Chapter 7

Chapter 7 - Snow

The months wore on and it got cooler. Demetri didn't notice the change in weather, but I did and soon I had to request heavier clothing and more blankets. The castle got cold at night and since I no longer slept alone I was freezing. He had lost his wary look as he watched me, but I could still read the concern there, especially when I jumped up first thing in the morning and raced to the bathroom for a hot shower in order to get warm. It was as if he was waiting for the inevitable, helpless to stop it and helpless to look away.

"I should just request a room change," He commented one morning as I emerged from the bathroom with dry hair and completely covered in two layers of clothing. "One with a hearth."

I looked around in consternation at the room that had become nearly my whole world. I would hate to leave it, but the thought a warm and crackling fire was tempting. I reached up to kiss him, "That, I will leave totally up to you. You have been here for so long. I don't want you to have to move because of me."

He frowned, but pulled me close against his chest and buried his face in my hair, breathing deep, "And I don't want you to get sick again because of me. It snowed last night."

Excited, I tore myself away and ran to the window, throwing it wide. A thin blanket of pure white covered everything like the freshest and purest frosting. The garden sparkled in the early sun, almost as beautiful as Demetri, nearly blinding me. I turned back to him grinning widely.

"I didn't think it snowed here."

"It doesn't often." His eyes were soft this morning. They lit at my enthusiasm and that elusive grin of his played at the edges of his lips.

"Think you could get me another get out of jail free card?" I asked brightly.

His smile was gone all too soon and he frowned, no doubt remembering what happened the last time I had been allowed outside, "I am not sure I can."

I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms, "Can or will?"

"You nearly died the last time you went out," He said in a tight voice. I could see his body tense and his eyes darken.

"I doubt that was because I went outside. It's good for humans to go outside." I said with a cajoling grin as I reached out and touched his clenched fist. I tried to play up the human card as often as I could.

He sighed in defeat -- as I knew he would, I really was quite spoiled -- and looked behind me and out the window, "I'll see what I can do." He made no move to leave the room.

"Now?" I asked impatiently. "I really would like a chance to play in the snow. We get some at home and I always look forward to it. Snow always seems to make the winter more bearable."

I tried not to sound so wistful, but it was hard. I was sure Christmas was right around the corner, but had lost track of the days. I would have to think of something to get him. Something I could acquire without leaving the four walls of my home.

"Give me a moment," He said.

I launched myself at him and he easily caught me, the smile returning at my enthusiastic little display, "Thank you, thank you, thank you." I said as I gave him a resounding kiss between each thank you.

He put me down and left the room shaking his head, but pleased and I used the time he was away to dig around for a pair of gloves and a scarf. I found the coat that he had bought me, but really didn't want to use it. I was hoping I would be moving enough to keep the rest of me warm enough. I laid the scar and gloves, along with a beanie I found at the bottom of the bottom drawer, out in the top drawer of the dresser, so I would be ready and sat down at the desk to sketch the winter landscape.

I couldn't help throwing a glance out the window every now and then as I drew distractedly. The sun was rising and I could tell the temperature was also. It was hard to be patient and I hoped Demetri would hurry and get back with good news before the snow melted completely away. Already I could see glittering drops fall from the roof.

I heard him as he entered this time; the cold caused the usually silent door to protest with a slight creak as he came through. I raised my head expectantly. His face was unusually sober and I felt my face fall in disappointment. I sighed in frustration and turned back to my sketch without a word unable to help pouting a little. He didn't have to tell me that the answer was no, his face said it all.

He silently took the three or so steps to me, his hand slipping under my hair at the back of my neck and resting there in consolation for a moment before he spoke into my ear. I shivered at the feel of his cold breath. It wasn't all that different from the wind that blew in through the open window, yet I could hardly shiver with cold when his hands touched my skin.

"It's all been taken care of. The order has been sent that the gardens must be cleared immediately and no one is to go back until nightfall." He whispered into my ear, his lips brushing innocently against it.

The sluggish clicking of his words in my befuddled brain was the only thing that kept my heart from jumping out of my chest and I looked up, "You were playing with me?" I asked incredulously. He pulled back and grinned suddenly and fully, his features turning very boyish and his eyes lightened mischievously.

"You brat," I scolded even as I jumped up and retrieved my things from the drawer.

"Wait for a moment, Sarah. They have only just given the order. It will take a little time."

I turned, pulling on my gloves, my expression pained. "Nothing takes time for you," I pointed out needlessly.

He chuckled low in his chest, "Everyone needs a little time, even vampires."

I responded by knotting my scarf securely around my neck and yanking my hat on.

"Okay, time's up. I'm ready."

He looked up to the ceiling and shook his head.

"Hey, I don't have all the time in the world, remember?"

