Chapter Three (Alexander)

The way to Slade's side of the campus was long and cold.

I shoved my gloved hands into the pockets of my wool jacket, walking through the cold slushy snow on the sidewalks. People rushed back and forth to get to classes, laughing and chattering about things that I'd probably never be able to understand and a pang of jealousy hit me, but I took a deep breath and kept pushing on until I reached the dorms.

I went to the front desk and asked for Slade, saying I had something to return to him. The girl directed me up the stairs and I followed her instructions until I found myself standing in front of room 234. I hesitated to knock and right when I lifted my hand to do so, the door opened and I blinked to see an outrageously tall human.

He had to be at least six foot five with deep dark hair and a pair of dark blue chic glasses hiding his matching eyes. He was wearing a red plaid shirt with black jeans and matching fuzzy socks. He was hardly familiar, which wasn't a surprise seeing as he probably stuck to this side of campus, but he was still outrageously huge. He even had to duck his head a little in the doorway.

"Slade was just talking about you." He deadpanned. I blinked, then peered past him as he stepped aside to reveal their room, which had been rearranged, despite the school rule stating not to. The beds were on opposite sides of the room with a window in between and a laptop sitting at the desk beneath it. Slade was just coming out of the bathroom, his crazy colored hair damp from a shower and his strange colored eyes seeking me out until he smiled, pulling at the long sleeves of his black and white striped shirt.

"I knew ya were comin'! I made Zander open the door, though. I don't mean to sound like a prick or nofin', I just dun wanna touch ya. I might have another episode." He added, heading to the dresser near the front door, taking out a pair of leather gloves to slip on. I nodded slowly, then came inside and Zander shut the door behind me.

"He knows?" I asked, pointing a thumb at Zander, who frowned.

"Why do you think his mom put me in charge of him? I'm part of her coven back in Detroit. The only one this dolt will listen to." He responded, his British accent hardly as thick as Slade's. I frowned and looked at Slade.

"So, your mother is Selene. My sister--"

"Tol' ye about 'er. Yea, I know."

"I know you know." I answered dryly. Slade blushed lightly, laughing uneasily as he ran his fingers through his damp hair, flipping his colorful bangs over his face in attempt to hide it as he plopped down on the bed.

"Sorry 'bout that. I heard ya thoughts before ya said 'em. I'm... not quite sure how to turn 'em off either." He added with a light shrug.

"Trust me, you'll get annoyed eventually." Zander assured as he went over to the desk and sat down, opening up his laptop. I shifted uneasily for a moment before Slade gestured for me to come sit down beside him, which I did.

"I can see lots 'o fings, but there are some fings I just can't see. And one of 'em is why ya here. I dun exactly understand why ya keep comin' up in my dreams and thoughts." He admitted with a shrug. I nibbled my lower lip for a moment.

"I don't want to be nosy, but... Well, I might as well. You saw something yesterday when I touched your shoulder, before you had your seizure. What was it? And do you always have seizures after a vision like that?" I asked. Slade stared at me with those strange colored eyes that seemed to only get paler in the bright lighting of the room.

"Well... Firstly, yes. Every time I have one of them big visions, ones that I can't handle, I freak out like that. Sorry. I was just caught off guard. I've never seen something that... scary before. And I saw my father die two days before he really did die." Slade explained calmly, leaning back on his hands. I blinked.

"And... what was it?" I asked carefully. Slade cocked his head, shivering a little bit as he nibbled his lower lip, averting his eyes before looking back at me.

"Ave you ever seen them movies, 'bout the children who run about just killin' people? Well... That's almost what I saw, only scarier. This kid was just runnin' 'round killin' innocent people. He was makin' his lil' army do it for 'im. An', then I saw him kneelin' in a pool of blood. Big pool, like three or four bodies had sprung a leak 'round 'im. And... Lots o' teef." He added, pointing to his canines and pausing to peer at my mouth. I sighed and to satisfy his curiosity, I pulled my lip up and Slade's eyes widened.

"Wicked! Look at them teef, Zan! S'like them movies 'bout Dracula o' somefin'!" Slade exclaimed, sliding off the bed and inching toward me. Zander paused his typing and glanced at my mouth, his eyes widening for a second before he turned completely around in his chair.

"May I?" He asked in awe. I shrugged and leaned toward him as he reached out, pulling up my lips to study my fangs. His eyes were wide behind his glasses, the fear deep inside them evident, but overcome by the curiosity that drove all humans to do something silly. However, I wasn't going to bite them. I'd drank a whole bag of blood before I came here.

