Elysium

by Sylah Sloan

  I felt like a fool. Of course he had never felt the way I was feeling. “I forgot. I’m the only freak in this place.” I looked down at the table, running my hand along the smooth, cold surface.

  “Meadow.”

  I looked up as he softly said my name. His hand covered mine, stopping my movements on the table. The dual sensation was intoxicating—his warmth covering the top of my hand—the coldness of the table under my palm.

  “You’re not a freak. You’re special.”

  He leaned in, until he was only an inch from my face. He smelled so good, so fresh and clean. I didn’t look down when I felt his thumb running small circles along the back of my hand. I took a deep breath, his scent enveloping me, covering every part of me. “I’m not special. I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m confused and scared.” He looked at me for another second, before pulling back and clearing his throat. I shivered lightly from the loss.

  “I can see how you would be frightened and confused. It will take time, Meadow. Mikhail and I are here for anything you need.”

  There was a knock at the door, and it opened before I turned around. Mikhail stood on the other side, his hair disheveled and his face strained as if he hadn’t been getting enough sleep.

  “What’s going on? Halle said she saw you two rush in here.”

  I looked at Cadeon, not knowing what to say. Cadeon’s expression was one of anger, and he directed it at Mikhail.

  “Meadow, I’m going to need you to wait in the lobby. I need to speak with Dr. Iverson for just a minute,” Cadeon said, still staring at Mikhail, his voice calm but I could hear the underlying anger.

  “Okay.” I looked between the two of them, the tension in the room thick. Cadeon looked at me and smiled, but it looked completely forced.

  “Everything’s okay. I’ll escort you to your room in just a minute.”

  I nodded and walked towards the door, looking up at Mikhail, who smiled down at me. I shut the door behind me and made my way towards the lobby. I stopped when I heard Cadeon’s booming voice travel through the thick door. Cadeon’s tone was fierce with anger, each word clipped. I made my way into the lobby, seeing the receptionist behind her desk, a romance book in her hand. She looked up at me and smiled, adjusting the thin rimmed glasses on her face.

  “Evening, I’m Halle.”

  Ah, so she was the one who told Mikhail. She held her hand out and I took it, her grip surprisingly strong for such a small lady. “Hi, I’m Meadow.”

  “Oh, I know, dear, it’s so nice to finally meet you. Go ahead and have a seat. I’m sure they will be done soon.” She gestured towards the waiting area, her nose going back into her book.

  I walked up to the fish tank and watched the little creatures swim around. Their movements were so precise and graceful as they glided through the rocks.

  “Let’s go.”

  I turned around when I heard Cadeon’s clipped tone. His face was blank, but I could clearly see he was still angry. He held out a jacket to me, and I took it and quickly slipped it on. I had to practically run to keep up with his long strides.

  “Hey, can you slow down? Your legs are longer than mine.” He stopped abruptly and turned towards me. “I was only joking.” I held my hands up in surrender, hoping my lame comment hadn’t upset him more.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be like this. He frustrates me.”

  “Who, Mikhail?”

  He ran his hand through his hair and breathed out deeply. “Yeah, he … he just should have made sure you were taken care of. There was no need for you to feel pain from bloodlust … no reason at all.”

  I shoved my hands in the coat pockets, not sure if I should be happy that he seemed to care so much. Maybe he wanted me protected, because there wasn’t anyone else like me? I didn’t want to think like that. I wanted desperately to believe he acted this way because he cared that I was okay.

  “I’m sure he didn’t know. He said he would have to do more tests on me, so he probably didn’t know it would happen. I mean, I certainly didn’t know.”

  “Maybe.” He ran his hand through his hair, slightly mussing the short strands. “Let’s get you inside. It’s freezing out here.”

  He didn’t wait for me to reply. He turned back around and headed towards the main house. His stride was slower this time, and we walked side by side up the cobblestone pathway.

