Back to You (16 page)

Two deep breaths, then he takes my hands in his and starts to lead me along. I occasionally stumble over the bumpy stone floor. We follow the passageway round the corner to the left, and take the first exit, as Donn had indicated earlier.

The sound of my faltering footsteps echoes in the enormous void. But all Jason hears is my every agitated breath, every frenetic beat of my heart as he leads me along. He occasionally stops to stroke my face or plant a kiss in my hair.

The straight passageway we are taking seems endless, and my clothes are damp. I feel droplets fall onto our heads, the sound echoing here and there.

I see a light ahead, my vision turning from black to gray. Jason appears before me as a weak radiance, white as snow. Such beauty is too perfect for one who still has human blood in him. He watches me, his eyes liquid sapphire, mine filled with torment.

We proceed along under the high arches of the underground passage, going deeper and deeper, claustrophobia now gripping me. Only his lips brushing my forehead stop my screams. Blackish streaks of damp stain the brick walls, black as all the ink used to print the pages of the books above our heads.

The temperature in the library is wintry. Like Jason’s skin. But I don’t care if I freeze to death; nobody knows how long they have on this earth anyway. My teeth begin to chatter from the cold. He rubs my arms up and down in a fruitless attempt to warm me up. At the end of the passage is another round grate with iron railings. A low door, made out of thin iron railings is open on our right, just a few yards before the end of the corridor.

They await us.

The antechamber is not very big––empty and dark, and resounding with echoes. Jason aims for another door, huge and wooden, at the far end of the room. We enter a much bigger room made of brick and stone. It is airy and well lit, its walls lined with bookshelves. I look around curiously, and feel the tension in my body ebbing away. Next to me, Jason doesn’t seem to having the same reaction. He stands there, immobile, listening.

The warm room is more welcoming than the frightening darkness of the damp underground passage. Ancient paving stones line the floor. It would seem that there are a few floors that aren’t known to the people above ground. Perhaps they were initially built to house valuable or banned books.

At the other end of the room, a door etched with gold is thrown open. It opens onto a wide bright corridor, paved in shining marble. Jason’s jaw tenses, he throws a furtive glance over our shoulders, dread in his eyes.

The heavy wooden door begins to creak shut, followed by the scraping sound of a key turning. I’m too terrified to look back.

A wrought iron light above our heads is turns on. Stopped by the sudden light, I become aware of a presence, waiting for us.

“Welcome back, Jason.” The voice seems to come from a surreal and unexpected red flame beyond the door. But it is not fire.

My body stiffens, and I realize what the strange red flare is. It is wide and bulky. It is the shortest of the four men in black cloaks that I saw earlier in the library courtyard.

I spy modern-day, anonymous clothing. Under his austere cape, which covers his immense shoulders, his skin is grayish, not helped by his pallor.

“Gideon,” replies Jason, politely. His tone is calm and collected.

For a moment I think that his shoulder-length red hair is the hood of the top he is wearing under his cape.

“At last, your mood seems to have improved,” he says, looking at me.

“A bit,” replies Jason without giving anything away. His hand has not stopped stroking my arm.

“You’re a pup.”

“A novice now.”

“How can you stand so close to her?” he asks, his curiosity aroused, as his eyes fix on Jason’s arm around me.

“I have what is called self-control.”

“What a waste!” he blurts.

But he seems skeptical.

“I still have trouble believing it. It’s a high price to pay, even for an adult.”

“It’s the right price,” answers Jason in evenly.

“I can smell it. The scent of the girl. It unleashes your thirst. The desire for her blood is very strong. She seems … generous. She would willingly give it to you, but …”

“A real shame, eh!” Jason’s voice is sharp, cutting.

Gideon smiles again and looks intensely at him.

“You are just like him.” I wonder to whom he is referring.

“Stella, why don’t you wait in the other room, look through the books?” Jason gives me a slight nod of encouragement.

“No.” I don’t want to leave him there alone, at the mercy of Graham’s judgment.

“Shh, don’t worry,” he whispers.

“The girl is coming with us. If you really have decided not to take us on.” Gideon trails off menacingly.

Jason’s body tenses and he leans forward, ready for battle.

“I know what your instructions were, Gideon. This would not break any rules.”

