Tempting Fate

Chapter 38

38 Chapter 38: The Target

The news that morning was almost entirely focused on the death of a woman at a pub. Even on social media, rumors circulated a psychopath was killing people in the city. Most of the victims are females, mostly who are hanging out at night. And cops allege they used an ice pick in the murder. The tip of that icepick was too small for them to be the basis for murder.

“Do you believe it attacked the victim with an ice pick?” Jasmin asked.

“So, are you saying a fork was used to kill?” Avery laughed.

Even Emy, who was busy preparing coffee, chuckled at what Avery had said. “Haist, you know it’s a vampire who murders,” Jasmin said.

“You know, Jasmin, stop reading vampire novels and watching vampire movies. That genre eats you up completely.” Avery said.

Jasmin chuckled. “Why? Can’t there be a vampire in the city?” Jasmin asked. “Wasn’t there something unusual that happened last week? Isn’t it there’s a mystery happened that people are dying for reasons they can’t explain to the media?”

“Isn’t it true that they all die from heart attacks?” Avery asked.

“Isn’t it weird? Almost all heart the victims die from a heart attack? That’s why I believe differently; I can’t be convinced of something without evidence,” Jasmin explained.

“Then...” Emy began as she sat down next to Avery. “How can you say that it is a vampire who kills when you have no evidence?”

.....

Jasmin chuckled. She turned around and brought her face closer to the two people she was speaking with.

“I saw a man standing on our neighbor’s roof last night,” Jasmin said.

“What?” Avery asked, surprised. “Is that what were you staring out the window at that time?”

Jasmin gave a nod. “And, to my surprise, I can’t find him on my phone. I recorded him, but there was no reflection on the camera. Isn’t it amazing?”

“Really?” Reed asked. “Can I check out the video?”

Reed’s unexpected appearance in the pantry caught the three women off guard. They did not know Reed had arrived there. Jasmin took out her phone and played the video for Reed. Although the man was not on the roof with ordinary eyesight, he could see it, and Jasmin seemed right. It is indeed a vampire.

“You can’t see him, Sir because he doesn’t have a reflection,” Jasmin explained.

Reed returned Jasmin’s phone. “Well, you still have found no proof of that vampire, but you still insist that they were existing.”

Avery chuckled. “But what if my suspicions are correct?” Jasmin said.

“Then be wary,” Reed replied as he turned his back on everyone and exited the pantry.

The three women exchanged glances. “Sir Reed doesn’t seem to be in the mood,” Jasmin noticed.

“What you’re saying is just rubbish,” Avery said.

Emy chuckled. “Let’s go outside. Lunch has ended. ” Emy said.

The two women pursued her.

—–

Reed stands inside his office, in front of the glass wall, looking at the three women. Maria was standing behind him. She fixed her focus on the black smoke that formed the shape of a man’s face.

“My king, who is this man?” Maria asked.

“That one isn’t human,” Reed said as he turned to face Maria. “He’s a vampire,” Reed said.

Reed drew Maria’s attention. He even laughed a little. “Vampire?”

“Yeah,” Reed said as he sat in his swivel chair. “I’d want to know how many of them cretins are strewn around here.”

“I have nothing to do? Should I just find out, my king?” Mary asked, surprised. Reed said is new to her hearing.

“I don’t want us getting embroiled in the troubles of this world,” Reed said. “You remember. If the queen is to be targeted by any human or demon, we shall merely intercede.”

“Okay. I shall remember my king.” Maria said. “But I’ll simply ask my king...”

“What is it?” Reed asked.

“How did you get this vampire’s image?” Mary asked.

Reed didn’t respond, instead of turning the swivel chair and turning his back on Maria. Maria understood Reed’s gesture and instantly vanished. He heard a knock on the door, and then it opened. He smiled as he recognized who it was.

Emy turned around as she walked inside Reed’s office. There was no sign that he was there. She was soon a warm breath on her nape. Goosebumps spread over her body as she abruptly whirled around. She didn’t realize Reed’s lip was waiting for her when she did that, and it devoured her lip. Reed gives her a rough kiss, and she quickly gives in.

