Chapter 15

ELEANOR

I heard music, a soft piano. My eyes opened slowly. Everything was blurry, but the first thing I noticed was that I wasn’t hurting anymore. I felt fine, better than fine.

I felt I could do anything.

It took me a few seconds to take in my surroundings. I recognized the ceiling easily. Aric’s ceiling was covered in sheets of music. His walls too.

I turned my head slowly. I was lying on his bed. It was almost as big as Mother’s. It was soft and warm, and I had thick blankets pulled up to my chin.

In front of me were a large burning fire and a big log of wood. I spied the walk-in wardrobe, as big as mine, covered in pinned-up sheets of music.

I turned my head to the sound of the music. Aric had a big black piano. He claimed to have made it all on his own, many years ago. I wish I could make pianos.

He was playing the soft music, humming along. He didn’t even need to read his sheets. He knew his music by heart. He only wrote it down so other people could play it if they wanted.

He turned his body around slowly, playing with only one hand. His cool blue eyes met mine, and he smiled. Aric was the most handsome guy I’d ever met, and he was the best brother too.

Even though he wasn’t my real brother, he insisted that we were family. We didn’t look alike at all, though; he had bright blue eyes and thick light blond hair, like Mother. I was brown like a nut.

He stopped playing the piano and turned around completely, smiling. I was happy to see him.

“How do you feel?” he asked.

I grinned at him. “Great!”

He leaned toward me and sat on the bed, I started to sit up, but he stopped me with a cold hand. I shivered slightly and ducked back under the covers.

“Your cut has healed. Father did it. But with side-effects.” He breathed out a big breath and kept smiling. “I’ll explain later.”

“Where’s Mother?”

“She’s gone out with Father. They had some business to attend to.”

I nodded slowly. “And Auntie Aleesha?” I shuddered, remembering her scary eyes and teeth.

“Gone, out. I don’t know where. Didn’t bother to ask.” He paused and stroked my forehead.

“Why was she so scary?”

“Ah, I’ll tell you. But first, you’ve been sleeping all night and day, and you’re probably hungry and thirsty. I’ll get you something. I’ll be back very soon.

“Stay in bed. You may feel good, but I just started my fire. It’s a bit cool out, and I don’t want you to get cold.”

I nodded in agreement. He smiled and disappeared out the open door. I could see the living room, the sofa and coffee table. But that wasn’t interesting.

I sat up anyway. I was dressed in my winter nightie, a long white cotton dress with ribbons and long cotton sleeves.

Aric must have had a problem with the temperature because it wasn’t very cold.

I noticed my drawing pad resting on the bedside table, along with a tin box of colored pencils. Instinctively, I picked it up and flipped it open. I drew the first thing that came to my mind.

My hands flew across the paper, my eyes barely seeing what I was drawing.

Aric appeared in the doorway with a silver tray of soup, bread, and a large glass of milk. He took me by surprise.

I jumped, dropping the pad. Aric smiled gently at me and set the silver tray on the bedside table.

“What were you drawing?” he asked politely. He flipped the pad open, then his smile disappeared. He turned the pad to me.

I recognized Auntie Aleesha, her red sari, her long black hair, but mostly her white teeth and big red eyes. All around the border were other red eyes, eight in all.

“I’m sorry.” I thought he was angry.

He sat on the bed again and handed me my pad.

“For what? Eleanor, Mother has been wanting to tell you this for a few years, but she doesn’t know how. I’m going to be straightforward.”

Aric shifted his position so he was sitting next to me. He rested his legs out in front of him and held one of my hands with his freezing fingers.

“Are you ready for this?” he asked me hesitantly.

I was getting confused and annoyed. He wasn’t making any sense.

“Yes,” I told him irritably. Aric took a deep breath.

“You know your picture books—the ones about fairies, and mermaids, and such? You know they don’t exist.”

I nodded. Of course, they didn’t exist, but they’re pretty!

“I draw my own fairies and mermaids,” I reminded him. “I copy from my books.”

“I know. Good. Well, other supernatural creatures do exist. Do you think you can guess which ones?”

I thought about what he was saying. I didn’t know what supernatural meant, but it was easy to guess. Things that weren’t animals or humans.

“Unicorns,” I suggested. I’d just read a book about unicorns, and they seemed realistic.

Aric smiled but shook his head. “No, sorry. Magical horses don’t exist.”

“I suspected that,” I answered, nodding to myself.

“But vampires do.”

I stared at him. What? Vampires? I blinked at him a few times, giving him my utterly confused and annoyed look. He took it upon himself to explain.

“There are two types of vampires. There are the half-blood vampires, the ones who were humans and who were turned into vampires. Then there are the pureblood vampires.

