conner, who wasn't too keen on violence, quickly said, "Can we please not get into any more fights. Jalen, I will have to report to Mr. Davis, if you try to push Melanie. Leave now."

  The two hunters glared at the three of them, and Melanie glared more than them with her eyes narrowed. "We'll keep this score for the future, Conner," said Jalen before making his jacket proper and leaving the store without ordering anything they had come here for.

  "Seriously, Mel. Do you have to pick fights when they were leaving—"

  "And what about you?" asked Melanie, who seemed angry.

  "What did I do? I wasn't the first one to start the fight," laughed Conner, but Melanie was not in the mood to hear about it.

  "This is not the first time, Conner. Is it too hard for you to take my side rather than being on the neutral side when someone is looking down on me?" asked Melanie to Conner with her eyebrows furrowed.

  "You know they are part of the…" Conner's voice trailed as he Simon was here, and he couldn't use words like hunters. "Your parents wouldn't be pleased if they were to find out that you are causing trouble especially when you haven't informed them that you are stepping out."

  "I am going home," declared Melanie.

  "Mel," Conner tried to stop her while Simon waved at her with a bright smile.

  "Don't worry about it, Conner. Girls have different moods and sometimes it is hard to keep up with it," and Simon paid for his order before patting Conner's back, who gave a small nod. "You seem a little tense, everything alright?"

  "Yeah," murmured Conner, and Simon nodded his head. While going to take a seat, the vampire's eyes quickly moved to look at Melanie, who had stepped out of the store and now walked away from there. Before she could completely disappear, she turned to look inside, and their eyes met each other.

  While things were busy in the town of Greasy Corner with the hunters and the vampire, who had come to keep an eye on the hunters movement, Roman and Julie had stepped into the amusement park two hours ago.

  Julie had a blue cotton candy in her hand, while she walked next to Roman. There were a lot of people in here, most of them young, and some who had come on date. She had questioned Roman if the amusement park was too cheesy for the date, but he had brought her here after they were done visiting the hospital.

  "My parents used to bring me here when I was little," said Julie, and Roman looked around the place and the people they were surrounded with. "At least monthly once because I used to love coming here."

  "How old were you?" asked Roman and Julie cleared her throat before replying,

  "Until I was sixteen or seventeen I think. I love watching the rides and the colours in here," she let him know.

  "How cute," remarked Roman and he saw Julie bring the cotton candy in front of her, her lips parting and taking a bite from it. And as careful as she had tried to be, small bits of it stuck to the corner of her lips. He raised his hand and picked one piece of it, before putting it in her mouth.

  Julie quickly touched the corners of her mouth to make sure there was no residue of the candy before her eyes fell on Roman, who licked the tip of his finger.

  Julie would have never imagined that Roman would stand in the middle of the amusement park. But maybe people said it right, she thought in her mind. When you liked someone, they did everything for the other person, even if they found things like these to be odd.

  "You would have liked the fair that used to be set up in Veteris before," commented Roman.

  "Was it fun?"

  "I guess it was. I remember Olivia and the others being excited about it. Tristan included," he added and this brought a smile on her lips. "I used to go there because I would be dragged, but it isn't as bad as you hear it."

  "It wasn't something you liked to do," noted Julie and Roman's lips twisted.

  "Yeah, I prefered my peace and quiet which people weren't particularly fond about," and even though he said it as if he was annoyed, a small smile came to settle on his lips. "Traders from other towns and villages would come to place these tents and sell things. Clothes, food, games that were basic, unlike now. But a lot of people came to be part of it. The town folks would play dress, but that would be mostly because they would be looking for potential grooms or brides."

  "Did they ever… look for you?" asked Julie, not knowing what plans Roman's adoptive parents had in their mind for him.

  "I think mother had seen a girl for me, but she was hoping to get Tristan's married before mine as I was younger to him," responded Roman, and he slipped his hand in hers, squeezing it gently. "I never bothered to see who it was."

  "I see," hummed Julie and Roman tugged her hand.

  "Come let's take a ride in that one," Roman jerked his head towards the giant wheel. Buying the ticket, they got into one of them when it was their turn.

  Roman offered his hand for Julie to hold, and she placed her hand in his before getting in. Taking a seat next to each other, the wheel moved one after another. Julie could feel their compartment sway and she looked below them, noticing how the ground was getting farther away every few seconds. The lights looked pretty and up in the air, it felt like they were the only one's. Away from the crowd, stealing time for themselves.

  There was a gentle breeze and Julie tucked her hair behind her ear, holding it there for a while before dropping her hand on her lap.

  When she turned to look Roman, he was already watching her. She said to him, "I had a wonderful time today. Thank you for coming with me."

  One piece of her hair came to hover in front of her face, and Roman helped her in pushing it back, "I am glad you had a good time. Is there anything else that we missed tick marking from the date list?"

  Julie shook her head with a smile on her face, "No. Everything is perfect."

  "How is your wrist doing?" asked Roman, taking it in his hand, and running his thumb over her skin. "The equipment was new and sharp."

  "It's fine," replied Julie, taking a look at his name before her eyes fell on his left hand ring finger. Curious, she turned his hand to the side and her eyes widened. "W-when did you get this one?"

  The lettering was sleek and small, which was why she had failed to see it. It was her name that was written in cursive.

  "You didn't think I would let you do it alone, did you?" asked Roman, and Julie, who was taken aback, was left slightly speechless and shy that he had got her name on his ring finger. When she had come out of the room, she had seen him with the magazine, which is why it never occurred to her that he might have gotten a tattoo for himself. "You were wrong about something, Winters. It isn't perfect yet," before Julie could frown, he leaned towards her and kissed her lips. She closed her eyes, pressing her lips back on his and she kissed him.

  Their compartment was heading towards the top now. The kiss was nothing less than fireworks, and they took their time before pulling away their lips while their forehead touched each other.

  Julie stared into Roman's eyes, that looked right into hers.

  When the compartment shook a little stronger, Julie's heart hitched. She heard Roman say, "I'm here." She nodded her head. He was here, which was why she wasn't freaking out with the way it shook.

  A few seconds passed, until the peace around them broke, as suddenly the Elder vampire, Azazel Donovan appeared in the compartment, sitting on the opposite side.

  Roman's eyes narrowed and he glared at Donovan. While Donovan looked around before his eyes settled on the couple, he said,

  "I missed you both!"