Having had enough of my wheedling for the moment, he grabbed me up and kissed me until I was breathless and in no need of a coat. I wound my arms around his neck and pulled him closer, though I was the first to pull away for air. He had a good strategy, but I was not to be swayed, even by one of his dizzying kisses. A day of relative freedom was so close at hand, I could taste it.

"I think that should do it," He said softly, releasing me to stand – well, wobble -- on my own power.

I licked my lips, reveling in his taste, "The kiss or the time?"

He smiled at me then grew grave, "Stay close and don't run off until I have made sure it is completely safe."

I nodded, feeling a bit of the old fear creep into my chest, but I didn't want him to know it, "Yes, mother." I said a bit breathlessly.

He saw through me and touched my cheek softly, "I will keep you safe." He promised in response to what he saw and heard.

I nodded confidently, "I know."

He smiled and opened the door, "Come on. At your speed it will take half the morning to just get down there." He threw over his shoulders as he started out.

"You're the one leading." I reminded him and I made a face at his back.

The snow squashed nicely under my feet. It wasn't so deep that it got into my socks, but there wasn't so little that I couldn't make an appropriately sized snowball, either. I happily lobbed it the back of Demetri's head, where it connected with a satisfying splat. That should teach him to call me slow.

He turned with a look of amazement on his face and shifted his stance to something I had never seen and didn't look completely right for a human. It was as if he was getting ready to jump on me. If he had had a tail it would have been twitching in anticipation.

"Oh, don't tell me you didn't think I was going to pelt you with snow?" I asked taking a nervous step back and preparing myself to run.

His crimson eyes narrowed in response to the quavering note of uncertainty in my voice and he smiled wolfishly, the sun glinting off his exposed teeth.

"You better not," I warned, taking another step.

He growled low in his chest. A sound so menacing that it raised the hair on my neck and arms. I knew there was no way I was escaping him.

I tried logic. "Demetri, that is totally unwarranted. It was just a little snowball."

He leapt and I squeezed my eyes shut bracing for impact. I trusted him completely not to hurt me, but it was impossible to stop the little shriek that escaped me as his body came in contact with mine and we went sliding across the snow.

I tried to jump up as soon as we were stationary, but he was having none of that. I struggled uselessly for a couple of moments before giving up and going limp. He was laughing -- not the little chuckles I had already heard or the soft chiding ones he saved for my more human moments, but really laughing hard. It bounced off the walls and snow covered shrubs and it warmed me instantly. It was almost as fascinating as his voice.

I could tell the sound startled him a bit and it made me strangely upset. I wondered how long it had been since he had really laughed like that, but I didn't ask because his hold had loosened. I took advantage of it and bounded to my feet. I took off through the maze-like gardens at a dead sprint, hoping I remembered enough from my previous visit to make the chase somewhat interesting. I knew he would catch me and more soon than late, but it felt good to run.

The crisp air was invigorating and I hadn't felt this good in a long time. I chanced it and threw a glance over my shoulder, praying I wouldn't run into a shrub. I slowed when I didn't see him then stopped, turning in a complete circle looking for some sign of his presence and wondering what he had in store for me. I heard a low growl to my right and I shot off in the opposite direction, laughing too hard to properly escape.

As I turned to look over my shoulder again, a laugh in my throat, I slammed into something cold and hard. It threw me to the ground and I lay unmoving in the slushy snow for a moment until I could breathe and the stars had disappeared. I felt fear prickle my skin and I was coated in an icy sweat that had me shivering immediately and knew it was not Demetri I had ran into. He would never have let me fall.

I sat up slowly, then climbed to my feet, keeping all movements as calm as I could. Standing a few feet in front of me was a tall, sandy-haired vampire. Strangely, his breathtakingly handsome features were made even more so by the terrifying excitement gleaming in his vibrant eyes. He watched me curiously for a second then his lips curled away from his teeth and he flashed a bright, insincere smile. I eased back a step. The sound of my breathing and pounding heart were suddenly too loud in the quiet of the snowy morning. Where was Demetri?

"What, out here all alone?" The vampire asked in feigned concern. His voice was golden.

I'm not sure what possessed me but I nodded my head.

"Little liar."

His wicked smile widened and he crouched as I tore my eyes from his. I couldn't very well stand there like a frozen lump of clay and I couldn't concentrate if I was looking at him directly. I took a deep breath and waited for the beating of my heart to reach a fevered pitch, letting me know when he had sprung. Hopefully I would be able to get out of the way quick enough.

But I didn't have to, because at that same moment I heard a furious roar to my left. It was nearly as terrifying as the blonde vampire had been, but was comfortingly familiar at the same time. There was the odd sound of rocks hitting one another and then a series of crunches and snaps and growls.

