Heidi and Julian

I stared at the down at the necklace. 

Silver.

      "Don't worry, Sweetie. It's just a precaution. See, even I have one." And she did, laid hidden beneath the lace of her shirt, just the barest of sliver peeking through. "It's so that we're safe." 

But I didn't feel safe. In fact, I felt panic. If anything, I wanted to rip the damn thing off my neck. Was it that I might actually have to use it? Or was it because I might have to use it on him? I turned my head slightly to see him but all I could catch was black leather. 

    I slowly fingered the vial before placing it beneath my shirt, shivering as bit as the cold metal hit my skin. I would just hide it even though he knew I had it; there was nothing we could do. It was there. I lifted my eyes to Debra, who stood there with a warm smile on her face, and tried to muster up one of my own.

    "Ready?" 

     "Yeah." I wasn't though. She started to walk back to Julian but it took me awhile to get over there, my feet dragged with every step. I could barely look at him. But he was looking at me, I felt his eyes on me as we came closer. 

    "There you go! All done." Debra hooted.

     "Thank you." He replied and I flinched. He made it sound so much like a "Fuck you." that I was even insulted. Debra didn't seem to notice because her cheery air didn't seem to falter.

      "No problem. Now, I'll let you go on your way. If you have any questions, you know where to find me." and with that she turned and walked away leaving me with a guilty conscience. 

     "I'm not angry at you."

      "No...no...I know...it's just..." I could barely look at him; barely speak even. I didn't want to be here wearing this necklace. God, was that actual fear prickling up inside me. Something twisted in my stomach so painfully that I let out a gasp. A hand gripped my arm to steady me as I tilted over.

      In panic I twisted my arm from his grip, "Don't...touch me." My breaths were short and the rising panic in my chest was getting to much to bear. I had to sit. My eyes darted around as I steadied myself. My hand was held out in front of me as I staggered to a love seat a few feet away. 

    "Is she ok?" Debra asked. Her voice seemed so far away. An deep echo in my mind. I got to the seat and slowly laid myself down on top of it. The world seemed to tilt away from me and everything seemed muffled. I wanted to go home. I wanted to go back under the covers and disappear again. My breath was coming out in huffs and I felt the salt from my tears as they slid over my lips. 

    "Heidi..." His voice made it worse. 

    "No...No...No...No...No...No..." I whined, shaking my head. Strong hands grabbed my head, pulling it up until my eyes stared into his amethyst ones. 

    "Heidi." His face was so close to mine but I felt no breath as he said my name. 

      Oh God. 

      "Heidi. Look at me. No! Look at me." He urged pulling my head back up. "Look into my eyes. Look at me, Heidi." 

       I looked back up at him but it made all the worst. My vision blurred as more tears sprang up.

       "Heidi." He pulled my head to his until our foreheads touched, his cold skin feeling so wonderful against mine. As the tears slid down my cheeks, my eyes cleared and I was able to look at him clearly. 

        "Listen to my voice, Heidi." His voice was barely a whisper and I strained to hear it. "Listen to it." I felt a cool breeze entangle me, carrying the sweet pungent smells of bouganvillas, the earthy coolness of sunflowers and the romantic scent of roses. His amethyst eyes grew, enveloping me in a garden of blues and greens that melded together in a sea that washed over my body, shocking it back to life. I could feel every sense calm down to the sweet smells of flowers and the sea of colors that sparked and pulsated in front of me. I could feel the coolness seep deep into me, enveloping my heart and soothing it back to a calmer, rythmic pace. My entire body became drunk with the sense of peacefulness and I was finally able to let out a deep breath.

       "Heidi." 

       The senses came to a rising climax and then slowly slid out of me leaving a pleasent aftertaste that kept me calm as I slowly drew out of his sight. 

       "Hmmmmmmmm." I sighed, finally looking at him.

       "We should get you home." His voice came of a little harsh and whatever sense of calm that was left in me sputtered out. He stood up and turned away seeming to forget what had just happened.

        "No."

        He didn't turn to look at me, "What?" He tilted his head towards me but he still wasn't speaking to me.

       "No. I'm not going home."

        He turned around, his jaw set as he looked down at me. For the first time I didn't quiver beneath his stare. 

        "Obviously, you're in no state to be out."

        "You did it again...didn't you?" 

         It was the first time he ever seemed taken aback and I couldn't deny the satisfaction it gave me to finally get the upper hand. 

         "You left me no choice." He seemed to argue.

          "No. No. I'm not mad." 

           And I wasn't. It was probably the only time I would ever really thank him for using his ability on me. As much as it was needed at the present situation, I would never be comfortable at the idea that he could hold such power with just his voice. The realization of his ability and the fact that he had so much more made my heart jump and I could feel the inkling of panic trickle back. He must have notice because he took just the smallest of steps towards me.

         "I'm ok." I assured him.

          "I would never hurt you." He pressed, "Nor would I ever take advantage of you."

          I ran my hand up my arm, "It's still a lot to handle. I mean...," My eyes fell to the floor, "You shouldn't even be standing in front of me. And this...this...necklace just made everything so real." I looked back up at him. "I'll be honest, Julian when I say that a part of me still thought I was going crazy or that this was some dream but it's not. I thought the world was bad enough but now there are new dangers I have to worry about. Things that more scarier then I could have imagined. Reading it in books is one thing but to touch it and now it's really there is something completely different. I don't think I can handle all this." 

             "I never would have revealed myself if I didn't think you could handle it." 

