Chapter 28- Who in the World is Lucian?
I stopped at one of my favorite places to hunt. I knew for sure there was going to be something for Lucian and me. I got down and asked him to get down.
"Good choice, but do a lot of hikers come here?"
I turned and gave Lucian a smile. "Why are you smiling?" He asked.
"Because this place is too dangerous for hikers." I replied.
"Then why are we here? Is this some sort of joke?"
"Whoa… come down… no this is not a joke Lucian; you said you want to be like me so the first thing I'm going to teach you is to feed the way I do."
"How much different can it be."
"Rule number one in the Cullen family. WE DON'T FEED ON HUMANS."
"What! …. Wait…. I wanted to learn how to be around humans without feeding on them, but I don't want to quit entirely."
I frowned, "In that case I can't help you."
"No… wait I want to try."
"Good…. So I guess we can find some bears up here, but please make sure you don't feed on a mama bear."
"What kind of vampire are you?" Lucian asked almost disgusted with my beliefs.
"A caring one, not all vampires have to be cold blooded killers. Ever since I was transformed into a vampire I've been trained to not feed on humans. However, I'm not going to lie I've had fed on them before and I'm not proud of it."
"I don't think you have to feel so guilty about it. We are what we are and it's only natural that we feed on humans, is our only way of survival. Well not anymore I guess, since animals seem to work just fine."
"They do work just fine, but it doesn't give the same satisfaction or effect as human blood does, and we sort of have to hunt more often."
"Well that sucks…."
"So are you ready to go and hunt down your first animal?"
"I guess I am."
Lucian and I hunted and it seemed almost amusing to see him trying to tame down a bear. It was obvious he didn't have and idea of how to hunt an animal. I had decided to help him with his first prey but when the second time around he seemed to be an expert. Seeing him gave me a feeling of accomplishment it made me happy that another vampire was willing to give up human blood.
After hunting, Lucian and I decided to sit and we soon began to talk. "So how did it feel?" I asked him.
"Well this feels like a snack. Now I'm ready for dinner." He answered my question sarcastically.
"You'll get used to it." I said smiling.
"You have a great smile." Lucian suddenly said to me.
"Thanks." I blurted not knowing what else to say. I continued, "So tell me a little about you."
"Like what?"
"I don't know….like how did you become a vampire?" Lucian stayed quiet for a bit when I asked my question. I assumed he wouldn't want to answer that question, but before I could ask a different one he decided to talk.
"You know, that's something I don't like to remember, but I'll tell you. I was still in high school when it happened. It was my senior year and I was the star player of our football team that night we were playing our last game of the season and we won it. It had been a tough season for our team so we were ecstatic that we had won, so we decided to go and celebrate. I was extremely happy that night that I decided to drink; I was not a drinker but that night it just felt right. I mean things were going great for me, that night the girl I had wanted to make my girlfriend said yes to me, we won the game, and graduation was just around the corner, so I kept on cheering and drinking. Eventually the drinks got to me to the point that I no longer knew what I was doing. I decided to get out and take a walk to cool down and then go home. I began walking but then I realized that I had no idea where I was going. I decided to go back to the party. I remembered there was a shortcut to get back, so I took it. But when I turned to go back a guy jumped in front of me, I backed up as a reaction. I looked up at him to see who he was but before I could recognize him he attacked me."
Lucian became silent once again and the look in his eyes seemed to be transporting him back to that night. I didn't dare to say anything afraid that I would open up wounds that had probably already healed. He turned to look at me and reassured me with a smile. He continued to talk.
"When I finally woke I couldn't remember anything, only the pain I felt when I was unconscious. I believe it took me two days to wake up, apparently the alcohol in my system slowed down the process of transformation."
Lucian giggled at that memory and so did I. He continued.
"When I woke that's when the nightmare started. I didn't know what was happening to me and why I was feeling such pain, then burn. I felt so cold and heavy, but at the same time I felt strong as if I was ready to go out and take over the world. I was locked in a small windowless room; I was so desperate to get out that I began slamming myself against the walls. The walls cracked but before I was able to fully break them my creator appeared. He tried to talk to me but I was uncontrollable all I felt was a burn in my throat as if I had just swallowed fire and was in great need of water. My creator asked me to follow him; he promised that he would cease the thirst I was feeling, so I did and then it happened I had my first taste of human blood. Cameron then explained what he had made me into and he told me why he chose me to be his sidekick."
"So did you know Cameron?" I asked.
"I did. Cameron went to the same school I did. When we began our senior year he disappeared without a trace and we all practically assumed he was dead. I guess we weren't wrong."
Now more intrigued that before I began my questioning. "So why did he choose you to be his partner, or like you said his sidekick?"
