by Aine Massie
“Don’t worry love, we will help you through this and you will be fine,” Nicholas murmured into my ear as he pulled me into his arms. We were perched, watching the falls and being wrapped in his arms felt nice, soothing. This was the kind of time I cherished with him so much, just being able to be.
We didn’t talk for a long while after that, Nicholas just held me, rocking gently sometimes. Unfortunately, things never work the way I want for long. We both became alert of someone else near us, someone like us. We were immediately on our feet, Nicholas manoeuvring me behind him and dropping into a defensive stance. I could feel the worry and irritation rolling off of him; this was getting old.
After a few moments, I could tell that this was not a stranger. “Nicholas, it’s just Thomas.” I put a restraining hand on his arm as he was not inclined to relax his stance yet. He had never been able to accept that I would talk to Thomas, especially considering his living arrangements. “Relax, please.”
“I don’t like this, love. You know that.”
“I do, but if he’s here then it must be important.”
Thomas came strolling into view at that point, looking calm, thankfully. “Greetings, Mistress Anya.
“I did not mean to upset you, Nicholas, I simply wanted to check and make sure that Anya was okay.”
“And why wouldn’t she be?” Nicholas relaxed his stance, but his words were sharp, nearly a hiss.
“Because others in the House are still trying to find a way to get her back, that’s why. You don’t really think that killing Ashley and moving would stop them, did you?” Thomas’s face was slightly patronizing – not helpful to Nicholas’s mindset right then.
“Still kicking, Thomas. They won’t be able to win this one, even if they could manage to recapture me. I am not the monster they wish me to be.”
“Yes, but there are those that will not give up.” Thomas’s smile was bitter, he didn’t want his House to win this either. “And there are others than just me sent. I did not know about this until recently, but it seems that a few decided to send their own people, humans, to try to cause you problems. What I haven’t been able to find out is what those humans are supposed to do to you. I mean, humans are hardly a threat to one of us. I wouldn’t think they could be much of a threat to even your human, not if he is really what the rumour mill claims him to be.”
“Wait,” Nicholas snapped. “What do you mean they sent humans? Why chose a human?” It sounded more as if he was musing to himself at the end.
“A question that I don’t have the answer to, yet. But, I thought that if you are to be kept from them that you needed to know.” A coy smirk spread across Thomas’s face suddenly, “But as I can see you are not alone, ever anymore it seems, I probably shouldn’t worry so.”
“Oh, the avarice of this one. He covets you nearly as much as they do, that’s part of why he helps you so much,” Nicholas shook his head chuckling.
“Avarice? I am not the one holding her behind me as if she was something another might steal from me.” Thomas smirked. His face was almost a mirror of Nicholas’. Too funny.
Something seemed to shift in Thomas’s face suddenly. His eyes narrowed, staring at me oddly. “What’s wrong with you?” Thomas barked.
“There is nothing wrong with her other than people interrupting her outings,” Nicholas retorted harshly. “Come on, love, we should get back.” He started pulling me along before he had even finished speaking. I had trouble keeping up with him now, not because of my ‘illness’ but because his anger was pushing him forward harder than I had ever seen. I was still confused about all of this as he dragged me back into the house. It was still dark, so Declán wasn’t up yet.
As we came in, Nicholas finally released my arm and came to an abrupt halt in the foyer area. “Why are you so mad?” I asked. I couldn’t understand his mood. Thomas would not hurt me, nor would he willing reveal my weakness – though thanks to his pulling me away like that I had no time to make sure of what they would be able to get from him.
“Because,” Nicholas began as Geoff and Amber came into the area. “If he could so quickly tell something was wrong with you, then others could too, and as he said, that House has others, humans, watching you, trying to find a way to get at you!” He was livid as he began pacing from the foyer to the living room and back again.
“Um, hi guys,” Geoff interjected. “What is this about Thomas and humans? Moreover, why are you dragging her around, again? She is not property.” Geoffrey looked seriously upset with Nicholas now, he hadn’t seemed to care when Nicholas had seethed over their thought fight, but now . . .
