Of Fangs & Fins

Chapter Twelve

SR: Sagun - I'll Keep You Safe (ft. Shiloh Dynasty)

twelve.

Marina.

At home, I would always fiddle with my hair. Father hated when I did because it seemed I was unsure of things. 

Right now, I couldn't help but cling onto it desperately as Eryn lead us to her car. 

She thought it would be better to leave Ally here while we went to her friend's house. I made her promise me that someone would pick her up and bring her to where we were going. 

"Where are we going?"

"We're heading out of Queen Anne to Capital Hill. I had some friends over there that can help. If vampires took your friends, then they would know," Eryn explained as we settled into her truck.

For some odd reason, I didn't expect her to drive a truck. Eryn seemed like the type to drive a classic muscle car or some other really nice car. A regular black pick-up didn't really scream Eryn.

I cast my gaze to Eryn as she pulled out of her parking space. The dark circles under her eyes were the most apparent they could possibly be. The blood that we found at her storage room couldn't have affected her too much. She put on her sunglasses the second we got into her truck so I wasn't able to see her eyes. I felt like she'd done it on purpose. Maybe she was trying to hide it from me. 

Sure, her eyes were slightly unnerving, but there was a pain in them that was indescribable. It was almost as if she was disgusted with yourself. I didn't want to be the cause of her feeling that way. I couldn't help but think of when we were back at the stage. "Do you hate being a vampire?"

Eryn turned her head at me for a moment before looking back at the road. "Everyone goes through a stage in their lives where they're unhappy with themselves. Vampirism isn't any different."

What a rehearsed answer, I thought.

The thought of Ally as a vampire came across my mind. I hope I made the right call, I thought. "I didn't want to lose Ally. She was always there for me. Her and Sydney." Sydney and she were closer since I had to stay with my father in the Kingdom, but whenever I got the chance to see them I took it. I loved them very much, I couldn't bear to lose them.

"You're not going to lose her now. It might take a bit for her to adjust, but she can do it. She's strong," Eryn commented, placing a hand on my thigh.

 I nodded, trusting her. I knew Eryn was the very thing to fear, but I completely trusted her. There was something about her that made me want to understand vampires. At least the good ones. "Do you have anyone you're close to?"

Eryn smirked. "When you lived as long as I have, you start to have friends everywhere. None are as close as you and your friends, though."

I looked out the window, trying to figure out how old Eryn was. I thought it was rude if I asked her age. The thought of her being hundreds of years older than me made me feel inadequate and inexperienced. She knew so much and had many years on me probably. There was an air to her that made her seem like an old soul. One day I would have to ask.

"I suppose I know some people that I could consider as close friends. They travel a lot, but maybe they'll be where we're going," Eryn interjected, "there's someone that I think you'll like."

"Did you grow up with them?"

"No, but I did know him when he was a female. I guess you could say I watched him grow," Eryn smiled as she stopped at a light.

I nodded, understanding what she meant by that. There were many different kinds of people back at home and for trans men and women, having fins made it easier to transition. Aqueria was accepting of everything for the most part. As long as we stayed loyal to the kingdom, nothing really mattered.

"I grew up with all of them. Flynn was our protector. He always felt the need to make sure we weren't getting into anything dangerous, but I felt like it thrilled him as much as it did us. Perhaps that's why he followed us on land. He already took his years in the human world. He didn't have to come out again for us, especially since he doesn't like being here." Flynn would blame me when I saw him. He would probably blame Eryn too. I was okay with him blaming me, I put him into this mess.

"That bloke doesn't like me, does he?" Eryn chuckled, giving me a reassuring squeeze on my thigh, "I don't blame him. Not many people like vamps."

"He just wants me and the girls safe," I laughed, "even when he makes himself look silly."

God, I missed them.

"I need to warn you about something before we get to Captial Hill," Erynn grimaced, getting off a road, "Vampires aren't the only immortals that you are going to meet. However, the vampires that are there feed on humans. They don't hurt them though. Just be careful still though, some are very... eccentric."

She turned into a cul-de-sac that lead to a huge house. The house was beautiful with columns holding up the front of it. Gigantic windows lined the front of it and two stories up there was a balcony that had someone tanning outside. I couldn't quite make out who it was, but they seemed to be enjoying themselves.

