Chapter Ten

   Feeling multiple elbows in her sides, Esper grumbled as she woke up. Along with Lucca, she and her friends had stayed up well into the daylight hours watching Disney movies and fell asleep crowded on the couch at some point. 

    Esper pried herself from cuddle puddle and stood up from the couch. While rubbing out some of the knots in her neck, she looked down at her companions. Lucca was missing. He probably felt uncomfortable sleeping in the same room with a bunch of girls. She passed his missing presence with a shrug.

    "Alright, sleeping beauties, time to wake up." Esper reached down and shook her friends. Saffron and Senna let out large yawns like they had just experienced the best sleep in existence. 

    "You guys might want to hurry it up, it's already dark out." The silver-haired vampire pointed out the window for emphasis. 

    The moon was shining brightly in the night's sky. Realizing how late it was, the two seated vampires made a dash for their own rooms. Esper chuckled at the scene as her friends left. It really wasn't as late as she made it out to be; she just wanted to make them pay for jabbing her with their elbows. Esper couldn't resist the opportunity of a harmless prank. 

   With the room all to herself, Esper got ready for the day. She chose to wear a teal Wednesday Addams dress and slicked her hair back into a tight ponytail. Esper gave her locks a final tug then headed out to help her father see the guests off. 

   When she got out into the hall, Esper ran into Senna and Saffron. The three of them couldn't help but laugh. They were all wearing the same kind of dress, only in different colors. Saffron wearing a deep plum color and Senna in emerald green. Great minds thought alike. 

   The trio walked down to the foyer, meeting Asher and Wesley. They gave the towering men a group hug. The entire Beaurepaire family was big on hugs and always started their day off with one. 

   "I hear you ladies had quite the after-party?" Wesley had a stern look on his face. "Esper, I thought we discussed you being more open to the bachelors?" 

   "It was my idea." Saffron stepped forward. She was willing to take the brunt of Wesley's lousy mood to cover for her cousin. Plus, she had a plan to divert the blame. "I wanted to cheer Esper up after an overwhelming night. And Lucca was allowed in. We would have let more of the guys in, but they used poor Lucca as a bargaining chip. They needed to be taught a lesson." 

   "Is that so?" Wesley turned his attention to Asher. "Care to explain, nephew?" 

   "I told everyone it was a bad idea to bombard the girls." Asher was trying his best to save his skin. The last time his uncle was cross with Asher, he had to endure a deadly obstacle race. Wesley's punishments were creative, to say the least.  

   "Oh, really? Because Lucca said, you were the one who mentioned his 'cute factor.' Can't reason your way out of that one." Saffron knew she had her brother in a corner. If he wanted to rat her friends out, then she was going to return the courtesy. 

   "Well, would you look at the time. I should probably go and help Mother with her bags." The blonde vampire scurried up the stairs before he could be further incriminated. 

   "You can't run forever," Saffron called out with a chuckle. "Uncle Wesley will get you eventually." 

   Wesley shook his head. He should have asked his sister to help him oversee the household. These kids were going to cause him to age at least ten years before the Rites were over.  

   The group spent the day wishing farewells to the previous night's guests. Maxim and Seraph had tried to approach Esper multiple times, but her friends would run interference to allow Esper some space. The young vampire wasn't quite ready to face them just yet. She was still feeling embarrassed about crying. 

   Wesley sent the young vampires away once most of the guests were gone, allowing them to have some free time. While the trio made their way towards the blood lounge, Esper heard a faint male voice turn around. "Miss Esper?"  

   It was Lucca standing behind them with all of his luggage around him. The silver-haired vampire motioned for her friends to go on ahead as she approached the shy blonde. "What's going on, Lucca?"  

  The slender male nervously tugged at his sleeve. "I wanted to come to say goodbye. I'm heading back home."  

   Confusion spread across Esper's face. Lucca raised his hands in apology. "It's not you, Miss! You have been a wonderful host, but seeing you here, standing strong, has given me the courage to tell my parents that there is already someone I want to be with."  

   Esper beamed with pride, happy she was at least able to inspire this young male. "I'm sure you will be wonderful together."  

   He chuckled and blushed nervously, "Oliver will be happy to hear that."  

