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Elora

I sighed, bored out of my mind. It's still just Theo and I, the others haven't come back home yet and it's almost evening.

We watched movies, I made him alphabetically organize their hundreds of records, which I've wanted to do for years. We dusted every single nook and cranny in this huge house. And we labeled everything in the kitchen. So I had a really fun day, Theo did not.

He never complained once, though. But I can tell none of those things interest him at all. I'm beyond satisfied, I never had time do fix the things that bothered me before. But now that I had time off and someone to help me, I'm happy.

Now, Theo and I are sat in the library. I'm laying in the floor with my feet up on the wall, looking at ancient pictures and paintings of old guys. Theo sat with his back against the wall, looking at a book he randomly grabbed.

"Theo?" I started.

He slowly turned to look at me, "You're not going to ask to organize the books, are you?" He practically begged.

I giggled, "No." I pointed up at the pictures, "Who are those people?" I asked. I've lived here all my life and never questioned why we have strangers hanging on the wall.

Theo turned and looked up at the pictures, "You'd have to ask Felix, I never much cared for politics or men who thought they were important," he shrugged.

"Hm," I thought. There's not a single picture of us anywhere. This is the only room in the house with pictures and they're strangers. "Do you think Felix would be mad if we took them down?" I asked.

Theo smirked, "Maybe, why?"

I sat up and grinned at him, "We should put up pictures of us, you know. Not these creepy looking old dudes," I thought.

Theo chuckled, "Hey," he warned. He stood up and jumped several feet in the air, making it look effortless as he grabbed one of the smaller paintings. He sat back down by me and handed me it, "Not all of them are creepy looking old guys."

I pushed my eyebrows together, looking at the incredibly old painting. It was seven men, all dressed in strange clothes and funny hair that looked straight out of a 1800s movie. I questioningly eyed Theo, unsure of what he wants me to do with this.

He laughed, "That's us, like a thousand years ago or something," he shook his head.

"What?!" I looked again, noticing some similarities now. Wow, they look much different in this painting of them. They're dressed horribly. I laughed, "You're so old," I teased. "You all look so angry," I noticed.

He nodded, "There's a lot about us you don't know, princess. For a long time our status became us. We were better than everyone else, and we weren't humble about it," he explained.

I kept looking at the painting, wishing I could have known them forever. It's hard for me to accept there's aspects of their long lives that I'll never know. I smiled, "I can't imagine you being anything but nice," I said honestly.

I heard the front door open, followed by lots of footsteps. I widened my eyes, they're finally home! Theo stood up, reaching his hand out for me to take. I set the painting down and grabbed his hand. He smiled, "I wish I could see the good in everyone like you," he said.

I shrugged, "It's a gift," I giggled, pulling him through the house until I saw all my other guys standing by the foyer. I've missed them so much and it's only been a day.

I let go of Theo and flung myself at Quin, still feeling bad that he punished himself over something that wasn't that big of a deal. Kind of...

"Did you like the cake?" I asked, looking up at him.

He wrapped his arms around my back, gently swaying me, "I should be asking you that, it's your cake," he softly chuckled.

I beamed up at him, "Oh I loved it, ate too much, felt sick, gained like a hundred pounds, regular birthday stuff, you know," I joked.

He let go of me, and my back was pulled into Felix's hard chest, "We did try to warn you, baby-"

"I'm a garbage disposal when it comes to sweets," I deadpanned. They can warn me all they want, I've accepted that my addiction to all things sweet and savory will never go away.

Eugene let out a small laugh, "What did you two do all day?" He asked, taking a seat next to Lucifer on the sofa.

I stood on top on Felix big feet, as he walked goofily into the living room, walking for the both of us. I smiled, watching our feet move. This is fun, "I put him to work," I answered absentmindedly.

Eugene raised his eyebrows, "Is that code for something, love?" He asked.

Theo shook his head, plopping down across from him, "No, she actually made me her personal slave for the day," he cringed. He pressed his lips together and smirked, "After she took a joy ride on my finger," he smugly added.

