Chapter Five (Alexander)

And I was right.

Slade and Zander sat on a Zander's bed while Storm and Mark sat on Slade's bed. I stayed on the other side of the room, away from Vladimir, who was sitting at the desk at the head of the room, one leg folded over the other regally. He seemed to be thinking about something for a moment before looking up, but not at me.

Anyone, but me.

He was avoiding my eyes on purpose, which made me frown. Was he guilty?

"The security breach happened sometime this morning," Vladimir began, his eyes drifting from Storm and Mark to Slade and zander, "One of the west gates had been busted open and the man guarding it on the other side was dead. A pile of ash from being burnt alive. No other signs were there, so I've had my men investigating the manor. Of course, it should all be cleared up by this weekend for the get together and surely he wouldn't be stupid enough to attack a party full of purebloods. Newell works through manipulation. He's tricked halfbloods and purebloods alike to follow his word when in the end, Newell only plans to let less than one third of them live."

"Then why not tell his followers tha'?" Slade asked, confused. Vladimir smiled lightly, folding his hands onto his knee.

"It's like trying to convince a Christian that there is no God. They don't want to listen. They refuse to. This is their savior. Newell will put an end to my reign, or so he thinks. But unlike Newell, my followers are in a larger number and stronger belief. They know I am their god because I prove that I am their god." He explained, making Slade nod slowly in understanding. Storm frowned, one hand locked together with Mark's.

"As for any information we dug up about Newell, we know it was one of his underlings. Nothing was stolen or destroyed, but someone had hacked into one of the central systems and pulled up a list of all the well known purebloods, including the remaining heirs of the Court of Seven." He informed calmly. Slade blinked, leaning forward.

"Court of Seven? What's tha'?" He asked curiously.

"The Court of Seven," Vladimir began gently, sounding more like a father than a king, "are the descendents from the ancient Druids. The Originals. They're all powerful purebloods that lead the smaller clans, the halfblood clans. A good portion of the Court of Seven has vanished. The only powerful clans left, with an heir anyway, are Gothica, Drakon, and Grey. All of those heirs within this room, of course." Slade's eyes widened and whistled, leaning forward on his hands on the bed.

"Tha's wicked! Ye's all powerful and junk! So's, then how come ye's havin' trouble wif this Newell character?" He asked curiously.

"Newell's Mark's cousin, a member of the Drakon clan," I spoke up, making Slade look at me, "He's extremely powerful and not to mention, he's angry. And when someone's angry, they're going to do anything to get revenge. Newell was born with this condition that gives him the appearance of a child. That's why he looked so little to you. He was supposed to take over the Drakon Clan, but his parents were embarrassed by his appearance and hid him away, giving the title to Mark's parents. Newell was furious and destroyed even his own parents. He wants to get rid of everyone, probably assuming that we're all making fun of him."

"How can you not," Mark drawled with an eyeroll, "He's a midget child with the brain workings of a psycho killer. That's like asking me to stop mocking Chucky."

"Chucky wasn't an evil vampire bent on destroying the human race and halfbloods." Storm pointed out sweetly, making Mark scowl. Storm smiled and didn't even pretend to hide the kiss he gave Mark behind his ear. Mark shivered and settled closer against Storm. I avoided looking at them now as Slade hummed thoughtfully.

"So's... This lil' bloke broke into yo manor and hacked into yo computer files, jus' to find a list of the people he already knew 'bout? Ain't tha' jus' a lil' suspicious o' somefin'? I mean, it is to me." Slade offered, making Vladimir nod.

"Exactly. They broke in for a reason, aside from the hacking, but I'm not sure what. I'll have to set up maximum security at the party, unless this happens again, in which case, I'll cancel." Vladimir explained.

"Great, so now what? We just sit around?" Mark asked. Vladimir shook his head and rose to his feet.

"Firstly, we three need to check into our hotel and leave these boys alone for a bit. Secondly, we'll call if we get anymore information as my men have been ordered to call me once they find something suspicious as they continue their search." He replied, making Mark sigh and heave himself to his feet as Storm rose as well.

