Healer
Her beautiful golden-brown eyes stare up at me as I wake from my sleep. They met me in my dreams, just like every other night - even when I'm far from her love - and now they welcome me back to reality. This reality however is far from her beauty; unlike them it is sad and I am sure I am giving her no doubt with my eyes as I look down at her. I know I will have to leave her soon.
Ignoring my grief, she tries to lighten me up by smiling her humble and honest smile at me; it reaches her eyes. To her luck it works - of course it would. Seeing her happy gives me the greatest pleasure. She makes me smile; she makes me see happiness once again. I love her.
"I've missed you," she whispers.
I want to caress her cheek, but when I come to bring my hand up, I find they are wrapped inside hers. Her hands are warm and with her touch I can almost feel human heat in my own skin. I gently remove one of my hands to caress her hair and cheek and with the other give her hands a squeeze. She squeezes my hand back.
"Don´t leave, Eric," she continues.
Now I am silent. I don´t know how to tell her that I have to go, that I must – that I´ll only hurt her if I stay with her. There is so much I have to tell her, about Sienna… about what happened… I know she´s desperate to know. I can see it in her eyes.
I realize this is not only what she deserves to know. She also deserves to be told what she is. I've kept this from her for so long. I've known it myself since the first time I'd laid eyes on her. I had wanted her so badly. She has to be told what she is. It's for her own protection.
"I have to… you know I do," I manage.
"You said you were going to leave in your sleep. I don´t want you to," she whispers. Her words and her tone are enough to make me want to stay – she bats her lashes up at me, and I feel my body tremble at defeat.
"How could you possibly still want me after I hurt you?" I ask.
"I love you," she answers. Her answer is so simple, but it shakes something within me. I can´t leave either for the same reason. I have to be with her, because I love her too.
"Are you going to tell me what happened, Eric?"
"Sienna," I say and clear my through. "She called me, telling me of Isaac's death. She didn't see me help you, so she thought you had died too. I played along, pretending I didn't know about James and that my feelings for you where long gone. She asked me to come back to her and the others. I thought it would be a chance to kill her after what she did to you."
I pause, knowing she is listening, wanting to take everything I say in. Then I continue.
"I wrote you the note, but in all fairness, I didn't know if I'd make it back. I didn't want to worry you. I believed you loved me, and I knew you'd panic. But I knew it wouldn't be easy to kill her, especially if the others were around."
This time I pause just to watch her emotions. I feel her unwrap one of her hands from mine, but don't look to see it happen. I watch her every move as first anger but then worry cloud her face. She brings her hand to my face and lightly brushes my cheeks with her warm fingers.
"I couldn't stop worrying about you," she says, tears forming in her eyes. "I didn't know if you would ever come back to me."
I too bring my free hand to her face so that I can wipe her tears as they descend down her face. Everything under them on their path down her face softens just like her heart has softened to accept mine.
"I spent weeks and weeks with them, gaining as much information as possible from them. I knew I had to gain their complete trust again. Then I took my chance last week when Sienna and I were left alone. I went for it; I killed her; the other two had not gone far and had heard the fight. They ran back, where I was trying to hide my tracks and preparing an excuse. They, well… you saw me last night," I stop.
Ronnie's eyes widen with fear and she quickly shuffles towards me, nestling herself by my chest. She grasps me tightly and I wrap my arms around her.
"Are they… dead?" She speaks into my chest. I remember the others, Jeremy and Noah.
"I killed one of them, Noah, but escaped from Jeremy," I say.
I prepare myself for what I am about to tell her now. It´s what I've been hiding from her, even from myself. I don´t want her to be at threat, but it is what she is that means she's in danger.
"Ronnie, you need to know what I am about to tell you. It is punishable by death to kill a vampire for a human, and well… I have killed two."
"What?" She panics, her voice breaking and shaking.
"Before I left, Jeremy called the vampire authority, and the king is aware of what I have done. I will most probably have to go to defend my case, " I say.
Her eyes widen, no longer crying but large with shock. I guess this is too much for her at this time, but she had to know. I could be called at any minute, and I would have to leave her immediately.
"You´re going to die," It's not a question. It's a statement. "You're going to die, because of me?" she mutters, her voice breaking still.
"No," I say, honestly and see her physically relax. "I had a good reason to kill them, they were harming you." I pause, not knowing how to continue.
"Ronnie, you´re not just any human," I spill. How is she going to take this? I see her mouth widen with shock.
"You´re part of the Healers race - "
"Healer? Wait, Isaac mentioned that…" she mutters. Isaac – and he was going to kill her anyway? I frown.
"It just means you´re a human, but you´re matched to a vampire. Me." She smiles, so I continue. "Most vampires never find their healers, but I have. I've found you. I knew it the first time I tasted your blood and also, you bear the mark. It's the crescent moon just below your left ear."
