Michael
I don’t know how Nathan could be so active so early and be completely awake. He wanted to meet for breakfast, but did he really have to choose 8:30am? I was up late again and didn’t get home until seven thirty. All I had time for was a shower and change. Only the walk to the café kept me awake long enough to order a strong coffee once I arrived. I would do just about anything to be able to crawl into bed. However, instead, I was sitting in his favorite café, waiting with my coffee and bagel. This morning, he wanted me to meet someone. I am going to assume it is the girl he’s been with lately. He’s terrible when it comes to women. They would usually be either a quick fling or a quick bite. Laughing to myself, I remembered one girl I had. She was a clingy one to say the least. What was her name? Mary? Marie? Maggie? Oh well. She was tasty when I got rid of her. Looking over the brim of my cup, I saw Nathan walk in with the blonde. Yep, this was definitely going to be about her this morning. Pretty little thing I’ll admit, golden hair with bright blue eyes just below her long bangs which were tucked behind her right ear with just a few strands falling forward. Her body was well shaped too, even though it was covered with a wonderfully tailored business suit. I would jump her for my own pleasure, but reality was that Nathan had his arm around her. That and I didn’t like her father. Pure hatred for that disgusting bastard. He was president of Cross Communications. The ever-lovable Mr. Samuel Hayes was innocent looking enough on the outside, but I knew the truth. Besides, I knew enough about her already. My own research. Not that Nathan needed to know about that. Then again, he may already know because, in a sense, Nathan works for her father. I couldn’t hold back that chuckle. To be honest, the job Nathan had, he was forced into it; nothing like being an obedient dog for his master. It might be cruel of me to laugh at him, but personally, I find the irony humorous.
Setting my drink down, I yawned. “I can’t believe that you had me get up this early. I think this is my first cup of many.” Stretching my arms back, I worked out the knot that was growing between my shoulders.
Nathan grinned. “You need to sleep. Last night may have been fun, but you need to learn to control yourself better. Partying too much will be your downfall.” Nice little dig. The urge to punch him crossed my mind. I’m glad we’re not roommates. That walk last night was fun, until he found me, but, judging from the glance he tossed toward my arm, I’m sure he knew that I went out after that. He pulled out a chair for the girl. “Michael, this is Lily.”
Knew it. I grinned. “Ah, so you’re the one he’s been talking about nonstop. Just don’t know how you feel about these early morning coffee stops.” I reached across the table to shake her hand. To humor myself, I kissed her delicate fingers.
She giggled; a pretty sound to go with that delicate body. “I don’t mind. I like getting up to see the sunrise.” Great, another early riser. I would only be up this early if I was up all night or had my own agenda to accomplish. Taking another drink of my coffee, I shrugged. They beat me on that. Who was I to say anything then? Nathan knew I despised mornings and he was just messing with me. “Besides, I have to go to work later and this is the only time I could meet you.”
Now I was staring at her. “Where do you work?”
“My father’s company, Cross Communications. He wants me to know the ins and outs of the business so I could take over someday.” Her father’s company is one that I hate and will continue to hate. It was a front; her father was actually in charge of the Hunters in the area. This meant she probably has been trained as well. The growl in my chest didn’t surface when I saw Nathan’s uncomfortable look. Was he given a new set of orders to follow? He knew what they did there. He saw them train, even trained with them. All because of Mr. Hayes, he was forced into it, had no choice. There’s nothing worse for a deo than to be controlled by a Hunter.
Nathan cleared his throat, “Yes, well, Lily wanted to meet you.” She wanted to meet me? He tried to keep work at work. “She wants to understand our relationship.”
I choked on my bagel. “She what?” I stared at her, “You don’t think that we’re…” I moved my finger between Nathan and I. She couldn’t think that we were together. Disgusting.
Lily laughed, “No, no, no, nothing like that, I know you two aren’t. I just want to know who you are to him.” Ok, strange. “You two are friends right?” Sort of, but I nodded. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table and crossing her forearms. “Alright, I want to know why my father wants you, ouch! Hey!” She glared at Nathan who shook his head. Guessing he kicked her under the table and from the frown on her face, a little hard too. “You’re kidding? I should be allowed to ask! I will have authority over this soon enough.” He frowned and again he shook his head. “Whatever… I’ll take it as you’re his best friend. Anyway, as his friend, then can you do something for me?”
I raised my eyebrow. She thought we were friends? Just great. “Depends on what it is.”
Her eyes looked pleading. “If Nathan ever needs help with the company, please help him.”
Very odd request, but ok. Not what I would enjoy doing of course, but because his pretty little flavor of the week asked, “Sure, I guess.” She’ll probably be gone soon anyway, thus making this promise null and void. Nathan turned his head away from her to hide his frown. He is the stubborn one. Always confident in himself and never asking for help. Which now begs the question, is he in trouble?
