"Under different circumstances, perhaps."
"Look. It was a chance to get inside. You know, like a double agent. I thought if I got close to Regulus, I could at least try and thwart his attempts at findin' you and be a thorn in his side. That's the truth."
Aya regarded him silently. All that time she had known Tristan, he had been a decent person. Apart from his unconventional beginning, he had become close to who he had been when he was human. And she had known him in both lives. He had taken his oaths as a knight seriously. Vous ou la mort, you or death.
"Then," she said, "how did you come to be here?"
"Regulus told me to come."
"He knows where I am?" She wasn't surprised, but it still annoyed her.
"Yes. But I expect that he thinks that you'll be gone already. I was sent to warn you for a reason."
"And what reason was that?"
"No idea. But, if there's one thing that I've learnt about him, is that he can be just as cunnin' as you. It could be any number of reasons."
"He wants to flush me out." That was the only logical reason and one they'd used before. If he confronted her here, she would have a greater advantage, but in reality she would be the one with more to lose by staying.
"I would think so." Tristan was nodding his agreement.
"What do you think I should do?" she asked. "You always have an opinion on that."
"I would go. No use stayin' here."
Aya grunted. She knew that would be his answer, so why did she even feel she had to ask? Ignoring his advice, she asked, "Arturius said Regulus was looking for something. Do you know what?"
He frowned. "He is very secretive, Arrow. Probably even more than you. If he was searchin' for somethin', I have no idea what."
So, the time she had been dreading was finally here. Tristan sat forward in his chair, distracting her thoughts. He looked at her curiously and said, "I thought about you often over the years."
Aya shifted in the armchair awkwardly, not liking the spark in the vampire's eyes. She didn't want to admit it, but she needed the knight's help. He knew Regulus' comings and goings. His residences, his people. And he would know how to help her track down Victoria's lineage. If her suspicions were true, he might have even known her before she was turned.
"I have something I need to find," she said pointedly and he fell backwards in his chair. She knew that he realized he had been dismissed.
"And you need my assistance?"
"Yes."
Tristan nodded, understanding. He would know that her abruptness meant he had no choice in the matter. He could assist her of his free will, or she would compel him. Simple as that.
"You know that I will help you, no matter what," he said.
She nodded, slumping back in her chair. "Then we need to leave as soon as possible."
"And your boyfriend?"
Aya couldn't say it, so she just shook her head.
"Do what you want to," he shrugged. "But I'm goin' with you. With or without your live wire of a boyfriend."
CHAPTER FOUR
The more Aya thought about it, the more she realized it was the lesser of two evils.
She decided to leave Zac behind. She had to do it. There was no other way. If she took him with her, there would be the chance that he would be used against her or worst case he'd suffer his true death. If she left him behind, he would be safe. Hurt, but safe.
She knew he would be furious and would lash out at her. Despite what he thought, he was still the chivalrous nineteenth century army officer. He would take it upon himself to do what he thought was right. And what was right to him was never leaving her side and protecting her at all costs.
To keep him safe, she would have to rip the heart out of the man she loved.
But first, there were a few people she had to see.
Walking up the six flights of stairs to Gabby's apartment, she squashed the uncomfortable feeling that was churning in her stomach. Knocking sharply on the door, she waited, knowing the witch was at home. When the door opened and Gabby's face appeared, Aya was suddenly unsure about what she was about to do.
"Aya?" The young witch seemed surprised to see her.
"May I come in?"
She frowned for a moment and stood back, allowing Aya to walk inside. "Is something the matter?"
Aya crossed the room and sat on the sofa beside the window and wrung her hands. They had become close over the past few months as she helped her with her power and now she was anxious. For all her prowess, Gabby's opinion mattered to her. The witch was the closest thing she'd had to a friend since Tristan, and she hadn't let him get that close to her in the first place. This life that she had unconsciously built for herself, it broke her heart to smash it.
Gabby spoke, interrupting her thoughts. "Does this have something to do with that new vampire I've been hearing about?"
"Tristan?" Aya was surprised she knew about him already.
"I guess. Sam said he met him in the street today. And he relayed Zac's colorful opinion."
"Yes, well, Zac didn't take well to him."
"What's the deal with you two? Were you with this Tristan guy?"
"No," she shook her head, annoyed. "We spent some time together, but it was never like that."
"And why's he here all of a sudden?"
Aya sighed at the barrage of questions. "Tristan brought a warning. Regulus is looking for me. It's a lot sooner than I expected."
Gabby sat heavily on the armchair opposite her and groaned. "I thought we might have a bit more time."
"So did I, but apparently not."
"Do you want me to do something? Is that why you're here?"
"No. Nothing like that. I want to keep you out of it." She was trying to build up to saying it. "You've been through a lot and you've only just begun using your power again."
"What do you mean?"
"I have to leave, Gabby," she said quietly. "On my own."
She seemed to get it then and scowled. "Is this some kind of twisted courtesy call?" She was less than impressed. "What about Zac?"
She knew she'd ask about him. "It's best if he doesn't come."
"He won't let you leave."
