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"Latin"

"English, AKA Imperial Language"

Chapter 4: Missing Love

(June 11, 3060 AD: Vatican)

Pain throbbed through Abel's head. Groaning through the headache, Abel blindly reached for his glasses. Of course his hand came back empty. He groaned again, turning onto his side. What happened? If felt as if someone decided to bash his skull in.

"You're up!" Someone shifted to his side and Abel opened his eyes, only to shut them again. It was too bright!

"Esther?" Abel asked, not quite believing the voice. But it could only belong to her. Wasn't she scared of him? "How long have I been out?"

"About a day," Esther said, and Abel could feel her shifting again. "The sun just set."

Damn, that meant he was an entire day behind schedule! He had wanted to get to the dead zone within two days, but it didn't look like that was going to happen now. Eye's still closed, Abel sat up and slowly squinted open his eyes as he looked around him.

"Where's my glasses?"

"One second." Esther got up and when she came back she handed him his shades. "You know, you have very pretty eyes. Why do you wear sunglasses?"

Blue eyes snapped open, and Abel winced. His eyes watered and he blinked away the tears before quickly wiping them from his face. Snatching his shades from Esther, Abel pushed them into place.

His eyes were not pretty! He's a man, darn it! Nothing about him was pretty!

"Where are we anyway?" Abel scanned the small room they were in. Most of the walls were splintered with cracks, allowing the sun's rays to shine through. Abel was currently on the only couch, brown and crusted with filth. A window was near the head and over it was a dark blanket to keep the sun out. And in the corner, possibly the only one where the sun couldn't reach, were three huddled figures.

Abel caught the eyes of Astharoshe just as Esther answered, "I'm not sure, but I think we're on the border of Rome and Istvan."

"Istvan?" Abel repeated, looking toward Esther. That was great news. If they were at the border of Istvan he might just get to the dead zone within 24 hours after all. But that was strange, they were still in Milan when they got attacked by the vampires. Though with the help of the three Methuselah, it might have been possible.

Abel turned his gaze back to the three Methuselah. It was clear they had no intention of attacking Abel or Esther for their blood. But it was also obvious that they were vampires, Virgil had even admitted to it. Astharoshe had also called the vampires who attacked them, rogues. Did that mean there were two groups of vampires? Were the rogues originally part of the same community Astharoshe, her aunt, and uncle came from?

This whole mess started when the meteor had crashed. That much Abel knew. Was it possible that the Methuselah was part of some alien race? Abel nearly laughed. A day before he would have thought anything of the sort impossible, but now he wasn't too sure.

"Why are you staring at me?" Astharoshe growled.

Abel blinked, pushing his shades further up his nose. "Thinking. Besides, you were glaring at me first," he said in English.

Astharoshe looked about ready to attack him. The only thing stopping her was the sleeping forms of her aunt and uncle on either side of her, using her shoulder as a pillow. "You look like him," she said.

"Me?" Abel laughed. No one looked like him. There was no one who had silver hair like his.

"Don't laugh!" Astharoshe hissed, no doubt trying to keep her voice low to keep from waking the other Methuselah. "You look like our emperor."

"Sure, I do," Abel drawled. Because clearly every emperor had silver hair. Abel rolled his eyes as he drew a hand through his hair, but froze. His coat and cape were gone. Abel's hand shot to his neck, right where he'd been bitten and his fingers met smooth skin.

This was not good. They'd seen what he looked like! Oh Abel didn't care about the Methuselah. Well maybe a little. But he was more concerned with the fact that the princess saw him. Abel remembered that night when he saved her thirteen years ago. His hood had fallen off during the fight, and later his cape had been torn from his shoulders. Then Abel had handed the crying child over the prince! Abel resisted the urge to look at Esther.

Not only had they seen his face, but they no doubt noticed how fast he healed.

"You even make the same face when you're freaked out," Astharoshe pointed out. "Though, you look older by about ten years. He also has blond hair and darker eyes."

Abel took a breath, forcing himself to calm down and just focus on the current conversation. "There's a lot of people with blond hair and blue eyes."

"I guess," Astharoshe grumbled. "But I still don't like you."

It's not like he cared if she liked him or not. Abel raised an eye brow. Did she hate the fact he looked like her emperor? Abel shook his head, he'd never understand people. It's not like he could change the way he looked!

"Why were you guys in Milan, anyway?" Abel asked, deciding to change topics.

"The Walsh's originated from London, so my Aunt and Uncle wanted to go there and maybe settle down."

"You're a Walsh too?"

"No, I'm an Asran!" Astharoshe growled, she almost seemed offended that he asked. "They raised me when my parents died!"

Next to her, the other female methuselah shifted, blearily opening her eyes. "Asthe, why are you shouting so early?"

"Sorry, Aunt Vanessa, I was speaking to the Terran."

Abel huffed, "we're human, not Terran."

