by J. Armand
“No.” I wasn’t being completely honest with him.
I had made several attempts at flying since I learned about being telekinetic, and they all ended in total failure. Lifting myself up wasn’t too tough, but it was balance that gave me the most problems. After multiple near-death experiences, I gave up and put it behind me with the only thing gained being a new fear of heights.
“That sucks.” Noah lay back again, obviously disappointed by my answer.
“How are you so fast?”
“It’s in my blood.” He was looking at his boots, which were getting the clean sheets on the bed all dirty. It made me cringe thinking how angry Vivian would be if she saw.
“That’s not a real answer.” I surprised myself at how brazen I was being with him.
He looked at me sideways. “Neither is you saying you can’t fly.”
Was he reading my mind or what?
“How long have you been following me?” I asked.
Noah sat up and moved to the edge of the bed like he was more invested in our conversation now. “Not long. I only got to New York the night before we met at the docks.”
“What makes you think I can fly, then?” If he didn’t know before, then I had just given it away.
“What can I say? I’m great at reading people. It’s a gift.” He was grinning ear to ear now. This wasn’t us bonding. He was interrogating me.
“Fine, don’t tell me.” Maybe a less controversial topic would get me answers. “What do all of those tattoos mean?”
“I don’t know. They were from a fortune cookie.” He fell back onto the bed and started laughing at his own bad joke. “They look good, right?”
“I think you’re full of it.” Let him stab me, I was getting nowhere except learning he was a total jackass.
He was playing with the tassel on a pillow now. “If you’re not gonna take this seriously then I’m not either.”
“Me? I am being serious. You’re the one giving me all these ridiculous answers.” I regretted saying that almost immediately. He sat up again at the edge of the bed and stared at me.
“So, I’ll ask you again.” His eyes were piercing right into me like in the alley. “Can you fly?” he said, enunciating each word slowly.
“No! Okay, sort of …” I didn’t know how to respond without sounding like a total moron. He raised an eyebrow and waited for me to get the words out.
This was so uncomfortable to have a discussion about. “I’ve tried, but I’m bad at it. I can go up, but that’s pretty much it.”
He clapped his hands in sarcasm. “There we go, finally some honesty.”
“Answer my question now. Why are people trying to abduct me?” I heard the door opening behind me and hopped out of the way.
It was the lovely Vivian again. She gracefully stepped into the room and smiled warmly at me. She looked at Noah on the bed and the dirty sheets. She was visibly displeased, but didn’t mention it.
“Your presence is requested in the ballroom,” she told him. “Please get dressed and meet us there.”
Noah let out an exaggerated sigh and leaned back, looking at her. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”
Vivian gently closed the door behind her. I suddenly felt like I shouldn’t be a witness to whatever was about to happen. Noah just lay there grinning at her as she walked up to him and sat on the bed.
“Can you please be good tonight?” She put a finger on his chest and slowly traced it down his abs, all the while staring into his eyes. Her French accent could have melted the coldest heart. “For me.”
“Why mess with perfection?” Noah gave a sly wink and pulled her on top of him.
He shifted gears and got up from the bed so suddenly that Vivian was almost knocked over. Sauntering to the door, he swung it open and paused, stretching his arms against the framework and nodding to a couple passing by who were dressed for the red carpet. He disappeared in his usual fashion, followed by Vivian.
Party guests strolled by, looking in at me. Left standing there awkwardly, I closed the door, not knowing exactly what my captors expected of me. It didn’t seem like there would be much resistance if I tried to leave, but this could be a trap.
Of course my cell phone was gone, so I couldn’t call for help.
I stepped out of the bedroom and into a massive corridor with wide marble floors and hand-carved ceilings. The walls were decorated with oil paintings and mirrors illuminated by candlelight on either side. Every few feet were another set of luxurious baroque furniture: loveseats and sofas, dark wood end tables and gilded display cases of expensive jewelry. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think I was back in seventeenth-century France about to meet the king or something.
Walking down this hallway was like walking down a city block. I must have passed a dozen rooms before I reached a four-way intersection with two grandiose curved staircases and a tremendous gold and crystal chandelier overhead. The piano still playing somewhere in the background was now joined by a string quartet for a waltz. The more I wandered toward the music, the more I got myself lost. This must be why they were so confident I wouldn’t escape.
It took me a good fifteen minutes, but I finally found where everyone was. Beyond huge double doors was a ballroom the size of a football field with yet another giant chandelier hanging overhead. I felt as if I had accidentally walked into another casting call. The room was filled with beautiful men and women of all ages. A butler and a full battalion of servants did their best not to intrude upon the many conversations of the guests they served, but even they were just as striking as the rest of the crowd. Marble columns around the room reached up to an exposed second floor, where balconies held even more party guests.
Noah was lounging up on one of the balcony railings chugging wine from a bottle. Even at rest, his intimidating presence made him stand out.
I caught a glimpse of Vivian among the party guests chatting with another young woman. The other woman’s back was turned to me, but I could tell there was something special about her. She was dressed in an elegant cascading ball gown made of purple silk. Long brunette hair highlighted with lavender flowed into a theatrical spool on each side of her head, like something from a high-fashion runway show.