"I was popular in school, athletic, smart, and Cameron seemed to be the weird guy no one would get close to. After becoming a vampire he sort of decided to take revenge on those who bullied him. When he disappeared a lot of other students began to vanish and we all thought we were dealing with a serial killer, never in a million years did I think Cameron was behind it all. When he attacked me he had a different revenge plan in mind, he wanted me to depend on him for my existence, it was sort of like, look at who's on command now."
"Wow… that guy was nuts." Was all I can think to say.
"Yes, indeed he was. That's why I took advantage that I was a strong newborn and crashed him to his death."
I gasped when I heard what Lucian said last. "You… did… what?" I mumbled. I waited for him to laugh it out, but his face was serious.
He continued… "I didn't kill him right away. First I allowed him to teach me everything he knew about being a vampire. However, I was not going to be anybody's sidekick and Cameron owed me the deaths of some people I knew, and primarily he owed me my own life, so I decided to take revenge by killing him."
I stayed quiet and wondered if I would have done the same thing. I tried to think of another question to ask. I knew I needed to know more about Lucian in order to decide if I should introduce him to the family.
"Are you that shocked that I killed Cameron?" Lucian asked interrupting my thoughts.
I shook my head, "No… I was just wondering what else I could ask you."
He gave a soft laugh that sounded as if he had just accomplished something. "I'm not afraid of you." I said assuming he was laughing because of that.
"I'm not trying to make you afraid. I'm just… never mind. Anyways, you don't have to ask me anything. I'll just continue with my story if you don't mind."
"No… go ahead."
"You know…. The reason why I decided to kill Cameron was mainly because he robbed me of every dream I had. He turned me into a monster and because of it I was not even able to get close to my family. I saw how my parents suffered looking for me. The day I saw my mother crying hysterically was the day I ended Cameron's miserable life. After killing him I left town and I began wandering around. I always thought that I was alone in this world until I found Eli, he had a clan of four and they offered me to form part of their group. We had been together until yesterday. You know they were the ones who taught me everything I know, and now they're gone."
I gulped knowing that it had been Edward and Emmett who had killed Lucian's partners. "I'm not reproaching anything." Lucian said. Nonetheless, I looked up at him with an apologetic look.
"Really I'm not trying to make you feel guilty. It was really their fault for trying to feed on your human friend. But you see, I had to suffer their loss in order to realize that there is a different way to survive. I really don't want to be a killer anymore."
"I guess that's a positive way to look at things."
"Laila, right?"
"Yeah… I didn't tell you my name?"
"Don't worry, I overheard it anyway. I wanted to ask you why you are you so close to that human?"
"He was my boyfriend, but what happened yesterday changed that… he doesn't want to be with a creature like me."
"So he found out your true identity yesterday?"
"Yes he did. He knows everything about me and my family. I think he's still trying to adjust because he asked me for time."
"It's dangereous that he knows your secret. I think you should move away."
"No… don't worry Adam won't say anything. I know he wont."
"Why do you and your family decide to live a human life, I mean with school and everything. Don't you all know of everything you can do as a vampire? Wait how did you become one of us anyway?"
"Whoa two questions at the same time?"
"Is that a lot?"
"No. I'm just saying. I was created by Bella she found me badly beaten and when she realized that I had no chance of surving she gave me life by transforming me into a vampire; It was that or die. The family then decided to adopt me and they have taught me everything about being a good vampire. Apparently Carlisle began the family by saving them from a secured death. He wanted to make sure that each one enjoyed life as humanly possible as a way to take back what was robbed."
"So I guess that means that none of you are angry with life…."
"I'm not sure exactly about what we feel. I know that if Bella hadn't been there to save me I would be death today, but it makes me angry that life placed me in this situation when it could of have been prevented. I mean this wasn't a choice and you do loose a lot by becoming a vampire."
"Especially when you know that there is no way to get close to family. That's the part that has been difficult for me all these years."
"For me too Lucian, but being part of the Cullen family soothes that feeling of loss. I mean these past two years would of have been a lot worse if they weren't around, but all of them have been there for me, giving me their support."
"So you're like a newborn… I mean barely two years?"
"Yeah… how long have you been a vampire?"
"Almost ten years"
"That's a long time, but technically we're the same age, right?"
"Eighteen?"
"Well almost, I'm seventeen, forever seventeen."
"Not a bad deal, right?"
"I'm not sure." With that said, Lucian and I became silent observing only the view of the mountains. I didn't know what else to say and Lucian seemed to be in the same position. I believe we were both taking in everything that we had just talked about. Now I had to make the decision to either introduce him to the family or keep him a secret. Deep down I knew Edward would be upset that I was now friends with one of the vampires that tried to kill me along with Adam. He wouldn't trust Lucian and I didn't want to Lucian to feel threated and leave. I wanted Lucian to continue with the idea of becoming a vegetarian vampire.
