Chapter 1
After her sister and brother set her up to go to
prison, Elinor used her mind altering powers to convince everyone to let her off scot free. Neither of her parents enjoyed her little stunt and Juliette was terrified the girl would retaliate so Margot came up with the brilliant idea of sending Elinor away. But the blonde refused to get the Oliver treatment, Prague was so not her speed, so her parents sent her to Maine where she decided to get (another) degree just for fun. She had to change her name though, Elinor Fairmont not only already had a degree from Emory, she was a convicted felon. Kind of. So she picked the name Tatum and enrolled in Essex.
However that was just the back story. Here we are now three years into “Tatum’s” college career. She loved Essex. She was number one on the tennis team. All the cute people tasted delicious and there was a never ending supply. Until one night she stumbled across the girl who would change things forever. Leighton Murray. Sure, some people say they look alike. And act alike. And are basically the same person but they couldn’t be more wrong. Leighton somehow managed to break through Elinor’s walls and find the soft stuff underneath that was usually only reserved for Juliette. (The girls had repaired their relationship and were closer than ever). The blondes had been dating for about 6 months and it was a whirlwind. Elinor told Leighton everything about 4 months in, and by everything she means EVERYTHING. The vampires, the monster hunters, the emerald Malkia taking over her dad, she was almost married to another vampire. All the details. And by some miraculous stroke of faith, it didn’t scare Leighton off. In fact, the girls are getting ready now to head to Georgia for spring break. Leighton’s idea of course. She was ready to meet her girlfriends family and learn more about vampires.
“Leighton come on. Our flight leaves in two hours and I don’t want to get stuck at TSA” Elinor called from her living room. Leighton had slept over last night to make it easier in the morning but if there was ever a rule, Leighton and easy don’t go in the same sentence when it comes to travel.
Speaking of, the other blonde came tumbling out of the room with way too many bags. “Okay okay Tate. I’m ready. Geez, no need to yell.”
When Elinor had first told Leighton her real name, Leighton immediately said she liked Tatum better, so she always called her either Tatum or Tate. Especially since it was easier continuity wise around others at school.
With a sigh and a smile both girls headed out the door and towards Savannah. Leighton was nervous as hell and Elinor found it hilarious that she could hear the other girl’s heart beating so fast.
A few hours later and the Georgia sun was beating down on them. Having known what the weather was going to be, Elinor was in high waisted shorts and a t shirt but Leighton always chose to travel in comfort over style so the poor girl was in a hoodie and sweats.
“Leighton I told you it was going to be hot when we got here. Why didn’t you dress for it?” Elinor asked as they maneuvered their way through the airport.
“Because I wanted to be comfy. And this is not just hot Tatum. This is the sun is personally punishing Georgia.” Leighton said with a pout that was kissed away by her girlfriend and was replaced with a smile.
After they gathered their bags, Leighton and Elinor waited for Juliette and Leighton took the opportunity to ask some last minute questions.
“Okay. So run the names by me again?”
Elinor snorted. “Babe it’s not that hard.”
“Tateee. Just tell me. Your family is ancient. I don’t want to piss of vampires.” The last word was said as a whisper and Elinor laughed, her dimples fully on display.
“First of all. To get to you they’d have to get through me. And none of them stand a chance at that. Secondly, okay fine. There’s me, Elinor aka Tatum aka Tate. I’m dating the most beautiful girl in the world” Leighton rolls her eyes and blushes, “then there’s my twin brother Oliver. He’s…dating?…tied to..? Carmen. She’s a witch. And I don’t mean that in a bad way she is a literal witch. And then there’s Juliette aka Jules. She’s dating Calliope aka Cal who I believe will also be at the house.”
Leighton quirked her eyebrow in amusement at the last sentence. “So you and your younger sister are gay? How did that happen?”
“Oh babe,” Elinor all but purred “when you’re as old as we are, sexuality is the least of everyone’s concerns. But Cal is pretty cool I’ll admit. Even though she’s a monster hunter but I digress.”
Just as Leighton was processing, Juliette pulled up and sprung out of the car, wrapping her arms around her sister.
“Welcome back to Georgia Elinor. How’s college been?”
“Hello sweet little. Just as boring as it was the first time around. But I have someone that helps take the edge off a bit. Jules, meet Leighton. My girlfriend.”
Juliette’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. Elinor was never one for girlfriends but they seem to be right for each other. Jules shook Leighton’s hand and then got back into the car. Elinor almost made her way to the front but when she saw the muscular figure sitting in the passenger seat, went into the back with Leighton. “Leighton, the one sitting shotgun, even though it should be me, is Jules’ lovely girlfriend Cal. Cal, this is Leighton.”
Leighton felt the tension as Elinor talked to Calliope but figured it had to do with the whole ancient vampire/ bloodline of monster hunters thing. She nodded politely at the girl who caught her eyes in the rearview mirror and then sat in silence the entire rest of the ride to the Fairmont house.