Shadow Kissed: The Vampire’s Chosen One

Chapter 7: May The Best Vampire Win

-ERIC-

Fucking Gabriel! I can’t even begin to express how much I want to run my fist through the smug posh Brit’s face right now.

I had it in my mind this evening that I would swing by Elena’s apartment and pick her up to go handle an issue located in Santa Monica involving a bag of werewolf blood that had somehow found its way into the local hospital there. I had called Gabriel to let him know where we’d be this evening and the son of a b***h just happened to be driving near her apartment...so he told me he would pick her up and take care of it.

Now perhaps my mind is clouded by the fact that Gabriel wants to stick his Englishman’s d**k inside my Chosen One but I highly doubt his intentions for taking on this assignment are innocent. He’s doing exactly what I’m trying to do...spend as much time with Elena as possible in hopes that she will give in, allow the relationship between us to bloom and become something more intimate.

Last night had went well with Elena at Whitwicky’s and Red’s Diner. I know that I probably caught her off guard with some of my more personal questions, but I couldn’t help myself. I want to know everything about her...things that only she can tell me and not even my or Gabriel’s IT team can find.

She’s a breath of fresh air and I can’t even breathe as a vampire. Then the annoying waitress kept interrupting us, trying to take my attention away from my Chosen One. I was half tempted to Glamour her to leave us alone until Elena had bet me that the waitress would leave me her number. I knew I would lose because women always gave me their numbers and I still made the bet. I had already worked it out in my mind that this could possibly lead to another opportunity to spend time with Elena outside of work...and it did. Even though Gabriel took Elena on the assignment in Santa Monica, I can’t wait to see the look on his face when he hears that I’m going over to her place to enjoy some pie...though not the kind of pie that I’m really craving. If being over a thousand years old has taught me anything, it’s patience. Elena is worth the wait and the reward will be utterly divine...something that I will indeed savor until she’s begging me to stop. The thought brings a smile to my face at fully having my Chosen One.

Now, I may have patience with Elena...but Gabriel is a different story. He needs to back off my woman. The question is...how do I tell him to go f**k himself without it coming out like a challenge to where Elena is the prize? We’ve never fought over a woman before but I’ll be damned if he thinks he can have her.

I tap the end of the pen in my hand on the desk, thinking about my predicament. The only way to avoid the challenge would be to tell him she’s my Chosen One...but I’m not sure I’m ready for him to know yet. Gabriel may blab it to Elena and I’m not even close to prepared for that conversation. I lean my head against the back of the chair. f**k. I’m probably going to regret not telling Gabriel about Elena being my Chosen One.

I’m brought out of my thoughts when my phone dings, signaling that I received a text message. I drop the pen on the desk and pick up the phone. I smile. It’s from Elena. Gods, I love seeing her name on my phone.

Elena: Werewolf blood bag is taken care of. Also managed to take care of some Sabbat lurking around the hospital. Be at Luxe in a bit.

I can’t help myself. I text her back.

Eric: Good. I can’t wait to dig into those pies tonight.

I impatiently wait for her response.

Elena: I beat you to it. I had a snack last night before my date with Abby. The strawberry-rhubarb is absolutely delicious.

Gods, she makes me feel like I’m a f*****g lovestruck teenager. Smiling, I reply,

Eric: I’m not surprised. If the pies would have made it home with me, I would have done the same. Way to rub it in.

I add the flirtatious winky face emoji before I hit send. I imagine Gabriel is getting annoyed that I’m taking her attention from him...the thought makes my smile widen.

Elena: Gabriel’s getting grumpy I stopped talking to him to text you. See you in a bit.

I can’t help but chuckle. Apparently, I’m not the only jealous vampire. Suits the Brit right! I think I’ll stir the pot.

Eric: Well he only gets that way from two things...lack of blood or lack of sex...I guarantee it’s not from the lack of s*x.

Consider the pot stirred. I smile when Elena sends a laughing emoji as the reply. Gabriel’s going to be pissed. Suddenly, the phone on the desk rings. I lean over and look at the caller ID. f**k. It’s the Prince. I reluctantly pick up the phone and hold it to my ear. “Hello?”

“Sheriff Ashford.” Prince LaCroix’s voice comes over the phone.

“Ah, Prince LaCroix. To what do I owe this pleasure?” Of you f*****g annoying me?

“I’m aware that you’ve had a few nights with the new Slayer...I’m wondering what your impression is of her?”

I furrow my brows in surprise. LaCroix has never been curious about my charges before...why now?

