Friday, April 22, 2011

Understanding ITVL Chapter 12 and 13

This is extra information to complement your understanding of key events in the ending chapters. I've put it here because explaining it on the 'NB' section at the start of my stories will take too much space.

1) Why is Alaron given the ability to 'heal' wounds?

Alaron’s my favourite character by the way, that’s why he’s such a pain. However, throughout the two series, I have been building up towards a revelation of his abilities [although I wasn't sure if there was a need to explicitly say so at first] But here are some of the parts which you may or may not have picked up.

In TLAW Ch 5, I mentioned something about Alaron teaching Fiona how to heal wounds
Then in ITVL Ch 2, during the fight with Draven in the bookstore, Alaron doesn’t sustain any injury while Draven is bloodied.
Then of course there's the lineage part explained in ITVL Ch 10-11 that Aramis actually has an ability which means that Alaron has one too which needs to be awakened. 

By the way, I referred to Alaron's eyes as looking like tiger-eye stone right? It looks like this:

The reason why I choose this particular stone is because of it's association with healing and chakra properties. Go look it up if you're interested. I found myself thrilled to read about it. Well, plus Avatar Aang helped too.


2) So where does Alaron healing Amber come into play? Vampires can't heal Weres -especially not mental wounds right?

Mostly Alaron can only heal himself but in TLAW Ch 10 Amber bit him so you can say that she’s part of him and yes, he will be the one to heal her. Initially I had planned to let them get together but then Draven was a much more promising character... plus, without him, I wouldn't be able to put in all the complications and heartache of ITVL eh? Hehe. As a reader mentioned -Vampire soap opera.

3) Who is Aiden?

You may like to refer to the Vampire Council structure at the tab above. Under the Elder board, there are two permanent Elders -one is Leon and the other, revealed in Ch 12, is Aiden. They aren't Purebloods but Nobles and this is important because as I've mentioned somewhere, the Purebloods are a dying breed. It's bad enough they're marrying humans... now they're gonna have hybrid babies? Okay so the Council splits into two camps [oops]

A very kind reader sent me a feedback once to say that I should tie this in with the Hunters and yes, I think it is apt at this point to do so. Thus Aiden, if you recall is one of the three Vampires present in the Order ruling the Hunters. The other two are Caden and Connor who are Purebloods. Also Josephine's seemingly unconnected vision is a form of foreshadowing... but I'd let you guys guess that one out.

Into The Vampire's Lair Chapter 12- teaser

So here we go. This is an unedited version of the chapter so pardon the mistakes and inconsistencies if any.
Anyway, I have an extra tidbit for chapter 12 and 13 too! So check that out [if you want] and I hope you are all looking forward to the long weekend coming up!

