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Chapter 16: A new friend

Chapter 16: A new friend

A week had passed since their visit to the Korean place and the encounter with the blue-haired guy. Zach found himself caught in a strange limbo, waiting for the other shoe to drop. But the most unexpected development? Eva's sudden aversion to visiting Dominick's mansion.

Every time they set a date, she'd come up with increasingly bizarre excuses. That first night, right after the Korean place incident, Zach had called Velor as soon as darkness fell. But Eva? She'd bailed, claiming a last-minute babysitting gig. Eva, who'd once declared she'd rather eat grass than watch other people's "screaming bags of germs." Yeah, right.

As the days went on, her excuses got weirder and weirder. A sudden passion for nocturnal bird-watching. An urgent need to alphabetize her spice rack. Once, she even claimed she had to help a friend move a piano - at midnight.

Zach wasn't buying it. He knew Eva was worried, but this sudden change made no sense. She was the one who'd been eager to meet his vampire friends, practically demanding an introduction. Now she was avoiding it like the plague.

As he sat in his house, staring at his phone, he decided to call her out on it. But when he dialled, Eva's excuse was even more outlandish than before.

"Sorry, Zach," she said, sounding distracted. "I need to clean my grandma's tomb tonight. Can't make it."

Zach blinked, momentarily speechless. Cleaning a tomb? At night? This from the woman who'd been ready to march back into that Korean restaurant and take on a centuries-old vampire?

He couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was seriously off. Was Eva hiding something? Had something scared her off that she wasn't telling him about?

He hung up, more confused than ever. Whatever was going on with Eva, it was clear they couldn't avoid Dominick's mansion forever. Just as he stood up from his bed, his phone buzzed. It was Eva.

'Zach, I promise tomorrow I will visit them with you.'

'Sorry for this.'

Zach sighed, running a hand through his hair. His mind raced with possibilities. Maybe something was really dragging her down. Was her crazy ex trying to reconnect, holding her hostage somehow? But no, this was Eva. If it wasn't supernatural, she'd probably kick them in the sack and spit in their face.

Then again, even someone as tough as Eva had their limits. She might be brave for a day, but fragile for a week after. Whatever was going on, it was eating at her - and now at him too.

He stared at the messages, thumb hovering over the reply button. Tomorrow. They'd face this together tomorrow. But as the night stretched on, Zach couldn't shake the feeling that by morning, everything might change again

And here we go, another night comes. The sun starts to fall, and Zach finds himself waiting for Eva's call. He doesn't know why this is frustrating him so much, but if Eva doesn't show tonight, he's decided he won't mention it to her ever again.

A knock on the door startles him. Who could it be, showing up without warning? Maybe Eva, or the vampires from the mansion. Worst case, his parents. Or that blue-haired guy from the restaurant. Zach's heart races as he approaches the door.

He opens it to find Eva standing there, face done up with full makeup.

"Don't laugh," Eva says, looking up at him self-consciously.

"Why would I laugh at you?" Zach replies, genuinely surprised. "You look pretty."

"We better go before I freak out again," Eva said, her voice tight.

Zach nodded, grabbing the first jacket he saw on the rack before hopping into Eva's car. The strong scent of cigarettes hit him immediately. She must have smoked a whole pack to prepare for tonight.

They drove in silence, the usual radio chatter absent. Zach kept his eyes on Eva, watching her expressions, trying to gauge how she'd react. He needed to be ready for whatever came next.

Fifteen minutes crawled by before they arrived at the mansion's front gate. Eva's face was a canvas of nerves, discomfort etched in every line.

"You can leave if this makes you feel bad, Eve," Zach offered softly.

She shook her head, determination winning over fear as she drove towards the gate. One of the twins - Pearl or Penelope, Zach could never tell - gestured them inside. Eva's knuckles whitened on the steering wheel as she followed the driveway to the front door, where the other twin stood waiting.

Parked, Eva reached for a bottle, taking a huge swig. The sweet scent of strawberry and cherry filled the car - her favourite booze. Liquid courage, Zach thought.

"Come on," Zach said, stepping out of the car. He walked around to Eva's side and opened her door. Her face was flushed, a mix of the booze and nerves.

"Welcome," the twins said in unison, their smiles identical and eerie. "They're waiting inside."

"O-Okay..." Eva stammered, latching onto Zach's arm with a vice-like grip.

"Don't worry, you've got me," Zach reassured her, forcing a smile he didn't quite feel.

"Right," Eva muttered as they crossed the threshold.

They walked deeper into the mansion, ending up in the familiar ballroom. The same place where Aiden's bar stood, where this whole mess had started. But now, it looks different. A small table, a couch, a TV, and a game console sprawled across the floor near the bar. Curtains hung haphazardly around the room, giving it the appearance of someone's makeshift bedroom.

