by Dima Zales
“He was just trying to get under your skin…trying to get your mind off killing him,” I lied, not looking in their direction.
“Alex, I may not be the smartest man, but I know when I’m bein’ lied to. Tell me the truth.”
“He isn't what you think he is. He is my friend; he is the one that convinced me to see you and to come here! He is helping us!”
Paul shook his head in anger. “You never trust their kind!” he roared. “Your moth-Janet–trusted one and look what happened to her!”
“I'm not listening to this. You don't know him the way I do, and until you do—you have no right to say a damned thing!”
He sighed, glaring in my direction for a long time. “You weren’t talkin’ to Jason earlier.” It was a statement, not a question.
“No, I wasn't,” I confirmed.
“Give me your phone,” he demanded.
“No!” I yelled. “You have no right to take anything from me.”
“I'm your father.”
“You’ve never been my father, and you never will be!”
“Alex…”
“You have no right to take my stuff! You can’t tell me what to do! ‘Father’ is just your title. Where were you when I was growing up and needed a father? When it was just me and Janet? Huh? I’m eighteen now—don't treat me like I'm ten!”
The look of shock and hurt on his face didn't affect me in the least. I was too angry to care–and I was right. I turned over on the mattress, facing away from them. “I'm going to bed. Don't wake me up until it's time to catch the plane,” I grumbled. I was thankful that sleep enveloped me before the tears had a chance to return.
The sun shone through the thin fabric that acted as curtains, the rays fell straight across my sleeping face. I frowned as I woke up and climbed out of bed. Paul and Kim were slumped over in the armchairs, still asleep. I looked at my watch and gasped in horror. We were going to be late for the flight if we didn't leave quickly. I woke them and the three of us rushed to pack up, check out and head to the airport.
The flight home wasn't as bad as the trip to Denver, partly because I was upset to the point that I might as well have been numb. No one talked to me, and I didn't speak to them. When we landed, we walked in silence to Paul's car, and it continued as he drove me home. As we pulled into my driveway, I could see Salem's silhouette behind the windows. Something about it made me shiver, possibly from remembering the figure I saw at the house in Denver. Maybe Paul was right, should I trust Salem after seeing what Mark was capable of? After all, he had been a vampire that Salem had believed was harmless. I shook my head at the thoughts, not sure what to believe.
I didn't say good-bye to Paul as I got out of the car. I slammed the door shut and raced into my house. Salem embraced me immediately, and I wondered if Paul could see us hugging through the window. I didn’t care. Part of me hoped he could. I heard his car pull out of the driveway and felt relieved. Salem pushed me away from him slowly, looking me over, and I saw a flash of anger in his eyes as they fell upon my throat. His hands were shaking.
“Salem, it's okay,” I whispered, holding his hands in an attempt to steady them.
“No, no it isn't,” he growled. “Please tell me he is dead.”
I nodded slowly. “Paul killed him.”
“You...” he glanced away as he spoke, “you didn't have anything to do with it, did you?”
I understood what he meant and shook my head. “No. I would have been helpless, even if I had wanted to do anything.”
He pulled me into his embrace again. “I'm sorry about Janet.” His voice was a mere whisper.
“Me too...there is going to be a funeral for her in a couple of days, here in Willowshire, but I don't think I can go,” I said shamefully, and tried to stop the tears from starting but failed.
“That isn’t something you should miss out on, regardless of how painful it might be.”
“I just don’t think I could take it. I don’t know if I could see her…like that.” The steady stream of tears intensified, and I hoped he could still understand my broken words. “Paul and I had a fight too; I don’t want to see him there either.”
“What was your fight about?”
“You...”
Salem pulled away again, his eyes looking deeply into my own. “What does he know?” He sounded almost afraid.
“Mark told him that we had been seeing each other—I don't even know how he would know that. Well…I mean…I guess Janet told him something, and he just assumed… I don’t know. Anyway…while we were at the hotel Paul tried to tell me I couldn't see you anymore,” I replied. “I got mad; I told him he couldn't tell me what to do.” I felt childish.
“We have to be very careful, Alex.” He sighed heavily and led me to the couch. “I wouldn't doubt him coming after me.”
“I won't let him touch you.” I leaned forward on the cushion, staring down at our feet.
“I'll have better control of that than you will,” he replied, subtle amusement lingering behind his words.
My stomach growled desperately, and I realized I couldn't even remember the last time I had eaten anything. Salem seemed to catch on, and I saw his eyes flash purple. “What are you doing?” I asked curiously.
“You will see.”
And I did. A bowl of strawberry ice cream appeared on the coffee table. I eyed it for a second, unsure if I really wanted it, or if I could even keep it down. Salem reached forward, grabbed it and offered me a spoonful. “It is what you eat when you are depressed, right?” He grinned, and I opened my mouth. The taste of the sweet, cold cream was delicious—possibly because it was the only thing I had eaten in almost two days. After consuming the dessert, I cuddled up against Salem and asked him what he had done while I was away, besides worry. I needed to hear something to get my mind off of Janet, to stop the tears even momentarily.
