After much thought, I have finally determined the direction for this story
and I have a feeling the upcoming chapters might shock the hell out of you.
Soooo...that is all I am going to say about that. :) :)
Here is Chapter 26 - I hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 26 – Claire's POV - "The Absence of Him"
Music: "Give Me a Sign" by Breaking Benjamin (Sooo good for this chapter, thanks Riah for suggesting it!)
Claire wasn't sure how she would get an audience to see Amelie, without a prearranged appointment; one did not just 'drop in' on the Founder. But, if what Michael said was true, and Amelie did care that she had 'died', hopefully she would see her quickly. Claire had begun to make plans for finding Myrnin, and she needed Amelie's resources to accomplish them.
Claire reached Founders Square and made her way to the building that held Amelie's office. She was greeted with looks of shock from everyone; no one spoke to her. Under different circumstances Claire would have found the expressions on their faces funny – they all looked scared of her.
As hoped for, it seemed that word did travel fast; she was ushered straight to Amelie without stopping. Amelie stood at her desk looking as cool as ever in a silver suit that exactly matched her eyes, but her expression was something Claire had never seen before. Distant. Sad.
"Leave us." Amelie ordered the guards. Immediately they disappeared from the room. Claire didn't even see which door they walked out of.
"Come here." Amelie ordered.
Claire hesitantly walked over to stand next to Amelie, nerves rising up in her; she had no idea what to expect next.
Amelie reached a pale, perfectly manicured hand out to touch Claire's arm, almost as if feeling to see if she were real. That's odd, Claire thought. But her next words – asking a simple question – caused Claire to crumple.
"And what of Myrnin?" Amelie inquired.
Claire fell – literally – to Amelie's floor (she made a mental note that she needed to stop falling in people's arms or offices, if she was going to stay strong enough to find him).
A flash of alarm passed over Amelie's face, revealing the slightest chink in her normally emotionless armor, before she was business-like once again. She scooped Claire off the floor and set her in one of the chairs. Amelie then sat across from her and waited for her to speak.
For the second time, Claire told her story. She didn't leave anything out, including her intimacy with him. She noticed Amelie's eyes widen slightly at that, but if she was going to get Amelie's help, Amelie needed to know everything. Amelie listened motionless, not even blinking her eyes. She remained silent for a full five minutes once Claire stopped talking.
Claire hadn't yet told Amelie about her plans, but she could tell Amelie was already on the same page when she spoke: "You will have everything you need to find him."
Fresh silent tears ran down Claire's cheeks in relief.
"I have a car waiting to take you back to the lab. I assume you will be staying at the lab?"
Claire nodded.
Amelie reached into a drawer, pulled out a small phone and credit card, and slid them over to her. "Keep these. Get whatever supplies and personal items you require" —Amelie said softly and then snapped back into all business again— "you will have a driver and an escort whenever you need to go out. Do not go alone. Their contact numbers are programmed into your speed dial."
This was the Amelie that Claire knew; the one who spoke and expected her orders to be carried out – exactly as she instructed – or the consequences would be severe. Somehow, this side of Amelie comforted Claire. She didn't know if it was because Amelie was helping her or if it was because she needed to feel something – anything – familiar.
Amelie eyed Claire again and quietly asked, "And do you wish to enroll in the University?"
Claire stared back into Amelie's endless eyes and whispered, 'No."
Amelie replied with a nod.
"Well then." Amelie stood, clearly dismissing Claire.
As Claire neared the door, Amelie called her name.
"And Claire, it is…good…to have you home," Amelie spoke quietly.
Claire nodded mutely and walked out the door.
She was greeted by an older vampire with slightly greying hair and kind blue eyes, on the other side of the door. "This way miss," he motioned toward a corridor that Claire knew accessed the underground garage.
She followed him as he made his way through a complex path of hallways, doors and stairs; until she felt a blast of cool air, signaling their arrival to the parking deck. He strode quickly toward a waiting vehicle, forcing Claire to partly jog to keep up.
The luxury SUV had almost completely blacked-out windows, illegal in every other state, but here in Morganville, necessary to protect its vampire occupants from the sun. Her escort opened a back door and she slipped inside. The driver was motionless and silent in the front seat. Claire felt her heartbeat accelerate in response to his ominous posturing, but relax again when her escort rounded the vehicle and settled himself in the seat next to her.
"I'm Rhysian." He spoke with a smile in his voice. "But please call me Rhy; Myrnin always did."
Claire's whole being, responded in pain, at the mention of Myrnin's name. Rhysian glanced over to her quickly, alarm filling his features. Claire knew he could hear her thudding heart, not quite consistent in its sporadic beat, and feel her body temperature rise as panic threatened to consume her.
"I need…air," she choked out.
Before Claire's slow brain could comprehend the change, Rhysian exited and circled the car again in a blur; gently lifting her body out and set her carefully on the ground.
"It's okay. Just breathe." He murmured in her ear.
Claire let her body slump against the pavement, thankful for the cool hard surface against her overly heated skin.
