Deception (Absent Shadows Trilogy Book 3) (11 page)

Ben and Henry like Jackie and Zane too. Sometimes, when I have to study but they have free time, they take them in the truck to a big lake where they can swim. They aren’t allowed to chase any birds though. I’ve told them that, and they obey. They are very good dogs, Mommy.

How is Archie? I hope he is being a good dog too. I know he isn’t a real dog, but he is special, isn’t he?

Ben and Henry are teaching me how to run really fast. Sometimes, I can run so fast my feet don’t even touch the ground, but I’m still not as fast as they are. Not yet anyway. But they say I’ll be faster than them when I’m fully grown. I think it’s because I’ll be lighter. They are very big and heavy, aren’t they?

I have to go do my homework now.

Love, Ceylona

xoxox

‘She’s growing up so fast, Debs. Can you believe she wrote that? She’s only a bit more than three. Her writing is so neat too. Or do you think one of the boys might have helped her?’

‘Hmmm, I think there’s a good chance she had some help. But I’m sure she dictated it,’ laughed Debs, looking over my shoulder at the letter as she set my coffee down on the table.

‘Yeah, you’re probably right. Oh, I can’t wait to get settled into a house. Not that I’m not happy here, I didn’t mean it like that. But I want to set up a room for Ceylona, so that she can come for a visit. I’m hoping Mladen will allow her to come for Christmas.’

‘Oh, yes, that would be really lovely. Surely, Mladen won’t mind.’

‘Well, I think I’ll wait until we’re settled, then I’ll speak to him.’

‘And so, who’s the other letter from, if I’m allowed to be nosy,’ asked Debs.

‘I don’t know—I don’t recognise the return address. But it looks like some sort of invitation, don’t you think?’ I answered, scrunching up my face with uncertainty.

‘Yes—the envelope is beautiful. And the address looks like it was done by a calligrapher.’

I carefully opened the second envelope and found it was an invitation to David and Susan’s engagement party. I stared at the beautiful writing on the delicate paper and felt empty.

‘And?’ Debs asked, prompting me to explain.

‘Oh, it’s an engagement party—friends of mine in California.’

‘That’s lovely. Close friends? Will you go back for the party?’

‘No. I mean, yes, they’re friends from high school. I’ve known them both for ages. But no, I won’t go over for the party,’ I answered, my voice flat.

‘You don’t sound too happy about it … don’t you think they’re a good couple?’

‘Oh, it’s not that. They’re great together. It’s just, sort of … sudden,’ I replied. I couldn’t explain to Debs what my hesitation was, as I wasn’t sure myself. They would be good together. I’d thought that right from the start. But it was still a bit hard to let go I suppose. Not that it was like I’d ever thought that David and I would ever get back together, but somehow it was the closing of a door that I hadn’t minded leaving open. Selfish of me, for sure, but still, that’s how I felt.

‘Now,’ Debs began, changing the subject, ‘I was thinking … you’ve been here for a while now and, well, I think you need to get a job, or go to school. You need something to think about besides house hunting. They are always looking for volunteers at the museum. I thought we could go see Lincoln, my boss, and find out how you might be able to help … if that sounded good to you? Then we can have a nice lunch somewhere afterwards.’

‘The museum? Uh, well … I suppose I do need to do something with my time,’ I answered, hesitantly. The museum wouldn’t have been my first choice for volunteering my time, but maybe it would be okay.

‘Fabulous! I was hoping you’d think it was a good idea. Of course, only if they can use you on Mondays with me, so we can go in together. You go shower and change into something nice, and I’ll ring Lincoln and see if he’s free to chat to us.’

~~***~~

The weekend was spent pretty much as the previous one had been, with the exception that it rained both days. On Saturday, I grabbed a huge umbrella out of Ian’s golf bag, and Sam and I ventured out to the five open-for-inspections. Unfortunately, none of them were quite as nice as the agent’s flourishing descriptions would have led us to believe. But there was one that had some potential if we wanted to spend a bit of money renovating; it only had one central bathroom, and I really wanted both an en-suite and a family bathroom. Sam had just laughed at me, saying it was up to me. He didn’t seem to mind inspecting the houses, but I began to wonder if he was just humouring me.

