by Megan Duncan
I tapped my knuckles lightly against Liz’s bedroom door, directing my senses into her room, trying to pick up on any kind of movement, but there was nothing but silence. She was probably still sleeping. Liz was notorious for sleeping in, and considering she hardly slept the entire drive here she was probably exhausted. I figured I should let her get as much sleep as she needed, so I moved farther down the hall to Robin’s room. This time though, I didn’t tip-toe.
Knocking lightly again, I listened for any movement inside. A soft voice beckoned me to enter. I grasped the gold handle and pushed the door open. I walked in, noting that it looked very similar to my bedroom only accented with different colors. Robin’s was white, contrasted with slate blue. As I closed the door behind me, I caught sight of her sitting near an open window, gazing out at the rising moon. It was so bright it almost looked like sunlight.
“I think my father would be proud that we are standing up against The Dark,” she said, without tearing her eyes from the glorious globe in the starlit heavens. “I’m going to do this for him, Claire. Whatever it takes, we’re going to stop Baal. I know we will.” There was more conviction in her voice then I had ever heard before. Her iron determination spiraled around me like a steel chain, and I knew she’d meant every word.
“He would be proud,” I said, agreeing with her as I took a stand at her side. I cast my eyes out over the city as it soaked up the magnificent luminescence, glowing like flickering fireflies. I would never get tired of Naos’ beauty. There wasn’t anything in the world quite like it.
“It’s so pretty,” Robin sighed blissfully, like the sight of such splendor eased her worries. Maybe it did.
“It is, isn’t it?” I smiled taking in the sight along with the crashing waves in the far distance below us. “I think you’re going to like it here. I mean, I hope you do.” I leaned my knees up against the window frame, knotting my fingers together behind my back.
“I’m sure I will. It’s definitely different, and I think that will be good for me…” she was silent for a moment and as much as I wanted to jump in I held my tongue. I didn’t want to push too hard, she needed to come out of her shell on her own. In her own way.
“Ya know?” she looked up at me expectantly, like she had been waiting for me to say something all along.
“I know.” I reached out, squeezing her shoulder in support. I clamped down on the urge to push out my own emotions toward her. I wanted to fill her with joy and erase her sorrows, but as much as I thought that would help, it wasn’t my place. The only way to truly heal from an injury of the heart was time, not masking it away.
“Naos has a wonderful historical library,” I said nonchalantly, testing to gauge her reaction. Her eyebrows raised and a tiny sparkle of life flickered in her expression.
“Really?” she was feigning disinterest, but I knew her too well to know she wanted to know more.
“Yeah. I’d love to introduce you to a friend of mine. Her name is Leona.”
“I’d love to meet her.” Robin rose from her seat by the window, only to plop onto her bed. The down comforter puffed up around her like a cloud.
“She’s a historian. Did you know they don’t have Blood Mates here? No, they have a totally unique system and I think the Noire region could learn a lot from this society. I mean, anyone can become part of the Guard, that’s what they’re called here. People will be turned just so they can spend eternity perfecting their craft.” My tone rose in excitement as I spewed the information out in a tidal wave.
“Wow.” Robin sat up surprised.
“I know it sounds crazy, but it’s kind of amazing too. I mean, I don’t know what I’d want to spend an eternity studying but it’s… cool. Don’t ya think?” Cool didn’t quite cover it, but that was the first word that came to mind.
Robin giggled lightheartedly, a sound I had missed so much. “Are you trying to sell me on Naos, Claire?” I shrugged, sheepishly. Maybe I was. I wanted her to be happy here. I knew it had to be hard to be away from the Noire region, and away from her mother.
“Maybe.” I walked over to her side of the bed and lifted one of the decorative pillows from off the floor. I flicked the fringe between my fingers. “Is it working?”
“Maybe.” She gave me a cheeky grin as she lifted a pillow of her own and chucked it at me.