"He will," she said, a dark look clouding her features.
"So, you're just going to lie? What will you tell him, that you used him? That you don't want him? Or will you just compel yourself away like you never even existed? You shouldn't underestimate him, Aya."
"I need to keep him safe." She said it almost desperately.
"This will break him, you know."
"It's for his own good." Aya was unwilling to back down. Her mind was already made up.
"Do you really think so?" Gabby raised her eyebrows. "Just because you've had two thousand years on this earth, does not mean you know what's best for him."
"Do not lecture me on right and wrong," she said sharply, but Gabby was undaunted by her warning.
"You might think you're doing the right thing, Aya. But he will do the exact opposite of what you expect. Every. Single. Time."
"This is much bigger than all of you. It's my task. I have to finish this," she scowled.
"You didn't see him when he thought you were dead. That was bad. This will be worse."
"I can't help that."
"It's a miracle, but he loves you."
"And that's why I have to leave him!" Aya cried, frustrated. "If something happens to him because of me... It's best he stays out of it."
Gabby assessed her for a long moment and shook her head. "I know you think you're doing a noble thing, but it will blow up in your face."
"Perhaps. Perhaps not." She stood abruptly and walked towards the door.
"So, that's it?" Gabby spat after her. "You're just going to disappear?"
Aya turned slightly, but didn't look at the witch. "Yes."
Before Gabby could retort, the door slammed shut behind her and Aya was gone.
Aya's next stop was the coffeehouse. She felt like she was complet
ing some twisted to do list. Letting everyone know she was leaving, covering her tracks and compelling away memories. She'd done it so many times before and had never felt as heartbroken as she did now. Deep down, she knew she'd hoped to make this place her home. The first one she'd had in almost two thousand years.
Pushing through the door to Mrs. Greene's cafe, she spotted the blonde vampire instantly. Liz was behind the counter making coffee for a customer standing to the side, chatting to her. Once the human had paid and gone, she walked over and waited for the vampire to notice her.
Liz looked up from the counter, sensing her presence and caught her eye. "Aya?" She seemed surprised to see her. Not once had she sought out the newborn on her own.
Aya sighed, unsure of how to start. They had never really got a long that well. Liz was the complete opposite of her. She took compassion to a whole new level and she shied away from confrontation like the plague. Remembering that night when they'd confronted Arturius, she shook her head. Liz's spine had grown a great deal over the past year.
"Is something wrong?" she asked, when Aya was silent for a moment too long.
"Have you got a minute?" she asked, glancing around the cafe.
Liz wiped her hands on a towel and nodded. "I'm due for a break." Walking around the counter, she called out to another girl who was manning the sandwich bar. "Luce, I'm just taking five, okay?" When the girl nodded, Liz led Aya across to an empty table in the far corner. "What's up?" she asked, sliding into a chair.
Aya gazed out of the window, watching the outside world go by. "This is difficult for me," she said after a moment.
"I know things aren't too good between you and Zac lately," Liz said. "He's worried about you, Aya."
"I know."
"What's going on? You know you can tell me, right?"
Aya turned her gaze onto the young vampire and suppressed a snort. One of the new things she'd learnt about the modern world was that humans liked to go to therapists to talk through their problems. Liz was not going to be hers. Not by a long shot.
"I care for him, you know," she continued, warily. "I don't like to see him hurt."
Aya didn't compel Gabby, but that was because she couldn't. Not effectively anyway. But, Liz? Liz she could. She knew she was fiercely protective of Zac, after all, he had once loved her and now she looked up to him like a big brother. She wouldn't let her do this without a fight and she didn't have it in her to argue.
Leaning forward, she stared into Liz's eyes and said as evenly as she could, "I'm leaving and probably won't come back any time soon. All you will remember about me is that I'm a vampire and I helped to save Zac. You will forget about my little resurrection trick and what I really am. You will only remember when I say you can." Liz nodded as the compulsion took hold. "Oh, and my blood is poison to vampires. Remember that part, it's important."
"Is Zac going with you?" the young vampire asked in a monotone voice.
"No. It's safest for him here."
"Okay."
Aya stood, pushing her chair back under the table as Liz shook her head, a bewildered expression on her face. "Gotta go, Liz."
"Aya? When did you get here?"
"Just now," she grimaced. "But, I forgot something. I'll see you later."
"Oh, alright," she lifted a hand. "See you later then."
But, Aya didn't hear her - she was already out the door and looking across the street to the gardens that had become so familiar. She'd come to sit here and listen to the world around her that first day after she had woken. One hundred and fifty years had passed and everything had changed beyond recognition. It wasn't the same Ashburton she had known in the 1800s. Not on the surface, anyway.
The gardens held many memories, not all of them good. Here was where she first met Alex, the human gardener, best friend to Liz, Gabby and also to Sam. In the beginning, he had no idea that he was friends with vampires and a witch. Not until the night she and Sam saved him from a rouge vampire in Katrin's employ. As it always seemed to pass in these situations, he found out in the worst way possible. With time, and full disclosure, he came around and he was her greatest champion.