"Alright, stay close to me and if anyone asks, you're only mine, got it?" Eryn took off her sunglasses and met my gaze. Her stormy eyes looked at me with a fervor that sent a shiver down my spine. She stared at me for a second too long and got out her truck. She got out in one fluid motion, her long legs making it look easier than it was.

I hopped down, walking around and standing beside her. 

Eryn took a deep breath. "I haven't seen them in a couple of years. I don't know how they'll react, but they owe me a favor."

"It's almost like I'm meeting your family," I said, trying to lighten the mood.

Eryn scoffed, putting on her sunglasses again, "as if." She took a deep breath and extended her hand out. 

I took it, jumping slightly with how cold it was.

We walked briskly to the doorway. I didn't realize how cold it was until I was beginning to shake a bit whenever the wind blew. I really wish I'd had the opportunity to change into something warmer. Club clothes were not what I wanted. We reached the front door and Eryn didn't even have to ring a bell or knock.

The door opened, and a small child answered it. Her large doll-like eyes stared at me for a brief moment before locking them onto Eryn.

"Aunt Ryn!" she squealed, jumping onto Eryn. 

Not like family, eh?

Eryn stepped back and chuckled, hugging the blonde little girl. "Well, hello Ami."

Ami pulled herself away from Eryn to look at me. Her big eyes scrutinized me slowly, taking me in from head to toe. "Who is she, and why does she smell so good?"

I felt as if Ami was judging me. Somehow, I was eager for this little girl's approval.

Eryn gripped Ami tighter and glanced at me. "That is Marina and you will keep your fangs to yourself, yes?"

Ami rolled her ruby red eyes. "Of course. My name is Ami, but you will call me Amelia until I like you." She grabbed Eryn's sunglasses and grinned.

Eryn sighed, as if she was used to the was Ami was already. "Where are your daddies?" She set Ami down, stepping into the house. 

I followed her slowly, my eyes growing wide as I took in the house. There were steps on either side of the main room that lead upstairs. A massive diamond chandelier hung in the middle of the room. I was in awe, the room was brightly lit, making me wonder how many lights were used in this room. 

Eryn shook her head. "Lance added more light in here? I'm going to need my sunglasses, Ames." She glanced at the floor for a bit. It made me wonder if the light was bothering her.

Ami giggled, running off to a doorway on our right. "Daddy is in his study, I'll go get him."

"No need Amelia," a loud voice boomed from the top of the stairs. I look upward, watching as a man in a long silk robe descended down the steps. His eyes were the color of spun gold, which blended with his ebony-toned skin. Jewelry aligned his wrists and fingers. I couldn't even begin to imagine how much they cost. They reminded me of the jewels we had underwater. I'm sure he would love to see the ones we had.

"Lance, it's good to see you," Eryn beamed, walking forward and opening her arms up.

Lance shook his head and placed his hand on her chest. "More tattoos, darling? Oh great, you have more piercings now too." he flicked the ring on Eryn's eyebrow. Eryn stared down dutifully, somehow making it seem younger than she was.

"Oh! And who is this?" Lance approached me hesitantly, taking me in the same way Amelia did.

"This is Marina," Eryn laced her fingers with mine. 

Lance nodded, a bright fanged smile making its way to his face. "I see."

"This is Lance, an old friend of mine," Eryn introduced.  

Lance tsked, "I'm more than that. Consider me her estranged uncle." He adjusted his headscarf. There was an attitude to him that made me comfortable. He was so animated that I didn't feel as if he was a scary vampire.

Eryn burst out laughing. "No, this is Sybil's sire sibling."

Lance's brows shot up. "She knows?"

Eryn nodded. Lance stared at me for a moment, studying me intently. I held my breath, unable to meet his eyes as he scrutinized me.

"And how are you dealing with it?" Lance motioned to me. I raised a brow in curiosity, assuming it was me that he was talking about. 

Eryn stood silent for a moment before she answered. She didn't look at me at all when she did. "I'm fine."

"If you need more of those silver serums, tell Chris. You'll know he'll give some to you," Lance explained, putting a hand on Eryn's arm, "talking about Chris, I'm sure he'll be happy to see you."

I watched closely as the two conversated, noticing how often Eryn smiled and laughed. Her shoulders were relaxed and as we walked deeper into the house, she became more comfortable. 

 This was nothing of what I imagined.