by K. A. Poe
Making myself comfortable on the couch, I selected Desmond’s name in my contact list and waited as the phone dialed. My heart rate sped up quickly with each ring, and I was almost positive it stopped when I heard my foster father’s voice.
“Alex? Hello?”
“H-hi,” I stuttered and wiped sweat from my brow. This shouldn’t be so difficult! “How is China?”
“It’s wonderful. Mel and I walked along the Wall of China and it was exhilarating! How are you? Did you change your mind? It’s still not too late Alex, we’ve decided to stay longer than we had-”
“No…that’s not it…” I said, cutting him off. “I’m so glad you guys are having fun over there. I…I just have some news to share with you.”
“What is it, dear? Is everything okay?”
“I just found out…” I paused and rapped my fingers anxiously on the arm of the couch. “Salem and I…ugh, this went so much easier in my head!”
“Let me guess,” he said with a hint of laughter, “Mel was right, wasn’t she? You’re pregnant.”
“I-what?”
“She kept telling me you were. I was hoping she was wrong, but don’t take that the wrong way. I am happy for you; I just wish that it was under different circumstances. It was one thing having my daughter get married at the young age of nineteen, but now I am going to be a grandfather? I’m way too young for that!” He laughed. “Have you been to a hospital, do you know the due date, how far along are you?”
My head was pounding. There were so many answers that I didn’t have and things I was unprepared for. “I just found out, dad.”
“Right. I apologize. Make sure to get those things taken care of, and get back in touch with me as soon as you know. Do you need us to come back?”
“No, no…I’ll be okay. Enjoy your trip, and I’ll keep you posted.”
“Sure,” he said, sounding a little disappointed.
“This went a lot differently than I expected.”
“Imagine if you were announcing this to Paul and not me,” he said and sighed. “Excuse me for that…I only mean that he would have been a lot harsher, knowing him.”
“I know,” I replied sadly. “Thanks for being so understanding.”
“Get some rest and take care of yourself and the little one, I’m going to share the news with Melissa.”
I thought about waiting a little while before calling anyone in Colorado as I knew it was still a little early in the day on that side of the world. I did some quick math in my head and figured it was probably seven or so in the morning there. My aunt and grandfather would definitely be up already so my small plan to procrastinate their calls came to a quick end.
The call to my aunt went really well. She was ecstatic and somehow unsurprised at the news—she couldn’t wait for me to get back to Willowshire so she could shower me and the future baby in presents. My grandpa on the other hand wasn’t quite as understanding—he reacted similarly to how I imagined Paul would have. He was disappointed and said that I should have been more careful, that I was in no place to have a child and I was still a child myself. Our conversation didn’t end well, and I tried to hold back my annoyance when I made a quick call to Mr. and Mrs. Williams. It wasn’t surprising that they didn’t answer. They were both probably working or something. Even though I knew it wasn’t the ideal way to let them know, I left a voicemail telling them I was pregnant. I left my number in hopes they would call back.
The phone lay limply in my hand as I stared at Jason’s number. I yearned to hear his familiar cheery voice, but I knew that it would quickly become a dreary sound of disappointment. I kept telling myself it was way too early to call him, trying to make any legitimate excuse to postpone the inevitable. Sure, my aunt and grandpa had been up…but Jason was a lot younger than both and liked to sleep in late. Or that is how it had used to be. I felt sad when I thought of just how little about Jason’s last few years I truly knew. It used to be that we talked every day. He, Karen, and I knew everything that happened to one another. Now, aside from the few run-ins, a call here and there, and Karen’s funeral…we had barely spoken. I wondered how he could still hold on to this crush on me after all that.
It was settled. Whether the conversation went good or not, I needed to talk to my friend again. As I finally pressed the button to dial his number, I heard the door open as Hannah and Ezra returned. Salem swore he wouldn’t say anything to them until I was ready, but I knew it would be difficult for him to refrain from mentioning it. I definitely did not want Hannah to find out this way—overhearing my conversation with Jason.
“Alex!” I heard Jason exclaim when I almost spaced out I had dialed his number. My lips formed an immediate smile at the sound of his voice. “I’ve been thinking about you a lot, and thought about calling, but my phone plan doesn’t have international calls. So I’ve e-mailed you a few times, but you never answered.”
“Hey, Jace. Yeah…I’m sorry, I’ve been a little busy…not to say I’m too busy to talk to you. But I have a job now, working at a restaurant playing the piano.”
“That’s awesome! I can’t believe I never really knew you liked music class,” he said with a laugh. “I’m still at Howard’s, of course.”
“It’s a good place, there’s nothing wrong with it. Money is money, right?”
“Right.”
“I’m surprised you’re up, isn’t it like eight there?”
“Yeah, pretty close. I’m usually up this early. I’ve been working some random shifts to cover here and there. I’ll be going in at eleven today.”
“That sounds kind of annoying.”
“I’m used to it now. Been doing it a while.”
“Yeah…I guess you have...look…there’s a reason I called, and I really wish I could be there to tell you. Then again, at the same time, I’m sort of glad I’m not in this case.” I laughed nervously.
