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Vlad’s POV
Luke and Lucy are sitting across from me while a fifth test result is being taken with the blood I threw up. The test results do not show anything wrong with the blood of the donor I drank. I cannot believe that there truly is nothing wrong with that blood. There has to be something. I have tested blood with silver, mercury, any possible means to bring me any harm but the second I tasted it, I spat it right out.
Lucy has been with us the past seven days since we began the testing. She knows when I am on edge about something that needs to be fully checked out. Lucy is aware of this as well during the long past that we have. She has experienced similar tastings but not this. She has never seen anything like this nor has any other vampires that she knows.
The blood analyzer keeps on going until it stops. Luke goes over to do what he needs to check the results. Luke managed to tweak this blood analyzer in order to test my blood for things such as this. It is not entirely easy to test vampire blood like human blood can be tested in the 21st century. He puts the blood sample under the examiner bar while some paper is being printed out to show what the results are for this round.
Luke exhales when done looking at the blood himself. “Vlad, I am telling you, there is nothing scientific wrong with this blood. Maybe it was just a bad batch and your body did not realize it until after you drank it.”
“Luke, I do not want to pass this off as something light. I want to make sure that it is the blood and not me that is the problem.” I tell him in worry.
“What do you mean that it is not you that is the problem?” Lucy asks me.
I give her one look and she knew exactly what I fear right now. Lucy places her hand on top of mine. “If it is something of the Master Vampire and not serving him, that is a load of bull shit. You have resisted him for centuries, not being his pawn. How could anything in this century change in order for you to serve him as his pawn?”
“Lucy, you served him yourself for some small years. You know what he is like, what he has done to others that refused him. He killed all who refused them before having the chance to see what happen to them away from him. What if in resisting him, it is killing me slowly? Starving me to the point of death?” I tell them, knowing I have done whatever research I could find on anything like I am going through but nothing.
Luke and Lucy remain silent and unsure in how to even answer that question. I stand up in fear that it is what could be happening to me. My eyes directly stare at the painting of Broken Tooth Mountain. I painted it myself years ago, painting it as a reminder of the very cave that changed me into what I am today. I have never gone back to that mountain for centuries. I do not out of fear that he could just be sitting there waiting for me to come to him as his pawn. I turn my eyes away from the painting.
I suddenly see my phone vibrating. I pick up my phone to see that it is one of my horse lesson clients, calling to let me know that they are here for their lesson. I answer their call and tell them, “I will meet you at the barn in 10 minutes. Feel free to get the gear out and ready.”
I finish the phone call then my eyes go to Luke and Lucy. “I better get going. If anything changes in your studies, please let me know as soon as possible, Luke. And Lucy, let me know how it goes when you talk to Mina during my time teaching a lesson. Please remember to go at a comfort pace for her. That bastard Michael put her possibly through Hell on earth; she does not need to be overwhelmed anymore than she already has been.” Lucy shakes her head yes to me.
Suddenly, someone knocks on the door. I knew it was Mina. She is here at 10 am like she said she would be to meet with Lucy. I go over and let her in. I cannot help but feel all of the fear, and frustration fades away the moment we smile to one another. Mina’s presence alone did that. I lean in and kiss her on the cheek.
“Good morning, Mina.” I tell her like it is the first time meeting her again.
“Good morning, Vlad.” She says blushing pink on her cheeks.
We continue smiling to one another like we are the only two in the room until Lucy clears her throat. We finally break eye contact. Mina stares at Lucy. Lucy freezes at the sight of Mina, barely pointing her finger at Mina in shock. Lucy never knew what Mirena looked like, only by what I told her about Mirena centuries ago. Out of all my brides, Lucy was the one only I ever talked with about Mirena.
“Oh, my god. This is…” Lucy is lost of words at the sight of Mina.
“I’m Mina. Mina Barnes. Are you Lucy Westenra, the lawyer?” Mina says to Lucy.
“Yes. I am Lucy. Nice to meet you, Mirena… I mean Mina.” Lucy says but stops talking the moment she sees the look of shock on my face when she says Mirena. I quietly slap my forehead against the palm of my hand.
