“Yes! Don’t worry, Grandpa, I am fine. It snowed last night, and the ice covered trees greeted me with a bow, so I bowed right back.”
“Oh. Well, do not get out on the road in these conditions,” cautioned her grandfather as he always had, for he was the most protective guardian one had ever known.
Jezalyn thought, He hears nothing about what interests me. He has a one-track mind that is always concerned with my safety. As much as I love him, I wish he would not worry so much and listen to me when I speak. I am an adult now, and with that final thought, she responded with a sigh “I won’t. School is closed, so I am staying in today.”
“Good, I—”
The phone vibrated against her head, from a text message, drew her attention away from what her grandpa was telling her. She broke in and said, “Hey, grandpa don’t worry I am staying in I promise, but I have to go. I am going downstairs to see if Ana has a candle I can borrow.”
“Okay. Call me if you need something, or if you go somewhere.”
“Okay, I will.” Next, she said, “Bye, Grandpa,” and hung up the phone as he returned her goodbye.
She quickly opened the message; it was from Blaise. “I tried to go back to sleep, but I couldn’t. What you doing?”
She typed back, “Just talked to Grandpa and now about to read a book from the bookstore.”
After a few minutes, she got another message that read, “Oh, ok—text me when you’re done.”
Torn between reading the journal and talking to Blaise, she decided it would be a good thing not to be readily available all the time, so she chose to read the book and responded back. “Ok, ttyl”.
***
Larkin listened intently to Jezalyn’s conversation. A smile broke out as she described the scene outside. His own thoughts took over and consumed his mind; She sees the loveliness in things that most would only presume to be ordinary. I don’t believe anyone else would have greeted the trees back either, he thought. Then as if she had needed a defense for her way of thinking, Larkin continued to make a case in his head for her. Besides, most people would walk by without ever observing any part of their surroundings. I myself see only slumped over trees where she sees them bowing gracefully toward her. The wave of nostalgia returned as he thought about her perspective and presumable innocence. It was afterwards that he realized the old familiar sensation, almost painful, but pleasantly so were not his old feelings reemerging, but must belong if not to him then to Jezalyn. He assumed, She must have been flooded with emotions, or was it affection, as she read my memoirs, but before he could contemplate his new declaration, he heard her. She is reading again. Wait—she must have flipped to the center. Oh no! She is about to read one of my secrets.
Her voice rang in his head… I have changed… I do not know how. Isadora said that the only way that someone could turn into a vampire is to be drained almost to the point of death at which point they must be replenished with her blood. I was killed trying to protect her from a witch hunter who was trying to capture and place her on trial. When I fell down, I saw my brother pushing her into the forest. I awoke in a shallow grave and no one was in sight.
Larkin was not quite sure he wanted to know Jezalyn’s reaction, so he tried to block her thoughts but his efforts were useless. Vampire! Hmm, I wonder if it represents the animalistic battle between the two brothers for her love. On the other hand, could it represent the lust that humans have; it consumes their very existence, thus making them entwine and destined to become one. He listened as she abandoned the vampire analysis and fixated on what she deemed the most heart-breaking portion of the story. Pushing her! She did not want to leave him, especially since she had not turned him to be her companion yet. I wonder if vampires get heartbroken—that is a silly notion. I don’t believe I would be able to watch the love of my life die before my eyes. I would have struggled to be removed too.
***
Jezalyn was finishing her thoughts, when she glanced over and noticed the time. Where did the morning go? I need to work on my homework, so I guess I will have to wait until later to find out if he goes searching for her. She carefully gathered the papers up, deposited them back in the box, and brought them into her bedroom where she placed them onto her dresser. After setting the memoir aside, Jezalyn grabbed her bag before returning to the living room where she commenced to toil away on her assignments.
