Harmony

by Sonya Bria

  Ian sighed and said, “I’ll meet you upstairs.”

  REVELATIONS

  I couldn’t believe that it had only been a week since Ian and I had “officially” met. I was enjoying every moment of it. It still seemed surreal at times, but I felt so alive; I was acutely aware of my five senses now and had a greater appreciation for everything around me. Something akin to a deeper connection to the world surrounding me. Nature was a rare gift, one I’d taken for granted in the past. To me, everything was now perfect.

  “Sophie.” Emily tapped me from behind.

  “Hmm?” was about all I could muster, as I was still deep in thought.

  “What’s with you? It isn’t like you to daydream in class.”

  “I’m just a bit preoccupied, that’s all,” I lied.

  Emily shook her head, obviously not buying it, but left it at that. The clock read one-thirty. One more hour and I’d be with Ian. Just thinking about it gave me goose bumps! Okay, I needed to concentrate on this Calc test. Repeating my senior year due to Calculus was not an option. I rushed through the test problems; Ian was a great tutor. I don’t think there was a subject that he didn’t have mastered. It was amazing—he was like my very own Google.

  The bell rang. I quickly gathered up my books and stuffed them into my backpack. I walked with Emily back to our lockers.

  “What’s with you today?” Em asked.

  “I’m just excited for the weekend. Ian is picking me up,” I said.

  Emily voiced her concern, “I should have known. You are seriously obsessed with this guy, Soph. It’s only been like a week.” I knew she meant well. “What do you really know about him?” Em quizzed. “Max is worried about you. You’re doing things that aren’t like you.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked a bit defensive.

  “Oh, how about blowing off the dance committee,” Emily began, “I mean we’re seniors this year! We were going to make this the dance to remember!”

  “Okay, so I missed a few meetings Em,” I said, “but that doesn’t mean I’m not excited about the dance and graduating. This whole thing with Ian just sort of happened. I don’t know what to say.”

  I hated lying to Emily and Max; they were the closest thing to family I had besides Grams. “Em, really, I know what I’m doing. Have I ever done anything that I didn’t want too?” I questioned.

  “No, I guess not.” Em gave in. “Just be careful. I guess I’m really just jealous,” she said, leaning against her locker. “When’s Max going to make a move…he is so frustrating!”

  I hugged Emily. “Max is just a little slower than the average guy. He’ll come around, just you wait and see.” I felt a cool sensation and tingling as we reached the school’s front doors. “Ian’s here. I’ll call you on Sunday, okay?”

  “How do you do that?” Em asked. “It’s like your suddenly psychic or something.”

  I laughed. “You could say that.” I scanned the parking lot, not seeing him, but I knew he was near. I could feel it; my whole body shook with excitement for this weekend.

  Over here, Ian said.

  I projected back, Where? Oh, of course you have a bike. I smiled as I ran down the steps as fast as I could without drawing too much attention to myself. Oh, what did I care? I really didn’t care anymore what anyone thought, just as long as I was with Ian. He was becoming the center of my existence. Graduation couldn’t come soon enough.

  “Hey you,” I said as I approached his bike.

  “Hey yourself,” Ian said, handing me a helmet. “Put this on.”

  “Are you going to tell me where we are going?”

  Ian laughed. “If I told you, I’d have to kill you.”

  I could actually see the twinkle in his eyes. Very funny, Ian. I loved telepathy.

  Hold on tight.

  We were off. Once we cleared the school parking lot and pedestrian zone, Ian began driving at an insanely fast speed. He started laughing as I gripped him tighter around the waist. The last thing I wanted to do was fall off and ruin our weekend. “Is this safe?” I screamed into the wind.

  Ian just laughed. “Just relax, trust me. I do this all the time.”