“What’s going on?” his voice quickly went from amusement to concern.
“One second, going to step outside.” I got up and walked to the door, opening it slowly and quietly as to hopefully not pull Hannah’s attention from whatever she was talking to Ezra about. Once outside, I took a deep breath in preparation to tell Jason why I had called.
“Jason, I’m…I’m pregnant,” I whispered, wishing my voice had been quiet enough that he couldn’t hear.
“Oh…I see what you mean by you’ve ‘been busy’.”
“Jason…please, just try to be happy for me…I really need your support.”
“I’m sorry, Alex…I just can’t be happy about this,” he said angrily. “You wouldn’t understand.”
“Jace…”
“No. Don’t try to comfort me. Go be happy and do whatever it is you are doing…I’ve got to go.”
My response was cut off when he hung up. The tears came instantly and it was hard to fight the urge to toss my phone in frustration.
16. OBSESSION
I waited a bit before coming back inside, trying to make myself stop crying and compose myself. I didn’t want Hannah to start probing me about why I was upset.
“There you are!” Salem greeted me as I came in. “I was just about to come out and get you. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah…I’ll tell you later.”
“As you can see I went ahead and summoned one of your favorites…since we were discussing it earlier. Lasagna and breadsticks!”
My stomach rumbled as I saw the steaming dish of food sitting on the table. I wasn’t completely sure if it was from hunger or if I was just starting to feel nauseous again. My doubt soon faded as I felt bile coming up my throat. I turned and ran to the restroom.
When I came out of the restroom Salem was immediately there asking if I was okay. I could see over his shoulder and noticed Hannah’s curious expression. She turned away as soon as we made eye contact. I hoped she wasn’t piecing anything together.
“Yeah...I’m fine. Just that…stomach thing…from the food the other day. Remember?”
Salem looked over at Hannah, turned back towards me and gave a knowing nod. “Right.”
“I’m going to go ahead and lay down, tell Hannah and Ezra I’m sorry.”
Once I was in the bedroom with a door between Hannah and myself, the tears came again. Crying myself to sleep wasn’t something I had planned for tonight, but after the unpleasant conversation with Jason, it seemed impossible to avoid. When I woke, I found myself bundled up in a fleece blanket and a pillow tucked under my head. Salem was nowhere to be seen, but I heard the shower running. With a brief stretch, I sat up and rubbed my eyes. I nearly screamed when I discovered Hannah staring across the room at me.
“It’s about time you woke up,” she said and scraped her long, sparkling silver nails across the table surface. “You’re going to be late for work if you don’t get ready fast.”
“Ugh,” I groaned and climbed off of the couch. “Where is Salem with a mug of coffee when I need one?”
“You were out for almost twelve hours; I’m surprised you’re still tired.”
“It’s normal during-,” I paused and shook my head. “Never mind. I didn’t sleep very well, even if it was a long time.”
She nodded and eyed me curiously. “I’ll go start up the car while you get dressed.”
“You’re going with me?”
“I said I’d be there the whole way, right? They won’t suspect anything from me, and maybe I can get some info on what Malik is up to with my visions.”
“Maybe…” I eyed the keys dangling in her hand and felt a sudden rush of nerves at the idea of her driving my beloved IQ. “I’ll be right out…”
Watching her leave, I gathered a bundle of clothing, scarcely paying any attention to what it was, and dressed quickly. Salem exited the bathroom right after I finished dressing and I was very thankful. My bladder had not appreciated the twelve hours of sleep, and I ran past him into the restroom.
Once I stood up I came face-to-face with myself in the mirror. I looked terrible. I didn’t know if it was from the stress, pregnancy, or just the long sleep, but either way I didn’t like it. Despite the possibility of being late to work, I spent more time than usual brushing my hair and applying makeup. Once I was satisfied I came back out to see Salem still standing there, strands of damp hair clinging to the side of his face. I approached him and gently brushed them behind his ear.
“Try not to worry too much,” I said, “Hannah will be with me…I know that might not sound very reassuring, but I’ll be okay.”
He kissed me on the forehead and pulled me close. “Be careful for the both of your sakes…and I don’t mean Hannah’s.” He placed one palm against my stomach.
Smiling and nodding, I reassured him again that I would be fine, gave him a kiss and left the apartment.
Directly after entering Varias, Cassius separated Hannah and I and escorted me out of the building despite my protests. He ignored my complaints and led me to a limousine waiting at the side of the building. To my dismay, Malik rolled down the window and smiled widely at me—not hesitating for a second to conceal his fangs. This was his territory, and he wasn’t afraid to be himself.
“What’s going on?” I asked when Cassius loosened his grip from my arm.
“We’re going home, dear,” Malik replied and Cassius opened the car door.
“I don’t live with you.”
“You are my Queen, of course you live with me. What might others say if they see you living off in some run-down apartment building, hmm?” The thought alone that he knew where I lived was terrifying; though I should have known…as Cassius was the one who provided it. “I promise you will find your new place much to your liking. Come now,” he offered his hand to me and I reluctantly took it.
