Vanilla dances in the air as the sun rises. A yawn escapes Enzo's lips while he stirs around to get the pudding thick and creamy.

The thoughts of his dream continues to move his right hand...

Having Imani wrapped up in his arms in the violet sheets. Their noses touching each other with eyes wanting more. The shared warmth displaying in their heavy breaths. She slipped down her dress straps before he flipped her onto her back. Plump lips puckered awaiting a tender kiss. His lips near...and pass their intended destination.

Pain broke from the sharp fangs in her neck. Her hands pinned down to the bed. Feet kicked at him to stop before losing their strength. Honey-brown eyes darken. Heart beating slowly before it stops--

Warm pudding spills out from the excessive stirring. Silver eyes look on with sadness.

I would only hurt her. She needs to know about-

And scare your prey away?

He bangs his hand on the counter. She is not that!

Not yet.

ENOUGH! YOU WILL HAVE NO SAY IN WHAT HAPPENS BETWEEN US!

Would Mina approve of that? You replacing her?

The question of the past pierces his heart. I'm--I'm not doing that.

Keep telling yourself that.

His gloved hands wrap around his torso. "Small--", he clears his throat. "Small steps."

After cleaning up the mess on the counter, he fills up empty snack cups with the homemade pudding. He can almost see that wonderful smile of appreciation on Imani. Contagious to the caramel face.

Cheeks almost hurt from the lingering smile. But he doesn't mind it. No regrets from including that kiss emoji in the last text.

-

-

-

The king of vampires pops up at the Texas cabin to a peculiar sight. Emmy the cat in a Wiccan circle glaring at Imani wearing her green tracksuit. She turns from the sound of his footsteps.

"Oh! Hi!"

The sunlight bounces off her curly hair. The sight stirs his heart under his blue flannel shirt. "Uhm, hey, officer. What's going on?"

"It's nothing!" She realizes her voice went up an octave. "Sorry. It's nothing to worry about."

The look from Lars on the couch tells him enough. Ruben averts his eyes to keep it to himself.

"Okay," Enzo breaks the silence. "I believe you will reach First Restraint soon."

Strong words that only add to her unease. Honey brown eyes look away to hide it from him.

"Oh, I brought the pudding."

Emmy's ears twitch in delight. Before he can open the backpack, Emmy tackles it out of his hands. Claws rip through the fabric to get to the prize.

"Emmy! That's not nice!" Imani scolds her while crossing her arms.

The king only chuckles to her surprise. "It's fine. Let her eat."

The blue familiar tears through the lids and licks away at the sweet vanilla. Her paws push away the empty cups to enjoy more.

Imani steps forward to Enzo. "Oh, I also made you something. Can you summon Matteo?"

With a flick of the wrist, the bat familiar leaves his black gloves. A shaking plastic bag interrupts his yawn. The open bag of fresh cut fruit has him salivate onto his master's shoulder. Eager eyes ask him if it's okay to take it.

A nod was all he needed to swoop it quickly in his feet. Matteo returns and empties the bag before lying on his stomach. Ruben hides a smirk that Imani's romantic plan is working.

She pulls out the next gift. "Oh, Enzo. This is for you."

The smell of garlic doesn't escape his nostrils. The sight of flat garlic bread brings that dazzling smile out. "Muchas gracias."

A big bite sends a shimmy down his spine. Eyes widen from the thought-out flavors dancing on his tongue. He eats down to the last bite before wiping his mouth with the red handkerchief.

"Que rico (how tasty)! You did great."

"De nada," her eyes smile from the spell she had put on him.

The sound of purring brings their attention down. Emmy rubs her head against the vampire's jeans as her way of thanks for the pudding.

Oh, so you can be friendly when you want to, Imani thinks with a held back sigh. Just like a regular cat.

"Come, Emmy. We need to-"

Hiss! Emmy hides behind the king of vampires for shelter.

"Is she alright?" Enzo asks.

Would he think badly of me if I tell him? What's the point? I can't even lie to him.

She grasps her amulet to center herself. "Well, uhm, I may have...pushed her a bit too much. But I apologized to her after resting! I'm sorry for letting you down."

"Don't apologize to me," the casual tone has her raising her eyebrows. "I know you want to reach your goal of healing your loved one."

"If she's a part of me, she should know what I want too," she sighs with a heavy heart.

"She does."

"Then why isn't she listening to me?"

Lars stands up from the couch. "If I may?"

Enzo nods.

The Dutch vampire exhales with a huff. Imani's eyes widen from the wedding ring turning into a small grey wyvern perching on his arm.

"This is Daan," he strokes the head which makes the creature shiver. "He was infuriating-"

Daan almost nips his finger.

"Well, you were," Lars continues. "He didn't trust me because I was...Well, that will be told to you after you succeed this part. Anyway, once I earned his trust, I was able to proceed in my magic."

Imani steps forward. "How?"

"A promise we made to each other. That he would be more than what I conjured him to be," the vampire pulls out a pen and unscrews the cap. He lays it in front of Emmy. "She will explain it to you."

Honey-brown eyes squint at him. "She can't talk. She would have done that by now."

"They have their ways. You just need to listen. Don't you want to know my backstory?"

His grey irises tease her with the prize.

Her determined smile replies to him.

Enzo covers his mouth for a yawn. "I will take a nap in the meantime. I wish you the best, officer. And...uhm.. I would like to talk to you once you're done," his grey irises darken while not looking at her. "To set things straight."

The hesitation in his words and eyes drops Imani's heart to her stomach. His bedroom door of the cabin closes.

With an about face, her back is turned to him to conceal the pain. Ruben's eyes blink numerous times before he storms over to Enzo's room. Imani's grip on his arm stops him from opening the door.

Lars and Daan look at each other wondering what just happened.

"I'm fine, okay?"

The Lycan exhales while gently patting her shoulder. "You can do this, partner."

A simple nod reassures him to retake his seat on the couch. Imani squeezes her eyes.

I'm so stupid! Derek and now him. Nothing works out for me. I thought...

She stomps her left foot. Don't show weakness. Not to anyone.

With an inhale, she buries the pain along with her heart. Papa will be healed by me at any cost.

Emmy's meowing has her open her eyes. Eyes of anger now replaced with concern for her master.

The new witch kneels to the floor. "I'm ready to listen, Emmy. Please tell me."