by Sylah Sloan
“Do you have any books on this material in English?” The girl looked at me before typing something in her computer.
“We have one book on the Cimmerian War in English.” She held up her finger in the universal sign for “hold on” and took off. I leaned against the counter and looked at the stained glass again. It was as if those blood red eyes could see into my soul, like he was staring right at me. It was like one of those pictures you see in a museum, the one that follows you no matter where you go. It was creepy.
“Is this what you were looking for?”
I glanced back down, surprised it had only taken her a few minutes to find what I needed. I looked at the book, this one much more modern than the tattered and worn brown one. I checked out the English version, heading back to my room, filled with excitement to see if I could dissect my dreams and find out why Rhyker Rulon was haunting me.
****
I sat on my bed twenty minutes later, the book I checked out from the library in front of me, as I flipped through pages. So far I had learned that the Cimmerian War, also known as the Dark War, had been fought in 700 A.D. It supposedly was the biggest war the Arcane had fought, led by the vampire leader, Rhyker Rulon, in his quest for world domination. According to the book, Rhyker succeeded in defeating his enemies, but it was their high governing Warlock, Cetayo, that he was really after. The vampire leader not only wanted world domination, but he also wanted eternal life. This confused me at first, because from what I had read and heard in my time at the Manor, vampires were immortal. It wasn’t until I read later on I realized Rhyker wanted to use Cetayo to make sure he never died. Even though the Arcane were blessed with immortality, death was still possible.
Rhyker wanted his immortality, but he also wanted to eliminate the chance one of his enemies would kill him. Cetayo refused Rhyker’s demands, and instead, cursed the warrior to forever live in the Land of Shadow and Death. I had to flip to the glossary to find out what that was, and I was surprised to see it was similar to the hell I had been taught about while growing up. Cetayo hadn’t stopped there though, cursing Rhyker to walk amongst the living, but to be unseen forever. It was cryptic and creepy.
His people had believed him to be a great and prosperous warrior, but in truth, he was evil and was a very selfish man. He might have acted as if he cared for his people, but his one and only goal was to be the most powerful being on the planet, having all bow before him as their supreme ruler. I read with growing interest, only to find out at the end of this amazing story that it was considered a fable. For ages, everyone had seen Rhyker as a great, albeit dangerous ruler. He had been victorious in war countless times, until his death, during the Cimmerian War.
I pushed the book aside, my mind reeling from all the new information I learned. Why was I dreaming about a dead King? I looked at the clock, seeing it was just about time for me to go to the clinic. Cadeon had found me shortly after class and had asked if I would be willing to come by, so they could run some blood tests. I hadn’t objected because, well, Cadeon was going to be there. Sure, he had been stopping by several times a day to give me the blood, but it wasn’t more than a passing hello.
When I wasn’t at school—and if I was being honest with myself—when I was at school, I thought about him, constantly. I didn’t know what it was about him, but he just did something to me.
I slipped on my shoes and grabbed my jacket, making my way towards the clinic with steady steps. This was the first time Mikhail wanted to do tests since I had come to the Manor. I was scared, true, but I was also anxious. I wanted to find out what the deal with me was. I wanted to know why I was like this and why I didn’t have the powers all vampires possessed.
The air was frigid when I stepped outside, and I wrapped my coat tighter around me. I made my way quickly down the cobblestone path, the trees lining the walkway lit up and leading my way. The clinic’s automatic doors slid open on their own accord, and I stepped inside, the heat instantly thawing me, as I waved at Halle and made my way towards Mikhail’s office.
The door was ajar, so I gave a light knock and pushed it open. Mikhail and Cadeon were huddled over a microscope and a stack of papers. They both looked up as I entered, smiles on their faces as they greeted me.
“Thank you for coming, Meadow.”
“No problem.” I took my coat off and Cadeon held his hand out for it. I gave it to him, our fingers brushing against each other. Even the briefest and smallest of touches had my heart pounding erratically, excitedly.
