Chapter 19 Building a bridge
Turned out there was no wrath of Cassandra. Cassie seemed content enough to know that Myria knew unequivocally that I didn't want anything to do with her. Myria though had locked herself away, refusing to talk to anyone for a week and a half before her ‘Emo’ self gravitated towards human contact again. Even then, she refused to talk to anyone for another week and a half, then, only to Russell.
One afternoon before breakfast, Myria floated past us in relative silence, slamming the back door behind her. It was a routine now. Russell was eating toast, Violet sipping on a drink in a mug, and Viktor out getting the new security equipment he had ordered in, when Cassie cleared her throat.
“I was thinking,” Cassie announced. “Myria is finishing up her studies this week and we never do anything special for her. I thought I might book a room in that restaurant she likes in the city, get some decorations, candles? What do you think?”
“Really, I'm surprised” Violet said. Russell continued chomping and reading the paper.
“Even I can't hold a grudge too long” Cassie replied nonchalantly. “Does she have any friends we can invite? I never see her with anyone but us.”
“No friends.” Russell stoically responded. “I talk to her about reaching out a bit, but truth is I think she thinks she’s better than everyone else.” He looked up from his paper. “Not easy to make friends when you feel that way. Besides. She always has her head in a book.”
“I’ll book then.” and like that Cassie moved on. She was good at that, moving on and not bearing resentment.
So the end of the week found Russell, Cassie, Violet, Viktor and I crowded around the back VIP room of a restaurant which served the most incredible smelling porterhouse in town. At least Russell and Myria could enjoy it. Well, if Myria ever arrived on time. Russell had been eying off the menu since we walked in, and was close to giving in and ordering after his second bread basket. Even if we couldn’t eat, we made up for it with drinking. The drinks kept coming and kept most of us patient enough. Cassie and I lounged on the wicker chairs breathing in the balmy air while Viktor toyed with his next generation iPad. He had had to go one up from me.
“Where is she?” Violet’s voice lacked any concern, but reflected her anger well. “That Myria! If she thinks she can keep us waiting here for her all night she has another thing coming!” Violet tapped her foot impatiently, before Viktor abandoned his toy and came up beside her to caress her arm before taking her hand.
“Relax Violet. Even if she doesn’t come to her own party, we can still have fun. Have a drink, we can dance” He gave her a sultry look and pulled her to him in a mock dance-like embrace that was far more intimate than a simple dance move. Violet was immediately appeased. I wondered if love could truly burn so hot for eternity. Or would eventually bad habits eventually take their toll, like leaving the toothpaste cap undone? Love forever after really had a whole new meaning with this group of people.
“What’cha thinking?” Cassie asked from beside me, interrupting my thoughts.
“Nothing.” I lied.
“Looked serious to me” she said back, feigning a serious look.
“You’re in a better mood than I expected.” I detracted, happy to steer the conversation in another direction. Cassie smiled in utter contentment and I thought to myself that she might start purring at any second.
“I’m just happy.” she offered.
“Happier than usual.” I noted. “Usually something like Myria being 2 hours late for her own dinner would have you cursing her name.”
“Nope. She deserves a break” I raised my eyebrows at Cassie’s comment, legitimately taken aback.
“OK, where is my Cassandra. I want her back.”
“Jealousy didn’t suit me. I decided after the last episode that I need to be a little more understanding.”
“How so?:” I asked trying not to laugh.
“Myria hasn’t really had anyone there for her, hasn’t really had the chance to live a normal life. Cam was always flitting from one place to another, Russell was always, well Russell. As much as I love the guy, emotionally connected he is not.” She sighed and leant back further. I signalled the waitress for another drink for her.
“I noticed. This is her party, and look who’s here. No friends, just a bunch of Vamps and an emotionally disconnected something-supernatural-about-him guy. She should be out, being happy, being young.”
Cassie nodded. “Not obsessing over strange artifacts and dead print like she has been over the last few years.”
“So you’re happy with her obsessing about me now.”
