Damien was gone.
Zane had gone back to the alley as soon as Sierra was safely inside of her apartment. He had been able to move more quickly when he was alone, though he missed Sierra and her refreshing points of view already. He had not been gone more that fifteen minutes, and Damien had not been supposed to awaken for at least another half hour.
Zane stiffened. He felt… there. The taint of evil was unusually strong in this place, and when he inhaled, the scent of vampire was everywhere, in places intermixing with the scent of the abusive human male. Zane cursed. The vampire had taken Damien off to its lair. Most likely, the vampire had witnessed the entire scene in the alleyway, and knew that it could use Damien to endanger Sierra, thus drawing Zane out into the open.
The vampire would not make its move tonight, it would wait until another time, when the sun was just beginning to set, and then it would set Damien free, the same Damien whom had threatened to get even with Sierra.
Zane needed a way to keep in touch with Sierra during the day, and there was no such thing as an underground pay phone. He had to get to a place that sold cellular phones, but it was nearing midnight. He must move quickly, or likely risk putting Sierra in danger. As a Carpathian male, the very thought was abhorrent to him.
Zane walked out to a main street and wandered, searching for an open store. It didn't take very long. After all, this was a city, and a major one at that. Eventually, Zane walked out of the Radio Shack with a brand new cell phone, complete with plan. When he had helped Sierra stand up, he had noted the slight calluses on the edges of her thumbs, which indicated that she texted a significant amount. Part of Zane's new plan was unlimited texting.
The first thing Zane did was to pull out his phone and the number Sierra had given him. As soon as her cell phone number was entered in his phone, he typed out a quick text, following the instructions the teenaged clerk had given him after she was done looking at him as though he was an idiot.
Five minutes passed, and then ten. Zane started to worry, but then noted the time: two thirty in the morning. Most likely, Sierra had long gone to bed. Well, at least the text would be waiting for her when she awoke the next morning. She would write him back, he was certain of it. However, he needed to go feed for the night, and then get home. Maybe he could sleep for a while until Sierra texted him back.
The morning was bright when Sierra woke up. Birds were chirping, there was a slight breeze, and she didn't have to work today. Best of all, she had gotten rid of Damien last night, and had met Zane. The few thoughts Sierra was having all told her to have fun today and relax. Tomorrow was an early work morning.
Sierra's parents had left her a significant amount of money, enough that she could buy a really nice, really big house and all of the fixings for it. However, Sierra had been young when they had passed, and an apartment suited her better than a house. In the six years since their deaths, Sierra had worked hard, lived below her means, and made a few important stock market decisions. Now twenty-five years old, she had tripled the amount her parents had left, and really never needed to work again. But Sierra was more the type to work and have a nest egg for the hard times. What could she say? Sierra had a problem with being helpless.
The cell phone that Sierra had left lying on her bedside table let out a soft beep, indicating that Sierra had a text message. She picked up the phone and pressed the buttons that would show the message.
Good evening, my darling Sierra. I have acquired a new cell phone. If you do not know who this is, I shall be very upset with you. When you get the chance, please do message me back.
Sierra smiled to herself. Zane was so formal, it was a wonder he ever really said anything instead of just a lot of fluffy nonsense. It would be up to her to teach him about the texting language.
Zane was startled awake by a buzzing noise. He rolled off of the bed and landed in a crouch, glancing around. Nothing seemed wrong, but what had that horrible noise been? Something on the floor of the other side of the bed began to glow brightly. Squinting, Zane walked carefully around the bed, and found that it was his phone. It was set to vibrate when it received a new text. He smiled as he realized that Sierra had finally texted him back, but the smile quickly turned to a frown. What kind of strange code was this message written in?
Hey. 'Sup? Fast job w/the nw phn. I knw this is Zane. Msg me back.
Giving up on deciphering the message, Zane concentrated on typing out a new message.
As her phone beeped, Sierra grinned. How had he liked her exaggerated texting language?
