In My Veins

by Madden, C. A.

  We got into the city and wondered how exactly we’d be able to find someone that wasn’t even registered and possibly not even in the country anymore.

  “Why don’t we find a gypsy and ask?” I asked.

  “How exactly are we going to find a gypsy? It’s not like there’s a sign.”

  “Maybe there is a place they reside the most?”

  “There are rumored villages in almost every country but the chances of those rumors being true or still existing are slim.

  “Let’s act like tourists and see if there’s a fortune telling place?” I suggested.

  “That’s actually not a bad idea.” We went into a farmer’s market and browsed around. An old lady stopped us. She was selling garlic. She spoke in Romanian. We shook our heads letting her know we didn’t understand. “You must be newlyweds you’re such a beautiful couple! You should get garlic to prevent the evil eye!” she smiled kindly and said with a thick accent and broken English. I’m sure everyone could tell we were tourists but it was kind of her to humor us before.

  “Um… no thank you.” I said. What are we going to do with garlic here? He put his arm around me and was about to pull me away so we could find someone that might know.

  “I give to you free.” She said again. Why does she want to give us garlic so much?

  I looked at James trying to read him but he looked just as confused as me, “You look like my daughter”, she said cheerfully to me, “I make her eat garlic every day and she has a very happy marriage and three strong sons.”

  I giggled and took the garlic from her gracefully before paying her anyway. “Um… I was wondering… do you by any chance know of any fortune tellers?” I asked.

  The older woman looked at me questionably, “You don’t need fortune teller. They tell lies and they make bad things happen.”

  I laughed, “True, but we just want to go for fun. See if we’ll have two or three boys in the future. My husband wants only two but I want to prove to him that three would be better.”

  The older woman laughed, “Yes there is one in this town. You go straight down this road make a right and keep going till you see a small house made of grey brick.”

  “Thank you so much.” I said as the old woman hugged me.

  “See. You just got to know how to talk to people. Older women in villages of any country just want people women to have babies. Especially sons.”

  He put his arm around me and squeezed me tightly as we walked together, “That’s my girl.”

  I looked down at the bag of garlic I had and started laughing. “What’s so funny?” he asked.

  “Nothing…” I said trying to make him drop it.

  “What is it?” he said lightly shaking me as we continued to walk.

  I still laughed, “It’s just… I thought it was funny that they gave us garlic of all things.”

  “You’ve got to be joking. Baby I’m not a vampire!” he laughed.

  “I know but still…” I laughed.

  We continued walking quietly just enjoying the new environment. Totally different from Los Angeles. It was beautiful. The buildings we saw in the city had gorgeous architecture but in the village it had beautiful scenery. I’m sure we should probably find something to eat soon too. James was probably starving.

  We walked quite a distance and we turned away from the busier part to a more quiet area. We finally reached the grey brick house.

  We stopped in front of it nervously. I really hoped they had answers. Not trying to get my hopes up but it would be amazing if Andrea lived here.

  We knocked on the door and a young blonde woman, maybe in her mid-twenties, with light green eyes opened the door. She had gorgeous big eyes that were impossible to miss. She smiled at me and James and paused when she really looked at James. He was wearing glasses and his mouth was closed. But if she’s a good fortune teller I’m sure she can sense things.

  I squeezed his hands, trying to reassure him.

  She said something in Romanian. James and I looked at each other, neither of us knew any so we both shrugged with a smile and shook our heads. The international sign of… ‘I have no idea what you just said’.

  She smiled and put her pointer finger up indicating ‘one moment’ and went back inside the house.

  Another gorgeous blonde woman who was even younger than the other, maybe eighteen or nineteen, with similar eyes came to the door. “Hello, how may I help you?” she said in perfect English.

  “Hi…I was told there is fortune telling here?” I asked. I’ve been doing all the talking so that James wouldn’t have to risk people seeing his teeth. I think that’s the most significant feature that tells what he is. I still refuse to call him a monster.

  “Oh, come in.” she said and opened the door wider for us.

  We came into the house that was decorated with traditional Romanian décor. It was simple but homey. She sat us down on the low couch, “Would you like anything to drink?”

  I looked at James and he shook his head, “No thank you.”

  “Okay, Taliya will be with you in a moment.” Darn not Andrea.

  An older woman with dyed black hair brushed back into a tight bun and bright blue eyes came to us. She sat on the chair next to the couch and smiled at me. The second blonde from earlier came with her, I’m assuming to translate.

  The older woman spoke and the blonde woman translated, “This is Taliya. She’s asking how she may help you.”

  Taliya, clearly could not take her eyes off of James. Was it because of the glasses or could they sense something? Would it be rude to just ask? “Oh… um… we were looking for someone. I was wondering if she can help me find her.”

  The blonde woman looked at me curiously and told Taliya. Taliya nodded, “She will try. Does she have a name?”

  “Andrea. I was told she lived here twenty some years ago” I said simply.

  Taliya’s expression showed recognition. She started saying something to her translator who I’m starting to think is her daughter because of the similar eyes.

  “She says she moved from this village last year. She heard she went to Paris. Paris, France.”

