I woke up before Sable did, and not wanting to disturb her sleep I quietly got out of bed and dressed. I looked at the lovely sleeping figure of the girl lying on my bed, and remembered that the last time she was unconscious she was fighting for her life. I went over to her and kissed her on the cheeks, she grumbled a little in her sleep, and not wanting to bother her more I went to wash up. By the time I stepped out of the washroom Sable was up.
“Enjoy your sleep?” she asked as she put on a shirt.
“I enjoyed what little I had.”
“Well, I guess I'll just let you have your sleep next time.”
I went over and embraced her, feeling her bare skin.
“Well, I've always been a happy insomniac.”
“I've noticed.” she said, turning around a giving me a short peck on the lips. “Oh right, I have to go back home for a bit tonight, gotta report back to my sire and all that. The Family probably thinks I'm dead, and they'll have a fit when they hear where I've been!”
“Oh right,” I said, “should I come with you?”
“Probably not a good idea,” she said with a frown, “not everyone's as nice as Master Innsworth when it comes with meeting people. Master Browning – my sire – likes to keep things within the family. Not a lot of fun.”
“Oh, would he be angry if you're with me?”
“Well... sort of?” she said, “But I've always been a free spirit, so it's not like he'll force me to stay away, and if I tell him that Master Innsworth needs me back here I can probably come back pretty soon.”
I frowned.
“Don't worry too much, Frank,” she said, “I won't be away for long, I'll probably be back before tomorrow evening.”
“When do you have to go?” I asked.
“Probably now, I've been gone too long already. I'll find something to eat first and then head off.”
I led her down to the entrance, and asked her if she needed a ride back or if she wanted me to come with her even part of the way. She said she was fine, and that she's already bothered Robert enough, but she did accept some money for the bus. With a final kiss she was off and I was left by myself in the manor again.
“My lord...?” said a shy voice.
I turned around and saw Elizabeth standing beside the door, she was holding a plate of food and a glass of coffee.
“Oh, Elizabeth, hey. And call me Frank, remember?”
“Of course. Um, Frank, I brought you your food.”
“Oh, thanks!” I took the plate of food – bacon and eggs – and ate some. I frowned at the taste. It wasn't like I couldn't eat it, but more like the taste was all wrong. Everything wasted like... plain oatmeal or something.
“Did you change the way the food's cooked or something?” I said, grabbing a glass of coffee and drinking a large gulp.
The coffee tasted flat, but survicable.
“I didn't, my lord.” Elizabeth said, voice wavering.
“You sure?”
“Y-yeah... I can make you something else if you want.”
“Don't bother..” I said with a frown, “I'm not hungry.”
I stared at the food; it smelled delicious, looked fine. Was something wrong with my taste buds? I've always liked bacon and eggs, and during my broke university days I've even eaten expired eggs before, but I've never had food that tasted like... nothing before. I left Elizabeth and went to the kitchen.
I ignored the cooks working, and grabbed a glass of water. I chugged that down, and was thankful that it still tasted fine. Was it just Elizabeth's food? I opened the fridge and sampled everything I could, but all of the food I tried ended in similar results: they weren't good.
What is wrong with me?
I pushed the thought out of my head and headed towards Robert's quarters. Maybe that man could tell me something more about this so called Lord of the Night. I opened his office door without knocking, and saw that he was another man beside him. Robert himself was standing over to the side, and in his seat sat a very noble looking man. He was wearing a elegantly made silk attire, with neat silver grey hair brushed to one side. He looked to be older than Robert, but where Robert aged like a saint this man was all rough angles and hard edges.
The man sitting in Robert's desk spoke first, “Robert, do your servants know no respect? I've known that you were kind to your subjects, but this is what happens when you do not discipline them at all.”
“Was I intruding on something?” I asked, feeling a little small before this intimidating man.
“Yes, child.” he said, getting up from Robert's chair and staring me down. His gaze was intense.
