Sorcerers, Vampires and Memories

There are as many nights as days, and the one is just as long as the other in the year's course. Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word 'happy' would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. - Carl Jung

Alex was glad when his parents told him that they were headed to London for the day, for their plans coincided almost perfectly with his. So he saw them off at the door, listening dutifully to his mother as they left.

"Now remember to tell Erik," she said, "I'm sure he'll come back some time today."

"I will," he assured her.

"We'll be back by five o'clock," she continued, "so make sure that you're ready by then…oh I do hope he gets back before then. It would be very awkward if he has not returned for our guests."

"I'm sure he'll be back," Alex said, "have a safe trip and a good time."

"You too, dear," she said, kissing his cheek, "ta ta."

"Bye," Alex sighed, watching as they got into the carriage, and then as the carriage rattled off down the drive. Then he allowed the smile to leave his face and gave a heavy sigh of relief, "Finally!"

Erik ran his hand down the mare's neck as he closed the stall door. It was just past noon and he was glad to have had the night away from the estate. The environment there could be suffocating, so exploring the nearby areas had become a blessed relief from all of it. Far better than losing his temper again.

He walked up to the main house and opened the door to find Alex standing in the front hall. The young man started violently upon seeing him, "You-you're here, and out…in the sunlight!"

Erik raised his eyebrow, "Yes I am, young man. Contrary to popular belief I am a sorcerer, not a vampire. I can go out in the daytime and survive, I can enter a house without invitation and if you throw rice on the ground in front of me it will only serve to make a mess, nothing more."

"No, I'm sorry. You just surprised me…wait, rice? I always thought it was poppy seed."

"It can be either," Erik shrugged.

"Oh...umm, father wanted me to tell you that we will be having guests tonight," Alex said, "They were apparently interested in your work, or something."

"Ah, so I am expected to attend?" Erik asked.

"Yes."

"Well then he is lucky that I returned…perhaps I will go out again."

"But you won't."

"What makes you so sure of that?" Erik asked, "I could easily leave now and it would be as if I were never here. Besides, I have no patience for your father. He is a pompous idiot and I-" he stopped there, he mouth closing with an audible click of teeth, eyes focussing on a point just behind Alex, "who is that?"

A young woman had just entered the room, the smile that had been on her lips slowly fading as her dark eyes fell upon Erik. It flickered back uncertainly and she quickly brushed a strand of her dark hair behind her ear. Erik could feel his muscle's tense as she stepped forward, memories flooding into his mind.

'I want you to take off the mask'

'Please take the mask off'

'…I want you to take off the mask, do you hear me, Erik? I want you to take it off right now!'

"Erik, I would like you to meet Adrienne," Alex smiled, "Adrienne, this is Mister Erik."

Adrienne smiled at him, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mister Erik."

Erik opened his mouth to reply but found his throat oddly constricted and that no words would come out. So instead he closed his mouth and nodded numbly, a smile briefly tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Is something the matter?" she asked, a pretty frown forming on her face.

Erik could only shake his head, his mind racing for a way to escape.

"Maybe you could say something?" Alex suggested.

"Excuse me, Mademoiselle" Erik choked out, making his way to the stairs, "I must go."

"Wait," Adrienne called, causing him to turn around warily, "Alex and I were going to have a picnic lunch. You should join us."

"I can't," Erik replied.

It was not unusual for Erik's moods to change, Alex knew that, and most of the time it was nearly impossible to determine the source of the change. Now however he knew what it was and he watched as Erik's eyes filled with a strange panic, as if he were trapped some how.

"Have you taken ill?" Alex asked, worried by his friend's haunted eyes and ashen face, "you don't look well."

"You needn't concern yourself with my health," Erik muttered, his voice harsh and strained.

"Why don't you come outside?" Adrienne continued, "The fresh air will do you good."

"Non, c'est pas possible," he answered hurriedly, his hands beginning to tremble.

"Pour quoi pas?" she asked, catching him off guard.

"Adrienne," Alex murmured, "come, let him go to his room."

"Please join us?" Adrienne asked.

"I said no!" Erik snarled, fists clenched at his sides.

Adrienne stepped back, her eyes widening at his elevated voice. Alex touched his hand to her back, "Its fine, Erik, just go."

He turned to leave and Adrienne took a step forward, reaching out and grabbing gently at his sleeve, "I'm sorry if I-"

"Don't touch me!" he hissed, snatching his arm away and pulling it towards his chest

Adrienne staggered back, watching his motions as if he meant to hit her, "I-I'm sorry…"

Erik shook his head and allowed his shoulders to drop, "Don't be sorry…and don't be frightened, I would not hurt you. If you'll wait a moment I will join you for your picnic."

"You don't have to," she said softly.

"One minute," Erik repeated, climbing the stairs, "I'll meet you outside in one minute."

He was true to his word and they made their way slowly down to the pond on the property. Once there Alex spread out a blanket and he and Adrienne sat down on it. Erik seemed to hesitate for a moment before choosing his own spot several feet away, settling down neatly in the grass.

"Won't he want something to eat?" Adrienne asked quietly.

"No," Alex replied simply, "and if he does then he can come over here."

"Alright," she said, smiling a little.