I raised my eyes in time to see Demetri literally tear the head off the tall vampire. It made a strange squealing sound as it came away from the majority of his body. It was like stones grinding against each other. My jaw dropped and I froze and I knew I would never forget the sound as long as I lived and breathed. Demetri saw my expression and hurled the gruesome souvenir over the wall. He left the twitching body where it lay and I finally found the strength to close my eyes, sealing out the shocking sight.

"Sarah, are you all right?" He demanded as he gathered my stiff form to his chest. "He didn't hurt you, did he?"

I hadn't found my voice yet, but I managed a quick shake of my head as I relaxed into him and let his nearness and scent comfort me.

"Idiot," He hissed through clenched teeth. "I can't imagine what he was thinking. Let's go back."

He looked down at me in alarm when I didn't move. The joy and light of the day had fled, leaving behind only a poor semblance of beauty. The snow frosted garden did not seem like such a wonderland now. Rather it was full of dark and leering shadows that waited for me to step away from my protector so they could gobble me up.

"Sarah."

I swallowed and tried to wet my lips, but my tongue wasn't up to working just yet. I just shook my head again. Walking was also not possible at this juncture, not until my knees had stopped threatening to give out and dump me on the cold ground. Demetri realized is without me having to say a word and his jaw tightened. He lifted me easily into his arms and moved with more speed than I ever thought possible to our room.

I felt I could breathe again once we were safely inside but as soon as he set me down, I sank to my knees and fought the overwhelming urge to rock.

"Never again," He murmured as he knelt in front of me. "Sarah, you're safe. You can calm down. I'd never let anything happen to you."

I found my voice, "What happened back there? I thought everyone had been ordered away."

Demetri shook his head curtly, his dark curls bobbing with the motion and he got to his feet in a lightening quick motion. He paced, more agitated then I had ever seen him, his hands clenched tightly behind his back.

"They had been. But he got curious and then your scent hit him. Aro is not going to be pleased."

I lurched to my feet in alarm. I knew little more about Aro other than he was the equivalent of Demetri's boss and I had a feeling he was more like a Mafia boss than a regular boss, "With you or him?" I wouldn't have Demetri get into trouble because he was trying to protect me.

"Both, most likely. It's a terrible inconvenience to lose one so young. I just hope he wasn't a rising star." He snarled the last word and turned to me.

I had sunk into the desk chair and was abjectly studying the floor, "I'm a liability." I said softly.

I had always known it, just never wanted to face the fact. It would mean that I would have to make a decision. A very complicated, eternity altering decision.

"This is not your fault," He said, controlling the anger in his voice -- for my benefit, I was certain. "It is mine and it was his. He knew better then to go to the gardens. He knew I would be there and he also knew he had no hope of ever beating me in a fight. He hoped to catch you alone and finish you before I had a chance to rip him apart, but he knew I would, sooner or later."

There was a quick rap on the door and Demetri glared at it. I jumped at the sound and whipped around to face the door. No one had ever come to his room that I knew of. He left each night for about an hour to learn the news and to feed, but no one had ever come to get him.

I jumped out of my chair and stood close behind him, my palm pressed to the small of his back as if I could halt the inevitable. He reached back, his strong hand curling around my wrist in case he had to pull me out of the way quickly and he cautiously opened the door.

A vampire taller then Demetri and wider too, with huge, thickly corded muscles bulging everywhere, stood just outside the door with a mocking smile on his face. I stared at him with wide, frightened eyes. Demetri was the strongest person I had ever known and though he was not nearly as bulky as some of the bodybuilders I had seen on TV, I knew he was stronger than they were a thousand times over. Yet this vampire looked as though he could easily snap Demetri in two if he wished.

Demetri turned to me. "Stay here, against the back wall." He ordered letting go of my imprisoned wrist.

I nodded and swallowing my fear – and instincts, turned my back to the pair and went to sit with my back against the far wall.

"Seems you've trained her well, Demetri," The tall vampire smirked; I turned my eyes away from his when they grew leering.

"She's not a dog, Felix," I heard Demetri growl. "She has every right to be terrified of us."

"But she is not of you, is she?"

Demetri had had enough of the conversation. "What do you want, Felix?" His voice was tight but resigned and I realized he knew what the summons was for.

"The masters would like to see you. Something about a newborn being separated from his head -- would you like me to keep an eye on things here?"

A furious snarl pulled my eyes from the floor.

"Not unless you would like your head removed from your body as well."

Felix looked bored, "I am rather attached to it. But if you would rather I didn't …"

That was the last I heard. Demetri shot me one last look and stepped into the corridor, closing the door firmly behind him. Having hung around with a vampire for more than a few months, I had to laugh; it wasn't like a door could stop one if he really wanted to get to me.