I turned to look at him and observed his red eyes and an image of him with golden eyes formed in my head. I smiled at the image and that helped me decide that it was worth giving him a chance.
"What are you smiling about?" Lucian asked, when he realized that I was observing him.
"I'm just happy that you decided this new way of life." I replied with sincerity.
"So that means that you are willing to recreate me?"
"Are you willing to take the challenge?" I asked with a mocking smile.
"I'm down… so was this the first lesson teacher?" He replied with the same smile I had given him.
I nodded, "Yes it was." I stood up from where I was sitting and Lucian did the same.
"So what now?" He asked, as we began to walk back to the car.
"I guess now we go home. I'll introduce you to my family and they'll decide if they want to help me with you."
Lucian stopped cold in his tracks. "Wait, so are you willing work with me even if your family doesn't want to help you?"
I turned to smile at him. "Of course Lucian, that's what friends are for. I mean I know that you didn't exactly want to become a vegetarian vampire, but now that you're willing to give it a try I'm going to do whatever it takes to help you."
"Is that right?"
"Yes." I reassured him.
"Well I'll take your help with one condition." Lucian said to me.
I turned to face him, "A condition?"
"Yes. I'll take your help only if you try and fix things with your human boyfriend."
"I don't understand."
"What don't you understand, Laila? I mean I can't accept your help when it's practically my fault that your boyfriend figured you out. I'm actually bummed that you're taken but I truly believe you should fix things with the human."
"Fine. I accept."
"How will I know you did it?"
"I'll call him today, I'm sure the speaker is loud of enough for you to hear."
"It's a deal then." Lucian said, smiling.
We continued to walk slowly down the high mountains, when Lucian once again stopped. "What are we doing walking? He asked me, "We're vampires… race you to the car." With those last words Lucian was gone in an instant, I followed immeadiately.
When I finally reached the car Lucian was already standing next to the door. He looked at his invisible watch. "30 seconds, not bad for a girl." He said to me. I smiled at his remark with a soft chuckled, and soon after we were in the car ready to go and introduce him.
While driving neither Lucian and I talked. I was tempted to wish to read his mind to see what he was thinking, but I immediately changed my mind because I wanted to get to know him the fair way. However, that thought made me remember Edward. I broke the silence that had surrounded us. "Lucian." I said, "Please don't think about how you came to look for me."
He looked up confused as to why I was telling him that. I continued, " Edward reads minds and I don't want him to know that you were part of the vampires he just fought. He wouldn't trust you."
"A mind reader… Wow that's increidible." Was all that Lucian could say, afert I revealed to him Edward's gift. I took a look at him and he truly seemed amazed that I knew somebody that knew how to read minds.
"You know I have a gift of my own." Lucian then revealed to me.
"You do?"
"Yes. I have the capability to manipulate memories. I didn't know I had that gift until years after of being a vampire." Lucian explained to me.
"Manipulate memories? How do you do that?" I asked.
"I can make you forget things or make you remember things that never happened. One day Eli was extremely upset with me and we were arguing, then I grabbed him by both his arms and shouted, "Why don't you just forget about it," and the next thing you know he didn't remember why we were arguing. It's sounds increible but I believe it to be all an illusion. Is like I create an illusion in peoples minds." Lucian continued with his explanation. I was amazed with that gift I never heard of anything like it.
"So if you want to forget that you ever had a family other than the Cullens just let me know and I can take care of it."
"No… I don't want to forget my family, but thanks for the offer. Do you like your gift?" I asked.
"I do. Eli made me erase all his memories before becoming a vampire. After all he could remember was that he was a vampire and you won't believe how much stronger he became. He didn't have all his human memories to stop him from doing what he pleased. There was a downfall though…."
"What was that?"
"He became more cruel… he was a tracker by nature and you won't believe all the horrible things he did with that ability. Do you have a gift?" Lucian then asked me.
I wasn't sure if I should tell Lucian of my gift. I remembered Edward telling me not to reveal of what I was capable of. He warned me by saying that I could be destroyed for my ability. I pushed the memory aside and decided to tell Lucian anyway, he was being sincere with me and I felt obliged to be as honest with him.
"So do you?" Lucian asked again when I didn't answer immediately.
"I do."
"Cool… what is it?"
I chuckled, as I listened to Edwards words in my head.
"You don't want to tell me?"
"I have the ability to wish other gifts." I blurted almost too fast for Lucian to understand.
"The ability to what?" Lucian asked.
"The ability to wish other gifts or wish to block them." I said, now more slowly. I turned to look at Lucian's reaction and at the same time noticed that we were getting closer to arriving home.
"Wow…that beats me. Even the mind reader." Lucian said in a dissapointed tone.
