Jim stepped out of his silver recent model Honda Civic, taking a moment to wipe some grime from the hood of the car, resolving to get it washed as soon as he could. Walking around the car, he crossed the sidewalk, and headed up the path to a relatively modest, sand colored house, with matching Spanish style roof. The driveway sat empty, and Jim hoped the cars were just in the garage, and not out — after all, he’d come to the house with a specific purpose in mind.
It was early afternoon, with run rising high in the sky. Temperatures were getting warmer, what with it being May, but Jim still wore a light jacket, to help protect from the sun in the clear sky. He paused just outside the door, one hand reaching for the inside pocket of his jacket, only for it to come away empty. He sighed, and really hoped someone was home. Raising a hand, he knocked on the door three times, and waited.
It took a few minutes, but someone finally answered — a man that appeared to be in his mid to late twenties. He stood roughly 5’10”, with an athletic build. One muscular arm reached up, and a hand brushed back shoulder-length black hair. He was dressed casually, and after a moment a smile reached his hazel eyes as he recognized the man in front of him.
“Nikolai, good to see you.” he smiled.
“Jim. What brings you by?” Nikolai asked.
“It’s that time.” he said, the smile fading from his face.
“Sarah and Christina.” he said, his own expression growing somber. “Need a drinking buddy?”
Jim shook his head. “I don’t want to wallow in sorrow this year.”
“Then what?” Nikolai wondered.
“I’ve come to take my closest friend to a gathering.” he stated, putting his hand sin his jacket pockets.
“Jim, you know I can’t.” he frowned.
“Why not?” he asked, preparing ammo for what he guessed was coming next.
“I have to be here to protect her.” he said, voice serious. “Them.” he added as an afterthought.
“You’re allowed to have a life outside of her.” Jim retorted.
“You know my responsibilities.” he frowned.
“I do. I also know that Petra’s a big girl and will survive for a couple of hours just fine.” he spat back.
“I can’t.” Nikolai replied.
Jim was silent for a while, trying to weigh whether to use the ammo he had prepared earlier with Nikolai’s stubbornness. Decision made, he spoke, his voice low. “What would Ekaterina have wanted for you?”
A startled look crossed Nikolai’s face. “Low blow, my friend.”
“Maybe. But am I wrong?” Jim countered.
“No.” he sighed. “Let me get my keys. I need to lock up and set the alarm.”
“I’ll drive.” Jim replied, waiting patiently for Nikolai.
Nikolai took the rounds of the house, making sure every window and door were secure before setting the alarm, and locking the front door. He shoves his phone into a jacket pocket, and a charger into the other. His wallet went into his back jeans pocket, and his keys in the front right pocket. “Alright, Let’s go to this gathering.”
“Good.” Jim said, smiling. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”
Once they were in the car, Jim steered it toward a small rented VFW hall and parked. There were several cars of different makes and models in the parking lot — a surprising number for what Jim had called a small gathering, though Nikolai reasoned some might have belonged to employees. They entered through the front of the building, and it opened into what was essentially appeared to be a bar. Set up across the far wall was a small banner. Pictured was a goat next to a patch of grass and flowers in the shape of a G, followed by the words ‘Book Club’.
Nikolai raised an eyebrow at Jim. “A book club?”
“It’ll make sense, I promise.” Jim said, looking for someone. After a moment, he broke into the kind of smile Nikolai couldn’t ever remember seeing on him, as a pretty woman with short, cropped hair approached. Surprising Nikolai, they greeted each other with a kiss.
“You’re late.” she chided.
“I’m sorry, I had to pick up someone.” he said, indicating Nikolai next to him. “Sierra, I’d like you to meet my closest friend, Nikolai Dragomir. Nikolai, this is my girlfriend, Sierra Graves.”
“Nice to meet you.” Sierra smiled, offering a hand. “Jim doesn’t talk about his friends, so you’ll just have to tell me more about him, and yourself.”
“Pleasure to meet you. Jim didn’t tell me he was dating.” Nikolai replied, giving Jim the side eye. Jim just smiled a bit sheepishly. “So, what is this all about?”
“It’ll become clear once Tony clears out the building.” she responded, gesturing to a tall, muscular Asian man.
Nikolai watches as Tony approached the employees behind the bar. An exchange of money occurred, and then they left. After a moment he searched the building, and entered a small office for a few moments, before stepping out and giving what he guessed was an all clear signal.
