Nevermore, the Complete Series (12 page)

“That sounds weird,” I laughed.

“What does?” his brows rose slightly.

“The thought of him being younger than you. He looked forty and you look my age.”

“Don't go making me feel ancient, now,” Salem smirked. “Let's head home.”

I liked the sound of that…maybe a little too much.

I didn't bother packing any of my belongings – there was no sense in it when Salem could summon practically anything I desired – aside from the laptop Jason gave me for my birthday. A twinge of guilt welled up inside me as I contemplated the idea of never seeing Jason or Karen again. Then again, no one ever said I would never see them again. I tried my hardest to hide my struggling thoughts from Salem as we entered the old Victorian house.

“What do you want to do now?” he inquired as I set my laptop on the dining room table.

“I'm not sure,” I replied honestly. “I am so used to having a schedule that tells me what I should do and where I should be and when. I'm not used to being able to just do whatever.”

“Welcome to my world,” he grinned. “We can do almost anything...whatever you desire.”

Just what did I desire? At that moment, it was a complete mystery. I knew I would have been happy just sitting on the sectional having a conversation with Salem, or reading a book in the nook beside the book case, but I longed for something more. I pondered the idea of walking down to the creek again, but there had to be something more we could do…something exciting enough to keep my mind off of the rest of life for a brief while. What did I desire, aside from the gorgeous vampire that was staring at me patiently awaiting my decision?

“The lake!” I shouted, much louder than I had intended. “I still haven’t gotten to really see it yet.”

Salem shrugged. “If that's what you want,” he took my hand and led me behind the spiral staircase, where a door stood that led out back. We walked together along a stone path that led away from the house toward a field of bright green grass. He stared at me awkwardly for a moment as I tore off my shoes and socks. I simply grinned up at him and ran through the cool grass. It felt amazing against my bare feet. Salem stood behind, chuckling at me as I made a fool of myself.

“C'mon!” I hollered, “It feels good!”

“I'm not so sure I can appreciate it quite as much as you can.”

“At least give it a try,” I beckoned him over with a wide smile on my face.

Salem shook his head, still laughing, and removed his shoes. “I suppose it feels nice,” he said quietly, and then grinned playfully at me.

I screamed, running toward the water's edge. I collapsed onto my back against the cool blades of grass as he pounced on me. His expression was calm and gentle.

“Did I startle you?” he asked as he rolled off of me and over to my side, staring up at the darkening sky.

“Maybe a little,” I whispered, waiting for my heart to settle down. I nuzzled up against him and peered upward, following his gaze. It was strange how at peace I felt with him, despite the moments of doubt which seemed to routinely creep into my mind. “It must be strange for you,” I said thoughtfully.

“What do you mean?”

“Seeing the world change over the years.”

“It has certainly been interesting,” he mused. “But the world really isn't that much different. More technologically advanced, though, that's for sure.”

“Doesn’t it bother you?”

“No, but it doesn't much interest me either.”

“What does interest you, Salem?” I asked as a shooting star soared across the darkening horizon. “Aside from me, that is.”

“I have spent years reading, researching, learning to adapt with the changing world, but exploring the world was my ideal quest, until I decided to stay here.”

“Am I stopping you from doing that now?” I frowned, but he couldn't see it.

“Of course you aren’t,” he said happily, “I have something new to experience and explore now.”

I would have smiled at his comment had I not suddenly felt excessively warm, despite his cool body beside me. For some reason the picture of Mark standing over Janet with his red eyes gleaming and that sickening smile rushed back into my mind. My palms felt clammy and a rush of nausea overcame me. I grasped onto Salem's arm tightly and he sat upright, lifting me up with him. I wished he hadn't – it only made me feel worse. He could tell something was wrong, I could see it in the alarmed expression on his face.

“What's wrong, Alex?” he frowned, putting his hand to my forehead, “You’re burning up!”

“I-I don't know,” I stuttered with panic. The world felt like it was spinning, and I clung onto him even tighter.