***
As Jezalyn sat on her couch doing her homework, across the world a man sat on a ten-foot throne shrouded deep within the Carpathian Mountains near the crumbling ruins of a stone grotto that overlooked a misty wooded valley. The medley of brooks, which sparkled as the water glided over and around old stone boulders, echoed through the valley. He found himself paralyzed with emotion and finally released a sinister snarl accompanied by a laugh as he forcefully proclaimed, “I have found you at last—I knew you weren’t dead.”
Chapter 7: The Introduction
The following day Wyler awoke to emptiness and the sound of nothingness. His mind was usually engaged in the daily duties of being a keeper, shop owner, and husband. He frequently awoke with a busy mind that generally made lists for the day, but today there was nothing. Wyler’s mind was not even plotting or scheming, considering yesterday’s events. Feeling unburdened by his daily routines he reached over to grab Ana, but got nothing but pillow. A usually clear-headed Wyler felt out of sorts without Ana by his side. He got dressed and searched for her but only found Larkin in the kitchen fixing a cup of blood.
True to form and duty, Wyler offered to serve him. “Hey, Larkin. Let me help you with that.”
“That’s okay. I got it. I also fixed you a cup of tea,” said Larkin as he extended the cup of tea toward Wyler.
He took the cup and said, “Thanks. Have you seen Ana?”
“She left for work already. She took her tea with her.”
Ana’s whereabouts caught Wyler by surprise, thus choking himself on a swallow of tea. After he caught his breath from all the coughing he exclaimed, “Work!” and thought, It’s unlike her not to wake me before leaving for work.
Larkin pointed toward the refrigerator while he took a sip of blood. As the cup left his lips, he finally said, “She left a message for you. It’s over there.”
Without hesitation, Wyler reached around Larkin to pluck the folded note off the refrigerator after he sat his cup down on the counter. He instantly unfolded a piece of light pink stationery paper. Once he opened the paper, it revealed tiny pink flowers etched in a black border around Ana’s beautiful handwriting. Wyler did not read the note aloud but merely smiled as he read the following words:
Good Morning My Love,
I hope you’re not too disappointed at me for not waking you before I left. You were sleeping so peacefully.
The clinic called this morning. They were in desperate need for me to come in a couple hours early. Please don’t worry. I promise I won’t be doing any in home care unless the road conditions are completely safe.
Also with last night’s storm, I might have to work a double. If so, I will abide this dismal time without you with daydreams until I can find myself back into your loving arms. I will miss you like the grass misses the dew in the late summer.
I will call you on my first break. Until then –
I am forever yours,
Your loving bunny –
ANA
As Wyler closed the note, he jubilantly looked over at Larkin with a beaming grin and asked, “Did you figure out what to do with Jezalyn yet?”
Larkin cut his eyes upwards toward him and responded, “No.”
Wyler reached for his cup of tea and said, “Jezalyn has to work today. I will ask her to make tea and while she is busy I will sneak upstairs and get your memoir back.” All he heard was the sound of water as he thought, Should I rephrase it as a question or just wait for a response?
“No! Let her keep it,” was the reply Larkin gave after he finished washing his favorite mug.
With a confused
expression, Wyler stated, “I thought you wanted it back as soon as possible.”
“I did, but it’s a little too late now.” Larkin explained to Wyler that Jezalyn had read the vampire parts, but he was still unsure if she thought his memoir was a work of fiction or nonfiction. Larkin conveyed the importance of his need to know how she perceived the writing, so he instructed Wyler to inquire about the memoir without directly inquiring about it. Larkin noticed a blank expression on Wyler’s face, so he continued with examples as to how he could complete his task. He told him that the key was to create conversation, by asking her something as simple as, “Did you find the myth book useful; she returned your book so ask if she found anything else to read. Be creative if you have to.”
Moving to the sink to wash is cup, Wyler said, “Okay. I scheduled her to work in half an hour. I will go ahead upstairs and prepare to open the store, after I clean my cup.”
Larkin extended his hand to take the cup. “I will do it for you. Go ahead and open the shop.”
