Strigoi Redemption

by Hall, K R

  Edith would rock Alana in the night and whisper sweet things in her ears and cover her with kisses. She would soothe Alana with lullabies and stroke her tiny back and soft hair. Alana loved the mild summer breeze coming in through the nursery window.

  Three weeks later, baby Alana Jane Treunmhor was baptized at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Gideon and Harper Eastabrook as godparents.

  “It is our honor to be your parents. When you were born, our world changed, filled with love for you, our precious baby girl. It is for us to defend you, to care, to help you mature into who you were born to be — not a small version of us, but yourself. It is our God-given duty to protect you from harm, yet it is your right to take your reigns and judge your own risks as soon as you are able.

  “We pray that our care of you leaves you able to be autonomous, to have control of your own life, able to fully love and care for those blessed to share life with you. Just know our love for you is eternal, that it will always be in the ether to comfort your heart should you ever have a need. You are the internal light in our hearts,” Walter and Edith said during the baptism.

  With Victor’s ability to be invisible, he was at the baptism with no one noticing. He was unexplainably drawn to Alana. He had not been drawn to any of the other girls before. Was this baby his mate? Victor couldn’t be sure because she was too young to give off the mating scent. He always stayed away from the girls as he wanted to give each chosen woman a chance at a normal childhood as he could.

  ~ ~ ~

  Nineteen years ago

  For Alana’s first birthday, Edith and Walter asked all the guests to skip a present and to bring a gently used book instead. They set up an exchange table, and everyone got to choose a book to take home. They had everything from board books to murder mysteries. It was fun to get a new book for children as well as the grownups.

  Alana was dressed in a primrose pinafore dress and those soft first shoes kids wear, the ones they can still feel the ground through. From behind a row of rose bushes came her mother with a smile to light up the whole town. Alana giggled, waving her arms for the pick-up she knew was coming, but before she was hoisted up, she was on her bottom again. Alana threw her head back and giggled as only a young child could. The infectious kind of laugh that lights up adults— an echo of the children they once were.

  On the surface of the pond floated a duck, white with the most orange bill you ever saw, dipping his head in the water and shaking it. Alana clapped before digging her hands into the breadcrumb bag and throwing it as far as she could, which wasn’t very. The duck quacked and swam in, his wake stretching behind. The duck waddled out, following the trail. Edith had to restrain the child as she dove forward to greet it. The duck raised his head, moving it side to side, deciding whether or not the treat was worth the risk. Edith dragged her back a few paces and the duck went back to the bread, eating it in the same way Alana approached spaghetti.

  ~ ~ ~

  Childhood

  Victor was present at each of Alana’s birthday parties. Sometimes, he was a bird or a squirrel or another wild animal. Mostly, he was just invisible. He was so drawn to Alana. Victor decided that he would be at each important event of Alana’s life.

  Alana would receive the best education in private schools. She would be taught how to cook, clean, and other domestic chores to keep Victor’s home in running order. Alana would remain a virgin, as was their custom. On the twentieth birthday, the girl would be sent off to Victor’s house.

  She prayed with love and hugged her mother like she was made of glass, always the gentle one. She played with her dolls and was kind to her siblings. She would go out of her way to be nice to other kids at school, but mostly stuck to just two friends. She loved animals, as most little girls do. She hated broccoli and sausages. She was a teacher pleaser, always doing her best in class and bright, too, learning quickly.

  The classrooms were places of love, learning, and compassion. The teachers enabled the children to thrive and have self-confidence. They were taught to be respectful to authority but always question and analyze— it is everyone’s duty to think. The classrooms are where the children came to learn, to ask questions, to be curious. Sure, there’s still philosophy and the children follow computer programs at their own pace. The chairs and tables were all ergonomic, comfortable, though often children chose to sit on the floor mats at the low tables or on the couch. Every room had a learning guide, a teacher, whose job it was to inspire and guide the children when they ask for help.