“Mirena?” Mina asks in confusion.
“I am so sorry. Name confusion with another client I have. Nice to meet you, Mina…” Lucy extends her hand out to Mina. Mina shakes hands with her. “Well, take a seat. Do you want some coffee? There is a fresh pot made.”
“That would be great.” Mina says as she is about to walk to the living room but sees Luke.
“Who are you?”
“I am Luke. I am a friend of Vlad’s and his handler.” Luke and Mina shake hands with one another. “He has told me about you and your beauty but in person, it is far greater than I would have imagined. It is a pleasure to meet you, Mina.”
Mina smiles in the words Luke said about her beauty. I am glad that Luke is able to lighten and change the mood from Lucy speaking Mirena’s name. Luke goes to the kitchen and pours a cup of coffee. “What do you like in your coffee, Mina?”
“You are too kind; two sugars and vanilla creamer would be good. Thank you, Luke.” Mina says.
I pull the chair out for Mina and she sits down. Luke hands her the coffee. “I am afraid that I have to take off but it is wonderful to meet you, Mina. I hope to see you again. Vlad tells me that you help with the food column. I would love to trade recipes with you. I am big on cooking.”
“I do yes and that would be wonderful, Luke.”
Luke says that he will call me later as he grabs the papers and puts the lab equipment into the bag he brought them in. Luke leaves and closes the door behind him. I turn my attention to Mina who is sitting across from Lucy. I go over to stand next to Mina. Mina takes a sip of her coffee. Lucy cannot stop glaring at Mina but stops when Mina smiles to her.
“Vlad tells me that you are one of the best. I even looked you up myself. You have chosen many cases that would have been impossible to win but you have done so. You are an Assault and Abused attorney. You have given a voice to many women even men who were wronged in many ways, ensuring the justice that needed to be served.” Mina says.
Lucy smiles in pleasure and leans back with pride that Mina tells her that she is one of the best. I knew that it would be good at breaking the ice between them. I see that I need to get going for the lesson. “I have to go for a horse lesson. If you get done before I get done with the lesson, feel free to come over, Mina. I know Dimitri would like to see you again.”
“I would like that, Vlad.”
She leans in to me. I lean in the rest of the way that our lips meet. Our lips remain locked for a few more seconds than we say goodbye for now. I walk down the steps but stop for a moment to see Mina and Lucy talking to one another at the table. I lightly smile in the knowledge that this is going to turn things in Mina’s favor against Michael.
I go around the corner and the second I am in the clear, I transform into a swarm of bats. I fly right over to the barn, forming back into my human self in front of my lesson horse, Applause. Applause stares at me like he is afraid of me. He has no need to be afraid of me. I extend my hand out for him to smell me. He sniffs my hand then lowers his head in relaxation. I pet him down his strong neck, admiring his Arabian features.
He has a strong neck, amazing endurance, long and thick mane. His coat color is dark chestnut, with a black mane and tail with black socks from his knees down to his hooves. However to his previous owners of the Arabian show world, they thought his tail was not thick enough and his back was not full rather than the scoop back he has. They gelded him shortly before I bought him. The trainer, Priscilla believes that Applause didn’t have what it takes in her training ways.
Applause makes it here no problem. He is great with the lesson kids and one of the top five fastest horses at my barn. He has a good heart and that is all any horse owner or trainer should want from a horse. Not their looks but what their heart can give. I take what they are willing to give and I give them a job to do which is how horses were in my timeline. It was never about the next best Arabian features but rather their speed, endurance to carry us when and wherever we needed to go.
Part of the reason I stay away from the Show Horse world is because most if not all of those humans care about the looks of the horses rather than what the horse can give. And the other part is because it feels too much like Politics at times. I scoff at the thought of Politics since I have had my fair share of them in my long life. I pet Applause one more time when I hear the parent talking to their child that is here for their lesson.
I turn to face the young girl here for her lesson. She comes running over in joy to see Applause again. Applause just lays his head in her hands, enjoying all the love the young girl is giving to him. I smile at them. Applause and this girl click together right away in their first lesson together.