-Alice-

******************************************************************************


Meanwhile, Josephine released her hold on Erika –just enough to let the woman breathe. Erika had already fainted but she could still hear a soft heartbeat. That’ll be enough for now. She moved quickly, settling Erika on the floor beside Fiona before walking towards Alaron.
“Stay here and watch over her. It’ll be okay, I promise,” she said. “He’s going to want her when he pulls through.” Fiona nodded mutely.
Josephine approached Alaron as cautiously as she could, knowing that he was going to aim straight for her head the moment he came to. However, it was the only way to awaken healers –and she’d know for she had some in her family. They needed to be wounded to the point that their body would exhaust or even kill itself trying to repair the damage. 
Josephine’s felt her heart ache at the sight of his suffering but she knew this was just momentary. She could see that his body was turning blue; his curled up position turning slack until he was lying limp against the cold hard floor. He wasn’t breathing… but his eyes were wide open and staring at her –intense orbs of brown with a thin golden line of fire right in the middle where his pupil should be. Some would describe it like that of the tiger-eye stone and Josephine agreed.
Just like the stone, those eyes symbolized the ability of the Vampire to bridge between the body that focuses on earth and the mind that deal with spirituality. They’d become more sensitive to listening and understanding not just words but the vibrations at the cellular level and manipulate them accordingly.
However, the Vampire staring at her wasn’t a healer… yet. He had unleashed his maximum power but his real ability still needs awakening. Moving closer, she crouched down and gently pushed back the hair covering his face, feeling the coldness beneath her fingers; confirming that algor mortis had already taken place. This meant that his body had shut down right after healing and was ‘dead’.
At least she knew he wasn’t going to aim to strike her head… yet. When she pulled down the flap on his shirt that had gotten torn, she noticed that there was a thin scar over the gash she had inflicted earlier. Good.
Tilting his head back, she held his chin down to force open his mouth before slicing the vein on her own wrist and letting her blood flow down his throat. She wasn’t surprised when he flicked an angry look at her even as his teeth automatically sank into her skin. Josephine didn’t wince as she felt her own blood being taken in by the youngling but kept a close watch on his pallor.
“Don’t be so angry at me darling. I’d imagine your father might be more merciless. Besides, it is not impossible for a youngling Vampire to acquire their abilities at a young age,” she soothed him. “Only the blood from a Pureblood Ancient can awaken your powers this prematurely.”
Which was true, she thought. She’d awaken at twenty-four, simply because Aramis enjoyed biting her and letting her bite him back each time they made love. When a Pureblood invested emotions into a certain youngling, that’s when they ‘stroke’ the latter’s latent abilities to the fore. From there, it just took a bit of push to awaken their potential. Josephine began thinking about Fiona and had a feeling that either Aramis or Draven must have been feeding her their blood because she would not have otherwise expressed her abilities as such an early age.
A sudden movement jerked her out from her thoughts but that split second dazing made her too slow to react to the swift hold of Alaron’s hands on her throat.
He kept his grip on her neck even as he drained out her blood but Josephine did not do or say anything. Instead she simply smiled at him. He was still glaring at her when a soft feminine voice called out to him.
“Alaron…”
He blinked and turned his gaze towards the direction of the voice. Erika had regained her consciousness and was looking at him with tearful eyes. Alaron was still weak but he could understand the emotions behind those eyes –it was that of a woman who thought the man she loved had died.
The realization that she loved him snapped Alaron out of his rage for he immediately released his hold on Josephine’s neck and pushed her wrist away from his mouth. Although his body was still weak, he managed to half crawl and half drag himself over towards Erika; cradling her close to him and whispering, “I’m here, it’s alright…” over and over again.
Meanwhile, Josephine was staggering backwards to lean against a wall. Alaron had taken a bit too much blood from her but she hadn’t stopped him even after he had gained back heat and colour in his cheeks. By now, his body would use her blood to complete his healing. Josephine suspected that when he was deeply injured, Alaron used to drain blood from those who got into fights with him.
“Grandmother,” said Fiona, getting up and moving towards the weakened Vampire. “Should… should I do something? I’ve… never really seen anything like this before but I trusted you… why didn’t you just tell us?”
Josephine smiled. “If I told him, he’d get overexcited and his body wouldn’t react naturally on its own fight or flight mechanism. It’s the instinct to survive that pushes our race into acquiring these abilities you know.”
“Will he be okay?” she asked worriedly. “And Erika?”
“Bring her to me.”
“What? No! I’m too afraid you’ll kill her.”
Josephine managed a small laugh before flicking her gaze away. “Alaron my dear, bring the girl here.”
When Alaron turned, his eyes were no longer the fiery hue but his natural brown. “No!”
