by Dima Zales
"Shouldn't we change her memories?"
"Have you forgotten? She's a descendant of the Fyrsturae."
"Right. It's impossible to tamper with her mind."
"She also has the mark of the Sonnast. Who knows what could happen if we tried to control her mind? It could backfire on us."
"Let's hurry. We only have a short time to drop her off and to change the memories of her new family."
I woke up in a cold sweat. The dreams were so real. It was as if I had actually been there as a little girl. I got into the shower to get my mind off the dreams.
After getting dressed and having a late breakfast, I got into my sparkly clean car and drove to an abandoned field. I had a box of burned out light bulbs.
Once in the field, I laid out several light bulbs in a row. I hoped they didn't have to be plugged in to explode.
I looked at one and willed it to explode. Nothing happened. I narrowed my eyes, focusing on the light bulb.
Nothing.
"What am I doing wrong?"
I stared at it with such a concentration that I felt my face turn red.
Nothing.
Every time I made a light bulb shatter, it was when I was raging mad. I wasn't mad—that was why it wasn't working.
I thought about times my parents had favored Natalie. Images passed through one by one. Soon I was ready to punch someone. I focused all of my energy on the middle light bulb. I took all of my anger and tried to use my eyes like a laser to make it explode.
It didn't even budge.
"Dang it." Then I heard two explosions from the box of light bulbs. "Are you mocking me?"
I turned my attention back to that middle light bulb. "Explode. Explode!"
Nothing happened. "This is ridiculous. Why can't I control it? It's obvious that I'm causing it."
I tried again, and this time a different light bulb in the row shattered. I wasn't happy, but at least it was progress.
I looked at the red sports car. I couldn't believe that it was Cliff's. I was even more embarrassed by my ugly, old car.
He looked at me and smiled. "Do you think it's a bit much?"
"No, not at all. Was it imported? I've never seen anything like it."
"Yes, I had it imported. Would you like to drive?"
The blood drained from my face. "Are you kidding? I'd be afraid to."
He looked into my eyes. "I trust you. Besides, you strike me as a safe driver."
"I am. I've never even been pulled over. But I don't want to drive it." I couldn't make a fool of myself in front of him.
Cliff held up a key chain. "I want you to drive it. You'll love it."
My heart raced. He threw the keys at me, and I nearly missed them. He opened driver's side door, and then waited for me to sit down behind the wheel. I shook my head and sat down. He closed the door, and I looked around the inside of the car and adjusted the seat.
"How do you like it?" he asked, already sitting next to me. I jumped in surprise. I hadn't even heard him sit down.
"It's extraordinary." I cringed at my choice of words. My level of nerdiness knew no bounds.
"Start it." He actually looked excited.
I put the key in and turned it. The car came to life without a sound. "Whoa." I pushed the gas pedal and nearly gave us both a case of whiplash. "Sorry."
He laughed. "Take it easy. It doesn't take much."
"Are you sure you want me to drive?"
"It just takes a minute to get used to. I did the same thing when I first got it."
"Really? Where to?"
"Anywhere you want. Show me some of your favorite places in Delphic Cove."
"There's not a whole lot."
"Then take me to the park where you met up with Brooke. That sounds nice."
"You mean the lake. That's one of my favorite places to go." I managed to drive to the lake without killing anyone. We got out of the car and walked toward the lake in a comfortable silence.
"You look like you're in your element here," he said, breaking the silence.
"I am. I love how peaceful it is. It really helps me to relax, and forget about everything."
He reached toward me, pulled a strand of hair from my face and placed it gently behind my ear. His hand lingered there, and my heart nearly stopped. I looked into his eyes as my pulse raced.
He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. "You smell amazing."
"I'm wearing new perfume." I squirmed, not knowing how else to respond.
He looked deep into my eyes. He shook his head. "No, it's you that smells incredible."
I tilted my head looking deeper into his eyes, trying to figure out what he meant by that.
He cupped my chin with his hand. "Do you realize how stunning you are?"
I opened my mouth but couldn't find any words. I put my hand on his arm and noticed how unbelievably smooth his skin was. "You're many times more remarkable than I am."
He took my hand and kissed it. There was a tear in his eye. "I've dreamed of this for so many years. You've been gone too long." He pulled me close and held me in a strong embrace.
I knew that what he spoke of was as real as the lake next to us, but I didn't know where or when we had known each other. Unless my dreams were real. Was it even possible that he was the boy from my dreams? Had we grown up in that castle together before I was adopted?
It couldn't be…or could it?
We were in the back corner of a fancy restaurant that I'd never been to before, and again I'd had Cliff order for me.
"How did you get the crows to obey?"
"You probably won't believe that I'm the crow whisperer?"
I nearly choked on my iced tea. "The crow whisperer? No way. Who would want to get inside the mind of those gross birds?"
His face showed hurt and disappointment.
"Oh, please don't tell me you're serious."
"I was just teasing. Do you have any idea why they're stalking you?"
