Between Rubies and Opals

“Honestly, Lex?” Erin scoffed at her friend and frowned at the creepy vamp sitting in the corner, staring at Lex with his beady little eyes, sipping his drink.

The two girls were sitting inside Bloodshot, an all vamp bar on the South side of Coldora. Normally Erin wouldn’t go with Alex to bars like those, but she was too upset, and irritated to really care. Plus Alex had insisted that she needed ‘a real drink’.

“What?”

“Him?” Erin asked, pointing towards him over her shoulder.

“Don’t point, it’s rude.”

Erin frowned and looked at Alex. “You really need to find guys your own age.”

“What? Why?”

“He’s ancient.”

“He’s not that ancient. Besides, guys our age are lame, and totally unrefined. They’re still coming to terms with themselves.”

“Lex, he’s 800 years old. Guys that age have certain…” Erin frowned and looked at her friend, “… expectations.”

“Yeah, but his accent is so sexy.”

“More like creepy.”

“How can you say that?”

“He called you a wench, for Hell’s sake! How is that in any way sexy?”

“Old school sexy.”

“You know, even after all this time, I still don’t get you.”

“I’m a complete mystery, and mysteries like me, aren’t solved very easily.”

“You’re telling me.” Erin noticed the guy moving over towards their table and she slid off her chair. “Uh-oh, incoming.”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m out of here.”

“Come on, Erin. You don’t have to go.”

“It’s fine. I’ll go home and watch my lame movie that you hate so much, seeing as you’re not there to pester me about it.”

“You do that, you middle-aged hag.”

“Don’t stay out too late now, Lex.” Erin blew a kiss at Alex.

“I won’t.”

The creepy old vamp walked up to the two girls and Erin saw his smile fade instantaneously. She chuckled to herself and turned to him. “Oh, don’t worry, it’s just me leaving. Lex is all yours.” Erin patted the guy on his shoulder and waved at Alex. “Enjoy.”

“I will,” Alex pouted and looked at the guy. “Hey, I’m Alex.”

Erin shook her head and walked to the door of the bar, paused for a second and looked back at Lex. “Take care of yourself, Lex.”

She frowned and left the bar, a strange feeling ran up her spine as she stepped outside. Her phone vibrated suddenly in her jacket and she dug it out of her front pocket. “Erin, hello?”

“Hey there.”

It was Sam.

“Hey, I was just thinking about you,” she smiled as she checked for traffic and stepped off the sidewalk.

“That’s impossible, because I was going to say the same to you.”

Erin giggled and crossed the street, walking to her car.

“What are you up to?” he asked.

“I had a few drinks with Lex, but there was this creepy guy from centuries ago that wanted in Lex’s pants, so I bailed.” Erin unlocked her car and climbed inside, locking it again.

“You want to come over and bail at my house?”

“Sure. That sounds like fun.” Erin smiled to herself as she settled into her car seat.

“At least I’m not a creepy old guy.”

“Far from it,” Erin laughed. “So where exactly is your place?”

“Oh, right, you’ve never been here,” Sam also laughed. “Do you know Methys?”

“Sort of, but I’ve got on-board navigation.” Erin turned on her navigation system on the dashboard of her car.

“It’s 244 Geffen Close.”

Erin punched in the address and sat back in her seat. “Is that in Lower Sollew?”

“That’s the one.”

“Okay, I’ll see you in ten.”

“Drive safe.”

“I always do. See you soon,” she answered with a smile and closed her phone.

It was a short drive, especially since Erin loved to speed. Responsible speeding, of course. She found Sam’s place easily, and as she parked her car, she saved the address in the navigator memory, for future use.

Erin was hopeless when it came to direction and her father agreed that an on-board navigational system would be a godsend for her.

She entered the dark brown building and spotted a board on the wall, showing that Sam’s apartment was on the second floor. There was a double elevator in front of her, but she spotted a staircase on her right and walked briskly up the staircase, to the second floor. She didn’t like elevators much, just as she didn’t like dark and enclosed spaces. She was never one to sleep in a coffin, even when all her friends were doing it.

She stepped onto the last step and made her way down the hallway to number 2-44. She knocked lightly on the door and heard Sam’s footsteps on the inside. He opened the door and flashed a happy smile.

“Hey, you made it.”

“Yeah, I’m here in one piece.” Erin nodded happily and Sam let her into his apartment. “Whoa, this is beautiful!” Erin exclaimed as she stepped inside, her ankle boots thumping lightly on the oak floors.

“I’m glad you came,” Sam said and motioned to the couch. “Make yourself at home.”

“Thank you,” Erin nodded and sat down on the couch.