“This should only take a few minutes.”
Mikhail walked over with a syringe in hand as he gestured for me to have a seat. “What exactly do you need from me again?” I knew he needed blood, but he had several needles, as well as his stethoscope and other medical equipment on a tray.
“I’m going to take venous and arterial blood samples to see if there are any abnormalities. I don’t have any reason to believe there are, but like we discussed earlier, you are a hybrid and we have never come across anything as special as you.” He set his needles on the tray next to me, as he rolled up his sleeves. “I also want to take your vitals and see how things are progressing. Just let me know when you’re ready.”
I looked between the two of them, my gaze lingering on Cadeon for a moment before I looked back at Mikhail and nodded.
Chapter Fifteen
I gingerly slipped my coat on over my bandaged arm, struggling, as the gauze kept getting caught on the edge of my jacket. Cadeon was near me and chuckled softly, as he helped me, my cheeks heating at his close proximity. He looked down, as he fixed my collar, and smiled at me. We held gazes for a moment, time seeming to stop as everything else disappeared, leaving only the two of us. Just as quickly as it happened, it stopped.
“I want to show you something.”
He held his hand out to me and waited for me to take it. I stared at his outstretched offering a little longer than necessary, probably making myself look like an ass, before I finally slipped my hand into his much bigger one. His skin was so warm and smooth. I had always thought a vampire’s skin was ice cold, the undead not having a heartbeat and unable to pump blood through their body to create heat. I was wrong I realized as he tightened his hand around mine and led me outside.
I didn’t know where we were going, but I soon understood he was taking us to a building catty-corner to another building, off to the side of the Manor. I couldn’t see much, since there really wasn’t any lighting leading the way.
He led me to the front of the building, where he pulled out a small silver key from his pocket and slipped it into the lock. He opened the door, the smell of sweet humid earth filling my senses before I even stepped inside. I didn’t move, but when he gave a gentle tug on my hand, I tentatively followed him in. The door shut quietly behind me, and I looked around the room, my eyes big and my mouth open. It was a massive greenhouse.
The walls and ceiling were glass, the moonlight filtering through it and illuminating all of the exotic and colorful flowers. I let go of his hand and walked over to the wall, running my fingers along the warm, smooth glass.
“It isn’t cold.”
“No. The greenhouse is temperature controlled. Even though it’s ten degrees outside, it’s always eighty in here.”
I looked at the Manor, wondering if anyone inside could see me. “Won’t we get in trouble?”
“The greenhouse is situated so it is blocked by the landscaping, as well as the other building.”
I looked over at him, my hand still on the glass.
“You trust me, don’t you, Meadow?”
We looked at each other for a moment before I nodded. “Yes, I trust you, Cadeon.” I did too, even though I had not known him for very long, I felt this intense connection with him, my feelings so heightened I knew he wouldn’t let anything bad happen. I might have been naïve, but I was going with my gut on this one.
He smiled and started to lead me through the stone path curving beneath the heavy foliage and exotic
flowers. The air was honeyed with the smell of the flowers, the temperature humid and a little too warm for my liking. He stopped in front of this beautiful waterfall, carved right out of Redstone, the trickling of the water sounding hypnotic and calming. I sat on the edge of the base, looking up at the glass ceiling and watching as the clouds shrouded the moon temporarily.
Cadeon let go of my hand and walked over to a giant bush covered with thick white buds. I watched him snap off a stem and walk back over to me, sitting next to me as he held the delicate looking flower.
He pointed at the moon which had started to peek through the clouds. “Watch the flower.”
I looked down at the closed bud, wondering exactly what I was supposed to be watching for. As the moonlight started to bathe everything in a silvery hue, my mouth opened and my eyes widened. Right before me, the flower opened, as if the light from the moon activated it and it awoke. It opened wide as Cadeon held it, my eyes jumping from the flower to his face and then back to the flower.
