Fifteen
WHENEVER I THOUGHT ABOUT
traveling, I thought about crowded spaces, no leg room on planes and, my favorite, motion sickness. Even first class flights were nothing spectacular. Yet vampire travel, that’s a whole other story.
Underground traveling was an understatement. I stood on the platform, watching my mother dictate to the others about God knows what. The train was gold and sleek, looking like a bullet train, at least the shape. I’d never seen a train of this magnitude. The station itself wasn’t that large, just open enough for fifty people to stand on the concrete platform. The wall behind the train was black glass, covering the ceiling as well, showing the reflection of the train.
I was close to the sliding glass doors, still, as I just admired the splendor before me. Alec wasn’t lying about the subways underground.
We boarded the train and it was a mini palace suite. The carpet was sleek velvet red. The walls were gold, probably real gold. It wouldn’t be a surprise to me, thinking instantly of what royalty would use, it had such an historical feeling to it.
I took a seat closest to where I was standing, which was by the door, placing my Jimmy Choo’d feet on the table across from me. My leggings were a nice choice with my long, off-the-shoulder white loose shirt. Leaning my head back, as I shut my eyes.
"Maybe you should wait till we get moving before you set up your feet," the voice of Iva said.
I knew she would be coming. I opened my eyes. So much for peace.
"I agree," said Alec. There was no escaping them. My mother finally boarded and she smiled at me and sat with the other members of the council.
"I thought this was mother daughter bonding," I said watching the council down the back of the train.
"Everything she does has to benefit something; in this case she is killing two birds with one stone," Iva said.
"Clearly," I said, keeping my feet on the table. It keeps getting better and better. I closed my eyes once again, as I leaned back in my chair, snuggling as best I could.
"So what, you’re just going to tune us out?" Iva asked.
"Yup," I said, not opening my eyes, happily annoying them.
The forest returned and Derek’s green eyes met me immediately. His hair was messy, which was very unusual for Derek; he always made sure he was always at his prim.
I was a bit annoyed. Derek seemed to know when to summon me. I really wanted to sleep, I thought darkly.
"Derek." I said coldly.
"Ahhh, Aimee."
"What do you want?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"You think you can summon me anytime you want but I can’t. I miss you?" he said, cocking his head to one side.
"We spoke yesterday. And I have nothing more to say to you, wolf boy."
"Wolf boy? You’re part wolf, too." he said, smirking.
"Maybe, at least not by injection. And I’m not turning into a rogue."
"Yeah, I heard you last time...." He came closer to me, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind my ear. The sick thing was I wanted him to touch me. I was yearning for the touch. I guess it’s true what they say about girls liking the bad ones. Derek was as bad as they come. After watching him kill my friend Krissy, who turned out to be a Yurnling, after all Derek had done, I still had feelings for him.
“Obviously I was not clear enough!" I said as I stared Derek in the eyes and smirked.
Derek studied me. "Since when did you get so bold?”
"I dunno, maybe I’m finding myself," I said, being feisty.
"I like it. I like this new Aimee … you and I-"
I cut him off. "There is no ‘you and I’ Derek." I poked his shoulder hard. He caught my hand and pulled me to him; my breathing faltered a little. I just glared at him, trying to hold my ground, but inside I was screaming for a kiss.
He smiled as he leaned closer to my face.
"You forget whom you’re speaking to. I always win." He then pulled my face to his and kissed me. My lips responded to his as he fiercely tangled his hands in my hair. Pure adrenaline was coursing in my veins. The heat, passion, excitement I felt. I wanted him.
My flesh was so weak. I pulled back from him. “Don’t do that again." I said, my voice shaking. I wanted him too much.
"Then don’t kiss me back, Aimee. You can fight me all you want, but I know you want me, too. I can feel it. Alec may be some weird love of yours but what we have is a desire that is deeper than love."
"That’s where you’re wrong, Derek,” I said.
Derek just stared at me, astonished by my boldness. I had never talked to him like this before.
Like a bad reception, Derek began to flicker in front of me. I didn’t get to say anything more because I was being shaken awake.
I tries to focus my eyes, and not make it obvious I had been talking to Derek.
"Aimee, were here." Iva said, close to my ear.
Alec had his usual expression on, which was one I couldn’t read. We all stood, ready for what lay ahead. A very robust man entered the train, briefly welcoming us. By the looks of him, he could have had a lot of battle scars. He didn’t look vampire. His eyes were green. Werewolf. I found that strange.
The wolf man began leading us up a hall, which was dark ,gloomy, and had an intense smell of decay. This place gave me the chills. We ended at the same kind of strong metal door. I was really curious what kind of doors these were.
Guards watched the doors closely; it was nice to see that they were doing what they were supposed to do. I also assumed they were werewolves, they stood next to the door, opening it as we crossed their paths.