She quickly moves her hand from my face, to touch herself just under her ear. She looks back at me.
"You mentioned my blood. Is that why your eyes turn gold and you... glow?" She says.
"Yes, our blood is matched. Those are the effects of your blood entering my body."
"Mmm... are there many of me? I mean, others?"
"No. You are extremely rare. In all of time there have only been ten known Healers."
"Well, what does being a Healer mean?" she asks, clearly astonished by this new information. She's taking this better than I had expected. "Will I develop superpowers?" She laughs.
"No. It just means you're blood is special to that vampire you're tied to. The smallest drop of your blood would heal me instantly. Unfortunately, my blood-lust doesn't suffice with little. Normally I can control it, but as you saw last night, if I'm weak..." I don't know how to continue.
"There are only a small number of healers known – there are thousands and thousands of us living amongst you humans, but in my 1000 years, I have only met two other vampires who have had Healers. You are very unique - I'd say you were the only Healer alive now."
"Were they intimate like we are?" she asks, again, completely curious.
"No. From what I know, most vampires almost farm their healers, making sure no harm comes to them so that the blood is contained. A vampire, with a Healer is almost unbeatable – we are very rare. The two vampires I knew who had found their Healers only came into contact with them when they had been injured and needed their Healer´s blood."
"So you think the King… wait explain that; you have a King?" she asks.
"Yes, his name is Alexander. Those younger vampires who have not been correctly taught about him or those who have not met him refuse to believe believe he is real and only glorify him as a God."
"Why is he king?" she asks.
"He was the first vampire. From him, all of us were made." I pause. "Are you ready for a story?" I mockingly ask, teasing her. She nods, her eyes containing the same enthusiasm as before. She laughs and I cherish her laugh.
She seems like she wants information, so I don´t refuse to give it to her. I don´t want to keep her in the dark; she loves me, and she needs to know everything about me and about us vampires.
"Alexander was created - not born -, millions and millions of years ago. As all things do, Alexander evolved: for example, over time he grew fangs, became ill when the sun came out and over time realized he preferred blood from animals to the food. Also, physically he did not age and stayed looking the same as the way he had been created – he comes across as a being of 23 years of age. Alexander was alone for millions of years – he couldn't die.
"When the human race evolved, Alexander waited, but never saw them evolve into what he was. He would feed from humans, but never kill them. One day, he came across a young man, named Antoinne," I say, pausing.
She gasps, her hand immediately grasping her mouth as she makes the connection.
"This was around 2500 years ago, long before I was made. His blood tasted so rich, that Alexander took all of it. When he tried to heal Antoinne by feeding him his blood, Antoinne gladly drank. But Antoinne didn't wake up human. He was a vampire, and Alexander realized he had turned his first human."
"Over time, 500 years later he created a woman, named Roxanne - she still lives with him. Roxanne created many others, and so did Antoinne, including me. Alexander refused to take any more human lives, and has lived since as our king, though he is more human than vampire."
"Of course, the girl that happens to be my Healer is the very same girl who ended Antoinne's life, Alexander's first child."
She looks up at me sadly, but when I burst out laughing, she laughs too, joining me. I look down at her, deep into her eyes, and see that there is a small part of her that is still afraid. I bend down gently and kiss her, reassuring her.
"Are you sure he won´t punish you because of me?" she asks.
"No; he wasn't close to Antoinne. Antoinne defied Alexander often, and never stuck to his rules. Though Antoinne was like a father to me, when with Roxanne he was ruthless and a savage."
"Please take me with you," she whispers suddenly, shocking me and clearing the relaxed mood in the room.
I don´t answer because though I am afraid of the countless problems this could arise in a vampire home, I know deep down that bringing Ronnie would be a good thing. She could serve as evidence, and she´d be safe with me, completely safe. I could make sure everyone knew she was mine, my Healer and no-one else would be able to touch her. However, if I was found guilty and sentenced to death, what would happen to her? Would the King grant her safety and let her go, or would he kill her?
"Eric please. I´d worry about you, and you´d worry about me – we wouldn't be safe. Plus Jeremy is as you say, 'on the loose', searching for both of us right now."
"Fine," I answer. She´s right, she´d be safer with me. We can´t be apart. Unless otherwise instructed to by the authority, Jeremy would probably come after Ronnie if he ever found out I was gone. I won't let that happen.
"Were does your vampire king, Alexander live then?" she asks.
"I have only met him twice in my entire existence. He resides in an abandoned castle, in North Canada. There are around another fifty members that live there with him, mainly authority members, councillors and friends."
"Does he have a Healer?"
"No, as I've said Healers are extremely rare – nor has he ever come across a human woman who has appealed to him."
"But he has always been around. Has he never met a Healer and claimed her for his own?" she asks.
