After putting Ethan to bed and washing him away from my skin, I stepped out onto the balcony. There is something relaxing about early morning sex and the scent of a fading blood moon. Leaning over the rusted gold balcony rails, I allowed last night’s unpleasant events to replay.

Direct playback is a skillset every vampire possessed. No matter when we experienced it. If need be, we could recall the moment in detail as if it is currently happening.

Before Ethan distracted me with his begging. Begging that I happily to accepted. Elloren explained how she knew the invader was a girl named Alexandera. This Alexandera girl was apparently a gifted demon. One of the ones that did not require summoning. If the barrier of hell could not keep her then no other barrier stood a chance. Elloren explained that she never saw the girls face, but she would always remember her scent. Hell’s ash is how she described it.

Elloren refused to recount exactly what this Alexandera girl did to her. However, with a past like hers no explanation was required. As Elloren and I stood in the middle of her room. Her hands began to shake as she attempted to undress herself. I did not move to help her. The last thing she required was me making her feel helpless. Instead, I walked around her room pretending not to notice the tears pushing to the surface.

As I settled into one of her white mesh chairs folding my legs underneath me. Elloren won her battle with her dress. Stepping out if it she tossed on a grey oversized sweatshirt. Leaving the dress on the floor, she watched my face change with disgust. Elloren was carless with her clothes and her things. One would think if one grew up with nothing, they would appreciate the vintage couture and lavish things they received. Not Elloren. When I asked, her about it ten years ago she replied,

“I never think anything is truly mines. It can all be taken away from me. This room, these clothes, my freedom. What if your parents decide they hate having me around. What if you decide you hate having me around. I will be back with nothing. The least I can do for my sanity is not get attached.”

I called bullshit then and I call bullshit now.

“Don’t look like that Alucard. I am going to pick it up I swear.”

Rubbing her neck where the knife wound no longer existed. She sat opposite of me in a pink mesh chair.

“Before Alex slit my throat, she said that she had lied. I wasn’t what she was looking for. She said I could die for all she cared. What she found was more important. But she said important with a French accent. I do not recall her speaking French when she tortured me.

“Could your mother have sent her?”

“No, why would she? Alexandera let me go. If she was under my mother’s orders, I would be dead or worse back with her.”

“Oui, she let you go but was it by choice or force? How would have Alex gotten out of here?”

“The same way she slithered in. If you would have lost her visually for any amount of time. I am sure she would have escaped. Not even my mother could keep this demon. No, Alex has her own plans. She always has. This girl is no rookie, Alucard. We only knew she was here because she led us here. Why is the question.

Nodding my head in agreeance that we needed to know why Alex led us down there. Elloren began patting her sweatshirt as if trying to remove its invisible wrinkles. She bore her green eyes into mines and said,

“Alucard, Godric told me where you went last night. Why go there and not at least warn me? What if you died?”

I could hear concern in her voice, but on a higher level, I could hear hurt.

Taking down the pin curls in my hair I replied,

“Because you needed to rest. Your mother couldn’t kill me on her best of days. (I left out the part about the sun bubble. I would never leave you alone to fight a war. Going to your mothers is forbidden. It’s one of the rules in exchange for you living here.”

“So, you run off to fight one alone?”

“I did not run anywhere. I flew. Besides Godric apparently knew where I was. Speaking of Godric why did you give him my number?”

Tapping her fingertips together a smile spread across Elloren’s face.

“Because he asked. Well, it was more like he told me. But still, I couldn’t refuse it. I mean its Godric… Godd….RIICCC.”

Taping her cheeks with her nails Elloren shook her head side to side. I hated when she talked about boys. Mainly because she did not find the general population of them attractive. However the ones that she did, she crushed over them. Knowing that she wouldn’t let them touch her in a physical way. She would be crushing over Godric for days.

Placing one foot on the floor, Elloren clapped her hands.

“So, spill it. What did he say?”

