The Divergence

───

Eleanor headed out shortly after lunch to run a few errands, leaving the house pleasantly quiet.

The three vampires remained exactly where she'd left them.

Gwendolyn sat curled comfortably on one end of the couch.

Beside her...

Lavinia slept peacefully.

Her eyes remained gently closed.

A faint playful smile still rested upon her small face, as though even asleep she had found something amusing.

Gwendolyn found herself studying her.

Lavinia's eyelashes were extraordinary.

They looked almost like delicate threads of gold.

Whenever sunlight filtered through the curtains and happened to catch them, they almost shimmered.

They were so full and thick that they resembled the soft bristles of an artist's brush rather than individual strands of hair.

"...Pretty."

She murmured quietly.

Her gaze shifted toward Valerie.

Orange eyelashes.

Just as thick.

Just as impossibly perfect.

Gwendolyn smiled to herself.

She understood what Lavinia had meant before.

Werewolves could absolutely be beautiful.

She'd already seen a few online.

Some had simply looked like attractive humans with ears and tails.

Others had been stunning.

But...

Their beauty still felt...

Human.

The vampires...

Gwendolyn looked back toward Lavinia.

Then Valerie.

Both remained perfectly still.

Their breathing was almost imperceptible.

Their flawless skin.

The impossibly smooth hair.

The complete stillness.

Rather than reminding her of people...

They reminded her of masterpieces.

Works of art.

Or dolls crafted by someone whose skill bordered on the impossible.

Beautiful enough that touching them almost felt wrong.

Her smile softened.

Valerie's head had shifted slightly against the armrest.

Without thinking...

Gwendolyn gently reached over and adjusted it a little.

"There."

She doubted it mattered.

Ever since becoming a vampire...

She hadn't experienced sore muscles.

Or stiff joints.

Or aches.

She'd never even felt tired.

Sleeping had simply become...

Something pleasant to do.

Something to pass the time.

Nothing more.

Gwendolyn leaned back against the couch.

The television continued playing almost silently.

News anchors.

Government statements.

Interviews.

She considered turning the volume up.

"...Nah."

Apparently vampire senses became heavily dulled while sleeping.

Otherwise...

They'd never be able to rest.

Not with every heartbeat...

Every conversation...

Every scent constantly demanding attention.

It made sense.

Gwendolyn stretched.

Then casually draped one leg over the arm of the couch before settling onto her side.

She closed her eyes.

Almost immediately...

The already faint breathing of the other two seemed to drift farther away.

Scents faded.

Touch became distant.

Sound dulled.

Everything quietly slipped away.

Until...

Only soft darkness remained.

───

Lavinia slowly opened her eyes.

"..."

Something felt...

Heavy.

She blinked once.

Then looked downward.

Valerie sat comfortably on her stomach.

One knee rested lightly against either side of Lavinia's waist while she calmly laced up one of her boots.

"..."

Lavinia stared.

"...Valerie."

"Hm?"

"...Why are you sitting on me?"

Valerie didn't even look up.

"Convenient."

Lavinia sighed.

"...Off."

"Oh."

Valerie shrugged.

"Fair."

Lavinia placed both hands against Valerie's sides and pushed.

Valerie slid off the couch with complete dignity before landing lightly on both feet.

"There."

Lavinia immediately sat upright.

Her crimson eyes flicked toward the nearest window.

The room had changed.

Golden sunlight no longer streamed inside.

Instead...

The sky beyond had darkened into evening.

Valerie finished tying the second boot.

"The sun set a few minutes ago."

She stood.

"That's what woke us."

She looked toward Lavinia.

"You didn't sleep overnight."

"So you probably just slept a little longer."

"...Makes sense."

Lavinia glanced downward.

Her own boots rested neatly beside the couch.

She bent forward and slipped them on one after the other.

The leather fit perfectly.

As always.

Across the room...

Gwendolyn wandered leisurely through the living room.

Her black dress rustled softly with every step.

"I wonder..."

She spoke mostly to herself.

"...Do you think we'll meet lots of new vampires tonight?"

Valerie shrugged.

"No idea."

She slipped her phone into a pocket.

"Even if there are more vampires..."

"They might not use the same DMV."

"They might wait until tomorrow."

"Or next week."

Lavinia nodded while tightening one boot.

"The government only just announced everything."

