“You looking for me?” Ashton asked.
Lucy almost stumbled as she looked in front of her. There was Ashton, smiling back at her as he ran. “How did you do that?”
“You’re not the only one with some powers, Luce,” Ashton said right before he bolted forward.
Lucy scanned her surroundings. Ashton was gone. Power coursed through her body as she propelled herself forward. She slowed down as she came to the clearing where the creek was located. The fresh, clean smell of the creek wrapped around her as she looked for Ashton.
“What took you so long?” Ashton asked.
Lucy turned to find Ashton sitting on a large boulder with a small smile on his face. She closed her eyes and listened to the gentle lapping of the water as it hit the bank. She let out a soft sigh as the tension eased out of her shoulder. Lucy opened her eyes, walked over and sat down next to Ashton.
“I thought I was the only one in the world who could do that,” Lucy said as she picked at a piece of dirt on the rock and flung it into the creek.
Ashton grabbed Lucy’s hands as he looked her in the eyes, his gaze softening. “You’re not alone, Lucy. There’s more to the world than just people. Stories that are made up of vampires and other mystical creatures do have some truth to them.”
“Vampires?” Lucy’s eyes widened as she pulled her hand from his. “Are you telling me that vampires, the ones that like to feast off of people, are real?”
“They’re very real, but there are two different kinds. They don’t all just fit into one category,” Ashton said. “There are the Haemon who have no consideration for the life of a human and then there are the Dragomir who only take what’s needed without causing any harm.”
Lucy’s mouth curled up in disgust. “Why don’t we hear about this on the news? If the Haemon kill people, surely there’d be something showing that they exist.”
“You do hear it on the news. You just don’t realize it,” Ashton explained. “When someone is murdered and the case goes unsolved, they’re usually the reason why. We can heal the bite marks once we are done and no human ever sees them.”
“Whoa, hold on just one minute,” Lucy said. Her heart started thumping in her veins and her chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath. “Are you saying you’re a vampire?”
Ashton nodded his head as he stared into the depths of Lucy’s brown eyes. “We’re both part vampire.”
“B-b-both?” Lucy asked. Her hands shook as she rubbed her arms.
“Yes, both. You and me,” Ashton confirmed. “But, in all fairness, I’m actually considered Halfling. One of my parents was a human and the other one was a vampire.”
“I don’t feel like I’m part vampire,” Lucy disagreed. “I’ve no desire to suck blood out of anyone. I don’t even like my steaks medium-rare.”
“You wouldn’t have the desire yet,” Ashton said. “I didn’t go through the change until my eighteenth birthday. That’s when I came into my full powers and the desire for blood was overwhelming.”
Lucy stared at Ashton in disbelief. Eighteenth birthday? Was he telling her that within the week she was going to be a vampire? No way. This couldn’t be happening. The color drained from her face and the earth shook beneath her. Lucy glanced down to find that her legs were quaking. Tears blurred her vision, but she shut her eyes to stop them from spilling.
“Are you ok?” Ashton asked Lucy as he touched her leg.
Lucy took a deep breath and tried to slow down her pounding heart. “I think so, but I need to hear you tell me which one you’re with. Are you with the Dragomir or the Haemon?”
“Do you really need to hear what you already know?” Ashton asked as he walked up to Lucy and cupped her face in his hands.
“I needed to ask. I needed to see your reaction.” Lucy rubbed her arms. “Can you do me a small favor, Ashton?”
“I’d do anything for you, Lucy, anything.”
“Could you just hold me for a while?” Lucy asked.
Ashton lifted Lucy up as if she weighed no more than a feather and placed her in his lap. She laid her head on Ashton’s chest as his arms wrapped around her. She closed her eyes and breathed in his earthy scent. Her shoulders slumped, her heart pattered, and warmth spread through her body as his arms wrapped around her.
Ashton laid his chin on Lucy’s shoulder. “Our people only have one true love, Lucy. I’ve always been told that we’d know when we found them because every touch and every kiss would be felt more vividly than ever before. You’d feel your other half’s emotions and hear their thoughts,” Ashton said as he kissed her shoulder. “No one in my clan has found their one true love,” he said as he ran the back of his hand down her warm cheek. “Except me.”
Lucy’s breath caught in her throat. Did she hear him correctly?
“What do you mean, ‘except you’?” Lucy asked.
“I can feel your emotions like they’re my own. When I kissed you; every emotion you felt… I felt. Every thought that glided through your mine…I heard.” Ashton paused as he looked down at Lucy. “After that one kiss, I knew you were mine. The stories I’d heard about the pairing, barely touched what it’s really like. I’ve walked the earth for hundreds of years in a fog. All I did was exist.” He cupped her face in-between his hands. “But with you, I feel like I’ve never felt before. I want your safety before my own. I want your happiness more than anything else in this world. You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Luce.”