              I gave a weak smile, "Well, you really didn't have much say in the matter when I screamed." Pulling the necklace from beneath my shirt, I held it in my hands. Watching as the lights caught the metallic dance as it twirled inside the case. I lifted my head nimbly up to him, "Why me?"

             He was in front of me, his strong arms falling softly on mine in a breath. "Heidi, I have  walked this earth for more then two centuries asking my self that very same question: Why me? And being here for that long, having seen the things I have seen. Done the things I've done and heard the things I've heard all I can say is that...I don't know."

           I snapped my head back, "What?!"

           "Heidi, I wish I could give you some sage advice that could make everything seem better but unfortunelty I would have to lie to you. I can't answer that question for you. All I can say is that you are stronger then you give yourself credit." His grip on my arms tightened a bit as did my stomach. He leaned in close again, our foreheads barely touching. "You can get through this." He said it with such assurance I actually believed it myself. "And I am always with you." He added, his eyes looking into mine. 

            I pushed myself back a bit, almost regretting it as his hands slid of my arms. "So, should we do what we came here to do?" 

            He stood back up, "Yes. If you're up to it?"

            Was I? Was I ready to move further into this unrealistic reality? I was amazed at the inner strength that seemed to arise from with me; strength that tasted faintly of roses and sunflowers.

              "I am."

             He turned around and headed off to a hallway beside the staircase. Debra sat at her desk watching with a smile as we walked by. The hallway led to a staircase that descended farther down until we came to a plain wood door.

              "Where's that lead to?" I asked as he grabbed onto the doorknob.

              He glanced back at me, "Your answers." And with that he opened the door.

               

Lineage

     I didn't recognize where we were.

     I mean, I wasn't familiar with a majority of San Francisco since I wasn't a native but I could recognize my fair share of it. This I didn't. The farther we went, the richer the houses got. One stories became two; some with marble pillars. Picket fences became gates and shrubs transformed into giant oaks that encompassed the ever growing front yards.

     "Where are we?" I asked Julian, my eyes still scanning the streets. 

     "Billionaire's Row."

     Billionaire's Row was a street named for what it was. A row of speculator houses owned by people with mega bucks. The houses were gorgeous and if you didn't have thousands of dollars all you could do was gaze from the sidewalk.

     I spun my head around, "What are we doing in Billionaire's Row?"

     "Well, this is were The Archives would be, Heidi." Julian answered in a tone that implied I had just asked a simple question with a simple answer like, "Where does milk come from?"

A cow.

     "Well, what are 'The Archives'?"

     He didn't answer but instead turned down another street where the houses were so grand only two could fit on both sides of the street.

    "You know this whole not answering my questions is getting pretty old," I snapped, "If you plan on taking me on random excursions then you better tell me where the hell we're going and why!"

     He turned down another street. Annoyed, I sunk back into the seat, shaking my leg with frustrating vigor. Just then, the car started to slow down, turning into the driveway of a house so big it had a gate and a wall. Julian stopped the car in front of the gate which opened with a clank to a grand roadway that led up to the house, if you could call it one. It was a two story white house, with pillars and a nice long porch. The grass out front was just as immaculate, ever strand the same height as the other, pin straight. The porch was lighted by vintage lamps that draped off the walls in a victorian air. I could see light through the pale blue window curtains that lined the front of the house. Julian pulled the car to a stop in front of the steps that led up to the house where a brass door stood with intricate engravings. I immediately made a grab for the door handle and got myself out of the car before Mr. High and Mighty could get to it but he was already at the house door waiting patiently for me. 

    I gave him a look, "I get it. You're fast."

    He opened the door for me and I grumbled past him into a foyer. I swiveled my head around as I gazed around the deep room. The place was illuminated by a dazzling chandelier that hung down from the ceiling, the lights warming the gold paint on the walls. Plush chairs were scattered around foyer, some together around coffee tables. A grand staircase stood in the middle of the room, leading to the next level. 

    "Oh?! Hello!" A plump lady emerged from behind the staircase, her hands holding a impressive looking potted plant, which she placed on a table before heading to us. She sashayed over to us, her butt doing a sort of waggle in the blue pencil skirt she wore. I gave a small smile as she approached us. 

     "I didn't know I was getting anyone tonight." Her voice was motherly and soft, and for a moment I wanted to jump into those pillowy arms and soft chest in hopes she would make everything all right.

     "I know. Is Elliot here?" Julian asked beside me. 

     "Mm hmm. He sure is!" She said with a big smile that crinkled her deep brown eyes. "Never gets away from this place!" She gave a colorful chuckle.

     "Where is..." Julian let the question hang.

     "Eating." 

      The way she said eating made me think her friend wasn't out eating a hamburger or even alive for that matter. She turned her warm eyes back to me, "My name is Debra." She held out a soft hand which I immediately took.

     "Heidi." I smiled back. 

      "And Julian!" Debra gave him a smile but he just gave her a nod. I looked at him. His face was hard. Harder than most. Something was bothering him. Debra didn't seem to notice but looked back at me.

      "She doesn't have a..." She said, glancing at my neck. I looked at them confused. 

      Julian's face darkened, "No."

      Debra was unfazed by his voice which slapped like a whip, which impressed me since I caved just a bit at it. 

       "She needs one." Her voice now carried some steel while still heavy with cheerfulness. I couldn't help but feel like I was being scolded at and she wasn't even talking to me, "That's ok. I have extras." She motioned me to her, wrapping a big arm around me and walked me back to a desk beside the staircase. 