“Come here.”
Alaron was gritting his teeth for he couldn’t control himself now that her blood was inside his system. He had to respond to her words. Damn that woman.
“Erika dear, I’m sorry you had to watch that… and I am so sorry for being so rough on you…”
“Rough? You fucking wanted to kill her!” snapped Alaron angrily.
“Language,” she reprimanded without glancing at him. Still looking at Erika she continued, “Do you love him?”
Erika nodded. Josephine laughed. “Well, are you strong enough to handle his temper, his foul mouth and his occasional need to challenge authority?”
Erika managed an amused smile. “You bet.”
“Would you like me to turn you?”
“Grandmother!”
“Mother!”
Alaron and Fiona shrieked at the same time then turned to each other in alarm.
“Oh, that’s very nice of you,” said Josephine, looking up at Alaron with a gentle smile. “So sweetie, would you like to join us and live the rest of your life with my son here?”
Erika bit her lips and looked from Alaron to Erika to Josephine and nodded her head. “Punching a Vampire with human force isn’t fun,” she joked.
“Oh Erika…” said Fiona, hugging her friend close. “I guess this is like welcome to the family huh.”
“Yeah,” she replied with a laugh. “Will it hurt?” she asked Fiona.
“Yes. Like hell.”
“Which is why I should do it and not you Fiona,” said Josephine slowly, watching Fiona turn to look at her in surprise.
“How did you…”
“Of course I know. As soon as I found out that Alaron was in love with a human, I knew that he only had two choices –one is to turn to his father and the other is to turn to you. Draven has his own issues to settle so that leaves him out. Besides, I’d say you have more emotional connection to this woman so you’d offer to turn her yourself... eventually.”
“Just wait one damn minute here,” said Alaron, clearly having regained more strength now. “Why must it be you? Why are you sacrificing your only chance at turning a human on… her?”
Josephine tilted her head to lean it against the wall. The loss of blood was starting to make her dizzy but she knew she needed to allay their fears first.
“Because I love your father too darn much that even if he died, I don’t think I’d have wanted another mate. Besides, Fiona’s already a Caesar. If she does the Siring, then Erika would be an Unnatural Caesar which is not much different than a Common level Vampire. She will need blood on a daily basis and you know how much our race frowns on that.”
“And the Pureblood transformation is much more… smooth,” added Fiona quietly.
“Yes,” Josephine nodded. “It will be painful but the change will be much easier and faster if the Sire is a Pureblood.”
Alaron wanted to protest some more but Erika came closer to Josephine and said, “I’m ready.”
***
Meanwhile, Council was in session…
“Young Lord, how can we be certain that this… alliance to the Wolves is beneficial to our Council?”
Draven turned his attention across the table to one of the permanent Elders on the Board –Aiden. He was an old Vampire; not as old as Leon or Aramis but old enough to be considered a permanent position. His acceptance of Draven on the Board would be crucial to future cooperation.
“As you know, my niece is already married to the Alpha of the MacFarlane pack. Outside of his pack, he is of royal birth and his descendants stretch nine generations. My position as a member of that pack assures mutual loyalty as well as mutual access to the resources from those nine generations. Surely the Council cannot ignore such a politically beneficial alliance?”
The table was quiet but Draven could see that Aiden was not satisfied.
“But Young Lord, you mentioned mutual loyalty and access… we certainly do not come to the Wolves’ aid should they need us. We are not their servants! We are superior to them!”
Draven tried not to grit his teeth or cross over to choke the Elder. How dare he speak of his Alpha like that?
“First and foremost, it is only I, in my position as a pack member who is assured of mutual loyalty and access –not the Council.”
“That’s a cause for mutiny!” this was voiced by a gruff sounding female Vampire. She was the only female on the Board and her name was Benedicta. Draven noted her concern.
“The benefit of my association would have remained so even if I am not part of this Board. And for what cause do I need mutiny for? Our positions here are equal; none more than the other.”
Benedicta snorted. Draven understood why. Purebloods were always given overriding powers on the Board, he couldn’t deny that.
“Let me put it this way. For as long as I am on this Board, I will have access and loyalty of the largest wolf packs in Europe and should I be in danger or in need of serious help, the Weres will come to my aid, as will I come to theirs should they need it. This aid is extended to the Council only through my association –otherwise you are on your own.”
“Young Lord… you make it sound like there is an impending war,” she said. “And while we are at that, how do we ensure your loyalty is to us first?”
“Conflict of interest,” said Aiden.
“His Grace is not a man who digs secrets. My position here is first is a Pureblood representative and also a pack member. Whatever decisions made to implicate either of these two interests, I will act accordingly. If we ever plan to go to war with the wolves for whatever reason, I state clearly now that I will give them prior warning. Similarly, if the Nobles wish for a civil war with the Purebloods, the same prior warning is given.”
