Author's Note: So...HIYA! This chapter is now officially dedicated to winter051094after kicking and screaming and threatening bodily harm if I didn't finish this. I hope everyone enjoys this (though admittedly it isn't my favorite chapter) and as per request, the Italian translations are at the bottom. (Courtesy of Google Translate.)
Ch 8
It hadn't come as a huge shock when Felix requested that I stay in our rooms when he met his contact. He'd made a few promising arguments that all amounted to him trying to keep me out of danger, and ultimately caved when I told him that either I went with him or I followed a few steps behind. I was getting the feeling that maybe I shouldn't have told him my family was in danger.
Then again, I was glad that he seemed to share the same urgency that had been building up since last night. Just who had my mother pissed off?
His contact turned out to be a younger looking guy, maybe twenty with dark, longish hair and an air of menace. He greeted Felix with a warm smile, or what would have been if he didn't look like he wanted to kill something. Felix introduced him as Demetri, a business associate. I couldn't help but wonder what exactly he did in his line of work as I tried and failed to imagine him in a suit.
"It's good to see you again, Felix. I trust that you were successful."
"I was. My mission is completed. I have a favor to ask of you."
For whatever reason, I was getting the impression that this Demetri person was actually Felix's boss—or at least, someone to be cautious around. They both had the same antiquated way of speaking, and I was starting to think that everyone from Volterra spoke that way.
"I suppose it has something to do with the human quivering behind your back. What do you need from me?"
Human? Run out of mirrors, lately?
Felix didn't seem to think the remark was strange, rather he moved on as if he hadn't even noticed the wording.
"I need to find a couple of humans; this girl's parents. They've gone missing, and I need to find them soon."
"And you expect me to help? Why are you so concerned? Unless… You've fallen for the girl, haven't you?"
His tone was outraged, and maybe a bit bemused, though I didn't see why he should be feeling either of those emotions. Frankly, it was annoying me that he seemed intent on discussing me as if I wasn't present.
"Demetri…"
Said stranger's expression shifted into one of mirth and he looked from me to Felix and back again, and I felt chills runs across my spine even as I tried to follow the path of his gaze through his tinted glasses.
"She doesn't know." It wasn't a question. Demetri had stated a fact as if it was the most obvious thing in the world and the only thing I could think was 'Please tell me.'
And then another thought occurred. Do I even want to know?
"You haven't told her yet?"
Told me what?
Should I keep quiet? Should I go ahead and ask? Would Demetri tell me whatever it was and end the suspense? Again, did I even want to know?
"Felix, it's not nice to keep secrets. Should I tell her?"
Please tell me!
"That is not why I asked for your help. Will you assist me or not?"
Demetri waved his hand, the picture of tranquility. "Relax, my friend. I'll help you in your search, assuming Lord Aro has no objection when I inform him."
Felix nodded curtly, turning to me and gesturing for me to precede him. Before I'd taken more than a step, however, I heard him murmur a low warning to Demetri. "Tell her nothing," he said. "She won't find out the truth about us if I can help it."
I almost missed the words and yet, I was sure I'd heard correctly. He was hiding something from me? My immediate conclusion was about his secret 'mission' about which I knew nothing. Maybe Felix was the killer I'd been so worried about?
But he'd said 'the truth about us'. I had to believe that it was something else, but that's where I came to a blank. What kind of secret could keep him from (a) telling me anything too specific about his job, (b) getting too intimate with me as a couple, and (c) doing things without the consent of this 'Aro' person?
Maybe the 'us' he was talking about was his company. That would make sense if he and Demetri worked for the same people, so theoretically, that would make Aro their boss.
So was the company corrupt? But what would that have to do with 'falling for the girl' as he'd so eloquently put it? And what was with his condescending tone at the mention of anything human? His nose had wrinkled every time a little old lady or a small child had passed within five feet of our little street corner.
"You're thinking too hard, piccola."
"Why do you say that?"
