by Sonya Bria
“Yes!” Ian exclaimed bowling another perfect frame.
“Dude, another strike?” Max said in disbelief, “You’ve got to be in a league or something.”
“…or something,” Ian smirked.
Max cracked his fingers, “Ok, here we go.” Max effortlessly released his ball, gliding towards the pins. Strike! “There it is…yes!” Max retaliated, “All yours old man.”
I was pleasantly surprised; Max was holding his own against Ian. However, he was clearly at a disadvantage. Ian stepped up and in perfect form let his ball sail— inevitably towards another strike. I flicked my wrist and a small draft of air pushed his bowling ball to the left. Seven pins down. Ian looked dumbfounded, but quickly recovered glancing my way.
What? I mentally projected. Don’t look at me.
Ian sighed.
“I don’t believe it!” Max exclaimed, “Knew you were too good to be true.”
“Max!” Emily said elbowing him, “Totally not cool. I’m so sorry Ian; he was challenged as a child. Say something…” Emily whispered to Max.
Must I endure his taunts? Ian asked.
I smiled. You know it’s only fair. They will never bowl with us again.
“Fine. Good game, man,” Max said extending his hand.
“Yes, good game,” Ian conceded looking at me pointedly. Fine…but how about blowing his ball the other way next time? My ego has been bruised.
I laughed. You are the most amazing boyfriend ever—I’m sure your ego will survive.
No matter how much I enjoyed bonding with my friends, Sundays with Ian were my favorite—time alone that I treasured. He’d take me driving. It didn’t really matter where—just the thrill of the ride was satisfying. My newfound connection with nature left me craving the outdoors; I felt more alive and my senses heightened.
We also spent countless hours talking. We talked about Ireland, dreams, wishes, and wants. He could figure most of mine out on his own if he probed my thoughts, but I enjoyed it more having him ask. Basically, we did things most couples did while dating. I was even beginning to feel normal again. There was always that fear in the back of my mind that said it wouldn’t last, but I pushed it aside not willing to accept it quite yet. We didn’t talk about that day in his cabin; I sensed Ian was trying to give me these moments in a world where I didn’t quite belong to anymore. We were living in a bubble about to burst, and I really didn’t care.
But today was different. I knew it the moment I woke up. The skies were darker and it was raining. Not that I didn’t enjoy rain, but this didn’t feel like a cleansing rain—rather an act of sorrow. It was as if the elements knew before I did that this day wouldn’t end well.
School was duller than usual, and even Em and Max seemed gloomy. Something was definitely off. I couldn’t escape the building fast enough when the final bell rang. I pushed my way through the front doors and skidded to a halt. Ian wasn’t waiting for me after school. I wasn’t sure what to do. Did I wait? Walk home? I couldn’t sense him telepathically either. I waited for a few minutes, then started walking. If I didn’t hurry, I’d be late for work. Out of the blue, wheels screeched to a sudden stop and Ian rolled down the window of his car.
“Sophie, I’m sorry. I lost track of time,” he apologized. I quickly climbed in and kissed his cheek.
“Ian, it’s okay. Walking is good for me. Truth is, I’ve gotten rather spoiled the past month having you chauffer me around,” I said in the most pleasant voice I could muster. Ian glanced over and squeezed my hand. He seemed preoccupied. I wondered if I should pry. Usually when he was brooding, I let him be. It was happening more frequently.
“Are you going to tell me what’s wrong, or do I have to find out myself?” I challenged him. “What?” Ian seemed rather confused.
“Hello! Earth to Ian. Where are you in that sexy brain of yours?” I questioned, hoping he caught the teasing tone of my voice. “I’m feeling a bit neglected in this fabulous car,” I added for good measure. “Soph, I’m a bit distracted today, aren’t I?” Ian said. He squeezed my hand and winced. We continued to ride in silence. The air was so thick you could cut the tension with a knife. The ride to Grams seemed to take an eternity. Ian parked under the elm out front and sat staring out the window, still holding my hand. I didn’t get out, because I wasn’t sure if I should leave him be or ask.
“You have to go away, don’t you?” I stated, knowing it before I spoke. I didn’t want to believe it. “Where are you going?” I asked trying not to sound alarmed or convey my rising fear of abandonment. It was choking me. My mind jumped to all sorts of possible explanations. “Are you okay? I thought you were hunting regularly here. Did something happen?” I fidgeted with my hands in my lap, trying not to sound too desperate and panicked.