  I closed my eyes and felt a whirlwind forming around our bodies. I was totally aware of the surrounding scenery as we wound our way up the mountain pass. It was all clear in Ian’s mind. I soaked it in as I read his thoughts in pictures. It was thrilling to connect and experience this moment together, with our thoughts and minds united. I could see why he loved it. It wasn’t recklessness on his part; he was totally in control. His vampire reflexes were more sharp and honed than mine. I could feel when his body shifted in anticipation for the next curve of the road, and hear the oncoming cars miles before we approached. I melted into his body, giving in to the rush of the wind. I couldn’t get close enough. I think I sighed and Ian tensed.

  What’s wrong? I asked telepathically. He didn’t respond. Obviously, I’d done something. I was learning that it was better to leave him be when he was brooding. After what seemed like mere minutes, Ian slowed enough to turn so we wouldn’t careen into the trees. The forest foliage became denser, darker as we worked our way further up the road. The different hues of green blended into one swirl of vibrant color for me, and I knew this was a place not meant to be found by the casual passerby. I’d never had made it on my own. Before I knew it, we were stopped. I really didn’t want this moment to end. I felt at peace.

  “Sophie we’re here.”

  I slowly opened my eyes as Ian turned the motor off. His house. I didn’t know what to expect, but it seemed familiar. “This is so beautiful, Ian!” I said, sliding off the back of his bike. I twirled around, exhilarated from our ride.

  Ian couldn’t help smiling. “Come on, let’s put your things inside,” Ian said, opening the door.

  “Okay, grumpy.” I smiled, walking ahead of him through the door. He was always the gentleman; a dead giveaway that he heralded from a different generation. I immediately knew where I was—the rooms from my dreams! It didn’t feel strange or awkward being here, but comfortable. It was like coming home after a long time away. My eyes were drawn to his chair and the walls of books. “I don’t know why you love that chair.” Ian mused, shaking his head. I laughed. “Look at all these books! Have you read them all? I could spend forever here reading…” I stopped. Ian was distant again. “Of course you’ve read them all. Sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize,” Ian said, coming up behind me and resting his chin on my head. “I mainly hold on to them for you. I know how you love your books.”

  “Is it that obvious that I’m a book worm?”

  Ian laughed, “Sometimes I do feel a bit neglected…”

  “Somehow I doubt that has ever been a problem for you.” I said in mock disbelief.

  “Wow, that hurts…just preparing for all the late night study sessions when you head off to college.” He said.

  Yeah about that…I guess I really need to pick a school, don’t I?

  Ian remained silent. Ok more cryptic, awkward silence which indicated that we needed a subject change. So turning into his embrace, I teasingly said, “So, what is this place? Is this where you live when you’re not stalking Gram’s house?”

  “Yes,” Ian affirmed, rolling his eyes. “This is where I’ve lived the last ten years or so.”

  “Only that long?” I asked surprised.

  “I’ve been around awhile. I have other places when I am out and about…traveling,” Ian simply said.

  “Hold that thought. I need to ahh, is there a...do you use…”

  Ian laughed at my awkwardness. Pushing me in the right direction, he said, “The bathroom is down the hall, and yes, I have been known to use it occasionally!”

  How stupid of me! Of course there had to be some human habits that he still clung to if for no other reason than sheer habit. Like eating. Did he eat food? I wasn’t really sure. We needed to have a serious talk about his vampirism do’s and don’ts. “Ian?” I shouted out wandering down
the hall.

  “I’m in the kitchen,” he yelled back.

  What are you doing? I peeked into his mind.

  I’m making you lunch. I want to show you something.

  We flipped back and forth between talking and reading thoughts so often that I was sure if someone were watching, it would be quite confusing.

  I headed into the kitchen. “Are we going on a picnic?” I asked, surveying all the food.

  “Is that okay?”

  “Anywhere with you is fine. You should know that by now,” I said, kissing his cheek.

  “Sophie, I wish you wouldn’t say that.”

  “Ian, you promised,” I began. “Don’t shut me out. Let’s just see where this leads us,” I said.

  Ian resigned, “I know I agreed—it’s hard not to give into you—but you should never let your guard down with me,” Ian warned.