“Surely you are aware that even if you’re not on this Board, your influence over a certain… unit in our Council means that you will implicate our kind in this… mutual aid for the Wolves?”
Draven kept silent for a while. Since when had the Council been this supremacist? Have they lost the concept of helping others?
“Young Lord, if I may speak freely,” said Leon. Draven nodded. “It is undeniable that you have great influence in the Damage Reversal Unit… for you pioneered much of the techniques that were used in the recent years and you’ve trained almost every one of the new Enforcers there. However, I would like to point out that mental combat abilities are rather useless on the battlefield; working alongside wolves that we cannot communicate with… would you risk these Enforcers’ lives should you need to enlist their help?”
“Loyalty is not about following a leader blindly. All Enforcers enter a combat situation knowing that they might not survive, especially when pitted against sheer number of Werewolves. And yes, while they cannot communicate mentally with the Weres, I can. And my Enforcers can communicate with me and with each other. In the Were’s terms, we are our own pack.”
His revelation stunned everyone; including Aramis who was seated at the back of the room. The idea that the DRU existed like a ‘pack’ whose communication line was impenetrable by non-mind reading Vampires was shocking.
“So you will sacrifice a whole unit should those wolves need your help?” asked Aiden.
“I do not expect blind obedience or stupidity. Only those who wish to help will be enlisted and they are with me not as Council Enforcers but as my friends. That, apparently is a concept this Board has problems understanding.”
Another Elder spoke up; this time, one of the male elected board members. “Young Lord, please forgive us for our ignorance but I accept your case. In fact I see this alliance with the Werewolves beneficial for us all. For centuries after the Count Chervenkov massacre, our communities have lived apart, hoarded knowledge and shared nothing with each other.”
“Of course! This is self-preservation!” exclaimed Benedicta.
“You mean for them right?” said Draven. “They were the ones who had an entire compound wiped out. We are the villains here not them. Don’t you dare make it sound like those wolves deserved to die.”
“No, my Lord…” she muttered.
“As I was saying,” continued the male Vampire. “Intelligence has it that there is a high percentage of medical graduates from the MacFarlane packs. Apparently, they are top notched graduates from some of the best universities in Europe. This might be a good way for us to learn from them.” He paused and smiled shyly at Draven. “Since you left our labs, we have been lacking good scientists… I fear that at times, we rely too much on natural abilities rather than nurtured ones.”
Draven smiled. Yes, Henry was the Elder who used to head the Engineering arm of the Council.
“So perhaps we should vote,” said Draven, looking around. “Those in favour of me staying on board, raise your hand.”
Three out of five hands were raised. Draven noticed that there was a split between the two permanent Elders; Leon was in favour but Aiden was displeased. As for the elected members, Draven had not won Benedicta’s vote but the other two, Henry and Anthony were on his side.
“Well then, my position here is settled. I shall assume office as of now,” announced Draven.
“Wait,” said Aiden. “You are traitorous to our kind young Lord. With your association with a wolf, we have lost a very good specimen of Pureblood.”
“No, we have not,” interjected Aramis. “Don’t you dare accuse my son of anything of that kind.”
Everyone turned to look at Aramis.
“I will have more children,” he said simply. “One every century. That should be a good replacement rate.”
“Lord Culzean! Congratulations!” Leon exclaimed. “This is good news for us.”
“What about you, young Lord? Would you be able to produce kin?” asked Aiden to Draven. He let a moment of silence to pass before continuing, “We do not know the nature of this mixed breeds and should they be a threat, we have to terminate them.”
“I agree,” said the female Vampire. “For the continuation of our species, we cannot have a class below the common level. What if these abominations need to feed every hour? That is intolerable!”
Murmurs spread like wildfire across the room. Draven stiffened as he picked up their fearful thoughts. Good god… they want to kill his precious baby? Not that he had one yet… but if he had, he wouldn’t let anyone touch the baby. And Fiona! Oh god… 
“But what if they exhibit the best of both worlds?” asked Anthony, who had been quiet so far. Draven knew that Anthony was more of a thinker and headed the Administrative arm of the Council. He was the richest amongst them all, having a hand in all their financial banks and infrastructure. Draven was pleased to have a useful ally.
“Then they might start the creation of an entirely new race! This would cause Werewolves and Vampires to mate without restraint! How is that even possible?”
Draven didn’t want to answer Benedicta. This was a secret for him and his pack only.
“We should keep an open mind,” said Anthony stiffly but did not elaborate. Draven was thankful for that. He knew this had to be reported to Eian straight away. This was of concern to his child!
“Let’s cross the bridge when we get there,” said Leon forcefully. “Speculation is useless.”
Everyone agreed. Leon nodded and turned to Draven with a smile.
“Very well then, as the most Ancient Elder on this Board, I extend a welcome to you, young Lord Draven Culzean. I hope your remaining 90 years of service will be fruitful.”

