Chapter 8: Dance with the Devil

*VICKY*

As soon as I entered through the front door of my house, and it clicked closed behind me, I felt the weight of the previous altercation fall off my shoulders.

I couldn't believe what I had heard Osip ask Leon, and I couldn't get it out of my brain. Did I want to fuck her fiancée?

I mean, I couldn't deny the feelings his Blood Perfume brought to me…the way it completely enveloped my very being. And some part of me—even despite his stoic demeanor—felt that a piece of him recognized it too. Like our souls understood all of this before we did.

But I couldn't give in. As much as I wanted to, I couldn't go through it all again. The betrayal, the heartbreak. It was all too much the first time around, and that wasn't even a Blood Bond. What would happen if this didn't work out? If it couldn't? I might as well be a Berserker.

So, I needed to stop it; separate myself from him and Kingsland Hotel for good. I took off my shoes and sat down on the couch cross-legged, opening my laptop to my email.

I inhaled as I began to type:

"FROM: Vicky Eaton

TO/CC: Leon Knightly

SUBJECT: Letter of Resignation

Dear Mr. Kinghtly,

Thank you for taking my interview and selecting me from many candidates to join your team. I've learned a lot from working with you during this period, but due to unforeseen events, I have to step back from my position. I apologize for the short notice.

Sincerely,

Vicky Eaton."

I re-read the message, my finger hovering over the mousepad. I needed to do this—I know I did.

I had three years left until I needed to hibernate, and I didn't want to spend them in a preposterous soap opera. But my cursor, which still sat on the 'send' button, told a different story.

My mind was plagued by thoughts of my previous life…the one I held before I was turned. I didn't think of the consequences then…but why would I? I was crazily in love, and when you trust someone as much as I trusted Markus, there's no need or desire to question them. But that naivety was also what almost got me killed.

Touching the scar on my chest, I quickly hit the button with the little bit of courage that I found.

Just from two short interactions with Osip, I could tell that her and Leon's relationship was very similar. Everything about their situation was questionable, and I couldn't help but wonder what he saw in her.

My head was spinning, and then it dawned on me…I hadn't had a tranquillizer since this morning. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the final bottle. I gulped it down and felt my body respond positively.

Not long after, a notification popped up on my laptop, alerting me of a new email. My heart fell—it was from Leon. I didn't want to open it. I had just given up my dream job, and now, here I sat, staring at the screen that probably would end my entire career.

I took a deep breath.

Was I scared because of Leon's response as a boss or as my unknowing mate?

My cursor moved to the notification and clicked on it. The email instantly popped up, and my eyes scanned the opening line:

"FROM: Leon Knightly

TO/CC: Vicky Eaton

RE: SUBJECT: Letter of Resignation

Dear Miss Eaton,

Come to my office tomorrow morning. 11'oclock."

No signature, no thank you; very Leon. I tried to push him away…and yet, here he stayed. Any other employer would have taken up my offer and let me go. But not Leon—no, of course not Leon.

I quickly slammed my laptop closed; I couldn't do this. Not right now, anyways. I stood and walked to the kitchen. I needed to calm my nerves.

I took out the ingredients and a good wine and began to prepare my dinner. My freshly sharpened knife set slid through the carrots and diced the onions easily; it was almost climactic. I could feel my anxiety wash away as the oil sizzled against the base of the tenderloin steak.

After 30 minutes of flipping and seasoning, it was finally done. I even took out a tablecloth and briefly decorated the house—I needed this night, even if it was alone.

I dished myself the perfect size bite and pressed down on the perfectly tender meat to test its center. I watched as tiny bits of red juice poured out and smiled to myself; this would make everything disappear, even if for a moment.

I placed the plate down on the tabletop and settled into my seat when the doorbell rang.

Classic. Anything to ruin the first taste.

I made my way to the door with a tiny bit of me hoping that maybe Leon had decided to not way for a response and show. Fuck this Blood Bond—I was already getting attached to his perfume and it was corrupting me. No. I needed to forget it.

Another ring.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm coming!" I called out. I swear if it was the Kindred Messenger again…

I grabbed a hold of the doorknob and turned it, opening it to a sight that made my jaw drop.

"Vicky Eaton, you've surprised me. Your neighbourhood is a lot nicer than I imagined. But your interior…"

Osip stood in the doorway with her hands on her hips as she surveyed my room. What the—how did she know my address?

"Y-You…what…?"

Crap. I was stuttering again. But I couldn't help it. I knew she was either here for a fight or forgiveness, and knowing her, it definitely wasn't the latter.

She laughed at my response. "I don't know what Leon sees in you…but he is why I'm here. Look, Vicky. We have something in common, and that, unfortunately, is my fiancée. So, I'm here to make you a proposition."

She had to be kidding, right? There was no way. Except when I looked into her green eyes, I could tell…she was serious. And I was fucked.