by Dima Zales
Salem passed on food despite Desmond’s insistence, stating he had no appetite. I wanted to say the same, but forced myself to request the lasagna. I didn't listen to the other two's orders—the dish’s names were far too complicated to understand, anyway. The waiter walked off, and I watched Salem wink at me as he took a small sip of water. I wanted to giggle, but I fought the urge.
“You two seem happy together,” Desmond mused, watching us closely. “That’s good.”
“We are, sir,” Salem said with a smile and turned to kiss me lightly on the cheek. I felt warmth rising where his mouth had touched, despite the cold of his lips.
“Good. Maybe I will have to make a trip back here in a few years for the wedding.” He grinned.
I gasped as I took a sip of my soda, nearly choking. My lips moved to talk, but I couldn't make the words come out. Salem smiled back at Desmond.
“You never know,” he replied, his smile ceasing to fade.
I wanted to cover my head in my hands. Fortunately, the food didn't take much longer to arrive, and our table was filled with silence as we dug into our meal. Salem simply sat and watched, sipping his ice water every now and then. I had to admit, I was glad I had opted to eat. The food was amazing! Salem and I barely spoke, just nodding and muttering the occasional “Wow's” every once in a while between the stories Desmond and Melissa told us about their adventures around the globe. I could tell that Salem was somewhat eager to further discuss travel with them, but perhaps felt it would be a dangerous topic to delve too deeply into.
“How have you been, Alex?” Desmond said suddenly after recounting a long, tiring description of a trip they had taken once to New Zealand. He must have forgotten he already asked me at the funeral. That didn’t entirely surprise me, though. There had been a lot going on in that moment.
I put down my fork and looked up at him. “I've been all right, considering...” I replied. “I know Paul is my real father now, and school is going...not so great.”
“Oh. I had no idea your moth…Janet had told you. I must confess that is one of the reasons I brought you out to eat. That and to catch up, of course.” He smiled. “And that’s no good about school, Alex. You need a good education if you want to get by in this world.”
“That’s not always true; Mom said you dropped out of school.”
“There are exceptions to almost every rule, Alex. And despite being well off now I still regret dropping out to this day. I was lucky enough to get into a teaching career, despite my poor choices as a teenager.”
“Well, maybe I will be lucky, too.”
“Are you trying to tell me you are dropping out of school, Alex? Your mother and I raised you better than that.”
Salem must have sensed the fire starting to burn under my skin and thankfully changed the conversation before I could retaliate against Desmond’s remark. “Thanks for taking us out, Mr. Hobbs,” Salem said, feigning a yawn as Desmond finally stopped staring at me, and dabbed a napkin to his lips.
“It was my pleasure. I hoped it would lighten the mood, make things a bit easier for all of us, considering,” Desmond replied, looking slightly perturbed—whether it was from Salem changing the subject or the matter of me possibly leaving school. Maybe it was both.
“It was definitely good,” I murmured as I chewed on a piece of bread, still angry at his comment. What kind of nerve did he have to try to say he had any true part in raising me?
The waiter returned moments later with the check and a handful of mints. We each took one and stood up from our chairs. Desmond and Melissa walked us to the car, and I received yet another embrace and condolences from each of them. Desmond shook Salem's hand, and I wondered if he noticed how cold his skin was, but he didn't seem to react.
“Alexis, if you ever need anything…anything at all,” Desmond handed me a business card with a number written messily onto the back, “you call me, okay?”
“Yeah, Da…Desmond,” I said as he smiled at me.
I relaxed some as I watched them wander off to their own vehicle. Salem and I climbed into the Alero and headed back to his place. All I wanted now was to curl up in bed and cry myself to sleep—I knew it was inevitable. After all the stress I had endured and emotions I had tried to hold back, it was time to let it out.
18
Three weeks had passed since the funeral. Despite all that had happened, I was happier than I had ever been. Salem and I spent most of our time walking through the woods, reading one another books from his vast collection, or simply lying in the grass talking. For someone who seemed plucked from a different era, I was amazed how much we had in common. I felt as though I could spend a lifetime with him and never get bored or run out of things to say. Before long, it felt as though years had passed since I scoffed at the thought of being in a relationship with a vampire. To me, he was no longer some mythical and frightening creature. He was Salem–my charming, caring, handsome Salem. Few things could pull me from this happy existence, and one of those was ringing in my pocket.
I stopped reading to Salem the page of Moby Dick I was on and pulled out the familiar little cell phone. The flashing screen alerted me that it was my best friend, Karen. For a moment, I was reluctant to answer, knowing already what she would say. She and Jason had called me innumerable times since I stopped showing up for school shortly after the funeral.
“Hello?” I said timidly.
“Alex! I swear sometimes I think you’ve disappeared. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Karen, just like last time.”
“Well, excuse me for caring! So are you like, dropping out of school or what?”
“I…I don’t know.”
“Well, either way I don’t think you’re going to be graduating with us. You’ve missed way too much, Alex.”
“I know.” She had said this all before, several times.
“I thought we were supposed to graduate together, you know? I mean we always talked about it. Walking up there in the gown, throwing the cap. What happened to that, Alex?”