Aya crossed the street with a sigh. All she had left to do now was to go and see Alex. He was one of the good ones, which made all of this that more difficult. Humans had been a means to an end for her. On one hand, they were food. On the other hand, they were easily manipulated. The more she had gotten to know Alex, the more she saw how selfish she had been all these years. There had been many humans she had known and respected, but she had never considered any of them worthy of knowing her secrets. None of them she had ever truly called friend. Not until Alex.
She found him up a ladder pruning some unruly ivy that had grown up the trunk of an old looking willow. It was slowly suffocating the life from the tree and the irony of that didn't escape her. She watched him wresting with the hedge clippers for a moment, debating how she would go about telling him.
"Hey," he said, finally noticing her.
"Hey."
"Is everything okay?" he asked concerned, dropping the hedge clippers into the turf and climbing down the ladder.
She looked away, not knowing how to begin.
"Things aren't too great with you and Zac, are they?"
"No," she said. "Alex, I have to leave."
"Yeah," he sighed, not surprised in the least at her sudden outburst. "I guessed you would at some point. I just didn't think it would be so soon. Is Zac going with you?"
She knew he'd ask that question. "No. I haven't told him yet."
"Well," Alex sighed, "if you think you're doing the right thing. Truthfully, I thought you'd take Zac with you."
"I didn't know what was going to happen when I decided to stay," she began, uncertainly.
"Regulus has reared his ugly head, hasn't he?" Alex smiled wryly when she looked at him, her eyes wide with surprise. "That's what that Tristan guy came to tell you, wasn't it?"
"People don't give you enough credit, Alex. You know more than you let on."
"Uh, thanks, I guess."
"I have to lead Regulus away from here. Away from all of you. As long as I'm here, I'm putting you all in danger."
Alex sat on the grass, resting his chin on his knees. Aya sat lightly next to him, trying to figure out what he was thinking. His emotions were changing faster than she could keep up with.
"It must be hard," he said, playing with a clump of grass. "Dealing with the bad guys all the time. I mean, it doesn't give you much time to stop and smell the roses, huh?"
"No."
After another minutes thought, he said, "You two belong together."
Aya sighed, fighting the annoying churning in her stomach. "You have a romantic view on life, Alex."
"Well, I have to with all of the shit that has gone down recently." He gave her a look. "So should you."
"I can't do that. Not until Regulus is gone."
"And how long will that take?"
She couldn't lie to him, not about this. Not if it meant she mightn't return in his lifetime. "I don't know. It could take another thousand years."
"So, I mightn't ever get to see you again?"
She shook her head, looking away across the gardens, back towards the main street.
"Do you think he'll come here anyway?"
"He's wanted me dead from the first day I was turned. Where I go, he'll follow."
"If you compel me to forget, then I won't be able to tell him anything. If he comes looking, that is."
Aya's eyes snapped back to Alex, a little surprised that he would offer. "You would let me do that?"
"Yeah. But, just don't take away the memory of you. I want to remember you as the vampire that saved me from the bad guys. You can take all the other stuff away. I just… I don't want to forget you."
Aya felt the tug at her heart and leant over and kissed him on the cheek. She felt his embarrassment and smiled. "You're a rare human, Alex. I'm glad to have called you friend."
As she
worked her compulsion on him, a tear slipped from the corner of her eye. It was probably the first genuine tear of sadness she had shed since the day her family had died all those long years ago.
"Goodbye, Aya," he sighed, wiping the tear from her cheek.
Giving him one last smile, she stood and walked away, not daring to look back.
Reluctantly turning her thoughts to Zac, she sent out her mind and heard the familiar music of his blood. He was at the manor. They had fought bitterly the night before and she hadn't seen him since. And now she would have to rip his heart out.
Zac hadn't laid eyes on Aya since they'd fought outside the bar the night before. He knew she would be with Tristan and he didn't want to know what they were doing. Whenever he thought about the knight, his vision turned red.
Sitting on the tall brick fence that separated the garden from the main drive, his heart lurched in his chest as he sensed her coming. He had no idea what to say and truthfully, he wasn't ready to see her just yet. Jumping off the fence, he landed with his back to her and waited.
"Zac," she said, her voice oddly empty.
Turning, he saw that she was looking at her feet. When did she get so… submissive?
When he didn't reply, she said, "I have to talk to you."
He swallowed hard, not liking where this was going. They'd fought, but everyone did once in a while. It was normal. They'd work it out given time… wouldn't they?
"Zac… I," she faltered.
"What is it?" he asked, turning to face her fully.
"I can't do this anymore," she whispered, bringing her eyes up to meet his.
His heart almost sputtered and died and he knew that she'd heard it. "What do you mean?"
"You said it yourself. This isn't working."
"Aya, we fought. People fight. We'll work it out."
She shook her head, taking a step away. "Not this time."
She was leaving him? Where the hell had this come from? "Does Tristan have something to do with this?" he asked, not able to keep the anger out of his voice.
"No. Tristan has nothing to do with this."
He snorted, clenching his jaw. "It's a bit coincidental."