  As she grew, Alana learned how to cook a balanced meal, along with food safety and preservation. Additionally, she studied how to set the table properly and learned how to host meals, not only for her immediate family but larger groups as well. She also learned about the stages of child development and how to correctly respond to children at each step. Alana also learned minor first aid and CPR as well as how to keep the house clean and organized. Alana was expected to balance a budget and understand how to spend wisely and make the most judicious use of available funds.

  In preparation for Alana’s sweet sixteen birthday, her parents hired the instructor of the video class from the high school to make a film covering her life. He interviewed family, teachers, classmates, friends, and employers.

  “Alana grew up to be the most amazingly beautiful girl,” according to her parents.

  “Her smile is like a ray of sunshine: so sweet and funny and can brighten up anyone’s day,” according to her classmates.

  According to her siblings, “Alana is not afraid to embarrass herself and let her inner child shine. She will support you no matter what and will be your rock one hundred percent.”

  According to her teachers, “Alana has a great sense of humor and gets along with everyone. She is trustworthy and faithful and loves unconditionally.”

  “She can be your best friend. She loves to cheer people up,” according to her best friend, Sylvia.

  As Alana began high school, she took classes in ballet and ballroom dancing. She also took piano lessons. Invisible Victor leaned his elbow on the piano and watched her, thoroughly amused.

  Alana’s Sweet Sixteen birthday party was a masquerade ball. LED candles in all shapes and sizes and elegant candelabras in gold and red were placed on tabletops and the fireplace mantel. Twinkling faerie lights dangled around the house and hung in swoops from the ceiling. Gold, black, and red drapes of silk covered the tables and chairs. Glass vases were filled with red, black, and gold feathers and beads. Extra masks were hung on walls and centerpieces were created with them. Gold, red, and black glitter and sequins were sprinkled on tables and countertops.

  Guests feasted on delicious little finger foods. Instead of a traditional birthday cake, Alana chose a dark and white chocolate mousse that was served chilled.

  Classical music played low in the background. The girls had dressed in lavish gowns and the boys in suits. The masks remained on while they ate and drank punch. Many guests tried to guess who was behind specific masks. They all removed their masks at midnight.

  Alana wasn’t a girl anymore, and she never would be again. No longer did she hang on Mom’s words or want to be just like her. She lacked the guile and complexity of other women— what you saw was what she was. The world still excited Alana; she saw opportunities ahead, a life of good fun and good health.

  ~ ~ ~

  Graduation was finally here. The moment of truth, the stepping stone to the real world. This is what Alana and her classmates had been preparing for after thirteen memorable years. Through the good, bad, fun, and change, it was finally time. Time to step out into that bright light, shake the hand of an administrator and grab the diploma that would remind them forever that they've accomplished something.

  Alana’s hard work had paid off, graduating with honors. Most of all, it was time to look out among all of her classmates and say, “We made it!” In the fall, college would start for several of her classmates, but Alana was going to work for two years before she went to Vi
ctor’s on her twentieth birthday.

  ~ ~ ~

  All Alana ever did anymore was work. When her alarm sounded, she sighed, sat up, and brushed her long, blonde hair out of her eyes. Swinging her feet over the side of the bed, Alana pushed her feet into the slippers waiting on the floor. She pulled on her robe and pulled her hair into a ponytail. She went to the kitchen for breakfast. Her parents were already sitting at the table with their coffee and breakfast.

  “Good morning, sweetheart,” Walter said.

  “Good morning, darling,” Edith said at the same time.

  “Good morning, Mom and Dad,” Alana replied.

  “Do you want a ride to work today?” Walter asked.

  “That would be great,” Alana said. “I have to be there early today for the new shipment.”

  “Are you enjoying working at Treasured Rose Gifts?” asked Edith.

  “Yes, it’s fun selling homemade things. Sylvia is teaching me how to make some of the jewelry,” Alana said.

  When Alana finished breakfast, she crept upstairs to get dressed for work. She was thankful that there was no uniform for work. She was able to wear a tank top and shorts. There was nothing suggestive about her attire and it was too hot to wear jeans. Alana was by no means a stick of a girl. She was thick and curvy, though occasionally was needlessly self-conscious about it. She wasn’t as small as the women in magazines and movies and she was fine with that.

