A/N Just the usual, thanks to readers! Especially southernvampirepirate, you've kept reviewing and it's nice to get some feedback :) Just in case anyone gets a little confused, I've mentioned Anastasia way back (Chapter 13, I think?) and I've decided, in this, that in older times, they just got bitten, rather than drinking the blood. Oh and Max isn't David's maker here. Happy reading!
Chapter 36: Forgive Me
"Death borders upon our birth, and our cradle stands in the grave. Our birth is nothing but our death begun."
My first instinct was to turn around, but I knew this would not be a clever idea on my part – he could, after all, manipulate my thoughts.
"Oh, you foolish child....."
I looked up. There was nothing to see. The air was still and charged, tense with anticipation.
"I've seen you're dreams and desires Astrid...I know what you want, but I also know what you fear, do not forget this."
I curled into a ball and jammed the heels of my hands into my face, "not real, not real, not real..." I chanted it, over and over again.
"But I am real. As real as the sea, the sun, the sky."
"Stop it!" The scream left me, before I had time to think about it.
"Ah, David hasn't told you, has he?" The voice became malicious, savouring the knowledge it held.
"There is nothing to tell. Nothing!" He was toying with my emotions, and I couldn't stop it.
"But there is....you weren't first, you know this? Anastasia was. She haunts you, doesn't she? You see her, you saw her today."
I peered through murky memories, dimly remembering an Anastasia being mentioned by David...this voice wasn't implying she was......? It was.
"I am. She is."
No. No!
Nameless did have a name? Anastasia. Anastasia was Nameless. I couldn't think of anything else.....my first genuine friend....she lied.
The voice chuckled once, darkly. It had gotten what it had come for, my sudden uncertainty of everything....she had lied....which meant he had lied.....
All liars. Had Dwayne, Paul and Marko known?
Probably, they most likely had had a laugh, at my expense....I understood now, David had only said those things to keep me there with them, after he had promised my family to take care of me.
He didn't really care. None of them did. My naivety had made it easy for them and to think I'd fallen for it....
I didn't want to think about, imagine it, all the deceptions....Vlad's memories were pressing on me...I couldn't resist and quite unwillingly, I plunged deep down into the abysses of the forgotten.
From behind my eyelids a string of images flashed across.....
It was a memory.
David is with a girl, a beautiful girl, with emerald green eyes and long dark hair. They are dancing in a hall, closely watched by a chaperone. This was a long time ago. He spins her around and around, her skirts soar out, swirls of colour enclose them together. An absurdly happy smile occupies his face, a look never seen on his face since. She laughs, a soft, tinkling noise, and they continue to dance around the hall.
The scene dissolves.
David has told a man of his intentions to stay with Anastasia. He has done everything possible to make her happy. The man approves and gives his blessing. A slight warning echoes from his words, one which David ignores. David leaves to tell Anastasia.
The image spins forward.
Anastasia is sitting in the garden, a book placed upon her lap. She is waiting restlessly for David. Her fingers are entwined together, she fidgets unconsciously. Eventually, she notices David's arrival and beckons him to sit with her. He obliges and they talk. He tells her of his plans, she reacts delightfully to his news and he gently kisses her. This is the last time David was truly happy and at peace.
The image is now blurry and faded; it tastes of bitterness and regret.
David is with the man again. But he is no longer human. He is vampire. The man watches David, judging his reaction. David cringes in horror at this revelation. The man appears satisfied and leans in to whisper to David. David's eyes dilate and become round and fearful, an expression not often seen on his face. He does not make any attempt to stop this man as he leans down to bite David; he has been threatened by this man- who is cleverly using Anastasia, knowing where his weaknesses lie- and has no choice but to comply.
The final scene plays.
It is dark and gloomy. Nearby to a neighbouring forest, stands Anastasia. She glances anxiously at her watch and begins to pace. David is late. Concern is written all over her face. It breaks into relief as David comes into view. He is no longer the same; his gait is different, he now walks with a predatory stance. Anastasia is frightened. He extends a hand to her. She recoils in revulsion. Even his eyes are different, no longer that soft baby blue she had grown to love, now they were cold and unfeeling. The person she had loved was gone. The man saunters in from the trees. He walks with a casual ease, with the confidence of someone who knows of their status. Terror takes hold. Anastasia watches as David visibly relaxes at the addition of this man. The man steps forward, as David steps back. Anastasia feels cold, despite the heat. The man smiles, his teeth glint in the moonlight. He communicates verbally with David, who shakes his head grimly. Anastasia cannot hear the words which are being exchanged. The man appears exasperated until David shakes his head in agreement. Something has been decided. Things become unclear and undistinguishable. Anastasia knows her time is up.
"I'll love you always," was Anastasia's last conscious thought.
There was no question about it: this man was, most indubitably, Vlad.