The light was darker than normal, but wouldn’t affect a vampire’s sight. I could see the light at the end of the hall, and I almost had that same weird feeling, like I had been here before. Or maybe it was just the look on my mother’s face. She was tense, yet at ease, her facial expression was different from her usual placid one.
Stepping from the hall was more of a shock. First, it was darker than normal; my eyes could barely capture the little light that the ancient-looking torches cast.
This commune had the same structure as the one I came from but seemed older, like medieval, and had a sinister feel to it. Not only that it wasn’t as remodeled, but the vampires that walked around had a darker edge to them as if they went into battles or came from some. The floor was grimy and old matted carpet.
I leaned into Alec as we continued to follow the robust man.
I was studying a girl around my age that passed me. She was studying us as well. Her face was gaunt, like she hadn’t had enough blood, nutrients, or sleep, or perhaps all three.
"Why do they look so different?" I asked.
"They don’t live as grandly as our commune does. The Rogues constantly target them, and that takes a toll on them. They grow up fighting for their life. And they fight more than our commune ever has."
"So why are we risking being here?" I asked, my mind going back to Derek, remembering Derek’s bond dream on the train.
"Your ... Rose wants you to meet some important family," Alec said.
We continued to walk, passing some more young vampires who looked at me with glares. We all looked so clean compared to them. But what really caught my eye was the green eyes, staring at me. Werewolves, lots of them, openly were lounging around. Very unusual. I probably looked unusual, in these Jimmy Choo shoes. And I really felt out of place and awkward.
We entered a guest housing area, which was down the same halls we have, numbers on the doors as well. These doors, however, were off-white dirty, and some of the numbers were missing. Our door had a dangling number four, and thankfully Iva and I shared this room; Iva suggested Alec stay with us, too. I thought that was a good idea. I felt uncertain about this place. And Alec could have the couch. Or my bed. I doubted I would be sleeping.
Iva and I lay across the top of the bed. I was a bit skeptical about the bed, she was reading some kind of book and Alec was passed out on
the couch already. So much for him being the guard.
"So who are these relatives?" I asked.
"I’m not sure. I never met them, either."
"I noticed a lot more werewolves, too. More than vampires almost. Or close to." Their court was medieval-looking with their source of light being torches and candles. Lots of them. Thankfully our bedroom was a little more up kept, but it still had the feeling that no one had stayed in this room for quite a while, and I didn’t want to sleep in the sheets.
"It would appear so. It’s strange, and that’s why I wanted Alec to stay with us. He is pretty good in fights."
“How would you know how he fights?" I asked.
"Because I have seen it ... we had combat training, and he overtook the trainers. He’s a force to be reckoned with.”
“Are all communities around like this?” I asked.
“No, this is one of the more rundown spots,” Iva said as she put her book aside with a bookmark.
“This is France, they should be the most … you know,” I said.
Iva laughed at me. “This isn’t the only one in France. There are over 15 different communities in Europe.”
My eyes widened.
Iva was silently laughing at me; I could tell by her expression. “I’m glad I can amuse you,” I said, sarcastic.
She looked so relaxed and human. I was so used to her being uptight and polished all the time. I had an overwhelming sensation. I wanted to tell her about Derek, that he visited me again, but I was afraid she would ask about yesterday’s encounter with Marcus. I knew she still wanted to know about that.
Iva stifled a yawn and stretched out on the bed.
"You look like you need sleep," I told her, just to annoy her. She smiled at me with her fangs showing. But she didn’t disagree with me.
We woke up early the next morning and got dressed in silence. Alec left the room to give us privacy.
As we entered the breakfast hall, which was empty, I began to wonder if it was safe to eat the food. Iva and Alec were both on edge feeling the same way about this place. Did they even have blood for them? Even the food shops were shambled looking. I could be endangered by e coli.
Why on earth couldn’t my relatives come to us?
Alec and Iva got their usual juice boxes, which I was surprised they had, and I settled for a bagel and cream cheese, feeling like it was the safest choice.
I sniffed the bagel, and Alec burst into laughter, which echoed in the empty food hall. I just looked up at him, confused.
"What is so funny?" I asked.
"Nothing," he said looking as though he might laugh again.
"You think I’m a bad liar? You’re worse," I said.
He looked like he was about to answer me, but a plump little man walked up to us.
"You have been summoned by your leader, Rosemarie." We all stood immediately. "Just Aimee," he corrected himself.
Iva and Alec exchanged bewildered glances.
Just me? I didn’t want to go alone. I glanced at the two of them, who also had the same expression I did. But they didn’t argue.
"Okay. Lead on, little man," I said. Alec had that grin on his face again and Iva just shook her head at my comment. And the little man just ignored it.
