9 Seeking Approval

Ah, yes.

West was almost certain that they were going to kill him. Nelle would be the first to stab him, then Giles would probably break his bones into two- seeing that they carry the most amount of resentment towards Eve.

Then there's their new recruit, Royce, who was also mad since she down right insulted his sister.

Despite being humans, Royce and Miss Delphine were aware of what they were. It was one of the reasons why they were staying there. The other was because Sir Duncan was friends with the woman when they were children.

But the two were the only humans there who knew of their kind. Sybil, Miss Delphine's daughter, had no idea about it. They were planning to reveal themselves on the new recruits' orientation since the child really was thrilled to join them as she is. Well, that was the plan until the chaos that Eve caused happened.

West saw Eve's true form when she was inside the barrier. The spell that Sir Duncan recited was something that should pin her down and let her experience her weaknesses, but she was stronger than the barrier itself. She was fighting it. And she was almost winning against it.

Was it luck that she fainted before she did?

"How is the lady, West?" Sir Duncan asked.

It was West's idea that she should stay with them until they find out what her goal really was. The others were reluctant, protests were pitched from different directions of the room. But when the senior gave approval of his request, West promised himself responsible for whatever it is that the lady would do.

"She's awake." They all turned to him, waiting for him to say more. "Ah, she might be hungry, too."

That set them off. There were gulps and alarmed gazes shared around the table.

"And are we supposed to feed her?" Giles asked, sarcasm in his tone.

West took it as a normal question. "Of course. We're to keep her alive, aren't we?"

"I just don't see why she must be kept alive here. You know, that she's got a room of her own?"

"I agree," said Leila. "She might go rampant."

"The very reason why she should be here," they all turned to Sir Duncan, who always carries the last words to their conversations. "We've already caused a huge mess upstairs. To let her be where humans may be suspicious of everyone there would be dangerous not only to her but to us, as well."

And that made way to an inevitable exchange he had been waiting for.

"Which made me think of a wonderful idea."

"By this time, West, I have no means of trusting your suggestions." Nelle, after a long time of being silent, finally spoke up.

He smiled sheepishly. "Well, you have no choice. We can't just keep somebody there to rot to death. That's why I was thinking of letting her be one of us."

"What?"

A very expected reaction. Followed by overwhelming number of questions that was directed at his stupid decision.

"Are you kidding us?"

"We're going to give her what she wants?"

"We're going to set her free?"

"And what if she attacks us? What happens then, West?"

West knew how stupid it was, of course he knew. Even he didn't trust the lady himself. If he didn't manipulate the energy around the room when he was with her, he doubts that they'll share a proper conversation.

But they did.

"Listen, I know that you're all surprised-"

"Do we seem just surprised to you, West? Because if you haven't read the air yet, we are raging!"

West exhaled an exhausted sigh. Having no other choice, he clapped his hand. The black candle, placed in some corners of the room, lit up.

"No no no," Nelle was frowning. "You don't get to go just banishing-"

"Then please, calm down and listen to me."

Candle in effect, they quieted down.

"I talked to her and she promised me that she wouldn't attack any of us."

Giles groaned. "I didn't see you as someone who's naive, West."

"I know that it seemed that way but see, I saw something in her."

"If he says that he's in love, I'm going to push him off a cliff," Hellen whispered

If he didn't know these people, West would throw up his hands and surrender. The way they were being too difficult was too much, even with the candles. The only way they would listen to him now would be if Sir Duncan-

As if on cue, the eldest lifted his hand. "Please. Shall we listen on what West had to say first? Then let's share our thoughts one at a time. Had any of us forgotten how our safe space goes?"

Nelle raised her hand. "Before letting West speak, let me first, father." There was bitterness in her voice that West was familiar with. "Whatever you have there, I will still refuse. She can't promise that she wouldn't attack any of us when her whole nature is about being a predator. You may get the approval of everyone, but never mine."

She muttered a goodnight before leaving the table, the circle incomplete.

Everyone gave West an awkward glance before he cleared his throat to speak. "Now that we got that out of the way, please just listen to me. Nelle had her points but I did have an actual conversation with her. She didn't attack me nor did she attack Ruben when he was playing inside the room. She promised peace with us as long as we let her join our troupe. And since we all got our second chances here, maybe we could share that chance with her, too."

Leila, who was beside him, was next to speak. And the look she was giving West said her approval. She was fond of him, West knew. Glancing at his side, Leila sighed. "Fine. You knew that you were going to win this, anyway."

