Hey, I don't often write messages before chapters, but I've noticed some other authors doing it. Please comment/favourite/follow - if you've made it this far it must be because you like Ronnie and Eric's story. I've decided to comment here because Alexander is a new main character - I hope you like him, because I surely do and he has so much to contribute to the overall novel. But yes, please show your support - it's what keeps me writing! Enjoy. Patricia x
Alexander
Our flight, after having left at 9:30 pm local time is expected to arrive and land in Montreal at 12:30 am. It's a three hour and a half flight journey and as we are having to fly during the night, mostly everyone is asleep. I sit up and look at the seats behind us, were the majority of passengers are snoring away, with their chests rising and falling slowly.
Eric and I are sat towards the front of the plane. We have a whole row to ourselves, and whilst I sit by the window, Eric sits in the middle. No-one is sat on the seat by the aisle and only one person sits sleeping on the three seats to the other side of the aisle. Eric has shut the window behind me, and as I lean onto his shoulder, he expects me to sleep.
I know he's booked the seats liked this specifically so that we can have more privacy to ourselves. Our conversations, which are most likely to involve certain words that a normal innocent may think to be mad won't be overheard by the occasional awake human.
It is obvious he has succeeded. We've been booked into first class and so few others are sat around us. I feel like we really are alone, in our own little bubble. I cuddle up against Eric and feel him put his arms around me.
The air hostess, which walks out of the cockpit, begins to hand out blankets. She grabs one and slowly places it over the man sat across from us on the other side of the aisle and then hands one over to Eric.
"Thanks," he says as he takes it from her hand and begins unfolding it to place over me.
The air hostess smiles down at me and begins to take another blanket out of a bag. She offers it to Eric again, but he resists.
"One's enough thanks," he whispers.
She nods and smiles again and walks away, her long brunette curls tied back with red lace. Eric smiles down at me as he extends the blanket over me. I bring my legs onto the seat and tuck them under the blanket. I clutch the blanket and wrap it around me so that it separates my warmth from Eric's cold.
"She doesn't realise I don't really needed one. I'm not really cold," he whispers against my hair and I laugh as I turn to look back at the hostess that is now attending other customers.
We've been up in the air for just under an hour and as I lean against Eric, one of his hands grabs my waist whilst the other holds my head against his chest. He caresses my cheek and hair and places his head on mine. Though not intended, his black clothes and the way he's holding me do a good job of hiding me.
Anyone would have thought we were asleep; Eric makes it more believable by often closing his eyes and stilling. He's a good actor. Neither of us moves nor talks, doing good to appear like simple other humans but even though I try sincerely to fall asleep, there are too many thoughts and fears running through my mind.
I smile unexpectedly as a new thought enters my mind. I realise that though we are attempting to act as normal as possible, neither of us really is normal. We're not even human. I think about the night's earlier confessions – Eric telling me that I was a Healer.
I smile further because I remember him telling me that I was his. My earlier worries of incompatibility or that Eric would have to leave me rush out of my mind as I realise that we are bound. I am his and he is mine.
"What is it?" Eric asks as he feels me smile against his chest. His voice is so soft and warm that I can't help but let a giggle slip my mouth.
"I was just thinking about how neither of us is human," I whisper, cautious even though everyone on this plane is fast asleep. I hear him chuckle and it makes me grin widely.
"Well, technically you are still; you're just a bit more," he says, his fingers stroking my neck. His cool fingers at first startle me, but then my body adapts to his touch and his touch feels like a relaxing massage. I quiver at his touch and close my eyes. I decide to ask Eric a question that has been bugging me all afternoon.
"Eric, what´s Alexander like?" I ask out of curiosity.
"I don't really know," he answers. "I've only met him twice. I just remember him being reserved, lonely; nothing like the rest of us. I guess it's because he's seen so much more, been around for so long. He is much respected though. His word is lethal; everything he says is law – everyone tries to get on his good side, but he only is himself with certain friends."