I felt like my heart would fly out of my chest.
My mother stood by the lounge area; it was a small and shabby area. It looked as though the couches were scratching posts for cats, and smelled like it, too. She seemed unphased by the appearance of the place and just rose up at my arrival.
"Thank you, Kirk." He disappeared after his bow.
Kirk? He didn’t look like a Kirk. He should have been named Waldo, but I concealed that information, seeing as to how he hadn’t responded to my little man comment.
My mother looked stressed as she inhaled deeply. What indeed awaited me?
"Good morning, Aimee, I hope you slept well."
"I did," I lied.
"You must be wondering why we are here and not just having him come to us."
Him? I thought it was relatives.
“He is very ill, Aimee, and he wrote to me expressing his wish was to finally meet you," she said quietly. "A long time ago we both agreed it would be best for you not to know about him. But the circumstances changed. I’m sorry for all the lies," she said. Her face showed her sadness, and her age was apparent for the first time.
I was completely confused as to what she was talking about.
"The man we are about to see is..." she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. “Is your father, your biological father."
My life was a complete mystery to me. I wasn’t as shocked, because I didn’t look like the man my mother was married to, and I haven’t spoken more than two sentences to him since I have been back.
"But Aimee, his condition is frightening. I want you to be mentally ready. Not only was I in love with another man, he is also a werewolf."
My face now became shocked and my mouth opened. I’m truly half wolf, then. She continued to keep walking; everything around me seemed to black out.
"I’m so sorry, sorry I’m telling you now. He is a gentle, wonderful man, and I loved him deeply. I would have married him if I was allowed." My mother’s eyes shone with true grief. "Ralph is a great man, too, who lets me lead the community, but my heart has always been here." She looked into my eyes, probably for signs of an outburst, but didn’t see any. I felt bad that she had to live a life she didn’t want.
“Are you going in the room with me?" I asked.
"If you would like.”
I nodded yes to her. And she smiled and took my hand, which nearly caused me to choke. I could tell that my mother still loved this werewolf. Her eyes didn’t conceal it from me.
Entering what appeared to be a hospital wing caused me to have goose bumps. I could almost smell the sick. Or maybe that it was really dirty, and there were questionable stains on the walls. I don’t care how sick I was; I’d rather go somewhere else than be here. The walls were off white, a yellow tinge to them. Like someone had smoked in the halls.
A vampire in all white rounded the corner and stopped in front of my mother and me. She looked at my mother. Apparently they knew each other.
"Elecho is ready for you both,” the pretty brunette vampire said solemnly. Neither of us said anything.
The woman led us down a darker hall and I became afraid. What kind of appearance would he have? I wondered.
She stopped in front of a door, and opened it quietly.
It was even darker inside the room she took us to. She lit a small candle that gave barely any light; I had to adjust to it. I could barely make out a bed with a shape of something in it. The nurse brought the candle next to the bed, and I held my mouth, almost gasping. It was frightening. And painful looking.
The man was in between forms, looking like a man but had what appeared to be the wolf coming out, too, he was stuck in between the transformation. It looked painful. His body was contorted awkwardly, and his right arm looked broken, without a cast. He smiled warmly to my mother; I could see the love between them never leaving. I couldn’t see a resemblance between him and me due to the state he was in. His hair had grey in it, but even in this phase he looked handsome, more like his face had a warm, gentle look.
"Aimee." he said in a soft whisper; I could hear the faint French accent. If I weren’t looking at him, I wouldn’t have heard him.
My mother nudged me. I had to encourage my legs to move. I walked over to his bedside and took a seat in the empty chair.
"So many things to say."' Feeling so much emotion for the unknown man, I took his left hand in mine. He took a deep, raspy breath. His hand was calloused and rough.
“You can start at the beginning," I encouraged him.
Even though I didn’t know this man before me, I felt such compassion for him.
“You were the most beautiful baby I had ever seen; I never for an instant th
ought I would love something so much. I was told werewolves only had boys, which is true, never has a werewolf had a girl, but your mother was, is, a vampire. And there has never been a relationship like ours. All I know is that one look at you and I knew you would be the link that would change our races. The first true half breed." He paused, taking a deep raspy breath. "When you were taken, I almost went hunting for them myself; I soon became ill after your abduction and spent the years wasting away in this place...,” he said, bitterly casting a loathing look around the room. “I still can’t believe you aren’t changed, or that they didn’t keep a better hold on you."
"Would they be able to change me, being a half breed?" I asked.
“I don’t know. You clearly have both genes. I suppose they can make the wolf gene more active, but I don’t know. You are the first of your kind."
"They were able to erase my memories, though."
“Are they truly gone?" he asked raising an eyebrow.
"They were for a long time, but recently being back and around familiar things, certain memories have been coming back.”