"Thank you for letting us use your room." Storm added politely with a nod as his father went for the door. Slade and Zander stood, nodding their heads. I just stood away from the door, watching them leave and the fact that once again, Vladimir hardly paid any attention to me. It made me frown.

"I should probably go too. Studies." I said after a few minutes, looking at Slade, who nodded and came forward to open the door for me.

"Good luck, an' all tha'. We'll call ye if anyfin' weird 'appens 'gain." Slade responded, making me nod as I stepped out of the room and he shut the door behind me. I started down the hallway, pulling my jacket closer to me as I took a deep breath, trying to get my thoughts settled when I turned the corner and bumped into Vladimir. I instantly leapt back, jerking my head up and locking eyes with him for the first time since he showed up.

"Sorry." I apologized immediately. Vladimir didn't break our eye contact as he stood there, his hands in his pockets.

"It's fine. I was waiting for you. Would you mind taking a walk with me?" He asked. I hesitated. I didn't really want to be alone with him, but it seemed there was no other choice as Mark and Storm had vanished. I took a deep breath and just nodded. Vladimir seemed relieved and nodded before gesturing me to follow him.

We walked out of the dorm together and out into the snowy cold campus. People were running away from the falling snow, disappearing into the buildings around us before Vladimir and I began to walk toward the main gate on the other side of the campus. Neither of us said anything, just kept walking through the slush on the sidewalk.

I felt uncomfortable. He asked me to go on a walk with him, but he wasn't saying anything. He wasn't even teasing me or flirting anymore, which also bothered me because that was one of the things that made it easier to be around him. Not to mention, this was the man who'd gotten me drunk for the first time. At the same time, I couldn't get the fact that he killed Nicholas out of my mind, I squeezed my eyes shut for a second until Vladimir spoke, making me blink and look up.

"You probably don't want to be alone with me," He said earnestly, "I understand. I don't even like being alone with myself either. It's unsettling, but I don't want you to feel that I'll harm you, Alexander. That's the very thing I've wanted to prevent since we met."

"I don't want to be rude, but it's too late for that." I admitted honestly. Vladimir smiled, but it was a painful smile that made my chest tighten as we stopped walking near the bus stop.

"I know," He answered quietly, "And it wasn't my intention. My plan was just as I had told you... But there had been some changes in the middle when Newell had ordered Nicholas to kill my son. Storm is the last family I have on this planet. I'd even kill myself to protect him. Nicholas was part of Zephyra and as part of them, he was loyal and had to do what Newell told him. And Newell told him to kill my son. Nicholas had become a machine with one goal in mind."

"I know." I was surprised at how my voice shook when I said that. Vladimir tilted his head a little, looking at me sadly.

"I won't lie and say if I could change the past, I would, because then my son would be dead. I do love you, Alexander, don't get me wrong. And this may sound a little creepy," He added, making me raise an eyebrow, "But the moment I saw you, I knew there was something about you that I would love. It wasn't just the way you looked up at me with a child-like innocence or how cute you looked in your little boots. Just... something about you."

"Then... Why..." My voice trailed. I didn't know what to say. Most people would be creeped out by an older man like Vladimir basically confessing, but I wasn't. This was Vladimir Van Gothica standing here, looking at me with an expression I don't think I'd ever seen on his face before. This was a King confessing to one of his subjects.

This was a murderer confessing. The thought rang in my head and I felt the tears burning the backs of my eyes as Vladimir studied my face.

"It's like I said," He murmured gently, "My schedule won't permit dating."

"Your schedule or your conscious?" I managed. Vladimir's eyes seemed to glow as he smiled, reaching out to cup my cheek. My body went still and my cheeks felt like they were heating as Vladimir leaned down and touched his lips to my forehead. I held my breath as he took my chin and tilted my head up. His lips hovered over mine for a moment, his eyes locking with mine.

