Friendships
I decided to wait until Heather has reached the age of twenty, so that way, we can be the same age. It would also help me learn to control myself, so I have what it takes to control myself when I tasted her blood. It would be hard, but it was something vampires mastered. Carlisle did, despite never having tasted human blood in his life. Jasper's friend, Peter stopped in the middle of feeding to let the change take coarse. So it had to be a lot easier than it seemed. That meant I had to wait two and a half years. After eight centuries two years seemed rather small, but two and half years can be vital to a human. The pressure to insure that she doesn't get sick, or she doesn't get in a car crash, or that she doesn't stay underwater long, or she doesn't get struck by lightning; thirty months seemed like a lot, but being a fighter, I was sure this was something I could do. It would be watching her, for three days in pain that would be hard. I was wondering if I could handle her being a newborn; that also seemed hard. Yet, Bella was a newborn and she was alright.
"Felix, you got something." Rosalie yelled.
I was preparing for the school fieldtrip to Vancouver that Esme helped organized it. I originally didn't plan to go because Heather said the end of the year trips were stupid, and saw no point in going. Then someone anonymously paid for her fee making her become instantly excited and looking forward to it, that made me want to go too. I finished packing for her around four, on Thursday; then I went down hoping I got a letter of apology written from Demetri. I had been friends with him, at his back for six hundred years, the only time I can't make it; he shuts me out. If he had a mate he would understand, part of me felt our over half a millennium of being best friends was my fault because he has done things for me as well, but I needed to be Heather's best friend now, and hope that he finds a mate to be best friends with as well.
"That's the UPS man," Alice said as Emmett went to answer the door when I came down to join the rest of the coven. We smelled two scents, Carlisle looked around as we smelled two floral scents; earlier Alice had mentioned one of Carlisle's friends coming with a mate. She didn't mention his name, because he wanted to surprise him. Carlisle respected those wishes by not asking. They were waiting somewhere until the UPS man at the door left.
"We have three deliveries, one for Carlisle Cullen, another for Rosalie Hale and one for the Cullen family," the man explained coming in.
"I'm Rosalie," Rosalie came forward as the man handed her a small rectangular shaped package.
"It's from them," She smiled towards Emmett as she sat, and awed at the next thing coming in.
The man then brought in a large rolled up rug, and put it in Carlisle's arms.
"This is from a 'He-Cat Y-p-o-k-o-s-m-o-s' I ain't even going to pronounce it. Same address as her package."
"Ypokosmos, Greek for Underworld," I explained as Carlisle nodded.
"And this," the man set a large box, that clattered when it sat down, with a verity of scents coming through the air.
"For the Cullen Family, from the Ye-poke-moses. Sign and we will be on our way." Carlisle signed for the packages as the man left.
"Felix, what is this?" Carlisle asked as he took the package and unrolled a large rug.
"It's a peace offering, to your coven," I explained as Carlisle opened the box filled with red clay bottles with black animals on them, it was the kind of bottles normally found in a museum at the Ancient Greek Exhibits. He took one with a lion, and opened it up to smell it. "Its blood; each of them have refrigeration directions, something we never had to use before."
"Felix, you got a letter," Alice said handing it to me from the package. It was another one from Jane. I wrote to her about Alec calling and about as Heather as well. I put it in my pocket as the family went through the blood, and Rosalie opened a package to find a picture album and her mother's pearl necklace as well as two letters.
"These are from their wives," she smiled excitedly, "Nikki plans to call tonight, he was only in the fifth grade last time I saw him."
I looked over to see Carlisle with a letter. "Before you read it, ask me what I need to do to accept this friendship offering."
"Send her a gift, then a gift from the entire coven to their coven." I explained as the door bell rang. It was probably them, I went up to put my letter from Jane in a bag, then check my email. Demetri had not sent me anything to say he was sorry for not understanding. Why is he being so stubborn? I sighed and went back down, not wanting to have to wait another second to see Heather once again.
Heather was my life, she was the exact opposite of the immortal woman Demetri and I would chase after in Europe. For most of my life I had been surrounded by women of superior beauty. Women with smooth marvel skin, that had hourglasses as bodies, their breast showing in their lace dresses, all pronouncing their immortal beauty. Women with faces that would caused car crashes from the human men driving by, with soft graceful cheeks and enchanting eyes that would swoon at one mention of being part of the Volturi guard. Women, who were smart, traveled the world ten or twenty times that could recite any play or poem. They would often come to Volterra showing off the jewels and riches collected from their feedings, and 'the black market'. They were strong, some survived the wars of the South, lost mates, and watched their covens slaughtered yet held it through. Some had stories about becoming vampires that gave anyone chills, yet still wanted to use me for a good time. Some could lift five or ten cars like it was picking up a sack of fathers. These were the women who would surround me, often admiring my muscles begging me to take them. It has never worked out beyond that weekend, or beyond that one night, which should have been saying something.
Then after a short few months of living a life I never thought I'd lead. I meet this girl, with a bean pole body, who wore both braces and glasses, had acne, and frizzled hair. She has never been beyond the State of Washington, except once with her father, and that ended in him being arrested. She has not a penny to her name, and not an item that wasn't previously owned. She has a hard time handling high school and completely unsure on what she wants. She gets embarrassed at the drop of a hat, and has way too much stress to even enjoy a board game. She also sees me nothing more than a shield and only asked for my protection, yet she has become my soul reason of existence.
