Chapter 45

Chapter 45: A Family at last.

 

“Anna,” Alex whispered into my ear.  I smiled as I turned into his arms.

“Yes?”

“What do you want to do today?” he asked as he played with my hair.

“Oh, I thought we could just stay in bed,” I grinned back at him.

“Lizzy will be annoyed with that you know.  She wants to see what you can do now that you’re a vampire of sorts,” he smiled lovingly at me.

“Well, we already hunted yesterday, I can get into everyone’s thoughts and they into mine, and I can easily manipulate my energy and others’ to make them do what I want.  What else could she possibly want to know?” I asked looking at him wearily.

“I see your point.  She can wait,” he stated firmly as he leaned forward and kissed my forehead.

“So, are you going to keep me virtuous forever, or can I do what I want?” I questioned mischievously. He looked at me shocked.

“Anna, you are under age.  I’m not going there,” he said exasperated.

“That’s not true.  I’m eighteen years old so I can do pretty much whatever I want according to the law.” I grinned.  I had him and he knew it.

“Just because you turned eighteen yesterday doesn’t mean that you have to jump into anything right now. Besides, I’d rather wait for the right moment if you’d like to do that,” he leered at me. I knew he was up to something, but he wouldn’t let me into his mind and he and his sister were very good at blocking me.

“What do you mean by ‘the right moment’?” I asked suspiciously.

“Perhaps I’ll let you know some other time,” he smiled enjoying the secret he was keeping from me.

“Fine.” I rolled my eyes.  He laughed and got out of bed.

“Where are you going?” I asked.

“We need to get ready, we have a busy day today,” he replied.

“We do?”

“Yes.  Everyone is waiting for you down by the pool,” he said as he threw my red bikini at me and a pair of shorts.

“Why is everyone down at the pool?” I asked curiously.

“You’ll seen when we get there.  Now get dressed.  Lizzy is getting impatient,” he laughed.

We walked down to the pool.  Where the entire family waited, including James and Isolde.  I noticed that they were getting along very well.  I think a romance was starting between the two of them and I was happy for them both. 

“Happy Birthday Anna!” everyone yelled at once.

I smiled and shook my head.

There was a small pile of presents on the table that I hadn’t noticed when I first walked into the pool area.  My new eyes were a bit overwhelmed with the sight of my beautiful family in the sunlight.

“Thank you, you shouldn’t have.” I smiled graciously at each of them.

“We thought it fitting that we have a small party to formally welcome you into the family,” Katie beamed at me.

“I had no idea that we were really related.  It’s nice to know that I still have real family.” I hugged her gently.

“Thank you dear.  I was quite surprised myself when I realized the connection.  It only took a few hours of searching to be sure and I must say I was tickled at the thought,” she smiled happily.

“This is from Max and I.  All our family members have one, and you should too.” Katie handed me a blue velvet box with a white ribbon.  I opened it carefully to find a beautiful necklet with a gorgeous star shaped sapphire.  I was speechless for a moment as I looked at the multifaceted stone and how the light bounced off it.

“Thank you, it’s beautiful.”  Alex picked it up and helped me to put it on.

“All the girls have one.  Lizzy’s is a ruby, Cassy’s is a diamond and Katie’s is an emerald.” Alex whispered into my ear.  His breath caused me to shiver in a way I never had before.  I tried to stay focussed but he was distracting me way too much.

“This is from George and I, welcome home.” Cassy kissed my cheek and handed me a small box.

“Thank you.  What are the keys for?” I asked sheepishly.

“One key is for the house of course and the other is for your new car,” George replied.

“New car?” I squeaked.  They all laughed.

“Well, you need a car and we thought a British racing green Jag would be perfect,” Cassy replied sweetly.  My mouth dropped open.

“You’re kidding, you didn’t.” I looked at them in disbelief.  Alex turned me slowly to face the back of the pool and there it was, a brand new British racing green Jaguar. 

“Wow,” was all I could get out.  George, Will and Cassy started laughing at my reaction.

“Too bad she can’t blush the same as before,” Will commented.

“Thank you, I don’t know what to say.” I was in awe. 

“This is from Isolde and I.  It’s not as fancy, but we thought it would be appropriate.” James handed me a large rectangular package.  I tore off the paper to reveal the most beautiful family portrait I could imagine.  Everyone was in it, my new family and the ones that I had lost, Stephan and my mother.  I was overwhelmed with emotion as I gazed at the portrait.  I hadn’t realized that there was moisture in my eyes until Alex gently brushed away the tears with his fingers.

“Thank you, it’s beautiful.  Everyone that I love is in it, I will cherish it always.” I beamed at them.

“Yer most welcome child.” Isolde kissed my cheek.

“A vampire who can shed tears, now tha’ be interesting,” she commented smiling at me.

“I have a heart beat too which technically doesn’t make me a vampire,” I smiled.

“We’ll be worken tha’ out later.” she winked.  I nodded as I turned towards Lizzy and Will.

“This is from Will and I,” Lizzy giggled happily as she hugged me.

“Thank you.” I looked at the envelope questioningly as I opened it.  I pulled out two airline tickets to Ireland, one for me and one for Alex.

“Are you trying to get rid of me already?” I teased.

“I thought it would be nice for the two of you to get away and have a rest,” she beamed. 

“Thank you so much.” I hugged her and kissed Will on the cheek.

“I’ve never been overseas before,” I commented overwhelmed at the generosity of their gifts.

“Anna,” Alex smiled down at me.

“Yes?”

“This is from me.  I wanted to give this to you in front of our family.  I already asked James if it was ok with him,” he smiled.  I looked at him confused.  What would he need to ask James for?  Then he got down on one knee in front of me.  My eyes widened with immediate understanding.  He opened a small box to reveal a beautiful princess cut diamond ring in a white gold setting.

