VAMPIRE PRINCE

Chapter 5: All I know

Gisellianna

The next morning, I pace in my bedroom, berating myself for my idiotic behavior. I can’t believe I let Tristant kiss me. I’m just so confused by the whole situation. I mean, why would he kiss me?

Jaw tight, I walk to a nearby wall and punch it several times, but it doesn’t help.

Freaking Tristan and his juicy lips!

Seeing that my thoughts will not go anywhere, I portal back to the human world and walk to a coffee shop Jules introduced me to. It was the best coffee I’ve ever tasted, and I try to visit as much as possible.

Every time I visit, I order a different coffee. I love the variety, and it’s fun to experience new flavors. When Exia gave me a hard time over it, Jules told her to let me enjoy my new lease on life.

I sit down with my gingerbread latte when Jules’ friend Haley walks in.

To my surprise, the little human walks up and gives me a shy smile, “Hi, Illiana.”

I arch a brow and give her a finger wave, “Hi.”

Haley doesn’t ask if she can sit when she pulls out a chair and takes a seat in front of me. I have to give it to her; I admire her spirit. Most females who see me are intimidated by the standoffish aura I project.

I take another sip of my coffee and wait for the female to speak. Haley wrings her hands in front of her and gazes back at me, “Umm…you’re probably wondering why I’m sitting here?” she croaks out nervously.

I lean back and shrug, “Yeah, no offense, but I am…a little.”

Haley bites her lower lip and puffs out a breath, “Well, I…I mean, you’re like one of the strongest females I’ve ever met,” her eyes widen when she realizes what she said, “I-I know that Jules and Amara are strong, but I admire your…this confident vibe you project. Like you know, you’re an ass-kicker, and you can give two shits what anyone thinks,” she shrugs, “I love my friends, but they always seem unsure.”

I swell with pride at her comment, “Thanks.”

Haley swallows hard and continues, “You were also the only one who wasn’t scared of telling me the truth. Sometimes…” she looks down at her hands, “…sometimes I feel like my friends humor me. They love me but don’t see me as an equal because I’m human.”

“Which you are,” I state bluntly.

Haley flinches at my words, which makes me feel bad, but not enough to apologize because I’m right.

Her lip quivers as she moves close and says, “I love Carrick, but I know I’m a liability to him, and it sucks.”

I don’t dispute her claim, but I don’t confirm it either. I had already hurt the poor girl’s feelings enough.

“I wish I was as strong as you,” she mutters, “But Carrick won’t turn me into a werewolf…” she drifts off, her eyes tearing.

I’m not usually good with emotions. That’s Exia’s job. However, I can see that the girl is hurting.

“He’s only doing it because he loves you, Haley. He knows that your odds of dying during the turn are extremely high. Especially if you’re human.” I steadily answer.

“But I can’t just sit back and let everyone fight. That’s not who I am,” she argues heatedly.

I look at my cup and finish the last of my drink before I carefully reply, “Look, kid, you can learn to fight and make yourself stronger, but there’s nothing you can do about your humanity.”

Her chest heaves and a tear escapes the corner of her eye, “Isn’t there anything you can help me with? I see how you wear armor to protect yourself. Maybe I can─”

“The armor is for protection, not an addition to my supernatural strength, Haley. I’m a hunter, which means I was born strong and bred to fight and kill.”

“But that’s what I want too. It’s just so unfair,” Haley frustratedly slams her tiny fist against the table’s scarred surface.

Placing my hand over her fist, I gaze intently into her eyes and firmly state, “I know it’s not fair. But you need to stop thinking about what you don’t have and think about what you do,” I open my palms wide and emphasize my point, “You have wonderful friends, a good family, and a mate who loves you more than life itself,” I point at my chest, “I might be tough and strong, but my own mate rejected me. For years, I was tortured by a madman, lived without my sister and my niece, and spent most of my life before that trying to survive. Trust me when I say that your life is freaking great.”

I mentally kick myself when I realize I’ve revealed too much. Up until now, I’ve never told anyone about my rejection.

