Chapter 2

I tossed and turned that night worried that Godric had somehow never heard or the Fellowship before and decided to go kill the leader. Even if he had, could I ever prove it? Would the police arrest him on suspicion if I called the tip line? My thoughts got more erratic as I kept trying to sleep. Frustrated I pulled up my phone and reread Steve's messages.

Steve: Those creatures are dangerous.

I felt frustrated and annoyed. I'm a grown ass woman, not a teenager. I'm well aware of how dangerous vampires can be. That's why I host early evening meetings.. on campus. We're not exactly going out seeking danger. And it's not really a social hour either. It's a place to discuss topics academically.

Steve: Look what happened to my dad.

Your dad was the leader of a vampire-hating church. I'm leading a progressive study group. I don't exactly pose a threat.

Steve: You'll be next if you don't stop.

This is what he does. Guilt and shame people into telling him things and then "begs" them to stop ending with a threat. I knew this. Yet my stomach still curdled and I leapt to defend myself. Every. Time. He still gets me with the boyish smile, disarming charm, and those damn wide eyes.

12 years earlier*

"Steve!" I exclaimed with tears in my eyes. "Stop!"

"Why? Are my puns not forking egg-cellent?" He said holding up his fork giggling.

"Oh my god! Come on," Robin said rolling her eyes.

"Robin, I can't help it. I'm a pun master and I am what I ham," Steve said talking a bite of bacon.

I giggled at Steve's smile. It was so contagious!

Robin shook her head but smiled. "So what are you guys up to after class?"

"I'm done at noon so I'm going to grab a soda and sushi and watch some Netflix!" I said excitedly.

"What did you order?" Steve asked.

"I got a couple of discs of Charmed," I said.

"Nice!" Robin said excited. "Can't wait to talk to you when you've finally finished the show."

"What's it about?" Steve asked.

"Some sisters in San Francisco find out they're witches and they fight evil monsters and demons to save innocent people." I explained.

"Oh," Steve said interested. "Just don't start casting spells, King."

"Who says I haven't already, Newlin?" I said teasingly.

"You guys," Robin sighed.

I stood gathering my empty plate. "See you guys later!"

After class, I was walking back to my dorm with sushi when I ran into Steve. "Hey!"

"Hey, Chelsea!" He turned and walked with me back to my dorm. "I just turned in a paper."

"Cool! So you're done for the day?"

"Yeah, hey, mind if I join in the witchy fun?"

"Sure! I can't promise to share my sushi though." I said giving him a smile.

"Haha, not my thing," Steve said making a face.

We walked in my dorm and I popped in the dvd while chatting about our week. I turned off the overhead lights and we sat in the giant bean bag.

I finished my sushi and soda during the first episode. "So, what did you think?" I asked.

"Can we watch the next one?" He asked.

I chuckled and we watched the whole disc. By the end, we were holding hands and leaning on each other.

"Chelsea," Steve said softly.

"Oh sorry!" I said moving. Steve held on to tell me not to move. I felt my heart beat faster. Steve reached his hand to my cheek and turned my head to face him.

I barely breathed as he leaned in and kissed me softly. My last kiss had been with a guy that only kissed with an open mouth. So, this was… our lips melted together and found a rhythm. Steve shifted we could lay down in the bean bag chair making out. I kissed back tentatively trying things I heard about in high school.

We still had our fingers entwined and I included my tongue sparingly. Steve grunted excitedly and matched my experimental moves. He then, put a hand on my hip to scootch us closer together.

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present day *

I watched my TV starting at 5am for Steve. I didn't know what he was planning to say but I didn't think he would be on TV so soon after his father's death if he didn't want to make it political. My heart hurt for him. I had seen his relationship with his father and it was… complicated.

I texted my friend Robin while I was waiting for Steve and kind of working on my paper.

Me: Steve Sr died last night. Waiting for Jr to be on the news. He told me to quit the vamp group. /

Robin: That sucks but what does have to do with you building bridges? Dude needs to stop lumping vamps all together.

Me: Yeah, I know he's hurting though and his wife is just as entrenched in that doctrine as well.

Robin: Is he going to take over as lead pastor?

Me: Probably.

Robin: I don't understand how you guys are still friends at this point honestly.

Me: I don't know that we are really. I still care what happens to him though.

Robin: you need less public ex friends.

My attention went back to the TV. Steve Newlin was sitting with one of the interviewers.

"Steve, I'm so sorry for your loss. Can you tell us if the police have any leads on what happened to your father and his lovely family," the anchor asked.

"Thank you, Caroline," Steve said somberly. "As you can imagine this has been a difficult time and will continue to be while my family grieves. Unfortunately, the police don't have any solid leads but there are a few eyewitnesses that say there was no car that drove my father off the road. They wanted to stay anonymous for their safety but I wanted to come on here to send a message to the murderers that did this." Steve leaned in close and the camera zoomed in on his face.

"You will be caught and you will pay," he leaned back. "There's only one thing that could've done this and the motive is clear."

"So you're saying that vampires killed your father, his wife and newborn baby," the anchor confirmed.

"I do," Steve said confidently. "My father is the greatest threat to the vampire rights amendment. Do you know why? He was a leader, a believer and he was not afraid to speak for those in the light."

Godric stood in front of the tv with Stan and Isabelle in the room. He turned to face them.

"Do you know anything about this?" He asked. "Either of you?"

"No, sheriff," Isabelle answered immediately.

Stan hesitated. Godric looked at him.

"Underling?" He prompted.

"There's.. been some talk about the Newlins for awhile now. Some personal details like his public appearances and the car he drives are getting thrown around."

"I want a full investigation completed," Godric said. "Stan, were you involved with this?"

"Sheriff, I swear," Stan assured.

"Isabelle, at first dark, go get copies of the witness statements from the police. I want to know if what Steve said is true.

Stan, investigate the site and ask around to see who discussed this trip. Imply I would like to honor them," Godric said. "You may go." He turned back to the TV rewinding it to watch the interview again.

"Sheriff, what will we do if we find out it was one of our own?" Isabelle asked.

"They will be punished," Godric said.

"For killing humans?" Stan questioned incredulous.

"For killing prominent figures, damaging human-vampire relations, killing an innocent human child in the process, and leaving enough evidence to get caught," Godric replied feeling a cold anger in his chest.

"We will find out, Godric," Isabelle promised.

"Good," Godric heard them leave. He watched Steve look to camera towards the end. "…for those in the light." Godric looked again, Steve mouthed something inaudible.

Shelby? Chai tea? Was he asking for a drink? But he was looking into the camera.

Godric turned off the tv and sighed. He would be hearing from Nan Flanagan soon. She was probably mid flight to Japan. He reread the note he'd found on his desk that evening.

Leak in the nest. Don't trust King. -N

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