His Angel
Chapter 10
Taisto stared into her big eyes, the eyes he fell in love with so long ago. Comprehension was finally washing over her face and seeping into her eyes - At least he finally told her. Now she knew how they met the first time. He told her how he intended to kill himself because of grief. . . and depression over having to stay in that place. He left out the details about his parents death, about being a vampire, about the lodge, Rakesh's ilk, and definitely anything about Kali. All the same, she now knew what happened back then to a decent enough degree. This angel of his had a little better look into who he really was.
He watched her face and noticed the hint of color rush to her cheeks. She must have remembered how she had run away after he gave her her first kiss. It was not a passionate kiss or anything, just a peck on the lips, they were children then. It really was not something to blush like that over, but she was a girl. He smiled tenderly at her. That kiss really had been sweet, at least to him. For her, maybe it was traumatic or something. Still, it could not have been as bad as his first kiss, that much he knew, he was much kinder than Kali.
However Pamela felt about it as a child did not change things. She had been, and still was his angel. The only reason he lived to see Fear was because of her. With her kindness, smile, and promise to meet again, he endeavored to live one more day - With that one day came a whole new future that opened up to him. She gave him the will to live for a day, then the will to live on as long as life was with him, because he intended to spend his life with this girl. If not for her he never would have seen Fear take revenge for him. He still remembered that day, the day Fear found him with Pamela, then went back to the house with him. Taisto had not wanted to go back, but knew it would be safe with someone like his new guardian. He had protested, but Fear insisted.
"Don't worry, nothing will happen to you, and we won't stay there. I know everything that happened to you there, don't worry." He looked sad, "I got here as soon as I could, but it was not soon enough to prevent you from suffering."'
"Really? How?"
Fear smiled secretively, "I have ways. I always know what is going on in all the homes, no matter where they are."
"You have hidden cameras?" Tasto raised an eyebrow.
"No, not exactly, it's a bit different than that." He chuckled and ruffled Taisto's hair.
Taisto did not bother to smooth his hair down again, "So you really know everything?"
The black eyes stabbed deep, "Yes, everything. I even know you intended to end your own life, so I'm glad I got here in time."
Taisto could no longer meet his eyes and he said nothing.
"Let's go get your belongings, shall we?"
The two went off toward the house without another word. They went in the dark eyed man's big car. The car smelled new, new carpet, fresh polish, and new leather. There was even a driver for the car. This man that said he was a guardian, who could he be? There was a definite sense of power coming from him, but it was nothing like Kali's, even though she was a pure blood - The sense and even the sent was stronger than that, but he did not look particularly different. He was sure he had seen those eyes before though. He even smelled familiar, like the ocean, and hair that smelled of cherry wood. Taisto found himself wondering where he knew him from, but nothing came. There was no question they met before though, he was too familiar.
The car pulled into the driveway and he already felt tense - Walking up toward the door was worse. The sight of the house he swore never to go back to was a bit more than he wanted to handle. A large hand cupped his shoulder and pulled him close. It made him relax a little to know the one person, other than a human, who made him feel safe was next to him. Fear stepped in front of him, twisted the knob and threw the door open. The window on the door shattered with the sheer force and strength it was opened with. He continued inside, demeanor suddenly changed, harsh and kingly. Taisto followed timidly, suddenly afraid of the new creature he was walking behind.
People were already running to see what the commotion was, faces flooded the staircase and the halls.
"Feardorcha Torédön!" Someone called out from the stairs. The name was murmured up and down through the crowd. There was incessant whispering echoing through the house. Whoever his new friend was, everyone seemed to know him. Taisto knew the name they called out as well and he desperately tried to call it to mind. He knew that name, he did, but something made it impossible for him to remember why.
"Lord Torédön, welcome! It is such an honor! Why did you not inform us of your pending visit? We would have prepared a proper greeting for you!" Rakesh appeared suddenly, fake smile plastered onto him face.
"I had no reason to inform you, nor do I have an obligation to do so, Rakesh." Fear's words oozed out as cold as ice, nothing like he had been a few minutes ago.
