CHAPTER 21
Can't Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli
Leah tossed and turned, and there was nothing to help her sleep.
The Spirit doesn't sleep. Doesn't need it. It was just inconsiderate enough to stubbornly not care that its host body does.
Not true, my sweet girl. I always want OUR body to be in its most excellent, most beautiful condition.
Leah sighed, and pulled off the covers. She dressed in a sports bra, jacket, and full length leggings. The vamp mafia even provided her favorite pair of running shoes.
She grabbed one of her cigarettes and her phone before heading to the window. Her flask was once again empty. Crap.
Taking a minute to make sure with her sight and hearing that there were no humans nearby, she hoisted herself up to scale the wall. Pulling herself up onto the rooftop, she was dismayed to find it was already occupied.
The tracker was there, and they locked eyes.
"Out to bay at the moon," he teased her. Maybe Leah got that he was teasing and not insulting her, because her hackles didn't go up.
She made a bored howling awooo sound in response. Demetri let out a chuckle. Leah turned her back to him, and lit her cigarette.
Demetri was startled. He didn't see a lighter. How very strange, he thought to himself as Leah blew puffs of smoke. He smelled the cannabis.
"Is that how you relax?," he asked, not moving closer.
Leah tilted the corner of her lips, "No. Drugs don't affect us." It's something that he would already know from his mind-reading Master picking it up from the Cullens.
"Then why?" Admittedly, he was a bit annoyed by the smell, but he lives in Italy where smoking was still quite fashionable.
"Oral fixation?" Leah answered, teasing him right back.
They were silent for a time.
"Can you not sleep?" he asked. "Is the room not to your liking?"
Leah sighed at his attempt to play gracious host. "The room is fine." More than fine, actually. It was very nice, small but it had its own bathroom and was further away from the Cullens and their smell.
"You also didn't get much sleep last night."
"I don't need to sleep."
This startled Demetri. "Is that true?"
"No. I lied," Leah said, amused. She wanted to see how he will react to being teased. So far, he hadn't killed her.
Demetri was a bit surprised at being teased. He rarely encounters anyone who does so. The Guard tends to be very cautious and distrustful of each other. Vampires not in the Guard were either too afraid, or annoyingly obliging as they try to curry favor. Felix and Afton were the only ones with the humor and personality to tease anyone. The younger ones like Heidi or Corin may partake at times, whenever they were in a lighter mood which was rare.
He had so many questions for the she-wolf. He had watched her from afar for ten years, but there was still so much that he didn't know. And every little morsel of information leads to another and another. She was an enigma that he wanted desperately to solve.
Before he could ask another question, he sensed Santiago and the other Guards approaching.
He disliked Santiago. Hated him as a matter of fact. Always had since the former conquistador joined their group four hundred years ago.
The air around them changed. Dawn was near.
Leah stood up and stretched her hands to the sky. She had such a long, lean frame, Demetri watched her subtly from behind.
"I take it your buddies from the Babysitters Club are taking over your shift?" Leah said. Demetri didn't reply. He felt like "Babysitters Club" was some kind of reference he was supposed to know. He'll have to ask Felix later.
Leah put her phone in the pocket of her track jacket; music softly coming through.
He can play any instrument in the world. His musicality was a skill that he's had since he was a human child, and related to his tracking gift.
…And as I watch you disappear into the ground
My one mistake was that I never let you down
So I'll waste my time and I'll burn my mind…
He will find this song. Maybe it will provide an insight to Leah Clearwater's mind.
Reluctantly, he got up to leave, wondering at the almost pleasant encounter. Well, it wasn't aggressive, at least. Perhaps for the she-wolf, that was equivalent of 'pleasant'.
He hesitated momentarily, unwilling to leave Leah and the wolves to Santiago who will likely be antagonistic.
But he was also set to rendezvous with the Cullens for their trip to Florence.
Besides, Felix will be with Santiago's group.
A few hours later, he was meandering close to the Basilica di Santo Spirito on a blessedly cloudy day. Autumn in Italy saw bursts of rain, but Florence was still filled with tourists. He was listening to the chatter between the Cullens and the wolves. Interesting how Leah had not made an appearance since her brother was here.
The sight of Felix and Santiago standing beside a wall surprised him. He walked over to join them. The three of them together looked like a set of brothers, all with black hair and tall builds.
"She's gone," Felix said, whispered calmly.
"Gone?" Demetri asked.
