Chapter 3: Dream Come True

*VICKY*

Earlier that day…

I looked down at the pile of scraps in front of me and pictured the dish forming right in front of me. I reached and opened my pristine tool bag. Before I knew it, I was skillfully slicing whipped cream, trimming the cake base, and baking it. It was almost like I was on autopilot. Finally, I added a cherry to top it all off.

The experience was perfect—all that I had ever imagined it would be.

The sous chef—Frank, as I came to find out—watched me operate closely. His eyes were fixed on my hands as I curated the desert. I smiled as he inspected the dish from side to side, confident that no matter what I made him, it'd be sure to wow.

Suddenly, a sweet, salty smell pressed into my nostrils.

This was definitely not the smell of apple tart. Its fragrance was similar to that of roses, but when I smelled it carefully, it also smelt a little like steak that had just been cooked. It was so delectable, and its scent tasted like blood but that much sweeter.

Then it clicked: this was it. The Blood Bond. My perfect match was near.

Just then, my watch, which was connected to my phone, buzzed frantically, flashing a reminder of the warning from this morning. I looked down and saw that in the time I had been in the city, it had upgraded to an S-class, the second-highest notification.

And two seconds later, a voice flowed through from the back of the kitchen and captured my attention.

"Let's get started, Frank."

"Yes, chef."

I knew it immediately. It was Leon. As in Leon Knightly. And it was very pure.

My senses became more overwhelmed the longer he lingered, and it only took a minute to recognize that the fragrance was coming from him. My heart was already beating wildly, and my own blood was surging. I couldn't believe this. Leon Knightly was my mate. I let the feeling build inside of me, breathing in every inch of the scent presented.

But the more the connection grew, my consciousness began to fade. I could feel the effects of the tranquiliser leaving my body.

I gnawed at the inside of my mouth, waiting for Frank's approval, but the emotions only grew stronger. I needed to leave—now.

Without a second thought, I grabbed my tools and dashed for the exit, leaving the doors swinging shut behind me. I could hear Frank calling after me, but I couldn't return. I was definitely losing this position, but it was better than accidentally devouring someone and facing imprisonment.

I darted for the closest bathroom and checked my surroundings before shifting into Shadow Form, enabling me to blend in with my environment.

I opened the bathroom door and rushed toward the exit. My pupils were quickly changing color, and my fangs gradually extended out, licking at my lip. I had to take a tranquiliser immediately; otherwise, we'd all be in trouble.

I rushed out of the large, golden handle doors of Kingsland Hotel, and raced toward the closest alley. I stopped and searched around the varying garbage bins and trash bags to ensure I was entirely alone before opening a bottle of tranquiliser. I could still smell the thick aroma of the blood of the guests and staff as I drank my last bottle dry. That was way too close.

After a moment had passed, I took out my phone and used my camera to check myself out. I watched as the color of my pupils returned to normal. I was almost exposed.

I inhaled as the memory of Leon's blood perfume flowed through me. Now that it had happened, and I knew it, the entire building reeked of his smell. I wanted to go back in—I should. At least to introduce myself and start some sort of basis.

But I couldn't risk it; not without another tranquiliser. Not only that, but I wasn't even sure I wanted to commit to a Blood Bond—after my last relationship, I wasn't sure I could.

Once I felt my head clear and my body relaxed, I shoved my phone back into my pocket and turned to continue down and out of the alley; only I was stopped short when my body almost collided with another at the end.

"Whoa, whoa, pretty lady," a menacing voice came.

I looked up and locked eyes with a tall, lanky male who looked to be in his thirties. His hair was disheveled, and his clothes were tattered. Standing beside him were two others that didn't look any better.

"What did you have there?"

I furrowed my brows. What was he—oh, shit. He saw me take the tranquiliser. I adjusted my stance to exude as much confidence as I could.

"Nothing," I stated. "I was just eating. For my blood sugars." It technically wasn't a lie. "I'll be going now."

I tried to move past, but when I took a step forward, one of the lackeys pushed me back with his finger.

"Nu-uh. Not until we get our fill."

I tried again to no avail; I was pushed back—this time, even harder.

I took a deep breath. It was taking everything within me not to fight back. If I did, things would get ugly really fast. Only when I looked around, I saw no other option. The back of the alley was a dead end, so it was impossible to escape. So instead, I got into position, ready to defend myself.

However, my posture seemed to have aroused some kind of desire in their hearts.

"Oh look, boys," the first man started. "We have a fighter. Well, we aren't ones to discriminate, even against women. Come on. She won't understand until she suffers."

All three men took out daggers and pistols from their waistbands and slowly approached me.

With a quick swoosh, the leader stabbed at my chest with a dagger. But little did he know I was a Kindred, and to me, their movements were so slow, they almost looked frozen. I squatted down and dodged the attack, slapping his waist twice before the tip of his blade even touched my shirt. The vibration spread through his body and instantly knocked him over.