      "Now, where did I put that key?" She mumbled to herself as she shifted papers around. I took this chance to look back at Julian but his back was to me.

      "Oh! Here it is. Silly me. Hanging on my keychain." She cooed with a flutter of giggles. She pulled out a jingle of keys out of nowhere, rummaging through them till she found the one she wanted. She opened up a drawer, pulling out a big blue velvet box. She handled it like a newborn baby, placing it on her desk with the utmost care. Slowly, and with her pink tongue peeking from her lips, she opened the box to reveal a silver necklace. I shivered and my eyes glanced at Julian but his back was still to me. At the end of the chain was a teardrop capsule filled with a metallic liquid that shifted when she lifted it from the box. She held it to me like a salesperson, the capsule laying in the middle of her hand as she held up the chain with her other hand. 

      "Lift your hair, sweetie." She commanded. I grabbed up my hair up and she wrapped up both arms around me as she placed the necklace on me. She smelled of cinnamon and I secretly took a small sniff. It was then I noticed, laying between her cleavage, she wore the same capsule. I silent dread prickled through me. 

     "Now, this is really important," Her voice was soft but carried a tone I immediately reacted too, "If anything should happen..." Her eyes flickered to Julian, "Anything? You place this into your mouth and bite down" She instructed, grabbing her own capsule. "Causing the liquid to release and enter your bloodstream."

    I glanced down at my own as it dangled over the squashed face of the bulldog on my t-shirt. 

    "What's in the capsule?" I asked, my mouth dry. I looked up at her brown eyes. Eyes warm with the feeling of home.

   "Silver."

Lineage

     The black screen of my phone reflected a warbled image of myself that wasn't to far off from my actual expression. I had tried calling Kelsey only to get her voicemail every time I called. She didn't want to talk to me and I didn't blame her so I had left a whispered apology and false explanation later. Where I would find one, I didn't know but I at the rate they were coming out of my mouth, I figured it wouldn't be that hard. I pulled back a stray strand of hair out of my face with a hard sigh. It shouldn't be that hard. Yet, while I should have been angry for missing another social gathering, I couldn't help but feel relieved. I needed to know what was happening to me. Why out of every person on this planet, I had a dark figure doing God knows what in my living room as I sat here on my toilet? I mean the whole situation was scary but intriguing at the same time. I was cohorting with a vampire, something only seen movies, books, and the dreams of Joss Whedon fans. I had my very own immortal being. A wave of chills passed over me with this thought and prickled my arm with goosebumps. I slowly stood up off the toilet and kick the trash bag out of the way as I walked out.

     While I had tried to call Kelsey, I had gladly removed the trash bag and replaced it jeans and a t-shirt. As I walked out, I entered the closet to get a coat when I noticed Julian staring at my laptop. The glow of the computer light up his face, giving his skin that pearl-like sheen and animated his eyes. He stared at the screen and I slowly moved around him to see what he was so enthralled by. It was my background picture. A really strange background picture but one of the greatest. It was me, Alycia, Steph, Jessica and Megan wearing silly cowboy hats and smiling like fools. I peeked at Julian, who's face was stone. No movement at all. 

     "Who are they?" He asked, his lips barely moving.

     "My friends." I whispered gently. 

     "Yes, but who are they?" 

    Startled, I broke away from his face to look back at the picture, "Megan is the one wearing the green basket." I smiled at the memory, "Alycia's in the pink one. Jessica's the one in the glasses. Steph's in the back and then there's me." He continued to look at it, his face unreadable. 

     "We should go." He stated, after a moment, standing up in a swift movement. I stepped back at his suddenness, still wondering about his question. 

     "Um...Ok but where?"

     "You'll see." He moved over to the window. I blinked at him. He turned to look at me before a look of realization came across his face, "Sorry." He then turned to towards the door, me following behind with a small smile on my face. It was weird to walk out of my apartment with Julian beside me but it was even weirder getting into the elevator. My mind skipped when I saw that he had a reflection on the little glass mirrors that boxed around us. The wind kissed me gently as we walked out, the city lights sparkling. I gave a small glance to the apartment across where Kelsey was. 

      "She's not mad." Julian said, catching my look. 

      "What?" I gaped. 

       He looked at the building, "She not mad." then walked off to the street. I stared at him then looked back at the building before shrugging my coat on and following him. He walked to the back of my building heading to a black bulk on the street.

     "Wow." I whispered. There before me stood a black sleek muscle car. 

      Julian gave a smile, "1967 Chevy Impala." He fluffed with pride. I had no idea what he said but it sounded impressive. And it was. The streetlights spotlighted the contours of the car, highlighting curves and dips. The black onyx of color blended with night, a looming presence among the lemons of college students. Not surprising, it reminded me of Julian. I reached to open the passanger side door when in a flash, Julian had it opened and ready for me.  

     "Oh, woah.Ok.Thanks." I said in a rush.

     "Is everything all right?" His hand still held the door opened.

     "Oh, yeah, it's just I'm not so used to such gentlemanly behavior." I explained as I slid into the car, the leather seat making a funny squelching sound. Julian stared off after me then closed the door and was immediately by my side in the car in a flash.

     "I still need to get use to that." 

   He answered me by starting the engine. It roared to life, the entire car shaking with strong vibrations as Julian drove off the curb. City lights flashed by me like falling stars, as we gunned down the streets of San Francisco. Julian and I sat in silence as we sped off to some unknown destination and in this silence, my thoughts went wild at the thought of where he could be taking me.

