The Curse

There went just a few hours until Nate and Alex met with James and Adrian to talk about the…new situation.

“I can’t believe you!” Adrian glared at both vampires. He was more than furious. James looked pretty calm, sitting on the chair with a bottle of blood in hand, glancing between the two younger and quite guilty vampires and the slayer.

“Actually, I can’t believe this happened either.” The three males turned their eyes on the much older and powerful vampire, who got off the chair and looked rather interested in the details of his bottle. “Earlier today she asked me about Matt.” Alex’s eyebrow quirked up instantly. However, Nate and Adrian didn’t have a clue about the so called person.

“Matt?” Adrian finally asked. Alex’s head bent down and on one side, not very happy. He was ashamed of something. James watched him from the corner of his eye while Nate was visibly staring.

“Oh. You don’t know about him either. What a pity.” Nate glared at James, making the older male smirk. His change of mood annoyed everyone there. However, Alex was a little curious how James would keep his cool in front of Stella. The last time, it went pretty good. He didn’t even move. But that wasn’t the original. That was just a small part of what Stella Blanche was. And Stella Blanche was the Devil.

“Alex…” James started again after a long pause. “Why don’t you inform our dear friends about your old teacher?” Nate’s head turned to Alex in a flash. The poor man didn’t know what to do anymore so he did the only thing he thought he should’ve from the start.

“I lied, which is something normal in the vampire world.” He smirked, trying to loosen up, but the atmosphere was too tense. “After Stella supposedly died and you disappeared with her” He said looking to Nate.”…I didn’t know what to do. She transformed me without a purpose. I was supposed to be just a memory but she wanted me to live forever. Always be her friend, her companion, a replacement.” He glared down at his shoes, something disturbing crossing his mind. “I’ve always been a replacement for Eric. I tried to think otherwise but I couldn’t. That was the truth.” He chuckled darkly but it could’ve been heard a small glimpse of sadness. “I was her plan B.” Nate closed his eyes and sighed.

“Get to the subject already.” He was growing impatient. He just wanted to hear who the hell that Matt man was and go search for Stella. Or maybe just go upstairs and sleep. He was damn tired.

“Patience is a virtue…” Nate and Adrian glared at him and were almost ready to punch him. “Alright, alright. I will take this seriously. Matt Gregory had a brother…Aaron. He married this girl from Paris, Beatrice. They had two children, who Aaron turned into vampires. Now…put the two together and let’s see the result.” James rolled his eyes but let himself smirk at Alex’s personality.

“What’s happening here?” The four men looked to the entrance and saw Eric, curious and worried, coming in.

“Listening to life stories.” Nate mumbled rolling his eyes clearly annoyed. Adrian wasn’t far and James was enjoying a lot the annoyance Alex, most definitely, radiated. Eric got curious and went closer. “Well?” Nate asked Alex. “Aren’t you going to continue?”

“Matt was Aaron’s brother. Who’s Aaron?” Eric raised an eyebrow.

“Aaron Blanche. Stella and Nate’s father. Anything else?” Nate and Adrian’s eyes widened.

“He’s…he’s…my uncle?!” Eric’s eyes widened too and glance at his own uncle. James just kept a stoic face the entire time.
“What did you tell Stella?” Alex asked James. He shrugged.

“Exactly the same. “ Alex’s glare deepened.”And that Matt was the rebellious brother.” Alex rolled his eyes and found himself glared at by Eric and Nate.

“I didn’t have a purpose in life after she faded away. I was walking through Europe when he found me….”

It was dark and the cigarettes’ smoke was intoxicating but the people in the bar didn’t care. Alex was at the bar, drinking his tenth shot of tequila. The bartender was a curved and pretty girl who was continuously glancing at him or giving him worried looks.

“Can I have another one?” She looked at him perplexed but poured him another one. He drank it up in a second.

“Are you alright? How many fingers do I have raised?” He looked up at her and chuckled.

“I’m sober. I don’t get drunk so fast.” She nodded slowly, not really believing him. “But you have three fingers raised, for you information.” She rolled her eyes and smiled, going to another customer. Alex sighed and closed his eyes.

“You let her go away so easily? I’m disappointed.” Alex opened his eyes and turned his eyes on the left.

“I’m not interested in a one night stand.” The newcomer chuckled.