I apologize, but I fear I am not quite as accomplished at texting as you are. Perhaps you could help me? When can we get together for our first texting lesson?
The man was incorrigible. What to write now?
The cell phone buzzed again, but this time, Zane was prepared. He only jumped slightly, and almost knew which buttons to press to see Sierra's latest message. He hoped that she took the hint and would agree to go out with him tonight. He needed to get her away from her apartment in case Damien struck tonight.
Lol. I thnk ur hlpless txtng! :P Do u wanna go sumwhr 2nght?
How frustrating! Zane got the distinct impression she was laughing at him, but he did not know for sure. He also did not know if she had accepted his offer to go out tonight. Sighing, he let his head dangle off to the side. Wait a second… The colon and the capital 'p' looked like a little face at this angle! A face sticking out its tongue. Maybe this was how texting worked. He obligingly turned the phone sideways. No, this did not work any better. Sighing, Zane decided to try his best.
Sierra was almost to the point where she was going to take mercy on Zane. After all, the poor guy really didn't know anything about texting. Another beep was emitted by the phone, and she opened the text up on the screen.
I do not understand what you are saying. Perhaps that was an order for me to beg your hand in marriage? I do not know, however, if I do not understand the next text, I will not hesitate to ask you to marry me, and it will be in a very public place.
Gaping at the thinly veiled, high-handed threat, Sierra texted back as quickly as she could.
Zane smirked as he opened the text message. It had not taken long at all for Sierra to respond that time. Plus, this way he could find out how open she would be to a relationship between the two of them.
You monster! Fine then, I asked if you wanted to meet somewhere tonight. Marriage is a little high for an aspiration right now; I think an actual date somewhere in there would be appropriate.
That was better. And it appeared that Sierra was open to a date with him. Zane knew that he may not get another chance, so this date must be spectacular.
Sierra braced herself as yet another text was received. Holding her breath, she accepted and opened it. After reading it, she gave a little gasp. Zane had texted her the address for an extremely classy, extremely fancy restaurant. Damien never would have done something like that.
Another soft beep came from the phone that she still held in her shocked grasp. The newest text said,
By any chance, do you own a gown you could wear tonight? If not, I would be happy to pay for your new dress.
Snorting ungracefully to herself, Sierra typed a quick response.
Zane opened his newest text from Sierra.
Thanks, but I'll just get one myself. I've needed a fancy gown for a while now.
Zane frowned, now wanting for her to have to pay for a gown herself because of his date idea, but if her independence demanded that she do so, he would allow her to buy her own clothing. He wrote another message and sent it to her.
After she was done getting dressed, Sierra perched in her favorite chair and checked her cell phone. Sure enough, there was a new message from Zane.
As nice as it is that I finally got you to write your words in English, I must admit, I grow tired of this type of communication. Would you allow me to call you?
Sierra typed back what was probably the shortest text she had ever sent.
Yes.
The single-word answer to Zane's request filled him with joy. Thus far, Sierra had been agreeable to his advances, small as they may be. He very much hoped the trend continued.
Breathlessly, Zane dialed the now-familiar number and waited for Sierra to pick up.
"Hello?" Her voice was slightly curious, which confused Zane, as he had been sure she had known who was calling.
"Sierra? It is me, Zane."
"Hi, Zane. What's up?"
Sierra's voice sounded stiff and uncomfortable. Zane rushed to tell her what he had hoped would come out at a more convenient time. "I have awoken, and all of my thoughts were filled with you. I cannot tell you how happy I am that you agreed to talk to me." Zane winced. That may have been giving a little too much of himself away. He hoped she wouldn't shy away from his accidental intensity.
"Of course! I love talking to you; it's just that I haven't talked to many men on the phone. I don't seem to be very good at it. I was thinking of you, too." Her voice wreaked havoc on his senses, filling his mind and soul with the happiness of knowing his lifemate. He was also happy that she had not gotten to know many others. Competition was never a good thing, not that he was not confident.