“Alright, get him ready. I will watch all you do in getting him ready. If you do everything right, we may even do some canter at the end of the lesson, Cami.” I say to her.
The young girl, Cami gives the biggest grin on her face before running into the tack room to gather all she needs. I remain watching her out of the corner of my eye. Cami’s mother pays her monthly payment on her daughter’s riding lesson. She thanks me for teaching her before leaving.
I lean against one of the poles watching Cami get Applause ready in the crossties. She is doing everything like I taught her. She brushed him down good, saddled. I walk around both of them observing. Cami gets everything done exactly like I taught her when I look over the equipment on Applause. I stand before Cami then get to her eye level.
“Cami, you did everything so well; lovely job. Take him to the outside arena.” I say with a grin.
Cami does a small exciting jump for herself then runs over to Applause. My eyes watch Applause and Cami walk out together like the pair that they are. Applause snorts on the way out of their walk. Just when I am about to follow behind them, a set of eyes is watching me. My eyes look directly at whoever has their eyes on me.
I see that it is Mina. She leans against the doorway with a happy, heavenly smile on her face to me. I cannot help but notice the way the sunlight is gleaming around her as if she is like an angel standing before me. I’m astonished in how her presence is heavenly to me when I can sense her near me.
“How long were you there?” I ask.
“Long enough to see how adorable you are with little Cami. It was adorable.” Mina blushes to me.
“How did it go with Lucy?”
“It went really well. She knows what she is doing and how we can approach my case to a judge, maybe the court if it comes to trail with Michael.” Mina walks over to me.
I reach my hand for hers and gently kiss the top of it. Mina giggles when I do this. I wonder why she giggled the way she did.
“I have never met anyone quite like you, Vlad. It is a rare thing to feel like a prince is courting me. I like it.” Our hands embrace when she speaks.
“And so I shall continue to do so. Would the Lady like to observe the horse lesson?” I tell her in a sort of fancy tone, enough to make Mina giggle more.
“I would be honored, Prince Vlad.”
We walk outside to the small shed at the outside arena. I have it in case of the sunlight during any of my lessons. I give Cami her set of headphones to wear to hear me clearly rather than shouting through the lesson. I put my set it as well. I ensure that the camera is recording for her lesson. I like to record all lessons for the student to look at or if something happen like the horse gets startled or any injuries.
I angle the camera then start filming. Mina remains watching the entire lesson. Cami and Applause do some simple groundwork then down to being under saddle work. Cami uses the mounting block to easily mount up on Applause. Applause remains standing like a statue when someone mounts up. He only waits for the command for his rider.
Cami gets herself set up with the stirrups and the reins. She does his warm up walk to get his blood flow going and any stiffness out of his body going to left, right, frontwards and backwards. I ask her to have Applause to go into a trot. I am having her focus more on her core in the trotting. I study her every movement under saddle, instructing her throughout the lesson.
I often see Mina smiling out of the corner of my eye. Mina is amazed in watching the lesson during the time that Cami has Applause in a large circle. I have them stop for a moment in the middle of the outdoor arena. I grab the lung line and small crop with a flag at the end of it to help Applause go forward if asking is not enough.
I walk out to the arena, adjusting the reins so Cami does not need to use them during this part of the lesson. I clip the lung line onto the left side D-ring of the bit. I stop for a moment when I see that Cami is staring at me in a way that she never has.
“Something wrong, Cami?”
“It is nothing. It’s just the fact that this is the first time I actually seen you in the sunlight. It seems silly to mention however it is the truth.”
I freeze in what Cami just said. I glare down at my hands being in direct sunlight. I try not to react due to not burning down to ashes. I keep the reins on in case Cami needs them and for the time being, the reins are loose, floppy to keep Applause straight during this excuse. I unbuckle the reins, tie them in one knot and then I reattach them to this little D part of the saddle. The reins will remain here, not hanging down and easy to get a hold of if needed.
I step back with the lunge line in my left hand and a small lunge stick in my right hand. I tell Cami to give Applause the cue to begin him at a walk. She makes clicking noises with her tongue that Applause begins to walk. He goes out to the point that the lunge line is extended out while still remaining loose, barely hanging above the ground.