"That's insane," Zander breathed at last, letting me go so I could sit back on the bed, "Don't they cut your lips?"

"No. I was born knowing how to talk with fangs. It's halfbloods that take forever to learn and by the time they do, they usually have scars on the insides of their lips." I commented, making Zander's eyes widen further. Any further and they'd pop out.

"I want some o' them," Slade declared, reaching up to touch his own  teeth, "It'd be so much easier to rip into a piece 'o beef wifout hurtin' me teef."

"You'd never learn how to talk without cutting yourself, fool." Zander retorted, turning back in his seat, making Slade pout for a moment before he looked up at me. I looked back at him now, tensing on the bed as I remembered what we were talking about before.

"Slade. Did you know the name of the boy in your vision? Was it Newell?" I asked. Slade blinked once, twice, before his eyes widened. He snapped his fingers and pointed at me.

"Ats 'is name? Ats sound vaguely familiar... I swore I've heard that name before... I could ask me mum. She likes to skype me a lot." He added. I nodded eagerly and Slade beamed as he hopped to his feet and leaned over Zander's shoulder to the laptop.

"Sorry, mate, time to share the Internets." Slade told him. Zander rolled his eyes, but said nothing as Slade typed his Skype information in and the window popped up as he called his mother. Her profile picture was of the pentagram before it disappeared a woman's face filled the screen.

Her hair was white-blonde and pulled back into a ponytail with a gold band, save for her bangs that were swept across her forehead over a pair of bright blue eyes. She was wearing a totally out of place baggy sweatshirt, though, and sipping a cup of coffee.

"Baby cakes!" She exclaimed with only a vague accent and set the cup down, beaming at the camera as Slade beamed back.

"Ello, mum. Look who I've got! New friend aside from Zander!" He added, pulling me into the view of the camera. I just smiled awkwardly as Selene smiled back warmly, leaning forward on the table.

"Hello," She greeted kindly, "I'm Selene Bennett. Slade's mum. Nice to meet you."

"Hi," I answered back, "I'm Alexander Grey." Her eyes flickered as she leaned forward a little.

"Grey? As in, related to the Grey family?" She asked. I nodded and she whistled, glancing at Slade, who grinned as he leaned over Zander's shoulder. I wasn't paying to much to Zander now as I leaned over his other shoulder to look at the camera.

"I'm sorry to bother you, Mrs. Bennett, but we're calling about something a bit important. Do you know anyone by the name of Newell C. Drakon?" I asked. Selene's eyes flickered as her smile slowly vanished.

"Yes. He's the little one, am I right?" She asked seriously. I nodded and Slade jumped in.

"Mummy! I had a vision of 'im! He was runnin' 'round like the Ripper! Just loppin' people to pieces. I mean, not quite 'im, but 'im, if you get what I mean? He was makin' everyone do it for 'im. It was psycho, like watchin' them movies on Samhain." He explained excitedly. Selene looked at him worriedly.

"Sweetie, I told you to get control of those abilities of yours. It's too dangerous to run around without any control. It's like trying to carry milk home without the carton." She scolded, making Slade pout. I frowned and looked back at Selene as she shook her head.

"Uhm, ma'am," I started carefully, making her look at me, "May I ask how you know Newell?" Selene paused, studying the wooden table before lifting her eyes to look at me.

"Newell, or Newt, as he wishes to be called now was part of the Drakon family. He was supposed to succeed the clan, but his father was ashamed of Newt's condition. He gave up the throne to his brother, Prescott. This enraged Newt, but there was really not much he could do. His parents were still his parents, despite the fact that Newt was officially a man. They treated him like the child he looked like. They tried to hide him away from the eyes of their people. Until one party where Vladimir invited every single important clan member he could find so he could make the announcement that he was planning to dictate everyone."

"How do you know this?" I asked, surprised. Selene smiled warmly.

"My husband was also psychic. His powers were beyond greatness. It had attracted Vladimir's attention and Vladimir invited him and myself to the ball. It was rather terrifying to be around a bunch of pureblood vampires. It's a shame I can't put names to faces, otherwise, I'd remember seeing you there, surely."

"It's fine. So, what happened after that?"

"Well. Newt was invited to the ball as well and he saw this as his chance to rebel because there were people who disagreed with Vladimir's declaration. They wanted to stick to the old ways of the Court of Seven, but this is the 21st century. There's hardly such a thing as true democracy. Vladimir was more suited to monarchy. Granted, monarchy wasn't a complete failure, but it gave all the power to one person. People were so used to the democracy government style that to be plunged into a monarchy was terrifying them. They ran to the only person who was offering them assistance."