“Caught in an old relationship?” Alex rolled his eyes and called the bartender again. She smiled at him and at the new customer. Both men gave their own orders and turned back to talking with each other.

“More like a one side relationship.” The man chuckled again and drank up his alcohol.

“What was so special about her?” Alex looked back at the man, his eyes holding a superior gaze, most likely from being around Stella so much.

“Deep green eyes that sparkled every time she would smile or glint mischievously into the dark, her innocent personality yet she could’ve killed anyone in one swift motion, her bright shining smile and so on and on.” The man started to laugh and patted him on the back.

“Lovesick, huh?” He got closer to Alex and let his eyes redden. “Vampires don’t have feelings, Alexander.” The younger vampire widened his eyes. “I can teach you the true meanings of the vampire world. You just have to say one small word.” Alex looked rather shocked to the other vampire. “Do we have a deal?”

“What do you get from teaching me how to be a…vampire? I’ve fell in love with one, my best friend was one, her brother was one and her…boyfriend was also a vampire.” The still unnamed vampire smirked.

“Stella Blanche is one intriguing creature, isn’t she?” Alex widened his eyes again. “Matthew Gregory. Her uncle.” Alex’s mouth hang open, completely speechless. “Let me tell you this. Never trust a female, mostly when she’s actually a vampire. But…” He paused for a second, time his smirk got bigger. “Stella is a rarity. She was born to be somebody. Maybe not for humans, but definitely for night creatures. She holds the curse and just she can control it. I can teach you and you can help her.” Alex looked quite shocked and at the same time, relived to meet him.

“Yes. My answer is yes.” Matt smirked, knowing exactly how much fun he will have and what a vampire he will make from Alex. 

“And that’s how I met him and how everything begun. The end.” Alex bowed while Eric and Nate, who meanwhile sat down, stood there reflecting over the information.

“A…curse? What do you mean with curse? Wait…that’s how you learned so many things about our family!” Alex nodded while Nate’s eyes reddened. He wanted to punch Alex so, so bad.

“Tell us about the curse.” Adrian ordered, his hands crossed over his chest, his face expressionless.

“Why ask him when you can ask me?” Everyone turned their heads to see Stella.

“It seems this house turned into a HQ.” James mumbled rolling his eyes. Stella trailed her bloody eyes over everyone in the room. However, they stopped when she met Eric’s face. She smirked sadistically and walked slowly to him.

“Eric…nice to see you so troubled. You can’t even imagine how delighted I am when you’re hurt.” She whispered the last part into his ear. Her eyes trailed to Alex and went and kissed him. Poor vampire didn’t even know how to react. She stopped before he could. She licked her lips and walked past Eric, feeling their eyes staring into the depts. of her soul. That was just the beginning. “The real story has just begun.” She mumbled loud enough for them to hear while she ascended the stairs.

“The curse is Stella herself.” Alex mumbled, his eyes staring at the place the girl has just walked out of.

Dear diary: I lost control

Meanwhile, Stella was rather relaxed in the same place James left her. She closed her eyes and, unconsciously, smelled blood. She furrowed her eyebrows and cracked her knuckles. The smell was getting closer rather fast. The human was running. She stood there like a statue until the human bumped into her from behind. It was a young teenage girl. Stella could smell the quantity of adrenaline the girl had. She was scared shitless of something.Also, someone was searching for the teenager from what the vampire could hear.

“I…I’m s-sorry.” The girl looked up at the vampire, who was struggling to keep control. The human looked down at her bloody ankle and the bruises on her arms. Stella could smell them. She knew she couldn’t stop anymore. She needed it more than ever.

“Found you!” The girl turned scared to the man behind both females. He looked tired, maybe from running, but at the same time he had an insane expression. His face had bruises, most likely from the girl who tried to defend herself. He started to yell something at her but Stella’s ears could listen just to their beating hearts.

“Help me.” The girl whined to the older female. Stella didn’t even move. The man snickered.

“Well, well, well. Two birds at once. This is going to be interesting.” The smaller girl started to cry and grabbed Stella’s hand tightly. The man grabbed the teenager from her wrist and began pulling her into him. Stella grabbed the hand the girl had a grip on and pushed the man away. He glared at her and pushed her, hard. Stella didn’t see that coming and stumbled back. That was it. Someone dared to push her, had the intention to hurt her. She opened her eyes, red eyes, and gave the man a stern, superior look. The glare the man had intensified. “Wench…” He mumbled, taking the scared girl.