“It’s not what you are thinking, Sophie, “Ian tried to reassure me. “I’m meeting up with some others, and I would prefer them not coming here.”
Other vampires? Are they friends? I hadn’t seen that possibility coming. “I thought you said that vampires are nomadic and preferred not to travel conspicuously in groups.”
Ian sighed. “True, but contrary to popular belief, there are others like me,” he snapped. He was hurt by my remarks and a bit angry.
“Please don’t be mad. That’s not what I meant,” I said facing him. “Are you in trouble?”
***
It was too late for either of them to turn back now, Ian thought somberly. He had to finish what had been put into motion so many centuries ago. It irritated him that he was still not at liberty to tell her all he knew and what he suspected to be true. If anything, he needed to find out how to protect Sophie now that her power had manifested. It was only a matter of time before Connacher would sense her presence, he most likely already had. I know I’m being selfish, Ian thought, but I won’t let them destroy her like they did me.
“I’m not sure, but I sense a change coming, and I don’t like it,” he replied tersely. “I’m actually going to Ireland to request a meeting with the guardians.”
***
I was shocked. “Well, I’m coming too,” I replied without hesitation.
“No,” Ian said more sharply than intended. “What makes you think you can stop me?” I was mad as hell. Who was he to tell me what I could or couldn’t do?
“Soph, please. I beg you let me do this alone,” Ian pleaded. “I’ll be worried the whole time about your safety, and I don’t even know if they will grant my request.”
I couldn’t resist the pull of his eyes—they spoke volumes to me. “I don’t like this,” I said reluctantly. “I have had a bad feeling all day about this.”
“I know. I do too, but it can’t be put off any longer.” Ian nervously raked his fingers through his hair and rolled his shoulders. “Connacher is getting closer to figuring out where you are, and he’s stronger,” Ian said.
“I know. I see it too,” I said defeated.
“What do you mean that you see it too?” Ian asked.
“It’s weird, but the other day I felt something different when I was trying to connect with you. I brushed it off as the dark part of you, but maybe it wasn’t,” I said thinking.
Ian looked concerned, “I should have sensed it too…I’m sorry.”
“How long will you be gone?”
Ian shrugged, “It’s hard to say. Will you please try to stay out of trouble while I’m gone?” He suddenly grabbed me into a bear hug. “Don’t do anything out of the ordinary.”
“I won’t,” I said, climbing out of the car and pulling my jacket more tightly around me to ward off the biting cold of early spring. I blew Ian a kiss. “For good luck,” I smiled, “and call me every night.” He didn’t need to say it, but I knew he missed me already, and regretted leaving me behind.
Ian sped off, and I stood still in the driveway for a long time lost in thought. The air was definitely different. Something sinister was coming. I shivered. Hopefully, Ian would be back in time. I saw things more clearly now. My nightm
ares were almost trivial now; a foreshadowing of things to come. I quickly ran inside to warm myself and bolted shut the front door. The ravens were coming.
CONNACHER
Despite the uneasiness that surrounded me, nothing out of the ordinary had happened in the past week. I mechanically pulled on shorts and a sweatshirt preparing for my evening run. It was one of my daily try-not-to-think-about-Ian rituals. He’d been gone a whole week! I could sense him, and we communicated nightly on the phone, but the distance made it harder for me to concentrate on his location, or maybe he was intentionally blocking my sight. I chose to think it was merely an ocean that broke the telepathy.
“At least he’s alive,” I muttered as I clamored down the stairs. “Grams! I’m going out running. Be back soon.” I didn’t even wait for a response as I bounded out the front door. Ear phones in, iPod set. Fall out Boy blaring, I started to run. I didn’t have a direction or set path—I just ran. I didn’t want to hear anything, see anything, and least of all feel anything. I punished my body physically; the physical pain was cathartic, and more bearable than the pain in my heart. The crashing, deafening music helped to block out any stray thoughts of Ian. Did he think of me or wonder if I was okay? Miss me? I was beginning to doubt that from our brief nightly phone calls. My inexperienced teenage self poked a hole in what my very old soul told me was real. “This is ridiculous,” I muttered. Who could I talk to that would understand what was going on? They’d think I was a nutter! Thank you late-night British programming. See what I was reduced too? On one hand, my life was fantastic, and on the other hand it was surreal. But hadn’t I seen enough in the past month to deny there was some sort of mystical energy surrounding us all? Grams seemed okay with it, so why couldn’t I wrap my brain around it too? Perhaps, I didn’t have enough faith in myself to pursue this path.