Felix wasn't looking at me; his eyes were directed in front of us, looking intent on scaring everyone away. "I can tell, these things, dolce. Also, you're steaming."
Very funny…
I rolled my eyes at him, content to let my inner rambling cease for the moment. I'd still not managed to get Felix to kiss me again, something that I was sorely peeved by. "Why don't you just tell me what you're thinking so hard about then, Felix?"
"I'm not thinking about anything, really."
I stopped walking, crossing my arms in front of my chest and staring with narrowed eyes at the back of his retreating head. It wasn't long before he figured out that I wasn't walking with him anymore, and he turned around to stare at me, confused. The streetlights had turned on long ago, and his eyes looked especially dark, almost black, in the dim lighting.
"What is it, dolce?"
"Don't 'dolce' me. I thought you were going to stop lying to me, Felix."
"I am not lying, Hannah."
I felt my heart flip with the cadence of his voice, but I couldn't be distracted; this was important.
"Yes, Felix, you are. Right now. You're worried about something, and you aren't telling me. Should I go ask Demetri?"
He was in front of me before I could blink, breathing a bit heavily and leaning down into my face. His fingers gripped my wrist tightly, and I felt a shiver of something like fear run through me, warning me of the dangerous creature in front of me.
For a wild moment, I had the feeling that he'd kiss me. Surely, finally, he was going to give me what I'd been wanting.
"Do not speak to him without me nearby. Mai fidarsi di lui. Do you understand?"
I nodded, unable to speak with him glowering down at me. For a moment, maybe I was frightened. He could hurt me, if he really wanted to. But this was Felix! He'd never hurt me intentionally.
Felix released my arms, standing to his full height and looking away from me. Had he seen my fear? He seemed as though he no longer knew what to say to me. I had no idea what to say either. Other people walked around us, apparently not wanting to ask us to move for fear of my escort, yet making the experience even more awkward.
"Why don't we just go back to our room?"
He nodded, again refusing to look me in the eye, and took my hand to lead me back to our waiting cab. The ride back was entirely silent between us, even with the oblivious cabbie playing raunchy rap music. If that wasn't enough to make me feel awkward and ashamed of myself, the cab smelled like sex and old cigarettes. My cheeks flamed at the thought. Why was I even thinking about sex at a time like this?
And why had Felix reacted so violently when I mentioned Demetri? Was he jealous? But Felix wasn't the type to get jealous—he already knew how easily I fell under his control—so what was his real problem? Moreover, why was he trying to make me feel as though I'd done something wrong? Why was I the one feeling guilty for upsetting him? Why did he keep lying to me?
My frustration was building and when the cab parked I exited the vehicle, slamming my door in the process, much to the driver's disgruntlement. Felix probably apologized for me and paid the man extra, but I didn't feel like sticking around to find out. I had a plan to fulfill: get upstairs, lock myself in my room, and give him to silent treatment for the night until he either (a) gave in and kissed me or (b) gave in and told me what I wanted to know.
Apparently someone upstairs doesn't like me very much.
I made it to our floor and to the room before Felix, although I was practically running and he hadn't even broken a sweat (he'd taken the stairs). The problem occurred when I tried to open the door…and remembered that Felix had the door key. He didn't say anything when he opened the door, nor did he say anything when he let me enter first, though I thought I saw a bit of a smile on his lips when he gestured for me to go ahead.
I'm pretty sure he sensed my anger. That, or he just wanted an excuse to look at my butt.
"Would you like anything?"
"I'd like for you to tell me what's going on."
A sigh, and then, "You would not understand if I told you, dolce."
I wouldn't understand…?
"Oh, I understand perfectly. You don't want to tell me. You think I can't handle whatever it is, don't you? I bet you pity me! You're thinking 'she's just some poor, poor child with a crappy family that I have to deal with'. Well, you know what? If that's what you're thinking, then you can just say—"
"Essere tranquillo, per favore."