"I'm scared Eric," I admit. I sit up and he hugs me instantly. I nestle by his neck and he kisses my hair over and over again. "I'm scared for you."
"It won't come to that, I swear. I won't let them. I won't let them hurt you."
"Will they allow us to stay together, or will they split us up?" I ask him, because another of my fears is being the only of my kind in a castle full of vampires.
"I don´t know – I´ll ask to not be parted from you. They should understand this when I mention you´re my Healer. But Ronnie, once I enter Alexander's home, I have no power."
"I understand. This reminds me. Am I just your Healer or can I be a Healer to others?" I ask because deep down, the fact that I am a Healer worries me. Does this mean I am at a disadvantage to predators – vampires? I don´t want to be shared – I just want to be Eric´s.
Eric's eyes darken and I know he's about to tell me something he finds hard to tell and that he has been keeping from me.
"No, you are just mine but… Antoinne once told me the legend of the first Healer, who he found roughly 500 years before he made me. She was a young girl, from a small village. Antoinne first met her when she was a small child and since then kept a close eye on her growing up. When the girl grew into her late teens, Antoinne decided to take her away. However, around the same time, Roxanne turned a young male and it turned out that Antoinne's Healer was also matched to this male. Antoinne was furious and killed the girl, so that neither could have her."
I gasp and suddenly jerk out of his hands, sitting up so that I can see him better to look into his eyes. My eyes widen with shock but I don´t say anything, hoping that he´ll continue.
"Her name was Alexia. Of course, I never believed Antoinne. I don't think a Healer can belong to two vampires; none of the other Healers I have met ever have."
"Did Alexander ever find out?" I ask.
"Yes. Antoinne told me how furious Alexander was. This is why I think he will spare me - because of you," he answers and I smile and breathe out a sigh of relaxation. "Alexander seemed angry at Antoinne because he had killed such a rare species. I think he will be fond of you, that he will find you interesting," he finishes.
"I'm not an object to stare at," I mutter, emotionless.
When we land in Montreal, the time is just after 12:30pm. A man, dressed completely in black – just like Eric is beside me – is waiting for us outside the airport. Eric has to point him out to me, though when I catch sight of him I see that he easily stands out from the regular humans rushing past him. He too catches sight of us, but doesn't wave or call us over – instead he eyes us warily and waits patiently for us to go to him.
Having landed, we have walked directly out of the plant and out through 'Landings', not even stopping to claim luggage. Eric has brought no belongings with him and I have just brought my small backpack, which Eric carries now. Even inside it, all I have bothered to pack has been a change of clothes, my toothbrush and a body spray. It's all I need. When you live the life of a vampire hunter, your life turns simple – but then I am also hoping this trip of us will end up being a quick journey.
It has taken us just over half an hour to exit the airport and so it is still deep, early night when we walk out of the airport. The stars are high up in the sky, and illuminate it as they do Eric's eyes that shine a golden brown due to his feeding. I smile up at him and he down at me as he grabs my hand in his and we make our way forwards to the man.
I focus back on him; he's still waiting for us. He appears to look young, is tall and thin and has short blonde hair and I believe blood-red eyes behind his black shades. He is holding up a piece of paper with the name Eric on it. Not Eric and Ronnie.
"Don't they know my name?" I mutter so that only Eric can hear.
"Most vampires won't see you as important compared to them," Eric replies, without looking at me. He looks directly at the man waiting for us, his lips in a tight line. We walk towards him quickly and are sooner than wanted faced with him.
Eric immediately steps forwards, positioning me behind him but not letting go of my hand. I fear for his life as the tension of a fight builds up, but I relax as the chance of a quarrel here in a public area is less than none.
"Ryan," Eric mutters. The expected handshake never happens, as Eric's hand refuses to leave mine; instead, it squeezes mine tighter.
"Eric," he answers. The vampire looks down at me and nods, acknowledging but not accepting me.