Everyone visibly relaxed and took a seat. Jim spoke up then. “Hey guys, I wrangled a friend of mine and brought him in. Hope you don’t mind.” he gestured to Nikolai. “Everyone, this is Nikolai.”
Everyone waved and there was a smattering of hellos before Jim began introductions, beginning with a large man with Italian features named Ben. A thin, almost wiry man with glasses that gave off librarian vibes by the name of Bobart; a man in dress casual wear with short, dark hair that was drinking coffee in what appeared to be an attempt to stay awake named Dave. A professional looking man with glasses named Elias, a young Asian guy with a laptop named Billy, and a tall, somewhat grim looking man who was introduced as Declan.
Nikolai waved back, and again looked at Jim. “Think of us as, like, a safe space. Everyone here is in the know. Except for Billy and Declan, we’re all ghouls.”
He blinked. “That’s…this is…”
“Unusual?” Elias asked.
“Very.” Nikolai responded.
“I can assure you, nothing you say here will go beyond these walls. Think of us as more of a support group.” Elias continued.
Nikolai frowned, and looked at Jim, who was sitting next to Sierra. “You need to get out more.” Jim reiterated.
Nikolai sighed and pulled out a chair, taking a seat as Elias began speaking. It became apparent, as they talked, that most of them belonged to two people — Tavi West, and Nick Jackson. The only exceptions were Jim, Billy, and Declan. He soon learned that Declan worked for Adam. He already knew that Jim was Vince’s ghoul, and Billy, while not a ghoul, technically worked for both Nick and Tavi.
Conversation tended to focus on personal problem, or issues they had with their Domitors. Nothing major, it seemed like they were all treated well, but eventually, due to Nikolai’s silence, they turned to him.
“Dude, like…why don’t you tell us something about yourself?” Billy asked.
Nikolai sat in silence with his arms crossed, debating whether to say something, when Jim elbowed him. “Come on, man. You and I both know you need people to talk to.”
With a small sigh, Nikolai unfolded his arms, and spoke. “What would you like to know?”
“Well, um… I assume you’re like us, or you wouldn’t be here.” the man named Bobart said, pushing his glasses up.
“I’m a ghoul, yes.” he answered.
Sierra spoke up. “How do you know, Jim?”
“Our domitors are friends. Or, well… I don’t know their status anymore, to be honest.” he responded.
“His domitor is Petra.” Jim explained.
Nikolai shot him a look and then sighed. “So how long have all of you been ghouls?”
There was a smattering of responses, ranging from a few months, to fifty years. Jim, he knew, had been a ghoul for at least sixty years, though he’d only served Vince for perhaps the last thirty at most.
“What about you, dude?” Billy asked.
“I’ve served Petra for a bit shy of 400 years, but she’s my second domitor.” he replied. There was a whistle from Ben.
“Who was your first, dude? How’d you come to work for Petra?”
People turned to him, interested in hearing his story. “Alexei Ionescu. Petra’s childe.”
“I didn’t know Petra had a childe.” Jim said.
“She doesn’t. Not until recently, anyway.” Nikolai reapplied as he got up to get a drink.
“What happened to Alexei?” Ben asked.
“Petra went into torpor. While she was vulnerable, he tried to diablerize her. I stopped him, and she thanked me by taking me in.” Nikolai began. “He was killed for his betrayal. The blood bond was severed, and since I’d lived too long with the blood, she gave me hers. I’ve been serving her since.”
“Hell of a story. I can respect it.” Tony said.
The others, so as not to make Nikolai feel on the spot, got into the story of how they were ghouled. When it came to Jim’s turn, he spoke more honestly than Nikolai expected.
“I was ghouled after the deaths of my wife Sarah, and my daughter Christina. Specifically, by one of the men who killed them. Today marks the anniversary of that death.”
Sierra reached over and squeezed his hand. Billy gave him a hug. Nikolai squeezed his shoulder — he knew this day was hard for Jim, and that it typically ended with him passed out drunk.
“Vince kinda rescued me, and took me in to work as his bartender. Been with him for about thirty years.” Jim said, then took a drink of water before running his thumb across the back of Sierra’s hand in small, precise circles. After a few moments, he let go and got up to clean the bar. He was stressed.
“Didn’t you technically meet Vince well before I did?” Jim asked.
He nodded. “He taught me to hunt, so I could provide for my family.”
“That’s cool, bro.” Billy said. “Helping out, like, your siblings and stuff.”
“Wife and children.” he quietly corrected.
