Tame me if you can

LYRA's point of view

Lyra, hurry up, the customer is waiting!

I snatch the package from this idiot secretary's hands and run to get on my bike. I work as a courier in New York, and this stupid guy just made me waste five precious minutes because he didn't pack well. Time is money, I don't have enough to waste it.

I have already done more than fifty kilometers today, yet I would like to be able to do at least two or three more races in order to increase my salary for the day. To achieve my goals, I rush through traffic, weaving between cars, sometimes hanging on to a bus or taxi to gain a little speed.

My next client is in the middle of Manhattan. I have to go to the Verona building, in one of the business districts of the Big Apple. It's a place I've never set foot in before despite my job, because it's a rather vampire neighborhood and they tend to call on their servants for the kind of service I provide. However, it is not a problem for me to go there because money has no smell, no race, no homeland wherever it comes from, I take it without shame.

Tracking my GPS with one eye, I look at the buildings around me, vaguely wondering what to expect. As far as I know, I have never encountered non-humans, and unlike the rest of the people I meet, I have never been interested in them. Fortunately, vampires are by far the most exposed, so despite the fact that I live in a district exclusively inhabited by my race, I have some knowledge about them.

Firstly, knowing that there was a time when they hunted my species for food, I am happy to be protected by the primary agreement. It is a non-aggression pact that prohibits hunting and unauthorized consumption of other individuals.

Even if I have never trusted justice or the law to defend me, the bonus that my company offers me for coming so far from my usual neighborhood helps me to put caution aside. If things go wrong, I will advise if necessary. In any case, this is not the first time that I have had to take care of my safety alone.

Leaning my bike against the wall, I tell myself that after all, all humanoid bipeds look the same, so I don't have to fear them any more than the others. Looking up at the building with its impeccable windows and dizzying lines, I also think that most of the people inside must be careful about their brand image: Eating the delivery man would probably look bad.

Pulling my cap onto my head, I wedge my package correctly under my arm, before passing through the automatic doors, trotting to reception, chasing all the doubts from my brain. The woman at the entrance watches me arrive with a stern eye, wincing at my jeans torn at the knees and my Carapuce t-shirt. I'm well aware that I'm nineteen, and past Pokémon age, but I don't really care what the rest of the world thinks.

Anyway, I'm not here to do a fashion show. Without giving him time to make the slightest comment, I attack directly:

I have a package for Mr. Veroni, I have to go upstairs, it's urgent!

She hesitates to give me access to the upper floors, pouting in disgust while still staring at me. What does she believe? That I'm coming to do graffiti in the building?

Well, at worst I can leave the package with you! I said shrugging my shoulders. For me it's not a problem, I would say it's your fault that the customer didn't get it on time...

She bites her lip, worried as she fiddles with her files, weighing the pros and cons, while I pretend to turn on my heels.

It's good, it's good! She ended up answering me grudgingly. Forty-second floor, first office on the right!

Courier strategy number one: When the welcome is not warm, offer apparent calm and then insinuate that the interlocutor is risking his position. This is one of my favorite techniques, I love seeing little department heads go from arrogance to fear. With a smirk, I watch her hand me a badge with her fingertips.

It must be returned on leaving! She spits at me, immediately turning to face her computer screen.

No joke! I said in an acidic tone. I dreamed of starting a collection!

I leave, as she gives me an angry sideways glance. The spade was not obligatory, but I added it extra for fun.

I pass through the elevator door, finding myself squeezed into the middle of a troop of men and women in severe dark suits, dressed to the nines. I suppose most of them are bloodsuckers, but I wouldn't be able to recognize them and deep down I don't care. I only think about my bonus and in the meantime I slip into a corner to keep a better eye on them.

On the forty-second floor, I rush to the indicated office, knocking on the door before entering without waiting for a response. After all, the sooner I get it over with, the sooner I get out of this place that makes me a little uncomfortable.

In my haste, I come face to face with a tall dark-haired man in a suit and tie, whom I crash into, caught in my momentum.

While grumbling against people with too broad builds, I take a step back, but I barely move before he grabs me by the arm.

Your smell is very pleasant... He says to me in a dreamy voice while his nostrils dilate.

I blink, perplexed, thinking he doesn't seem sane. Raising an eyebrow, perplexed, I try to free myself by explaining to him what I'm doing here.

I have a package for Mr. Veroni!

He doesn't let me go, his dark eyes staring at me with the intention of entering my soul.

It's me ! He says while a smirk stretches his lips. What a coincidence, I think we were destined to...