"You don't understand. You can't just fall in love with a Healer. You have to be matched to them. You are matched to me. You could never be any other vampire's Healer, Ronnie. You were destined to be mine, as I was to be yours. Antoinne always told me vampires and their healers were arranged by the Gods in the stars." She smiles shyly, blushing and pecks my cheek lightly with her lips.
"Did he have a Healer?"
"Yes," I mutter bluntly, not wanting to linger on the memories of my late father.
However, her question knocks me off balance. I look at her, waiting for more questions but she is quiet and still. She looks up at me, and I can see it in her eyes that she has more questions that she is afraid to ask.
"You can ask me anything," I nudge.
"When you first met me…" she pauses. "Was it only my blood, and Healer characteristics that attracted you to me?"
"Yes. When I saw you were a Healer, I realized I'd have to protect you and make sure you came to no harm. Together we are stronger. That all blew when you told me you'd killed Antoinne. I didn't care that you were a Healer – I just saw you as a traitor who had killed the one man I had ever had trust in."
"I´m sorry," she says.
"It´s okay," I begin. "I shouldn't have let them –"
My phone interrupts me as the familiar tune rings, cutting off my speech. I jump out of the bed, tucking the bed sheets carefully over Ronnie so that she will not get cold. I look at her, and see all blood has been drained from her face. She thinks… she knows it´s them. Contrastingly, as I turn to grab my phone a slight smile descends over her face and I frown over the thoughts she must be having. Nevertheless, I pick up the phone from inside my back pocket and walk swiftly out of the room.
"Hello?" I mutter.
"Eric Jackson?"
"Yes, that´s me – sorry but, who am I speaking to?" I mutter, even though deep down I know who it is. Ryan's voice is one I would never forget.
"My name is Ryan and I am one of the Seven Authority Members to the vampire king, his majesty Alexander. I believe we met when you visited with your maker 1,000 years ago."
"Yes, you see I don´t remember faces and it´s been a while," I mutter sarcastically down the phone.
I do not pretend to befriend these vampires. They are different to the rest of us, and I will protect Ronnie. She is everything to me now; she´s my life, she's all it's worth. It is up to me now, to keep her safe. Now that she knows she is a Healer, she must be safe.
"Alexander has requested you see him, with your human, Miss Veronica Watson I presume. He will expect you in the morning, so we advise you travel tonight."
I wait patiently for Eric to return, but the seconds that he spends on the phone seem to last a lifetime. I know who has called him; I know what they want, why they want it, where they want it and when they want it.
Finally, Eric steps back into the room. I had gotten up the second he had left due to my nerves, so I am now sat on the edge of the bed, my feet tapping impatiently against the floor. As soon as I see him, I leap into his arms. He's tense, rigid, afraid but I can´t help but feel safe in his arms. He grabs my legs and lifts me, and I wrap my legs around him and bend down to peck him on the lips.
"They've asked you to come with me," he says, disappointed. At first I don't understand, but what he mutters next informs me of why he is so depressed. "They know of you already."
I feel shocked and scared at the same time. Shocked because they already know about me; scared because the Vampire King Alexander may think of me as an interesting human to investigate on. I am neither. I am not an object of research nor am I a scientific experiment.
"It´s going to be okay," I mutter, stunned at being the one to speak those words. "We´re going to be alright." The words sneak out of my mouth and I can´t believe to have spoken them. I don't feel reassured by them, but Eric nods in agreement.
"You're right," he says. "I've said it myself tonight. We're stronger as one."
I nod in agreement.
"We always will be, as long as we´re together," he agrees.
I smile up at Eric, and he down at me. He grabs my waist and sets me down on the floor, instantly beginning to look around the room, trying to find something.
"Have you got some sort of bag? We need to pack," he whispers, still not ridding me of his strong arms.
"Sure, it´s under the wardrobe," I say as I point behind me.
He lets me go, and I almost run across the room, falling to my knees so I can grab the rucksack quicker. He sits on my bed and watches me attentively. I open the bag, and begin to open drawers, selecting certain items and scoring them inside the bag.
"Ronnie," Eric calls. "Let me do that. I´ll pack for you – you need to write a letter, so that Kyle and your father don´t panic when they realize you've left."
He's right! "OK," I say, rushing back across the room. "Paper´s downstairs, so I´ll be right up in a few minutes."
I open the door, but Eric´s voice stops me again with its firmness and strictness.
"Ronnie," he pauses. "Just don´t tell the truth."
Downstairs, I've quickly found paper and a pen; I start to write a silly excuse down that will hopefully be enough to keep my father and friends from following me and seeking me out.
Tears start to flow down from my eyes, knowing that I may not see them in a while, knowing that this may be all the goodbye they'll ever receive. I hate hurting them like this, but it´s the only way.
