For the next week Edge and I did some training, but it wasn’t enough. I had to piece together any information I needed because every time I asked my warden he would either ignore me or tell me he didn’t see the point in educating me further. Thankfully, Edge was more forthcoming with the information when I needed it.

During this week, I never got a full night’s sleep despite how comfortable my bed was or how relaxing the tub in my bathroom was. Nothing could calm me down long enough for me to close my eyes and rest. At night or during the day I tried to keep myself busy with anything. I think I lost count of how many times I had rearranged the furniture or dismantled Jolene or go down to the gym to try and run the worry from my mind.

Then last night around 12pm Gerry called Edge and I to his office to brief us on the first mission he had for us. He showed us various pictures of security footage of what looked like vampires grabbing humans off the streets. There were over ten photos and as I counted almost 14 vampires that I could see. I gulp.

“We don’t know who they are or why they’re just pulling random humans off the street. Whatever it is they’re organized. These are the only pictures we have been able to collect of them through the year. Thanks to a certain someone my go to vampire for stealth missions like these has been compromised.” I turn my gaze away from him. “I suspect most of these humans are dead if not all of them. Thankfully it’s not in vain it seems the police managed to track one of the victims phones to a location. Cam will be sending you there. I want you to clean out the nest.” Is he serious there’s more than 14 vampires no matter how strong Edge is that’s impossible.

“Fine.” Edge said slowly.

“This is impossible. You can’t expect him to take on an entire nest like that. It’s suicide.” Gerry turned to speak, but Edge pulled me back and flashed his eyes at me.

“Be quiet.” I bite my lip and nod. In the corner of my eyes I see Gerry smirk at me. “Do you job right and he won’t be going in without backup.”

“And my job would be?” I ask weakly.

“To shoot things. You’re good at that.” I feel my gaze darken. He says as if I just asked him something stupid. “Your job is to watch Edge’s back and provide first aid if he needs it.” First aid? That’s what I have been reduced to, a walking blood bag.

“When do we leave?” Edge asks pulling me closer to his side. Gerry sees the subtle movement and raises an eyebrow.

“Tomorrow at 10pm you will both be ready 30 minutes earlier at the doors.”

“Yes Sir.” I reply.

“Piece of shit.” I spit when we are out of hearing distance from his office.

“It’s not so bad.”

“Maybe for you, but I don’t want to die. I’d like to one day own a nice bungalow in the middle of a green field and my only problem is that I am bored out of my mind.” I sigh dreaming of that peaceful image.

“That’s a nice image actually.” He says humming.

“What’s your retirement plan?” I ask trying to distract myself from the worry and anger.

“Great question.” He says scratching his chin thoughtfully.

“Come on. What image do you think off that makes you feel all gooey inside.” He hums.

“I always liked the idea of owning a brick house somewhere quiet and friendly. Back when I was alive I wanted kids, but now I can’t have them so that’s out of the equation.” I stop.

“Shit Edge I’m sorry.” I apologize feeling awful. He stops a few feet away and shoots me a wink.

“Don’t worry, I’m not upset. I gave up that idea years ago. I don’t need kids to have a fulfilling life.” I look stroke my arms not knowing what to say and Edge walks towards me and lifts my chin up. “That look doesn’t suit you Ainz. Don’t feel sorry for me, because I don’t.” I smile and nod. He returns my smile and his eyes move down to my lips. He stares at them for a second before removing his hand and clearing his throat.

What had just happened? I know that look on his face. My face burns red when I realize that he had just thought of kissing me for a second. How thick headed was I?

“What about you?” He asks talking fast to overwrite the awkward atmosphere.

“What about me what?” I ask just as fast.

We begin to walk fast back to our rooms.

“Kids?” Ha asks shortly.

“Me, no.” I answer on awkward snort.

We ride the elevator just as uncomfortably and when don’t say anything else except for the “goodnight” before we entered our room.

Three hours later I still couldn’t get any rest which was only fraying away at my already thin nerves. I had all my gear in front of me including the amazing black uniform Cam had made for me. Jolene was sitting in her case polished and cleaned to perfection. I want to take her downstairs to the shooting range to make sure everything is ok. The last think I need is her jamming or not firing during the mission, which I still had no idea where Gerry was sending us. I close the case and decided that I might as well go and get rid of some of my frustration on a paper target.

The door opens and I stand still for a few beats looking at Edge’s door wondering if he was there. Did I knock and see if he was ok? But what would I say to him? Edge was attractive, but he was a vampire. It never occurred to me that he could be attracted to me like that. Attracted? How conceited am I? He had a temporary lapse of judgement and so had I.

I can’t forget what circumstances brought me here. This is a fight for my survival and distractions are unacceptable. I take a deep breath and leave whatever it was I was feeling behind me. I grip the handle and I begin walking to the elevator. How easily I am swayed what a foolish woman I have become.

I was covered in sweat and put Jolene down on the table. I had been down here for maybe around two hours. My arms were killing me and even though I was wearing headphones my ears were starting to hurt from the shots and I was starting to feel a bit sick from the scent of gunpowder.

I pull out some handguns that Folklore had given me. It was weird holding them since I was used to something a lot heavier. I fire off a few clips and I become agitated when my shots are off my a few millimetres on a still target. I am not used to these silver bullets. At least with Jolene I quickly got used to it, but I can’t guarantee that I will always be firing from a distance. Truth is that while my shots aren’t off by a noticeable margin it’s noticeable for me. I am not firing at people where it won’t matter I am firing at monsters that won’t stop coming from my throat.

