The Old Plot

Nadia parked her car in the lower level garage. She sat there for a second staring at the cement wall that was in front of her car. She was just gripping the steering wheel for a moment and then let out a rush of air. She had a bit of time before they were to meet for dinner. She just couldn't stay in the house.

She undid her seatbelt and got out of the car locking it. Nadia pulled out her phone and scrolled through the contacts. She found Laural's name and then called her as she walked toward the exit. It went to voicemail, no surprise there. She left a message asking her to give the details for the one that gave her the computer. She just told her that there was an issue and she needed to speak with the one that gave it to her.

Nadia then came out on street level and waited to cross. The building across the way was nice, large windows and the restaurant she was going to was on the first floor. She just went in and was going to sit in the waiting area. A nice plush area but she honestly just felt way to anxious to sit. Her mind was going over what Xyle said. Now she was wondering just what he would do.

In all honesty she was starting to feel that leaving might be smarter. What if Xyle did something? She really didn't put it past him to try. This mate thing was very serious for his kind. She was going over what she remembered from the stories. If he was anything like Zyer, well shit could get real fast.

Nadia was feeling the draw and effects, she just didn't trust the feelings. It was new to her, and it just made her nervous. It was more nerve wracking for her to believe someone was meant for you, than working for it with someone you didn't know. Sounded a bit backwards even to her, but Xyle wasn't really meant for her right? Just now with what he did.

Nadia's mind was a bit of a mess. What if they had always been meant and that was why he was the first character pulled out? Why she felt angry at Laural for killing him and stopped reading. On the heels of that she scolded herself. That couldn't be possible, they were from completely different worlds. He had been words on a page up until yesterday right? It was honestly a serious mental dilemma. What was real and what wasn't. They were soul mates, what if the multiverse was real?

"Jesus Nadia get a grip. Stop trying to lose it." She told herself quietly. This was seriously affecting her. His appearance had only been a day ago. Though it felt so much longer suddenly. She was completely absorbed in her thoughts.

"Nadia?" Nadia jumped a bit and looked up at the unsure tone. Vincent was there. He was slightly taller than her. He had sandy brown hair and light brown eyes. He was a good looking man in her opinion, in shape. Though looking at him she didn't feel quite the draw like last time. She thought he had a stronger build like… She stopped herself before she could start comparing him to another.

"Vincent." She said with a smile. He was a bit more of a serious man, dressed smartly. Had a higher quality about him.

"Have you been waiting long? Six was the right time, no?" He asked her.

"It was, no I haven't been waiting long. I had an errand to run prior so I was just a bit early is all." She clarified and moved to enter the main restaurant with him. Nadia felt this sudden shiver, she felt watched. Judging by the feel it immediately made her think of Xyle. She covertly glanced about but did not see him anywhere. She'd say she was paranoid but she really didn't think so.

Nadia had her jacket taken by a host and then they were taken to their table. The place had a slightly dimmer atmosphere. Though a good air, soft music played. The table they sat at was separated by rather modern looking partitions that let the sitting area feel a bit more private even as it was still a large room.

It was pleasant talking with him, but Nadia was feeling a bit antsy. Vincent was smart and seemed like he had his affairs in order. That normally drew her in, though she just wasn't feeling a strong spark or anything. She was nursing her glass of wine as they had finished their meal. The entire time she was also still feeling watched. That was starting to really annoy her too. Where the hell was he watching from? She would bet her life that he was here watching. It was distracting, jerk. It was just freaking dinner.

"So you are looking to move out east? Do you have a company or brand you are hoping to work with?" Nadia shrugged.

"I've applied to a few, just waiting. It's the place to be right now and I was hoping for New York." She told him. Though she didn't care much for the big cities, it would be a good place to get her career started. There was good money to be made in this field if you played your cards right. If Nadia was being honest she'd rather do the writing than editing. Still, maybe one day.

"How would you feel working with the Low North Editorial Company?" He asked her watching her reaction and she was a bit wide eyed. That was a huge company, did he have ties with it? The way he questioned made her think so.

"That would be amazing." She said. Then gave a little bit of a laugh. "Though I know it's hard to move up in the company. I've heard others talk about it." It was fiercely competitive.She didn't want to spend years at the bottom hoping to move up.