A lazy hour passed before Adrienne ventured to move from the blanket. Erik had spent his time away from the two of them sketching quietly. She made sure to approach him slowly, watching as his eyes flickered towards her and then back to the page.

"That's very good," she commented, looking over his shoulder at the sketch.

"Thank you," he murmured, adding a few more details to the sketch.

"What is it of?" she asked, "It looks like a courtyard of some sort."

"It is the khoum's courtyard at the palace of Mazenderan," Erik answered.

"Mazenderan?" Adrienne repeated.

"Yes, it is in Persia…"

Adrienne watched as he added the final details to the scene: two men facing of, one dressed all in black with a mask obscuring his face, the other clutching at some sort of sword. With a quick flick of the wrist he added a thin rope in the hands of the masked man.

"He looks frightened," Adrienne noted, frowning at the man with the sword.

"Most people are frightened when they face Death," Erik said quietly.

Adrienne frowned, "Oh…"

"Yes," Erik murmured, "the 'Angel of Doom' struck fear into the hearts of all men."

"Have you ever been to Persia?" she asked.

"Yes, I lived there for a time," Erik answered, "as an architect…among other things."

"You worked in Persia?" Alex asked.

"Yes, I built an ingenious palace for the shah," Erik nodded, "it was a truly remarkable piece of architecture…too remarkable."

Alex watched as Erik slipped the sketch into his portfolio, "Would you show us the rest?"

Erik shrugged and pulled out several of his sketches and began flipping through them. There were many; some of his home under the opera, others of distant lands and some of subjects that he found interesting. There was one of a melting candle that Adrienne found interesting, and another of a skull that Alex seemed to like.

"These are all amazing," Adrienne sighed.

"Not all of them," Erik argued, "Many are far too rushed."

"What's this?" Alex asked, taking out a sheet of music.

Erik scowled and took the sheet from him, crumpling it in his hands, "It is nothing, young man."

"It looked like music," Adrienne said, "do you compose?"

"Once," Erik muttered.

"I used to play the piano," Adrienne said meekly, "but I can't say I was that good."

Erik shrugged, "Improvement only comes with practise."

"I never liked to practise," she admitted.

"Then it is no wonder that you weren't very good," Erik concluded, opening his hands and allowing a lick of flame to turn the paper into ash.

"Oh my!" Adrienne gasped.

Erik brushed the ashes from his hand, "A bit of magic."

"Excuse me, but could I ask a favour of you, Monsieur?"

"Yes, what is it, Mademoiselle?" he asked.

"Could you look me in the eyes when you speak to me?" she asked.

Erik nodded his head slowly, realising that he had been doing one of the things he hated to have done to him, "Yes, I apologise, Mademoiselle. It's just…you look very similar to a young woman I once had the misfortune of meeting."

"Well I'm not her," Adrienne pointed out.

"No, you are not," Erik murmured, trying to drag his eyes to meet hers, "and I am sorry."

"You're doing it again," she pointed out.

He nodded his head and finally pulled his eyes up to meet hers, "I am sorry. Tell me, Mademoiselle, do you miss France?"

"Very much so at times," she answered, "but I don't mind England. And you?"

"I miss parts of it," Erik said thoughtfully, "the language mostly. I also find England to be far too wet for my tastes, it is always raining here."

Adrienne gave a little laugh, "Yes, I guess it is."

Erik gave a small smile, allowing himself to observe her for a moment. She did look very much like Luciana, with the same raven coloured hair and dark eyes, but upon talking with her he could almost forget that, though he still remained wary of her.

"Where did you go last night, Erik?" Alex asked, pulling him away from his observations.

"Here and there," he answered, moving over to the pond and casually dipping his fingers into the cool water, "London."

Alex dipped his hand into the water as well, "Nice and cool…"

He glanced over at Erik then and a mischievous smiled graced his features. The man seemed to be in a good mood, trailing his thin fingers through the water peacefully. And the water wasn't really cold, in fact it was quite pleasant on such a warm afternoon.

There was only a loud splash and Adrienne's scream before both men disappeared into the water. Erik surface first, hand pressed to his mask as he looked down upon the water with smug pleasure. It was only when he stepped back that Alex surface, sputtering and gasping for air.

"My God! Were you trying to drown me?" he coughed, sloshing back onto the grass.

"Never," Erik answered, slicking his hair back, "though it might have been amusing."

"Amusing?" Alex gasped.

Erik gave a sharp laugh, "Well, I am quite refreshed. Aren't you, young man?"

"Oh yes,' he answered sarcastically, "a good drowning always refreshes me."

"I thought it might," Erik chortled, "well, I think that I shall go change into some dryer clothes. I hope you enjoy the rest of your afternoon."

Alex rolled his eyes and watched as Erik snatched up his portfolio and began his walk back to the house.

"I will see you later!" Erik called over his shoulder.

"He is a strange man," Adrienne commented.

"Indeed, he is a bit odd," Alex agreed, "but a good man, if you can get used to him."

"Do you want to go get changed?" she laughed.

Alex smiled and kissed her, "I think I would rather stay here for a little while longer."

A/N: Long chapter here, but still enjoyable I hope. Please drop me a review and I will update soon...hopefully.