“You have my heart, you have my love.  Will you have me as your husband?”  he asked.  The love in his liquid swirling emerald green eyes was undeniable.  My heart swelled like it was going to explode with overwhelming joy.

“Yes,” I whispered.  His eyes lit up like nothing I had ever seen before as he slid the ring onto the forth finger of my left hand.  Everyone cheered and applauded but I didn’t hear them, I only saw Alex.  I had found a family, I had found love.

I had found a home.

I was finally home.

Chapter 44

Chapter 44: Confrontation

 

The sensitivity in my eyes was disappearing quickly.  I opened my eyes again and looked up to the sky, it was a brilliant rainbow of pinks, purples oranges and yellows.  Everything was beginning to clear.

“Anna,” I turned to the familiar voice and saw the most beautiful boy I had ever seen.  His eyes were more brilliant than the finest emeralds.  He smiled at me softly.

“Alex?” I whispered questioningly looking at him in wonder. The feelings I had for him were beyond words, my whole being seemed to light up in his presence.  His face lit up as he nodded, caressing my face lovingly with his strong hand.

“Enough!” bellowed the Spanish accented voice.

My head snapped around to take in the man I had dreaded seeing since the day I first laid eyes on him when I was ten years old.  There stood my father, Enrique Reyes, with nine of his henchmen flanking him.                                                                                               

I stood up instantly, moving faster than humanly possible to the centre of the field, between the two groups.  I saw the stunned reactions of my father and his men to my new ability.  “So, have you come to your senses yet, daughter?” Enrique demanded harshly.

I cocked my head from side to side looking curiously at the man I knew to be my biological father.  I felt absolutely nothing for him.  I turned and looked at the group of people behind me, seeing the concern and fear on their faces, but I also felt the overwhelming love they all had for me.  I looked at my hands again, and then at the beautiful boy I remembered calling Alex.  I took a step towards him and stopped turning back to the tanned man in black.

“I will not go with you,” I stated quietly, but firmly.   I knew where I belonged and I knew that I would be staying with Alex.  I didn’t understand how I knew, I just did.

“Then you leave me no choice,” Enrique replied with an evil smirk.

“I, Enrique Reyes, your father by blood, claim you as my own.  My claim is binding.  No other has the hold over you that I have.  You will come with me, you will take your place at your grandmother’s side and you will obey her every word.”  The command in his voice was over powering.  I could feel my body start moving, like a marionette, my movements were jerky, I could feel my mind unravelling, and I could see strings searching for an anchor to hold me in place.  The strings were headed towards the man I most hated and feared in the wold.  I couldn’t stop moving towards him.  What do I do?  My mind was reeling.

“I, Katherine Worthington, claim you, Anna, as my own.  I claim you as blood kin on your mother’s side.  You shall be free to choose your own destiny, as you are my niece: and I claim you.” Katie’s voice rang out, strong and commanding.  I felt my mind split, the strings that were trying to anchor me were pulling in two different directions.  I couldn’t seem to decide which way to go, but my father’s claim was pulling me closer to him.  I managed to stop and I turned to look at Katie.  She was glorious with the morning sunlight streaming around her like a golden halo.

“Come to me now, Anastasia,” Enrique demanded and I could feel the jerky movements of my feet begin moving me closer to him.  Once again, I felt like a marionette.

“I claim you, Anna.  I claim you as my own and I free you.  I claim you with all that I am and all that I have; I claim you with my love, and I set you free.” Alex’s voice was strong and sure as he called to me.  I stopped.  I know I wanted to be with him and no one else.  I felt the strings of my mind anchor to him and Katie, their hold strengthening.  Lizzy spoke nest, her sweet voice strong and sure, and full of love.   

“I claim you, Anna.  I claim you as a sister, I claim you with friendship, and I set you free.”  Each member of Alex’s family followed suit making their claims and as each one did, my mind anchored more strongly to them.  Each strand bound me to them in a way that no one could have predicted.  As Stephan began to making his claim, Enrique became enraged.

“Anna, you will come to me now.  Enough of this nonsense.” Anger fuelled his voice as he moved his hand in a strange motion over his head.

In the next instant two vampires were viciously attacking Stephan and ripping him to pieces.  The sound was like steel claws running down a chalk board and his scream was cut short as he burst into flames and the two vampires darted back to my father’s side.  I looked at the flames in horror as I saw one of my protectors disintegrating into ashes.  Everyone stood there stunned with expressions of horror and disbelief as the thick wall of blue-black smoke rose with a sickenly bitter sent reminiscent of burnt hair and rubber.  I felt the shock ripple through my entire family on the other side of the field.  How could he do this?  How could he kill with no care at all?  My rage began to bubble to the surface.  I latched onto the strings that held me to Alex and the others as they provided me with extra strength, and turned slowly to face my father.  I planted my feet as I gazed at the line of creatures I faced.  I didn’t see men anymore, I saw only vile and repugnant creatures that needed to be destroyed.  The strings that had been heading towards my biological father immediately snapped back towards me as James, his voice strong, made his claim.  I realized I was fully anchored to a new family and Enrique Reyes had no hold over me.  I turned the full force of my anger on that poor excuse of a man and his sycophants.  My rage went beyond what words could describe as I unleashed my mental abilities onto the two vampires who had killed Stephan standing by my father’s side.  I bound them with their own energy and dragged them forward, struggling futilely and hissing in anger.  I leapt forward and sank my teeth into the first vampire’s throat ripping out his oesophagus and spitting it out.  I hated the metallic taste of blood that filled my mouth, and I spit on the creature as he crumpled to the ground sputtering, trying to rid myself of his unpleasant taste. 

‘George, Alex destroy them,’ I hissed angrily in my mind.  More vampires appeared out of nowhere and started to attack my family, the ones I loved and chose to be with.  Anger and a protective instinct took over and I quickly moved towards the next creature bent on attacking my loved ones.  I heard popping sounds as guns were fired.