His underground lair?

Some ditch in the country?

Top of a mountain?!

    I wondered more of what we would do when we got there then where, though where was a scary thought in itself. 

    "You're thinking." Julian cut through my thoughts.

    "I am." I looked over at him, "How did you know? Was it my total lack of conversation?" 

    "Well, partly but, have you noticed whenever you're thinking you get this intense look on your face as if you're looking for something?" Even though his eyes were focused on the road, I had a strong feeling he was looking at me still. 

     "No." This time he looked at me and in his eyes he carried that same look that he had when I had hit my head. My stomach blanched and I felt my heart skip. 

     "So, may I ask what you were thinking about?" He asked, looking back to the road, the look swept from his face.

     "Ummm...," I thought, trying to regain some control, "I was thinking about where you were taking me since you haven't told me."

     "What have you come up with?" 

      "Oh, you know, same old. Underground lair...Top of a mountain. Day to day places." 

      "Top of a mountain?" An eyebrow raised. 

      "I don't know. Maybe you would take me there to read your history through the stars or something." I explained. A small smile tugged at his lips.

      "Heidi, where you're going isn't important." He said, all serious now, "What you will find there is."

       "And what will I find?"

      He didn't answer.

      

Lineage

It was a God among men. A new species that was now dominating my face in all it's bacterial glory. And it hurt like a bitch too. I examined it from all angles, grimacing at the sheer size of it. The putrid yellow rose in shiny bubble that I figured would make for an entertaining "POP!" and it was so conveniently located between my eyebrows. I had to be careful, this big boy could ricochet off any solid surface and cause some serious danger to some innocent bystander. I had to control this situation calmly and safely. Using my two index fingers, I gave a it a good squeeze. 

      "Ow. Ow. Ow." I winced, staring intensely at my forehead with the help of my bathroom mirror. I stood cross-eyed while every pressure brought it closer to splattering all over my reflection. With a hiss, I gave it one more good squeeze. I took a faint pleasure in hearing the PLOP! but not in the aftermath. Grabbing a tissue, I pressed it against the oncoming trickle of blood while I used another tissue to wipe down the mirror. 

     "NICE!" Kelsey cheered behind me, taking a swig from her ever popular accessory of diet coke. I turned to her, a tissue to my forehead.

     "Why here?!" I whined. I turned back to the mirror, removing the tissue to examine the damage. A small crater laid between my eyebrows, enflamed now but crusty later. 

     "Well, you have the new bangs to cover it up." She pointed out. She was right. I had recently  cut and dyed my hair from it's dirty blonde to a rust brown and added some bangs. I flipped them out to see if they covered it and to my relief they did but I still felt people were going to see it. They always see it just like they always see that small stain on your shirt or that piece of food clung to your teeth. And what do they do? Stare. 

     "Are you going to stand there or are you going to get ready?" Kelsey asked, breaking me from my daydream where cute single boys were piercing my head with their stares. 

     "YeahYeahYeah." I grumbled, brushing past to her to our room where I grabbed the trash bag off my bed. I looked at it with disdain but started to struggle into it.

     "Do I have to wear this?" My voice was muffled by the static crackle of the trash bag as I tried to maneuver it over my head and onto my body. 

    "Well, it's a 'No Clothes' party." I heard her voice through the russle over the bag. I poked my head out triumphantly. "You can't wear clothes." She finished as she watched me squirm my way into a comfortable position. My body was too gangly for this. I swished over to the mirror and gave out a loud "BAH!" at my image. 

    "I look ridicules!" I did. The bag barely came down to my knees and that was just when I hunched a bit. I tried stretching it but that just made a small part of it bend off it an awkward shape. Kelsey came up behind me trying to keep the smile off her face but to no avail.

   "Yeah. You do." Her outfit, on the other hand was cute. A black trash bag like mine but one that fit her and an oversized neon yellow poncho cut to look like a t-shirt with a hood. She was wearing black leggings but threatened to hit anyone who called her out on it. 

    "You look cute. I look..."

    "Stupid?" 

    "Unprepared!" I snapped. I tilted my head to the side, wondering what I could do to make it seem like I actually put some thought into this. I heard Kelsey's tiny steps and her rummaging through items on her bed.

    "Here!" She cried, lifting up a good size piece of CAUTION tape. "Lift your arms." She commanded as she stood behind me. Taking the tape, she wrapped it around me, cinching it so the bag hugged me enough to show the curve of my waist. She finished it with a droopy bow that covered my butt. She peeked around my arm, her blue-grey eyes shining.

    "Better?"

    "No."

     She walked away but not before giving my arm a good hard slap. I laughed after her then turned back to the mirror where my smile wilted. I swirled around to face the window. The San Francisco lights showed but not the face that had been there a moment before. I stood, transfixed, maybe hoping it would appear again but all I saw was the lights to the apartment next door. I knew I had seen him. He made sure of that. My eyes searched the small rectangle for any sign but there was none. 

     "What?" Kelsey asked. She turned to the window then back at me with confusion. "Heidi!" 

     "Got to the party." I said, my eyes still glued to the window. 

     "What?" 

     "Go to the party." I repeated. Not tonight. Of all nights. Not him. Why? Ever since...! Thoughts flashed in my head till my skull throbbed. My jaw was clenched with anger. Confusion and on some weird level, excitement. 

