He nodded. “Good. Then I believe we should draw the meeting to an end here. I will attempt to decipher more of Lafelei’s words. I shall of course inform you if I discover anything further. In the meantime, carry on as normal and please try not to worry. I will ensure that The Sorrow never gets anywhere near you.”
“Thank you Faru,” I said and saluted him. Gabriella did the same and started to leave.
“Alexander, may I have a brief word in private?” asked Faru. I looked at Gabriella and made an I don’t know face. She headed through the doors.
Faru pulled something from his robes and threw it at me. I caught it and opened my hand. I felt a jolt of panic as I stared at the silver marble I’d dropped in the Temple.
“Please give that back to Delagio,” he said. “And the next time you decide to spy on one of my meetings, do try and be a little more discreet.” He smiled and then waved me out.
For the next few days, nothing happened. Still, after the chaotic events of the previous week, my anxiety levels had set themselves at high alert and seemed confused by the lack of threat around me. Every little noise would cause me to snap to attention. I felt constantly on edge. The next time I saw Gabriella at school, I asked her about it and she laughed, telling me it was a common for new Chosen to feel that way and that it would eventually subside.
I had decided to stay at home to keep an eye on Mikey. Even though I knew there were Guardians watching the house constantly, I felt better being around. Gabriella understood. We spent all of our free time at school together. Sometimes Tim would be with me, so we’d be forced to talk about ‘normal’ things. When he wasn’t, she filled me in on the happenings around the base. I learned that Sophia was getting better by the day and the doctors expected her to make a complete recovery by the end of the week. I was surprised to hear that Midnight had been in talks with Faru to convert her to the Coven, even though it made Sophia seriously pissed with him.
I’d made the decision to tell Mikey everything — I just hadn’t found the right opportunity. Not to mention the fact that he spent ninety per cent of his evenings hidden away in his bedroom with his new girlfriend. He only ever surfaced to grab food and drink and then retreated back into his love nest. I still hadn’t met her, because whenever she slept over, she’d be gone by the time I got up. I didn’t really care. I hadn’t seen him so besotted in a long time. As long as he’s happy.
On the Wednesday evening, I drove home determined to tell him everything. He’d been there for me when I felt scared and alone. The least I could do was tell him the truth. I settled the Audi into the driveway and climbed out. Leaning against the door, I took a deep breath. Okay Alex, just walk in there and tell him. If he’s with his girlfriend then demand he talks to you privately. You can do this. I jiggled the lock open and stepped through the door. “Mikey?” I called out. “In here bro,” he replied. I scattered my bag onto the sideboard and headed towards the blare of the television coming from the lounge. Mikey was curled up on the sofa with Scarlett.
My keys fell from my hand as I stared at the scene. I blinked slowly, convincing myself that my on edge brain was playing tricks on me. But they were still huddled there, watching the TV. They looked up together. “Hey Alex, how’s things?” “Uh… good,” I said, swallowing. “This is Scarlett,” Mikey said, gesturing towards the Vampire. “I know,” I said “Oh right, have you met?” “She’s uh…Gabriella’s friend.” Mikey’s eyebrows shot up. “Really?” He turned to the redhead. “You never told me that! Great, we can double date.” “Gabriella and I aren’t dating,” I said. He rolled his eyes. “Ok mate, whatever.” “Um, Scarlett, can I talk to you for a second in the kitchen?” “Sure,” said the Bloodling in her husky Irish accent and detangled herself from Mikey. My brother gave me a suspicious glance, which I pretended not to notice. “What the hell are you doing?” I hissed when we were alone in the kitchen.
Scarlett hopped into a sitting position on the counter. “Watching a really bad film. You know, your brother has awful taste in movies.”
“You know what I mean! Why are you here?”
She shrugged. “Protection.”
“I know that. But why aren’t you outside with the others?” I clapped a hand over my forehead. “Oh sweet lord, this is what Faru meant by special protection!” I pointed towards the lounge. “Does he know?” She shook her head, a flicker of fire. “Not yet.”