  Walter dropped her off at Hidden Rose Gifts on his way to work at the lumber mill owned by Victor.

  Alana’s thick, blonde, wavy hair tumbled down her back, softly curling along the ends, bleached whiter by the sun and looking paler against her summer tan. When she turned her head, it moved with her like a liquid. About her freckled face, the shorter strands hung forward to hide her ocean blue eyes.

  Her natural beauty came through as she wore little make-up. Behind Alana’s slightly pursed lips was a smile just waiting to be tempted out. She often joined in the jokes of her co-workers. As a young woman, she was a natural at sales, her customers bathed in her sunshine, agreeing to whatever she said.

  ~ ~ ~

  Twentieth birthday

  Even at twenty, Alana was like a little kid for her birthdays. Edith would make her a pile of chocolate chip pancakes and she’d bounce out of bed like she was still in grade school. If anyone knew how to bake a cake, it was Edith; she made the most special birthday cakes of anyone around town. Edith made cakes fit for royalty. The cake she made for Alana’s twentieth birthday was a two-tiered vanilla and almond cake with the bottom tier enclosed in edible silver leaf and adorned with a single sugar magnolia. Cake crumbs and smears of icing were all that remained. It was decadent with a nod toward traditional baking.

  After the party guests left, Alana finished packing her belongings. She glanced around her bedroom, making sure she wouldn’t forget anything. Her bedroom was simply furnished. Alana had fond memories of playing with her dolls, studying for exams, having girls visit while listening to music. It was time for her family to drive her to Victor’s home. Part of the tradition was the family joining their daughter in a celebration dinner at Victor’s house.

  While Alana celebrated her twentieth birthday with her family and friends at her home, Victor had his chef prepare a special birthday meal consisting of her favorite foods that her parents suggested. He also had the local bakery bake a two-tiered chocolate cake with buttercream frosting adorned with roses. The light perfection of the cake itself and the richness of the frosting were the calling card of elegance.

  Chapter 2

  Alana’s birthday ball was just as grand as any that had been held at Victor’s home since he came to America. Every type of supernatural was represented alongside the humans: witches, demons, shifters, vampires, fairies, incubi, and ghosts. The ballroom was just as beautiful as its occupants. Decorations of red, gold, and black turned the ballroom into a fairytale wonderland. The guests enjoyed themselves immensely.

  Victor, dressed in a dark blue tuxedo with a red tie, overlooked the room where most of the party guests would be mingling shortly and dancing. Victor smelled something, no, someone, and she was glorious.

  God, it’s my mate!

  Instinctively, he knew it was her. His body and his strigoi beast would know that scent anywhere. He spun on his heels to search for her. His heart lurched. Alana Treunmhor! Her natural spicy scent was heavenly. She is my mate. She is so beautiful and all mine.

  The fates finally answered his prayers after these long six hundred and thirteen years. It was time to woo his mate and prepare for their wedding.

  “Who are you looking at?” asked Victor’s human cousin, Adelaide. She was related through his mother’s side, but a cousin still.

  “My mate,” said Victor as he took a drink of his champagne. Imported from France, nothing but the best for his parties. This ball was turning out to be a special occasion; he was glad he decided to go with the formality of the party.

  “What?” asked Adelaide.

  “I have found my mate and she amuses me,” Victor chuckled.

  “Are you telling me your mate is here?” Adelaide asked. “Which one?”

  “The pretty one in the corner,” Victor said as he pointed to the furthest corner of the room where Alana was standing alone in the shadows.

  “Do you mean the one over there in the hunter green dress?” Adelaide asked, pointing to a brunette standing a few feet away from Alana.

  “No. You know, the curvy one in the midnight blue dress,” Victor said. “My beautiful Alana.”

  “Oh, yes, she is a pretty thing,” Adelaide said. “I’m off to find Chloe.”

  “She’s over there somewhere,” Victor gestured to the other side of the room below.

