“And who are you?” Mairead asked.
“My name is Sophia! Sophia Strange,” Sophia said.
She was definitelystrange. A memory came to Mairead of seeing her beside the Immortal Seeyr during the parade. This didn’t cause Mairead to feel any better about this visit. What would aSeeyrwant with Eiji? And then she really took note of that envelope.
Seeyr said that if we survived the trials and tests that we would receive an envelope with information on whether we’d be turned and who our Master will be. Is that what this is for Eiji? But he already knows that Nero is the one! So why is Sophia here?
“Eiji is busy. What do you want?” Mairead asked, her palms suddenly sweating.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want Eiji to get turned or to have “succeeded” in whatever tests he was supposed to. Nero was going to be his Master. He would be an Ashyr Bloodline Vampire. But this girl’s sudden appearance was unnerving to her.
“Goda-sama is free now,” Sophia said with a certainty that was also unnerving. She kept smiling. “I must see him.”
“I–”
“Let her in, Mairead,” Eiji said gently. “She is determined.”
Mairead stepped back and allowed the bubbly teenager with the pink, bubble-gum colored dress that poofed around her waist skip inside. In addition to the dress, she had white knee socks and black and white saddle shoes. She was, quite frankly, adorable. Adorable and Vampire did not go together easily yet she was exactly that.
“Sophia!” Nero sounded slightly alarmed and there was something of that in his silver eyes too. His voice grew low as he asked her, “What brings you here?”
“It’s time,” Sophia intoned.
She proceeded to skip over to the couch and bowed, extending the envelope to Eiji. Eiji looked at the envelope then over at Nero. Nero half rose, but, though she wasn’t sure what Sophia did, Nero settled back down. Sophia Strange might look like a strong wind could blow her down, but Nero’s reaction to her showed incredible respect and a little bit of fear.
“I am afraid I am uncertain why you are offering me this,” Eiji said without taking the envelope.
“It’s time,” Sophia repeated.
“Time for what?!” Mairead asked sharply.
She stormed over and slid between Sophia and Eiji. While this girl might frighten Nero–and likely should frighten her–she was never one to back down. Not when her friends were in danger.
“You think you are protecting him, Mairead, but it istime,” Sophia said quietly.
“Again, time for what? What are you talking about?” Mairead demanded.
“It’s okay, Mairead,” Nero sighed. “Sophia doesn’t do things without a very good reason.”
“So why do you look ready to jump out of your chair and whisk Eiji away from her?” Mairead asked without even looking over at him.
Nero let out another sigh. “Because when a Seeyr Vampire visits you… it can be a two-edged sword. But there’s no getting around it. There’s no denying them. Your loyalty to Eiji is to your credit, Mairead, and you shall always be welcome in our house. But we must let Sophia finish her task.”
Mairead’s hands clenched into fists. She wrenched herself away, which allowed Sophia to see Eiji again. She was still holding out the envelope. Eiji slowly took it. He held it in both hands. His name in Japanese was beautifully written on thefront. His fingers smoothed over it, but he did not open the envelope.
“Am I correct in understanding thatthisis the envelope that reveals my fate? Whether I will be turned and who my Master will be?” Eiji asked.
Sophia, who had straightened up, nodded. “And more.”
“More?” Eiji asked, his voice lifting.
Sophia merely nodded, but said nothing more.
Eiji continued to smooth his hands over the envelope. Mairead’s heartrate lifted. What did Sophia mean with thatmorecomment? She would have been ripping that envelope open herself if she was in Eiji’s position. But then she amended that. He and Nero were courting heavily. To look in the envelope would be to show doubt as to Nero being his fated Master and she knew that there was no doubt in Eiji’s mind about the Ashyr Vampire. Yet themorewas intriguing and unnerving. But she wasn’t surprised when Eiji gracefully ripped the envelope in two without opening it and set it on the table.
“I choose my future,” Eiji answered simply. “But thank you for your offer.”
Sophia bowed again, gave one of those brilliant anime smiles, and headed out of the dorm room. Mairead found herself unable to relax even though the girl was gone.