Zach's eyes darted around, taking in the changes. The formal ballroom had transformed into something more... lived in. More human, despite its inhuman occupants. He felt Eva's grip tighten on his arm as they ventured further in.

As they stepped into the room, a figure emerged from behind one of the hanging curtains. It was Velor, his pale skin almost glowing in the dim light.

"Welcome back, Zach, your face has healed," Velor said, his voice soft as silk. His eyes flickered to Eva. "And you must be the friend we've heard so much about."

Eva's grip on Zach's arm tightened even more. "I'm Eva," she managed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Velor's lips curved into a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Pleasure. Please, make yourselves comfortable. The others will join us shortly."

"This room's changed a lot," Zach remarked, his gaze sweeping over the altered space as Eva cautiously took a seat on the couch.

"Right?" Velor chuckled, picking up a game controller from the floor. "It's Dominick. That idiot plays games all day like a teenager." He shook his head with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "I told him to tidy up before you came, and now he's nowhere to be found."

"And how are your friend?" Velor asked, his eyes darting towards Eva, who was still hiding behind Zach.

"She's fine, just needs a moment to adjust," Zach replied, gently nudging Eva forward. "Eva, this is Velor, the one I was telling you about."

Eva peeked out from behind Zach, her expression softening as she recognized the name. "This is him?" she asked, her voice steadier now.

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"Yes," Velor confirmed with a wide smile, his fangs momentarily flashing. Eva instinctively averted her gaze.

"Right," Velor said, chuckling. "I should fetch Mabel. She's much better at the whole 'social butterfly' thing than I am." He walked towards the door, pausing to glance back at them before exiting.

Eva released a heavy sigh, visibly relaxing now that Velor was gone. She continued to cling to Zach's arm as she surveyed the room, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes.

"See? I told you he wasn't a bad guy," Zach said with a reassuring smile.

The door opened again, revealing Mabel and Aiden. Eva's grip tightened once more, a wave of apprehension washing over her. Mabel approached them with a warm smile, yet another bag in hand. It seemed she always had something to give. She sat down beside Eva and offered her the bag.

"Eva, you look even prettier than Zach described," Mabel beamed. "This is a gift for you."

Eva hesitated before accepting the bag, her eyes filled with cautious curiosity.

"It's nothing weird, I promise," Mabel reassured her, her ruby lips curving into a playful smile.

"Thank you," Eva mumbled, her eyes darting away from Mabel's gaze.

Mabel gently pulled Aiden, who was fidgeting beside her, closer to Eva. "Eva, this is Aiden, our head chef and bartender," she announced cheerfully.

Aiden, who had been staring awkwardly at the floor, finally spoke up when prompted by Mabel. "Hello," he said softly. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," Eva replied with an awkward smile, then turned to Zach with a raised eyebrow.

"What?" Zach whispered back, his eyes darting between Eva and Aiden. "Stop that, I know what you're thinking." He knew Aiden fit Eva's type – tall, blonde, and with a bit of a villainous aura.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Eva whispered back, her nervousness replaced with a playful accusation.

"Because I knew you'd go crazy," Zach rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at his lips. It seemed Eva's initial fear had completely dissolved upon meeting the handsome vampire chef.

"Dominick will be here any second," Mabel chirped. "Velor just had to drag him out of the cellar."

"Right, Zach," Mabel continued, turning her attention to him. "Have you eaten yet?"

"Not yet," Zach replied, his eyes meeting Mabel's.

"Want something to eat?" Mabel asked with a warm smile. "Aiden just started buying normal groceries to make meals for you, right Aiden?"

Aiden looked up at Zach, a blush creeping up his cheeks. "Ah, yes, that's right," he stammered, his eyes falling back to the floor. Despite their previous interactions, Zach found this shy side of Aiden rather adorable.

"Wait here, I'll grab some bread for you," Aiden offered, disappearing into the bar's storage area. He emerged moments later carrying a tray laden with various breads. It was an impressive spread, as if he had been baking all day. Each loaf looked soft, warm, and utterly delicious.

Eva tugged on Zach's jacket, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Zach turned to her, eyebrows raised in question. "What?" he asked.

"Nothing," Eva replied, a playful smile spreading across her face.

"Oh, so you're not feeling nervous anymore, I see," Zach remarked with a playful smirk as Eva relaxed.

"Good for you," Eva retorted, her eyes following Aiden as he set the tray of bread on a nearby table.

Zach stood up, grabbed a piece of bread from the tray, and took a bite. It was warm and soft, with a delicate crunch to the crust and a subtle, buttery flavour. Aiden stood beside him, his gaze fixed intently on Zach's reaction.

"How is it?" Aiden asked, his voice laced with a hint of nervousness.