I sighed. "I don't know if I want to know. I did some digging, and when I saw that crows represent death, I stopped."
"Representing death?" he asked. "I haven't heard that before, that's very interesting."
"You think the possibility of my death is interesting?" I gave him a fake scowl.
He smiled. "That's not it. You're going to live a very long time." He had the same grin as the boy in my dreams.
"Now you know my future? You're a man of many talents."
He laughed and nearly choked.
After the food arrived, he looked at me. "When did the crows first show up?"
"It was the same day that I ran into Brooke. They showed up right after she left."
"Did anything else that was strange happen around that time?"
"What is this, twenty questions?" I asked.
"I'm only trying to help."
I took a deep breath and then explained the shattering light bulbs to him.
He didn't act as though it was weird. "Has there been anything else?"
I debated whether or not to admit hearing my sister's thoughts or Brooke and Steve's conversation from all the way across from the house.
He was looking at me intently while I had my internal debate. I looked deep into his eyes and heard his voice say, You can tell me, Alexis. His lips hadn't moved.
The blood drained from my head, and my mouth fell open.
It's okay Alexis. I've been through this too.
"So, how's your dinner?" I asked, purposefully ignoring the voices in my head. "Mine dinner is divine. It's at least as good as the meal that you suggested last night, and that was outstanding. Did you know that—?"
"I'm not trying to upset you. I know it must be extremely confusing. I can't imagine going through it without knowing anything about it."
"What is going on, Cliff?"
"That is a long story," he said, "and you deserve to know everything."
"So, tell me," I said.
"First, I need you to tell me everything," he said. "You've got t
he crows after you, some mind reading powers and object manipulation. Anything else?"
I raised an eyebrow. "You haven't seen my new temper."
"You'll learn to control that in time," he said. "It's part of the process. What else have you experienced out of the ordinary?"
I thought for a moment. "I run so fast that they want me on the track team. I heard Brooke and Steve having a conversation all the way across the house, when it should have been impossible for me to hear them."
"Any dreams?" he asked.
"How did you know that?"
"Brooke purposefully chose the same pattern from your favorite childhood dress," he said. "She was hopeful that it would trigger your memories. What did you dream about?"
"I was in a big, beautiful castle nestled between some mountains and forests," I said. "A boy about ten years old named Clifford and I were running through a flower garden. He told me we would use our powers to fight bad guys when we got older."
"You remember?" he asked excitedly. "That's one of my fondest memories. It was no dream—it was real," he said. His face saddened. "That was the last day that I saw you before yesterday. You were taken from us that night."
"I dreamed about that too," I whispered. "I was so scared."
He reached across the table and placed his hand on mine. "I'm just glad that you were kept safe in a loving family."
I snorted. "I wouldn't exactly call them loving, but yeah, they've kept me safe."
"I have much to tell you," he said cupping my chin in his hand. "I would love to blurt it all out here, but I think that it would be best to go back to the house where we can explain it to you with the others."
"You're going to make me wait until after dinner?" I asked, dejected.
"Let's enjoy the rest of the meal, and then we'll go there."
"This is going to be the longest meal of my life."
7
I sat in a recliner, looking across at Cliff, Brooke, and Steve. They kept looking back and forth at each other with varying expressions. It was as if they were talking to each other with their minds.
"Will someone say something?" I asked, doing my best to keep my voice even.
"Do you have any particular questions?" asked Cliff.
"My birth parents," I said, clenching my fists. "It must be quite a story since my parents refuse to admit that I was adopted."
"You're right," Brooke agreed. "When you were three, you were taken from your birth family and given to your current parents by someone who was saving your life. Your mom's and dad's minds were controlled to believe that you were their natural child. After that, they moved here to get a fresh start where no one knew you were a new addition to the family."
I stared at her. "Their minds were controlled to believe that I was their daughter?"
"Maybe this isn't the best place to start," Cliff said.
"I agree," Steve said. "Without knowing what we are nothing else will make sense."
"What are you?" I asked.
Cliff took a deep breath. "First, you need an open mind."
"After everything I've seen, I'd say that should be easy enough."
"You're in the beginning stages of a transition."
"Into what?"
"You're transforming into a beautiful and powerful vampire."
"A what?" I exclaimed. "Are you kidding? You want me to believe that I'm turning into a vampire—a vampire? Vampires aren't real. Have you lost your mind?"
"You said you would keep an open mind," Steve said. He furrowed his eyebrows, and I thought his eyes turned red for a moment.
"Is there a hidden camera somewhere?" I looked around the room.
"I know this is difficult for you to grasp," Cliff said. "You've been raised to believe that our kind is mythical, and most of what you have learned about us is false."
"Seriously, where's the camera?"
"There's no camera," Brooke said. "Deep down you know the truth."
I narrowed my eyes. "I'm going home."
Steve stood up, fists clenched. "Do you have a better explanation? Why you cause light bulbs to explode or why crows follow you? Why your parents are so insistent about the flood when you know it's a lie? Or how you can read minds? If you have a better explanation, I would love to hear it." He blocked me so I couldn't leave.