Heather was the exact opposite of the females I have had before, she did not have the personality of any of my friends with benefits, of course that never had worked out with them. Like Ilona Pointatowski of the Orlicke Hory Mountain Coven, formally of a nomadic coven until her creator found a mate and formed another coven with her. She was an immortal woman from Poland, and had a gift of being liked by all. The first time she stole my wallet, Demetri went to get it back. That was when she had a one-night stand with him. We saw each other often through the centuries; Chelsea could never break the ties she had with her creator, and found it near impossible to even touch the loyalty her creator had towards her. The last time was when we were gathering witness against the Cullens. She said no for three reasons, Marcus had told the leader of her old coven to remain in Europe, which was strange because he seemed anxious to help the Volturi, and later changed his mind after Marcus talked with him. Another was because her brother's friend warned her about the whereabouts on someone on the other side, and that had her worried for a life of someone she never met. Then finally, Irina asked to keep her present coven out, calming it would be too emotional to watch the fight for her creator's mate. I thought that was strange, but anyway after one last round I went back to searching for more vampires. I wanted to be her mate, but we could never get that attachment for each other, she was also very honest in not feeling the same way.
Now, she was at the Cullen's door, with a tall dark hair vampire's arms around her, shielding her in a protective manner, indicating right away, he was able to be her mate, something many vampires I know tried to accomplished but failed. Something I tried to be, but wasn't successful. I wondered what he said to convince her, how long did he chase after her. Ilona stood next to him, proudly, with her sunshine blonde hair, pulled in a bun, wearing jeans and a tight blue sweater, something different from her short skirts, and low cut tops.
"Alistair," Carlisle said a little shock, as he shook his hand. "This is a surprise." I notice the Cullens part in two directions, like most people did when she walked into a room. I could tell she was nervous the way she looked up towards me.
"Hi, Carlisle, I came to make up for abandoning you, and introduced you to someone." He said quickly as she stepped forward. "This is Ilona Pointatowski...my mate." It was clear he was grateful to have her heart. It was one many of the Volturi guard had tried to earn, yet failed to do so. I thought of saying something, but if I came with Heather, wrapped around my arm the way she was with this Alistair and she was there. I wouldn't want her to come down causing discomfort. I smiled, she smiled back and I went to pick up Heather. As she introduced herself, it seemed her English has approved a bit since last time I talked with her. I wondered how long this Alistair chased after her until she agreed.
Heather worked at a tiny grocery store near the school. I drove up with my car, and liked we plan I went in to get her. I notice she was checking a customer out. She was rather rude to Heather; I couldn't help it but let out a small hiss as she told Heather she doesn't know what she was doing. After the bitch left, Heather looked up and smiled at me taking off her apron.
"Come with me to the back," She smiled happily as I followed her to a door that said 'Employees only'. Two minutes later she came out and led me to the snack isle. It felt a little strange being in a grocery store, she smiled as she picked up a box filled with these things called 'Snow Caps'.
"What would you like?" Heather asked as she held a small basket.
"For…?" I asked.
"The trip, I brought a bag with me, figured we can fill it with our favorite snacks so we don't get hungry." She explained.
"I don't like snacks," I answered as she gave me a strange look.
"Everyone likes snacks," Heather said stunned. "It's a long bus ride; you're going to get hungry."
"I doubt it," I answered firmly, "but how about you pick out some for me."
"Okay," She said giving me a strange look. "I do have to admit, never met a guy that didn't like snacks."
"I can pay for it," I assured her.
"Are you sure?" She asked.
'Only been saving money for the last eight centuries, and very rarely spent it.' I thought to myself. "Yes, I am sure," I said as I led her to the checkout line and drove her to the bus where a great number of students were already waiting.
Some of these people, I just can't relate too. It was hard for me to consider myself as one of them. Going from a knight, to almost-lord, to a vampire, to an executor, and now a student; in which it was a very hard task to handle. Yet, the Cullens had asked me to go to school, and graduate from high school. So as much as standing in a crowd with these air-heads, like Brittney Snow and her little gang that was checking each other's hair to look absolutely perfect. Or, Missy who had a streak of purple hair and wore all black, trying to act tough with that big ugly noise ring that was smack in the middle of her face looking like a silver wart. She showed up drunk, Esme had to call Charlie and have him come and take her from the trip. She acted all cool getting arrested. I was pretty sure, Kelly, who was half of Missy's size could take her on.
Jasper dropped off Kelly, who was going on the eighth graders trip to Portland; also by an anonymous donor. Unlike Heather, I knew who the anonymous donors are; it was Jasper's friends who stole money so they can pay for her trip. They planned to watch her that day in order to get to know her. They were planning to change her when she was eighteen, simply because the French wanted to change her when she was twenty. It was like a vampire completion, and Jasper had taken sides with them. I think the three got a little offended when Aldric said how those created for newborn armies were a waist of venom, making Jasper more than happy to watch Kelly for them. They never mentioned their creator, or sister was killed by solders in the south.
The bus had come, and Amber was having a conversion with Esme about breaking up with Alan. Esme was hoping for that, because Alan didn't want Amber to go to college. She also told Esme she wanted to be a nurse, so Esme arranged with Carlisle for Amber to volunteer. Amber's parents dropped her off, coming in an old beat-out car to meet the famous Mrs. Cullen that has done so much for their daughter. All she did was convince Amber to break up with her loser boyfriend and become a nurse. They seemed to be grateful that Esme had inspired their daughter so much.