"Rakesh's jaw tightened, noticing not only the cold manner, but the lack of use of his title. "Of course. . . I only meant that we are unprepared to greet you with the proper, and deserved-"
"I know what you meant." The coldness in Fear's voice was enough to pull in winds from the polar icecaps.
A bony hand gripped his arm hard enough to hurt. He turned to see Kali and froze, "How dare you stand this close to that man, foolish brat. I will deal with you!" She whispered into his ear low enough no one else could hear. She tried to pull him into a hallway, he might have gone, but terror kicked in and he grasped Fear's coat. Before he knew what happened, Kali was on the other side of the room, near the stairs, body crumpled on the floor. The crowd let out a consecutive gasp. For a Vampire as powerful as Kali, one of the second families of purebloods, to be tossed so easily was unthinkable.
Rakesh wavered but did not go to his wife. "My lord, she meant no harm to you. . . I assure you! She was only trying to help! It was not she who touched you, it was the boy!"
"I know what she was doing!" Fear growled, "She dares come near me? Moreover, she dares touch the child in my charge? You should have known I would never permit such blatant treachery!"
"She meant nothing by it, no treachery! I. . ." He swallowed, "Wait. . . did you say that child is in your charge?"
"Correct, your ears are not failing you yet."
Rakesh paled, nearly transparent, "But, that child is. . . he is the child of-"
"I am well aware who he is!" Fear stepped forward, forcing Rakesh backward. "I know everything that happens in every part of my domain, everything! I even know what you have all said and done to that child. Worse than that, I know the things you spoke about his fallen family."
Another wave of whispering from the crowd and many protests and defenses flying about. They were already pleading their cases all at the same time. There seemed to be mass panic sweeping the group.
Fear ignored it and eyed one of the two who brought him food last night, "You! Go collect the boy's belongings and bring them to me."
So, he really did know, he must have. This man did not seem like the type to do things idly or do things by coincidence. Either way, the woman ran for his room without a word of protest. One growl from Fear for quiet silenced them all. Kali finally, gingerly, and soundlessly picked herself off the floor. She and Rakesh, among others, looked like they wanted to bolt.
The formidable Vampire began walking, "Shall we gather in the meeting room? It would be more conducive to speak in those surroundings." It may have been formed as a request, but there was no question it was an order, and everyone knew it. Taisto stayed close at his heels. There was no question that no one would bother him if he was with Fear. Next to this man might have been the safest place in the world. It was strange though, he seemed like the gentlest of people before, but he was a force to be reckoned with now. The gentle, kind man was gone. After they all got into the meeting room Fear took the seat at the head of the room, everyone else gathered around at a safe distance. Taisto sat on the step, close to the chair, but not too close. Fear sat back like a king hearing from subjects and listened to several of them speak.
Fear rested his chin on his knuckles, "You are all disgraceful and repulsive, without a right to call yourselves nobles. You hide here in my houses, and I allow you to stay as long as you need to, for whatever reason you have for coming. . . but you disrespect me by behaving like swine and old hens."
"Master Torédön, what have we done to anger you? We hold you in the highest respect. We all appreciate your allowing us to stay here when we need to, so we take care of your house." Serkan: 'Leader in Blood', ever the diplomat, words carefully chosen at all time, stepped into the conversation. He looked and sounded every bit the modern day business man he lived as.
"You misunderstand, Serkan, I am not talking about care of my house. I speak of your conduct, conduct only fitting beasts who have never heard of decency."
Kali thrust herself into it now, angered at being referred to as a beast, "Just what is it you are speaking of? You reprimand us without clarifying anything! You must-"
"You, Kali," Fear barked furiously, "are by far the worst." He stood and walked toward her, "How dare you even speak! A disreputable harlot who well lives up her title: 'The Dark One.' Your heart is dark and so are your sins against our race!"
She looked coyly at him, but her eyes betrayed realization, "My lord, I know not what you speak of. You speak in riddles."
"Do NOT pretend with me, witch! You think I know nothing of what you have been doing? Dabbling into darker sins than I care to name!" He reached out and grabbed her by the throat, "I should execute you for your evil deeds, especially for your deeds against children. It is the foulest of acts to harm children, ones who cannot defend themselves, the very ones we should protect from harm!"