I throw my gun on the table in agitation and rip the headphones from my head feeling the soreness from wearing them for hours. I huff trying hard to catch my breath and collect myself.

“Are you still down here?” A familiar female says from behind me. I take a deep breath and plaster my best fake smile on my lips while relaxing my gaze.

“I’m pissed at Gerry. I thought I’d waste his bullets.” Danni snickers.

“If you want to cost him more money we can take start throwing grenades and bring out the bazookas.” She suggests.

“Damn that sounds fun, but I don’t want to be anymore on Papa’s bad side.” I say pursing my lips.

“Yeah he really doesn’t like you. He was much nicer to me during my test.”

“Then you must be very special. Cause so far he’s making me feels like a prisoner.” I pick up my gun in rage and fire at the already tattered target until my clip is empty. I want to throw the gun to the floor, but I hold myself back.

“I’m sure it’s not that bad.” My lips become thin and I turn back to my guns to stop myself for letting anything bad leaving my lips.

“How’s Val?” I ask.

“I don’t know. They won’t let me see him.”

“I’m sure you must be missing his pissy attitude.” I joke.

“I don’t get paid enough to put up with that. So what are you doing down here?” I sigh.

“Edge and I have our first official mission tomorrow. Aren’t you going to congratulate me?” I say theatrically.

“Why so early?”

“People are dying. We don’t really have a choice.”

“These would have been our missions.” She says worriedly. “I’m sorry.”

“Why are you sorry? You’re not the one who provoked a really unstable vampire.”

“That may be so, but Val’s missions are ridiculous. He’s told me as much.” I smirk.

“You mean to tell me that you actually managed to have a conversation with that thing.”

“Well, it wasn’t for very long.” She mumbles humorously.

“No offence, but aren’t Val’s missions a bit too dangerous for a human partner? Another vampire would be better or better yet a larger team.”

Danni walks closer and inspects my targets thoughtfully. “I can’t be questioning the line of duty here too. So I’m doing the smart thing and keeping my comments to myself.” She jabs at me.

“Fair enough.” I take apart my guns to keep my hands busy. “How many years were you a part of the force? By the way thanks for your service.” Danni smirks and pushes me playfully with her shoulder.

“Hearing that from a soldier feels wrong.”

“I was just hoping you would say it back. I haven’t heard it in a while.” She shakes her head laughing. “Well?” I prompt and she rolls her eyes dramatically.

“Thank you for your service.” I laugh.

“No, I meant how long were you working for the force.” Her cheeks pink slightly and she hides her smile behind her fist.

“Too long.”

“Vague.”

“Long enough to know that what I was doing wasn’t making much of a difference.” I lose my smile and she takes the reassembled gun from my hand. “No matter how many people I put away, no matter how much I tried to fix things in never felt like I was doing anything meaningful. It’s like when you clean your house you work until you’re dripping with sweat, but it always manages to get dirty again.” She takes a clip and puts it in the gun. I hand her my headphones and take off my clear glasses handing them to her. She takes them and I step back a few paces giving her some room. “But saying all this to a soldier must sound inconsiderate.” Danni fires off a few shots on a new target impressing me with her aim.

“It’s not. Feeling lost about your life choices and actions is a universal thing.” I take Danni in and I have to admit she looks barely 25 and it tugs at my heart that she’s been so much at such a young age.

“You must have been in some shithole to be feeling like this. I doubt you were active for that long.”

“It doesn’t take much for a person to break. I considered quitting and finding something else, but then Gerald and Val showed up with a really fascinating offer. I have been around vampires and witches my whole life so I wasn’t afraid of them. When I heard their offer and passed that God awful test I jumped at the opportunity to be here.”

While listening to her talk she was slowly reminding me why I had decided to come here. What drew her here is what enticed me also. This place wouldn’t be so bad if my life wasn’t on the line. “It’s just my luck that I got benched due to a technicality.” I grimace.

“Sorry about that.” She fires off a few more shots.

I take in all she had said and I was way more intrigued by her life story that I was before. I had wondered what kind of upbringing someone from a witch’s family would have. Now, I know that being around vampires was normal for them too.

“What is it going to take for me to get to hear your life story?”

“It’s not as interesting as you might think.” I throw my hands in bewilderment.

“Are you kidding me!”

“Some other time.” She avoids politely.

“Fine, but I want to know one day when you feel like chatting.” I get closer to put my stuff away. “But just one question please?” I give her my best puppy eyes. She sighs and nods.

“Are wizards a thing too?” She raises her eyebrows in surprise.

“I was sure you were going to ask me something insultingly stereotypical. Ah, yeah they exist, but they’re very rare though.”

“How come?” She shrugs.

“Honestly I don’t know. Witches outnumber them 100 to 1.”

“There’s that big of a difference?” She nods.

“I don’t even think my Grandma has met one.” She says that like it was supposed to drive her point in, but I didn’t see her point at all.

“Interesting, how about-”

“No, I said one question.” She begins to walk away from me before I could ask more questions.

“Oh come on, I wanna know I am only human! Do you ride around on a broom?” I smile when she lifts her right arm in the air and flips me off.