George flew forward and ripped the second vampire to shreds in seconds, while Alex growled fiercely and lunged at anther vampire.  It was both beautiful and terrifying to watch, the graceful movements of both George and Alex as they worked with meticulous speed dispatching our enemies.  Max, Katie, and Cassy battled ruthlessly with other vampires while Lizzy protected James and Isolde.  Her movements were so fast that she was nothing but a blur of movement stopping the bullets from reaching their targets.

‘Will use your abilities to burn them’ me anger towards these thugs was beyond description.  I wanted them all dead. 

Will stepped forward sparks flashing between his fingers as he gathered a ball of electricity within his hands.  Once George and Alex were finished Will threw the charged ball of electricity at the pile of vampire remains.  It burst into flames instantly, adding another pillar of smoke to the otherwise clear morning sky.  Will turned and unleashed a spray of electricity towards Cassy and Katie.  They gracefully jumped out of the way as the vampires in front of them were enveloped in electrical flames.  Max moved with a ruthless efficiency as he ripped apart the two vampires that were circling him.  He was a master and he was an unstoppable force who destroyed the vampires in a matter of seconds.  Nothing but ashes floating in the air remained of the vampires that had attacked my family.

I turned my attention to the other creatures standing in flanking positions behind my father and concentrated on them.  Three men instantly fell screaming as blood burst from their noses and eyes.  Max placed a hand on my shoulder and thought, ‘enough Anna, you are better than this.  Do not let him turn you into a murderer like he is.  Calm yourself, you can rise above this atrocity.  We will grieve later.  Focus.’ Max’s words began to sink in and I released the remaining hateful men standing at my father’s side.  I made an effort to slow my breathing, relaxing one muscle at a time.  I only focused on what I would say to my father.  I closed my eyes and slowly opened them, staring at him with a fierceness that I had never known before.  I knew without a doubt that I was bound to Alex and his family forever and nothing could break that tie.  I suddenly felt at peace for the first time that I could remember which gave me even more strength.  I squared my shoulders and faced Enrique Reyes.

“I will never join you, Enrique Reyes.  You may be my biological father, but you are nothing more.  I choose to stay here. Alex is my family.  Katie is my aunt.  These people are my family.” I turned slightly to face my real family and swept my hand across them in a joining gesture before I turned back to Enrique.

“You could never give me what they can.  You will never understand the bonds we have.  You do not understand love.  You are lifeless, nothing but an empty shell.  You only know death and pain and now I am completely free of you.” My voice was strong and steady as I glared at him.  I could see the panic in his eyes.

“You are mine,” he spit angrily. He raised his hand signalling his men and they raised their weapons pointing them at my family.

“NO.  I am free, my mother left me all the clues.  She knew I could be free, and she was right, I choose my own path, no one chooses it for me.” I smiled knowingly at him.

“This is far from over child.  You may have won this battle, but the war is far from over.” His voice was laced with anger and malice.  One of the guns went off.  The bullet hit the swirling energy field in front of my godfather.  James’ eyes widened in shock as he looked at me.

“You can’t own me.  Stop this and go home.” My voice was calm, even, and deadly.

“You don’t understand child.  Your grandmother will stop at nothing.  You will join your rightful family and be by her side, or she will destroy you and all you cherish.” Enrique grinned wickedly at the thought.

“We will be ready and waiting for you when that time comes, Enrique Reyes.  Now I suggest you leave our territory before we leave you with no one to escort you home,” Alex said smoothly as he wrapped his arm around my waist.

“I don’t understand, she said there was no possible way for you to say no to the call of the claim.” Enrique said more to himself than to any of us. 

“I think of you as a sperm donor and nothing more Enrique.  Just because there is a biological tie does not mean that there is nothing stronger than that.  Love will always be stronger and that is obviously something that you and your grandmother don’t understand.  The ties to this family that I have chosen are ties that bind more completely than anything you could ever imagine.” I spoke quietly hoping he would understand, but I knew that he wouldn’t.

He just shook his head in disbelief and frustration.

“We will be back, Anastasia, and next time we will take you by force.  Your place is in Spain,” he stated with a surety that I didn’t understand.  I watched as he turned and walked back into the forest with his men following, carrying their injured.  Once they were out of sight I fell to my knees.  I wanted to scream with relief and pain at the same time.  My emotions were all mixed up, I was overjoyed at being free from my father but I was also profoundly heartbroken that Stephan was gone.

Alex wrapped his arms around me.

“It’s over, Anna.” he whispered sadly.  I just nodded unable to look away from Stephan’s still burning ashes.

“Let’s grieve now, for our lost son, so that we can be happy that his sacrifice brought our niece back to us,” Katie said quietly as she embraced George.  I wanted to cry but I couldn’t, I was too shell shocked to understand what had happened to him.  Alex held me for what seemed like hours while I sorted through what had just happened.  Finally I looked into his glorious eyes.

“Are you ready to go home?” he asked quietly.

“Yes, I think so.” My voice sounded strange.  Kind of sweet, like the time in the clearing when I hypnotized my father’s goons, only now it seemed that it was part of me and I didn’t feel so disjointed anymore.  We stood slowly and faced the rest of my family: Max and Katie, Cassy and George, Will and Lizzy, and finally James and Isolde.  They smiled warmly at me but there was sadness in their eyes.  I was afraid they would be angry with me for what happened to Stephan.

“We’re not angry with you, Anna.  What happened to Stephan was not your fault.  Your father is a devious man.  We knew it was possible that we may have some losses and we will grieve for that loss.  Right now we are just happy that you are safe and with your rightful family.” Katie smiled gently.

“I’m sorry, I’m just a bit overwhelmed by everything.  I think it’s going to take a bit for everything to sink in.”  My thoughts were scattered and disjointed.

“Don’t worry, your thoughts will clear soon enough.  Things will be overwhelming for the next few weeks I would imagine,” Max said quietly.  I looked at him confused.