      "But He-"

      "Please, Kelsey." I pleaded to her. "Just go. I'll be there soon." I reassured her but not myself. I hated doing this to her. I had just gotten her to talk to me and now I was shoving her back. I watched as her eyes grew steely, and without a word she grabbed her bag and walked out, giving the door a good slam. I gave a frustrated sigh. Dammit. WHY?! I rushed over to her bed, to the window and poked my head.

     "COME ON IN! RUIN MORE SHIT!" I screamed out. I didn't care really. My performance was for him.

      "I'm sorry." A fluid voice replied behind me. My head whipped around and slammed into the window frame. 

      "GODFUCKINGDAMMIT!!" I screeched as I hung over the edge. A strong grip around my waist pulled me back inside and onto Kelsey's bed. My hands covered the throbbing part called my head as I moaned into Kelsey's bed sheets. 

      "Heidi." His soft voice sang into my ears. I felt his cool hands touch mine as he tried to remove them.

      "Don't touch. Me!" I managed to say through gasps of pain. Still he continued to touch me and I still continued to squirm. 

      "HEIDI!" He shouted into my ear and immediately I stopped. Not because of him but because of the way he shouted my name. I thought I almost heard a tone of concern. I peeked my eyes open a bit and through the blur of tears I saw his pale face. The room light gave it waxy sheen but it still carried perfection. His violet eyes stared at me with a look that made my stomach drop. Concern. 

      "Will you let me look at it?" He asked softly. His voice was just a soft summer breeze. I let my hands fall from my face. Slowly, he grabbed my face with both hands and turned my face to his. My heart jumped. Up into my throat. I couldn't. Breath. His hands went over the bump; a small apology when I winced. 

      "Do you feel funny?" He asked. Shake of head. "Nauseous?" Again head shake. "Dizzy?" 

      "No." I croaked. His hands came back down to hold my head up, his thumbs caressing my neck as he looked at me. Electricity shot through every point of my body, to the tips of my fingers to the tips of my toes.

      "So, you are fine?" He whispered to me.  I nodded my head. My injury wasn't making my body freak, I mean, I couldn't even feel the pain, it had subsided to a dull throb.  

      "Good." He said then placed my head back on the bed. Softly and with care. Then he proceeded to burst out in laughter. Hard gusts of laughter exploded from him. Deep thunderous booms from his belly. He laughed. He laughed at me. I laid there, my face in complete shock as he laughed at me. 

       "I'm sorry." He mumbled after a good look at my face died the laughter down to a few short chuckles. 

       "I'm so happy that I amuse you." I yelled back, still shocked. 

       "Oh no. Not you. What you did, that was amusing." He corrected. I shot up to give him a dirty look but it was difficult when I couldn't tell which one was the actual him. 

       "Sit back down." He ushered. I slapped his hand which was like smacking a rock. 

       "What do you care?" I hated being bitchy but I felt right now was a justifiable moment to act like one.

       "I said I was sorry." He snapped back. 

       "You say it so damn much that I have a hard time believing it!" I argued back. "It isn't a cover up for the stupid shit you do. You have to actually mean it! You can't just say it and think it's fine." 

      "Ok, fine. I'm sorry and I mean it this time." He said back. I just sat there dumfounded. 

     "You're not much of a people person, are you?" I asked. 

     "Well, in my case it's kind of hard." He replied dryly. 

     "Oh well, I guess it is kind of hard to talk to people who you call dinner." I replied vivaciously. He stiffened and gave me look so scary I actually shrunk back a bit. When he spoke again, his voice was hard, cutting right through me. 

     "I didn't come here to argue with a child. Get dressed."

      "Why?" I asked cautiously.

       "Because I'm taking you somewhere."

Lineage

      "Anymore questions?" He asked. I shook my head. He then proceeded to stand up to go. I opened my mouth to say something; I didn't want him to leave...just yet.

     "Are you...dead?" I shot out. I paused for a second, confused by my own question. He turned away from the window he was just about to escape out of to look back at me. 

     "No. I am not dead," The words came back with such heavy sorrow. He turned to face me fully, his entire body seeming to shrink into itself. "If I was dead, I would still be in the coffin I was buried in."

      His voice changed from sorrow to raw bitterness. A bitterness that almost made me pity him. His eyes grew dark with anger, his skin losing some of the bright luster that made him shine somewhat. He wasn't even looking at me anymore. His eyes were on me but they were somewhere else. It was a moment of pure intimacy where I almost see the what essence there was left in him. I walked closer to him, and when he didn't move, I walked closer. My hand slowly started to rise. My thoughts screamed at me to stop but my body continued to move, ignoring the protests. I came up to him, my hand just inches in front of his stiff face. I could feel his coolness from his body though the cool wind did pass through my hair. I took a deep breath and reached further, further then I had ever reached before. 

     My skin barely grazed his cheek before my hand was trapped in a cool his grasp. I flinched as his fingers tightening around mine with a sudden softness. His eyes slid over to me where I could see the scattered golden flakes. My breaths came out in slow shakes that vibrated through my chest and out my quivering lips. 

     "Sleep, Heidi..." He whispered to me. A sensation of falling sand went through me as colors of amber, gold and red blotted my eyes. They melted over me in a heat that warmed me like sun rays.

     "Sleep and dream..." He words were smoke that snaked into my head, clouding whatever resistance was left and leaving a trail of golden dusk that sparkled. I smiled as my eyelids grew heavy and slowly started to drop. 

     "Sleep..." 