  I felt my cheeks burn. “Ian, look at me. I know you’d never intentionally hurt me. You haven’t so far.” We left it at that. “Come on before it gets too dark.” I grabbed his hand, and we headed out into the forest. I didn’t mind the silence. I never felt pressured to keep a conversation going. We had a clear understanding of one another that took most years to acquire. I was always amazed at how easy it was to be myself with him.

  “What are you thinking about?” I asked after a few moments of silence. Ian was currently very pensive, and sometimes I found it hard to read his emotions. It was as if he was trying to keep me safe from some dark secret he harbored.

  “We’re here,” he finally said. Up ahead, light filtered through as the trees began to thin. I shielded my eyes, as it was suddenly very bright. I’d almost forgotten that we were in the shadiest part of the forest. I guess I was adapting more to Ian’s way of life than I’d realized. “Oh, it’s the coast!” I spun around to see Ian standing at the edge of the light under a pine tree. “Can you come out here?” I asked. I wasn’t entirely sure if the stories about vampires were true that they burned in direct sunlight. It made sense that we were in Oregon with its limited sunny days.

  “I’ll be fine. The sun only diminishes my abilities. It’s kind of like kryptonite to Superman,” he stated. “It weakens me, but in small doses the sun can’t harm me.”

  Ian walked over and wrapped his arms around me. “Is there anything else that you’re curious about?”

  “I read that you don’t photograph. Is that true?”

  Ian shook his head. “Myth.”

  I was on a roll. “What else weakens you besides long exposure to the sun?”

  Ian answered, “Tainted blood.”

  “Like when someone is sick?” I asked.

  “Yes.”

  “How can you tell the difference?”

  Ian sighed, as if he didn’t want to be having this conversation, but he said, “We have a heightened sense of smell. A person or animal emits different odors when they are sick.”

  This led me to my next question. “Do you get sick?”

  “No.”

  “Do you kill a vampire with a stake through the heart?” I blurted out.

  “Are you planning something?” Ian raised his eyebrows at me.

  I laughed. “Maybe,” I replied coyly. “It’s a myth. Vampires don’t have living hearts. A stake through an already-dead organ wouldn’t do much other than paralyze.”

  I giggled nervously. “Okay, I walked into that one.”

  We sat down on a rock overlooking the cliff’s edge. “You love the ocean, don’t you?” I said guessing, why this was one of his favorite spots.

  “It reminds me of home. I grew up in a fishing village off the coast of Ireland,” Ian replied.

  “You were a fisherman?” I chuckled. “I don’t see it, you seem so refined now.”

  Ian laughed too; a hearty laugh that made me beam. “I’ve been around awhile to acquire a few other talents. Vampires are vain creatures. We like to appease our vanity.” Ian rarely spoke of his life before or as a vampire. I caught bits and pieces of it through our connection, but I didn’t stay long in his mind to intrude. One thing that endeared him to me was memories of his family. I wasn’t clear on how many siblings Ian had, but he definitely adored his mother and respected his father. It tugged on my heart that he was ripped away from such a loving family. From what I could see, they were prosperous, generous, and influential in his village. “Ian, this is so beautiful and peaceful,” I said, changing the subject. “Do you come here often?”

  Ian’s eyes were closed as he leaned back and soaked up the sun. He nodded in agreement. The silence was golden. I didn’t want the mood of the moment to be broken. I began thinking of what life would be like for us after I graduated.

  Suddenly, as if sensing the direction of my thoughts, Ian stood up, pulling me with him. “Let’s eat over here.” We spread out the quilt that he’d brought, and I watched in amazement as he produced carton after carton of food.

  “Are you feeding an army?” I asked. “We can’t, I can’t possibly eat all that!”

  Ian held up his hands in defense, trying to explain. “I wasn’t entirely sure what you’d prefer. I don’t usually cook, so I guess I over compensated.”

  I smiled. “You are so sweet. A sandwich would have sufficed.”

  He continued to lay out an assortment of cheeses and fruits, half of which I’d never tasted before or even knew the names of. It was obvious that he was trying to please me. I beamed. “Are you trying to court me, Ian?”

  Ian fumbled with a container and said, “No, seriously Sophie, you have to eat to keep your strength up.”

