Vampire Heart 30

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Scroll 31: The Calm
Naoko woke to the cold night air with a yawn. She glanced down at Vicente who was cuddled up to her waist, snoring slightly, drooling, and clasping onto her tightly. She shook her head in amusement, "I guess you had a good meal."
Vicente opened one of his eyes, "Of course I did...minus the aftertaste…" he stuck out his tongue in disdain.
Naoko giggled, "Are you going to get up or do I have to get ten feet away from you first?"
"I suppose I'll wake..." Vicente said before he yawned. He wiped the drool from his lip and sat up reluctantly. "You know, you're comfortable to sleep on."
Naoko laughed, "I suppose that explains why you didn't want to let me go."
"No, that's because I'm cold and you're warm," Vicente replied before standing and stretching.
"I need coffee," Naoko yawned again and wrapped a robe around herself as Vicente crawled across the bed.
"Let's go, then," Vicente yanked her down the stairs and sat her in the kitchen. He started the pot of coffee and pulled out the sugar, creamer and five cups.
"You don't normally start the coffee," Naoko muttered.
Vicente grinned, "I know, but I have a surprise for you."
"The last time you prepared the coffee, you poisoned Dameon," Naoko said flatly.
"I'm in too good a mood to care about the rapist," Vicente said quickly.
"What would that surprise be then?" Naoko asked.
Vicente leaned down and pecked her cheek, "It's a surprise for a reason. And I'm not the only one who helped with this."
"What is it?" Naoko asked, more curious than ever.
"You'll have to wait until the others are down here," Vicente said as he prepared each of the cups.
"Wake up and get down here, now, vamps!" Naoko shouted up the stairs.
Vicente shook his head, "You really can't wait?"
"Not when you've taken the time to surprise me. You never disappoint me."
Vicente blushed, "Yeah, well, this is a useful gift. Me being strong is a good motivation, apparently."
"What do you mean?" Naoko asked.
"I made the others help me do some research. That's why I'm so tired, tonight. We stayed up all day."
Claude appeared at the bottom of the stairs quickly, his snowy hair a mess, "Yes, mistress?"
"I want my surprise, please!" Naoko said cheerfully
Claude smiled, "Anything for you, mistress."
"I told her that you all have to be down here, first," Vicente said simply as he handed Claude a cup of coffee. Vicente handed Naoko her cup and took one for himself.
"Thank you," Claude sat at the table and yawned. "And Mistress, I know you'll be most pleased by your pet's suggestion."
"What did he suggest?" Naoko asked before taking a swig of the coffee.
"He threatened us, and then forced us to do some research on your situation," Claude replied nervously.
"I already told her I threatened you three," Vicente said simply.
Dameon and Jaden both dragged their feet down the stairs and were greeted by fresh cups of coffee. "Here, vamps," Vicente grinned.
"What is this?" Jaden asked in a yawn.
"He's not good with gratitude...or asking nicely," Claude explained.
"Thanks," Jaden yawned again before sitting at the table.
"Is it poisoned?" Dameon asked Claude.
"No," Claude replied.
"And, why are you still only in boxer briefs?" Dameon asked.
"I'm eager to tell her what we found out," Vicente shrugged.
"You'd be warmer if you dressed," Dameon commented before taking a seat.
"Okay, I want to start by saying that privacy was one of the factors that drove me to want to find this..." Vicente said simply. "Claude, want to explain the details?"
"Sure," Claude agreed. "Vicente told us to find something that you'll appreciate with books on Vampire Heart. And we found a way to change the allotted distance between the two of you."
"Wait, you can change it?" Naoko asked.
Claude nodded, "Yes. We can extend or shorten it. But we can only add another ten feet of distance or take away five feet."
"How can we do that?" Naoko asked.
"I have to perform a spell," Claude replied. "It's simple and you can have your privacy."
"That's great!" Naoko stood up and kissed both of Vicente's cheeks before embracing Claude. "Thank you all!"
"Anything for you, mistress," Dameon said simply.
"You're just saying that because you know how hard I punch," Vicente commented.
"That too..." Dameon admitted.
"I'd do anything to make you happy," Jaden grinned, "And to not get hit by Vicente..."
"See? I told you I'm an effective threat," Vicente shrugged.
"How do we do the spell?" Naoko asked.
"I'll need you both in the attic," Claude replied. "We can do it now, if you want."
Naoko glanced over at Vicente, "Well?"
Vicente bit his lower lip, "Ready when you are."
Naoko embraced Vicente and he held on to her, trying to bite back his emotions. "You're the best friend anybody could ever ask for. Thank you," said as she kissed his cheek repetitively.

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Vampire Heart 32