Hey guys! I know I haven't updated in a while, apologies for that, I had a lot going on. Hopefully this extra long chapter will make up for it :)
Also thanks for anyone that reviewed as we have reached 90 reviews!Thats just awesome, keep em coming! As always apologies for any grammar or spelling mistakes. It also gets a bit..um 'heated' in the second POV so younger readers beware!( If I do have any)
Love you guys, enjoy ;) x
Myrnins POV
I couldn't feel sorry for sending Michael to tell the news to the sleeping Shane; I just needed more time to think things through. I could play the blame game and go over the conflict a thousand times in my mind, but with past experience, it wouldn't be a wise thing to do since it wouldn't change anything, really. Just the bitterness in my heart.
Thinking logically and trying to detach myself from the issue, I think of the next step. Tell Amelie? And be like the needy child that goes crying to her when everything goes wrong, in hope she can help? No, Amelie has too much to handle, and it wouldn't be wise to mingle with the Founder. Not in her current military state.
I sighed and leaned against the wall, letting my thoughts and the craziness inside me to sway a little, and leave me for a moment. It's much quieter this way, less clustered and leaves room to see what I couldn't before. I guess I should see if they made any progress on the matter.
Dashing upstairs, past a bored Eve, they were still in the bedroom, having moved the mirror and placed it next to the bed, examining the wall behind it. Shouldn't they know it wouldn't work like that? But they do not have my knowledge, not that it would help in this situation.
"Do you have any ideas?" asked Michael, clearly grateful that I have somehow disrupted their so called 'work'. And regarding from Shanes expression, which was set in an arrogantly defiant frown, I would guess they haven't took a break in the hours she has been gone.
"Not really, it isn't my field of expertise after all. But I could take a closer look at that mirror..." I gone off in thought, clearly this thing couldn't be ordinary or perhaps changed somehow from the happening from earlier on. It should still have some sort of signs of... well difference.
Somehow this answer pleased Michael, who nodded in my direction and ran downstairs. Probably to catch Shreve up with all the shenanigans. That left Shane alone in the room with me, which I would guess can turn rather awkward very fast, for the human at least.
Ignoring the beating heart a few feet away, I picked up the mirror and placed it on the bed. Again, the shattered circled of where Claire has been grabbed remained, somehow making the memory much sharper, making it that less easier to detach my mind. I let my fingers go over the frame of it, heightening my senses even more so, to pick up any traces of energy or anything that would give me any clues.
It didn't seem to be working; it seemed to be utterly ordinary until I felt a faint stab at my finger. It was the same type of power signature that a portal would leave, but it seemed to be in Claire's signature. I know this because every time someone passes through a portal leaves a unique sort of sample, like a fingerprint for me to look up. But it wasn't just her that I sensed, someone else, someone that hasn't used the portals, or my portals before. As much as I would like to maim and harm this mystery person, a tiny part of me would be amazed at them for making a new portal, but a portal that only they can access. And as hard as it was to admit, I haven't even thought of the possibility of this. Even if I was to open the portal, which would take a lot of energy anyway, it would be impossible for me to pass, it would probably rebound or hurt me in some way.
As I let my babbling mind do calculations and preliminary trail plans for this kind of portal, I stood up and turned to leave, when I noticed that Shane was looking at me. Looking at me like he had something to say, but didn't know how to word it properly.
"I was wondering why I didn't notice anything as...well Claire..." Shane trailed off, trying to get an honest answer out of me, I sensed his heartbeat quicken as clearly this was as much unpleasant for him as it is for me.
"Haven't you figured it out? Since you are a human, you don't feel things like I do, and having much better hearing that you... You wouldn't have known it had happened if you were awake. Maybe towards the end where bigger noises followed you would have had an inkling. But it was just a case of us being better." I meant to finish there, to leave it and go, investigate more if I must. But he wouldn't drop it, would he?
"What about the door?"
Amelies POV
Assembling a town meeting should have been simpler, more efficient and definitely much smoother. I should also take into consideration that half the vampire population were injured, a keepsake present from the draug. Not to mention the foolish humans who keep getting in the way of everything, as they usually do.
What chance do they stand when even we cannot uphold our own front? Things just seem to get more and more out of hand, news keep coming through as people abandon homes after hearing stories of the escapees of Magnus's lair. A ruler such as me should have kept more watch on these things, but even a vampire as old as me cannot do everything.
Still sitting at my oak veneer table that I had specially imported from France, paperwork seemed useless now. Every messenger or informer I send comes back with the same news: No sign of Theodore Goldman.