“Let’s start in a two-point position for about 30 seconds then we will go to a sitting trot. Make sure to push your knees down, stepping into your leg. Remember to keep your shoulders open.” I do everything on my end as does Cami.
I glare back to see Mina enjoying what she is seeing. I encourage Mina to come out to the arena to me. Mina does and waits for the horse to pass then comes to me. I tell her to stay behind and move with me during this excuse. She moves and stays with me.
I lightly smile in Cami remembering all she has been instructed to do. “Very good, Cami and now put your arms straight out to the side.” Cami does so. “Nice. Go from sitting then to the two-point.”
Cami nails it like she always does. Applause keeps a good, smooth pace in his trot; not choppy. We do countless circles when Mina asks me, “What are these doing for her in the saddle?”
“This excuse will help to work on the rider’s balance.”
Cami does two more circles like this. Afterwards, I have Cami swing her arms, crossing them in front. This will help to stretch her shoulders open when swinging them like this. It even helps to get their back relaxed, shoulder blades straight. We progressed to the posting trot while crossing her arms. Then we switch over to the other side so work on the left and the right side.
Mina is amazed in how much work is put into trotting on a horse. Mina stays through the entire lesson and takes a few photos with her phone. I ask her to send those photos to me later so I can post them on my barn company website. I always like to ensure to upload new videos, photos of my lessons, leases, and sells. It helps to bring in some new business, seeing the recent work I do.
The lesson comes to an end and Cami has Applause walk a few laps around the arena to help process their lesson and to catch his breath. When Cami is done, she finishes in the middle of the arena like I taught her. I help Cami dismount from Applause. Cami pets Applause for his hard work then leads him back to the cross ties.
I make sure the whole lesson was recorded off the camera before I turn it off. I take the memory card out then gather the remaining gear in the outdoor arena then walk back with Mina to the barn. I soak into every single second I am walking with her in direct sunlight. The way the pure light shines as if she is an angel ascending from Heaven itself.
I lightly smile to Mina when she asks me, “What is it?”
“I cannot help but recall a certain poem as I look at you now. Would you like to hear it?”
“Yes, Vlad.”
I set the gear to the ground then slowly wrap my hand around hers. All of my human senses take in our hands touching. The difference in her fair skin and my pale skin is remarkable. I take my left hand in gently brushing some of her blonde hair behind her ear. I begin to quote the poem,
‘The day begins with pure light hitting the roof tops of the heathen caves
So beautiful and bright for everyone to sight
Arise arise and take a walk with the sun til you see the night
Open your eyes, lift your head and move your feet
Stand upright and never take a sit
For it is known labor is pain with fruits of life
Let the sun be your guide
To see and find all the gold you wish to hide’
Mina remains shining as a pure light upon the heathen caves of my long life. Just as the sun is the guide for some humans, Mina is now my guide the more I am in her presence. Her cheek begins to show some blush pink as she whispers, “Is that Kwalombota Neeta?”
I nod my head yes when I inch closer to her, moving my hand to the back of her warm neck. Our lips gently come together. We stay in a lingering kiss then rest our foreheads together. I cannot help but to realize that I am letting out a big but yet soft exhale for the first time in centuries that I cannot help in chuckling a little.
“What is it, Vlad?”
“I’m…. For the first time in what feels like a long time, I am happy like really happy.” I feel such a relief in me. It is almost as if the weight of my dark world is lifting away by the sun itself.
“That makes two of us.” Mina tells me.
Mina and I remain standing here for a few more moments before someone says, “Vlad…”
Mina and I both lightly jump in someone saying my name. My eyes go to see that it is Luke and Lucy who said it. I wonder what they are looking at until I notice that Luke is standing in the sun but Lucy is not. They are both seeing me in the sunlight, not burning to ashes. No ashes to ashes of any kind happening.
“I am so sorry. I did not mean to interrupt but Mina, I need you for a few more things then I will leave you alone.” Lucy says with a bit of shock in her voice due to the fact that she is seeing me in the sunlight. Mina goes to Lucy.
