Luca

I felt as if I had walked into a wall when I entered the cafe.  I hadn’t been here in a while.  I had been in Sicily for the last two months.  I was king of the vampires here in the States.  My home was here in Miami.  I still laugh when humans talk about vampires and what hurts or can kill them.  Sunlight is not a threat to us, nor is garlic.  In fact, I love garlic.  I add that shit to just about everything I cook.  While sunlight doesn’t kill us, many of my kind choose to live in colder, darker climates.  My family originated from the Mediterranean and was close to the royal family.  Hence the reason I was over there these last two months.  I was still trying to sort through all the information that I was told. 

“Is it true that the dead princess had really found her beloved and had a child with him?”  Rico asked.

“Yes, not only had she found her beloved, but he was human.  From what his majesty told us, she met him when he attended a friend's wedding in Sicily.  The princess somehow managed to keep their relationship a secret.  It was easy for her since she travelled to the states often due to her job.  We would have no idea if he knew she was a vampire, and if he did, if he knew she was part of the royal family.”  I answered.

“What about the child?”  Viktor asks.

“The child would be 18 or 19, depending on his/her birthday.  They weren’t able to find out if the child was a boy or a girl.  They also haven’t been able to find out who the princess's beloved is.  They went to the last known address, but the family that lived there now told them that they had bought the house 14 years ago and had no idea where the previous home owner had gone.  They asked about a child, and the current home owners said they never saw anything signifying a child living there.  I am guessing that the man had probably packed up all their belongings and staged the house without any toys or furniture that would tell someone that a child lived there.”  I explained. 

“What about neighbours or anyone that lived there when he was there?”  Rico asked.

“I went there before coming back here and asked around a little.  No one could remember his name.  They did say that he was a lawyer but couldn’t tell me anymore than that.  They didn’t even remember a woman ever living there or coming around.”  I tell them.

The three of us continue to talk as we walk toward our favorite cafe.  It has been a while since the three of us have been here.  We like this cafe because it is close to the university, and the aura the young ones give off is refreshing.  The three of us are by far the youngest rulers considering that the other three kings are well over 1000 years old.  Rico, Viktor, and I are 500 years old.  My father handed everything to me 100 years ago.  He and my mom were more than ready to retire.  Rico is my second in command, while Viktor is my third.  Their fathers were also ready to retire since they were my father's second and third in command.

I almost stumbled backward as I walked into the cafe.  The scent hit me like a brick wall.  I had never smelt anything so alluring in my life.  I knew what that scent meant.  It meant my beloved was somewhere in this cafe.  I followed the other two up to the counter to order.  I casually looked around until my gaze found a girl sitting in the corner booth.  She had several books, and her laptop was in front of her.  She had her head bent down, focusing on one of her books.  Her hair, which can only be described as the color of the sunrise, was partially blocking her face.  I looked back at the lady behind the counter when she asked what I wanted to drink.  As soon as I was done ordering, I returned my gaze to the girl.  I saw her tense up and watched as she lifted her head.  I stopped breathing when her emerald green eyes locked with mine.  She was absolutely stunning.  Even though she wasn’t standing, I could tell she was much shorter than me.  Her hair fell in soft waves down to the middle of her back.  Her slightly tan skin looked smooth as silk, with no blemishes.  I did see a hint of what I am guessing is a tattoo just barely peaking from where her shirt was pulled down on her back.  I watched as she shook her head and returned to her work. 

“Hey your drink is ready.”  Viktor says.

“Good.”  I mumble.

“You have been off in your own little world since we walked in.  What is up?”  Rico asked.

“I found my beloved.”  I say.

They look at me and then follow where I am looking.  I hear one of them let out a gasp.  Rico’s phone rings right then, breaking us out of our trance.  We leave the cafe, but I tell them to go ahead and return to the house.  I told them to let my parents know that I would be home later and that I would explain everything to them at that time.  Viktor tells me fine, and I watch as they walk away.  I return to the cafe and sit at one of the outside tables.  I can see her from where I am sitting.  I watch her pack her things and wiggle her backpack onto her back.  She grabs another drink and walks out the door.  I follow her as she walks toward the campus.  It makes sense that she is a student there.  I am guessing she is a freshman since she can only be 18 or 19.  I stop and step off to the side when she slows down and turns around, looking for something or someone.  She must have felt me staring at her.  I stand still when she looks at where I am, but luckily one of my powers is being able to hide within the shadows.  I stayed hidden until she turned around and started walking again.  I followed her until she reached a large house.  I was surprised when she walked up to the large house.  Two girls were standing outside as she walked up.

“Coming from the cafe?”  The black-haired girl asked.

“Yeah, went there after class to finish work and sketch out some new art.”  My girl said.

I laughed internally when I called her my girl in my head.  I had yet to hear someone say her name.  I continued to listen to their conversation.  Something was pulling at the back of my mind.  This girl reminded me of someone, but I had no idea why.  Her eyes and hair color were very unique.  I had never seen hair this color before.  

“I might stop by work tomorrow night with Jackson.  He wants a new tattoo.  Do you think you would have time to draw it for him Sienna?”  The blond girl asked.

“Sure, I checked my schedule, and I actually had a cancellation tomorrow night.  I have four free hours I can put him in then.  I can draw it for him, and if he wants, we can get it done or start it tomorrow night.  The time slot was for 9 pm.”  Sienna explains. 

