*3 Days after- 5:00p.m*
I am nervous for tonight though I really shouldn't be. I met the rest of the coven and some of them are simply scary. I found out that I got along just fine with Felix. Yesterday, we went to get some wood, well, pull some trees out and breaking them into small pieces is more exact. You could say that when it comes to physical appearances we are complete opposites. He is very big, tall, and thick through the shoulders while I have a very petite frame. He has short, cropped black hair while I have long, dark brown wavy locks that cover almost three quarters of my back.
I was laughing at the thought of us the other day, carrying lumber to make the place seem more welcoming to the tourists (or as I like to refer to them, imported happy meals.)Though I certainly don't approve of their diet and they openly state that they don't approve of mine, we seem to get along pretty well.
I also met Chelsea and Heidi. They are both gifted vampires. Chelsea can manipulate emotions while Heidi can send waves of whatever emotion you can think of. We started talking and within an hour we looked as if we were old friends. We talked about everything and even planned to ask permission to go shopping. They both said that they could handle being around humans without tearing out their throats. I told them how internet worked and they loved it, they never considered the possibility that it good for anything, except for discovering about murderous which could easily be vampires. Both their gifs scared me a little, I mean no one would like to be controlled around emotionally like puppet. But at least I was glad that I found some friends. I was starting to miss girl talk which was not a good sign.
Thinking about friends made me think about Dakota and Courtney, which made me painfully think of Cam. He was still there, etched upon my heart. I suddenly got an idea so crazy that it might actually work!
I said it myself, my decisions turn into visions! If I thought really hard about him maybe I could see what he was up to or what he will be up to!
I closed my eyes and concentrated real hard, putting all my focus on him. I faintly remembered then the scent of his clone, the deep brown colour in his eyes but no damn fog.
Knock, Knock
Seriously, now? I didn't dare to open my eyes and lose my focus. I felt to close to lose everything.
"Come in" I said, still in a yoga position on the couch, with my eyes closed.
I heard the door slowly being opened as the intruder slowly made his way to my couch. "Hey, um this is awkward, what are you doing?" Alec's voice said as he probably noticed my closed eyes and weird position.
My eyes fluttered open immediately as I recognized to whom the voice of my interrupter belonged.
"Hey, I was just trying to see him."
"See him?" he asked with clear confusion written all over his gorgeous face.
"You know, see a vision of Cam."
"Who is Cam?" he asked, still confused.
I suddenly felt uneasy in my own skin. I had never talked to anybody about Cam. No one knew, now Alec came and I had a chance to speak about him to someone even if I had to admit that it still felt weird.
"I didn't mean to intrude, if you don't want to talk-"I interrupted him.
"No, it's just that it feels strange, talking about him. I loved him when I was still alive. And I still do."
"Ah, so you were lovers." Now it was his turn to feel uneasy and I so didn't want him to jump to those conclusions. Hell, I never kissed a boy in my seventeen years let alone slept with one. Plus we never even dated. It was just a deep obsession of mine.
"No, I loved him but he didn't love me back. I was just another invisible sixteen year-old for him. He didn't even know that I loved him"
He looked at me incredously, "How could he not be aware of the presence of such a beautiful young woman?" If I was still human I would have flushed redder than a tomato. I had better change the subject, quick.
"So I didn't see you today, were you planning for the attack."
"Yes and I talked to Aro. Have you thought a little bit about your staying here?"
"Yes, I think that I will stay for a while. I'm very eager to learn and all of the art and history here is simply fascinating. "
"Aro will be pleased." He said in a respectful nod.
"I need to hunt." I said as I got up from the couch. I needed to find an excuse to be alone.
I felt nausea which should be strange for a vamp. I knew it when it hit me. A thick blanket of fog covered my eyes. Now I was used to it enough to recognize it as a vision. I saw it as it took shape, it reveled the full moon above the sea, a place that I knew very well. It was the place where I tried to unsuccessfully commit suicide after my first kills.