“You can’t be around him! What about if you get…urges?” She gave a devilish grin. “Oh you little pervert!” “Stop messing about Scarlett!” I growled.
The Bloodling pointed to her eyes with a slender finger. “Look at the colour Alex, bright as a new coin. Do you really think I’m stupid enough to hang around a human hungry?”
I stormed up and down the kitchen. “Great, Faru forced a Vampire to seduce my brother.”
“Whoa, hold on — no.” She used a chalky hand to stop me pacing. “It isn’t like that at all. My mission was to become part of Mikey’s life, that’s it. To keep an eye on him — especially when he wasn’t at home, in case someone tried to kidnap him to get to you. How I did that was my choice.” “But he thinks your dating!” “We sort of…are.” “Oh god!” I leaned over the work surface, placing my hands in my head. “This can’t be happening.” “Alex, I…really like him.” The words seemed to struggle from her mouth, like she wasn’t used to confessing. “He’s fifteen!” I barked, lifting my head up. “So? I’m only sixteen! Well…technically.” “But you hardly know him!” I retorted. “You met him what, a week ago? You can’t like someone that soon. It’s ridiculous!” “Was it ridiculous for you to like Gabriella so soon?”
I tried to respond, but had nothing to say. Seriously, is it stamped on my forehead or something?
Scarlett jumped of the counter and marched close to me. “Look, you want Mikey protected right? I’m protecting him. What happens between us beyond that is none of your business. Christ, you think because I’m a Vampire I have to sacrifice my life? I may be dead, but I still have feelings!”
The sound of a throat clearing made me jerk my head around. Mikey was standing in the doorway. “Does someone want to tell me what the hell is going on?” he said.
Scarlett and I exchanged a glance.
“You better take a seat.”
“I can’t believe you’re a Vampire,” Mikey whispered, his back pressed against the kitchen cupboards. Scarlett let her fangs slide back into her gums until they resembled normal teeth. Even after I’d explained everything it had still taken a demonstration to convince him that we weren’t winding him up. It was understandable — what sane person would believe it unless they saw it first hand?
“So I was just an assignment for you?”
I could see the hurt in his eyes. I imagined it was how I’d looked when I’d thought the same thing about Gabriella. It was the first time I’d ever seen him react emotionally to a girl in his life. “At first,” she said, “but then I started to like you.” He looked at me and then Scarlett. “Are you like…dead?” he asked. “Sort of. Yes.” He pulled a face. “B-but we…oh god!” He ran to the sink and threw up. “Perfect,” said Scarlett.
The Bloodling moved away from us with the lithe speed of a wildcat. She wrenched opened the back door and I watched as she vaulted onto the roof. The cold chill rolled in behind her. I walked over and shut the door.
“I think you offended her,” I said, keeping my voice low.
Mikey was still rinsing his mouth. He spat water into the sink. “Offended her?” He wiped his hands on the towel. “I was the idiot tricked into falling for a bloody Vampire!” I raised my eyebrows. “Falling? You really like her don’t you?” He shrugged, but his face gave the secret away. “You do.”
“Okay fine. I’ve never felt this way about a girl before. She’s just so intelligent and fun and sexy and great in…” he balked and put up a finger.
I walked over and put my hand on his shoulder. “Listen Mikey. Now you know what she is and what I’m a part of, you have a choice.”
“Do I?”
I nodded. “I can get Gabriella to make you forget all of this. She can do that. You can carry on none the wiser. Scarlett will still protect you — but from a distance. Or…you can chose to accept all this, at least for now. Hopefully without puking,” I added with a weak smile.
My heart hammered as I waited for his response. He clenched his jaw and let out a deep sigh.
“I need to talk to her first,” he said pointing upwards.
“Come on,” I said and opened the door. He followed me outside. In the unruly backyard, nature had regained control. Gardening had never been a family strong point. The one trait we all shared. A rusted
