“And then I find out from you that your group was attacked. Hold on a minute, Julia. Were any of you killed?”
“No, though two of us were damn nearly. The one was real badly injured. So....?”
“How many members do you have that’s fairly healthy?”
“Eight of us,” I answered.
Richard nodded. “You’re the only Resistance group within three towns who’s still mostly at full strength. We’re being tracked down, killed or seriously crippled. We need to get a movement together to strike back, to make them stop – at least for a while.”
I frowned, understanding what he was saying, even as drunk as I was. I finished my wine and set the glass down. “I thought they weren’t supposed to do that unless someone directly challenges them?”
“They’re not. Obviously, the rules have changed,” Richard answered thinly. “No one has. We’re not ready to make a challenge, only to give them problems. That’s why it’s so important that I talk to Samuel. He’s the head leader of the entire Resistance Movement. He needs to know.”
I scowled. “I am not going back home,” I said, ordering another glass of wine.
“Julia, stop that! You are going to pass out!”
“I don’t give a damn, Richard. Let my boyfriend and Samuel beat each other up for the night, I don’t care.”
Richard looked at me. “Why are they fighting?”
“I don’t know. I guess they annoyed each other again,” I replied shrugging. “Anyway,” I said; picking up my glass, “I’m sick of all their nonsense after I tell them to stop so that’s why I left. I’ve been going to Inns ever since.” I sipped the wine.
“What glass is that?” Richard asked suspiciously. “How much did you drink?”
“This is my seventh glass,” I replied calmly.
Richard winced. “Why don’t we go home now, Julia?”
“No,” I replied flatly. “They need to learn a damn lesson. I am not going home tonight. So you can either stay with me or try to find them on your own. And no, I’m not telling you where they are because then you’ll tell them where I am.”
Richard shook his head. “Why is it that you can think clearly about that when you’re like intoxicated to the verge of passing out?”
“Maybe it has something to do with being used to being beaten by my husband,” I muttered.
Richard looked at me sharply. “What?!”
I silently swore at myself. I must be more drunk than I thought to be saying that so carelessly. I pushed away my half empty glass. “I just said that it must be because I’m used to accidentally getting hurt during training,” I replied lying. I quickly got up and swayed on my feet. I dug into my pockets and found more coins. I threw them on the table. “I need a place to sleep,” I said looking around. I suddenly felt disorientated. I tried to take a step and nearly fell into the table. Several men from nearby tables suddenly looked at us in keen interest.
Richard grabbed my arm, also rising. “The sun will be up in about a half an hour. How about the rooms above ... if you won’t go home?” he asked suddenly concerned.
I nodded, looking at the other men. “Whose idea was this anyway?” I muttered quietly.
“I think it was yours Julia.”
“Oh, silly idea. What on earth was I thinking?” I said. “Oh well ... too late now. I want to go to sleep now.”
Richard put his arm around my waist and helped me over to the stairs leading to the rooms upstairs. “I wouldn’t be able to tell you, Julia. It’s all right. You’ll be safe.”
“Aye, yes, whatever. I’ll probably be safer with the Irish’s little leprechauns ...whatever they’ll look like,” I replied. I really had no idea what I was saying. I heard Richard laugh though. I then passed out.
***
Chapter 11
Waking slowly, I had no idea where I was. Then the memory struck – I never returned home last night. Where was I?
I opened my eyes and looked around. I saw a sparsely furnished room. I was in a bed covered with a blanket. I looked across the room and saw the vampire I had met last night sitting in a chair. My goodness, what was I thinking; to go off with a strange male? I asked myself silently. Oh yes. I was drunk last night. I sighed and slowly sat up.
“Hello, sleepyhead,” he said quietly.
“Name is Richard, right?”
“Aye. I’m surprised you remembered, you were so drunk.”
“I have an amazing memory. How the hell did I get here?”
Richard laughed. “I carried you upstairs and put you to bed. You had passed out.”