“But I think her presence is necessary.” His voice hard, a hint of evil lacing it.

“Forget it,” barks Jason. His diplomatic, polite tone has vanished into thin air.

Still in his arms, I feel Jason’s shoulders stiffen, as he turns toward the only door now open at the other end of the room. Then, with force, he pulls me away from Gideon, pushing me back against the bookshelf. I can’t move or breathe. I peer over his shoulders and now see two figures in the room.

“Gideon,” says the taller shadow. “Not now.”

“Alright,” huffs Gideon, disappointed.

The shadow turns, twirling his cape around gracefully, and looks at us. It is the first man with the glossy gray hair I saw next to Gideon in the library courtyard. He walks toward us, stopping between Gideon and Jason.

“Jason, welcome back,” he says peaceably, his voice melodious but his face cold. He nods his head politely at me in greeting.

“Ares,” replies Jason in the same tone.

“Gideon mentioned that Councilmember Brooks was in close contact with the girl,” he says, his tone more courteous. “Donn only wants to talk to her again.”

“I’m sure he’ll survive his displeasure if I don’t allow that.”

Gideon’s face hardens.

“Let’s find a more comfortable spot to talk,” suggests Ares.

Something tells me that he’s referring to the tower, Graham’s abode.

“Right here will be just fine.”

“I’m afraid not,” says Ares.

“Ok,” says Jason. “I’ll come with you, but let the girl wait in the library.”

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” replies Ares with the same silver tongue.

“Then I cannot accept Donn’s invitation, Ares.”

“Graham will be most disappointed,” he sighs. “We have to obey instructions.”

A self-satisfied Gideon walks over to the bookshelf and opens out his arms to block any escape route Jason might have found and to steer him into the well-lit corridor, the same one Ares appeared from. Jason doesn’t budge an inch, still intent on protecting me. He wraps his arms around me from behind to shield me.

Ares’ patience is not yet exhausted.

“You promised not to break any rules in exchange for being able to escort the girl as far as the tower. We respected our end of the deal, now you have to as well.”

Jason sighs and turns to me.

“Stella, I don’t think I can ask you to …”

“Just ask,” I say.

“Never,” whispers Jason, shaking his head. He clenches his jaws and loosens his shoulder to relieve the tension. His eyes empty of all thoughts. Poised, he prepares for attack.

Quick as a flash, Gideon, Jason, and Ares all turn toward the open door at the end of the room. They must have heard a sound, seen a movement imperceptible to my human senses.

“Can we please try to behave in a dignified manner?” asks a delicate, female voice. “This is no way to behave in front of guests.”

It is a pleasant voice, though not as harmonious as Ares’, coming from behind Gideon’s back.

I peek over Jason’s arm and see a striking blonde woman coming toward us. Her eyes are a fiery red even I have never before seen, and they flash me a curious glance. She radiates a tension that is almost palpable. She is obviously besieged by curiosity and doubt, as well as a trace of irritation. She is probably wondering what Donn sees in me, a run-of-the-mill common mortal. I can’t say I blame her; I often ask myself the same question.

Judging by the way she moves, she must be another one of them. But who is she? There is something feline in her movements, like a lioness about to pounce. Maybe she’s not a vampire, just a common mortal like me. But her face is too beautiful to be human. And, in comparison to her full lips and wide eyes, any human female would be put to shame. She reminds me somewhat of Nancy, Donn’s assistant––not because she looks like her, but for that same type of unforgettable, ethereal beauty. She is slim, petite with light blonde hair. Her porcelain skin is as transparent as a jellyfish, and just as soft and smooth. It must be Debra.

Her body is not cloaked in a cape; she is wearing a well-cut suit, the same fire red as her eyes. They are not as dark as those of Gideon and Ares, a browner, more opaque shade. I can’t figure out why they should differ.

The woman comes to a standstill in front of us and she looks Jason and me up and down. Her red irises become almost as black as her pupils. I would have liked to introduce myself, but my throat is too dry for words. I can barely even swallow.

“So, Debra…” Jason breaks the silence and confirms my suspicion. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised to see you here.”

“I have to get the job done, where Gideon and Ares failed,” she replies. “Please Jason, let’s be reasonable. Can we continue this conversation in a more suitable setting?”

