Disclaimer: I do not own the twilight characters or the story Stephenie Meyers does.
Chapter 5
At the lake
"Serenity its beautiful," Marie said as she took in the view, everything here seems so serene. Lucky for us we brought what we could carry, so as we could paint the scenery. A few hours passed and we were finally finished, we then stepped back to admire our work when suddenly I heard Marie gasp, I had to turn around to what she was looking at that made her seem speechless.
"Its you," I hissed when I came into view of Ephraim. Then he made his was towards myself and Marie, but just stopping a few feet away from us.
"I was wondering when I will see you again," he said as he was grinning at me. He then look behind me to see Marie.
" And you brought a friend," he said. At this poor Marie looked terrified, this made me very protective of her. I had this one friend and I was not going to let Ephraim scare her off. As I was staring him down he then spoke again, but something was strange he looked nervous and uncomfortable.
"I...I am sorry, for before, last time you were here and at the bonfire, I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable," he said very sincerely as he looked at me under his lashes. Then I began to relaxed as I recalled the conversation Joey and I had about Ephraim.
- Flashback -
"Serenity, please take it easy on Ephraim," said Joey irritatedly at me.
"Why?" I replied
"Because if we were back in France you would not react this way with a frenchman, but no, you would react this way towards an indian," he hissed.
"Is it wrong of me to be afraid that I would be taking advantage of, because I can't help but think that he is picturing me naked everytime he looks at me" I told him.
"First off, he saw you naked and he didn't do anything but look, I would say that he is gentlemanly enough that he deserves a second chance," he said trying to persuade me.
- End of flashback -
"Apology accepted," I said with a smile. And with that I turned around and walked away from him.
As I walked back towards Marie letting her know that we were done with painting for the day Ephraim offered to help carry our things to the manor.
"I am sorry I haven't introduced myself properly, I am Ephraim Black," he said so formally.
"I know, Joey often talks about you, don't worry its only good things I hear," then I giggled a little at the end of what I said.
"Don't worry yourself because Joey also talks about you, only good things I hear, he told me your name is Serenity, its very pretty," he said with a smile. Anyways, on our way back to the manor I also introduced him to my friend Marie, she I guess was still a little uneasy about being around Ephraim. Then Ephraim starting talking about how everyone in his tribe liked Joey, and that the elders of his tribe like to call him 'crazy white man', me, I laughed at that part. He also asked me questions to clarify somethings Joey told him, like where we were born, where we lived, what happen to our parents, if we have any other living relatives and finally asking, why we decided to live here.
"Well, you already know where I am from, as for my parents, you see my mother died giving birth to me and my father sometime ago got sick and passed away, and the only living relatives we have is my grandmother, great aunt and uncle," I told him.
"Then why not live with them," he asked as we walked closer together.
"I know this sounds awful, but we grew tried of their company, so you see we came here because this is the last place that they would want to come," I replied, feeling a little ashamed.
"That was what Joey said, but not so nicely put," he said with a grin looking down at me. Strangely enough I left relaxed around him. That in the time we've talk he was polite, yet funny. And if I looked past the clothes he was wearing I would say he was handsome.
"I guess Joey was right, I just needed to give him a chance. Now I feel silly for misjudging him," I thought.
Once we reached the manor Ephraim had to leave, if he wanted to make it back home before dark.
"I am sorry you had to witness that," I said as I turned towards Marie. I know I told her how I felt about Ephraim, but with that personal apology I had to at least make the effort to show that there was no hard feeling, for Joey's sake.
"I am fine," she answered me as we made our way in the manor and to the library where were waiting for Joey and Sheriff Swan to return for the day. Then an hour later Joey came home with Sheriff Swan who arrived only to pick up Marie and wish us goodnight. When they left I told Joey about my day.
"So, you saw Ephraim," he asked while left eyebrow looked arched and his arms crossed.
"Don't worry he apologized and I forgave him," I said as I made my way towards my room ready to retire for the night.
A few months have passes I was getting used to my new home. When Joey goes to work I am left with Marie for company. She and I have been getting closer as friends, it seems like I could tell her everything, but then not everything. I guess she can sense when I don't want to talk about certain things. Sometime when we have a conversation, I would be caught off guard and mention things that happened over hundreds of years ago. Thank god for Joey and his able to erase a person's memories, I only had to ask him to do it once on Marie so far.
Marie's company and my brother's isn't the only company I have, surprisingly I also have Ephraim's. A few days later I was sitting in the garden reading a book when someone decided to scare me from behind, turns out it was Ephraim smiling down at me. I guess you can say that from his appearance, it was his smile that won me over.
"Oh, that smile is to die for," I thought.
