Eva
It all began a few years ago when I obtained my master's degree in journalism. After suffering a few setbacks, I was a bit older than the average student. However, I loved writing, it was my passion in life, or at least, was until my life took me down a new path when I turned twenty-five.
I work for an online magazine, Stranger Things, writing about all sorts of things from strange disappearances to the possibility of the existence of aliens. I enjoy the strange and unusual because I, myself, have become the strange and unusual. Working there fosters my creativity and allows me to do a bit of research and investigative work too, which I enjoy the most, because I love learning and exploring. All of these reasons are why this became my perfect career and second home; Katie being my first home.
I have long, very dark, ash blonde hair and bright, sage green eyes. I have pale skin with a few tattoos and piercings. I don't post photos of myself in the magazine unless I'm wearing a disguise, because I prefer to keep myself hidden as best as I can. I even use a pseudonym, too. It's Midnight Rose, because I'm a night owl. I always have been. Plus, there's beauty in the night. I chose a rose because it's beautiful, yet has a certain harshness represented by its thorns, and also, roses are pretty resilient, just like me.
I live in an apartment building with my good friend Katie Smith. Katie has dark brown hair and bright blue eyes. She's so bubbly that it's infectious. We met freshman year of high school/college, and have been best friends ever since. She's my only family. I was an orphan and knew nothing about my family. All I know is that they're all dead and I suffer from nightmares as proof. I grew up in the system. I was smart and hardworking so I was able to put myself through college. Katie is finishing up her Master's in Education while substitute teaching at the local high school. Even though she's a few years younger than me, we get along wonderfully.
Katie comes in holding a box. "Hey girl, you got a package."
My eyebrows shoot up, "Really?" She throws it at me and I begin to examine it. "Funny, it has no return address. I wonder who sent it?" Katie suggests that I open it to see if there's a note inside. It's a plausible idea, so I quickly opened it. I pull out a golden ornate mask. "Wow, it's beautiful."
"Hey, Eva, look, there is a note!" Katie cheered.
I take it and read it aloud. You are cordially invited to "Experience The Night," a Masquerade Gala at St. John's Cathedral, this Friday night, from dusk till dawn.
"Sounds interesting. You should go for your work because it might give you some cool ideas for a story," Katie said.
"Katie, I'm not going alone. You're coming with me." I won't go if she doesn't come with me.
She sighs, "But they only invited you."
I respond, "The fine print says may bring a 'guest'." So we went shopping. We found our dresses and a mask for her to wear. We both chose red dresses. Mine was a mermaid-cut floor-length dress with golden beading and appliques. Hers was a red, floor-length, A-line dress that fades to black towards the bottom. I always feel out of place when I dress formally. I feel like I'm playing dress-up. Before I knew it, it was the night of the gala.
"Damn, you look hot! If I were into girls, we wouldn't be leaving right now," Katie exclaimed, as she saw me leave my room.
I can't help but laugh, "Haha, you look sexy yourself." Katie is boy-crazy still. She chases after romance, but it never pans out for her. Me, I'm the opposite. I don't look for love. I'm more career-driven. I figure love will find me at some point. I'm only turning 26 later this year, so I've got plenty of time. I date occasionally, don't get me wrong, but there's yet to be anyone that I'd trust with my life, especially after how things ended with Victor Van Clay. Until that day comes, I'm fine being a happily single loner.
Katie and I hop into my car, ready to see what adventures tonight brings us, as we head over to the gala. I opted for no purse, since my dress had pockets. I snapped a few pictures of us outside and in front of the church. When we get inside, we are blown away. I take many pictures of the elegantly decorated interior. There were tables for dining and a dance floor. There was also a more intimate area, with small high-top cocktail tables. Guests were standing around them; I assume that's where we hang out until the hosts have us move to the dining area. I'd been to a few fancy parties, so I understood basic etiquette.
"This is just, wow," she said.
"I know, right? Just stay cool and follow my lead," I replied, to show the confidence that I lacked.
