Harmony (6 page)

       “We’re here,” he finally said. Up ahead, light filtered through as the trees began to thin. I shielded my eyes, as it was suddenly very bright. I’d almost forgotten that we were in the shadiest part of the forest. I guess I was adapting more to Ian’s way of life than I’d realized.      “Oh, it’s the coast!” I spun around to see Ian standing at the edge of the light under a pine tree. “Can you come out here?” I asked. I wasn’t entirely sure if the stories about vampires were true that they burned in direct sunlight. It made sense that we were in Oregon with its limited sunny days.

       “I’ll be fine. The sun only diminishes my abilities. It’s kind of like kryptonite to Superman,” he stated. “It weakens me, but in small doses the sun can’t harm me.”

       Ian walked over and wrapped his arms around me. “Is there anything else that you’re
curious
about?”

       “I read that you don’t photograph. Is that true?”

       Ian shook his head. “Myth.”

       I was on a roll. “What else weakens you besides long exposure to the sun?”

       Ian answered, “Tainted blood.” 

       “Like when someone is sick?” I asked.

       “Yes.”

       “How can you tell the difference?”

       Ian sighed, as if he didn’t want to be having this conversation, but he said, “We have a heightened sense of smell. A person or animal emits different odors when they are sick.” 

       This led me to my next question. “Do you get sick?”

       “No.”

       “Do you kill a vampire with a stake through the heart?” I blurted out.

       “Are you planning something?” Ian raised his eyebrows at me.

       I laughed. “Maybe,” I replied coyly. “It’s a myth. Vampires don’t have living hearts. A stake through an already-dead organ wouldn’t do much other than paralyze.”

       I giggled nervously. “Okay, I walked into that one.”

       We sat down on a rock overlooking the cliff’s edge. “You love the ocean, don’t you?” I said guessing, why this was one of his favorite spots.

       “It reminds me of home. I grew up in a fishing village off the coast of Ireland,” Ian replied.

       “You were a fisherman?” I chuckled. “I don’t see it, you seem so refined now.”

       Ian laughed too; a hearty laugh that made me beam. “I’ve been around awhile to acquire a few other talents. Vampires are vain creatures. We like to appease our vanity.” Ian rarely spoke of his life before or as a vampire. I caught bits and pieces of it through our connection, but I didn’t stay long in his mind to intrude. One thing that endeared him to me was memories of his family. I wasn’t clear on how many siblings Ian had, but he definitely adored his mother and respected his father. It tugged on my heart that he was ripped away from such a loving family. From what I could see, they were prosperous, generous, and influential in his village. “Ian, this is so beautiful and peaceful,” I said, changing the subject. “Do you come here often?”

       Ian’s eyes were closed as he leaned back and soaked up the sun. He nodded in agreement. The silence was golden. I didn’t want the mood of the moment to be broken. I began thinking of what life would be like for us after I graduated.

       Suddenly, as if sensing the direction of my thoughts, Ian stood up, pulling me with him. “Let’s eat over here.” We spread out the quilt that he’d brought, and I watched in amazement as he produced carton after carton of food.

       “Are you feeding an army?” I asked. “We can’t, I can’t possibly eat all that!”

       Ian held up his hands in defense, trying to explain. “I wasn’t entirely sure what you’d prefer. I don’t usually cook, so I guess I over compensated.”

       I smiled. “You are so sweet. A sandwich would have sufficed.”

       He continued to lay out an assortment of cheeses and fruits, half of which I’d never tasted before or even knew the names of. It was obvious that he was trying to please me. I beamed. “Are you trying to court me, Ian?”
       Ian fumbled with a container and said, “No, seriously Sophie, you have to eat to keep your strength up.”

       I laughed. I knew better. This mind connection rocked! “Ian, you liar! You are so courting me!” I jumped up and landed in his lap. We hadn’t been that close since I’d first met him. It felt so natural to be with him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and found myself lost in his eyes. What was it that I felt? His confusion, or was it grief? Longing for me? I desperately wanted to know. “Ian?” I spoke softly. “Let me see your eyes.” His stiff body relaxed, and I melted into him as he drew me closer. His breath on my face was so cold, but that was not why I was shivering. It was magical! I couldn’t help myself. Hesitantly, I brought my fingers to his lips and traced them lightly. I could feel his sigh. He could be so tender! He stroked my hair as I laid my cheek against his.