And from then on twice a week he would come to pay me a visit. So when I wasn't with Marie or Joey I was with Ephraim, occasionally from time to time our conversations would be about the weather or what was going on in our lives, and sometimes we would play a personal game of 20 questions.
"How old are you?" He asked randomly.
"267," I thought, "17," I answered, " I will be 18 years old on Oct 14 this year," I told him. Even though my birthday won't be for another month.
"And what about you, how old are you," I asked him.
"I just turned 18 this year," he said.
"And you are not married yet? I would think you have, with your age," I said.
"I don't think I am ready for that yet," he replied. "What of you? Do you what to marry someday?" he asked me.
"I don't think marriage is an option for me," I said. And then I asked him if we could change the subject to something else. If I were to marry a human it would be difficult to be that close and not think about drinking their blood.
"If I were human maybe we could marry," I thought I as looked at him.
One month later
"Well another birthday came and went, so this makes me now 268 years old and still looking like a young lady, what women wouldn't kill to be blessed like me," I thought sarcastical.
Anyways, this month Joey tried to have some fun and see how well he can scare someone he doesn't want to bite. By wearing scarey outfits, also getting his friends to participate. He and his friends manage to scare some people in town and on the reservation. They took it far as to try and scare me,seeing as how they were able to scare everyone theyknew but me. Besides growing up see all the blood shed the world had to offer I can say nothing scares me, well except maybe fire. That has been my biggest fear, ever since I was close to being burnt alive. Thinking about it still gives me nightmares.
It wasn't until Ephraim thought he could get the best of me by telling me scarey stories. Ones about his culture, so when he had me alone he told me about a creature his people called the cold ones, ceatures that drank blood, that looked human, but beautiful and that their skin sparkled when the sun is out and that they have dark red eyes and have super strength, speed and were cold to the touch. When Ephraim finished telling me his story it sent a shiver down my spine, his people knows about vampires.
"Are you scared," he asked, I didn't answer I just put my arms around myself and then Ephraim thought it was alright for him to put his arms around me, and I would only be lying to myself if I thought that didn't give me some comfort.
"What I wouldn't give for you hold me like this forever," I thought. Seeing as how thats the closest I will get to being with a man.
After learning about what Ephraim had told me I thought I should let Joey know.
"So what if his people know about vampires," he said as we were walking throught the woods of our front yard.
"What if one of them knows what we are," I hissed at him.
"Not gonna happen, first vampires don't eat, sweat, sleep or go to the bathroom, not to mention our eyes aren't dark red and our skin isn't cold to the touch. Granted we still sparkle," he told me, being so sure of himself.
"What about ageing, we can never grow old," I whispered, thinking that maybe if someone was near by I didn't want them hear.
"Which is why we are only staying here for 5 years, and if we want we can come back in 90 years," he said calmly.
"Why are we staying 5 years? I thought you said 7 years," I yelled at him.
"If we acted more inmature, lets face it we have to keep up appearances, I can't keep up acting childish, sometimes I slip. Yes, I know I can erase their memories, but they're times when I feel guilty for doing that because memories are precious. So I am warning you now, we will only stay here for 5 years," he told and with that we walked silently back home.
"I guess sooner or later I would have to stop being friends with Marie and Ephraim," I thought. Because having memories with someone means they come with attachment. Joey was right, we had to keep up appearances, and not get attached to anyone.
A few months later
This year went by fast seeing as how Joey kept busy with his work. As for me I couldn't spend time with Marie because she went to stay with her grandparents for the holidays. Seeing how lonely I was Joey then decided we should skip Thanksgiving and take a trip to Quebec, Canada for the next few days. So Joey had me teleport us there to escape our responsibilities. And we also did the same thing with Christmas.
And basically everything was still the same when we came back, but this time there was snow, at least now I have something to play in. And who do I find expecting me in the frozen garden one morning, but Ephraim looking toasty in his winter clothes with his arms stretched out waiting for me.
"Welcome back," he said as I walked closer to hug him.
"Its good to be back," I said when smiled at him.
Then we went for our morning walk, which we have been doing since this summer, holding hand in hand. As we walked I then decided to climb and walk across this big log that was just laying, and it would seem the my vampire grace has left me and I tripped, lucky Ephraim was there to catch me and with my face on his chest I then pulled away a little to look at him, our faces were just inches away, we stood there for some time only looking into each others eyes and then I saw him leaning in. Then I was brought to my senses and had to pull away.
"Thanks Ephraim you can let me go now," I said to him as I pulled out of his embrace. Things with Ephraim seemed to be getting serious. At the beginning we would hold hands and now we were hugging and if I hadn't pulled away maybe we could have kissed. I had to remind myself that we could never be. And last night sleep didn't help because I even had a dream about being intimate with Ephraim that while in my sleep I destroyed most of the furniture.