I frowned, suddenly worried. “Please don’t tell me –”
Richard rolled his eyes. “Nay. I don’t share a bed with strangers, and even if I did, I wouldn’t have with you. Samuel would have killed me, not to mention your boyfriend.”
“Um ...yes. You have that right,” I muttered getting up. I smoothed out my dress the best I could and ran a hand through my hair. Surprisingly, I felt pretty good despite all the alcohol I consumed the night before. There’s an upside to drinking as a vampire, apparently you don’t get a hangover.
“Thank you Richard, for keeping me safe. That was pretty foolish of me to do, I admit. I’m a woman; I should have at least had a drinking partner if I had wanted to get that drunk.”
Richard smiled. “Live and learn. I was surprised to see you alone downstairs. Usually we try to act human in public.”
I laughed. “True, but I wanted to be alone. I really didn’t feel like acting like a human.” I turned towards the door and sighed. “I suppose we should be headed home ... before they send out a search party.”
“What’s wrong, Julia?”
“Nothing. You wouldn’t understand,” I said, slowly shaking my head.
“What wouldn’t I understand?”
“Forget it,” I said harshly and went to the door. I opened it and looked back at him. “Are you coming?”
Richard nodded and followed me out. We walked down the stairs and out the door. I immediately turned west and Richard followed. “You are so elusive about what’s bothering you,” he said quietly.
“It’s personal,” I answered and kept walking. “What time is it?” I asked off–handedly.
“Probably about two hours to midnight,” Richard replied. I guess I’ve failed to mention that vampires have this uncanny ability to tell time. I don’t know why but we seem to have an internal clock which usually is correct. I suppose it is because we need to know exactly when dawn is.
I scowled. “If it was not so important Richard, I still wouldn’t be going home.”
“You really do not like them fighting, do you?”
“No,” I said flatly. “I just wish they would learn to get along. I hate it when they fight.”
“I can tell,” Richard said, moving a step away.
Good man, I thought silently. Out loud I said, “I don’t like very many people Richard. It tears me apart when I see people I like fight like this.”
“Do you like me?”
“I haven’t decided,” I replied frankly. Richard shook his head but left it alone. We were silent the rest of the way to the house, me in a silent rage and him out of respect. I began to like him more and more. Perhaps he could become a friend, who knows?
Finally, we arrived and I stared at the house. I really didn’t want to go inside yet. This was the first time I hadn’t thought of this place as home or a safe place. It made me angry ... and saddened me more. Richard looked towards me expectedly. I was tempted to tell him to go up and knock on the door himself, but then realized that the others would find out one way or another that he had contact with me.
“Will you get in trouble?”
I shrugged. “They can all burn in hell for all I care.”
“I thought you only used this language while drunk?”
“No, actually, I’ve made a vow to use it more often.”
“That’s ladylike,” Richard commented sarcastically.
�
��Damn being ladylike. I spent my entire miserable human life being ‘ladylike.’ No more,” I replied walking to the door. Richard followed me. I knocked on the door, despite knowing that I could walk right in. I suppressed a snicker as the door immediately swung open. I knew someone had been waiting for that knock since I left.
Samuel was the one who opened the door. “Thank God. Julia, where were you?! I was worried.”
“Aw, you missed me? How sweet,” I said sarcastically. “I was here ... and there. I met up with someone who says it’s important that he speak to you.”
Samuel looked wary, noticing for the first time that I wasn’t alone. “Aye?”
“Hello, Samuel. It’s Richard.”
Samuel looked at me for a long moment, then at Richard. “Why the hell are you here, Richard?” he asked sourly.
“It’s urgent. Can we come in?” Richard asked.
“Of course,” he said dryly, stepping aside. We walked in. Mary Anne and Damien were the only other people in the room. “Julia, where did you find him? And why didn’t you come back?”
“Did you really think I was going to be back last night? Richard found me.”
“At one of the Inn’s taverns,” Richard supplied with a shake of his head. “She was drunk.”
“Drunk?” Samuel echoed, looking at me.
“Aye. Do you have a problem with that?”
“How much did you drink? I’ve never heard of a vampire getting drunk.”