       Then it happened. I felt it all. He finally let me in. I didn’t know if it was by choice, but I was there in his past. I could see glimpses of his previous life. Ian was walking by the ocean, laughing and in love. He’d had another love at one time. She was indeed beautiful. Then there was enormous pain, suffering and torment. How could one being have endured so much? I was confused. I saw the moment he became vampire as if I were an actual eye witness… I thought
how could that be
? It made my blood curl. He was with her at what looked like a dancehall, but he wasn’t happy, he was furious with something she had said. She laughed, pushed him away and suddenly he was ambushed. I felt not only his pain, but mine as well as teeth sank into his neck. His body writhed as his light dissipated and he was haphazardly slung over the shoulder of a hooded figure. My heart ached for all he’d lost and what he’d become.

       I felt the darkness in him rise, and he pressed his lips to mine. We became enveloped in a deep and binding kiss unlike any I’d ever experienced. It was a need that he had to be one with me and me in turn with him. The desperation was there to hold him, to be his anchor and not let the darkness win. I clung to him as tears streamed down my cheeks. The monster inside would destroy me if it weren’t for Ian. I now understood his conflict, why he guarded himself. It was all happening so fast that I could scarcely breathe.

       Ian leapt from the quilt, and I tumbled down as he darted to the tree line. He was so fast. I yelled after him, “Ian, wait! Don’t go!” My pleas went unanswered. I couldn’t see his eyes, but I could feel that they were dark and menacing. I slowly turned back to the cliff’s edge and waited. It seemed like an eternity. I was so sad that I could not help him. I was so lost in my own thoughts and confusion over his conversion that I didn’t even see him come back and sit down by me.

       “I’m so sorry, Soph,” Ian said as he tentatively laced his fingers with mine.

       “Did I cause you to lose control…to feel pain?” I really wanted to know.

       Ian turned my face toward him. “I was about to lose control, Sophie, and I didn’t want you to see. I know better.”

       “Oh,” was all I could muster. How could I feel so elated and alive while our kiss caused him so much pain?

       “Soph, don’t be mad at me,” Ian said.

       I couldn’t let him see that his reaction to our kiss bothered me, so instead I said, “We’ll just have to be more careful next time.” I lay my head on his lap and looked out over the horizon. I wasn’t sure how long we remained like that, but I quietly fell asleep.

***

       Ian gently nudged my ear with his lips. “Sophie, we need to get going. It’s time to wake up.”

       “Do we have to?” I whined. “I can’t believe you let me sleep! I have so many questions for you.”       Ian groaned. “You and your constant questions! Are they ever going to stop? Come on, sleepy head.” Ian pulled me up, and I hugged him.

       “Thank you for a wonderful afternoon.” I stood on the tips of my toes to kiss his cheek. “The kiss wasn’t half bad either,” I said, winking.

       “Come on slow poke, race you back!” Ian laughed. “Maybe, I’ll take a little nap myself and give you a head start.”

       I turned and started running. I knew he’d passed me, but the jog through the forest was refreshing, and I needed to clear my head. I was out of breath when I finally reached the cabin.  

“Cheater!” I said, bending over and panting.

       Ian was sitting on the porch, his legs kicked back, whistling of all things, as he handed me water. “Thought you might need this.”

       “Thanks,” I said, gulping the water down. “I’m going to go clean up. Can we talk later?”

       “Sure,” Ian replied. “I’ll be waiting.”

       I quickly darted upstairs to change and run a brush through my hair. Boy, did I need it! I studied my face in the mirror. Why was Ian attracted to me? I knew he was, but I couldn’t understand why for the life of me. The girl in his memory was far more beautiful. She had long auburn hair, a petite figure, and piercing blue eyes. She was mesmerizing.
How could I compete with that!
I was just plain, old five-foot six Sophie. I brushed through my stick-straight blond hair that at best came to my shoulders, and studied my eyes that were more times green than blue. What did Ian see when he looked at me? I knew I wasn’t ugly, but for someone as devastatingly handsome as Ian, he needed an equally glamorous woman by his side. I sighed. Resigned, I did the best I could. Lip gloss and blush were about all I was used too.