"I don't have an explanation." I stared him down. "That's why I came here. And you give me vampires. Vampires!"
"It's the truth," Cliff said, looking directly at me with kind eyes.
"Okay then," I said, "if I'm a vampire, how did I begin this transition? I would remember being bitten."
"You weren't bit." Steve rolled his eyes. "You were born into a vampire family."
"If I was born a vampire, why haven't I been biting people my whole life?" I demanded. "Move aside, so I can leave."
Steve laughed bitterly. "You weren't born a vampire."
"You were born into a vampire family, but you're only now becoming one," Brooke said, looking disappointed.
"I'm not a monster."
"None of us are," Brooke said. "Our families are about preserving good in the world. That was actually why vampires were originally created."
"As you know from modern mythology," Cliff said. "There are a lot of vampires who want nothing to do with keeping goodness in the world. Those are the same ones who want our families out of power. They want to destroy not only our families, but mankind too."
"They give our kind a bad reputation amongst the mortals," Steve said. "The same ones who ordered your death."
My blood ran cold. "My death? Is that what the crows are all about? Why would anyone want me dead?"
Brooke looked at me. "You had a watcher, who is like a nanny and a bodyguard rolled into one. A group of vampires called the Morettis ordered her to kill you. They threatened her family, but she loved you and your parents too much to kill you. She was scared for her family, so she snuck you out and gave you to your human parents. That way it would look like she had killed you, without actually harming you."
"Do they still want me dead?" I whispered.
"Yes, they do—assuming they've figured out that you're alive. Your parents are the vampire King and Queen," Cliff told me. "You're going to be the most powerful vampire in the world."
"The most powerful vampire in the world?" I shook my head.
"You were born with a special mark that was prophesied about three thousand years ago. The mark means you're the Sonnast, the most powerful vampire since the Fyrsturae."
"So where's this special mark? Why haven't I seen it?"
"It's a silvery blue, swirly-shaped star on your neck. There are images of it in the scrolls from three thousand years ago," Steve said.
"There's no star shaped mark on my neck. Now I know you're lying."
"Your parents had it hidden with a spell when you were a baby," Cliff said. "They were afraid someone would hurt you. It was like a neon sign announcing that you're the Sonnast."
I stared at Cliff. "It's hidden? That's convenient."
"The Morettis are determined to take over the throne, and they see you as the only thing standing in their way. Never mind the fact that they aren't even descendants of the Fyrsturae."
"What is the Fyrsturae?" I was unsure if I even wanted to know.
Cliff said, "They're the group of original vampires. They were born three thousand years ago, and only their descendants can be on the throne. In fact, only the descendants of the first vampire, Alrekur Vidarsson, have ever been on the throne. You're his direct descendant with both of your parents from his line. I'm a descent of the second vampire, Halldor Falkursson. My family is royalty also. My parents are second in command, after your parents."
My head hurt. "You're telling me that I'm not just a vampire, but vampire royalty, and some long-awaited Sonnast."
"It's a lot to take in," Brooke said. "You'll make history when Cliff becomes the first King from Halldor's line. His mother is beside herself with excitement."
"Do my pare
nts care? Why haven't they tried to get me after I was taken away?"
Cliff held my hand. "For three years, everyone thought that you were dead. The entire kingdom mourned. Your birth gave everyone hope. When you were thought to be dead, it led to a sort of species-wide depression. After those three years, your watcher confessed everything."
"She thought that she was doing something noble," Steve said. "But when your parents found out what happened, they were furious. Your father wanted to kill her on the spot, but your mother was so grateful you were still alive that she wanted to spare your watcher."
"They threw her into the dungeon and argued about it for weeks," Cliff said. "She told them everything, including where you were and who had you. She's in the dungeon to this day."
"Your parents have been on a mission to find the vampires that ordered your death," Brooke said. "Your parents knew that you were at least safe with your human family. They wanted the Morettis to keep believing that you were dead, so that's why you remained in Delphic Cove."
"They gave up having you with them to keep you safe," Cliff said.
"After your parents found out that you were still alive, they sent our family to keep an eye on you," Steve said. "That's why we lived so close to you all of those years, and why you and Brooke were so close."
"Then why did you move across town a couple of years ago?" I asked. "You've been completely out of my life."
"I started my transformation," Brooke said. "I couldn't hide it from you and you were actually starting to remember some things. It was dangerous for us to be so close, so we moved here. One of my talents is that I have visions, and I always get visions about you, so it worked out that we were still able to keep a close eye on your safety."
"Is that why you showed up at the lake the day after all of those light bulbs had exploded?"
"Yes," she said. "I knew your transformation started and that we needed to get involved. Do you believe us?"
"I don't know what to think," I admitted.
"So you're not going to drive a stake into our hearts?" Steve laughed.
"No. Does that really work?"
"Unfortunately, that's one of the stories mortals have correct," Cliff said. "Although not just any kind of wood will work with us royalty."