We got on the charter bus; I sat next to Heather as another car showed up late. I then felt a foal stench as Leah Clearwater came in a nice car, with kakis and a nice shirt that made Heather shake her head and turned. Seth then got on the bus, shook Jasper's hand as Mrs. Coller collected him and Natalie's permission slips. They then took a seat behind us.
"Guess who paid for Natalie." Heather whispered. "I just hope she doesn't get too depended and he breaks her heart."
"She's smart, Seth's a good guy." I said as I helped her get comfortable.
"Speaking of heart breakers, look whose here." Heather whispered. I looked over to see Ethan come on the bus, he smiled at Heather, and with a wink he sat down in front of us.
"You're going to be mine by the end of this trip," Ethan said to himself, I snarled back in a voice low enough for vampires to hear, "Back down buddy, turning twenty, she's spoken for." I notice Jasper and Esme turned to look at me when I said that.
"Alright, everyone's here; let me explain what's going on." Mr. Helpler started as soon as he finished Ethan looked over to her sleeking his hair, smiling at her.
"Long time no see eh? Missed ya…" He said with a smile that made me want to punch him.
"Then why did you break up with me?" Heather asked annoyed.
"I thought you didn't have time for me." Ethan backed up.
"My Mom was released from prison, of course I was occupied." Heather said as I heard a hiss. I looked over to see Natalie obviously disapproving of him.
"I'm sorry, I should have understood." Ethan said as I heard a human coming up. I looked up to see Tiffany Newton with a color guard magazine. That distracted her, making Ethan face front and watch the movie Mr. Tolteo picked out. It was an hour after driving Heather was asleep on my arm. I went to open my letter, reading in the dark night.
Dear Felix,
Well, to start off, I got your letter about Alec. I do not know what that was about, because I talked to him and he was in Volterra. So you were half right about him, he was in Volterra; but he wasn't mad at me. He was just depressed. Well, that's how he sounded. I just hung up with him; I could tell something was wrong. I will get to that later, I want the Cullens to do a favor for me. I think it would sound better coming from you with my history with them.
Anyway to start this letter off Caius ruins everything. It's his prejudice against werewolves, and the law that says we must kill them. It doesn't protect vampires at all, just makes us more ignorant. To explain, I am going to start off were I left my last letter.
Well, after I mailed it, we had a little run in with the coven of vampires that is putting electricity on the island. Beyza was right, they do have a prejudice against werewolves, like most vampires. I found myself defending them (and I did not use my powers). I think knowing it was there, that made them back off. Then one of them called Beyza a dog toy, and acted like it was so dangerous when Alexander attack. If he was a vampire, the reaction would have been perfectly normal.
Luckily, Fred, who they call the newborn which he really is not, they just joke because he thought it was such an accomplishment when he said he's been a vampire a year and a half last time they met. Then found out Hecate living for four millenniums. Anyway, when he came to his brothers, they started going off on all these stereotypes we have of werewolves. How they are uncivilized, incapable of learning and how vampires are must do what it takes to avoid these creatures. I notice Fred nodded and looked towards me as I rolled my eyes, it seemed the Hales were use to this treatment from vampires. He mouthed to me 'It's not true is it'. I smiled shaking my head.
'Is it common for vampires to believe this?' he mouthed. I nodded as he smiled. That was when the leader, Harof, this large Viking vampire recognized Fred's curiosity towards the Hales. Then instead of installing a prejudice, he let Fred talk to them. Then I called Gisbert, Hecate called Aro, and talked with Matthias on how Nikki and Alexander's sister had received the great blessing. My first thoughts went with this skinny Arabic woman that came to their home the other day, with this awful smell, and they referred to her as their sister. She looked sorrowed; I wondered what kind of blessing is that? I will get to that with my request.
Anyway, it turns out it is a good thing Harof let the werewolves work with Fred. Because they are in charge of their finances, the Hale brothers' father was a banker, so Alexander handles all their finances, Nikki, works on their automotive, and Aysun also does the translations. They agreed to communicate with Fred while he found a way to engineer this project under the conditions. It is self-operated from humans, and natural resources (Hecate also requested it wasn't that green color he mention, because it doesn't go with the color pattern of their home, he chuckled at that). Plus as animal drinkers, the products he is using can't be made in a way that has made humans suffered. Fred left agreeing to that, I sort of liked him. He liked me too, said I reminded him of a friend of his, the way I saw through the false reputation of werewolves. I asked him about this friend, he says he doesn't know her whereabouts but his one brother's mate's sister's cousins might give him a clue on what happened to her. They invited him to a vampire wedding, were he plans to find out. I told him good luck, and hope his friend is still alive.
On our way back to the island, we went to another one where they picked up Mela and Hector, who were on a date. It was kind of strange, Mela is physically a year younger than me, and Hector is a year older than me. Yet, they are perfect for each other, if Mela was a human, they would say it is illegal for one to be married so young. Their sepia wedding picture does look strange, she looks like a child yet, she has no problem making out with her Hector in public. She also bought me a gift; it was a shade of pink nail polish. She insisted on painting my nails while on deck.
While we were doing this 'girl-friend bonding' as she liked to call it, I took a chance and asked her. "Mela, is it strange being married so young?"
"Since when, is four-hundred and fifteen years 'old' young?" She asked letting out a giggle. "I know physically it's not okay, but I am healthy no matter what, why must I put life on hold because I got the blessing at thirteen, and not when I was older? It's not like Hecate had any choice to wait."
"How did you get changed at thirteen?" I asked.
