Chapter 62

"I can't believe it's already a new year. I feel like the last one went by so quickly."

"Maybe it went by so quickly because we were targeted by a crazy purple vampire—"

"Vampaneze." Interjected Larten.

Brigid rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, that. So, a crazed vampaneze hunted us, you almost died—" Brigid pointed to Erin, "you almost died," she pointed to Larten, "two separate vampire hunter attacks, and now here we are. I don't know if I'm ready for this new year."

All three of them sat silently in the living room, a heavy atmosphere descending over their heads. They all knew they were thinking about the same obvious thing: the eventual final show down with Murlough. Larten protectively covered Erin's hand with his own. It was true. All of this would be coming to an end. Larten noticed Erin swallow hard.

"Do we have to talk about this right now?" She asked quietly. "It's literally the first day of the year and I don't know if I can handle already dreading what's to come."

Brigid let out a small laugh though there wasn't much behind it. Larten noticed she was trying to lighten the situation now. She didn't like seeing her sister already so dejected and worried. Brigid turned to meet his eyes begging him to help.

Larten looked back to Erin bringing her hand up to his lips.

"No, we do not have to talk about it. Not presently at least."

A small flicker of relief spread over Erin's face. Larten and her had spent an amazing night together, largely making love, and she didn't want to focus on this now, not after having woken up in his arms warm and safe. Eventually those arms would no longer be there for her to lay in.

She quickly pushed the thought out of her head and attempted a half-hearted smile. Larten encouraged her by kissing her hand once more.

"Maybe we should do something today." Brigid spoke up. "You know, get out of the house or…something."

"Brigid, it's New Year's Day, what could you possibly want to do? You were up all last night with your friends."

Brigid shrugged. "I'm not tired."

"Larten, what do you think?"

Larten looked warily at Brigid. "This doesn't involve ice skating, does it?"

Erin and Brigid broke into a peal of laughter. Larten kept it to himself but he was a touch proud that he was the one who had completely dissipated the tension amongst three of them.

"No, no more ice skating, I promise." Brigid said raising her hand in oath.

"How about we do this. Let's not go out today but plan for tomorrow."

Brigid frowned. "But what about today? I promise I'm not tired!"

"Yet. You're not tired yet. But when you get there you are almost as unbearable as Larten can be when you're tired."

Brigid pouted.

"We'll do something, the three of us, tomorrow. I know you and you'll be crashing sooner rather than later. Perk up and come up with some ideas of what we can all do."

"Okay. Fair enough I guess." Brigid stood up. "I'm going to go upstairs and research things we can do!"

"You go do that." Erin said pushing Brigid with her foot.

"Stop trying to get rid of me just so you two can kiss." Brigid scrunched her nose.

"If you don't want to see then shoo."

Brigid caught Larten's eye and smirked. He pursed his lips willing himself to not allow the red to creep past his neck. Her smirk spread and he narrowed his eyes at her.

"Stop torturing Larten, Brigid." Erin sighed at her sister.

"Whatever you say."

"Scram."

Brigid smirked again and flounced out of the living room and up the stairs.

Larten turned his face to Erin and was met with a quick kiss. His eyes widened in shock but quickly closed as he kept his lips pressed against hers.

Yes, they could discuss things later.