“Hey!” I faked offense before chucking my own frilly pillow at her. We fell into fits of laughter before dropping back onto her fluffy bed. As our laughter died, we each caught our breath as the moment faded away. I slid my tongue across my fangs, content just sitting in silence beside her, if even for a few seconds.
“I guess I better go check and see if Liz is awake yet.” I sat up, dropping my feet to the cold floor.
“And I better take a shower,” Robin said, wrinkling her nose. “I smell.”
I sniffed the air around her, wrinkling my nose in the same fashion she had. “Yeah, you kinda do,” I teased.
“Ha. Ha.” Robin stuck her tongue out at me before strolling to her bathroom.
“Smell ya later!” I called out to her before walking out of her room.
“Let’s hope not!” she shouted back before being drowned out by the sound of running water.
I skipped the formalities when I reached Liz’s door and decided to walk right in. I had meant to let her sleep in, but after spending time with Robin I missed Liz even more. We’d shared very much the same moments waking up after sleep overs. We always used to have pillow fights when she’d tease me about my fashion tastes and I would fire back about the latest loser she’d dated.
The curtains were still drawn, burying the room in utter darkness. My eyes quickly adjusted as light filtered in from the open door, slicing the room in half.
“Liz? You awake?” I whispered as I strolled to her bed. My senses picked up the sound of her breathing. It was steady and even, but not deep and slow as it should have been for a person who was asleep.
“No,” she growled at me, as she shifted under her covers. “Go away.”
“Come on sleepy head.” I tried to sound cheerful as I marched past her bed and flung open the curtains allowing the moonlight to filter in. I heard her grumble again, before rolling over to face away from the windows.
“What’s the point?” Even though her voice was muffled from her face being buried in her pillows I could understand her as clearly as if she were standing right next to me.
“What do you mean what’s the point?” I planted my hands on my hips as I studied her lumpy form under the covers, as if it would reveal her true meaning. I pushed my senses toward her, trying to gauge her feelings. Then suddenly I felt them, and my heart dropped. She was scared and confused.
“Why did you bring me here, Claire?” She sat up finally, pushing the covers off her with annoyance.
“I brought you here to keep you safe.” I took a seat on the bed beside her.
“You’ve got enough to worry about that you don’t need to take care of me like some babysitter. You guys are planning a war for crap’s sake!”
“I’m not babysitting you, Liz. Don’t be stupid,” I scolded her, which only made her grimace.
“I’m not being stupid. I’m being realistic. What is there for me to do here besides sit around and hope that those evil vampires don’t kill me?” Her tone waivered as fear trickled through her. I could see her eyes swimming with tears and her face began to redden.
“They aren’t going to kill you.” I did my best to sound confident. I thought Liz had handled everything so well, but maybe the reality of the situation hadn’t quite set in yet. It definitely had now.
“How do you know?” she folded her arms across her chest like a defiant toddler.
“‘Cause I won’t let them.” I met her defiant gaze with one of my own as our stare down began. Only moments passed before she blinked, and cast her eyes downward.
I couldn’t blame her for being scared; it was a completely normal reaction. And as much as it pained me to admit, she ha
d a point. What could she really do? Had I done the wrong thing by bringing her here, by telling her the truth? Now her mind swam with worries as the threat of Baal and his monsters closed in. She was only a human, how could she protect herself?
An idea suddenly bloomed in my mind, and I jumped from my seat on the bed like a jack rabbit. “I’ve got an idea!”
“What?” Liz didn’t sound as excited as I was.
“You’re going to train with Eli! We all are. You, me, Robin and Dmitry! It’s brilliant. I don’t know why I didn’t think about it before.”
“Train for what?” Liz asked, confused.
“To defend yourself,” I answered simply. “I promised I’d keep you safe, Liz, and I meant it. Eli can help. He can teach you some really helpful skills to help defend yourself.”
“Claire! I’m a human, if you haven’t forgotten. I can’t defend myself against a vampire,” she replied, sounding defeated.
