Chapter 12: Chapter 12

Fallon POV

Bruce and I leave Umbra's place. I had a few drinks, but not too much. I still want to walk around New Orleans and see the city. I do not want to be falling down drunk. Plus, I still have to read the book the uncles gave me. And the fact that I am underage and do not want any trouble is also a factor.

"Are you okay?" Bruce asks me as we step out onto the street.

I look back at him and smile. It is strange to me that it took this trip to see him so differently. If only I had time to sort through how I am feeling right now.

"You do," Bruce says. He leans down and kisses me before I can say anything.

As Bruce kisses me, I listen to the sounds of the city, the music, and people talking and realize I remember this place, but how? If I left here as a baby, how could I? Did my parents bring me here? No one is really saying anything about my past. They want me to discover it by myself.

"Bruce, I want to dance and have some fun. I can read the book in the morning. Tonight, I want a night to remember," I say.

Bruce still has his hand on my face, touching me so softly. "As you wish," Bruce says.

"I do wish. I wish for a night without worry," I say.

I see the ancestors out of the corner of my eye. They seem to fade into the background. Maybe they are giving me some space to be me. Bruce takes my hand, and we begin to walk.

"Where would you like to go?" Bruce asks.

People are everywhere as we make it to Bourbon Street. "Right here looks good," I say as we turn onto Bourbon street.

People are singing, dancing, drinking and having a good time. This really is not my thing, but for tonight I want to open myself up to a new experience. What is Fallon really like? I do not even know who I really am. At least not yet, but I will.

"How about the Karaoke bar?" Bruce asks.

I look up and see a bar with a cat on the window. "That looks interesting," I say.

Bruce takes my hand and pulls me toward the bar. "It is owned by one of Umbra's girls. I am sure they know you are in town," Bruce says.

Before we get to the entrance, a young woman is making her way to us. She has long red hair, and it is darker than mine. She meets us in the street. She is wearing a short purple skirt and a white top that is off the shoulder. She is smoking a cigarette and holding a drink.

"Is this her?" she asks Bruce.

"Yes, Dee. This is Fallon," Bruce answers.

Dee blows smoke a few times and then puts out the disgusting cigarette. She pulls me to her, pulling me away from Bruce. "It is so good to see you. I am glad you come home," Dee says.

Her words are confusing. I did not exactly leave on my own. I was adopted and hidden by the ancestors. I had to be a baby when I left. I guess all of that will be in the book.

"Thank you," I say.

"Come on. You two can sit in the VIP upstairs and watch the show. I have security; you are safe here. There is no need to worry. I can see the worry all over you," Dee says.

We follow her up the stairs to the VIP area. The bar is dark and loud but soothing somehow to me. I look around and see there are a lot of people looking at me like I am a celebrity or something. Bruce and I sit down at a round table that overlooks everything. We can see the entire bar from our table.

Bruce moves in close to me and puts his arm around me. Before I can open my mouth and ask him about Dee, waitresses and waiters are showering me with drinks and food.

"Thank you," I say. I hope there is soda in all of those drinks for me.

All of the servers are eager to meet me. I am no one special, but I guess I am to them. I still do not know what exactly it is I do or what I am supposed to do. I do not want to let any of them down.

Bruce turns to speak to me after the servers leave. It feels like it has been forever. I put my finger to his lips. "Please do not ask me if I am okay. I feel like you have asked me that a lot lately," I say.

Bruce smiles. He takes my hand and kisses it. It is so sweet when he does that. "I won't ask anymore. I worry about you and how you are taking all of this," Bruce says.

I take a deep breath. "I am taking it, okay, I guess. I am not sure how I should feel. I am afraid that I cannot help these people. I want to have fun tonight, so no more supernatural talk," I say.

"No more supernatural talk," Bruce agrees.

Bruce takes a pitcher from the table and pours both of us a drink. He hands me a glass. "I am not getting drunk," I say as I set the drink down on the table. I reach across the table for a can of coke and a cup of ice. I pour the coke over the ice and put the straw from the drink Bruce gave me in my non-alcoholic beverage.

I look over at Bruce as he sips his drink and out of the corner of my eye, I notice a very large man watching us. He has long dark hair and several tattoos. His eyes are a piercing green that seems to glow at me. What in the hell is he? Why is he looking at me?

The man begins to walk toward us. I move closer to Bruce, who is watching the stage. He looks back and sees the man. "It is okay," Bruce says.

I know he says it is okay, but as the large man approaches, I try to move as close to Bruce as I can. Bruce has his arm around me as I sink into him.

"Bruce," the large scary looking man says.

Bruce extends his hand. "Ryan," Bruce says.

Both of them speak almost cold to one another. There is something there, like maybe they tolerate one another but do not really care for the other.

"I am Fallon," I speak up and say.

Ryan turns his attention to me. "I know who you are; that is why I am here. I am here to watch and keep you safe. It is my job," Ryan says.

He makes a gesture at Bruce that I do not understand and then says something in another language. Bruce speaks back in the other language. Things get heated between the two. It gets so heated that Dee and two security guards make their way to the VIP lounge.

Dee and the two security guards usher Ryan out. "I will be watching," Ryan says.

Bruce looks pissed off after Ryan leaves. I wanted a night to remember but not this. "Who was that?" I ask.

Bruce does not answer me. He is furious. I don't push him to answer. He gets up from the round towel and motions for Dee. Dee comes over and sits with me while Bruce leaves for a moment.

"What happened, Dee?" I ask her.

Dee swings her red hair behind her and takes one of the drinks off the table. "Well, Ryan and Bruce have been in a supernatural pissing contest for as long as I can remember. Before the watchers protected the reapers, it was the job of the wolves to protect the reapers. They are not happy to be replaced," Dee says.

My mouth drops open. "Did you say wolves?" I ask her.

"Yes, but let Bruce tell you the story. I know he doesn't want to upset you. That man has it bad for you. I can see it all over him. If you don't have feelings for him, you might want to let him know now. He is a good guy and doesn't deserve to be hurt," Dee says.

Bruce is walking up the stairs to the VIP lounge. I can see him. I smile as he approaches. I did not want him to leave, and I am happy he is coming back. I hope he is okay.

I turn to Dee. "I won't hurt him," I say.

Bruce reaches for my hand. "Why don't we take this party somewhere else?" Bruce suggests.

"I would like that," I answer.

I take his hand, and he pulls me to my feet. I am pressed against him and lost in his eyes for what seems like forever. "Can we go back to the hotel?" I ask.

Bruce looks confused. He pulls me closer, pressing me against him harder. "I thought you wanted to have fun, dance, and have a night to remember," Bruce says.

"We can do that alone, just the two of us, with no one interrupting," I say.

Bruce smiles and leans down to kiss me. With every kiss, I feel more like we belong together, a reaper and a watcher. I guess we do belong together. I need to stop fighting it.