Vanessa looked toward him, and grinned, showing off her fangs. "You're a Terran."

Abel glared, but didn't argue. It would take too much time to convince them otherwise. "If you were trying to get to Londinium, why did you backtrack to Istvan?" Abel asked instead.

"None of your business-"

"Vanessa," Virgil sighed, moving to sit up. "Really, sometimes it feels like I've raised two children instead of one," the man whispered before looking toward Abel and saying, "our Empress provided us with a brief layout of safe houses we could rest in during the day. But we don't have the exact location. I decided the safest option was for use to return here to rest for the day."

Abel nodded, just as Esther interrupted, "hey, what are you guys talking about?" She looked between the four of them while the methuselah all sent Abel a questioning look as if expecting him to translate. "I recognized some words, like Londinium…"

Abel sighed and responded in Latin, "we're discussing traveling plans. They're heading for Londinium."

"Ooh," Esther blinked, no doubt thinking on her home country. "And where are you heading?"

"The dead zone."

"Really? Me too."

"Hey!" Astharoshe snapped, "Translate for us idiot!"

"I am," Abel sighed. "I'm telling her where you guys are going."

"What did she say?" Esther asked and Abel groaned.

"Nothing important," Abel said. "But don't you think you should head back to Londinium as well?"

"No," Esther stated, replacing her smile with a frown. "I'm not going back."

Abel rolled his eyes as he explained to the Methuselah that Esther was from Londinium but didn't want to return.

When he done talking, Esther stepped forward, grin back on her face as she pointed to herself and said, "Esther."

Virgil was the first to reply as he smiled kindly at the child and gave a slight bow, saying his name as well. Astharoshe was next, having been prompted by Virgil who elbowed her in the gut. "Asthe," she grunted. And finally Vanessa gave her name with a feral grin.

Then, in sync all of them turned to Abel as if expecting him to say his name as well. The immortal just glared, saying "no" in both languages. All of them looked unhappy about the answer, except Virgil who gave an accepting smile. Didn't the man ever get mad?

Abel sighed, shaking his head as he stood and nearly fell back down when his head swam, but he pushed the feeling away and walked to the chair with his belongings. If he wanted to stay on schedule, he should head out soon. Abel quickly slipped into his coat and threw his cape over his shoulders, pulling his hood on as he did so.

"You're going to travel at night?" Astharoshe asked, as Abel slung his bag over his shoulder.

"Yes, I've wasted enough time here," Abel responded. He eyed Esther for a bit, debating on if he should offer to travel together, but in the end he dismissed the idea. So far she hasn't said anything about recognizing him, but that could change at anytime.

"That eager to get bitten again, huh?" Astharoshe teased. "It would be easier for your kind to travel during the day."

Abel frowned, that was true but more people would notice him in the day. "That vampire got lucky, it won't happen again. This time I won't be distracted," Abel shot a look at Esther and the girl flinched as if knowing what they were talking about. "Sorry," Abel mumbled. He shouldn't be putting the blame on the princess. In the end it was his own fault for not noticing the danger they were in.

"Why don't you go with him?" Virgil asked.

"What? Why?" Astharoshe shook her head. "I want to go to London."

"Asthe, I've known you since you were a baby. I think I can tell when you want to do something or not," Virgil stated.

"Yeah, but-"

"No buts!" Vanessa interrupted. "We can take care of ourselves." She ruffled Astharoshe's hair.

"Don't I get a say in this?" Abel grumbled.

"Hmm, let me think," Vanessa put a hand on her hip and made a thinking pose. "Nope!"

The family broke into snickers at this, as if it were an inside joke.

"Alright, fine. I'll go, but only to make sure Esther gets there safely," Astharoshe said, sending the girl a small smile similar to the one Virgil always wore.

"What did she just say?" Esther questioned, titling her head to the side.

Why didn't anyone ask for his opinion? Abel didn't want any traveling companions. He didn't want to travel with Astharoshe, and he really didn't want to travel with Esther. Though, if he was honest with himself, he would have been worried for the princess if she didn't travel with him.

"Looks, like Asthe will be traveling with us to the dead zone," Abel sighed. Without waiting for a response, Abel exited the dilapidated building.

The sun had set but it was still light out. It would take another twenty minutes before it became completely dark. Abel scanned the top of the buildings, eyes following the sun rays to see where they landed. It wouldn't do for Astharoshe to get burned after all.

Abel shifted to lean against the wall of the building when he saw a figure run across the rooftops. Frowning, Abel followed the figure with his eyes. It seemed as if the person knew Abel was watching, because every once in awhile it would stop and look back.

"People are so weird," Abel mumbled as he dropped his gaze.

He was about to duck back into the building to see if the girls were ready when a whistle pierced through night. Abel looked back up, not at all impressed as he raised an eyebrow at the figure.

As Abel locked gazes with the figure, a young man with brown hair and aristocratic features, the door open and Esther stepped out. "What was that?" she asked.