A heavy curtain of darkness descended. 

****

      I heard the steady rhythm of her breath as she fell asleep, the grin slowly fading from her face to be replaced by the sweet contentment of sleep. Her head fell back, exposing her porcelain neck to me like a offering. I agonized over the blue vein that trailed down her neck in a tantalizing line that made me shudder. I lifted a finger to her jaw and slowly traced down her neck, admiring the softness and imperfections that made it what it was. Pulling every ounce of animalistic rage back, I gently lowered my head to her neck and inhaled.

     Roses. She smelled of roses. I lifted my head a bit to peek at her gentle face. A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth but I stiffened. It was becoming to much. To much for her. To much for me. With ease, I lifted her up into my arms and walked to her room where I placed her softly on her bed. With a sleepy grunt, she rolled over and fell back to sleep. I walked back into the living room, grabbing the brown blanket I has seen earlier. I gently placed it over her, watching as it coated her body. With one more look I ran to the window and jumped, landing softly on the ground below. I didn't give the window a second glance as I walked over to my car. 

     With a gruff roar, my car started and I headed through the streets of San Francisco, the city lights streaks as I floored it. My destination was a tiny apartment complex located above a nightclub on Castro. It laid hidden amongst the over-decorated building and the outdated neon sign that announced it was "the place to be!"  As I left my car, I noticed the line of mesh t-shirts and leotards that waited in front of the open door as it vibrated with the latest chart topper. Had my heart still been alive it would have been beating violently in the prison of my chest. I hated large amounts of people where I could feel the blood that animated them tantalize my monstrous desire to feed. Steadying myself for the ever familiar rush, I made my way to the door and into the throng of bodies. The smell of stale beer and perspiration didn't hide the wave of fresh vibrant blood that crashed over me. The eardrum pounding of hundreds of youthful hearts beating to the rhythm of the music they swayed to. The long forgotten pants of breath entangled me in a glove that slid my fangs down. I felt little guilt, if any, at the thought of snatching a young body from the crowd and dragging it away to a dark corner. My hand gave a twitch at the thought, so eager was it to accomplish the task until a pair of green eyes floated in my head and that desire crumbled like a sun dried flower. 

       With a fluid motion, I slid through the orgy of bodies, making sure they didn't touch me. I slid in and out until the I came to the sleek black door that was hidden behind a curtain of glittery chairs and retro curtains. No one noticed the opening of the door, the small peek of hidden stairs that led to another mysterious door, or the black body that went through it. The music pounded through the walls along with the aroma of blood. It seemed I would never get away. Climbing those steps, I wondered if I would ever get away from it. With every step her eyes flickered in my head, a madding mirage that disappeared to reveal a beast I tried so hard to conceal. Pulling the door open, I walked through and came to a dead halt. The room was bare, nothing but wooden walls and a dusty floor. A window let the sounds of city life filter through accompanied by the salty wind that breezed in. A lone chair sat in the corner near the window, the moonlight barely reaching it. An inky blot sat in it, hidden by the darkness but not by me. 

     "Julian." The voice purred from the darkness, a sweet rumble of energy that pooled around.      "Oh, Julian." It cooed again. A silky leg cut through the dark, finding it's way into the light where it stretch; the muscles flexing. A pair of feline eyes appeared in the darkness like beacons of hot coal. 

     "Jasmine." I replied cooly. It was followed by that familiar chuckle. A child's laugh. She came to me, the darkness sliding off of her as if she came up from water. Her amber eyes still shone as she made her towards me, her face light with a smile. Her eyes never left mine as she rotated her body around me, her sinewy hands trailing behind. Lingering. Her body contorted around mine, moving in grace as it twisted in places no humans dare try. Her curves found mine and locked into them then untangled in a dance. When she finished with her game, she faced me, her body following behind. Her long arms snaked their way around my neck, pulling me into her until our lips met in a quick kiss.

     "I missed you." She said with a smile as she pulled herself away. 

     "I didn't come here to play your little games, Jasmine." My voice carried a rigidness I didn't want but I didn't have time to play with her. She was mad. Her eyes flashed and with a snarl she pushed herself off of me and walked back to her chair. 

     "I'm sorry but I nee-"

     "You smell." She interrupted with a snap as she twirled to face me. The moon illuminated her, catching the rare moment when her eyes truly burned with rage. 

     "Where is he?" I asked.

     "Why do you smell?" She asked with a tilt of her head. She played with the necklace that hung around her neck. I watched as she twisted it from side to side. 

       "You know why!" I hissed back, "Where is he?" 

     "Oh, stop being so overdramatic, Julian." She let the necklace fall back down to her neck.              "He's here. Waiting. Angry." A smile slid its way onto her face. "You better not be bringing him more bad news." She baited.

     "More?" I whispered. I hated being caught in her web but she knew more than I and since I was reclusive right now, news was hard to find. By the way her smile grew, she knew it too. I gave a sigh.

     "I let him tell you." She teased as she brushed past me. She walked to a wall and pushed down on a plank of wood. It made a click and with a hiss, a doorway appeared where a burning light was able to escape. 

     "He awaits." She mocked with a sweep of her hands. I ignored her and entered the entrance way which filled with her soft laughter. 

Lineage

     "You don't have to tell me this." I said. He looked uncomfortable.

     "I won't then." With that said, he shut his mouth.

Okay...

       "I didn't mean I didn't want to know. I do. It's just...You look uncomfortable." I said this with a quick breath. I glanced at him hesitantly, wondering what he would remodel in my house today if I pissed him off. He gave a slight bow of his head.