Cassie’s head snapped back. “Lets not go too far. I’m happy that even though she threw herself at you half naked, you knocked her back without a second thought. No ifs or butts. Just hit the road Myria” she taunted.
“I’m glad me being horribly uncomfortable was so amusing for you Cass.”
“Amusing and reassuring” Cassie offered.
I squinted my eyes at Cassie and thought I would give her something to think about. “You know she may not be here because she killed herself, right. In grief after I knocked her back.”
“I doubt it. She would complain it would hurt too much.”
“Ouch.” I responded.
“Exactly” she quipped. I groaned. Cassie slunk an arm around my neck. She looked at me thoughtfully, smiled and said to me: “Seriously though, I’m happy just to know that no matter what, you’re mine. Nothing else seems to be important to me any more”. She kissed me and I breathed her in.
“I’m happy, you’re happy” I said as Myria decided to grace us – though she wasn’t alone. A twenty-something-year-old guy followed in her wake.
“I am so sorry I’m late” Myria chanted. “We got caught up and I just didn’t keep track of the time!” There was a falseness to her claim.
Russell was the only one who asked the question all our stunned faces showed. “Who’s the guy?”
Myria pulled ‘the guy’ in closer to her as if protecting him. “This is my boyfriend” she continued to our ongoing astonishment. Then she finished her sentence, and I could feel the anger radiating from Cassie, like a white dwarf star about to implode. “This is Matt.”
Matt, the other Matt, was standing politely and non verbal beside Myria. He was about my build, plain faced and with a similar hair colouring to me, and a similar cut. “Hey” he murmured at long last.
Absentmindedly everyone except Cassie replied “Hey” in return before resuming stunned silence. Then Viktor started laughing. His loud, all consuming laugh broke the uncomfortable silence, but then Violet hit him for his inappropriate response. He doubled over, continuing to laugh and she pushed him into a chair before looking towards Cassie. Violet was biting her lip not to smile, but her eyes reflected the fact she understood the seriousness of the situation. Finally, with some trouble, Viktor managed to stop himself from laughing.
Myria moved to take a seat at the table next to Russell, and Matt – the other Matt – sat beside her after pulling her chair out for her. Violet took a seat before I guided Cassie over. Her breathing had accelerated, her fists were clenched and I was almost certain I could hear her teeth grinding. I leaned over as I sat next to her “I am sure there is some kind of explanation” I offered. She looked me in the eye and I knew tonight was not going to end well.
“You should take your jacket off” prompted Myria to Matt, and the new guy promptly responded by removing his jacket and placing it over the back of his chair.
We sat in another awkward moment of silence until Viktor could no longer help himself. Trying not to laugh again he asked another question we were all dying to know the answer to. “So where did you come from Matt?” Matt looked over to Myria who nodded. He looked back and spoke to Viktor.
“I came from a town out west – at the end of the train tracks. Came here to study art, but I met Myria.. and now that’s all I need.”
The glass in Ca
ssie’s hand cracked just as the waitress arrived to take our order. Myria, Russell and Matt ordered food. Violet ordered two drinks, and took a deep breath.
“And how long ago was it that you met Myria” Cassie asked through gritted teeth. Matt looked at Myria again.
“I can’t remember. It feels like forever” he said. He offered her his hand and she took it. He kissed it and Cassie groaned.
“That’s ridiculous!” Cassie said, infuriated “How can you not remember? How about a ball park timeframe?” Myria started to look angry.
“What else do you do, Matt other that date Myria that is?” Asked Russell trying to move the conversation forward. The rest of the room was beginning to ease up, other than Cassie of course.
Another blank look from Matt the New Guy. “I don’t know. Stuff.”
“Stuff – wow. I like that too” Viktor said, Violet snickered.
“Myria cut my hair” new Matt announced. The proclamation came so out of the blue, it was clear this guy was missing half his brain cells. I didn’t need two guesses as to why.