Katie scans the room, "Check out these guests, they're all hot!"
"Katie, they're just people like us," I retorted, but I am not so sure that they're all like us. I have this odd feeling that begins to creep into my soul.
"Eva, very sexy, beautiful people. No wonder they invited you. You fit right in."
I roll my eyes, "Whatever." She can be so over-the-top.
"Come on! No, you're one of the hottest people here. The sexiest woman, by far!" she says, as we move through the throngs of people.
I squeezed her hand, "You have to say that because you're my best friend."
"That's bullshit and you know it!" she says, as she grabs herself a glass of champagne. I roll my eyes because there's no use arguing with her when she gets like this. I grabbed a glass of red wine and took a sip, "Oh, this wine is to die for!"
She took my glass from my hand, "If it is so good you'd die for it, then let me have a sip."
I giggled, "I would not die or kill for it, but it's very good. It's beautifully balanced with flavors of peach and mirabelle plum, with soft oak notes, and a long finish. Quite good and very smooth, too. I'd say it's definitely European, maybe from Austria or Hungary."
"Eva, you know that I don't like red wines, but this one, I do like," she said, as she took another sip before handing me back my glass. I clink my glass with hers as I smile.
A smooth deep voice spoke from just behind me, "You're quite right, Miss. You could be a sommelier." I instinctively turn to the voice. My eyes lock with his. Wow! The man before me, dressed in a fine black suit, has a head full of silky hair that's blacker than a starless night. His dark tendrils frame his pale, chiseled face, with plump pink lips, to boot. His eyes are bluer than any ocean that I have seen. I wished I could see him without the mask. He's a God among men, and way out of my league. Hell, he's not even the same sport! He says, "Pardon my manners. I am Vincent Black."
Katie and I introduced ourselves to Vincent. She asked if he was the host. He said that he was not, but he was acquainted with him. I can't help but think that Vincent knows more than he's saying, so I decide to ask what's on my mind, "Do you know who invited me here? Some of the people I've seen around the city, but I wouldn't consider them and myself in the same social circles, much less worthy of sharing the same room."
He seems perplexed by my statement, "You seem very much at home here, though. Perhaps, you sell yourself short."
Katie laughs before she glares at me, "I tell her that daily." There's something different about this guy. Yes, he's handsome beyond measure, but his eyes… They are deeper than the sea, and they hold a secret within their depths. This man has walls up, much like I do. I wonder why? His voice is smooth as silk and velvety soft. Katie seems mesmerized, as if she's in a trance.
"Hey, Katie!" I snap my fingers until she looks at me. "I think the champagne is going to your head." Vincent looks into my eyes like he's trying to tell me something. I return the look with one of my "What the fuck do you think you're doing" looks, causing him to take a step back. Based on my weird feeling and what I write about, this guy can't be human, can he?
He raises his eyebrow at me, "Interesting, very interesting."
Nevertheless, I lean over and whisper, "I don't appreciate what you tried on my friend or me. I suggest you not try again and explain yourself." Because I'm just guessing that he tried to read our minds.
He whispers into my ear and it causes goosebumps to appear, "Eva, I'm afraid you wouldn't believe me if I tried."
I want to know. I'm not afraid, but maybe I should be. "Then show me. After all, seeing is believing."
Vincent
Originally, I dreaded coming to this event. It is usually the same people droning on and on about power, status, money, and other trivial things, which bore me. However, tonight I saw two women who had never attended one of these events before. I engaged in a discussion with them and was impressed by Eva. I am also intrigued by her boldness. I couldn't compel her, and she even caught me trying. I also felt a bond to her. I must explore that later, because I can't very well fly off with her.
End Vincent's POV
His lips graze the shell of my ear, "Not here." Just then, the hosts come in. A man and a woman wearing black masks with red jewels, dressed all in black, commanding the attention of all in attendance. Shivers go down my spine. There is something powerful about them, but something dark, too. Maybe the darkness is only attached to one of them, but I hope I don't have to find out which one. I have always been a good judge of people; well, mostly. I did misjudge a guy once…fucking Victor! But it seems like my senses have peaked since I turned twenty-five, and I have acquired a few other talents too.
