by Sonya Bria
“I understand you have to eat too. I get it. Remember that I see what’s here in your head.” I tapped his forehead. Ian swept a strand of my hair behind my ear and traced a fingertip down my cheek. Its cool trail was refreshing against my flush skin.
“I don’t deserve you,” he replied.
“Well, too bad, because you’re stuck with me,” We reached my house and I got out of the car. “Now go before I really start missing you.” And with that, Ian slowly drove away, leaving me with a premonition of feeling genuine loss.
LEGENDS
I found Grams in the garden. “How was your day?”
“You know, another boring day of school,” I said, plopping myself down on the grass. “Thirty days and counting. Do you need some help?” I asked.
“That would be lovely dear,” Grams said as she wiped her brow.
I wound my hair in a messy bun. It was so humid already! Kneeling in the dirt I asked, “What do you want me to do, pull weeds?”
“Yes,” Grams replied.
“Grams, you said you would tell me about our family. Is this a good time to tell it?”
Grams put down her spade and said, “As good as any I suppose.”
I busied myself with pulling weeds and sinking my hands in the tilled soil while Grams sat down in the shade of our oak tree. “Now mind you Sophia, I only know what’s been passed down from my grandmother. It was a bedtime story told to us often as children. There is a Celtic legend that goes something like this:
Long ago, there was a king—King Connacher of the family Ulster. He was a mighty and proud man. Just before Samhain, he held a feast in honor of his brave knights—the Knights of the Red Branch. It was a festive occasion with dancing and drinking, where all sorts of merriment took place.
Suddenly, a scream was heard amidst all the festivities, and the knights took up arms to protect the king. No one could be found. King Connacher summoned the Druid Cathbad to explain the strange happening. Cathbad walked up to the king’s Harper and his pregnant wife. He said, “It is the child who cried out. For this is no ordinary child. She will be blessed with great beauty, wisdom and sight—her name will be Deirdre. Her beauty will cause the Red Branch to divide, and war and strife will ensue. Ulster will suffer greatly.”
Some of the knights wanted to kill the mother and child, but King Connacher was a vain and greedy man. He was curious to see just how beautiful Deirdre would be. King Connacher announced that when Deirdre reached the age of sixteen, he would marry her. When she was born, Deirdre was taken from her parents and sent to live in secret with a trusted maid servant to the king. Deirdre was taught the science of nature and schooled in music. Her voice was like honey on the wind. True to prophecy, her beauty was astounding. Most startling were her eyes; they conveyed deep emotion. To look upon her was to be drawn into another world. Her hair was crimson. She was one with nature, patient, and kind. Beauty sprang up all around her just from a mere touch of her hand. She knew she was to be wed to the king, but had long seen in visions another who would be her true husband.
One day while picking flowers, she heard a song. It was the song from her dreams. Following the sound, she came upon a lone hunter. He took her breath away! He had dark hair and bright eyes. On the ground where he stood, sunlight shone forth. A force compelled her to come to him, and she kissed him at once declaring her love for him. The hunter was Naois, the son of Uisnach, from the rival kingdom. He knew of the prophecy and Deirdre’s betrothal to Connacher. He bade her return before it was too late. Deirdre was adamant.
She said, “I value this one moment more than ten lifetimes with Connacher.” Moved by her declaration, Naois took her to Scotland where they made their home and were happy for a season. King Connacher was furious. He had not even beheld her beauty. He went insane with jealousy that another would steal Deirdre from him.
On their wedding day, King Connacher sent his three bravest knights to retrieve her and kill Naois. Their attempts were in vain. Connacher sent for his Druid and commanded him to use his powers to defeat Naois. Cathbad summoned the dark forces and elements of nature to rise up and destroy Naois. Deirdre with her own sight, warned Naois. Deirdre saw in vision three ravens come to her with drops of honey on their beaks, but as they flew away, the honey turned to blood. Frightened, Deirdre returned in secret to the king and bade him leave Naois alone before her vows. Connacher, already furious, sent her away and killed Naois himself.