Turning my gaze outside the window. I saw a vampire in the midst of a chase. The Hunter Games were still taking place even if I was not there. I much rather be out there then in here.

“Nothing really. He talked about the Interview with a Vampire. Wanted to know the similarities between me and the child.”

“Okay taking an interest in your life. Promising. How did he know you were going to my mother’ s?

“I don’t know. He told me to mention his name when I arrived.” I left out the part about me only using his name to potential save my life.

“Even a God knows the dangers of my mother.” Glancing back at Elloren I could see her becoming lost in her thoughts about her mother.

After a few moments of silence, Elloren spoke again. Her voice low and serious. Lost and sad.

“You don’t know what she is truly like Alucard. Do you believe things have been peaceful because she is scared? You went to into her domain. I can tell you with complete confidence that she is not sitting idling doing nothing about me walking free. I do know how you set me free but it’s not because you are more powerful, or she fears The Royal Vampire Family.”

Taking a breath from her monologue, Elloren rubbed her temples. Before turning to face the window, her face bathing in the tint of the red moon. Now she looked more like a necromancer. With my blood fresh in her system, she glowed to me. My blood letting me know this person is mines.

Tilting her head back she took a hard look at me. Normally it was the kind of look she would give that was followed by a smile or “But you are who you are”. This time nothing followed that stare. Nothing but unshared necromancer knowledge that I apparently needed to be afraid of. I thought all this time it was trauma that made Elloren so afraid of her mother, but it turns out it was Elloren’s mother that made Elloren scared of her mother.

I guess it was a good time to tell her what I learned from her mother.

“Your mother informed me I am The Spell. Apparently, it’s how I found you and I would bet it’s the reason I was able to release you from her.” That stopped Elloren mid-breath. Her chest literally pausing mid intake.

“Elloren? Are you okay.” No response, “ El..lo.re..n..” Still nothing. Finally, I moved in front of her and could see while her body was here her mind was somewhere else. Her eyes vacant, but not inactive. Creepy. “Ele..”

“I hear you. Shut up and let me process.”

Rolling my eyes I fell back on the floor. I waited for her to access whatever knowledge she was seeking.

Eventually, she found a question, “If you are The Spell then what could have Alexandera have found if not me or The Spell?”

That is the question we needed an answer to.

Just then Ethan walked out onto the balcony, bringing me back from the memory. Wrapping himself in a thick white wool blanket and taking a deep breath. The morning sun bright and high and making its way to the center of the sky. Caused Ethan to squint his eyes and divert them to my face. Afterglow and morning glow suits him well. His skin a little flushed and the bruises on his neck looked worse than they did early this morning. He will heal just fine. Touching the bite marks, I smiled. “My bites always did suit you.” Nodding his head, he turned to face the morning light once more.

For a few more moments, there was soothing silence between us. With the lake below colored by blood. I felt unwelcoming feeling of guilt for leaving Ethan alone last night. Even though he was not alone and I more than made up for it. Still, I should apologize or something close to it.

Before the words left my lips, Ethan’s were heard first.

“He spoke about you. Not romantically. It was more like gathering information.” Gathering information? For what reason, thinking to myself.

“What sort of questions did he ask?”

“None about you directly. Only how long you have owned me. The normal things that we do with and to each other.” Ethan replied, with heat escaping his body behind every word.

“Nothing else?”

“Nothing that would make me think he is an enemy. But at some point, during the night he told me it was best to keep close. That’s when he started the games.” A gust of wind blew causing Ethan to wrap the blanket around himself tighter.

“Cold?” I asked.

“Oui. However, I want to stay out. It’s rare to witness sunrises like these.”

“Liar. You rise before the sun.”

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

“Before the sun, never with the sun.” Ethan replied, shrugging his shoulders.

Just then I witnessed a secret thought die out on his face. Turning to face Ethan I asked, “How long did the games with you and Godric last and when did they start?” My want for solving this mystery outweighing my humanity need to apologize.

