Chapter 4

"I wonder why I need to stay in the Special Zone. I want to stay but what's this answer he was talking about?"

Thoughts scrambled around in my head but my sights were focused on the door in front of me. To be honest, I was a little paranoid about it. I didn't want to be a pest to Zelman. I tried to stay calm and distract myself by observing the dark flickering candles around me. Their light entranced me and I drew closer to them until the heat was too intense. I stepped back. Mr. Zelman created these flames. The intricate fireplace on the right was the brightest source of fire in the room since there were no windows in the room. I lay down beside the fireplace, warming myself up a little, though I was already warm enough. The soothing warmth for the fireplace made me feel sleepy. My eyes began to slowly shut while my mind relaxed.

"May I enter?"

The voice was soft but enough to startle me out of my daze. The door opened.

My gaze shot up towards the door as a young woman in a tight white coat and skirt walked in.

"Lord Zelman…I…"

She didn't notice me. She was puzzled, looking at the couch in the middle of the room where Zelman sat. She was young, with flowing light brown hair, small rectangular glasses. It gave her an assistant look. Suddenly, I recognized her. She was Zelman's personal assistant, Sayuka Shiramine. Just then, she sharply glanced over to where I was. Her expression was stunned but she collected herself calmly. "If I may ask, who are you?" She asked smoothly, but she still seemed troubled. I became nervous but I answered her openly.

"My name is Aya, Aido. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm sorry I startled you. I am supposed to wait here."

"You are supposed to wait…here? Are you a "prepared" human?" She said, nervously.

I imagined Zelman's fangs piercing my neck, my body numbing but warming with the heat of blood.

"No." I said but it seemed like I shouted. Sayuka became a little calmer all of a sudden and stopped staring at me.

"You aren't a vampire, are you?" She asked, looking wary.

"No." I responded.

"Are you with the Company?" Sayuka's expression changed from distressed to grave. Her look made me feel uncomfortable.

"The Company? I don't know" I mouthed silently.

"Why are you here in Lord Zelman's private room?" She was serious but she still seemed trouble. "

"Mr. Zelman told me that I must remain in this room…for my protection...until he returns." I hugged my legs close to me. Sayuka began to tremble and she seemed uneasy.

"I… see." She stuttered.

"You harbor feelings for Mr. Zelman." Sayuka blushed as I said Zelman's name.

"I am personal assistant to Lord Zelman and I….."

"You love Mr. Zelman…. but he may think you are only attracted to his appearance." I stated calmly, looking at her intensely.

Sayuka looked upset, blushing in embarrassment.

"My master has lived 800 years, being the only survivor of the Asura bloodline, and the powerful possessor of the Eye Ignite." She lowered her head. "When he thirsts, I want him to summon me, and only me. I am such a fool. He acts like he doesn't care about anyone but he always carries out his responsibilities."

"He wants to be free." I stated. "I guess Mr. Zelman and I have similar interests."

The doors to the room suddenly broke open, sending rushing hot air into the room. The heat pricked my skin like small needles. The candles around us flickered slightly. Sayuka and I turned sharply towards the doorway. Zelman appeared, striding in with a usual grin on his face.

"Oh, Sayuka. Did you find more information?" He walked up to Sayuka.

"Yes, Lord Zelman." She uttered.

Zelman collapsed on his couch and relaxed himself. Sayuka stayed silent. I watched Zelman from the fireplace. I was pretty sure that he noticed me when he walked in but he hadn't looked at me at all. Sayuka gave me a glance of uncertainly.

"Sayuka." Zelman laid his head back against the couch.

Sayuka turned to Zelman. "The Silver Blade has been causing a disturbance in the Special Zone, according to the Company."

"Heh. Interesting." Zelman snickered.

"It appears he is going after the Kowloon Children and the Black Snake. He has been resisting the Company….." Sayuka was cut off.

"Black Snake evaded me once before, but can Silver Blade finish her off?"

"Pardon sir?" Sayuka muttered.

"Thank you Sayuka." Zelman crimson eyes hit hers and she blushed red.

Zelman shrugged from exhaustion.

"Aya."

His eyes fell on me.

"Come here please."

My eyes gazed at him, widening as he stared at me with his beautiful crimson eyes.

Was he going to reveal my answer; my purpose in the Special Zone? I thought to myself. Both of my feet had fallen asleep from lying still by the fireplace for too long. When I had made my way over to Zelman, and stood before him, I had become too grow nervous.

"Please sit."