I realise how different these vampires really are to Eric and others I have met. They really are cold. Even now, with his shades on, I feel Ryan's eyes penetrating and piercing me with their individual emotionless auras.
Eric grasps me tighter, his hand on my waist. He brings me forward slightly before he speaks again.
"Ryan, this is my girlfriend, Ronnie; she is also a Healer," Eric says, naively unaware that the majority of the innocents outside here, either greeting relatives or waiting for cabs have all turned to look at the two beautiful men on either side of me. I too however blank this thought from my mind as I smile at what Eric has just said. No-one has ever introduced me as their girlfriend and I certainly did not expect it from Eric… even though that's what I am.
Neither piece of information seems like fresh news to Ryan as he doesn't look back down to me but instead turns away and leads us towards a car only a few feet from where we are stood. It too is black like the night; sleek and thin.
"For the human," he snickers, not even attempting to hide his disapproval in me being here.
He removes his shades now that he is far from the human eye and I see his piercing red eyes better. With discontent, he opens the door to the passenger seat; he obviously hates cars and would prefer to run rather than ride. He gives us one last look before he climbs in, shutting the door behind him. Though arrogant and cruel, Ryan is just as beautiful as all the other vampires I have met, but none to me are as beautiful as Eric.
Letting go of my hand briefly, Eric opens the door for me and I, followed by Eric himself climb in at the back. Inside, the car is as luxurious as on the outside. The seats are cushioned and are soft and plump, welcoming and inviting me to a sleep. Though this would be much appreciated, I cannot blindly remove the threat before my eyes from my mind. I sit as close to Eric as possible and he holds my hands in his.
The driver, also dressed in black immediately turns around to see us. He too is another male vampire but unlike Ryan looks stronger and is more muscular with dark brown hair like me. He smiles firstly at Eric, nods and then smiles at me – a genuine and real smile. I smile back, instantly liking this vampire more than Ryan.
"My name is Jacques," he says, with a strong French accent.
"Ronnie," I smile, tensing next to Eric as I introduce myself. It is concluded – I most definitely like Jacques more than Ryan.
The car ride is immensely quiet. Though Ryan and Jacques often attempt conversation, their topic of conversation seems too precious and secretive for our ears to hear and they soon cut it off. Eric keeps an intent eye on the pair of them and as result, we hardly speak either. When he's not looking at them, he keeps his eyes fixated on me throughout the journey, taking in all of my emotions, reading all my feelings and guessing at all of my thoughts. Though I attempt to do the same to his, as usual I am unable to.
I take turns, admiring both the two other vampires in the car with us and the beautiful landscape to our sides. I'll admit I have never left the United States of America; I've never set a foot outside of it. Father always said we weren't needed elsewhere – that our duty laid at home. The leading members of our network of vampire hunters assigned hunters everywhere to regulate and keep every area safe from vampires and Father had ensured we stayed at home, where we had a purpose and memories to keep us hunting.
An hour and a half later and we are still in the car, my hand still in Eric's. House numbers have been reducing for a while and I realise we are entering no-man's land. Only trees and woods encircle us now and I realise – as we turn – that we are going down a small one-car road. A few minutes down to it and I realise that we must be close; bright candles begin to illuminate the road and the lack of other cars suggests this is an area hardly visited and most probably unknown to most locals. The candles light the way beneath the moon but soon, my sight is interrupted with a brilliant but old-fashioned stone castle to which Eric instantly points.
The location of the castle surrounds me. We have just travelled for a good half an hour with nothing but trees to look at, but still, the castle is positioned here, in the middle of no-where with absolutely no blood supplies nearby. I shiver instantly as thoughts of chained bloody humans lying in dirty black rooms flash through my mind – I guess they probably keep supplies of humans instead in the castle. I look at the two men in front of us and decide to question Eric about my suspicions later, when we are all alone.