“Yes, the memories weren’t fully washed away. How can they be when you possess the same genes as a werewolf? You are a force all its own. The ones who took you, I believe knew about you. Most werewolves and Rogue werewolves knew about this strange affair your mother and I had, or heard a rumor. The vampires all hid the secret; only a select few knew the truth about you. But to the wolves you were a hybrid, and I’m surprised they didn’t try sooner." He looked into my eyes and I could see the sorrow in them as the candle flickered.
"I wish we had spent time together before this illness, and that I could have watched you grow up. You are so beautiful. I can see bits of me in you. And I’m so lucky to have a daughter. I can sense you have some gifts, do you know what they are?" he asked.
"I’m afraid I don’t," I said.
"You will be great, Aimee. Have you made a decision on which gene you wish to try?" he asked. Did he think I would ever go wolf? Maybe it was a dream of his or something.
"I haven’t," was all I said, not wanting to cause him more pain.
“You will be a great leader, like you mother, Rose." His eyes became distant, I could see he was fighting to stay in the present and not to wander off.
“Can I ask you something?"
His eyes flashed back to me. “Anything."
"The Rogues who took me were Derek and Nathan Sladen," I said.
He looked as though he would sit up if he could.
"What did you say?" he asked, startled.
"Um, Derek and Nathan Sladen took me," I said, unsure.
"I would have never guessed them to do such a thing to me!" he said, furious.
"Did you know them?"
"KNOW THEM?! That’s an understatement. Nathan and I were very close before he went Rogue, when he took Elizabeth and began killing innocents. Never did I think he would take my child for his son; he knew about your mother and me!" he said, with venom in his voice.
I sat so still. Derek grew up knowing about me. It wasn’t true that he just saw me at the airport and chose me. I could feel the anger building in my chest.
“I now have a bond with Nathan and Derek. Is there a way maybe to unlink us?" I knew the answer was death only, but I figured I would ask anyway.
His face became, if possible, more grim. “Death to them both or you awaken." The same two options. “What are you planning, Aimee?" His eyes were fierce as he watched me.
“Nothing," I said. My voice was raspy.
“I would go with you if I could. You aren’t going alone, are you?" Elecho asked.
He knew what I was going to do. My mother, still in the room, was very quiet.
"I’m not going alone; I’m going with another werewolf," I said.
His lips curled into a smile. I really hoped Marcus would be going with me. Thinking about the company and help was a nice feeling of comfort.
"Who?" he asked.
"Marcus. I’m afraid I don’t know his last name."
"Awwww, Marcus Cuthrow, his family was Rogue. I like him very much. Do you like him?" he asked happily.
"Not in that way; he is taken with my friend Iva, who is a vampire." His lips widened in a bigger smile. I was certain he loved that even more.
“And how does she feel?” he asked.
I almost laughed. “Iva, well, is attracted to him. But she is so uptight and won’t admit what she could feel,” I said.
“And I assume then, you are still taken with Alec?”
How did he know about him? Unless my mother told him. I glanced in her direction; she did tell.
“Not the same way anymore; things became more complicated,” I said thinking about Derek, and how I secretly wanted him still.
Elecho, the werewolf dad of mine, I could barely look at him. I wanted to cry.
"Is there any way to help you, there isn’t a cure?" I asked.
"I’m afraid not."
“What kind of illness is it?"
“A vampire bite." This is what happens? It freezes them in such a state, a painful one? And still be alive for all this time, suffering. I think I would ask to be killed.
“How much longer are you going to suffer like this?" I asked.
“I have been holding on, waiting for the day I would see you again," he said. I felt my eyes burn with tears. He began coughing uncontrollably. The nurse came in to help him.
"I think it’s time to leave,” she said in a nice voice.
"Wait!" my dad said in between fits. “I want you to always remember that I love you, and I’m proud of the woman you have become! And take your revenge on them, be careful, you are one of a kind," he said as the nurse was injecting him with some sedative.
My mother and I left the room in silence. Her face showed stress and grief. I never have seen her so vulnerable, not that I can remember past the time I have been back, but still, she wasn’t a vulnerable person.
"Aimee, I should have known you wouldn’t be staying," she said finally.
"Please don’t say anything to Iva and Alec, they won’t let me leave. I have to do this. Until I find them and kill them, they will always hunt me."
“I know they will," she said. “You have to know also that Alec will always come after you."
That thought had crossed my mind also.
“I do, and that’s why I can’t say anything to him. Derek said he was going to kill him," I said on the verge of hysterics.
“Do you love Alec?" my mother asked.
Could I really say my feelings, what I truly tried to deny?.
“I do," I said.
She just nodded in silence. I then realized I just acknowledged I was, indeed, in love with Alec.