  Chapter Nine

  A few days had passed, and I was surprised how quickly the time seemed to fly by in the Manor. Ever since that night my bloodlust had taken over, Cadeon had been by several times a day. I wasn’t going to lie; I got a thrill every time I saw him. He would bring me bags of blood and fill a glass until my hunger was sated. Thankfully I hadn’t had bloodlust since. It wasn’t something I wanted to have to go through again.

  I was to start class the next night, and I was terrified. What would people think of me? Would they know I was different? Would they hate me for it? These thoughts bombarded me constantly.

  Mikhail had brought me my course books, and I was amazed by what I had read when I flipped though them. One of the books, Arcane History: The Birth of the Vampyre, was so engrossing I ended up reading the entire thing in one night. Arcanes were like nothing I had ever known—nothing I had ever heard of. They weren’t the monsters of nightmares, or the devil himself … at least the majority weren’t. One of my course books, The Rise of the Seekers, talked about rogue Arcane, and how they sought power by draining the life force of others. It was amazing to learn, yet frightening.

  I stared at the television, flipping through the hundreds of channels, thanks to satellite. Nothing held my interest, and I turned it off, sighing and lying back on the bed. I stared at the ceiling, my thoughts drifting from one thing to another. There was a light knock at my door, and I smiled. Cadeon had already been by twice tonight, but even so, I wanted it to be him. I jumped off the bed and checked myself in my vanity mirror. I took a deep breath and opened the door.

  Standing was a very petite girl. Her hair was a halo of wild auburn flames, her features those of a pixie. She smiled at me, lighting up her brown, doe-like eyes, and making her seem younger then I’m sure she actually was.

  “Meadow?”

  She didn’t wait to be invited in, just walked right into my room as she whistled. She handed me a package, without even so much as a glance in my direction.

  “You hit the mother lode, didn’t you?”

  I looked around my room, confused as to what she meant, but more confused as to why she was here. I set the package on my vanity and watched her. “Um, yeah, I’m Meadow. Who are you?” She turned and looked at me, her expression one of shock.

  “What? Are you telling me they didn’t tell you I was coming around?”

  I shook my head, watching as she went around my room and touched everything I owned.

  “How did you score such a rockin’ room when you just transferred here?” She sat on the edge of my bed, bounced a little bit, and ran her hand along the comforter.

  “I don’t know. Isn’t everyone’s room like this?”

  She laughed, the sound high pitched, like it was the funniest thing she had ever heard. “Remind me to show you my dwellings later, then we’ll compare.”

  “I’m sorry. Why are you here again?”

  “We’ve been paired together. Since you’re new, I was assigned to show you around. Most of our classes are together, well, except the last two. You get to choose your last elective classes.” She pulled a pamphlet from her pocket and handed it to me. “You have to take a stupid history class, specializing in your species, but every student has to.” I saw her roll her eyes and look around my room again. “Anyway, look through the pamphlet and decide what elective you want to take.”

  “Yeah, sure.” I sat down and looked through the pamphlet, taking note they offered swimming, ballet, gymnastics, as well as an array of other recreational classes. As I read through the list, I felt a little disappointed no music classes were offered. Out of all the e
lectives they offered, not one piano class was on the list.

  “Get out!”

  I looked at the door, thinking she was talking to me, but realizing she noticed the TV on the wall.

  “Is that a flat screen plasma?”

  I shrugged. “I guess, why?”

  “Again, remind me to show you my room and my twenty-four inch clunker. Are you related to someone in the Manor?”

  “No, why?”

  “Well, you have the penthouse of all rooms, not to mention the best of best things. I just wanted to know what strings you pulled to get this kind of loot.”

  She was starting to embarrass me, but I didn’t say anything. It made me wonder though, why would they give me such an extravagant room, if none of the other students had them? Maybe they felt sorry for my predicament, or maybe it was because I really was their science experiment and they wanted to make sure their lab rat was happy.

  “Anyway, I’m Violet. Did I mention that?”

