The Dark Secret of the CEO by Sofia de Orellana

Thankfully, we don’t get to argue more than this; Lancelot walks in just as we’re still glaring at each other. He chuckles.

“Whatever this is about, I don’t want to be asked to take sides. Come on guys, time to go home.”

I ignore Bart, and walk past Lancelot to get into the car, hearing the latter scoff when Bart also just growls in response.

“…You two ungrateful brats do realize I had to wake up in the middle of the day to come and get you, right?!”Daily Latest update www.noveljar.com

It doesn’t really get better in the car. Bart’s sulking and avoiding looking in my direction, while I do the same, my eyes on Rick’s card once again. Did I make a mistake involving him in this…? Perhaps. Perhaps I acted like an idiot with the hope that he’d stick around for a while longer, but then, what the fuck am I hoping for? This is pointless. I’m a vampire now, I’m Hera Heartgraves. June’s dead. I should wish him well and let him go on with his life, not give him crumbs to hold on to…

I keep getting mad at myself as we go home. I don’t even care much about Swithin getting Charles’ attention anymore. I can hear about that later. I just climb to my bedroom angrily, most people will be asleep at that time anyway. To my surprise, when I reach it, it’s not exactly empty; there’s a black cat asleep on my bed. For some reason, the vision of the small bundle of fur on my bed immediately calms me down. I slowly close the door so as not to wake the cat, and gently climb on my bed, next to it. …Did Beatrix leave it there? Or are the cats used to just going wherever they please? …It’s the same cat she left in my hand, isn’t it? Most of them were all black, I have a hard time telling… Gently, I start petting the smooth, soft black fur. A satisfied purring soon comes from the cat. Yep, definitely used to vampires petting them. I let out a faint sigh, and try to calm down, steering my thoughts away from Rick. I lie down on the mattress, actually a bit tired.Daily Latest update www.noveljar.com

I managed to fall asleep, which shouldn’t surprise me too much I suppose… When I wake up, the cat’s gone, but I hear voices downstairs. It’s past night time too, so I’m guessing most of the house is already awake. I get up to take a quick shower, and change into something more comfortable. I can’t believe I fell asleep still fully clothed… I need to get used to my new sleeping schedule. I slip into some straight high-waisted camel pants and a black tank top, dry my curls and add a headband before going downstairs. Because it’s nighttime, and probably way past sunset, most of the family is awake. Cata is chatting cheerfully with Rebecca and Lancelot in the kitchen, and I hear at least two people typing in the living room. I wonder if the lack of more communal spaces is to force us to spend time together when we’re awake.Daily Latest update www.noveljar.com

My walk into the kitchen is actually greeted by a loud burp.

“Ugh, Greyson, seriously,” Lancelot grimaces. “Try and act civilized, will you?”

As he sees me, Greyson wipes the beer foam off his lips and glances at me, giving me a quick nod. I don’t know if he likes me or not, but I’m pretty sure I do not want the mountain of big muscles against me. He looks like he belongs in the depths of the forest, with an axe and a wooden cabin… Or in a biker’s lair. Next to him, Cecily chuckles.

“Come on, big guy, let’s go hunt for some real drink. I’m starving after working for Baby Vamp all night. Hera, your pictures are ready if you want to see them, but I’m out tonight. See ya everyone.”

She grabs him by the collar, pulling a guy twice her size like some dog behind her, and they both exit the room.

“Don’t mind Greyson,” Lancelot sighs. “We’re pretty sure he’s genetically linked with a bear…”

“That’s cool,” I shrug. “Do I dare ask what’s between him and Cecily?”Daily Latest update www.noveljar.com

“Oh, they sleep together,” Rebecca shrugs. “But nothing more, as far as we know. Tried more, didn’t work out. The usual.”

I did expect something like that… I guess we’re just siblings in name only after all. I glance at Cata, who didn’t say a thing, but gives me a little greeting smile.

“The pictures?” I ask Lancelot.

“Cecily and I did work hard,” he smiles. “You’ve got two auditions and a photoshoot tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” I gasp, shocked. “Seriously?”

“Didn’t you want to work?” Rebecca tilts her head. “Time to shine, Baby Vamp.”

I chuckle, and move on to the living room. As I expected, Swithin’s there, sitting in the middle of the couch, while Agnes is curled up in the armchair with a new book and, to my surprise, a woman I’ve never seen before is seated on the floor. She is very muscular, but with a thin build, like all of us. Her hair is cut short, and she has a black tattoo on her dark skin, running from her lip down her throat. I wouldn’t be able to tell where she’s from, perhaps Middle East or Egypt? It looks like she just arrived, she’s got a long leather coat on.

“…So you’re our youngest little sister?” She smiles at me. “Nice to meet ya’. I’m Vivian!”

She’s got one strong american accent for someone who looks from the other side of the world. At least, she looks very friendly.

“Nice to meet you,” I nod. “West Coast?”Daily Latest update www.noveljar.com

“Chicago! I’ve lived in Illinois for the last century.”

“Great. Then you should let Bart know that New Amsterdam’s got a new name…”

She laughs loudly.

Old Bart’s still a nosey

the couch next to him,

“Anything?” I ask him.

what?Daily Latest update

did I miss? You got

left to go to his hotel with his staff. That was it. I’m busy catching up on my work I missed while

that could help me corner him?” I

darling. You’re going to need it in the

how I want. I

“…What hotel is it?”

He finally stops typing.

“No.”

“I just want to

scoffs. “I’m not getting you out of

arrested?” Vivian exclaims,

he likes luxury… He always

brief, barely a twitch in

I’m right, aren’t

swear, if you

big coat and my phone. When I run back downstairs, Swithin’s standing there, and I have to stop right there and then. I can’t move. I can’t take a single step closer to the

eye. I force myself to breathe in, try to fight it. He’s old, but not as old as Beatrix. I feel it’s slightly easier. I manage to move. I move just a little, just a little bit, but

to learn your place,” he

voice makes me scared. Really scared. I feel the weight of a man centuries older than me, and I lower my head more,

“…Enough.”

without warning, and I almost fall forward, unsteady. I glance back. Richard’s standing in the hallway, Beatrix one step behind him

gently calls

just want to go and take

“I know. Be careful.”

can actually go? How come? Richard doesn’t say anything, but it really looks like I can just walk out. I cautiously step back, and as no one is holding me back, I walk past Swithin and get

a female human could have walking alone at night, it’s… different. Like I can feel something’s off. As if… I’m not alone. I stop, and glance back, but there is literally nothing but the darkness. Did one of them follow me? They would show themselves instead of playing this game. Plus, I wouldn’t have such a nerve-wracking sensation… Who the fuck is it then? Or is it

busy glancing back and watching over my shoulder, I almost miss the silhouette walking up to me, and

chuckles, amused. “You look like you saw a ghost. Are you

relieved to see him. “Yeah sorry, I just… I felt like I

glancing over my shoulder. “…Doesn’t seem like it. Anyway,

let me. Just going

went out to get some drinks for

of bottles he was holding, and as one would suspect, it’s not wine. Still, I’m a bit confused. He lets out a faint grimace before I

with what happened to

a vampire, when she’s over a hundred years old? I can’t remember the specifics, but Bart did say some of us have a

Have an idea what happened to Atticus?” I

shakes his

all of us. To be honest, I have a feeling Richard isn’t keeping us all

do you mean?”

sadly, suddenly changing his tone. “Anyway, look after yourself out there, Baby Vamp. Do you want me to

I’m good. I’m almost at the busy street