Rhysian reached out to slide Claire's hair off of the middle of her face, but pulled back quickly when Claire flinched at his touch. Claire's mind had interpreted the gesture as kindness, but she couldn't stop the jolt through her body, when she felt the familiar coolness of his fingertips – reminding her of another's touch.
She tried to smile reassuringly at him, but strongly suspected the look came out more like a grimace.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, still fighting to regulate the flow of air into her lungs.
Worry creased his forehead as Rhysian made soft shushing noises to comfort her. As her heartbeat calmed, Claire knew she couldn't lie on the ground forever and struggled to sit up, still trembling with anxiety. She saw Rhysian tentatively extend his hand out to help, and then pull it back, afraid of hurting her again.
Claire was touched by the genuine concern she saw on his face, and placed her hand on his arm, silently asking for his help with her eyes.
She watched as understanding came over his expression. He reached down to gather her in his arms, moving with deliberate slowness, careful not to startle her again. Rhysian set her gently in the seat before closing the door with a soft click.
Claire strapped the seatbelt over her shoulder. Her eyes drifted closed as she let her head fall back against the plush leather seat. She heard Rhysian sit in the seat next to her, but he never spoke another word until they arrived at the lab.
The trip back to the lab felt like it took no time at all. Rhysian slipped out of his door, letting it shut and instantaneously opened Claire's door. Claire wearily raised her head to get her bearings.
"Come." Rhysian extended his hand.
Claire took it and let him pull her from the car. "Thank you," she mumbled as she walked past him through the door of the lab.
Rhysian followed her down the steps. "Will you be okay?" When Claire didn't answer, he continued, "Do you require anything further right now?"
She shook her head mutely, eager for the peace of solitude.
"Okay. I will be back to check on you daily; however, my number is in your phone if you should need me sooner."
She nodded as he silently slipped out the door.
Claire found herself alone in the lab, looking around in wonder. Oh my. Word of her return must have traveled very fast, she thought as she took in the pristine condition – every surface had been wiped clean; the books were neatly stacked on the shelves and the floor swept.
Claire didn't know exactly where to begin, but from what Myrnin had taught her, opening a time portal on the receiving end, helped someone find the location easier.
Her earlier determination began to fade as loneliness suffocated her. She felt herself beginning to hyperventilate and forced her lungs to slow down. She had a mission now and would be worthless if she kept falling to pieces, she chastised herself silently.
Making her way to the portal wall, she sucked in a ragged breath, pulling all of her senses together into her core, and released the energy out, as violently as she could, the way he had shown her. Immediately, her head exploded with pain, a startled cry of agony piercing through her lips. She stumbled back, afraid she was going to pass out, and smacked hard into one of the free-standing lab tables, before she could regain her balance.
The portal snapped shut. Claire huffed heavily from the exertion, still waiting for the pain to recede.
But she had done it. Claire had glimpsed it for just a fraction of a second before it disappeared. A single tear commemorating her success, rolled down her cheek, as she felt the tiniest bit of victory in her small accomplishment.
Myrnin would have been proud of her, she thought. Then, broke down sobbing as a worse, more horrific pain than the portal, strangled her in its grip once again.
It took Claire a full hour to control her tears, before she could summon the strength she needed to face the portal wall again.
Gritting her teeth, she tried to prepare her mind for the onslaught of pain. She didn't hesitate. Claire thrust her mental energy out, and was overcome once more, bending forward and grasping her knees under the weight of it – but she had held on for a second longer this time.
She continued all day, and into the night; pain blurring her eyesight with each attempt – then tears washing away the visual distortion – before starting all over again.
Claire's legs trembled. She knew she was losing her battle with exhaustion. She had to sleep soon. Dread filled her as she turned to face Myrnin's bedroom.
Torn, she wobbled in place for a moment, trying to decide. She wanted Myrnin's scent around her but wasn't sure if she was strong enough to face the emptiness of his bed. Her desire to be closer to him won out and she slowly closed the distance to his bedroom, turned the knob and slid open the door.
Surprise flickered through her, as her brain tried to organize the scene in front of her; feeling more than a little touched by Amelie's thoughtfulness. The room was perfectly cleaned, with all of Myrnin's things folded and hung neatly. Claire walked to his closet and noticed Amelie had also stocked women's clothing in her exact size. Amelie knew Claire did not like shopping on a good day, let alone the horror movie she found herself in now. A lonely tear ran down her cheek and splashed against the floor.
Claire eased herself out of the white shirt and blue shorts, and slid her naked form into his bed, wrapping herself in his blankets. She inhaled deeply, her chest expanding and contracting with each breath; as she let the scent of him overwhelm her.
For just a few moments – Claire allowed herself to hope and dream about being in his arms, as she fell into a fitful sleep.
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If you like what you've read so far, hold on...because things are about to go to a whole new level...
Oh, and don't be shy...review, review, review... I love to hear the feedback. It is all tremendously helpful (and encouraging). :)