Salem stood, pulled me up into his arms and carried me over to the lake. “You aren't going to like this very much, but it will cool you off.”

My eyes widened in fear as I realized what he was about to do. He walked into the water, and I stared downward noting with each step he took how much closer I came to touching it. “Salem, it's going to be too cold!” I cried between gasps of air.

“That's the idea,” he stated and walked further in, his knees were engulfed by the darkness. Soon, his waist was hidden beneath the water's depth and I closed my eyes tightly as I anticipated the frosty liquid touching my skin. I cringed when it first touched me, shivering against his body as he held me close. I felt little relief, however.

“It’s not helping!” My eyes were still shut and I leaned my head close against his shoulder.

“Give it time; the cold will help the fever.” He didn't appear affected at all by the cold water.

I could only imagine how it appeared from his point of view: a sudden gust of wind, a whirl of black and violet feathers swarming around us. He gasped in shock and I felt his grasp loosen. I screamed as I felt my body falling into the lake, but the cold never came. A gruesome, snapping, twisting sound came to my ears. I heard Salem's voice, he sounded frightened and concerned, but I could no longer see him. Nor could I feel him anywhere around me.

My eyes opened finally. I was hovering over the lake; I could see Salem standing several feet below me, staring up in horror. I felt lighter and at ease. Had I drowned and not realized it? Was I a spirit, suspended over my dead body as it floated down to the bottom of the lake? Maybe I had fallen asleep on the grass beside Salem and this was all a dream. I tried to yell down to him, but no sound came.

“Alexis...” Salem mouthed, his jaw dropped in awe. “Can you hear me?”

I failed to answer him, although I was positive I was opening my mouth. I nodded my head – maybe he would at least be able to see that.

“But you cannot speak?”

I shook my head again.

“Do you know what happened?” his eyes had yet to return to their normal size and he looked…scared.

My head shook once more.

“Look down...” he murmured.

I lowered my eyes toward the now-still water, transfixed at what I saw reflected on the surface. The brunette-haired, hazel-eyed girl I was used to seeing did not stare back at me. Instead, I saw a magnificent bird with violet and blue hues shimmering against its otherwise ebony body. The wings were outstretched and flapping at its side. Piercing black, beady eyes stared back at me. The flapping ceased and I noticed with fear that I was falling. I plummeted into the freezing water.

The sound of stretching, cracking and twisting bones came to my ears again. My eyes were wide open but I could see nothing. I was completely surrounded by dark, cold water. Seemingly not of my own control I opened my mouth to scream and the liquid pushed itself inside, choking me. As I felt my consciousness slipping away, Salem tangled his arms under my own and pulled me to the surface.

“Alexis?” the gentle, accented voice reached my ears, but it seemed so distant. “You are safe now. You will be okay.”

I struggled to open my eyes. Slowly, his face came into view. He smiled, trying to conceal his concern, worry and possibly fear. I was laying on the sectional, draped in thick wool blankets.

“Was I asleep?” my voice came out in a dull croak.

Salem shook his head. “No. You nearly drowned. Do you remember what happened?”

“I had a bizarre dream...” I began to say, but from the look on his face I knew something was off. “It wasn't a dream, was it?”

“No...”

“This can't be real,” I went to sit up but my head felt woozy. “Vampires were one thing, being the daughter of a vampire hunter was a whole other – but turning into a raven! This is impossible!” I shrieked. My throat burned fiercely. I curled up in a ball and covered my head with the blankets as I began coughing.

“Alex, calm down, please,” Salem pulled the cover from over my head, “I mentioned to you before that it was possible...not likely, but possible...for Waldron's to become ravens. I never before imagined I would see it, and I especially never thought you would be capable...”

“You said you thought it was a myth,” I sighed, rubbing my throat.

“Legend says that only the strongest, most dangerous hunters have the ability. I admit I didn’t believe any of it when Raziel first told me,” he didn't look at me, “According to him only three Waldron’s had ever had the gift. You make the fourth, I suppose.”