The moment they are both out of our sight, Luke drags me over to the side and has his bag with him. “How are you in direct sunlight?”
“I do not know! I did not even realize it until my lesson student, Cami said something to me. Take some blood to fill a vial. You are going to need plenty to test it.” I roll up my sleeve and pump my fist several times while Luke grabs all he needs to draw my blood.
He sticks in the needle in my arm and I actually feel the pain that I bite down on my lip so I am not vocal about the pain I am feeling. Luke still notices that it actually hurts when putting the needle in and when taking the needle out. He places a small white bandage cloth over where he stuck the needle then wraps it snug.
“Keep this on for an hour if you still are the way you are then take off the wrap, wash it good. You will be good after that. I will get to my lab and test this right away. As soon as I get results, I will call you.”
“Alright. I will be waiting.” I tell him as I see the vial of my blood go into his bag.
Luke immediately leaves the barn in a hurry while I wonder what all of this could still mean especially if this is any connection to the Master Vampire. But then I know that it cannot be connected to him at all. What if it is her? What if all of this is because of Mina?
I see Mina talking to Lucy while I roll down my sleeve. I have to remain calm so I go over to Cami who is all done taking the tack off of Applause. I ensure that everything is correct and when done, I told her that she can turn him out for the rest of the day. Cami claps her hands in excitement. She loves turning Applause out.
“After you turn him out in the pasture, I know your mom will be waiting for you. I will see you next week. Remember your at-home exercises.”
“I will, Vlad. Thank you.” Cami tells me while she is walking Applause out of the pasture.
I instantly see Mina is saying goodbye to Lucy and she has to leave. “Are you already leaving?”
“For now. I’ll return soon, Vlad. I am picking up a few hours at work. I’ll let you know when I am done.”
“Alright. Be careful, Mina.” Mina gives an air kiss just before she walks out into the bright sunlight doorway. Lucy and I wait for Mina to leave the property before discussing what has happened with me.
“VLAD!!!! Can you shed some light on the current situation?!!” She screams in my ear that I flinch in the pain of her screaming in my ear.
“Not anymore any more than has already been shed, Lucy. Is the screaming really necessary?” I place my hand over my left ear as my ear is ringing.
“Please call me when Luke gets the results for your blood. I have to get going to talk to a judge about Mina’s case.” She begins to walk but freezes when she cannot walk out in daylight without my power to cover the sun like I always do. She looks at me and realizes that I cannot use my power. I exhale in seeing the frustrated look on Lucy’s face.
Then a sudden, rapid pain surges through my body that I fall to my knees. Lucy comes over to me wondering what is going on. I place my hand on my chest where the pain is most unbearable. “Ahhh! The pain is in my chest! Ahhh!”
The piercing agony vanishes just as quickly as it came. My body feels drained from that terrible pain that went through me. Lucy puts her hands on my shoulders, worried for me. I place my hands on my knees in the relief of the agony being gone now.
“Are you alright? What happened?” Lucy asks.
“I am alright. I felt a pain run through me. It’s gone now.”
“Vlad, I don’t hear you breathing anymore…” Lucy whispers to me.
I try to inhale and exhale, nothing at all. I stare down in disappointment that I am vampire again. And with being a vampire again comes the fear of what the Master Vampire has planned or has already taken action to what is happening to me. Lucy rests her head on my shoulder knowing the disappointment in me. I rest my head against hers; feeling some comfort in her being here with me.
“Come on, Vlad. You should get back to the house.” Lucy stands up with her hand extended out for me.
I look to her for a moment then grab her hand, getting to my feet. I close my eyes for a moment to let the clouds cover the sun so Lucy and I can walk outside again. Lucy and I walk back to my house with our hands still together. Not as lovers holding hands but as long time friends being there for one another right now.
I will be forever glad that Lucy is still in my long life. I cannot see anyone else in my past being in my current life except for Lucy. I am grateful for her to be here with me. Lucy and I reach the front door of my house. Lucy stands in front of me with a small smile on her face to me.
