by Niranjan K
He sounded a bit subdued and she smiled at him. “I know, I just… just go inside, all right?”
He nodded and went inside and she stepped outside, closing the door behind her, fixing Aiden with a hard stare. “I told you not to contact me again.”
“I know,” he said. “I wouldn’t have, but I heard about your Dad and… Eve, I’m sorry.”
“Go,” she said. “Please. Before anyone else sees you.”
“Are you worried about me or them?” he asked.
“It doesn’t matter. Just leave.”
“Just like that?”
“Aiden, please go.” she said, before opening the door, stepping inside and closing it.
She couldn’t deal with this on top of everything. What was Aiden even doing here when he knew she didn’t want him here? She couldn’t even talk to Mom, and she didn’t want to tell her brothers about Aiden. Mom and Dad were the only ones who knew, and now Dad was gone and Mom… she couldn’t put this on Mom on top of everything else. She had to deal with it herself.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Alistair felt him before he saw him. Aiden. He felt a surge of pleasure that he made him feel guilty. One of his oldest friends was dead and here he was, feeling glad that his first fledgeling had come to visit him.
I’ll be upstairs, Aiden’s thought came through the bond. I’ve been travelling non-stop and I’m tired.
Whatever you need, he conveyed. We’ll talk later.
How’s she doing?
Not very good.
How about you?
Death isn’t new to me.
Alistair.
Not good.
It was something he wouldn’t have admitted to anyone, not even Jon, but Aiden was different, had always been different.
Aiden was silent and Alistair turned his attention to Daphne. She hadn’t spoken a word since she came, just sat in a chair, still holding the drink he had handed her. She hadn’t taken even a sip. He didn’t say anything either, waiting for her to open up if that was what she wanted. If she only wanted company, he could provide that. It wouldn’t be the first time he was comforting a Haspel after the death of a partner. He still remembered Bert breaking down in his arms after Marta’s death. Ned had been only four then, and not old enough to understand what it had meant to lose his mother.
“I need sedatives to sleep,” she said suddenly, breaking the train of his thoughts.
He made no comment. It was understandable after all.
“He never thought he’d die like this, you know?” she said. “I mean, most hunters do die at the hands of rogue vampires.”
It was a truth. Despite the fact that most of the old hunting families still kept their traditions alive and trained their children, the incidence of mortality from rogue vampires was high. There were also people like the Calens who turned their back on their traditions in the belief that it wasn’t required any more. There was a treaty in place after all. That the treaty had provisions regarding rogue vampires should have warned them, but it didn’t. It was surprising the Calens had stayed unscathed till the rogue that had killed Tate, Nancy and Shane.
“I think...” she said softly. “I think given a choice, Ned would have preferred to go out fighting.”
“He did go out fighting,” he said softly. “It was just a different kind of fight is all.”
“He was fighting his own body.” she said, her voice breaking. “Fighting just to stay alive, to draw breath, to make his heart beat, and we… we were arguing over trivialities at home.”
“They weren’t trivialities.” he said. “You all had things you needed to work through, and you had to do it. Don’t beat yourself up over it.”
“I should have been there with him.” she whispered.
“It wouldn’t have made any difference,” he said. “He died in his sleep. Dan and Anton were both there. You being there would have made no difference.”
“It would have to me.” she said, wiping the fresh tears that were spilling out of her eyes.
“Daphne, you can’t change what happened, no matter what. All you can do is honour his memory and go on.”
“I don’t know if I can.” she said. “It’s like… what even is the point? Why should I? What have I left?”
“You have four children and a grandson. I know you don’t want to hear this, but they do need you, Daphne.”
“Do they?” she muttered. “Dan has his wife and son… they have one another, and Anton has Bruce… Eve… she has never needed anyone, not since Nancy died, and Ray… he hasn’t needed anyone either, not since Shane died…” She looked at him. “I wasn’t there for them, you know. I… I lost a child… and I… I felt I had the right to grieve, to be human, to...” Her voice broke. “They needed me then, and I wasn’t there...”
“Daphne,” he said, making his voice as stern as possible in the face of her despair. “You have a right to grieve, for as long as you need. You have a right to be human, and you’re wrong about your children. Because they have other people to find solace in, because they fool the world into thinking they don’t need anyone, doesn’t mean they don’t need you. Perhaps it’s time you dropped this mask you wear in front of them and show them just how much you’re grieving. Perhaps that will allow you to grieve together as a family.”
“I just feel so empty.” She confessed. “It’s as if there’s nothing inside… everything… it was all Ned, and now he’s gone, and… I don’t know what I’ve to give my children except this emptiness...”
“Then give them a chance to fill it in their own ways… Daphne, it’s no shame to need your children at a time like this.”
She gave a half sob, half chuckle. “You are a wise old man,”
“I do admit to being old,” Alistair said, feeling his years as he spoke, all eight hundred seventy-two of them. “But I’m not wise.” He had no idea what he was saying to her. It hurt him to see her suffering and he was only trying to alleviate it.
“I feel like I can’t… I can’t break down in front of them...” she whispered. “Like I… If I do that, how can they grieve?”
