Chapter 2

We got up and proceeded to head out to TwentyOne, the pub run by the Witches in town. They didn’t appreciate us materializing directly into the pub, so I always materialized about a block away and just walked in. 

Haven and I walked through the doors, hand in hand, and headed towards the back of the bar. Katrina was bartending as usual and narrowed her eyes at us as we approached her. “Hey there, darlin.” I said to her with a wink. She didn’t look amused. “And who is this?” She asked. There was venom in her voice while eyeballing Haven. 

“Katrina, meet Haven, my girlfriend.” I said back, proudly introducing them. She didn’t seem amused. “I see. And are you feeling ok, Ramses?” Katrina asked while putting her hand on my forehead checking for a fever. I raised one eyebrow at Katrina. 

“Yes darlin, I'm feeling amazing! Why would you ask that?” I asked her curiously. “I’m going to grab some mimosas, honey. I’ll let you guys, uh… Talk.” Haven whispered, and she pecked my cheek then headed off to the bar by the entrance of the pub.

I turned back to Katrina waiting for her answer. “The great Ramses… Never to be tied down, not even for me… Suddenly has a girlfriend?” Katrina spat. I could tell she was extremely annoyed. Clearly, I hadn’t thought this through too well before I decided to come here. 

But this was my go-to. Where else would I go anyways? “Way to fucking go.” Titan snickered. “Asshole.” I snickered back. “Darlin, don’t you worry bout a thing. You know you’ll always be my…” But before I could say anything else that sharp pain radiated through my head, stopping me dead in my tracks. 

Nothing else happened this time, just a pain that took my breath away for a moment then it was gone. “What happened, are you ok?!” Katrina gasped. I knew she cared about me, but all that was on my mind was Haven. Always Haven. “I’m fine, darlin.” I murmured. She narrowed her eyes at me again. “Well, I don’t fucking buy it. Who is she? And what has she done with Ramses?” Katrina spat.

I laughed at her accusation. “Darlin, I'm still me. The same me that you know and love. Ramses, in the flesh!” I howled, shooting fingers guns in her direction. She wasn’t buying it. “You’d better get back to your ‘girlfriend’ before she thinks anything is up. But mark my words, something isn’t right… And I'm going to find out what it is.” Katrina spewed. 

I rolled my eyes. I got up and walked over to Haven. She had chosen a table the furthest away from Katrina she could find and was waiting for me to join her. “Fuckin women man.” I huffed to Titan. 

“Always thinking everything is a conspiracy. You just can't win!” Titan howled back which made me snicker. He always had my back, even if I was wrong. I didn’t know if that was good or bad... But hey, at least he's loyal! 

I wandered over to Haven and sat down while she slid me a mimosa. The second it touched my hand the orange liquid turned bronze. Haven eyeballed my drink with a smug smile. “What, you aren’t one for parlor tricks?” I asked. 

She shrugged her shoulders and took a sip of her drink. “Well, that’s a shame, because I'm full of em!” I said with a grin. As we sat there talking and laughing about nothing I could feel Katrina's eyes on us. I was fighting the urge not to look over at her. 

As much as I knew I wanted to look… God, I wanted to look… But I had to ignore her. The overwhelming need to please Haven was just too strong. Katrina, on the other hand, couldn't help herself I assume, because she walked over to our table a short time after that. Haven had a disgusted look on her face, and I was more nervous than anything. I knew my feelings for Katrina. She was my main woman. 

I knew I could always come to her no matter who or what I had done the night before. She was my safe space, my commitment without the commitment. She was my ride or die, but here I was with another woman in a committed relationship. 

In fact, that did seem a little weird, but before I had a chance to really think about it, I was interrupted. “I take it you plan to attend our Esbat tomorrow night?” Katrina asked. “Of course I do, you know I would never miss it.” I purred, causing Haven to huff under her breath.

