by K. A. Poe
“C'mon!” I hollered, “It feels good!”
“I'm not so sure I can appreciate it quite as much as you can.”
“At least give it a try,” I beckoned him over with a wide smile on my face.
Salem shook his head, still laughing, and removed his shoes. “I suppose it feels nice,” he said quietly, and then grinned playfully at me.
I screamed, running toward the water's edge. I collapsed onto my back against the cool blades of grass as he pounced on me. His expression was calm and gentle.
“Did I startle you?” he asked as he rolled off of me and over to my side, staring up at the darkening sky.
“Maybe a little,” I whispered, waiting for my heart to settle down. I nuzzled up against him and peered upward, following his gaze. It was strange how at peace I felt with him, despite the moments of doubt which seemed to routinely creep into my mind. “It must be strange for you,” I said thoughtfully.
“What do you mean?”
“Seeing the world change over the years.”
“It has certainly been interesting,” he mused. “But the world really isn't that much different. More technologically advanced, though, that's for sure.”
“Doesn’t it bother you?”
“No, but it doesn't much interest me either.”
“What does interest you, Salem?” I asked as a shooting star soared across the darkening horizon. “Aside from me, that is.”
“I have spent years reading, researching, learning to adapt with the changing world, but exploring the world was my ideal quest, until I decided to stay here.”
“Am I stopping you from doing that now?” I frowned, but he couldn't see it.
“Of course you aren’t,” he said happily, “I have something new to experience and explore now.”
I would have smiled at his comment had I not suddenly felt excessively warm, despite his cool body beside me. For some reason the picture of Mark standing over Janet with his red eyes gleaming and that sickening smile rushed back into my mind. My palms felt clammy and a rush of nausea overcame me. I grasped onto Salem's arm tightly and he sat upright, lifting me up with him. I wished he hadn't – it only made me feel worse. He could tell something was wrong, I could see it in the alarmed expression on his face.
“What's wrong, Alex?” he frowned, putting his hand to my forehead, “You’re burning up!”
“I-I don't know,” I stuttered with panic. The world felt like it was spinning, and I clung onto him even tighter.
Salem stood, pulled me up into his arms and carried me over to the lake. “You aren't going to like this very much, but it will cool you off.”
My eyes widened in fear as I realized what he was about to do. He walked into the water, and I stared downward noting with each step he took how much closer I came to touching it. “Salem, it's going to be too cold!” I cried between gasps of air.
“That's the idea,” he stated and walked further in, his knees were engulfed by the darkness. Soon, his waist was hidden beneath the water's depth and I closed my eyes tightly as I anticipated the frosty liquid touching my skin. I cringed when it first touched me, shivering against his body as he held me close. I felt little relief, however.
“It’s not helping!” My eyes were still shut and I leaned my head close against his shoulder.
“Give it time; the cold will help the fever.” He didn't appear affected at all by the cold water.
I could only imagine how it appeared from his point of view: a sudden gust of wind, a whirl of black and violet feathers swarming around us. He gasped in shock and I felt his grasp loosen. I screamed as I felt my body falling into the lake, but the cold never came. A gruesome, snapping, twisting sound came to my ears. I heard Salem's voice, he sounded frightened and concerned, but I could no longer see him. Nor could I feel him anywhere around me.
My eyes opened finally. I was hovering over the lake; I could see Salem standing several feet below me, staring up in horror. I felt lighter and at ease. Had I drowned and not realized it? Was I a spirit, suspended over my dead body as it floated down to the bottom of the lake? Maybe I had fallen asleep on the grass beside Salem and this was all a dream. I tried to yell down to him, but no sound came.
“Alexis...” Salem mouthed, his jaw dropped in awe. “Can you hear me?”
I failed to answer him, although I was positive I was opening my mouth. I nodded my head – maybe he would at least be able to see that.
“But you cannot speak?”
I shook my head again.
“Do you know what happened?” his eyes had yet to return to their normal size and he looked…scared.
My head shook once more.
“Look down...” he murmured.
I lowered my eyes toward the now-still water, transfixed at what I saw reflected on the surface. The brunette-haired, hazel-eyed girl I was used to seeing did not stare back at me. Instead, I saw a magnificent bird with violet and blue hues shimmering against its otherwise ebony body. The wings were outstretched and flapping at its side. Piercing black, beady eyes stared back at me. The flapping ceased and I noticed with fear that I was falling. I plummeted into the freezing water.
The sound of stretching, cracking and twisting bones came to my ears again. My eyes were wide open but I could see nothing. I was completely surrounded by dark, cold water. Seemingly not of my own control I opened my mouth to scream and the liquid pushed itself inside, choking me. As I felt my consciousness slipping away, Salem tangled his arms under my own and pulled me to the surface.
“Alexis?” the gentle, accented voice reached my ears, but it seemed so distant. “You are safe now. You will be okay.”
I struggled to open my eyes. Slowly, his face came into view. He smiled, trying to conceal his concern, worry and possibly fear. I was laying on the sectional, draped in thick wool blankets.
“Was I asleep?” my voice came out in a dull croak.