I saw that about fifteen teenagers, all drunk. Some where dancing others kissing or taking pictures with bottles of beers swinging in their hands. Amongst them there was Cam. Even if I was a living dead person he still made me feel almost dizzy. He was posing with some girl near the edge. He could easily fall into the sea. I somehow managed to get closer and listen to their thoughts as I had listened to Vladimir's, even if it was completely by accident.
I penetrated Cam's mind first. The alcohol that he consumed made it very difficult to see clearly. It was like there was some sort of impenetrable brick wall blocking my way to his thoughts. But probably this was what he was really thinking about. Nothing. I remembered faintly from my past life that I got drank on New Year's Eve. I spilled a lot of secrets that day and ended up not remembering anything the following morning. One world. Horrible.
I saw him getting closer to the edge but he didn't notice that the ground was not firm enough to support him. I heard a crack, followed only seconds later by a splash in the water. My eyes snapped towards the sea and I saw Cam out of his senses slowly drowning. I could even smell fresh blood but that didn't matter. He was drowning and I had to save him I jumped of the cliff but before I could make contact with the water the fog came back and I was snapped back to reality.
"Sam, what did you see?" I l was sitting on the couch with Alec's worried face just a few inches away from mine.
"Alec, I saw him die. He fell off a cliff and bumped his head. He won't make it." I tried to speak clearly but my voice cracked with every few words.
"Who? That boy you were telling me about. Cam? Did it already happen?"
"No, it was a full moon. I felt it in my bones, Alec. If I don't save him, he'll die tonight."
"You're not supposed to interfere with him anymore. Everyone thinks you're dead. If you save him he'll recognize you and even if you escape, he will talk." His voice was full of authority.
"But I can't just let him die." I replied helplessly.
"That's how its' supposed to be. Tonight he will be careless so death will claim him." Every word of his was like a sharp blade cutting through my flesh, making the wound in my heart deeper and deeper.
Alec's POV
I knew that I was hurting her but I couldn't let her do this to herself. The rules are there for everyone. Even Aro wouldn't get her out of this one. It wouldn't matter if she had such an amazing gift if this boy would recognize her. It pained me to see her like this.
"Please Alec. Please. Ignore the stupid rules for once." She grabbed my arm but I cowered away from her. I couldn't give in. I cold feel her eyes on me.
I couldn't take it anymore. I looked at her, and almost felt angry. She was falling for some ungrateful, useless slob. She could do so much better but I knew she wasn't as naïve as I thought when I met her. She was strong and cunning. She could do it without causing any trouble.
I walked away, but I knew she was following. I led her to the reception desk where Rebecca, the new receptionist was doing some paperwork. I asked her to take a break so she nodded and left quickly.
Sam was standing by my side, looking confused and worried. I still couldn't believe that I was doing this. I opened the saw the Al Italia number, written neatly on a sticky note on the side of the monitor.
I sat down and pulled out a passport. We always used fake passports when we needed to use the airplanes. One of Jane's passports would suit her well. They were about the same size and she could pass as an eighteen year-old easily than Jane, thanks to the worry that seemed to be etched on her face.
I picked up the phone number and dialed. A female receptionist with an overly perky voice answered the call. "Al Italia Airlines, how may I help you?" Of course she spoke Italian so Sam couldn't understand.
"I would like to know if there are any flights scheduled for Malta today ." I answered briefly.
"Let me see," Over the line I could hear her typing quickly. "Yes, the plane will leave at half past eight."
"Do you have any tickets left?" I asked, hiding my inpatient nature.
"Yes we have five tickets left for first class."
"I want to book one ticket."
"Very well. Surname please."
Sam whispered Hathaway. I was surprised that she knew Italian. The name on the passport stated Sabrina Marini. "Marini"
"Is that everything?
"And I would like another ticket from Malta to Rome for the earliest time you have tomorrow." I asked her
"The next flight is at five o' clock in the morning. Is that okay?"
"Perfect."
"So fist class ticket for Marini?'