Dad, Kyle;
I've chosen my life with Eric. I love him, and somehow, he loves me too. I promise I'll be safe – I might even visit sometime, I just don´t know yet. I love you, please don't think I don't. I hope I don't disappoint you too much dad, and Kyle, I hope you know that you are the best friend I've ever had. Thank-you. I love you both,
Ronnie x
Upstairs, I hand the letter to Eric, so that he can proofread it. I feel like a child, handing her class work to a teacher, smiling when Eric smiles softly back, approving of it. The last of the tears escape my eyes; I fear that it will be a long time before I see them, especially Dad. He has lost my mother, and I don´t know what this will do to him.
"Now use this tape and tape it to the window," he says, handing me a roll of tape and brushing the last tears from my face. He hugs me tightly, kissing my hair repeatedly gently but then releases me quickly.
I look down to the tape and recognize the masking tape. I laugh at him, and raise an eyebrow. Masking tape?
"Masking tape Eric?" I ask him.
"Yes," he says, returning the smile, his eyes kind. "It was the only one I could find."
"They´re going to think you kidnapped me," I chuckle as I move towards the window and tape the paper to it.
He smiles darkly at me, but then his look softens.
"I think Kyle trusts me enough to know that´s not true," he says. "I kind of like that human; I know he´s a good friend for you."
"I know he is, and I think he likes you too – he trusts you enough." I say. "Even though lately, I think he's moving closer to being on my dad's side. He thinks you break my heart too often. He told me, 'Ronnie, that boy should just stay away for good.'" I laugh as I impersonate Kyle.
At first Eric laughs with me, but then his eyes turn sad. "It doesn't matter. We're together now." He says and I guess that means no more hearts will ever be broken.
"I hope so, because I don't think my heart could tolerate you leaving again."
He leans in completely and he kisses me passionately, dropping the pieces of clothing on each of his hands and pushing me firmly against the wall. I grasp his hair and he grasps my back. For a minute we kiss and when we break to breath, we´re just silent, admiring each-other; if we could just stay like this forever…
Reality kicks in as soon as he next speaks.
"Are you ready? We´re expected in the morning, and our flight leaves in 40 minutes," he says, as a matter of fact.
"You've booked a flight?" I ask him, astounded. I guess it isn't that much of a surprise; how else were we going to get to Canada quickly?
"How else were we going to get to Canada quickly?" He says and I burst out laughing. "I don't particularly want to tan, Ronnie."
"You mean burn."
"No, I mean tan," he smiles. "Yes, I've booked a flight. We´re flying first class and all," he chuckles.
"First class to hell," I mutter, hoping that he won´t hear me. He does.
He looks down to me, recognizing the pain in my voice, but then pulls me towards him again so that he can sink his face into my hair. I feel him inhale and then smile against my curls.
"We will be okay," he whispers, and knowing that I´ll be with him, I nod honestly.
I leave the house, looking back at it one last time from under Eric´s arm. It is dark and I can barely make it out, but I know it´s there. I know that it is now empty, powerless, and open to any intruder… Jeremy flashes across my thoughts.
I stare at the house again, knowing that in a few days, my father and Kyle with his father will return to an empty house. My father will call out my name, and upon no response will panic. He will then rush to my bedroom, find the note in my window and crumble to his knees on the floor.
I look at the house now and every memory I've lived in it. Yes, recently it has been a prison to me, but it is a prison I would gladly return to to see my father and friends. The reality is that I might actually never return, if things go bad.
I promise not to think like this – Eric and I will be fine. Eric and I will be fine. Eric and I will be fine. I repeat the sentence over and over inside my head, like when you're told to remember a code, and you don´t stop because you're scared you'll forget it.
He hugs me tightly, before crouching down onto the floor beside me. I put the small rucksack on my back and wait for his hands to bring me onto his back. Suddenly we are running and we are travelling through the night. I can´t see much of the way, but he runs faster and faster, skidding past all the obstacles, like on a video-game.
I feel dizzy as we run, but I remember this isn't the first time I've experienced this. Twice before… when I was – dying. Always I've been saved by Eric and carried to safety, but this time it is different. This is the first time I am really aware; I may be healed but for how long. Right not I am heading towards danger, not away from it.
The cold of the night and the cold of his skin envelop me and ice my body. I huddle closer to him and to the warmth of his jacket; he notices this as he runs and he responds by holding me tighter.
He stops running once we begin to see the lights at the airport, slowing it down to a light pace. My eyes are weaker than his and I can only see dim lights behind trees ahead, but my ears are sharper and I can hear the quick zoom of cars, suggesting a road or a car park.
He falls to the floor, so that I can climb down from him easily. Then, he extends his arm, signalling he wants to carry my rucksack. After he puts it on his back, he grabs my hand in his and we start walking as if we were normal human beings, walking to the airport to catch a flight.