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Unearthed Gems

I was digging up some old entries in another blog I kept since I was 14 and unearthed some pretty good poetry -mostly depicting the angst of a teenager- but nonetheless, worthy of being called art on this page.

The first two were written when I was 17 years old. My Spanish grammar is not good, but that's how I translated the words roughly. Correct me anyone if I'm wrong.


1) No rompa el corazón porque su un juego a usted
   [Do not break my heart because it's a game to you]

No rompa el corazón porque su un juego a usted
Don't tell her its not a crime
a starving ravenous hunger Adam's children
faces
stabbing Eves like her heart was strung
like a string of scarlet skittles

No rompa el corazón porque su un juego a usted
Don't lift it and admire it
only to drop it and smash its fragile fractions
into smattering smittherins.
Caitiff!

No rompa el corazón porque su un juego a usted
Because she's malleable
Because it makes you happy that pearls fall
from her dewy eyes
Don't tell her what it is she wants to hear

You're the grandest painter there ever will be
and she'll pose for you if you just ask
but don't tell her
perfection is everything
because she will mar every single stroke-
not with taint
but with heart-cleaving anger

She's laying down her cards now
Trump!
Romperé el corazón porque soy el juego [break your heart because I am the game]


2) Circles and Squares

Circles
A never ending journey
That starts with nowhere
and ends in infinity.

Squares
You'll always feel safe in them
corners and solidness
Definite shapes

Circles
Like the rings around the eyes
mounting the eye like a piece of art.
When you gaze upon them,
you'll get lost in their beauty.

Squares
Sometimes they may be hard and pricky
They aren't made for a smooth journey
Four bumps and Four brakes
All that is left are the pieces

Circular Squares    and
Squarish Circles

You can never put them together
they are not meant to be
Sometimes they collide
only to bump and roll about
But never enough to change into each other.

I don't want to play with my shapes anymore
I wish they could just roll around and make their own pictures


This third one was written at 18years old. I have no idea what it means but it's so poignant and depressing so I thought I'd put it here. Plus It has good literary references though.

3) Silent Screams

Tap tap tap
there goes the words, there goes the thoughts
printed on the screen
like water on cloth.

Smears
Everything that the mind wants
Blurred.

So full, so ripe, so young
Such a grace Goya paints
on humanity.
Do you recoil seeing your folly
dressed like Saturno?
Draped in all that blackness
does one learn to be cruel-
cruel, cruel cruel
Alas, poor Cordelia dies, her sin-
Love and disobedience.