  I laughed. I knew better. This mind connection rocked! “Ian, you liar! You are so courting me!” I jumped up and landed in his lap. We hadn’t been that close since I’d first met him. It felt so natural to be with him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and found myself lost in his eyes. What was it that I felt? His confusion, or was it grief? Longing for me? I desperately wanted to know. “Ian?” I spoke softly. “Let me see your eyes.” His stiff body relaxed, and I melted into him as he drew me closer. His breath on my face was so cold, but that was not why I was shivering. It was magical! I couldn’t help myself. Hesitantly, I brought my fingers to his lips and traced them lightly. I could feel his sigh. He could be so tender! He stroked my hair as I laid my cheek against his.

  Then it happened. I felt it all. He finally let me in. I didn’t know if it was by choice, but I was there in his past. I could see glimpses of his previous life. Ian was walking by the ocean, laughing and in love. He’d had another love at one time. She was indeed beautiful. Then there was enormous pain, suffering and torment. How could one being have endured so much? I was confused. I saw the moment he became vampire as if I were an actual eye witness… I thought how could that be? It made my blood curl. He was with her at what looked like a dancehall, but he wasn’t happy, he was furious with something she had said. She laughed, pushed him away and suddenly he was ambushed. I felt not only his pain, but mine as well as teeth sank into his neck. His body writhed as his light dissipated and he was haphazardly slung over the shoulder of a hooded figure. My heart ached for all he’d lost and what he’d become.

  I felt the darkness in him rise, and he pressed his lips to mine. We became enveloped in a deep and binding kiss unlike any I’d ever experienced. It was a need that he had to be one with me and me in turn with him. The desperation was there to hold him, to be his anchor and not let the darkness win. I clung to him as tears streamed down my cheeks. The monster inside would destroy me if it weren’t for Ian. I now understood his conflict, why he guarded himself. It was all happening so fast that I could scarcely breathe.

  Ian leapt from the quilt, and I tumbled down as he darted to the tree line. He was so fast. I yelled after him, “Ian, wait! Don’t go!” My pleas went unanswered. I couldn’t see his eyes, but I could feel that they were dark and menacing. I slowly turned back to the cliff’s edge and waited. It seemed like an eternity. I was so sad that I could not help him. I was so lost in my own though
ts and confusion over his conversion that I didn’t even see him come back and sit down by me.

  “I’m so sorry, Soph,” Ian said as he tentatively laced his fingers with mine.

  “Did I cause you to lose control…to feel pain?” I really wanted to know.

  Ian turned my face toward him. “I was about to lose control, Sophie, and I didn’t want you to see. I know better.”

  “Oh,” was all I could muster. How could I feel so elated and alive while our kiss caused him so much pain?

  “Soph, don’t be mad at me,” Ian said.

  I couldn’t let him see that his reaction to our kiss bothered me, so instead I said, “We’ll just have to be more careful next time.” I lay my head on his lap and looked out over the horizon. I wasn’t sure how long we remained like that, but I quietly fell asleep.

  ***

  Ian gently nudged my ear with his lips. “Sophie, we need to get going. It’s time to wake up.”

  “Do we have to?” I whined. “I can’t believe you let me sleep! I have so many questions for you.” Ian groaned. “You and your constant questions! Are they ever going to stop? Come on, sleepy head.” Ian pulled me up, and I hugged him.

  “Thank you for a wonderful afternoon.” I stood on the tips of my toes to kiss his cheek. “The kiss wasn’t half bad either,” I said, winking.

  “Come on slow poke, race you back!” Ian laughed. “Maybe, I’ll take a little nap myself and give you a head start.”

  I turned and started running. I knew he’d passed me, but the jog through the forest was refreshing, and I needed to clear my head. I was out of breath when I finally reached the cabin.

  “Cheater!” I said, bending over and panting.

  Ian was sitting on the porch, his legs kicked back, whistling of all things, as he handed me water. “Thought you might need this.”

  “Thanks,” I said, gulping the water down. “I’m going to go clean up. Can we talk later?”