“They lasted maybe an hour. They began shortly after The Hunting Games. He just appeared out of nowhere and not like the vampire out of nowhere.”

Using Ethan’s side profile as a focus point, I recounted how long Elloren, and I must have been in the cellar. Matching up the times, I wondered if Godric really kept Ethan safe. Did Godric hear the chanting as well? Or maybe just maybe it was all one big distraction. Maybe Godric is behind it all. From the meeting at Pink Matter, to the student uniforms, even gaining an invitation to my parent’s Hunting Games. It all seems a little to convenient.

Snapping his bruised fingers in front of my face. Ethan’s full profile pulled my attentions from my thoughts. Bruised fingers? Just want kind of games did he and Godric play?

“It’s not him Alucard.”

“And how would you know?” I asked walking away.

I needed to rest and reset. Tonight, my parents, Elloren and I would try to place the pieces we did have together. My father must figure out something about the chaos that brought into this world. Advising him and my mother earlier in the morning about the intruder and The Holy Trinities, must have allowed some time for him to remember something.

Since my coffin is not required for today’s rest. My bed will do just fine. Sliding myself between the linen sheets that smelled of Ethan. I laid on my back. Using my telekinesis the stained-glass door above me closed. One would have never guessed that those ceiling glass doors are made from the stained glasses of several churches my father burned down. After demolishing the people of course. They are beautiful. Rich in color and a scene my father claims never happened. No one has ever met The Devil. Let alone knows what they would appear as.

Coming inside, Ethan closed the thick curtains that wrapped around more than half the room. Blocking out the sunlight altogether.

“I know because I see the way he looks at you. The way he speaks about you. That’s not the look or the words of a man or God who wants to kill you. Hurt you yes, but not harm.”

Rolling over on my side bringing a pillow with me to place over my head. I replied,

“Ethan you are a pain slut. For all I know he could have brainwashed you.”

“Precisely! Because I am a pain slut I know when someone is interested in giving pain. And Godric wants to give you a lot of it. Hurt of course, not harm.”

Walking over to me and placing the wool blanket over me. Bending down to whisper into the pillow he said,

“It’s not him Alucard. I am not sure what is happening, but I am here whenever you need to clear your head. Because I know for you to leave me on the night of The Hunting Games something is wrong. Godric came here clearly for you. Doubtful you would leave a guest unattended. You are rude, inconsiderate, an asshole all around. However, you are a traditionalist. You would not have broken our tradition for nothing to be wrong. Whenever you require me. I am here. Even if you do not require me, I am here. Just please whatever you do. Do not leave me alone with Godric ever again.”

With that, Ethan left me behind with more questions, more speculations. Exactly what did Godric do to him?

Inhaling and releasing my frustrations. My life is beginning to become parallel to a drama series. This must end. Solving crimes, trying to prevent murders, stalking, random people becoming interested in me and those around me. And then there is Godric. I am not going to complain about him, not yet anyways.

I awoke to the sound of my name being repeated like a scratched record. That could only mean one person. Elloren. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she gave me a “I’m sorry smile.”

Slowly rising to the brink of nightfall I said, “You have nothing to apologize for. This is not your fault.”

Pushing my curls out of my face. I pushed my chest out and pulled my shoulders back. Deep stretches felt good no matter the species.

“I have general guilt. You are only in this because of me. The home invasion was because of me. Your parents the, will blame me.”

Squinting my eyes for no other reason, then me mimicking human confused behavior. I threw my legs over the edge of the bed. My parents should be up by now.

“Yes, they will, but will they hold that against you? Non. Will they help you? Oui.”

Sighing and dropping her head, chin to chest. Elloren sighed. “We agree then. They will blame me.”

“Of course, Elloren. You know my parents know how they are. Its nothing to feel burden over.”

“Easy for you to say. It’s not like they will kill you.”

Walking into my closet, I pulled out a black and white sweater and red sweatpants. The winter months are not kind to a mansion this old and this expansive.

