Wow! You guys are amazing! Thank you so much for reading my story! Your review help me keep going!
Special thanks to Tara. for lighting a fire under my ass to help me finish writing. Also, Kirki101 for being the first to review the new chapters after I posted them at 4am! Finally, thank you to all who review in the future. I wouldn't be anything without you!
R&R Please!
It's been six years after the events with Murlough, but it's still fresh in my mind. We've been traveling across the country performing our amazing show. I've still been included and Larten's "lovely assistant" playing the flute for him when he catches Madam Octa in his mouth. I was still cooking for the performers. Mostly things like soup or stews, but I'm afraid that they're getting bored of the same old stuff. They swear up and down that they're not, but I can tell. Today's show was great, as always, Larten started incorporating some magic into his act and the crowd loved it! After the show I visited my best friend, Evra in his tent. He's grown up so much! He was about my age when I became a vampire. His voice was deeper, he was taller than me now, and he was more interested in girls. He was constantly asking me for advice.
"Layla," the voice of my vampire interrupted our conversation, "pack your things. We leave for Vampire Mountain tonight." Evra and I looked at each other, eyebrows knit in confusion.
"Vampire Mountain," I repeated, "why?"
"We will present you to the vampire council," he explained, "The council only meets every twelve years. I have already informed Mr. Tall of the plan. Please be ready at dusk." And with that, he left. No doubt to get rest before our journey.
"That was out of the blue," the snake-boy...er snake-man said sadly, "From what I know, this journey is no joke. You'll be climbing treacherous mountain paths and dealing with harsh cold and snow." I muttered a sarcastic "thanks" at his warning. If I wasn't nervous enough about being presented to the council, now I have to worry about dying before I even get there! "Maybe I could go with you! It'll be just like christmas all those years ago!" My eyes moved to his shoulder, he still had scars from being captured by the mad vampaneze.
"Evra, you almost died on that trip..." I sighed, "stay here and have a nice christmas your girlfriend." Evra told me time and again that he didn't blame me for what happened six years ago, but I still do. Simply thinking about how I was so close I was to losing my brother brought tears to my eyes.
"Don't be cold, Layla," he replied sadly.
"Speaking of which: don't snakes hate the cold," I laughed, trying to lighten the mood. Evra laughed too, but it sounded forced.
"Yeah, I'd probably fall asleep and hibernate till spring!" Evra and I started going through the stuff I accumulated over the years. There was no room in Larten's van for it so the snake-boy offered to keep it in his tent. We grabbed boots, a heavy jacket, the folding stew pot Larten got from a woman named Evanna, and Evra grabbed rope.
"Wait, why rope?" I asked, taking the rope out of the pile, "Vampires are great climbers."
"I know," he laughed, "but do you really want to hang off the side of a mountain by your fingertips?"
"Of course she does! Vampires thrive on danger!" We knew that voice...we looked at each other, turning white. I turned slowly and, sure enough, there was Desmond Tiny stroking his heart clock as if it were his pet. "Vampires are peculiar creatures, they love a challenge," he grinned from ear-to-ear stretching out his hand toward me, "Lady Shan...has it been seven years already?" I took his head and gave it one quick, curt shake. "So you're off to brave the journey to Vampire Mountain? I'd advise you to take matches, the path is long and cold.
"Thank you," I nodded, hoping that he was leaving now. His presence always made everyone in the Cirque uneasy, even the steadfast Mr. Tall seemed uneasy around the old man.
"Oh! One last thing!" Mr. Tiny realized as he was exiting, "tell Larten not to leave until I've had a word with him."
"I think we're in a hurry…" I replied wearily, "We might not have time when we wakes up."
"He'll make time for me," the old man assured me, "Even the dead make time for Mr. Tiny…" On that that cryptic note he left the tent and Evra and I searched frantically for matches.
When the sun fell below the horizon I went to wake Larten. I snuck through the crack of the door, careful not to jolt him awake. I've done that before and he only gets cranky. My vampire lie there, snoring softly, with his famous bed head and I couldn't help but smile. He has gotten used to sleeping with the coffin door open so now he even does it when I'm not there, but he hugs my pillow as if it were me and I find that to be the cutest damn thing. I gently laid down next to him and kissed his nose, he snorted awake and slightly opened his eyes as I giggle.
