*Chapter 10: Flight at Night*
"Good night, grandfather. See you in a morning." Maria said with a yawn, walking up to her room. Once she is alone in her room, she changed out of her dress into a nightdress that had long sleeves that reached her elbows. She is brushing her gold hair, looking at her mirror with a content smile on her face. Then, she let out a gasp as she heard a sound coming from her window. A black hedgehog is knocking on her window. "Shadow!" Maria spoke. She came over to open the window and see Shadow hanging by the window. "Shadow, I...forgot that you are coming. But, what has happened? Did a vampire attack someone?" Maria asked.
"I'll answer if you let me in." Shadow said.
"Oh. Come in." Maria took a step back as the black hedgehog climbed in. "Now, what has happened?"
"A vampire attacked one of the detectives." Shadow told her. "And Lord Antoine shot one of the vampires and Tails is helping him by making a new bullet. It's called, 'Bullets of Garlic'."
"Tails Prower made them?" Maria asked. "But, why would he help Antoine? I don't recall Tails helping him one of those days."
"But did that fox boy help your grandfather?" Shadow asked.
"Oh. Right. My grandfather taught him how to make things." Maria said. "So, Lord Antoine used this new weapon to kill a vampire? Then you and your friends must be very careful."
"Don't worry, I informed my friends about it." Shadow said.
"And...you say you want to speak to me?" Maria asked. "Is it something to do with me becoming your bride?"
"No. It's not that at all." Shadow said, shaking his head. "I am not like those needy vampires. Or the ones you read in those fairy tales. I'm here to ask you if you like to take flight with me."
"Flight? But...I cannot fly, Shadow!" Maria said.
"I carry you, my love. It is a beautiful night." Shadow said. Appearing from his back are bat wings. Maria gasped at the sight of them. "I can have wings, Maria. Only when I am alone when there are no mortals in sight. You didn't think I could just turn into a bat and carry you, did you?"
"Well...I don't know what to think." Maria said.
"So, what do you say? Let me show you the world of darkness." Shadow said. Maria turn back to her closed door, worrying that someone would come in and see her missing and her window open. "Everyone in this manor is asleep, my love. No one will wake up." Shadow told her. "We won't be out long." He sticks his hand out for her to take. Maria stared at it, then at Shadow.
"Where are we going?" She asked.
"You will see." Shadow said with a smile. "Do you trust me?"
"I do. But...I'm afraid if I fall."
"You won't. I will hold you." Maria reached for his hand. Shadow guides her towards the window. He picked her up in bridal style. "Hold on tight, my lady." Shadow said. He spreads his wings and flew down. Maria gasped and wrap her arms around his neck, burying her face in his neck. Shadow smirked and flew up, flapping his bat wings to get higher. "Open your eyes, Maria." Shadow told the yellow hedgehog. Maria moved her head and look around her to see they are above their town. Yet, they could see the forest and ahead was Shadow's castle. The stars sparkle above them and at the moon is bright.
"Oh, it's so beautiful!" Maria said in awe. "Our town looks pretty from up here!"
"Hang on. I'm flying us towards the forest." Shadow said with a smile. He flew towards the woods. Maria laughed with joy. Then, she started to hear Shadow sing to her as they fly above the town's streets.
"Let me be your wings,
Let me be your only love,
Let me take you far beyond the stars.
Let me be your wings,
Let me lift you high above,
Everything we're dreaming of will soon be ours."
Maria never imagined that this vampire could sing so wonderful. Has he sang before? With a voice like that, he must've. They flew above the trees and see some bats fly along with them.
"Anything that you desire,
Anything at all.
Everyday I'll take you higher,
And I'll never let you fall.
Let me be your wings,
Leave behind the world you know,
For another world of wondrous things.
We'll see the universe and dance on Saturn's rings.
Fly with me and I will be your wings."
Shadow lowers Maria down to the river. As the yellow hedgehog's feet is on the ground, she turned to the sparkling river, and there are fireflies around her. Shadow smiles as he watches Maria giggle and have her hands out as the fireflies are flying around her. Maria turned to see the black hedgehog grab her hands and dance with her above the ground.
"Anything that you desire,
Anything at all.
Everyday I'll take you higher
And I'll never let you fall."
