Chapter 22: My Answers

Dante grabbed me by the waist pulling me as close as I could get, and off we went with the small, familiar gust of wind.

We arrived at a place I’d only seen twice, Vincent’s mansion, better known as the “headcourters”.

Dante and I walked, hand-in-hand, once again down the long walkway, up the stairs, and to the door. I glanced over at Dante who looked over at me, nodded his head, and grabbed the knocker, letting it fall with a loud thud.

We waited for a moment, I searching my mind, Dante breathing peacefully. I found Vincent in the same state as he had been this morning; watching TV, sitting on the couch. He looked as though he hadn’t even realized we had arrived.

Nikki answered the door again, smiling at Dante, him smiling back.

“Hello again, Dante, Victoria,” she nodded at both of us.

“Hello,” we answered simultaneously.

“I don’t really know if now is the best-“

“I won’t take no for an answer,” I interrupted her, “I must speak with Vincent immediately. I need answers and he is the only one that can give them to me. Please, Nikki, you’ve got to understand. Just give me a little time with him.”

She sighed heavily. “Fine. I will speak with the elders quickly and then you will be allowed to do whatever you want.”

She closed the door slowly, pain taking over her face. I just didn’t understand what all of the fuss was about. Why is it such a big deal that I want some damned answers? This supernatural world is more complicated than I thought.

“He’ll talk to us, don’t worry,” Dante finally said. I looked over at him quickly, nodding once in response.

“I just don’t understand why it’s such a big deal that I want some answers.”

“It’s not that it’s a big deal, it’s just a little harder to explain to someone that doesn’t belong in our world.”

“I know, but I exist, okay, and if I’m getting kidnapped and lied to all of the time, I want to know why!”

“I understand. Be patient, love, the time will come.”

We waited silently for Nikki to return. I took a seat on the edge of a stair while Dante stood, eyes glued to the large doors.

A small creak came from the door and I shot my head around, looking at what was waiting. I stood up immediately, bowing my head unconsciously.

The doors opened, one by one, revealing five figures. Sure, they all looked like normal people, but I knew they weren’t. They were the elders. They were the longest surviving vampires to ever be in existence.

The woman I noticed first, calm looking, yet also very devious in her appearance. She had beautiful brunette hair, falling slightly below her shoulders, curling up at the ends. Her eyes stood a beautiful blue, so blue they were almost white. She had rosy cheeks (I’d imagined from blush) and a long, slender face that suited her body perfectly. She wore a long, black dress, cinched at her waist with a deep V-neck. She stole my breath as I searched her up and down, shaking my head to unglue my eyes.

The men all wore suits, and all had blond hair. A couple had longer hair than the others, but none of their hair was above their ears. Their eyes were the most curious part of their appearance. Two of the men had violet eyes, while the other two had green and brown. They were beautiful, although they held nothing against my angle. He would always be the most stunning to me.

“Good morning, Dante,” the woman finally spoke. She stood in the middle of the four men, smiling lightly, her crystal teeth sparkling in the bright sun. I almost shielded my eyes as they gleamed. They all looked slightly faded as the sun shined on their pale skin. I was curious as to why no one was disappearing; I thought that’s what they did in the light? Oh well, probably another vampire secret.

“Good morning, April,” Dante spoke.

“And this might be?” April gestured her hand to me.

“Victoria. I thought you knew….?”

“Oh, yes, this is the infamous Victoria. Lovely to meet you, dear,” she held her hand out to me. I took it instantly, feeling her ice cold skin, stinging my hand.

“I don’t really know about ‘infamous’ but, thank you, it is great to meet all of you, also.” I smiled lightly. I heard a light gasp, shot one of the men a glance, and decided to push it away. I’m not quite worried about these people liking me; I only came for one thing; to talk to Vincent and leave.

One of the men stepped forward. I believe he was the one that gasped. I faded my smile away, staring at him as he walked in front of April and ended up about two feet away from my face. Dante tightened his grip on my hand, watching the man closely.

“She….how is this, possible?” The man asked, leaving me baffled. What the hell is this guy talking about?

