Sight

by Chrystal Blue

  The crowd roared, the older members stayed quiet, Aeron and his family remained motionless. Rallied, they screamed for her death, her blood spilled as she had splattered the blood of one of their own.

  "Betrayed," Marcus continued as the crowded quieted. "One they took within their own home, treated like a daughter giving her protection, a place amongst us. She was an outsider unworthy of their inclusion. When you break the blessed law, you are condemning yourself to death. Let Isis be a reminder. Learn from her crimes. Outsiders are unworthy of our trust. Isis has made others without guidance, experience, or permission. She has instructed her abominations to create others, chaos, a crime punishable by death. A sacred law was broken. Let Isis be a reminder, follow the laws, protect the laws, live by the laws. The laws are our guidance."

  "I saw an opportunity, and I took it! The weak are undeserving of our mercy. If we do not strengthen our lines, we can't protect ourselves. We need an army to defeat the Darken, to end their reign. You live in the shadows, their slaves, but you talk of the power of the blood of Emi and Iona. None of you are worthy of it," screeched Isis. Struggling, she continued to twist her arms against the two men that held her in place.

  "You have broken a sacred law as punishment you will pay with your life," Marcus bellowed condemning Isis to her death. His words seemed more like a warning to others should they try to break their rules. Eyes focusing on Iliad, as if his words were a warning to his daughter, he returned to his place among the other elders.

  Aeron walked towards the prisoner a long dagger in his hands. The silver of the blade shimmered in the moonlight as he stood in front of her. Silently he thrust the sword into her chest, just below the place of her heart as he stared into her eyes. Her chest heaved as he pulled the blade out and moved behind her. Viktor pulled her head back as the blade slid across her neck, deep enough to bleed out without severing her head.

  Her silk blouse soaked with blood clung to her heaving chest. The blood dripped down her legs, forming a pool of red at her feet, soaking the grass beneath them. Arel watched as Isis seemed to struggle to breathe, her lungs filling with blood. Gurgles, sporadic coughs spewing blood on the ground below, dripping down her chin. They watched in silence the sounds coming from her, the life slipping slowly away. She swayed between the two men at her side. It was when her head fell forward that the two men released their grip from her arms, allowing her to fall entirely to the ground.

  Viktor walked over to Aeron who held the dagger out for him. Returning to the bloody Isis limp on the blood-soaked soil, he stood over her a moment. Raising his hand high above his head, his arm shot down at an angle completely severing her head from her lifeless body. Moving down to the rest of her body, he dismembered her limbs while the crowd continued to watch in silence.

  Blue flames shot up from the fire as they tossed her into the massive pile of burning wood. A sickening sweet smell of flowers, embers, and burning flesh filled the air, the flames roared higher into the dark night sky. Without a sound, the group dispersed into the night, leaving the Cadell family and the elders there to watch the fire die out.

  Arel's body ached, exhausted, she leaned into Sebastian. Resting her head on his arm, her eyes closed overcome with fatigue. Opening her eyes, she saw him bending over to pick her up, grateful for the chance to rest, she laid her head on his chest as he carried her back to the house. He walked with her in his arms, up to the engraved dark wood steps. They traveled past the large painting of his mother and father fixed above the stairs.

  "You need to rest," he whispered into her ear. Pulling her closer into his chest, he shifted her body. Arel’s head entirely laying on his shoulder he inhaled, her scent filling his nostrils. The beating of her heart slow and steady as she breathed deeply in and out.

  "You have your justice," she asked drowsily.

  "Did you see anyone else?"

  "I saw no one else in the vision."

  Opening the door, he walked into the darkroom, a small shimmer of light creeping in through the open door. The large bed inviting, Arel melted into the soft mattress, curling up with the lush pillows beneath her head. Without hesitation Sebastian laid down next to her, holding her in his arms.

  "You saw something in your vision," he probed her.

  "I saw the first time I saw your mother and brother," she replied sleepily.

  "What did you remember?"

  "How long had you been watching me play with Beli," Arel asked her eyes half-closed as she looked up at him.

  Sebastian remained quiet a moment, listening to the sounds from outside. The house seemed quiet to Arel the sounds of the insects outside humming her a lullaby. She could tell Sebastian heard something she didn't as he paused, slightly tilting his ear towards the source of the sound. Sighing, he stroked her head, brushing the hair down and behind her ear.

  "I had been there from the moment you walked into the house."

  "I didn't see you until I turned around. I sensed everyone in the house but you. How can I not sense you, read you, peer into your mind like the others? How is it you're blocked from me?"

  "You told my mother that," he paused. He seemed pained to say the name. "Beli talked. What did he say?"

  "He sang his song to your mother, that's why she smiled. They were singing together, she hummed along with him. She needed to hear his voice.”

  “My mother adored Beli, she loved him. We all loved him. She wanted him cured so the others would accept him.”

  “Beli knew you all loved him, even your father in his own way.” There was more Beli had said, but Arel would keep it to herself. They had their justice; they did not need the pain of knowing Beli could have been changed but asked her not to. Arel pulled Sebastian’s arms around her tighter.

  “My father wanted my mother to be happy,” said Sebastian.