He nods his assent, all trace of impudence gone.

“We can go, but she stays here.”

“You can talk with Donn and Graham in private later. Let the girl be present for now.”

“No,” roars Jason, curling back his lips and baring his teeth.

“That’s enough!” snaps Debra, as Jason, Gideon, and Ares exchange menacing looks.

I am taken aback by the general reaction to Debra’s words. Gideon and Ares immediately recoil from their aggressive stance. Jason breathes, resigned, a spark of reason now on his face.

“Follow me,” orders Debra, looking at all of us with that same curiosity. “I’ll lead the way.”

We take step forward, my hand searching around anxiously until it finds Jason’s. He steps up to face his destiny in order to protect me. But when I find his hand, mine shakes even more. He nudges me to move forward, and I go willingly.

With a smile, Gideon’s arm outstretches.

“After you. Graham will be pleased to see you again.”

The blonde turns her back to us and silently glides into the bright corridor with Ares.

Jason follows a few steps behind, his arm around my waist to keep me by his side. I snuggle into his side. He never takes his eyes off Debra, as he delicately holds me to his chest as we walk.

The Library Tower

We find ourselves
in a long, wide corridor with white walls and golden beige marble floors, sumptuously decorated. A row of wrought iron chandeliers hang at regular intervals from the ceiling. As we walk, I observe Jason’s hard face; I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so distraught before.

He looks toward the end of the passageway at the slender figure dressed in red standing by a staircase. Ares awaits us, grasping the handrail, standing next to Debra. Their expressions are courteous, but also cold and indecipherable.

Jason pulls me alongside him and Gideon brings up the rear.

As we go down the steps, the three vampires in the service of the Council, or Graham Bristol, seem to relax. When we reach the second flight of stairs, the floor is once again made of the antique paving of the earlier underground channel. And it’s cold and dark again.

Did they bring me up to the light just to send me back down to the dark? Haven’t they ever heard of light switches? Jeez, it’s dark down here.

Jason tries to comfort me, rubbing my arm up and down. Luckily the descent doesn’t last long. We stop at the foot of a third flight of stairs at the bottom of which is a sliding panel on a wall concealing a secret passage. Just when my eyes have started to get used to the dark, we are once again plunged into light.

Debra leads the way through another corridor, this one narrower, clearly going downhill. It would be nondescript were it not for the 13 alabaster busts whose impassible eyes seem to follow us from the sides as we make our way along. Majestic, solemn, they are magnificent but terribly austere.

I barely get a chance to examine the first one because Debra is keeping a watchful eye on me. Despite all those hypnotic stone eyes watching me, I cannot manage to tear my eyes from her. She has the grace of a ballerina. Not even Nancy, who seemed to dance when she moved, stands up to comparison. And her suit only accentuates her poise. The skirt reveals long, slender legs clad in transparent stockings. The long-sleeved jacket envelops her bust enticingly. Her hair, the color of the sun, is pinned up in a stylish chignon.

I don’t initially notice, but halfway down the corridor, something catches my eye. I recognize Donn’s divine beauty in the bust placed on the fourth pedestal, which glows weakly under the light from the small sand-colored wall lamps. His eyes are magnetic, his marble-like forehead free of creases, his cheekbones pronounced, the curve of his soft lips perfect. When I get nearer the splendid bust, my amazement grows. Very soon I will be coming face to face with the real thing again.

Only at the last minute do I spot two pale men striding confidently toward us. Their bodies are veiled by black cloaks like what Gideon and Ares are wearing, brushing the pavement, swaying with their every movement. They greet us in unison, their surreal grace leaving me dumbfounded.

They are the other two men that I saw in the courtyard, I suddenly realize. I thought they were brothers, but I am now almost certain that their likeness makes them that far more rarefied thing. Twins. The first has slightly narrower eyes and somewhat less pronounced lips.

“Hello, Debra,” they chorus with a friendly smile.

“Good afternoon, Nicolai and Yuri.”

The first one winks at Debra with a slight laugh, which grows louder when he sees me hanging onto Jason’s arm.

“So this is the cause of all our problems?”

I feel Jason stiffen as he walks, before he unfurls a velvety but scornful smile.