"This is our new home," he whispers in my ear; the sound of his voice almost erases my thoughts and I can't help but chuckle.
"Every king has to have a castle, doesn't he?" I say, looking up at his eyes with eagerness.
Eric lets a chuckle escape his lips, but instead of joining me as he laughs he just kisses my forehead tenderly and puts an arm around my waist.
"Will they keep me locked up all day Eric?" I ask, my words barely a whisper as I naively hope the others in the car won't hear me.
It isn't Eric who replies first however; as both of the men exchange a glance – meaning they have been rudely listening to mine and Eric's conversation – Jacques is the first to speak and deep down I am only glad it is him and not Ryan.
"You may be lucky," he begins, looking back at me through the rear-view mirror. "Alexander seems to have taken an interest to Healers – it's actually mainly because of that that you're here. You'll be happy to know the trial is only a cover-up."
"What?" Eric blurts out, screaming beside me.
He removes his hand from my waist and I feel the tension in the car build up. I instantly feel alone and unprotected, without my silver bullets or my wooden stakes – I have forgotten who I really am and the dangers of vampires. Eric grasps the back of the seats and brings himself closer to Ryan and Jacques.
"Is that why we are here? Because your damn-king has taken an interest in my Healer, my girlfriend?" He shouts.
Jacques presses firmly down on the pedal and the car comes to an immense stop. I am thrown forward and though Eric should have suffered from the same effect, Ryan's strong hand pushes him against his seat. He climbs over to the back of the car, no longer in his front seat but instead glaring into Eric's eyes right beside me.
"Don't you dare speak like that of the King – he is the reason why you're here, now, holding your damn human's hand," he yells.
Eric's face stills and Ryan returns swiftly to his seat. I glance quickly at Eric, who is breathing fire and staring daggers at the two vampires at the front. As Ryan continues to hiss at the fight, Jacques re-starts the car and continues the short drive up to the castle. It dawns of me how much these Councillors must really look up to the King.
I reflect at what has just happened, trying to find a positive to the entire situation Eric and I have not just stepped in. Jacques has just admitted that we are here because the King is interested in me. Eric and I will be fine; Eric is not in danger from the murders and I could bribe Alexander to assure our safety.
However, the fact that I am to be the interest of this entire trip suddenly shakes me. I climb over the seats towards Eric, where the feeling of home encircles me, just as his arms do and tries to make me forget Alexander's interest in me…
I can't.
"Why is he interested in me?" I mutter, hoping that this new topic of conversation will calm down the car. I don't receive an answer. I look blindly from Jacques to Ryan to even Eric beside me, but neither gives me the slightest of information and Eric just shakes his head, hinting I should keep quiet.
The car comes to a stop once again, but this time I realise it is because we have reached our destination. I am to be faced with the man himself and the deepest of my worries, my question, hasn't been answered.
All four doors open at once from outside, so that the four of us can step outside. Jacques and Ryan climb out of the car and shake hands with those on the outside, their voices loud and laughing.
"Having car troubles Jacques. You seem to have stopped back there?" A male voice exclaims outside. I hear Jacques laugh as he shakes the man's hand. "You know, you should tell Ryan to keep his voice down. We could hear him from here," he continues.
I ignore the chatter and hold tightly on to Eric. I do not wish to go out through a different door to him and by the look he gives me; he doesn't want me to either. The worst of scenarios flashes through my mind and I come closer to Eric. The unknown outside the door could be an ambush, aiming to separate Eric from me so that Alexander may experiment on his interest, me. Eric grasps my hand tightly and turns back to me one last time before he steps out of the car, pulling me out with him.
The man that had before opened the door closes it behind us once we are out and then quietly walks away. Ryan and Jacques join us and once again, Jacques warm voice speaks, answering my question.
"Why don't you ask the man himself?" he says.
