Blake’s P.O.V.

“So what’s the gala for?” Anna asked as herself, Gerard and I were sat in the library. They were both going through his collection of graphic novels whilst I was sat in a comfortable grandfather chair in the corner on the opposite side, reading my favourite book.
“It is something that as peers we have to do from time to time, it is a way of bonding and maintaining knowledge of what’s going on in our world.” He smiled as he looked down at her slowly to see if she was taking it in fully.
“Peers?” She questioned looking up at him with a confused look on her face. He quickly snapped his neck towards my direction when he realised she didn’t understand.
“You get her involved in our world, but do not explain our ways to her?” He glared at me as I rolled my eyes at him, “do you know how dangerous that is? Or are you just stupid and reckless.” He snapped.
“First of all buddy, if I could walk quick enough I’d be leaving right now. Second of all, I didn’t get her involved in our world if you remember correctly you are the one who grabbed her the day at the bar. Thirdly, how do you expect me to teach Anna something that I didn’t know about? I am talented in many ways but I’m not that good. However, keep speaking to me like a pet and I’ll show you one of my talents you can appreciate from a morgue.” I snapped my eyes flashing red. I swear to god this guy could push a saints buttons given the opportunity.
“Okay, okay okay.” Anna said trying to defuse the situation looking at us both, “if I don’t understand it and Blake doesn’t understand how about you teach the both of us?” Anna looked up at him smiling her best smile.
“No you’re okay, I would literally rather have the peers snap my neck off my shoulders and parade around with my head on a stick then have Mr I’m So Perfect teach me anything in his condescending manner.” I smiled as I started to stand, careful not to put too much pressure on my still healing leg.
“You know it is not such a bad idea, you both kind of need to know if you are to be present at the gala.” He spoke softer than I’ve ever heard him speak before. “There is a lot to know, and considering you and Frank have hardly spoken since whatever happened when his parents were here then I guess it is up to me.” He looked over at me with what I assume to be a hint of compassion in his eyes.
“Ugh fine.” I muttered as I made my way over to where they were both taking a seat, a smiling Anna looking up at me as Gerard helped me to my chair.

“So let’s start with what peers are then?” Anna asked excitedly like she was back in history class again. Gerard looked at her and smiled at her enthusiasm, causing her to blush and look away. I must admit as much as it kills me to say they do seem like the perfect couple, always stealing glances at each other, her having that look of love in her eyes and him looking at her in the same way. But he is such an asshole. Why did he have to be an asshole?
“Ok, peers are those of pure blood nature who are old basically.” He smiled, “Frank is one, just like I am. It means we have stronger authority in our world. The status of a peer is based on bloodline, work, age and day-to-day life. So we both come from a strong line of peers, each member of our family has become a peer. We are both several centuries old and have worked to protect humans from the dangers of our kind.” He looked over at me slowly, hesitating whether to say what was next.
“You mean like me?” I mumbled picking at my nails as Anna looked shocked.
“Yes. We never knew your identity, we just had a brief description and a rating on how dangerous to the public you were.”
“What was my rating?” I laughed looking away trying to mask the hurt.
“Surprisingly low, you often did not kill the human kind, only those that threatened our kind,” he paused again, “and Anna.” He spoke as it was my turn to snap my head to him.
“How do you know that?” I questioned quickly.
“I put two and two together when you were first brought here. I did a little research into the men you killed. One of them mugged her once did they not?” He bit his lip as I looked away again quickly.


