Chapter 14

I asked Drake if he could at least ask me if I wanted to get married. He seemed to brush it off and we danced till he was content. Then a goosebumps raising symphony was played. He escorted me down an aisle. He held my hand firmly as we reached the end. A woman was wearing an ancient black wedding dress. She smiled and spoke in an ancient language. When she was done she looked at me and Drake asked me to nod my head. I asked him to allow me some time to think about it. He tried to hypnotize me but like I said it was impossible to do it. He finally said we will get married and I take my time after. He won't pressure me into anything. So I nod my head and he delightful gave his consent. The audience turned into horrific creatures and chanted something that raised the hair in the back of my head. After the wedding I was supposed to be escorted to the Harem but I was sent to Drake's room.

I sat down with a book and he sat next to me. He promised me that he will convince me. I asked him he would let me see my family. He arranged a plane to take me to New Orleans after he was certain that James will not be there. I shook my head at the extent he went.

I arrived in New Orleans and found Pops was waiting for me. He was happy to see me. Drake promised me he will join me later after he has dealt with some personal business. I wished him luck over the phone. He asked if he could reconnect with my mind because I was actively blocking him. I let him in and he settled in like it was his grandma's house. He chuckled, "Not grandma's house but home sweet home." I felt myself blush as he disappeared into the fog.

Pops and I sat at the crisper cafe and had breakfast. He had the egg muffin and skimmed latte. While I pretended to go through the menu. He wanted to know how I was doing. I was supposed to finish school but unfortunately I have missed it. Which meant no diploma. I realized the world that I lived diploma meant nothing. Mr. Ford was kind enough to show up and distract grandpa. I decided to tour the newly constructed library nearby It had all sorts of books that I wanted to delve into. Before I manage to figure out which book to choose from I heard a familiar and unwelcome sound. It was the rabbit. I started to grind my teeth as I fought the urge to either bite Mickey or demolish that worthless vehicle. I decided that the vehicle deserves to be destroyed. The question was how before innocent people bleed to death. I looked around for cameras and found many so I walked back inside. I started running at super speed to stop Mickey. The truck jumped up at the opportune moment and I ripped out a chunk of machinery from under it. I ran back before any of the fluids landed on me. The car stopped before it hit anything and everybody cheered. The Sheriff was pissed that this time because Mickey wasn't alone. His grandpa was sitting next to him. The man that sets the best example is now going to be cuffed as well.

I walked back to Pops and it had already reached him. I shook my head, "And they say women gossip" He blushed red and I brushed him off. I smelled the freeloader before he walked in. My expression gave it away and Pops laughed. The door chimes rang to announce the new arrival and everyone immediately filled any empty seats till there was none. Trust me. The table he sits at the bill will be triple. I called his Mrs. and she showed up with a rolling pin. He looked around till he saw me. He froze when he looked at me. My eyes were usually ice blue but now I was wearing contact lens. So they looked pitch black. He was gawking at me till his wife swiped the pin on the side of his head. He ran till he reached her citron. I prayed that he behaved himself. Pops smiled, "My Rose the eternal optimist." I smiled as Benji walked in with his aunt Mrs. Gould. He walked to the counter and asked for Nutella stuffed pancake and vertical pasta. He will have a steak rare.

I waved at him and he waved back. When he came close he smelled like wet dogs. I knew he was a werewolf. He walked towards me and he gave me a slight growl. We are creatures of opposition. Mr. Ford also smelled like a wet dog now that I have a moment to focus. He slowly muttered under his breath, "She is one of us" Benji smiled, "Hey kiddo, passing through?" I nod my head. He looked at me from head to toe. It felt like he wanted to rip me limb from limb. He smiles almost to say yes. But he knew not to challenge his alpha. He joined his aunt at her table but stole glances at me from time to time.

I eyed the door contemplating how I can escape or how to fight a werewolf. Dracula's spectral form appeared and explained that Benji won't hurt me unless he wants to die. Richard's orders are absolute. When Pops was done we walked back home. Dracula walked with me. I asked him if we would continue fight training in case anyone on his side would try to kill me. The seer on the other side has made it clear not to hurt me because I am not a bad guy and the Fenris wolves won't hurt me. He shook his head, "If I am the prince of darkness then you are the princess of darkness. They wouldn't hurt you unless they want to be extinct" I walked in to see the freeloader was trying to raid the fridge. I had cleaned the fridge and forgot to restock it so it was empty. The same goes for the pantry. He was screaming with frustration. He sat on the floor and I shook my head. When he saw me he jumped up and screamed vampire. I asked him which comic book is he immersed in now. Dracula gave him a once over as he held back his expression. Pops was laughing as I answered his retorts. He grunted, "I am here to clean the place up of these scum" I asked him if he was a vacuum cleaner. He shook his head, "I will neutralize this situation soon" I asked him if he consider himself to be antacid. Even Dracula started to laugh. Freeloader growled, "I will have a conversation about this with everyone" I asked him if he was the owner of the phone company that he will never be charged for unlimited use of the cellphone. Pops laughed so hard I smelled his pants get soiled. I wrinkled my nose and asked him to leave or I will happily call his wife. This time he is going to a mental asylum where he will be in solitary confinement. This had him rethink his words. I picked up my phone and he walked out. I followed him and he picked up the hose and sprayed me. I stayed perfectly still. Pops on the other hand lunged for his neck. When he saw that I was in the sunlight and wasn't baking. He apologized for calling me names. He unexpectedly fell to the ground. His wife was behind him with a bag full of coins. She was on the way to the bank to deposit them. She saw what he did and she was insulted that he did that. She promised to have him sent to a therapist. Mr. Palmer is our more stricter neighbor and an ex-cop. He walked out to find out who was interrupting his afternoon nap. When he saw who it was he picked up his walkie talkie and called the sheriff's office. When the free loader was taken away I asked Pops if I could gets some sleep. I was sapped. He looked depleted himself so he passed out on his couch. I walked into my room and slept on the hammock.

The alarm clock rang and I opened my eyes to see James. The others transported me while I was asleep. He seemed annoyed that I was here. I asked him if he was one to have Dracula's family killed in Walachia. He got up and left without a word. Downstairs the council meeting was being convened by a blonde woman, a Native American, a Chinese man, and a German woman. I heard them differ about what to do with me. I may have been forced to marry Drake. I had willingly given him my blood which makes him dangerous. They need to up their game. So what they suggested was to systematically remove some of my blood and feed it to the defenders and make an army of day walkers. I was outraged and so were the seers. They made it clear, some vampires behave only because they have limitations. If they roam free the trouble will increase exponentially. This caused a shouting match that lasted the rest of the evening.

The shouting ended because there was an invitation from Semenov's palace. It is neutral grounds. The rule were simple any invitation must not be refused. Refusal means a declaration of war. I received a separate invitation and that frightened everyone. I looked up to see Drake staring at me amused. I shook my head fearfully. He casually leaned over and promised no one will get hurt.