Love remains the same

“I don’t think I have to tell you again.” He said sharply, I shook my head to reassure him keeping Ileana safe was first on my list too. Blake got up and walked out of the room and I followed a few minutes after. I stared at the floor while I walked, concentrating on putting the pieces all together to make everything a little clearer. I made a right down my hallway and opened the door to my room, the sheets had been changed to dark blue silk and the room looked like it had just recently been cleaned. While I appreciated not having to clean, it was a little odd; just how many people lived here? Were they all vampires or were there any Doorways here aside from Blake and Ileana. I unbuttoned my shirt and threw it aside to crash onto the bed, thankful for a short escape from reality…..

I opened my eyes to a familiar sight; the stone path I always walked in my dreams. But, this time it was different, the path was the same as always, but I could feel something in the air. I smelled wild flowers and this time no noises could be heard. I looked ahead to see the familiar face of the man, but this time he had someone with him. She was kneeling, clutching around his knees their faces expectant like they were waiting for me. He stretched out his hand toward me, and this time I managed to take it. He pulled me forward and we both fell back, the girl breaking free and running towards the woods, her crimson red hair lashing in the wind. She held her hands out toward the trees and tilted her head back, as she did so the trees burst into flames. Brilliant red flames started to engulf the forest around us and the man with the same silver eyes was lying on the ground still, as I reached forward to touch him his skin started to burn as if he were on fire. I woke up sweating; it felt like a hundred degrees. I threw off my covers and walked to the bathroom to shower. I let the cool water rinse over me, working away the tension. I could feel my joints loosening and the worry and confusion fading. Was it just a coincidence that the girl from the pictures was in my dreams or some sort of clue on locking the well of secrets this new life held for me? I quickly dried dressing in a light colored shirt and pants. My hands trembled as they fastened the buttons, my worries returning. I made my way to the dining hall for breakfast, if none was set I’d find my own, I’m suddenly missing Tara’s half assed attempts at pancakes and eggs. I opened the big wood doors to find Blake already sitting at one of the tables; a place was already set across from him. Somehow I knew he had set it for me. I sat across from at the long table; it could have sat a dozen people on its Mahogany surface. I looked down happy to see just cereal and not some dish with a foreign name I would have to choke down in order to eat it.   I couldn’t help but think about last night in the library, what Dominic meant when he mentioned Gerard and just how many people were here I questioned, curious about Rae. And why wasn’t I more frightened, had I just adjusted, I was just attacked by someone who died but didn’t stay dead. I somehow felt at home, like I always new things were never as black and white as humans perceived, but a million shades of gray. Blake must have sensed I was at a lost to understand everything. “Gerard was a sort of ruler or mediator in our world,” He spoke suddenly, “He’s was the oldest, by far of any other, self proclaimed royalty in other words, he took it upon himself to lay down laws of secrecy and creation. Vampires are a dying race, Dominic has some divine plan to save them, by allowing them to create more, and he wishes to take Gerard’s place.” “But, he’s dead, why can’t he just take it.” I blurted. “It’s not that simple, Miriam is still alive, and with her so is the old law which many won’t oppose, and aside from that other covens want Gerard’s position.” “How long has this been going on?” I interrupted. He replied slowly checking his words “About a week before Windermere mansion burned down.” He finally said. “Vince killed Gerard?” I stared unbelieving. “Why?” “Why else, he was after Gerard’s position, and with Vince on Dominic’s side they’d be an unstoppable force. Dominic’s not one I would anger and I’ve known Vince.” He smiled a little to himself, remember something from Vince’s youth. “How did the mansion catch on fire?” I inquired further. “Not exactly sure, I’ve heard Everett had something to do with it, I was in Vienna with Alexander, and Vince was supposedly hiding there from Everett. None knew where he was, except you, Wesley and Serena.” He stared at me questioningly. “When Vince doesn’t want to be found, he won’t be.” He said simply “A lot think someone betrayed him, and since he’s out there somewhere with Wesley and most likely in contact with Serena, many think it was you. But I guess we’ll never know.” “Why don’t I remember anything, it all somehow makes sense, but I can’t remember anything” he shrugged “No one has ever been has badly injured as you would have been, inside that burning house” He finished his breakfast and walked out of the dining hall. I gulped down my cereal and ran to follow, only slightly curious of the clean up system around here, the rooms were always spotless and I had never made a bed since I’d gotten here. I raced to find Blake; he was at the elevator already. I managed to run inside just in time. We rode in silence, no noise until the elevator came to a smooth stop and we walked out, me above ground for the first time in nearly two weeks…