  “Sebastian, I don't know if I want to be Arel."

  There was more she had seen that she kept from him. When she first experienced the vision of Isis, it did not entail Lili's death. It was only after she told them of Podi did she see Lili's fate. Slightly worried that her premonition was flawed, she kept the details of Lili and the others absent from the first vision a secret. Never before had she known her prediction to be imperfect.

  She prayed she wouldn't dream and the night would put the nightmares and demons behind her even if for a little while. Her eyes closed, allowing the sleep to come over her drained limbs.

  Morning came quicker than she hoped. Although she didn't remember having any she was sure she dreamt. Stretching her arm out, she reached over to the other half to the bed, hoping to feel his embrace. Eyes still closed she could sense she was in the room alone, Sebastian's side of the bed seemed cold as if he had not laid in it all night.

  Arel wondered if the events of Isis and the Vampires searching for the others caused him to leave the bed. As the ones responsible for taking Isis, the outsider into their home, Aeron would send his men to find her creations. She knew Sebastian wanted more from her, but he worried about her health and would not jeopardize it seeking answers to the questions he had. Matters she was sure stemmed from the night's events and the sounds he heard after they were in bed.

  Thinking back to the night before she wondered why she had not sensed him in the room earlier. Why it was only after she saw him that she knew he was there. Even then, he was hidden from her, and she wondered what it meant. Never before had she met someone who she could not read or perceive.

  It troubled her that she could not remember her aunt's name, but she recalled her face. Vividly the details of their last encounter played out in her memory. Another clue to her life before the Darken had killed the resistance which she believed was her family. With each new recollection emerging, she knew she would have to find answers.

  Sitting up in the bed, she looked around, resting her hands on her growing belly, she stared at the window. Something called her to get up from the bed and walk over. Intently she listened, trying to decipher the sounds of the house. It r
emained silent as she walked over to the window. Drawing back the curtain, the bright rays of the morning sunshine flooded into the room.

  Pulling the curtain aside and fastening them into place, she gazed out, down towards the ground. There across from her bedroom window stood Dmitri, staring straight up at her. There was no mistaking his brown eyes glaring at her from across the lawn. Exhausted, she was too tired and hungry to try to see what he was thinking.

  "Let's get breakfast," Sebastian whispered into her ear.

  Arel jumped a little startled by the sound of his voice. She had not heard him come into the bedroom, but that didn't surprise her. At the beginning of their relationship, he purposely made noises to leave her at ease. Since she knew he was a Vampire, he no longer kept up the pretense of sound.

  "I didn't mean to scare you," he said as he hugged her from behind.

  Leaning into him, she breathed in profoundly, closing her eyes. Comforted by his scent, she often found herself breathing him in deeply, filling her nostrils with him, and losing herself in him.

  "I just want to stay like this for a minute," she responded. Holding Sebastian tighter, her fingers interlocked with his, resting on her belly.

  "We can go out to eat. It will do us both some good."

  She liked the idea of getting out of his father's house away from everyone and everything that had taken place. The events had been a lot for her to absorb, all of it only magnified her hidden fears. Leaving his father's estate gave them the chance to talk in private, discuss things on Arel's mind. They had been avoiding talking about many things, and there were questions for which they both needed answers.

  "Lunch out sounds wonderful," she replied.

  "I'll wait here while you get ready."

  Arel walked through the door from the bedroom into the bathroom with her dress in tow. She hoped it would fit especially since her belly seemed to get bigger overnight. It was just another worry that mounted on the massive pile of problems that were growing.

  The warm water invigorated her as she immersed her body in the shower. Her hands lingered on her protruding belly, scared at the fact there was life in her growing at what seemed too rapid a pace. Sebastian seemed just as worried at the rate of growth of their child. She didn’t know how long a gestation period for Darken child of Vampire, but she felt neither could have been this rapid. Conflicted by fears and worries, left with no idea of what she should do.

  Deep in thought, she felt movement from the inside of her stomach, startled she placed her hand again on her belly. A kick greeted her from her insides. Resting her hand on the indent, she closed her eyes, concentrating listening for the child's feelings.

  A soft knock on the door brought her out of her thoughts. Turning off the water, she slipped into her robe that hung on the wall near the shower. Opening the door, she smiled at the sight of Sebastian holding a box with a large ribbon and bow.

  "I thought this would brighten your morning."

  Grabbing the box, she hurried over to the bed, pulling him behind her. A wide smile on her face as Sebastian helped her take a seat next to him.

  "Sebastian place you hand here," she said as she placed his hand on her full belly. Closing her eyes, she felt her insides move, a kick followed by more movement from inside her stomach. Placing his hand over the spot where the baby had moved, he smiled. Maybe it would be alright she thought to herself.

  “He's strong,” Sebastian said proudly. Sebastian moved in closer to her belly, resting his gently down. His ears perked as he listened to their child’s heartbeat.

  “Like his dad,” she asked.

  Fear at the edge of her question, afraid to say the words she really meant. Slightly sacred if he would be more like her then him. Even if the child was a cross between the two of them, there were dangers they weren't ready to deal with.