"Newt." I stated. Selene nodded, resting her elbows on the wooden table and glancing between Slade, Zander, and I.

"He's gathered a large rebellion against Vladimir. They're pretty strong, but Vladimir himself is also strong. Vladimir may have his own royal guard, but he doesn't really need it. Vladimir himself is strong enough to kill entire clans on his own. He just needs to wave his hand and death is there." She explained.

I felt a cold chill course up my spine as a quick memory flashed through my head and I winced. Just two seconds was enough to see a year's worth of nightmares. And it was Vladimir that had done it. He was the one who had killed Nicholas. I hadn't really spoken to Vladimir since that time and I knew it was driving him insane because Vladimir had always favored me, for some strange and probably perverted reason. I wanted to talk to Vladimir, but every time I looked at him, I saw the look on his face when he killed Nicholas and it scared me to be around him.

"Newt is also strong, though," Selene spoke again, snapping me out of my thoughts, "While Vladimir is perfectly capable of military strength and plans, Newt has his own special abilities. Newt is a very good manipulator and thinker. He'll twist anyone's thoughts to match his own. He's what you might call a smoother talker. He also has a good mind when it comes to strategy. He's beaten everyone he's ever played at chess. It's because he has a tactical mind that matches Vladimir's. They're the perfect God and the perfect Devil. The problem is, telling them apart."

"Are you questioning Vladimir?" I asked, surprised by the tone of my voice. It was hard to tell if that was loyalty or maybe something else. Selene looked right at me.

"I'm a witch. You're a vampire. Our worlds are connected whether we want them to be or not. Any decision that Vladimir makes affects my people as well. We're not as large in number as other groups, but we still want a part in this decision. I won't lie and tell you that we all side with Vladimir. I even have people from my own coven leaving in support of Newt and his efforts. I'm not siding with Newt, if that's what you're asking. But I also question some of Vladimir's motives. He seems to have done great damage as well. But that's just war. You cannot have war without causing catastrophe." She explained calmly, lowering her arms to the table.

I frowned. She was right and I hated to admit it. Part of me wanted to ask why we can't just do a treaty, but obviously that'd be out of the box. Vladimir wanted to destroy Newt as much as Newt wanted to destroy him. That was just war.

"Newt's lost," I said suddenly as I remembered the news that Mark fed me from over hearing Storm and Vladimir, "He hasn't made a move in a while."

"Many dogs like to walk away from the fight to lick their wounds before returning with a vengence." Selene informed me with a grimace. I bit my lower lip uneasily, then glanced at Slade, who stared at his mother's face on the screen before blinking.

"But... He's not gonna be gone for long," He said slowly, making everyone look at him now, "He's... not... gone for good. It's just like mum says. He's hiding right now, where no one can find him. Somewhere really dark... And col'. It's not snowin' on 'im, but it's real col'."

"Sweetie?" Selene asked cautiously, leaning forward. I stepped back as Zander turned in his seat to touch Slade's hand, but Slade didn't even blink as he stared for the longest time at nothing.

"He's getting goose bumps." Zander murmured, pulling up Slade's sleeve, careful not to touch his bare skin. Sure enough, little bumps were sailing over Slade's skin, making the fine hairs stand on end before Slade shivered, his eyelids fluttering.

"Is so col'... There's lots 'o people here. Someone is talkin' to me, but I can't hear what they're sayin'... Oh, wait. There's a lil' light over there. It's real bright. Hurts me eyes, though. And me skin. If feels like my skin is startin' to melt!" He gasped and tore out of whatever vision he was having to stumble back and hit the floor.

"Zander!" Selene exclaimed. Zander instantly leapt out of his seat to kneel by Slade, who had slumped to the floor and was trembling violently, spittle dripping down his chin, his eyes fluttering rapidly. Zander just turned Slade on his side and held him, but gently.

"Is he still seizing?" Selene asked me nervously, trying to see over the edge of the table. I brought the laptop closer so the camera could see. Selene winced and looked away, so I pushed her back on the table.

"Why does this happen every time?" I asked with a frown. Selene grimaced.

"It doesn't happen every time, but when he has a powerful vision, it will trigger it. It causes trauma to his brain to have these visions. They're just that powerful... And unfortunately, your brain can only withstand so much before it finally... shuts down." She stopped to pinch the bridge of her nose. She sniffed for a second, then blinked a few times, looking away.

"That's how your husband died," I concluded from her reaction, my eyes widening, "He had a final vision before he died." Selene nodded.