"Yes"
"It's all taken care of. "
"Thank you. Goodbye." And I hung up.
Thanks Alec, I really owe you one." Her eyes looked so deep with gratitude that I almost lost myself in them. Then I remembered how late we already were. "Come on let's take your photo for the passport. I'll call for Rebecca to conclude it. She's quite talented in these sorts of things."
Sam's POV
Alec was driving me to the airport in a brand new blood red sports car that seemed to be rarely used. I was so worried about Cam that I almost forgot all about the attack.
"What about the attack? Shouldn't I be there to help you fight? But I can't be in two different places at the same time." God, that was so selfish. I should have helped them but instead I was off to Malta saving my jackass crush. But what could I do? They say the heart wants what the heart wants.
"Actually, Aro made it clear to me that you should not be there fighting. You're still a newborn yourself. You can easily get killed." he answered matter-of-factly.
"Does being a newborn mean that you have to treat me like a baby?" I asked surprisingly annoyed.
"Yes it does until you learn how to fight properly and you're much too valuable. Out there you'd only be a distraction because you'd get yourself in danger, and I would probably end up dead trying to save you." He answered. What did it mean? Would he actually risk his life trying to save me? Well, these were answers I would probably never know.
"How much further? It's already 7:45." I knew that I sounded desperate but I didn't care I had to save him.
"You're right," he said as he pulled over into a side street. "We should continue on foot."
"Oh, don't worry about me. I'll find my way to the airport." He nodded and started the car. "Thanks again." I whispered as I left but I knew that he heard it.
After the check in and several disbelieving looks about my age, all the passengers boarded the plane and it took off. I had no idea how I could really save him. Everything came so fast. Even if I managed to get there what was I supposed to do? I couldn't possibly rush in front of all those kids and pull him away before him away before the ground cracks so I definitely had to act after he would fall into the water. I felt somebody shaking my arm. We couldn't be already there. I went back to reality and I saw a pretty air hostess looking at me with a big pair of curious eyes.
"Are you okay?" she asked with fake worry.
"Huh? Oh, yes I was just deep in thought."
"Oh, okay, I thought that you turned to stone. You were so still."
Why was this stranger making so many questions? "Yes, I was very worried." I tried to make the sweetest face so maybe she would go away. "Do you need something? " I asked while trying to hide the irritated voice.
"Nnn…no, no. I just wanted to ask you if you wanted anything to eat or drink." She said in a lost voice. It must be the vamp charm.
"No thank you." And she finally moved away and left me in peace.
The plane landed and I was in the duty free. I decided to buy a pair of sunglasses incase I met anybody I knew. Bless Alec's heart for putting a twenty euro bill in my pocket. He must have known I would need it. I picked one quickly and paid for it.
I entered through the very familiar arrivals hall. I used to come frequently to the airport with my friends when I was a kid. So many memories! I was just a few moments away from my old house. But probably I would find my mother making out with some idiot as I had left her before going to that party the damned knight when I died. Well better save myself from the pain. I put on my imitation of the new Versace sunglasses and walked away.
It was midnight already. I went outside in a corner and started running towards the very same bay where I unsuccessfully tried to kill myself about a year ago. I arrived quickly but it appeared that they already there. My only chance of saving him was to save him after he fell. I took off my dress put it in my bag near a tree. I wasn't exactly looking forward to swimming in a tank top and cycling shorts but if I that's what I had to do to save him then so be it. I positioned myself under the cliff and waited silently.
This could go horribly wrong in many ways. I prayed that they wouldn't injure themselves with those damned glass bottles because the slightest drop of blood would kill him and probably the rest of them all.
I started eavesdropping on them.
"Courtney, give me some of that, will ya?" Dakota and Courtney where hanging out with Cam?
"Dakota get your pretty ass over here and take me a pic"
"Sure thing sugar." She told him in a rather bitchy voice. That was it prepared myself.