“Relax, both of you, please. Nicholas is upset about Thomas showing up and some of what he said. It’s really not that big a deal, Nicholas. So he knows something is weird with me; that’s nothing new,” I trilled, laughing lightly. “If you hadn’t panicked I could have made sure he kept it to himself. Though,” thinking quickly, “he has no idea what’s wrong so what is he going to tell them, really?”
“I know she’s not property, Geoff,” Nicholas snapped, acting as if I hadn’t spoken. “But her little ‘friend’ said that they had sent some humans to cause her trouble but that he had not been able to find out what they were supposed to be doing to her.” His mood did not lighten, sadly.
“Nicholas, dear, please calm down,” Amber murmured, taking Nicholas’s hand, causing him again to stop pacing. “She is never alone. We will not allow anything to harm her, as well you know.”
“I know, mom. Sorry, I’m just exceedingly worried right now. In case none of you has noticed, she seems to be getting worse, not better. And then he shows up saying that humans have been sent to do unknown things to her. How am I supposed to react?”
“I know dear, I am very concerned too. Jonathan is contacting Star, hoping that in her years she has come across something like this. I know you didn’t want others involved, but Star is her mother now plus, she is the most ancient being we know.” Her words seemed to soothe Nicholas some, thankfully.
“And Anya will be protected so relax. I swear, you have a human that you have more confidence in than in her just because she’s a little weak right now,” Geoff teased. Seems that was the wrong thing or possibly, whatever he was thinking in conjunction, because Nicholas turned on Geoff.
The low growl that was rumbling deep in his chest was more violent than normal. I moved to put my hand gently on Nicholas’s shoulder, “Calm, love. Let me.”
I skipped lightly over to Geoff, smiling as angelically as I could manage. “Geoffrey? Dear big brother of mine.”
Geoff looked at me nervously. “Um, yes, Anya?”
Keeping my voice smooth and stretching up to face him, running one long nails slowly but firmly down his chest, I cooed, “If you don’t leave Nicholas alone about Declán, Peony is going to have a wife instead of a husband.” I swiftly pecked him on the cheek and then skipped back over to Nicholas. The look of terror that flashed across Geoff’s face told me that we understood each other perfectly. The tinkling laughter from Amber, while unexpected, was the perfect ending.
“Now, what were you saying about Jonathan and Star? Do you really think she will know what to do?” My mood, despite the tension around me, was light. I still found all this intriguing, though the weakness was becoming annoying.
“I don’t know dear but maybe. She is one of the ancients so maybe and even if she doesn’t, I’m sure she will be willing to help us, help you,” Amber sighed and patted Nicholas’ hand in an attempt to reassure him, I believe.
Amber was so sweet though the way she spoke of Star now confused me a little. “Amber? I thought you didn’t like dealing with Star, what changed?”
“I do not dislike her; it just unnerves me, what she is. But, she is your mom, a good friend to Jonathan and Nicholas, and well, it’s unfair of me to begrudge her what she is when she does not care what we are.”
Jonathan came in just then. Amber, Nicholas, and I were on the couch though poor Geoff had n
ot moved from where I had left him, staring. “Um, do I want to know?” Jonathan asked, looking from us to Geoff and back again.
“Oh, Anya was just correcting Geoff on his behaviour as of late,” Nicholas teased. Seems he must not disapprove of my method too severely. Good.
“Remind me not to make you angry,” Jonathan razzed back.
I stuck my tongue out playfully. “What, he was being mean?
“Now, what did you find out from Star? Did she have any ideas?” Was he going to drive me crazy – okay, crazier – with curiosity?
“Well,” Jonathan sighed. “She wasn’t sure what it could be either. She said if you had been in a fight, recently, it might make some sense but since nothing strange has happened, she had no idea. She is going to be here soon though. She said, and I quote ‘she’ll need her mom.’”