I couldn't hold it anymore. Tears flooded my vision and left searing hot trails down my cheeks as Vladimir studied my face before pulling away, letting go of me to step back.

"There's no difference." He answered at last, making me look at him in confusion as the bus slowly pulled up to the curb. Vladimir stepped away from me and turned as the bus stopped and the doors opened. He started inside, but I caught the back of his jacket without realizing. He turned to look at me, his expression unreadable. I didn't know what I wanted to say at first, we just stood there before I let go of his jacket and stepped back. Vladimir studied my face for a moment, then turned and got on the bus, handing the man a five dollar bill instead of twenty-five cents.

The driver blinked, then quickly shut the doors and glanced at me before driving off down the road after Vladimir had gotten his seat. I was left standing at the stop, watching him leave before I shivered at a sudden gust of icy cold wind.

I suddenly didn't want to be alone.

I wanted to talk to someone.

I wanted to get away from all this and before I could even think properly, I was taking out my cell phone and dialing Nathan's number, turning around to face the college, my back to the disappearing bus.

"That was fast." Nathan said as he picked up. I smiled through my tears, but refused to let him hear me sniffle.

"Sorry. I just... really don't wanna be alone right now. Is it all right if we meet up somewhere or are you busy?" I asked, glancing up at the cloudy sky. There was some shuffling a guy saying something before Nathan answered.

"Totally not busy! Where did you want to meet?"

"Uhm... Well, how about the McDonalds on Washtenaw Avenue?"

"Sure! I'll see you in about fifteen minutes."

"Thanks." I hung up, pocketing my phone before I began to walk down the street. I didn't want to wait for the next bus and I didn't want to be alone. The streets were crowded with Christmas shoppers and college students moving around and preparing for dinner. I took my time crossing the bridge over the Huron River on the sidewalk, pausing to look at the icy cold river.

It was crackled over with thin ice on the edges, but dead center the river still rippled dangerously. It gave me chills to just keep standing there and watching, so I hurried along the bridge until I reached McDonalds, relieved by the warmth inside as I ordered a hot coffee before taking a seat in one of the far corners. Not a moment later did Nathan walk in, redfaced and breathing hard. His hair was a wild mess and his scarf was hardly tied tightly enough to keep him warm and his jacket was sliding off.

"Hey, Alex!" He greeted brightly, making me smile lightly as he came over to sit across from me, shivering and breathing on his hands. I offered him my coffee and he simply clasped his hands around it, sighing in relief.

"Sorry for calling you out all of a sudden." I confessed, reaching up to run a hand through my hair. Nathan started to smile as he looked up before it faded and he let go of my coffee.

"Have you been crying?" He asked, perplexed. I blinked, then reached up to feel that my eyes were a little puffy. I laughed lightly, sniffing and shaking my head.

"No, it's just this weather."

"You can't lie to me. I know when somene's been crying." Nathan warned me with a huff. I smiled lightly. I didn't want to tell him the real reason I was crying. He wouldn't understand, so I decided to go with a light fib.

"I was just thinking too much... about that person I mentioned before." I added. Nathan's expression became solemn as he cocked his head, studying my face as he pushed my coffee back toward me.

"I'm sorry... You loved him a lot?" He asked. I shifted uncomfortably, cupping my coffee and soaking in the warmth at my finger tips as I gave a little nod. My throat felt choked off. I didn't really like discussing Nicholas, with anyone. Just thinking about him when I was by myself drove me to tears and I wasn't about to embarrass myself again by crying in front of someone.

"How did he die?" Nathan asked. I nibbled my lower lip and just shook my head, feeling the lump in my throat ready to burst. Nathan noticed instantly and winced, reaching out to touch my hands, sending jolts up and down my arms.

"I'm really sorry. That was super rude of me." He apologized, but I shook my head, sniffling a bit and forcing a smile.

"No, it's fine... I just haven't talked about him with anyone, not even Mark." I confessed, looking down at the way Nathan's hands cupped perfectly over mine. I felt like I was losing my breath as I lifted my head to see Nathan gazing at me comfortingly, his thumbs stroking my knuckles.

