Where Secrets Lie

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," He knelt down beside her, took the flower from her hands and tucked it behind her ear. Kara blushed as she stood up, brushing the dirt from her knees.

"Where are we?"

"This was my parents' place, a long time ago. We didn't live with everyone else in the mansion. My mother hated having servants. She liked to do everything herself, especially the gardening."

Kara thought back to that day she saw him gardening and smiled. It seemed completely out of character at the time, but now it made complete sense, and it made her heart ache for him.

He took her by the hand and led her back into the house. "Logan and I grew up here. No one else knows about this place."

"How did you find me? How did you know I was in trouble?" Kara asked.

"To be honest, I don't know. I was upset about what happened at the party, and I knew that I had to find you. On the way to the hospital, I started to feel sick, so I asked Henry to pull the car over. When I stepped out, a cold shiver raced over my entire body and I came straight to you."

"So, I'm guessing that isn't normal?" Kara was not used to seeing Michael confused about anything.

"It can be normal for two vampires who share a close bond, for example, after I turned Logan, I experienced this quite often, but it has faded with some time." There was a sadness in his voice.

"I'm not a vampire though." She laughed nervously. An uncomfortable silence settled in the room. Kara cleared her throat. "Things keep getting weirder for us, huh?" He smiled in agreement. "Anyway, who tried to have me killed? That guy was way too stupid to come up with that plan on his own."

"I thought you quit your job as a detective." He said with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "It was Hannah. That's why I wasn't here when you woke up. I went to confront her."

"How did that work out for you?"

"I broke off the engagement. The clans are not merging."

"But you can't do that, can you?" she asked.

"I did. Everyone in the house was there, so they're a witness to it. There's no going back." He paused and looked away from her. "They even witnessed the part where I claimed you as the woman I love."

Kara stared at him in shock. "What?" She wasn't sure if she heard him right.

"I love you, Kara." He wrapped his arms around her and drew her in for a close embrace. "I love you," he repeated with a whisper. He pressed his soft lips to hers. He picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. The bed was smaller than the one in the mansion. It was old with chipped white paint, but when he laid her down on it, she had never felt more comfortable. He softly caressed her body and started removing her clothing, all while keeping his loving gaze glued to hers. Shivers ran down her spine as he kissed her exposed skin.

Kara grunted as she felt a little pain on her side. Michael halted, "We can stop. I don't want to hurt you."

Kara shook her head from side to side then grabbed the back of his neck to pull him into a steamy kiss. "Don't you dare stop," she responded, biting her lip. "Just be gentle."

After some time, Kara laid next to Michael in his embrace. The white sheets barely covering their naked bodies as they revealed in the presence of each other. "What is the story on this necklace? I've noticed that you never take it off," Michael asked as he ran his fingers up and down the chain around her neck.

"It's an heirloom. It belonged to my mother before she died. When my father gave it to me, he told me that I should always wear it as a sign of respect for those who wore it before me. Kind of strange, I know, but after he died as well, I couldn't bring myself to remove it."

Michael pressed a soft kiss to her bare shoulders then started to get dressed.

"Where are you going?" Kara sat up, pulling the sheet tight across her breasts.

"You survived your first attempted vampire assassination. I'm going to get victory food. Wait for me."

"First? Are you saying there will be more?" They both chuckled and the lighthearted laugh raised Kara's mood even higher. She felt amazing at that moment, and she wanted to let him know exactly how she felt about him.

"By the way," she said, dropping the sheet, showing her bare body, and walking across the floor to Michael. She pulled him down to her height and gave him a tender kiss. "I love you too." She grinned. "Now, go get my food."

"Yes, Ma'am," he said and hurried out the door.

Michael returned with a paper sack and set it beside Kara on the bed. She recognized the logo on the bag and tore into it to retrieve the delicious hamburger without even thanking him. With a delighted sigh, she bit into it, relishing that first bite with slow chews. Then she proceeded to devour the burger like a ravenous dog, licking her lips after every bite. Michael stared at her with shock on his face.

"What?" She said with her mouth full, "I haven't had a burger since I moved into the mansion. It's always truffles and escargot."

He laughed and sat down to join her. They spent the rest of the night telling each other stories from their past. For once, Kara was enjoying and living her life instead of worrying about Alyssa. In fact, Alyssa never even crossed her mind once.