I interrupt his reply, which I feel is going to be very heavy, by pressing the package against his chest in a somewhat brutal manner before handing him my tablet to sign.

Sign here, please! I answered him coldly, nudging him so that he let go of my arm which he was still holding tightly.

Once he finally decides to release his grip on my wrist, grabbing the package by reflex, I show him the screen and where to sign. Whatever happens, stay professional: strategy number two for the delivery person. The technique usually works with all the low-level flirts and paper pushers who are a little too angry.

Unfortunately, this time I'm one of the failures because he stares at me without moving, as if he's waiting for something other than the package which doesn't seem to interest him at all.

His eyes sparkle with a shine that means nothing to me. Hoping to end it faster, while all my fears seem to come to life, I continue, trying to keep calm, despite the uneasiness that is growing inside me.

Mr Veroni, do you want your package yes or no? I asked insistently.

Against all expectations, another mocking male voice resonates a little further away.

So, boss, your pheromones are no longer working?

I lean my head forward to get a better look behind my stupid client, discovering a man sitting on a large walnut desk looking at us and smiling. He suddenly approaches with a predatory gait, confident as if I were going to melt under his spell. I narrow my eyes, observing this tall blond with pale skin which contrasts strangely with his black suit.

Are you vampires? I asked him, wondering what trap I had fallen into.

.

We can't hide anything from you! He replies amusedly. It's Stéphane Veroni and in case you don't recognize me, I'm Nigel Caliene...

He seems confident, as if no person in the world could not know who they are, let alone swoon over them.

Annoyed by their little duo of idiots, I shrug my shoulders, staring at him sarcastically, forgetting all caution.

Because you are famous? I said dryly.

He looks at me with his mouth open, while the other bursts out laughing at his disappointed face. The blond, apparently offended, puffs up before continuing with disdain.

I am THE most seen model of this century! I'm one of the richest vampires in New York! The whole world is vying for our brand! Not to mention that Stéphane is one of the biggest CEOs in New York, he is on the front page of the most popular magazines!

I look at him with a blasé look.

And how does this interest me in my everyday life?

He stares at me with his round eyes, completely hallucinated, opening his mouth like a fish out of water.

The situation is not moving forward, worse the other vampire extends his hand to take my wrist, with the head of the flirt who thinks he is holding prey.

I'm losing my patience: I'm a delivery person, I'm here to work not to support heavy loads. The more I stay still, the more they feel like they can do whatever they want.

Acting instinctively, I grab the thumb that was brushing against the skin of my fingers and pull it back violently. The vampire's eyes widen in surprise, as I push deeper and deeper until he is down on one knee. I read a lot of incomprehension in his eyes, as if he was much more surprised by the fact that the mouse was attacking the snake than bothered by the pain.

Shocked, his friend rushes towards us. However, not daring to break my hold, he simply gesticulates uselessly with more and more annoyance, while the one under my grip does not move an eyelash, staring at me with his mouth open.

You are crazy little one! Exclaims the blond with fury, You are gambling with your life! Do you at least know who you're attacking? He is the blood prince of New York!

In case you haven't figured it out yet, that's not my problem! What I do know is that releasing your pheromones in front of someone who doesn't consent is considered hunting! You risk a lot more than me on this one!

I release my grip, while the two vampires look at me stunned. For my part, I try to keep a straight face, while I don't really know if the police will come to rescue me here.

Taking advantage of the fact that they are stunned that someone dares to stand up to them, I again hand my tablet to the brunette who is still kneeling on the ground.

Please sign! I ordered him, hoping it would take him a while to get over it.

Blinking, still as stunned, the big junk Veroni grabs the stylus then scribbles on the screen. I then retrieve it with a quick gesture before pushing my cap with the image of my company on my head.

Thank you for calling on the Hermès express company, I say to them both, smiling while the vampire tycoon looks at me with wide, increasingly wide eyes. Do not hesitate to contact us for other orders!

Delivery man strategy two: Remain professional in all circumstances. You must always respect the rules.

However, be more polite next time! I warned them, or you will take my fist in the face! It will be harder to make the front page of magazines with a crooked nose and broken teeth!

I then turn on my heel quickly, heading towards the elevator, as dignified and calm as possible while trying to move very quickly. Once in the shelter, when the doors close, I lean against the wall, breathing short as I run a hand through my long brown hair, while trying to calm down.

I was on the verge of a heart attack. I don't know vampires well, but a prey that breathes their pheromones is paralyzed. This is how they fed in the past, before the three races signed the pact. I was not far from the disaster because I believe that the dark-haired man wanted to make me his dinner.