"It's not so hard if you can start in a higher position." He commented. "I won't lie Nadia, from what I have seen and heard about you, you are the exact kind of person we'd like working for us." He was watching her rather intently.

"I'd like it if you were to take a position out east. It's hard to know someone more if they are halfway across the country." Nadia lowered her gaze from his for a moment. There was very clear interest she could see. She frowned a bit and felt nothing in return when before she'd been very excited about this date. She'd have been so very ready to jump on that, now it felt different. She still wanted the job, but something nagged at her too about it. She felt kind of out of place suddenly.

"I do want to eventually. Not sure how fast though. I suppose if I had a good enough reason I would go sooner rather than later." She told him and he leaned forward slightly.

"Sorry, I'm a creature of habit. Tend to talk about work more than not. I've enjoyed this time with you. I'd like the rest of the evening with you Nadia if you'll give it. Would you like to have a drink and talk more? There is a lounge a few floors up." Nadia met his gaze and she felt a little tongue tied for the moment. She didn't know what to say, she wasn't really that interested in more. Her heart wasn't in this, even if he seemed decent. Though she felt kind of rude to not, and part of her really wanted to know if he could get her that job. She weighed it out and maybe she could escape after a drink.

"I guess one drink wouldn't hurt." She said with a tentative smile. She had caught movement from the corner of her eye. Someone moving into view from a table just beyond them. Shit, no. Her eyes went a bit wider, she knew it. What the hell Xyle? He'd been listening hadn't he? When did he even get here? He met her gaze and confidently strode over to the table.

"Actually I think one would hurt." Nadia's face paled. She really had not seen him enter the place nor sit. It seemed he came from a table close by. That irritated her greatly, had he been listening the whole entire time?

Xyle moved and grabbed the chair that had been tucked in at their table. He pulled it out and spun it to sit straddling it. Xyle felt that now was an incredibly appropriate time to step in. Here was where it ended if Nadia would like this man keep breathing. She got her time.

"Xyle! What are you doing!" She snapped angrily in a quieter tone. Vincent had a slightly shocked look but then narrowed his gaze after a moment eyeing Xyle. There was instant dislike from both men, Xyle shrugged.

"Being an asshole." He supplied for her. Then he looked at Vincent as Nadia's face was a bit red in anger and embarrassment. He'd been sitting just around the partition there listening the entire time they talked. Xyle needed to know real intent from the man. Did he want Nadia, or was he looking to use Nadia for something. Always gather intel first. For him the first option was worse. Which it sure as shit seemed like option one was the man's motive. The scent of desire was growing from this Vincent. There was no way in hell he'd let Nadia go with him. She might not have the scent, but he did. Xyle was not a fool, she was lucky he let it go this far. Just dinner or not.

"I can see that. Would you leave, this is none of your business." Nadia had her fists clenched. Xyle glanced at her, his arms resting on the chair. Xyle wasn't worried about being asked to leave. He'd talked his way into a table. Nadia clearly wasn't paying attention or she'd have realized how close he was. She would have been able to pinpoint him if she tried hard enough.

"Who are you exactly?" Vincent asked with a darker tone. Xyle assessed him. Yeah, this was definitely the one he'd taken the spot of.

"Her fiance." Vincent looked taken back and glanced at Nadia who's jaw just about hit the floor.

"You are not my fiance." Nadia's gaze grew dangerous. He didn't care. Would she like him to tell the guy soul mate? Start talking about vampires and werewolves? Fiance sounded a lot safer. Regardless if either of them had rings or not.

"That is news to me, and she does not look like she agrees." Vincent said coldly.

"I know, arranged marriage. Doesn't matter. I have a couple questions for you though." Xyle was going to cut this short. Quick and to the point. Nadia was insane if she thought that he would allow her any more time with this man. Especially if a table was no longer going to be separating them. Did she not see the interest? She was lucky he was not like his hot headed brother and straight out attacked the man. Xyle felt it was being pretty damn civil about it.

"Nadia, who exactly is this?" Vincent asked clearly sensing something was off. He looked at Nadia. She moved to speak but Xyle gave a rather sharp finger for her not to talk. It was rude, and made her mad but she saw his eyes were black a second later. That caused her heart to beat a little faster. Oh no, what was he doing?