“Would you like a drink or something?” Sam asked.

“Sure.”

“So should I just pop a vein or do you prefer another way?”

Erin chuckled and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Why would you ask me that?”

“You know, you’re a vamp.”

Erin chuckled again and shook her head. “Do you have any wine?”

“Wine?”

“Yeah, wine. Did I stutter?”

“No, but for a second I thought I was going insane,” Sam laughed.

“Nope, I’m a wine drinking vamp,” Erin smiled at him.

“A wine drinking vamp. That’s great.” Sam sounded slightly relieved and turned back to the fridge. “Of course I have wine.”

“Contrary to popular belief, blood isn’t the only thing that we drink, you know.” Erin leaned forward and watched Sam in the kitchen.

“Red or white?”

“Staying true to my nature, I’d say red, please.”

After a few seconds, Sam exited the kitchen carrying two large glasses of red wine.

“Thank you.” Erin took a glass from him and took a sip. “Very nice. Excellent choice.”

“Only the best for my house guests,” Sam nodded and sat down next to her. “Tell me something, Erin the vamp. What type do you prefer?” He looked at her, his eyes curious.

“What do you mean?”

“What type of blood do you prefer? Male? Female? Young? Old?”

“Oh my hell. I can’t believe you actually asked me that.”

“You have to have a favorite.”

“I used to like younger guys, they’ve got more testosterone, and it makes their blood taste sweeter.”

“Are you serious?” Sam gaped, his jaw dropped.

“Of course not,” Erin laughed. “I’ve never had an open vein before.”

“Never?”

“Never. I only drink from a vial. I’ve had wolf blood before though, but that was a long time ago.”

“And?”

“It was different. Definitely an acquired taste,” Erin said with a giggle.

“Whoa, now I feel safe.” Sam shifted around uncomfortably.

“Don’t look so worried, I’m not thirsty in that way. Lex and I went for a drink, remember?”

“What a relief.” Sam took a large gulp of wine and looked at Erin.

“Your place is really nice,” she said as she looked around her. “It’s so rustic and peaceful.”

“It’s home, you know. I bet it’s nothing like the castle you live in.”

“It’s not a castle, okay.” Erin raised an eyebrow at him. “It’s the family manor.”

“Oh, excuse me.”

“If I recall correctly, your father also owns a manor,” Erin said, raising an eyebrow at him. “And you have your own apartment.”

“Okay, fair enough, but my apartment isn’t in Coldora Heights.”

“I suddenly feel a thirst coming on,” Erin smirked and her eyes sparkled in the light.

“Apologies.” Sam held his hands up in defeat. “So can I see them?”

Erin’s head snapped in his direction and her eyebrows shot up.

“Your fangs.”

Erin burst out laughing and Sam looked at her, a giant question mark spreading across his face. “I thought you meant… never mind.”

Erin’s eyes glowed for a split second and she parted her lips slowly. Two razor sharp fangs glistened in the light and Sam whistled softly through his teeth.

“Impressive,” he smirked and Erin’s fangs retracted back in her jaw. “What’s even more impressive is that you can control them so well.”

“I can. Unfortunately, not all of us can control our fangs, or ourselves for that matter.”

“Some of us have that same problem.” He looked at Erin and she gave him a small smile. “You want to go for a tour around the house?”

“Sure,” Erin nodded, and as she stood up, she accidentally knocked over her glass of wine, spilling it all over herself, as well as the carpet, and the table. “Oh shit!”

“It’s okay. I’ll go get a cloth or a mop or something.” Sam jumped up and quickly ran to the kitchen. In a matter of seconds, he was back with a dark towel.

“I’m so sorry, now there’s wine everywhere.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Sam knelt next to her and dabbed the towel against her white wine soaked top. She was right, there was wine everywhere and Sam let out an amused laugh.

“What could possibly be funny?” Erin asked, grabbing hold of the towel and wiping her arms.

“You’re nothing like the other vamps. You’re as ungraceful as they come.”

“Like I told you before, I can’t be graceful even if I tried,” she frowned and looked at Sam.

“I like it. It makes you seem more like us.”

“Is that why you thought I was one of you?”

“Possibly, but you’re different.”

“How can you tell?”

“By the way you look at me.”

“And how is that?”

“Like I’m not a meal, or a dirty animal.”

“But you’re not a dirty animal, Sam.” She tilted her head and looked at him, her eyes glowing slightly.

“That’s exactly the look I’m talking about,” he said as he pointed to her eyes.

“I’ve never met a wolf like you before. Everything is so easy with you, and you make me feel safe. So at home.”

