~x~ Chapter 69 ~x~
The phone hardly got through the second ring when the line went through.
"Before you go into some kind of a rant, I need you to take a deep breath, Ali."
There was a pause. Then I heard him take the breath. Then he released it. I could almost see the tension leaving his body just a little bit.
"Better?"
"A little," he told me. "How are you, little sky? You have no idea how much I wanted to come straight to where you are when I heard about what happened."
"Oh? What kept you away?" I asked teasingly, purposefully adding a lilt to my voice. Not that I would have ever expected to wake up to see Ali, but the thought of him being the first face I saw after the situation I'd just faced calmed my anxiousness a lot.
"Jules threatened to cut an entire year's wage if I took off."
"A whole year? That sounds a bit much, even for Aunty Jules."
"Well... she started with a week and continued to keep adding until I stopped walking towards the vans."
I whistled. "Gosh, it took them a lot to keep you away."
"Any other time, it probably wouldn't have worked. I live here anyway and it's not like I had any trips planned. But Trace started crying. He overheard us talking about you. He only just stopped crying when the Dragomir Princes called him five minutes ago for their usual exchanges of goodnight. When they heard him crying they told him that you were alright."
"Wait, how the heck did they know?"
"Apparently the older Zeklos Prince told them."
"Geez, people spread things far too fast in this community." I shuddered.
"How are you feeling? Not physically, but emotionally. You've never dealt with a kidnapping situation before."
"No, but I don't think I am likely to go through something quite as traumatising as the attack from six years ago. That is, I friggin' hope not. So, in short, I'm feeling perfectly fine. A little shaken but fine."
"Jules said something about them being after you too. I'm sorry that word of your skills has even reached the underworld groups, Kalster. You shouldn't have to deal with something like that so soon after you got back. We had our suspicions that it might happen towards the end of your senior year but this is far too soon."
"Why didn't anyone mention that they'd gotten so out of hand in recent years?"
"It isn't exactly something that is easy to slip into our normal conversations," he responded defensively. "Besides, you already had more than enough on your plate to deal with."
"I guess... Maybe it was just as well that I've been brought back when I did. I have this scary feeling that they might have found out about me in the outside world sooner rather than later and having more knowledge about them from you guys would definitely put me in a better position to fight back."
"I really hope for your sake this doesn't become a bigger issue, Kalster. If it does, there will be zero chance of your life here at St. Vlad's getting calmer."
"Somehow, I'm getting the feeling that expecting a calm life at the academy is fast becoming a futile dream." I sighed. "You're probably going to hear this from the others soon enough so I'd rather you heard it from me first. I don't want you to panic, but there is a big chance that Axel knows who I am."
I let him ponder over my words for a second before I heard him swear and I knew he understood. "What happened? I thought you were working hard to protect your identity."
"I was, until assholes decided to try and kidnap the both of us and Axel very nearly fell off a cliff. I wasn't going to just stand there and watch him die, Ali. There was no other way."
"You saved him from falling off a cliff? What were you thinking?" he shouted. "You could've fallen down with him!"
"What? So I should've just stood back and watch him plummet to his death. You know I can't do that, Ali."
For a moment there wasn't a reply. When he spoke, I never could have anticipated the words that came out of his mouth.
"I know that so well that sometimes all I want to do is to lock you up somewhere remote where danger can't reach you," he scowled.
His words completely caught me off guard. It wasn't just his words either. It was his tone. There was no joke, no sense of humour. He was 100% serious. From the sound of his voice, it was something that he really did consider doing. His words shocked me for three major reasons.
First, it was absolutely ridiculous. He never should be thinking of such a thing. I was starting to question his sanity.
Second, it scared me that he actually considered it. I mean, if he really did try something like that, we were guaranteed to get into a really big argument. Fighting with Ali was something that I didn't like at all.
Third, the alarm came from the implications behind his protectiveness that I just didn't want to have to confront right now. This wasn't just about us being protective of one another because we were childhood friends anymore. No. This went beyond that. Far, far beyond being mere childhood friends. With everything that was going on in my life, this wasn't something that I wanted to get into right now. There were so many things causing me headaches, I really didn't want Ali to become one of them.
Ali was my safe haven.
Almost always had been.
I couldn't stand to lose that sense of sanctuary right now.
"Ali, that's a ridiculous idea."
"Is it? You've only been back, what? Three weeks? Just about? And look at all the different dangers you've been in already."
"Ali, there has always been that risk with my coming back. This is inevitable. It comes with the territory of being a dhampir." I tried to reason. "We both know that all too well. You have come to know that all too well, remember? We protect them. That's the way it works."