Kali struggled to free herself from his grasp, "Please, my lord! I know I was wrong! You're right, it goes against our ways, but I swear I would never really have done it! I would never really betray my kind! I swear, it was only-"
She was silence as Fear struck her, sending her flying across the room for the second time today. "You sicken me!" He growled, "Don't you know how close you have strayed into the most dangerous of territory? Sins like these are why our race became what it is now."
Kali got to her feet and ran to her husband's side. Rakesh was a generation lower that she was, but he was older, and at least as strong as she was. He let his wife hide next to him even though he was confused and stunned by the scene he just witnessed. No one knew what to think of the altercation. Even Taisto was somewhat confused. He knew at least most of what Fear was talking about, but not all of it. A lot of that conversation was about what happened during the night, but what else was it about? Kali must have known or she would not be so shaken to find out he knew everything. At least half of it was about him, but there did seem to be more.
"The rest of you sicken me as well. You revel in the tragedy of another of our kind, even going so far as to betray the common trust we have in each other. . . The trust that we will protect each other, or at least care for each other's children if one of us falls. We ban together, it is our way."
They all stared at him, understanding dawning on their faces.
"If I ever hear any of you speak ill of those two, members of our own race, or even other fallen comrades, I will kill each of you instantly." Fears voice was level and unwavering as if he just declared an everyday matter. Taisto watched all of their knees visibly waver in unison when those words dropped onto their heads - They recovered fast, but he still saw it. "Haven't you heard of respecting the fallen? Are there none of you who remembers the words: 'respect,' 'decency,' or even 'honor'?" Fear leveled them with a sweeping gaze.
"How can you make such a threat? You could not possibly defeat us all at one time! Even the leader of Vampires cannot take on as many as live here." Rakesh grinned, but trepidation was still plainly on his face.
The others in the room did not seem pleased to be volunteered to fight. Taisto noticed a few slip out of the room silently. Only the ones farther into the room had no quiet way to exit gracefully, so they stayed still. The ones closest to the front were the braver and more prideful Vampires - The shyer more fearful ones kept a distance, so it was no surprise many of them slipped away. Taisto knew Fear noticed but did not respond or call attention to the fact that Rakesh's backing was decreasing. He stared at him in wonder, so if he understood correctly, this was their leader. No wonder he was so intimidating.
"It's not a threat, merely a statement of fact." Fear moved closer, eyes narrowing just enough, "Are you so sure of that that you will lead in the challenge?"
The dread on Rakesh's face only deepened into a terror he tried to conceal as Fear closed the distance between them. There was no hint of concern in Fear's eyes, voice, or posture - He looked utterly confident - It seemed more like he knew he would win. Rakesh tentatively met Fear's unflinching, challenging stare. Golden eyes flinching in the stare of the set of terrifying black eyes. After a tense minute Rakesh acknowledged defeat by lowering his eyes to the floor silently. Fear ran his eyes over the others, wordlessly inquiring if there were any others wishing to challenge him. One by one they followed Rakesh's example. They all stood with eyes fixed to the floor, hands folded neatly in front of them to demonstrate the lack of a threat.
"Remember my words, this was your warning! I will not punish any of you this time, but do not expect the same to happen if I have to speak to you again. I will not tolerate more of the same."
Never before had Taisto seen so many powerful beings slink back at one time. They acted like scolded children before a parents withering glare. It amazed him, but more than that, it made him happy. Seeing their lack of courage made him happier than it should have. These were the people he hated so he felt no pity for their plight. He looked at Fear. So, this powerful creature was on his side? How lucky could he get?
"Taisto, why didn't you tell me who you were before?" Pamela's words brought him back to the present.
He said nothing, simply met her eyes. "I don't know. Maybe I was hoping you would remember on your own."
Her eyes dropped, "I'm sorry."
He crossed his arms behind his head and leaned back. "No, don't be sorry. It was a long time ago. We don't exactly look like we did as children."
"No, but you realized who I was." She stared at the wall, "Until you told me just now. . . I swear I did not remember that at all. How could I have forgotten?"