"Just one of the town folks," Abel said as he pointed, not once taking his eyes off the young man.

A second later Esther gasped. "I-I can't move!"

What? Abel glanced back at her, just as an invisible force threw his hood down and his shades were yanked off his face. Abel snarled, preparing to run up the building toward the culprit, but his sensitive eyes were assaulted by the reflection of light on a blade.

Blinded for a second, Abel was barely aware of Esther flying to the roof.

Without his shades on, Abel could see the thin fibers of string stretching from building to building. They nearly encased the entire sky in an intricate webbing. He was also able to see the strings attached to his cape and shades. But most importantly he could see the threads leading toward the man on the roof.

Abel felt a cruel smirk growing on his face as he dashed forward. No one would get hurt or kidnapped on his watch! He leapt for the nearest ledge then flung himself at the opposite wall. Nearly there! Abel ran up the remaining height of the wall until he was standing on the roof.

"Who are you!?" Abel ordered. He took a threatening step toward the young man.

"I'm in love," the boy grinned.

"What?" Esther yelped. "Who ties up someone they love? And I don't even know you!"

"That I like you… isn't a lie, Esther," the boy stated, sending a wink to the tied up girl at his feet. "Though it is a shame," his eyes narrowed. "See, you're such a distraction, princess."

"Release her," Abel ordered, this would be his only warning before Abel attacked.

"Ah," the boy took a step back, dragging Esther with him until they reached the other edge of the roof. If they fell, that was a ten story drop. The boy bowed, and when he straightened he leapt from the roof. "I think not, Contra Mundi."

Contra Mundi? Abel? He might be alone in the world, but he wasn't against it!

"Get back here!" Abel yelled, as he crossed the length of the roof and jumped after them. But Abel could see the strings attached to the boy and helping him cross the gap from one roof to the other, and Abel could feel those same strings pulling him down. Abel snarled in defiance as he plummeted toward the grown. Those strings!

Suddenly Astharoshe leapt into the air and snagged him by the collar. "You idiot!" she snarled as she hurled him onto a roof, but not the roof Abel wanted to be on. Where was Esther? Abel leapt up, scanning nearby roof tops.

"Well," the kidnappers cheery voice sounded to the right and Abel whipped around, ready to leap at the boy again. But he wasn't alone anymore. Now there was a man of Asian decent with long black hair, standing next to him. "This is goodbye for now, Contra Mundi."

The long haired man lifted his arm and from his hand, symbols of alchemy burned into the air and ripped open a rift into which they slipped into, dragging Esther along with them.

No! Abel tore away from Astharoshe and was about to jump at the still open portal when the woman grabbed hold of him and yanked him away from the edge.

"Are you completely dense?" Astharoshe snarled. "You just healed and your arm is still broken!" She grabbed him by the collar and shook him, forcing him to look at her. "Are you even listening to me?"

Why did she stop him? He could have saved Esther! Abel blinked, taking in the burns on her face and arms. "Asthe, you're injured," he said.

"Yeah, that's what happens when Methuselah are saving idiots like you from becoming pancakes!"

Abel winced, feeling slightly bad. "Sorry," he mumbled.

"Next time, ask for help idiot," Astharoshe ordered as she released his collar.

"Asthe, are you ok?" Virgil called. He was on the same roof the portal had appeared on.

"Yes, I'm already healing."

"Good, though you might want to drink some aqua vitae," Virgil said as he leapt onto the same roof as Abel. "They dropped this," he handed a slip of paper to Abel. "Can you read it?"

Taking the folded paper, Abel read it over, "'-renovatur integra.' It means; nature is reborn whole. It looks like a response for something." Abel unfolded the paper, revealing a map of the continent.

"Are those dates?" Vanessa asked, pointing to the numbers near the points circled.

Abel scanned it, frown creasing his features. A bunch of numbers were scrawled on the paper, and arrows and circles pointed to different parts of the continent. The latest year was 3060 with an arrow pointed to the Vatican, and then in 3055 a circle was scribbled over Hispania. This was odd, it almost seemed as if they were cataloging something. Abel looked over the map, trying to find the date before that. When he found it, it was in 3048 in Londinium. Wasn't that when he met WWW and ended up saving Esther?

Abel's eyes widened, finally understanding what this map was. It was literally a record of everyplace he had ever been to. He frantically found the earliest year, 2118. That was when the armageddon took place.

But how could someone track his movement for nine hundred years? They would have to be immortal too. Either that, or incredibly good at back tracking his movement and following the rumors that always spread whenever Abel was around.

"Hey, I think there's something on the back," Astharoshe said, breaking him from his thoughts. Abel turned the paper over and Asthe pointed to the middle, "occurens loco, Londinium? What the hell does that mean?"

"The meeting place is in Londinium," Abel translated.

A/N: So yeah, that just happened... Abel just can't get a break, can he?

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