by Tish Thawer
With a sadness layering her features, she sat there frowning like grandmas do. "Well, I can't say that I'm pleased, or that I have any idea what this will do to you or your baby. But I can tell that you are changing, and I'm afraid that what you've started will not be good for our race." She pushed away from the table and returned to the sink. I felt like shit as she turned the oven off, obviously realizing I wouldn't be eating any of the food she'd cooked.
"I'm sorry." I didn't know what else to say, and I did feel bad for letting her down. But not only was stopping what I started out of the question, I literally didn't think that I could stop if I wanted to. Grandma was right, I had changed, and now there was no going back.
I tentatively approached my grandma as she methodically scrubbed the dishes in the sink, and gave her a small hug from behind. I wasn't sure if this would be the last time I would see her or not, but I left the house without another word. I hoped she would be able to accept my decisions once I proved that becoming immortal wasn't a bad thing, but a good one. Who knows, maybe she would start drinking human blood too, and then we could be together forever. The idea had merit but I wasn't holding out hope.
I let the thought drop as I backed out of the driveway, switching my focus to happier things. It was only two in the afternoon, so I decided to head to the store to pick up what I'd need for dinner. I couldn't wait to welcome Jeremy home in the special way I'd done over the last few days: a glass of wine for him laced with my blood, candles, and sexy lingerie.
Our lives had become so much better since I'd started controlling him. I'd wiped his memory of me killing Damien and about us being demons. As far as he knew, we were just a happy couple in love who were getting ready to have a baby. I did, however, decide to leave the memories of when I'd comforted him after Loraine's death. That way, he'd truly feel the depth of our connection. But, the one thing I didn't hesitate on doing while creating our perfect world, was to erase all his memories of Rose. I couldn't risk any memories of her leaking through, especially if she was the one who'd told him about me and all that I'd done.
Shaking off all thoughts of the past, I finished my grocery shopping then headed straight home and began marinating the steaks when my cell phone began to ring.
"Hello."
"Hi, Meredith. It's Raúl. I was calling to let you know that Damien's service will be tomorrow afternoon at The Angelus Funeral Home on East 16th at four p.m."
"Okay, thank you, Raúl. I'll see you there." I hung up the phone, smiling. I was well aware that tomorrow would be hard for everyone in Damien's family, and therefore I'd have to be sure to put on an especially good act. My plan was to get through the service, then speak to Raúl alone. From the way he'd handled digesting the human blood at the meeting, I thought he'd make a good replacement for his dead cousin.
As I continued to contemplate my plan, I headed back to the kitchen to start the vegetables for dinner, but just as I sat the pan on the stove I saw flashing lights outside the front window. I walked into the living room and saw the park across the street being surrounded by cops and other emergency vehicles. I stood watching as they taped off the area around the stone bridge, and then took a shocked breath when they wheeled out a dead body.
A few minutes later, Jeremy pulled into the driveway. I walked out the front door and greeted him with a hug and kiss. We stood there together, watching the police scurry around the scene. Finally when a cop walked out toward his squad car, Jeremy crossed the street to speak with him. After a few minutes he walked back across the street, hugged me, then led me into the house.
"Apparently there was a man attacked under the bridge. The officer said his neck had been torn at and he died from major blood loss."
The instant I heard the words neck and blood, my eyes flared red. Thankfully, Jeremy was behind me as we walked back into the kitchen, and didn't notice.
I could only think of one thing that would tear out someone's neck and leave them to bleed to death. Well, besides myself––make that two things. I instantly worried this was a message from Christian's clan. I forced myself to remain calm and continued to prepare our dinner. I couldn't let Jeremy see that I was actually on the verge of losing control.
"Did they say if there were any suspects?" I asked.
"No. The officer said that no one in the park noticed anyone strange or heard anything. I guess we'll just have to watch the news and see if they found something to go on once they've completed the investigation."
"Well, I don't know about you, but the idea of people being killed in the park across the street from where we'll be raising our baby isn't the most comforting thing. Maybe we should think about moving."
Jeremy spun around, his eyes wide. "Really? You've lived here for so long. You'd really consider uprooting after just one crime in the park?"
"Well, yes! I may have lived here for a long time, but I've never been pregnant before, and certainly never had to worry about anyone else's safety but my own. But now...I couldn't imagine our child walking home from school and seeing something like this, or worse, being the victim."
Running was never really my style, but with the meetings on hold and the vampires obviously closing in, moving somewhere else might not be a bad idea right now. "What do you think? Maybe we could move into one of the high rises downtown that has around the clock security."
Jeremy walked over and pulled me into an embrace. "Honey, I'll move wherever you want as long as you feel safe. Plus, if we moved downtown, we'd both be closer to work, so it would offset the increased cost of housing if we didn't have to drive to work every day."
I was glad he was seeing things my way. "Thank you, sweetheart. I'll call the realtor tomorrow."