Sam brought his hand up to Erin’s face and softly caressed her cheek, traveling down her neck, along the line of her shoulder and down her arm. She closed her eyes slowly and felt a wave of shivers cascade through her body, her skin tingling from his touch.

Sam inhaled sharply and whispered, “Would it be okay to kiss you?”

“I thought you’d never ask,” Erin murmured breathlessly.

Sam leaned in and their lips met, in a perfect moment. Even though the floor, as well as Erin, was covered in red wine, it was the perfect moment. A moment, that not even the best memory could come close to, that was the most perfect moment of Erin’s, and Sam’s, life.

The kiss was something that neither Sam, nor Erin could properly explain to anyone. It was something neither of them had ever felt or experienced before, never in their entire lives did they feel this strongly about another person.

“Check.”

Lukas stared at the chess set in front of him and rested his elbow on the armrest of the leather chair. His brow was furrowed and his jaw clenched in both concentration and agitation.

“Don’t look so serious, it’s merely a game,” Nikolai said with an amused tone in his voice.

Lukas glanced up at Nikolai, draped on the chair across the table from him. “I’m troubled about more than just the game, Nikolai.”

“What troubles you, old friend?” Nikolai frowned. “Or am I right when I insinuate that it’s about my sister?”

“You are more perceptive than you give yourself credit for,” Lukas said as he shifted his queen across the board, knocking Nikolai’s white knight off its block. “Your sister wants nothing to do with me.”

“Can you blame her?” Nikolai leaned forward, moving his other knight. “Check.”

“I thought she would be over my infidelity. It has been forty years-”

“You know how Erina is. She remembers everything and excuses nothing. She still carries a grudge against me for burning her first boyfriend, and that was over a century ago.”

“You burned her first boyfriend?”

“He was a handsy one, always touching her.”

“You are unbelievable,” Lukas laughed and shook his head. “Hopefully you never considered setting me alight.”

“The thought had crossed my mind quite a number of times,” Nikolai shrugged. “Especially when her inconsolable sobbing was the only thing that I could hear at night.”

“Nikolai, you know I would not intentionally hurt her,” Lukas frowned and Nikolai met his gaze.

Nikolai raised a suspicious eyebrow at him and tilted his head to the one side. “Am I supposed to believe you?”

“Believe what you want, but I still feel strongly for your sister.”

“You are a good friend of mine, but Erina won’t budge. She’s unmovable, especially about infidelity. She even scolds me about it from time to time.”

“That is one of the things that I love about her. She is so opinionated and headstrong, always wanting to do the right thing,” Lukas nodded.

“Do you remember-”

“When we were leaving for Nomarka, and Erina tried to persuade us to stay? Trying to make us realize that war wasn’t the answer?”

“Who could ever forget that?” Nikolai chuckled. “The others still talk about it. She’s such an idealist.”

“Yes, she is,” Lukas nodded. “Nikolai?”

“Yes, my friend?”

“Who is this person that she is seeing? Do you know?”

“I had no idea she was seeing anyone,” Nikolai answered. “She keeps her thoughts very private, especially these days.”

“Yes, she does seem very secretive about him.” Lukas moved his rook in line with Nikolai’s king and looked at him. “Check.”

“Only because you were present.”

“Could that mean she still has feelings for me?” Lukas asked, hopefully.

“Wishful thinking, old friend,” Nikolai muttered, knocking over Lukas’ rook with his queen. “Checkmate.”

“Seems that I always lose,” Lukas grimaced, as he knocked over his black king, lowering his gaze. “Especially with your sister.”

“People rarely win with Erina. Not even our mother can win with her.”

“Will you help me find out who this guy is that she is seeing?”

“Why don’t you wait until her century shift? It’s only a week away,” Nikolai said with a frown and looked at Lukas.

“Good idea, then I can meet him personally.” Lukas nodded. “Is it her third switch already?”

“Indeed it is.”

“I still remember her second one…” Lukas’ voice trailed and he looked at Nikolai with a determined look in his eyes. “I have to win back her affection.”

“I wish you luck on that endeavor.”

“I’m serious. I’ve realized that she has been important all along, and I want her by my side.”

“Even if she doesn’t want to be anywhere near you?” Nikolai scowled. “Somehow I don’t think that is good enough, my friend.”

“That was unnecessary and cruel.”

“That is exactly what she is going to say to you. She calls a vein, a vein, you know that,” Nikolai answered. “Why now? Why not two decades ago?”

“Your father believed that Erina needed time, and he forbade me to come here.”

“You can count your lucky stars I never set you alight.”

“I wouldn’t have been sitting here if you had.”