From my shy and safe feeling beside Eric, I let my eyes explore my surroundings and look up. The castle is everything I had expected. The large keep stands up tall, but not taller than the perfectly round towers at either side. The entire building, made from a beautifully worked grey stone has begun to be invaded by climbing green plants that spurt out a green and purple flower. Even in the dark, the castle lit by torches of light looks outstanding.
It does not miss one medieval detail, as Eric and I begin our walk down the drawbridge where below us nothing but water lies. The stream is almost but still but as I focus my sight away from it, I look at the beautiful and obvious door, whose golden locks make it stand out.
It however, is not as striking as the man that stands outside it.
There are no words to describe him…Alexander shines with brilliance, his beauty and his posture. He is tall, broad – Eric's height. Unlike Eric, whose skin is covered in wounds from his human life, Alexander's is a flawless shade of pale. His skin is soft looking and as I step closer and closer towards him I can almost feel my own fingers massaging every inch of it. His long, black hair descends fashionably and wavy down his head and I can too imagine myself losing myself in it.
Yet his eyes are the most beautiful aspect. Oh, what they have seen! A light red; those eyes have seen millions of years, travelled through millions of sights and now look at me and into mine. His strong jaw changes as his lips turn into a smile at my sight.
I can't help but smile back, every fear I had had or that my mind had formed evaporating before me. I hold tightly on to Eric, but even though I do not know this stranger before me, I know that my reasons for holding on to Eric are not for protection. With Alexander's eyes set on me I feel nothing but secure –I only hold on to Eric so that he will restrain me and keep me from exploring and getting closer to this intriguing person before me.
As I come to the end of the bridge, his smile disappears and as his does, mine too is forced away from my face. His features turn into a sadder, more depressed look turning my happiness into grief.
I remember briefly what Eric told me. Alexander is lonely and different to other vampires because of what he has experienced. He has seen so much; throughout the time I have been alive I have lived so fully because I have never known when my life would end, but to him, these last seventeen years would have been the same as the million before them.
Eric stops me immediately and I feel myself travelling forward, only to be brought back away from Alexander. Unaware of walking further, Eric waits until Alexander finally signals with his fingers for us to get closer with the return of his warm smile. As I continue my walk again, Eric stops me a metre in front of him but I want to get closer; I need to.
"Eric, Veronica," he says – his voice soft, playful and kind – nothing like Ryan's, I mentally snicker. "Welcome."
"Thank-you," Eric and I say in unison. I smile shyly at him after having said my name fully. "Please call me Ronnie," I beg.
"Ronnie," he repeats after me, only to extend his hand out to me.
I take it without hesitation, expecting a handshake. Instead, he pulls me towards him and as the distance between Eric and I increases, I am forced to leave Eric's warmth.
I take it all back. The feelings and thoughts that Alexander was safe – I have never truly felt as afraid as I do now in his arms. I can feel Eric's eyes on my back, but his warm aura does not reach me and I cannot feel him. All I can feel is Alexander's coldness and as my heart begins to beat faster I can only imagine this fear will engulf me.
Alexander pulls me towards him, so that my face and lips are only inches away from his. Bringing his other hand to my face, he pushes my hair back so that he may see the spot where Eric's lips have been so often – my crescent moon Healer sign below my earlobe.
"Unbelievable," he whispers.
Unexpectedly, he smiles up at me and bends down to kiss the sign. At first, his lips send shivers down my body but then as my skin warms up beneath his touch I realise how affected I am by his presence. He is remarkable and though I may fear him, I could study him forever.
His eyes find m again and he smiles. I feel Eric grab my other hand and I am pulled away from Alexander and his touch straightaway. Our hands separate and I am left, wanting to be near him again. Though Eric feels like home I can't help looking at Alexander – the danger and the unknown that surrounds me invites me to him.
"I am Alexander," he introduces himself. "I am sure you know all about me. I want to know about you, Healer Ronnie," he says. "Come."
As he leads the way into the castle, I can only hope Eric will be worried enough to not hear my strongly beating hear, betraying my love for him.