In her grief, Deirdre locked herself in the highest tower of the castle and cursed the land and the House of Ulster. Summoning her own powers, she climbed upon the window sill and flung herself to her death. Darkness ensued and the elements of nature were at war. These words were heard: “A curse I leave upon the House of Ulster. A child more powerful than I will be born, and she alone will possess the power to unite the elements and bring balance to this land once more. Connacher will be blessed with no heir and the House of Uisnach will rise up to claim his throne. Peace will not be found until Naois is revenged.” They say that she is buried next to Naois, and that the next morning the people awoke to see two Yew trees instead of their grave markers with its branches intertwined.
I was speechless—all sorts of crazy things swirled in my head. The way Grams told the story, I almost felt like I was there somehow. How could that be though?
“Geez Grams, some bedtime story. That would have scared the crap out of me if you had told me that when I was a kid,” I said horrified. “It’s so tragic. You don’t really believe in all that stuff, do you?” I asked in disbelief.
“Oh, I don’t know, Sophie. It’s just a legend that’s been passed down. I’m sure it’s been embellished from time to time.” Grams also added, “I don’t even know if that’s the original story.” “What’s it supposed to all mean?” I asked, brushing dirt off of my jeans.
“I’m not sure, but I do know there is some truth in every legend told,” Grams said as I helped her up. “You have certain gifts, Sophie, that have been passed to you from your mother,” Grams added. “Everyone in our direct line has possessed these gifts in various forms.”
I didn’t quite know what to say. “Is that why you spend so much time in the garden?” I asked. Grams sighed and raised her head to the sky. “Yes, I feel at one with nature. I know what my plants need.”
“How?” I quizzed in disbelief.
“I simply listen to them, Sophie. Every living thing has a soul—the same principles apply to nature,” Grams stated firmly.
I’d never thought of it in those terms. What was Ian’s part in this, I wondered? I wasn’t entirely sure. The only thing that bothered me was that in my nightmares, I had seen the same thing as Deirdre. Three ravens descending with honey toward me that turned to blood. I’d never mentioned that to anyone. Since meeting Ian, I knew they weren’t ravens anymore; they were vampires. I suppose they might have appeared to Deirdre as ravens. Didn’t I think I was flying when I was a child with Ian? Could these be the same beings that killed my mother? It looked like it was my destiny or fate to find out. I really didn’t want to be this girl. How could I be? I really needed more information, and I knew where to find my answers—Ian.
DISCOVERY
I didn’t like sneaking around, but I knew Grams would not understand ditching school. School is really getting in my way, I thought. Quietly, I grabbed a power bar, some juice, and headed out the door. Grams’s old Buick was reliable, but I was used to riding with Ian; it was going to take hours to reach his cabin. I was pushing it, driving sixty-five miles per hour. The last thing I wanted was to get stranded along the way. At least I had some time to think through all of this. What was this? This was heavy. I could feel the weight of all the recent information from the past couple of days pushing down and expanding the capacity of my brain. The legend made sense; how else would it explain my dealings with a vampire? They just didn’t show up out of nowhere. It was so frustrating, because I knew Ian was holding back. I couldn’t tell if it was to protect me or him.
> It really is a beautiful drive. I tried to push things aside and concentrate on my surroundings. I loved the mountains and did oddly feel a connection with nature. I just wasn’t sure how to use it. “Here we go,” I said. “This looks familiar.” I slowed the Buick down and inched further into the forest’s canopy. “I feel like I’m getting closer,” I said to no one in particular. The closer I drove, the more I could feel Ian’s physical presence. I wondered if he felt mine too. I had hoped for the element of surprise so he couldn’t flee. There, I said mentally, pointing to the road in front of me. I turned onto the dirt road and followed its path to the cabin.
***
She was near. Sophie’s presence heightened all of his senses. Ian could smell human blood and control his thirst for it, all but Sophie’s. He was tormented, feeling the demon in him rise. Her blood was like a bouquet of wildflowers. He separated the Jasmine from the honeysuckle. It was like a fine claret that intoxicated him; it rushed over him in waves. She can’t know what she does to the demon inside me, Ian thought sadly. The guardians! They must know a way for me to stop this thirst, and all of this from happening. Fists clenched, Ian slowly turned to the front door.
