B007Q4JDEM EBOK (30 page)

When we were in the car, Salem sat in the back with me, holding my hand tightly in his. Paul peeked back at us, a smug look on his face. I began to worry if he had sincerely meant he was going to try to accept our relationship. As we rode along the street, I leaned my head tiredly against Salem's cold shoulder and shut my eyes.

I was barely asleep when I heard the voices – part of me was unsure if I was conscious or not.

“I th
ink I owe you an apology, Salem,
” Paul muttered, barely audible over the rush of wind and splattering rain against the windshield.

“
You are forgiven,
”
h
e muttered in response, caressing my hair gently. “I understand your reasons.”

“It's not going to be easy to get used to.”

“I understand that, too,
” Salem replied in a hushed voice, obviously not wanting to disturb me.

“Salem,” Paul spoke just as quietly, “I give you the benefit of the doubt, but if you ever so much as scratch her...well, let's jus
t say I won't miss next time.”

“You have nothing to worry about.”

My eyes barely opened when the car pulled to a stop outside of the Victorian. Salem nudged me gently on the shoulder in
attempt to wake me. “We're home,
” he whispered into my ear.

I sat up and stretched my stiffened arms, smiling happily at the sight of the welcoming doors. Salem helped me out of the car and acted as my support, leading me up the alabaster stairs slowly and steadily.

“You are welcome to come inside, Paul,” h
e hollered back at my father who still sat in the Jeep, his expression blank.

He hesitated before leaving the vehicle and following us into the
glorious
house. A shimmer of regret crossed his face as he eyed the stained glass windows on the door. As he opened his mouth to speak, Salem silenced him.

“I know. You are sorry for the windows, also.”

“You can't read minds, can you?” Paul laughed darkly.

“No,
” Salem smirked, looking back at Paul. “You're just somewhat predictable.”

“
Which is why I’ve never been able to kill you I guess
,
” Paul grumbled.

“
Dad!” I shouted, “That's enough
.”

“
Sorry
, Alex. Old habits die hard, y'know?” Paul frowned, “But
I’m tryin’
.”

“Thank you. That is all I ask
for
.”

“What would you like to eat, my little raven?” Salem asked as he lowered me onto the sectional. His eyes twinkled violet momentarily and a plump pillow appeared in his hands. He gently placed my fractured leg against the pillow. I smiled gratefully, and watched my father gaze around the house. He was clearly mesmerized. But who could blame him?

“I'll have whatever Paul wants,
” I said with a sly grin.

Salem looked uneasy. “I'm not sur
e that's such a good idea, Alex,” h
e muttered.

“What isn't? Paul asked as he entered the vast living room. He was momenta
rily distracted by the white
grand piano in the corner. “Ah, I
see what she really likes about you
.”

Salem laughed delicately.

“Dad, if you could have anything to eat right now – what would it be?” I asked, ignoring them.

“Steak and a baked potato!” h
e answered quickly. “Why? Does Salem have his own chef to go with this mansion
of a house
or something?” h
e scoffed.

“Not exactly, no,
” I grinned. “Go on, Salem...”

Salem frowned at me, then I saw the mystical purple highlight
s
in
his eyes and he gestured for Paul to look into the dining room.
Upon
the dining table were two plates, each with a steaming hot potato with all the toppings imaginable nestled beside a large steak. My father stared in awe at the food, his jaw gaping open.

“How?” h
e mumbled, his eyes focused now on Salem.

“There i
s more
to me than just being a vampire,
” Salem grimaced somewhat.

Paul shook his h
ead in disbelief. “Amazing...” h
e whispered. “What else can you do?”

“That's about it.”

I smiled to myself, happy to see they were getting along – at least a little, anyway. Salem brought me my plate a
nd helped me sit up. “Thank you,
” I smiled and pecked him on the cheek while Paul delved into his meal. I picked at mine, somewhat wishing I had chosen something of my own – steak wasn't among my favorite foods, but the potato was delicious.

“Salem?” I said quietly, eying my dad in the kitchen. “Did you have any idea about Hannah being
Daniel – Raziel’s
daughter?”

He shook his head and scowled. “That's not something I ever expected...I don't even want to think about it.”

“What do you think he meant by
all that stuff he said to you
?”

“I don't know, Alex...” h
e sighed, appearing thoughtful. “Perhaps I never will quite understand that
, now
.”

“And...
My
future,
” I gasped, “What do you suppose he saw?”

“I don't know that, eit
her,” this time he smiled, “b
ut we will have plenty of time to find out.”

After I finished my meal, I grudgingly let sleep overcome me as my father asked Salem all about his bizarre summoning abilities.

When I awoke the next morning, Paul was gone and Salem was nowhere to be seen. I sighed heavily with disappointment; I wouldn't be able to get up on my own and would have to wait for Salem to return from wherever he happened to be. As I thought this over, the front doors flew open and he was walking gracefully through them. He came to my side at once and pulled me into his arms.

“Do you need anything?” h
e asked, staring at my injured leg remorsefully.

“I could u
se help getting to the bathroom,
” I groaned, knowing this would include him carrying me upstairs. “What were you doing outside?”

“I was saying farewell to your father. He stayed throughout th
e night to ensure you were okay,” h
e smiled, lifted me into his arms and rushed me up the spiraling stairs. He helped me through the restroom door and I insisted I could take care of the rest myself, although I wasn't completely sure of that. I could hear him shuffling around behind the door while he waited for me. I quickly brushed my teeth, leaning against the counter for support,
and then
took care of the persistent nagging of my bladder.

He was waiting with his arms outstretched and a wide smile when I opened the door. I allowed him to carry me down the stairs but was surprised when he didn't take me toward the sofa. Instead, he swung my legs over the bench in front of the piano and sat beside me. I looked at him inquisitively as he placed his hands over mine and guided them to the keys.

“Play
that tune for me, one more time,” h
e requested after kissing me softly.

“Okay,
” I breathed and flexed my fingers. He kept his cold hands upon mine, following them as they sped along the ivory. The song felt somehow sadder to me now than I had ever realized. I don't think I had ever actually listened to the music as it pulsed through my fingers into the instrument. I was always too focused on playing the piece that I forgot to take the time to truly hear, and feel, the emotion behind it. I shut my eyes, allowing a warm drop of moisture to slip across my cheek
as thoughts started welling inside my mind
. It went unnoticed as Salem's eyes were focused on the movement of my hands.

Once the music faded, I collapsed into his arms. He didn't understand why I had begun bawling, and I didn't take the chance to explain it to him. He simply held me, which was all I wanted, all I needed at that moment. The realization of all that had happened within the last few months came back to me through the song all at once – losing my mother – twice – gaining a father, dropping out of school, nearly dying, falling in love... I wiped my eyes and looked into his piercing blue stare, which darted back and forth from my face to the piano.

“I had ne
ver noticed how beautiful it is,
” I said between what was a mixture of a sob and a laugh.

Salem merely smiled and held my
face in both hands, “Nor had I,” b
ut he wasn't talking about the music as he stared longingly at my face. He kissed me tenderly once more,
and then
pulled away. “
What do you call it,
anyway
?”

I thought for a moment,
and then
my lips curved into a simple smile. “
Nevermore
.”

KA Poe lives in
Arizona
with her husband and daughter. Someday she hopes to travel the world and live life to the fullest she possibly can. Writing has always been her passion. When she isn't writing she spends a lot of time
reading, playing computer games, browsing the web, and spending time with her
family.
She has a vivid imagination, an eccentric personalit
y and collects colorful socks.

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