“John, leave the girl alone. Come on,” another man stepped forward, grabbing John’s arm and pulling him back into his spot in the line.

“Sorry about him, he can be quite weird sometimes,” April giggled, sounding like a bell ringing.

“No, no, you don’t understand. This girl is very special. She is the descendent of Damien, don’t you see! Damien wanted power, but this girl has no need for it!”

April spun around, looking angrily at John as he spoke. “And your point is?”

“She’s what we’ve been waiting to find. Don’t you see it?”

I wrinkled my forehead. What is he talking about? I wish he’d shut the hell up! I’m not special, why does everyone think I am? I don’t understand!

“Although she isn’t a vampire, she is more than capable of ruling this country, maybe even the whole world. Don’t you see it, April? Tell me you see it!”

“I see that she is very special. But ruling? I am not quite sure, just yet.”

“Listen, guys,” I interrupted, “I came here to see Vincent. Not to be rude or anything, but I have no idea what you’re talking about and, honestly, I want nothing to do with it. I just want my answers and I want to leave.”

“Very well, but you must hear us out, first.” April turned back to me, her eyes gleaming in the sun. I almost rolled my eyes but contained myself. I could easily be killed by these vampires and that’s just something I don’t feel like doing quite yet.

“Fine, I’ll hear you out. But I want my chance with Vincent, too. It’s the reason I came here.”

“That is fine.” She nodded. “Come inside, my friends, we have much to discuss.”

I looked at Dante, turning my face to look as bored as I could ever possibly be. He laughed a little and turned serious, stalking his way through the large doors, me trailing closely behind.

I looked all around me, noticing the inside of the house for the first time. Considering last time I was here, I was bound in a room, I hadn’t really gotten to appreciate my surroundings.

The house held very high ceilings, very bright, yet also shadowed. All of the walls were white, covered in very old pictures. There were small nick-knacks everywhere, huddled in corners, along the walls, everywhere I looked. To my left was a large living room, the very living room I’d see Vincent in earlier. I tightened my eyes as I thought of him and how much pain he’d caused Dante. I needed my answers soon; I hoped this wouldn’t take too long.

I decided there was too much to look at when we arrived at the largest room, I’d imagined. The other room I’d seen Vincent in, when he was arguing with the elders about god-knows-what.

A large chandelier hung from the high ceiling. It reminded me of the same one that hung in mine and Dante’s main hallway, but theirs was much larger. In the middle of the room was the biggest table I’d ever seen. It was round, a dark wood, with chairs surrounding every inch. It was a considerable amount bigger than what I’d remembered from my visions. I took my seat next to Dante, sighing deeply. He held my hand tightly, watching the elders as they, one-by-one, took their usual seats.

They whispered amongst each other, April’s face straining and relaxing as her and John argued back and forth.

They all looked forward at the same time, staring into my eyes. I felt awkward and had to look away, scanning Dante’s calm face for answers.

“Victoria, Dante, we have a large question to ask.” April brought her hands in front of her, entwining her fingers together, her eyes moving from me to Dante.

“What would you like, April?” I looked over at Dante, seeing if he was as nervous as I was. Nope, calm as ever. Damn him, he was never scared!

“This might seem a bit rash but….would you consider….putting Vincent into an early grave?” Her face lit up with evil as I saw one of the men smirk at the same time.

“What? Why? What has he done to deserve such a fate?”

“He is not fit to be a ruler of our world. He is much to power-hungry. He has no care for any of the things we do, and frankly, we are sick of it. We cannot stand his disrespect for our lives. And also, he was planning to kill you, today.”

I stood straight up, ripping my hand out from under Dante’s. I closed my eyes, trying to retain myself, but I just couldn’t do it anymore.

There was no wind, yet my hair blew, there was slight light, yet they were all flickering. All I could see in my mind was Vincent’s dead body, surrounded by darkness, me laughing in the background.

I saw him, outside, yes! There he is!

I ran out the door, winding through the large rooms of the mansion, seeking out my pray.

Dante came running after me, as did the rest of the elders. Dante was screaming for me to stop, telling me not to do anything I’d regret. I didn’t care anymore; it was time for him to die.