Chapter 2 Demitri's mate

Unfortunately for Isabella, the time away from involvement with vampires would be short-lived, after all something else had changed after her visit to the mansion in Austria, not with everyone, but with a special vampire, who she herself had had the chance to lay eyes on, feel the attraction and turn her back on, walking away as if nothing had happened... unlike in reality. Of course the human was not really to blame for this, after all only vampires feel the pull, the connection of mates and if they are lucky enough to meet their mate, or mate in Isabella's case, still in human form... the connection unfortunately takes a little longer to complete, at least for those vampires with honor, who prefer to make their mate aware of the situation and give them a choice.

Perhaps this was not really the case for Demitri, if he had not seen the human next to the kind of vampire he hated so much. Stubborn, as only he knew how to be, the vampire made no move to act and declare Isabella his. In fact, the vampire chose to live in the corners of the mansion, trying to ignore the pain in his chest, which after a week had become constant, ever since Arvin, Layla and Isabella had left. He knew Isabella was the culprit, or at least suspected it, if the sudden attraction and the tug that seemed to pull him to her as he stared into those green eyes was indication enough. He relaxed as he met her eyes, his heart seemed to speed up as he saw her smile at him, leaving him surprised and with an overwhelming urge to return the smile. He was not one to smile, so there was enough evidence to help him understand.

"Demitri, are you all right?", asked Alicia, looking genuinely concerned, as she saw one of her best soldiers lean over slightly, seeming to hold back a groan of pain as he held his own chest, as if the squeeze was enough to make the pain go away. She knew those reactions, but she believed that the man would not be so foolish to hide the fact that he had found his mate... she was wrong.

"I am fine, master. What do you want from me?", said Demitri with more effort than he thought he would need. But the vampire had called him on a new mission and had work to do, so there was no possibility to stop and reflect on the fact that the discomfort and pain was becoming more and more present, constant and strong.

"We have strong suspicions that a vampire, with a peculiar talent, is prowling around Seattle. I need you to eliminate him, as soon as possible, before he causes even more damage."

"A peculiar gift? What do you mean?"

With his interest aroused, Demitri managed to put Isabella aside, away from the center of his thoughts, at least for a moment. It was almost a relief.

"He is turning vampires into humans. His gift is to bring vampires back to life. No chance of a comeback, it seems."

Demitri stared at his master in shock. He did not believe that this would be possible, or permanent. It was surprising.

"Master Alicia..."

"I have reliable sources, Demitri, and I trust you to eliminate him... if it's really as good as you say."

"I'm f... Ah!"

Demitri collapsed, feeling as if his chest was opening. Something was pulling him, making him suffer for the distance and scream in pain now too.

"Demitri, that's enough! You found your mate, didn't you?" said Mauricio, approaching him and helping him up.

Demitri stared at him, nervous, knowing full well what this vampire was capable of, but nodded, giving up on being strong.

"Who was it?" asked Gustave, curious.

Everyone was surprised to see the emotion flash across the face of the oldest of the Ventrue brothers, the one who had lost his mate a few decades ago and still hadn't been able to get back on his feet. Gustave was the perfect example of what losing a companion could cause.

"I think it was... Isabella Flowers", confessed Demitri, not surprised to see the shock on everyone's face.

"Why didn't you say anything? They've been gone for a week!", said Alicia, annoyed to see one of her best guards suffering, for sheer stupidity, if she was honest.

"She left in the arms of that spoiled vampire. If she came here for him, then maybe she is like him."

As he said this, Demitri felt something inside him twitch. His heart didn't agree with her words, and perhaps not even his rational side did. He was afraid, of what having a human companion might represent. He didn't want to end up like Gustave, even though he respected and admired him.

"She could just be being deceived or was persuaded to come. I saw her mind Demitri, and Arvin was not well received by her", said Alicia, almost smiling when she saw a glimmer of hope in Demitri's eyes.

"I'm sorry Alicia, I didn't think about that possibility."

"That's because you judge her without knowing her, your own companion. We can be considered tyrants and insensitive, and while that is almost true, you must act Demitri, or this pain will get worse, until there is nothing left of you", said Gustave.

"Go after hers and get your mate, and that's an order", said Maurice.

"But what about the vampire?" asked Demitri, remembering his initial mission.

"Take her with you to get him. She will be a shield, she will make your job easier", Alicia said, making him laugh as he saw her return to being the old vampyre who wished for the best by her side and defending her, before nodding and saying goodbye to everyone.

But despite the orders and the desire in his heart, he knew he needed to reverse his missions. He wouldn't feel like himself if he didn't finish off the vampire who was harming his people first. Isabella could not be his priority at that moment, not if he wanted to show that he was still able to act and fulfill his duties.