Man,art thou a crime
to punish those who lavish in lust
with mines and crowns.
At a thought that mere gratefulness
always comes with a price
Paid Pain
Paints Promiscuity

Ah,
I'm so tired of how the earth revolves around
the Sun.
Why change is sacred, why love is scarce.
Time begun with incestuous murder and it will end that way too.
Man killing man- brothers betraying brothers-
Time alone stands still
only she looks
and weeps
and vents her frustrations
in rain and sunshine


This fourth one entitled Hermano was written for my brother, Ulrich. For those who don't know, my brother is paralyzed on his left side due to some genetic illness that decided to express itself when he was 15. So I wrote this poem for him while he was hospitalized. I was 16 then. =)

4) Hermano [Brother]

What possibly goes through your mind

as you sit on the sofa, waiting, for someone, anyone to help you.
You wish you could do it all by yourself.
You wished you could help, like you used to.
You wish you could pace up and down those floors - contemplating, while the world falls silent but the drumming of your soles.

You have dreams. You are a leader. You are a valedictorian in your own right.
You promised to take care of your parents.
You see your siblings, with no path, yet their cruel, mocking eyes never escape your detection.

Wood, metal, electronics.
You find wonder in how everything can connect. You marvel at the very essence of building.
You had your hands. And your hands created beauty.
You were the one everyone turned to when the light bulb blew. You were the one who played with dad's tools.

You know when you see everyone that they think you're never good enough.
But you're the best.
You have dreams, they will never have.
You have a heart, they never had.
You never spoke much, but your tears betray you.
In the silent of the night, you were like a baby,
reached out to me
' I love you'


This was the last piece that I did at the age of 21. It's abstract and complicated with lots of run-on lines. The lack of title possibly suggests a sort of emptiness and frivolousness, but I particularly liked the last two lines. Writing- be it fiction or poetry is literally about humility, subjecting it to criticism despite the effort and time you put into words.
5)


Down the drain, catch my last train
of thought pass
me by
the way was the only other thought in my head beside                    this.

She said no, he said who? and the rest just went down
down...
Down the alley, where I'd groove to nelly and day dreams turn
around the merry go round
and round.
But none can hear the sound
of my cries and fatigue all dressed in mourning wear
all the rainbow bow.
Down to the ground in silence and awe.

This is humility in a moment
ago. Time long a girl sat here writing this.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Into The Vampire's Lair Ch 11 teaser

For those of you who took the time to email me or left comments/suggestions on my 'help' post, I'm really really grateful for it. I've looked up all the places that was suggested and I must say that America has a different kind of natural landscape than Europe and is very diverse and beautiful. 

In fact, I'm really really excited to share the sequel with everyone. The first chapter is already done and I'm working on the second right now. However, I will only start posting the sequel sometime in late May [after I finish my exams]. After that I'll have more time to devote to writing and I've got a few stories brewing in my head so hopefully they'll materialize in writing soon. =)


Okay enough chatter. This chapter took me forever to write... but it's off for editing at the moment so here's the teaser for it =)