  I felt a rush of disappointment. “Does she have a phone number or an address?”

  The translator spoke to Taliya; Taliya looked at me apologetically and shook her head ‘no’. I smiled and James and I stood up. “Okay… thank you.” I gave them the money for fortune telling even though we technically didn’t get our fortunes read and went out. James was clearly disappointed as well.

  “So… are we off to Paris?” I asked cheerfully hopefully helping him cheer up as well. He smiled at me, but his smile wasn’t genuine, “Baby… cheer up. We’ll find help.”

  I walked in front of him and held his hands as I walked backwards slowly with him. “You’re going to fall…” he mumbled.

  “Will you catch me?” I said trying to be playful. I faked that I was going to fall but he quickly wrapped his arms around my waist bringing me closer to him. “I’ll take that as a yes.” I said ignoring the feel of being pushed against his body, “Let’s eat. I’m starving.”

  “Me. too.” He said quickly letting me go so that I could stand next to him. We found a small local restaurant and went in for some stuffed bell peppers. He got on his phone and got us a flight for Paris that night. I was bummed that we couldn’t explore Romania more but we had to get rid of this curse.

  I really hoped Paris had our answers.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  James and I flew to Paris around midnight. We did a little research and found out some gypsies reside about four and a half hours south of Paris.

  It was mid-afternoon by the time we made it to the small city by train. We ended up losing track of time by looking either at the pretty scenery or looking at each other. While getting off the train I stretched out my legs and felt wobbly. James chuckled at me, “What it’s my first time on a train. That was… different.” I shrugged.

  He smiled as he took my hand and we we
nt towards the destination. France was beautiful and romantic just as everyone said.

  Who was I kidding, wherever I am with James is romantic.

  We took a taxi to the area of the gypsies. The taxi driver looked at us funny for asking to go to that area, but we shrugged.

  “Are you hungry?” I asked him while we were in the cab. I noticed he was tensing up again but we had a meal in the train so I didn’t think he’d get so hungry soon.

  “No… just nervous. I hope we get some answers.” He said sorrowfully. I squeezed his hand for reassurance and smiled at him. Not sure what to say. I don’t know the rules. He doesn’t either. It’s possible that nothing could be done to make him normal. Or it could be as simple as drink some sort of potion. It could also mean that the fortune teller lied to us and Andrea is not in France.

  When the taxi driver stopped we paid him and got out. He drove off quickly making me feel uncomfortable. Now it was James’s turn to squeeze my hand and smile. We walked into an area that did not look like the other parts of gorgeous city. This place was dead. Dry dirt, long dried up grass. Just…dry. There were a handful of trailers that modern gypsies use as caravans.

  I unconsciously got closer to James’s side and he smiled, “It’s ironic how you’re getting closer to the monster.” He winked.

  I elbowed his side, “Don’t call yourself a monster.”

  He smiled sadly and kissed the top of my head. We saw a young girl, maybe fourteen, with a folded up tent walking in our direction followed by two little boys. I looked at James and he nodded.

  “Excusez-moi” James said to the girl. I looked at him in shock, he knows French? “Can you help me? I’m searching for someone.” He said again, in French. He sounded so hot in French!

  The girl eyed us both and walked closer to us, “Oui. Who?” I glanced behind her and noticed a man walking towards us. James glanced in his direction too and back to the young girl.

  “Madam Andrea.” He said as he put his arm around my waist protectively.

  “I don’t know…” she turned around and pointed to the older man, “He might.” She said. James nodded and said thank you and started towards them.

  “Don’t worry babe, I won’t let anything happen to you.” He whispered in my ear.

  “Who are you?” said the extremely tanned man with impressive muscles. He had a scary persona though. I was sure that by the end of this trip I’d be attached to James’s side.

  James started talking to the scary guy in French. I wasn’t focusing on what they were saying because I wouldn’t understand anyways. I was more focusing on the environment. It looked like it was getting abandoned. I wondered what was going on.

  I looked at James’s expression as he spoke; he kept his head low as he was speaking, most likely trying to hide his teeth. I think he was failing though because the man kept his eyes on his mouth. I guess they know of the ‘legend’.

  Once James said thank you and we started walking back to the street to get a cab I knew something was wrong. “What did he say?” I asked him as we looked up and down the street.

  “He said that from what he heard she went to Paris over six months ago to live with her daughter. Apparently she was sick.”

  “Sick?”

  “Yeah… she was really old.” he said looking everywhere but me. He’s hiding something.

  Wait. Was?

  “What do you mean, was really old?” I asked trying to get him to look at me. He sighed and looked up in the sky.

  “He said… that he heard she got sick from old age and passed away. But he never went to see… apparently they were caravan neighbors…”

  She’s dead…

  James let go of my hand and squatted on the floor. He threw off his beanie and glasses and buried his head between his knees and roared. I looked around and thankful no one was near us. Sighing I squatted in front of him and de-clawed his hands out of his raven hair. Rubbing the sides of his head where he was pulling the hair I scooted closer to him.