***
“Ian? Are you there?” I said as I knocked on the door. “I need to speak with you.” Maybe he’s still out hunting, but I swear I could feel he knew I was out here. The door opened wide.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” Ian asked. “Isn’t it a school day? I just got back and was going to pick you up after school.” He folded his arms across his chest in disapproval.
“Oh, not you too,” I said as I pushed past him into his cabin. “We need to talk.”
“Apparently,” Ian simply stated the obvious. It took me a moment to process what he’d just said, but I did catch him by surprise. He stood there not quite fully dressed. I’d only caught a glimpse of his bare chest before, and well, it left an impression. Okay, it took my breath away. I cursed under my breath as I averted my eyes. I needed to concentrate and get this out—no distractions.
Ian was clearly amused. “Are you blushing?” he asked.
“No, why?” I said, but I was actually thinking he should put a shirt on or something.
Ian walked upstairs, laughing. “I’ll be right back. I need to get a shirt on.”
I rolled my eyes, looked around, and finally sat in his chair. The big, soft leather chair. The one that smelled like Ian—vanilla, spice, and musk all rolled up into one. I closed my eyes. How many times had I seen him sitting here reading and brooding? Ian laid a hand on my arm and I jumped up startled. “Stop that!” I hissed. “It drives me crazy that I can’t hear you coming sometimes.”
Ian swiftly picked me up and sat me on his lap. Of course we had to start kissing.
Did you miss me so soon? Ian said, entering my mind.
It was becoming increasingly hard to remember exactly why I’d ditched school when he was kissing me. “No, I mean yes,” I replied, pulling away. “Cut it out. This is serious, Ian,” I exclaimed.
Ian stopped and dropped his hands. “I can see that, “he said.
“Tell me about Deirdre,” I said in earnest.
Ian tensed and his eyes clouded. I couldn’t get a clear picture of what he was thinking, but I did know that he disliked her. No hated her! This frightened me because apparently Deirdre and I were somehow related.
“That’s a name I haven’t heard in a while,” Ian said apprehensively.
“How long?” I asked.
Ian deflected with a question of his own. “What’s this all about, Sophie?”
I stood up and began to pace. “Grams told me a family legend that’s been passed down about King Connacher and some girl named Deirdre.” I looked at Ian to see if this registered anything from him. I continued, “There was a prophecy, a battle, a couple of deaths, and ended with a curse.” I paused briefly. “Any of that sound familiar?” I asked, suspecting that it did.
Ian stared pensively out the window. Clearly, he was troubled. He finally answered, “Your grandmother knows more than I thought.”
I was flabbergasted. “So it’s true?” I said in disbelief. Ian didn’t reply. “I’ll take that as a yes.” I sat down numbly in front of him. “When were you going to mention this?” I was angry. It seemed as if everyone I cared about had a part in shaping the direction of my life without my full knowledge of events. I didn’t have control over my life right now, and I wanted it back.
***
Ian felt Sophie’s anger oozing from her very core. Sophie’s eyes were brighter, and her hand on his leg was electrifying. It pained him to be near her at this moment. The light she emanated was too much. The demon in Ian pushed her away, and Sophie tumbled backward. She shouldn’t see me like this. Not yet, Ian thought. He knew the demon was rising. He bolted out the door without a word.
***
I lay there speechless. What just happened? “What have I done?” I could feel something changing in my body while I was fuming about not owning my own life, but I didn’t think it could physically manifest itself. I panicked, scrambling to my feet. I had to go find him.
“Ian! Ian!” I shouted all around the outside of the cabin. I ran through the forest, tripping over vines and fallen branches. I wasn’t afraid of him, but for him. He couldn’t tell the difference, I thought sadly. He had to be around here somewhere, I could feel him. What was it that Grams had said? Think Sophie. Think! Every living thing has a soul. I stopped and sank to the ground. It was worth a try. What did I have to lose? Everything, I mumbled.