"How did you get changed at fourteen?" She asked.
"You go first," I looked up and smiled.
"Alright, since we are now best friends, I'll tell you." She looked out onto the ocean, silent for a minute, I think it was the first time I saw her without a smile. I wondered what caused that change of face. She looked back at me, I could tell after that deep breath I would have to tell her my story afterwards.
"I was born in a small fishing village on an island in the Ilone Sea. We lived a very simple life, each morning, I helped my mother make breakfast, said good bye to my father as he went fishing. I went to school in the morning, which was run by my church then came home and helped my mother make dinner in the afternoon." She smiled looking up then looked straight at me. "Then one night, I was around twelve, our village was pillage by pirates from the Barbary States. My family tried to fight them but they were killed. I saw my parents stabbed right in front of me before they took my sister and me captive. They only took the girls, because they wanted girls, in their youth. They wanted them to be old enough to do work, young enough to not remember any sense of freedom. They took my sister, Zenaide, and I as captives as well as many of the other village girls. They took a great deal of us from different islands. The youngest girl was around ten the oldest hostage being in her mid-twenties.
We were placed into ships below the hold with shackles to our ankles, so we couldn't crawl up to escape at night. During the day, we were placed into two groups; I was with the group of younger girls. We were often given harsh choirs such as scrubbing the deck, serving the captain, and cleaning up after those nasty beings. They watched our every moved, not one minute we were alone with our shackles so they could keep a good eye on us. They were training us, you could say.
Zenaide was with the other girls, she didn't do choirs, they wanted to make sure they remained pretty, while the younger of us learned to work. We were also starved, given no more than a piece of bread a day. They said girls who didn't eat much got sold for more in the markets. The most miserable about my captivity was the lack of sunlight. I would envy the sun and the moonlight as I had lain with my sister watching it peak through the boards of wood. One of them was nice to us, well until….my sister suffered a lot more than me; it was unbearable when he made me watch.' She said as she let out a painful sniff.
'It was shortly after that she stopped eating, and refused to do anything. Since she was unwilling to cooperate, she was forced to walk the plank. That meant I had to survive alone, the worst was when we started to reach the Laconian Gulf, leaving Greece. That was when the Maniots had attacked the ship carrying us. I still have a clear picture of my rescuer. He was tall, with thick black hair and a muscular body. He was dressed in mismatched clothes, when he came down to the hold and killed the man carrying the keys. Even though he was another pirate, he was an angel, and when he found my key first he released me. He helped me get through a cannon hole into a row boat. That was when more cannons came through directly over me, causing the ship to burn. I stayed in the boat as I heard their screams. It was later, that the ship attacking burned, making me the only survivor.
I sailed for days, to uncharted territory; this was the first I ever went beyond my tiny fish town. It was night time, when I saw a tiny light coming below me, and at a shark. That was when I first saw Hecate rise; I thought she was a mermaid from the way she sparkled from the rising sun. She then pointed to the island where she and Matthias were having a romantic getaway. It was the first land I had seen in weeks. I was hungry, and thirsty. But I fell asleep on the sands. I was awakened in a tiny cabin where they were staying, Matthias had cooked me something to eat. I ate it in a hurry, as she and Matthias just watched me. I then cried in their laps, as I told my story. Matthias nodded with understanding as he comforted me. I fell asleep in his lap as Hecate made a bed for me to lie on.'
The next morning I woke up, with a high fever. It turns out I developed scurvy from them; Hecate sighed and told me I had enough troubles. She and Matthais got into an argument, because he wanted to take me to a doctor. She said I need something good to happened. He said she should let me wait and see if I have a chance. She hushed him, I never saw a woman order her husband to let her through. She came up touched my forehead and said she would be proud to have me as a daughter. Then three days later, here I am. I thought they were nuts as I went through it. But now, I get the point.'
"What did you bring with you?" I asked as Mela finished her story.
"Joy, I was a joyful child, and I knew that joy was inside me even when they brought me down, and even during those nights. I kept my joy, made sense I kept it afterwards. You got to find joy in life. They say, when you tell your story, it has to have a point. My point is, find joy in life." She smiled as I smiled back; I then told her my story. Aysun and Beyza were listening in on it as well, they all thought my gift made perfect sense.
When we got back, everyone was preparing for the Egyptians, they were coming that morning and there was much to do. The Hales made sure the cottage was clean, and the surf equipment was organized. We had to freshen the flowers in the garden, sweep the court yard, get blood jars from the storage house so Charalampos can prepare them for the andron, Alexander and Nikki were bringing their record player to play music. I was assigned to help Monroe bring blood from the storing house which is only thirty kilometer from the house. We vampires had no trouble. She brought a package, from their friends in India who sent them tiger's blood in a beautiful vase.
Monroe is very different from the rest of the sisters, she is chronically and physically the youngest, seventeen when she was changed but could pass off in her mid-twenties. She is very quiet; never spoke more than a word up until the nineteenth century. She was the closest with Caius before the coven had split; apparently Caius liked Monroe's quietness and her allowing him to speak for her. Which is quit strange considering later Caius went for Anthenodora, who talks nonstop. I wanted to know Monroe's story, but it is wrong to ask an elder such a personal question. So I tried to talk around to it.
"We keep them out a certain temperatures, to keep the blood fresh. Fred says he can find a way to keep the room at the same temperature no matter what."
"Why is he doing this?" I asked.
"Finding use in his immortality, which is good, then it's not seen as a curse." She said simply.