Lucy scrambled out of Ashton’s lap. “I’ve never even had a boyfriend and you’re telling me that I’m your soul mate?” she asked as her arms flailed wildly as she stared at Ashton. “I’m not even considered an adult yet.”
“The pairing has no regard to age and it doesn’t mean you’re locked in right now, Luce,” Ashton explained. “But, you and I will inevitably be together. Denying it is like denying that your lungs need oxygen.”
Lucy stopped moving and looked at Ashton. His stoic face softened as he stared at her. The blue shirt he was wearing clung to his chiseled chest. Her heart galloped in her chest and her skin tingled. How was it possible to feel such a strong magnetic pull to him? She broke her gaze away from him as she started pacing. She needed some time to think.
“I’ll be back in a little bit,” Lucy murmured as she walked towards the nearby woods.
Lucy shivered as the shade of the trees washed over her. She glanced back over her shoulder. Ashton was sitting on the rock, watching her. Lucy took a deep breath as she looked into the woods and kept walking.
The sunlight broke through the gaps of the trees’ leaves and lit up parts of the ground. Twigs crunched and popped under her feet as she walked. Rustling sounds rung through the air as squirrels scrambled throughout the tree tops.
Lucy sat down next to a tree and leaned her head against it as she closed her eyes. Could it possibly be true? Could she be part vampire? She opened her eyes and touched her incisors with her finger. They felt normal. But what else could explain the power running through her veins? Didn’t Ashton say he could hear her thoughts? She paused and looked at him. Could she hear his?
Lucy closed her eyes as she silenced her thoughts. The sounds of the forest faded away as she focused her thoughts on Ashton. She reached her mind out, searching for his. Ashton’s face flashed through her mind as the floodgate of his thoughts and emotions washed over her. She could feel his passion bubbling inside of him as he thought of her. His blood sizzled and popped as he pictured him taking her lips in his. The world stood still as he dug his fingers into her soft hair. A gasp left her lips as her eyes popped wide open and she sprung up from the ground. Her breathing was coming in short, small gasps as she touched her lips with her fingers. It had felt so real.
“Impossible,” Lucy whispered.
Lucy made a mad dash out of the forest and back to where Ashton was still sitting. “I want to see where you live and where you sleep,” she blurted. “Do you sleep in coffins like what’s depicted in movies?” Her eyeb
rows scrunched together as she rubbed her forehead. “And how can you be out in the sunlight or is that something that the movies and stories have all wrong?”
Ashton started laughing. “No, I don’t sleep in a coffin. I actually enjoy sleeping in a bed instead of wooden box.” He stood up and walked over to her. “We live in the depths of Mammoth Caves. The darkness of the caves protects those who are full blooded vampires from the stinging rays of the sunlight. Only Halflings have the ability to walk in the sunlight. That’s one thing we don’t usually gain from our vampire parent.”
“So, I’ll always be able to walk in the sunlight,” Lucy said. “That’s a plus. Doesn’t Mammoth Caves have tours?”
Ashton nodded. “Yes, but humans haven’t discovered every inch of the caverns. There are a few tricks we use to keep them out. I’ll fly us to the caves,” he said as he took hold of Lucy’s hand. “But are you sure you’re ready for this?”
Lucy’s eyes widened. “Fly? I’ve never even flown on a plane before.”
“I’ll keep you safe,” Ashton murmured. “I promise.”
Lucy took a deep breath. “Ok, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” A small thrill of excitement and fear shot through her as Ashton pulled her towards him and wrapped his arms around her. She laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes as she felt her feet leave the ground. A small gasp left her mouth as she opened her eyes. They were already above the tree tops. Lucy looked around her and was in complete awe.
The green hills rolled as far as her eyes could see. There were several small creeks that rolled through them. The houses that dotted the land seemed so tiny and the few cars she could see looked like little ants as they moved along the roads. The hills full of trees reminded her of broccoli. Lucy heard Ashton laugh and felt his amusement over her depiction of the scene before her. The beauty of it would forever be painted in her memory.
“Do you always fly like you’re standing up?” Lucy asked as they flew to the south.
“No, but I thought you’d enjoy the view better this way,” Ashton said. “We’ll be to the caves in a minute.”
Lucy took in the blue sky with white marshmallow like clouds speckled across it and her heart soared. She felt completely and utterly free. She laughed out loud as she leaned her head back. The wind whipped through her hair as she glanced back at Ashton. Her breath caught as she looked into his eyes. Lucy could feel the love and joy radiating from him. Her defenses went down and it was then that she knew she was lost forever.
It wasn’t long before they were making our descent. Lucy’s stomach clenched as they moved closer to the ground below. Ashton rubbed her back to offer some type of comfort. Her feet soon touched the ground and he gently released her from his hold.
“There’s an entrance close to here,” Ashton told her as he headed through the woods.
Lucy followed him. Where could there possibly be an entrance? She surveyed the area around her. There were trees, bushes, and rocks.
Goosbumps rose up on Lucy’s arms as Ashton stopped in front of a large group of rocks that surrounded several bushes. She clenched her hands together as her eyes darted over the area.