"The bitch ran off not long after you left," Santiago spat under his breath, furiously.
Demetri was concerned how the Masters would interpret the truancy.
He turned away from them, racking his mind. He can't use his gift to track her. She had her phone on her. A quick check showed she had turned off her location.
Demetri was getting angry. Mostly because Santiago is continuing with his litany of insults towards the she-wolf.
He closed his eyes, and thought. It was unusual that she wasn't here with her brother. He was the sole reason why she even came to Italy. A thought struck him, and he began walking quickly.
Leah Clearwater must be nearby. Near her brother, but apart from the rest of them.
"Stay with the Cullens," he whispered to Santiago and Felix. By now, some members of Carlisle's party had noticed their agitation.
"Leah said she'll meet us at the restaurant, if you're looking for her," Seth said. Demetri tipped his hat to him. They were to be watched at all times. 'Meeting somewhere' was not an acceptable alternative.
But close by, just a few human minutes walk away… She must be there.
Demetri walked past the human guards at the Pitti Palace, flashing his badge.
Sure enough, there was Leah Clearwater, standing in front of Cristiano Banti's works. She was wearing a different outfit than what she had on when they spoke this morning. Her hair still a bit damp from a shower. She made her escape, doubled back to the villa, took a shower and got dressed, before making her way here. Completely bypassing the Guards looking after her.
"Miss Clearwater," he greeted her, his jaw tight with annoyance.
"I like Macchiaioli," she said, not looking at him.
"Yes, the movement was quite popular. Although, Banti never reached the height of his acclaim during his lifetime. Why are you here?"
Leah shrugged, "I wanted to see the paintings here." Her reply was nonchalant and dismissive.
Demetri tamped down the irritation and made a non-committal hmm sound. Maybe understanding this infuriating woman was a futile endeavor.
They walked through the galleries until Leah chose to exit. Demetri grinding his teeth the whole time.
She began walking towards where the Cullens will be waiting.
As soon as they were out of sight of humans, Santiago barrels out of nowhere, pinning Leah against the wall. His forearm against her neck.
"Santiago!" Demetri yelled, prepared to pull him off.
"I will enjoy tearing you to pieces, dog," Santiago whispered.
But Leah was fearless.
"We all have dreams," she replied condescendingly.
Demetri stepped forward. Fury that he didn't expect, but also didn't question, moving his body. Felix beats him to it, though. His much larger friend pulls Santiago off.
"Enough! Calm down!" Felix said, speaking rapidly in Spanish, likely unaware that Leah can understand that language, too.
Truthfully, Leah wasn't being antagonistic when she went for a run. The Guards following her were unable to keep up. And she really did want to see the art in the Pitti Palace. She's an artist by trade, and art is something that she's loved her entire life. It kept her sane and whole at her worst moments, which were plentiful. Besides, she got a little tired of being the unwanted 'extra' in this stupid as fuck trip. She thought she may as well do something for herself. She was close enough still that she could reach Seth's side, if he needed her.
Demetri took her aside.
"Perhaps, Miss Clearwater, it would benefit you and your party if you would try not to lose your Guards."
Leah heard the subtle threat underneath. "Believe me, I didn't try to lose your Guards. There was no effort on my part at all. They couldn't keep up, and they lost me."
The following morning, Leah went for another run. She usually did back in Seattle, often more than once a day. Her speed was trained like this, soaring through the many buildings and woods, too fast for human eyes.
She was surprised when her posse of Guards didn't come with her. Just the tracker.
She worked to shake him off, to lose him.
Just minutes later, she will arrive back at the villa she shared with the others. Her hair a bit mussed. Her cheeks flushed. She looked angry. The Cullens were startled when she barged through the door.
"Lee?" Seth started to ask, but his sister marched upstairs, ignoring everyone.
Seconds later, Demetri walked in calmly. His hair also mussed. His usually impeccable attire was a bit rumpled with leaves and twigs sticking on them.
But ha! The she-wolf was not able to lose him. She was fast, most definitely. Faster than most vampires. Agile and clever, as well. But he was the fastest in the Guard, a skill that aids his tracking ability. While he was never able to pass her or catch up to her, she also was unable to lose him entirely. And she certainly made an effort, taking him through the woods, changing directions suddenly, doubling back at times.
It was clear to Demetri that he will have to be the one to keep an eye on Miss Clearwater. Apparently, none of the others have the capability to do so.