* * * * *
CHAPTER NINE
Warn Me
(Christian)
We arrived at the address that Renard and Loni had provided in their report and I parked the car directly across the street from Jeremy and Meredith's brownstone. The block was quiet, except for a few people that I now realized were cops walking through the park. They seemed to be gathering yellow tape from around the bridge. Police, crime tape...this was not looking good. I had a sinking feeling that whatever happened had something to do with Rose.
"Loraine, are you able to check to see if Jeremy and Meredith are in their home?"
"No, Christian. I'm sorry. I can only go where other people's thoughts pull me, and like I said, I haven't felt anything from Jeremy for a while."
"All right then, I'm going to wait until the police clear the vicinity, then go check out what's happening in the park. After that we'll head over to the brownstone."
I figured I'd need to check out the park first in case that's where Rose had confronted Meredith. But for now, I had no choice but to wait in the car. I thought about making small talk with Loraine, but I just didn't know what to say. I had so many questions about Rose and their family but I didn't want to appear insensitive by making her talk about the loved ones she'd lost. So instead, I just sat there, watching the house for any signs of movement.
We sat in silence for a few minutes before Loraine spoke. "Christian. What do you think is happening to Rose? I mean, what's it like to change into a vampire and how do you think her being a demon has made things different?"
I wasn't sure how to answer, because honestly, I had no idea. So instead of speculating about Rose's experience, I stuck with what I did know.
Loraine's eyes remained glued to mine as I explained the process of vampire creation, but I could see by the look on her face that I hadn't really answered her question, so I added, "It doesn't hurt, Loraine."
The small smile that crept across her sad face told me she wasn't convinced. I'm sure that watching her daughter rise as a vampire and then drift dark wasn't an easy thing to process, but I didn't know what else to say to convince her that everything would be all right. I thought about telling her the rest of the story, about how when a new Sire turns their first vampire that they were actually choosing their cons
ort. But I didn't think the idea of Rose's and my life being connected to the point of dying if the other one does, was something Loraine needed to be reminded of right now. Besides, as I looked out the window into the park, I noticed all the people had finally left.
"I'm going to check out the park, I'll be right back. Do you want to go with me or stay here?" I asked.
"I'll stay here, I guess. But if you stop thinking about Rose or me, I'll most likely disappear. If that happens, just call me back when you need me again."
I was pretty sure this was Loraine's way of saying that she needed to get away from the situation. I figured the oblivion that she faded away to would be a good break for her. As I made my way out of the car and into the park, I purposely guarded my thoughts. As I approached the bridge I looked back and noticed she was gone. I hoped she would find some peace, if only for a little while.
Regaining my focus, I continued to walk into the park. I could smell the blood before I even reached the bridge. I caught Rose's scent but it wasn't her blood that was drifting in air, so that was a good sign. But unfortunately it wasn't Meredith's either. I would have recognized the sharp tinge of her blood, since I'd gotten a good whiff when we'd left her bleeding on the floor of Rose's former home all those months ago. No, this wasn't Meredith's blood, just some random human's, which meant Rose had fed.
I was happy to know that Rose was safe, but unfortunately I could also tell that she wasn't anywhere in the vicinity. Our bond would have told me if she was, but instead, it still felt stretched, as if a great distance separated us. I took a deep breath, trying to hold it together. Even though Rose was long gone, I still needed to check to see if Meredith was alive or not. Maybe Rose had truly solved all of our problems within the first few hours of being the hybrid. One could only hope.
I left the dark tunnel under the bridge and flew across the street to hide in the bushes nearest Jeremy and Meredith's brownstone. I listened for any movement or bits of conversation, but what I heard made absolutely no sense.
I picked up on the rustling of sheets, as if someone was climbing into bed, then Jeremy's voice rang out. "I'm so excited we're having a baby, Meredith. Becoming a dad is something I've always wanted."
What the hell? Um...Jeremy was a dad...had been for twenty-one years. I continued to listen, trying to gain some inkling of understanding.
"I'm excited too, honey. I can't wait to be parents for the first time. I've always wanted a baby, and for it to be with you...my dreams have come true."
I listened as they shared a quick kiss, then Jeremy continued. "I feel the same way. I just hope I'll know what I'm doing and will be a good father."
Okay...this was fucked. I tried to think of why in the world Jeremy would be acting as if Rose never existed. I instantly knew that Rose was right, and Meredith had "tricked" Jeremy into staying with her. Dammit! This situation just went from bad to worse. Meredith had erased Rose from Jeremy's mind all together.
If Rose came here to confront Meredith and save her dad, only to realize that her father had no clue who she was, I could only imagine the devastation she must have felt. If she was dark before, there was no telling what she'd be like now. The negative emotions caused by knowing your father––your only living family––had just been forced to forget who you were...Oh man. I was surprised that Rose hadn't ripped off Meredith's head right then and there. Then again, what if Meredith wasn't here when Rose approached her dad? What if Jeremy turned her away, not knowing who she was? The picture I now imagined was one of Rose running off into the night, crying from a broken heart.