“Ancient families, purebloods are stronger and faster than normal vampires. There is so much I have to explain to you, but you’re still too young to understand.”

“You’re a vampire,” I concluded.

“Yes. I’m a pureblood vampire.”

I thought about it. Vampires are always the bad guys, but they are often horrible and mean and killers. Aric wasn’t a killer. No way, he was too kind.

“So, you’re a vampire, and I’m a human.”

“Yes.” He smiled. “But that doesn’t deny you being a Mcnoxnoctis. You must always be proud to carry that name. It’s ancient, one of the oldest names on the planet.

“Mother was born in another pureblood family, the Blake family, who are just as old. They are also our cousins.”

“Are you immortal?”

“I’m four hundred forty-seven years old but not quite immortal. My life span is just ~a lot~ longer.”

“But not me.”

“No.”

“How old is Mother?”

“Nine hundred and eighty-eight years old. She’s younger than Father.”

“So, why do you look like you are twenty?”

“Because vampires age differently than humans.”

“Huh. Are you dead?”

“That depends on your definition of dead. According to human doctors, I was stillborn. My heart only beats when I’m hurt. But I’m not dead. I’m right here. With you.”

“Can you go out in the sunlight?”

“No,” he grinned, “But you can.”

“I know. I like the sun.”

“More questions?”

I could think of thousands. He wasn’t getting away with no answers in return. But I just stared at him. He looked normal and youthful like he always had.

I tried to think of all the things I knew about vampires, and I got stuck on drinking blood.

“So, do you drink blood?”

Aric took in a deep breath then breathed it out slowly. “Yes, it is my source of nourishment.”

“What does nourishment mean?”

“It’s what you need to live, food. I need blood.”

“Human blood?”

“Not necessarily. I live on elk and caribou, but their blood isn’t very tasty and doesn’t make me very powerful.”

“Have you killed humans?”

“Yes.” His answer was blunt, and it was clear from his eyes that he had no regrets.

“But that’s a crime.”

“Not in my world.”

I stared at him. I didn’t know what to think. I loved Aric, the best big brother. But he was a killer, a vampire.

“Will you kill me?”

“Never!” His eyes flashed a scary red color.

I leaned away from him, my heart suddenly racing in my chest. His eyes flashed back to blue, and he leaned toward me, gripping my hand.

“Eleanor, you have to believe me. I would never, ever hurt you. Ever. I may be a vampire, but I’m also your brother. I will never allow anyone to hurt you.”

“Your eyes were scary,” I informed him.

“Sorry, it happens. Our eyes turn red when we smell blood, are hungry, or get emotional.” He gave me a small smile.

I nodded slowly. “That’s why Mother and Demetrius and Auntie Aleesha had red eyes before.”

“Yes. That’s why.”

“That’s why I have to stay away from Auntie Aleesha, too, huh. Because she hates me.”

Aric leaned back, and I moved back into my position. “She doesn’t hate you. She just hates that you’re human.”

“Why?”

“She doesn’t agree with Mother raising her food.”

I flinched. Food. He’d called me food. Was I in danger? Had I been in danger all my life?

“Food.”

“Sorry. I didn’t want to say it like that. But Eleanor, you can never be alone with Aleesha, or Angus, or Eloise. Just with Mother, Father, and me, probably the twins too.”

“Eloise?”

“She’s a smart, plotting, perfectionist. You can’t trust her. You never can. Don’t trust her, don’t ever be alone with her.”

I nodded slowly. “I understand.”

“I’m glad you do. I care about you, Eleanor.” He chuckled and stroked my hair.

“There are some other things you need to know. But for right now, I think you’re good.”

“How did Demetrius heal me?” I asked. Aric pursed his lips and shrugged.

“This is more scientific, but our blood heals humans. Not our kind, we heal on our own, but it can heal humans from almost anything.

“Father did the fastest thing possible to get your blood out of the picture. He was very strong healing you.”

“What do you mean?”

He gave me a cocky grin and winked. “Your blood is very sweet-smelling, compelling. I was outside, but when you got cut, I could smell how sweet it was. My eyes were red.”

He paused, taking in my aghast expression. “Sorry. Father bit his tongue, then licked your wound. It was the fastest, surest way, and it didn’t include vampires bleeding all over the place.

“He was healed at the same time as you.”

“His blood healed me.”

“Yes, it also helped you to faint and created an Infinity.”

“A what?”

“An Infinity is created every time a vampire heals a human with his blood. From then on, he can track the human wherever, whenever. Nothing more, don’t worry, there are worse things.”

“Like what?”

He smiled. “You’re too young.”

I pouted at him. “No fair.”

“Consider yourself lucky.”

I nodded. “Can you eat human food?”