“That’s sweet, funny but sweet. I just hate that this issue is messing up things for everyone else. I don’t like being a burden.” I sighed. I hate this!
“You’re not a burden,” Nicholas said fiercely, wrapping me in his arms again.
“You know what I meant, a mhuirnín. But, if you all don’t mind. I am tired of being stared at, so I’m going to my room for a while.”
–Knock–Knock–
“Come in, Declán,” I whispered. I could pick him out of a group of humans no matter the size, I’m sure.
“You don’t mind, do you?” Declán looked a little nervous, but he had done this all week. We hadn’t actually had any alone time since that night. That wonderful, perfect night . . .
“Never. Come, sit with me,” I said, gesturing to the cushions around me. My room here was set up very much like how it had been before. And I was, of course, reading.
Declán moved slowly to sit with me. “Well, I just wanted to spend some time with you, and for once, you’re not being watched,” he added with a grimace. “I can’t imagine how hard this is for you.”
“Oh love, don’t worry about me. I’m fine, really. Now, what has you acting so shy lately?” I carefully took his face in my hands, leaning in slightly, staring into his beautiful sapphire eyes.
Declán reached up to hold my hands against his face. I love the warmth of his skin, and the smell, mmm. Even weakened his scent was both luscious and inflaming, how does that work? “Anya,” he sighed. “I just wonder where things stand between us, I guess.”
“Where things stand?” I couldn’t help the slight laugh, not the response he was hoping for but. “Things stand as they have; I love you, want you, and need you in my life. Why?” I continued puzzled. This weirdness that both Declán and Nicholas were doing was terribly confusing and frustrating.
Declán shifted us so that I was lying against his chest, wrapped tightly in his arms. I could hear his strong heart thumping under my ear and smell the intoxicating scent of his skin as I laid there. It was both arousing and soothing to be in his arms like this. I sighed contentedly as I waited for him to continue his strange questions. I could have happily stayed that way forever and still wanted more time, but I did not have forever with him. I wasn’t sure how much time he even had with me if this strange condition did not stop progressing.
“I told you part of what my concerns were the morning after but, Nicholas has sort of avoided me and you have been under lock and key since your fall. I haven’t been able to talk to you, spend time with you, or even do something as simple at this,” he added, tracing his long fingers up my spine.
I couldn’t help the shiver that spread as he did that. What made it worse was that his scent was clouding my mind, as if I wasn’t already having focus issues. The cravings for him were stronger, more driving every moment I spent with him. “A ghrá, are you worried I don’t still want you?” I murmured gently, tracing my fingers across his chest – undoing the buttons faster than he could have stopped. I couldn’t seem to help myself as I found myself kissing his chest, devouring his scent as much as his heat.
“Mmm . . .” Declán moaned. “Love, you don’t have to prove anything to me.”
Pushing him further into the cushions, I continued kissing up his body. The warm pulsing scent of his throat about drove me mad. As my lips closed over where his pulse was strongest, I felt my fangs descend without my will, piercing deep into his flesh. I could feel his hot, wet elixir pulse into my mouth, filling me with an ecstasy I had only memories of feeling.
Suddenly, I was pinned across the room. Geoffrey had me by the throat, his own fangs out, snarling. I tried to see where Declán was, but all I could find was Nicholas’s back. He was bent over where Declán should’ve been, though.
“Declán? Can you hear me?” Nicholas was raging. “Declán!”
“Will he be okay?” Geoff called across to him. “She couldn’t have taken much.”
“Yeah, he should be fine. He’s just in shock, I think,” Nicholas said moving so I could see Declán for the first time.
The way Geoff had me was starting to hurt, I was thrashing under his grip, not for want to hurt or hunt but because it was truly painful.
It seemed that while I was weaker my voice still had its power, I began to scream in pain and Geoff and Nicholas both were suddenly on the floor covering their ears, cowering. Once Geoff released me, it only took a moment to stop screeching, though the pain didn’t abate completely. I cowered in the corner of my room; afraid. I had never feared before, not like this.