“I don’t know. Look, I am sorry…really. I just don’t think I can do it. I mean…I don’t think I want to.”
“You know you can tell me anything, right? What’s going on?”
“It’s just…Mom…and…”
“And what? Is that boy you’ve been with controlling you or something? You tell me, and I will get you away from him for good!”
“No…it’s not that. Not at all. Look, I need to go. Okay? I will talk to you soon; I promise,” I said, hanging up the phone.
I immediately felt guilty hanging up on Karen like that. She really was still my best friend, and I knew I should treat her better, but right now I just needed this escape. Talking to her reminded me of everything that had happened. I was much more content being hidden from reality with Salem.
Just as I had thought the disturbances from my reading were over, Salem took the opportunity to present me with yet another reoccurring pull from my happiness.
“Are you going to go to Paul’s shop today?” He had been pressing the issue more and more the last few weeks.
“Fine!” I yelled, still slightly upset from the call with Karen. Despite being annoyed with him presenting this now old argument at such a bad time, he was right. I had put it off for too long. The sooner I learned to control…whatever it was I had been ‘gifted’ with…the safer my remaining family and friends would be.
“I’m sorry, Salem; I was just upset. I shouldn’t take it out on you. You’re right…I will go. First thing tomorrow…”
He looked at me with suspicion for a brief moment before opening his mouth. “Good. I believe you this time. Now come on, let’s finish the book. I am simply dying to know if he gets the white whale.” He smiled wide.
I hit him playfully with a couch pillow. “As if you don’t know, how many times have you read this? A hundred?”
“A few.”
“Yeah…a few hundred!” We both laughed for a while before resituating and conti
nued the read.
When I arrived at Paul’s shop the next morning, he was beyond shocked to see me. The surprise was soon overshadowed by his immense relief when I told him the tragic news about Salem and I 'breaking up', and that I was eager to become a hunter. More than anything, he was intrigued by the fact that I could transform into an actual raven. He had never believed it was possible, despite the legends. He was somewhat over thrilled at the fact that his daughter was one of the very few capable of such an ability. I, personally, dreaded it.
Five out of seven days of the week were spent in the back of the auto shop. Paul had it cleared out to make room for us to practice combat techniques. He taught me to use the crossbow he had gifted me. I was reluctant to begin with and my aim was very poor, but after just a week and a half, I had mastered that skill, practicing on targets he had crafted out of old emptied fuel tanks. The fact that I enjoyed the use of it scared me more than a little. Maybe Salem was right about this addiction. We practiced mostly in the late afternoon and into the night, during after-school hours because I had him believing I was still attending.
It was difficult coming up with tales to give him about how school was, what Jason and Karen were up to, and the upcoming graduation in six months. He pressured me from time to time to ask Jason out to a movie, even if Karen joined us. He wanted nothing more than for me to forget about Salem entirely. In fact, one of his main goals at training me was with the hopes that I would be the one to kill him.
We went through simple close combat techniques. At first, it was a little difficult. I had not been in a gym or done any physical activities aside from P.E. class in forever. I was actually amazed by how flexible I still was and how easily I learned to kick and punch—Janet and Desmond had put me through gymnastics and martial arts lessons as a child, but that had been so long ago. Just another group of things I had lost interest in after Desmond had abandoned us. I learned that these particular two classes had been Paul's idea, with the obvious intent of me using that skill for my future ‘job’.
I was dumbfounded by how graceful Paul could be as well. I had heard from Salem how Paul wasn’t the best hunter he had ever seen—how he could barely hit the broad side of a barn with his crossbow, and was far too slow to be of much concern. I was not sure if Salem had been exaggerating or if Paul had just improved ten-fold from their last encounter. Neither would have fully surprised me.
During the weeks of training, I had actually grown a lot closer to Paul than I thought imaginable. He told me that he was envious of my natural skill at fighting and my impressive aim, as well as my raven abilities. I knew he was just flattering me in some regard, but I couldn’t help but to admit that I had gotten quite good. He also reflected on when he first started his training. One of his favorite memories was how he used to hunt wild game with his dad, long before he even knew of his heritage. Eventually, he began training to hunt the undead with his sister and father, but he seldom took it serious back then. He was far too focused on the relationship he had formed with Destiny, which he partially blamed for his admitted lack of skill back then. He regretted it, but at the same time was thankful that he spent so much time with her – before she was gone.
Every night after practice I went to Salem's house, exhausted and sore. Paul's plan was working, but not in the way he had hoped. With how much time I spent away practicing and in bed sleeping, I had little time with Salem. He would stay with me as I slept, and treat me to a late breakfast. That was about all the time we got together during the past three weeks.
“Are you eager to return tonight?” Salem asked, sitting across from me at the dining table. He was turning a spoon around in his fingers; the ceiling light glinted off of the metal. He appeared nervous.
“Not really.” I sighed tiredly and ran a hand across my face. “Paul wants me to try...changing.”
“Have either of you figured out how to do that?”
“He thinks being around your kind might trigger it somehow,” I said quietly. “When I am in danger, and my adrenaline is pumping…even though it didn’t happen when I was around Mark.”