I ignored her actions but felt guilty as I knew she would never understand my feelings or relationship with Katrina. Was I really willing to give all that up for Haven? I mean, I apparently was, because I already did... But how did we even get together? 

In fact, I had no memories of us dating or even seeing each other. The line between us being together and us not being together was very blurred. I tried my hardest to coax the blurred line and retrieve whatever was underneath it, but I failed miserably. 

Katrina raised her eyebrow at Haven and if looks could kill. “Cat fight!” Titan howled, and I had to fight to keep a laugh from escaping my lips. I was not one for this serious shit.  I was all about the humor in every situation.

“Ok, ok ladies. We don’t need to fight, there's enough of me to go around.” I said and I winked at Katrina. Much to Haven's dismay apparently, because she got up and grabbed my hand. “Let’s go, honey.” She snarled and pulled me towards the door. 

I shrugged my shoulders at Katrina and followed Haven outside. Katrina just shook her head at me, but I knew she was hurt and trying to hide it. I felt a little guilty, but not really. Katrina knew the bounds of our relationship were not permanent. 

She knew I wandered, and she chose to stay faithful to me all these years, while knowing I never would. She knew what she signed up for, and I pushed the guilt from my mind with that thought. It was just strange that she was acting this way over Haven, when she never acted like this when I was with literally any other woman…

We started walking away from the pub and once we got far enough away to appease Haven, she stopped and turned around, grabbing both of my hands and facing me. She looked deep into my eyes with her beautiful milky green orbs. I felt as if I were getting lost just looking into them. 

“Look Ramses, I know you are a wanderer, and that’s just your nature. But is there any way you can at least try to respect this relationship?” She asked me. I was offended at first, but I suddenly felt fine with it. She was right and things between us should be exclusive. 

She was my girlfriend, after all. Why would I make her my girlfriend if I wanted to see other people? “No, you’re right, darlin. I’m sorry, I do have a wandering eye… But I chose you, which means I do need to work a little harder to show you that you’re the only woman I want.” I replied.

The words sounded foreign coming from my mouth, like I was sitting back watching myself talk to her. Titan even started to argue at first, but then he submitted as well. I must be going crazy. I thought. But my worries were washed away when I saw Haven’s smile of approval. 

“Thank you so much!” She said, and she jumped into my arms. That simple action made everything worth it. I had definitely chosen the correct path and I was confident in my decision. I was monogamous and with Haven 100%. 

We decided to walk through the French Quarter together admiring the decorations. Every Esbat and Sabbat the town got together and decorated for the Witches. Their Esbats and Sabbats were essentially full moon celebrations and holidays. 

They were a big deal here, in the French Quarter. The existence of the supernatural was not a secret here, and the town reveled in it. We admired the decor and the townspeople out decorating while we talked. We were contemplating life as supernatural beings. 

Wait, I was a Reaver, but what was Haven? She wasn’t a Reaver, I knew that for sure. In fact, I realized just how little I really knew about her. Why would I take this woman to be monogamous with, when I hardly know anything about her? 

How did we meet? Where did she come from, even? It was like she was suddenly there when she never had been before. I was confusing myself with these thoughts, and she must have noticed. 

“What’s wrong?” She asked me. Just the sound of her voice resting on my mind seemed to brush away my doubts and replace them with confidence in us. “Oh nothing. I actually don’t even remember what I was thinking to begin with.” I murmured.

“We should head home. I have things to get ready for the ceremony tomorrow night. Things have to be perfect as per our alliance with the Witches.” I said. Haven groaned at the mention of the Witches. I knew it was because of Katrina, but she didn’t have to worry. I had promised her my loyalty. I planned to keep that promise. 

“Darlin, I know. I can't get out of this though… You know I have a commitment to keep.” I purred to her. “Fine, but we aren't sitting by her.” Haven growled. “Ok, deal.” I replied, and I headed off towards home with Haven in tow. My mind was racing but no further thoughts about why we were here.