"I saw it as a curse, even those back then it was considered being a divan gift I saw it as a curse. I guess you have to understand my story, I was the daughter of very wealthy people, if you believe so." She said happily. "We lived under the reign of Alexander the Great, my family was originally from Israel, but after being exiled into Babylon my ancestors moved to the Greek city, Thessaloniki due to becoming merchants. My real name is Mormolykeia, Hades and Persephone called me Mormo for short. My father had become a great merchant, and was well off due to the wars King Alexander has provided along with great trade routes. So we didn't care about being minorities, because we were very well off.
I was seventeen when a nice, young, prosperous Hebrew came in, with good aspects set before him. His name was Ichaob. He was charming, since he was an Israelite like us, and he was a foreigner, like us even after four generations of living in Greece, we were still considered foreigners. I knew him only for a couple days, after my father asked if he could take my hand in marriage. He said yes, which I was looking forward to, I wanted to have everything. I wanted to be a wife, and mother very badly. I wanted a baby, oh yes I did, a baby was what I wanted the most. After the wedding, he told me there were building the city of Alexandria, and he thought it was too good of an opportunity to pass up for trade, not to mention the number of Jewish families moving there will be good. I agreed to go with him; we were on the road when we came to a group of bandits. That was when he stopped." Monroe stopped there, she was silent for a minute, it was a very long minute.
"He got down, and asked me to come with him. He knew them, 'Is this her?" one of them asked.
'Yes, isn't she good?'
"She's not the prettiest sight, but she would be good for house choirs."
"Well, she could be more than that," Ichaob said as he pulled me down. 'I asked him what is going on, he said I am his wife and he will do as he says, I told him not until he tells me what was happening. I snapped at him, and he grabbed my wrist and pulled me back.' She was silent for a moment, a very long moment. "Some time in this occurrence, my throat got slit. I could hear Ichaob, he said, 'Guess, we can't get a good price on her now.'
'Well, there will be another one more cooperative in the next town.' He sighed as he left with his friends thinking I was dead. I wanted to be, it was midday, the sun was full and it was summer. I could hear the breath coming from my lungs to my punctured throat as my tong became a dessert dry. I prayed to get this burden off of me as I heard footsteps. I looked up and saw Empusa and Liama staring at me with their red eyes.
'This must be the one they were talking about," Empusa sighed.
'Poor dear,' Lima said with blood coming from her lips. "We should give her something."
'What do you have?' I heard a voice from a distance as they stepped back. I then saw Persephone come up with Hecate, I didn't know who she was but I thought she was an angel coming to save me. She stood there, and looked at the girls. I never believed in the gods or goddesses that the others worshiped, so I was fearful.
"She looked like she suffered, poor thing," Persephone sighed... Then three days later, I was awake in the caves, the opening to my throat was still there." She then showed me the mark, it was a slit opening, and if you had observed it long enough you could see inside her dry throat. Aro, and Sulipica were in Italy, hiding, the other coven was broken, either dead or running from the Romanians. They were kind to me, but it still hurt to talk, so I didn't, but I did find a close connection with Caius, he told me his story. I let him speak for me, because it gave him control over something. I learn to communicate through jesters and sometimes I used Aro.
The year was eighteen twenty-two. I was walking along the road, and then I came along the spot where it happened. The mountain side I was left on still remained in the wilderness. I heard a strange sound, it was a baby crying. I looked over to see a beautiful brown hair baby boy left on the mountain, covered with a thick black cloth. He was the most beautiful being that took my heart and soul from me when I first laid eyes on him. I was breathless at the sight.
"I was watching him, to see if the mother came back." I looked over to see Charalmos behind me.
"'No one has claimed him,' you said, as you touch my shoulder, I turned to see this handsome amber-eyed nomad who was watching the boy from a distance, I realized you were the one who gave him the coat.
"I told you she has been away long enough, it's time we find a good human family to take him in.' I explained. 'She gave me a long stair, and put the baby against her chest taking him away.'
'I finally had what I longed to have for one and a half millenniums, I wasn't going to give him away. I went for centuries thinking I couldn't be a mother, and then out of nowhere my Hector came, in my arms falling asleep against my chest as he filled my heart with joy. I took my Hector to the island. It seemed all of them, all of them, except for Mela thought I should take him to a human family. Sitmantio said he might have even found one. I then spoke, saying no, he is my child. It left them all airless, I then left, and met was Charamos, were we raised Hector until he was fifteen and I turned him to a vampire. I was going to wait, but then….I'll let him tell you why he chose that age. Now, here is the point, it seemed like my immortality was a curse, for years and years I thought of it as a curse, but if it didn't happened that baby would of died. I turned it into a blessing by choosing for it not to be a curse. Whether it is a blessing or a curse, you have to decide and it is what you make of it.
"Well, you and Emmett have a good time," Esme said hanging up after Rosalie reviled her plans to spend the weekend with Neveah in a cabin they rented. I already knew they were planning on doing something, Heather told me earlier. It was around one in the morning, I listen to Heather breath softly and silently as Seth let out a snort behind me and Ethan grunted making a loud and anxious noise. I couldn't help but watch Heather, she seemed so peaceful. I haven't seen humans sleep in centuries, nor do I have any memory of being asleep. It looked rather boring, but Heather's closed eyes made her seemed so calmed and at ease. It seemed no troubles had existed at that moment, as she unknowingly had I wrapped around her fingers and at her will and mercy. I came from a time where women were seen above, and at the same time they were treated like little children, and were thought to have their lives controlled by men. It was strange how she controlled my life without her knowledge.