I jumped back. Vincent seems worried, "Do you know them?"
I say, "No, and I'm not sure that I want to. They feel strange. Do you know them?"
Vincent answers, "Yes. Why did you withdraw and change your tone?"
"Just a feeling, it could be nothing," I say, dismissively. I don't know Vincent so I'm not sure how much I can or should say.
Katie chimes in, "Eva, you know to always trust your gut. So what's it saying?"
I just blurted out, "Well, it's saying to stay clear of one or both of them."
Vincent touches my arm, "We must talk in private later."
I turned to him, "I just met you and you think I'd go somewhere alone with you?"
He gives me a playful smirk, "Judge for yourself, Miss Sims. I mean you do no harm and I'm pretty sure you can realize that, too." We go to be seated and there's an attractive gentleman at our table. He's in a dark blue suit and has long, light brown hair that's pulled back into a ponytail. A tight, well-groomed beard frames his ruggedly handsome face. His eyes are a steely blue-green that pulls me in.
He stands and introduces himself, "I'm Sam Fall." We all introduce ourselves.
Then Vincent says something that takes me by surprise, "No pack with you? It's rare to see you
attending without the others." Pack? What pack? Is Sam not human either? I sense a tension between them, too, and I don't like it.
I have to ask, "Do you two know each other?"
Vincent says, "Somewhat, but not closely."
Sam adds, "I know more about him than I know him. We only briefly encounter each other at
mixed functions like this one." Mixed functions, just what does he mean by that? Just what have I gotten myself and Katie into?
I feel myself losing my filter and with it my decorum, "Well, let's keep the testosterone levels down, shall we? And be civil as well, please."
"Eva!" Katie smacks my hand. We all share a laugh at my expense, but I don't care. I feel oddly at home right now.
I look around and then at Katie, "What? This has to be the oddest night of my life by far. What's next, talking animals and dancing fairies?"
Katie cocks her head, "What are you talking about?"
I decided not to elaborate, "Just nothing, I'm just getting ideas for my next article, is all." Writing about the paranormal has made me hyperaware. I am convinced that humans aren't the superior species that they think they are. I think many myths and legends existed, and perhaps some still do. I might be sitting at the table with two such legends right now.
Katie giggles, "What's it going to be this time? A serial killer slaughter ball or a romantic vampire masquerade?"
I smirk. She doesn't know how close she is. We are certainly in mixed company because we are some of the only humans here. The more I look around, the more my feelings from earlier intensify, so I am certain that I'm right.
Vincent asks, "Exactly what do you do, Eva?" He is studying me now, too. Has he read some of my articles?
Before I can answer him, the couple from before comes over. The man addresses me, "Miss Midnight Rose, I'm glad you could make it."
He makes me nervous but not in a fearful way, "Umm, yeah. Who are you, and how'd you know it was me?"
"I'm Eric Wood, and this is my wife, Vicky. I have eyes everywhere, Eva. I know you are Midnight Rose, and I am very glad you came." I am almost positive that Eric is a vampire, and his wife seems familiar, too. I don't like her for some reason either. "Then why am I here? I'm not one of you or them. I'm in the minority here."
He speaks very calmly and extremely dignified, "I need your impartiality and your journalistic ability. You know of my world, and it needs your help."
I keep looking at him. He's pale with perfect pale skin. His eyes are a tantalizing teal. He's timelessly handsome. I cock my head, "For what?"
Vicky decides to speak, and I wish that she hadn't, "Ugh, why her? She's a moron. I don't get why you bother with food." She's the epitome of a haughty pretentious bitch. I want to slap her, but I feel Vincent place his hand on mine, and I also feel Sam's warm hand on my knee, as if to ground me. "We don't need her, Eric!" Vicky yelled. Oh no, she didn't! I glare at her and then envision myself strangling her. To my surprise, she grabs her throat and starts to drop to her knees as her face starts to change colors. I wonder if I can turn her into a rainbow.