"I don't know. . . How many boys did you find in a park who subsequently kissed you back then?"
She blushed, "None, other than you."
"Well, it doesn't matter. You remember now, so it's ok."
Pamella's face still looked downcast. While he wanted her to remember him it did not upset him that she did not remember. In some ways it was better because they had the chance to get to know each other for the second time. Now that she remembered him it increased his chances even more. They now had a connection in the past and in the present. A lot of things had changed in the time they had been apart, but that did not matter. She was still his angel. She was the only girl he had ever loved in his life. This was the girl he searched for for years. The only girl he wanted to be with forever. He would do anything for her. Now that he found her, she would always be his. Even if she decided to reject him it would not change that his life was hers alone.
His heart beat a bit faster as he stared into her perfect face. The girl he met back then looked different, but she was also the same. Her gentle eyes, her sweet, tender nature, it was still the same. Everything he fell in love with was the same. Time had only made him love her more. He searched hard for her. He would have asked for a last name back then if he had known how many Pamella's there were in this city. Even so, the search made finding her even more worthwhile.
Taisto leaned closer and looked deep into her eyes. She still looked as perfect as an angel. Her green eyes gazed back into his. That look took his breath away. Nothing in the world could have been more beautiful than those eyes. They were like green pools, pure, clear, and perfect. His heart contracted. Taisto touched her face, caressing her cheek. He moved slowly closer. All he could think of now was kissing her. . .
He was going to kiss her. Her mind told her to resist. Something in her screamed against it but she had no idea why. Something deep in her mind told her to get away from him. There was a sent on his breath that made her chest tighten. It must have been the wine but it smelled different than that. He was moving slowly. The touch of his fingers delicately drifting over her face sent electric chills through her. He carefully traced the line of her jaw with his fingertips until he gently caught her chin and tilted her face up. He moved closer, just a breath away. Her heart pounded in her chest and she hardly dared breathe. Part of her was strangely afraid, but part of her had no desire to pull away. Her brain told her to go, and she knew she should, but her heart said to stay.
He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to him. She did not know why but she lost the strength to resist - Her entire body felt like it lost all its strength and will, as if his eyes were swallowing her entirely. Pamella melted into his warm embrace. Taisto's lips met hers. His kiss was so soft and smooth, but it was more than that. The way he kissed her was so tender, loving, and affectionate. Her heart fluttered inside her chest. She needed to pull away but she did not care. She found herself wrapping her arms around him.
Taisto broke the kiss long enough to look into her eyes, "I love you," he whispered before pulling her into another kiss. His fingers wound gently through her hair as he pulled her close. Neither of them bothered to come up for air as the kiss grew more passionate. She was beginning to feel dizzy, lost in his kiss. Shivers ran through her as his hand moved along her back. His lips broke with hers only to trace delicate kisses down her neck.
A twinge of fear made its way back into her mind as his lips touched her neck. She could feel her cheeks flush bright red with the spike in stress. Her good sense revived and she slid a little bit away from him. He let her slide out of his arms without trying to stop her. She stared at the wall, not really wanting to meet his eyes and not wanting to explain why she pulled away.
"I'm sorry. . ." He stared at her shyly. "I did not mean to do that. I should never have-"
"No, it's fine. I could have asked you to stop before now if I had wanted to." A new flush moved into her cheeks.
They sat in total silence for some time.
"I have to go now, Taisto. " She stood quickly and finally met his eyes again. He looked sad, or maybe worried, like he was afraid she was angry with him. Pamella disliked the nearly defeated look in his eyes. She could almost read the questions in his eyes: Is she angry? Did I just destroy everything between us? Was that the wrong thing to do? Why did I act that way? What should I do?
Before thinking about her response, she leaned down and pressed her lips to his, "I l-love you too." With her words spoken she raced from the room and hurried out of the house. This was all she could handle for one day. Her heart was racing to fast for her to even begin to think rationally. Her mind was still hazy from his kiss. This was not the time to act, it was the time to run away. She ran away the last time he kissed her, the last time he said he loved her too. The past really did seem to repeat itself, didn't it?