"Felix, did you let Emmett do your schedule?" Esme asked looking over, that question caught me by surprised.
"He said something about making sure I am eligible." I answered as she let out a sigh, I didn't know or care what classes I was taking next year. He was all into this eligibility thing and took over my schedule.
"Can I see it?" She asked nervously as I handed it to her.
"He needs to take a language, what did he put him in?"
"Italian….why not put you in Danish?" Esme said erasing the mark.
"They don't have that one, and that's my native language." I reminded her, and that's what I would be in if they had it, considering I would know more than the teacher.
"In the four months you have lived with us, you had made that very clear." Jasper said. "Did you put yourself in Italian?"
"Kind of," I answered, as Jasper let out a laugh. "When I first signed up for Spanish you made me change it."
"Which is where Felix is going to go," Esme said marked the paper.
"I know that one too," I said simply.
"Southern wars…?" Jasper asked.
"No Eleazar," I answered. "He insisted on teaching me long before that."
"How close were you and Eleazar?" Esme turned back with curiosity.
"Not very, Aro kept us distanced, why?"
"Carlisle said when he lived with the Volturi his main job was to tutor the guard and the wives." Esme said as I nodded.
"That's how I learned English, so I can talk to her," I said glancing towards Heather; she didn't know any other languages.
"Yes, Anthenodora already knew some sonnets Caius taught her. Anyway, Carlisle told me how Eleazar would talk to him about you, wanted to know how you were progressing. He also had a meeting with him and Aro where he said he should have a say in your curriculum."
"Eleazar was always strange," I answered simply. Which was true, he always had this strange concern for me. I would wonder why, but I really didn't care or think much of it. He always acted like he had something to say, like he was keeping something back. I shrugged, maybe it was just the fact Aro created me the night his creator was killed. I smiled at the conclusion, going back to my letter without giving it a second thought.
'Remember the Egyptians from Rice Mills Trial, well, they haven't forgotten it either. They arrived around noon that day, before the human fishers came home. They were able to find the island with Stamatio sending messages to Amun's mind. Then Empusa and Agatha went to join Stamatio as he went down to meet his brother and the rest of his coven. I first notice Amun and Stamatio coming in, talking like brothers talk. They were followed by Agatha merely telling Benjamin about everything that we had plan for their weekend stay, as soon as they made it to the top Tia came up and hugged Aysun and Beyza. Lastly, Kebi came up chatting with Empusa when she came Kebi looked up, her eyes widen as she came across Sulpicia and I, as her shocked face became a wide smile. I glanced behind me to see Sulipica with the same expression in her eyes. I could tell these women recognized each other as lost girlfriends who longed for each other's company.
"Sulipica!" Kebi yelled as her coven mates looked over to see them in a loving embraced which led to Kebi taking Sulipica by the arm. I then notice the other three glares at me, I noticed Benjamin and Tia quickly step in front of the Hales in a protective manner they looked at them confused. Then a heavy wind came ruining my hair.
It wasn't long until things began to calm down, there were arguments of course. The Hales tried to calm the situation as Stamatio explained to Amun how we came to visit. It then led to Hecate and Amun arguing that we need to accept that the Volturi and the Greeks are family, no matter how bad things get. Then Kebi finally stood up and said: "Amun, I had to spend a month with your strange animal drinking friends scared for my life; you can stand a weekend with mine.' That concluded their decision to stay, but with a warning for me to keep my distance. I have to admit it was a little insulting to see Benjamin and Tia become protective of the Hales with my presence, but as I think about it, their reaction made perfect since.
Afterwards, I went to Agatha and Sophia's room to get ready for the party. We each had a different color of fabric that we used to make cute little cocktail dresses. Sulipica had weaved me this dark red silk knowing that made me feel absolutely beautiful. Mela must think I was Marisa Allasi, Countess of Bergolo because she and Agatha left me a lot of room in my bosom area, I could barely hold it up. So guess who I ran who can mend it perfectly to fit my body? Sulipica. She was setting with Kebi, both wearing long tunic worn in the ancients, jumping up instantly when she saw me coming to her holding this dress, she quickly grabbed me and lead me into our room, followed by Kebi. Who she explained in Greek along the way.
I think Kebi was nervous about me; Sulipica of course had no problem measuring out the fabric she was going to have to cut off so my breasts would fit the dress. It was strange how she wasn't even looking as she did this. I also couldn't help but notice Kebi was a bit uncomfortable around me. She was practically shaking when Sulipica asked her to hold me up while she went to get a needle and thread. They talked a bit, as she sewed me into the dress. She then went to her box and got some fabric to make sleeves (how did she know I would be more comfortable if the dress had sleeves). She then made a joke on how Anthenodora would worry that her daughter would want to wear the dress too low as she got me a ribbon mending sleeves. She then smiled, as she was able to make sure the dress fit my boobs without even looking, I thanked her and she suggested I walked back to the room. That was when Sophia insisted on doing my hair, and I had to let her, while Agatha quickly made some jewelry to match.
I walked in with them, where I met Mela who wore a pink dress, and came in with me arm to arm. We were all arm to arm, happily coming in to the party past a homemade sign that said 'The Siren Reunion'. They were all sitting under it, on a table out in the court yard surrounded by torches laughing and giggling over old stories. I swear I never seen Sulpicia so carefree with shark blood in a wine glass as her and Kebi smiled close to each cheek to cheek, happily wearing old ancient himation and peplos dresses.