"Maria, sing with me." Shadow said, holding her close. Maria blinked at him. "Sing, my love." Shadow said again. Maria gulped and started to sing out to him, holding onto his shoulders as they fly up.
"You will be my wings,
You will be my only love,
Wondrous things are sure to happen,
We'll see the universe and dance on Saturn's rings."
Shadow smiled at her and held her in bridal style once more. They nuzzle each other's noses as they sing together.
"Heaven isn't too far.
Heaven is where you are,
Stay with me and let me be your wings."
Maria's hand reached up to the side of Shadow's face as her eyes are closed. Shadow smiled as he looked at her face. How he wanted to kiss her. Maria opened her eyes to see his red eyes staring. She blushed.
"That was beautiful." Maria said.
"As are you." Shadow told her. "Let us sit for a moment." He lowers down to the wood once more. His feet land on the grass and let Maria down on her feet. They sat by the river together. Shadow's wings disappeared in his back and his quills took place. Shadow took her hand and kissed it. "You are beautiful tonight, my love."
"Shadow, please don't call me that." Maria said with a blush. "I mean, I don't mind the compliment, but-"
"But, you are my love, Maria. My mate." Shadow said. "I understand you don't love me. I can wait."
"Shadow, I...I hardly-" Maria was cut off when Shadow started to sniff. He stood up and look around. "Shadow?"
"Shh. Don't make a sound, and don't move." Shadow whispered. Maria started to worry. She got on her feet as Shadow brought his arm up to protect her. Coming down from the trees is a green hedgehog. Scourge looked up at them with a smirk.
"Bună seara, domnule și doamna." He greeted.
"You..." Maria gasped. "You're from the other night!"
"Maria, stay behind me." Shadow told her. He growled at Scourge. "What are you doing here, Scourge? Didn't you learn a lesson?"
"I'm not here to take your...sweetheart." Scourge said. "I was only passing through, trying to find ourselves some dinner." Behind Maria and Shadow are Fang and Bean, chuckling. Shadow gave them a warning glare, not wanting them to get near Maria. "And I should apologize to Lady Marianella. A vampire must feed, you know." Scourge said.
"And she smells so good!" Bean said, sniffing the air as he caught a scent of Maria. "Can we just have a little taste?"
"Quiet, idiot!" Fang said, hitting the woodpecker in the head.
"Ow!" Bean whined, rubbing his head. "Not so hard!"
"All of you stay away from Maria and her grandfather." Shadow said. "If you ever come near any of them, I will make sure you won't live to see another night."
"Wouldn't dream of it." Fang spoke. "Let's find us some dinner, boys." As they walk away, Scourge's eyes turn red as he looks at Maria.
"Don't think you haven't seen the last of us, domnișoară. You know that one of these days, you will become a vampire. It ain't easy to be one." He said before following Fang and Bean. Shadow huffed in annoyance. He turned to Maria.
"Are you okay?"
"I just got chills." Maria said. "They wouldn't...come after me. Would they?"
"No. Remember, they can't go into your home without being invited in first." Shadow reminded. "You're safe. As long as I'm around, you are safe. Same goes with your grandfather. I wouldn't let any other vampire try to take you away." He held her close. Maria embraced him. Shadow pulled away as he realized something. "Wait. I know someone who could help." He said. "Come on." He took Maria's hand and walk to the right side of the woods.
"Where are we going now?"
"To Nicole's."
Nicole hears a knock on the door. The lynx turned and grabbed the cross. No one visits her this late. She stood by her door.
"Who is it?" She demanded.
"Shadow the Hedgehog. And I have someone with me." A voice replied outside. Nicole opened the door to see Shadow and Maria.
"Count Shadow? Oh, Lady Marianella! Please, come in!" Nicole let the two inside. Maria looks around the place. This is where Shadow and his friends got their jewelry to be out in the sun. "What can I help you with?" Nicole asked.
"Nicole, do you have something for Maria to wear against vampires?" Shadow asked. "Sonic told me you can make something for those who can protect themselves from a vampire's hypnotic spell."
"Yes, I do." Nicole said. "Wait here." She left them to get something for Maria to have.
"This place is amazing. Must be lonely to live here." Maria said.
"Yet I have plenty of protection." Nicole's voice said from one of the room. She came out with a silver necklace and a silver pendent. "Here you are, miss. Must wear it at all times whenever you go around. Vampires can be in sunlight too."