“I have to get going. Call me as soon as Luke has results on the blood he took from you. And if not that, call me for anything, Vlad. You can always call me.” Lucy says before kissing me on the cheek.
“I know, Lucy. I can always count on you even though I do not deserve it. I am grateful for you. Thank you for being in my life.” I respond back to her.
She walks away from me saying, “Anytime.”
I chuckle in how she walks away. She still has the same walking away walk like she did the 16th century. I take my keys out for my front door until Lucy calls my name. I look down the driveway to see her stopping for a few moments.
“Whatever it is that is happening to you, take it day by day. That is all you can do for now; Day by day.” Lucy says then swiftly transforms into a swarm of bats, flying into the sky toward the city.
I enter into my house, locking the door behind me. I stare around my house for a moment until I go over to my laptop. I let the laptop load up while I take the memory card of the camera out. I upload the lesson for today. I trim down anything I need to do show the lesson. I even send some footage to Cami’s mother online for her to have. I get a few emails of updates on horses that are settling into their new forever homes.
I admire how the horses I sold are adjusting to their new life. The rescue program I do is worth it when I see the horse or horses happy in their new life. I am very careful about their forever homes I place them in. I never want any animal to get into a abusive or neglectful home. I finish all of my emails and uploading more videos of the horses in the turnout paddock.
I get a ping from my phone. It is Mina sending me the photos that she took during the lesson. I smile at the good photos she took. She has a good eye for taking pictures. I upload the photos onto the barn website. When I finish uploading them, I cut off the laptop and sit here for a few moments in the quiet.
I decide to go down into my private church. I go down the set of stairs to be in front of the Cross. The agonizing sting I feel is something I wish I could never feel when standing before the Cross. I stand here in the endless wonder if I am worthy of forgiveness in all of the things I have done and seen in my long life.
I reach for the lighter, using it to light up each candle. The candles light up the room to show the bible before me. It is still on the page showing 1st Thessalonians 5:17 – ‘Pray without ceasing.’ My senses begin to feel somewhat distorted in being before the Cross however I do like I always do and place my hands on the altar and pray to the Lord Almighty in the Heavens hoping that he can hear me.
I do not blame him if he did not want to listen to my prayers. I am nothing more than a gargoyle burning in Hell on earth, drowning in my sins and acts I have committed. I have only myself to blame. I only pray for others in my life and Mina is one of the people I pray for now.
I pray for her to get great results in going against Michael in court if the case goes to court. I also want Mina to enjoy herself in whatever she does; surrounded by good, positive people in her daily life. And all that Mina dreams for her life comes true. I hope that I will be a part of her life, no matter how small.
I continue on praying until I hear a knock on the front door. I stop for a moment in realizing that Mina is here for dinner. I look up the Cross one more time before I blow the candles out. I leave my private church, closing the entrance.
I text her that I will be right there in a few moments and immediately use my vampire speed to get all that is needed to cook dinner. I make sure that all is going good with pots, pans and plates. Mina wants to cook dinner for me.
I quickly get some candles out for the dining table and light them up. The candles light up a bit more of the room and the finishing touch are with her favorite plush pink roses in the middle of the table with a small card for her to read. I got the flowers this morning before meeting with Luke and Lucy on testing the blood results. That is the final touch as I walk toward the front door.
I open it to find Mina with market bags. I can smell the deer meat already. I am glad that even with my vampire hunger I can still have some meats in my daily life. Mina comes into the kitchen excited to cook for me. She is glowing the exact same way when we first met at the flower stand.
“I am glad to see you smiling the way you are, Mina.”
“Today has been a really good day and it gets better once dinner is done. I hope you like deer.”
“I certainly do, dear.” I say in a sarcasm way.
Mina chuckles in the pun I used.
“How can I help?” I ask her.
“You are going to pour yourself a glass of wine and relax. This dinner is a thank you for all that you have done for me.”
“Mina…” I reach for her hand, gently embracing it. “There is no need to thank me. I want to help you in any way that I can.”
“Vlad, I want to thank you and I will do whatever I can until my debt is paid in full for all that you have done.”
