Elysium

by Sylah Sloan

  It was almost two in the morning, and I was ready for bed. I entered the Manor, students milling around after getting out of class. A few of them waved at me, and I was surprised how I was adjusting to my new life relatively well, considering the circumstances.

  I took the stairs quickly, striding down the hallway and pushing my bedroom door open. It still was a shock every time I walked into my room. Everything was just so beautiful and lavish, so expensive and pristine.

  I tossed my book bag on the floor, knowing it would be smart for me to start on my homework, but I was too tired. I did a face plant on my bed, closing my eyes and telling myself I would only rest for a little while. Soon I felt myself fading into that in-between, when you are still awake but not fully. I basked in that afterglow. It was a peaceful and relaxing feeling, but I opened my eyes, knowing if I didn’t get up, I would be up all day and would be exhausted for my classes tomorrow.

  I sat up, moving over to my book bag and pulling out my textbooks. Someone knocked on my door, and I moved towards it. I opened it and was surprised to see Nik standing on the other side. He wore a pair of track pants and a white tee, his NY Yankees hat on his head, as he smiled down at me.

  “Nik?” I knitted my brows, as he walked into my room, his eyes seeming to take everything in, yet he never spoke. “Is everything okay?” He turned and looked down at me, and his eyes seemed darker than the blue I had grown so used to. I was becoming uncomfortable, and as I stared at him it was almost as if the edges of his body were hazy.

  “I like you, Meadow.”

  Okay. I looked at him, not knowing exactly where this was going. “I like you too, Nik.” I started to back away, staring at him blankly, as I tried to understand what was going on. Suddenly he was right in front of me, his hand cupping my cheek as his head lowered. Holy crap. “Nik! What are you doing?” I moved away just before our lips touched. I looked into his face, his jaw tense, as sweat started to bead on his face.

  “I need you to release me from my prison, Meadow. Time is running out.”

  I had no idea what he was talking about, and the longer he was in my room, the crazier he was acting. The air became thick and electrically charged, and suddenly his form wavered, his shape becoming mist. I gasped and stumbled back at who now stood before me. It was no longer Nikolai, but the man from my dreams, the one who had called himself Tallin.

  “Help me, Meadow.”

  ****

  I opened my eyes. My body shook, and sweat made my clothes stick to my skin. I breathed heavily and looked around my room. It was all a dream.

  I pushed the damp hair out of my face and slid off the bed. I didn’t know what was going on, but these dreams were proving too much for me. I didn’t know if I should tell Mikhail and Cadeon what was happening, but decided against it, seeing as I was most likely overreacting. Maybe all of this was my brain trying to cope with stress. I was stressed, totally and completely, so maybe my imagination had just short-circuited?

  I exhaled, rubbing my eyes, and slid off the bed. As I started to cool, my skin got sticky. I picked at my clothes in disgust and went into the bathroom for a cold shower, hoping the water would wash away the remnants of my horrible dream.

  Chapter Fourteen

  I adjusted my swim bag on my shoulder, as I quietly made my way towards the natatorium. It was the middle of the day, and even though I should have been sleeping, I wanted to get some laps in and hopefully practice a little bit. The other swimmers were making me look bad.

  I didn’t even know if I was allowed to use the pool when classes weren’t in session, but the doors were unlocked, and I had no trouble getting in. Of course, there were no windows this far down, and if there hadn’t been the track lighting, sporadically placed throughout the hallway, I wouldn’t have been able to see anything.

  I didn’t bother going to the locker room, since I already had my swimsuit on. I pulled open the heavy door leading into the natatorium and stopped in my tracks when I saw someone in the pool. I couldn’t tell who it was, but I knew it was a guy, given the fact his muscular back was bare, as he did laps. The door shut silently behind me as the guy reached the wall. I knew he had already sensed me. What supernatural creature wouldn’t? I should have just left, but he had been quick, which really left me no time to do much of anything but stare.

  He turned and looked at me, and my breath caught at who stared back at me … Cadeon. He seemed momentarily surprised to see me, but the stoic mask he wore so often was back in place. He pulled himself out of the pool, and I couldn’t help but appreciate the view. The water dripped off of his chiseled chest slowly. Nik had been tall and lean, just like a swimmer should look, but Cadeon’s body was equally as tall but packing more muscle. He had tendons and sinew I didn’t know existed.

  I swallowed as he ran his hand over his hair, the strands spiky and sticking up, and he stared at me. He wore swim trunks—thank goodness—because I didn’t think I would be able to picture him in the kind of swim gear Nik had worn.

  “Hey.” He walked over and grabbed his towel, drying off as he made his way toward me.

  “Hi.” I was suddenly nervous as he approached me. “I didn’t know anyone else was down here. I just wanted to practice some laps.” I was rambling, I realized this, and I knew he did also, if his smirk was anything to go by.

  “It’s okay. This is a pretty big pool so I don’t mind sharing, if you don’t.”

  He turned away from me and made his way toward one of the stone benches lining the wall. He sat down and grabbed his water. I turned around and walked to the other side. The only lights on were the ones illuminating the pool and some built into the ceiling in the corner of the room. When I had my sweater off I glanced over my shoulder. Cadeon was looking at me, but as soon as our eyes met his gaze dropped to the ground. I slipped off my pants and grabbed my towel.

