P.S: I've made a note on my page, but I'm also going to make a quick note on my stories: as of 2/29/16
It has come to my attention that my links are not working. I took them all down, but I'm planning on putting them back up when I have time to find the links and post them.

Chapter 2: The Mystery Girl

(Alec's POV)

I was in my room lounging on my couch with my feet resting on the coffee table reading some random book. I wasn't even reading because my stupid mind kept wondering back to the mystery of the forbidden wing and what Caius is trying to keep secret and hidden…

"I think you're right," Jane said walking into my room unannounced closing the door behind her.

I hated it when people came into my room, but I hated it even more when the walk in without knocking. My sister was the only exception to this, but even at times I got annoyed at her for not knocking.

"Well hello to you too sister," I said putting my book down next to me while watching Jane take a seat on my bed across from me, "I usually am right, but about what this time?" I asked smirking at my dangerous twin.

Jane glared at me knowing full well that I was the one who what right the majority of the time. The glare I received was the same glare others got before she used her painful gift on them. However, Jane would never use her gift on me and I would never use mine on her so thankfully I didn't have to go running like Felix would.

"About Master Caius," she said after a minute softening her glare leaning back on my bed so she was resting with her hands behind her, "I think he is hiding something in that wing of his, but no one in the elite guard knows anything." She stopped smirking for a minute.

The poor members of the elite guard. I wondered what she to them to get the information she wanted just to receive nothing at all.

Weird those of us in the elite guard knew everything that went on in the castle. Well I guess not everything…

My sister seemed deep in thought so I decided to let her speak when she was ready. Finally after a few minutes Jane sighed standing up and heading towards the door.

"Master Marcus told you that this afternoon would be a perfect time to visit the private garden," she said opening the door, "maybe you should go, he might have been hinting at something." With that she smiled at me warmly, only I saw that smile, and disappeared down the halls. Probably to find that damn mate of her, Santiago, I believe his name was… If he wasn't her mate that boy would be looking for his body parts for years.

After debating for a while on what I should do I decide to head to the private gardens. This particular garden was built for the masters, their wives, and the elite guard. It's a place where we can get away and be alone.

When I reached the gated entrance I looked up to see that stupid lower guard member from yesterday standing in front of the large gate.

"Sorry Master Alec," he said, "but this garden is off limits for today."

Before I could tear off that idiot's head and kick it like an American football across the hall; the gate opened to reveal Master Marcus coming in from the garden.

"It's ok John," Marcus said putting a hand on the guard's shoulder, "Alec has my permission to enter." With that John nodded and went to stand by the gate once more.

Marcus swiftly came to me and whispered so John couldn't hear: "Now listen Alec," he said in a serious tone, "be nice, cautious, and try not to be scary. I'm giving you this one chance don't make me regret it." With a very stern look that I didn't know he was capable of giving he walked off in the direction of his wing.

What did he mean by that? For once I would like to get a straight answer form him, but he is the wisest of the three despite the fact that he speaks in riddle half the time, so I decided to follow his word.

Walking towards the gate I gave John my 'I'm going to tear you apart one of these days' look and walked into the garden.

(Garden Entrance Link)

After wondering around the garden under the sunless sky for what seemed like forever I decided to give up my curiosity and go find someone to train with just to have the excuse to attack someone. While walking back to the castle the afternoon breeze blew the scents of the garden all around me. I could pick up on lilacs, tulips, roses, and cherry blossoms…wait…

(Part of garden Alec is in Link)

I stopped dead in my track inhaling deeply…yup that's cherry blossoms there's only one problem…This garden didn't have any cherry blossoms in it.

Thanks to some of Demetri's advice on tracking I was able to pinpoint where the sent originated from. I quickly turned on my heel and sprinted towards the middle of the garden. When I got closer I slowed my pace to a quiet walk. Then as soon as the center of the garden came into view I froze in place at what I saw.

Sitting by the pond in the grass was, obviously, a vampire. She had long wavy black hair which ended just below her mid-back. Her skin was extremely pale just like the ancients or the Romanians. Except it look smooth and soft not powdery and withered. I couldn't see her face because her hair created a perfect wall to hide her face as she was reading.

(Pond)

The most noticeable thing about the girl was her dress. An old, yet beautiful, renaissance dress. The blue color seamed to make her skin look even more beautiful if that was possible. Looking over her I also noticed that she was sitting on her legs and she was barefooted.

(The Dress)

As I continued to stare at the mysterious creature in front of me realization hit me.

I had never seen this girl before in the castle. She wasn't one of the wives and she wasn't part of the elite guard so she shouldn't be here.

Taking a breath I slowly walked towards her expecting her to hear me approach. However, she was so engulfed in her book that she didn't even notice I was standing right by her. I took another deep breath and my mouth filled with venom instantly.

So she was the cherry blossom sent.

Finally deciding that it was time for her to leave I cleared my throat to gain her attention. Then when she looked up I wished I didn't.

Her bright red eyes locked with mine, but unlike my cold dead eyes; hers were filling with life but there was a hint of sadness and loneliness in them. Seeing her beautiful face I realized that she put that Rosalie Cullen to shame. This vampire was truly the most beautiful I had ever seen, and she looked no older than eighteen.