  Waiting a moment for him to gather his thoughts together I snuck my arms in between his and hugged him, not caring that we’re in the middle of the sidewalk and he has bright pink hair.

  “Karina… I don’t think we’re going to find a cure…”

  “It’s okay…we’ll keep looking.”

  He pulled me away, “I really don’t think we’ll find anything else.” He looked at me mournfully. He opened his mouth to say something and closed it again.

  I forcefully smiled at him, “Whatever happens… you have me. We’re in this together. Let’s just take a step at a time.”

  He stared at me again contemplating what I said and feebly shook his head in agreement. Noticing his eyes were redder than his usual I realized he must be getting hungry again. “Let’s go eat?”

  I stood up and waved for a taxi. I looked around and noticed it was starting to get dark. I was about to open the taxi door when James opened it from behind me. I looked at him in surprise; I thought he was still on the floor. He smiled at me again, this time it seemed hopeful.

  He asked for a bistro and the taxi driver didn’t even glance at his teeth or messy hair. See… not that bad. I said in my head to him even though he couldn’t hear.

  It got dark pretty quickly. We at the yummy bistro and decided to walk back to a hotel nearby.

  I could tell his hope for finding a cure was gone but I still had hope. There had to be a way.

  Andrea was his last shot at being normal in his mind. We took a train back into town and decided to go out for a walk since neither of us could sleep.

  I felt him watch me as we walked down the Parisian streets. I smiled and glanced around the historic and modern European buildings.

  Other couples were walking around us. A specific couple in front of us I was the most envious of. The way the guy was teasing the girl and she was laughing. He walked behind her and covered her eyes like he was going to surprise her with something. I wondered if James and I would ever be ‘normal’.

  I sighed and looked away at the boutiques on the other side of the road. I felt arms suddenly around my waist and he kissed me on my cheek. I tensed looking for James and looked to my right where James was standing before; my heart was racing when I realized he wasn’t there anymore. I turned my head a little to see if I could tell if it was James or not and quickly felt better when I saw that it was him.

  I looked at him and smiled and quickly kissed him back. “I got scared… I thought you were gone.”

  “Then who would have done this?” He said squeezing his arms around my waist.

  I shrugged, “That’s what scared me. I thought you were gone and some random person was doing it.”

  “Don’t make fun of me!” I whined but continued laughing at myself as he did all the laughing for me.

  He glanced around for a moment and stopped when he saw an ice cream place. He let go of me and gently grabbed my hand dragging me with him to the ice cream shop.

  He kept his arms around my waist as we stood in line and when it was our turn I tried to get out of his grip but he wouldn’t let me. He gave me a small squeeze letting me know he didn’t want to let go. I smiled and melted in his arms as he ordered our ice cream in French.

  He ordered one big bowl so that we could share. He found a cozy table outside of the ice cream shop that had Christmas looking lights around the trees and plants making it extra romantic. I was about to sit down when he pulled me onto his lap.

  I squealed, “James what are you doing, people are watching.” I said unwillingly struggling to get out of my lap.

  “So? It’s Paris. People expect this stuff.” He kissed my cheek and took a spoonful of ice cream and brought it to my lips. “Say ah.”

  I smiled and took the ice cream reminding me of the time he fed me cotton candy. As if he read my mind he brought his lips to mine and let his tongue slide down them. “You’re a messy eater with your sweets.”

  He continued to feed me, occasionally slipping in kisses, e
ach one longer then the last.

  “What about you? I’m going to get fat if you keep feeding me the ice cream.” I said and pouted.

  “I like this better.” He said and kissed me again.

  I wasn’t stupid; I could feel his hold on me getting weaker by the minute. He was hungry. He attempted to cover his eyes with his hair but I brushed it away from his face but he shook his hair back to cover his eyes. I frowned and rested my head on his shoulder.

  “What do you want to do?” I asked.

  “Want to go back to the hotel?” He asked.

  “Sure. But I meant tomorrow.”

  “Well… we can spend some time in Paris if you like.”

  “Really?” I asked pulling back to him with the biggest grin, “Do you want to?”

  “If it will get you to smile like you are now then we could move to Paris if you want.” he laughed.

  “Where did you learn French?” I asked as we held hands and walked back to the hotel.

  “College.” He smirked.

  “It’s sexy.” I said shyly.

  He smirked and pulled me into his arms before whispering sweet French nothings in my ear. I giggled feeling his lips brush against my skin and his facial scruff tickle me.

  ***

  Paris was amazing. James and I went to the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, and shopped at some boutiques. He was finally acting normal and I think he was slowly forgetting about his vampire-ness. I still refused to call him a monster. He still looked like him, just different.

  We were sitting in the Parisian park cuddling on a bench just people watching before we headed back to the hotel to get ready for our trip back home in the morning. He kissed the top of my head as I rested it on his chest.

  A young family passed by with a baby and for some reason they reminded me of James and me. I wondered if we would ever have that. I don’t want it now… totally scares me at the moment… but will one day. We’ve barely been ‘back to normal’ for a few hours today but I still don’t know the thoughts that are going through his head. He might have just gotten better at the acting.