“Exactly,” Nikolai nodded and looked at Lukas, his jaw clenched. “I will find out what I can from Alex. In the meanwhile, please stay away from my sister. I don’t want to upset her unnecessarily before her switch.”

“Thank you, old friend,” Lukas smiled gratefully and looked out the window at the moon in the sky.

Erin opened her eyes and glanced over at Sam, lying on his back, still asleep. Not being much of a sleeper, she pulled the sheets over her and smiled at the sleeping marvel next to her. The night had been magical beyond any experience and she sighed happily. She sat up slowly, careful not to wake him, and she slid off the bed. She grabbed a furry throw that was draped over a settee and wrapped it around her. She tiptoed out of the room, towards the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. She heard a loud groan coming from the bedroom and she giggled. Sam’s loud footsteps came from the bedroom and she looked at him. He was only wearing a pair of boxers and he was stunning. His muscles were the right size in all the right places and Erin had to close her mouth to prevent her from salivating all over herself.

Like a dog.

She chuckled to herself for being silly and focused her attention on the beautiful man in front of her. She whistled and raised an eyebrow. “Whoa, look at you.”

“Speak for yourself. You look good in fur.” Sam wrapped his arms around her and kissed her lightly on the lips.

“I look better in your arms.”

“I can’t argue with that.” He flashed a crooked smile and Erin pulled out of his embrace, holding on to the throw around her.

“How did you sleep?”

“Like a corpse. You?” he said and yawned sleepily.

“I’m not much of a sleeper.”

“Do you ever sleep?”

“Only minimal. I don’t need to, but it’s nice to watch you dreaming.”

Sam let out an amused laugh and planted a quick kiss on her lips. “I’ll be right back.” He smacked her lightly on the ass and walked out of the kitchen. “Nature calls.”

“You take that call,” she laughed as she walked to the bedroom. “”I’m borrowing a shirt.”

“Okay, they’re in the top drawer of the dresser,” he said before disappearing into the bathroom.

Erin stepped into the bedroom and slid open the top drawer of the dark brown wooden dresser. Grabbing a light gray t-shirt from the top of the pile of neatly folded shirts, she dropped the throw on the floor and pulled Sam’s t-shirt over her head. It smelled exactly like him, warm and comforting, and she breathed in the scent for a moment. Combing her fingers through her hair, she left the bedroom humming one of her favorite rock ballads. The floorboards creaked and she looked up, stopping abruptly. In the kitchen stood an older man leaning against the counter, his eyebrows raised, and a smug smile on his face.

“Um, Sam,” Erin called out to him.

“Having trouble finding-” Sam emerged, still in his boxers, from the bathroom, and stopped abruptly when he saw his father. Erin crossed her arms uncomfortably and was grateful that Sam’s oversized t-shirt was covering her properly.

“I don’t recall calling an escort for you, Sammy,” Frank said and looked at Sam.

“Dad!” Sam exclaimed, and looked apologetically at Erin.

“Just a joke, to lighten the mood,” Frank said with a chuckle.

“Not a real good joke, Dad.”

“Senator Morton, it’s nice to meet you, I’m Erin.” Erin held out her hand and the senator shook it, with an amused smile. “Sam’s told me so much about you.”

“Good things, I hope,” the senator winked at Erin.

“Of course, sir.”

“Please, call me Frank. Sir makes me feel old,” Frank shrugged and put his hands on his hips. “So you’re the vamp girl then?”

“Yes,” Erin nodded slowly.

“You’re the reason why my Sammy is smiling the way he is then. Not that I blame him..”

“Dad-”

“Now, now, Sam. It is what it is,” Frank fobbed him off and turned to Erin. “He hasn’t bitten you, has he?”

“No, Frank. He’s been great,” Erin said, shaking her head and winked at Sam.

“Wonderful. Simply wonderful.”

“Frank, I must compliment you on your campaign for equal rights. It’s exactly what Algharakh needs right now,” Erin smiled at Sam’s father.

“You’ve been following my campaign?”

“I sure have and I am fully behind it. No specie should be oppressed because the other thinks they are more worthy of living.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that, thank you, Erin.” The senator turned to Sam and winked again. “She’s definitely a keeper, unlike that other-”

“Dad, please stop talking. What are you doing here?” Sam asked.

“I came by to give you this. It is from Gowan,” Senator Morton said in a softer tone and handed Sam a large brown envelope.

“Thanks, dad. I’ll call him a bit later,” Sam nodded and placed the envelope on the kitchen counter.

“Well, I’d better be off, so you kids can get dressed in peace,” Frank smirked, taking Erin’s hand again. “It was wonderful meeting you, Erin.”

“Same here, sir...” Erin stuttered and flashed him a smile. “I mean, Frank.”

