( x )

Leila, Red, Pierre and Natalie sat quietly for a bit. George, the servant of the mansion brought four cups on a tray. One of them was filled with tea and three of them had a thick liquid of a dark red hue.

“Apologies for the lack of items. We do not receive visitors of your kind, or of any other kind, to be honest.” George put the tray down while talking to Red, who is still in deep thought. Leila thanked the help and took a polite sip from her cup first and then gulped its content down without an ounce of decorum.

“It’s still serious Pierre. You can’t just convert someone without the council’s permission.” Red scrunched his eyebrows harder. “There will be consequences.”

“She was dying, Red” Pierre was holding Natalie’s hand and now squeezed it even tighter. “I couldn’t just let her die.” 

“Don’t give me that bullshit. You’ve seen people die left and right in the past century alone. You’ve lived over three centuries and now you’re giving me this puppy love bullshit?” Red barely contained his anger. “You know that the council fully controls who gets to convert and who gets to be converted. And now you’re just running around and making more.” Red looked at Natalie. “She knows that she will never have a normal life, does she? The things a normal couple would do, you’ll never have that.”

“She knows all about it Red. And I’m willing to face my consequence.” Pierre said with a hurt and helpless look on his face. “But I’m begging you, give her a second chance at life.”

“Can I speak now?” Natalie stayed silent during the whole conversation but now spoke directly to Red. “The council can go fuck themselves for all I care, but I am not leaving Pierre.” 

“Natalie, please…” Pierre protested. 

“You don’t have a say in any of that! Not you! Not your boss. Not the council.”

Red’s jaws tightened. Before he could say anything his attention went to his phone when it vibrated with a notification. 

“It’s from the field.” Red looked at Leila. “Apparently, the bait is acting strange.”   They immediately got up.

“The sheep?” Pierre looked confused. 

“Don’t concern yourself with it.” Red glared at Pierre. “You have much bigger things to worry about. This conversation is not over.”

“I apologize, but can I please raid your fridge? The drink was delicious and I am still quite thirsty. I would like to have some more if you don’t mind.” Leila addressed Pierre. 

Pierre signalled his servant, and within moments George returned.

“Here’s your care package, for the road.”

Leila thanked him sincerely. She smiled at Pierre and Natalie before leaving. 

“Don’t even think for a moment that you’re off the hook, Pierre. And don’t even think about fleeing. You will be hearing from us again.” He sternly spoke to Pierre and made sure his tone expressed the severity of his situation. 

Pierre nodded calmly as the pair left the mansion. Natalie kissed Pierre tenderly on his cheek and hugged him. George started to sweep the broken door fragments off the floor.