“She’s exceptional. Highly skilled. Intelligent. She’ll do well in our territory.” I keep it short. I don’t want the Prince anywhere near my Chosen One. It isn’t unheard of that Princes will directly contact a Watcher and have them work on special assignments as long as it doesn’t interfere with the work they do with the Sheriffs. Still...LaCroix needs to stay the f**k away from Elena. He’s manipulative as they come and a master at deception...it’s how he got the Prince position here in Los Angeles.

“Yes, her profile is impressive.” I hear admiration in his voice and I immediately want to end the call before he says something that makes me want to rip his head off. “Ms. Grimm is quite beautiful too. I imagine you and Baron Septimus are enjoying her company?” There it is...the f*****g comment to tip me over the edge.

My jaw clenches when my anger starts to rise. “Yes.” I manage to grit through my teeth. “She’s pleasant to be around.”

I hear LaCroix chuckle into the phone. “I imagine so.”

I manage to keep my anger in check before I speak again. “Is that all? I’m in the middle of something.”

LaCroix sighs into the phone. “No. The main reason for my call is that I would like to schedule a meeting with Ms. Grimm. I was wondering if you had an opening next week?”

My grip on the armrest of the chair tightens to the point it shatters in my hand. So much for keeping Elena away from the prick. What is he up to? I shake the broken bits of the armrest off my hand before I reply, “I’ll have to look at our schedule. I’ll get back to you.”

“Wonderful. Anything new regarding the previous Slayer or the vampire attacks on the humans?”

“No.” I lie. I’ll tell the prick when he needs to know.

“Perhaps Ms. Grimm will be of some help in these issues.” My hand tightens around the phone to the point the plastic starts cracking. “Have a lovely evening, Sheriff.”

“You too.” I ground out before I slam the phone back down in the cradle. “f**k!” I yell out in frustration. I am so not ready to introduce Elena to Sebastian LaCroix. There’s a reason he wants to meet her in person and I refuse to let her be some personal errand girl to that motherfucker!

My eyes dart to the entrance of my office. The room may be soundproof but I’m old enough to sense that Gabriel is coming down the hall. A few seconds later, the Brit throws open the door and stalks in. “You bloody bastard!”

The effects of the conversation with the Prince leave me as I begin to tackle my other problem...Gabriel. I take a moment to study him. He’s definitely pissed...if the clenched jaw and vein popping out of his neck aren’t a dead give away. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I reply innocently.

He points an accusatory finger at me. “Was it really bloody necessary to tell Elena that I haven’t been suffering from lack of s*x? You know how I feel about her!”

I tilt my head to the side and school my face to remain emotionless while I look at him. How he feels about her? How do I feel knowing that his cocky Brit ass is trying to bang my Chosen One? I shrug and point out. “It’s not like it’s a secret that you take different women to your bed every night.”

“See that’s where you’re wrong, you wanker!”

I furrow my brows in confusion. “What?”

A smug look comes over Gabriel’s face. “I’ll have you know, that I haven’t had s*x with anyone in two days.”

The look of surprise on my face clearly increases the smugness in Gabriel. “You’re lying.” There’s no way he’d give up the variety of p***y and settle down for one.

“Fraid not, mate. I realized that Elena was never going to go for someone like me the way I was...so I changed. And now you’re royally f*****g it up for me!”

FUCK. He’s serious. My problem is bigger than I anticipated. “Where’s Elena?” I ask, wondering why she’s not standing in my office watching Gabriel’s meltdown.

“She’s in the ladies room...now, what’s your angle?” Gabriel comes up and plants his hands on my desk in a threatening manner while towering over me. I have a feeling he’s wishing he could use his Persuasion ability on me right now to find out my true motives...luckily for me, I’m more powerful than him.

I stand up at my full height and lean towards him, placing my hands on the desk across from him. I say in a deadly calm tone, “Perhaps you should stay away from Elena...you’re not acting like yourself.”

Gabriel narrows his dark brown eyes at me suspiciously. “I see...it appears that the Slayer has caught both our eyes.” I don’t say anything while I glare at him and Gabriel smirks. “You want a fight...you got a fight.”

It’s my turn to smirk. “All this time we’ve been friends and you’re letting one woman come between us?”

“Damn straight. Although, I could say the same about you, mate. You’ve only known her what? Two days?”

“I’ve known her long enough.” I reply icily. Both of us look in the direction of the open entrance door to my office as we both sense Elena coming towards us. I give Gabriel a wicked smile. “May the best vampire win.”

Gabriel’s eyes glow amber yellow briefly before he turns to face Elena when she walks through the door. “Wow...what’s with all the uncomfortable tension in here?” She comments. Damn, I’ve forgotten how observational Watchers can be.