He was in my face again, but this time he didn't look as menacing. In fact, his eyes seemed calmer—no longer empty and cold but filled with a dark shade of passion. His hand was gentle as he cupped my face, leaning closer—almost letting me touch his lips with mine. His breath ghosted across my cheek before he kissed the corner of my mouth, pulling me up and inward to his body.
"You won't believe me when I tell you. You won't want me anywhere near you. You will be completely disincantato. Non voglio dirtelo, ma… Are you sure that you want to know?"
Of course I wanted to know, didn't I? What could I say if he was a serial killer? 'Oh, that's alright, we can work through your problems.' Yeah right…
"Tell me." I'm crazy, aren't I?
He looked a bit depressed as he pulled away. Another sigh, and then: "Promise me that you'll listen fully."
"Yeah, sure."
"I am serious, dolce. Non scherzare ció che potrebbe presto ci separano."
"I promise." I crossed my heart as a sign of my seriousness.
Felix led me to the couch and sat me down, only succeeding in scaring me where he'd probably planned to calm me down. "I'm a vampire."
So much for easing me into the situation. "I'm sorry, I don't think I heard you right."
"You did, dolce. I am a vampire. I was born in Germany in 1854, but my mother died during childbirth and my father soon after. I lived most of my life in England with my uncle until I was twenty and decided that I wanted to travel. Soon after, I ended up in Italy, near Volterra, where I met a man who eventually turned me into what I am now. He was a deceptively young looking man who disappeared after accidently turning me.
Many years later, after I'd returned to England and discovered my real nature, I found him again. I have to admit that I almost killed him then, for condemning me to a worthless existence such as I'd found, but he led me to the Volturi, and I spared his life. For decades I've been serving them as bodyguard, spy, and enforcer. I don't regret any of this, except that I've lived a very long life and not all of it is filled with good things. You look as though you are having trouble breathing. Should I get you some water?"
Felix is a vampire. Felix is a vampire. Felix thinks he's a vampire. Oh god, why can't he be a serial killer?
"I don't need any water." I need a straight jacket and a long needle.
He looked sad, as though he was a puppy that'd just been kicked. "You don't believe that I am a vampire."
"Would you?" He's perceptive.
He smiled, only slightly, but it was the first smile I'd seen on his face for several hours. "True, but perhaps it requires a leap of faith."
"I suppose." When did I start considering the possibility that he could be telling me the truth? Vampire? It's not possible! I refused to acknowledge the reminder that I'd dreamed of him with blood covering his face and hands. There was no such thing as vampires.
"Hannah, please remember. Think back over the time that we've been together."
He wanted me to remember? Remember what? What did I know of vampires? They didn't go out in sunlight, but I'd walked with Felix beside the airport at noon. They didn't sleep, but he'd said he'd slept on the plane. They didn't eat anything either, but Felix had eaten, hadn't he?
No, he hadn't. In the time we'd been together, I hadn't seen him sleep or eat anything, and he'd barely touched the coffee at the IHOP. So, could it be true? The possibility of vampires?
"You're asking me to believe that you're a mythical creature that… Wait, do you… I mean…" How am I supposed to ask if he wants to drink my blood? He had grazed my neck earlier. Maybe biting was a part of sex for him? And how did one go about becoming a vampire?
The questions kept coming at me, but Felix's expression appeared strained. "I drink human blood."
I think my heart stopped when I heard his words. No, I'm sure it did. I'm also sure that I could've screamed, had he not thoughtfully placed his hand over my mouth to stop me. "You…drink…" I couldn't even finish my sentence when he released me.
Oh god. Oh god. Oh god.
"Did you kill all of those people? The ones in the hospital?"
His eyes darkened even further, if that was possible. "I killed two; the vampire hunting innocents in that place and the human who'd found out about us."
"You're saying that was your mission; to hunt down a vampire?"
