The Time has Come

When can I write about love and loss, hopes and dreams?

When would it be feasible for me to shed a tear and let it drop on a page?

Or that I can actually bleed, and you see the entirety of me.

It is not for me. I am to stay in the shadows.

A wraith, but worse.

I hate living in the city, but it’s the only place that we can live without drawing attention. I work in one of the most prestigious law offices. I have watched criminals get off with house arrest, and I have seen scammers walk away with more money than they initially took.

This law office does not concern itself with what is right and what is wrong. What they care about is how much you will pay them if they get you the amount you need. I sit here quietly and unnoticeably.

My employer hired me because I was quiet. He also hired me because his wife thought I looked homely, and I was no threat to taking her cash cow. I took the job because of the hours. Mr. Wick is in his late fifties and still has a wandering eye and hands, from what I understand.

I have been working for him for six months, and he has never made a move on me. That is good for him because once he discovers who I am… let’s say a wandering hand would be the least of his wife’s sorrow.

I started work at 7:00 PM today. The client wanted it to be discreet, so we ushered him in through the back door. I was there to take notes and to be in the shadows. That was something I could do with my eyes closed. What I did not expect was that this client has an escort that is…. my kind.

The moment he walked through the door, we recognized the scent in the air and knew exactly that two predators were in the same vicinity, and one was superior to the other.

“Mr. Wicks, I believe we can get you off with the minimum sentence of twelve months in a white-collar prison.”

“I hired you because they said you were the best, and you’re telling me I’m still going to go and serve time?”

“They have hard evidence, and there is only so much greasing of palms I can do without getting myself thrown in jail. Besides, the prison that they’re sending you to is like a resort.”

The conversation kept going back and forth between the two men, but all I could think about was how I would have to decapitate this escort.

The two gentlemen came to an agreement, and Mr. Wicks asked me to stay back with the escort as they went into the other room and had some drinks. What was really going on was that his client was going to give him a large sum of money that he did not want me to see.

“I would never have guessed one of our kind would be in a law firm. My name is Mino, and you would be?”

“I will be the one to end your existence. You are too young to realize who I am. Do not take what’s on the outside to be true.” As I said these words, I looked towards him and my eyes flashed the Crimson Insignia, showing my lineage.

Immediately, his fangs descended, and he went on one knee. It has been a long time since I’ve been around one of ours. The problem is, he is not from my bloodline. I have heard rumors that the bloods have been getting diluted, and he’s not even a quarter of the strength of our kind.

“Rise immediately and tell me who your sire is.”

He rose and said, “Paul Marin, your…”

I silenced him with a look as the two men walked back into the room. I do not know of any Paul Marin in the city. That means that there is an issue that has been left unchecked. I want nothing to do with my kind. That is why I have gone into hiding for so long.

I tried to send a message to this Mino, but its mind is undeveloped. This is not normal. I decided to write a note and handed him the papers that his employer would need, and slipped the note to him.

“Mino, tell your sire I will be coming for dinner.” He read it quickly, made a slight nod, and left.

We stayed in the office for another hour straightening up all the legalities, and we left.

I had to make a stop first. I needed counsel before I did something rash. The Lonely Tea House was filled with young people listening to each other’s poetry. I walked straight to the back. To the one person I would never kill.

“Why are you here?” She asked with a raised brow.

“Sister, there seems to be an issue in the city. Have you heard of Paul Marin?”

“No. what is the issue?”

“He is turning people, but they are damaged. It is not a complete turning; it is as if they are stunted in their ability.”

“What are you going to do?”

“What I have too. First, they have to know that I am here.”

“If you do this. You can never leave.”

“I took all the time I needed away. It is time, sister.”

“Then let it begin with us, your highness.”

I did not flinch from the title. I am no longer a fearful young royal. I am Princess Amari of the House of Demu.

“What made you decide to come out. Do not tell me because of this lowly vamp.”

“Mother has been summoning me home and to do my duty.”

“I see. You know she may end you.”

“Sister, only one of us can rule. Let me deal with this Paul Marin, first.”