Reed took Emy’s hand and placed it on his neck, then one of his hands slipped on Emy’s hip and squeezed it against his body. Reed kissed Emy on the neck and then whispered in her ear.

“Damn, Wifey, isn’t it possible? Do you know how many days I’ve been barren? Do you know that?” Reed whispered.

Emy gave a little laugh. She also misses Reed. Reed bit her ear, which turned it crimson.

“Stop teasing me. You know you can’t,” Emy said.

“Haist, I despise that aspect of you being human,” Reed said.

Emy released her hold on Reed. “I need your signature here so I may send a copy of them to the client,” Emy said.

Reed released Emy from his embrace and drew her to his desk. Emy stood on the opposite side of his desk while Reed sat in the swivel chair. Emy grinned at her when she signed the paperwork.

“Thank you, Sir,” Emy said before departing from Reed’s office.

Reed kept an eye on Emy as she approached the front door. “Wifey...” Reed said to Emy. Emy shifted her gaze to his. Reed rose and moved closer to Emy.

Emy just stood there staring at Reed. Reed stood in front of Emy, unsure how to inform her about what he had discovered about her father. He doesn’t want to become involved, but when he sees Emy, he can’t fathom how he feels.

“Do you have anything to say?” Emy asked. “Are you in love with me as I am with you?” Emy joked.

Reed grinned and patted Emy on the cheek. “Nothing else. I just miss you,” Reed said.

“Haist,” Emy said. “I’m leaving.”

—

“You’re fantastic, Maria.”

When Maria walked into Reed’s office that night, everyone was getting ready to go. She stated she had seen the vampire’s lair.

“Send a demon to protect the Queen’s two friends,” Reed said.

“I’ll take care of it, my King,” Maria whispered as she vanished from view.

Reed walked down and caught up with Avery and Jasmin. He was quickly bidding farewell to the two of them. Reed saw Emy was silent as he watched the two friends walk away.

“Is there a problem?” Reed asked.

Emy shifted her gaze to Reed. “Ah, nothing,” Emy said.

“Let’s go,” Reed said.

Emy remained silent in the car. She did not know what she was feeling. When Avery and Jasmin said their goodbyes, she became agitated. It was so bizarre that she couldn’t describe it as if something horrible was about to happen. Reed realized her quiet.

“Do you want us to have dinner first?” Reed asked.

Emy shifted her gaze to Reed. “Ahm, do you believe what Jasmin says about vampires is true?”

“Are you acting that way because you’re worried?” Reed asked.

“It’s simply that I can’t be bothered with how I feel. When Avery and Jasmin said their goodbyes, Avery seemed to lose her head.” Emy said.

Reed was taken aback for a brief minute. ‘Terrible vision,’ Reed thought.

“I don’t understand,” Emy said. “Do you believe the vampire exists?”

Reed grasped Emy’s hand. “Let’s get something to eat before we head home; I’ll check them after I drop you home.”

“Can we check them now?” Emy asked.

“But they’ll just leave.” Perhaps they haven’t returned yet. And, besides, I’ll know if something horrible happens to them.” Reed said.

“Will you know?” Emy asked.

“Yeah. So don’t worry.” Reed said. “I could have found a restaurant sooner on the internet. Would you like us to dine there?”

Emy gave a small nod. She couldn’t be bothered, even if she knew Reed had comforted her. Also, because Reed is a demon, he will be aware if something goes wrong with Avery and Jasmin. Reed also told her that he would protect everyone she cared about in the same way that he would protect her. Emy inhaled deeply and struggled to cleanse her memory of the things that had disturbed her. Reed’s car was parked in front of a restaurant a few moments later.

——-

They were at home when Maria sent a message to Reed. Reed’s suspicions are true; Avery is the vampire’s prey. When he viewed the video from Jasmin’s phone earlier, the vampire suddenly stepped in front of the camera, allowing him to see its face. He also heard what it said. Its next prey is Avery. And because ordinary eyes cannot see what happened in the video, Jasmin is unsure what will happen to her friend.

Reed departed when Emy went into the restroom to get ready. He headed straight to where Jasmin and Avery were. Reed heard from Maria that the two couldn’t go home since it captivated them.

‘Those bastards ought to learn a lesson,’ Reed thought.