"Back to Bran Castle now?" Sebastian asked through the slide window before setting off.
"Not quite, can you take us to C.J.L.S. Bounty Hunters HQ?" Nemia asked, twisting her neck to try and look back at Sebastian.
"Sure thing, Miss Nemia." Without another word, he shut the glass and off they went.
"What are we going there for? I know you're head of the division now, but I didn't think you'd want to hop in so fast." Dorian questioned.
"I need to have a personal meeting with Milli... Speaking of her... In a few days, she'll need a temporary place. Preferably your dungeon until she's recovered." Nemia responded, giving him a small grin that was forced and etched with concern that he wouldn't approve of what her plan was.
"The dungeon, for a human? Why would I throw a human in my dungeon Nemia? To recover at that ...." Dorian questioned, his brows knitting together and creating the skin between them.
"Because in a few days, she'll be a newly turned vampire." The response hung in the air and was met with silence as Dorian just stared. "Well... Are you going to say something?" She pressed as the silence continued.
He cleared his throat. "One question. Why?"
"Donovan promised her, I'm keeping that promise. Being associated with Donovan and me means she's probably on Malcolm's radar. She'll at least stand a chance if she becomes a vampire."
Dorian groaned and put his head into his hands for a moment before sliding his face to peak up at Nemia through his fingers.
"It'll only be temporary, until she learns to control her hunger so she doesn't become an immediate feral." Nemia added, trying to ease him into it with her logic of it.
Pulling his hands away finally, he looked at her defeatedly. "And I can't change your mind?"
Nemia shook her head softly, giving a small, apologetic smile.
"Alright. I guess I'll house a newborn then." He muttered softly, his jaw tense before he continued. "But why in a few days and not now? If she is in danger, wouldn't it be better to do it sooner?" He pressed the question softly.
Nemia's lips scrunched to a near non-existent look for a moment. "Sooner is better, yes. But she also deserves to have time to say goodbye to her family. The chances of her seeing them again will be slim afterwards. Though it's also why I need to go see her. We need to discuss the arrangements and see when she will be fully ready to commit to our world. She may even change her mind after the discussion."
Nemia paused for a moment. "But if she is ready today, it's okay if she comes now?" She went ahead and asked to be on the safe side.
Dorian nodded his head, though she could tell he done so regretfully.
The car slowed to a stop and Nemia glanced out the window to the large building she's came back to time and time again over the past ten years. This time, it looked different to her. It was hers now, to a degree. The dread she once felt looking up at this place was replaced by an all new feeling of emboldened confidence.
She hopped out of the car as Sebastian opened the door and leaned back in to stop Dorian. "You can sit out here and wait, I shouldn't take too long inside."
His face dropped slightly but he nodded. "I'll be waiting."
She smiled softly and pulled herself back to an upright postion, brushing her shirt down and readjusted her hair before finally walking up the steps and through the front doors of the building.
It still looked just the same as before. First entering into the lobby where the help desk and tellers were. Plain brown walls lined the halls with medals and plaques strategically placed along them. Doors leading into different offices littering along the halls paths.
Nemia went around the desk and through the hall leading deeper into the heart of the building, heading up two flights of stairs before rounding another corner and stopped in front of Donovan's old office door. His plaque already removed, replaced with one reading: Nemia Bohdan. Just under where it said Head of B.H.D. (Bounty Hunters Division.)
Nemia snorted softly to herself. "Well that was fast." She mumbled, turning on her heel to notice Milli wasn't at her desk on the other side. Then, she heard rustling coming from inside the office she's just stared at.
With a quick motion, the door to the office opened wide. Milli was rummaging around the desk, "No, no... Definitely not keeping this here." She mumbled to herself, tossing small things of Donovan's into the trash nearby.
Nemia cleared her throat, a smile curling the edges of her lips as Milli jumped and flashed her wide eyes to Nemia.
"Holy... You scared the hell out of me. I was hoping to get this completely scrubbed of Donovan before you got here. Thought I'd have a day or two with everything going on." She started, disappointment aimed at herself creeping into her voice.
Nemia shook her head. "No worries. Just because I'm head, doesn't mean I'll be staying in this office much. I'm still a field worker at heart and nothing's going to change that." She reassured.
Milli's shoulders sagged with relief and she pranced around the desk, making her way to Nemia and wrapped her into a hug. "I know you don't do physical touch, but this is for me. Not you." She mumbled and all Nemia could do was let out a small laugh and give in to the hug. Patting her back softly.
"I'll accept it this time, the next one will cost you." Nemia teased, continuing the light hearted banter before she announced her reason for being here.
Milli laughed along with her, letting her go a few moments later. "Yes, ma'am. Just the one. So, what brought you here so soon?" She questioned.
Nemia sighed. "Well, you.. actually."
Milli cocked her head slightly to the side. "Me?"
"Yeah... About what I told you I would do, that Donovan couldn't fulfill...." She hinted and Milli instantly picked it up, her eyes widening with excitement.
"Yes? Here, now?" She started to bounce lightly on her toes.
Nemia motioned to the chairs sitting in the office. "Let's sit, shall we?"
Milli looked at her, confused but obliged and sat down. "You are still going to, aren't you?" She asked once seated, hope seemingly draining from her eyes.
"Yes, but I want to talk to you about it first." Nemia sighed. "I need to know this is one hundred percent what you want, no questions to ask. I also need to know when, time is of the essence but you have a right to say goodbye to your family. But you are also most likely on Malcolm's radar now, so every minute you take could possibly be your last. I don't really think he will come after you specifically, but he could simply because you are in league with me."
Milli breathed out through puffed out cheeks. "Oh.. okay well .. I definitely want this. I wouldn't have stayed here as long as I have with the crap pay Donovan gave me if I didn't want the end payment... Him turning me, that is." She paused, looking distant for a moment. "As far as family, I don't have any... I was raised in an orphanage all my life, was never adopted out. So I have no one to say goodbye to, the only people I have contact with are people from here .. and my dog." Her eyes widened. "My dog! Surely I can't keep him.. who?.."
Nemia stopped her. "We can take care of your dog. What type is he?"
"Oh he's a Bucovina shepherd, mostly white with a brown patch over his face and one on his back and side the same color. His name is Grivei. My fluffy, big baby boy. I've had him for two years." Milli was smiling big as she talked about her dog and Nemia couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness.
"We'll take care of him, he'll love the large castle yard to roam. But Milli... It's going to take tremendous strength before you'll be able to be with him again. It'll be easier than being around a human though." She paused. "That's the other thing... The bloodlust it's..."
"Excruciating? I know .. I know what to expect about the transformation thanks to Donovan giving me books on it. It's going to hurt, I have to die to be reborn, and the hunger is going to consume me. With control though, and a great teacher." She looked up to Nemia with awe. "I'll be able to get it together and get back out there in no time."
Nemia sat back in the chair, contemplating. "So you're ready?"
"More than anything, I'm ready." Milli breathed, sucking in her excitement.
"You'll be in the castles dungeons for the first little while, until the first stage passes.." Nemia confessed, seeing how Milli would take it.
To her surprise though, Milli smiled. "The dungeons it is then."
Nemia sighed, standing herself back up and reaching a hand down to grap Milli's. "Alright then, let's go get Grivei and get started."
"Better now, than never." Milli replied excitedly, accepting Nemia's hand and then started walking out of the office with Milli trailing behind her.
Nemia's mind now on the fact she has to tell Dorian about yet another addition, the dog they had to go get. Nemia's heart was getting bigger, and she knew it was going to be a dangerous game to hold so many close in such trying times. But she couldn't let them fall, she wouldn't.