  I shook my head, smiling at her childlike attention span.

  “Violet Fender. Extraordinary Fey at your service.” She got off the bed and walked up to me and held her hand out.

  “So you’re fey? What is that exactly?” I hadn’t read all my course books yet, but knew there was one in there about all the different types of Arcane.

  “What! Have you never heard of our ethereal like qualities? Or our blinding beauty? Or maybe our compelling personalities?” I shook my head. “I think I’m hurt.” She laughed, that same tinkling melody.

  Thankfully, she smiled right after that, and I was grateful to get paired up with someone who had a sense of humor.

  “It’s nothing special. I think we’re related to fairies or something, not sure. I’m pretty boring though.”

  Just like that she was serious again, and this time I did laugh out loud.

  “Ah, she is alive. For a moment there I thought I would have to pull out the big guns and go into knock, knock jokes.”

  We laughed at the same time, and I felt all my worry and all my fear and confusion melt away.

  “That’s what I can do.”

  “What?” I looked at her, not knowing what she meant. I still felt good, like I didn’t have a care in the world, and then the next second my worries, fear and confusion came back.

  “I can make people feel better. It’s what I do, well sometimes, if someone really needs it.”

  “That’s amazing.” Her cheeks got red, and I knew I had embarrassed her with my compliment.

  “Not really. Anyway, it isn’t anything like the powers vampires have.”

  I wondered how much they had told her about me. I wasn’t about to offer any information, because frankly I didn’t want to frighten her away. “I’m not really anything special. I mean, I can’t even do the things other vampires can do.”

  “Really? Well, what can you do?”

  I started to get uncomfortable again, and I knew she noticed because the next instant I felt wonderful. “That’s cheating.” I smiled at her.

  “No, it’s not. You just looked a little freaked out.” She waved her hand for me to continue. “Carry on.”

  “I can’t do anything. I can’t see or hear like them. Honestly, I think I’m a dud.”

  She laughed, and I felt myself come back to reality again, the wonderful feeling slowly slipping away. She brought her hand up and put a piece of her hair behind her ear, and that’s when her tiny pointed ears became visible. She must have seen me looking, because she shook her hair out, the strands falling back into place and hiding her ears.

  “I hate them.”

  “What? Why? I think they’re cute.” She snorted, but even that sounded whimsical.

  “That’s why I hate them. I’m eighteen years old and everyone around me considers me cute. I’m an adult now, but everyone sees me as a child.”

  I could see the frustration on her childlike features and could understand why she would be upset. There is no way I would have thought she was older than me. “Well, on the bright side, you will always look young and fresh.”

  “That really doesn’t help me when I have no life span. I am to live the rest of my life looking like a twelve year old? The fates are so cruel.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh at her exasperated tone. I could see why it would bother her—to look like a child for the rest of your life. “It could be worse.” I shrugged, just saying anything to try to make her feel better about it. She gave me one of those looks—the kind that lets you know what you just said was a load of crap.

  “You’re too sweet. Better toughen up though, if you want to make it in this place.” She walked towards the door and opened it. “Oh, by the way, I’ll meet you in the foyer tomorrow evening, say six? Classes start at seven, but I thought it would be best to show you around first.”

  “Okay, but Cadeon showed me around the other day.”

  “No, he showed you the main house. I’m going show you where all our classes are held. Oh and by the way, those are your uniforms in the package. See ya!”

  She skipped down the hall, which was the only way I could put it. I walked over and shut the door, not knowing what to think about her. She was nice, and I should be thankful to get paired with someone who was genuinely happy to be around me. I glanced at the package and walked over to it. I brought it over to the bed and tore away the brown craft paper. Neatly folded inside were several white and navy long sleeve and button down cotton shirts, navy and white pleated skirts, white and navy cardigans, and a bunch of other accessories to match the uniforms. I set everything on the bed and scanned the items. I guessed navy and white were the theme colors, along with the dragon as their mascot.