“I can eat anything. Most human food isn’t particularly appetizing to me, though.” He leaned over and grabbed the tray with one hand. He placed it carefully on my lap.

“Here, eat, drink. I’ll play.” He got off the bed and settled in front of his piano. I looked down at the food and smiled, and it smelled delicious.

“I’m glad you can cook, Aric,” I told him. He chuckled and started playing an upbeat, cheerful song—one of his, of course.

I dunked my bread in the soup and took a bite. It was very good.

“I was a cook in three prestigious restaurants, one only fifty years ago. This is a Japanese soup.”

“Miso. I know Mother makes it sometimes.”

“Huh, well, I make it better.” He chuckled. “It’s good when you’re sick.”

“I’m not sick. I feel great.”

“I know, but it’s still good for you.”

“Aric.”

“What is it?”

“Can you tell me about being a vampire? I’m very curious. I want to know what it’s like.”

Aric stopped playing and turned to face me, cocking his head to one side. “I guess, but it’s not all pleasant. I mean, from a human’s point of view.”

“I’m not a little girl anymore. I can handle it.”

Aric looked amused. “Sure, but maybe another time. Finish your soup, drink your milk, then we’ll go out, I’ll tell you then.”

“Fine.”

“Good girl,” he winked at me, then turned back to his piano, playing the same soft but happy song as before.

I stared at him for a little while. He looked the same, but suddenly he was different. I couldn’t understand if I was in danger or not. Should I be scared, running out of the house screaming?

Where would I go? This was my home. It always had been, and always would be. I smiled to myself. This was my home, and my family and I lived with them no matter what. They were good people.

I stopped staring and pretended to be a cat. I lapped up my soup, slipping it all over the tray until Aric had to scold me. I enjoyed it, though.

Aric took me out into town. It was around three, so everything was shut. The streets were empty and quiet. Though Aric was constantly tossing his head this way and that, hearing every sound.

The air was cold. There was snow in the breeze, just enough for me to feel cold even though I wore boots and a tight coat.

I suddenly noticed how Aric stayed in his shirt. It was super thin. He wasn’t even wearing shoes! But the cold suited him. He looked just fine.

It was weird, so I stopped looking at him.

“Mother and Father will meet us here.” He stopped in the middle of the street, looking around.

“Where are they?”

“Coming.” He ran his fingers through his light hair and smiled. “I can hear them talking.”

I peered into the mist in front of me, then frowned. I couldn’t see or hear anything! “What are they talking about?” I asked curiously.

“You.” He grinned. “But don’t worry, you’re not in trouble.”

“Thanks.” I rolled my eyes at him, then stopped because it was giving me a headache. I decided to stare at him while we waited.

He looked the same. But he was still so different. Dangerous suddenly, he reminded me of a panther.

It was just like the girl in my picture book being raised by wolves!

“Am I like Tarzan?” I asked.

“Tarzan?”

“The guy raised by apes,” I reminded him, putting my hands on my hips. “It’s a true story.”

“No, it’s not.”

“Yes, it is!” I insisted loudly. Aric looked amused.

“No, it’s not. And it’s not like you were raised by apes because vampires, especially pure-blood vampires, are much smarter than apes. We’re elite, supernatural humans, deluxe versions.”

“What’s elite mean?”

“A group of prestigious people.”

“What does prestigious mean?”

Aric looked annoyed. He faced the mist in front of us and sighed loudly. “They’re coming,” he told me. “Prestigious is having glamour, charm, high esteem. Not human, really.

“Am I elite?”

“You are,” he paused and grinned. “Sometimes.”

I smiled, content.

Mother and Demetrius appeared out of the mist, walking fast. For the first time, I looked at them and was scared.

Demetrius’s eyes were green, but they kept flashing back to red. His expression was scary. Even the way he stood scared me.

Mother was wearing a long floaty dress that blocked out the moonlight behind her. Her hair was out and falling all over her shoulder, she was smiling, but her teeth were sharp.

Mother reached toward me, still smiling. I inched back slightly, I didn’t think she’d even notice, but she stopped moving and glanced up at Aric.

“Aric?”

“She’s fine. I told her everything she needs to know,” he answered. His gaze met mine, and I suddenly felt safe again.

Somehow, Mother and Demetrius were scary and dangerous, but Aric was safe. I gripped his hand. It was cold. He squeezed it then crouched down.

Mother crouched in front of us, pushing her pretty hair out of her face. She smiled at me, and suddenly she was Mother again. Her sharp teeth weren’t important.

She wrapped her arms around me, and I hugged her back tightly.

“Oh, my baby. I was so worried about you. I wanted to be there when you woke up. But Demetrius and I were getting hungry. I, uh…,” she faltered, hugging me tighter.