Salem shook his head. “No. You nearly drowned. Do you remember what happened?”
“I had a bizarre dream...” I began to say, but from the look on his face I knew something was off. “It wasn't a dream, was it?”
“No...”
“This can't be real,” I went to sit up but my head felt woozy. “Vampires were one thing, being the daughter of a vampire hunter was a whole other – but turning into a raven! This is impossible!” I shrieked. My throat burned fiercely. I curled up in a ball and covered my head with the blankets as I began coughing.
“Alex, calm down, please,” Salem pulled the cover from over my head, “I mentioned to you before that it was possible...not likely, but possible...for Waldron's to become ravens. I never before imagined I would see it, and I especially never thought you would be capable...”
“You said you thought it was a myth,” I sighed, rubbing my throat.
“Legend says that only the strongest, most dangerous hunters have the ability. I admit I didn’t believe any of it when Raziel first told me,” he didn't look at me, “According to him only three Waldron’s had ever had the gift. You make the fourth, I suppose.”
“Gift...” I mused insincerely. “Salem, are you afraid of me?”
“No, just a little worried about what you could be capable of if Paul ever corrupted you into following his ways,” he glowered.
“I have no interest in hunting, Salem!” I was hurt that he could even think I would ever harm him.
“I know, Alex,” he replied, finally looking at me again, “but, imagining the possibilities makes me somewhat curious.”
“Curious about what?” I asked sharply, knowing where this was going.
“What you could be capable of,” he turned to look away again but I placed my hand against his cheek and held his head still. “What if you could make the world a better place...by accepting what you are, and defeating the evil of my kind? The ones like Mark.”
“You said before that it would be too dangerous.” I could not believe the words coming from his mouth!
“Perhap
s you could train yourself to be careful about it. Imagine if we never had to worry about creatures like him attacking innocent people, because you were there to protect them.”
“You’re a creature like Mark!” I reminded him bitterly.
“I am nothing like him!” he growled.
“I didn't mean it like that, Salem,” I brushed my hand comfortingly across his cold cheek. “But, how would I know who was the enemy and who was like you?”
He thought for a second, taking my hand from his face and lacing his fingers between mine. “You would never be alerted of their whereabouts because they would never attack anyone.”
“How does Paul even know about you then? Have you hurt someone here, Salem?”
“No. Let's just say we met before, in a very uncomfortable situation,” he grimaced at the memory.
“What situation?” I started to grow more and more worried that Paul had been right. What if Salem had once fed on humans? What if he ever started again?
“It was somewhat similar to the incident on the way to the creek,” he muttered. I sadly recalled the white rabbit. “I was hunting late one night in a deserted park. Little did I know, this happened to be the park beside a trailer community where a vampire hunter lived. Paul was driving to the trailer when he noticed me. He knew the park was closed to civilians that late at night and stopped his car to watch me. He knew immediately what I was when he saw my eyes,” he frowned. “There had been a squirrel – I cannot imagine how that makes me sound…a vampire feasting on the blood of squirrels!”
“I would rather you drank the blood of kittens than humans.”
“As would I,” he smiled now. “It would seem he always had a weapon on him, just in case. He came creeping into the park, crossbow wielded and pointing directly at me. I discarded the rodent and speedily dashed behind a tree before he had a chance to shoot. I hastily told him I meant no harm and that I wasn't like the others. He wouldn't believe me, despite the evidence lying before him. Stupidly, I even told him my name, hoping that perhaps he had heard of me in a good sense.”
“At least you got away. I think he is angrier about that fact more than he is of us even being together.”
“I sincerely doubt that,” he laughed. “I think that is enough for tonight, Alexis. You’re still weak from what happened. Come, let me put you to bed.”
I woke up nestled beneath the black silk blankets of Salem's bed. To my dismay, he wasn't beside me. I stretched across the wide bed and caressed the smooth fabric with the palm of my hand. The shimmering black material felt amazing, but it sickened me all the same. It reminded me of a raven's feathers. The bedroom door creaked open slowly.
“Good morning, little raven,” Salem smiled. His pet name made me squeamish when it used to make me happy. I hadn't noticed right away, but he carried a tray in his hands. I rolled my eyes, although I did appreciate the sentiment.
“And what am I having today?” I asked inquisitively as I tried, and failed, to see what lay on the tray.
I sat up and Salem laid the tray across my lap. My mouth watered at the plate of chocolate chip pancakes drowning in syrup, with a light dollop of whipped cream in the center. “Enjoy,” he said with a pleasant smile and gently lay across the bed beside me.
I savored each sweet bite. “That was amazing!” I said as I laid my fork down and placed the tray across the top of the nightstand. My stomach didn't appreciate the meal as much as my mouth did. That feeling was lost immediately by the feeling of Salem's delicate lips against my own. I felt his tongue trace the shape of my lips and I jumped, pulling away.
“What was that about?” I asked quietly.
“You had some syrup on your lips,” he grinned playfully at first but then frowned. “I…I am sorry. I know I should not have done that, it was far too forward and early on for such things…”
I laughed and wrapped my arms around him in a tight hug. Three simple, yet powerful words fought to escape my mouth. My eyes widened at my own thoughts and I jerked back again.