"It's really good," Zach replied with a genuine smile, watching as relief washed over Aiden's face.

"It's been a century since I cooked food for a mortal," Aiden admitted, his smile widening

"Thank you for this," Zach smiled back, appreciating the gesture.

Suddenly, a loud commotion erupted from the doorway. Velor burst into the room, dragging a dishevelled Dominick by the collar. Dominick looked like he hadn't slept in days, his eyes hollow and his face as pale as parchment.

"That's Dominick," Zach whispered to Eva, who had joined him at the bread tray. "He's kind of the master of the house... kind of," he added, a touch of uncertainty in his voice.

Dominick groaned, rubbing his eyes as he joined Mabel on the couch. He glanced up at Zach and offered a weary smile before attempting to stand and give him a hug. But before he could reach Zach, Velor grabbed him by the collar and yanked him back onto the couch.

"You jerk," Velor growled at Dominick. "Don't mind him today. It's that time of the year."

Zach looked at them, puzzled. He had no idea what "that time of the year" meant, but it was clearly something significant to them. He decided not to pry, knowing it wasn't his place to be nosy about their personal stuff.

"Dominick, this is Eva, Zach's friend," Mabel said, nudging the figure on the couch.

Dominick lifted his head, a tired smile spreading across his face. "Nice to meet you, Eva. You look lovely."

"Nice to meet you too," Eva replied, returning the smile.

Mabel clapped her hands together. "Well, should we all have a drink?" Her gaze swept across the room. "Where are Pearl and Penelope?"

"They said they had something to take care of and would join us later," Velor explained, making his way towards the bar.

"Then let's drink and talk," Mabel said, her smile widening as she turned to Eva, who was taking a bite of the bread Zach had offered.

"Okay..." Eva agreed, a slight blush creeping onto her cheeks as she met Mabel's gaze. Zach observed the interaction, a hint of amusement in his eyes. This woman was easily charmed by a simple smile.

"Aiden?" Mabel called out, nodding towards the vampire chef, who was now carrying a selection of alcohol bottles. Perhaps a little drinking and conversation would ease the tension in the room.

"Huh? Vampires get drunk too?" Eva asked, wide-eyed, as she watched Aiden prepare the drink

"Yes, honey, we do get drunk," Mabel replied with a chuckle, gently touching Eva's cheek. "But it's much harder for us than for mortals." The unexpected touch made Eva jump slightly, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.

Everyone gathered around the bar, even Dominick, who looked like a walking corpse as he snatched a bottle from Aiden's hands, only to be smacked on the arm by Mabel. Zach grabbed a glass, raised it in a silent toast and stepped back to watch the scene.

He was relieved to see that Eva, drink in hand, was blending in easily with the vampires, her initial nervousness replaced by a lively energy. The entire group seemed genuinely engaged in conversation, the tension from earlier melting away with each shared laugh and story.

"It's such a relief, right?" Velor appeared beside Zach, a glass swirling with amber liquid in his hand.

"Yeah, it's good to see her get along with everyone," Zach replied, smiling at Velor, who returned the gesture with a knowing look.

"How about you?" Velor inquired, taking a sip from his glass.

"What about me?" Zach asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

"How are you?" Velor's smile softened. "We haven't seen each other in a whole week."

"Aren't we, like, texting for the whole week, as well?" Zach chuckled.

Indeed, the two had been texting non-stop for the past week, ever since the encounter at the Korean restaurant. After Zach texted Velor about the blue-haired man, their conversations had flowed effortlessly. At first, it was just simple questions about their days and whereabouts. But as time went on, they found themselves sharing silly stories, inside jokes, and even mundane photos of their daily lives.

"True, but it's different seeing you in person," Velor said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Texts can't capture your full... essence."

A warmth spread through Zach, a blush creeping onto his cheeks. "Well, I'm doing alright," he replied, clearing his throat. "Better now that Eva's here and not freaking out."

They both glanced over at Eva, who was now animatedly conversing with Aiden and Pearl, her hands flying as she spoke.

"She's quite the character," Velor observed. "I can see why you two are friends."

Zach nodded, a fond smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, she's one of a kind."

A comfortable silence settled between them as they watched the group interact. Zach found himself stealing glances at Velor, the memories of their week of texting flooding back. The silly memes, the late-night chats, the random photos of their days. It had felt so... normal.

"Hey," Zach said, turning to face Velor. "Thanks for, you know, being there this week. It helped, having someone to talk to about all this."

Velor's expression softened. "Anytime, Zach," he replied. "That's what friends are for, right?"

They shared a smile, a silent understanding passing between them. Zach couldn't help but marvel at how quickly his world had been turned upside down. A month ago, vampires were just stories. Now, here he was, standing in their lair, feeling more at home than he'd ever imagined.