Taisto stared into her big eyes, the eyes he fell in love with so long ago. Comprehension was finally washing over her face and seeping into her eyes - At least he finally told her. Now she knew how they met the first time. He told her how he intended to kill himself because of grief. . . and depression over having to stay in that place. He left out the details about his parents death, about being a vampire, about the lodge, Rakesh's ilk, and definitely anything about Kali. All the same, she now knew what happened back then to a decent enough degree. This angel of his had a little better look into who he really was.
He watched her face and noticed the hint of color rush to her cheeks. She must have remembered how she had run away after he gave her her first kiss. It was not a passionate kiss or anything, just a peck on the lips, they were children then. It really was not something to blush like that over, but she was a girl. He smiled tenderly at her. That kiss really had been sweet, at least to him. For her, maybe it was traumatic or something. Still, it could not have been as bad as his first kiss, that much he knew, he was much kinder than Kali.
However Pamela felt about it as a child did not change things. She had been, and still was his angel. The only reason he lived to see Fear was because of her. With her kindness, smile, and promise to meet again, he endeavored to live one more day - With that one day came a whole new future that opened up to him. She gave him the will to live for a day, then the will to live on as long as life was with him, because he intended to spend his life with this girl. If not for her he never would have seen Fear take revenge for him. He still remembered that day, the day Fear found him with Pamela, then went back to the house with him. Taisto had not wanted to go back, but knew it would be safe with someone like his new guardian. He had protested, but Fear insisted.
"Don't worry, nothing will happen to you, and we won't stay there. I know everything that happened to you there, don't worry." He looked sad, "I got here as soon as I could, but it was not soon enough to prevent you from suffering."'
"Really? How?"
Fear smiled secretively, "I have ways. I always know what is going on in all the homes, no matter where they are."
"You have hidden cameras?" Tasto raised an eyebrow.
"No, not exactly, it's a bit different than that." He chuckled and ruffled Taisto's hair.
Taisto did not bother to smooth his hair down again, "So you really know everything?"
The black eyes stabbed deep, "Yes, everything. I even know you intended to end your own life, so I'm glad I got here in time."
Taisto could no longer meet his eyes and he said nothing.
"Let's go get your belongings, shall we?"
The two went off toward the house without another word. They went in the dark eyed man's big car. The car smelled new, new carpet, fresh polish, and new leather. There was even a driver for the car. This man that said he was a guardian, who could he be? There was a definite sense of power coming from him, but it was nothing like Kali's, even though she was a pure blood - The sense and even the sent was stronger than that, but he did not look particularly different. He was sure he had seen those eyes before though. He even smelled familiar, like the ocean, and hair that smelled of cherry wood. Taisto found himself wondering where he knew him from, but nothing came. There was no question they met before though, he was too familiar.
The car pulled into the driveway and he already felt tense - Walking up toward the door was worse. The sight of the house he swore never to go back to was a bit more than he wanted to handle. A large hand cupped his shoulder and pulled him close. It made him relax a little to know the one person, other than a human, who made him feel safe was next to him. Fear stepped in front of him, twisted the knob and threw the door open. The window on the door shattered with the sheer force and strength it was opened with. He continued inside, demeanor suddenly changed, harsh and kingly. Taisto followed timidly, suddenly afraid of the new creature he was walking behind.
People were already running to see what the commotion was, faces flooded the staircase and the halls.
"Feardorcha Torédön!" Someone called out from the stairs. The name was murmured up and down through the crowd. There was incessant whispering echoing through the house. Whoever his new friend was, everyone seemed to know him. Taisto knew the name they called out as well and he desperately tried to call it to mind. He knew that name, he did, but something made it impossible for him to remember why.
"Lord Torédön, welcome! It is such an honor! Why did you not inform us of your pending visit? We would have prepared a proper greeting for you!" Rakesh appeared suddenly, fake smile plastered onto him face.
"I had no reason to inform you, nor do I have an obligation to do so, Rakesh." Fear's words oozed out as cold as ice, nothing like he had been a few minutes ago.