“So. Myria” began Cassie. Here we go I thought to myself. “Why don’t you come clean now before I kick your lanky arse through the fine dining window.”
“Cassie” Violet cried out loud as I fumbled for words.
“Cass. Baby. Relax” Cassie stood, and I echoed her. Cassie walked around to stand closer to Myria and Matt-ish, and I started to get nervous. “Cassie, you are going to have to back away – lets go” I implored.
“No – something’s wrong here Matt. This is all wrong. Everyone in this room knows it.”
“Cassie, settle down” Violet instructed, now rising to her feet. A waitress peered in the doorway then ran to the Maitre D’.
“What?” Myria asked standing up from the table. “Think you’re the only one who can get a puppy to lead around?” She shot a vindictive look my way, and Cassie reeled towards her. I sprung to her, holding her back, with Viktor jumping half way across the table to do the same. I dragged Cassie backwards with Viktor’s help.
“I’m fine, I’m fine”. Cassie sputtered as she shrugged Viktor and I off. “I’ll be alright, let’s just go”. I turned to grab my jacket to exit as quickly as possible. Then Cassie was suddenly over next to the other Matt, and reached her hand into his jacket pocket. She withdrew his wallet and sprinted across the room before Myria attempted to grab her. As she missed, Myria scattered glasses in the wake of her hand, with the sound of shattering glass close behind.
“Ah ha!” Cassie announced in her authoritarian voice. She brandished the drivers license she discovered. Myria practically broke into a run to snatch the card out of Cassie’s hand, but Cassie stayed ahead of her of course, jumping from point to point as Myria tried helplessly to stay ahead.
“Cody Willis!” Cass declared. “Nice to meet you.” Triumphant, she tossed the card and wallet at the boy. He looked dazed, confused. Picking up his property he struggled with what was going on, furrowing his brow.
“Why am I here? How did I…” He trailed off, and Myria shook with rage. Cassie strolled over to Myria.
“You are just wrong” Cassie whispered “How can you even think this is normal? You need to stay the hell away from us.” Myria raised her hand to strike Cassie, but Russell grabbed her arm before she even made contact.
“Myria, we need to talk. This stops right now!” commanded Russell.
“You can’t tell me what to do” she hissed back. Russell sprang back as though an electric shock had just run through him.
Cassie and I walked out leaving Violet to fix Cody’s mind, and Russell to speak with Myria. We began to walk back home. For a long minute we strode down the street, Cassie trying to breath steadily. Eventually, not brave enough to say anything, I placed my hand on her shoulder. She spun around and to my surprise was crying. I decided then it was time for us to take a break from the others. Past time.
“We need to go Cassie.” I started. She looked up at me expectantly. “We need to get away. You and I. To be alone, just be us.” She nodded, and calmed.
“We can take that trip we spoke about.” She affirmed.
“Start in France, finish in Egypt? Figure out what to do after?” Cassie nodded again, wrapping my arm around her shoulders and drawing her to me as we walked.
“You know I don’t ever think I’m leading you around or anything like that, right?” Cassie sniffed.
“Babe, I know you couldn’t if you tried.” Cassie gave a half laugh and I smiled. This was right. Her and I getting away from everyone – everything. “The fact you wouldn’t even think about something like that, well… that’s one of the many reasons I love you.” I squeezed her tighter and we headed home to pack.
Cassie and I chose to travel by boat, bypassing problems with me having to carry her barely conscious body around during cross-over daylight hours. The boat was perfect. Clear night skies, a stop over in Hawaii on the way, the weather warm and balmy. I knew straight away, that we had made the right choice to pack up and go. Not that we packed that much. The boat stopped at other islands on the way and Cassie and I spent most time in swim suits. During the day, I managed to abseil, worked out the flo rider and managed to have some fun without showing off too much for the crowds.
