Part VI

TARA

My mind would relax, lulled by the sound and feel of Eric sleeping in our bed beside me, only to jolt awake, the knowledge that this must be a dream shot through me like a bucket of ice-water adrenaline. My eyes struggle to focus, but can't adjust to the pitch blackness that restrains me.

I screamed out for help but nothing came out of my mouth as I sank deeper and deeper into a sea filled with my mistakes.

A never-ending dark void that consumes everything, so you're left feeling nothing. Empty. I am the ghost in my own machine, running through time and space, looking, always looking in the blackness for a sacred spark.

As I reached the bottom, I knew no-one was going to save me; no knight in shining armor, no Prince Charming. So, I closed my eyes and forgot about the world, the world that ruined me forever.

The fact is I'm dead. I died in a horrible car crash with the old man who picked me up.

Is this what being dead is like? Nothingness...No heaven, no hell, just a horrible cold, and lonely abyss?

"Tara Thornton."

In the darkness, an unfamiliar voice calls out to me. The sound so close, I could have sworn it was whispering in my ear; so soothing is the voice in the darkness and I got a strange feeling that my bed was floating.

I realize I am only dreaming when the scene changes, I'm in a boat on a gently swaying sea. There was no motor on the boat, no oars, nothing I could use to guide the boat that was drifting aimlessly. Soon the boat ran aground on some island that was not there before. There was no reason to stay in the boat, so I went ashore. I went inland a few yards and found people stumbling and wandering around. I watched them but no one seemed to see me. I had never seen these people before and I finally realized they were blind. I needed to find out where I was, so I went up to one of the people and asked him, "Where am I?" He turns towards me but did not say a word. He just stood there. He was gorgeous, his skin was so smooth and pallid, and it looked like he glowed. His piercing blue eyes took hold of me and I was unable to look away, let alone speak. I wanted to say something, anything, but nothing came out of my mouth. He placed his icy cold hand on my shoulder and peered at me with such intensity, my entire body surrendered. I had no control, we crashed into each other and we kissed. I had no explanation for the carnal lust and desire I felt for him. He growled, a deep, guttural and menacing growl and in fright, I pulled away. The beautiful man I was just kissing no longer looked human, he had fangs, long incisors dripping with blood. Barring his sharp daggers, he growled at me. I screamed out and he attacked me, biting my neck. His bite stung like a hot iron burning my flesh as he penetrated the skin and muscles.

"Tara..."

The voice was calling me again and I found myself back in the void. In the midst of the deafening silence and maddening darkness, I was being embraced. Strong muscular arms held me in a firm, yet tender embrace and I felt at peace.

"Tara...rise!"

My eyes snapped open and there he was. That arctic blue gaze drew me in, generating the feelings I had during my dream. I was pulled into his frozen lake of emotion.

"Come to me." He said, but I was too distracted by my surroundings. The moon and stars were bright in the clear night sky. I was in a satin-lined coffin underground in an open grave. I sat up and examined myself, peering down at my bloody, oily and dirt-soaked jeans; all the memories of my death flashed before me.

And I realize that I'm a ghost.

"Tara, get out of the coffin and come to me."

The pale, shirtless man said to me with his composed gentle vernacular. The way he spoke caused such an unexplainable feeling in me; it was as if I could feel what he was feeling. He wanted me near...

"Am I dead?" I asked, certain that I was and he was too. I sat up and he extended his arm to me taking my hand in his and gently pulling me to my feet. His slim yet muscular arms, chest, and torso are decorated with intricate blue ancient runic tattoos.

"You are dead my child, but fortunate for us, death is not the end." In a single movement, he lifted me up and cradled me. I gasped instinctively, draping my arms around his neck, the man leaped up from the 6-foot grave onto a well-manicured pasture.

"Are we ghost?"

"No, but we must carry ourselves as such." He was still holding me in his arms, "The world must never know of our existence."

"I don't understand...How would anyone know we exist if we are dead?"

"Tara," He said in a hushed tone, "You are dead, you died last night in an accident. I will explain more after our bath." He said, guiding me through the pasture.

"Our bath?" I said as we peaked the hill and caught sight of a beautiful stone house. It reminded me of those French country homes; French style homes are distinguished by the stone, brick and stucco siding and this house was exceptionally beautiful. The fountain, the manicured lawn, and the botanical garden were all in the backyard.

"Yes, dirty hair and clothes are not a good look on you." He smiled and picked up his pace. Amazingly, he carried me as if I weighed nothing at all.

The smell of flowers pleasantly surrounded us as we walked through the yard. I can never tire of their sweet fragrance. I look around admiring the angel trumpets, jasmines, tuberoses, rain lilies, wisterias, primroses, moonflowers, and the amazing queen of the night flowers, I immediately comprehend the garden is full of night-blooming flowers. My favorite is the rare queen of the night flowers, the petals are delicate works of art and their hues are medicine for my soul.

