Chapter 3: Dinner

Emma

He graciously opens the door for me and gently takes my hand, guiding me into the elegant restaurant. We make our way directly to a cozy booth, where I feel a bit self-conscious without my shoes. However, I am relieved to finally be seated. Before we can even settle in, we are joined by unexpected company.

Approaching our table is a scantily dressed waitress, her nametag reading "Camille." With a mischievous grin, she greets us, "Well, well, if it isn't my favorite enforcer." She puts a beer in front of him and goes for a kiss. “So the usual, drinks and dessert?”

He raised his hand to silence her. "Camille, please fetch a menu for my girlfriend," he instructed firmly. She looked at him in disbelief.

"Girlfriend? Since when?" she asked, shocked.

Suddenly, I felt hands on my bare shoulders, pulling me into a vision. I saw a young boy surrounded by flames, crying but miraculously unharmed. The man stood next to Chase, dressed in a sharp shirt and tie with dark jeans, displaying tattoos on his forearms. He was undeniably handsome.

"I am Niko Hall, and this is my restaurant," he declared confidently. "Chase, when did you acquire a girlfriend, and where have you been hiding this stunning creature?"

Chase's piercing gaze meets mine, and I simply nod in response. "Join us, Niko. Camille, fetch the menu, please," Chase commands.

"This place is rather peculiar," I remark.

"What did you witness?" Chase inquires.

"Can I speak freely?" I question.

Chase arches an eyebrow, prompting me to continue. "What did you see, partner?" he prods.

"Partner? You're moving quickly, aren't you?" I glance at the man seated beside Chase - the boy from my vision. "Your companion, Niko, appeared as a child of flames," I reveal.

Chase confirms, "He's a Jinn."

"Like a genie? I don't see a bottle," I quip.

The newcomer chuckles, his laughter soothing my nerves. "I have a feeling I'll enjoy your company, Emma. How long have you resided in the Underworld?" Niko inquires.

"Um," I stumble over my words.

"You'll need to glamour her well," Niko advises Chase.

Chase shakes his head. "I can't."

"Why the hell not?" Niko demands.

Chase sighs. "Just listen, Emma."

I brace myself for what's to come. "I'm not going to like this, am I?"

Chase gently tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear and plants a soft kiss on my cheek before settling back into his seat. A rush of warmth floods through me, leaving me wondering how he has the power to make me feel this way. No man has ever had such an effortless effect on me before. "I need you to be more than just my girlfriend," Chase murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper. "I need you to be my partner. I believe you can lead me to the one responsible for the killings and abductions of other Underworlders. This is bigger than just a feud among beings."

"I'm an investigative journalist, not a cop," I protest.

Chase takes my hand in his, his gaze unwavering. "You have what it takes. I can sense it in you. You can help me."

"But that's not the only reason you need me, is it?" I challenge.

Niko smirks, clearly enjoying the tension. "This is getting interesting!"

"Shut up, Niko!" Chase's voice booms, silencing the room.

Niko chuckles, unfazed. "Emma, do you know?"

"Know what?" I ask, intrigued.

Niko leans in, his touch sending a shiver down my spine. "Every man in this room is captivated by you. They crave you." He pauses, his expression thoughtful. "Yet there are no pheromones at play, no spells cast. It's as if you have a power of your own."

"Please, do not go batshit crazy like my boss just did," I plead.

Niko grins, "I won't. I am different from them, but what happened?" I don't know why, but I feel compelled to tell them everything that occurred today.

Chase shakes his head, "A vampire with psychic abilities."

"Yes," Niko confirms.

Chase growls, "I need to have a word with him. He crossed a line."

"Ummm... I am so confused right now. I am also feeling a mix of arousal and fear," I admit.

Niko chuckles, "You've got it bad, Charming. But you are incredibly fortunate."

"What do you mean?" I inquire.

"You're unique. You possess abilities of various beings but do not belong to any of them," Niko explains.

"Can you explain why you keep referring to me as your girlfriend, Chase?" I question.

Niko laughs heartily. "Do you want to explain, or should I?"

Chase sighs, "This is not easy."

"The first part is. Emma, you have a natural allure," Niko reveals.

"An allure like a fatal attraction? Because men act foolishly around me?" I ask.

Niko chuckles, "Sort of. You are like a succubus in the way you draw others to you. However, they use pheromones, and I do not sense that from you. Yet, look around."

I gasp, "Oh my God! You mentioned that some were staring. "I am struggling to comprehend all of this. Why is everyone here staring, especially the women?" I inquire.

"It's your allure, as I mentioned before," Niko responds.

"But you're not crazy, and Chase isn't either," I point out.

Niko nods, "That's true, but you are captivating."

I hear a low growl coming from beside me. "Chase," I say as I reach out and touch his face.

Niko chuckles, "Well, would you look at that."