“What’s going on?” It was Anna’s turn to ask the questions, “Why’s he talking about killing Blake?” She looked at me hurt.
“The boss I wouldn’t let you meet, well he’s the head of an agency that are contracted to kill both the human and vampire kind. You have to understand Anna I had to. It was kill or be killed. All those times I was on business trips I wasn’t I had to stay away so my animal nature wouldn’t come out.” I whispered, crying softly. “I had to stay away to protect you, not just from them but from me.” I looked away. “One night you came home and you were hurt and shook up and you said some guy mugged you and threatened you and I wasn’t there to stop it. I took his scent off you and I tracked him down to a sleazy bar. Told him if he like picking on women so much to try it with me, he laughed at me then spat at me and I saw your necklace in his pocket and I flipped. That’s how I got your necklace back.” I spoke openly crying as she played with her silver Tiffany bean necklace.
“That’s how you got the burns on your hands?” She looked at me slowly, her own tears falling as I nodded. “Why didn’t you tell me about this?” She continued to look at me.
“I couldn’t I was too ashamed. I didn’t want to kill those people but I had no choice. He knew I was a glitch he had leverage over me. He knew about you and I couldn’t and wouldn’t let them get to you.” I shook my head wiping my eyes on the back of my hand.
“Wait wait what’s a glitch?” She asked looking up at Gerard again, who was rubbing her back gently.
“I’m not fully turned. I still have my human cells as well as vampire ones. That’s why silver doesn’t kill me quickly, that’s why I can’t heal, that’s why I can’t disappear and reappear and that’s why I still have a heartbeat and bleed like a human.” I told her truthfully.
“Glitches are feared in my world because of their power to flit between natures. It makes them unpredictable and extremely talented. Something that the peers feel goes against all of our rules. They are usually sentenced to death by the council of peers.” Gerard talked her through it.
“So how come Blake hasn’t or is that what this gala is for? Is it so you can all watch her die?” Anna spat standing up pushing Gerard’s attempts at comfort away.
“The reason I’m not is because they don’t know I’m here. Frank and Gerard have put their statuses on the line as peers to hide me from the council. Frank’s parents have found out and that’s why they were hear. His mum wanted him to inform the council but he refused. I have the gala to start to make her to trust me and two months as of three days ago to prove I’m not doing an inside job on them.” I told her smiling a little as I noticed Gerard smile at me for recognising his risk.

“Blake I need to know,” Anna looked at me slowly, taking my hands in hers biting her lip after a couple of minutes of silence. “How was you turned?” She looked up at me slowly as I shook my head begging her with my eyes.
“Please Anna don’t make me tell you that.” I whispered crying softly. She stroked my knuckles reassuringly as she waited for me to compose, I told her the same story I told Frank that night when everything changed. She tried to hold back her tears as I relived my torment and even Gerard looked troubled by it.
“So what else do I need to know?” Asked Anna looking over at Gerard slowly.
“When you are in the presence of a peer you need to look down, do not make eye contact with them unless they allow you too. They will usually express that. Do not speak out of turn and do not disrespect them. Although, they try to promote peace between our worlds there are some peers who have lost the love for the human race and see them as a burden we must bear.” Anna nodded before looking down smiling before he tilted her chin up to look at him. “Never feel like you have to do that whilst you are in this house, with the exception of the gala. You are our equal.” He whispered still holding her chin gently to make sure she understood. “There’s one more thing.” He looked at us both. “I would like to create a connection with you both. Just as an added form of protection and let’s face it a connection from a peer is pretty impressive. For you Blake it will show I have faith in you and for you Anna it will show I trust you to be part of our world.” He spoke smiling as Anna once again gave him her confused look. He quickly explained connections to Anna in the simplest way possible before she agreed. “Great then later that’s what will happen. The gala is two days away so the connection will be topped up the day of the gala.” He smiled as I nodded my agreement.
“I’m feeling rather tired am I alright to go to my room, I think we’ve talked about everything I need to know?” I asked Gerard more than Anna because ultimately it was him teaching me as he nodded.

“Blake.” Anna’s voiced stopped me as I made my way to the door, turning around slowly to look at her slowly. “Thank you for telling me. I know you’re trying your hardest to protect me but let Frank and Gerard protect you now.” She smiled as she hugged me tightly, causing me to smile whilst I hugged her back one armed.
“Whatever he’s done Blake, I’ve never seen him this way about anyone in our whole life. He’s determined to protect you and that’s exactly what he’s going to do. I promise you.” Gerard smiled at me as I returned a half-hearted one back. “Would you like to come shopping with us? We’re looking for a dress for the gala for Anna your more than welcome to join.” He smiled again. This was unnerving me, him smiling so much.
“No thank you, Anna can choose me something.” I smiled at the both as I turned back around to the door frame where Frank stood watching us all.

Notes