"People are probably still figuring things out."

"...True."

Gwendolyn smiled.

"Still..."

"I hope we meet someone."

A few moments later...

The three vampires gathered near the front door.

Gwendolyn reached for the handle.

Before she opened it...

Eleanor's voice drifted from the dining room.

"Stay safe!"

All three looked toward the sound.

"And Gwendolyn..."

A brief pause.

"...Try not to cause too much trouble for other people."

Gwendolyn immediately groaned.

"...Mooom..."

The drawn-out complaint echoed through the house.

Lavinia giggled.

Valerie couldn't help smiling either.

Lavinia gently poked Gwendolyn in the side.

"...Did you hear that?"

Valerie joined in immediately.

"Be considerate."

She nodded with exaggerated seriousness.

"For your poor mother."

Gwendolyn narrowed her eyes dramatically.

"...Both of you."

Before either could react...

She planted a hand against each of their backs.

Then pushed.

The front door swung open.

Both vampires stumbled laughing onto the porch.

Gwendolyn smiled triumphantly.

"Out."

She looked back inside.

"Bye, Mom!"

Eleanor laughed from deeper inside the house.

"Have fun!"

"I will!"

Gwendolyn called back.

Then she stepped outside herself, pulled the front door closed behind her, and joined Lavinia and Valerie on the front steps.

The three vampires chatted as they made their way toward the DMV.

The evening air drifted around them, carrying countless scents from the city. Valerie wrinkled her nose dramatically.

"The smell of dog is stronger tonight."

Lavinia nodded.

"It is."

Every few moments, however, a breeze would weave between the buildings, bringing with it something much sweeter.

Another vampire.

"...There's one."

Then it was gone.

Another breeze.

"...And another."

Gwendolyn breathed in deeply, her crimson eyes brightening.

"I still can't believe we can recognize each other by scent."

"It makes finding each other easier," Lavinia said.

Valerie shrugged.

"Shame it comes mixed with wolf."

All three of them grimaced in unison.

"I really don't like it," Gwendolyn admitted.

"It tastes fuzzy."

Lavinia looked at her.

"...Tastes?"

"I don't know how else to explain it."

Valerie nodded.

"I get it."

"The smell just sits in your mouth."

Lavinia sighed.

"...I hate that you're both making sense."

The three laughed.

Three vampires walking side by side naturally attracted attention.

Passing cars slowed.

Pedestrians turned to stare.

More than one person subtly lifted their phone.

Their dresses shifted with every breeze, black fabric rippling softly while their long hair flowed behind them.

Their scents spread farther than they realized.

Twice on the journey they crossed paths with werewolves.

The first group consisted of three.

The second had four.

None of them approached.

The wolves simply watched.

Gold-green eyes followed the trio until they disappeared farther down the sidewalk.

Likewise...

Lavinia could feel herself looking back.

Not because she wanted to.

Something about wolves naturally drew her attention.

Not attraction.

Not hatred.

Awareness.

Almost like her instincts refused to let them leave unnoticed.

Eventually the DMV came into view.

Before they even reached the parking lot...

The scent hit them.

"Wolf..."

Valerie complained.

"So many..."

Gwendolyn scrunched up her nose.

"It smells awful."

Mixed beneath it...

Something sweeter.

Cream.

Vanilla.

Lavender.

Chai.

Cocoa.

Lavinia's head lifted immediately.

"Vampires."

"There are several," Valerie agreed.

Outside the DMV, police officers stood in small groups.

Temporary barriers had been placed near the entrance, guiding people into orderly lines.

Several officers looked toward the approaching trio.

They watched carefully...

But they weren't especially tense.

Lavinia noticed that.

"They've probably already dealt with vampires tonight."

"I think so too," Valerie replied.

Near the entrance stood a hastily printed sign.

PLEASE REFRAIN FROM HIGH-SPEED MOVEMENT.

VAMPIRES AND WEREWOLVES ARE REQUESTED TO RESPECT EACH OTHER, STAFF, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Valerie pointed at it.

"So..."

"There were definitely problems."

Gwendolyn tilted her head.

"I wonder who started them."

"...Probably both."

Lavinia nodded.

"I'd believe that."

They stepped inside.

The scent of wolves immediately lessened.

Instead...

Sweetness bloomed through the building.

Not one scent.

Several.

The moment they entered...