"Serenity, did you have a sex dream last night," Joey asked at mornings breakfast.
"No, why do you ask," I said as I avoided his gaze.
"Because your bedroom says otherwise," he said bluntly.
"Wait, has this happened to you before," I asked him.
"Sometimes, I've learned to notice the signs, and I won't ask," he said as he went back to finish his breakfast.
It was then New Year's Eve and Joey decided to invite his friends over to spend the night for the occasion. And it was a nice idea because as soon as his friends got here, they spent most of the night drinking in the parlor room, me, I was dressed in my light pink short night gown in the library which was next to the parlor room. So I spent New Year's Eve locked in the library room with my dinner and a good book.
It wasn't until late that night that I notice it suddenly got quite next door, thinking that perhaps the 'drunks' finally passed out from having too much fun. I saw at the corner of the room the grandfather clock stike 2, that I thought it was alright for me to use the door to head up to my room.
"I have done enough teleporting already," I thought.
As I go to open the door I notice that someone was blocking my way out, only to see a very drunken Ephraim.
"So this is where you've been hiding,'' he said. He then made his way inside the library, closed the door behind him and had me up against the wall. He was close enought that I could smell the strong scent of alcohol on him.
"Ephraim, stop this you are drunk," I told him while I was trying to push him off me he was groping me, sliding his hands up and down my body, and then fondling both my breasts, still keeping a tight hold on me.
"Oh, Serenity you feel so good, very soft," he whispered in my ear. He then kissed me passionately on the lips and then my neck. There were nights where I only dream to be this close to Ephraim, but not this way.
"No Ephraim we mustn't, oh god," I said with a daze, having him so close to me was not good and only to feel that his warm skin was the only layer keeping me from drinking his blood, and yes it was not only his body I craved but his blood. Then I felt his hand going under my night gown and up my thigh.
"Ephraim, please," I pleaded, but my efforts were in vain as he kept kissing my neck and then I snapped, because the next thing I knew I sank my teeth into his skin and began drinking his blood.
"Oh, god he taste sooo good, but I have to stop, oh yum," I thought as I was trying to get a hold of myself, though I didn't have to wait long. Because the alcohol in his blood was what made me and Ephraim dizzy that we both eventually blacked out.
The next morning
I found myself and Ephraim in a compromising position on the floor of the library. He was on top of me with his head nuzzled between my breasts and his hand on my thigh. When I saw him breathing I relaxed, for a moment I thought I might have drained him dried of his blood.
"If I could only gently move him I can get away," I whispered to myself. But even with how little I moved Ephraim began to stir and then he got on his elbows, shook his head and stared at me until his eyes came into focus on my face.
"Serenity? What happen," he said looking confused.
"Ephraim could you do me a favor and get off me, please," I asked him. Then got up and offered me his hand.
"What, oh I, oh sorry, but what happened," he finally asked still trying to make sense of what happen.
"I think you had too much to drink," I told him, while looking guilt because I could see the bite mark I left him.
"Joey is going to kill me," I thought
"What?" he asked
"Don't you remember what we did last night?" I asked him hoping he might not remember.
"You mean it was not a dream, that really happened," he said sounding surprised.
"Oh god, so he does remember," I thought
"Yeah,"I replied. Then there was an awkward silence and we stood there looking away from each other until I spoke.
"Ephraim," I said.
"I am sorry for what happened, I didn't mean to disrespect you like that, I will leave now," he said, then he walked out of the room and I was left by myself.
A few days later
I never really told Joey what happened between me and Ephraim, but sooner or later I will need his help to erase Ephraim's memory of that Joey went off to I decided to go for a walk around the woods, making my way towards the lake where Ephraim and I first met. Til I finally got there I started thinking about what happened.
"I don't know why Ephraim should feel guilty when I was the one who drank his blood and that was worst then what he did to me," I thought.
"I know what I have to do. I have to stop seeing Ephraim, because the next time I snap it might be his last," I thought. I don't know why, but the thought of not seeing Ephraim left me feeling a pain in my chest, what was it I was feeling for Ephraim, it can't be more than friendship, right? Then I snapped out of my thoughts and looked towards my right to see Ephraim sitting on a boulder. We didn't say anything for a while, then he got off the rock and made his ways towards me stopping right in front of me. I was the first to speak.
"Ephraim, what we did wasn't suppose to happen," I said nervously as I was looking at him, into his beautiful dark eyes.
"I agree, at least not the way I planned," he said staring back.
"What?" I shrieked, then I froze in place not know if what I heard was right.
"Serenity, I have something I need to tell you,...I love you," he said finally as he stared down at a speechless Serenity.
To be continued...
