Blood red love by Dripping Creativity
101

"The night I first met Vidar I had no clue of who the patrons in the backroom were. None of the staff did. But as soon as I saw Vidar, something clicked. You have heard about it, Tyson,” Charlie told her brother-in-law, he nodded. "Before things could go further between Vidar and me, he sat me down and explained he was a vampire and so were the rest of the men at the Thursday club. They were what is called a clan. A family unit that helps and supports each other. He also explained that I was what is called a maiden. I was born human, from human parents, but I had the ability to change into any magical creature. A one time deal. As the clan was the first from the magical community I encountered, they were tasked with keeping me safe and teaching me all about it," she continued and paused. Her brother and Tyson both looked shocked.

"Wait. You said you were this...," her brother started.

"Maiden," Tyson helped him.

"Yeah, this maiden. In past tense. You aren't one now?" her brother asked.

"No. Well, I'm always going to be a maiden, but my ability is no longer active. When I first met Vidar we imprinted," she explained.

"Like a duck and ducklings?” Tyson asked. Charlie, Vidar and Caine all made a face. Charlie understood why Vidar hadn't liked her comparison with a mother goose when he had told her. It felt perverted to compare it to a parental role. "Not really. It's a soul deep connection. For vampires it's rare that it happens in an instant," Vidar said.

"It's like a soulmate, " Charlie explained. "That is why I have felt safe moving forward so quickly with our relationship. There has never been a doubt after we gave in to the connection," she explained. "But it also complicated things. Vidar is a vampire, he has eternal life. As a human I didn't. But as a maiden, I could choose to become a vampire. But it would have meant to take a step away from the two of you, and the twins. You would have noticed me not ageing, you would have asked questions. So I knew if I chose to become a vampire I needed to leave you. I would have to watch you pass away, and even outlive your children. It was something I struggled with," Charlie confessed and looked up at Vidar. He smiled at her. “The last two weeks changed things. I experienced something that made me realise that I didn't want to limit myself, or my love. And so I chose to transform into a vampire. So that is what I am now,” she finished and looked at the two men on the other couch. They both stared at her.

"So, what? You sneak around in the dark with a cape and suck blood from the neck of unsuspecting humans?” Huxton asked. Charlie smiled and Vidar chuckled.

"The two of you really are siblings," Vidar commented.

"No, you idiot. I take supplements, which means I don't need to drink blood. But I'm stronger, faster, my hearing is better, as is my sense of smell," Charlie told them.

"And you will live forever," Tyson said.

"I'm still mortal, I can die. It's just a little harder now.” A soft growl escaped both Vidar and Caine as she explained her mortality. Charlie smiled at the stunned faces of Huxton and Tyson. “Ignore them, they are tense after the weeks we have had. You know Vidar and Caine are just as sweet,” she told them. Caine huffed at the concept of being called sweet. But Charlie was focused on Huxton and Tyson, she needed to know if they would accept her or not.

"You are still the same,” Tyson said with a smile. “I can tell, little sister, nothing about you has really changed. And this way we have someone who can take care of us when we are old," he said and smiled. Charlie returned his smile. "I don't care what you call yourself, you are my baby sister and I will always love you," Huxton agreed. Charlie felt herself tear up as she tried to smile and nod while she fought back tears. Vidar pulled her closer and kissed her temple. "Is that all?" Huxton asked, Charlie could hear the suspicion in his voice. She shook her head.

"No. we have found out that a member of our clan, which your sister now is part of, has betrayed us. We caught him and it turns out his betrayal goes deeper than we could have expected. He has aligned himself with a small group of vampires that feel they are superior to everyone else. They want to come forward and force humankind into servitude under them," Vidar explained.

"We would never agree to that," Huxton said.

"No. Humans would fight back and it would lead to a full out war. Both sides would take enormous losses, the world would be plunged into chaos and whoever walked away the winner would have a broken world to rule," Caine said. "Can't something be done to prevent this?" Tyson asked, he looked at Liam and Aiden.

"We are trying," Charlie reassured him. "We will only be home for a couple of days before leaving for a meeting with the vampires the clan knows we can trust."

"But if we fail, there is a good chance this will go south quickly. We don't know how or what will be their first move, but I fear it will be a major one," Vidar said.

"We can't take you and the boys with us. You aren't safe where we are heading. But we would like you to move into this apartment, for now," Charlie told them. Her brother looked at her.

"Why is this safer?" he asked.

"This whole building was built to withstand magical attacks and since Charlie moved in with me, I have made this penthouse the most secure place against all sorts of attacks that exist on this side of the Atlantic. I will leave some of my men here to protect you. Your family will be safe here until we can return,” Vidar told him.

"How long will you be gone? Will you be safe?" Tyson asked Charlie.

"I don't know, maybe a week. It depends on the outcome of the meeting. I will be with Vidar, Caine and the rest of our clan. There is no safer place than amongst all of them," she reassured him.

"I don't like you going away. But if it can't be avoided, it can't be avoided. I don't know about this new world. Part of me still has a hard time accepting it. But if Charlie says this is what needs to be done to keep my family safe, I will do it," Huxton said. Vidar nodded.

"I will offer Lilly to stay here as well. She is dating a vampire, so I don't know if Daniella will tell her everything and take her under her protection. But I'm assuming you wouldn't mind being roommates with Lilly?" Charlie asked. "Not at all," Tyson said. "We will even watch your cat for you,” he added. Charlie looked down on Shadow that had made himself comfortable and was watching Aiden playing with a stuffed rabbit.

"I would appreciate that," she said. They talked a while longer about practicalities. It was decided Huxton and Tyson would go back home and pack what they needed for a couple of weeks. Charlie, Vidar and Caine would look after the boys in the meantime. As they all went downstairs, Charlie messaged Loyd to come on up. "I have someone to introduce to you," she said as the front door opened and Loyd walked inside. He looked even bigger in the modern apartment. “This is Loyd. Loyd this is my brother, Huxton, his husband, Tyson, and their twins Liam and Aidan," Charlie introduced them.

"Hello," Loyd said in his happy way.

"Eh, hi," Tyson and Huxton said.

"What is he?" Tyson whispered to Charlie.

"A giant," she replied with a smile. "Loyd will help you if you need anything. He is very kind and a good helper," she said out loud. Loyd blushed at the praise.

"I'll do my best for miss Charlie," he said. Charlie had to pat him on his arm. During the time after she had been freed and had taken Loyd under her wings, the two of them had become friends. He was a real sweetheart. She sent her brother and Tyson away with Loyd to keep them safe and to help them carry what they felt necessary.

"That went well," Vidar said and kissed her.

"It did," she agreed.

"I will empty my guest room," Caine said.

"Why?" Charlie asked.

"If your family are to stay here, I should go back home."

"Do you want to go back home?" Charlie asked. Caine shrugged. Charlie looked at Vidar.

'I don't want him to leave,' she sent to Vidar. He smiled down at her. She had become accustomed to having Caine with them, the thought of him not being there made her cold. 'Would you be okay if I asked him to stay?' she asked Vidar.