  Of Sebastian's protection, there was no doubt. The doubt lay in how prepared they would be to protect the child from the Darken. If their baby were like her, Zorin would stop at nothing to take the child. The Vampire clans did not have the numbers to go against the massive forces of her people. Isis was right, they needed an army to protect themselves, and an army was what they lacked.

  "You shouldn't worry. I have Dr. Weaver coming by the house later today. He's the family doctor; he'll make sure you both are fine," he said, trying to ease the fears he knew she felt.

  "You seem worried," she replied to him.

  "I worry about your health. There has never been a situation like ours."

  "You mean the fact that my blood is supposedly poisonous to your kind. If I'm poison to you, how is it that this child has been growing, living, existing? If I'm not deadly to you, what else is a lie?"

  "Open your box," he commanded.

  "You can't just change the subject," she protested.

  He waited patiently for her to open the box that rested next to her.

  "We have to talk about this. There is a possibility that one or both of us could die. If it came down to it, you have to save our child."

  "We don't know that," he responded. Rising from the bed, he walked over towards the window. A few moments later, he was pacing towards the large walk-in closet, his footsteps silent on the faded large rug. Opening the closet, he stood outside of the door, waiting as if to say something, then suddenly changing his mind. Arel had not seen him indecisive before, it only made her worry increase.

  "We do know that. I've heard the others talk, among other things," Arel replied quietly.

  "I didn't know what size you would need, I had several of the same styles in different sizes brought over. Whatever does not fit, we will send back."

  Passing the door, he walked out of the room, upset. Leaving the present unopened on the bed, Arel walked over to the closet. Grabbing the first garment she saw; she removed her robe, sliding the soft cotton dress over her head. It fit perfectly, so she slipped on a pair of shoes and headed down the stairs.

  The house seemed empty, but she was too irritated to see if she could sense anyone. Unsure of the source of her irritation, she pushed it aside. Determined to talk with Sebastian about the pressing matters. Memories long forgotten had flooded back to her with the realization that when the Darken came and saw her decisions would have to be made. What the outcome of the choices would be she was unsure.

  Previously she had wanted to explain to Sebastian the things she had remembered. Knowing there were secrets she didn't want the rest of the house to perceive, she held her tongue looking for the perfect opportunity to relay the information she had remembered.

  There was information that she believed Sebastian had that she needed, even though her memory was almost fully restored. Since learning of the location of The Resistance from Ramla, she wanted to see childhood home. She hoped that if she found them, they would reveal the location of her mother, whom she was almost positive, was still alive.

  "Are you ready," Sebastian asked, coming in from the study. Remaining silent, she shook her head yes. Overcome by a feeling of lightheadedness, her belly growled loudly with hunger. Sebastian looked at her sternly. She knew he wanted to scold her for not eating, especially in her condition, but he didn't say anything.

  Sebastian grabbed her, keeping her from falling. Recovered from the episode, she pulled away from him. Arel followed Sebastian out of the house and towards the car in silence. Leaving the seemingly empty house, they walked into the bright afternoon sunshine.

  "Beautiful," he said, standing near the open car door waiting to help her into her seat.

  "Thank you," Arel replied as he closed the door behind her.

  Seat belts fastened Sebastian started the engine heading down the smooth driveway. With her thoughts elsewhere Arel peered out the window at the perfectly manicured landscape. Her eyes glimpsed the clearing past the orchard where Isis had met her end. The ground was entirely green, with no trace of a fire or the events that took place.

  “I don’t want to go to Trofi or Skip’s,” Arel stated quietly as she st
ared out the window. Subconsciously her fingers trailed the crisp leather of the armrest.

  “Anything you’re craving?”

  “I’m not really hungry,” she said. The hunger in her stomach grew, but she had no desire to eat, her thoughts preoccupied.

  A frown crossed Sebastian’s face as he watched her from the corner of his eyes. An angry growl emanated from Arel’s belly.

  "If you don't eat, you'll only get weaker, especially since you've been using your gifts regularly. You need to build your strength," Sebastian scolded. His eyes focused on the road ahead; his voice took a softer tone. "Please Arel, I need you to keep your strength up."

  "Any place is fine," she replied.

  "If you don't want to be out, we can go back to the apartment, and I'll make you something to eat. We can sit and talk about everything you want."

  They hadn't been back to the apartment since the day of her attack. It had been home, familiar, and comfortable. It was full of the promise of a future with a man she loved before the secrets began pouring out into the present.

  The thought of going back to her building seemed perfect even if it was just for a few hours. She knew Sebastian wanted her at his family estate for her own protection. Protection from what she still was unsure, especially since there seemed to be more than a few things that wanted to cause her harm.

  It was hard for Arel to find who she could trust. For as long as she could remember, someone had always lied to her. From birth, the Resistance, she believed her family, lied to her and her sister. Training them not only to fight the Darken but all other species as well. For Arel, the only reason she would look to the Resistance would be for information in regards to the whereabouts of her mother.

  The Darken, whom she learned she was one of, enslaved and murdered millions of species. The very people she was raised to fear and hate share the same blood that flows through her veins. Although she knew they would use her for their own agenda, she felt they had the knowledge to keep her and the child safe.