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6 Blowing off some steam

Meet Enigma:

Species - ?

Hair color – blonde

Eye color – one blue one green

Age – 19

Date of birth – 9 June

Star sign - Gemini

Favorite color - purple

Height – 160 cm

Meet Jeren Thompson:

Species – Human

Hair color – dark brown

Eye color – blue

Age – 20

Height – 172 cm

Meet Kayla Smith:

Species – Human

Hair color – black

Eye color – dark brown

Age – 23

Height – 171 cm

***POV - Zagon

The hood obscures her face completely, but I can feel her eyes on me. She grabs the ignorant vampire by his sleeve, pulling him towards her with so much force that he falls onto the bench next to her.

“What the fuck, Eni!” he shouts surprised.

I prick my ears but she’s whispering, evidently knowing about super-hearing, and at this distance as well as with all the noise from the canteen between us, I can’t make out anything.

“Neh!!! The demon?!” The vampire exclaims, leaping to his feet in shock, causing a few heads to turn and curiously stare at him. So they ARE talking about me.

I’ve figured that the vamp must know what we are by now. Although vampires don’t have a super sense of smell like animal shifters, they can, however - like all blood-sucking species - smell blood from afar. So instead of smelling a specie’s DNA like we do, they instead use the scent of hemoglobin to identify species.

“Shush!” She shouts and hardhandedly throws her hands in the air and continues softer, “He’s a demon?” I’m not sure if she sounds disappointed or captivated.

The vamp nods awkwardly and slides his fingers through his dark rasta curls. He seems lost, his face a frozen expression of total awestruck stupefaction.

“You guys think we can get something to eat? I’m starving and we’ve been here for hours.”

Luan is right, I’m feeling a bit famished. Maybe that’s why my hound is acting up – he’s hungry. I can always hope, but I’m not very optimistic.

Luan waves the flustered supernatural waiter over to our table and I watch him carefully as he walks toward us. He’s easily just as tall as Marrok but more sinewy and lean. Vampires usually don’t pack big muscles like wolves, but what they lack in strength they make up with speed.

“Can you bring us five of your biggest hamburgers with fries?” Luan orders for all of us - wolves have a very voracious appetite – thus the double portions for them.

‘Marcus’ - I read the name on the tag pinned to his chest. His honey-colored eyes scan us observantly but he tries to be unobtrusive. What did the girl tell him? Does she also suspect what we are? I want to ask him about her, but I also don’t want to get too involved.

“Sure.” His smile is forced and doesn’t reach his eyes like before, the playful glint is gone – it seems wary and skeptical now.

Then the most wonderful scent whips from the vampire to hit my nose and it’s as if Thor struck me with his hammer right between my eyes, while Zeus simultaneously shocked my balls with a thunderbolt.

“Fuck!” The word barks unrestrained from my lips and before I can stop it, my hound rips a pleasing growl. The vampire moves a step back, a worried look on his caramel face while Luan stares at me suspiciously, but for once he doesn’t say a word. It must be hoody’s smell that clung to our waiter. I silently fight my inner beings, my mood suddenly down. I know now for sure it’s her. Shit.

Marcus walks away, continuously looking back at us, his body seems tense as if he’s coiled up and ready for a fight. He places our order in the kitchen and then joins the girl again.

Frustatingly, this time their conversation is even softer, and then my brother disrupts my concentration when he chuckles softly.

“Dude, you must go chat to that chick. Maybe you can get some action.” I frown deeply, not liking his words. My hound is plain pissed off, and it takes some effort to keep him back - AGAIN.

“Else I can try my luck.” Before I can think about it my hand is around my brother’s throat. He holds up his hands in surrender, his mouth pulling into a lopsided grin.

“Ok, you fuck her then.” I look away, biting my cheek. Why do I want to strangle him so badly right now?

“Shut up, Luan. Just shut the hell up.” I scoff, releasing him slowly, my hound not happy at all and he still persistently attempts to emerge. I’ve been stuck in an unknown battle of wills for most of the night and it’s draining my energy, leaving me more agitated than normal. And now, due to my brother, the image of me thrusting into her is also imprinted in my mind and the pressure in my dick is starting to make my balls ache. Fucking dirty-minded wolf. I shift my position uncomfortably and try to focus on the food that arrives.