“Yes, you can!” I countered. “We aren’t as all powerful as you might think, ya know? We have weak points and Eli can teach you what they are.” I couldn’t hide the grin that spread across my face. I woke up a genius tonight! I only hoped it would continue for the rest of the evening.
“They do?” I could feel the hope flourishing within her. “Like what?” she scooted off the edge of the bed and looked at me expectantly, her blue eyes locked onto mine.
“You’ll see.” I winked at her. She rolled her eyes in response when her stomach growled noisily. “Hungry?”
“Starving,” Liz replied as she moseyed to the bathroom.
“Get dressed and I’ll meet you for dinner.”
“Yeah, yeah, just make sure there’s coffee!” And with that she slammed the bathroom door.
I came back to find my bedroom aflutter with activity. But the few servants who were making my bed, and collecting my dirty laundry weren’t what halted my steps. My nose wrinkled as I sniffed at the air, pulling me toward the small glass table near my couch.
A small, crystal glass with an elegantly swiveled stem sat waiting for me. It was filled nearly to the rim, and the sight of it sent my mouth watering. I smiled politely, making my way to the glass while trying to maintain my composure. Last night’s meal felt like ages ago and my hunger burned inside me. I brought the crimson liquid to my lips, taking a long draught before pulling it away. Gasping at the warmth that shot through me, I licked me lips like a hungry tiger.
I swirled the blood in the glass as if it were a fine wine when I glimpsed Arrick on the balcony out of the corner of my eye. My heart fluttered at the sight of him, and before I knew it my feet were carrying me to his side. I leaned my shoulder against him as his eyes traveled across the city. I could feel the turmoil charging through his mind.
Without a word, he wrapped his arm around me, pulling me into his hard chest. A sigh escaped my lips as his embrace soothed me; it always soothed me. Being near him made all my worries feel less menacing. Maybe that’s what love was? When you’re with them anything feels possible. He had done so much for me; more than I’ll ever know. How could I ever repay him?
I snuggled myself deeper under his arm, listening to the sound of his heart against my ears. “I’m glad we’re back,” I said in a whisper.
“Me, too.” He dropped a kiss on my head, as he squeezed me closer to him. We stood there in silence just enjoying the beauty of the city below, and the moon above. I wished I could stand out here with him forever, but I knew I couldn’t. At least not yet. Some day we could have as many moments like these as time would allow, and time was something we both had plenty of.
“Will you have dinner with me?” I looked up at him, oddly nervous about his answer. Something inside me prayed that he would say yes, but feared he would say no. His face dropped to mine, puzzlement wrinkling his brow. “What’s wrong?”
“You’ve just never asked me to do anything with you before.”
“Oh.” Did that mean his answer was no? I stepped away from his embrace, ready to retreat back to my room or maybe even to my bathroom. I liked to lock myself in bathrooms.
Arrick latched onto my arm as I turned to leave. “Where are you going?” I opened my mouth to reply, but only managed to stutter hopelessly. “Come here.” He pulled me to him, wrapping his arms around me, enclosing me in his muscular embrace; the scent of aftershave filling my senses. “I’d love to go to dinner with you.”
His fingers clasped my chin, pulling me to his waiting lips. They were warm, and eager for me, and I met them with fervor. His fingers tangled in my hair as passion wove its way between us. As his tongue slipped between my lips, I welcomed it, matching his desire with my own. My body melted into his. Kissing Arrick was simply magical.
Had we not needed air to breath, we could have kissed each other the entire night. We pulled only inches apart as we each gasped for breath. His hands found my face, raising it to meet his tender gaze. Tickles pranced across my skin as he traced his fingers delicately over my features. He tracked the curve of my cheekbone, trailing down to my lips. He bit his bottom lip as his eyes drank me in, then his finger traveled from my lips to my fangs, and the tiny tickles exploded into lighting. It was unlike any feeling I’d ever felt before. It tickled, but felt sensual all at the same time.
“I better go get dressed,” I said as he deposited a supple kiss on my lips. I didn’t want this moment to end, but I knew if I didn’t put a lid on it now we could easily go far beyond where I was ready to go. I cared for Arrick, and I knew I was falling in love with him, but I wasn’t quite ready to… squeak any bed springs.