"I'm sorry... I can't say I understand completely, but... I know the pain of losing someone close. My brother and I were really close before he died. He was my ideal. He was the one that basically taught me everything. I looked up to him. And it hurt when he died. It still hurts, but.... I like talking about him. I feel like it keeps him alive in a way." He admitted quietly, averting his eyes shyly for a moment.

I bit my lower lip, studying Nathan's face. I could see the sorrow on his face, but... at the same time, I could see the affection, the memories. It made something inside me feel warm.

Nathan was right. Bottling up all my feelings about Nicholas was why I was still in as much pain as I was the day he died. I had no release for these feelings and I felt like I was burdening everyone, but maybe I was just burdening them by keeping my mouth shut.

And talking about Nicholas did hurt, but at the same time, I could still see him smiling in my mind's eye. At all his football and soccer games, that big goofy grin on his face and the way his dark hair curled around his face and his perfect hazel eyes. It made me smile faintly as I tensed my hands under Nathan's.

"His name was Nicholas," I managed aloud, making Nathan look up at me, his eyes glowing with curiosity, "Nicholas Ryan. I met him in elementary school and I always liked him. At first, it was because he was cute. He was outgoing and friendly and he didn't treat me like a freak like the other kids. My parents spent all my life pampering me and getting me ready for something big. I really had no life of my own and nobody else noticed, except Nicholas. And when he told me he liked me back, it was the happiest day of my life, but I couldn't go against my parents. I'd... already done a lot of things to disobey them."

I went on to tell him several fond memories of Nicholas. Like the biology project we did together about the rainforest and how Nicholas just went along with any idea I had, saying in the end that he just liked seeing me happy. Or at our last homecoming game when Nicholas had kissed me.

"He did it right there in front of everyone," I remembered, blinking a few times to fight the next wave of tears that threatened to spill over, "He didn't care. He promised me we could hang out again, but I knew it wouldn't happen because of my parents... And then, the next day before that whole kidnapping mess, he came to my house and told me flat out that he liked me and wanted to go out, but..."

"Your parents." Nathan filled in gently. I just managed a nod this time, but I kept nodding until my head hurt and I realized I was sobbing.

Ah, god.

This is why I didn't want to talk about it.

Because I knew I'd end up crying, but I suddenly didn't care... Why did it matter? I had a reason to cry. Nicholas was dead and he wasn't coming back.

"I miss him so much." I sobbed, choking on tears. Nathan bit his lip, looking sad himself before he got up out of his seat and sat next to me. I didn't care that I didn't know Nathan as well as anyone else. I just loved the feeling of his arms going around me as he pulled me to his chest, his hand stroking my hair.

"I'm sorry, Alex." Nathan said softly. I tried to catch my breath, but it just hurt my throat even more, so I gave up and let myself cry as Nathan just stayed silent and held me. It was forever before I finally managed to calm down, sniffing as Nathan handed me a napkin. I held it over my nose as Nathan sat back, watching me in concern.

"I'm really sorry; I normally don't do that kind of stuff." I admitted, sniffling as I wiped my eyes. Nathan smiled lightly.

"It's all right. I understand. It hurts... But, don't you feel a little better after letting it out?" He asked hopefully. I waited a moment to think about that. I did feel better. I felt awkward for crying so much in front of strangers, but I suddenly felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I smiled lightly, crumpling the napkin in my hand.

"Actually, yea. I mean, my nose is stuffy and my eyes feel puffy, but other than that." I added, making Nathan laugh quietly as he reached up, wiping his thumb under my eye, making me blink and look up at him. Nathan studied my face for a moment before his cheeks turned bright pink and he cleared his throat, smiling nervously.

"Ah, well, I don't wanna run off so quickly, but I sorta have an exam to study for tomorrow; and I bet you do too. How about we have lunch tomorrow after our exams? You're probably going home for winter break." He added. I smiled warmly.