“Here,” Our waiter chokes, putting the burgers on the table, his eyes dapped with a hint of red when it lands on Luan. He must have heard the sexist remarks – it’s not as if Luan tried to be discrete.

He turns to leave, but I grab his arm, needing to clear up the misunderstanding. I don’t want the girl to think we’re perverts or anything … well Luan might be close to being one, but still.

“I apologize for what my stupid brother said, he’s a whore-wolf moron.” Luan pulls a whatever-face.

The vampire looks over his shoulder at us and then back to the hooded figure, and a shitload of emotions runs over his face in mere seconds.

“She’s not available … eh … she has a mate.”

“A mate?” I ask, not convinced and I see her slamming her face with her palm, definitely following our conversation.

“She just found him … eh recently.” This time the girl’s head falls onto the table while she mutters the word ‘moron’.

His eyes flash red before he pulls his arm from my grip, and quickly strolls to the girl with her cheek flat on the tabletop.

I put my elbow on the table and my fist against my mouth, my eyes a thin line. Just found her mate? How recently?

They have another whispered but heated conversation, if her wild hand movements are any indication to go by … still hiding under her huge hoody. I have a theory why she’s obscuring herself. A theory that I’m not sure I want to confirm. And then their conversation ends abruptly when two laughing girls, who just entered the diner, join them.

“Hey, Eni, sorry we’re late!” The one babbles throwing her purse onto the table and herself on one of the chairs opposite miss hoody. She’s tall and slim, with wide hips and exquisite coffee-colored skin, her spiral black hair reaches just above her shoulders and her smile is genuine and warm.

The other girl is a pretty brunet, also tall with a thin, flat body, molded into some tight jeans and a red top.

“Blade, be a doll and bring us some wine and pizza.” The brunet orders cheerfully looking at Marcus with pleading eyes while pinching his cheek. He walks away to the kitchen with a wide smile on his face and a shake of his head.

The ringing bell breaks my attention to find two men standing at the door, their eyes scanning the tavern as if looking for someone. For a brief moment, they focus on us, and goosebumps crawl all over my skin, and it’s not because I’m cold. They seem to be fays (based on their eye color and my gut instinct) – one of the species that enjoys shitting upriver for the sheer pleasure of it. But because of all the varied odors in the pub, I can’t confirm it at this stage.

Then they walk away past the table flirtatiously staring at the girls, stopping next to the still-standing brunette.

“So ladies, how about a blow-job for me and my pal,” says the one, and for the second time in minutes, I want to strangle someone. I bite on my teeth and clench my hands into fists, my eyes turning dark.

“Are you ok?” Luan eyes me suspiciously, but my focus is on the men I’d like to send with a one-way ticket to hell.

“Get lost, fairies!” Hoody girl snarls while rising from her chair, her small frame barely reaching the guys’ shoulders. So I was right, they are fays. Must say, I’m impressed with her courage, but she’s naïve if she thinks she can take on those men. In my mind I classified her as a wolf, cause she seems to have quick-healing and super-hearing … but I could be wrong. After all, other species also have these abilities … like vampires for instance, but either way, no female of any species can take on two fay males.

The one claps his tongue, “Tsk, don’t be like that, we just want a good time. And you girls seem very fuckable.” I’m starting to see red for some reason, but know I have to keep it in. It’s not the time nor place to rage out. That’s fay’s for you – they like to stir the pot and they can be incredibly dangerous if they want to be.

The next moment, the girl’s hand is clutched around the man’s throat, and he genuinely seems as if he’s in pain. I’m surprised by her quick movements, she seems very well trained.

“I’ll have a good time ripping your throat out,” she says before letting him go. He grabs his neck and without another word stumbles away looking traumatized, pulling his stunned friend with him. Marcus appears from the kitchen, and he joins the girls, glaring at the fays.