“Gift...” I mused insincerely. “Salem, are you afraid of me?”

“No, just a little worried about what you could be capable of if Paul ever corrupted you into following his ways,” he glowered.

“I have no interest in hunting, Salem!” I was hurt that he could even think I would ever harm him.

“I know, Alex,” he replied, finally looking at me again, “but, imagining the possibilities makes me somewhat curious.”

“Curious about what?” I asked sharply, knowing where this was going.

“What you could be capable of,” he turned to look away again but I placed my hand against his cheek and held his head still. “What if you could make the world a better place...by accepting what you are, and defeating the evil of my kind? The ones like Mark.”

“You said before that it would be too dangerous.” I could not believe the words coming from his mouth!

“Perhaps you could train yourself to be careful about it. Imagine if we never had to worry about creatures like him attacking innocent people, because you were there to protect them.”

“You’re a creature like Mark!” I reminded him bitterly.

“I am nothing like him!” he growled.

“I didn't mean it like that, Salem,” I brushed my hand comfortingly across his cold cheek. “But, how would I know who was the enemy and who was like you?”

He thought for a second, taking my hand from his face and lacing his fingers between mine. “You would never be alerted of their whereabouts because they would never attack anyone.”

“How does Paul even know about you then? Have you hurt someone here, Salem?”

“No. Let's just say we met before, in a very uncomfortable situation,” he grimaced at the memory.

“What situation?” I started to grow more and more worried that Paul had been right. What if Salem had once fed on humans? What if he ever started again?

“It was somewhat similar to the incident on the way to the creek,” he muttered. I sadly recalled the white rabbit. “I was hunting late one night in a deserted park. Little did I know, this happened to be the park beside a trailer community where a vampire hunter
lived. Paul was driving to the trailer when he noticed me. He knew the park was closed to civilians that late at night and stopped his car to watch me. He knew immediately what I was when he saw my eyes,” he frowned. “There had been a squirrel – I cannot imagine how that makes me sound…a vampire feasting on the blood of squirrels!”

“I would rather you drank the blood of kittens than humans.”

“As would I,” he smiled now. “It would seem he always had a weapon on him, just in case. He came creeping into the park, crossbow wielded and pointing directly at me. I discarded the rodent and speedily dashed behind a tree before he had a chance to shoot. I hastily told him I meant no harm and that I wasn't like the others. He wouldn't believe me, despite the evidence lying before him. Stupidly, I even told him my name, hoping that perhaps he had heard of me in a good sense.”

“At least you got away. I think he is angrier about that fact more than he is of us even being together.”

“I sincerely doubt that,” he laughed. “I think that is enough for tonight, Alexis. You’re still weak from what happened. Come, let me put you to bed.”

I woke up nestled beneath the black silk blankets of Salem's bed. To my dismay, he wasn't beside me. I stretched across the wide bed and caressed the smooth fabric with the palm of my hand. The shimmering black material felt amazing, but it sickened me all the same. It reminded me of a raven's feathers. The bedroom door creaked open slowly.

“Good morning, little raven,” Salem smiled. His pet name made me squeamish when it used to make me happy. I hadn't noticed right away, but he carried a tray in his hands. I rolled my eyes, although I did appreciate the sentiment.

“And what am I having today?” I asked inquisitively as I tried, and failed, to see what lay on the tray.

I sat up and Salem laid the tray across my lap. My mouth watered at the plate of chocolate chip pancakes drowning in syrup, with a light dollop of whipped cream in the center. “Enjoy,” he said with a pleasant smile and gently lay across the bed beside me.

I savored each sweet bite. “That was amazing!” I said as I laid my fork down and placed the tray across the top of the nightstand. My stomach didn't appreciate the meal as much as my mouth did. That feeling was lost immediately by the feeling of Salem's delicate lips against my own. I felt his tongue trace the shape of my lips and I jumped, pulling away.