Vivian noticed me watching and gave a coy smile that made my whole body tingle. As if in response to her silent command, the crowd between us parted to form a path.
“Oh, Dorian!” she said, and beckoned. “I wish to present you to our hostess and master of the house.”
As I walked up to Vivian, the lady in purple turned to us. After meeting Vivian, I didn’t think it was possible for anyone to surpass her beauty, but this new woman was in a completely different league. My heartbeat quickened with every step closer. It was more than just her flawless physical appearance or angelic features that drew me in. The woman’s mesmeric radiance was such that it created undeniable sensations of pleasure.
“Aurelia de Saint-Pierre, may I present Monsieur Dorian Benoit, our guest this evening?” I heard Vivian speaking, but I was finding it challenging to concentrate in this other woman’s presence.
“How do you do?” Aurelia smiled warmly and offered her hand in greeting. “It is a pleasure to welcome you into my home.”
Her accent was a blend of English, French, and possibly something else. She watched me intently with gorgeous hazel eyes. I looked down, noticing that her nails were meticulously painted to match her gown. I don’t know what came over me, but I took her hand and leaned in to kiss it, almost passing out the second we made contact.
There was no way she was human. Aurelia was a mere five foot six at most. Even without her elaborate hairstyle, which must have weighed more than she, she was still shorter than I, yet her presence was so electrifying all attention was inescapably drawn to her.
“Thanks, it’s nice to meet you. I have to be honest though, I’m not sure why I’m here, wherever here is,” I said as politely as possible.
Vivian excused herself from the c
onversation with a bow and disappeared into the crowd. Nobody seemed to mind that we were standing in the middle of the dance floor. The guests continued around us, orbiting Aurelia like she was their sun.
“Why, you are in France, of course, just a short way from Paris. Your life was in great danger,” Aurelia spoke with grave concern. “I sent for you to be rescued and brought to my chateau where you would be away from harm.”
France? That lunatic knocked me out cold for an entire transatlantic flight?
“Rescued from whom? I thought the guy you sent was trying to kill me. He knocked me out in an airport. Not to mention murdered a whole bunch of people.”
“How uncouth! I apologize for Noah’s brash behavior. His social graces may be lacking, but his speed is invaluable in such situations. I assure you there is no further cause for alarm.”
“Who was he sent to rescue me from?” I checked out the corner of my eye, hoping he was far enough away to not hear us talking about him.
“A former associate turned traitor by the name of Maximilian Price. He became interested in your particular abilities, but that has been resolved now.”
She must be talking about my powers …
“Yes, precisely,” she said, answering my thoughts before I said anything. “You were also correct in assuming that I am no mere human, nor have I been for quite some time. There is no cause for masks here, child. This place is a sanctuary for those like you and me.”
She’s been reading my mind this entire time.
“Please forgive my rudeness.” Aurelia seemed worried that she may have offended me. “I’m not normally so intrusive into my guests’ minds. You must understand, while we may all be supernatural here, you are still different than the rest of us. I must be conscious of my people’s safety at all times.”
I had always felt there must be others out there like me, but I never thought I would get to meet them. Most of the time I tried forgetting about my powers since I couldn’t explain them. To be honest, I guess I was scared of what I might be.
“I would never hurt anyone,” was the best I could offer.
“I’ve heard the contrary. Noah tells me you handled yourself impressively against the attackers in your home.”
I forgot I overheard him telling Vivian he witnessed that.
“Uh, I wouldn’t say it was impressive, not after seeing what he can do.”
“Don’t be so modest, my dear! I have a keen sense for talent. It was I who turned Noah, after all.”
“What do you mean, you turned him?” I would be lying to myself if I said I didn’t already have a good idea what she meant, but I was hoping it was just a misunderstanding.
“We are the Archios.” She smiled and extended her arms out to the crowd dramatically. “Members of our coven have had many different labels imposed upon us throughout time. Regardless, I believe you would agree that we are merely beautiful, yet tragic beings lost somewhere betwixt life and death.”
All eyes in the room were on me now. Vivian was watching from across the room with a drink in her hand. Noah was still relaxing up on the balcony, looking down at us. The dancers glanced over their partners’ shoulders as they passed. These were not the hideous monsters portrayed in the movies, or the ones from back in New York. Everyone here was sophisticated and gorgeous, so gorgeous it only made sense that they were supernatural. I felt the same tranquilizing sensation again as I had with Noah in the alley. This feeling coming over me must be another of their powers. But what would they want with my powers when they had their own?
“As the last remaining founder, it is my will alone that governs our many houses across the world. Aristocrats, bureaucrats, and various artisans fill our ranks, but monsters we certainly are not. However, we are but one of three covens and countless strays. Those other covens give rise to your nightmarish legends, and taint our good name.”