Returning to my room and standing in front of Elloren. I used my index finger to tilt her head back upward where it belonged.

“Elloren it will be fine. I am not going to leave you to fight a war by yourself and my parents most certainly will not leave me to fight a war alone.”

Closing her green eyes, taking a deep breath. She replied, “Okay, let’s get this over with.”

An hour later, Elloren and I sat outside inside the garden house. This place is my mother’s favorite. The soothing aromas from the Birds of Paradise plants easing the worry in Elloren’s shoulders. Sitting in the center of the room surrounded by poisonous plants and golden statues of feral birds. I balanced my oval back black velvet chair on its hind legs, while my parents digested the little information Elloren knew regarding Alexandera.

During the recount, Elloren could not bring herself to look my parents in the eyes. General guilt is what she named it. It is not a trait I wish to copy. Making things worse, my father did nothing to hide his disapproval of the fact that this is now also his problem. I will remind Elloren later, that when you become my father’s age, everything is disapproving.

Tapping her long black nail on the stained black glass that seated us in a circle. My mother broke the silence.

“Mr. Cravemount has been possessed, the Gatekeepers were unable to contain him, Godric decays your school’s hallways, my darling daughter is some sort of spell, there was an intruder in our home who’s familiar with Elloren, Elloren was poisoned, and The Holy Trinities will return for her in three years? Are there other important details I am not conscious of?”

My mother asked the question to me. While Elloren understood French when spoken slowly, my mother has never adjusted her fluency or speed to accommodate this.

“Non mama.”

Exhaling slowly my mother stood from the table. Black silk casting a physical shadow of her mood followed in suit as she glided towards the storage cabinet. She did her best thinking when in motion. Grabbing a carbon blade from the storage. She began decapitating flowers. Following her movements with his eyes only, my father remained in place at the circle table.

I knew that stillness very well. He is deep in a past life.

Elloren hummed “Sorry” under her breath for the fourth time during this conversation.

“Mon cher, we do not require your sorries. Save them, s'il te plait.” Leaning my head back over the oval back of my chair, glaring at my mother who was holding a hand full of stems. Tossing them in a waste basket.

“Now that, I understood.” Said Elloren, as she placed her head on the glass.

“Could this Alexandera demon be the same demon from The Blackgate’s home Alucard?”

The tone of my mother’s voice let me know this is not how she wanted to spend the night after The Hunting Games. However, I knew that already from last night when I first enlighten her about what was happening.”

“Non, the girl from The Blackgate’s home is more psycho than demon.” I answered.

“Alex, she is gifted. She came change her form. Granted she needs to kill them first to acquire their soul. But she can do it Alucard.” Elloren said.

Letting my chair fall on all four legs. I replied,

“I can see if a soul is borrowed.”

“Borrowed and acquired are not the same things. Remember a few days ago when Clarissa asked if you could smell the originator of magic?” Nodding my head at Elloren she kept with her train of thought.

“Its much like that. If the person borrows a soul. What if you can only see it because it’s not theirs to keep. When someone acquires a soul it’s theirs. It becomes apart of that person as if it was born there.”

“In other words, my vision would see nothing out of place because the soul fits in place.”

“Ummhm.” Elloren said, nodding.

The windows of the garden house shook with the force of the wind. This stirred my father back to this lifetime.9

“Where did you go papa?”

“To remember my birth and the woman who cared for me.”

“Someone took care of you Mr. St. Vincent?” Elloren’s statement came out more surprising than she intended. I could see her eyes widen at the firsthand embarrassment of her statement. Without missing a beat my father replied,

“I once required assistance to live. You Elloren are currently living a time I have experienced.”

“Great history is repeating itself just for me. Not so great, Alucard is the woman I need assistance from.” Elloren replied smiling at me.

“Why would our child be The Spell darling? There are others who were born into what they become. Why our daughter?” My mother spoke only to my father. That meant she did not wish to hear from Elloren nor I.

