Daniel

I held up the whiskey-filled glass, looking at the amber liquid as the light danced through the crystal. The room was destroyed - furniture strewn, curtains shredded, and most of the glasses in shards along the thick carpet.

I'd fucked up. My excitement at finding my Eternal caused me to unload all of it onto her human shoulders. Naturally, she panicked and fled like a newborn fawn from the ravaging beast that had just told her their souls were bound together. I'm unsure if her running or the look of absolute terror on her face hurt more...

"Did a bomb go off in here?" Garen gaped as he righted a chair and sat down across from me. He snatched the whiskey from my hand and gulped it down. "What the fuck happened? Riley said they had to clear the entire floor because you went nuclear."

I snorted, "Yeah...I guess having your Eternal reject you tends to drive a man insane," I motioned around the room.

The cup dropped from his hand, shattering on the arm of the chair as he sputtered, "You're what? Are you fucking telling me that secretary is your blasted Eternal - a human?"

"Shut the fuck up, Garen!" I snarled, baring my fangs at him. "You should know better than to speak against her." He held his hands up as if surrendering. "I can't lose her...what the hell am I going to do?"

Garen gave me a sour look, then spoke, "At the risk of you ripping my throat out, are you entirely sure she's your Eternal?" I pulled my shirt open to expose the crimson-red ankh etched into my skin as he groaned, "Well fuck me."

"Thanks, I'll pass," I snorted.

"At least you still have your sense of humor," he said, leaning forward. "Now, tell me what happened, and let's figure out how to get your girl back."

 I spent the next twenty minutes reliving the most painful experience of my existence to my oldest friend. Garen was silent and kept his hands folded before him as I spoke. He never interrupted or ridiculed me—both were very out of character for him. When I finished explaining the results of Serenity's running from the building, I asked, "So, do you have any ideas?"

He was silent for a few moments longer, then spoke evenly. "You have two choices. Either find a witch to break the bond and forget she ever existed, or sweep her off her feet and make her fall in love with you." My mouth hung open. He shrugged his shoulders, "What? I may be a fucking cynic, but I'm not completely heartless, man. There isn't a middle ground here, Daniel. Either you find a way to win her heart, or you have to break the bond. You going insane from an unfulfilled bond isn't exactly ideal, you know. Not to mention, you need to keep your mouth shut until you make your decision. If they find out about her..." My head fell into my hands as I groaned, a cold fear soaking into my very essence. If anyone learned who Serenity was to me before we completed the bond... "Daniel, calm down," Garen said firmly as he reached out to grasp my wrists.

My eyes snapped up and I saw the flash of fear and concern crossing his face before he schooled his expression. "Losing control will not help you win Serenity's heart. Matter of fact, all it will do is frighten her more. I need you to calm down." I could feel his powers pushing at the corners of my mind, taming the beast within me as he had done for so many years now.

Few could match the power of royal blood, but Garen was that exception. His powers of compulsion had earned him a far-reaching reputation, garnering him both respect and fear throughout the vampire kingdom. I was a headstrong fool when our paths crossed. Obsessed with proving myself to my father, I traveled the kingdom looking for trouble. I would search out the strongest vampire in each village, challenging him or her in an attempt to fill the shoes of a man who never would value me even unto his dying breath. "Daniel!" Garen roared as his grip tightened, both physically and mentally on me. My mind flooded with images of Serenity, as he sifted through my thoughts. The smell of her scent filled my nostrils as the image of her body pressed against mine materialized. She had been so alluring at the club that night that I couldn't stop myself from pressing against her back and dancing with her. I knew she was too drunk to realize who I was, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity. My breathing began to slow and I felt my anger seep away as I sagged against my chair. "Just breathe, buddy, I've got you," Garen said as he knelt before me, loosening his hold on my wrists and hugging me tightly. I let my tears fall as I relived the moments her lips were against mine and prayed to the stars that I would find a way to win her over.

****

Serenity called into the office the next day claiming to be sick. I spent most of my day hiding in my office when I heard a knock on my door. "Come in," I called out. With a soft click, the door opened, and in strolled my mother with her latest boy-toy on her arm. "Daniel, darling, I haven't seen you in forever," she gushed in her shrill voice.

My eyebrow arched, "Mother, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"What? Can't I just come by and see my baby boy once in a while? Why does there need to be a reason?" She sat on the couch as the male stood nearby, holding her coat with a vapid expression. I wonder how deeply she'd compelled him? Staring at her in boredom, she huffed," Fine. Rumor has it, you had a little tantrum recently. I felt obligated to come and make sure you weren't having issues again"

Maintaining my outward expression of boredom, I seethed inside. I'd worked hard to secure a strong and loyal team here, but obviously, Mother had managed to worm her way into the minds of one of my employees to spy yet again. "While I thank you for checking in, as you can see, I'm perfectly well, Mother. No need to worry yourself," I told her.

She eyed me skeptically, "Well, you do seem rather calm. Perhaps it was a false alarm after all." With a nod of her head, the male produced a folder and handed it to my mother. "I need your signature on these." She held out the folder to me. Taking them from her, I began to look over the documents inside. "Oh, I've already approved all of them, I just need your signature.

"While I appreciate your help, Mother, I'll need to review them before signing them even if you have agreed to them." Her expression betrayed her frustration as she stood.

"Well, then be sure to return those fully signed and do come by for dinner soon, I've missed our little chats," she falsely smiled.

I nodded as she stood, "I'll see what I can do." When the door closed behind her, I tossed the papers onto my desk and slouched back into my chair wondering what I could do to get back into Serenity's good graces.

Author's Notes:  Good ole' mom seems a bit sus to me...