“This isn’t your lucky day.” In one flash the man was on the floor, dead, bloodsucker over him, canines deep into his flesh. The younger girl screamed as loud as her lungs let her. The vampire raised her head and looked at the teenager, smirking. “You have five seconds to save yourself.” The girl’s eyes widened. Stella’s eyes widened a little and slightly smiled. “Run.” And that’s what she’s done.

The girl was already a few meters away but the feeling that she was watched just intensified.

“1…” The voice was coming from afar. “2…” The girl was running, not having a clue where.”3…” The voice was coming closer and closer. “4.* She whispered it right into her ear. *5…” She whispered moving her head into one side. “Time’s over.” The girl’s eyes widened even more and yelled while Stella stuck her teeth into her neck.

Meanwhile, Nate and Alex went back to the Arche mansion, tired and annoyed. Not a good combination.

“She was nowhere! Not even at your house.” Alex mumbled, jumping on the couch. Nate looked down at the younger vampire and scoffed.

“You alarmed my father for nothing.” Alex shrugged. “And scared the women.” Alex shrugged again and smiled innocently at the older vampire.

“Don’t say it like you didn’t enjoy it. I was so close to kill them. So close.” He said pointing out with his fingers. Nate rolled his eyes but couldn’t help but smile. The two got interrupted by the door opening. In entered Stella, her face cleaned up.

“Hey, Stel!” She stopped and slowly turned her head to her brother. She stood there thinking what she should do until she chose to go over them.

“Where have you been?” Alex asked getting up and to her. She looked at him, intently. Out of nowhere, Alex looked quite different in Stella’s view. He was hotter, changed, simply different. Nate watched Stella uncertain. Something was different about her too. He felt…weird. His eyes trailed over her figure until he met her eyes. His eyes widened. She was checking Alex out. Also, when he looked closer, she had blood on her lips. He glared daggers at her and pushed her hard into the wall. Alex looked surprised at his companion. “What the hell?!” He flashed in front of Stella and looked back at Nate.

“I never thought I’ll see the day you, out of everyone, will hurt me, Nate.” Stella’s words didn’t make the older brother flinch or be sorry. He flashed in front of Alex and pushed him aside, taking Stella by her neck.

“I’m not stupid, Stella. I know you better than anyone. Did you actually think I won’t see you’ve changed? Stella Monroe doesn’t exist anymore. The true Stella broke free. The Devil broke from its cage.” Alex’s eyes widened as much as they could. He looked at the older vampire female. She simply smirked and pushed her brother away, hard.

“You can’t even imagine how good it is to be back. Freedom has never tasted so good.” Nate glared at his sister but couldn’t get up. She hit him pretty hard. She glanced at Alex and smirked. “Aren’t you happy to see me, Alexander?” She flashed in front of him. She trailed her finger down his face and to his lips. “Aren’t you happy to see the girl you’ve fell in love with?” He looked down at her with a stoic face.

“The girl I’ve fell in love with…” He bent down, closer to her lips. “…died long time ago.” She glared at him and punched him hard, throwing him next to Nate.

“You all were so afraid I will come back to life. But you never realized you were keeping me in a cage. You wanted just what’s good for you.”She glared at nothing specifically.”Have you ever thought what’s good for me too? What do I want?” There was a pause. “No.” She flashed in front of them and bent down to their level. “Now it’s the time I make the rules. The first one is quite easy to understand.” She glared down at the two vampires, her eyes red and fangs out, that superior feeling flowing down over them. “Don’t mess with me.” She flashed out of there and God knows where she went.

Matthew Gregory

Meanwhile, Nate was pretty much enjoying his time. The new girl, Dana, was disturbing his sanity. She was pretty, even beautiful, interesting and captivated his attention. That never happened before. He even…smiled sincerely.

“So, what do you think about the welcoming team?” Dana raised an eyebrow while Nate simply waited for an answer.

“I like it.” She smirked. “It makes me feel good, paid for my drink, danced with me, it’s quite entertaining.” Nate chuckled.

“Good. How did you end up in such a city?” Dana didn’t really know what to say so she simply seemed amused by his questions. She certainly was amused by his behavior too and that was a mistake he will pay for later.

“Mom. Her work needs us to move from city to city. I’m just the unfortunate soul that has to sink everything in. She doesn’t really care about my opinions so I just shut up.” She took a long sip of her drink, making Nate’s eyes furrow slightly.