The pain started to kick in, and I pushed on forward. I loved the way the light danced through the leaves of the trees and the sweet caresses of the wind darting in and out. Nature was peaceful yet powerful. I was amazed at how easy it was now to see what had been in front of me my whole life. All my senses were stronger; I liked the power that surged in me—a constant, comforting humming.
I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn’t even realize it was raining. I turned around to head back home. I’d gone further today than I’d thought. Night was descending faster than normal, and I suddenly felt anxious. I pulled out one of my earphones and heard a menacing squawk overhead. I could swear it was a raven! I felt him before I saw him. Connacher was out there. I knew it.
The rain came down in droves, pelting my arms and head. The elements were trying to help how they could; the rain was confusing his sight of me and dissipating my scent so he couldn’t precisely track me. I might have a small advantage—maybe salvation was in sight. My legs were cramping. I just needed to get home and prayed silently that all the late-night research on vampires and legends paid off. The one consistent strain in all the stories was that vampires couldn’t come into your home without being invited.
He was closer. I could feel his coldness rip through me and the hiss of his voice on my neck. Connacher was calling out for me. Running clearly wasn’t an option anymore. I’d seen Ian in action plenty of times, and there was no way I could out run him. I did the only thing I could do; I stopped and turned to face my enemy.
He descended upon me faster than I imagined, and even though I knew he was there, I jumped back in surprise. Still panting and heaving from my run, I put on a brave face and said, “Connacher.” He studied me for a moment, walking around me like an animal stalking his prey. So this is what it feels like to be dinner. I decided it sucked. He was younger than I had expected, with slick, black hair tied at the nape. He was built like a warrior with harsh features that at one time might have been handsome to look upon, but now his eyes were fathomless, black, and dead. I shuddered. Not someone you want to meet in a dark alley, I thought.
He was quick, by my side, and his face nearly upon my neck. I felt sick inside. His breath was like a cold vapor reaching up and taking hold of me. Icy hands gripped my shoulders. My body’s reaction to him was completely opposite to that of Ian’s. I felt the darkness that surrounded him literally sucking the energy from me.
“You’re not as strong as Deirdre would have us believe,” Connacher said, sneering and tracing a cold finger down my arm. “This isn’t even a challenge for me,” he scoffed. Perhaps Cathbad was wrong, he thought, he’d been wrong before he remembered darkly. “No matter,” Connacher added dismissingly.
“Look, I don’t know what it is that you want from me,” I managed to squeak out, not as bravely as intended, “but if you think I’m going to be with you, that’s definitely not going to happen. I’m not Deirdre.”
Connacher laughed evilly. “I don’t think you have a choice anymore. Cathbad has foreseen that you will be one of us.”
What? I thought. This was a tidbit Ian didn’t bother mentioning. “What do you mean?” I hesitantly asked. Maybe I could fill in a couple of blank spots that Ian was conveniently leaving out before he…I didn’t even want to go there.
“I’m surprised Ian didn’t tell you,” Connacher chuckled. “How gallant of him.”
“Tell me what?” I desperately wanted to know.
“Sophie, isn’t it?” Connacher said, stroking my hair. “Why do you think Ian left so abruptly?”
I stammered, “I don’t know.” I had a sick feeling inside that I did know.
“Should I be the one to tell her?” Connacher asked, looking up.
Who was he talking too? I looked around and saw no one. I wondered if I could use telepathy with him too. I entered his mind tentatively and searched. It was horrible what I saw. Connacher was a monster ruled by vanity and jealousies. I saw a horribly disfigured old man. Was this Cathbad?
“Ahh, you’ve seen my Druid,” Connacher said, pulling me out of his mind. “I think he despises you more than I do,” he stated.
“Why?” I was at a loss.
“It’s not clear to me, but you are the reason he still lives. His life has been one of misery since Deirdre died.” Connacher supplied that much information. I had seen Cathbad’s misery.
“You feed off of him?” I asked in disbelief.
Connacher merely shrugged. “You wouldn’t believe the power I feel when I do.”