       I found Ian in his library, as I liked to refer to it. He was lounging in his leather chair with his eyes closed. I stood in the doorway not wanting to interrupt. I wanted to always remember him like this, so ordinary, so human-like.

       “You can come in and stop staring,” he said.

       Momentarily embarrassed at being caught ogling, I deflected, “I thought vampires didn’t sleep?” “I’m not, just meditating.” I didn’t say anything. “It helps me refocus my energy and regain my strength,” Ian explained. “Come here.” He pulled me onto his lap. “What on earth were you doing up there? I don’t like being away from you.”

       I laughed. “My… aren’t we a wee bit possessive.” I tried to use the best Irish accent I could.

       Ian roared, “That was beautiful, lass!”

       “Oh my gosh, that was horrible!” I countered. “I was trying to improve my appearance, but I seem to be a lost cause.”

       “Why do you do that? Don’t you know how beautiful you are to me?” Ian said. He was clearly frustrated.

       “No one has ever told me that.”  I deflected again, refocusing the conversation on him. “I thought vampires had this keen sense of vision. Do you need glasses?”

       Ian quickly kissed me in defeat. “You can be so stubborn, Sophie. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

       “So, does this mean we are okay now? Not mad that I took sooo long?” I asked.

       “I’ll survive,” Ian stated. “Will you be okay for a couple of hours on your own? I made you some dinner.” He raised his hand to stop my protests. “It’s nothing fancy, just a sandwich like you requested. I have to go out for a while.”

       “Where are you going? I’ll come too,” I said as I stood.

       “Soph, I have to go alone,” Ian said.

       I stopped as I sensed the direction of his thoughts, the ones he didn’t like me to read. “You have to eat too, Ian,” I replied.

       He hid his face in his hands. “I have to feed soon, Sophie.”

       I dropped to my knees and knelt in front of him. I gently raised his face. “Ian, it’s okay. I understand.”

       “How can you? Doesn’t it frighten you?” he asked.

       “I know you think it should, but it doesn’t. Look, you don’t do it for sport, do you?” I inquired.

       “No, I gave that up a long time ago,” he admitted freely.

       “I know you don’t feed off of humans anymore. I’ve seen that. So, is this extra need for sustenance because of me?” I wanted to know. I could tell he didn’t want to confirm what I already knew. The longer we were together, the stronger his appetites appealed to his carnal vampire nature.

       “Yes,” he whispered.

       “Then go,” I said, steering him to the front door. “I’ll eat the sandwich and read a book. Then we will have a serious conversation where you answer all my questions.” I kissed his hand as we parted. “I’ll be right here when you come home.”

RAVENS

Cathbad slowly made his way up the winding staircase to his tower. His ravens would be coming soon with tidings from the present. “Matthias!” he shouted to the empty room. “You worthless excuse for a page, my patience is running thin!” he said, banging his fists upon the stone altar in front of him.

       Matthias scurried into the tower carrying a pitcher and sustenance for his lord. “You bring me no new tidings?” Cathbad spat.

       “No, my lord. The ravens have not returned,” Matthias said, kneeling.

       “Tell me why should I let you live?” Cathbad hissed.

       “Sire, forgive me. The seer stones remain lifeless,” Matthias said, trembling.

       “Bring me the stones. Do I have to do your tasks too?”

       “Yes, my lord.”

       As Matthias scurried from the room, Cathbad sat upon his poor excuse for a throne in the dark, wet, and musty fortress bequeathed him by Connacher. His fortress lay in the dark recesses of space between times. His domain granted him easy access to the past, present, and future. It was here that he could wield his Druidic powers without fear of intrusion by those pesky Knights of the Red Branch.        He’d been reduced to this meager existence by that sorry excuse of a king, Connacher. How he wished that he’d foreseen the path Connacher would take! Connacher had abused the giver of his new life and power. It repulsed Cathbad how the child had turned on the father, so to speak. Cathbad was running out of time and life force. His search for the girl, Deirdre had prophesied about was tedious, and it had taken its toll on what was left of his mortal frame. How was it possible that a mere girl could evade his sight for so long?