“Oh. Sorry dude.” he replied.
“It’s okay. It’s been over 450 years.” he sighed. “I miss them, but they’re at peace.” he explained.
“What do you do for Petra?” Declan spoke up.
“Anything she needs. Keep her safe during the day. Now that protection has extended to her childer.” he said, a touch of bitterness in his voice.
“Alyssa and Esme, right?” Sierra asked.
Nikolai nodded.
Elias, picking up on the bitterness, shifted the conversation before Nikolai could be asked about it. “As you’ve heard, some of us here have concerns about our domitors. Do you have any about yours?”
Nikolai bit his lip, and thought for a moment. The thought of spilling things about Petra bothered him, but he had no other outlet. He decided to speak up. “She used to take time to herself and dance. Ballet, mostly. When she was happy. She hasn’t done that in a while. Not since we came here, for sure. I don’t think while we were in New York, either. Recently, she swore fealty to Adam. Having been a knight back when, that’s not an oath she takes lightly. Recently, she blew him off, which is unusual for her. I overheard he wanted her to take over as Sheriff. She was mad at the time, though, and declined. I know a precious memory was insulted, but I still worry.” he said with a sigh.
The conversation shifted from there, the group sensing Nikolai’s discomfort. Over time, and with observation, he learned that roughly half the group was in a relationship of some kind — Dave was married, Tony was with Bobart, Sierra with Jim. It made him feel lonely. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been with anyone. More than that, these days he wasn’t sure where his interests lay, it had been so long. Once the conversation shifted off of him, he started to relax and enjoy things more.
“So, what do you like to do in your free time?” Bobart had asked him at one point.
“Keep up with my archery skill. It centers me.” he replied.
“Explains those arms.” Sierra said, reaching around Jim to squeeze Nikolai’s bicep.
“Sounds like you’d get along with Avery.” Declan offered. “As I understand it from Adam, he was a longbowman.”
“Maybe I’ll meet him and talk shop.” he paused a moment. “Wait — isn’t he the Prince?”
“You should see if Petra will let you come to Elysium sometime.” Jim offered.
“Maybe.” Nikolai responded. “Have any of you ever been?”
“I used to accompany Sayuri.” Tony responded.
“Tavi doesn’t let me come often. I can be….outspoken.” she grinned.
“I… I got in once.” Bobart replied. “But that was…that was before I became a ghoul. I was trying to find proof of vampires.”
“I used to be Sheriff.” Declan responded, matter-of-factly.
“Impressive.” Nikolai replied.
Dave looked at his watch. “It’s been fun, but I should get home. Promised the wife I’d look after the kids.”
Elias nodded. “Yes, let’s wrap things up.”
Everyone gathered in small groups for a moment, saying their goodbyes. Elias approached him. “I don’t mean to pry, but if ever you need professional help…there’s a small amount of people in the know, with counseling skills, that you could speak with — myself included.”
“Thank you.” he said, shaking his hand.
Nikolai headed out with everyone else. “Come on. I’ll take you home.” Jim offered. Sierra pouted a little.
He shook his head. “Nah. I think I’ll go about town, take in some sights. I’ll get an Uber or something. Don’t worry about me.”
“I do though.” Jim responded.
“I know.” Nikolai responded. “Go spend time with your girl. Enjoy life.”
“You too.” he responded, and watched as everyone left. Her took out his phone, and pulled up the Uber app, requesting a ride to take him across town. There wasn’t much he could think of to do, and he ended up finding himself at the botanical garden. While he walked the trail, he did some introspection.
He was worried about Petra — this was true. He knew she enjoyed dancing, but as of late either found very little time for it, or just wasn’t in the mood for it, which concerned him. She was an accomplished dancer in her own right, but never professional. Her skill set for a long time laid in mercenary work, until the current century, when she built herself up as a ‘proper’ Venture and got into business.
The fealty issue bothered him as well. As he had said, Petra took those oaths seriously, and he’d never known her to swear one before. He also knew that, unless released from said fealty, she would remind loyal. Had Adam released her, is that why she felt it was alright to snap back the other night? Or had she truly been pissed and insulted over the memory of her former coterie, over which only Endrik was left? They were things to bring up to her, but it wasn’t his place.
Normally, he might speak his concerns to either Vince or Brandon, but he didn’t know if they were on speaking terms after her blow up at each of them. There was no one else he could think to turn to in order to discuss matters. Perhaps he should reach out to one, or both of them. Brandon might be better — he was more practical. But it would require some thought.