"Vincent, how about you tell me who you really are." Xyle's voice had a far different quality to it, and when Vincent's gaze met Xyle's it dulled slightly. Nadia heard the subtle push in Xyle's tone.

"Vincent Lenquin." Nadia frowned that wasn't the last name she'd been given. Where had she heard that name before?

"Do you really work with the company you told Nadia about just now?" Xyle had a feeling the man wasn't being completely truthful. Even if he didn't get an evil sense from him. Xyle had a strong suspicion his first assessment about Nadia's kind of life story was spot on. He trusted his instincts, they were rarely wrong.

"No, I own it." Nadia then recognized the name when he said that and she felt speechless for a moment. She was on a freaking date with one of the wealthiest men in the country? On the heels of that she felt this stone drop in her stomach. There was an odd smug look on Xyle's face. He looked right at Nadia and she wanted to smack him again. He better wipe that damn look off his face right this second.

"Really? Still offer her a spot if she wasn't available like you want her to be?" Xyle asked darkly.

"She is talented and promising so yes." Xyle blinked and his eyes were normal. He looked at Nadia. Vincent was still a bit glassy eyed. It would take a minute or two for the effect to wear off.

"Sorry, what kind of story is your life now?" He asked her with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. Nadia pulled the napkin from her lap and slapped it on the table.

"You are unbelievable!" Nadia raised her voice slightly. Vincent suddenly gave a slight shake of his head. He frowned and flexed his hand for a moment. Xyle just gave a open gesture with his hands. At least it was quick and no one was dead. She should be happy he did it this way.

"Sorry I was right." Xyle commented dryly and Nadia stood up. She looked at Vincent and also felt a bit played by him too. Why couldn't Vincent just say who he was? She didn't want to hear a line about women dating him for who he was either. Having to hide or some bullshit, she was tired of the fact signs were starting to make her feel out of control of her life. What if someone else was writing it? Ignorance was bliss and she wished that was where she was. No instead she was stuck with this rude presumptuous ass hat over here.

"Vincent, I enjoyed dinner. Truly, however I also don't like being lied to even by omission. I wouldn't have cared who you were." She grabbed her clutch and had the incredible urge to push Xyle out of his chair. Simply for the fact he messed with her fate and dare think he had a say in anything she did. Even to stop this date.

"Nadia…" Vincent started and sounded odd.

"As for you. Find somewhere else to stay. You aren't welcome in my home." She didn't even look at Xyle as she walked away making sure that she could not be reached. Xyle watched Nadia walk away with anger in every step. He felt a kind of growl at her proclamation. He however looked back at Vincent who was staring at him darkly.

"What are you?" Vincent more demanded and Xyle just stared at him.

"I'll be your worst nightmare if you try for her attention again. I was nice this time, remember that." Xyle stood quick and Vincent also stood up not wanting to be lower than the man. This Vincent might be human, but Xyle recognized alpha material when he saw it.

"Do you know how hard it is to find a woman like her? I'll be watching just so you know." Xyle was sure he would be. Which meant that Xyle needed to do something in regards to Nadia and that she was still unclaimed at the moment. Not that Vincent would understand with his human senses.

"You've no idea how aware I am." Xyle had to live believing he had no other half. This man had the chance to find another. Xyle felt no guilt that he stole Nadia from him. It was also clear that this Vincent might be aware of more than normal humans. He clearly recognized the persuasion used on him.

"I hope you fail with her." Vincent said darkly. Very clearly wanting the chance and angry that Xyle just got Nadia to storm away from him.

"I won't and if you try anything you won't see the blade coming." Xyle wasn't worried at all turning his back and leaving the place fast after Nadia. Vincent wouldn't follow, Xyle knew it. He wasn't the type to rush head first. As long as he stayed gone, Xyle didn't care. His attention turned back to the mate who was clearly pissed off at him. The man wasn't an issue right now.

Nadia wasn't running from him this time, he was feeling very on edge. He was not going to let anything escalate with others more than it had. He was done warning her, looked like she needed a reminder of how serious he was about this. Xyle let her have her moment, now he'd take his.