“Oh my.” I said it more to myself, not able to keep in the childlike wonder which I knew I projected. Once the petals unfolded, I was able to see all the beautiful and vibrant colors they held. The tips of the petals were jagged, but didn’t take away from the splendid beauty of the flower. Cadeon held it out to me and I took it, turning it in my hand so I could see every angle of the blossom.
“What is this?” I had never seen this type of flower before. It looked exotic and rare. I looked at Cadeon, who was gazing at me intently.
“It is called Lantera Dianthisis. It’s one of the hybrids Mikhail and I have been creating.” He ran his hand over the back of his neck, the gesture making him look as if he were nervous. “The majority of these flowers are night blooming, so the students and faculty can enjoy them.”
I didn’t even attempt to repeat the word, Latin not one of my strong subjects. “You and Mikhail created these flowers?” I was amazed. I looked at the flower and then back at Cadeon, swallowing when I noticed how he was looking at me. It was how I looked at him—with longing.
“We did.”
My heart started beating that predictable rhythm, whenever he looked at me. Time seemed to stand still, and I wondered if he was going to kiss me. He lifted his hand and gently caressed my cheek. I was so nervous I couldn’t even fully enjoy that simple touch, as much as I would have liked.
“You are so beautiful, Meadow.”
I started to feel dizzy from his words. Never had anyone called me beautiful, and here was this gorgeous and intelligent guy, giving me incredible flowers and telling me what I longed to hear. I got so wrapped up in the moment, I found myself leaning forward, yearning for a kiss. I’d never actually experienced one, as embarrassing as that was for me to admit. I wanted my first time to be with Cadeon.
I was pleasantly surprised when he didn’t move away. Our mouths were inches from each other, and I could hear him swallowing over and over again. Just as I went to eliminate those last few inches keeping our lips apart, he cupped my cheeks with his hands and tilted my head down, kissing me softly on the forehead. I leaned back, so stunned I couldn’t speak. Had I completely misinterpreted his feelings for me? I had assumed because he told me how beautiful I was, he harbored the same feelings. I was wrong. I was embarrassed, mortified and humiliated I had made an ass out of myself.
I didn’t know what to say, didn’t know what to do next. I felt Cadeon’s fingers under my chin, lifting my head up until I was looking into his eyes. His other hand rested on my shoulder, his fingers playing with strands of my hair, as we just stared at each other.
“It isn’t right.”
I knitted my brows, not knowing what he was talking about. “What isn’t right?”
“My feelings for you. I should be stronger.”
I didn’t know if I should be offended or embarrassed by what he said. A part of me was secretly happy he felt something for me, but listening to him right now, I didn’t know if he regretted those feelings. “I’m not sure I understand.”
He closed his eyes briefly, dropping his hand from my face and shoulder. “You are so young and impressionable. You are new to this whole world, and all I can think about is how lovely your hair smells when the wind sifts through it, or how beautiful you are when you’re concentrating on something. I should be guiding you, helping you through this transition, and all I want to do is kiss you. I should be stronger.”
I must have looked like a fish out of water. My mouth opened and closed yet nothing came out. What in the hell was I supposed to say to something like that? I hadn’t imagined Cadeon would feel romantically about me, but as he stared down and spoke such loving and selfless words, I knew no other guy would compare to him. I swallowed, looked down at the flower, and then back at him.
“I’ve never been kissed.” I wasn’t looking for sympathy, not in the least, and I was probably embarrassing myself with my admission, but I wanted him to know. I wanted him to be the first guy I kissed. I wanted to share that experience with him. He didn’t speak, and I worried I had screwed up anything which might have been created between us. He almost had a troubled look on his face, but then he let out a deep breath, his hand going back to my face and his fingers trailing along my jaw.
“You’re so special, Meadow.” He whispered the words.