Sienna, what a fitting name for my girl.  I watched as the three of them walked into the house.  Once the food was shut, I turned around and walked away.  I didn’t like leaving her, but I knew where she lived.  I could tell by their scents that the two girls were werewolves and that they were from the same pack.  They even had a similar scent.  I am guessing they are cousins or related to each other somehow.  I also caught the scent of another vampire, and it smelled very familiar.  I walked up to my car and slid into the driver’s seat.  I headed back towards the house.  I was just in time for dinner; everybody was already at the table as usual.  I could tell my mother was itching to ask why I was late.  I looked at Rico and Viktor, and I knew they had told them I had found my beloved.  I took a seat and started loading my plate with food.  Yes, vampires each regular food.  We do need blood but not every day.  I, being pure blood, need it once a week.

“Before all of you explode from excitement, yes, I found my beloved.”  I state.

“Where is she then?”  Mom squeals.

“She is at her house.  She lives near the campus with three others, and I am guessing a student.”  I explain.

“What is her name?”  Dad asks.

“Her name is Sienna.  She and a couple of the girls she lives with were talking when she arrived home.”  I tell him.

I look at my brother Andre, Sven, and his wife Neveah when their forks slip from their hands and land on their plates.  They are staring at me like I said something crazy.

“What?”  I ask.

“Sienna, beautiful emerald green eyes, that Sienna?”  Andre asks.

“Yes, but how do you know her?”  I ask.

“She is in three of my art history classes.  She is double majoring in both art history and art.”  Andre explains.

“There is no way she is in your classes.  She can’t be more than 18 or 19 and that would mean she is only a freshman.”  I point out.

“I promise you, brother, she is in my classes.”  Andre says.

“He is right, your highness.  Sienna lives with Avalon.  Those two, along with Alpha Preston’s daughter Whitney and her cousin Lainey.  Sienna has an IQ of 150 and graduated high school when she was just shy of 16.  She just turned 19 a month ago while you were still in Sicily.”  Sven explains.

I sit there speechless.  I am both thrilled and impressed with my beloved.  She is both gorgeous and intelligent.  At least I guessed her age right.  From what they tell me, she is in her junior year.  Neveah explains that Sienna was taking college courses and her regular high school classes her senior year, so she was a year ahead when she started college.  That little part of my mind is still nagging at me that there is something else special about Sienna, but I push it away for now.  Dinner continues as planned with more talk about Sienna.

It has been a busy week.  Our business ran fine while I was gone, but I returned to a month's worth of meetings all being piled into this week.  I have been in meetings from when I got into the office till it was time to leave.  I haven’t been able to see Sienna this whole week, but Andre and Avalon have told me that she is okay.  I spoke with Avalon the very next day about Sienna being my beloved.  She said Sienna had told them about seeing a guy in the cafe.  I guess she had drawn me a couple of times in one of her books.  Avalon had seen the drawings and asked her about them.  She didn’t tell her who I was or what she was to me.  She told me I needed to do that, and I agreed. 

“When are you going to introduce yourself to your beloved?  The longer you are away, the more painful it will become.  We are not meant to be away from our beloveds for that long once we find them.”  Rico points out.

“I know that.  I was hoping to run into her this weekend accidentally, hopefully at the cafe.  I want it to be in public where she won’t feel like some creep is cornering her.”  I tell him.

“Remember, we are attending William’s bar-b-que on Sunday.”  Viktor states.

William is our lawyer and long-time family friend.  Dad has known him since he moved here 15 or so years ago.  He is the only lawyer we know that is familiar with both human and supernatural laws.  I know he has a child, but I have never met that child.  I don’t think Mom or Dad has met his child either.  His wife died in a terrible accident when the child was very young, but he has never gone into details.  I tell Viktor that I remembered about the bar-b-que.  I wonder if I could run into Sienna before then; maybe she would attend it with me.

“I am fucking glad this week is over.  We need to make sure Sylvia never schedules that many meetings in one week again.”  Rico points out.

“I agree and I will talk with her on Monday about that.”  I reply.

This week was brutal, but I guess it was make-up since I was out of the office for so long.  We are on our way to William’s house for the barbecue.  I was able to see Sienna briefly Friday night.  I watched her as she drew and started the tattoo on the Jackson guy, who I learned was the next Alpha of the Dark Coastal Forest pack.  I know the current Alpha, and we are on good terms.  I am scheduled to meet Jackson in the next few weeks.  Viktor pulls into the driveway, and we step out of the car.  William is standing at the front door as we walk up.

“It is good to see you again, William,”  I say.

“It has been a while, Luca.  Come in, the three of you.  Please go ahead and go out back.  There are a few guests already here.  I am just waiting for my daughter to show up.”  William tells us.

So it is a daughter that he has.  We walk out back, and I recognize a couple of the guests.  William joins us a few minutes later, saying his daughter is on her way.  I watch as he checks his phone and hurries into the house.  I am standing there talking when that scent hits me again—her scent, Sienna, with her mouth-watering blackberry vanilla scent.  I see William walking out towards us, with Sienna following.  He has a massive smile on his face, as does Sienna.  I see her eyes widen when she spots me standing there.  I am as surprised as she is that we are staring at each other.

“Everyone, I would like to introduce you to my beautiful daughter Sienna.  She is a student at the University of Miami.”  William announces.