"You'll know it's a final vision when his nose bleeds. His ears bleed. He's coughing up blood... And he's crying blood. It's a brain bleed and it'll kill him as soon as the final vision is over. That's why I don't want Slade touching anyone unnecessarily or succumbing to the visions. They'll kill him slowly over time." She responded, pausing to nibble her lower lip. I frowned.

"What was your husband's final vision?" I asked. Selene glanced at me uneasily, drumming her fingers on the table top for a moment before placing it flat on the wood.

"My husband's final vision... It was of Slade's death." She said softly. I blinked, then snapped my head to look at Slade, who was slowly lapsing from his seizure, breathing hard as Zander let him rest on his back. Zander looked into Slade's face, waving a hand in front of his eyes. Slade's eyes flickered for a moment before he grimaced and tilted his head to look at his roommate tiredly.

"Ouch." He commented. Zander sighed in relief and looked up at the camera, giving Selene a thumbs up. Selene sighed in relief, reaching up to brush her bangs back. Zander helped Slade stand carefully, letting the smaller guy use him as support.

"Baby cakes, are you all right?" Selene asked. Slade smiled, giving his head this cute little tilt.

"Tot'ly fine, mum. Ow 'bout you?" He asked. Selene smiled, reaching out to touch her hand on the screen.

"I'm okay, dumplin'. What did I tell you about control?" She added sternly. Slade rolled his eyes, waving his hand at the screen.

"M'fine, mum. Promise. I'm learnin' slowly. Gimme time. I must have a learnin' disorder, like ADHD." He added. Selene snorted, wagging her finger at him.

"That's just what we need. A hyperactive knucklehead. No, no, dear. You work hard and do what Zander tells ya. Don't forget your meditations and if you ever need to contact me, you do so, hear me?"

"Yes, mummy."

"Good boy... I'm going to have to let you go now. I have a meeting with a few more High Priestesses about Yule. Speaking of, you better be coming home for Yule. Do you have the day off?"

"Yes, mummy. We get the whole three weeks off."

"Wonderful! Hope to see you soon. It was a pleasure finally meeting you, Alexander. You seem like a wonderful boy. Please don't let my baby get into too much trouble." Selene added. I smiled and nodded as Slade huffed.

"Bye bye, dumpling." Selene said, waving her hand.

"Bye, mummy!" Slade waved eagerly, beaming before the camera shut off. Slade sighed and looked at Zander pointedly. Zander stepped back, holding his hands up. Slade looked away, ruffling his hair back into place before yawning and looking at me.

"S'that all ye wanted? I mean, not that I'm tryin' to shoo ye, or nothin'." He said, smiling. I rose to my feet.

"Actually, I was wondering if you could come with me to meet my friend Markus." I offered. Slade's eyes twinkled excitedly.

"Really? I'd love to!" He exclaimed, going for his jacket on the bed. Zander frowned.

"You can't," He scolded, making Slade roll his eyes, but continue to put on his jacket, "If you go, I have to go too. And I have homework to do. In fact, so do you. We have two essays and three exams coming up in the next week. We need to study."

"What's more important," Slade began dryly, "Studyin' for exams tha' I could easily make up, 'o save the worl' from psycho vamps? No offense." He added, glancing at me.

"None taken." I responded, holding up my hands. I was about to give up on correcting people anyway. Even Mark still called us that name.

Zander just stood there, silently fuming for a moment before rolling his eyes and grabbing his jacket. I smiled in relief and Slade beamed before we headed out the door and down the sidewalk to the nearest bus stop. I checked my cell phone to see three voicemails from Mark, but I deleted them without listening to them as we drove along into the city.

"Hopefully Mark doesn't mind that we're just a few minutes late." I mused.

"He doesn't. He's gettin' Nathan ready to flirt wif ya." Slade replied, scanning the people on the bus. I glanced at him and he blinked before blushing lightly.

"Sorry. That was a complete accident. Sometimes the smaller visions just come right out 'o me mouf." He apologized. I smiled lightly.

"That's fine. I'm glad to get a heads up." I responded, then glanced out the window, rubbing my temple. It gave me a chance to come up with some way to turn Nathan down. I could just go with the honest approach...

Hey, Nathan, I know you like me and all, but my last boyfriend was killed by a vampire.

Yea, that'll go over well. I grimaced, shaking my head.

"Maybe you should give the guy a chance," Slade said, making me look at him, "I mean, I know sometimes the past can hurt and all tha'. Ya dun feel like tryin' 'gain. Ya scared that maybe the same fing will 'appen 'gain, but... Do ye really know that?" I shifted uncomfortably.