"I think you are wonderful to talk to on the telephone. Other men do not know what they are missing."
A soft laugh echoed its way to him. When she spoke, Sierra's voice was lowered in a conspirators whisper. "Let's keep it between us, though. Okay?"
He chuckled back. "All right. I would not share you with anyone, so you do not have to worry about that."
Sierra tried to take the comment as lightly as it was intended, but the relationship she had just gotten out of wouldn't let her do that. She shuddered silently, and heard Zane's deep, comforting voice speaking once again.
"Oh, Sierra, I apologize. You probably do not want to hear that, considering what you went through last night."
She was quiet for another second, and then said, "It's just hard to get past. I'll be okay in a little bit."
When Zane next spoke, his voice was filled with pride. "I know you will, love. You are an amazingly strong person. I am sure that you will bounce back from that incident and be as good as new in no time at all. I admire you for your strength and resilience. But let us speak of other things for now. You do not need to relive the occurrences of last night at this moment."
How had he known? She was reliving last night even as he spoke, but he was right. Agonizing over last night would do nothing now. She made an effort to change the subject. "I wouldn't expect someone with the last name Von Shrieder to have a first name like Zane," Sierra observed. "Is it a nickname?"
Zane sighed. "I had hoped that we would not come to this subject so soon. The name Zane is hard to explain, but if you want to know, I will tell you. You are right. Zane is not my true first name. My first name is really Alakzandir. I came to the nickname 'Zane' because, spoken in my mother's accent, my name sounds like 'Alek-zane-der'. That is why I call myself Zane. It is much easier to say than Alakzandir, do you not agree?"
"Yeah," Sierra said. "I can see why you have that nickname now. Do your siblings have such colorful names?"
"I have no siblings, but growing up, I was very close to my cousins. Their names are Nicolae and Vikirnoff."
"Wow," Sierra sounded impressed. "Nicolae isn't so bad, but Vikirnoff? There aren't any good nicknames for that, is there?"
Zane's voice sounded a little darker as he answered, but he was still polite. "His life…wife calls him Vik, but he does not like that. He says it is not dignified."
Sierra laughed. "I suppose it isn't. What's his wife like?"
"Well, her name is Natalya. She is Vikirnoff's little tiger. She is very fierce and protective, and likes to watch movies, as well as quote them from time to time. Poor Vikirnoff often does not know what she is saying."
Sierra laughed again. "That must be funny to see. And is Nicolae married, too?"
Once again, Zane's voice sounded a shade menacing, but Sierra tried to ignore it. "Yes, Nicolae has a… wife. Her name is Destiny. Destiny is a very strong person; she lived with a very painful disease for most of her life. With Nicolae's help, she has been treated, and now lives a pain-free life."
"Aww," Sierra said, "that's so sweet. Both of your cousins sound nice, but I doubt they could compare to you. Speaking of you, I have to get going if I'm going to buy a dress for tonight. What time should we meet at the restaurant?"
Zane paused, and when he spoke, his voice was slightly puzzled at the rapid subject change, yet amused. "Shall I pick you up at seven?"
It was rather late to be picked up, but Sierra did want to see Zane tonight, so she agreed. "Yes, that will be fine. Are you going to dress up too, or am I going to feel stupidly overdressed?"
"You should never feel stupid about anything you do, Sierra, and you don't have to worry, I am going to dress up as well. I will see you tonight."
Oddly enough, Sierra didn't want the conversation to end. However, she really did have to get going. "Okay, see you. Bye."
"Goodbye, love." Zane's voice made it even harder to take the phone away from her ear and press end, but she managed.
Resting her hands in her lap, Sierra stared blankly at the wall. What on Earth was wrong with her? She usually wasn't attracted to men, and on the few occasions she was, she was never comfortable enough with them to have a conversation, at least not one that she didn't want to end almost immediately. Oh, well. She had to go shop for a dress to wear tonight.