I snapped my head up and blushed. He can't be selling me out like that, now they're all smirking at me. Dang Theo! I puffed my cheeks, looking down at our feet, unable to meet anyone's eyes.

Felix's hand wrapped itself around my throat, lifting my head up, stretching my neck so I was looking straight up at him. He smirked, "You'd best be getting over your shyness, angel. It won't help you," he advised.

I widened my eyes at him, his firm grip on my neck sending butterflies throughout my body. He's right though, if I'm going to have all of them- and I will- I'm going to have to be more comfortable in my own skin. Yeah... right.

Felix's grip loosened and I looked straight again. Eugene looked like he has a secret that he's dying to tell someone. After knowing him forever, he has a dead giveaway for when he knows a scandal or something he shouldn't. He smirked at me, "Speaking if shyness, I got you a surprise today," he said.

I smiled, I love surprises! I wiggled out of Felix's hold and plopped down next to him and Lucifer, "Do I get it now? What is it- give me a hint," I rambled, my thoughts and excitement too fast for my mouth to catch up.

Eugene chuckled, nodding his head, "Sure, it's in the bag by the door," he informed.

I stood up and got a few steps away from him before Dane grabbed my wrist. I turned, ready to complain that he's keeping me from my present. I quickly stopped, seeing him eyeing the front window cautiously. I became nervous, seeing the rest of them eyeing the same window, looks of uncertainty on all their faces. What's going on?

"Are they invited?" Dane asked into the open air.

Who? I looked at the window, but saw nothing but our long driveway. They must hear or smell something I can't.

"No," Felix answered sharply. "Elora, go to your room," he ordered.

My feet moved on their own accord, but Duke quickly wrapped his arm around my waist, "Stay, baby," he argued. I pushed my eyebrows together, looking between the two. Felix gave Duke a warning look, and I averted my eyes. He didn't even look at me, and I'm intimidated. Duke tightened his hold on me, "The safest place for her is here with us," he said firmly.

Safest? My heart started racing, remembering Elliot and Jonas. Is someone here to hurt me again? I don't want to go through anything similar to that- I can't do that again.

"Elora, come here," Lucifer called to me, patting his thigh.

Duke let go and I quickly sat on Lucifers lap, burying my back into his chest as he wrapped his arms around me tightly, "Calm down, they're old friends of ours," he explained in his low whisper.

I blinked up at him, "Friends that I'm not safe around?" I stressed.

"He didn't say they're good friends," Quin said calmly, looking bored. Honestly, they don't look scared at all, they just look surprised. Maybe the reason they're worried is because whoever's visiting is unexpected. No other vampires have ever visited here. Ive never known others. And I don't want to.

Lucifer put his hand in my lap and I started twiddling with his rings. "Do you truly believe anyone's stupid enough to try and hurt you with us around?" Lucifer spoke into my mind.

No, I don't. But there's a lot of stupid people in this world, so says Eugene.

I watched Felix go to the door and open it, "To what do we owe the pleasure?" He asked casually.

Two men, clearly vampires with dark red eyes stepped in. They're both wearing jeans and a tshirt, dressed casually. "Felix, it's been far too long," the one with dark hair greeted.

Felix gave them a pointed look, "I don't like repeating myself, Zion. Cut the shit, why are you and Gavin here."

Zion walked further into the living room, eyeing everyone. His eyes landed on me and I quickly looked down at Lucifers hand, trying to look busy with playing with his rings.

"We've come to warn you," Gavin spoke, and I peeked up at him. "It's no secret that your clan has pissed off many rogues," he continued as he leaned against a wall.

"We know about the rogues, two of them have already attacked," Eugene dismissed.

Jeez, they're all so serious. I prefer them all lovey dovey and sweet like they usually are.

Zion cocked an eyebrow, "Gavin and I have heard rumors, rogues are planing to overthrow you," he explained.

Quin chuckled, "Overthrow? They couldn't if they tried, surely they must know that," he rolled his eyes, looking bored.

Zion shrugged, "I agree," his eyes shifted to me, "Unless they have the right leverage," he smiled at me. "It seems you boys have taken in a pet," he grinned at them.