“The claiming has had quite an effect on all of us.  We had no idea that you would bind us together mentally.  It’s rather fascinating actually, and it will take some time to get used to, but I bet it’ll come in handy in the future.” Max smirked wryly.

“I did that?  I bound us together?” I looked at him confused.

“Yes, and no.  If I understand what happened correctly, you need an anchor.  That’s what keeps you with the people you love.  When we claimed you, you mentally attached yourself to everyone in the family, only the attachment was incomplete when Stephan was attacked.  You hadn’t completely made up your mind to fight the other claim on you.  Once Stephan was attacked you decided to fight.  After just waking I was very surprised that you had that much control, I believe being linked to the rest of us is going to make your transition that much easier.  What we’re all going to have to learn is how to deal with your thoughts and everyone else’s until we can control them.”

“I guess I have a lot to learn don’t I?  What am I exactly, because I hated the taste of blood?” I asked curiously wondering if I was a vampire or not.

“Well, I don’ think yer a vampire, what ye are is something completely new,” Isolde said slowly.

“Don’t worry, we’ll take care of you.  That’s what family is for,” Lizzy smiled.

We walked back to the house in silence.  I managed to put up a wall to block my thoughts from the others but if my emotions were too strong they would certainly leak out.

“We’re all going to miss him, Anna.  It’s going to be really hard for George, they’ve been together a long time,” Alex said quietly.  I stopped and turned towards George.  He stopped and looked into my sad eyes.  Suddenly I had George’s massive arms around me in a fierce embrace that would have broken me a few days ago.  I hugged him back just as fiercely.  Strange, if I’m not a vampire how could I handle this crushing embrace?  Not that I really cared about that right now, my focus was George and his sorrow.

“I’m so sorry George,” I whispered.  My thoughts were nothing but confused turmoil.

“Anna, he knew the risks, and he thought of you as his little sister and wanted to protect you.  He was willing to sacrifice himself to protect you.  That’s what family does, they love and protect each other.  You and I already avenged his death.  Thank you for that.”  George squeezed me close once more and then let me go.

“Thank you George,” I smiled sadly.

 

Even though we lost a brother, we gained so much more.  Our family is stronger than ever and our commitment to each other is undeniable.  When we returned to the house I stopped and looked into the glass of the front windows.  I could see my reflection almost as if I was looking into a mirror and my eyes widened with wonder.  I hadn’t changed that much, really.  My eyes were now a swirling, vivid, jade green, my skin was the same pale white it had always been, and my hair fell in soft ringlets down to my mid back.  I looked almost graceful in the stillness of the moment. 

“What do you think?” Lizzy smiled.

“I thought I’d look a lot different, but I’m still me with the exception of my eyes and longer curlier hair,” I replied quietly in wonder.

“You are beautiful,” Alex whispered into my ear as he stood behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist.

“We’ll be’aven ta do some tests Anna.  We need ta figure out what ye be, but tha’ can wait.  I be think’n ye might need to’ave something to eat.” Isolde smiled knowingly at me.

As soon as she said that I could feel my stomach start to growl.  Alex grinned and took my hand as we walked up the stairs and through the back door into the kitchen.  I sat at the table while Alex and Katie prepared lunch for everyone.  After we ate we all sat quietly.  No one wanted to talk about the future or the possible up coming battle.  We just sat quietly talking about Stephan and how wonderful he was.

Chapter 43

Chapter 43: Changes

 

The memorial service went smoothly.  I did see my father, but I managed to avoid a confrontation with him.  When we got home I flopped on the couch and sighed with relief.  Alex and Lizzy smiled at me as they took seats across from me.

“So, what’s your plan?” Alex asked.

 “Well, I think I’ll just lay low for the next few weeks.  My birthday is only two weeks away and I’d like to spend some time with you and some of my friends from school.” I smiled happily.

The next week flew by; it was hard to believe that I would be 18 in only a few days.  Everyone was busy making plans and going over every possible detail.  James was at the house almost every day talking with Max, George, and Stephan.  He had been keeping an eye on Enrique and his goons for the past few days.  The four of them were going over the surveillance tapes and contingency plans as they wanted to be ready for anything. 

“What if we lose one of ours?” James asked seriously and that is when I started paying attention to their conversation.

“That shouldn’t happen, but we are prepared for that,” Max replied.

“What do you mean ‘prepared for that’?” I demanded.  “If you think that someone could die because of me then I’m going alone.” The panic in my voice was audible even to me.

“Anna, we’ve know that this was going to be a fight from the beginning.  That’s why we’ve spent so long preparing.  Years to be exact.  We are trying to make sure that everyone is protected but there is always a possibility of the unknown factor.  We don’t have a psychic who can tell us what the future holds.  We can only do our best and hope that we’ve thought of everything,” George said softly.  I could feel myself trembling with fear.  I knew that I could not imagine losing anyone else.  This was my family.  The tears started to pool in my eyes as I shook my head. 

“What have I gotten you all into?” I whispered.  I was torn between fear and utter despair.  George put his arm around my shoulders and spoke softly to me.

“It’s ok, Anna.  The only thing that matters is your safety.  We couldn’t live with ourselves if we didn’t do everything to keep you safe.  That’s why we are fighting so hard.  Don’t worry about us.  You need to figure out what other clues your mother has left you that might help us solve this problem and stop your father and his family.”

I nodded and wiped my eyes. 

“I’m sorry George.  I just don’t know if I could handle the thought of losing anyone.  It’s too painful,” I whispered sadly.

“Let’s not worry about that.  Get into those letters and books again and see if you can find anything that might help us.  I know Katie’s been doing some research of her own, trying to find answers with Isolde.  You need to concentrate on finding your own answers, so get to work and stop fretting over nonessentials.” George pushed me gently towards the door.  I guess I wasn’t going to get to say anything else. 