I was going to throw up; I was repulsed by him and what he was. There was no goodness in him at all. Snuffed out long ago, I supposed.
“What’s the matter? Am I not like your precious Ian?”
That did it. I turned on him, anger bubbling up in my veins. Stop it! my mind, screamed and the light from my soul repelled him backward. Connacher retreated further into the darkness a bit surprised.
He started to clap. “Bravo. But your parlor tricks are no match for me.”
He was about to grab me when lights appeared out of nowhere, momentarily startling the both of us like deer caught in headlights. The car came dangerously close to hitting us.
“Get in now, Sophie!” Max screamed. “Do you seriously have a death wish tonight? Who was that guy?”
I quickly jumped into the car and slammed the door. I didn’t know what to say. I pulled my knees up and hugged them tightly as Max sped off. I was violently shaking from being out in the rain and nearly Connacher’s dinner or something like that. I shuddered.
“Hey Soph, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell like that. What’s going on?” Max was clearly worried.
“I’ll be okay, just a bit shaken. I’m glad you were there though,” I said, reaching for his hand. I needed the warmth of another human being.
“What were you doing on this side of town? Did you seriously run all this way?” Max asked. “Yeah, I guess I did,” I replied lost in thought. I was still trying to shake Connacher from my mind. I felt violated.
“You are nuts, Sophie. I don’t know why I bother,” Max muttered, shifting gears.
“Because you are my best friend and wou
ld do anything for me,” I batted my eyes, trying to lighten the mood. “And, I’ll tell Em you are crushing on her,” I added for good measure.
“You wouldn’t!” Max feigned concern.
“Okay, caught me there, but seriously, how did you know I was there?” I questioned.
“That’s the weird part. I was on my way to your house, and I swear I heard your boyfriend Ian telling me to drive here,” Max said, shaking his head.
“Ian?” I asked incredulously.
“Yeah, something is not right with that guy, Soph. I don’t see what you see in him,” Max added. “Anyways, next thing I know, Ian’s calling me and I didn’t feel like I had any choice but to drive this way. Does that make any sense?” Max asked, turning to me with more questions brewing in his head.
I hesitated because it made perfect sense. “No, it doesn’t,” I said.
“Well, whatever it was, I’m glad that you’re okay. That guy looked deranged,” Max added. “Yeah, he was.” I tuned Max out and only thought of Ian. Apparently, Ian’s telepathic abilities didn’t stop at sight only. He could control one’s mind too. Somehow, this didn’t comfort me at all.
CLIFFS OF MOHER, COUNTY CLARE
This was taking too long. I’m wasting my time, Ian thought. It was foolish of me to think that I could summon the guardians. It was dangerous to leave Sophie to her own devices. Connacher had already attempted to snatch her up. Thank goodness Max didn’t have a complicated mind. It was easy to guide him along to rescue her, even from this distance. Rescue her! That was supposed to be his task. He wasn’t sure if it was jealousy that he felt, but he didn’t like this feeling. The vampire in him was possessive. He didn’t want to share her with anyone. Too late now; he’d shown her more than he’d wanted too.
Ian honestly didn’t think Sophie was ready for the whole truth. Yet, he could see she was not mad per say, but saddened by his lack of honesty. It tormented him to think she thought so little of him now. He had hurt her. The flight to Ireland had been uneventful enough, and finding Carmichael was another story. Confound the old man; he really could disappear when he didn’t want to be found. He’d heard that Ian was coming and apparently was still smarting from their last encounter. The underworld was not as complex as the myths made it out to be. Vampires weren’t great in numbers or organization. Very few vampires coexisted in one place together. He’d lived with Carmichael for a time, learning how to exist among humans without wanting to rip the flesh from their bodies and drain their blood on a daily basis. It had been the hardest decade of his immortality! Ian liked to think it was his previous human compassion that kept the demon inside in check. Is that why I couldn’t harm Sophie as a child? Something must have gone awry in his conversion. It still didn’t seem fair to invoke such evil on a child. He shuddered, remembering her traumatized face and body covered in her mother’s blood. He knew from that moment on, he’d invoked the wrath of Connacher. Ian still wasn’t quite sure what possessed him to reach out for Sophie and save her. He only remembered huge, emerald green eyes looking at him in confusion. He wasn’t sure anymore if he had saved her or just prolonged the inevitable.