I heard him take several breaths and he didn't speak for a little while. I didn't rush him. I knew that he needed time to properly calm himself.
"Even so, little sky, there has to be a limit to how much trouble and burden one singular person should have to take. Besides, you're not even a graduate. You're not a Guardian yet, not for a long time yet."
"Two years really isn't that long, Alster."
"Two years is long enough. It's definitely long enough for someone to change a lot."
I thought about his words for a moment and I thought back to our previous conversations. Somehow, I didn't think that we were talking about me anymore.
"Alster... I get it. Two years can really change someone. But don't you think that now that I'm with all of you, my family and closest confidents that I would change for the better? With love and respect by my side don't you think that there's no way for me to grow except for in a good way? Not to mention Aunty Jules really would find a way to kick my ass if I didn't. God, just imagine Martin's reprimanding look!"
I heard him stifle a laugh and I knew that I had achieved my goal in lightening his mood just a little.
"Besides, you get to have me for quite a lot of the summer. I'm presuming that most of the kids would be going home for the holiday. That means that you'll be assigned to my trips out of the Academy when I have rehearsals or recordings or any other work related engagements." I told him.
He gave another sigh and I heard some shuffling. "You really do still know how to calm me down."
"I'd say that's a good thing. If memory serves, you can turn into such an insufferable ass when you're in a mood. There's no way I'm putting Trace through a horror like that. I'm not back for at least another two days... Just the thought of Trace being trapped with a monstrous Ali... Not good." I teased, putting on a dramatic tone of disgust and horror.
"You are just about the only person who is not allowed to say that to me. If I remember correctly, your moods are way worse than mine. I still remember the hell you used to put Joe through with your tantrums. Sometimes, not even your dad would know how to deal with you. And when Raymond Ivashkov doesn't know how to handle a child, that's when they know there's a problem."
"I wasn't that bad!" I squealed in protest.
"Like I said, you can't talk," he chuckled.
Before I could say anything more, there was a knock on my door and I could only guess that it would either be another Guardian or my friends coming to visit me.
"Listen Ali, as much as I love chatting with you I've got to go. Someone's at the door."
"Promise me that you won't be reckless for the rest of the trip. I can't handle the thought of anything else that shouldn't happen happening to you."
"All I can do is promise to try, Alster. I'll see you soon."
"Stay safe," he told me with a firm tone before hanging up.
It was so strange to me to suddenly be faced with such a side of Ali's. I was still remembering his much more relaxed and young personality.
Before I could think about it any further, there was another knock on the door so I put my phone down and opened it. Arms suddenly wrapped around me in a tight hug.
"Guys, can't breathe." I choked as I tried to get my head out from being trapped by the girls' arms. With all three of them hugging me at the same time it was a little difficult to breathe.
"Kai, are you okay?"
"How're you feeling?"
"Why are there rumours going around saying that you killed some Guardians?"
The three girls asked at the same time.
"Alright, one thing at a time. Why don't you come in first? This isn't a conversation we should have at the door." I suggested.
Strolling back into the room, I settled down on the bed, making sure to leave at least enough room for the other three girls to sit down on. The guys each found their own spot dotted around the room. Not to my surprise, Axel was also here. Nathan's gaze met mine and he gave me a brief smile before closing the door. He stayed outside, most likely to give us teenagers some privacy, but I knew without a doubt that he would be able to hear pretty much every word we said.
"Before the girls start their questions, we went to the kitchen and got them to make you some food. You must be starving considering the afternoon you've had." Axel cut in before anyone could start firing questions again.
"You have absolutely no idea. Please tell me you got me dessert too." I asked as I took the bag from him.
"I got them to make you an entire strawberry cheesecake. Is that enough for you, little knight?"
"Hm, I don't know. Considering I did save your life and all maybe you should've brought me two." I teased back.
"I'll be sure to have someone send another one your way," he grinned.
I set the dessert to one side for now, put the bag which still had two other containers in on the floor and started on the first food container. I hummed in delight as I saw what was inside. Pan-fried salmon with what smelled like teriyaki sauce, stir-fried broccoli and Japanese rice. I had no idea that I had been craving that meal but apparently it was just what I needed.
"So, who has the first question?" I asked after I swallowed my first bite.
"Are you okay? Like really okay?" Roxy asked worriedly.
"I'm fine. I hardly feel a thing." I reassured her.
"What happened out there? We heard snippets from the others in your team when they got back and you hadn't. When the Guardians were rushing around earlier and the resort went into a lock-down, we had no idea what to think."
"They had the place in a lock-down?"