***

Josephine smiled upon hearing Draven’s thoughts. Never in her life would she have imagined her baby wanting her to stay.
“Everything alright in there?” asked Alaron, trying to peek through the doorway but Josephine blocked him. Amber was naked and she knew the two of them needed their privacy.
“Yes it is. Fiona dear, why don’t you get something for Amber to wear? We’ll meet you three downstairs in a while. Your husband’s coming home isn’t he?”
Fiona flushed guiltily before hurrying towards her own room to get some clothes.
“Guess that just leaves you and me Sweetie,” said Josephine, smiling at Alaron.
Alaron was staring at her suspiciously. “Why do I feel like a trapped rat? I fell for the moldy cheese. Damn.”
“Language,” she said, waving a finger absently.
A while later, Alaron found himself alone in the living room with Josephine. She intimidated him but he was also intrigued by her.
“I can collapse time,” she said softly, watching his eyes widen in surprise.
“Like… stop time?”
“Well, not to that extent. But I have a certain degree of foresight and hindsight. It’s hard to tell sometimes when it doesn’t concern me.”
Alaron frowned. Why was she telling him all this?
“Did you see something about me? Is that why you’ve pulled me aside?”
Josephine shook her head; much to his disappointment.
“I had always assumed that your brother got his abilities from me. It’s always the case with our race; at least one parent needs to have the gene for expressing abilities or the child doesn’t inherit them. But Fiona has them and she’s Sired by you.” Josephine paused to let the words sink.
“But my mother is human…” said Alaron slowly. “Are you saying Father…”
“Yes, and that means you should express something too although you are still considered young. Some Vampires don’t even express any powers until they reach a century old.”
“But Fiona did… although I accidentally pushed her limits.”
This time, Josephine raised her eyebrows in surprise. “What do you mean?”
“Err… Draven and I have been working on this blood pill for the American Council and I sorta fiddled with it...” he flashed her a guilty look. “I managed to isolate a strain of protein to enable her to mate with a Were… but of course it wasn’t tested yet and the side effects was a premature unleashing of her powers.”
“Very impressive. This science thing makes my head spin!” laughed Josephine. Taking Alaron’s palms she patted it and smiled. “I think it is natural for you and your brother to have this obsession with science. It could be related to your individual abilities. He can read minds, Fiona can control minds. Take Fiona’s abilities for example; neurons and what not… don’t you think if she can ‘see’ it, so can you? You did provide her the blood.”
Alaron could see where this is going.
“So you’re saying that I might have something that may heal Amber’s mind?” he was hopeful but he shook his head. “But… that’d take years to perfect. Even if I do have it, it’s still dormant.”
Josephine smiled. “I know baby… but that’s only because you didn’t have the right trainer. Your brother took a long time to discover his own powers and an even longer time to get it under control because your father didn’t help him with it.”
“But he helped Fiona…”
“What?” Josephine was truly shocked. “He helped her control her powers?”
“Umm… yeah. They had some sparing session with it. I’m not quite sure what he taught her but soon after that she managed to gain some control.”
Josephine frowned at his answer. Why didn’t Aramis help Draven? Or was her son just too stubborn to ask for help?
“I’ll help you.”
“Why?”
“Because I want my babies to be happy. And right now I still see that image of Draven crying and I really don’t want that.”
Alaron didn’t want that either. He had seen Draven cry and he wanted to help… with his abilities or not.
“When do you want to teach me?”
“As soon as possible… but not tonight my dear. I can sense the Alpha wolf returning and he is not happy. I need my energies for his welcome.”
“He has a soft spot for women. You’ll be fine,” said Alaron with a smile.
As though on cue, the front door opened and there stood a very virile and territorial man; his eyes more wolf than man.
“Explain.” His voice was calm but leashed with fury.
“Eian?” Fiona’s gentle voice was like a balm to his anger. The soft padded soles of her slippers flapped as she hurried down the stairs into his arms.
“Are you alright? Is the baby…”
“Yes, everything’s fine… more than fine actually,” she said, letting him nuzzle against her neck; no doubt trying to sniff for her and the baby’s heartbeat. “Amber’s upstairs with Draven… and she seems well. She’s safe for now Eian, stop growling!”
“I have strangers in my home,” he growled. “I don’t mean you Alaron although sometimes…”
A slap on his chest stopped him midsentence. “Don’t be rude. Eian sweetheart, this is…” Fiona paused, unsure for a minute then, “My grandmother.”
“Dame Josephine Draefend,” she introduced, lowering herself into a curtsey, “Your Grace…”