On Sunday it was still raining, and I couldn’t face going for a run. I rang Sam and asked him if he wanted to come over, but he made some tactful excuses about needing to help Michael with something at the house, and I couldn’t be bothered to beg. So, instead, I wrote a letter to Ceylona, in response to hers. Then I scanned the photos she’d sent me, and emailed them to Mom with a long update on both Ceylona, and the house-hunting. I spent the rest of the day going through the listings on the internet again, in case I might have missed something, or something new might have been added.

Monday was spent at the museum with Debs, and I had to admit I it wasn’t that bad, although it was mostly just helping out in the office—opening mail and doing filing and that sort of thing. The worst part was not being able to see Sam that morning. But I supposed one day a week wouldn’t kill me.

Tuesday morning, I did my run then sat on the bench with Sam. He seemed even more distant than usual for the first little while, but began to warm to me the longer we sat there. It was as if each time we met, he was getting to know me all over again. Maybe it was a vampire thing, but I didn’t remember him being this way before I went away.

At mid-day Claire arrived to go shopping and then to a movie afterward. When she asked after Ceylona, I explained that I’d sent her to a private boarding school, and Claire didn’t even question this. After the movie we stopped for a hamburger and sat talking about the film, which was a love story, and this, of course, led to a discussion about Tom.

‘So, do you think we can do a double date soon? It would be so much fun. I tried to ring Tom to let him know I’m back, but he still didn’t answer his phone. I’m thinking maybe he lost it somewhere, and got a new one … you know, with a different number. That’s possible, don’t you think?’

‘Oh, sure Claire. I’m sure he isn’t trying to avoid you. But I haven’t seen him since I’ve been back. I’ve been catching up with Sam each day, but I haven’t been over to the house. I haven’t even seen Crystal and Michael much really. It’s a bit crowded at their place, from what they’ve said, so I don’t want to intrude.’

‘Oh, well, you can just ask Sam then. He can speak to Tom. I’m sure once he knows I’m back, he’ll want to see me!’

~~***~~

The next morning, when I saw Sam, it was one of the first things we talked about.

‘I spent the day with Claire yesterday,’ I said, watching his face for a reaction.

‘Oh, that would have been nice for you. Is she back now, or just visiting?’ he asked, his face not giving anything away.

‘She’s back. She finished her degree. So, I guess she’ll start looking for a job soon.’

He was silent for quite some time, and there was nothing on his face to give away what he was thinking. He still sat away from me on the other side of the bench, staring straight ahead into the distance. When he finally spoke, his voice held no discernable emotion. ‘I’m glad she’s back … for you, I mean. It’ll be nice for you to have a friend to do things with.’

‘Yeah, it will. You know, she was wondering if maybe the four of us could get together—you know, with Tom. She thought maybe a football game or something like that,’ I said, trying not to sound overly enthusiastic, but hoping he would think it was a good idea.

‘Oh,’ was all he said, a slight frown appearing on his face as he crossed his arms.

‘Is that a problem? Doing something with Tom, I mean? You know, I haven’t even seen him yet.’

‘Yeah, well, he’s been sort of preoccupied these days,’ he replied. Now he was definitely frowning.

‘Preoccupied? Doing what?’ I crossed my arms just as he’d done, and could feel myself frowning too. There was a name for this behaviour—taking on the same body language as the person you’re speaking to—was it mirroring, or something like that?

‘He has a new girlfriend,’ he finally replied, saying the words quickly.

‘Really? Since when? You’ve never said anything about a new girlfriend,’ I said, taken aback by this news.

‘Didn’t I? Well, it’s been quite a while—well over a year … maybe going on two years even, come to think of it,’ he replied, then squinted as if trying to remember exactly when they’d met. ‘It was way before we moved anyway. He isn’t at the house much, at Michael and Crystal’s. He’s pretty much either with me, or with Rebekah.’

‘Wow … so … where did he meet her? Where does she live? What does she do? I need some details please—Claire will give me the third degree, and I’ll need some answers.’ I was rattled by this news. Why hadn’t he mentioned it earlier? I suppose I hadn’t asked, but still, you’d think he’d have said something.

He looked at me blankly, and for a moment I thought maybe he wasn’t going to answer. Then he spoke, in a calm voice, completely in contrast to mine. ‘He met her through Erranase, who knew her from the galleries. She’s like Erranase that way … cultured … likes the galleries, and the theatre, stuff like that.’