"You said our bath? And then go out…That would be separate right..." My tone was laced with trepidation and full of skepticism as he gently set me down on the threshold of the house. "… I don't even know your name."

"My name is Godric, and we shall have all the time in the world to know each other in any way you please." He gazed at me as if I were a miracle, as if I was something that he couldn't believe was real. I still can't believe this is real, "Right now, we must take care of the necessities."

"What are the necessities?" I glanced around his home as he led me through. The place was deceptively big without seeming obscenely huge.

"You must fully understand what you are, your capabilities as well as your limits." Godric switched on more lights illuminating a large crystal chandelier that hung like some glory-cloud above the room's center.

The windows weren't the large ones that are so fashionable now, but more the size one used to see in old country cottages, and like them they were mullioned, overlooking the meadows. The paintwork on the trim was brilliant white, flawless, natural grey stone with all the hues mother nature can provide.

"Godric, why are you doing this for me?"

"You are my progeny and I am your Sire, it is my responsibility to care for you, to teach you the ways."

He nodded and smiled as we continued on in the house. The main level contained the sleek, professionally designed kitchen with the granite counters, stainless steel appliances, a spotless breakfast nook, lavish dining and living room. The top-level housed the bedrooms, which were as ultra-modern and minimalist as the living spaces. The path wound to a double oak front door was loose pea shingle. "This way," He directed me down the stairs, there was a large basement built into the hill, that's where all the old-world charm ended, once across the threshold, it was technology and modern design all the way. The floors were polished concrete and the furniture high-end Scandinavian design. The only compromise to comfort was the sheepskin on the floor, so clean it was hard to believe anyone had ever stepped foot on it. There was an oak with a large white muslin canopy strung like a flat sail across the top and set against a stacked charcoal gray slate feature wall. In the middle of the room was an enormous and contemporary style four-poster bed.

"This is where we slumber during the day." He said lighting the fireplace. The fireplace mimics the warmth of the day.

"What I am... Teach me the ways of what?" I asked desperately trying to make sense of why we would sleep in the basement when there is plenty of upstairs to go around.

I didn't quite understand why he deemed me his child, he is certainly not my father. Why would anyone want to have the burden of making me their responsibility? So, I decided to stop asking questions, for the moment at least; I realized if I just let whatever is happening, happen, as long as he does me no harm; maybe I can figure it all out.

"I shall make your bath." He said, our features illuminated by the flickering light, the only one in this room. Though the air isn't smoky I can smell the pine as it burns, just a faint fragrance to reassure my senses.

I nodded, hoping, praying that he did not mean me any harm, as I watched him enter the bathroom. I could see the steam rising from the water filling the clawfoot tub as I neared the entrance. I step into the well-lit bathroom and was greeted with gleaming white granite countertops, walnut framed mirrors, walk-in shower room with over-sized shower head, fluffy towels neatly arranged, fluffy bath mat, and wicker laundry basket greeted me as Godric lit white candles. My breath was taken away and I was speechless, I'd never been surrounded by such luxury.

It was obvious Godric wanted lots of light but privacy too. He wanted an echo of years gone by with a modern twist, something he felt could carry him into his future in comfort, someplace he'd feel at home.

"Remove your garments, I will have them cleaned or thrown away, whichever you please." He stood with his hands entwined waiting for me to strip in front of him.

Not going to happen!

"Umm. Godric, I'd like a little privacy, please." I could feel my cheeks burn at the thought of him watching me undress.

An expression that can only be described as - disappointment was what I expected to see, however, Godric looked utterly confused, his curiosity building like a cat fixed upon its prey. And without a word, he left the bathroom.

As soon as he did, I quickly undressed and slid into the tub. Only a moment later Godric was opening the door and quickly approaching me.

"Godric what are you doing?" I was baffled by his odd behavior. I practically just got into the tub, there is no way he could think I would be ready.

"We are wasting the night." He pulled up a small ornate bench from the vanity and sat right beside the tub. Thank goodness, I'm covered with lots of bubbles.

"Well, I just got in, give me a moment," making my annoyance apparent. The bath feels amazing and I wish I was alone to enjoy it and gather my thoughts.

He nodded, his gaze unblinking, but he didn't leave; so I decided to make good use of him invading my space.

"You said I needed to know the necessities and that you needed to teach me the ways...the ways of what?"

"The ways of being a creature of the night."

"A creature of the night? Like a vampire?" I scoffed, no wonder he was talking in riddles, he knew I wasn't going to buy that load of crap.

"Tara, I shall say it again, death is not the end, it is merely another plane of existence." His glare was intense and unwavering, "You are flesh and blood, you do exist, but under a different set of rules, for you are no longer human."

As I gazed at my own reflection, I didn't dare say a word. What was there to say? Either he was telling the truth or I've just been kidnapped by a polite and handsome lunatic.