"That's the standard procedure when they're faced with an unconfirmed threat." Drew explained.
"So, what have you heard so far?" I asked, curious to know what rumours had been spun.
"Sarah said that they all probably would've died out there if it wasn't for you taking charge."
"Travis agreed that, especially him and Sarah, wouldn't have been able to make it down the mountain as well as they did if it weren't for you."
"Whatever you did out there, Sarah seemed like she was really indebted to you."
"Did anything happen when we split up?" Dan asked.
"At first, no. Nothing happened. We got to the main road and that was when the attack came." I told him. "Now tell me. What rumours are being spread amongst the students? I already know what's being said amongst the Guardians but I'm curious to know what the others in our year are saying."
They shared a worried look.
"I already know that the word 'murderer' is being thrown around. I want to know what else I need to prepare myself for." I reasoned.
"Well... someone said that you're a spy brought up in the underworld and sent here to seduce all the royal princes."
"A spy? That's just about the coolest thing I've been called so far." I grinned.
"We don't know who started it, but before we knew it that story evolved quite a lot. Apparently you were born and brought up in the underworld."
"You were trained in all the fighting arts."
"As well as seductive arts."
"Your main mission is to attract as many royals as possible."
"Earn their trust."
"Cause them to lower their guard around you."
"Then when the time was right there would be a large scale attack kidnapping them all."
"Seriously? That is one heck of an elaborate plan for one spy to shoulder." I scoffed. "But, I have to say. Considering most of the low grade rumours that have already been spread about me, this one isn't actually half bad."
"Why are you amused by this? This is serious. If the Guardians actually think you might be a threat, this could turn into a big deal." Els tried to reason.
"Trust me, I am almost 100% certain that it's never going to come to that." I reassured her. "I might be an oddball but surely they don't really think that the underworld is capable of turning out a child spy my age who is as good as fighting as I am? Besides, what is this underworld thing you keep mentioning?"
I asked that last question for pretences sake. If I didn't, one of them was going to start questioning why I didn't ask. Then that would lead things in one of two directions. First, they really might start believing that I was a spy sent by the underworld. Second, they'll suspect I'm not who I say I am. Either way, it wasn't something I wanted to deal with right now.
"It's basically like the mafia or gang in other countries. Only, the underworld refers to the entire illegal dark organisation of the vampire community across the whole world." Dan explained.
"Seriously, you have something like that? That's insane..." I drawled. "Anyway, do you guys think that I am a spy sent to seduce and kidnap you?"
"Of course not!" the royal quartet snapped.
"If you were, you never would've refused our previous advances." Quinn scoffed.
"Then it's fine. So long as enough people with the right amount of authority honestly believe that I'm not a spy then I'll be just fine." I told them. "So, any more interesting rumours I should probably know about before I face everyone tomorrow?"
"Well, there are some usual ones. Some were saying that the lock-down was just a hoax and you and Axel ran off together but then the Guardians caught you." Jacks sighed.
"The number of rumours flying around you and Axel is way more than the ones about you and Eric Cooper." Dan warned.
"Well that's to be expected considering mister charmer is a famous royal." I grumbled.
"So, what'd you think?" Axel piped up with an amused grin. "Should we do it?"
"Do what? Get married. Are you absolutely out of your mind?" I balked. "Did you hit your head a little too hard when you got attacked? Or did they slip something into your drink?"
"Rhiannon and James are getting married. What's wrong with me getting married?"
"Well for one thing you haven't even had your epic love." I stated bluntly. "Then there's the fact that you're far too flirtatious for your own good. I'm a terrible candidate. You barely know me and vice versa. Do I need to continue?"
"I may be flirtatious but I would never be unfaithful and I certainly wouldn't dare be with a girl like you. You'll probably kill me. And if you don't kill me the guilt from hurting you would. You are a great candidate. As for that last point, perhaps I know you more than the students at the Academy do."
Even though he'd kept his tone light-hearted, I'd have to be an idiot not to sense the deeper meaning of that last comment. Damn it. Damn it all to hell. Axel really had worked it out. Out the corner of my eye I noticed Drew shift his glance from Axel to me in surprise. Great… So not only did Axel work out who I really was but Drew already caught on that Axel had his suspicions. Just great…
"Besides, how do you know I haven't had my epic love yet?" Axel continued.
"If you had, I'd have heard about it by now."
"Look, this could go on forever, and she needs her rest. We need to start heading back too if we're going to make lights' out." Drew cut in before Axel could say anything else.
"Well then you guys go. It's not as if I have a curfew." Axel grinned cheekily and boastfully.