It took only the smallest moment for Nicholas to regain his senses. He stayed in front of Declán, keeping his defensive stance as if he feared I would try to hurt Declán. It took Geoff longer to recover. Moments later everyone was in my room, all staring, all visibly shaken.
Declán sat up slowly, looking confused, but with that strange excitement I had seen this in him before. I was so confused. Why were they all acting like that? I would not have taken much. I did not hurt Declán.
Jonathan – always so calm – took in the strange spectacle, and asked, “What is going on? And why was Anya crying in pain like that!”
“She bit Declán!” Nicholas and Geoff snapped together. “We were trying to protect him when she stared shrieking,” Geoff continued.
“He was hurting me,” I murmured, not moving from the corner. “But I wasn’t trying to harm Declán, I swear.” I was still clutching at my throat area. I thought I had heard crunching while he had me crushed the wall. “Declán, are you okay?”
“Anya, he was in danger, or we wouldn’t have come in like that. You forget, he’s bonded to me too,” Nicholas justified. He was still in front of Declán, looking as though he was afraid I would attack them.
“You felt him in danger, from me?” I moaned. Was I really that out of control? More to the point right now, why did this hurt so severely. I could feel the blood tears that were streaming down my face – and had been since just before I started screaming.
“Yes!” Nicholas was not moving closer to me, no one was.
The pain was slowly increasing and spreading out. Why won’t it stop? Jonathan was the only one that seemed to be paying enough attention to notice there was something wrong with me. He moved slowly, deliberately towards me. “Anya, are you actually hurt or just upset? We all know you would never willingly harm Declán.”
“It hurts,” I choked out, pointing to the base of my neck. “Something went crunch.” I flinched as I moved wrong.
Jonathan continued over and began examining me. Geoff and Nicholas both came in behind him with Declán at Nicholas’s side. I noted that Nicholas had a firm grip on Declán’s hand, probably ready to pull him away from me again.
“Uh, Geoff, you crushed her. It’s going to take a long time to heal this considering how weak she already is.” Jonathan scooped me up and carefully moved me to my bed. “You are going to have to be extraordinarily careful. I’m not sure, but you may be weaker than a human right now.” Turning to Geoff and Nicholas, Jonathan continued, “And you two are going to have to be extra careful with her. I know you were afraid for Declán, but since we can�
��t find a way to help her yet, I don’t know if she will recover.”
I shuddered at the thought of staying in the weakened, broken form. I did not want to exist like this. There had to be something I could do. The pain before had been intriguing, this was nothing like that. This was like being back in my memory of the torture. Unending. He was suggesting that this might never stop? No!
“What about Declán? Are you alright, a ghrá?” Had I hurt him?
“A little stoned I think,” he laughed with that same slightly slurred speech he had when she had bitten him. “But, I’m fine. Right?” Declán asked Nicholas.
“Yes, you will be fine. She didn’t take much, and I healed the wound already.” Nicholas looked at me now with pity instead of the initial fear and anger. I wasn’t sure that was better.
“I – I’m sorry. Everyone, please go.” I sighed, trying not to see them staring at me. I was a menace, not safe for anyone to be around.
Everyone but Nicholas and Declán left the room quietly. They both came over and knelt beside the bed. “Anya, love,” Nicholas began. “I know you wouldn’t try to harm him normally, but, you’re ill. I’ve never heard of a vampire suffering like this, but that doesn’t change anything. We both know you didn’t mean it."
“And,” continued Declán, “I know you didn’t do anything wrong. You wouldn’t have actually continued and hurt me. It’s okay. I love you.”
“As do I,” added Nicholas.
“Thank you, truly. I love you both, but I’m obviously not safe to be near so, please. I don’t know what to do. I can’t hunt like this, I cannot be near anyone without risking their safely or my own. Please, just go for now.” I sighed, turning away from them both.
“You have each other to take care of, more now than ever. If anyone threatens us, you’re going to have to be the ones to protect and defend. They need you.” I had to hope that Nicholas, at least, would understand.