“Mina, I want to help because you need a hand. A good person always helps others in need but when that good person needs help, not many help. I want to be the few that help the good person. And you are a good person.”
Mina looks down at my hand with hers. Then right away, she kisses me. I kiss her back while hearing the sound of her heart racing a little. I stop kissing her for a moment because I do not want my hunger to kick in when I am around her.
Mina smiles before going back to getting the food ready for dinner. I let Mina cook the dinner while I set the plates at the dinner table then pour a glass of wine. I watch Mina cook the food. She seems like such a natural in the kitchen.
“Have you always been a natural in the kitchen?” I ask her before taking a sip of the red wine, Merlot.
“When I was a kid, my mom and I use to cook together. It was simple things like brownies, cupcakes or cookies. As I got older, I advanced to helping with breakfast, lunch and dinner by the time I was in my teens. I decided to work in the food column to keep my passion for food going. My mother stopped cooking with me after a while when I was growing up.”
“Why is that?”
Mina stops moving when I ask her. I see that it seems to be something personal that stopped her mother from cooking with her when she got older. I set down the glass of wine and go over to Mina.
“Whatever it is, tell me when you are ready.” I softly tell her.
She shakes her head yes to me and goes right back to cooking. I wonder if it has something to do with Michael. Then again, her freezing is not the normal whenever she thinks of Michael. I believe it is something else. But I will let Mina tell me when she feels ready to do so.
Mina finishes cooking. I order her out of the kitchen while I prepare her plate of food and mine. I notice that she sees the candles and plush pink roses on the dining table. She smiles at the sight of it. I secretly put a small bit of blood in my wine glass without Mina noticing.
I give Mina her plate then sit down next to her. We both eat the amazing dinner she made. She made the deer meat as rare as I like and as rare as I can eat it. Mina asks me questions about horseback riding like she saw in the lesson today. I explained all of it to her in a way that she would understand. I know I will teach her soon.
After we finish dinner and my wine glass is empty, I am doing the dishes when Mina asks me, “What is this painting for?”
I cut off the water, dry my hands off. I go over to the painting that she is looking at. It is the cave like painting canvas. It is filled with green blue background with two wolves that have some shade of black. It is almost like two wolves running among the Northern Lights. There are some gold markings to shape the sun and the wind. It is quite a painting piece.
“It is quite something. I could not resist getting this piece. This is an updated piece of art. The older one, I have stored away for value purposes. The story behind this is something phenomenal.” I tell her as she admires it.
“Tell me more about it.” Mina says when slightly brushing her fingers on the wolf ahead of the other on the painting.
“In some free time, I work with a group of archeologists around the world. There has been a story unlike any other ever told. Many believed that this story was erased from the world deliberately. The story is called, ‘Retribution Love’. Do you want to hear it?”
Mina shakes her head yes while gazing at the painting. “I’ll tell you how I first heard it. Here goes.”
‘Long ago, two people of different worlds fell in love no matter how forbidden. But for their love, they were more than willing to risk life itself to be together for just a few moments. However like most forbidden loves, they were discovered. Before they were caught, they used their celestial powers to link their hearts, remaining one even when separated. While imprisoned over time, they’d become history, legend became myth to nothing but a lost, untold story.’
‘During the centuries, they wait silently until their time comes again. And in their reunion, their retribution will be unleashed upon the world. When they are done, they will forever remain embraced until the end of time…’
“That is quite the story, Vlad. What sort of evidence is there to possibly prove if this untold story is a real told story?”
“Any archeologists that have studied it more than I ever will has not found any trace, evidence or historical artifacts; it’s purely a myth.”
“How interesting would it be if it is was not just a myth?”
“I would not have a real good feeling if it was real. I can only imagine the retribution they would have upon the world.”
“True.” Mina says in response.
She and I continue to look upon the painting. I know that it is just a story however with no trace to be found, I do wonder if anyone didn’t want anyone to find any sort of proof of their existence. If a supernatural wolf with celestial powers existed, it would be something the Master Vampire would want to get his hands on or someone worse.