“It wasn't nearly as eventful as what you went through,” he replied quietly, running his hands through my hair as I listened. “I spent most of the time here, waiting for you.”
“Didn't you get bored?”
“Not at all,” he mused. “I should think you would be more traumatized right now than you are.”
“I don’t know; I think I am just in shock. It feels like I should just wake up, and all this had been a nightmare. This is all just so unreal.”
“I understand.” I knew that, unlike my friends, he really did. He kissed my forehead as though it was an ordinary action for him, and it felt natural to me. “You have been through a lot in these last few days.”
“I need a vacation.” I laughed half-heartedly as I rose long enough to grab a tissue from the box nearby and wiped my nose.
“That was exactly what I was thinking,” he said, and I lifted my head to look at him.
“What do you mean?”
“Let's go somewhere, away from all of these troubles.”
“But Salem, I just got back from a trip...and what about school?”
“Are you really that concerned about school?”
I thought about it for a moment, reflecting on my poor grades, my lack of interest aside from music class, and my current situation. “No,” I replied honestly. “But I'm not sure if I could stand another plane trip if that was what you were thinking. And…what about my friends?”
“We could drive,” he suggested eagerly. “And your friends would always be just a phone call away.”
“Salem, does this have anything to do with Paul...?”
“It isn't safe here anymore, for either of us.”
“Why not? Your only danger is Paul, and so long as we’re together I am not letting him touch you.”
“I just have an uneasy feeling, Alex,” he said and exhaled deeply. “But if you are more comfortable staying here, we just have to be extra careful.”
“Let's go to your house,” I suggested.
He appeared thoughtful for a moment. “As far as I know Paul doesn't know of it, so we would be safer there I suppose.”
“Alex...” His expression had been so certain, so ready, but now he looked disappointed. “I'm not sure this is the right thing to do.”
“Would you rather we stayed here...?”
“No, it isn’t that. I am stealing you away from your life.”
“What life?! I just lost the only family I ever really had; my father is angry with me because I am hanging out with a vampire and my mom…my mom is dead. What else is there?” I sounded back, angrier than I had intended.
“Wouldn’t you find it strange living together so soon in our...”
“In our what? Relationship? Look, Salem, I really like you...you know that. And yes, I am still a little uneasy about…about what you are, but I am a big girl. I can take care of myself, and this is what I want. I have no reason to stay in this house of haunting memories.”
He still seemed unconvinced. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
Was this what I wanted? Just hours ago I had been afraid that Mark was right, that maybe Salem could turn into a true monster. If one evening I was washing dishes in the kitchen of the Victorian and sliced my hand, would I end up drained and on the floor like Janet? Part of me didn’t care either way right now. “Yes.” I forced a smile and took his cold hand in mine. “Before we go, I wanted to ask you something, though.”
“Another question?” He playfully groaned. “Well, let me have it.”
“Mark was like you, right? He was against feeding on humans.”
Salem nodded slowly.
“He said that he hadn't meant to hurt her...that she cut herself with a knife accidentally, and the scent of her blood caused him to…well…do what he did.” I didn't want to finish what I needed to say. “If I...”
He put his finger to my mouth to stop me from speaking. “You have nothing to fear from me, Alex.” His voice was reassuring and gentle. “Mark was a young vampire, making him less capable of controlling himself in such a situation. I have much more practice.”
“That sounds weird.” I laughed.
“What does?” His brows rose slightly.
“The thought of him being younger than you. He looked around forty, and you look my age.”
“Don't go making me feel ancient, now.” Salem grinned. “Let's head home.”
I liked the sound of that, of home, our home…maybe a little too much.
16
I didn't bother packing any of my belongings—there was no sense in it when Salem could summon practically anything I desired—aside from the laptop Jason gave me for my birthday. A twinge of guilt welled up inside me as I contemplated the idea of never seeing Jason or Karen again. Then again, no one ever said I would never see them again. I tried my hardest to hide my struggling thoughts from Salem as we entered the old Victorian house.
“What do you want to do now?” he inquired as I set my laptop on the dining room table.
“I'm not sure,” I replied honestly. “I am so used to having a schedule that tells me what I should do and where I should be and when. I'm not used to being able to just do whatever.”
“Welcome to my world.” He smiled lightly. “We can do almost anything...whatever you desire.”
Just what did I desire? At that moment, it was a complete mystery. I knew I would have been happy just sitting on the sectional having a conversation with Salem, or reading a book in the nook beside the bookcase, but I longed for something more. I pondered the idea of walking down to the creek again, but there had to be something more we could do…something exciting enough to keep my mind off of the rest of life for a brief while. What did I desire, aside from the gorgeous vampire that was staring at me patiently awaiting my decision?
“The lake!” I shouted, much louder than I had intended. “I still haven’t gotten to really see it yet.”
Salem shrugged. “If that's what you want.” He took my hand and led me behind the spiral staircase, where a door stood that led out back. We walked together along a stone path that led away from the house toward a field of bright green grass. He stared at me awkwardly for a moment as I tore off my shoes and socks. I simply grinned up at him and ran through the cool grass. It felt amazing against my bare feet. Salem stood behind, chuckling at me as I made a fool of myself.