I slowly walked to my room to look at the story books my mother had given me.  I knew there was a clue there somewhere so I would have to read the stories again and again until I figured out what message she had hidden in them.  As I read Sleeping Beauty for the twentieth time this week, I noticed my joints were feeling weird.  Not exactly sore, but hot, like after a really tough workout.  I tried to ignore the feeling, but it was getting more and more intense.  Then suddenly the sensation was gone.  I yawned and stretched, suddenly feeling really tired and all I wanted to do was curl up and sleep. 

“Hey Anna, going through the books again?” Lizzy inquired with a slight smile.

“Ya, but I think I’m going to take a nap.  I feel really tired all of a sudden,” I yawned again putting my book down.

“Okay.  I’ll come and check on you in a bit,” Lizzy smiled then left the room.  As I lay down on the bed I struggled to get comfortable.  I felt too exposed so I looked around the room and noticed that the walk in closet seemed more confined and, for some reason, that is what I wanted.  I grabbed my pillow and the blanket from the bed and made a nest for myself in the far corner of the closet, turned out the light, and closed the door.  Once I curled up on the closet floor I felt calm and comfortable.  I pulled the blanket over my shoulder and imagined myself in a cosy cocoon as I drifted off to sleep. 

My dreams were strange.  I could hear and see everything that was going on around me but it was muted and out of focus.  I couldn’t respond to what was being said around me.  I felt like I was in a glass bubble.

“Anna! Anna!  Where are you?” Alex called as he walked into our room then exited, seeing the bed empty.  What seemed to be a few seconds later Alex came back into our room.

“Anna, this is no time to play around.  Where are you?” Alex asked in a slightly annoyed voice.   I tried to call out to him, but I was just too comfortable to move.  Just then, the door to the closet opened and the light was flicked on.  I could vaguely see the outline of Alex as he entered the closet.

“Anna?  Oh god!” his voice was laced with panic. “Isolde, Max get in here!” Alex yelled, his voice laced with worry.

“What be go’n on?” Isolde asked as she entered our room. “Oh my, it looks like she be encased in some sort of crystalline structure.  How peculiar.  Tha’ be not how a vampire comes to be.”

“Can we move her to the other room?” Max asked.

“I don’ think tha’ would be wise.  Whatever be happen’n to her, she wants a small enclosed area,” Isolde explained.

“I thought you said she would become a vampire?” Alex’s voice was horse with anxiety.

“Alex, I’ve never dealt with someone or something like this before.  Yes, it be possible for her to turn inta a vampire, but I don’ think she is.  I don’ know what she’ll be.  We jus’ave to be patient and let the process happen naturally.  Stay with her, talk to her, even if she can’ talk back.  She might be hear’n everything we are say’n,” Isolde said, her voice was full of concern and worry.

“Oh, Anna, what’s happening to you?” Lizzy whispered frightened.

“Anna,” James choked out.

It seemed that everyone was there, my family was surrounding me and their love and support filled me with hope and longing.  I wanted to tell them that everything was okay, but I couldn’t reach out to them.  I wanted to be able to tell them everything in an instant.  I longed to feel a part of a family, not just any family; their family.  I knew I would never be happy if I was separated from Alex, Lizzy or the others, so I kept telling myself over and over that no matter what happened I would end up with Alex somehow.  I’m not sure when I realized that I wasn’t dreaming, but that I was in some sort of suspended state.  It was weird, really.  I could feel every cell in my body getting ready for a change, but what that change was I could only guess at.  My bones started to feel all jelly-like and strange.  They seemed to be changing, getting longer then smaller, thicker then thinner.  Some time later the same thing seemed to happen to my skin and hair.  One minute I had long hair the next it was short, one minute I had tanned skin the next it was as pale as alabaster.  Every time I moved it felt like a piece of me was sliding away and joining up somewhere else like an amoeba.  The strange feeling of disconnectedness lasted for what seemed like days.  All through that time Alex and Lizzy never left me alone.  They were continually talking to me about what was going on in the house and the preparations that were being made to transport me to the field.  The hardest part was that I could hear Alex telling me that he loved me but I couldn’t respond.  At times he sounded so lost and heartbroken and even Lizzy couldn’t comfort him.  All he wanted was for me to respond in some way, but I couldn’t.

“It’s time to move her,” Max said softly as he entered the closet.

“Do you think it’s safe?” Alex asked, his voice full of concern.

“I don’t know, but we have somewhere to be and so does she,” Max replied gently.  The shadowy figure of Alex appeared to nod.  All of sudden, I felt as if I was being pulled apart.  My mind screamed in agony as every cell in my body seemed to explode all at once.  I couldn’t focus, I couldn’t find my bearings, I was lost.  Completely disconnected from myself and those I wanted to be with the most.  I could hear faint voices far off in the distance, but I couldn’t place them, let alone focus on them.  I didn’t know who was talking or understand what they were talking about.

“How do we move her?”

“The blanket isn’t fully encased by that crystalline stuff.  We’ll have to lift her and slide the board under.”

“On the count of three, then.  One, two, three.”  

“Let’s move people, we don’t have much time.”

I didn’t hear much after that for some time even though I strained to hear anything.  It was completely silent.  Slowly, I seemed to focus on the sound of a chirping bird.  Wait, I knew that sound!  It was the cry of a red tailed hawk - strange how I could hear the hawk and nothing else.  After what seemed like eons, I began to hear more sounds.  They started out softly, and began to intensify until I could hear everything around me.

“It be almost over.  She’ll wake soon.” I heard the lilt of a familiar Irish voice say, and heard a sigh of relief from just beside me.

“Are you sure?” another familiar voice pleaded hopefully

“James said she was born around seven in the morning.  Well, it’s just after seven now so it shouldn’t be much longer,” a sweet voice replied.

 “They’re here,” an annoyed male voice reported tersely.

I heard the sound of people walking out of the trees and estimated there to be about 10 of them.  Somehow I knew they were spreading out into a long line, then two people walked forward from the group.