“I know how that is. I’ve been through it.” Dana raised an eyebrow and let the glass down.

“Really. Did you jump from one estate to the other? Left your home country for this shit?” Nate nodded, speechless. “What did you do?” He chuckled and shook his head.

“My father is a doctor. We always had to move. We ended up here and that’s it.” The girl nodded. She had to sink everything in; that was her job, that’s why she was there in the first place.

“Are you alone?” Nate quirked an eyebrow up. He couldn’t say he was taken aback by the question but he definitely wasn’t stupid.

“I am single if that's what you mean. But i don't need a girl as long as i have my sister." Dana quirked an eyebrow up.

“You have a sister?” Nate chuckled. That was getting easier.

“Yes. I bet you know her. She’s quite popular everywhere.” Dana looked slightly bothered. “Any more questions?” She smiled, trying to get back in a happy mood.

Anyway, that wasn’t the only problem. Stella was a magnet for troubles and dangerous situations. Like the one she was in, in that moment. She wanted to get fresh air and got out the bar. She closed her eyes when she finally found a place to calm down. It was in the back and no one could see what was happening there. She opened her eyes, her deep red eyes, when she felt danger.

“I hope you don’t think I’ll just sit around enjoying the stalking.” She heard one male laugh.

“It’s not about your wishes. Not anymore. It’s about us and what we want.” She straightened her posture, her head held high, proudly.

“And what do you want?” The two male presences walked out the shadow, smirking.

“We want you, Stella. One of the only noble families. One of the oldest vampires and a pretty devil undercover.” Her eyes furrowed into a glare.

“I am not a weapon.” One of the male vampires chuckled slightly.

“Not yet. You just need…a small nudge.” Stella flashed in front of the one who talked and raised him by his neck. “IF we don’t do it, someone else will. You will either die or help us.”

“Help you with what?” She asked through her greeted teeth. The other male vampire came behind her. It was Liam.

“Let him go, princess. We can’t harm you and we know it. Vampires like you are hard to tame.” She glared at the blue eyed vampire. “We need you and you need us. But first, we need the real Stella alive. We need her rage, her desire for revenge.” She let the other vampire go and flashed in front of Liam.

“Revenge on who?” His cold eyes stared into hers.

“Matthew Gregory.” Her eyes widened and backed off. Liam smirked. “Are you afraid, Stella? Are you afraid…” He flashed behind her and whispered into her ear. “…of your uncle?”

“What uncle?” Liam smirked and signed for the other male to leave. He did, leaving the two much dangerous vampires alone in the back of a bar full of humans.

“Aww. And here I was, thinking you already figured your family out.” He fakery pouted. “Do you really think you only had your parents? Aaron Gregory is a legend and you became one too. Like father, like daughter.” He chuckled slightly and put a hand on her back, making her flinch. Her eyes were watching every move and inside she could feel herself struggling to keep her mind blank. “On the other side…” He started and trailed his hand to her waist. She didn’t move, though. She stood there like a statue. “Matthew was…how can I put it…a badass. He loved to play, he loved women.” He stopped and used his free hand to touch her check softly. “He never ceased to amaze the elders. He never cared about your father…until you were born. Surprisingly, took a liking to you.” He trailed his eyes over her and smirked. He pulled Stella into him by her waist and leaned in to her ear. “He had a soft spot for you. He knew you have the power and you couldn’t control it. But you did learn pretty fast how it works.” She rolled her eyes and turned to face him, taking his hand off.

“Why should I believe what you say?” He chuckled and raised an eyebrow.

“Why don’t you ask your little friend, Alex? He knows your uncle rather well. He was his…’student’” He finished, pointing the quote signs. Stella’s eyes furrowed, though. She wasn’t happy with the answer.

“Why do you want revenge on him?” Liam’s eyes changed fast in red and growled.

“He killed my sister. Anyone who got near him, suffered. He thinks vampire females are just like human females. Unworthy., small miseries that need to be cleaned. But not you. You’re the exception. You are the only female he ever respected, except Beatrice.” Stella rolled her eyes, again.

“Don’t tell me. He loved her too.” Liam didn’t say anything until he started laughing. Stella simply glared at him.