"Axel let her rest. She saved your life today. Don't you owe her at least that?" Drew tried to reason.
"That's all the more reason why I should stay and keep the stupid Guardians from interrogating her tonight with ridiculous questions." Axel fired back.
"Wait, I'm confused. Aren't you coming back to the room, Kai?" Ingrid frowned.
"I'm sort of being kept under house arrest of some kind. They want to keep me away from the students just for tonight." I told them simply.
"That's not fair! You didn't do anything wrong. They can't detain you!" Roxy stared at me in shock.
"They can and they have it seems." I shrugged. "Honestly though. I'll be fine. I'll be back on track with whatever the Academy has planned for us tomorrow."
I noticed Drew staring at Axel and sighed. "It's fine, you guys head back. I'll join you for breakfast. Drew don't worry about Axel. If it comes down to it I'll just physically kick him out."
He sent me a look as if asking: "Are you sure?"
I nodded. Against Axel, I could handle myself. Besides, I'd much rather we got this over and done with. Here, I knew that it would be almost impossible for students to eavesdrop on the conversation that we needed to have. This was the safest place to have the impending conversation…
"Well, you heard the chick. Off you go. I don't want the Guardians grumbling at me."
"Axel, the Guardians are always going to grumble at you. You always do things that irritate them." Drew rolled his eyes but pushed off from the wall where he was perched nonetheless.
"Thanks for coming to see me and bringing me food. I really needed that." I told them gratefully. I hugged the three girls goodnight before letting them go.
"You should try and get an early night if you can, Kai." Jacks advised. "I'm guessing that the Guardians haven't told you yet but they've actually cancelled the original plans for tomorrow. We have warm-up and a run after lunch but we get the whole morning free."
"They're giving us that much free time?" I stared at him in shock. "Wow, they really are being nice to us."
"I don't think they're doing it to be nice. I think they're doing it so that the Guardians can dedicate more time to the investigation." Drew scoffed.
"Well, whatever their reason, I'm not going to complain." I grinned. "Good night, people. Thanks again for dropping by."
"Sleep well, Kai." Ingrid gave me one last hug before everyone left.
Well.
Everyone besides Axel.
Before I could say anything, he suddenly turned on his heel, stepped away from me and I stared at his back in confusion.
"Nathan, do little chick here a favour and go ask the kitchen to make her another cake, would you buddy?"
"And where are you going to be?" Nathan narrowed his eyes at him in caution.
"I'm staying here with the little chick for a bit longer."
"Axel, don't bother her too much. She's done a lot for you today. Give her a short break at least."
"I'm just making sure that she's going to be okay. You could either go get her a cake from the kitchen or I can be difficult for the rest of my time here at the resort. It's your choice."
"If I go, will you promise to behave for the rest of your contracted time here?"
"Yes."
"Valentine," Nathan stepped around Axel so that he could face me. "Are you going to be fine with him here?"
"It's okay. I'll just knock him out if he ends up being too much of a pain."
Nathan gave me an amused smile. He didn't doubt that I would do it. What amused me was that he didn't tell me that would be against the rules. He simply gave a curt nod and headed off down the hall.
Axel walked back into the room and shut the door behind him.
"Sit and eat your first cake, chick."
"You don't have to order me around, ya know." I drawled but did as he'd all but commanded nonetheless.
I settled comfortably on the bed and tucked into the cake. I watched as he laid down on the bed in front of me.
"You're making yourself right at home, aren't you?" I mumbled.
"After the day we've both had, I'm allowed to take a little rest, aren't I?"
"If you want to rest then go to bed. I'm sure your bed would be much more comfortable than this one. Let me guess, you've got some kind of an elite suite or something here."
"I have my own presidential suite," he admitted. "With my own kitchen and fully stocked bar."
"Well then, there you go. Much more comfortable than here."
"If I was allowed to, I would kidnap you for the night and have you stay in my room."
"Don't I get a say in this?"
"You do. I just wouldn't listen. But I'm not going to make the Guardians' job impossible."
"So you're actually being reasonable."
"For now, yes."
He fell silent and I saw he had his eyes closed. He really did look so tired. He shouldn't be here. He should be back in his private suite getting an early rest. But he wanted to be here and as much as I may have been complaining aloud, it was quite nice to have his company right now. It was good to see that he was alright. Fatigued. Yes. But he was fine. He was alive. That's what was important.
I finished the cake in no time. It was so light and so fluffy that it wasn't that hard to eat. When I finished, I set the box and fork down on the floor. As I sat back upright, Axel moved too. I watched curiously as he sat up and brought himself closer to me.
"I want to touch you, may I?"