Dread settled in my chest as I flew from the bushes and back to the car. There was no reason for me to stay here any longer. I couldn't confront Meredith by myself and I couldn't approach Jeremy either, because most likely, he wouldn't have any clue as to who I was. I eased away from the curb, gunning it once I was around the block. I had to get back to The Rising Pit and tell Evie everything that had happened.
On the way back to Seela, I tried to concentrate and force my powers into revealing where Rose was, but it just wasn't working. Frustrated, I tried to think back through every conversation we'd ever shared, hoping to spark a clue as to where she could have gone. It would have been nice if I'd been able to read her thoughts before I changed her, or if Evie had been able to scan her at some point, but unfortunately that never happened either. I almost laughed out loud at our ignorance. Originally, I had thought we couldn't scan Rose because she was purposely guarding her thoughts from us, but in reality, it was because she was a demon.
Demons, or zôts, were something that none of us had ever encountered until the situation with Rose and Meredith had developed. Balam, Evie's Sire, had been helpful with his information, but this was also a first for the elders as well. Throughout the centuries it was thought that whenever a vampire drifted dark, it was a random event brought on by embracing their darkness that led to them reveling in the kill. Who knew that the real reason was because they had accidentally fed from a demon? Our clan had experience all this when Terrance was infected by Meredith. But luckily, he'd fallen in love with Loraine and became the only vampire in existence to come out of it alive. It had been Loraine's calming ability that allowed Terrance to retain a hint of lightness in his soul, and that was the only reason we ended up not having to kill him.
Now with Rose running around with a broken heart, I had no idea what we were supposed to do next. She was the only weapon that could destroy Meredith and we had––I had, just lost her. Can you say cluster-fuck?
I could only imagine how dark I'd drifted with all these thoughts running through my head. So when I pulled into the parking lot of The Rising Pit, I turned off the car, closed my eyes, and took a few deep breaths to calm myself. The news I had for Evie and the clan wasn't going to make them happy and I didn't want to add to their stress by showing up looking even more out of control.
My meditative efforts were interrupted when Terrance knocked on the window of my car. I opened the door and stepped out, praying he didn't have more bad news.
"What's up?"
"I heard you pull up. So, what'd you find out?"
While I wasn't surprised by his question, I was confused as to why he'd left the club to ask me alone. I wondered what other factors had motivated this one on one meeting. I scanned Terrance's thoughts and found out exactly why he was here. He was trying to warn me.
Apparently as soon as I left, Evie and Dax had discussed the situation with the rest of the clan. The outcome was that if I was unable to get Rose back safely, or if when I did bring her back she was dark and out of control, they were going to have to consider the possibly of putting an end to her, which would of course in turn, kill me as well.
I tried to show no reaction but fell back against the side of my car for support. I couldn't believe that Evie would contemplate killing Rose and therefore me, or that she was second guessing the decisions I'd made. But, it was the fact that I was now considering getting in my car and leaving my family behind that bothered me the most. I hated the idea of them being unprotected, but honestly, what did my presence do for them right now? Nothing. We would all remain sitting ducks until I got Rose back and we found out whether or not she was really meant to be our salvation. Continuing to search for Rose on my own was the only choice.
"Terrance, just tell them that I know what I'm doing, and I'll be back soon."
He nodded, and I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was well aware that I'd scanned his thoughts. He clapped me on the back as I turned toward my car. "Just be careful, man. You're going to have to figure out a way to get some blood bags to keep with you, so you don't risk feeding off any demons Meredith has in the area."
"Thank you, and don't worry, I'll be fine."
The last thing I saw as I drove away from my home and the family I'd spent over six hundred years with, was Terrance raising his hand in goodbye before he reentered the club.
* * * * *
CHAPTER TEN
&n
bsp; Freeing
(Rose)
I couldn't believe that I'd ran so far from Masen already. Having the speed of a vampire and a demon truly made me the fastest thing alive. Looking around, I wasn't even sure where I was. I was standing in the center of a wheat field, lined on the far edge with tall oak and hickory trees. It was still night but I could tell that the sun would be rising in just a few hours. The idea that I could sleep whenever and where ever I wanted, continuing on at my convenience, caused a smile to drift across my face. I would literally never have to worry about anything ever again.
I slowed my pace, enjoying the soft glow the yellow wheat gave off in the moonlight. My hand brushed the tops of the stalks as I walked toward the small forest. I could make out lights in the distance and figured it'd make as good a place as any to stop and feed. I didn't have any real direction that I wanted to head, so the idea of starting my world-wide tour in the next town seemed like the most obvious thing to do. Who knew where it would lead me. Maybe I would stay for a few days and get to know the locals, or maybe I would book a flight and head overseas to check out London and Tuscany like I'd always dreamt of.