“What’s wrong with her?” demanded an unfriendly Spanish voice.

“What were you expecting, Enrique?  She’s in the process of the change.  She’ll be waking soon enough.  You’ll just have to wait.” I knew that angry voice.  It was my godfather James. 

             I wanted to move, but it felt slow and awkward.  I pushed my hand up and felt a strange hard substance, I pushed on it and it seemed to give, cracking like a shell.  I pushed harder and my hand broke through to feel the cool morning air.  I shivered and drew my hand back to my chest to warm it.  Everything in my body was pleading with me to move, time to get up, time to go home.  I could feel the urgency.  I reached out with both hands and pushed the strange substance away from me, it felt like it was peeling away bit by bit.  The more I pushed, the more I wanted to push until this strange enclosure seem to suddenly crumble away from me until I sat in the morning air.  I looked at my hand, it was pale and wet, I touched my hair and it felt slimy, my eyes tried to focus, but everything was too bright.  How odd, I thought.  I also knew there was something I was supposed to remember, something important.

Chapter 42

Chapter 42: Understanding

 

The next few weeks were very routine and today we were sitting at the kitchen table discussing the upcoming memorial service, tomorrow.  It was hard to believe that time was moving so quickly; it was already the last week of July and Isolde had been feverishly working in the trailer for over a week now, and she still couldn’t tell us much.

I decided to get my outfit for tomorrow picked out and then sat on the couch in the family room reading a book.  Alex entered and walked over to me.

“Max wants to go over what we are planning tomorrow for the memorial service,” he smiled softly at me.  He was worried about me going tomorrow, as he knew there was a good possibility that my father would be there.

“Sure, let’s go.” I put my book down and stood up ready to follow him.  Instead he pulled me into his arms and crushed me to his chest.  I melted into his arms enjoying the sudden fierceness of the embrace.

“What is this all about Alex?” I asked in a whisper, looking up at him.

“I don’t want you to go tomorrow.  I want you to stay here where it’s safe, but I know you’ll go and I know it’s the right thing to do, I just don’t like it,” he sighed.

“Will Isolde be coming with us, or is she staying here?” I asked.

“She’ll be here.  Katie and Stephan will be keeping an eye her,” he replied.

“Come on then, we shouldn’t keep Max waiting.” I smiled up at him and he nodded.  We walked into the study hand in hand.  Everyone was there except Isolde; she was outside in the trailer pouring over all of the information she had trying to find an answer for me.

“Anna, glad you’re here we were discussing tomorrow and I think we have everything figured out.  We plan on going as a family and you, James and Alex will go together.  We’ll set up positions around you in groups of two while we are walking into and out the service and we’ll be sitting around you strategically.  That way all sides are covered and your father and his men won’t be able to get at you.  Does that sound okay?” Max was, as always, trying to keep me a part of the decisions that had already been made.  He was a good father figure and I enjoyed how he treated me like one of his own.

“Yes, that sounds good.  Is there anything in particular that I need to know before we leave in the morning?” I looked at him with concern.

“You and Alex will be meeting James at his place in the morning and driving together from there.  Other than that, we just have to wait and see if anything will happen.  I don’t think your father would be foolish enough to try anything with such a large crowd of witnesses.  It’s not his style.” he said confidently.

“Anna?  Anna?  Are ya here somewhere?” Isolde called from the front of the house.

“We’re in the study, Isolde,” I called to her.

She entered the room quickly and a bit breathless.  She looked at the others and then turned her attention to me.

“Be there any others that know of ya tha’ aren’t’ere?” she asked quickly.

“James is the only one who isn’t here, but he could be in a few minutes if he needs to be present,” Max said to her.  She nodded her head.

“I believe tha’ would be wise,” she replied.

Max dialled the number instantly and waited for James to answer.

“James, Max here.  We need you to come to the house now, Isolde is ready,” Max said into the receiver.  He listened for a few minutes and then hung up.

“He’ll be here in ten,” he said looking at Isolde with unveiled curiosity.  He knew she had something big to tell us, especially if she wanted all parties here.

“Let’s go to the living room, we’ll be more comfortable there,” Katie suggested.  We all moved into the family room.  Max stood by the front door waiting for James to arrive, Katie and Isolde were sitting in the blue chairs at the far end of the room on either side of the large screen TV.  Cassy, George, Will and Lizzy sat on one couch while Alex, Stephan and I sat on the other.  James arrived a few minutes later, in casual jeans and t-shirt. 

“What’s up?” James asked as he entered the house a little breathlessly.

“Isolde wanted everyone to be present when she told Anna what she has discovered,” Max replied.  James nodded and sat on the couch next to me.  He squeezed my hand and turned his attention to Isolde.

“Isolde, you can begin whenever you are ready,” Max gestured offering her the floor.  She stood up, walked over to me, and handed me a large file folder with papers and CDs.  I looked at her curiously.

“This be all the information I was able to gather on ye.  Please put it somewhere safe where no one will be able ta get at it easily,” she stated seriously.  I looked at Alex and he nodded taking the file from me. He disappeared and returned seconds later taking his seat again without a word.