We had intended to go straight to Europe, but instead ended up swapping to another boat bound for India, spending a month there before we set off inland to explore. We slowly moved from there, across inland towards Europe. We had an incredible time, living in hotels, hanging out with backpackers, spending nights on the beach. We climbed mountains in the darkness, swam in pools of crystal cold waters, mediated under bohdi trees. The feeling was of utter freedom. No work to get back to – though I bought and sold over the net while we were en route. No responsibilities to have to plan around. Just breeze, sea and sleep.
Eventually we arrived in Spain, and though it felt almost all too soon, it had been almost a year since we initially set out. From there, we drove to France where we enjoyed the cooler temperatures. Cassie even enrolled in an after hours art course that she loved to bring back content from for us to talk about. We did more than talk though. If a topic came up we were debating about art and history, we would jump in the car and drive to the place, take a tour and explore history through what was left, architecture, art, museum pieces and stories. I was in a relative heaven.
One night I came home to our hotel and temporary home, a chateaux by the river. As I entered all was dark. I feared the worse for a minute until I noticed flickering candles on the balcony. I had brought flowers for Cassie who I found out on the balcony, legs dangling off the ledge. The balcony was decorated with small flickering candles, two tall heavily ornate champagne glasses filled with - well not champagne - and a happy birthday sign. She wore a satin white gown I had bought her in Luxembourg, and her hair floated free in the breeze.
My birthday. I had lost track of time, years even. Cassie smiled at me as I handed her the flowers and leaned into her embrace. She wrapped her legs around me and I pulled her off the balcony railing. Kissing her was like coming home. I walked us to the doorway, heading inside to the bed, before she dropped in passive protest.
"We have to be somewhere soon, birthday boy. No time for extracurricular activities."
"I drew her closer to me. I can be persuasive." I started licking up her throat line while I lay kisses simultaneously. She rubbed against my body in response and let out a regretful groan.
"I said we don't have time right now, as much as I hate saying that. When we come back.”
"Where are we going that is so important?" I breathed next to her ear.
"That would ruin the surprise."
"I won't tell if you don't." I kissed her ear as she leaned past me to grasp the two glasses, handing me one.
Tucking her hair behind her ear Cassie raised a glass to toast me. "Happy birthday my love". I raised my glass to meet hers.
"Many more with you."
"Every
one like this one" She expanded draining the glass. Cassie’s mood picked up another beat and her darted over, taking my hand. "We need to get going or we'll miss our window." she pulled me over to the balcony, and hopped up, giving me a cheeky look before she launched off, falling to the ground below. I jumped the balcony to follow. A few blocks later we strolled along and Cassie grew excited bouncing out of herself.
“What is it, that's got you so buzzed” I asked as I eyed her suspiciously. When we rounded the corner, the Louvre came into view. I looked at her in true surprise. This was one of the few places we had yet to visit because Cassie slept during the day. I hadn't wanted to go without her. They were open late a couple of nights a week, but it hardly seemed enough time from when she woke. I had planned to set out a tour plan for us to go before leaving for our next stop.
"You're kidding. A night tour?"
"Not just a night tour”. She responded. “We have the place to ourselves."
"That's impossible. Literally impossible."
"Ah, unless you know a guy, who knows a guy who can manipulate security into giving us free reign."
"That's incredible!"
"Happy birthday". Cassie squeezed my arm tighter.
As we approached, a sleek looking man a little shorter than I, appeared at the doorway.
"Come in, come in!" the man motioned. Cassie slunk through and I followed. The lights were the perfect embellishment for the surroundings. I strolled around, happy to finally be there. A place I had longed to go since high school.
"Matt this is Paul." Cassie introduced the man that met us at the door.
"Nice to meet you." I muttered but my eyes had a hard time tearing away from my surroundings. I held out my hand and felt Paul take it. The handshake lingered longer than expected.
"Oh! I like him!" Paul enthused. "I can see why you like him Cassandra. So strong."
"Thanks. Good to meet you too." I said retracting my hand.
Paul sighed and rested his hand on his chest.
"I can't say thank you enough for this." Cassandra enthused to Paul.