I smirked, and asked, ‘So, what’s she doing with Tom then?’

He smiled at that, and shook his head slightly. ‘I know what you mean. But they do say opposites attract. Anyway, Tom ran into Erranase outside the theatre one night, and Rebekah was with him. They were introduced and I guess they just really hit it off.’

‘Wait a minute … if she was with Erranase … is she a vampire?’ I could feel my eyes opening wide and could almost feel the look of disbelief that must be written on my face.

‘Yes.’

‘And … Michael and Crystal … they’re okay with her staying in the area and all?’ I remembered a conversation I’d had with Crystal one time—she’d specifically said they didn’t allow other vampires to stay in the area.

‘Yes. She’s different. She doesn’t kill people,’ he replied, his voice still soft and calm.

‘Oh, so … she’s like you, is she? Survives on animal blood?’

‘No, not … exactly. But she doesn’t kill anyone. And she’s taught Tom to be the same as her. And me too, to some extent.’

I felt myself pushing back away from Sam to the other end of the bench, almost involuntarily.

‘What do you mean by that, Sam? So, are you drinking human blood now?’ I shivered at the thought of him drinking the blood of humans. I knew he’d done it from time to time; like that time before the encounter with Zunios, when he and Tom killed those drug dealers. But now?

‘It’s not what you think, Lili. She has this ability to hypnotise people, sort of like what I can do, but she’s much better at it. She can put someone into a trance as quick as lightning. She looks at them, and they sort of slip into a state of unconsciousness. Once they’re out, she cuts them, usually on their arm or leg, and then gently sucks out some blood. Not enough to harm them. Then she sets them down on the ground and lets them wake up. They just think they’ve tripped and cut themselves. It’s so easy. And she doesn’t hurt anyone. Not really.’

‘Oh, so they have this cut, with bruise marks shaped like lips on each side. Yeah, they wouldn’t be suspicious of that,’ I said sarcastically, trying not to cringe.

He shook his head and started to reach across to me but then stopped, seeming to change his mind. ‘It’s not like that. There isn’t a bruise. We’re … gentle,’ he said, his tone soothing.

I grimaced, and sat staring at him from the opposite side of the bench for a few moments, taking it all in. The fact that he said “we’re gentle” wasn’t lost on me. Was this why he’d been so distant? Was he craving my blood, even now?

‘So, you said “we”. Does that mean … are you drinking human blood all the time now?’

He looked down at the ground, then sighed before turning to face me.

‘Not entirely, but yes, quite often. I find it makes me stronger. And as you know, we’ve been under a fair amount of strain here lately.’

I sat thinking about this. So, he was drinking human blood. Not killing anyone, but drinking their blood none-the-less. But he was doing it so that he could protect humans better. Was that sort of like the collateral damage that the government always talked about when discussing civilian casualties in war zones? But he wasn’t actually killing anyone, so were they even casualties? Was it really so bad? Or was I just trying to justify his behaviour for my own selfish reasons?

‘And Michael and Crystal ... they’re … okay with this?’

‘Under the circumstances, yes. They know it helps make us stronger, and they need us now more than ever. They like Rebekah. She’s been a good influence on all of us—even Erranase.’

‘I see. And so, when you sit with me … like we are now … do you crave my blood?’

‘No, Lili, no, please … it’s not like that,’ he said, his voice pleading, and his eyes full of emotion.

‘You’re sure?’ I asked, raising an eyebrow. I wanted to believe him—to trust him—but should I?

‘Of course not … I mean, I never allow myself to get too hungry … and even if I was, you know I could never harm you—not for anything in the world.’

I studied his face, carefully. He had changed over the three years, and maybe this explained it. The rational side of me told me I should be wary of him, but I wasn’t frightened.

He held his arm up invitingly, and smiled shyly, so I slid over and he put his arm around me. When he spoke his voice was warm and soothing. ‘Everything will be fine. I promise. We’ll get things under control again. And you’ll find us a house, and we’ll move in together. We’ll pick up where we left off. It’ll be fine. Please don’t worry.’

We sat like this for several minutes, and his comforting words reassured me quite a bit, but I still had some reservations. I remembered how bad he’d felt when he killed those drug dealers. He’d taken no pleasure in it, and had only done it for the added strength it would give him. Surely, what Rebekah had taught him was even better, wasn’t it?