I was so stuck on Nicholas that I didn't realize that someone great was sitting right here in front of me. It made my heart swell up and instead of coming up with excuse this time, I just beamed at Nathan.

"That'd be great. How about the coffee shop at noon?" I suggested and Nathan nodded eagerly as we slid out of our booth, heading for the exit. We rode the bus back towards Condoria where I got off, saying goodbye to Nathan before I headed toward my dorm.

I suddenly felt... airy, I guess. Free. I felt like I didn't have to hold my head down anymore. Some tension left my muscles and I breathed deeply in relief, smiling to myself as the snow swirled around and the last of the college students disappeared in an attempt to escape the darkness and the snow.

I took my time walking back to my dorm where I treated myself to extra bag of blood as I sat at my desk, studying for my exam tomorrow.

I did like Nathan, I realized that night. He was so nice and friendly. He even helped me feel better. I didn't feel so gloomy. I felt like there was a little more light in my life.

Of course, I would never forget Nicholas.

But I know he wouldn't want me to cling to the past when I couldn't change it. Why trap myself in the past when I can walk to the future? That didn't mean I'd forget the good memories. It just meant I was walking away from the bad ones.

And I know that someday, Nicholas and I might find each other again.

My cell phone went off, making my eyes fly open to stare up at my ceiling, making me blink a few times. I tilted my head as my phone vibrated on my desk, trembling violently as the French ringtone went off. I reached out and flipped it open, holding it to my ear as I continued to stare at the ceiling, trying to fully wake up.

"Uh?" I greeted sleepily.

"Alex!" Oh god, Mark. Why? This is why you needed to go to school or at least get a freakin' job so you don't call people in the middle of the night while they're having inspirational dreams that'll achieve true happiness and euphoria.

"You better be on fire or dying." I grunted, rolling over as I set the speaker phone on and placed the phone beside me on the pillow. I shivered at how cold it suddenly felt in the room, pulling my blankets and quilts around me tightly.

"Even better," Mark exclaimed, making me roll my eyes, "We have a lead on Newt!" I blinked a few times before propping myself up onto my elbows, staring at the phone in surprise.

"You do?"

"Hell yes! We got a call from Lambert--"

"The sheepish lion?"

"No, this weird old guy that works on the maintenance team. He said that the person who hacked our computer system had emailed all the information to a computer in the UP. Somewhere across the bridge, which means Newt has to be somewhere up there. Vladimir's sending up some of his people." Mark explained excitedly. I sighed in relief, smiling as I lowered my head against the pillow.

"This is just great." I breathed at last, suddenly feeling even more sleepy.

If they could find Newt, they could arrest him and do whatever they did to terrorists. Then we wouldn't have to worry about him anymore. I could hang out with Nathan whenever I want, get to know him more, and who knows what'd happen after that?

"Hey... Alex. Alex! Hey! Are you there? Aaaaaaalex!"

"That's so great," I murmured against my pillow with a sleepy smile, "No more terrorists, no more threats, no more problems, except acing my exams and graduating and maybe figuring out how to have sex without freaking out."

"You ever heard the acronym TMI? You should learn it."

"I do like tea."

"What? I said TM-- Never mind. You're obviously tired."

"Mark, it's two thirty in the morning."

"We're vampires! Creatures of the night! How are you even tired at this hour? I'm playing fuckin' Halo with Storm right now!"

"I hate to break it to you, but garlic and crosses also don't work.... And if you're so busy playing video games with your husband, why are you calling me?"

"To piss you off."

"Goodnight, Mark."

"Wait, wait!"

"What?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to piss you off even more."

"I'm going to punch you in the face."

"Storm, did you hear that? Alex actually threatened me!" Mark exclaimed on the other line as I rolled my eyes, reaching for the phone and shutting the speaker off as I held it to my ear in time to hear Storm in the background warning Mark to behave.

"Goodnight, Mark." I mumbled sleepily and hit the off button without another word as I dropped my head on the pillow, smiling against it as my eyes fluttered shut.