“Okay, I’ll be get'n started.  Yer fader is a carrier of the very first occurrence of a particular virus, but it be dormant in’im.  This virus, when active is wha’ changes a human inta a vampire.  I’ave never seen it in a human before like this, however.  It’s as though he be genetically engineered tha’ way through years of blood line manipulation.  If I be right, then yer fader wants ya very badly an I can tell ya why.  I’ve guessed who your fader be, ya don look like him at all, but if I be right, it’s Enrique Reyes from Spain.  His family be very powerful.  Even me parents stay out of their business.  If tha’ be who yer family is, I be not surprised tha’ yer mudder ran.  It was the best thing she could’ave done ta protect ye.  They would’ave killed her if she tried ta interfere wi ’anything, if she’ad stayed they would’ave just used her as a baby factory.  I should explain yer mudder’s part in this before I tell ye why your fader and ‘is family wants ye so badly.  Yer mudder is a carrier of a very rare gene.  This gene will, when combined with the virus, create a new strain o’the virus.  It be taken years before it will cause a change, eighteen years ta be exact.  What that change is depends on the strain of virus it interacts with.  Tha’s ‘ow the different generations of vampires came into existence.  We know of about ten generations which includes children like Cassy, Will, Alex an Lizzy.  I be a part o’the tenth generation, only I stayed human.  My extra abilities are sight and hearin’, an’ I do age, but vera slowly.  I actually be an anomaly of the tenth generation.  Both my parents be vampires, an’it be a very rare occurrence for vampires to conceive; probably only once every few ‘undred years.  Alex, Lizzy, Cassy and Will are half human, an’ half vampire which means they’ave all the abilities of a vampire but they’ave a stronger heart beat.  Some vampires’ave other abilities, some don’t, an’the older they get the stronger they get.  Now, when it comes to you,” she turned her attention to me, rather than addressing the room like she had been.  “I be pretty sure tha’ ye’ll be more like Max’s family than any of us realizes.”

“Are you saying I’m turning into a vampire?” I asked in stunned confusion.

“Aye, tha’s a possibility, o’what I be say’n, only tha’ you will have abilities far beyond wha’ any o’us’as ever seen.  Min’ye, I could be wrong, but it will change ye completely an’yer fader an’is family want to use tha’ in order ta gain more power.  Tha’s what this be all ‘bout, control.  Yer fader’s family’as control over most of da industries o’the world, only no one knows tha’.  The matriarch o’ta family’as been in control fer a vera long, time an’she be not one ta be messed with.  Even if ye manage ta get away from yer fader an’is family, da aftermath o’tha’ betrayal to them will surely enrage them enough ta do something rash.  Ye all need to understand tha’ yer not only dealing with humans, but ye may also be dealing with a vera, vera, powerful vampire who uses its family as pawns in a game, an’she does no like ta loose,” Isolde said with conviction.

“Thank you Isolde, you have been a tremendous help,” Katie said gratefully. “I just hope we haven’t put you in any danger because of this.”

“Don’ worry ‘bout me, m family is well protected.  I be more worried about all o’you,” Isolde looked at all of us with concern in her eyes. 

 

I sat in stunned silence.  Isolde had explained so much about all the strangeness I had been experiencing, I was turning into a vampire.  I felt the blood draining from my face as I thought of all the things she had told us.  Alex watched me quietly as he pulled me in tighter to his chest.  I looked at him without really seeing him, instead I looked past him out the window and into the trees.  I caught a flash of light and focussed in on it, easily spotting a man dressed in black with a strange device in his hand up in one of the trees.

“There’s someone in the trees,” I whispered barely audibly, Stephan was gone in an instant.  A few moments later he had pulled the man out into the open.

“Alex, I’m going to lie down.  I’ve had enough excitement for one day.  I don’t think I can handle much more today,” I said as I rose to my feet and headed for Alex’s room.

“Anna, are you okay?” Alex asked with concern.

“No, not really.  I need to process what I’ve learned, and I need to figure out how I feel about this.  Just give me some time alone, okay?  I think better by myself.” I looked pleadingly into his eyes and gently touched his face with my fingers.  He nodded without saying a word.

 

I curled up on the bed in Alex’s room, and smiled to myself.  I guess I should really call it our room.  So, what did I think about turning into a vampire?  Well that would explain the night vision, I haven’t noticed any other changes with my scenes, so I guess that would be coming.  Okay, I could handle enhanced hearing and strength.  It doesn’t explain the energy field though, unless that’s an extra skill.  Well, that would be cool too.  Moving at great speeds would be really interesting, but I had already sort of done that once.  I loved it when Alex ran me to school.  Drinking blood? Could I handle that? It might explain the cravings I’ve been having for steak.  I could experiment I guess, meh, maybe not.  I shivered.  I closed my eyes and tried to picture myself as a vampire, but all I could do was picture myself pale and sick.  Well, it doesn’t really matter does it?  It’s not like I have a choice, I’m going to change whether I want to or not.  I decided I could handle most of it, and I would deal with the rest as it came. 

 

I slept for about two hours and when I woke up I realized there were a few questions I needed to have answered.  I blasted out of the room and arrived in the family room in seconds. The sudden motion of my ‘warp speed’ startled me and I felt suddenly nauseated.  I turned quickly to the bathroom by the front door before I lost my breakfast.

Alex was at my side in seconds, holding my hair back.

“Anna, are you okay?  Ddo you need me to get something?” he sounded worried.

“Just motion sickness I think,” I replied as I retched again. 

“Motion sickness?  From what?” he asked confused.

“Well, I just had my first experience with that whole speed thing that you do.  I wasn’t expecting to do that so I was a bit taken off guard that’s all,” I replied.  I turned on the tap and rinsed my mouth out. 

“I need to go brush my teeth.  Is Isolde around?  I need to ask her a question or two.” I walked slowly back to our room while Alex followed behind, making sure I really was okay.

“I’ll get her in a minute.  You ran like me?” he asked curiously.

“Yes.  From our room to the family room.  It was like I made the decision to be in the family room and then I was there.  It was rather disorienting.” I half smiled as I walked into our bathroom and started to brush my teeth.

“Huh. You’ve never said our room before, I like that.” He smiled as he leaned forward and kissed the back of my neck.  Finished brushing, I turned to face him and put my arms around his neck.  He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into a gentle embrace.

“Are you okay with all of this Anna?” he asked quietly searching my face.

“Most of it I think I can handle, but some things I’m not so sure about.” I smiled wanly.

“I can understand that.  I’ll help you get through all of the changes.  You know that, right?” he said softly.