“C'mon!” I hollered. “It feels good!”
“I'm not so sure I can appreciate it quite as much as you can.”
“At least give it a try,” I beckoned him over with a wide smile on my face.
Salem shook his head, still laughing, and removed his shoes and socks. “I suppose it feels nice,” he said quietly, and then grinned playfully at me.
I screamed, running toward the water's edge. I collapsed onto my back against the cool blades of grass as he pounced on me. His expression was calm and gentle.
“Did I startle you?” he asked as he rolled off of me and over to my side, staring up at the darkening sky.
“Maybe a little,” I whispered, waiting for my heart to settle down. I nuzzled up against him and peered upward, following his gaze. It was strange how at peace I felt with him, despite the moments of doubt, which seemed to routinely creep into my mind. “It must be strange for you,” I said thoughtfully.
“What do you mean?”
“Seeing the world change over the years.”
“It has certainly been interesting,” he mused. “But the world really isn't that much different. More technologically advanced, though, that's for sure.”
“Doesn’t it bother you?”
“No, but it doesn't much interest me either.”
“What does interest you, Salem?” I asked as a shooting star soared across the darkening horizon. “Aside from me, that is.”
“I have spent years reading, researching, learning to adapt to the changing world, but exploring the world was my ideal quest, until I decided to stay here.”
“Am I stopping you from doing that now?” I frowned, but he couldn't see it.
“Of course you aren’t,” he said happily. “I have something new to experience and explore now.”
I would have smiled at his comment had I not suddenly felt excessively warm, despite his cool body beside me. For some reason, the picture of Mark standing over Janet with his red eyes gleaming and that sickening smile rushed back into my mind. My palms felt clammy, and a rush of nausea overcame me. I grasped onto Salem's arm tightly, and he sat upright, lifting me up with him. I wished he hadn't—it only made me feel worse. He could tell something was wrong; I could see it in the alarmed expression on his face.
“What's wrong, Alex?” He frowned, putting his hand to my forehead. “You’re burning up!”
“I-I don't know,” I stuttered with panic. The world felt like it was spinning, and I clung onto him even tighter.
Salem stood, pulled me up into his arms and carried me over to the lake. “You aren't going to like this very much, but it will cool you off.”
My eyes widened in fear as I realized what he was about to do. He walked into the water, and I stared downward noting with each step he took how much closer I came to touching it. “Salem, it's going to be too cold!” I cried between gasps of air.
“That's the idea,” he stated and walked further in; his knees were engulfed by the darkness. Soon, his waist was hidden beneath the water's depth, and I closed my eyes tightly as I anticipated the frosty liquid meeting my skin. I cringed when it first touched me, shivering against his body as he held me close. I felt little relief, however.
“It’s not helping!” My eyes were still shut, and I leaned my head close against his shoulder.
“Give it time; the cold will help the fever.” He didn't appear affected at all by the frigid water.
I could only imagine how it appeared from his point of view: a sudden gust of wind, a whirl of black and violet feathers swarming around us. He gasped in shock, and I felt his grasp loosen. I screamed as I felt my body falling into the lake, but the cold never came. A gruesome, snappi
ng, twisting sound came to my ears. I heard Salem's voice; he sounded frightened and concerned, but I could no longer see him. Nor could I feel him anywhere around me.
My eyes opened finally. I was hovering over the lake; I could see Salem standing several feet below me, staring up in horror. I felt lighter and at ease. Had I drowned and not realized it? Was I a spirit, suspended over my dead body as it floated down to the bottom of the lake? Maybe I had fallen asleep on the grass beside Salem, and this was all a dream. I tried to yell down to him, but no sound came.
“Alexis...” Salem mouthed; his jaw dropped in awe. “Can you hear me?”
I failed to answer him, although I was positive I was opening my mouth. I nodded my head—maybe he would at least be able to see that.
“But you cannot speak?”
I shook my head.
“Do you know what happened?” His eyes had yet to return to their normal size, and he looked…frightened, uncertain.
My head shook once more.
“Look down...” he murmured.
I lowered my eyes toward the now-still water, transfixed at what I saw reflected on the surface. The brunette-haired, hazel-eyed girl I was used to seeing did not stare back at me. Instead, I saw a magnificent bird with violet and blue hues shimmering against its otherwise ebony body. The wings were outstretched and flapping at its side. Piercing black, beady eyes stared back at me. The flapping ceased, and I noticed with fear that I was falling. I plummeted into the freezing water.
The sound of stretching, cracking and twisting bones came to my ears again. My eyes were wide open, but I could see nothing. I was completely surrounded by dark, cold water. Seemingly not of my own control I opened my mouth to scream and the liquid pushed itself inside, choking me. As I felt my consciousness slipping away, Salem tangled his arms under my own and pulled me to the surface.
“Alexis?” The gentle, accented voice reached my ears, but it seemed so distant. “You are safe now. You will be okay.”
I struggled to open my eyes. Slowly, his face came into view. He smiled, trying to conceal his concern, worry and possibly fear. I was laying on the sectional, draped in thick wool blankets.