“About seven glasses of wine.”
“That’s it? You must have a low tolerance to alcohol,” Samuel said mildly. “Seven glasses is nothing.”
Without thinking, I slapped him. “Be quiet, Samuel. Seven glasses of wine is far more alcohol then I’ve ever had at one time. So just keep your godforsaken mouth shut and listen to Richard. He came here to talk to you.”
Samuel looked at me, stunned. This was the first time I had ever spoken to him this way, let alone hit him. “Sunshine....” he started softly.
“I don’t want to hear it, Samuel!” I shouted. “Did you not hear a word I said?”
Adam suddenly appeared in the doorway. “Told you,” he said to Samuel.
I whirled on him as well. “You be quiet, too! I’m tired of both of you!”
I then looked at Damien. “Damien, go to Crystal. I saw her, she doesn’t look good. I don’t need you. Go to my sister.” I glared at the other vampires, daring them to challenge me. Surprisingly, no one did.
Damien nodded and got up. “You really saw her?”
“Aye, I did. She was at one of the Inns with my dear brother,” I answered. “She sounded very depressed. Peter was being intolerable.”
“What else is new?” Damien muttered, shaking his head.
I smiled. “But at least she actually stood up to him this time,” I said in amusement. “I think you’ve been good for her, Crystal would have never yelled at him before, no matter what he said.”
Damien smiled; obviously amazed at how quick my temperament had changed once I had shifted my focus to him and my sister. “Well, thank you Julia,’ he graciously bowed. “Coming from you, I know that’s a compliment.”
I smiled again. “Now go before I drag you to her,” I said in mock sternness. Damien waved and left.
Richard sighed and turned to Samuel. “We have a problem.”
“Really?” Samuel asked, sitting down. He looked at me. “Julia, would you sit down?”
“No. Just listen to Richard.”
Samuel looked back at Richard. “What’s going on?”
“They’re dead,” Richard answered, his voice flat.
“Who?”
“My entire group. Jack, everyone. Beth’s group was also attacked yesterday.”
Samuel glared at some invisible enemy. “They changed the rules, the double–crossers! When did they start this?!”
“About two days ago, maybe three.’
“Damnit!”
“Aw, you do not sound happy,” I commented.
Samuel turned towards me angrily. “Be Quiet, Julia!”
“All right, fine,” I replied and turned to leave. “I hadn’t even wanted to come back.”
Mary Anne, who had been quietly listening, jumped to her feet. “Julia, don’t go! You know it’s dangerous out there!”
“It’s a dangerous world,” I said sarcastically. “And it’s dangerous in here as well, obviously,” I glanced at Adam and then at Samuel. Adam had been glaring at Samuel. I walked back to the door.
Matthew entered the room next, supporting Christy. “What is all that noise?” he asked sounding angry.
“Julia?” Christy asked uncertainly. I turned back towards them. “Are you leaving again? They said you left last night.”
“I was going to.” I paused. “How fare thee, Christy? I was worried about you.”
“Feeling better. Don’t go, Julia,” she said at the same time Samuel answered Matthew’s question.
“Why not?’
“Because we’re worried about you!”
“I’m fine,” I answered coolly.
“No, you’re not. Julia, you’re not alone anymore. Let us help you,” Mary Anne said.
I scowled. “On the contrary. I’m always alone,” I replied in a whisper as Adam left the room again. He had sensed how upset I was and knew to leave things be. “None of you understand, so just leave me the hell alone!”
Christy slowly sat at the table. Her face looked tired and drawn. She stared at me without flinching. Mary Anne moved a step closer to me. “Julia, I can feel you’re hurting. Its surrounds you like an invisible cloak. Some of us do understand, more than you realize.”
Matthew looked between us and Samuel uncertainly. He seemed to want to say something to me but wasn’t sure what. Richard, being the newcomer, wisely didn’t interrupt. He just continued talking with Samuel. Samuel himself seemed to be ignoring me. I suppose I had probably angered him. At another time, it would have been very amusing, right now I just felt confused. I had never hit one of the other vampires before just out of pure anger. It was something my husband would have done, but not me. I was beginning to scare myself.