   "Oh. OH!" Esper exclaimed. No wonder the poor guy had been so nervous around her. "Well, I am certain he will be thrilled to see you again. Here let me walk you to the door and help you with your luggage."  

   Before the male could object, Esper grabbed two of his suitcases and walked with him to the door. The two talked about Lucca's love interest, surprising Esper that it was one of his private tutors and kept their relationship a secret.  

   "I hope you stay in touch, and you come back to visit for the final ball. It would be an honor to meet your mate." Esper hugged the petite male and waved goodbye. She watched as he loaded into his town car and made his way out into the night. 

   Esper walked back inside and closed the door behind her. When she turned around, she saw both Seraph and Maxim standing at the grand staircase's base. Feeling panic rise in her chest, the young woman started walking down the nearest hallway. It didn't matter where the hallway took her. Esper just wanted to escape. 

  

   "Wait," Seraph called out. "Please hear us out."  

   Esper stopped walking but didn't look back at them. They didn't do anything wrong to illicit her wanting to avoid them. It was just that she was so confused by her emotions. As she went to take another step forward, she felt small tugs on both of her hands. Both Seraph and Maxim were right behind her, gently letting go.  

   "We promise to stay civil," Maxim added. 

   The silver-haired female nodded in defeat and led the suitors upstairs. They walked in silence past her room to the next door. Esper opened the door and gestured for them to enter first. 

   When the bachelors entered, they were astounded by the location. The room was Esper's private library; books lined the walls with floor to ceiling shelves with a small break for the fireplace. Surrounding the fireplace was two small, lush chairs and a sofa. 

   Esper walked past the men and led them to the seating area. She took one of the single seats, and the males sat on the couch. The young woman kept her eyes on the ground. She was afraid of what emotions would be displayed on their faces.  

   The two obsidian haired males looked at each other, trying to decide who would talk first. Maxim clears his throat and begins speaking; his voice laced with pain.  

   "I am sorry for upsetting you last night. I didn't know-" Esper cut him off before he could finish.  

   "It wasn't you," Esper spoke in a hushed tone. "This whole experience has been overwhelming. I just needed to be alone for a while."  

   Esper took a deep breath and looked up at the vampires before her. Her eyes were lined with red as she tried to hold back her tears. "I just don't know how to make this whole thing fair for you."  

   "It's not going to be fair, and it's not going to be easy," Seraph said calmly. "But the choice is yours, and we will support it no matter the pain."  

   "You have complete control here and as much time as you need. No one is asking you to decide right now, but we don't want you distancing yourself." Maxim added.  

   Esper gripped her chest, the room felt like it was closing in on her, and the young vampire began hyperventilating. She could feel the tension rise in the air as the two male vampires sat there on edge, unsure what they should do about the panicked vampiress in front of them. 

   Esper reached out and gripped onto the arms of the chair, trying to calm her breathing. Breathe Esper, keep yourself together and breathe, she thought. The flames of the fireplace whipped and roared around her. Esper knew she needed to get control of her emotions. She visualized the fire as the emotions screaming inside her. Breathe and calm the flames; the vampiress repeated her mantra over and over. She felt a cooling breeze wash over her and held on to that feeling, allowing it to cool and calm her. When she opened her eyes, she saw both the male vampires had placed their hands on hers, the cold feeling emanating from them.  

   "There's our girl," Seraph whispered, a smile of relief forming on his face. He resisted the urge to touch her flawless complexion, knowing it would only upset his competition and restart the mess they were desperately trying to fix.  

   "I think we should figure out some ground rules to keep this from happening again." Maxim suggested, "But we all need to be in agreement."  

   Esper nodded her head and wiped her face. "First and foremost, I can't run away anymore. I have to face this head-on."  

   The two males nodded in agreement. 

   "Do we want to do this Bachelor style?" Esper asked, kind of jokingly. She was starting to think that Saffron's suggestion would be the best course of action. Maxim and Seraph looked at her with confusion written all over their faces.  

   "Oh, come on, don't tell me you have never watched the Bachelor or Bachelorette?" Silence.  

   "Seriously," Esper exclaimed. She stood up, not letting go of their hands. "I guess it is time for some education. I will need to call in reinforcements for some backup."