“Daphne, you and Ned were together for forty-five years. You have a right to grieve him, just as you had a right to grieve Shane. I won’t say this is going to get better, because I don’t know if it will, but I do think that it will help to have your children with you. Let them be there for you, if that’s what they need, or let them lean on you, or you can lean on each other, but don’t shut them out, even if you think it’s to protect them.”
“I don’t know how.” she whispered. “I’ve never done it… I don’t know how to do that...”
“Go home,” he said softly. “Sit with them, and do what your heart tells you to do, and for once don’t listen to your head. If you can find a way to talk to me, you’ll find a way to talk to your kids. Trust me.”
She nodded. “I guess I’ve got to try.” She stood up, and wiped her eyes once more, and her cheeks.
“Do you want me to come with you?” he asked as he went towards her to give her a hug.
She shook her head, her arms around him. “Thank you for being my friend.” she whispered.
“Take care.” he whispered back.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Aiden was sleeping in Ray's old bed. He looked worn, in a way Alistair had never seen him. It hurt something deep within him, and all the protective instincts he had flared up. Yet, he knew there was nothing he could do. Whatever Aiden was going through, he had to deal with it himself. There wasn't much Alistair could do, except be there.
He went downstairs, making no noise, not wanting to wake him. Aiden was the only fledgeling of his who still used the bond to communicate. Most others kept it masked, not because they didn't want it like Ray, but because they didn't feel the need to use it. They would just come to him if they needed him.
Alistair sat on the couch and leaned back, closing his eyes. He was so weary, and all he wanted was to forget Ned. It was not the first time he was losi
ng someone, not the first time he was losing a friend, not the first time he was losing a Haspel, but it never stopped hurting. If he had stayed away from them, perhaps it would have been better, but what of all the things he would have missed, of the things he had gained? At least he had got the chance to talk to Ned before he died, to make his peace as it were.
A message appeared on his phone. He could feel the minute vibrations even though the phone was kept on silent mode without vibrating. He checked it. It was from his former employer. Something inconsequential about having credited his last pay in his account as per the terms of his contract. He could have foregone the pay and made the man forget ever having employed him, but he hadn't. He had made sure no one would remember what he looked like. His employer would now delete his number and never remember it again.
Another message, this time from Ray.
How are you?
I'm okay, he typed back. Your friend's flight reached?
Yes, we're having lunch before coming home. Jerry and I'll be going back tomorrow. Fortunately, tickets were available.
Alistair smiled to himself. He only had to use his powers to make one person prepone his flight, so Ray would have a ticket available. Ray didn't know, and Alistair wasn't going to tell him. After all, there was no need for Ray to know.
He closed his eyes. He was more tired than he had realised, even though it was emotional exhaustion more than physical. That Ray loved him hadn't even sunk in when Ned had died, causing his priorities to change. What would Ned say about him and Ray? Would he have approved? What would Daphne say?
Alistair wanted to think that the opinions of Ray's family didn't matter, but they did, to Ray, and to an extent him. He might ignore it even if they disapproved, but he didn't think Ray would be able to as easily. He sighed. It was a problem for another day, but if Ray was leaving the next day, wouldn't it be better to tell them so they would know where they stood? And yet, what was there to tell? What were they exactly? Neither of them had put a name to it. It was still new and something so precious that he was afraid to give it a name lest it turn to dust.
It was better for things to stay as they were for now. After all, they had agreed to take it one day at a time, and if a day came that they wanted the world to know, they would tell them. He yawned. He would just stay here for a while, and relax, and try and not remember the fact that his oldest human friend was dead. The hurt was almost physical and he resisted the impulse to rub his chest, knowing from experience that it didn't help. No matter what it felt like, this pain wasn't physical.
It was the awareness of someone watching him that tugged him awake from the slumber into which he had fallen. He opened his eyes to see Aiden sitting opposite, watching him, a fond expression on his face.
“You know that's creepy, right?” he asked as he sat up and stretched. “You shouldn't watch people while they sleep.”
“Since when did you become Mr. Prim and Proper?” Aiden asked and Alistair laughed. “How are you?” Aiden asked.
“As always,” Alistair said. “What about you? You do look like shit.”
“Try raising a human child by yourself.” Aiden suggested. “You wouldn't believe how much time and effort and energy it takes. No wonder humans always look so tired. It saps even us.”
Alistair nodded, understanding. He had never had to raise children, but he had babysat for the Haspels enough to understand what Aiden was talking about.
“Are we going to talk about it?” he asked. “Or are we going to skirt around it?”
“I don't know,” Aiden sighed. “I don't fucking know, Alistair. I thought…” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I don't know what I thought, but… it certainly wasn't this.”
“Are you regretting it?” he asked softly.
A shake of head, slow, but determined. “I don't regret Jess one bit. But… yes, damn it! I do regret a lot of what came before, and I… I just wish I hadn't got in so deep before I accepted the truth…”
Alistair didn’t think Aiden had, as his presence here proved, but he was not going to call him out on it. “I wish I knew the words to make you feel better,” Alistair said. “But I don't, and I've a feeling that no words will help.”
