The soft hum of the television filled the vast living room, accompanied by the occasional eerie soundtrack from the true crime documentary playing on screen. Rose sat curled up on the large velvet couch, her legs tucked under her as she munched absently on popcorn. The flat was cold, not freezing, but just cold enough that she pulled the throw blanket tighter around her shoulders. Outside, faint rays of afternoon sunlight tried to pierce through the heavy curtains, casting dull streaks on the polished floors. Inside, it was quiet. Too quiet.
She glanced at the door leading to Nikolai's study. He had been holed up in there since morning. It was noon now, and she hadn't seen him since breakfast—which, surprisingly, he had made for her. He hadn't said much, and she hadn't pressed. She'd noticed how gingerly he moved his arm, the way his expression tightened when he reached for things. He insisted on making the breakfast even though he still hadn't healed. Rose still didn't know how he got hurt and why. Whatever had happened, he wasn't talking. And she wasn't the type to ask twice.
With a sigh, she reached for her phone and unlocked it. No new messages. Figures. The only person she had regular conversations with was Alejandro. She tapped into her Instagram, mindlessly scrolling past selfies, food pics, party flyers, and memes. Her attention sharpened when a familiar name popped up: Marius.
Her brow rose. The post was from the official account of Marius' event management group, known for their extravagant and often eerie parties. The bold orange letters across the digital flyer screamed: "BROOKLYN PRE-HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL - TWO WEEKS AWAY. TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW."
Her mouth parted slightly. "No way," she whispered.
Every year, she and Alejandro had gone to the Halloween festival together, sometimes with his friends. It was tradition. Crowds, lights, haunted houses, eerie carnival rides, glowing jack-o-lanterns, sugar skull face paint, and the smell of candied apples and roasted nuts. It had been the highlight of autumn. But this year, it was coming early? Pre-Halloween? Two months before the real deal?
A grin slowly spread across her face. "This is perfect." It was a good opportunity for her to spend some time away from that brooding vampire bastard and she was sure he didn't attend such stuff so he wouldn't tag along.
Without thinking twice, she opened her message thread with Alejandro.
ROSE: Hey, guess what? Halloween is coming early to Brooklyn in two weeks.
She didn't have to wait long.
ALEJANDRO: What do you mean?
ROSE: Marius is hosting the festival in two weeks. A pre-Halloween festival and in Brooklyn.
ALEJANDRO: Why such a short notice?
ROSE: I don't care. As long as I get to be away from that vampire.
ALEJANDRO: Alright fine. I am going.
She squealed, the sound bubbling from her lips involuntarily as she tossed her phone aside and shot up from the couch, blanket dropping at her feet.
Victory. One glorious day out. A full day to breathe and be herself—or at least pretend to be. A day away from brooding vampires and this suffocating fortress.
She stretched, rolling her shoulders before heading toward the study. She didn't knock. She never did.
The door creaked as she pushed it open. The room smelled of cedar and aged paper. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with dusty tomes, documents, and leather-bound volumes. A dim light pooled from the antique lamp on his desk where Nikolai sat, his silver-rimmed reading glasses perched low on his nose as he read over a thick stack of papers.
He didn't look up. "What do you want, Rose?"
She sauntered in with the confident strut of someone who owned the place, making her way to the desk, then around to his side. She leaned back on the edge, arms crossed loosely.
"You seem tense. And busy. You should get out and get some ice cream sometimes," she said lightly, watching his face for any hint of amusement.
Nikolai looked up at her over the rim of his glasses. "What do you want, Rose?" he repeated, his tone flat.
She pouted. "How's your arm?"
His expression didn't change. "Get to the point."
She rolled her eyes and uncrossed her arms. "Fine. There's a carnival. Halloween-themed. It's being hosted in Brooklyn. It's in two weeks, and I need to buy the ticket before they sell out. So... give me your card."
He finally leaned back in his chair, folding his arms slowly. His gaze sharpened. "You mean the event hosted by Marius?"
She blinked. "So you know him too?"
His jaw tightened. "He does a lot of dirty favors for people. Girls go missing at his events. Every year."
She tilted her head. "Well... little girls go missing all the time. It's a cruel world we live in. Besides," she added with a wicked smile, "who would dare touch a girl backed by the almighty Nikolai Ivanov?"
Nikolai's eyes darkened. A vein ticked in his temple. He shook his head slightly in frustration.
"Okay, now give me your card," she said, holding out her hand.
"You won money playing Monopoly with Alexei and Konstantin a few days ago. Use that," he replied without flinching.
She gasped. "That money is for emergencies."
"And this isn't one," he said, returning his attention to the document in front of him.
She sighed dramatically. "Wow. What a bummer. I didn't know that the great Nikolai Ivanov was so broke he couldn't even afford a ticket. Oh my God, this is tragic."
He ground his teeth together, his jaw visibly twitching.
She widened her eyes, innocently. "Well I could ask for some from Salvatore. I am sure he won't refuse?"
He exhaled loudly, then muttered a curse in Russian. With a scowl, he yanked open a drawer, pulled out a sleek black card, and tossed it on the desk.
"Take it. It's yours. No limit. The PIN is 5376. Now get out."
Her eyes lit up. She snatched the card with glee. "I knew you'd come around. I'll remember you when you die."
She bowed dramatically like a stage actress, then turned and practically skipped out of the study.
Nikolai sat back in his chair and rubbed his temple with his thumb and forefinger.
"That woman will be the death of me." He said, sighing.