I didn’t feel special, not in the least, but I would have been lying if I didn’t admit that hearing him say those things about me had butterflies in my stomach. My eyes widened when I noticed his head coming closer. Oh my. This is it. He’s going to kiss me. I didn’t move and held my breath as he stopped an inch from my lips. It was torture, pure and simple.
“Just a small kiss.”
I nodded and braced myself, as his lips pressed against mine. The setting was perfect, the kiss magical. He smelled so good, and I was being kissed for the first time in a romantic place. The beautiful flowers blooming all around me, their intoxicating scents surrounding us, just made the experience that much more incredible.
Soon that small kiss became more heated, and he cupped my cheeks with his hands. Whatever I had imagined it to be like to kiss, it had never compared to this. His lips on mine were demanding, yet soft, like he wanted to show me all the passion he had, but didn’t dare let loose. He pulled away and looked at me, his breathing as fast as my own. I was glad he had the same reaction to me, as I did to him.
He cleared his throat and sat back, running his hand through his hair and looking around. “We should get back.”
In a few short hours it would be dawn and even though I didn’t know if I would fry out in the sun, I wasn’t ready to test my luck. I nodded, letting him take my hand and getting tingles all over my body when our skin touched. We slowly made our way back to the Manor, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. He seemed more aloof, more distant, and I wondered if I had done something wrong. Had I pushed him into kissing me? Made him feel sorry for me and now he regretted doing it? He was older and maybe he feared he would get in trouble. I certainly considered the kiss innocent, but now felt shame for what we had done. I didn’t want him angry at me and worried about it.
“Cadeon?”
He stopped before we reached the front doors, the wind blowing by us and ruffling his dark hair. “I’m sorry.” I tightened my coat, suddenly feeling embarrassed.
He knitted his brows and took a step towards me. “For what?”
“For the kiss. I didn’t tell you to make you feel sorry for me. I just, I don’t know, wanted you to know.” He didn’t say anything, his attention on the greenhouse.
“You have nothing to be sorry about. I’m just frustrated with myself. I find it difficult to keep my control around you, but I should. I need to stay strong and levelheaded because it won’t do anyone any good if I let my emotions control me. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
I didn’t, but I nodded anyway. I kind of thought he was telling me he cared for me, which was what I deciphered back in the greenhouse. I was happy to know he couldn’t keep
his control around me, but not so happy that he wanted to keep it. When he kissed me, he showed me a side of him that was wilder, more intense. It was another part of his life, a part more exciting. The kiss showed me what it could be like, what I had been missing this whole time. It sounded silly, even as I thought about it, but it was true. We stared at each other for another suspended moment and then he smiled.
“Goodnight, Meadow.” He turned, and I watched him walk away. I didn’t close my door until he was gone.
Chapter Sixteen
The next day, I gathered my book bag and headed to meet Nik and Violet in the foyer. I’d been thinking about the kiss I shared with Cadeon, my mind conjuring the picture of our lips pressed together over and over again. I knew I needed to stop thinking about it, knew I would only end up getting my heart broken. Cadeon had told me he cared for me as well, but that there would be no “us.” It sucked, but then again I was used to disappointment.
I rounded the corner and headed down the stairs, seeing Nik and Violet waiting at the bottom for me. It was strange seeing Nik after the insane dream I had the other night, picturing him telling me how he needed me to release him from his prison and how he liked me. It was all a silly dream, one my mind concocted, and one that would make me go crazy before it was all said and done.
“Hey, girlie, I have some awesome news.” Violet all but sang the statement out, a huge smile on her face as she looked between Nik and me.
“Oh?” We headed outside, Nik rolling his eyes, as Violet spouted off her latest news.
“Okay, so you know how the Winter Solstice celebration is next week?”
I nodded even though I hadn’t known when it exactly was.
“So, April told me…”
“Who’s April?” The wind blew by us, and I shivered.
“You know, April Henry?” At my blank stare she let out a huge sigh. “The shape shifter girl in our Arcane History class.”