I crawled onto the comfortable leather seat beside him, subtly checking my pocket to ensure my phone was intact. If anything were to happen, Hannah would be my first resort as she was nearest by.
The drive was awkward. Malik droned on about how similar to my mother I looked and routinely touched my hair and face. I was beyond glad that the drive was a short one—not only because of the unwelcomed advances of Malik, but because it also meant that Hannah wouldn’t need to travel far to save me in the event that I needed her.
As I stepped out from the vehicle I was mesmerized by the expansive mansion ahead of me. The familiar courtyard from my mother’s shared visions unfolded before me and I watched in horror as female vampires in rags came walking past the vehicle—I knew where they were going. These were Malik’s slaves, vampires he either Sired or purchased from other vampires to do his bidding. They gathered the food that was provided to him and his wealthier housemates, and most likely the restaurant as well. This is the same position Destiny had been in—and I feared the worst for myself.
“You’re not going to make me into a slave,” I stated firmly.
Malik laughed and placed his cold hand upon mine. “I would not dream of it, love.”
“Of course you wouldn’t, you don’t sleep.”
“Figuratively speaking,” he added and helped me out of the vehicle when it came to a full stop.
“How many rooms does this place have?” I asked when I stared up at the tall building.
“Thirty or so,” he shrugged. “Very few of them are put to any use. This mansion was passed on through generations in my family.”
“How long has it been in your possession, considering it can’t be passed on by you since you don’t die?”
“Two and a half hundred years. I had already been around quite a while before my Sire was slain and it came into my possession, though,” he said, grinning at the startled expression on my face. “Come, there is something I wish to show you.”
Malik led me up a set of gray stone steps and through two vast doors which were opened by slaves as we approached. A long, red carpet ran along the entryway floor. The walkway went all of the way toward the end of the building. Countless doors lined the walls and I couldn’t help but wonder if his estimate of thirty rooms had been modest for such a huge place. It was massive and beautiful yet eerie. Ancient and elegant, but housed evil—much like its owner. I followed him down the carpet, past at least ten doors, and through a wide archway that revealed a view which made me stop in my tracks.
Books aligned every wall. A ladder leaned against the side of one of the many shelving units for easy access to the high up novels. A large golden chandelier hung in the center of the room, directly over a circular sofa that wound around a glass table with a pile of opened archives lying on the surface.
“This is amazing…” I whispered in awe, longing to touch the spines of each and every book. There was no telling just how many there were, what they held within them, how old they were!
“This room was your mother’s favorite,” he said with a fond smile. “She spent so much time reading, which was not a luxury that any of my other slaves had the honor of indulging in. I am overwhelmed with guilt any time I use that word to define her, I hope that you are aware of this. I did not think of her as a slave, she was my companion.”
“For someone with slaves, it is funny to consider you actually have feelings.”
Neglecting my comment, he swiftly strode across the vast library and plucked a particular book from the shelf. It was worn at the edges and the cover was completely blank. He handed it over to me carefully, as though offering me something fragile.
“This belonged to your mother…” he said and glanced away. “Please, make yourself comfortable while you browse through its pages.”
Before allowing myself even the slightest glimpse into the book, I retreated to the large red sofa and sat down. Malik stood in the distance, appearing to be observing the other contents on the shelves, but I had a feeling he was keeping watch over me.
The scent of the old book’s pages reached my senses and I once again noted the obvious signs that it had been frequently used. When I opened it, I was astonished by what I saw. Page after page were filled with scribbles of my name. After flipp
ing through roughly forty pages, I stumbled upon something different—
Paul
16
Willowshire
Hobbs
Waldron
Raziel
Then the rest of the book was empty. My mother had been obsessed with me beyond belief…it was no wonder Malik tried to ease her thoughts by convincing her I was imaginary. Sadly, it didn’t help her in any way.
“How did she even remember all of that?” I wondered aloud.
“The more a vampire obsesses over a particular thought—be it of a person, place, or thing—they can eventually unlock repressed memories based solely around that one thing,” Malik explained as he paced the room. “She would experience random fits of hysteria from time to time; losing you traumatized her unlike anything I had ever witnessed before.”
“I drove her to insanity…”
Malik was beside me in the blink of an eye, his cold hand gently lingering on the side of my face. “It wasn’t your fault, Alexis. But you definitely are something worth obsessing over.”
I didn’t know whether to feel flattered or disturbed by his comment—maybe both. “Can I keep this?”
“Of course,” he answered.
Cassius entered the room and signaled for Malik’s attention. “Excuse me,” he said with a bow. “I need to speak with you, my Lord.”
Malik acknowledged his request and stood, leaving me to sit alone on the couch once more. The two men retreated to the far side of the library, nearly out of ear’s reach.
“She is a threat to you, why can you not see that?” Cassius asked, glancing briefly in my direction.
I turned away so that he didn’t notice my stare and pretended to browse through my mother’s diary again.
“I can handle myself, Cassius. She is but one hunter, while I have an army of vampires at my beck and call.”