A painful twinge blossomed near my lungs. It's my fault he's out there, the friendliest of our species, and I used my skills to silence him. What use was it when they knew anyway? That it was my fault Magnus got away...That I was too weak to finish the job myself. And for centuries I kept telling myself, it's what the draug wanted, to corrupt me so that I would murder my own brother. And Theo is out there, possibly, gathering the vampires and herding them towards me, for a meeting or a last ditch effort to escape the sinking town of Morganville.
Too caught up in my thoughts I didn't notice Oliver watching me from the doorway, never announcing himself as I shuffles through the papers on my desk to give up and have my mind take over. He was wearing light black clothing, something that wouldn't get dirty too fast, but not prone to the effects that blood has on fabrics. His dark hair tussled and out of place, as if he was running moments before.
"I don't understand why you worry so much about those humans. They always seem to fight against us. We should use this as an advantage to us." Spoken like a true leader, his words carefully selected and as always, leading me towards the answer.
"They need to be shown that we aren't afraid, give them hope or something to fight for, for those that stay behind. Perhaps those foolish enough to stay behind..." I thought this out, if we begin to evacuate people, the ones to stay behind the likeliest are Captain Obvious and his gang of the human rebellion, not to mention the glass house residents and those vampires that are either too young to understand or want revenge. In some sort of form other than a murky death.
"We need to arrange a public meeting. So I can speak to the humans, those who are brave enough to leave the safety of their homes and get an idea of the situation. Assign door to door messengers for each street, it's the fastest way. Also, it's best if I write an official message." I went back to the papers with more of a purpose now, starting to write the message that would be delivered from the lips of many. It may be medieval, but word of mouth is the best way.
"You do impress me with your quick wit and thoughtfulness, but what of the vampires? Will they be present too? Wouldn't that-" I hated to interrupt him, but time is short. Glancing at my watch, I watched as the clock needle stopped at 6pm. A bit late for a meeting, and we would need time to spread the news.
"Have the meeting arranged for 12, high noon in front of the town hall. It will give plenty of time for distribution of the message and for the townspeople to get ready and pack. This is the official message that will be given out." I was being generous with these people, I could have always left them to Magnus as a means to slow him down. I looked up; handing him the piece of paper like it was nothing. I heard some sort of grunt in response, probably his thoughts to being treated as a secretary. I'm rather short on those as they can never take the importance of the job. But as he took the heavy piece of paper, imprinted with my seal, his fingers brushed ever so gently across mine, lingering for a moment, and I could only guess what would progress if I met his gaze. I cleared my throat and took my hand back, reclaiming it from his surprisingly warm hands.
"When are you leaving the town, Founder?" Back to formalities it seems, his question had me speechless for a moment, but I knew the answer ever since he emerged again back into our lives. Something that Oliver no doubt knew about as well.
"I won't. I will try to correct the mistake I made, all those years ago." I tried to avoid those piercing eyes, those eyes that sometimes wouldn't let me escape and would hold me prisoner with their icy edges and the feeling that they have seen too much. I couldn't avoid them when he lifted my chin up ever so slowly, and I couldn't help and take in his expression as he stared into me. He looked tired, almost worn out by all that has happened lately, especially after his incident with the draug. There were still a few red marks on his face, a few of them still raw, but healing.
"Do what you must, Amelie." His fingers kept my chin in place as he slowly leaned across the table, descending slowly as not to startle me. I kept perfectly still as I waited for something to happen, grateful that my hands were under the table for they were unable to stop shaking, I could feel my palms getting clammy from the mere intensity of his gaze. How could he do this to me? I was acting like a loves sick teenager, even though I know how many times he plotted my death and failed, a deadly dance we played, teasing and tripping each other up.
It was as if time slowed down, making me savour this moment, and making me savour the fact that he had me completely under his charm. In any other situation I would have stopped this, would have spoken up and moved away from him. But now, I couldn't stop but shiver as he took a breath and exhaled inches away from me. I couldn't stop but taste the sweetness of his breath on me, luring me deeper, making me blind to everything around me. A million nerves exploded and danced as he placed his full lips on my forehead, it seemed like water for a thirsty horse, long starved sunlight for a plant. And only from one touch. Because I was a thirsty horse, a starved plant yearning for sunlight, I brought his face down towards me harshly, pulling on his hair in the motion. I didn't wait for him to kiss me, I didn't wait for him to say anything or exclaim at my rashness, but I had been in the dark too long. Too long have I let these feelings slide, and in this action, I threw away all the rules as I clutched his face with both hands, using my strength to my advantage and grabbing a bit of his shirt to crush us closer, and in that moment I stood up, never breaking contact only to move closer.