He shoved his hands into his pockets and sighed. Jim was right — he needed to have a life outside of Petra. He needed other friends, and perhaps this GBC meeting had been a good step. He didn’t know his interests outside of archery, as he kept busy with things for Petra. But she had less time for him now, what with needing to teach Esme and Alyssa. At best these days, she might ask him to procure a source of blood for the pair, if they had trouble hunting.
He hatred doing it. It gave him an aching, bitter feeling to know that she put priority on people that had been in her life less than he had. Why had he been passed over for Embrace? It was a question he didn’t dare ask anyone. Don’t you deserve it? A little voice in the back of his head whispered. You do so much, and are rewarded so little — only the blood you need to survive the voice continued.
He tried to push the intrusive thoughts away, but they lingered. Wanting an escape, he made his way out of the gardens, and requested another Uber to take him back home. He didn’t know where else to go, and it would be evening soon. Petra and her childer would be waking. Another night of being likely ignored was to begin.
He needed a life. And soon. Due to the intrusive thoughts, the weight of it all was crashing on him. He got inside the house just as the sun dipped below the horizon. He spent the night watching as Petra and Esme got ready for work at the publishing company. He noted that Alyssa left to head to work at Oracle.
Once they were gone, he growled a little in frustration, and set up targets in the backyard, then got his archery equipment and practiced. He needed to center, to ground himself before his beast could surface. Nikolai felt himself getting upset and angry at his lot in life. He wanted, no, needed change. But he would never be free of Petra. He relied on her blood, and even if he were kept from her, the bond wouldn’t fade for a very long time.
It was frustrating, and he needed to occupy himself in the meantime. Perhaps he should pick falconry back up. Perhaps just search for a new hobby. More than anything, he eventually came to realize, was that he was lonely. He spent most of his time alone, and had for years. But pursuing a relationship was dangerous, and short-term. He also worried it might mar his memory of Ekaterina.
After an hour, he packed up all the archery equipment, leaving it in a locked shed where it was typically stored. It had not helped to calm him.
Once inside, he headed to him room. A simple enough affair, with necessities more than personal effects. He realized that, in a sense, it mirrored Petra’s style. Had he become so lost in her identity that he didn’t have one of his own anymore?
He sighed, then growled in frustration. He opened the double doors of his closet, and moved some things aside, pulling out a small box, that contained items for a portable altar. It was not Wiccan, per se, but still rooted in paganism. While he had practiced Christianity for a while, in his heart he believed in a different, purer form of faith, as he called it.
It was at some manner of odds with Petra’s Greek beliefs, but his were rooted in Roman beliefs. Romans had ruled his homeland long ago, and some traditions had stuck through the ages. It was in these traditions he had been raised, but it was Christianity he had practiced in order to survive.
From a small bottle, he poured wine into a small cup. Dipping his finger into the cup, he ran the wet finger around the rim, causing it to hum. He mumbled under his breath in a mix of Latin and Romanian. He first prayed to Dis Pater, for continued watch over the souls of Ekaterina and their children. Tribute was paid to Apollon for guiding him over all the years. It helped. He put everything away, and then went to a strongbox.
Within was an old piece of simple jewelry. A ring, strung on a leather cord. It had been Ekaterina’s, and now he held it in his hand, and closed his eyes. It had been a very, very long time since he’d so much as looked at the ring, often over the centuries just keeping it tucked into a safe place that even Petra didn’t know about. After some time, it was almost as though he could feel her presence around him, embracing him; loving him. He could feel tears forming. There was a sense of forgiveness and permission.
He had never asked for forgiveness before. But now, there was a sense of peace. After he had settled, and the tears had stopped falling, he tucked it back away, and pulled out his phone to text Jim.
“I’m ready.” he said.
“Ready for what?” Jim responded.
“To live again.” Nikolai stated, and put the phone away.
He would build a life for himself, around Petra’s expectations. He would pull away from her, unless strictly needed. Now, though…now, he needed to see Brandon. Someone needed to know his concerns about her, and he trusted Brandon with this topic more than Vince. There was the immaturity thing, sure — but he also just didn’t want to bother him. He’d heard he was married now, after all.
Thinking over it more, he set up a group chat, and texted them both.
“I’m sorry to bother you, but when you both have time, is there a chance we could meet up and talk? I have some concerns I’d like to share.”
He set aside the phone, and waited for a response.