Eian stopped growling; his eyes returning to the striking green that was his own.
“You look different now Josephine,” he replied, bowing his head slightly to acknowledge her.
Everything in the room fell silent then Fiona exploded.
“What! You two know each other? And yet you act so uncivilized?” she snarled at Eian. “That is so rude!” she continued, punctuating every word with a playful slap on his chest.
“I was young and pregnant then. Of course I looked different,” said Josephine. “Time changes people.” She meant him of course. When Eian first came to Culzean’s castle, he had been a young warrior; cold and without mercy. She didn’t blame him for war was a constant during the medieval times. Now look at him –older, wiser, mated and a father to be. The last bit certainly put a damper on his cold, unyielding personality. Josephine could almost see him going all soft and pliable to the woman in his arms.
“Since my mate has accepted you into the family, then I shall extend a welcome for you,” he said –although he didn’t trust her yet. “But you saved one of my pack and brought her here safely, so the debt on your life is paid.”
“Eian,” hissed Fiona. “Don’t threaten her like that!”
Josephine merely laughed. “It’s the way of the pack sweetheart. I entered pack lands without permission. I ought to be dead by now. But he’s right. I brought Amber here, with some help of course, and so I’m spared.”
A shuffling sound at the top of the stairs took their attention. Draven was coming down with Amber in his arms but his eyes solely on Eian. However his Alpha held no contempt in his gaze; only a quiet understanding as he watched the way Amber curled herself around Draven. They were mates and he should never have separated them.
Eian drew his gaze from Draven to his mother and was surprised to find love in her eyes. He had always thought of Josephine as someone cruel and heartless but the woman in front of him was clearly misunderstood. He’ll find out the truth later.
Right now, she had returned Amber safely to the pack and clearly had no objection to her son mating with a Werewolf. That earned her a few more respect points.
“I’ll have a segment of the compound set aside for you to build a home.” It wasn’t an order but an acceptance of this Vampire into the pack.
“Yes. Thank you,” whispered Draven. “I apologize for intruding on your private space for tonight.”
“No, don’t say that,” said Fiona. “You’re family… and now you’re Pack too.”
Alaron let out a mock cough. “I feel so left out. Guess that’s our cue to leave,” he winked at Josephine and made her laugh.
“Yes, everything seems to be in order. Keiran, I will try and find a way to help you heal her but for now, keep her safe… for my baby.”
“On one condition…”
Everyone became silent; all eyes on Eian alone. “Will you… keep an eye out for Fiona as well?”
Josephine nodded. She didn’t need to have a strong sense of smell to scent the young brewing inside Fiona’s body.
“She’s mine as much as she is yours,” she said kindly then laughed. “Alright now, I have to return to fix things up with the old bat. I hope you’ve drawn enough blood for him not to scowl at me.”
“Oh!” Eian totally had forgotten about that. “I should recall my wolves back then… We were intending to merely pay a call.”
“I’m sure of that,” said Josephine with a knowing smile. “Come Alaron. We’d best leave.”
***
The drive back to Culzean Castle was long mostly because Alaron was tired.
“I don’t really need you to drive me all the way up Sweetie… plus I think the castle’s not going to be a conducive place to rest tonight. I am almost positive that your father and I will go at each others’ throats the second we see each other.”
“You make it sound like you’re going for war,” he mused, feeling the tiredness seeping in more and more.
“Well, it is… I’m not the young woman anymore who was bullied into abandoning her baby. I’m not leaving Draven ever and I’ll go to war with your father even if I have to.”
Alaron laughed. “I like you.”
Josephine smiled. “Thank you. I like you too.”
Alaron flashed her a boyish grin. “I do have a place in mind… but I think I should drive you home first.”
“No. You’re tired. You might end up killing us both. I’ll drive up on my own.”
“You can drive?”
She laughed. “Of course. Now scoot over and tell me where to go.”
An hour later, they were outside Erika’s loft.
“A human?” Josephine raised her eyebrows. Alaron grinned; too tired to reply. “Okay my baby, we’ll talk about this later if you want. Have a good rest.”
Alaron stood outside the car, looking at Josephine with calm, unguarded eyes. Then he leaned down and kissed her cheeks.
“Thank you…” he whispered then he was gone.
Josephine touched her cheek gently and felt the first measure of control breaking away. Life was funny, she thought. She lost a child so many years ago because of her fear and stupidity… and now, fate not only returned her her baby but gave her two more…
That was worth fighting for isn’t it?