Nathan stood, “This was a bad idea.” Lily looked up at him. “Come on, we’re leaving.”
She pouted, “What? But we still have thirty minutes!” When he glared at her, she sighed, slapping her palms against the table, and stood, “Fine…” Smiling at me, Lily held out her hand, “It was nice to meet you Michael.” Shaking her hand, I could tell she was mad. She didn’t get whatever it was she came here for. As Lily and Nathan walked out, I began to wonder what it was that she wanted to ask. What did her father want with me? Oh well, not my problem. I don’t work for him. Don’t ever plan too. Unlike Nathan’s slip up, I can avoid the Hunter’s collar.
Maybe an hour or so later, I had hit my third cup of caffeine, this time it was a caramel latte, I was almost done with the paper when I heard the news. “Clara Schmit was found dead in her apartment this morning. Her friend had found her after going over to check on her when Clara wasn’t answering her phone calls.” I looked up. Sure enough, the picture was her. News found it quick. “The police are not releasing any information about the murder but they are saying that she may have known her attacker. If you have any information about─” and the standard call the tip line stuff. They have never been able to find me with any of the kills I’ve done and this will not be an exception. Yes, I drink blood. Yes, I have killed many people. No, I have never been caught. No, I don’t regret anything. Oh the price of being a deo. I can live with it. Suddenly, I felt eyes on me. Looking down from the screen, I saw a girl sitting in the corner booth. She was watching me. I don’t mind a pretty girl staring at me, but surprisingly, for once, I was not in the mood. Covering her image with the paper, I hurried to finish the article I was reading and drank the rest of my coffee. I really didn’t need a stalker girl right now. I just want to take a day to myself, maybe get some sleep, and do what I do. Thankfully, the girl didn’t follow me when I stood and left. Guess she just thought I was sexy. Wouldn’t argue, I am devilishly handsome.
Kyla
There was at least one other deo in the area. I had been tracking Nathan long enough and had decided to show myself here. Imagine my surprise when I walked in to smell blood. A deo had killed recently and he was there. A quick glance across the café and I saw him. Sitting casually, reading a paper, drinking a large coffee; I inhaled, no, latte, or was the guy next to me? This territory had been known to have its ruler and maybe two others; but usually, one of those two would end up dead. With Cross Communications being located here, I assumed that they had a deo collared and controlling the territory tightly. Quickly, I walked past him, ordered a drink, and found a seat. Sitting in a corner booth, I watched this deo. He seemed familiar, but not the one I was looking for. Even though he was sitting, I could tell he was tall with his long legs stretched out and crossed under the table. His black hair was spiked in the front and his dark lashes covered those gorgeous emerald green eyes. He turned a page of his paper showing that his muscles were well cut and strong. For the briefest moment, I wondered what the rest of him looked like. Closing my eyes, I shook my head. I was here on a mission, not for him. I pulled out my tablet and pretended to be busy. My questions about him were simple. Who is he and was he collared? When I had walked past him, it confirmed my suspicion that he was the deo. He smelled of blood from a recent kill, which meant that either he wasn’t collared or his master had given him a loose leash. He looked up to the television. Following his gaze, I saw the report. A girl named Clara was found dead. Glancing back to him, I saw his smirk. That was his kill. “Peppermint mocha?” I looked up at the barista and quickly nodded. She placed the cup on the table in front of me. “Here you go.”
I smiled. “Thank you.” My plan was to wait here. Nathan came to this shop often and if I was correct, he would show around lunch. My gaze found the other deo again. Quietly I cursed myself for being interested in him. He tilted his paper down and looked at me. He had felt my eyes on him. Damn and from the look on his face, he didn’t want me watching him. Grabbing his coffee, he drank it quickly, stood, and left. I released the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Good to know he didn’t want anything to do with me, at least not yet anyway. I looked down at the black screen of my tablet. Turning it on, I sighed. Now, it’s just a waiting game.
There was at least one other deo in the area. I had been tracking Nathan long enough and had decided to show myself here. Imagine my surprise when I walked in to smell blood. A deo had killed recently and he was there. A quick glance across the café and I saw him. Sitting casually, reading a paper, drinking a large coffee; I inhaled, no, latte, or was the guy next to me? This territory had been known to have its ruler and maybe two others; but usually, one of those two would end up dead. With Cross Communications being located here, I assumed that they had a deo collared and controlling the territory tightly. Quickly, I walked past him, ordered a drink, and found a seat. Sitting in a corner booth, I watched this deo. He seemed familiar, but not the one I was looking for. Even though he was sitting, I could tell he was tall with his long legs stretched out and crossed under the table. His black hair was spiked in the front and his dark lashes covered those gorgeous emerald green eyes. He turned a page of his paper showing that his muscles were well cut and strong. For the briefest moment, I wondered what the rest of him looked like. Closing my eyes, I shook my head. I was here on a mission, not for him. I pulled out my tablet and pretended to be busy. My questions about him were simple. Who is he and was he collared? When I had walked past him, it confirmed my suspicion that he was the deo. He smelled of blood from a recent kill, which meant that either he wasn’t collared or his master had given him a loose leash. He looked up to the television. Following his gaze, I saw the report. A girl named Clara was found dead. Glancing back to him, I saw his smirk. That was his kill. “Peppermint mocha?” I looked up at the barista and quickly nodded. She placed the cup on the table in front of me. “Here you go.”
