Blood Mates

Dinner With Vampires

Jasper and William showed up at Seven on the dot. William had thought to put back on their church clothes. But Jasper had firmly told him that’s not them and he wasn’t going to make him or his dad out to be that.

So nice jeans and shirts it was.

When they were led inside by a skinny maid who looked deathly pale, Jasper thought she was almost translucent for a moment as she led them into the living room.

“The family will join you in a moment,” And with an almost ethereal smile, she strutted away but it almost looked like floating. Shaking his head, Jasper glanced around amazed.

He’d only seen Fallen House on the outside, sometimes late at night looking Halloween aesthetic for a haunted house. And even in the day it was a house of shadows.

In broad daylight, the house sat so perfectly dark and haunting that it would still send shivers down your spine.

But inside was another story.

It still had a haunted feel to it. The gothic look and mastery that the Knight family had pulled off though out their home didn’t come off as creepy or unsettling. But it honestly relaxed both Jasper and William as they stood idle.

The dark burgundies and warm woods feeling homey, Jasper was amazed at the almost timeless room.

He took in the cherry wood bookcase with books that looked older than his grandfather. His eyes appraised with awe at the amazing artwork and looked at his dad, “Yo dad they have an original Monet painting.”

William c****d an eyebrow nodding dumb founded, “Cool…who the hell is Monet?” Before Jasper could say anything, they heard, “A French painter,” Turning both watched Eric Knight come into the room.

“One of my personal favorites.” He mused thoughtfully. Jasper at that moment wanted to run since his dad had not been exaggerating when he said Eric looked like he could bench press him without breaking a sweat.

The only problem was he didn’t say he could also bench press Jasper at the same time.

Eric Knight wasn’t only just built mean, but his presence spoke of a man with power. And he didn’t need to flaunt it, he knew. Watching them with serious black eyes, Eric kindly said, “Welcome, Mr. Wynter it’s good to see you again. You get to see the place all done up; my wife had a ball decorating once you were finished.”

William smiled and stuck out his hand, “Please, call me William. And I’m glad you all enjoy it.” Waving Jasper over, William introduced him, “My son, Jasper.”

Sticking out his hand, Jasper drawled, “Nice to meet you sir.” Eric shook his hand and looked him over. Eric could admit the kid wasn’t a gangly spec or some cowboy who didn’t know lick.

But that doesn’t mean he’d passed.

Humming Eric walked to a painting, “You know art?” Jasper nodded as he eagerly admitted, “I love art.” Eric pointed to the painting that had no name signed on the front, “And you know this work then?” Jasper hummed nodding looking over the self-taught masterpiece, “Frida Kahlo. Her signature for Mexican artifacts and self-portraits is known.”

Looking at the painting of a Mexican family at a dinner table, Jasper mused, “Beautifully done.”

Eric smiled a little impressed as William grinned. A delicate cough directed the men to see Sophia had joined them with Haven and Loren in tow. Smiling Sophia shook William’s hand who was a blushing fool before looking at Jasper.

Smiling Sophia greeted him warmly, “Welcome Jasper, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Jasper held out his hand, “It’s a pleasure to meet you as well Mrs. Knight.” Sophia blushed as she shook his hand, “Manners, I love it. But please no Mrs. you’ll make me feel old.”

Smiling Jasper nodded and then Loren approached him kindly, “Hey, I’m Loren, Alaia’s older brother. And this is my wife, Haven.” Jasper tried to keep the shock off his face since Loren looked no older than nineteen and his wife Haven sixteen.

He shook both their hands and then glanced up as Sophia told him, “Alaia’s in the kitchen finishing up dinner. She decided to cook for us tonight.” William barely contained his laughter as Jasper fought a blush, “Why don’t you go join her?” Sophia directed.

Eric started to protest but his wife soon shooed Jasper out and pointed him to the kitchen as Loren and William talked.

And so, Jasper left the foyer and found Alaia in the kitchen finishing up her pasta sauce and his stomach growled smelling how good her food was. “Wow,” he said breathing in, “That smells so good.” He complimented coming into the kitchen more.  

Alaia turned and blushed a little as she looked at him, “Thanks,” Jasper looked at Alaia in her cute little dress and sandals. It was different from what she wore earlier, but she was still beautiful.

Approaching her slowly, Jasper couldn’t help but feel warmth spread through him. She was cooking for them and not a maid or butler. She was, and something about that made him smile widely.

“You look good.” He told her sweetly as he observed her, “I like your dress.” Alaia nervously played with the hem of it, “Thanks. And thanks for coming, I know it’s a little weird, but my parents are total recluse. We just wanted some people to think they are normal.”

Jasper waved her explanation off, “Don’t listen to the gossip trolls. I think your family is cool, and your dad seemed really nice.” Alaia c****d an eyebrow shocked at the one, “My dad? Not my mom?”

Jasper grinned knowingly, “Yeah I can see he’s a little tough, but he seemed great.” Alaia grinned a little as Jasper suddenly heard her speaker playing a slow song in French.

Jasper hummed as he listened, “Nice.” Alaia grinned and turned it up a little so it filled the kitchen. Reaching out for Jasper’s hands, Alaia was pleased as he naturally locked hands with her, both met eyes as they slowly began to dance.

Twirling her around, Jasper grinned as he dipped her and Alaia laughed a little. As they slowed down to a slow sway, Jasper looked down at Alaia as his heart raced. She was gorgeous when she smiled at him like that, and his little teen heart raced fast with anticipation and want.

And Alaia’s bloodlust pounded even harder.

Until her uncle walked in and c****d an eyebrow as the teenagers sprung apart. Smirking, Desmond looked at Jasper who nervously said, “Um, hi. I’m Jasper Wynter sir.” Desmond laughed as he smelt nothing but nerves coming from the kid, “Desmond Knight, Alaia’s uncle.”