Three middle-fingers go up simultaneously and the men scuff, not looking very happy at all. The girls just made an enemy that I’m not sure they can handle on their own – not even with the vampire’s help.

“Eh, Eni, any reason for this vibe-killer?” The brunet asks with a disgusted face while pulling the hoody from her friend’s head as if nothing happened just now. Do they realize the danger they’re in? Seemingly not.

“PMS!” the vampire almost yells out, earning him a simultaneous vicious look from the girls. They stay in that stared combat for a while before the hoody girl explains, “Let’s just say I’m experiencing a demonic nightmare.”

Her eyes are fixed on me now, and I’m still so mesmerized by her perfectly beautiful face that I can’t look away. Marcus grunts and walks away again, shaking his head.

Her friends slowly turn their heads to follow her gaze, impudently looking for a minute or so then they quickly glare at each other as if conversing without words, before returning their attention to their companion again.

“Eh … nightmare is the last term I’d use to characterize that hulky threesome …” honey-skin comments slowly, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Forget it, Kayla, they’re trouble,” hoody kicks back.

“Yeh, trouble with a saucy capital T,” the Kayla girl gives us a promising wink.

“Ug, Kayla! I already feel like sticking something in him and now I have to deal with you too,” the blond sounds irritated clutching a fork tightly in her hand. For a moment I wonder if her action justifies a counter-reaction from my side … you know, a poke for a poke, cause I know what I’ll be prodding into her and where. And just like that, the ache in my balls is back.

“Won’t it be a better option if he sticks something in you?” The brunet asks as if she’s read my mind, making small circles in the air with her finger. The Kayla girl points towards her friend while shaking her head in agreement.

“Eh, and exactly which one are getting impaled?” The brunet folds her arms.

“The hot one with the dark … “ Blondie was already pointing in our direction with her finger, when she stops abruptly, lowering her hand slowly.

I might be wrong, but I can swear she’s blushing, now tapping awkwardly with her finger on the table.

“Jeren, I hate you!”

There’s a moment of silence and then the two girls burst out in laughter totally ignoring their friend’s scrutinizing glare.

“They’re cute,” Luan says with a grin. Yep, they are.

I gulp down my hamburger, listening absentmindedly at the girls chatting about girly stuff that no macho man needs to hear. It ranges from clothes to shoes, how to efficiently bikini wax, what an itchy vagina means, the cute boy on the bus, period pains, and then it ends with what they plan to wear to some New Years' party.

“… it’s not as if we have dates.” The hoody girl says.

“Well, since you’ve asked,” the brunet called Jeren buts in.

“I didn’t!” Hoody exclaims but Jeren doesn’t seem to care much.

“I’m going with that sweetie we’ve met the other night. And Kayla asked Brent.” Blondie looks rather disappointed and she pushes her lips into an extremely cute and sexy pout. She looks at the vampire putting a pizza on the table, sounding hopeful, “Blade?” But he shakes his head.

“Sorry, Eni, I’ve already got a date … and I’m working that night.“

They keep on calling her ‘Eni’ and I wonder if that’s her name.

“Why don’t you go with Chris? You know he crushes on you, big time,” Jeren sighs.

“Huge crush! And he’s not bad looking,” Kayla comments.

I instantly don’t like this Chris guy, whoever he is. In fact, I think I might hate him and I seriously want to rip out his balls for some reason.

“Or you can go stab the hottie and ask …” Eni closes her friend’s mouth with her hand, preventing her from finishing her sentence. I can’t help but smile and neither can Luan and Marrok. The blonde keeps her hand on the girl’s mouth, but her eyes are fixed on us.

“They’re jerks.” She says hard enough, knowing we can hear her.

Luan scoffs, “She doesn’t even know us.” But I’m distracted by the two fays walking towards the girls’ table again. The pub is almost empty now, but there are still a few bitter-enders hanging around, so we need to avoid being pulled into a fight. Like I said before – it’s not the time and place.

“You’re gonna swallow your words with my sperm before I kill you, pretty bitch,” the ego bruised fay says to the blonde, leaning threateningly over towards her. I can’t see her face, but I do notice her sticking out her chin.

