Bryon looked over at his brother as John wore his normal bland face behind his thickly rimmed glasses. It was clear that John didn’t want to be at work, but the bar was short staffed and he was forced to actually help the family. If Mel could, she would’ve helped, but she didn’t need to hear or see the people she grew up around stumbling drunk and confessing their sins. Bryon exhaled loudly taking the seat across from Mel, blocking her view of Lucien.
“John can handle it. Besides, you looked a little stressed the other day with your new friend. Is everything okay? Are those people still harassing your dad?” Bryon asked. His worry was genuine and she knew that, but it was hard for her to explain to him what was actually stressing her out. How do you tell someone that you just learned vampires exist and there’s a whole place of supernaturals that no one knows about?
You can’t.
“Yeah, that’s what’s stressing me out. They are really bringing the hammer down on him to sell them his land, but it’s weird that they don’t take more profitable land from the others here. There’s nothing special about our land, but they won’t let up. Dad was confident in the beginning, but I think he might cave.”
“Is that why you’re reading about property laws and—,” Bryon paused to grab the stack of papers she had in front of her. “Looks like the contract to buy the land.”
“I want to know if I have a shot at helping my dad. He’s done so much for me and I want to repay him for that kindness.”
He reached out towards her, taking her hand in his. She looked at their hands before looking back up at his comforting and warm smile. “You’re smart and resourceful, Mel. I know that you’ll find a solution and help your dad. I have full faith in you.”
Lucien had been watching the pair from across the room, studying the mundane male who had now taken Melinda’s hand. Jealousy boiled his blood as she remained in his hold, not retracting or reacting the way Lucien wanted her to.
This jealousy pulled him from the bar and towards the pair. Melinda’s hand slipped quickly from Bryon’s as she noticed the blond vampire sauntering towards them with a venomous look masked by false sincerity.
“You must be Melinda," Lucien drawled in a fake southern accent. Melinda could tell instantly he was acting by the uncomfortable expression he made from his words. Bryon, however, was oblivious to the vampire’s plight and rose from his seat to greet the dangerous man before him.
“You’re new here,” Bryon commented before holding out his hand. “I’m Bryon—.”
“Yes, yes, I do believe your bartender has been trying to flag you down as soon as you stood up. I’d love to talk to Melinda in private so, if you could go scurry off," Lucien remarked withan ever cocky smirk. Bryon’s brow furrowed at the harshness, but saw he was right as he looked in the direction of the bar. John was waving his hands above his head with his eyes trained on Bryon.
“I’ll be back,” Bryon said to Melinda. With a quick glare in Lucien’s direction, Bryon moved closer to Mel. “Shout if you need help.”
“I’ll be fine," Melinda chuckled nervously. She didn’t believe her own words, but she needed Bryon to. This was a vampire who other vampires were scared of. Bryon stood no chance against him.
The pair were left alone once he went over to help John, leaving the seat empty for Lucien to take and he did. Mel kept her hand near her phone, ready to call Isadora if she needed. She was overly aware of the weight of her taser in her pocket as she faced him. It didn’t escape Lucien’s perceptiveness that she was prepared to call someone for help if needed, amusing him.
“You already know.”
“Are you here to kill me?” Melinda asked without wavering. She stirred her drink, not taking her eyes off of the vampire in front of her. “I’d like to know up front if I’m going to be killed.”
“And if I said yes?”
“I’d ask that you do it in the proper style and take me out to pasture, but I’m not sure you would know the concept. I’d suggest perhaps somewhere less crowded then.” She was trying to act brave, but she couldn’t deny the fear she felt
Lucien threw his head back and gave a throaty laugh that made Mel’s body tingle. It was a laugh that had elicited a reaction elsewhere as well, but not even Mel would admit that to herself. When Lucien recovered from his amusement, he looked at Mel with hungry eyes.
“I quite like a girl who knows how she wants to go. Would you prefer painful or painless?”
“Well, it depends on the mood. Will this be a death of passion or meaninglessness? Because if it is the latter then I would prefer painless, but the former would elicit a painful death. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Lucien paused before answering. This human before him was not what he expected his sister to associate herself with, but he was starting to see just how alike his sister and himself were. At least when it came to who they associated with. His lips curved into a small smile with a hint of softness that left Melinda confused.
“If it was a death of passion then painless would be my form of execution. Curious that you asked if it was passionate or not,” he mused. Melinda closed her arms over her chest before leaning back in the chair. “We just met so what would incline you to think it would be a death of passion?”
She shrugged. “Most of the time people are killed, it’s either passion related or just to kill. I just put those options on the table. Now, what if I were to kill you? Would you prefer painless or painful?”
Lucien continued to be humored by this human, which hadn’t been an occurrence with any other he had encountered before. This one was different, he knew it was more than temporary amusement. There was something about her that called to him. Something about her made his blood sing, his heart hum and spark reactions and emotions he wasn’t aware he had. He knew it was dangerous, but danger with her might be a danger he would enjoy.
“I’d prefer to be surprised," he answered. She was taken aback momentarily by the sudden genuine honesty in his answer.
“Hmm, I guess we’ll find out when it’s too late.”
“Well, I don’t have any intention of killing you at the present moment so maybe we could enjoy this interaction? Perhaps pick up where your mundane friend left off? I overheard your plight,” he purred. Mel’s defenses went up instantly and Lucien was quick to pick up on it. “I am genuine when I extend an offer to help someone. What seems to be the issue you’re facing?”
Mel looked down at the paperwork, contemplating answering. Lucien decided to push the issue when he saw her reluctance. He snatched the paperwork, looking over it thoroughly as Mel chewed on her thumb with nervousness.