“You know, Nicolai, it’s a long story,” answers the other one, shooting me a withering glance. “It’s not her fault.”

And with the same smile, both men go on their way. I frown at the two men, watching them out of the corners of my eyes. Judging by their features and their names, they must be of Russian origin.

I look questioningly at Jason, but he just shrugs his shoulders as if brushing off their comments as meaningless, so I too choose to ignore them. He probably doesn’t even want to whisper in my ear, the others would certainly hear.

Gideon points ahead to get Jason to hurry. He turns, gives him a filthy look and I feel a growl vibrate in his chest. Gideon just smiles.

“Patience, young man,” Ares warns, looking sternly at Gideon.

Ares and Jason exchange an intense gaze. Ares is probably trying to mentally communicate with Jason, to persuade him not to attack Gideon.

“Let’s not linger, gentlemen, lady…” he says. “We mustn’t make him wait.” Donn had already hinted at Graham’s lack of patience. Jason nods; he obviously knows too.

We reach a bend in the corridor, which continues downhill. We walk past gilded doors along the passageway and stop halfway in front of another sliding panel, which conceals a golden door similar to the ones we have just passed. It is open.

We follow Debra across what looks like the waiting room of a prestigious office. There are leather armchairs and vases full of colorful flowers. The perfume reminds me of my party. Looking closer, they are the same four o’clock flowers that adorned the counter and the windowsills of the bar that evening.

Donn probably had loads of them delivered to Medford as a gift for my party. Ares throws open another gold double door, and the antechamber gives way to a dimly lit room, circular like the tower of a fortress. Perhaps this is
the
tower, but instead of rising skyward, it plummets into the depths of the earth.

Donn stops and invites us to enter with a sweep of his arm; then he hurries off back the way we came. I would have preferred Gideon to disappear. Ares seems much more inclined to ease the tension.

Once on the other side of the door, we receive a different welcome. The room is not empty. Two people are deep in conversation. Graham and Donn are expecting us. The low hum of their voices captures our attention. As we watch them, they turn to us, satisfaction written on their handsome faces. They give us warm smiles.

They make no move to come toward us, and they are not alone. A group of people in black cloaks is standing behind Graham, carefully noting his every move, and their stance makes me think they are bodyguards. From what I can make out, under their cloaks, they are wearing light, everyday shirts and trousers, the sort that would go unnoticed on the streets above. Donn is wearing the same light gray suit, but I notice he is now wearing pointed steel cufflinks, the same ones he wore to my party. They sparkle under the green light cast by the lampshade sitting on the wood and leather desk. The floor is marble with golden streaks and instead of windows, I see large photos depicting Boylston, Exeter, Blagden, and Dartmouth Street dating back to when the library was founded, around the mid-1800s.

The man sitting on the leather armchair behind the desk is cloaked in a floor-length cape, black as pitch, darker than the others. I can’t decide whether he is handsome or not; he seems as different from the other vampires as they are from me. He is too strange to set me at ease. I notice that there are wooden panels embellishing the stone walls at intervals, when a soft voice attracts my attention.

“Good evening, Council members,” says Debra, leading us to the other end of the room. Her eyes flit back and forth between Donn and me. She fixes her gaze questioningly on Donn, who ignores it and leaves it up to Graham to open proceedings.

“Debra, my dear, you’re back!” he exclaims joyously. His voice is a light breeze. “You go out empty-handed to bring me Gideon and you return with him and our two much-anticipated guests.”

In the dull green light, he raises his eyes to look at us, his expression animated. His eyes shine bright red, the same as Debra’s, his pupils a hazy charcoal. The contours of his face are perfect. But it is different from those of the others around him, incredibly beautiful though they are. His skin is the same alabaster as Debra’s, as fine as tissue paper. But it seems almost invisible, as delicate and powdery as chalk, in contrast to the greying hair that frames his face. I wonder to myself how often he has been out in the sun.

I suddenly hear Donn’s words in my head, the ones he said earlier that afternoon, and I suddenly understand.

“Who is this Graham?”

“The head of the clan … of the ruling class.”

“And he never goes out?”

“Never.”

“There is a woman, Debra, who often stays with him to keep him company,”
he had said.
“Graham only goes out when absolutely necessary or for ceremonies. He loves them.”