Giles was up next and he was giving him a mixed look of disapproval and amusement. "West, you cheated. You didn't have to bring up second chances like that. But whatever. I'm only going to accept her if she agreed to audition."

West smiled. "She did."

The pretty boy shrugged and muttered a small, "Goodluck to her, then"

It was Hellen who had to offer her opinion after him. As a playwright, he expected her to agree because she had the ability to empathize with those around her but, "I'm with Nelle with this. Sorry, West. Whatever side I look at, the vampire seemed dangerous."

"Oh, okay." He understood completely, but a part of him was disappointed. "Sir Duncan?"

"I do not trust her, West. She hurt my daughter." Of course, he would say that. But? Please let there be a 'but'.

"But...if she passes the audition, she must always be in your care. Never lose sight of her."

"Yes! Oh thank you, thank you, Sir!"

He didn't know what he was happy about. Maybe it was because he won the approval of his peers, or maybe he found another lone soul a home with them.

Ruben, who was never part of the meeting but was just there all those time, raised his hand. "Do you need my approval, too?"

Leila pouted playfully. "You're not going to reject her, are you?"

"I'm not. I think she's a little daft so I like her."

"Then our prince has spoken!" Giles cheered.

After their meeting, they come to the conclusion that the one to conduct the vampiress' audition was Giles and Hellen, both good actors and viewers of talents. West did try to convince them that he should join them, too, but Hellen told him that he's too biased, especially with his own decision to accept her so quickly.

He couldn't get them to change their minds so he only went towards their room, tray at hand, where Eve was.

"Is that blood I smell?"

"They agreed!"

He watched Eve's face change from defeated boredom to shock. It felt as if she had forgotten to breathe and there was a sincere twinkle in her eyes. She looked at West, still unable to speak.

"Congratulations."

Eve looked at the weed that was chaining her on the bed and then to West. "Does that mean I am to be freed?"

"Will you hold your promise to me?"

"I will."

West grinned. "Then I must break the spell that's holding you. And I have another surprise for you!"

He handed her the tray where a bowl of blood and a glass of water lie. Her stomach growled, missing the taste of her strength.

"Oh, West you are truly amazing!" she exclaimed.

West brought out a bright orange unlit candle and chanted, "Dear Fire, we utter our prayer. Let the binds weaken and free the innocent of her guilt."

The spell ended there, but he was still praying inside. Please make the lady keep her promise. Please let it be that he shall not be betrayed. Please...

And when he opened his eyes, Eve was still there, about to lift the bowl up to taste the foul looking soup. West watched how she swallowed one gulp of the red liquid before stopping. "This is chicken blood?"

"I wasn't aware of your preferences," West said with a shrug.

"This is terrible, West!" Right. What a different way to say thank you. "You could have at least given me something from cows or sheeps or-"

"Are you a wolf?"

"I am not asking for meat!"

West nodded, mockingly. "That's right, you were not. Then how about you try and appreciate what is available?"

And to think he was thinking of her being grateful. But why did he even think that when parts of their past conversations were her taunting him.

Eve huffed before whispering, as loudly as a whisper can get, "Didn't even get me wine."

His guarding had not yet started but the lady was already killing him with her attitude.

After she finished her food, West accompanied her towards another room. It was the same room everyone was in when Eve first entered their place. It was the room where they held both the audition and rehearsals.

West already knew what they would do inside. The talent thing was the front of it but the challenge that would happen after was more of a secret, something that they should never tell others.

He became worried of how Giles and Hellen might irritate Eve when that happens. Even with their promise, she was still considered as a ticking bomb.

"Are you sure that I'm not allowed inside?"

Giles beamed at him. "Relax, I can handle her."

"You saying that makes me more worried."

"Bat's shriek, West!" she looked up at him as if the most ridiculous words came out of his mouth. "If he claims that he can handle me then I can handle him, as well."

"We're not fighting, people. We are going to explore talents." Hellen said, frowning. She called West's attention over to her. "You! You can't watch but you can guard the door. I can't trust Giles alone."

And the three beings entered the room.

West leaned his head back on the wooden wall. He closed his eyes and tried to get something from the other side. Something more than hushed voices he cannot understand. Something clearer. Something-

Like the soft melody of a voice that he was hearing. It was relaxed and floating, as how music was her freedom. Her flight.

Eve was singing.