“We weaved negative energy around it to keep people from coming near it,” Ashton said as he waved his hand.
The goose bumps left Lucy’s arms and her hands relaxed.
“There are some benefits to being a Halfling,” Ashton said as he flicked his wrist once more.
Lucy’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped as the bushes and rocks disappeared into thin air. In its place was an entrance that was the size of a silo in diameter. “How’d you do that?”
Ashton shrugged. “It’s just an illusion. It keeps the entrance hidden from humans and other creatures.”
The entrance was dark and ominous from where Lucy stood. She glanced over at Ashton.
“Here we go,” Ashton said as he grabbed Lucy’s hand and led her through the entrance. He paused and waved his free hand, putting the illusions and negative energy back.
Lucy’s gaze travelled over the cave. There was water trickling down and pitter pattering across the cavern floor. The brown walls were stained crimson in several areas.
Lucy’s jerked to a stop. “Is that blood?”
Ashton looked at Lucy with a small smile. “No. It’s just a different type of rock.”
Lucy breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh, ok.”
The darkness washed over them as they moved deeper into the cave. Lucy hesitated as she looked around. She could no longer see the walls or the ground.
Lucy squeezed Ashton’s hand. “I can’t walk through the caves with no light.”
“That won’t be a problem,” Ashton said as he snapped his fingers.
The caves illuminated allowing Lucy to see the natural art the Earth had sculpted. There rock formations hanging from the ceiling looked like giant icicles. The beige rock next to her had streaks of maroon and black throughout it.
“It’s gorgeous, Ashton. Absolutely gorgeous,” Lucy whispered taking in the scene around her.
“We think so,” Ashton said as he looked around. “I need you to get on my back and I’ll carry you to where I live. It will be quicker than trying to have you follow me. These caves can be kind of tricky from this point forward.”
Lucy climbed onto his back as Ashton squatted down to let her on. She clasped her arms around his neck as he grabbed hold of her legs.
“Here we go,” Ashton said as he leaned forward.
Everything around Lucy became a blur as he ran. It was a completely different feeling when everything was blurry as she rode on his back compared to when she ran. She closed her eyes as her stomach rolled. Sweat broke out on her forehead.
Ashton slid to a stop and Lucy dropped down off his back and sat down on the cold floor.
Concern etched Ashton’s voice. “Are you ok, Luce?”
Lucy took a few small deep breaths before answering him. “I used to get car sick when I was little and riding on your back brought it all back,” she moaned as she clutched her stomach.
Ashton knelt down on the floor next to Lucy and lightly touched her stomach. “That should help,” he said as he wiped a blonde strand of hair from her face.
Lucy touched her hand to her stomach and looked over at Ashton. “It’s gone.” She looked back down at her stomach. “That’s amazing.”
“It’s nothing,” Ashton said as he stood up. “You should be able to do the same thing soon.”
“Thank you,” Lucy said as she finally stood up. “I never imagined I’d feel sick because of a piggyback ride.”
Ashton’s voice lowered as he gently caressed her cheek. “I’ll always take away any pain that’s within my ability to take away. Always.”
Pink stained Lucy’s cheeks as she felt the emotions radiating from him. The emotions were intense and Lucy had to glance away as tears filled her eyes. She blinked several times trying to will them away. A single tear escaped and slowly slid down her cheek. She brushed it away with the back of her hand.
“Let me know when you’re ready,” Ashton said. “The others will be sleeping, but I can show you around. Maybe it’ll bring you some comfort to see we don’t live much different than you do.”
Lucy took a deep breath. “Let’s do this.”
The cool air of the caves tickled Lucy’s skin. The soothing trickle of water echoed in the caves as it slid down the rock walls. They walked through a large arch that opened up into a huge room. Lucy looked up at the huge chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Its gold frame shimmered in the light. Her mouth popped open as she looked at the massive chestnut table directly underneath it. Twenty seats with crimson cushions surrounded the table and several large wooden cups were placed in front of each seat.
Lucy walked over and picked up one of the cups. She spun the cup slowly in her hand as she looked at the picture painted on it. A woman with curly brown hair was holding a little girl up in the air. The toddler’s green eyes sparkled with laughter as she looke
d down at her mother. Lucy rubbed her finger over the picture.
“Why’s there a dining room table?” Lucy asked.
“We may be vampires, but we enjoy still enjoy each other’s company,” Ashton explained as he touched one of the cups. “We can’t eat human food without becoming ill.” He looked over at Lucy as she walked around the table. “It’s worse than a case of food poisoning. We keep a supply of blood here for us to use when we don’t feel like going out.”
Lucy paused at the head of the table. “The cups are used for blood?”
Ashton nodded. “Yes.”
“Then why are there pictures of people on them?” Lucy asked.
“To remind us of why we never take more than what we need,” Ashton said.
Eternal Changes (Mikah) Page 11