     "Thank you." 

     I gave him a curt nod and a weak smile. He stood there, his eyes seeming to watch me and the surroundings. I was getting uncomfortable with our familiar uncomfortable silences so I opened my mouth.

     "Do you want something to drink?" I asked simply.

      I let the words float around before they settled into my head and my eyes grew wide. I gave myself a mental slap as my face grew hot and I could only imagine, a blazing red. I just knew my cheeks were flaring like the slap I wish I could give myself. I heard a faint chuckle that tickled my nerves; it was a sweet sound that trailed like the keys of a piano, making sweet music the kissed my ears. Colors bursted before my eyes, giant vibrant fireworks of rainbows exploded before me. I stared mesmerized; all the world at peace as I stared at th-

     "HEIDI!" A hard voice shattered my thoughts and the colors dissipated, clearing my vision so I could see his face before me.

     "What?" I said, shaking my head of the color's afterimages. 

     "I'm sorry. You got me off guard." His voice made me hesitant and I narrowed my eyes at him. 

     "What did you do?" I asked, my voice carrying a threat, an empty threat but a threat nonetheless. He stood up.

     "I manipulated you." He said matter-of-factly as he turned and played with one of the bulbs on our light up palm tree. He examined it then turned away to pick up my lawn unicorn. I flinched. 

     "You did what?!" I was more surprised then angered. 

     "You collect interesting things." He said, as he picked it up and threw it from hand to hand. I stood up and walked over to him, grabbing the lawn unicorn with both hands. Seeing him handle it so carelessly made me forget how heavy it was. With a grunt, I placed back on the floor. I stood up and glared at him.

     "What did you do?" 

     "Can I sit?" He asked, then sat on one of the chairs after I threw my hands up in frustration. "I manipulated you." 

     "I heard you the first time! Doesn't mean I found out what the hell it meant the second time you said it!" I cried, crossing my arms. 

     He calmly looked up at me, both arms placed gently on the arm rests. He draped himself over the chair with ease. He fit and didn't fit; a very own contradiction. He stood out in my home yet filled it with his own belonging. It was riveting and unnerving the way he could blend in when he felt like it but stand out for all as a reminder. 

     "Vampires carry an ability," He started. When I didn't seem unfazed by this, he continued as if he never stopped. "We carry it in our voices. Some have different abilities but it manifests from the same place. It's how we hunt, a way to lure our pray."

I decided to sit down at this point.

     "We also use it as a defense mechanism. A way to hide ourselves when need be." 

     "And your ability?" I asked slowly. I was intrigued yet terrified. 

     "Mine isn't as unique as others but I can create colors." 

     I nodded, mulling it over in my head before I gave him a questioning shrug.

     "My colors entice. They fill you with goodness and happiness, distracting you." 

I remembered the way I felt and with a scary understanding, I realized just the small amount that power held and what he held over me. What they all did. I shivered at the thought of a happy feeling before all the life was sucked from you.

    "My doing it to you was an accident. You caught me off guard."

YOU?!

    "It's okay. Just don't do it again." I said, picking at a hangnail. It scared me that I wanted to feel that good again. I wondered if it would go away. 

    "Do you turn into a bat?" I asked suddenly. He didn't seem surprised by the question, letting out another smooth answer from his marble lips. 

    "No."

    "Fog?" 

    "Only when it rains."

    "Seriously?!"

    "No."

    "Do you float?"

    "In water."

     I gave him a look.

     "You mean levitate. Fly. Not very high so I rarely use it."

     "Do you climb walls and freakishly lurk in dark corners?"

     "I'm a vampire not a spider." He said with a cold gaze. 

     "I thought it was a valid question..." I mumbled to myself. "Do you sleep in coffins?"

     "I don't sleep. Much."

     "Sunlight?"

     "Weakening and deadly."

     "Is it instantaneous?" I was hesitant about asking questions pertaining to their death since...well, who likes to talk about dying even if you're dying again. He sat still. Unmoving. Unblinking. Un-anything. 

     "Yes." Was his quick and simple answer.

     "Garlic?" 

     "Silly superstition."

     "Silver?"

     "Yes." His eyes flashed an opulent purple before fading back to cool lavender. "Did you do research?"

     "I read." Was my quick and simple answer. I decided to be bold and ask the one question I was so heartily dancing around. The one I had hoped he would answer himself or by some miracle, would reveal there was no need since that was a silly superstition too. 

     "You drink blood, right?" I said this directly to him. My skin got a little cooler and my blood pumped faster as my heart drummed like a African dance.

     "Yes."

     "Human?" I slapped myself again.

     "Yes but not in the way you think."

     "There are different ways?!" I shrieked. This was too much.

     "I don't stalk humans and kill them," He stated calmly. His entire lack of emotion just added to my agitation of what he was saying, "I go to blood banks or hospitals to get the blood I need."

     "Animals?"

     "I like animals." 

     "Oh, well ok." I scoffed.

Lineage

     I opened the door to my apartment carefully, slid the key out of the keyhole and poked my around. Even though it was morning time, I still expected something to come at me. When I felt all was clear, I open the door all the way and stepped into the apartment. I looked around at the misshapen furniture, the array of magazines, coloring books and homemade stuffed animals. I stared at the works of art we had stuck to our wall, colored coloring book pages that had ripped out of a Christmas coloring book. I was back home. I threw my bag on the floor and walked into the kitchen and expected the damage or not. 