Haley sifts her fingers through her purple locks and gives me a sad nod, “I’m sorry that your mate rejected you. I can’t imagine why anyone would reject you.”

I snicker bemusedly, “Yeah, as you can see, nothing is ever as perfect as it seems.”

Haley’s smile is sad when she leans close and asks, “Is it okay if I ask who it is?”

I don’t want to answer, but I feel I owe her after she entrusted me with her secret pain.

“I’ll tell you, but you can’t tell anyone─not even Jules,” I growl with a hint of warning.

Haley gives me a serious nod and signs an x against her left breast, “Cross my heart and hope to die. I swear I won’t tell.”

Slumping back in my chair, I cross my arms and softly answer, “It’s Rowan’s brother, Tristan.”

Haley gasps with shock, her eyes growing as wide as saucers, “Seriously?”

I nod and give her a chagrined shrug, “Yep, I’m super serious. We were engaged several centuries ago, which Tristan wasn’t too happy about, so on our wedding day, he ran off, and I didn’t see him again until a couple of weeks ago.”

Haley’s eyes tear up again. The girl is definitely the sentimental type. But I can see why Jules likes her. Haley’s genuine sweetness makes me like her, and I’m not the sort of person who easily likes anyone.

“I’m sorry. The i***t doesn’t deserve you.” she sniffles.

I shrug, “It’s okay. It’s been a long time, and I’ve learned to live with it.”

“But he’s your mate. How are you even able to live without him for so long? Carrick told me that was impossible,” she asks, bewildered.

I get why she’s asking. Most mates get depressed and sicken when separated. It can be a painful experience for mated pairs.

“It would have probably been the same for me, except that Tristan and I never formed a bond since I wasn’t of age, and he hadn’t tasted my blood. We never got far enough for him to learn if I was his mate.”

Her brow furrows, “Then how did you know you were mates?”

I exhale deeply and look out the coffee shop’s window, “Hunters don’t need to bite, dream or scent their mates to know who they are. We simply feel the rush of power when we do. Since Tristan didn’t want to be with me, he never made an effort to find out. In fact, he did everything he could to make me feel unwelcome.”

Haley’s expression grows sadder, “Wow, what a jerk. I can’t imagine Carrick ever doing anything like that to me.”

My lip quirks, “Which is why you should be glad for what you have and stop worrying about being strong enough to live in our world.”

She nods thoughtfully, “I guess you’re right. I should count my blessings and stop worrying so much.”

To my surprise, she rises from her seat and embraces me. At first, I’m taken off guard by her affection. Not knowing what to do, I awkwardly pat her back and mutter, “Umm…okay…umm, you can let me go now.”

Haley pulls back with a chuckle, “Sorry. It’s just…you’re being so nice to me.”

I give her a horrified look, making her giggle.

“Please, don’t tell anyone that.”

Haley snickers, “Okay, but you have to let me buy you another coffee.”

I look at my empty cup and nod, “Sure, I’ll have whatever you’re having.”

As we drink our coffee, we talk about random things. It’s nice and weird to talk to someone who’s not related to me. I’ve never had a girlfriend since most women don’t like my abrasive nature. I’m not sweet or demure. I’m the girl who will tell you the truth and punch you in the face if you piss me off. For years, Exia was the one I’d talk to when I had any problems. But even then, I didn’t share intimate things about my life.

It’s also weird because Haley is my great-grandniece's best friend, and we both look the same age.

Once I get back to my apartment, I scope out some of the places the females were taken from. I know that Mathias wants us to meet and plan, but I’m not much for working as a team. Being a hunter, I’ve mostly worked on my own. It’s the hunter’s way, so I don’t understand why Exia is willing to unite with the Council.

Before I leave, I research each place. I don’t want to enter any of them without knowing what I’m walking into. After reading through each file, I realize they’re meeting places for powerful supernatural beings. Some are places where magical beings meet to exchange powers, supernatural mixers, and even fight dens.