“Thanks for at least wanting to help,” Aiden muttered. “That's more than that asshole of your brother offered.”
“You should know better than to expect it of him.” Alistair smiled.
“The jerk came to my house,” Aiden said. “Last night. Told me what happened, and, heck, he sounded sincere for a while there, and I thought… stupid of me, obviously.”
“Jon told you about Ned's death?” Alistair was surprised. It was so unlike Jon to go so far out of his way just to inform Aiden of Ned's death.
Aiden nodded. “Would've reached last night, but couldn't rush off with Jess. Had to drop her at a friend's house. Her Mom takes Jess in if I've to be away and I sometimes babysit her kids if she has to work late. It's convenient. Humans are…” He waved his hand, “helpful, like that.” He threw a cushion at Alistair. “Stop laughing, you ass!”
It felt good to laugh, to forget that he had lost yet another person, and to relax. “I would like to meet her someday.” he said.
“I wish you could. Come visit when you can. She'll love to meet you. Keeps asking me why she doesn't have any uncles or cousins.”
“Tell her you are an only child and so were your parents and grandparents.”
“I already have.” Aiden said. “But she asks why I don't have any friends. She was extremely curious about Jon, especially since I didn't ask him to come in, but was talking to him on the porch.”
“He wouldn't hurt her.” Alistair said softly.
“Maybe not,” Aiden said. “But I can't take a chance, Alistair. Not with Jess. He's Jon after all.” He paused. “Thank you for not telling Daphne I was here.”
“She'll find out.” Alistair said. “I'm assuming you visited Eve.”
“Could have gone better.” Aiden muttered. “I don't know what her problem is? I just wanted to say I'm sorry. Why should she react so badly?”
“Eve has always been- complicated,” Alistair said. “Some humans are.”
“Most of them, if you ask me. I hope Jess doesn't turn out to be one.”
Alistair started laughing again and after glaring at him for a moment, Aiden joined in.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Ray put away his phone and Jerry lifted his eyebrows. “Who was it? You look pleased.”
Was he? Ray supposed he was. It was strange. He had not thought it possible to smile so soon after Dad’s death, and yet here he was, texting Alistair and smiling like a fool.
“A friend.” Ray said, drinking his coffee. He always took it black, and sweet.
He had already had breakfast at home, but Jerry appeared to be ravenously hungry judging by the way he attacked the pancakes.
“You know they won’t run off the plate.” he said, amused.
“I know, but I haven’t eaten in twenty-four hours,” Jerry swallowed so he could speak. “I hate the food in planes.”
“It’s not so bad.” Ray said.
“I didn’t say it was bad.” Jerry said. “I just said I hate it.”
“Ah,” Ray grinned.
His phone beeped and he checked it. It was a mail from Magnus, sending him details about the latest two victims. This time the victims belonged to Berdol which lay beyond Criston. It made more sense. Localised killings weren’t common for vampires. But the two victims in Berdol had nothing in common with each other nor with any of the victims in Criston. Again, he had been given all details, and they were similar. Everyone asleep, no witnesses, the victims dead the same way, leases in order. No common points.
Ray frowned. Was this even a vampire? Apart from the bite marks and the brute strength with which the victims’ throats had been ripped out, there was nothing that suggested vampire. What if it was a human serial killer with a vampire fetish? What if this was some obscure weapon? For some re
ason, his brain refused to accept that sensible theory, insisting that it was a vampire. Besides, if it was a human killer, there should be some similarities between the victims. Even psychopaths didn’t kill randomly. There was always something. But not here.
He stared at the photographs of the latest victims. One of them was young, barely out of their teens, and Ray felt bile rise in his throat. He went through all the details once again. There had to be something he had missed before. And then he saw it. It was such a little thing, but it was there. That settled it, anyway. The killer had to be a vampire. One who either liked or hated B positive blood, because that was the one thing all victims had in common.
They must hate it.
If they liked it, they would have drained the victims and they hadn’t. Which meant they hated it. But hatred of a blood group wasn’t reason enough to kill people belonging to that group. Unless the vampire was feral. But his control over his abilities belied that theory.
Fuck it!
“Did I tell you I was coming back with you?” Ray asked.
“Hm?” Jerry asked, polishing off the last of the pancakes. “You are? That’s great. Have you got your tickets?”
“Yes,” Ray nodded. “There was a seat available. Have you made any arrangements for stay while you’re here?”
Jerry shook his head. “The hotel was full, man. I’d no idea it would be, but don’t worry, I’ll manage.”
“How?” Ray was amused. “And why should you? You can stay in my house, you know.”
“What would your folks say?” Jerry asked. “And so soon after your Dad’s death? Wouldn’t it be an intrusion?”
“Not to me,” Ray said. “I would be happy to have you, Jerry. It means a great deal, you coming all this way.”
“Shut up, you idiot,” Jerry said, rolling his eyes. “You’re embarrassing me.”
Ray chuckled, which was also something he hadn’t expected to do. It was so good to have Jerry here.
