Rainbow

Vincent answers, “Yes. Why did you withdraw and change your tone?”

“Just a feeling, it could be nothing,” I say dismissively. I don't know Vincent, so I'm not sure how much I can or should say.

Katie chimes in, “Eva, you know to always trust your gut. So what's it saying?”

I just blurted out, “Well, it's saying to stay clear of one or both of them.”

Vincent touches my arm, “We must talk in private later.”

I turned to him, “I just met you and you think I'd go somewhere alone with you?”

He gives me a playful smirk, “Judge for yourself, Miss Sims. I mean you do no harm, and I'm pretty sure you can realize that, too.” We are to be seated, and there's an attractive gentleman at our table. He's in a dark blue suit and has long, light brown hair that's pulled back into a ponytail. A tight, well-groomed beard frames his ruggedly handsome face. His eyes are a steely blue-green, which pulls me in.

He stands and introduces himself, “I'm Sam Fall.” We all introduce ourselves. 

Then Vincent says something that takes me by surprise, “No pack with you? It's rare to see you

attending without the others.” Pack? What pack? Is Sam not human either? I sense a tension between them, too, and I don't like it.

I have to ask, “Do you two know each other?”

Vincent says, “Somewhat, but not closely.”

Sam adds, “I know more about him than I know him. We only briefly encounter each other at

mixed functions like this one.” Mixed functions, just what does he mean by that? Just what have I gotten myself and Katie into?

I feel myself losing my filter and with it my decorum, “Well, let's keep the testosterone levels down, shall we? And be civil as well, please.”

“Eva!” Katie smacks my hand. We all share a laugh at my expense, but I don't care. I feel oddly at home right now.

I look around and then at Katie, “What? This has to be the oddest night of my life by far. What's next, talking animals and dancing fairies?”

Katie cocks her head, “What are you talking about?”

I decided not to elaborate, “Just nothing, I'm just getting ideas for my next article, is all.” Writing about the paranormal has made me hyperaware. I am convinced that humans aren't the superior species that they think they are. I think many myths and legends existed, and perhaps some still do. I might be sitting at the table with two such legends right now.

Katie giggles, “What's it going to be this time? A serial killer slaughter ball, or a romantic vampire masquerade?”

I smirk. She doesn't know how close she is. We are certainly in mixed company because we are some of the only humans here. The more I look around, the more my feelings from earlier intensify, so I am certain that I'm right. 

Vincent asks, “Exactly what do you do, Eva?” He is studying me now, too. Has he read some of my articles?

Before I can answer him, the couple from before comes over. The man addresses me, “Miss Midnight Rose, I'm glad you could make it.”

He makes me nervous but not in a fearful way, “Umm, yeah. Who are you, and how'd you know it was me?”

“I'm Eric Wood, and this is my wife, Vicky.  I have eyes everywhere, Eva. I know you are Midnight Rose, and I am very glad you came.” I am almost positive that Eric is a vampire, and his wife seems familiar, too. I don't like her for some reason either. “Then why am I here? I'm not one of you or them. I'm in the minority here.”

He speaks very calmly and extremely dignified, “I need your impartiality and your journalistic ability. You know of my world, and it needs your help.”

I keep looking at him. He's pale with perfect pale skin. His eyes are a tantalizing teal. He's timelessly handsome. I cock my head, “For what?”

Vicky decides to speak, and I wish that she hadn't. “Ugh, why her? She's a moron. I don't get why you bother with food.” She's the epitome of a haughty pretentious bitch. I want to slap her, but I feel Vincent place his hand on mine, and I also feel Sam’s warm hand on my knee, as if to ground me. “We don't need her, Eric!” Vicky yelled. Oh no, she didn't! I glare at her and then envision myself strangling her. To my surprise, she grabs her throat and starts to drop to her knees as her face starts to change colors. I wonder if I can turn her into a rainbow.