Excitement rushes through me when I find the fighting den. I can definitely use a way to relieve my frustration after Tristan stopped me from getting any action.

I’m changing into a pair of leather yoga pants and a flexible crop top when Exia knocks on my door.

Her eyes narrow when they take in my appearance, “Hey, I haven’t seen you all day, and you never apprised me of your meeting with Mathias.

I look at my sister as I slip on my Doc Marten boots, “I came earlier, but you were still in meetings.”

Exia crosses her arms in front of her chest, her expression becoming stony. Today, her hair is up in a French braid, and she’s wearing ripped jeans, a Nirvana shirt, and black vans. Her eyes gleam with suspicion as she waits for me to continue.

Slumping down on my bed, I roll my eyes and answer, “Mathias wants us to band together with the Council, have a kumbaya with the vampires, and pretend that we’re a f*****g team while investigating the disappearances.”

Exia sits beside me, her brow furrowed, “Why are you so resistant about this, Lia? It’s a good thing that we’re no longer in hiding.”

I shake my head with irritation, “What does it matter, Ex? We’re Hunters. You know The Hunter’s way is to work alone. It’s literally our motto, “Venator via est una via”

Exia’s lips pucker as she glares down at me and scoffs, “Yeah, and look at how far that motto got us. We were nearly hunted to extinction because of that motto, Lia. I lost my mate, and we lost our family. Then…” her jaw tightens and her eyes blur with tears, “Then, I lost Fiona…and you…” she swallows hard and inhales deeply, trying to gain control of her emotions, “It was the most horrible feeling to think I lost everyone,” she glances back at me and places her hand on mine, “It’s a dark feeling I never want you, Jules or Fiona to ever experience.”

I’m at a loss. Exia was always the strongest of all of us. Even after our parents and her mate were executed, she held firm like a pillar. To see her become so emotional is almost humbling.

Tightening my hand around hers, I lean my head on her shoulder and nod, “You’re right, sis. I can’t imagine what you suffered when you thought you lost us all. I guess I’m just….” I shrug, “…it will take me some time to get used to this change. Plus, I’m trying to find my footing again after my imprisonment.”

Exia nods, “I get it, sis. I just want you to think things through before you do anything. That’s all I ask.”

I take a deep breath and hand her a file, “I figure I’ll do some recon in this place before we meet up with Mathias.”

Exia quirks a brow and releases an exasperated sigh, “Okay, do you need backup?”

I shake my head, “I’ll be fine. I’ll take the magical tracker you asked us to use from now on. But you might want to send Fiona for Recon at one of the other places.”

Fiona and Jules walk in at that moment.

I look at them as Exia tosses Fiona a portal key and says, “Armor up Fi. You and Lia are hunting at two places we suspect the supernatural females were taken from.”

Fiona arches a brow, “Oh, are we?”

I rise beside her and smirk, “I'm going to do some recon,” I point to her jeans, “But you’ll have to change if you’re going on a mission.”

Jules looks back and forth between us, “Wait, shouldn’t we talk to Mathias?”

I scoff, “Don’t worry, little niece, we’ll tell Mathias after we get all the information we need."

Jules’ brow furrows, her gaze meeting her mother's, “I don’t know about this, mom. What if something goes wrong?”

Fiona gives her a gentle smile, “We’re hunters, Jules. We’ll be fine. Plus, mom gave us a magical tracker if anything goes south.”

For a moment, I think Jules’ going to protest further, but she quickly backs down, “Alright, be safe and if anything happens to either of you, remember I will kill you.”

Fiona and I chuckle at her menacing tone.

Fiona changes into a similar outfit to mine, but rather than wear Docs, she wears knee-high goth boots.

“Good luck,” I tell my niece once we’ve geared up.

Fi snickers as she slips on her helmet and mounts her Ducati, “I don’t need luck, auntie. Have fun!”

As I mount my bike, I wave cattily, “Oh, I will, little niece.”

Fiona and I give each other confident smiles as we drive away. This is definitely going to be a wild night.