I heard the crack so I went exactly under the tip and only a few seconds after Cam's body started falling. He hit his head with a rock and fell unconscious. Thanks god no blood. As his body hit the water I reached for him and thus prevented his fragile head from touching the rocks. Underneath me I felt some rocks making contact with my back but of course they didn't affect me at all.
I dived underneath him so that his friends would think that the waves carried him ashore. I could see them staring underneath and shouting. I carried him to shore. I wasn't exactly an expert in CPR. More exactly I didn't know the first thing in CPR but it didn't exactly matter since it was already unsupportable being this close to him. But it had always been my dream to touch his soft cheeks.
I heard his heart beat getting stronger. He was going to wake up. I knew that the moral thing was to escape now that I succeeded in saving him but I wanted to talk to him badly. I waited until he began to regain consciousness again. He suddenly looked at me with his sweet brown eyes full of confusion. And started to slowly to stand up. It appeared that he didn't realize that we were both soaking wet.
"W-where am I?" he asked me innocently.
"You've just fallen off a cliff and you're hallucinating" I told him sweetly. He nodded while taking in the last piece of information.
"So I'm not dead?" He asked me.
"No, you're not. But I am." Oops revealed a little too much.
"Huh? Who the heck are you?"
"I'm somebody who knew you."
"Ok… Wait, I know you. You used to live in my neighborhood before you died." I pulled up the famous poker face. "What was your name?" he said to himself under his breath. No human would have heard him but I heard him loud and clear.
"You don't remember my name?" My voice was only a soft murmur. The stupid question escaped my lips involuntary.
My heart cracked in a million pieces. My only reason for living was him. I spent the last year in that miserable cave thinking about him, and about how our lives could be together, remember his smile, his breathtaking chocolate brown eyes and wavy dark hair, his cologne. But he didn't even remember my name. I was invisible to him back then. My death didn't even affect him enough to remember my name. I didn't give him a chance to speak.
"I must go. Be careful next time. Death only spares you once in life. I can hear your friends coming to rescue you. Goodbye." I said bitterly. Then in one of those fast vampire moves I hit him in the head hard enough for him to faint, not causing any damage. I pulled him close to the water, so that it would appear natural and darted to get my bag.
I didn't eve stop to put on my dress. I ran until I saw a public toilet. I knew that there were cameras and I was really sorry for what I was about to do. I knew that the camera wouldn't catch me if I used vampire speed so I jumped and took out the batteries in a fraction of a second.
The door was closed so I had to break the lock too. I wanted to get clean so that I wouldn't ride in a first class in an airplane smelling like Salty Sam the Capitan. I put the water full on and washed my face first. Than dapped my hair trying to get rid of the salty smell. Then I tied it up in a tight bun and put on my dress. All in all I was good to go.
I was in perfect timing for the airplane. Only when the plane took off I felt the whole evening coming back to me. It was as if the plane's pressure was making the episode sink inside of me. It was getting deeper and deeper. I pretended to sleep so that no one would bother me. Before I knew it the couple in front of me got up and so did everybody else. I did the same. I got of the plane as fast as I could. I really needed a good shower.
As the sliding doors opened automatically, I was welcomed back to Italy. It would take less than an hour to Volterra now that I knew the way.
I saw a face that I really wasn't expecting to see.
Alec.
He smiled just a little barley-there smile when he saw me. I was in no mood to smile back, not even a fake little smile. But I was very thankful for the fact that he was here. I really didn't want to be alone because my mind would definitely drift to Cam. There I did it again. I said his name again. It was so easy falling in temptation.
"Hi.", he said as I approached him.
"Hi, thanks for coming," I answered him plainly. This was one of those rare times were I just couldn't lie anymore.
"Anytime, Sam." he answered as we walked away.
We didn't exchange one more world for two hours while we rode in the expensive car of his. I desperately needed to break the silence and since Alec wasn't the talking type I had to go first. I picked the first random subject that popped in my head.
"So, how did the attack go?" I asked him.
