Elysium (9 page)

“Are you all right?”

His voice was filled with concern, and I looked into his eyes, eyes so green I felt lost in their depths. I straightened up as the pain edged away and took a step back. His scent enveloped me, taking hold of all of my senses and amplifying them. He smelled so clean—whatever cologne he wore played havoc on my body. “I’m fine, well, I don’t really know.” He looked at me, another smile threatening to come through as he once again looked at the containers and wrappers.

“Can’t satisfy your appetite, huh?”

I shook my head, embarrassed once again that he had caught me gorging myself. It was then my eyes traveled to his neck, to where his pulse beat rapidly under his skin. My teeth suddenly ached so bad, it was almost as painful as my cramping stomach. My hunger spiked, my whole body seeing that rhythmic pulse beat steadily, as my mouth watered. My heart started to speed up, my respiration quickening as I breathed in deeply. I was actually able to smell his blood as his heart pumped it through his body. I was confused and scared at what I was feeling, unsure of what was happening to me. I took several steps back, frightened about what was happening to me. I didn’t like
wanting
to drink blood.

“When was the last time you had blood?”

My eyes shot to his face, but my hunger only seemed to grow as I stared at him. Was this the side effect of being a vampire and needing blood? It was an awful feeling, a feeling that took control over me and made me helpless to the hunger.

“Was it through the IV in the clinic?”

I nodded. When did he really think I had blood any other time? I clenched my fists together as my stomach cramped again.

“Come on.”

He grabbed my arm, practically dragging me with him as he headed into the foyer and out the front doors. “Where are we going?” The air was cold as it hit me, but my body felt like it was on fire, my blood boiling under my skin. We walked down the cobblestone pathway leading to the clinic, walking briskly though the main doors and past the receptionist without saying a word. I turned and looked at her, my eyes going to her exposed neck and my mouth watering. I clenched my jaw, desperately trying to stop the hunger threatening to take control.

Cadeon looked back at me several times, and finally ushered me into an empty room. Several industrial sized refrigerators stood side by side, and I watched as Cadeon went to one and opened it. I leaned against the wall, my stomach so twisted in knots I couldn’t stand it. “It hurts.” I groaned the last word as I doubled over in pain.

“I know. Hold on, Meadow.” He ran his hand over his hair, disheveling the strands and looking frustrated. “Damn him.”

He said the last two words under his breath, most likely not wanting me to hear him. He opened the door, and I took an involuntary step forward as my eyes took note of its contents. Bags and bags of blood filled the shelves, the dark red color covering every inch of the interior. I felt the prick of my fangs touch my bottom lip—tasting my own blood fill my mouth—and it took all my willpower to stay still. He took out two bags of blood, bringing them to me and setting them on the silver surgical table between us. I stared mesmerized by those bags, not able to tear my gaze away from them.

“He shouldn’t have left you alone without making sure.”

“Who?” I didn’t look away from the bags as he spoke.

“Mikhail.” He took a deep breath, and that was when I lifted my eyes up to his. “He should have made sure you were properly taken care of, that you were fed.” His hand ran over the back of his neck, and I followed the movement. He turned away and grabbed a square glass out of a silver cabinet, picked up a scalpel, and walked back towards me. He held the glass in one hand and grabbed one of the bags of blood, slicing it open with the scalpel. I watched as he poured the thick dark liquid into the glass, careful not to spill any of it.

I was transfixed, mesmerized by the sight of the blood coating the clear surface of the glass. I was disgusted with myself, yet feeling I couldn’t help my desire for that full glass.

“Here, this will make you feel better.”

I took the glass from his hands, finding it easier than I thought to bring it to my lips and swallow the liquid. I was so cold. I pulled the glass back and made a face.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to wait and heat it up. It gets better though.”

I stared at him and then back at the glass. I brought it back to my lips and took a swallow. The cold blood coated my mouth and slid down my throat. The cramps started to subside, and the more I drank, the more they went away.

I finished the glass, licking my lips and staring at Cadeon in shock. “I can’t believe I just drank a glass of blood.” He took the empty glass from my hand and filled it again. I stared at those two empty bags, my disgust resurfacing. Now that my hunger had been sated and the pain had gone, I could fully think about what I had just done.

“Don’t think too much about it. You’ll just end up making yourself sick.” He threw the bags away and cleaned out the glass.

I didn’t ask how he knew what I was feeling; maybe it was clear from my expression. “Did you feel this way? I mean the first time you had to drink blood?” He walked back over, the metal table the only thing separating us.

“I have never known anything different. I was born like this.”

I felt like a fool. Of course he had never felt the way I was feeling. “I forgot. I’m the only freak in this place.” I looked down at the table, running my hand along the smooth, cold surface.

“Meadow.”

I looked up as he softly said my name. His hand covered mine, stopping my movements on the table. The dual sensation was intoxicating—his warmth covering the top of my hand—the coldness of the table under my palm.

“You’re not a freak.
You’re special.”

He leaned in, until he was only an inch from my face. He smelled so good, so fresh and clean. I didn’t look down when I felt his thumb running small circles along the back of my hand. I took a deep breath, his scent enveloping me, covering every part of me. “I’m not special. I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m confused and scared.” He looked at me for another second, before pulling back and clearing his throat. I shivered lightly from the loss.

“I can see how you would be frightened and confused. It will take time, Meadow. Mikhail and I are here for anything you need.”

There was a knock at the door, and it opened before I turned around. Mikhail stood on the other side, his hair disheveled and his face strained as if he hadn’t been getting enough sleep.

“What’s going on? Halle said she saw you two rush in here.”

I looked at Cadeon, not knowing what to say. Cadeon’s expression was one of anger, and he directed it at Mikhail.