“Yes, sir,” she replies suavely, obviously relishing his appreciation. She slides gracefully to his side.

“Good work,” says Graham approvingly, as he eyes me. “You are such a comfort to me, so satisfying.” He takes her head in his delicate hands and plants a kiss on her fleshy cheek.

“Thank you, Graham,” she smiles and gingerly hugs him. “I brought him back alive, as you asked, and I showed our guest the way, too.”

She takes a step back and kisses Donn on the cheek, without tearing her eyes from me. Maybe she wants to gauge my reaction. But I’m unruffled, although my brows lower automatically. She notices and tightens her jaws, still watching me.

“Marvelous,” smiles Graham. “Jason and Stella are here at last. What wonderful news!”

Jason seems at ease, but he holds fast to my hand.

“I didn’t have much choice,” he notes politely but nervously, and flashes a smile laced with disgust.

“You were right, Donn,” he purrs, pointing to me. “If, in this very room, I hadn’t heard about the intensity of your relationship, I would never have believed that the call of blood could be so strong. Not even I have ever felt anything like this. And what self-control you show. Well, I just never would have thought it possible.”

I am stunned, and search Donn’s face for an answer.

“I wouldn’t say that,” he replies impassively.

“You’re used to feeding from the source,” points out Graham.

“Accustomed to its call for so long, and being able to resist gluttonous temptation … if I couldn’t feel it myself, I never would have believed it. Incredible. Truly incredible.”

He turns to Donn.

“I didn’t think anyone could beat Aaron as far as self-control is concerned, but you are his equal, no doubt about it.”

I raise my eyebrows slightly, Jason watching me out of the corner of his eyes. This does not escape Graham’s attention. By his side, Debra is staring at me coldly. Her hair is brighter than the daylight, it brings to mind the glimmer of gold.

Donn responds to Graham’s admiration with an expressionless gaze.

“I don’t think so. The intensity of your relationship … how she fascinates you, stimulates your thirst …” He looks at me and adds hurriedly, “It’s enough to arouse my own.”

Donn is as still as a stone statue, his eyes boring holes in him. He is probably sure that Graham would not harm me. Gideon smirks and Jason’s lips tighten into an undecipherable grimace.

“Don’t be so restless, young man, I won’t hurt her,” Graham assures him with a breathtaking smile. “Most of us would give anything to have a gift like this, but you…” He shakes his head, his long gray hair swaying.

“I’m wasting it?” asks Jason calmly, throwing a sarcastic look at Gideon behind us. Graham stifles a laugh.

“You have decided to abstain, just like Aaron. You two are so alike. How I miss my young friend! I thought no one else could do without the sacrifice required by our dietary needs, drinking from the source. But you’ve made a believer out of me. You have what it takes, young man.”

“I don’t think we’re alike. Aaron has a lot more qualities than me,” sneers Jason.

“You’re too modest. He’s got centuries of experience behind him,” points out Graham graciously. “But he doesn’t have that rage within.”

“Quite the opposite,” interrupts Gideon, his face half buried in his wild red mane, “Aaron is far too compassionate.”

“Time hasn’t changed him. This surprises me, I must admit,” says Graham. “I thought time would dishearten him, that he would lose his way
again
, but he didn’t. I’m pleased with his success. You know, I made fun of him over his desire to leave the Council to find someone who shared his bizarre ideas. And yet it’s incredible how pleased I am for him, that he managed to continue down his chosen path. An unusual one, to be sure, and with such positive results. Tell him that we would welcome him back with open arms if he ever decided to come back. Just imagine, Gideon, how much peace Aaron would bring to our family again.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I spy Gideon smirking.

“I have heard your story––your separation, the stalemate, and then your return,” Gideon continues. “Isn’t it extraordinary? I love happy endings. They are so rare.”

Jason looks at me, a tormented expression on his face.

“Yes, Graham, you’re right,” he answers, squeezing my waist. “But things have changed now. I know that. I went away for a year and I now have to pay my dues for the consequences of that involuntary choice.”

I never take my eyes off his sapphire ones as I watch him nod his head without betraying the slightest emotion.

“Oh, really?” Graham asks.