"It went smoothly, nobody on our side died. We were prepared." He said as he looked at me rather uncertain. He looked like he wanted to say something but decided against it at the last minute.
Exactly fifty-six minutes and forty-three seconds later Alec broke the silence. I know, that's so nerdy of me, counting seconds but its surprisingly a relaxing hobby.
"So, what happened? If you don't mind me asking, you don't really have to answer or anything." He asked the question that I really hope he wouldn't ask. I hated the fact that I couldn't masquerade the pain as I had always done all my life. It was a confirmation right in front of me that I was doing a horrifyingly lousy job of keeping the usual sarcasm going on.
"So it really shows that badly, doesn't it?" I asked rhetorically.
"You didn't kill him or anything, right?" Of course he was worried. I don't think his bosses would approve of letting me jet off to Malta. From the little time I spent with them I already knew that a human's life was worth less then a penny.
"Oh no. On the contrary my helpful friend. I saved the day." Hey, some of the sarcasm was back. I was already recovering - or becoming a better liar.
"Well then, why do you seem so sad?" he still answered which caught me of guard. Usually I'm not that easy to read. I knew that I already seemed pathetic to him, going off to save the person-who-must-not-be-named but I intended to tell him the truth. I owned him that much and I knew it. After all I begged him to let me go.
"Well, after I saved him I talked to him and-"
"You what?" he asked almost disbelieving.
"Hey, don't worry. I told him that he was hallucinating and he drank it up and I hit him so that his friend would find him unconscious. Plus he didn't even remember my name." I blurted the last sentence but I knew he heard me.
We stopped in a side street surrounded by trees. I recognized this spot from where I first met Alec.
"I can't believe you."
"I'm very sorry for talking to him but I'm sure he won't remember anything. Hey, why didn't we stop at the clock tower?"
"Because, they're still cleaning up." He answered. "And I'm not mad at you for saving him. I know it's hard to let go at first. I'm incredulous at the fact that a girl like you would let herself fall for such a boy."
I was really put off track with the last sentence. It was as if he'd just spoken in Pig Latin. I thought that he brought me here to slowly torture me but instead I got praised… I really had no clue if Alec had just praised me or not.
"A girl like what?" I asked him mystified not rely expecting and answer.
"Well, you're certainly smart, seeing how you handled well the situation and any male has to be blind not to notice how beautiful you are."
I remained speechless. Smart, beautiful from Alec? I knew how Alec was and he certainly was old fashion since he was born who knows how many centauries before me. It was old fashioned flirting.
"You really think I'm smart… and beautiful?" I asked still immensely shocked.
He didn't answer me. He just approached me, standing in front of me, really close to me. He lifted his hand and brushed his soft palms on my cheeks. His index finger then slowly traced the line of my lips and I swear that even though there was no blood, his touch made me feel like I was burning inside. Not the painful burning, but the worm soothing one that came when a girl was about to get kissed. He hesitated leaving less than an inch space between our lips. I could almost feel his mind racing probably wondering if he would be received. I wanted that kiss more than the blood I needed to live. I wanted to feel his warmth and inhale more of his delicious bitter honey scent. It was so sweet, sweeter than any honey made by the best bees in the world but at the same time it had a bitter edge to it. It was just like honey and lemon. Only a few seconds later I could almost feel his lips on mine. I closed my eyes waiting for my very fist kiss.
Hey, back it up a little. I evaluated the whole situation. I came back feeling like hell and now he's kissing me? This smelled a lot like a pity party? Stupid inner debates and stupid irresistible Alec. I knew I was going to have to do the right ting that follows my morals. Once I heard a phrase that I always remember when I have temptation in front of me. If the temptation is too strong, push it away from you. And that's exactly what I did. Literally.
The next thing I saw was Alec smashed in a tree, his eyes wide open. I was such a stupid dork, pushing him away like that just because of my high morals. Well, the only thing I had to do was explaining why I did such an atrocity and I made it a point to apologize for a million times. Good thing we had eternity.