“Meadow, I’m going to need you to wait in the lobby. I need to speak with Dr. Iverson for just a minute,” Cadeon said, still staring at Mikhail, his voice calm but I could hear the underlying anger.

“Okay.” I looked between the two of them, the tension in the room thick. Cadeon looked at me and smiled, but it looked completely forced.

“Everything’s okay. I’ll escort you to your room in just a minute.”

I nodded and walked towards the door, looking up at Mikhail, who smiled down at me. I shut the door behind me and made my way towards the lobby. I stopped when I heard Cadeon’s booming voice travel through the thick door. Cadeon’s tone was fierce with anger, each word clipped. I made my way into the lobby, seeing the receptionist behind her desk, a romance book in her hand. She looked up at me and smiled, adjusting the thin rimmed glasses on her face.

“Evening, I’m Halle.”

Ah, so she was the one who told Mikhail. She held her hand out and I took it, her grip surprisingly strong for such a small lady. “Hi, I’m Meadow.”

“Oh, I know, dear, it’s so nice to finally meet you. Go ahead and have a seat. I’m sure they will be done soon.” She gestured towards the waiting area, her nose going back into her book.

I walked up to the fish tank and watched the little creatures swim around. Their movements were so precise and graceful as they glided through the rocks.

“Let’s go.”

I turned around when I heard Cadeon’s clipped tone. His face was blank, but I could clearly see he was still angry. He held out a jacket to me, and I took it and quickly slipped it on. I had to practically run to keep up with his long stride
s
.

“Hey, can you slow down? Your legs are longer than mine.” He stopped abruptly and turned towards me. “I was only joking.” I held my hands up in surrender, hoping my lame comment hadn’t upset him more.

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be like this. He frustrates me.”

“Who, Mikhail?”

He ran his hand through his hair and breathed out deeply. “Yeah, he … he just should have made sure you were taken care of. There was no need for you to feel pain from bloodlust … no reason at all.”

I shoved my hands in the coat pockets, not sure if I should be happy that he seemed to care so much. Maybe he wanted me protected, because there wasn’t anyone else like me? I didn’t want to think like that. I wanted desperately to believe he acted this way because he cared that I was okay.

“I’m sure he didn’t know. He said he would have to do more tests on me, so he probably didn’t know it would happen. I mean, I certainly didn’t know.”

“Maybe.” He ran his hand through his hair, slightly mussing the short strands. “Let’s get you inside.
It’s freezing out here.”

He didn’t wait for me to reply. He turned back around and headed towards the main house. His stride was slower this time, and we walked side by side up the cobblestone pathway.

A few days had passed, and I was surprised how quickly the time seemed to fly by in the Manor. Ever since that night my bloodlust had taken over, Cadeon had been by several times a day. I wasn’t going to lie; I got a thrill every time I saw him. He would bring me bags of blood and fill a glass until my hunger was sated. Thankfully I hadn’t had bloodlust since. It wasn’t something I wanted to have to go through again.

I was to start class the next night, and I was terrified. What would people think of me? Would they know I was different? Would they hate me for it? These thoughts bombarded me constantly.

Mikhail had brought me my course books, and I was amazed by what I had read when I flipped though them. One of the books,
Arcane History: The Birth of the Vampyre
, was so engrossing I ended up reading the entire thing in one night. Arcanes were like nothing I had ever known—nothing I had ever heard of. They weren’t the monsters of nightmares, or the devil himself … at least the majority weren’t. One of my course books,
The Rise of the Seekers
, talked about rogue Arcane, and how they sought power by draining the life force of others. It was amazing to learn, yet frightening.

I stared at the television, flipping through the hundreds of channels, thanks to satellite. Nothing held my interest, and I turned it off, sighing and lying back on the bed. I stared at the ceiling, my thoughts drifting from one thing to another. There was a light knock at my door, and I smiled. Cadeon had already been by twice tonight, but even so, I wanted it to be him. I jumped off the bed and checked myself in my vanity mirror. I took a deep breath and opened the door.

Standing was a very petite girl. Her hair was a halo of wild auburn flames, her features those of a pixie. She smiled at me, lighting up her brown, doe-like eyes, and making her seem younger then I’m sure she actually was.

“Meadow?”

She didn’t wait to be invited in, just walked right into my room as she whistled. She handed me a package, without even so much as a glance in my direction.

“You hit the mother lode, didn’t you?”

I looked around my room, confused as to what she meant, but more confused as to why she was here. I set the package on my vanity and watched her. “Um, yeah, I’m Meadow. Who are you?” She turned and looked at me, her expression one of shock.

“What? Are you telling me they didn’t tell you I was coming around?”

I shook my head, watching as she went around my room and touched everything I owned.

“How did you score such a rockin’ room when you just transferred here?” She sat on the edge of my bed, bounced a little bit, and ran her hand along the comforter.

“I don’t know. Isn’t everyone’s room like this?”

She laughed, the sound high pitched, like it was the funniest thing she had ever heard. “Remind me to show you my dwellings later, then we’ll compare.”

“I’m sorry. Why are you here again?”

“We’ve been paired together. Since you’re new, I was assigned to show you around. Most of our classes are together, well, except the last two. You get to choose your last elective classes.” She pulled a pamphlet from her pocket and handed it to me. “You have to take a stupid history class, specializing in your species, but every student has to.” I saw her roll her eyes and look around my room again. “Anyway, look through the pamphlet and decide what elective you want to take.”

“Yeah, sure.” I sat down and looked through the pamphlet, taking note they offered swimming, ballet, gymnastics, as well as an array of other recreational classes. As I read through the list, I felt a little disappointed no music classes were offered. Out of all the electives they offered, not one piano class was on the list.