"Rakesh's jaw tightened, noticing not only the cold manner, but the lack of use of his title. "Of course. . . I only meant that we are unprepared to greet you with the proper, and deserved-"
"I know what you meant." The coldness in Fear's voice was enough to pull in winds from the polar icecaps.
A bony hand gripped his arm hard enough to hurt. He turned to see Kali and froze, "How dare you stand this close to that man, foolish brat. I will deal with you!" She whispered into his ear low enough no one else could hear. She tried to pull him into a hallway, he might have gone, but terror kicked in and he grasped Fear's coat. Before he knew what happened, Kali was on the other side of the room, near the stairs, body crumpled on the floor. The crowd let out a consecutive gasp. For a Vampire as powerful as Kali, one of the second families of purebloods, to be tossed so easily was unthinkable.
Rakesh wavered but did not go to his wife. "My lord, she meant no harm to you. . . I assure you! She was only trying to help! It was not she who touched you, it was the boy!"
"I know what she was doing!" Fear growled, "She dares come near me? Moreover, she dares touch the child in my charge? You should have known I would never permit such blatant treachery!"
"She meant nothing by it, no treachery! I. . ." He swallowed, "Wait. . . did you say that child is in your charge?"
"Correct, your ears are not failing you yet."
Rakesh paled, nearly transparent, "But, that child is. . . he is the child of-"
"I am well aware who he is!" Fear stepped forward, forcing Rakesh backward. "I know everything that happens in every part of my domain, everything! I even know what you have all said and done to that child. Worse than that, I know the things you spoke about his fallen family."
Another wave of whispering from the crowd and many protests and defenses flying about. They were already pleading their cases all at the same time. There seemed to be mass panic sweeping the group.
Fear ignored it and eyed one of the two who brought him food last night, "You! Go collect the boy's belongings and bring them to me."
So, he really did know, he must have. This man did not seem like the type to do things idly or do things by coincidence. Either way, the woman ran for his room without a word of protest. One growl from Fear for quiet silenced them all. Kali finally, gingerly, and soundlessly picked herself off the floor. She and Rakesh, among others, looked like they wanted to bolt.
The formidable Vampire began walking, "Shall we gather in the meeting room? It would be more conducive to speak in those surroundings." It may have been formed as a request, but there was no question it was an order, and everyone knew it. Taisto stayed close at his heels. There was no question that no one would bother him if he was with Fear. Next to this man might have been the safest place in the world. It was strange though, he seemed like the gentlest of people before, but he was a force to be reckoned with now. The gentle, kind man was gone. After they all got into the meeting room Fear took the seat at the head of the room, everyone else gathered around at a safe distance. Taisto sat on the step, close to the chair, but not too close. Fear sat back like a king hearing from subjects and listened to several of them speak.
Fear rested his chin on his knuckles, "You are all disgraceful and repulsive, without a right to call yourselves nobles. You hide here in my houses, and I allow you to stay as long as you need to, for whatever reason you have for coming. . . but you disrespect me by behaving like swine and old hens."
"Master Torédön, what have we done to anger you? We hold you in the highest respect. We all appreciate your allowing us to stay here when we need to, so we take care of your house." Serkan: 'Leader in Blood', ever the diplomat, words carefully chosen at all time, stepped into the conversation. He looked and sounded every bit the modern day business man he lived as.
"You misunderstand, Serkan, I am not talking about care of my house. I speak of your conduct, conduct only fitting beasts who have never heard of decency."
Kali thrust herself into it now, angered at being referred to as a beast, "Just what is it you are speaking of? You reprimand us without clarifying anything! You must-"
"You, Kali," Fear barked furiously, "are by far the worst." He stood and walked toward her, "How dare you even speak! A disreputable harlot who well lives up her title: 'The Dark One.' Your heart is dark and so are your sins against our race!"
She looked coyly at him, but her eyes betrayed realization, "My lord, I know not what you speak of. You speak in riddles."
"Do NOT pretend with me, witch! You think I know nothing of what you have been doing? Dabbling into darker sins than I care to name!" He reached out and grabbed her by the throat, "I should execute you for your evil deeds, especially for your deeds against children. It is the foulest of acts to harm children, ones who cannot defend themselves, the very ones we should protect from harm!"