Noticing my stares she tucked her long hair behind her ear and stared back up at me with a soft, kind, yet lonely smile.

Swallowing away the venom that had filled my mouth I was preparing to speak to her like I do all others around the castle but then I remember what Marcus had told me.

"Now listen Alec and be nice, caution and try not to be scary. I'm giving you this one chance don't make me regret it."

Deciding to take his word I softened my look but still held my emotionless face as I spoke to her in a serious tone; "I believe you're in the wrong place this garden is private and is for elite guard members only or the masters and their wives. Since you are neither I'm afraid you will have to leave." I held out my hand to her, "here I will escorted you out." I finished in my hard dethatched tone.

She looked at my hand for a moment then locked her hypnotic eyes with mine once again. This time her smile was soft and friendly, but I still saw loneliness in her red eyes.

"Smile," she spoke in the most beautiful soft voice I had ever heard, "this day is too beautiful to be so serious." With one last look at my extended hand she returned to her book allowing her hair to fall over her shoulder once aging, hiding her face from my dumbfounded stare.

I was still frozen in my position from the sound of her voice. When I realized that I still had my hand extended towards her. Mentally slapping myself I quickly retreated my hand and folded my arms over my chest, narrowing my eyes at the girl. She continued to ignore me like I was never even here.

I loathed being ignored. So I quickly walked to where I was in front of her and stared down at her through my narrow eyes. Then I noticed that she was smirking in amusement. Was it at me? Or the book? She answered my question.

"You're a very persistent boy," she spoke softly looking up at me once again, her eyes dancing with amusement. She was laughing at me!

Wait! Boy?

Did she just call me a BOY?! I'm not a boy! I'm the most power and feared vampire in the world along with my sister. I'm an excellent fighter and have been with dozens of women. I am not a boy. I was frozen at eighteen for crying out loud!

Scowling at this infuriating girl in front of me I was about to show her why I'm feared when she giggle making my breathing stop. Her giggle was amazing and beautiful just like Jane's. I could listen to it for hundreds of years and never tire of it.

I mentally slapped myself again. 'Remember why you're here Alec…she called you a boy make her regret that.' My inner beast said.

Before I could though she had composed herself and spoke once again in her soft voice noticing my annoyance.

"If you wish to not be called 'boy' then name yourself and I shall never call you 'boy' again"

"Alec." I said in my harsh detached voice stilled annoyed.

"Alec." She said in a soft whisper trying out the sound of my name.

That is when the world stopped turning. The sound of my name on her lips made me forget my annoyance, why I was here, and hell everything else in the world was forgotten as well. The zombie apocalypse could be happing outside but I wouldn't have noticed.

Then she looked back at me and patted the spot next to her; "Join me down here and I can read to you" she said with a hopeful yet cautious look in her eyes.

Putting all my walls up determined to not show this girl any other side of me I slowly sat down next to her crossed legged. The book she was reading was Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

She started from the beginning and I quickly got lost in her angelic voice. Resting my arm on my leg and leaning my head in my hand, I listened to her soft voice reading over the words in the book sounding like music.

I was so lost in her voice that I barely noticed the sky darkening.

Finally, she finished the book and before I knew it she was standing in front of me. Instantly I noticed that she was about an inch bigger than Jane's height but at least three to four inches shorter than me.

"It was a pleasure meeting you Alec," she said with a small goodbye smile, "I enjoyed your company very much." Before I could process her farewell she was gone.

As soon as she left a wave of sadness and longing swept over me, but I couldn't understand why.

The lights in the garden had turned on due to the decent of the sun and the rising of the moon. I didn't notice though because I was too trapped in my own word and thoughts.

I haven't moved from my spot on the ground since she left. I just continued to stare at the fish swimming in the pond trying to make sense of today's events and these new emotions swimming around in my body.

I was so deep in thought that I actually jumped a foot in the air and narrowly avoided falling into the pond when someone poked me. Once I gained my composures I looked up to see my twin smiling at me trying so hard not to laugh at my reaction to her poke.

But alas she failed and fell into a fit a giggles. Jane laughing was always enough to make me truly smile.

Once my sister calmed down we sat in grass together facing the pond watching the fish in silence. I scooted behind her and undid her braided hair so I could play with her hair while I continued to process my thoughts.

Finally, after a few minutes I told her about my day and my encounter with that woman. I also told her about my emotions hoping she could help me understand them.

"Wow," she finally said after a few minutes of me finishing my story, "she sounds unreal. Are you sure you didn't imaging her?"

I rolled my eyes at her and begun to braid her long hair into a French style. "I'm sure" I said after a moment.

"So what is her name then?" Jane asked causing me to stop braiding her hair.

Did she tell me her name? Now that I think about it she never did…

"I don't know," I said finishing up Jane's hair. She turned and looked at me with an eyebrow raised.

I didn't need to read minds to know what my twin was thinking…and I would have to agree with her for once.

I must be an extreme idiot to have spent hours with this girl and not even know her name.

At least now I have something to keep me entertained…

Finding out who that mystery girl was.