His eyes grew cold, and the spoon clattered to the floor. “What does he expect you to do?” His voice was harsh.
“He wants to take me hunting tonight...” I murmured, barely touching the food on my plate, “real hunting, against a vampire.”
Salem shut his eyes and shook his head. “No! You're not ready!” His palm smacked against the tabletop.
Despite his reaction, my lips curved upward slightly. “Salem, I’ve had nearly a month's worth of practice. I think it's just you that isn't ready.”
“You might be right.” He sighed and began pacing around the room. “What if I went with you?”
“How would that work? Paul would know you were there in a second.”
“I wouldn't have to be right beside you...just within the area.”
“I don’t know. It might work. I don’t really see the point in you being there though, I’ll be fine.”
“If anything happened to you...” His voice trailed off.
“You’ll be putting yourself in danger if you go. Don’t forget about Paul.”
“There is no reason to worry about me,” he said assuredly.
“He’s not as bad as you let on, you know.”
“Do you hear yourself, Alex? This is what I was afraid of.”
“I guess I'll tell Paul that I’ll do it. He said I didn’t have to if I wasn’t ready, but I just decided that I am.” I sighed, hoping I really was ready and partially ignoring Salem’s last sentiment. “He says he’s been hearing some strange things down by the graveyard towards his place—people going missing and such. He thinks it may be vampire-related."
“It’s possible,” he said simply, though still obviously upset by what was happening.
As Salem cleared my plate, I called Paul and told him I would meet him at the cemetery. I was not looking forward to it in the least. The first experience with changing had not only been startling, but also painful. I also wasn't quite sure I was ready to face a vampire, despite all of my practice. And just what was I supposed to do once I was in that form? Salem and Paul being in the same place together made me even more nervous.
The day was dragging on slowly. Salem and I snuggled up on the sofa and discussed strategies for tonight's event. He was going to leave before I did and await our arrival, concealing himself behind whatever was available, and watching to make sure I was safe. As we talked, my phone suddenly vibrated. Plucking it from my pocket, I saw Jason's name across the screen.
“It's Jason again…” I murmured.
“Answer it,” Salem suggested. “I'll leave you alone if you want.”
“No, it's fine,” I replied and leaned up against him again after I hit the answer button. “Hello?”
“Alex!” Jason's voice was a pleasant, welcoming sound. It felt like forever since I last heard it. As I listened, it began to sink in how much time I had spent away from my best friends. I missed a party, at my own house, because I was spending time with Salem instead. There had once been a time when Jason, Karen and I were inseparable, and now I had practically replaced them with a boy I hadn’t known that long, especially in comparison to two almost lifelong friendships. Yet, despite how wretched it made me feel knowing that I had abandoned my friends, I was happier now than I had ever been before–and that just made it worse. These feelings increased at the sound of Jason's voice as he continued talking, but I did my best to suppress my emotions. “I have been so worried about you. You still haven't been to school, and I have stopped at the house countless times, and you never answer-”
“I'm fine, Jace,” I said, breaking him off. I felt terrible having to sound so stern with him, but how many times were he and Karen going to tell me the same stuff?
“Right…” He sounded sincerely worried and unconvinced.
“I am, honest.”
“That's good.” He paused for a moment before saying, “I kind of wanted to ask you
something.”
“What is it?” This couldn't be good.
“If you are feeling up to it...” He paused again. “Would you want to go out for lunch, with me?”
“Um, when?” I stared at Salem hopelessly, wishing he could do or say something to save me.
“I was thinking today, but if some other time would be better...”
The only thing that led me to agree was the hope that it would get Paul off my back. “Where’d you have in mind?”
“There's this really nice diner down by my house. Mitch works there, actually. I’m sure you know the place.”
“Oh, that's cool. I guess that works.”
“Great!” His voice was over-enthusiastic. “Be ready in an hour?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Are you sure you really want to go? I mean…I’ve been trying to get you to hang out for like a month now, and you always say no.”
“Well, you never asked me to go eat, did you?” I laughed.
“Oh, I see how it is!” he replied, laughing also. “Alright, well…I’ll see you in an hour!”
“See you,” I muttered and hung up the phone. Salem stared eagerly at me, awaiting my story. To my surprise, he wasn't upset.
“You need time with your friends,” he insisted. “It has been far too long since you have been with them. I thought of pushing the subject other times while you were on the phone but refrained.”
“I don't think you understand, Salem,” I said, shaking my head. “This is Jason. A boy. And he asked me out, alone.”
He shrugged. “Friends can eat out alone.”
“Fine,” I grumbled. “I have to go home so he can pick me up.”
“I'll join you,” he offered.
“Okay, but don’t let him see you when he shows up. I’d hate to have to make up some reason for why you are there. They still don’t really know about us.”
The drive away from Salem's house was frighteningly enjoyable to me now. The twists and turns no longer made me nervous. I found an unexpected thrill as we went over the hills and around the bends. Part of me didn't like this, but I tried to convince myself it was merely because I was so used to the roads. A light drizzle of rain began trickling down the windshield.