“Bring it on fairy,” she says with no hint of fear whatsoever in her voice. Even though she knows what they are, she’s still not backing down. The fay doesn’t answer but makes a finger gun gesture, mimicking him shooting her and blowing the gunsmoke away.

A sudden cold wave embalms me, as the hairs at the back of my neck rise. My heart feels as if it’s getting squished by an invisible force and my pulse beating in my ears drains out all other sounds. What the fuck is this? What is happening to me? I’ve never felt like this before. It’s almost as if I’m … afraid. Fuck, no. Why would I be afraid? Nope, must be something else. Maybe the hamburgers were off.

“You ok, brother, you seem pale?” Luan’s voice doesn’t calm me down and I take deep breaths. In, out, in, out. I look at the two supernaturals now leaving through the door and a plan forms in my muddled head.

“Marrok, will you follow those bastards and let us know where they are?” One look from me and my friend agrees without a word – he knows me that well.

Marrok gets up just when Blade appears with our bill and a card machine as if he’s eager for us to leave. They exchange a hateful look, eye to eye, red eyes meeting yellow. Marrok growls a soft warning and pushes past the vamp.

“Okay, we’re closing and I have a date – so pay up dudes,” Blade says complacently, eagerly waiting for me to hand him my card.

I throw back the last of my JW with my eyes locked on the girls’ table.

I contemplate my options, not liking any of them, so I wipe my hand over my face, feeling cornered, frustrated – wobbling on the edge of the precipice once more.

“Sit. Let’s talk a bit.”

After just a slight hesitation, the vampire takes the chair next to Luan and across from me.

“So, Blade, is it? Nickname?” He nods silently.

“We’re looking to find a girl with a moon on her forehead. Seen anybody like that here?” He doesn’t move but his eyes go slightly red again.

“You’re looking for a girl … with a moon?” I frown, isn’t it what I just said? I haven’t talked to many vampires before. Usually, I just fight them and export them, we don’t sprout lots of conversations with our targets.

“She’s the Oracle,” Luan interrupts, I suppose to explain it more clearly.

“The Oracle … with a moon … ? So you’re not here for your … eh … you just want the Oracle girl?” This is getting a bit frustrating now. I look at Luan and he just rolls his eyes and shrugs his shoulders.

“Eh … yes.” I think.

“And you’re sure?”

“Sorry, but are you a bit daft or what?” Luan asks, and I was wondering the same thing.

“Why are you looking for the Oracle?” What is this, 20 questions or something? His voice sounds hesitant as if he’s not sure if he really wants to know.

“TDF is looking for her.”

“The Firm sent you? So the kings, they know about … eh … your mission?” He asks eventually, and I tilt my head. I don’t know who knows what, but that’s not the point – we’re actually here because of the letter, but I can’t tell him that.

Then he rubs his temples as if he has a migraine and lastly his face lights up like the Christmas tree in the one corner, a smile spreading from ear to ear. I don’t think I understand vampires that much.

“Of course!” He chuckles, hitting his left palm with his right fist, “Fucking brilliant!” Yep, I definitely don’t speak vamp, and judging by Luan’s dropped jaw, neither does he.

“Eh, Blade, you lost us here?” I’m trying to be patient but it’s getting harder and harder every minute.

Blade looks me right in the eyes, still smiling like he just won a trip to wherever vampires would love to go.

“Selene … you can’t hurt her … eh … will protect … yep, it’s brilliant, just fucking brilliant.” Blade leans forward, moving his chair back just a snitch. I tilt my head. I swear this unbalanced vampire skipped over the cuckoo's nest a few too many times. I look at Luan for help but he seems just as disorientated as I am.

“The Oracle girl you’re looking for comes here sometimes for breakfast.”

“Listen, vamp,” I start but before I can continue he’s gone in a vamp-speed flash. My brother just pulls his shoulders up with a don’t-look-at-me expression.

Then Marrok calls with a location for those fays. Seems the right time and place appeared, at last, and after the day I had, I can’t wait to blow off some steam.

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