“Love?! No way in hell. He liked how feisty she was, indeed, but definitely not love. He doesn’t know where you are but he knows you are alive. He knows about Nate and Eric, about Adrian and James, about everything. Do you think he would forget about his adored, dear niece? No.”

“And why do you tell me all these?” He rolled his eyes annoyingly.

“Didn’t I already tell you?” She scoffed and turned to leave. However, Liam got a tight grip on her wrist. “Think about it. If you help us, we will leave you alone.” Stella didn’t comment and just shrugged his hand off and left.

Party Night

That night was going to be eventful. Alex and Eric were ready while Nate disappeared. James didn’t give a shit so he just chose to go and look for dinner.

“Where the hell is she?” Alex wasn’t one to wait for somebody, not even Stella. He was growing annoyed each passing moment. Eric glanced at his ‘enemy’ and quirked up an eyebrow, amused.

“I thought you know her better than anyone. Shouldn’t you know she takes longer than you to get ready?” Alex turned his head and glared at the older vampire, annoyed. He was ready to say a smartass comeback but he got interrupted by the beautiful vampire, walking down the stairs. Both boys stared at her. She didn’t wear something low cut or a short dress. She just had tight jeans and a black shirt, her hair was straightened and she had a slight petal of make-up. She rolled her eyes and walked between them, to the door, on the way, closing their mouths.

“Let’s finish with this.” Both boys turned their heads and stared at the vampire beauty getting out the house. Eric was the first to get out of the trance and glanced at Alex. He was getting out from day dreaming too. The younger male nodded and went to take two special sticks.

“She’ll hate us if we kill them and don’t tell her.” Eric rolled his eyes. Alex smirked at his ‘enemy’‘s ignorance. “Does sweet Eric want to keep secrets from his ‘long lost love’?” The vampire didn’t comment and just walked out, the chuckling Alex right behind.

At the party, people were invading the bar. There were still arriving teenagers and one of them was Nate. He chose to leave earlier so he could inspect the place. However, he didn’t find anything to attract his attention.

“Hey. Um…can you help me please?” The vampire turned his beautiful green eyes to the person who touched him. He was shocked of what he saw. There she was…

“An angel…” He whispered. The girl furrowed her eyebrows together and frowned.

“What?” Nate got out of his thoughts and shook his head. However, the staring didn’t stop. “Um…is there something wrong?” Again, the vampire shook his head and focused.

“N-No. Everything’s fine. I was just…” He didn’t know what to invent. Thankfully, the girl smiled.

“Getting lost in your own thoughts?” He nodded, speechless. She chuckled under her breath and stuck her hand out. “It happens to me too. I’m Dana, by the way.” His eyes trailed from her beautiful green eyes to her bright, white smile and down to her smooth, tiny body and in the end, to her hand. Her curls were dancing while she started laughing slightly. “I don’t bite.” Nate’s mood changed in a second and smirked.

“But I do.” She raised an eyebrow while shaking hands. “Do you want a drink?” Her big green eyes shined, a secret lying behind them.

“Sure. Just show me the way.” Nate’s smirk grew and led her to the bar.

When Stella got out the car, she was stressed. She didn’t know how to act; she didn’t know what will happen or what she will see. How will she recognize the two vampires?

“Relax.” Eric patted her back and slowly led the vampire female inside. In the moment she put her foot on the floor she got hit with a huge wave of music. She took a deep breath and let herself be controlled by the natural vampiric senses.

“Let’s get this party started.” Alex smirked and grabbed Stella by the waist, leading her to the dance floor.

The time flew and hours did too. Stella got bored of just dancing with Eric and Alex, and she was sick of Sami’s glares so she walked to the bar, ready for a drink…or more. She tensed when someone stopped her from talking and ordered in her place.

“Four double tequilas.” The stranger sat next to her and smirked. “We can’t let a beautiful lady like her pay for herself.” Stella’s green eyes turned to meet a pair of blue orbs.

“And who might you be?” He smirked and put a hand on hers.

“Liam Melon. Enchanter” He grabbed her hand and kissed it. She narrowed her eyes at the new acquaintance.

“You’re one of the new kids?” He nodded his head, that stupid smirk never leaving his face.

“It’s an honor to finally meet you…” He stopped got closer to her face, crossing the personal comfort line. “Stella Blanche.” Her eyes became red in an instant while his just darkened. As simple as he arrived, he left, leaving an annoyed Stella behind.