“Okay.” He sounded a little disappointed, but I could also sense his understanding, which only made my decision that much harder.
Liz and Robin beat me to the dining room. I took a seat beside them, falling easily into their conversation with my mother. Liz was commenting about the décor, and how much she loved it.
“I would love to utilize your love of design in decorating our refurbished wing,” my mother commented.
“Seriously?” Liz asked, ecstatic.
My mother smiled at her enthusiasm. “Yes, dear. I don’t have time to do it myself. I’m sure you’ll make it look lovely.”
“Wow! Thank you.”
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen Liz so happy. Scratch that. The last time I’d seen her this happy her favorite store was having a spring blowout sale. I was proud of her thoughtfulness, too. She’d always wanted to be a designer, and ironically enough, now she kinda was.
“Congratulations.” I leaned into her, giving her a quick one armed hug.
“It’s totally awesome isn’t it?” she sipped her steaming mug of coffee; the smell of cinnamon and cream mixing in the air. “I’m going to make it look so chic, Claire!”
“I know you will. If anyone has an eye for style it’s definitely you.” I smiled, watching as she seemed to be bursting at the seams with excitement. Everything appeared to be coming together. Liz had something to do to not only cheer her up, but make her feel like she was contributing, and I’d have my friends start training with Eli so I would know they could defend themselves. Things were really starting to look up.
A server brought me a steaming bowl of what smelled like blood infused with rosemary or perhaps it was thyme. The aromatics were remarkable, both titillating my hunger but at the same time relaxing me with its earthy scent. I lifted my spoon, and brought it to my lips as I caught sight of Arrick entering with Bennett. His eyes found mine, and my stomach fluttered as he winked at me. They rounded the table as Bennett talked animatedly, his hands gesturing wildly. I focused in on them, picking up bits and pieces of the conversation. He was recounting our fight together when Baal attacked. I’d told Arrick the very same story, but he pretended to be interested for Bennett’s sake by nodding his head and never taking his eyes off me.
“Hey, Claire!” Bennett waved at me in greeting as he walked by to take a seat.
“Bennett!” I wiggled my finger at him, directing him toward
me. He strolled over, resting his hands atop the back of my chair.
“What’s up?”
“I’ve got a favor to ask you,” I whispered, not wanting Liz to overhear. Not that she would anyway, she was talking Robin’s ears off about all her plans for the new wing.
“Shoot,” he said, running his hand across his scalp, his icy blue eyes penetrating mine. Despite our friendship his eyes still unnerved me; it was like he could see my deepest, darkest secrets.
“I want you to keep an eye on Liz.” I gestured with my eyes so she wouldn’t see me pointing at her. Bennett followed my gaze and his lips pulled up into a devilish grin.
“That I can do.” He looked her up and down like she was his next meal.
“Hey!” I slapped his hand. I didn’t like the way he was looking at her. This was a serious favor I was asking him, and he needed to take it seriously.
“Sorry.” He brought his hands up in surrender.
“If anything happens to her…” I glared at him sternly, getting my point across. If anything did happen on his watch, Baal wouldn’t be the biggest thing he had to fear.
“No harm will come to her,” Bennett said, bringing his fist to his chest before bowing. I felt relieved knowing that she had one more level of protection. I caught his gaze flicking to Liz once more before he took a seat on the opposite side of the table, no doubt so he could continue to ogle my best friend.
Arrick pulled up a seat beside me and squeezed my knee under the table. I winked at him, enjoying the warmth of his fingers on my skin. Engaging in small talk as we ate, Arrick stroked my knee with his thumb all the while. Liz and my mother were in a vibrant conversation about color palettes, and Bennett was recounting his story to a nearby vampire who looked absolutely enthralled. Things almost felt normal. Maybe this was what it would be like when the war was over. I sure hoped so; all my favorite people in one room. Life couldn’t get any better.