  I picked up a cardigan and ran my finger over the embroidered dragon in the corner. The dragon didn’t have a face—just smooth stitching flowing down the rest of its body. Its mouth was open in a ferocious snarl, its fangs prominent. The body was twisted in an elegant way, the tail curved upward, and the claws on its hand and feet stretched outward. My finger followed the smooth lines of stitching, running the length of the entire body, until I ended at the tip of the tail. The initials AM were under the dragon’s body, written in Old English script and stitched in silver thread.

  I fell back on the bed and let my feet hang over the edge, my toes barely touching the plush carpet. I didn’t know if I was ready for all of this, and as much as I was scared about everything, there were really no other options for me. I couldn’t go and see Marie and the kids, tell them I wanted to move back in with them, and smile, showing off my fangs. Yeah, that would probably go over really well.

  After everything that had happened, I think what was starting to frighten me the most was seeing the other students. Even now, being a vampire, the whole idea of what my peers would think of me weighed on me the most. How crazy was my thinking?

  I still hadn’t gotten into the whole nocturnal schedule, and more times than not I would fall asleep in the middle of the night. I’m sure things would change once I started classes. At least, I hoped so.

  Chapter Ten

  I stood in a field of tall green grass and white flowers, lilies I think. The wind blew lightly, moving the grass and flowers in waves around me. The grass brushed against my knees, and I looked down, noticing I wore a thin, white lacy gown. I picked at the fabric; it felt so smooth, like velvet and silk against my fingertips. I looked back at the field, only grass and flowers for as far as I could see, the wind making it seem as if I were standing in a sea of green and white. The sky was a bright blue, dashed with puffy white clouds.

  I must be dreaming, right? This place was far too beautiful to be real. I turned around and first saw the thick, white trunk of the tree. My eyes traveled up, and I gasped, stepping back as I saw the leaves. They burned a brilliant orange, flames dancing across the thin branches. As I looked at it harder, I realized the tree wasn’t on fire even though it burned brightly. The flames made up the leaves, and as I watched the burning tree it mesmerized me, so beautiful I c
ouldn’t take my eyes from it.

  “Beautiful.”

  I spun around, as a voice whispered against my ear and warm breath brushed against my skin. I could only stare at the man standing in front of me. He didn’t look much older than me, but I had a feeling he was ancient. His hair was a light blond, so light I could have sworn it was white. His eyes were obsidian, and as I stared at those eyes, a sense of déjà vu overwhelmed me. There was something about those eyes, something nagging at me to remember where I had seen them before. Swallowing, I took a step back. He regarded me solemnly, his handsome features almost amused at my uncomfortable state.

  “Yes, it is.” He chuckled, walking around me as his eyes traveled up the burning tree.

  “Oh, I wasn’t talking about the tree, Meadow.”

  I watched him intently. I knew I was dreaming, but even so, something inside of me urged me to be careful.

  “How do you know my name?” I followed him as he disappeared behind the white trunk, not emerging on the other side. I looked around and hesitantly made my way closer to the tree. I touched the trunk, the bark so smooth it felt like blown glass, even though its appearance seemed weathered and rough. I knitted my brows and shook my head. I looked behind the trunk, empty space greeting me on the other side.

  “I know all about you, Meadow.” His whispered voice came to me again, a soft caress against the skin of my ear that had awareness spiking inside of me.

  I spun around and faced him, his big body so close I pressed myself against the trunk of the tree. “Where am I?” I asked.

  He smiled, all straight, white teeth. “We’re in your dream, although I would say it is Elysium, wouldn’t you?”

  “Elysium?” I watched as he smiled again, turning to the side and sweeping his hand towards the ocean of grass and flowers.

  “Yes. Elysium—a heaven all its own. I’m grateful to be here with you, much more spectacular than even I could have imagined.”

  I knew this was a dream, yet everything felt so real. “I’m dreaming. None of this is real.”