  Cadeon hadn’t looked at me again, and I was thankful. It wasn’t that I didn’t like him looking at me, but I didn’t think the Arcane Manor issued swimsuit was very flattering. I sat on the edge and pulled my hair into a bun. I didn’t bother wearing the swim cap, since I was only practicing.

  The water felt warm, as I moved to the center of the pool. I watched as Cadeon walked over to me, knelt at the edge of the pool, and smiled down at me. “Mind if I join you.”

  His words shouldn’t have caused my heart to flutter, but I would have been lying if I said I wasn’t thinking inappropriate things. I shook my head and swallowed roughly, and he got in and swam towards me. Even though the water was fairly warm, I still felt his body heat radiating towards me. We stared at each other for a suspended moment, before he grinned widely. “Want to race?”

  I couldn’t help but smile at his excited tone. “There is no way I can possibly beat you.”

  He shrugged. “I guess you won’t know until you try.” He smiled again, a flash of straight, white teeth. “I’ll even give you a head start.”

  “I think I’ll need a few laps head start.”

  “Nah. I don’t think you give yourself enough credit.”

  “You haven’t seen me swim against the others, have you?” I liked that I was able to joke with him. It made things … less tense. For me anyway.

  I took off, not wasting my “head start”. I swam fast, touching the edge of the pool on the other side and seeing Cadeon watch me, a big smile on his face, as he dove into the water. I laughed and started swimming back. Just as we passed each other in the center of the pool, I felt his fingers brush along my arm. I knew he was teasing me, but the tingle that went through my body wasn’t something I could ignore.

  I picked up my pace, letting my fingers touch the smooth tile of the pool wall, before doing a somersault in the water and using my feet to kick off of the wall. I swam hard and fast, sensing Cadeon pass me in the center of the pool again, and knowing he was letting me win. I knew there was no way I could beat him, especially if his swimming abilities were anything like the swim team’s.

  When I touched the w
all again and did another somersault, I knew Cadeon was right next to me. I pushed off the wall hard, swimming as fast as I could, until I finally touched the smooth tile again. I gripped the edge and sucked in some much needed air. Cadeon leaned against the wall lazily, a smug smile on his face as he stared at me.

  “You did fantastic.”

  I rolled my eyes as I panted, his breathing not even labored. “Yeah, says the guy who won.” He chuckled and got out of the water, holding his hand out for me to take. I slipped my hand into his much larger one and squeaked in surprise when he pulled me out of the water. When my feet touched the ground I stumbled slightly and leaned into his chest. We both froze and looked at each other for a suspended moment.

  I was aware of my chest against his, our breathing in sync. Water dripped from our bodies, and the droplets splattering on the ground seemed too loud in the now confined space. He steadied me and stepped back, clearing his throat and turning around to grab my towel. I thanked him and wrapped it around myself, shivering slightly, but not from the chill in the air. I rubbed my eyes to get the excess water out of them, as I watched Cadeon grab his own towel.

  “No, I mean it. You were really fast out there.”

  “Not when you compare me to everyone else.”

  “They have been doing this for a while and have acclimated themselves with their abilities. You are brand new to all of this. Just give yourself time. I have no doubt you’ll shine and far surpass them.”

  We swam a few more laps before my body and mind decided it had had enough. Cadeon walked me to my room, but since it was daylight outside we had to take the service tunnels running under the Manor. They weren’t as creepy as one would think, but the sound of dripping water in the distance had my body shivering and the hairs on my arms standing on end. It wasn’t all that bad though, not when I had a hot vampire escorting me personally to my room.

  ****

  I sat in my Vampyre History class, Mrs. Flekter rifling through her oversized briefcase, as she pulled out book after book and set them on her desk. I was thinking about my pool time with Cadeon, and I couldn’t help but smile.

  “I have an exciting lecture for you today, class.”

  Many of the students groaned overdramatically, and the teacher looked up, her lips pursed and her brow crinkled. It was a funny expression, but I made sure to keep my smile to myself.

  “We’re going to talk about the great Vampyre leaders in history. Each one of you will be assigned a specific figure to do your report on.” She put her briefcase on the ground and passed out thick stacks of papers.

  I started flipping through the pages and skimmed over the material. The history was impressive, if not frightening. I leaned back in my seat, as Mrs. Flekter started her lecture, making sure to begin at the beginning of time—literally.

  I sat there and listened to the teacher talk about the wars and leaders which shaped vampire history. It was engrossing and amazing, and Mrs. Flekter really knew how to keep it interesting, well, for me anyway. The rest of the class looked bored and anxious to leave, but then again they probably weren’t new to all of this. When there was ten minutes left, Mrs. Flekter sat on the edge of her desk with a clipboard in her hand.

  “Students, please get out a piece of paper and a pencil. I’m going to assign your topics for your reports.”

  More groaning from the class, but I was actually anxious to see who I would get. When she finally got to me, I had my pencil hovering over my paper.