I force my tense body to relax as does Gabriel. “It’s nothing.” I try to assure her.

“Yeah, sure.” She replies, clearly not believing me. “What else do we have going on tonight?”

“Nothing important. Our men can take care of the rest of it.” I say giving her a warm smile.

I don’t miss the glare from Gabriel directed at me, he softens his gaze as he speaks to Elena. “Well, then...Blondie, would you like to grab a bite to eat since all the business is taken care of for this evening?”

I watch with hidden amusement when Elena looks from Gabriel to me, her mouth partially open as she struggles to think of what to say. She finally looks at Gabriel apologetically. “I actually already have plans with Eric tonight.”

Gabriel frowns before he shooting me a glare over Elena’s head. “I see.”

I can’t help the cocky smirk on my face. That’s right asshole...we have a date. “Yes. We have dessert to finish from last night.” Now, let him stew over the fact that I had Elena last night and I’ll have her again tonight.

“However...” Elena starts, bringing Gabriel’s gaze back to her. “I still haven’t made it to your club for a drink. Maybe we can do that this weekend?”

Alas, my cocky smirk dissolves when Elena tries to appease the both of us. f**k. It’s my turn to frown at the Brit vampire as he turns a cocky smirk my way. “That sounds like a fantastic idea.” Gabriel gives her a charming smile. “I’ll give you the grand tour of Decadence.”

A growl threatens to escape my lips. I’m sure his grand tour includes the private bedroom where he beds all the sluts that wander into his club.

Elena smiles at Gabriel, only fueling the jealousy inside me. Calm the f**k down, Eric! She isn’t going to let him touch her. “Sounds like a plan.” Elena turns towards me with a smile gracing her pretty face. “Are you ready? I’m craving some of that lemon meringue.”

I give her what I know is a melt-worthy smile. “Yes. I’ve been thinking about it all evening.”

“I’m sure you have...wanker.” Gabriel mutters.

My smile widens as Elena rolls her eyes. She’s not completely oblivious to what’s going on between me and Gabriel, she just lacks the details of our...competition. If you can even call it that. It’s not really a competition when you have the ace of Elena being your Chosen One in your back pocket.

“Shall we?” I ask the beautiful blonde standing in front of me.

Elena nods then turns to Gabriel. “I’ll talk to you later.”

The Brit vampire smiles again. “Just be sure to watch ole’ Eric. The sneaky bastard has wandering hands.”

I narrow my eyes at Gabriel as he gets the last jab in before we leave.

Elena snorts with laughter. “Like you don’t? I seem to remember your hand on my ass last week as you caught me after that Sabbat on steroids tossed me through the air.”

I feel the muscle in my jaw tick in anger. The posh bastard knew Elena would bring it up. It’s just another way he can rub it in my face that he’s touched her.

Gabriel smirks. “I still claim innocence.” Motherfucker is anything but innocent. He touches her again and I’ll be ripping off his arms.

“Oh, you are anything but innocent Gabriel.” I hold back a smirk at her reply and Elena looks at me with a smirk of her own. “Eric is yet to be determined...” She points her index finger at me. “But I am watching your wandering hands.”

“I make no promises.” I wink at her.

Elena shakes her head as she smiles. “You two...are impossible. How did Samantha put up with your over flirtatious asses?”

“Lots of threats.” Gabriel sighs.

“And the occasional ass whoopin.” I add with a smile. I honestly wouldn’t mind Elena whooping my ass. The thought of getting to touch her at all makes it worth it.

I spare a glance at Gabriel and the dumb look on his face tells me he was thinking the same thing about touching Elena. Sometimes I wish I could set his British ass on fire with a look.

Elena looks at the both of us incredulously. “You kinky ass vampires probably would enjoy an ass whooping from me.”

Damn...she’s good.

Elena looks at me expectantly. “So, pie?”

I smile. “Yes, I hear it calling both our names.” I give Gabriel a fake look of sympathy. “Don’t worry, I’ll let you know how good the pie is.”