“Juliana, please let us help ....” Matthew finally started quietly.
“You do not understand. You can’t,” I said, my voice beginning to tremble. Stubbornly, I tried to steady it. I was not going to show them how weak I felt. “I’m sorry for everything that happened tonight. I didn’t mean it – I shouldn’t have come back this upset. I’ll go.” Despite my attempt to keep my voice steady, it had begun to shake anyway. Realizing how close I was to crying and falling apart, I headed for the door, hoping they would just let me leave. But they didn’t. They were determined, for some strange reason, to show me how much they cared.
Within the blink of an eye, Mary Anne was between me and the door. “You are not leaving, Julia.”
I reached for the doorknob. Mary Anne grabbed my arm. “Let me go!” I cried, my voice sounding high, frightened, and too close to tears for my liking. I sounded like the frightened, heartbroken human I had been only a year or so ago. I hated feeling so vulnerable to these people, these creatures who seemed so strong and so undisturbable. So different than me.
But were they really? I thought remembering their reactions only a couple of nights ago when both Christy and I were injured. Mary Anne only seemed to confirm my second–guessing. She had obviously noticed how close to tears I was.
“It’s all right, Julia. You can cry; there’s nothing wrong with it,” she said gently. She let go of my hand to hug me instead. Even though I vowed not to cry, a first lone tear trickled down my cheek. I hoped being weak wasn’t all bad. I was tired of trying to be strong, tired of resisting everyone and everything. I suddenly felt as if I had been in battle for centuries. “Oh, Julia ….” Mary Anne murmured.
A sob broke over me, and then another. Christy looked away, still unable to walk on her own. Matthew looked at us and groaned. “Oh, no ... I hate it when you all cry,” he said and
then left the room rather quickly. Samuel couldn’t even ignore me anymore. I heard him sigh and get up.
I hid my face in Mary Anne’s shoulder. I hadn’t wanted to cause a scene. I felt his hands lightly on my shoulders. “Julia ...Sunshine, what’s the matter?” His voice was concerned, all anger seemed to have vanished.
I shook my head without moving my face out of Mary Anne’s shoulder. I didn’t know how to explain it to him when I couldn’t even understand it myself. He gently started to rub my shoulders. “Julia?” he tried again.
“I don’t know, Samuel,” I mumbled, my voice muffled.
“How about everything?” Mary Anne translated helpfully. I nodded miserably. Sounds about right.
“Is it your boyfriend’s little fight with me?” Samuel asked quietly.
“Partly,” I muttered vaguely.
“You are scared, aren’t you? Julia, it’s all right,” he said soothingly.
I shook my head. “No, it is not,” I muttered. “I’m sorry.”
Pushing away from them, I stared at the floor. “I’m sorry, Samuel. I did not mean to hit you,” I said ashamed. Fresh tears pooled in my eyes but I blinked them back. I felt very lost and afraid. Samuel had done so much for me and I repay him by slapping him across the face. Aren’t I the grateful young vampire?
Samuel spoke up from behind me. “You were upset. I’m not angry at you, Julia. Everyone loses control sometimes.”
He looked at Richard, raising a hand to keep me silent. “Richard, can you help Christy back to her room please?”
“Certainly,” Richard replied, getting up. He walked to Christy and helped her out of the room.
I answered Samuel’s question quietly. “I cannot afford to lose control. Not like that.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m afraid of what I’ll become.”
“Julia, you cannot be a brick wall all the time. You are fine,” Samuel said. He put his arms around me gently. “You are not like your husband.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” I muttered. “I hit you for no reason.”
“Don’t worry about it, Julia. One mistake does not mean you’re a bad person.”
I looked at him uncertainly. Samuel reached up and wiped the tears from my face. “Samuel, I’m afraid I will turn into my husband and I don’t want to. I cannot even seem to react to things properly. Richard’s news scares me as well.”
Lost Soul Page 16