"Just enjoy, don't break anything and be out by sunrise - but then I don't have to tell you that. But there is a chance you may see two friends of mine, well less friends, and more employees. Marcus and Anthony. They requisition for me...."
"Did I hear that right? Markus and Anthony" I asked incredulous.
"Yes, what about it? If you know them, I realize they are not my usual people, but sometimes you need a mercenary to do the hard labour. You understand."
"I think he means the names. Marcus and Anthony. Mark Anthony...." Cassie helped but there was still a moment of blankness before it clicked in to place.
"Ah... That's funny. Very funny. I never thought about that. 200 years they worked for me and I never even thought…." with that he turned and walked to a side room. "Have fun and be good kids!"
We never saw Marcus and/or Anthony. But we did see everything else. Everything we could have wanted to cover. Just before dawn, Cassie and I escaped back to the hotel, falling blissfully into sleep together. A perfect night.
Not long after, we decided to move along to Russia, and stayed another month before dipping our toes into Alaska for a couple of weeks then heading to Dubai. It was the same routine though, as fun as it was, and it began to become less interesting. Clubs, museums, we took in all the night life we could. Almost perfect.
When we were ready to make a final stop in Egypt before handing home, Cassie decided to get a tattoo to remember the trip by. Our first adventure. She looked at hearts, Tweety birds and images of climbing ivy in the book while I walked around inspecting the walls. By the time I got to Cassie she had moved into the section of the catalogue with sayings and quotes.
"Did you decide what you want yet?"
"No, eternity is a long time to be stuck with something." Cassie indicated sounding deep in concentration.
"They have laser removal nowadays, you know."
"Ugh. Don't date me. Besides, what's the point if you just get something removed. I may as well doodle on myself with a pen".
"Then get something meaningful". I said as I looked through the sayings. One grabbed me. It probably had more to do with aspects I wanted of myself, things I wanted to work on.
"Non ducor, duco." Cassie reflected "What does it mean?"
"I am not led. I lead." I had learned the Latin partly through art studies, part hobby over the years. It was just right for me.
"Definitely" Cassie said with an enthusiasm I thought I would never tire of.
Taking turns in the chair, I went first trying to distract Cassie from picking something I knew she would regret later- like Tweety Bird. I finally succeeded, and she picked something in matching lettering to mine. Something we could keep for ever.
Lazing on the beach afterwards, I ran sand through my fingers as Cassie skipped pebbles out to sea.
"Are you ready to go home yet Cassie, My Cassandra?"
"Soon. I am still enjoying this right now, but I guess I am curious as to what the bar looks like. Violet said they changed the entranceway and that there is this whole new dynamic in the people coming to the club. Our old room is there, ready and waiting."
"I do miss our bed".
"Me too". She walked over and straddled my hips. “I have had the best time. You know we can do this whenever we want. Nothing stopping us from leaving Viktor and Russell in charge of the club again. Take a few years to roam free.”
"You'll not get an argument from me". We kissed until we became aware of voices at the other end of our beach. Two hippie looking bohemian types had congregated and were building a camp fire. We both stared at them, then each other.
"Timing". Cassie murmured to me.
"Dinner and one last sleep before we leave tomorrow night?” We rose and strolled over to the two inebriated bohemians at the end of the beach. I was getting better at casual encounters with people we would discuss the world with over a drink, then spike it with our blood so they could casually slip into pliable intoxication. We could then take what we needed while they were under the influence. Drunk on blood or not, I was getting so good now, they didn't even suspect what I was doing. The problem was getting close enough to take blood from someone was, well, difficult unless they thought you were getting involved for sex. I preferred this type of casual encounter, leaving people with good memories of a night they suspected they had fun with. Using violence, overt manipulation or paying for it seemed unnecessary, though having Violet’s skills was probably more useful than any skill for getting people to willingly let you take a sample. Something I had discovered though, when I spiked people with my blood, after I drank from them they would heal immediately. That helped no end with covering up the evidence.
One last amazing sunset, and the next and last stop was Egypt.