"I just don't think I'm ready to try again." I replied. Slade cocked his head.

"Ye only ready if ya tell yaself that ya ready." He answered. I studied his face for a moment before the bus stopped and we got off at our stop. I led the way into the cafe and spotted Nathan and Mark sitting at the table we sat at yesterday. They were sitting on opposite sides, which I knew instantly Mark had done on purpose so I would have to sit next to Nathan.

"Good luck, mate." Slade whispered in my ear with a light laugh. I rolled my eyes and approached the table, making them look up.

"I ended up bringing two friends. Nathan, Mark. This is Slade and Zander. They're my university friends." I told them. Slade immediately thrust his gloved hand out at Mark, who blinked.

"Pleasure ta meet ya, mate! Ally tol' me all about ye on the way 'ere... Oh, ye married to a vampire? And a man at tha'? Ain't ye lucky? I wish I could marry someone, but I usually end up ruinin' conversations." He added with a scrunched up nose as he realized what he had said. Mark cocked a brow and I smiled warmly.

"Slade's a psychic." I stated, then glanced at Nathan, who's eyes widened.

"Really?" He asked, surprised.

"You believe in psychics?" Mark asked Nathan flatly, obviously not believing Slade, who tilted his head, looking a little confused for a moment. Nathan shrugged.

"It seems like it'd be fun to try. Let's see if he can prove it." He responded, making Mark roll his eyes. I plopped down in a seat beside Nathan while Slade and Zander sat by Mark, who scooted as far from Slade as he could. I gave him a scolding glare and Mark held his hands up in defense before I looked at Slade.

"I don't want to force any hard visions on you." I said firstly. Slade smiled, waving his hand in front of his face idly as if to say it was no problem.

"Ain't no trouble at all. These lil' visions dun do nofin', really." He replied.

"What accent is that?" Nathan asked nosily. I smirked at Mark, who was glaring at me. The look on his face told me that he assumed I brought Slade to distract Nathan, which wasn't my intention at all, but merely a bonus.

"Cockney," Slade answered, politely, "Glad ye 'eard of it. Anyway, ya want me to prove I'm psychic, eh? Ask me a question. Any question. Mind ye, Alexander didn't tell me too much of ya and not too much of Markus either." Mark frowned and glanced at me.

"It's true." I insisted. Mark said nothing now, just folded his arms over his chest as Nathan smiled with interest, looking at Slade.

"What's my blood type?" He asked. Weird question. Slade cocked his head.

"Eh... O negative." He responded. Nathan's eyes widened and Mark blinked, sitting up to look at Slade in surprise. Judging from the smell on Nathan, I'd say Slade had hit the nail on the head.

"What school did I go to for elementary?" Nathan asked. Slade stared at Nathan for the longest time, his strange colored eyes flickering.

"Whitehills Elementary. You then went to Gardner Middle School... But... Somefin' 'appened between then and yer transfer ta Everett High School." He said slowly. Nathan smiled lightly.

"That's amazing," He complimented, "And... The thing that happened before I entered high school was the fact that my older brother died." Slade blinked and gave him a strange look.

"I'm sorry." I apologized politely. Nathan didn't stop smiling as he looked at me now.

"It's all in the past now, though." He answered. I felt my heart flutter in my chest for a moment, making me blink in surprise as my cheeks heated and I quickly looked away at the table. My eyes met Slade's, though, which made me frown. He was still staring as if he were watching a movie intently.

"Slade." I said. Slade didn't answer, just stared.

"Zander, do something." I commanded. Zander hesitated, then reached out to touch Slade's shoulder, making him jump for a second. Slade blinked a few times, then laughed, reaching up to touch his temple.

"Ya, that was strange, wasn't it? Felt a lil' dizzy there for a second. Mind if I use the toilet?" He asked, then wiggled past Zander to get out before he disappeared down the hallway to the bathrooms.

"He's interesting." Mark commented curiously, watching him leave before looking at me. I shrugged.

"He's still learning how to control it." I responded.

"I think it's cool," Nathan exclaimed, "He guessed everything right on the dot! I never thought psychics were actually, well, you know. Psychic. Most of them are just astrologists trying to gain a little bit of extra cash. Do you think he can see the future too?"

"Yes." I answered instantly. Mark stared at me and I stared back.

And Slade knew where Newt was.

If he knew where Newt was, he could tell Mark. Mark could tell Storm and Storm could tell Vladimir.

Then that would be one problem off our plate.