I then looked to the other side at the corner of the fountain to see Aysun, Beyza and Tia in a little circle chatting with each other, wearing beautiful long embroidered dresses that went to their ankles with hundreds of bracelets, braiding each other's long black hair. Then on the other side opposite of them was Benjamin with Nicholas and Alexander playing a card game. At the opposite of them was Amun and Sitmantio just standing there laughing with each other. I smiled towards Mela who put her arm around my arm, then looked to my other side to see Agatha locked with Sophia. I locked arms with Agatha and we were on our way entering the court yard.
"Oh, look what we have here, second generation coming in." Empusa smiled as their heads turned up, all of them instantly getting out their cameras, telling us to pose. I notice Kebi smile at us as she slowly walked crossword to where Tia sat with the Hale sisters. I glanced back over, not caring just having a feeling of belonging as I let go of my identity to be part of a group, to give up myself to put fourth girls who put themselves before me. We were friends, that's all I could say, in simple terms we have become a close group of girlfriends who were like sisters. Just like the women taking our pictures had done long ago, before they had mates or creations they found themselves as part of a group that formed out of the common goal of having a good time.
"Are you kidding me?" The good time was interrupted as the entire party looked over to see Kebi pointing to us, talking to Tia. They then got into an argument in this strange ancient Egyptian language, with Beyza and Aysun trying to talk to her calmly in Arabic. . It was then their mates came over, Nikki and Alexander then asked Benjamin what was the big deal. He then said something in Turkish, Alexander then suggested Beyza and Aysun come in the picture. Hecate agreed, so they came in and the former sirens took a picture of all of us. Then Empusa called Agatha over, and suggested they get a picture of the different teams with their daughters. Tia left right after that, Kebi didn't push her any further.
Shortly after that episode, Monroe and Charalampos came out and said the adorn was ready. They have this very strange tradition, once a week the entire coven sits on this carpet in the adorn with a kylix full of animal blood, while the three werewolves had hot plates of food. In the center was this large stamnos, filled with psykter and several kraters around them. They then go up to the stamnos, pour different flavors of blood in the psykters in their kylixs and drink them together. They then sit around, talking and drinking (or eating) together while listening to music.
'Made a special brew, thanks to our friends, the Agra coven, for sending tiger blood from India.' Charalampos smiled as he filled my kylix with a sweet exotic scent. He gave it to me straight, as everyone else chose different psykters.
"Malakia plans to visit you soon," Amun informed obviously uncomfortable with my presence as he came with Stamatio. I ignored him, and tasted it as Beyza came from behind me coming into the conversion. It had a rather tangy, yet at the same time spicy flavor.
"I hope she comes soon, because we are running low on this." Beyza said as she grabbed a black and white jar with an African design.
"What kind is that?" I asked her.
"Hyena," Beyza answered with a smile as she grabbed another one. "You have to be really used to animal blood before you try this. It is rather hot; you have to drink it with monkey or something like that to cool your tong down after the first time." She warned as I smiled and went to finish.
"Can I try?" I asked.
"Can I try the Hyena," I asked Beyza looked towards Charalampos as he nodded, and said. "Here have it tip on your tong." I poured a little, and sat it on the edge of my tong.
"When you are switching, it is important to taste the animal blood," Beyza explained, I listen to her; she was the one who had the hardest time going without human blood. "If you don't like the animal don't drink it, when you find one you like take your time, learn to enjoy it. Be open and drink several different kinds, add some verity, enjoy it more."
I then took a bit of the hyena blood; I swear I could have put an amber hot coal on my tong. It was that hot, I swear I almost gagged on it.
"Here you go, this is monkey blood, it's more of a desert kind of animal but you may like it better."Charalmos said pouring me a bit more. "I like to mix them up a little too, like this bottle for example is deer blood mixed with shark blood. I then boiled it and sprinkled some gazelle blood to give it that little extra. This other one is a bit heavy it is crocodile with cheetah, simmered in elephant." Charalmos said.
"Try it," I tasted it, it wasn't that bad at all. I notice Aysun smile coming up to her sister as they watched me taste it.
"Tell me, where did you get this idea?" I asked wondering what kind of vampire thought of mixing animal blood.
"Chef as a human," Charamaolos answered. "I was born in Cyprus around 495, but I wanted to travel, so I moved to Constantinople and started working in the kitchen for the Empire Zeno at the age of 13, and by the time I was twenty I was the head chief. He had many palaces, one of them happened to be in my old island. So I went back there, one night I found a beggar out on the street asking me for food. The only thing that was left was my own plate so I gave it to him. It turns out it was Poseidon, and he was pleased with my generosity, so he turned me into a vampire. He was also from Cyprus, he left when he was turned but came back after the Romanians saluted his former coven.
I was joined by three other men, who became my brothers as well as his mate Amphitrite whom he met after the slaughter. It wasn't long after my newborn year, the Romanians then found us, and killed both of them. I went back to Constantinople that I used for my feedings. Then one day I heard the Romanians are no longer in power, the coven in Italy is, they are called the Volturi and now we had to keep our selves secret. I then went swimming, found a shark and drank it. I liked it, it wasn't near as good as human blood but it still had flavor. That was when I found my way of avoiding human eye, not killing them. I then traveled the world drinking different kinds of animals and experimenting with them."
"Others found a way to keep them hidden, and drink human blood." I pointed out to him.