I obeyed. I stayed still and timid.

"Your sister made it safely to Ouran Academy so you needn't worry. She will be protected there." Zelman didn't look concerned in any way so I wasn't as worried. I was glad Kashu was safe.

"That's good. I am happy that she can make new friends. I hope she enjoys herself." I commented.

Zelman looked like he was deep in thought. "As for you, Aya, a meeting has been called discussing where you will be staying in the Special Zone. The Council has ordered it."

"What? I thought I would be staying in the mansion with you. I thought that it had already been arranged." I asked surprised.

"There is a problem." Zelman was serious. This made me feel nervous.

"What problem?" I asked.

Zelman leaned close, laying a gentle warm hand against my cheek.

"Don't worry." He said, softly.

I couldn't help but blush. He smiled smugly.

I wonder what the problem is…and the fact that he won't tell me my purpose in the Special Zone had begun to eat away at me. "Mr. Zelman….I…" I whispered.

"I'm going out." Mr. Zelman leaned up from the couch, and shot himself from the couch across the room and onto the ground below. He walked to the door with ease.

"But Lord Zelman….." Sayuka whined.

"Aya, I am admitting you in the care of the Company for now. Sayuka will take you to the Compromiser. I will see you…soon." Zelman closed the door behind him with a loud click, leaving Sayuka and I baffled.

I wonder where he's off to."

Sayuka faced me with a earnest expression. "Please follow me, miss."

I sat up from the couch and followed Sayuka out of the room. We walked down the dim narrow hallway and almost tripped. Sayuka ignored me. We came to a room that was slightly larger than Zelman's room. I remembered this room as well as the last one. We were now in the room where Zelman had met Jiro, Kotaro, and Mimiko for the first time. A woman sat on one of the couches in front of us. She appeared confused. Once Sayuka shut the door behind us, the woman turned and stood from her seat. She had short spiky brown hair and dark brown eyes. I recognized her. When she laid her eyes on me, her expression became confident. I became nervous and shy. She held out her hand.

"I am Mimiko Katsuragi. Nice to meet you." She greeted with a smile.

"I am Aya Aido. I know who you are. You brought Jiro and Kotaro into the Special Zone." I said with a slight smile.

"Uh, how do you know that?" She asked in embarrassment.

"I watched the anime. You're a very strong person, Miss Mimiko." I whispered in her ear.

Mimiko smiled at me, nodded at Sayuka and grabbed me by the hand, tugging me towards the door. She opened it and rushed through, while I flailed behind her. I caught a glimpse of Sayuka's straight face before the door slammed shut. Mimiko flung me down the halls of the house along with her until we reached the bottom. She pulled me through the giant doors of Zelman's mansion and into the courtyard. The statue angel caught my eye. Its intricacy and beauty captivated me. I loved the statue and the breath-taking mansion. I would have really liked to stay here at the mansion with Zelman though I didn't want to be a burden to him. I didn't want to cause problems. I knew there would be problems. Not only Zelman lives at the mansion. Coven members live at the mansion too. After all, Zelman is supposedly their leader. My mixed feelings were confusing me deeply.

"Miss Aya."

I turned towards Mimiko. "Yes." I said, still out of breath from being pulled down the hallways.

"The Company has organized a meeting between the Council members of the Special Zone. It's almost that time already." Mimiko's look was determined.

"Am I attending the meeting?" I questioned.

"Yeah, the meeting is all about you!" She said loudly. Mimiko seemed concerned though. I hoped it wasn't about me but I soon knew it was. "There is another problem." The sudden voice startled me. I turned sharply towards the rough voice. It was Cain Warlock, attendant to Lord Dragon Sei.

I followed Miss Mimiko and Mr. Cain submissively as not to cause trouble. I didn't pay much attention to our surroundings until I was led to a pair of large doors and they opened. As I walked into the room alone, I noticed the room was also fairly dark like Mr. Zelman's private room though it was lit by many candles. The Vampire Council sat in a circle around the room. Zelman was there and he grinned when he noticed me. The Council stared at me, making me feel more nervous then I already was. I trembled. When I saw each one of their faces, I remembered them. There was Zhang Lei Kao, the Chairman Jinnai Shogo, Lord Dragon Sei, Zelman, and Cain Warlock who had just sat down. He must have followed me in without me noticing. Everyone looked concerned of me, but Zelman simply smiled, deviously as he always does. Suddenly, the Chairman spoke.

"Miss Aya, please sit." He asked seriously.