Shortly afterward, I walk Mina to her car. I let her take the plush pink roses home with her. Mina knows I got them from her favorite flower stand. She sets the flowers in the car then we kiss before we say good night to one another. Mina gets into her car as I close the door behind her. I wave at her as she drives away. I remain in the driveway until she is no longer within my sight. I cannot help in wondering what was on her mind when mentioning her mother no longer cooking with her.
I go back to my house but stop when I begin to feel a presence watching me. Whoever it is, I can sense their four legs barely moving the dirt beneath outside the house. I barely move my head to the left to see who it is. My mouth barely drops to see that it is the very same wolf that nearly attacked us on the hike. It is on the edge of the woods before the start of the house lawn.
Without a word or second to spare, I quickly went out the front door to find that wolf. The wolf is still standing at the edge of the woods. I growl at the wolf when I see the eyes of the wolf following my every movement. I take a few steps closer toward the wolf.
The closer I get, the more I see that the wolf is covered in some blood. The wolf is injured, almost like it was attacked by hunters or vampires by the look of the injuries. The wolf gives me a death glare with its red eyes with a sort of silver foam coming out of its mouth, dripping down its teeth to the tip of its paws.
The wolf bursts out a distorted roar. Every hair on my body stands up when the wolf speaks the words, ‘You did this to me! You, the son of the Devil and your Monstrous Love took everything away from us!’
I slightly flinch in the haunting words coming out of the wolf. And before I could do anything, the wolf vanished into thin air. I look around using my sight and hearing. There is absolutely no sign of the wolf. I kneel down to where the wolf was literally just standing. There is not even imprinted paw prints where the wolf stood. That is impossible for a wolf to be here then disappear like it did before my eyes.
I keep on searching; still nothing at all. I circle around my property a few times. It is as if the wolf was never here. This is literally the second time the wolf has done something that is impossible. I take my phone out and call Luke. He answers right away.
“Luke, I have an enemy that knows where I am. I need to know who it is.”
“Not to sound rude however you have quite a number of enemies due to your long past life. It will take a while to find out who it possibly could be.”
“It will not be difficult to figure out. It is a wolf that my Monstrous Love and I acted against.”
“Your Monstrous Love? Are you sure?” Luke asks in horror.
“Yes. There were a few that she and I tormented, even killed. It would not be surprising if one of them survived or a mate of one of the ones killed or a pup seeking revenge. I need to know who is alive out of those that she and I went against. Do you still have some connections through them?”
Luke freezes in what I am asking of him. “Vlad, I do however it has been a while since I have talked with any of them.”
“See what you can find out quietly.”
“I will. I am near done with your test results on the blood I took earlier. When I am done, I’ll call you. It is interesting of what I have found so far.” Luke tells me.
“I will be waiting for your phone call. Talk to you soon.” I tell Luke before we hang up.
I glare around the woods but nothing still. I wonder if someone is maybe playing mind tricks with me by using a wolf to taunt me. Then again, I do not know anyone with the ability to do such a mind trick. I walk back inside after I do a few more searches for the wolf. I ensure all the locks and alarms of my house are in place.
I walk down the hallway then stop at the painting ‘Retribution Love’. I study the painting for a few moments wondering the same thing that Mina if they ever existed. The retribution they would release on the world would be something that nobody wishes to transpire in reality.
I then sense the presence of the wolf once again. My eyes go directly to the blood red eyes of the wolf. It is standing on the edge of the woods again. There is a bright light of lightening followed shortly with the massive clap of thunder. It begins to rain heavily outside. The bright light of lightning strikes again. However when the brightness of the lightning disappears, the wolf is gone.
I start to feel every hair on my body stand just when I look back at the painting of The Retribution Love. I shake my head no in the idea that the myth story is not real and nothing but a myth. It is the Master Vampire I need to concern myself with. If he learns of what is happening to me, I cannot even begin to imagine what he will do to me if or when he finds out.
I stop all of my thoughts about the Master Vampire then focus my thoughts on Mina being in my life. I go back down into my private church, lighting the candles before the Cross and pray without end for the rest of the night.
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