I understood she hadn’t wanted to kill me. I understood she loved me. I patted her back.

“Don’t worry, Mother. I understand. Aric told me tons of stuff. And I have tons of questions.”

“I’m sure you do.” Mother seemed relieved. She picked me up in her arms. I didn’t mind being picked up, but she wasn’t very warm, and the air was cold. I shivered.

“I got you this to apologize for having scared you.” Demetrius stepped forward. He smiled. His eyes were moss green and comforting.

He handed me a present wrapped in a red cloth. I grabbed it excitedly. I never got presents except on my birthday, and it wasn’t for a little while!

“What is it?” I demanded, holding up a thick leather-bound book.

“It’s a journal. I bought it a few centuries ago. I wanted to start keeping a journal, never got around to it,” Demetrius admitted.

“We thought you could draw in it or glue your favorite drawings in. Or maybe you want to keep a journal too.” Mother squeezed me.

I turned the book around in my hands slowly. The pages were creamy colored, and the leather was dark red and worn.

It was completely blank when I flipped it open. It reminded me of a fairy-tale book. I hugged it to my chest.

“Thank you. I love it already,” I told him happily. Mother laughed and kissed my forehead.

“I’m glad. Now, let’s get you home. I believe we’re expecting a guest.” She arched her brows at Demetrius and smiled. Aric looked confused and annoyed about it.

“Who?” he demanded.

Mother grinned at him but didn’t answer. Instead, she swooped by, holding me tighter. I knew she was getting ready to run home. I wrapped my arms around her neck, gripping my new book tightly.

I felt the jolt in her body, in the air, when suddenly she started running, things blurred past me, the wind whistled in my ears. I could barely keep my eyes open. But I loved the speed.

Home came into view. Mother slowed down until she was walking at a human speed. I let go of her and struggled to get out of her arms. She set me down on the ground.

I watched her lift her head and breathe in the wind. Her head snapped in the other direction, and she smiled.

“Almost here,” she told me.

Aric pushed the big doors open, and we followed him inside. I immediately spotted Eloise and the twins in front of the fireplace.

None of them moved a muscle when we entered. They didn’t even look up.

I had always thought it was funny how the twins could be completely identical except for their hair, Venus with her reddish-blonde hair and Phoenix with her purely red hair.

I was staring at their hair, so I didn’t notice Auntie Aleesha in the room until she was standing right by the twins.

“I know.” Her voice was loud enough for me to hear it across the room. “Eloise told me she knows.”

Then she faced me, and her blue eyes seemed to burn into mine. “At least now she’ll understand me better.”

I swallowed. I didn’t understand. I didn’t understand at all. I gripped Mother’s hand. She squeezed it.

“Aleesha, just go. I’m not in the mood for you,” she sighed, moving across the room with me in tow.

Aleesha saw me approaching and immediately took off in the other direction. I had the strange feeling she was scared. I watched as her dark hair disappeared down the winding staircase.

“So, we got a journal, huh?” Eloise spun around suddenly just as I reached her.

Her lovely face was split with a wide grin, and her pointy teeth were very visible. But her eyes were their normal blue, so I trusted her.

Aric had told me to stay away, but Eloise had always been nice to me, nicer than the twins. They ignore me most of the time.

“Yeah!” I replied, handing her my new journal. Eloise turned it over in her hands and smiled, handing it back to me.

“Lucky girl. It’s very nice. Almost as old as me,” she winked. I tried winking back, but I think I just blinked.

“I like it. I think I’m gonna put all my drawings in it.”

“I think that’s a great idea,” Eloise agreed.

I watched as Mother and Demetrius moved away slowly. Aric came to sit next to me, facing Eloise. She grinned at him.

“Hey, cousin.” She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

Aric smiled at her. “Hey coz. You know who’s coming?” he asked, placing a hand on my shoulder. It was cold but comforting.

The twins moved to sit next to Eloise, tossing their hair back.

“Can’t you hear?” Phoenix asked, smiling at Aric. Aric cocked his head to one side, facing the door. I waited a few seconds then watched a wide grin split across his face.

“Brilliant,” he grinned at me.

“Who is it?” I asked. He was about to answer, then his head flicked back to the front door. The two doors slammed open, and the cold wind gasped into the cathedral. I peered at the three figures.

Two seconds later, they were hovering over me—a man, a woman, and a teenage boy. It didn’t take me a second to guess who they were.

The woman had the same hair as Mother and almost the same face. She smiled sweetly as she kneeled to my height. I could feel her cold breath on my face. I knew they were pureblood vampires.

“You must be the human. Eleanor. Am I right, Sister?” Her voice was cold and sweet. Her gaze lifted to meet Mother’s. Mother was grinning at her.

“Selene. It’s so good to see you!”