I watched her mouth closely as she talked. Sure enough, she was still reading my mind. “The Archios do not prey on humanity for sustenance like savages. We use our allure to draw in potential donors. Those we drink from are more than willing to let us in close and to feel our lips pressed to their flesh,” she said, and smiled just enough for me to see her that her top two incisors were subtly sharpened to a point. “Our fangs are diminutive and purposeful; they are all that is required to draw the blood we need.”
“Aren’t you killing people by taking their blood either way?”
“Absolutely not! Violence is quite unnecessary. Our donors experience unspeakable bliss, so they remain comfortable and … satisfied by the encounter. Not to mention that their emotions flavor the blood we drink. The taste of their arousal is something of a delicacy that our kind savors.”
She covered her smile with her hand and looked away as if taken aback by her own forwardness, but I was anxious to hear more.
“Taking very little to keep each person healthy is beneficial to both parties,” she carried on. “In present times, humanity far outnumbers us and it is in their nature to fear and loathe the unknown. A revolt would be disastrous to our kind if they were to learn the truth of our existence.
“All we wish is to spend our immortality in peace. I have amassed quite a considerable amount of wealth in my time. As a connoisseur, I have often made large financial contributions to help fund the cultivation of the fine arts through the ages. Unfortunately, my appearance makes remaining unseen in public an impossibility. My undead heart breaks each night knowing I can never leave these walls to offer applause at an opera or walk the red carpet in support of an artist without persecution.”
I could sense a great feeling of despair growing in her voice.
“Even those outside of this coven make some attempt at remaining hidden now, although murder is much more common for them. For centuries, the Archios have been burdened with covering up such violent indiscretions. We are forced to use our powers over the mind to influence human governments and media for the survival of us all.”
“That sounds like a lot of work for something that isn’t even your fault. It’s not fair you have to hide from persecution when you aren’t the ones hurting anyone. All that effort could be used on working together instead.”
It was tragic. If even these beautiful, cultured, benevolent people couldn’t exist freely because humans were too close-minded, then what hope did any other minority have?
“It pleases me to know you are sympathetic to our plight. We have even established connections with blood banks to further avoid harming our delicate flock. There was once a time when we were more openly accepted among mortals, but those days have long since passed,” Aurelia said, and then stopped abruptly to watch the crowd behind me.
“There is a small problem,” Vivian whispered to Aurelia as she walked over. “Intruders are in the south garden. They appear to be the same creatures that our young guest encountered in New York.”
“Not again, not here too,” I said in a panic.
“This is unheard of!” Aurelia exclaimed. “They must have followed you here. Now I fear we are all in danger.”
The party came to a halt as everyone began squabbling among themselves. They were all speaking other languages, but it was pretty easy to understand their reactions.
“Noah.” Aurelia spoke and he immediately dropped down beside her. “Please handle this troubling situation with great haste.”
“Good, I was getting bored listening to a bunch of whiney socialites all night,” Noah said, looking around at the crowd with disdain.
“Take Dorian with you, should you need help,” Aurelia offered.
“What? Why me? I have no idea how to fight!”
“You’ve dealt with them before, no?” Vivian gave an encouraging smile. “You are the only one here with any experience.”
“You guys are probably a lot better at this than I am, though,” I tried to reason with her, “and I think Noah has way more experience with this kind of stuff; just look at him!”
“At least he has good tas
te,” Noah nodded smugly.
“Just because we are immortal does not mean we are made for war. I am still a lady above all else. I was under the impression you understood us. Surely you do not expect to send me out to face such horrors,” Aurelia said, sounding hurt and appalled.
“I didn’t mean it like that …” I was digging myself a pretty deep hole.
“Please help us,” Aurelia and Vivian pleaded. I couldn’t refuse them no matter how badly I wanted to. They had all gone out of their way to help me and now they were in trouble.
“Okay, no problem.” The words slipped out against my will, captivated as I still was by their beauty. Just looking into their inviting eyes filled me with courage. I can do this, I did it once before. At least this time I’ll have Noah with me so I shouldn’t have to actually do too much.
“Marvelous!” Aurelia rejoiced and turned her attention to Noah. “Do watch out for one another. I wouldn’t want either of you to be harmed by those vile things.”
“Of course, your Highness.” He bowed to her with a hint of sarcasm.
Noah grabbed the back of my shirt and the halls of the chateau flew by. We were outside surrounded by a maze of tall rosebushes faster than I could blink. The mutants’ threatening growls echoed through the night ahead of us.
“Well, good luck, ‘hero’,” Noah chuckled as he dropped me to the ground.
“What? Where are you going?” I panicked at the thought of being left alone out here with those things.
“To the far side. We’ll split up and flank the enemy. Work your way to the fountain at the center. Sun Tzu, The Art of War, man. Pick it up sometime; it might save your ass.”
I wanted to inform him how irrelevant that advice would be in about five minutes, but he was already gone along with my tiny shred of confidence.
Chapter Five
The sickly sweet scent of roses did little to detract from the horrors in store for me ahead. Light out here was scarce. The only way I could see anything at all was from the light of the chateau and some lampposts around the garden. There was nothing in sight I could use to defend myself with either, just winding rows of ten-foot-high rosebushes.