The frown on his face had returned but before he could speak I answered his yet unspoken question. “No, it's not that. I just feel kind of sick to my stomach.” It wasn't entirely untrue, and it wasn’t entirely from the large breakfast either.
“Oh,” he said and pulled me slowly against his chest. “I'm sorry if my food made you ill.”
“It's okay.”
“I was thinking,” he said as he ran his hand down my back in a relaxing caress. “You should see Paul again.”
I gritted my teeth. “I'm not talking to him!”
“He can train you how to hunt, Alex...if you wanted to.”
My mind wasn't made up yet. It was tempting, I would admit that. But, me? A vampire hunter? It was difficult – no, impossible – to imagine. “I don't know if I want to or not.”
“Paul would be pleased,” he replied, speaking carefully. “You could even get on his good side again. Convince him that I upset you and you aren't seeing me anymore, he would like that. You need him, if you want to do this.”
“Aren't you worried I'll get hurt?” I frowned, thinking of the possibilities. If I reacted the way I had when we encountered Mark, I was definitely in trouble. I had never been in a real fight in my life, and just holding that weapon made me nervous!
“Of course I am,” his voice was soft and low, “more than you can ever know.”
“Then why do you want me to do this so badly?”
“I told you already, Alex. Think of all the innocent people you could save. People like-”
“I'll think about it,” I mumbled, cutting him off before he could mention Janet’s name. I didn’t want to lose it again.
“Your body seems prepared for you to make the decision.”
I shivered. “I don't like thinking about it. How do I even control it?”
“That is something you will have to talk to Paul about, too.”
“Fine,” I sighed heavily. “I will talk to Paul…but I am still really not happy with him.”
Salem gave me a satisfied smile and kissed me gently. “Everything will be fine. Trust me.”
And I did.
17. FINAL FAREWELL
After much convincing, I agreed to attend Janet's funeral. Salem offered to escort me to the event and hide out in my car until it was finished. I was anxious, distraught, and a whole mix of other emotions that I couldn't even think straight. I was hesitant to leave Salem when we drove up to the church, but he insisted I would feel better after some closure.
I wore a simple black dress and the only heels I had – which were white and clashed with the dress but I didn't care. Who was going to notice my shoes anyway? I spotted Paul sitting in the back row of pews and pretended not to recognize him. Jason and Karen were there, too, sitting in the middle row with a few other friends of mine that had been acquainted with my mom. I waved at them briefly before scouring the funeral home for other familiar faces. I saw a few relatives that I had not seen in years, that I suppose technically were not my relatives at all. What shocked me the most was finding Desmond and Melissa sitting in the front row.
I stopped in my tracks, gazing at the dark-skinned man I had not seen in twelve years, but there was no mistaking who he was. His hair was curled and nestled against the back of his neck in a short ponytail. I scowled at his girlfriend; she didn't deserve to be here. It seemed disrespectful to bring her to the funeral of the man's ex-wife. She was perhaps in her late-twenties and had long, wavy, blonde hair that curled in fantastic loops toward the ends. It took me a moment to realize Desmond was calling me over to him, and despite not wanting to, I went to him.
He draped his arms around me, which felt awkward. The last time I had seen him he was much less affectionate. I felt a pang of guilt as I thought through the hateful, painful memories I had of him leaving Janet. Being a kid at the time, I could only think that he didn't love me, didn't love her, and ever since that day I couldn't find it in myself to love him anymore. Yet, had I been mistaken? H
e appeared so happy, so healthy, with her. Was I wrong to have hated her, too? Though if he had not left mom…Janet…then there wouldn’t even be a funeral. I shook the thoughts from my mind as I barely returned the gesture.
“How are you faring, Alex?” Desmond asked sincerely.
I shrugged my shoulders as he released me from his arms, “I’ve been better.”
“Understandable,” he frowned, “You look well.”
“Thanks...so do you,” It was hard to talk to him. I didn't feel like I even knew him anymore.
“Melissa and I would like to take you out to eat after this, if you would be interested,” he offered casually, returning to the pew beside his girlfriend.
I sat a few inches away from them, eying them skeptically. “I'm not sure...maybe,” I said quietly. “I'll let you know when it’s over.”
The room had fallen silent as a man approached the podium before us. I had intended to listen to his words, but my mind had completely numbed as it occurred to me how real this was. The woman that had raised me, that I had known as my mother for my whole life until recently, was gone – completely – and nothing I could do or say could change that fact. The man’s gentle voice faded from my ears and I began to feel like I was watching a muted TV show, barely able to comprehend what I was seeing. Desmond tapped me on the shoulder after what had felt like mere seconds.
“Alex, hun?” he sounded concerned.
“What?” I blinked. The man was no longer up there. Everyone was lining up beside the open casket at the front of the room. I swallowed the bile that was rising in my throat. I wasn't ready for this.
“You don't look well,” he commented. “You don't have to go up there, you know.”
“I-I know...” I muttered. “I don't think I can. I'm going to go get some air.”
“Okay,” he frowned, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. “This isn't easy for me, either. I hope you know that.”