Sam squeezes my knee, "Holy shit, but you don't smell like them. You aren't one of them or a witch, because I would know."
Sam
I smelled my mate at this event. When I saw her approach with Vincent, I nearly attacked him. He was flirting with my Luna! I instantly imprinted with Eva, and she was completely unaware. I assumed she was human until she just nearly killed Vicky. My pack doesn't kill unless it is the only way. I am going to have to train my mate, but it won't be easy. Eva doesn't strike me as a submissive, and if I try to use an Alpha Command, she could very well use one on me. Hers could even be stronger than mine.
Eric called her Midnight Rose. I know exactly who she is because some of my pack, especially my nephew, idolize her. She is an immensely talented writer, yet she seems oblivious to the topics she writes about. How can I make her understand that most of what she has written exists?
End Sam's POV
Eric looks me in the eye, "Eva, please stop."
I'm mad, "Why should I? You obviously won't put her in her place, so I will. She's part of your problem!" I let up, but only a bit because I recognized her now. I know exactly why I was creeped out earlier, and it wasn't because of the guy; it was because of her. It was because I remembered her from a few weeks ago.
Eric is shocked, "What?"
I'm just going to spit it out, "She's sloppy and careless. I recognize her now. Last week, she attempted to hurt a young man. I stopped her, but never got a look at her face. I just feel it's her, plus her voice is familiar."
Vicky tries to defend herself, "But I didn't..."
Sam doesn't let her finish, "Wait! My nephew?"
I ask, "Is his name Steven?" He says yes, as he glares at Vicky, while she still tries to plead her innocence. I have nothing to lose so I fully speak my mind, "Then why do I keep seeing pictures of the event when I look into your mind? You don't hide well either. You have no mental walls. Perhaps out of weakness or just plain arrogance. You think because you married power, that
alone means you're powerful. But you are very mistaken, because the only person who can make you powerful is yourself."
Eric asks, "Do you know who I am?"
I reply, "No, but I'm guessing, since you organized this and tracked me down, then you must be powerful and not just because of your infinite resources either." I turned to Vicky, "Why did you need Steven?"
Vicky says, "To stop you and those like you. You're going to ruin everything she has planned."
I'm so pissed off and confused. This woman and some of her cronies attacked a high school kid. I glared at Vicky, "What the hell are you talking about?"
Vicky replied, "The ritual." Then she burst into flames before she turned into ashes. Katie screamed, but I calmed her down as the guys watched me intently.
Eric asks, "Have you always had this gift?"
"I've always been able to read people and sometimes see things. More has happened since earlier this past year," I say.
Sam pats my knee, "Well, my family owes you for saving Steven."
I can't have Sam thinking that he owes me, "No one owes me anything. l would gladly do it again. I was just in the right place at the right time."
Matter of factly, Sam says, "That's why we owe you."
Eric suggests, "Let me introduce Katie to some great people and then we will talk further."
I glare at Eric, "Fine, but if…"
He smirks, "Nothing will happen. Everything is fine." He has that same voice that pulls me in. What are these guys? Vicky called me food. Are they all vampires? No, but maybe. Sam seems different, though. His nephew nearly shifted, so that must make Sam a werewolf, but why do I feel so drawn to each of these men? Hell, what am I? I just strangled a woman with my mind. What made her explode, though? Was it me?
Eric
I brought Midnight Rose here because I needed her help. Turns out my wife was part of the problem. I am going to have to do damage control to explain what happened. I am also going to have to figure out why Sam and Vincent are so close with Eva. Once I got close to Eva, I knew that she was my mate. But her closeness to the others has me thinking, not to mention her bizarre powers. She isn't a vampire or a shifter, and I doubt she is a witch. I just know now that she isn't human as I had assumed. I am likely going to need a few bottles of scotch to get through this conversation.