“You kids have a good day,” Frank winked at Sam. “Oh, and Sammy? Do bring Erin around to the manor some time. I’m sure everyone would love to meet her, fully clothed of course.”

“Dad…”

“Absolutely, Frank. We’ll do that,” Erin laughed and they watched as Frank left through the front door.

Sam’s cheeks were slightly flushed as he looked at Erin, but she was chuckling to herself. “What?” he asked.

“I like your dad. He’s funny, and nice.”

“Want to see something else that’s nice?” Sam gave her a cocky smile and she giggled.

“In the bedroom?”

“Wherever you want.”

“Okay,” she laughed and playfully ran to the bedroom.

“Yeah, you better run, little vamp.”

When Sam entered the bedroom, Erin was sitting on the bed, and he leaned against the doorframe, simply looking at her. “You’re beautiful, you know that?”

“So you say,” Erin smiled at him and patted her hand on the bed next to her.

“Do we need to talk?” Sam raised an eyebrow at her. “Already?”

“Just come here.”

“Okay,” he chuckled and climbed onto the bed, sitting next to her. She took his hand and ran her fingers slowly over his knuckles. “Do you remember when you said that you won’t get invited over to dinner at my parents’ manor?”

“Yes, I do.” Sam looked at her, licking his lips.

“Well, I kind of told them that I was seeing someone and they want to meet you.”

“You kind of told them?”

“It slipped out.”

“You were put on the spot?”

“Kind of,” she nodded. “My parents are throwing me a party at the manor for my century switch and I told them that you were coming, so they can meet you.”

“Okay.”

“Okay what?”

“Okay, we can go.”

“What? Really?”

“Yes, of course. When is this party of yours?”

“Next week Friday.”

“Next weekend is Fool Moon.”

“I know.”

Sam frowned and shook his head. “Not possible.”

“But you just said-”

“Besides the fact that I will be in my animal form the entire night, we wolves are at our strongest and wildest on Fool Moon. I won’t be able to go with you. In fact, I wouldn’t be able to come anywhere near you that night.”

“But I already told them you were coming.”

“I’m sorry, Erin. I just can’t…”

“Okay, I understand, but what do I tell my family?”

“Tell them I’m as sick as a dog,” Sam smirked.

Erin let out a laugh and touched his face. “Isn’t there some way I can get you to change your mind?”

“Unless you can figure out a way that stops me from transforming,” Sam shrugged.

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“I’m kidding, Erin. There’s no such thing as a transformation suppressant, or whatever you’d like to call it.”

“I know,” she pouted and looked down at her hands on her lap.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I understand.”

“If I could, I would.”

“I know.”

“So how exactly did you kind of tell them that you were seeing someone?”

Erin took a deep breath and looked at Sam. “Okay, I was at my parents’ manor and Lukas was there.”

“Who’s Lukas?”

“My ex, from a really long time ago.”

“Okay. What was he doing there?” Sam narrowed his eyes slightly.

“He was just visiting, my brother. They’re old friends,” Erin answered and noticed the storm forming in his eyes. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Don’t narrow your eyes like that. It’s been over for a very long time. You don’t have to worry about him.”

“Okay.”

“Anyway, he asked me how I was, and I told him that I was really happy, because I was seeing this really great guy.”

“And?” Sam could not help but smile at her.

“And my mother overheard and announced it to everyone.”

“Ah, I see. Obviously they don’t know that I’m not one of your kind.”

“Correct.” Erin exhaled slowly and shook her head. “I didn’t really get the chance to say much actually. Everyone was talking at once, but I think my dad suspects something.”

“Why’s that?”

“He knows me as best as I know myself.”

“So your family will definitely disapprove of me?”

“Oh totally,” Erin rolled her eyes and looked at him, with bright green eyes. “But you know what? I don’t really care.”

“You don’t?”

“No, I’ve wasted more than enough of my life, worrying about what my family thought of me. The decisions that I make are my own, not theirs. They have no control over my life,” Erin shook her head. “And the fact that you’re a wolf doesn’t bother me, Sam. It never has and it never will. If they have a problem with you being a wolf, then that is their prerogative.”

“You’re amazing, do you know that?” Sam whispered as he ran his fingers down her cheek, brushing hair off her face.

“Everything will be okay, Sam. I promise. They won’t touch you. I won’t let them.”

“I know,” Sam nodded. “The same goes for you and my family. Which reminds me, are you still up for karaoke with the Morton pack tonight?”

“Absolutely. Nothing would keep me away,” Erin said with a smile and looked at Sam. He leaned closer to her and their lips touched in a slow and satisfying kiss.