"What?" I ask.

Niko smirks, "Beauty has a way of calming the beast. You will eventually have to reveal it to her, Charming."

"Reveal what?" I question.

Chase taps his amulet. "What this conceals from most, but you almost broke through."

Niko's smirk widens, "Please enlighten us as to why."

"You know exactly why you're such an arrogant bastard," Chase grumbles, his voice dripping with disdain.

Niko just laughs in response, his tone filled with amusement. "Such flattery."

I glance between the two of them, noting the odd dynamic between the pair. "I will just leave you both to it then," I say, attempting to stand up. However, Chase quickly grabs me and pulls me back into the seat, causing a rush of heat and a mix of indescribable sensations to flood over me.

"Sorry, you probably don't like being touched," Chase apologizes, his expression softening.

I blush as I meet his gaze. "I usually don't."

Niko chuckles, but Chase quickly snaps at him, "Don't even try to ruin this!"

Niko grins mischievously. "Oh, you will do that on your own like you always do."

Before I can react, Camille interrupts, leaning down towards Chase with a flirtatious smile. "Anyone need anything else?" she asks, batting her long fake eyelashes.

Chase dismisses her with a sharp tone. "He has far more than he can handle. You're no longer needed here, Skankarella. Now be gone!" Camille stumbles away, her movements shaky and awkward, leaving me feeling embarrassed and uncomfortable.

Niko laughs at the exchange. "Looks like you aren't the only possessive one, Charming."

I try to clarify the situation, stumbling over my words. "Wait! No! He's not... I'm not... we're not..."

Niko interrupts me, his voice filled with amusement. "Not what? Try to finish that sentence." I struggle to form a coherent response, feeling flustered and confused as to why I can't deny our relationship.

Chase sighs and then offers me a reassuring smile. "Because we are a couple, Emma."

"No, we have only just met."

Chase sighed. "But in this world, it doesn't matter," he added with a sense of resignation.

Niko then reached out and took my hand, his eyes filled with determination. "Allow me to clarify," he said, his voice steady and reassuring.

"Please, go ahead," I replied, eager to hear his explanation.

"Attraction is a powerful force, but it is often driven by chemical reactions rather than genuine connection," Niko attempted to explain.

I pointed between us, seeking clarification. "So this?"

Niko chuckled. "No, this is not just attraction. You two are undeniably drawn to each other, but there is more at play here. Have you ever delved into the world of werewolf lore?"

I shrugged, admitting, "I've only seen what the movies portray."

Niko nodded. "Somewhat accurate, but there is much more to it."

"So, Chase is a werewolf?" I inquired, trying to make sense of the situation.

Niko laughed. "No, Chase is not a shifter at all."

Confusion clouded my mind as I turned to Chase for answers. "Chase?"

"Let him explain," Chase interjected, his voice filled with mystery and intrigue. "And then I will

"Reveal the truth," Niko pleads with me, urging me to focus. But it's difficult for me to concentrate with the overwhelming presence of the strangers around me. I feel a strange connection to them, despite their unfamiliarity.

"In werewolves, they experience attraction similar to humans, especially during hazing," Niko explains.

"Hazing?" I question.

"It's essentially mating season," he clarifies. I gasp in embarrassment, realizing the implications of what Niko is saying. "They eventually find a lifelong mate," Niko continues, casting a meaningful glance between Chase and me.

I am shocked. "No way!"

Chase speaks up, "When I called you my girlfriend, it wasn't just an act. I said it because you are now."

"How?" I ask, bewildered.

Niko interjects, rubbing his hands together. "That's the interesting part. Mates are usually of the same species or a related species."

"Like two wolves or two shifters," I realize.

"Yes. You're not a shifter, and Charming here is extremely rare. But so are you. I just wish I knew what you were. I can't scan you like I can everyone else, and Charming here would kill me if I made a blood debt with you," Niko reveals, his voice filled with urgency and mystery.

Chase snarls, "In a fucking heartbeat!"

Niko inquires, "Emma, how did you come to know about the Underworld?"

"I relocated from Indiana to escape my abusive ex-boyfriend. Unfortunately, I have had to move frequently due to men like him. He was controlling and I couldn't endure his mistreatment any longer, so I fled. Upon arriving here, I felt a sense of peace. I began experiencing strange sensations and my visions became more intense. Seeking answers, I turned to the internet. That's when I discovered that I am an empath with connections to the Underworld, although not fully understanding it until encountering my boss, the bikers, and now this place," I recounted dramatically.

"Well, most myths have existed and some still do," Niko says as he gazes intensely at Chase.

I lock eyes with Chase and gently run my fingers through his hair, reveling in the sensation. "What are you?" I inquire, my voice filled with curiosity and awe.

Chase responds in a barely audible whisper, "I'm a Griffin." The word hangs in the air, heavy with mystery and intrigue.