Seeing the altercation take place, the other two panicked. One of them, out of nerves, raised his gun and fired. Rookie mistake.

The bullet slowly flew over. I dodged it sideways and gently slapped the gunman's abdomen. The amount of force seemed about right. Then, I turned around and roundhouse kicked the face of the other.

Both fell to the ground, immediately knocked unconscious. I looked around quickly, hoping no one had seen the incident. I knew I couldn't stay for long. I adjusted my skirt and hair before stepping onto the sidewalk and beginning my walk toward the station.

I was only a few feet ahead when my phone rang loudly in my pocket. I took it out and looked down. It was an unknown number, and I wrestled with myself for a minute about whether to answer it or not. I hit the green button.

"Hello, this is Vicky. If you're an insurance salesman, forget it. I don't need it. I also don't need a real estate salesman, either. I think my place is perfect right now. Thanks for calling."

I was about to hang up when I heard the voice on the end of the line call out to me.

"No, wait! Miss Vicky, this is Frank, from Kingsland Hotel!"

I stopped in my tracks. They were actually calling me back? I was sure I had tanked that interview. Were they really that desperate? I put the phone back up to my ear and continued to listen.

"I'm honored to inform you that the preliminary interview has passed. Mr. Leon wants to interview you personally. Please come back immediately."

"Now?" I asked, surprised at the urgency.

"Yes, now."

I was beaming with pride and excitement but was also terrified at the news. I had no more tranquilisers with me, and I almost lost control with the hotel smelling like him…what would it be like sitting across from him for an interview? Being in the same room?

The effective time of the tranquilizer was one and a half hours. I looked down at my watch. Including the time I spent dealing with the idiots that laid back in the alley, only 30 minutes had passed. It was still early for the drug to expire. I could end the interview quickly. That, and my experience as a Kindred and age helped me a lot more with bloodlust than those younger than myself.

"Alright," I answered before I thought of it anymore. "Give me two minutes."

***

Leon's blood perfume filled my senses as I walked through the doors of the Kingsland Hotel. I took a deep breath. Fuck it smelled good. But this time, I had more control. No heartbeat racing, no blood rushing. Very good. This would all go very well.

I strode confidently into the lobby and waited at the reception as I was instructed. Shortly after, my name was called.

"Vicky?"

"That's me."

I turned my gaze to see a shorter male dressed in an expensive-looking suit approaching me. He stuck out his hand, and I shook it.

"I'm Mason, assistant to the CEO. The chef is already waiting for you. This way please."

I followed Mason through the hotel to the back kitchens and into another area I had not yet seen. We stopped short of a door, which read the words 'Leon Knightly, Head Chef.'

The aroma was intensifying. I could only imagine what it was like inside. I inhaled and prepared myself as Mason knocked on the door before opening it. Leon's scent wafted through and hit me directly, almost sending me backward.

"Sir, Vicky Eaton is here."

"Send her in."

Mason pushed the door open and moved out of the frame, gesturing for me to enter. When I saw two people waiting, I stopped.

I had experienced two people in an interview before: a fashion designer and their assistant, a shop manager and their second in command. It wasn't uncommon. But this woman didn't look like a boss—she looked like a socialite. And not the nice one.

The woman leaning on the bookshelf sized me up from head to toe. I didn't need to hear her thoughts, I knew what she was thinking just by the dismissive smile she gave me. I didn't give into it. Instead, I averted my gaze and looked toward the man sitting across from me, staring at a paper on his desk.

Leon's rich blood perfume pressed into me, but this time, instead of smelling my favorite scent, it was now mixed with something else. The atmosphere in the room was not right, and all signs seemed to point to the woman in the corner.

Leon's eyes darted to me and…well, they looked like they were staring into my soul. As if he could read my mind. Time seemed to slow when he blinked, and it wasn't due to my senses. Then, just as fast as it happened, Leon averted his gaze and cleared his throat.

"Vicky Eaton," he began. "Come in. I'm Leon Knightly, and I'd like to discuss the tart you prepared today."

"M-my tart?" I mustered out, my nerves still shaken from his gaze.

Leon's eyes flicked back up and then back down to my resume before looking back up again. It was silent, and then he spoke.

"Did you make it?"

"Y-yes, sir."

"Hmm…I see." He paused and then moved the papers aside. "I want to see you at the hotel at nine o'clock tomorrow. Don't be late. Mason will check with you about the employment procedures."

"What?!" the woman in the corner shouted. "Leon, actually?!"

Her shrill voice would've annoyed me if only it weren't for the excitement rushing to my head. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Me—Vicky. I was about to start work at Kingsland Hotel, and I couldn't wait.