  “Ah, thank you,” Adelaide headed toward her. Chloe was a Keshlyi and worked with Victor in his corporate offices overseeing the mill, farms, and cranberry bogs. Chloe Wilbourne’s hair was fair almost to the extreme of golden blondness. Her facial features were small and perfectly related. Her brows and lashes, drawn in a darker hue, gave touches of character and distinction. Very slender and tall, she was the epitome of what you’d expect a Transylvanian faerie to be.

  “It’s time for me to meet my mate,” Victor said as he put down his empty champagne flute.

  Victor made his way smoothly but insistently through the crowd toward Alana. As if sensing Victor’s commanding presence, bodies parted as he approached. Victor loosened the knot on his tie as he followed her. He returned greetings to people who called out to him automatically, but he didn’t stop. Victor took another deep breath, quickly isolating her fragrance. Alana smelled of a sharp, spicy scent that reminded him of a fire burning clean and bright. Just as the old woman had told him long ago, it was Victor’s favorite scent. He had been too young and too foolish to believe the old woman.

  The twinkling lights made Alana’s skin look as if a thousand fairies were kissing it.

  “You smell like leather,” Alana said as he drew near. “Oh god, I didn’t mean to blurt that out! You are Victor, correct?”

  “Yes, I am Victor Marinescu,” Victor said, chuckling. “You must be Alana Treunmhor.”

  “Yes, that’s me,” Alana said, blushing.

  Victor stroked a strand of her blonde wavy locks away from her face. Alana grabbed the lapels of his suit to steady herself when she suddenly felt faint. Alana found herself standing in the circle of Victor’s arms, his hold supporting her. The feel of his chest distracted her. The muscles beneath her hands flexed and the buttons on his shirt strained as if trying to contain all that male goodness. She shook her head to clear it, swearing. She saw golden sparkles when she did. She looked around, trying desperately to locate her mother or father— anyone she knew. The man’s eyes narrowed as if he guessed she wanted to run. God, he is beautiful.

  “Come on, sweetheart, let’s get you someplace more comfortable.” Victor swung her up in his arms and was striding out of the ballroom before she could say boo. The motion
made her dizzy and her arms twined around his neck. The room whirled a little as he moved and she saw the sparkles of gold once again.

  She couldn’t stop herself from trailing her fingers along the broad expanse of his shoulders. He was so big his arms bulged against the fabric of his suit. He carried her as if she weighed next to nothing. She sighed and rested her head against his shoulder. Victor’s eyes were a deep, chocolate brown with a red ring that circled his eyes. She’d never seen that color before. It must be his strigoi coming forward.

  He lowered his head until he was looking directly into her eyes, his breath a moist sensation against her mouth. As she stared into the swirling brown and red, she felt a tug inside her. He growled and her insides turned to liquid. She thought for a moment he was going to kiss her. Instead, he inhaled deeply and continued through the archway at the back of the ballroom and into a spacious foyer.

  “Can I ask where we’re going?” Alana asked.

  “Upstairs,” Victor said.

  He was moving so quickly, she only got a vague sense of the decorations.

  Victor took the stairs two at a time, swiftly navigating the circular staircase. She grew dizzy again as they moved. The embossed wallpaper seemed to be swirling around them in a silvery haze. Victor was so very handsome. And big. She wanted to lick him all over, starting with the strong, tanned column of his throat.

  Victor let out a growl so loud it sounded like a howl. It echoed off the walls and Alana was positive everyone downstairs heard it. Any other time, she would have worried, imagining what others would think— they saw her leave the ballroom with Victor. But not this time. This time, the goody-two-shoes girl was ready for some adventure.

  At the end of the hallway was a large, wooden door. It blended perfectly with the simple decor. As they got closer, Alana saw the exquisite carvings of filigree on the door and the oak trim surrounding it. There were wolves, witches, and fairies intermingled with the decoration. He strode into the room and shut the door with a kick of his foot. The room was the same gorgeous oak as the rest of the house. The dark brown hues of the carpet, curtains, and bedding reminded her of the deep recesses of a forest.