Kali struggled to free herself from his grasp, "Please, my lord! I know I was wrong! You're right, it goes against our ways, but I swear I would never really have done it! I would never really betray my kind! I swear, it was only-"
She was silence as Fear struck her, sending her flying across the room for the second time today. "You sicken me!" He growled, "Don't you know how close you have strayed into the most dangerous of territory? Sins like these are why our race became what it is now."
Kali got to her feet and ran to her husband's side. Rakesh was a generation lower that she was, but he was older, and at least as strong as she was. He let his wife hide next to him even though he was confused and stunned by the scene he just witnessed. No one knew what to think of the altercation. Even Taisto was somewhat confused. He knew at least most of what Fear was talking about, but not all of it. A lot of that conversation was about what happened during the night, but what else was it about? Kali must have known or she would not be so shaken to find out he knew everything. At least half of it was about him, but there did seem to be more.
"The rest of you sicken me as well. You revel in the tragedy of another of our kind, even going so far as to betray the common trust we have in each other. . . The trust that we will protect each other, or at least care for each other's children if one of us falls. We ban together, it is our way."
They all stared at him, understanding dawning on their faces.
"If I ever hear any of you speak ill of those two, members of our own race, or even other fallen comrades, I will kill each of you instantly." Fears voice was level and unwavering as if he just declared an everyday matter. Taisto watched all of their knees visibly waver in unison when those words dropped onto their heads - They recovered fast, but he still saw it. "Haven't you heard of respecting the fallen? Are there none of you who remembers the words: 'respect,' 'decency,' or even 'honor'?" Fear leveled them with a sweeping gaze.
"How can you make such a threat? You could not possibly defeat us all at one time! Even the leader of Vampires cannot take on as many as live here." Rakesh grinned, but trepidation was still plainly on his face.
The others in the room did not seem pleased to be volunteered to fight. Taisto noticed a few slip out of the room silently. Only the ones farther into the room had no quiet way to exit gracefully, so they stayed still. The ones closest to the front were the braver and more prideful Vampires - The shyer more fearful ones kept a distance, so it was no surprise many of them slipped away. Taisto knew Fear noticed but did not respond or call attention to the fact that Rakesh's backing was decreasing. He stared at him in wonder, so if he understood correctly, this was their leader. No wonder he was so intimidating.
"It's not a threat, merely a statement of fact." Fear moved closer, eyes narrowing just enough, "Are you so sure of that that you will lead in the challenge?"
The dread on Rakesh's face only deepened into a terror he tried to conceal as Fear closed the distance between them. There was no hint of concern in Fear's eyes, voice, or posture - He looked utterly confident - It seemed more like he knew he would win. Rakesh tentatively met Fear's unflinching, challenging stare. Golden eyes flinching in the stare of the set of terrifying black eyes. After a tense minute Rakesh acknowledged defeat by lowering his eyes to the floor silently. Fear ran his eyes over the others, wordlessly inquiring if there were any others wishing to challenge him. One by one they followed Rakesh's example. They all stood with eyes fixed to the floor, hands folded neatly in front of them to demonstrate the lack of a threat.
"Remember my words, this was your warning! I will not punish any of you this time, but do not expect the same to happen if I have to speak to you again. I will not tolerate more of the same."
Never before had Taisto seen so many powerful beings slink back at one time. They acted like scolded children before a parents withering glare. It amazed him, but more than that, it made him happy. Seeing their lack of courage made him happier than it should have. These were the people he hated so he felt no pity for their plight. He looked at Fear. So, this powerful creature was on his side? How lucky could he get?
"Taisto, why didn't you tell me who you were before?" Pamela's words brought him back to the present.
He said nothing, simply met her eyes. "I don't know. Maybe I was hoping you would remember on your own."
Her eyes dropped, "I'm sorry."
He crossed his arms behind his head and leaned back. "No, don't be sorry. It was a long time ago. We don't exactly look like we did as children."
"No, but you realized who I was." She stared at the wall, "Until you told me just now. . . I swear I did not remember that at all. How could I have forgotten?"