    I did a double take as I saw the kitchen cabinets. Not examined the shattered pieces of them but the actual whole cabinets that opened and closed and held all our dishes. I inhaled the new wood smell while I stood there dumbstruck for awhile before I spotted the yellow Post-it stuck to the cabinet farthest from me. An inkling hit me and sunk in when I looked at the note.

J.

I crumpled the note and threw it in the garbage as I walked out of the kitchen, giving the cabinets a good look. I was mad he ruined them in the first place, ok that he fixed them but annoyed that I'd have to thank him. I was uncomfortable when people did nice things for me but when they scare the shit out of me on several occasions, it made it harder. I floated around the apartment, lightly poking and prodding objects to distract me. When it didn't work, I slumped onto the couch with a big sigh. I leaned my head back against it, my eyes searching the ceiling for some sort of answer as to what the hell I was supposed to do. 

****

"Why?!" I asked absurdly. I knew why, I just chose the first word that came to mind. She gave me an exasperated look before she threw up her hands in frustration.

"Why NOT?! Geez, didn't you see yourself in there! I did everything I could not to cry! So, I want to meet him to...to...you know what, I just want to meet him!" She said, her curls bouncing with every jerk of her head. 

        The corners of my mouth tugged upwards as I imagined Krystyna getting into his face about everything. Her hands thrown about widely and her face all red with anger but the smile soon wilted as I realized that I did something bad. I told someone about him and even though he hadn't said anything to me, I knew now, Krystyna was in danger. The image of her yelling turned to her in a crumbled heap with her neck torn out and her blood all over me. I had just placed someone I cared about in deep danger just to satisfy my selfish reasons. Some part of me knew he wouldn't do it but it was still a small part. I grabbed Krystyna's hand and gave her a stern look.

"You can't meet him." I gave her hand a squeezed when she opened her mouth to protest. "Krystyna...you're not supposed to know."

Her face revealed confusion.

"You're...not...supposed...to...know." I said each word slowly to emphasize the magnitude of the matter.

Her face fell as she finally realized; her eyes ablaze with fear that mirrored my own.

"What do I do?" I asked. 

It took her awhile to answer even though she didn't have too. 

"Go back." She whispered cooly. 

****

I stopped staring at the ceiling after I kept seeing freakish faces though I did spot a turtle with a camels back. I glanced at my phone, which had been cradled in my hand, to check the time.

10:56 a.m.. I fidget as I wonder what the hell I was going to do for the rest of the day. My stomach gives a load roar and I decide to start the long wait with breakfast.

11:37 a.m.. I throw the book onto the coffee table, not minding as it slides off and crashes to the floor. I also didn't mind that a few magazines flew off too.

11:40 a.m.. Now I mind as I pick them up and place them nicely on the table.

12:29 p.m.. I can't decide between red nail polish or pink. 

12:30 p.m.. Red is too much so I go with pink.

2:46 p.m.. Lunch. Light lunch.

4:00 p.m.. I decide to change my clothes since I'm wearing my sister's sweats and they look kind of...well, weird.

5:20 p.m.. I'm standing in mini pile of clothes in my closet wearing nothing but a bra and undies. I'm upset because it shouldn't matter what I wear but it does! I grab my teal blouse with cloth balls dangling around the neckline but that's too prepared. I snatch up my white polka-dot blouse but discard it. I need something casual so I grab a simple white t-shirt and throw on a pair of jeans. Before exciting the closet, I grab my blue button down plaid man-shirt and pull it over the t-shirt. 

****

I glanced at the mirror. I had "casually" fixed my hair into a french braid and brushed my teeth. I had been doing that a lot, brushing my teeth. I gave myself a good look over before heading out into the living room. I shivered as a nice San Francisco breeze flew through my window, hitting my side. I was glad I had put on my brown mohicans since hardwood floors and cold weather were not a nice combo. The sun was just about to set, the horizon a pinkish hue that melted into the golden rays of the setting sun before dying into the coolness of night. I bit my lip as I anticipate his arrival, my stomach churning to the point where I almost run to the bathroom. I grabbed onto the couch for support and slowly sunk into it, my stomach settling somewhat. I closed my eyes to relax but my foot shook with anticipation. I was about to scream out the window, the adrenaline building, when I hard breeze hit my back and I heard the sound of leather snapping. 

My eyes flew open while my heart flew into my mouth. With a slow twist, I turned to look behind me and gave a small gasp. There he stood. He looked the same. Same black hair that seemed to take in the light. Same violet eyes that gave off light. Same pale skin and structured features that made him handsome, not hot. Though his jaw and nose where chiseled and strong, his eyes and lips soften everything out. He stood, neither slouching or insanely erect. The wind hit his hair, making it dance around his face; the only thing that moved. He stood stock still which unnerved me.

"Could you at least move a bit?" I asked, clenching my hand into a fist so tight, the nails broke the skin. I gasped at the pain and unclenched my hand, shaking it out. 

"Have you had enough time?" He asked, ignoring me. His voice was cold. I realized putting my hair back was a bad idea since now I couldn't hide the frustrated look I always seemed to have with him. I wanted to cry.

"No. I don't think I will ever have enough time." I said flatly. He just stared at me. I sat in silence before his voice grew soft.

"I denied it." He stated. "When I was turned. I denied it." I stared at him. He stood looking at the our light up palm tree instead of me, his voice soft but drawn. His face was tight but it held no emotion.