Grabbing a beer Desmond told Jasper straight up, “I’m not as uptight as her daddy, but I’d try not to break out any moves he might catch kid. You’d hate to see that guy protect his baby girl.”

When Desmond left, Jasper whispered, “Jesus Christ their intimidating.” Alaia looked at him worried but then Jasper met her eyes amused, “You know I must really like you if I’m willing to go through all this stress.” Alaia blushed and then Jasper’s warm lips were on her cheek.

Alaia was giddy as Jasper winked and left out leaving her to suppress squealing.

A few minutes later, Alaia joined everyone in the parlor and told them dinner was ready.

A maid set the table and soon dinner was dished up and Jasper and William were both slobbering smelling the delicious food. Alaia smiled, “I made the family favorite, Spaghetti Bolognese with garlic bread and a house salad.”

Everyone dug in, conversation being light and airy. Eric peeped once or twice Jasper and his daughter talking among themselves, but his wife kept snagging his attention.

When they were all moving on to dessert, Alaia’s chocolate crunch cake was another hit. Everyone laughed as Jasper jokingly told Alaia he’d buy her a yacht for his own bathtub worth of it.

Alaia just giggled at him and took a bite of his cake making him look at her like she committed a crime. Eric looked away from the scene and focused on William as he asked, “So tell me, William, what has your experience been having a family here? You’ve lived here your whole life, right?”

Nodding, William told Eric, “Born and raised. I love my town, and it has its charm, it’s just an adjustment for city folks.” William looked at Jasper who chuckled amused as William confessed, “Some people around here can be a little nosy. Some will be in your face acting like your friend one minute and then telling everyone your business.”

Eric winced, “Eh, how do we deal with that?” Looking at Sophia, Eric told him, “We don’t get out much. We like to keep to ourselves; we don’t make tracks though.” William shrugged casually not finding that weird at all, “Sounds about right. Other than my godbrother, I pretty much do the same. And you shouldn’t have the same problems as us, since you work from home and your wife’s not in any of the “clubs” here. She shouldn’t run into too much grief.”

Jasper jumped in to point out, “But watch out for Abigail Louis. Woman’s a freaking nosy gossip hound who’ll have the whole town thinking you guys are carnivores in ten minutes.”

Laughing at the irony, Desmond told his family, “That’s close enough.” They all laughed at his joke, but only his family were keyed. Alaia looked at Jasper and softly asked, “Hey can you still help me on Friday?”

Perking up, Eric’s eyes snapped up at the mention of them spending more time together, “Help? Help with what?” Alaia looked at her dad confused at the slight hostility in his tone, “My teacher asked Jasper to help me catch up in Trigonometry.”

Eric started to ask his daughter why’d she need help in a subject she’s taken ten times over. But Sophia kicked him under the table to shut him up, “That’s great! And that way she won’t fall back in school because of the move. Thank you, Jasper, so kind of you.”

Loren chuckled into his goblet as his dad gritted his teeth. And not able to help himself, he asked, “So Jasper, any girlfriends?” Jasper blushed red as he mumbled, “Ugh no, I’m single.” Grinning as his dad glared daggers into his head, Loren teased, “Oh, nothing to blush about. My sister is a pringle too.”

Scowling at her older brother, Loren winked at her playfully, “Hopefully that changes soon since she likes this town so much.” Eric coughed loudly and everyone looked at him as he waved over the pale maids.

The dishes were cleared away, and they all sat in the foyer making more conversation before William called it. “I got work, and you have school in the morning.”

Jasper nodded and soon he was saying goodnight to everyone, but when he went to hug Alaia, Eric intercepted and walked him to the door. “It was really nice having you two. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

And then the door was closed, and William and Jasper were left outside in the pitch dark and freezing cold. Shivering, Jasper and William got in the truck and hurried home.

Alaia watched them go out the window and faced her dad scowling a little when he came into the foyer, “You couldn’t have let me say goodbye to him before you threw him out?”

Eric started to defend his actions, but Alaia’s face scrunched up like when she was a baby, and he knew he’d hurt her feelings. Alaia vanished to her attic and Sophia scowled at her husband before following her.

Loren and Desmond stayed back and looked at Eric seriously. “You can’t push him out of her life now Eric.” Eric looked at his brother annoyed, “It’s just hormones. She’s just…excited to be here.”

Gagging in disgust, Loren’s handsome face was the spitting image of his little sister, “Okay let’s not talk about my little sister’s hormones,” He groaned grabbing an offered drink from the maid, “And let’s face facts here pops.” He told his dad smacking his shoulder, “She likes the kid, and all night he’s had no interest in taking his attention off her.”

Desmond agreed remembering the exchanges between them, “And he seemed like a pretty good kid. Good head on his shoulders, surely he can pass even your high standards.”

Looking at his son and brother angry they were against him, Eric barked, “It’s not my standards he needs to pass. I need him to prove to me he can take care of my daughter. That he cares for her no matter what she is.”

Eric exhaled as his daughter sat pouting in her room at his behavior. “We’ve all had difficulty in mating humans. It’s either we mate or die off, but times have changed. It’s dangerous to tell the wrong human something. We could destroy hordes of families. All while Alaia’s hearts trampled by someone she cares for.”

Shaking his head, Eric muttered, “We’ve all seen what it’s like for our kind to be burned at the witch trial by a lover. Hunted and used by those they cared for, and then treated like a monster after it was over. I won’t put that on her.”

Desmond put a hand on his older brother's shoulder, “I know how it feels more than you can ever imagine brother.” Desmond whispered, “But you can’t protect her forever.”

Drawing himself to full height, Eric’s brown eyes burned red as he threatened, “I can try.”