Essence (Nectar 3)

“Uh…what?”

“That’s how I’m feeling now. I don’t think I’ll change my mind.”

“But…” Kyla didn’t know how to finish that thought. She had to think on it. Maybe it was the most logical explanation.

“Hopefully it’ll be within the next year. I’m ready for my life to start. And 25 is the optimal age to be turned. I replied on her note and said Okay.”

“Okay?”

“She asked if I was okay with her plan…to try to find a way to get me free but to be able to use my blood for now. I said okay.

He didn’t look okay with it. At all. He looked bitter. They watched the rest of the movie in silence and then Tristan came in to get her.~~~They were all inside the boathouse. Sam, Sasha, Sergey, Tristan, Kyle, and Kyla.

Tristan initially tried to tell her she should stay with Kyle in the safe room but Kyla wasn’t having it.

“I need to face him. I need to, Tristan.”

He’d shook his head, “No.”

“Yes.”

“No, princess. I…”

She screeched and stomped a foot, “Tristan! I am telling you right now, I’m there. If you won’t let me do it myself you at least need to let me be there!”

“No. It’s not gonna be neat and tidy, baby. That fucking motherfucker is going to feel my goddamn wrath. I don’t want you anywhere near that wrath.”

She gave him a pleading look and directed as much emotion at him as she could.

He took her face into his hands and pulled it close, “Princess. Brat switch?”

“Please?”

“Why would you want to see that?” he looked concerned.

She shook her head, “I don’t know. It’s not that I wanna see that but I need to be there. I just do.”

Maybe she just didn’t want to be in the dark, waiting behind closed doors while their lives happened.

He gave her a nod, understanding seemed to pass through them.

“Alright. You can confront him but you’re not staying for the party,” he’d finally relented.

“I’m stayin’ for the party,” she insisted, hardly able to believe that she was referring to murdering her grandfather as a party, “and my brother needs to be there, too.”~~~“Aw, fuck me.”

Those were spoken words from Kyla and Kyle’s maternal grandfather when his eyes opened and he saw that he was tied to a chair that was propped against a wall in the boathouse in the middle of a semi-circle that included Sam, Sasha, Tristan, and Sergey. There was also Kyla and Kyle, a little further back (Kyle who wasn’t with them but who Kyla had wanted present for the symbolism. He was sitting beside her looking like the classic mesmerized deer-in-the-headlights).

Adrian’s eyes went huge as he took in the faces of those around him.

Sam cracked open a blood bag and held it out to Adrian’s mouth. Adrian gulped some back.

“That’s disgusting,” Adrian spat.

“Sasha created it. It’s several small animals plus a vitamin infusion. Very nutritionally complete.” Sam looked very pleased.

“Samantha,” Adrian greeted.

She folded her arms across her chest and said nothing. But the look on her face said it all. She was facing her tormenter. That was very evident.

Adrian’s eyes moved to Sergey.

“Voitenko, what an unpleasant surprise. You’re part of their militia. Shocker.” Adrian wasn’t shocked, “Samuel, I expected you’d consider joining your sister but I’m disappointed. Figured you’d know how fruitless that’d be. Now, with Voitenko a part of it, I can see the sudden allure. And Tristan? You, too? Your grandfather is turning in his fucking grave.”

“What about my father, Constantin? Is he turning in his fucking grave?” Tristan leaned close to Adrian.

Adrian’s eyes went huge.

“Is my father turning in his grave, Constantin?” Tristan demanded.

Adrian’s lip curled, “No.”

“Why?” Tristan demanded.

“He’s not dead.”

Kyla’s heart skipped a beat.

“You know where he is,” Tristan sneered.

“Yes.”

“Tell me where he is,” Tristan ordered.

Adrian let out a big breath, “In a covered pit on my property. Daggered.” Adrian’s face contorted, probably at the fact that he had to impart this information on Tristan’s demand.

“But you don’t wanna let him and the other one in there with him out, Tristan. It’s a recipe for disaster. If you trust nothing else that I say to you, trust me on that.”

“Oh my God,” Kyla blurted, her hand coming up to cover her mouth.

Adrian’s eyes moved to her and he smiled and it looked genuine, “Nice to see you’re back.”

Kyla’s body locked tight.

“And you’ve met your brother. How have you brought her back?” he looked to Tristan.

“You’ll never know,” Tristan said and he was seething.

Kyla felt a twinge in her gut and a chill swept over her at the cold and calculating emotion on his face.

“Samuel, break Sergey’s neck,” Adrian ordered, looking directly at Sam.

“Nice try, Adrian. But Tristan’s already taken steps to ensure you can’t influence me.”

Tristan’s grip went to Adrian’s throat.

“Get her out of here!” Tristan hissed toward where Sam stood. Tristan’s skin was grey and his eyes were black.