Conversation paused.

Four pairs of crimson eyes lifted toward them.

The vampires stood almost simultaneously.

Lavinia blinked.

"...More."

The newcomers smiled.

One confidently approached first.

She possessed flawless dark brown skin that seemed almost luminous beneath the bright ceiling lights.

Long pale green hair cascaded well past her waist in soft waves, framing elegant features and brilliant crimson eyes without pupils.

Her thick green eyelashes were almost impossibly full, giving her gaze a naturally confident look even before the faint smile spread across her lips.

Her black dress was impeccably tailored, and she carried herself with effortless poise, one hand already resting comfortably on her hip.

"I'm Adelaide."

"Pleasure to meet you."

Her voice carried quiet confidence.

Behind her peeked another vampire.

She almost hid behind Adelaide's shoulder before shyly stepping forward.

Her skin was pale enough to resemble porcelain.

Golden-blonde hair spilled over her shoulders in soft curls, catching every overhead light.

Long golden eyelashes lowered bashfully as she avoided direct eye contact for more than a second, though her crimson eyes still flickered toward the trio with obvious curiosity.

She folded her hands neatly before herself.

"...I'm Evelyn."

"It's... nice to meet you."

Her voice was quiet.

Almost delicate.

The third vampire didn't wait.

She practically bounced around Adelaide.

Her rich mahogany skin contrasted beautifully against vivid crimson hair that reached her lower back.

The scarlet locks swayed energetically every time she moved, and her red eyes sparkled with constant amusement beneath equally vibrant lashes.

She grinned broadly.

"I'm Rosaline!"

She leaned forward.

"Oh..."

"You're all adorable."

Valerie immediately pointed.

"You."

"I like you already."

Rosaline laughed.

"I had the same thought!"

The final vampire approached more slowly.

Her complexion was pale, though warmer than Evelyn's, while long teal hair flowed almost to her knees in silky waves.

Thick teal lashes framed calm crimson eyes that seemed thoughtful rather than reserved.

She carried herself with quiet grace, though there was something unmistakably innocent about the way she observed everyone before speaking.

"I'm Celestine."

She offered a gentle smile.

"I'm happy to meet you."

For several seconds...

Nobody spoke.

They simply looked.

Just as Lavinia, Valerie, and Gwendolyn openly observed the newcomers...

The newcomers openly observed them.

Seven vampires.

Seven beautiful women.

Each unique.

Yet unmistakably the same race.

Gwendolyn suddenly clasped both hands together.

"So cute..."

Lavinia sighed.

"There it is."

Gwendolyn ignored her completely.

She hurried forward and, before anyone could react, wrapped Adelaide in a hug.

Then Evelyn.

Then Rosaline.

Then Celestine.

One after another.

"You are all so cute!"

Lavinia pinched the bridge of her nose.

"I don't think your vocabulary extends beyond that word anymore."

"It does!"

Gwendolyn protested.

"I know lots of words."

"...Cute."

"...Pretty."

"...Beautiful."

She paused thoughtfully.

"...Adorable."

Valerie snorted.

"I rest my case."

Rosaline burst into laughter.

"I love her."

"So do I," Adelaide admitted with a smile.

Even Evelyn giggled softly.

Celestine blinked before carefully returning Gwendolyn's hug.

"You seem very affectionate."

"I am!"

Gwendolyn answered proudly.

Only after finally releasing everyone did she step back.

"Oh!"

"We forgot."

She pointed.

"This is Lavinia."

"And Valerie."

Lavinia gave a small nod.

"I'm Lavinia."

Valerie lifted one hand.

"Valerie."

Rosaline immediately looked between them.

"I've never been happier to stand in a government building."

Valerie nodded seriously.

"Same."

"This is much better than paperwork."

Several police officers nearby couldn't help glancing toward the rapidly growing cluster of vampires.

Humans waiting in line watched as well.

Phones slowly appeared.

Seven impossibly beautiful women stood gathered together, smiling, laughing, and talking as though they had known one another for years instead of mere moments.

Lavinia found herself smiling too.

It still felt strange.

Barely two days ago...

She hadn't known a single vampire.

Now...

There were seven of them standing together, openly studying one another with the same curiosity, familiarity, and quiet sense that, somehow...

They belonged together.

Adelaide,

Evelyn,

Rosaline,

Celestine,