"Good morning!" I smiled cheerfully. He didn't say anything, he just glared at me and went back to sleep. I kissed the underside of his jaw and he groaned, not because it felt good, but because he knew I wouldn't let him go back sleep.
"Can I help you, Layla?" he mumbled into his pillow, trying to dodge my attacks.
"Nope!" I giggled before turning solem remembering what Desmond Tiny had said, "Actually…" Larten turned to look me in the eyes, knowing I was serious now. "Mr. Tiny wants to see you before we leave." I've never seen Larten get up so quickly and start getting dressed.
"Did he say why?" he asked, trying to keep his composure, but I knew he was panicking on the inside.
"I didn't ask, I didn't want to know," I admitted, "that guy freaks me out."
"Yes, he is...unsettling." That was one hell of an understatement. Once the vampire was dressed we headed to Mr. Tall trailer. Larten knocked twice and walked in.
"Larten!" Mr. Tiny greeted cheerfully, "As prompt as ever! Please sit!"
"I prefer to stand, thank you," he replied. Mr. Tiny seemed to get some sort of sick satisfaction from Larten's fear.
"I hear you're leaving for Vampire Mountain tonight," the old man grinned, "This is the first council you've been to in about 50 years, isn't?" Larten simply nodded in reply. "The path to the mountain is hazardous, yes?"
"It's not easy…" It was clear on the vampire's face that he knew what Mr. Tiny was getting at.
"Dangerous for a young lady, wouldn't you say?" Was he trying to talk Larten out of taking me or convincing me to not go? I didn't understand his motives. I looked to the elder vampire for his reply, but he never took his eyes off Mr. Tiny.
"Layla can take care of herself." I couldn't help but smile. I knew he believed in me, but after what I heard about the journey I wasn't as confident in myself as he was. Mr. Tiny turned his gaze to me and I nodded curtly.
"I'm sure she can," the old man agreed with a sickening smile, "but it's unusual for one so young to make the journey, isn't?" I wasn't that young anymore, not in my eyes at least. I was three years shy of 30, but I was still stuck in my 19-year-old body: pale, thin, and lanky. "Which is why I'm sending two if my Little People as guards." One of the hooded figures I recognized as the Little Person who helped dig Sam's grave at the train yard. He had a slight limp that favored his left leg. Since then, I've come to affectionately call him "Lefty".
"They would only get in the way," Larten snapped, "we do not want them."
"Listen, this is not an offer," Mr. Tiny warned, "They are going with you. End of story." The look in the old man's eyes make Larten shut his mouth immediately. "You will not be responsible for their food or beds. All you need to do is make sure you don't 'lose' them along the way." There was a knowing glimmer in his eye.
"What about when we get there?" Larten growled, clearly not pleased, "Do you expected me to take them inside Vampire Mountain? The princes will not stand for it!"
"Don't forget by whose hands the Hall of Princes was built," the old man giggled, "they know which side their blood is buttered on." After a few moments of consideration, Larten knew he wasn't going to win the argument and nodded curtly. "I knew you would see it my way." Mr. Tiny's gaze shifted from my mate to me and beckoned me closer with a curl of his long, boney finger. I tentatively shuffle toward him as he eyed me over. "Now, Lady Shan...you've grown." He smiled at me almost as a father would his daughter, "On the inside, I mean. Where is really matters. You're battles with the wolf-man and Murlough have toughened you." My eyes widened at the mention on Murlough. The last time I saw Mr. Tiny was before Sam died. There was no way in hell he could've known about the mad vampaneze.
"H-how do you know about that?" I stammered. He simply laughed and put his hands on my shoulders.
"My dear," he whispered, pulling my ear to his lips, "I know everything…" I couldn't turn to Larten, but I could look up to Mr. Tall. He didn't see me though, he looked ahead. Maybe to Larten...maybe to nothing. "You must be strong, Layla," I could feel his hot breath on my ear and visibly cringed at the sensation, "Never admit defeat...even when it seems inevitable." It sounded like he was warning me about something, but about what? I had no clue. He, then, patted my cheek and said his goodbyes. I could hear Larten calling my name, but I stood there, frozen, with my hand on the cheek Mr. Tiny touched and his words ringing in my ears.