  “Meadow, you will do your report on Rhyker Rulon’s reign during the Cimmerian War.” Half the class turned towards me. I quickly wrote down the name, trying not to feel awkward at the attention. Mrs. Flekter finished assigning the topics just as the bell rang. I gathered my things and left for my next class.

  ****

  After class I headed towards the library, excited to start this new project. It was weird, actually wanting to do a school report. Whenever I let my mind relax, I always thought about my old life. I had been a sort of outcast with my peers for as long as I could remember, never really fitting in, and being flung from one foster home to another. Of course that last part was before Marie took me in, a Godsend, if anyone ever asked me. I thought about her and the kids a lot, wondering what they were doing at that moment, and if they thought about me. Mikhail had said their memories had been altered, and they now believed I was in a different foster home. I wondered what would happen if everyone saw me. What would Marie and the children do? Would Mack, Toby, and Cecile run up to me, tackle me to the ground and tickle me until I screamed “uncle” like they used to?

  Maybe I could go back? I knew there were Arcane living in Serenity Springs, opening their own businesses and flourishing. Why couldn’t I do that? Why wasn’t I doing that? I shook my head and pushed my wayward thoughts aside. It wouldn’t do any good now. I had no idea how to get out of this place, and if I did what would I do? Where would I go? They said this school was in the mountains, hours from the town. I had no transportation and if I walked, it would take me forever to get there. No, I would worry about all of this later. What was the point? I knew I still needed to finish high school. Cadeon said he had lived at the Manor for a long time—students chose to reside at the Manor after they graduated. He had told me it was my decision to make, but what if I wanted to go back to Marie and the kids?

  I shook my head and continued towards the library, not about to let myself get worked up over something that I couldn’t fix. I would just end up getting upset, which I knew would do me no good. I had been here a week and already I was mostly acclimated to the school. As much as I missed a lot of my former life, I was starting to get more comfortable, actually starting to like how things were going at Arcane Manor.

  I stopped in front of the monstrous double wooden doors leading into the library. The dark cherry wood had beautiful engravings etched into it. I pushed open the doors, having been to this room before, but the sight of it still made my eyes grow big with wonder and awe. The eminent ceiling, a roof of a canopy of stained glass, depicting some great war. Men rode horses with their swords held high, charging after their enemy with determination on their faces.

  I took one last lingering glance at the ceiling, about to make my way towards a table when I narrowed my eyes, trying to see more clearly. The stained glass warriors were life-size, but even so, the high ceiling made trying to see detail a little difficult. What really caught my attention, which surprised me since I had never noticed it before, was a certain warrior atop a black stallion. Although I couldn’t make out the specifics of his features, my mouth opened in shock when I realized why he looked so familiar. He was the man from my dreams—the man with the ruby red eyes—the one who had asked me to free him.

  I must have seen him before to have dreamt about him, but as hard as I racked my brain to remember where, I couldn’t place him. I made my way over to the front desk, knowing I should just let it go, but unable to.

  “Excuse me?” A young girl with a smattering of freckles looked up at me. She pushed glasses up her nose, smiling and folding her hands in her lap.

  “Yes?”

  “I was wondering who that man was?” I pointed to the stained glass, doubting she would know which one I was talking about.

  “Can you be more specific?”

  I had seen that coming. “The one on the black stallion.” I tried to gauge where he was with my finger, but I knew I was probably way off. I looked back down at her, just in time to see her writing something down on a piece of paper for me.

  “You can find out all about the Cimmerian War here.”

  Cimmerian War? I took the piece of paper and thanked her. The library was huge, and I had a hard time finding my way. Finally though, I was able to figure out the right section and eventually found a book referencing to the war she spoke of. It was an enormous brown, leather bound book. I didn’t know how old it was, but just from looking at the tattered cover, I assumed it was ancient. I carried it over to an empty table, setting it down
and grimacing as the impact boomed throughout the hushed quarters. I set my book bag on the chair and slipped into the seat, running my fingers over the black ink gracing the cover. The word “Vampyre” was in the title, along with a few other words I couldn’t understand. It was all in a strange language with weird symbols. I flipped through some of the pages, not able to understand any of it, and turned back to the front of the book. I scrolled through the table of contents, able to decipher “Cimmerian”, and flipped to that section. I couldn’t read any of the pages, but there were roughly drawn pictures, which helped.

  The male vampires all wore strange clothing, old fashioned and warrior like. I flipped through several more pages, about to give up, when I stopped and stared at the man who had been haunting my dreams. Again, he sat high upon a horse, a crown atop his dark head, as he held a sword in the air. It wasn’t an actual photograph, but the drawing was extremely lifelike and detailed. I had no doubt it was the same man. I moved my gaze down to the caption, at the bottom, all of it in that strange language, but his name easy to pick out. My mouth dropped open from shock.

  “Rhyker Rulon.” The man that haunted my dreams stared back at me. Could it be a coincidence I had just happened to stumble upon him? I doubt it. I ran my fingers over the thick, discolored paper and then gathered my belongings and headed back towards the front desk. I set the book down, while I handed the girl my library card—thanks to Violet’s help.