He responded, he grabbed my hair and took it out of its bun, letting it fall in curls over my shoulders. We didn't need to pause, we didn't need to slow down as this kiss deepened, as I gasped and bit his lip, drawing blood, dark blood that spilled over my chin and stained the desk. I drew back, waiting to see rejection and disgust, but what I saw pushed me more. His eyes turned red, killer red. And he had a vicious smile upon him, something like satisfaction and gratitude all tied into one. Oliver didn't need more of a signal as he grabbed me and laid me down on the desk, tracing my neck with his soft lips, before sinking his fangs into me. A sort of euphoria lifted me, as if I was sailing high above the scene. I gripped his back as he drank, and I could hear the shirt ripping, and that only provoked me more, as I ripped it apart like it was nothing.
If he had anything to say, he didn't that night.
Magnus's POV
There was a sort of freedom take comes with the streets of Morganville after sunset. Its a sort of predatory calling, as if a singing to take whatever is needed. No wonder all the smarter humans were rushing home or were already locked up in their houses, fearing the stories of the night.
I didn't hide what I was as I walked down the streets towards the town square. If there was anywhere where I would find information, it would be the library, and not the usual kind. Heading down the dark alleyways, I could hear the scuffling in the streets from the rats and the less lucky humans.
I wore their fear like a cloak around me, emitting it and broadcasting to anyone that came into viewing distance. Making my way was easy, no guards of any kind to protect the fortress. That's how I got to the founders square; striving boldly not bothering to wear a disguise as there was no point in hiding. If death came calling, I want them to know it was coming.
I knew every tunnel; every shortcut there was ever made here so getting to the library was easy enough. I wondered if sister remembered the entrance just below her cage contraption. Its foolish to put the entrance under it, but I guess if her own people overthrew her, she would know how to escape if she ended up there. That's if they were that gracious.
Sliding into the cage, i scraped around with my fingernails at the edge unil an outline was formed. Digging into the grooves, I shifted it, and pushed it down below me. Instantly, it dropped me down to an underground chamber, the door to the library just visible in the moonlight emitting from above.
Not trying to think about the smell of blood that poisoned the slab of concrete, I lifted it up again and back into the space. It clicked into place, letting me to explore the door. Surprisingly it easily opened, probably due to the fact it hasn't been used in a few decades.
I was somewhere near the end of the library, which wasn't far away from all the important documents Amelie had a habit of stashing. Like death certificates.
There was no one in the library, it was eerily quiet and seemed bigger than the last time I had visited here, more books lined the endless bookcases, and there didn't seem to be any organizing going on, no index cards or wall plaques. Unless you knew you were looking for.
I saw the painting where I expected it to be, it was one of an old woman, clutching her basket with both hands, her weathered and tired face gazing into the distance. Amelie really should reo-organize, it would be too easy for someone like me to find what they were looking for.
Past the painting, I went towards the huge filing system; it was more like a huge mahogany bookcase lined with older and thicker books than normal. At least the years on these were labelled. Starting from the beginning, picking up a very fragile leather bound book, I skipped through the pages, past records of buildings and local architecture, past the births and the emigrants. Nothing, nothing close to what I wanted. I repeated this process with a few more books, and when I got to the 19th century In knew it wouldn't be here. The closest to a Felicity was a Felicia, not nearly good enough.
A hot piping iron boiled inside me, of course Amelie wouldn't be foolish enough to write one humans death, wouldn't dream of making it easy for me to find the thing that I was looking for. She never made it easy for me.
Enraged, I knocked the bookshelf over and reduced a few chairs to splinters. It took all of that commotion for the security guards to come running, to realise there's an intruder here. I let off a laugh, I just couldn't help it, at their dopy faces and as they neared to realise that I wasn't a simple burglar coming to steal a few records. Because by the time the third guard came, I have already devoured the first, enjoying the warm blood that filled me, savouring the flesh burning off my victim as I took in his life energy and everything I needed.
This guard was smart enough to run. I didn't feel like chasing this one, but his frozen friend was a better target. They always plead for their life, always offer me things in return for sparing them. I merely laughed at the man, seeing the panic grow in his eyes as a part of me detached to carry him off the way we came. I would save him for dessert, possibly save him for my new thralls, whatever happened to him, Jason would make sure of his fate.
Taking one last look at the library, I could only think of what I should do next. I should find Amelie and thank her for my snack, and seeing how this town has more loudmouths than secrets, it shouldn't be hard to find her.
So that's this extra long chapter! What do we think of OliverxAmelie? As much as I loved her and Sam, I think Amelie needed someone, since everything could go horribly wrong.
Also Magnus is getting closer and his rage is building...more on that next time! You guys seem to like badass Magnus so that's really great! As always, thanks for reading! Please don't be shy in telling me what you think, I just hope I did ok in the 'romantic' scene, I'm not used to writing them..
Also as an extra note, some of you know I have started a crackfic! Just for a bit of fun, to brighten up your day a bit of craziness wouldn't hurt :)