I laughed nervously, "Is really not that great. I promise."
"It sounds great to me. How does it work?"
"If I wanted to manipulate memories I would just wish to have your ability and there, I can manipulate memories. But don't get exicited, all my wished gifts are timed and I must be teached how to use the gift or at least have an idea of how it works. If I just wish it with no background information I probably wouldn't be able to make it work, or worse I can do it all wrong. Oh and I can't wish more than one gift at a time, also I can't wish for gifts of vampires that are protected by those vampires with shilding abilities. There is also the fact that I can't block a gift if I'm not aware that someone has it."
"Oh…" was all that Lucian said to me.
"So really it's a gift with a lot of restrictions. Nothing great, right?"
"Nonsense, that'as a great gifts, with restrictions and all…. I…"
I cut Lucian to inform him that were at my place. I turned to the driveway and began driving straight to the house. I parked but before turning off the car I reminded Lucian not to think about anything that we talked about or of how he came to find me. He reassured me that he wouldn't and I trusted him. We got out to the car and headed straight to the house, but as I was about to open the door Nessie came out along with Jacob in his wolf form. I turned to look at Lucian who positioned himself ready to attack. I reassured him that everything was fine and with a wrinkled nose, Lucian came to stand by my side.
"I'm sorry we scared you, Lai, but Jake felt an unknown presence and when the smell got closer we came out ready to attack." Nessie began to explain.
"Don't worry about it Ness. Oh and Lucian is a friend, he's not here to start a fight."
"A friend from where?"
"Well I went hunting and I found him. He wants to be like us. Right… Lucian."
"Yeah…" Lucian replied his face now more frowned than before. I knew he was frowing because of Jacob's stench. That was something that took time to get used to.
"Well let's go in." I said, leading the way in to the house. Jacob went around the house to transform back. Once inside I noticed that no one else was home. Nessie then told me that Bella and Edward went to Carlisle's house. I invited Lucian to sit down while we waited for them to get back. Once Jacob came into the house Lucian seemed confused, amazed, and intrigued by Jacob. I was ready to explain to Lucian what Jake was to us, but Nessie took charge of that conversation and there was no way to stop her from telling Lucian the Jacob story.
I listened to Nessie talk and Jake seemed annoyed that Nessie was talking to Lucian so openly about him and us. Jake was never the one to trust a person immediately. I went to where he was standing and reassured him that Lucian was not here to harm any of us. I then threw in just how much Nessie loved talking about him, and that made him smile.
After a while we heard Bella and Edward return. We all stood up as we saw them stading in the middle of the room. I looked up at Edward who was looking directly at Lucian. Immeaditely Bella went to stand beside Nessie. Once again I had to reassure everybody that Lucian was a friend.
"A friend from where? Since When?" Edward began his questioning.
"I came across him when I was hunting." I said to Edward, hoping he would believe me. He took one more look at Lucian and then at me, but returned his gaze to Lucian.
"Looks like you're not a newborn." He directed himself to Lucian.
"No. Sir I am not."
"I'm glad that's not going to be a problem. Now tell me why you are here."
"I… I… I saw Laila hunting bears up on the mountain. I became intrigued with what I was seeing. So I approached her to question her. I wanted to know why she was hunting bears. She told me that she was a vegetarian vampire and I liked the fact that there is another way to live other than killing humans, Laila offered to help me become like all of you."
I looked up at Edward to look at his reaction. Like me he seemed pleased that Lucian was willing to give up human blood to take on our way of life.
"I'm glad to hear that. It's not an easy adjustment, but if Lai offered to help you, I'm sure it wont take you long to become accustomed to only having snacks."
I chuckled when I heard what Edward said. I immeaditely assumed that Lucian thougth about the insatifaction he felt after feeding on the bears. When Lucian turned to look at me I knew I was right. Edward then took his cell phone out and began talking with Carlisle.
In a matter of minutes the entire family was stading in the livingroom eager to meet the newest member. I noticed that Lucian was uncomfortable and he become more uncomfortable when Edward made the annoucement that Lucian was going to stay over at Carlisle's house not ours. I turned to face Lucian and he did not look happy.
"If I must stay over at the other house in order to become one of you is something I'll accept, however, I must ask of your permission to stay over tonight… just tonight." Lucian said to all of us.
"Why is that?" Edward asked.
"Because there is something Laila promised me, and I have to be present to witness that she fullfills the requirement of our bargain."
I turned to look at Lucian and I knew he that he was being serious. Edward agreed to let Lucian stay over and when the commotion of Lucian's presence came to end I knew it was time to dial that number.
I asked Lucian to follow me to my room and once there I removed my cell out of my pocked and began dialing the number. Lucian came to stand beside me to make sure it was calling and when I heard that "hello" I froze.
