I lost track of time as I listened to Alice telling stories. I absentmindedly traced my finger around the rim of my glass bottle, the subtle clinking sound blending with the ambient chatter.

Suddenly, I heard a voice announced, "Goodnight, ladies and gentlemen." A chill ran down my spine, momentarily rendering me motionless.

The familiarity of both the voice and scent was unmistakable. It was impossible not to recognise them.

“Oh. It is the infamous Twilight Guard.” Finn’s voice was raw with bitterness.

Xavier grinned. “This ought to be interesting.”

Or my worst nightmare, I thought to myself.

“What can we vampires do for you tonight?” asked Finn.

The distinct aroma of Willow was not lost on me. Her fragrance was truly unparalleled. It exuded a captivating sweetness that resonated perfectly with my senses, setting her apart in a class of her own.

“What are you doing?” The voice belonged to the young lad whom I often encounter in her presence. He had a discerning tone, a pointed manner of speaking, and showed no hesitation in expressing his viewpoints.

“Good night. I have come to extend an invitation to a show that we are hosting," Willow said formally.

“At our temple?” Aki hissed.

Willow audaciously placed a flyer on our table, prompting me to blink and fixate on her with an air of mild surprise. Finn chuckled and deftly pulled the flyer towards himself. His only perceived flaw was his eyes, uniquely positioned unlike the conventional depth of most individuals.

Finn recommended to Aki, "If I were you, lover boy, I would remove her from our table. You have a lot of balls allowing her to do what she did."

Aki commented with a taunting grin, "With all that balls, it's remarkable I can walk.”

Finn's gaze was steely, his jawline taut, and his eyes exuded a sense of danger. The palpable tension within him was unmistakable. Alice, recognising the brewing storm, gently rested her hand on Finn's arm, a silent plea for composure.

In a fit of anger, Finn poured the contents of his beer bottle onto the flyer.

“That was quite uncivil," Willow remarked with a light, well-bred tone.

"One of my better talents, lass.” Finn's eyes assessed Willow, and I found his gaze unsettling.

I experienced an overwhelming surge of anxiety as I awaited Willow's imminent address. The mere thought of her forthcoming words evoked a profound sense of unease, as I fervently hoped they would not revolve around our recent interaction. The prospect of her departure was a palpable longing, and I found myself preparing for the impending conversation with a mixture of fear and unease.

"Are you not interested?" she asked me, and I wanted to die. Without a way of returning, this time.

As I lifted my gaze, I found Xavier looking at me, his expression expectant, alongside the others awaiting my response. With a scowl, I shifted my gaze to Willow.

Never before had I beheld her from such proximity, and her beauty proved to be a revelation. Her visage bore the captivating fusion of Afro-black and Indian ancestry, a mesmerising blend that left me in awe. Her abbreviated, voluminous locks cascaded in a wild array of loose curls, a captivating sight indeed. My gaze then fell upon her eyes, reminiscent of crystallised sap from a tree: a radiant, golden maple hue nestled within a heart-shaped countenance. I couldn’t deny my captivation. She seemed to embody an ideal of beauty, with petite features and remarkably long, enchanting lashes that stirred me to the core.

My hesitation seemed to hang in the space between us, my throat dry and my mouth soured by an unspoken bitterness. Their blank expressions gave way to confusion, and I could sense the misunderstanding taking hold. Even as the three vampires continued to fixate on me, I knew that my failure to respond had left an impression quite different from the one I had intended.

“Don’t leave us hanging, Eden. She asked you a question,” Finn said, irritably.

Aki expressed his disapproval stating, "These things favour graveyards!" He then addressed Willow, pointing out that the temple does not approve of such an offer.

“Leave. Right now," Alice spoke for the first time, her tone firm and commanding.

In a moment of intense confrontation, Alice's eyes blazed with a glare as she locked gazes with Willow. Leaning in, she placed her hand on my thigh, gradually inching upwards, and prompting a sharp reaction from me. Instinctively, I swiftly intercepted her hand, halting her action with a firm grip. The tension in the air crackled.

“As previously mentioned," Alice stated, gazing at me with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Continue on your way. Your presence is disrupting our evening."

Willow's eyebrows knitted together in a profound frown. The previous delight vanishing from her expression. Her voice wavered as she spoke once more, betraying a sense of unease.

“I am sorry for intruding,” Willow muttered.

As soon as they disappeared from view, Finn turned to me, his expression betraying a clear contempt.