The Vampire’s Servant novel Chapter 161

[Victor]

It was Sunday evening and we were preparing for dinner at the home of Grayson’s parents. I was slightly nervous. It had been ages since I was invited to a dinner with living beings and the first time ever with werewolves.

Sean and Rosario had returned to the house on Friday. Echo was relieved to have them back and made sure to apologize profusely. She was still rather embarrassed at what she’d done in the hold of the curse.

Echo, Grayson, and I had resumed laying together. I would go into her room with them at night and we would be together until they were sleeping. Our bond was growing even deeper.

We made the plan to mark Echo as soon as possible. We’d been waiting on their graduation, but it appeared the gowns would cover any mark we gave her. She wanted to be marked before we tackled the next part of the curse.

She said not being marked had been one of the things that made her feel less safe in the hold of the curse. Considering that it was one of the things I had focused on as well, we felt it was a good idea. If a server hadn’t called in last night, requiring Grayson to go fill in for them, we would have done it then.

As it stood, tonight was when we were planning it. We let Valor and Harmony know so they wouldn’t grow concerned when they saw the marks. Harmony revealed that she had been marked by Cameron the night after we’d been freed.

I had wondered at her suddenly conservative clothing. Valor didn’t seem to be too pleased, but he understood. Marking would make the bond stronger for Cameron and Harmony and they would be stronger for it as well.

Marking would lend the strength of each mate to the other, at least, once the bond was sealed. After our bond was sealed, Echo would be stronger and faster. She would gain the strength of a vampire who was nearly nine hundred years old. It would pair well with all of her abilities.

Amelia came into the entryway. She smiled at me and nodded before heading toward the library. Finn came past, but ignored me.

It had been like this for the past few days. He was basically her shadow. When she would acknowledge him, he would try to talk to her about what it meant to be someone’s Solus Amor. He would tell her about the good he tried to do and the adventures he wanted to take her on.

I could see that she was coming around to it. Emmalyn and Talia were helping. I figured I had done enough and didn’t try anything.

My intention hadn’t been to harm my broodmate. I had no idea that he hadn’t told Amelia that she was his Solus Amor. With how excited he had to have been, with the way he talked to her in the cells, I honestly thought he had told her.

It was an honest mistake. That didn’t make me feel much better. I had embarrassed myself pretty thoroughly.

“I think I’m getting better at reading you. Stop pouting.” Grayson said.

I raised my eyebrow at him. “I do not pout.”

“Brooding, then. Whatever vampires do when they’re actually pouty.” He chuckled.

“You’re quite lucky that I’m growing to like you, Grayson. Or I would take offense at that.” I replied.

“And do what? Pout more?” Grayson snickered. “I’m just messing with you, Victor. You need to get that sorry expression off your face, though, or Echo’s going to get upset. She wants you to be happy about going to see my family.”

“Is my clothing appropriate for this sort of gathering?” I asked.

“I mean, you look fine. I would have gone a little more relaxed, but this is the first time I’ve seen you in jeans instead of slacks or dress pants, so it’s progress. Don’t worry, man. Everyone is excited to meet you… except my grandpa. He doesn’t like vampires, though, so we don’t really count him.” He replied.

Echo came into the entryway from the kitchen. Lisa insisted on watching her in the kitchen after she found out what Echo had done to everyone last weekend. Echo accepted it with no complaint.

Part of me was worried that she was still punishing herself for what she’d done. Echo was a little more skittish than she’d been before. Talia assured us that it was just Echo’s mind trying to process what the curse was trying to do to her.

She held up a cooler and smiled. “I have the food for Victor.”

“Great, angel. We should get going. Everyone will be waiting for us.” Grayson said.

We went out to my car. Grayson offered to drive, but I wanted to be in control of where we were going. It had been a while since the last time I drove.

Grayson chattered on about his family as we drove. Echo would add in things she remembered of them in previous meetings. They were talking so excitedly that I caught myself smiling.

Maybe we were all meant to be together like this so they could remind me to enjoy life. I hadn’t really done that. In all the years I’d lived, I had merely survived and existed. My only joy was in knowing I was providing a safe place for humans in my territory to grow up. I knew no one would suffer as I had.

When we arrived, there were teens and children sitting out on the front yard who started jumping up and running around when they saw us pull up. Grayson helped Echo out of the backseat of the car as I walked around the front.

Some teens rushed up, but stopped a few feet away. They looked at me nervously as they talked to Grayson. Echo came over and took my hand. She smiled up at me and I relaxed a little more.

Echo introduced me to Grayson’s younger cousins. They all kept their distance until a little girl of no more than six came up to us. She looked at me quizzically, then took my other hand.

“C’mon. We’re hungry.” She demanded.

I chuckled and followed her across the yard. The other children were all frozen, watching her pull me around. Echo stayed by my side, while Grayson followed behind.

The little girl had the same dark hair and brown eyes that Grayson had. She smelled like a relative, but that was to be expected at a family affair. She was most definitely the child of an Alpha. I wondered if this was one of Trent’s daughters.

She opened the door and pulled me through. She took me through the house and out the back door. Adults were milling around a little, but turned to look at us as we came onto the porch.

“This is Gray’s vampire. Be nice.” The girl ordered.

The adults chuckled. Trent approached and ruffled her hair.

“I see you met our little sister. Eden, why don’t you go get the other kids?” He said to the girl.

“Okay!” She cheered and let go of me before racing off.

“She likes you, Master Nightshade.” Trent winked.

“She’s a very forceful little girl. I bet she’ll dominate her mate when she grows up.” I chuckled.

“We’re hopeful that her mate is an omega so that won’t cause her too much difficulty.” An older woman said with a smile. “I’m Grayson’s mother, Elise Padua. You can just call me Elise.”

“Please call me Victor, especially you, Trent. We’re not leaders in this situation, we’re… family.” I replied.

“Of course we’re family, Victor. You’re like a brother to me, but I actually like you.” Grayson laughed.

“You’ll pay for that, Gray.” Trent growled playfully.

“I’ve been training to fight with vampires for the last few weeks. I think you’ll have a hard time beating me now.”

“No fighting.” Elise scolded.

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