I smiled. “Thank you.” My plan was to wait here. Nathan came to this shop often and if I was correct, he would show around lunch. My gaze found the other deo again. Quietly I cursed myself for being interested in him. He tilted his paper down and looked at me. He had felt my eyes on him. Damn and from the look on his face, he didn’t want me watching him. Grabbing his coffee, he drank it quickly, stood, and left. I released the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Good to know he didn’t want anything to do with me, at least not yet anyway. I looked down at the black screen of my tablet. Turning it on, I sighed. Now, it’s just a waiting game.
Resting my head on the table, I tried to avoid another mocha. It was almost noon and he still hadn’t shown. He kept a schedule; Nathan came here around noon at the latest. Picking up my tablet, I went back to playing Angry Birds; I don’t see why humans find this silly little game entertaining. Hearing the door open for the millionth time today, I smelled something familiar this time. I looked up and saw him standing in line. Finally, Nathan was here. He looked drained too. Was that why he drank coffee; too little sleep and working too much? I waited for him to get his coffee and find a seat. Strangely, he noticed me much sooner than I had expected. The glare he shot me wasn’t anywhere close to welcoming, but more, murderous. I slid my tablet into my bag, picked up my drink, and walked over to sit across the table from him, realizing that I was poking a sleeping beast. His grip on his coffee had tightened and his glare was intense. “What do you want?”
I had to keep myself calm. Placing my drink on the table, I leaned forward. “What would a deo be doing among humans?” His eyes flashed red. He was warning me; leave or I will kill you. I smiled slightly. “I would assume that your kind would be hiding in the shadows where a Hunter would have a harder time finding you.”
Nathan smirked, leaned back in his chair, and chuckled. “Hunter huh? So why come after me then? I haven’t done anything to be on your radar.” His eyes travelled over me. If he recognized me, this could be bad. “And judging from your smell, you’re from a northern group.” I blinked; he could smell where I’ve been? “I’m right, aren’t I?” Taking a sip of his coffee, he continued. “Well, you’re northern; this is not your territory. So, I would recommend for you to leave. If the local Hunters don’t find you, then you could very much become a victim.” Again, his eyes flashed red, and this time, his smirk revealed his hidden fangs. He did not take my appearance lightly. However, the threat of a Hunter on him, he laughed at. Being tracked was never good. Why was he laughing at it?
I closed my eyes. “Did you ever consider that I have already met with the local faction? Cross Communications is based here after all.” I looked up at him. “It would be silly of me not to tell them that I am here.” There was his frown. Something was going through his head.
He picked up his cup and stood. “Whatever your reasons may be for being here, it is none of my concern. I am not your target.” Watching him leave, I couldn’t help but wonder; was he that confident in himself or just blind to the Hunters? Of course, my next move was sure to make him mad, especially if I just showed up on his doorstep.
I had to keep myself calm. Placing my drink on the table, I leaned forward. “What would a deo be doing among humans?” His eyes flashed red. He was warning me; leave or I will kill you. I smiled slightly. “I would assume that your kind would be hiding in the shadows where a Hunter would have a harder time finding you.”
Nathan smirked, leaned back in his chair, and chuckled. “Hunter huh? So why come after me then? I haven’t done anything to be on your radar.” His eyes travelled over me. If he recognized me, this could be bad. “And judging from your smell, you’re from a northern group.” I blinked; he could smell where I’ve been? “I’m right, aren’t I?” Taking a sip of his coffee, he continued. “Well, you’re northern; this is not your territory. So, I would recommend for you to leave. If the local Hunters don’t find you, then you could very much become a victim.” Again, his eyes flashed red, and this time, his smirk revealed his hidden fangs. He did not take my appearance lightly. However, the threat of a Hunter on him, he laughed at. Being tracked was never good. Why was he laughing at it?
I closed my eyes. “Did you ever consider that I have already met with the local faction? Cross Communications is based here after all.” I looked up at him. “It would be silly of me not to tell them that I am here.” There was his frown. Something was going through his head.
He picked up his cup and stood. “Whatever your reasons may be for being here, it is none of my concern. I am not your target.” Watching him leave, I couldn’t help but wonder; was he that confident in himself or just blind to the Hunters? Of course, my next move was sure to make him mad, especially if I just showed up on his doorstep.
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