"Will it work?" Maria asked, putting on a necklace.
"See for yourself." Nicole smiled as she gestured Shadow. The black hedgehog walked towards Maria and his eyes glow.
"You do as you are told. Take off that necklace." He demanded. Maria blinked at him. Nothing happened. She isn't hypnotized. The necklace worked.
"I don't feel anything." Maria said. "So, I'm immune to the vampire's spell as long as I wear this?"
"Yes. And another thing. If a vampire tries to touch that necklace, it burns them. They will never take it from you." Nicole said. Maria touches the pendent and see the engraving of a halo and angel wings.
"Thank you, Nicole. I could pay you for this." Shadow said.
"No need. Your friend here is very special." Nicole said. "Now, you two must go. It is getting late. And be careful out there." Shadow and Maria thanked her once again and left her place.
"Take me home, Shadow. It is getting cold." Maria said, holding her arms.
"Of course." Shadow said. He got out his wings and carry Maria in his arms and flew up.
Once Maria is back in her room, she turned back to Shadow with a smile and thanked him for a wonderful night and took her to see Nicole. Shadow wished her a good night and flew away from her window to return to his castle. Maria watched him transform into a bat in the night sky. She touches her necklace.
"My vampire knight." She said to herself.
Maria closes her window to get to bed. Below her window is Bunnie, wearing a rosy pink dress. She sighed to herself.
"She can't become one of us. Antoine can't have her. That Count Shadow has chosen Lady Marianella as his bride. One of these days, Maria will be his bride." She said.
"What if she won't be?" Fiona's voice asked. She walked over to Bunnie in her deep red dress. "I can tell that she isn't in love just yet. Lord Antoine will be one step ahead and you know it."
"No! After what he did to Mina, Maria won't be the next!" Bunnie said with a glare, her eyes glow red.
"If you tell Count Shadow about Antoine or us, Antoine will know and he will kill you!" Fiona said. "You don't want to end up like Mina! I understand it was wrong of Antoine to do such a thing to Mina-"
"Mina found true love!" Bunnie said. "Four days ago, she found her true love in the streets! She tried to hide it from Antoine, but-" Fiona brought her over for a hug. Bunnie sobbed in Fiona's shoulder. The red fox tried to soothe her friend, patting her back. Bunnie pulled back, drying her tears. "Let's go before anyone sees us."
Shadow arrived in his castle. But, he started to pick up a smell. Something he hasn't smelt in years. Shadow walked in the room to see Rouge sitting by the fireplace with Espio. The purple chameleon is drinking blood from a glass. It was his fourth glass.
"Rouge? Why is this detective here?" Shadow asked with a look. "And I smell a new vampire."
"The new vampire is Espio." Rouge replied with a smile. She turned to the chameleon. "Espio, this is Count Shadow. The master of the castle." Espio looked at Shadow in silent. Shadow gave him a nod.
"Seems like I missed out a new vampire while I was away. When did you bring him here?" He asked Rouge. The white bat poured herself a drink.
"A few hours ago. As soon as we come in here, he...well...fainted. I guess he couldn't take so much excitement." Rouge said. "Now that you are finally around, why don't we welcome our new friend?"
"How many of you are there?" Espio asked.
"Not much. But, there are a few bad vampires out there." Rouge replied to him. Espio sighed a bit.
"You have so much to learn, my new friend. We will help you get through it." Shadow said. "Let me ask you this. Who bit you? And did you drink blood from a vampire?"
"A wolf." Espio said. "But, I don't remember drinking a vampire's blood. I passed out and then I woke up in a hospital bed. I felt strange, I hate the sunlight, and then...I drink blood from a nurse. I never meant to kill her."
"A wolf." Shadow said to himself. "Whoever it was, that vampire could be bad news. He must be the one who fed you the blood to live. And now, you are one of us." Espio stared at him.
"Why do you want to help me?"
"Because we are nothing like those vampires. We hunt for animals." Rouge said.
"Animals...?" Espio wondered. "Well...sounds better than hunting mortal mobians." Shadow smiled a bit. So, Shadow let Espio be a part of his castle. Yet, Shadow needs to know the vampire who bit him in the first place. Maybe tomorrow he will be on a search. But it won't be easy.
