NINETY-FOUR | COLTON

I think I finally understand the phrase "Rome was not built in a day". It's been a week since my birthday and the Azures and Reiniers signed an official treaty. Paris went back to the Reinier territory with the rest of the Reinier Pack and has been keeping in contact with me through text or phone call at least once a day ever since.

Just like she expected, the news about Grandmother's death has been given mixed reactions. A few of the more aggressive of the Reinier Alphas challenged her right as she got back to the territory, but Paris took care of their incursion quickly. Since, there's been a few other challenges she's quashed and even a few banishments from the Pack. Their alliances took a hit too, but while they lost some allies, Hale's Coven and the Azures agreed to have a trail-basis alliance with Paris while she gets things settled.

Things have been busy ever since. Mom's practically been living at Lia's while the Azures have been recovering.

Both sides, unfortunately, had casualties. More on the Azure's side than the Reiniers due to the element of surprise, and way more injuries than expected. Before I killed Grandmother and set the Reiniers free, a lot of them had been affected by the kill order Grandmother had given. The final count rests at thirty-six to ten. From start to finish, including allies.

Hale tells me it would have been worse, had I not done what I did. I know he's right, know that deep in my heart, but it doesn't make the heaviness of it all any lighter. We're officially in Christmas Break. And like Hale promised, we're on our way to Colton.

There wasn't enough time to talk things over with Blue the way I wanted - and beyond a brief mental conversation - with a lot of yelling - he gave me time limit before he'd come after me. *Five days*. I smirk to myself, watching the trees pass as we zoom by in the car. Hale's driving, able to concentrate better than I as my mind and the connection between me and Blue tries to get me to go back to Kiwina.

I keep absently rubbing at my chest to soothe the aching as the connection strains and every cell in my body begs for us to turn around. But I know I have to go to Colton. Just for a day or two. Maybe less. I chew my lip and let out a heavy sigh, turning up the radio to drown out my thoughts about Blue.

So instead, I recall everything Ms. Jin and Hale told me about the royal blood-suckers I'm going to be meeting.

A few hours later, the car rolls to a stop.

"Sunshine, I've got to make a call. Why don't you get some coffee?" Hale asks me, passing me a twenty as he pulls his phone from his pocket. I nod to him, rubbing my chest as I take the money from him and get out of the car. We'd parked across the street from a cute coffee house, the scent of freshly brewed java goodness hanging in the crisp morning air. I shuffle across the street, like a moth to a flame, towards the promise of caffeine.

Colton's a sleepy town, a few cars are out, milling around with their passengers making some sort of commute in or out of the tiny town. Streetlamps are flicking out as the sun's rising, washing the streets in soft golden light. *It's quieter than Kiwina*. The sudden thought making my heart give a mournful thump in my chest. I rub absently at the spot, trying to ignore the eastern pull tugging at my body.

The unease begins settling back over my skin, my Wolven side grumbling and growling as I ignore it and enter the café. After leaving Kiwina last night, the tug to return there, to Blue, is like an itch in my soul. But I need to do this, get the meeting with the stuffy royal family over with. If I thought leaving Kiwina was hard last time, I know it'll be pure hell if I don't get back within the next day. Just the thought of returning makes the itch more unbearable - noticeable.

Inside the café, gentle music plays from a few speakers set up around the room, shelves of books fencing the lobby-like area of the front from the back. A counter waits in the center, a menu of various caffeinated drinks and small bakery items hanging on the walled off area behind.

A woman stands patiently on the other side of the counter, her hair a weirdly dyed combination of black and white. The colors intermixed so well that, for a moment, it looks grey. Her face is coated in a thin layer of makeup, cherry-red lipstick making her pouty mouth look like it's coated in fresh blood. Her eyes are the most shocking thing about her, radiating a sort of light, bright and golden. Like those of a jungle cat. *She's not human.*

The smell of coffee hangs so strongly I can't sort out the various scents from food and what could be supernatural clues. I decide to pretend I'm not aware that she's not human as I approach the counter. *Just get your coffee and get out, Scarlett.* I think to myself. I really don't have the energy or drive to fight anyone right now.

"What can I get you?" The woman behind the counter asks, her strange, golden eyes trained on me as I study the chalkboard menu on the wall behind her. The aroma of fresh coffee hangs thickly in the air, and I pretend to think as I breathe it all in. My nose trying to sort out the smells from food and *other*.

"Let me have an Americano with milk." I tell her, the sin-a-cubes in my bag should be enough sweetness and I can add those myself.