“Alucard and I have been down this road before. Remember when I attempted to summon you, Alucard? I couldn’t. It was as if you did not exist in my dimension span or any other dimension.” Elloren replied, lifting her head and speaking when not being spoken to.

This annoyed my mother. However, she is too gracefull to allow little annoyances stain her face. Instead, they displayed in her choice of words. Before she could speak and to save Elloren from more general guilt, I spoke.

“I remember. The Holy Trinities can summon me well enough. She delivered the message regarding their three-year waiting period just fine.”

“I wonder if that’s because you were close by. Like vampire hearing. You can see deep into different forms even locate people on the other side. But you can’t hear them unless they are within a certain distance of you. Maybe The Holy Trinities can only summon you if they are close?”

Clasping her hands together. I could see Elloren searching through her knowledge base to see if that theory made up one puzzle piece of this bigger picture.

“That theory may hold relevance. In a time before I divided me by one, certain entities could only communicate with me telepathically if they were in my orbit. No matter how powerful they envisioned themselves.” My father said.

For a few moments everyone was quiet. My parents did not breathe. They did not pretend to be anything outside of vampire. They are as still as the nightfall outside. It is Elloren who is the winter wind. She provided the subtle movements and rhythmic breathing.

Before opening my mouth to ask my mother about my original father, something caught my ear’s attention. Something broke the stillness in the main house. Clawing of some sort. Nails digging into glass.

“Does anyone else hear that?” I asked.

“Oui. The new servant has not grown into her new role.” My mother replied, continuing to trim things that did require trimming.

“What does it sound like?” Elloren asked, attempting to hear what the rest of us heard.

“Sainty leaving one’s soul.” My father answered, drinking in the girl’s misery.

Standing from the table, a thought crossed my mind. What if that sound wasn’t her sanity leaving her soul. What if it’s a call for help? Many moons ago, Elloren led me to her by the slamming her chains against the stone floors of her childhood basement. Otherwise, I would have never found the house.

What if, this girl led Alexandera to her last night and that girl was who Alexandera found? There would be no possible way for Alexandera to release the girl from that room. Some of our servants are witches whose bloodline was brought out my father centuries ago. If he wanted you locked in a room, you would be locked in a cage.

Turning to face my mother I asked, “Mama the new girl what is her name?”

“Clarissa my darling.”

“How long has she been Clarissa?” If souls could be acquired, it was not an impossible thought.

The question was rhetorically to my parents, however Elloren could follow my line of thought. Asking a question of her own.

“Does she have red hair? Unable to see without her glasses?”

“Red hair Oui. Vision decay, I am not certain.” My mother finally placed the double-bladed back in the storage draw.

In her eyes, I could see her knowing what I am about to say. Gliding across the room back to the glass table. She sat in the chair closet to my father. Black silk spilling at her feet as she adjusted her evening dress.

The Sun Eater and the Maker of the Underground sitting side by side in matching midnight blacks. Reaching over my father stroke my mother’s long red hair and in return she placed her hand on his thigh.

“Clarrisa is that not the tag given to the girl whose mother would be one of The Holy Trinities?” My mother asked.

Elloren picked up on the French word “étiqueter”. Which translated in English to “Tag”. Mouthing the French word, “étiqueter” to me. I mouthed back “name”. Elloren nodded her head in understanding.

“Which witch can allow me access to see this girl?” I asked.

My father replying,

“The one with the raven’s hair.” He really should learn their names the way my mother did.

“Pourquoi?” My mother asked just as the moon’s light graced her face.

“I am still working on the theory. Will you allow me to explain the “why” later mama?”

Nodding her head, my mother dismissed us and by us I meant me. Elloren came along because she would rather get physical with a boy than to be alone with my parents. They made her uncomfortable. It’s to be expected. The only thing that separated them from the violence she knew parents could give, was that my parents did not wish to hurt her. In their own way they loved her because I loved her. However, to someone like Elloren all dark love feels like violence.