Wyler gave him the cup and left the apartment. He had rounded the stockroom door when he caught a slight glimpse of a figure out of the corner of his eye. He immediately gasped as he reached for a handmade baseball bat.
The figure heard the gasp and immediately spoke out, “It’s me.”
Wyler inhaled deeply as his eyes fixed on Jezalyn’s familiar face. Jezalyn had reported for duty before her scheduled time. He guessed she was eager to make a good impression on her first official day on the job. Loosening his grip on his wooden weapon, Wyler said, “I am sorry about that. You startled me for a second. I was not expecting you for a bit. If you ever need to defend yourself, you know where the bat is now. Just grab it.”
“I didn’t mean to startle you, I thought you might need some help this morning,” taking note of where he placed the bat as she responded.
Wyler directed her to shadow him as he dictated the morning procedures for getting the shop ready to open. As they wandered around the shop he nervously thought, Now would be a good time to ask about the memoir, but how. Maybe I will think of something…
Jezalyn disrupted his thoughts, “I returned the book you loaned me the other day.”
Wyler smiled and thought, Yes, she is making this easy for me.
Nervously flicking her nail, she asked, “Um, Wyler. How many books can I borrow at a time?”
Without hesitation he replied, “Two or three. Do you need some more for your report?”
“I was, um, wondering if you had a book on the War of the Roses.”
“The War of the Roses!”
She fidgeted again as she replied, “Yeah, I read something that mentioned it, so I thought it would be interesting to learn a little more about it.”
“Oh! Well, it is time to open. Go get the key out of the cash register and unlock the door. I will go in the back and see what I can find. It might take a minute. Can you man the front desk until I get back?” She nodded, and they strolled toward the register to retrieve the key. Once they reached the counter, she walked over to the register and he walked into the stockroom. He waited for her to start toward the door before he returned to the apartment to consult with Larkin.
Wyler entered the apartment and found Larkin at the kitchen table. “Larkin! I don’t know what to do.”
“I know; I heard her thoughts.”
“What should I do? Give her a history book or go get your memoir?”
Larkin stood up. ”No! Leave the memoir. Here is what we are going to do. You are going to go find a history book that mentions the War of the Roses. Tell her to take it upstairs so that it isn’t lost or damaged. While she is upstairs, I am going to come up to the shop.”
Wyler’s mouth dropped open from shock, “You are going to what!?!”
Putting his hand on Wyler’s shoulder, he repeated himself, “I am going upstairs to the shop.” Then he continued, “You are going to introduce me to her as your particular friend or distant relative. I will be visiting and staying with you for awhile.”
Still astounded at Larkin’s plan, all Wyler could do was nod his head in compliance. Larkin gave him a gesture of dismissal, so he returned to the shop. Wyler promenaded over to a stack of books, pulled out a book about history, and did as Larkin directed. He returned to Jezalyn, handed her the book, and requested that she bring it upstairs for safekeeping. Jezalyn glowed with excitement as she returned to her apartment with the book.
While she was upstairs putting the book away, Larkin snuck upstairs and browsed the antique section. He instructed Wyler to do whatever it took to show her into the antiques where they would conveniently run into each other.
Although it was not Wyler’s place to question Larkin, he felt as his Keeper that he needed to make sure Larkin was not making decisions that would endanger his safety. “Are you sure you want to do this? I really don’t think this is a very good idea.”
“Yes! Now go. She is on her way down.”
Wyler obediently rushed to a cart that already had a few items on it and watched as Jezalyn walk up to him, “Thanks again, Wyler. I can’t wait to read that book.”
“You’re welcome. Here come help me put some of the books out, so you will be aware where to find each genre.”
“Okay,” said Jezalyn following close behind stopping at a nearby shelf to put away a few books.
“Good, it looks like you are becoming familiar where each genre is located,” said Wyler, after noticing Jezalyn took a few books off the cart and placed them in their proper places without being prompted.