Pet? Excuse me, I think not. Who even is this guy?

Lucifer softly stroked my side with his hand I'm not playing with, "Don't react, kitten. They're trying to get a reaction out of one of us-"

"Watch your fucking mouth," Theo glared at Zion.

I felt Lucifer sigh behind me. Of course it would be Theo, he's never had a filter.

Gavin put his hands up in surrender, "We mean no harm, Theodore. You've helped us out of sticky situations, consider this warning our repayment."

"If that's all, you may leave," Dane gave them both a cold stare. Even Dane is on edge with them here. I don't think they're friends at all. They must just know each other.

Zion eyed me, "You're really willing to risk dozens of rogues coming after you for a silly little human?" He thought.

Felix chuckled, "Another word and I'll let her pick how you die. We'll see how silly she gets then," he threatened, venom dripping from each word.

I tended, my heart hammering against my breastbone. I hope Felix isn't serious, I could never be responsible for something like that.

Zion and Gavin looked between the eight of us, something clicking in their eyes. "I see," Gavin said calmly, pushing himself off the wall. He seems to be the less intimidating of the two.

Zion followed suit and started towards the front door. "We'll be in touch, if you need anything," he waved bye sarcastically at everyone. "Nice to meet you, Elora," he gave me a smug grin.

No one said my name...

"He's trying to scare you. He heard us say it earlier, vampire heading, kitten," Lucifer ran his hand soothingly through my hair.

I sighed, relief filling me. I hated that, vampires are scary. Well- all of them except mine.

"Don't count on it," Felix closed the door behind them, and I turned, watching them run off.

Duke looked annoyed as he crossed his arms, "What reason could they possibly have to show up here? We're the best at what we do; they must know that we're aware of the rogues," he thought.

Eugene eyed me, "Well discuss this later," he said firmly, but gave me a comforting smile shortly after.

I raised my eyebrows, remembering my surprise, "Now that the creep shows are gone, can I have my surprise?" I begged.

Eugene stood up and grabbed the small black bag before handing it to me, looking much too happy with himself. Oh it's gonna be good!

I reached in and pulled out a... metal wine bottle cork thing? It was small and shaped like a teardrop, with a thin part that connected to a pink gem. I have no idea what this is. Eugene wouldn't have gotten me a wine stopper, I don't drink.

I cocked my eyebrow at it, glancing at Eugene who was smirking. "Thanks for the..." I turned it around a few times, desperately trying to figure out what this is. "I have no idea what this is-"

"Eugene!" Duke called out, sounding offended. He quickly grabbed the thing out of my hand and threw it back in the bag.

I glanced around, seeing Dane with his head in his hands, shaking his head. Felix was still by the front door, watching everyone closely. Quin was smirking sending Eugene a look of approval. Theo was laughing his head off, walking out of the room, mumbling something about my reaction. Duke is horrified for some reason. Lucifer is calm as ever, but he does look intrigued. And Eugene is still way too happy with himself.

Eugene shrugged at Duke, "What?" He questioned innocently. "If we're going to fit, we need to start stretch-"

Duke gave him a wild look, "Don't you finish that sentence," he warned, pointing a finger at him.

I'm beyond confused, but I can't believe Duke took my surprise away. I don't know what it is, but Eugene got it for me so it's special, "Hey that's mine," I reached for the bag.

Duke held it out of my reach, closing his eyes and taking a breath, looking like he's in shock, "No, baby, I'll get you something better, you don't want this," he said quickly.

I thought for a few seconds. "Do I finally get the candy bar?" I asked hopefully. He keeps teasing me with it. I see it in his pocket every once in a while, but he hasn't given it to me yet.

Duke knitted his eyebrows, "This is the fifth time you've mentioned a candy bar- what candy bar?" He asked. He sounds so shaken up from whatever Eugene got me.

Lucifer let out a small breathy laugh from behind me.

"The one you keep carrying in your pocket. I keep waiting for you to give it to me, but it's a full size one so you're bad at hiding it," I said in a duh tone.