I turned away before the sunlight touched my eyes and blinded me. I was pretty light before being kept underground; I imagined my pale complexion now mirrored that of Declan’s or Dominic’s. I followed Blake closely, Brighton was nothing compared to this. The people walking hurriedly around every corner, sirens always blaring in the distance painfully let me know I was far from home. I was glad we were walking the cars didn’t appear to be going anywhere fast and the cool air was refreshing. Blake walked quickly easily maneuvering through the hordes of people elbowing their way through the city. New York was oddly cold despite it was just the end of June. I wondered absentmindedly where we were headed, but my question was soon answered when I saw Blake was headed down a stairwell with a sign indicating track B toward downtown. I ran to catch up with Blake and fight the hurried people in the underground that was the subway. Blake was waiting by the entrance to the trains and ran over to him. He paid for us then quickly walked on to a train and sat down. I sat across from him and looked around, I would have spotted her as soon as I saw her, but she wasn’t on the train. I looked to Blake for an explanation, but his eyes were busy combing the crowd on the train. I followed his eyes to see what he was searching for. He nodded at a man in sunglasses and a long beige coat, the train suddenly stopped and people started to get off, the man being one of them. He tipped his sunglasses to Blake as he walked off. I looked back at Blake whose is expression did not change. I sat back in my seat, making peace with the fact that Blake had probably used up a week’s worth of conversation on me at breakfast. I surveyed the people around us and noticed someone staring, a girl probably my age staring. She was wearing a red NYU sweater, sitting just a seat over from me. She smiled and her light brown eye’s so like Evelyn’s turned toward me. “Are you on your way to the campus as well?” I turned toward her then fully and saw something just over her left shoulder. The gray spirit clung closely to her skin, stroking her neck softly just waiting patiently for the moment it could seize her last breaths. I turned to Blake wondering if he had seen, leaving the girl expectant of an answer. I looked at Blake, whose expression had suddenly turned smug; I followed his eyes across the train and saw shadows everywhere. My heart began to race; there was only one way they could appear all at once; the train was going to crash. Beads of sweat broke out on my forward. “Are you okay” the girl asked concerned her blonde bangs not hiding the worry lines creasing her forehead. I was hyperventilating; I leaned forward and motioned for Blake, the girl still watching. I whispered in a dry voice, “do you see it” my eyes bulging as I scanned the room. “We have to stop this train, or all these people are going to die.” I whispered feverishly. Blake just nodded absentmindedly his eyes scanning the room. I suddenly remembered the man he nodded at. Had Blake set it all up, “what have you done” I stared in horror. “Only what is necessary, now sit down your attracting a crowd” he seethed “It’s alright my friends just a little claustrophobic.” He said to the people nearest us, they nodded as if they understood and went back to minding their own business unaware that many of their lives were about to end. I smiled at the girl to reassure her I was fine, she nodded but still looked apprehensive. I couldn’t sit by and wait for the train to crash; I got up and darted forward to make my way to the driver. This train had to stop, I ran before Blake could grab me. I would pay for this later, but I’d lived the last few years stopping this from happening. I opened the door to the next car and walked through, letting it slide shut behind me. The train lurched suddenly and flew forward onto my hands; “are you alright” a woman’s soft voice asked tentatively. I looked up to nod at the person talking; my eyes were met by a pair of bright green ones. Stunned green eyes, she stood her crimson hair shaking with her head at the disbelief from what she saw. “No” she managed before she collapsed; I managed to catch her before she hit the ground. I didn’t notice the train was stopping, or the fact that several people had gathered around us. One of them had told the driver and he had to make an emergency stop. Blake rushed forward from the crowd. “It’s alright she just fainted, she hasn’t been feeling very well.” He tried to calm the crowd. Blake grabbed Serena out of my arms and carefully hoisted her up. The train was coming to a stop, and Blake sensing we didn’t have much time headed for the door, as the people around us watched on in worry. The train came to a slow stop and the doors flew open, Blake rushed out and I followed closely behind. People were staring as we rushed by; Blake must have figured he couldn’t make it to a cab, so he ran for a bench instead. He laid Serena down and softly shook her until her eyes started to flutter. She slowly opened them and stared blankly into my face.