"Hm." The woman hums and plucks a tall paper cup from under the counter and begins writing the order on the side. "And how do you spell your name, Scarlett?" She asks coolly, glancing up at me and waiting. I blink at her, stunned. I never told her my name. The hairs on the back of my neck raise as a slight panic begins to churn in my gut. *Is she a mind reader? Some sort of creature than can see into your head?*

"S-c-a-r-l-e-t-t." I spell for her nervously and she gives me a little smile.

"I've been expecting you." She tells me as she writes my name on the cup and starts prepping the coffee. "Hale said you were powerful, but *whoo*-" She waves her hand in front of her nose - like she smells something particularly strong. "The aura on you," She passes me the tall cup with a lid on the top. "Been a while since I felt anything like it."

"I smell?"

"More like feel..." The woman tilts her head at me and gives me amore relaxed smile, extending her hand. "Mina Chantal." She tells me and I feel dread bloom in my gut as I take her hand.

"Y-your Majesty-" I stutter, feeling an overwhelming surge of panic rise in me. *This is the ancient Queen of the vampires who took over from Hale? Why is she here? Is this an elaborate set up? Is she about to kill me?*

"Easy," The Queen tells me, her smile growing as she looks around the empty café. "Do you want to have a seat?" She asks, releasing my hand. I shake my head, then nod, then repeat until she comes around and guides me over to a window seat. "Relax, Scarlett. I'm not here to hurt you. This is my café."

"You work?" I blink at the woman in surprise, taking the seat across from hers and setting my cup on the table.

"Mhm. I like making coffee, it's a hobby I took up a few decades ago." She nods, her voice calm and nonchalant despite the weight of them. I blink, looking at the coffee cup before me curiously. "You have a lot of questions. I knew from the second you walked in, just by your aura, that you were Hale's kid." She sighs wistfully and nods to herself. I blush, blinking at the sudden comment and feeling awkwardly naked in front of her.

"Th-thanks?" I reply, taking a deep breath and reaching for my coffee. I take a tentative sip. The warm liquid is like the nectar of the gods. I let out an embarrassing groan of approval as the rich flavor of the most perfect cup of coffee dances on my tongue. Perfectly rich, perfectly aromatic, perfectly balanced in every conceivable way.

"I'm glad you like it." The Queen grins at me, her golden eyes glimmering as she watches me.

"I've finally found the perfect cup of coffee, I think I can die happily now." I half-joke. But part of me is actually serious. I take a deeper swig, enjoying the warming sensation in my body. And freeze as I taste something sweet. Too sweet. "You put blood in this, didn't you?"

"You are a vampire. Well, part." The Queen shrugs. "No matter who our clientele is, we try to meet their needs when it comes to their dietary restrictions."

"Dietary restrictions." I echo, a little skeptical as I take yet another drink of coffee. Despite knowing what's in it I really couldn't care less. It's amazing.

"Do you want to talk about your concerns today?" The Queen asks suddenly as my mind begins to wander. I hesitate, not surprised at her pointed direction. I do want to address my control - or there lack of. It was my whole point of coming here. Leaving Kiwina, even just for a day.

"Yeah." I huff a sigh and look the Queen in the face.

"You're not the only newly Bloomed who's had issues with control, Scarlett, in fact, it's normal." She tells me, leaning a little closer and giving me a warm and understanding look. "But it takes practice, like any good skill. The cravings will always be there, it's part of being a vampire." She tells me gently. "You've already done what you can in that department, I see. Resisting." She pats my hand encouragingly. "And your sponsor, also good. What I recommend," She begins slowly, sitting back. "Is that you just keep in touch in case you have any further issues. At the very least, talk to your sponsor if you begin to feel like your control is slipping. And," She shrugs. "Take it one day at a time."

"You sound like a pamphlet." I tell her honestly, frowning at the generic words of wisdom. The Queen laughs.

"Thank you." She grins, a flicker of worry darkening her eyes for a second. "I won't force you," She begins slowly. "But you can always try living here, we have an excellent training program set up for fledglings-"

"I really don't think I can be away from Kiwina right now..." I reply sheepishly. Substituting Blue's name with the name of the town aloud. It feels stupid to acknowledge it aloud when I've barely spoken to him over the last week.

"Your mate." The Queen nods at me, understanding in her warm golden gaze. "I understand." She pulls something from her apron and passes me the white card. "Call if you ever need anything or just want to talk." A business card with *Mina's Café* written in pretty cursive lettering is on the front, a scrawled phone number on the back.

"Thanks." I tell her honestly, not sure why having access to the Queen of a vampire Coven should put me at ease, but it does.

"Don't mention it." She tells me honestly and clasps my hands gently. "One step at a time." She echoes her earlier words firmly, her warm smile relaxing me as I nod.