I closed my eyes, picturing my surroundings. I breathed it all in and simply listened. The adrenaline from our argument and running through the forest was fueling my desire for results. I pushed my mind further. It was amazing! A gentle breeze shook me and bade me to follow. It was as if the branches bent this and that way, guiding me to Ian. I felt powerful. Ian was pacing on the edge of the forest’s cliff looking out at the ocean. I could taste the salt water as it splashed upon the rocks below. It was my very own intoxication. All of my senses were alive now, like a vampire. That thought shocked me, but it was true. Ian’s senses were heightened as a vampire, and now I knew what it felt like too. Everything I touched on my way to Ian brought a new pleasure and sensation to my being. I delighted in the discovery. Despite my newfound skill, I was more curious to find out why Ian had run.
***
“Damn.” Ian cursed and murmured as he paced back and forth along the cliff’s edge. He always worked through problems better when he moved. Why did she keep coming back? Didn’t she realize how dangerous it was to be with him? Ian thought loudly, How dangerous I AM? Stubborn girl. Yet, that was what he admired most about Sophie. He smiled ruefully shoving his hands deeper into his pockets. How could he not in her presence? The very thought of her stirred what was left of his wretched soul for the last decade. Hadn’t he just felt the power of her aura? It had visibly shaken him. This had to be what the guardians and Connacher were waiting for to manifest. Her power.
Ian raked his fingers through his hair. He’d been so blind. Of course they needed her power, but was she ready? He honestly couldn’t see. Blast her for keeping him locked out again! Sophie was very careful in their shared telepathy not to reveal what he wanted to find out most. Not if she was really ready for the ensuing battle, but rather if she truly loved him. Ian cursed again. He knew she was physically attracted and infatuated with him, but her true feelings? Blast it; you shouldn’t feel this way about a human! Ian thought to himself. It stirred all sorts of ravenous ideas in his head. Ones he knew Sophie had seen already. He had only showed them to prove to her how lethal he could be.
Ian hung his head. Sophie had just smiled like she didn’t have a care in the world. She didn’t shy away from his presence like most when they found out what he was. What had she said? Ian tried to remember. Ah yes, she said she liked the complex! Complex all right, but Soph, I’m not a hero or your angel. Dark angel perhaps, Ian thought bitterly. It was so frustra
ting how she got under his skin and made him want to feel, touch her and be with her. It was impossible. Hadn’t he’d just felt why?
“Why?” Sophie asked, coming up behind him, but remaining close to the tree line.
“So you are here,” Ian resigned his stance.
Sophie sighed as well, and then tentatively reached out. “I am, and I’m not going anywhere.”
I’m not sure what you want me to say, Sophie. Sophie pushed into his thoughts. Ian felt the light, her light, penetrate his mind and work its way down the rest of his body. When she was present in his mind, he actually felt the warmth of her soul and the demon in him hated it—Ian did not.
Sophie’s mind was resolute. There was no turning back now for either of them. “Sophie?” Ian said tentatively, turning around.
“I’m right here, Ian.” She was absolutely breathtaking. It pained him to think about ever leaving her. He loved the way her blonde hair cascaded down to her shoulders, and the way her green eyes lit up when she was excited. Sophie ran over, and Ian caught her before she crashed into him. “What happened back there?”
Ian chose his words carefully. “I’m not quite sure, but I think we found out that you have certain enhanced abilities too.”
Sophie laughed. “Touché.”
FORESHADOW
The next two weeks were pretty much the same. I went to school, Ian waited for me after school, then he took me to work and patiently read while I manned the circulation desk at the library. He snickered quite a bit making it hard to work with all the crazy book requests I got from some of the more vibrant patrons. When he wasn’t pestering my mind with mundane questions, he tutored me in Calculus since Mr. Harris couldn’t teach adequately without using some football metaphor. On Friday night, we had a standing double date with Emily and Max. I think Ian enjoyed having the extra company; it kept our excessive kissing in check for one thing. I had enjoyed watching Ian and Max preen in front of their prospective ladies, showing off their competitiveness. Boys!