I wink at him and follow Elena out of the office, holding back a chuckle as I hear Gabriel growl. “f*****g prick.”

~~~~~

-ERIC-

Although the ordeal with Gabriel could have went better, the night with Elena is going great. We’ve spent the last twenty minutes on the roof of her apartment building sitting in lawn chairs overlooking Downtown Los Angeles and eating pie while sharing stories with one another.

Elena sits next to me covering her mouth with her hand as she tries to regain her composure from laughing. “I’m sorry! But we are talking about the same Gabriel, right?”

I nod enthusiastically with a smile. “It happened but he’ll probably deny it until he meets the final death.”

She starts laughing again and I have to say...it’s probably the sweetest melody I’ve ever heard. I can’t wait to make her laugh like that for the rest of her life. “I bet I can get him to admit it.” She says confidently, taking another bite of the lemon meringue pie in her hand.

“So tell me...” I start as I steal a bite of her pie with my fork. She gives me a look and I smirk. I’m surprised Elena hasn’t stabbed me with the fork in her hand yet. “How did you defeat Gorro?”

Elena smirks behind the bottle of water she’s taking a sip of. “Well, someone has been looking over my profile.”

I chuckle. “I simply like to be thorough.”

“SURE.” Elena laughs as she sits back in the lawn chair. “Okay. So you know how Gorro is immune to magic being made out of stone right?”

I nod, smiling when she begins getting excited as she retells the story of the stone troll. “And bladed and blunt weapons do minimal damage right?”

I nod again.

“Okay, so this is how I defeated Gorro...” she leans in closer to me and I can’t help but breathe in her heavenly scent of vanilla and flowers. Gods, I have to find out what that floral scent is. Elena puts her index finger up. “But you can’t tell anyone.”

“My lips are sealed.” I reply in amusement.

Elena arches a perfectly shaped dark eyebrow before whispering. “I blew his stone ass up...with a bazooka!”

I lean back in the lawn chair in shock. “A bazooka?” Damn. Why hadn’t I thought of that?

Elena shakes her head. “I realized that sometimes our old fashioned ways are just that, old fashioned. So, I did what no one tried before...I sent a rocket hurdling towards his ass.” She smirks. “He apparently couldn’t pull himself back together from that!” Elena laughs before taking another sip of water.

I sit there, stunned as I look at my beautiful, cunning Chosen One. “So the other night at Whitwicky’s...”

Elena smirks again at me, raising an amused eyebrow. “I wasn’t joking.”

“Right.” I reply. f**k. I’m going to have to more than double the insurance on her. “What about the flamethrower?”

“What? Can’t a girl have a flamethrower to add to her weapons collection?” She says innocently, batting her eyelashes.

Gods...she is a woman after my own dead heart! I chuckle as I take a drink of my own water. I’m thankful vampires can enjoy the simple pleasures of food and drink like humans and other supernaturals do, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to connect with Elena like I am right now. Of course, vampires don’t gain any nutritional value from regular food and drink. We still have to consume blood daily to sate our hunger. “Remind me to never piss you off.”

Elena nods in agreement. “That’s probably a smart idea.” She wags her eyebrows at me. “I’m also quite familiar with UV bombs.”

Honestly, I’m not sure whether to be turned on, impressed or afraid for my vampire ass at this moment. I remain cool, sitting back in the lawn chair. “Just be sure to give me a heads up before you use any UV bombs, yeah? I’d hate to think of what kind of tan I would receive.” The UV light we are referring to isn’t the type that you see in modern cars today. There’s a special kind of UV light that the Watchers developed years ago that is equal to the effects of sunlight on vampires. It’s brilliant really. Harvested sunlight. The perfect weapon against us bloodsuckers. The Watchers created all sorts of nifty things with the UV light including flashlights and bombs. Truth be told, Watchers rarely use UV light unless there’s a real issue in the vampire community.

Elena giggles. “It wouldn’t be pretty.”

I nod in agreement. Yes, it would certainly take me more than a few hours to recover from the UV light...even at my age. My phone dings. I pick up the phone smirk. “Looks like Whitwicky came through.”

“That was quick.” Elena comments as she takes another bite of the lemon meringue pie in her hands. “When?”

I quickly scan through the details of Whitwicky’s email. “Tomorrow at nine.” I reply. “Santa Monica, the old train yard district. Warehouse 11B.”

“Even if Draco isn’t there. The fact that we’re about to take out one of his warehouses will piss him off.”

“That’s what I’m counting on.” I reply, knowing that’s what she’s counting on too. If Draco isn’t there, we can persuade one of his lackeys into talking while we clear out one of Draco’s major warehouses. He’ll be pissed...that I’m sure of. He’ll be minus some of his familiars, probably a few of his Sabbat followers, a well hidden place that he usually conducts business...who wouldn’t be mad? Mad enough to make a daring appearance and growl some threats? I’m counting on it. Let that ugly fucker show his face so I can pummel the s**t out of him and get the answers that my Slayer and I need to find out what happened to Samantha.

I smile. One things for sure, tomorrow night is going to be one hell of a party.