Chapter 43

"Was his body placed exactly like the ones before?" Eli questioned wanting to get all the facts. There had been a small number of vampires being killed here and there throughout the years and no one had caught the culprit yet. 

"Yes. From his neck down was chopped up in a pile while his head was held down to a table by a knife going through his mouth and his fangs were pulled out. Whoever this person is had a serious problem with Chase," Noah's body shivered at the thought of being killed so cruelly.

It wasn't fun when the hunter became the hunted. 

Noah continued to share what news he picked up, "Everyone is certain it's that human hunter organization doing this. They've definitely gotten bolder over the years."

Eli traced the rim of his cup with his finger thinking about the whole ordeal. "Chase was a photographer for a modeling agency right? Find out what he's been up to leading up to the day he died. If it's those hunters, they must've caught wind of Chase breaking some rules."

"And if it's not them then who?" Asked Noah. 

"Who knows. Could be a wolf or another vampire. Don't forget we're cruel enough to kill our own and pretend to know nothing. The older vampires would be meeting with my parents soon to talk about this. Just when I thought I would have peaceful days," Eli said before taking a sip of the coffee Helen brew. 

'Taste good,' he thought and tried to look for the name of the brand she used. It wasn't too sweet nor too bitter. It was just the perfect blend.

"Speaking of your parents, your mother knows Helen has been frequenting your house and is furious you never brought Helen to meet her. I haven't told your mother Helen is not like us yet simply because I want to live but I think you should have a chat with your mother," Noah proposed so the woman wouldn't attempt to strangle him every time he deflected from answering questions about Helen.

This is why when it came to Eli's relationships, Noah didn't want to be the one speaking to Elaine. 

"Why did you take Helen on a date to your mother's hotel? That got the buzz started about who you might be dating. Also, someone followed you and took a picture of your bringing home Helen. Thankfully it wasn't a clear shot and no one knows who she is," Noah started remembering the glimpse of the picture he saw about Helen entering Eli's home. It only captured her side profile and her hair was blocking her face.

If you were going to stalk someone at least do it right.

"People have nothing to do other than following me home," Eli scoffed at their stupidity. Why did his relationship concern anyone else? Daughters who thought they had a chance being taken into his family and parents who just saw the hierarchy position from having their daughters marry him.

There was even a proposition long along to take one of the daughters as a mistress. Was he the only one who realized they had escaped those times of selling off daughters? He wanted no part in it.

By now they should've realized Eli hated being around the majority of them. Why would they keep expecting him to take one of their daughters?

His home was his comfort area and being followed there and having pictures taken didn't sit too well with Eli. 

The gossip about who Helen might be from their date at the hotel didn't bother him. He had to slowly but surely introduce Helen to his world. But it was possible because Eli kept to himself for a while now, they believed they could do as they pleased. 

They were sadly mistaken.

"Find out who took the picture of Helen at my home. Give them an invite to my home personally but make sure no one else knows about it," Eli said giving Noah an order.

Noah instantly understood what Eli planned to do. After all, he had been beside Eli for many years. "Won't this be a bit extreme?"

"Not at all. They might try to approach Helen next if they were so confident to come near my home. If that were to happen, Helen would've been done for. It seems my mother is right. It's time these imbeciles meet Helen and know not to touch or follow what is mine," Eli stated almost fuming with anger. 

It would have been preferred if he had a couple more peaceful months with Helen but the time to show her a different world was approaching. With the rumors of some creatures planning to show themselves to humans counting down, this might be the best time for him to bring her to his mother.

"I can also see my mother pulling her hair out for bringing home a human," Eli chuckled at the image he created in his mind. He was excited to see his mother break her perfect character.

"If the cat walked in the house kissing the mouse, wouldn't you be surprised too?" Inquired Noah about how strange it would appear for others. "Why aren't you more worried about how your mother will react? She spent all her time setting you up on dates with the finest vampiress in our circle just for you to choose a human. Doesn't that ring bells of how upset your mother will be?"

"I let my mother do as she like when it came to relationships simply because I never had any intention picking any of her candidates. Outside of her running the hotel she could occupy her time with my life but not anymore."

Eli placed the coffee cup in the sink and said, "It's time to have a proper talk with mother. She will be upset given the circumstances but there's one thing you must not forget about my mother. She would never do anything too extreme to push me away considering I'm all that she has. Plus, Helen will need a woman with common knowledge and backing to help her in our circle."

"This might end badly Eli. No matter how much you have planned out," Noah warned him as a friend. Humans brought to the circle were often killed unless the vampires were fooling around with them. Even then the humans had no idea what they were laying with.

"I obviously can't predict the future Noah. But the hard part isn't speaking with my mother."

"Really? What is it?"

"Convincing Helen to meet my mother."