“Yes, I know you, Lizzy, and everyone else will help me, but I still need to talk to Isolde.  I have one more important question to ask her, and I think this might involve you as well.” I slipped my hand into his and started for the family room at a normal pace.  We found Isolde and Max in the backyard still questioning the man who had been in the trees.

 

“Isolde, can I speak to you for a moment?” I asked.

“O’course ye can,” Isolde replied with a smile.  She walked gracefully toward us like a dancer.

“I have a few more questions that perhaps you could answer.  The legend of the Rising Starr states that I have to be claimed.  What does that mean exactly? Will I be forced to go with my father?” I asked fearfully.

“I be not sure exactly but there be a time when ye change that yer loyalties will be to blood kin and blood kin alone.  Tha’ tie ta family is stronger than most an’tha’ may be what the legend be referring to. Why do ye ask?” She looked at me questioningly.  Max was listening as well and Alex looked horror stricken.

“On my eighteenth birthday I have to meet my father.  He plans on claiming me, and I guess there really is no hope of getting away from him, is there?” I looked down at my feet sadness taking over.

“Ye don’ know tha’ child.  Yer bond ta this family be also strong.  Perhaps even strong enough ta bind ye ta them.  The real question be, would they claim ye fer themselves?” Isolde explained patiently.

“I would never ask that of any of them,” I looked into her pale grey eyes sadly.

“Tha’ be a decision fer the family ta make, not ye.” She looked at Alex and then Max with a poignant stare. 

“Isolde, will I become a full vampire like Max and Katie, or will I be different like Alex?” I cocked my head to the side hoping I phrased my question right.

“I don’ know tha’ answer ta tha’.  I suspect tha’ ye’ll be both different and similar.  We won’ be know’n until it’appens.  I’d like ta stay an’’elp ya through tha’ process if ya don’ mind.” she looked at me hopefully.

“Yes, I’d like that.  It’s nice to have someone around who understands the changes that are happening to me.  Well, at least sort of.” I smiled weakly at Isolde and she nodded.

“I’ll be watch’n over ye child.”

I nodded and then turned my focus on the man George was holding in place with a single hand.

“Don’ worry ‘bout tha’ right know, we ‘ave some interesting news ta tell ye.” Isolde smiled.

I looked at her questioningly as Max grinned at me.

“It looks like this man is willing to tell us pretty much anything.  Your father sent him here to find out what you know about yourself.  Apparently he’s hoping you haven’t figured it out yet,” Max smirked.

“Max, would I be able to turn against them? Would I be able to fight them?” I asked.

“That depends on you.  Your bonds to us are strong, but a family bond can be stronger. Alex is bound to you already in more than one way because you saved his life by giving him your blood, plus his intense feelings for you.  I believe that wherever you go he’ll follow and there is nothing your father can do about that.” Max stated smugly.

“What do you mean?” I looked from Alex to Max.

“Vampires choose only one person to be with Anna, and once that choice is made it changes us forever,” Alex whispered into my ear.  My eyes widened as I looked up into amazing swirling green eyes.  All of his emotions were there for me see, something he rarely showed to anyone.

“Max is right.  I would follow you wherever you went, even if it’s only in the shadows.  I would always try to bring you home, back to our family,” he said with such intense feeling that I couldn’t help but feel his love for me.  I nodded and smiled up at him warmly.  I loved him and his family, almost more than life and I wanted to stay.  Isolde watched us carefully and then gave Max a strange knowing look.  He nodded to her and they smiled at each other.

“So what does he know?” I pointed to the man who had been questioned while I was dealing with the knowledge of becoming a vampire.

“Your father knows where you are staying, obviously, and he’s hoping you haven’t figured out that you’ll become a vampire.  He’s also trying to figure out what he can use as leverage to get you to do what he wants and he’s completely baffled as to why you’re staying with us,” Max retorted amused.

“He doesn’t get why I’m here/ What? Is he really that stupid?” I asked in disbelief.

“Apparently he is,” Alex mused.

“He knows that George and Stephan are your protectors, but he does not believe in the ties of friendship or love.  The only ties he knows is to his grandmother and that’s why he doesn’t understand you.  You grew up with your mother and she taught you about friendship and love whereas your father only knows fear and loyalty to his grandmother.  At least that is what we have managed to figure out with what little information we have on the man,” Max said confidently.

“So there may be hope after all.  I don’t know my father except as a murderer, so there is no bond of love there.  Only the fact that he is biologically related to me could cause problems,” I mused to myself.

“We’ll figure it out Anna,” Alex stated.

“So what are we going to do with him?” I asked, gesturing again to our captive.

“He looks like a pretty good snack.” George replied with an evil grin.  The man stiffened, fear rippling through him as his horrified eyes met mine, pleading.

“Yes, I’m sure he does George, but could we not use him to our own benefit?” I grinned trying not to laugh at George’s theatrics.

“You just had to go and spoil all my fun, didn’t you?” he said with mock petulance.

“Well, if he doesn’t do what you want him to, then by all means snack away, but perhaps we could send him back to my father with a simple, but misleading story.  I know how good you are at telling stories.” I smiled widely at George as his eyes twinkled with mirth as we used a play on words to terrorise our captive.  George finally nodded and decided what the man should tell my father and went to work reprogramming the spy’s mind.

“Now, don’t forget, if you deviate from the story at all I’ll have you for dinner.  Am I clear?” George asked the man.  He nodded, terrified.  George then let him go, and we watched until he was out of sight.

“Why George, I had no idea that you could be so supremely terrifying!  You almost gave that man a heart attack,” I teased.

“Watch it kid, or I’ll do it to you next time,” he barred his teeth and growled playfully at me.  I placed a hand to my throat in mock terror and then giggled.  George ruffled my hair and went to discretely follow the escaping spy.

“I’ve definitely had enough excitement for one day.  So what are we having for dinner?” I asked, looking hopefully at Alex.

“Let’s go find out.” Alex grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the front of the house.