Vampire Season **with CHOICES**

EVE

Eve sat on the cushion of the window nook in her room, gazing out at the pale blue, cloudless sky. She set the heavy, old leather cover book she had been leafing to the side and pulled her knees to her chest, resting her chin on them, lost in her thoughts. The manor around her was vast and filled with mysteries she had yet to solve; nevertheless, she couldn't shake the feeling of safety it offered, as if it wrapped her in its ancient walls and kept her safe from a world that had rejected her.

Drogo: Penny for your thoughts.

The voice came from her bedroom door. Eve nearly jumped out of her skin, clutching her chest.

Eve: Drogo! You startled me.

Drogo: Daydreaming about me again?

His voice was gruff, low and teasing.

Eve: Don't flatter yourself.

He smirked, leaning casually against the doorframe, his blond tousled hair falling into his eyes.

Eve: Skipping class again to keep little old me some company?

She jested in turn.

Drogo: Believe it or not, it's not all about you, pretty little thing. I had things to take care of.

He uttered, strolling closer.

Eve: Right.

She didn't believe him for a second.

Drogo: What are you reading anyway?

She pulled the book away from Drogo's sharp eyes, self-conscious of the choice material.

Eve: It's nothing.

But he snatched the book from her hands before she could react.

Drogo: An amulet guide?

He raised a curious brow. It was exactly what Eve had been trying to avoid – discussions of her old life – a life before the Bartholys.

Eve: I've been browsing through Nicolae's library of the occult.

She uttered, her cheeks warming.

Drogo: As a rule of thumb, none of us are allowed near those ancient written records. He gets really cranky when you rummage through his book; consider yourself warned.

Eve: Thanks for the heads up, but he actually let me borrow it. It was his suggestion, in fact.

She spoke proudly, as if Nicolae had entrusted her with something priceless, like a secret only the two of them shared. Drogo's brows furrowed.

Drogo: Why do you get special privileges?

Eve's gaze softened, holding his for a moment.

Eve: Because I promised to take care of it.

She reached for the book and pulled it out of Drogo's hand.

Drogo: Humph.

He tapped his fingers on her desk, eyeing her suspiciously.

Eve: was there something you needed?

Drogo lips slowly stretched into a smile.

Drogo: Maybe I just wanted to propose a bit of fun?

Eve: And what is it that you are proposing, exactly?

His smile widened.

Drogo: The Three-Legged Monkey this evening. You, me, and the enticing promise of fun.