“Almost,” responded Jezalyn somewhat nervously. She did not want to give Wyler the impression that she was a slow learner, yet she comforted herself with his comment and the knowledge that it was still only her first day. She watched as Wyler unexpectedly broke his own rule and marched up to a customer. What should I do? Should I follow him, but he said don’t bother customers. Is this a test? I don’t want to fail and get fired on my first day. Oh, but what if it was not a test and I was supposed to… She fretted even as Wyler waving her over, Oh no he looks concerned. Did I just fail? Jezalyn pushed her thoughts to the back of her mind as she proceeded toward them. She was only several feet away when she saw the man whisper something to Wyler, who smiled. Her nerves eased as she neared them and Wyler’s expression of concern still remained.
***
Wyler had walked over to Larkin, who was grinning. He turned to introduce them but noticed Jezalyn did not follow him. “Why did she not follow me? And what’s up with the grin.”
He let out a laugh and said, “She is following your directions not to bother customers.”
“Oh,” replied Wyler.
“Well don’t just stand there. Wave her over.”
Wyler waved her over without remembering to ask Larkin what introductory name he wanted.
Larkin leaned over and said, “Smile.”
Wyler smiled, but it was too late to mention something to Larkin about it, because Jezalyn was within ear distance. He extended his arm toward Jezalyn and said, “This is Jezalyn. She is my new clerk and tenant.” He swung it toward Larkin, “And this is…”
After a moment’s pause, Larkin elbowed Wyler playfully and waved his hand in a friendly manner toward her, “Hi! My name is Larkin and as you can see my not so good friend over here has forgotten my name already.”
Jezalyn slightly lifted her hand as she giggled about the comment. “Hi. It’s nice to meet you.”
Wyler tried to recover his blunder with a playful remark, “Oh, friend, I could never forget you. I was shocked to see you standing in the middle of my shop that’s all. Jezalyn, he is going to be visiting with us for awhile.”
“Oh.”
Wyler turned to Larkin and said, “Would you like a tour of the shop?”
Before he could nod his head yes Jezalyn asked, “Do you need me to get his bags while you’re showing him around?”
Without missing a beat or even a slight flinch as he spoke, Wyler quickly responded, �
�No! It would be ungentlemanly of me to let you carry in his bags. Could you show him around, while I grab them?” and without a response, he turned to ask Larkin where his bags were.
Larkin knew he had no bags, but responded in the same steady tone Wyler had. “Oh, they’re right outside the door. I travel light, so I can get them later.”
Jezalyn ogled him in alarm. “Aren’t you scared someone will steal your stuff?” she asked.
Larkin cracked a smile and said, “Not really. This is a small town; nothing scandalous ever happens in a small town. Besides, there was a cop sitting next door.”
Wyler observed them a moment before shaking his head in amazement at how well they were getting along. “Jezalyn, you show him the rest of the store and stockroom. I will get his things.”
Wyler dashed off as she said flipping her hand out to the side, “Well, this is the antique section.”
Larkin watched Wyler sprint toward the front door, so he pointed across the room to a small nook area and asked, “What is that over there?”
Jezalyn had never been to that section, so she responded, “I don’t know. Let’s go check it out.” They passed by Wyler giving him an opportunity to grab Larkin’s fictional bags and start toward the underground apartment.
By the time, they reached the stockroom entrance Wyler was waiting for them. “I placed your bags downstairs. What do you think about the shop?”
“It is quaint and organized.”
Wyler laughed, “You might not want to go into the stockroom then.” Turning toward his employee, he said, “Thank you, Jezalyn. Can you attend the shop alone while I show him where he will be staying?”
She nodded as the word “sure,” escaped her throat as she took a seat on a little, wooden stool behind the counter.
They walked off side by side; Wyler slanted slightly close to Larkin and whispered, “I can’t believe you made me do that. You know Ana’s gonna flip when I tell her this.”
The Vampire Keeper Page 5