"I don't know. . . How many boys did you find in a park who subsequently kissed you back then?"
She blushed, "None, other than you."
"Well, it doesn't matter. You remember now, so it's ok."
Pamella's face still looked downcast. While he wanted her to remember him it did not upset him that she did not remember. In some ways it was better because they had the chance to get to know each other for the second time. Now that she remembered him it increased his chances even more. They now had a connection in the past and in the present. A lot of things had changed in the time they had been apart, but that did not matter. She was still his angel. She was the only girl he had ever loved in his life. This was the girl he searched for for years. The only girl he wanted to be with forever. He would do anything for her. Now that he found her, she would always be his. Even if she decided to reject him it would not change that his life was hers alone.
His heart beat a bit faster as he stared into her perfect face. The girl he met back then looked different, but she was also the same. Her gentle eyes, her sweet, tender nature, it was still the same. Everything he fell in love with was the same. Time had only made him love her more. He searched hard for her. He would have asked for a last name back then if he had known how many Pamella's there were in this city. Even so, the search made finding her even more worthwhile.
Taisto leaned closer and looked deep into her eyes. She still looked as perfect as an angel. Her green eyes gazed back into his. That look took his breath away. Nothing in the world could have been more beautiful than those eyes. They were like green pools, pure, clear, and perfect. His heart contracted. Taisto touched her face, caressing her cheek. He moved slowly closer. All he could think of now was kissing her. . .
He was going to kiss her. Her mind told her to resist. Something in her screamed against it but she had no idea why. Something deep in her mind told her to get away from him. There was a sent on his breath that made her chest tighten. It must have been the wine but it smelled different than that. He was moving slowly. The touch of his fingers delicately drifting over her face sent electric chills through her. He carefully traced the line of her jaw with his fingertips until he gently caught her chin and tilted her face up. He moved closer, just a breath away. Her heart pounded in her chest and she hardly dared breathe. Part of her was strangely afraid, but part of her had no desire to pull away. Her brain told her to go, and she knew she should, but her heart said to stay.
He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to him. She did not know why but she lost the strength to resist - Her entire body felt like it lost all its strength and will, as if his eyes were swallowing her entirely. Pamella melted into his warm embrace. Taisto's lips met hers. His kiss was so soft and smooth, but it was more than that. The way he kissed her was so tender, loving, and affectionate. Her heart fluttered inside her chest. She needed to pull away but she did not care. She found herself wrapping her arms around him.
Taisto broke the kiss long enough to look into her eyes, "I love you," he whispered before pulling her into another kiss. His fingers wound gently through her hair as he pulled her close. Neither of them bothered to come up for air as the kiss grew more passionate. She was beginning to feel dizzy, lost in his kiss. Shivers ran through her as his hand moved along her back. His lips broke with hers only to trace delicate kisses down her neck.
A twinge of fear made its way back into her mind as his lips touched her neck. She could feel her cheeks flush bright red with the spike in stress. Her good sense revived and she slid a little bit away from him. He let her slide out of his arms without trying to stop her. She stared at the wall, not really wanting to meet his eyes and not wanting to explain why she pulled away.
"I'm sorry. . ." He stared at her shyly. "I did not mean to do that. I should never have-"
"No, it's fine. I could have asked you to stop before now if I had wanted to." A new flush moved into her cheeks.
They sat in total silence for some time.
"I have to go now, Taisto. " She stood quickly and finally met his eyes again. He looked sad, or maybe worried, like he was afraid she was angry with him. Pamella disliked the nearly defeated look in his eyes. She could almost read the questions in his eyes: Is she angry? Did I just destroy everything between us? Was that the wrong thing to do? Why did I act that way? What should I do?
Before thinking about her response, she leaned down and pressed her lips to his, "I l-love you too." With her words spoken she raced from the room and hurried out of the house. This was all she could handle for one day. Her heart was racing to fast for her to even begin to think rationally. Her mind was still hazy from his kiss. This was not the time to act, it was the time to run away. She ran away the last time he kissed her, the last time he said he loved her too. The past really did seem to repeat itself, didn't it?