He nodded once, seemingly pleased with my speedy conclusion. I was still wrapping my head around the idea of him killing anyone, let alone another vampire. "He'd gone rogue and broken the laws of the Volturi. I was assigned to stop him and end him. I told you, I am an enforcer."
"Gone rogue, as in…?"
"Killing indiscriminately is against the law of the Volturi, our ruling class."
"So you were just giving the death sentence to a criminal?"
Again, his answer was a nod. I could almost accept that; after all, humans gave humans the death penalty for killing humans. Vampires were just less strict about it. It made sense in an odd sort of way. Then again…
"Why did you kill the man?"
"He knew about us immortals. That is forbidden for humans."
"Felix…" I was human and he was telling me…
I'm about to die.
"You have a choice, piccola. You can become one of us or… I will have to kill you."
Oh. My. God.
"What the hell? Don't you think you could've given me that choice before you gave me the story? What kind of an ultimatum is that? What if I don't like either of those choices? What kind of selfish person gives an offer like that?"
I'd stood up and begun pacing, beyond pissed at this point. He'd told me his life was lonely and worthless. He'd told me that he lived by sucking blood, possibly killing people, and his job was to kill vampires and humans for whatever reason the 'Volturi' threw out, yet he wanted me to be like him? I don't think so!
And yet…
It meant I would be with him forever. I wouldn't die. I could find my mother and sister and protect them from whoever was trying to kill them. I would have my entire life—till the end of the world—to spend exploring the world and—best of all—getting to know the man that I was pretty sure I'd fallen in love with.
But did the perks outweigh the cons? Did I really want to base my decision off of my desire to be with a guy—something that reeked of a move my mother would've made—and how did I even know whether or not I'd really fallen for him? How was I supposed to know?
What should I have done when my only alternative was death?
I officially had no doubts. Everything he'd said so far made more sense than anything else I'd told myself so far, and I couldn't keep lying.
"And if I say yes? What happens then?"
At first, he seemed as though he wouldn't say anything. "Then I will bite you."
"And that's how you turn me? Just one bite?"
"Yes, piccola. It only takes one bite."
I cringed; I hated the sight of blood. "Does it hurt?"
"The pain is incredible."
I barked out a laugh. "I appreciate the honesty, but that's probably not the best way to get me to agree."
He smiled gently, almost sadly at me. "We would have come to this point eventually; I only wish it had come later. I do not want you to regret your decision, whatever it is."
It's not like the promise of excruciating pain enticed me or anything, though it did solidify my decision in my head. I'm dying right now, even as I sit here and deliberate. There's no point to any of it. I want to stay here. I don't want to die yet.
Finally, I nodded affirmatively, my mouth set in a grim line as I closed my eyes and stretched out my neck, awaiting the sharp prick of his teeth, only to be met by a soft chuckling. Opening my eyes, I saw his, glistening black, staring right at me. "The process takes a few days, dolce. We should probably wait."
I shook my head, feeling my platinum hair swish across my back. "I can't wait, Felix. I could die tomorrow and then we'd lose out, all because I hesitated."
"You're rushing, piccola. Io non voglio che tu mi odi. Please be sure."
"I am sure, Felix. We need to do this."
His only reply was to kiss my lips sweetly, silently, without urgency or hesitation. His skin was soft against my own, his taste exquisite, and all that was left for me was to close my eyes and surrender to the bliss he promised to give.
Piccola- "small"
Dolce- "sweet"
Mai fidarsi di lui- "Don't trust him."
Essere tranquillo, per favore- "Be quiet, please."
disincantato- "disenchanted"
Non voglio dirtelo, ma- "I don't want to tell you, but..."
Non scherzare ció che potrebbe presto ci separano- "Do not joke about that which might soon separate us."
Io non voglio che tu mi odi- "I don't want you to hate me."
So what'd you think? For those of you who aren't into reading rated M material, I suggest you skip the next chapter as it will be entirely that. The story rating is going to change, but only for #9, and you won't miss anything but citrus-y goodness if you don't read.
But I want you to. just sayin.