"I know, but the truth is, I like animal blood. It has more verity to it, and you don't drink it as fast, so you enjoy it more. Animal blood you are in more control and you can control. That is my advice from my story; learn to enjoy the simple things. "
"Hello," Esme said as she finished dialing on her cell phone.
"Hello," Athenodora's voice came through. "Oh, Esme, you called how's the trip to Vancouver."
"Good, I just called to wish you luck on your drives test." Esme said as I smiled at her.
"Oh, thank you, that is very nice of you, I am so excited. Heidi is coming with me. She gave up shopping to sit and wait for me to take my test." Esme smiled happily listening to Anthenodora.
"What about Caius?" Esme asked as Jasper looked at her, and she shook her head, never believing she would ask it.
"Oh, no, we are leaving him at home; he would drive me crazy while I'm taking my test." Anthenodora said with a wide smile. "So it's just me and Heidi, afterwards we are going shopping then we are going to go home and say good bye to the boys, their going on a mission, which is making me really worried because they never tell me where they are going. I wish they would, because I just worry about them the whole time."
"Well, they will call you, right?" Esme asked.
"They better," Anthenodora answered. "I made them new socks."
"Since when did you care about Demetri and Santiago?" Jasper asked.
"The little traitor," I hissed to myself, considering he has yet to call and apologize. "So tell me about the test."
"Well, I'm going with Heidi. I am so excited, I hope I pass. Heidi said if the instructor is male I should flirt with him then it's guaranteed. But I can't do that, I'm married."
"Alice ran over a stop sign and somehow passed her first test," Jasper shook his head.
"Yes, but Heidi says if the instructor is ugly, then I'm going to pass no matter what. I don't know what the instructor's looks have to do with it, but I am sure I can pass because Caius and Heidi have been pretty good teachers. Heidi even let me use her car….when its somewhat working. When it's fully working, then she prefers to use it."
"Well, that's sweet of her," Esme said getting a word in with her friend.
"Isn't it, she is a sweet girl, that's why she's so good at her job. I tell that to her everyday she is so sweet, and I can't see why single male vampires haven't seen that. I tell all the single male vampires that I run into my daughter Heidi is really, sweet and would enjoy your company. They then smile and say it is a well known fact that Heidi is very sweet, and is good with company."
"Anthenodora…" I heard Heidi's voice in the back ground.
"Just telling her, in case she knows any single male vampires, that might be attracted to you." I heard Heidi's voice in the back ground.
"I know for fact that any male vampire, mate or not is attracted to me, but I am not always attracted to him."
"Maybe you need to lower…..never mind, don't lower them. You deserve the best." Anthenodora went back to the conversion with Esme. "Don't you agree she's the only vampire I ever created; she deserves the best."
"I agree." Esme answered
"Well, we are at the driver's center now, thank you for calling, and I let you know if I pass." Anthenodora said excitedly.
"Please do," Esme smiled as Anthenodora hung up the phone.
~X~
"Renata," Randall said coming up grabbing her wrist. "We got to go."
"Damn right we do, as soon as Santiago gets here with the car." Demetri said coming up behind them. "What could be taking him so long?" He sighed looking at Renata. "Go get your stuff, and be ready. Randall, stay here."
"See you later," Renata gave Randall a wink and left. Randall then turned his attention to Demetri, he never paid much attention to the guard members beyond Marcus's floor but he couldn't help but notice Demetri upset about something.
"Are you alright?" Randall asked.
"I'm fine, despite my friend Felix is not calling and not apologizing to me yet, but that will come eventually." Demetri sighed. Randall couldn't help but wonder where Felix was, could he be with Alec. He heard Jane went with Aro's wife somewhere, and Chelsea and Afton went on a honeymoon making him suddenly useful. As Randall realized that they might consider him a member he noticed an old junky almost rusted car coming up at a high speed.
"Santiago, I send you out to get a car and this is what you come up with." Randall jumped when he heard a shout turning to see Caius in a not so good mood, for a moment he worried if Caius was going to finally finish him, like he thought during transformation. The three turned to see Caius come along with Anthenodora and Heidi.
Heidi tried to seduce him, but he denied her considering it would hurt Renata. Anthenodora, he got to know a little, he thought she was too sweet to be married to Caius, and thought it was strange how they argue all the time but it's still clear they love each other. Renata once told them in all her centuries none of them once said 'I love you' to their mate, it seemed a waste to state the obvious.
"Did you pass?" Caius asked as Anthenodora smiled with a nod. "Good, Heidi, you are staying right?"
"Good, she would worry," Caius then looked towards the car. "What kind of block head would go and steal this junk."
"You said get a car that won't be reported into the police." Santiago defended the rusty old thing.
"Well, you got one with fresh oil," He said lifting the hood. "And what the hell is up with the spark plug wires, do you want the car to catch on fire with you in it, get some new ones."
"Don't worry, we will," Demetri said as they stood there as Caius pressed each tire of the car. "Pump these up, so you don't get stranded."
"Will do," Santiago said.
"Alright, get that fixed and you're ready to go. One last thing, when you get to…" He stopped looking at Anthenodora, it seemed he didn't want to revel them going to their enemy coven in front of his wife. "Please find a phone or something, because she'll drive me nuts worrying about you. Then after you complete the mission, call and let us know your still around because again, she is going to annoy me worrying about you."
"Will do," Demetri said respectfully as Renata came down with her luggage and they went in.
"Athenodora doesn't even know where we are going," Demetri said as he realized all the guard members assigned for the mission was with them.