“Sorry about that...” I said, “I just needed to talk to Robert.”
“Such insolence!” he said.
I felt the pressure of his aura grow stronger, trying to drown me out. He dares challenge me?! I cleared my mind and saw the sheer amount of energy that was being sent my way, all radiating out of that one man. It was almost too much to bare. I immediately wrapped some of the spare energy around me into a veil, forcing his aura to dissipate into tiny portals that I made. I felt some of the suffocating aura disappear from it, and then I thought of something. Since I was sucking his energy into my portal... when couldn't I release it back with another one? I tried it out, and with marvellous results. With a final bit of will I released all of the force that I had sucked up, and it exploded outwards, dispersing all of the energy that the man created. A heard a boom of energy released, and the three stepped back a few feet from the shock wave.
“Oops,” I said, “didn't mean to do that.”
The man in the middle looked at me in shock and surprise, as if he wasn't sure what he'd just witnessed. I could see that he certainly wasn't expecting that. Good, because he should understand what happens when people challenge me. I wasn't going to back down, and I will never admit defeat.
“As I was saying, High Elder Vladimir,” Robert said, breaking the silence, “the Lord will lead our forces, and you have just met him.”
“I doubted you, Robert, when you first informed me of your discovery, but there is no mistake now.” the other man said, before turning his attention to me, “I was foolish to have addressed you in such a manor. Forgive me.”
“Not a problem.” I said.
“I did not expect the title to go to someone who looks so... young.”
“Were you expecting someone more menacing?”
The man didn't crack so much as a grin, “What need did you have with Robert?”
“I wanted to ask a few questions, but it can wait.”
“Of course.” he said, before turning back to Robert, “And now that I have confirmed your claims, Robert, I shall arrange everything that you will need. The team will be ready to you by tomorrow. I shall make the necessary calls now.”
Vladimir left the room, giving me a tiny bow as he passed me, and walked away without saying another word. With him out of the room I felt myself returning back to normal... normal? I hadn't done anything, so how could I have changed back to normal? I shook my head, and looked at Robert.
“I apologize, my lord,” he said, wiping off a bit of sweat from his forehead, “but I did not think that you would have come here so quickly.”
“It's fine. But that Vladimir guy doesn't seem too pleased.”
“You were not what he was expecting, my lord.”
“Huh?”
“He was expecting someone who looks more... wise and and aged, but it matters not now, he has recognized you.”
“Lovely.”
“And my lord Frank,” said Robert, “Do you perchance know where the lady Sable went?”
“Huh? She said she's going back to report back to her sire. She just left, so she's probably still in town looking for a quite bite to eat if you're looking for her.”
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“Report back to her sire?” Robert said, sighing, “That means I have to send for someone to get her back...”
“Do you need her for something?” I asked.
“No, it's just that the High Elder says that the surrounding area has been patrolled by the army – news of your escape must have reached the human government. I am informing everyone in the household to remain indoors until things blow over.”
“Shit! I'll go look for her.”
“Oh no, my lord, I'm sure that she is still safe, and that would be too much trouble for you. I can call for someone else.”
“It's fine, she's someone important and I've got nothing better to do anyway. The night's still young, and I feel like some exercise.”
“Shall I send for a car?”
“No need, she went by foot, I'll probably catch up to her soon. Easier to avoid any patrols that way as well.”
“If that is what my lord wishes.” said Robert, “Please be careful.”
I said my farewells, and grabbing my jacket I headed out.
I stepped outside to the cool autumn air; purely refreshing! I started to jog at a brisk pace, but increased my speed when I found that I wasn't getting tired. Was I still feeling energized from last night? I started to run faster and faster, until the trees became a blur of motion and the wind started to sting my eyes. Yet I still ran – I felt so free! Nothing in the world could cage me any more!
I started to port around as well, going to places that I couldn't reach fast enough on foot. The speed and freedom was blissful. I went atop trees, jumping off and free falling until I was only a few inches from touching the floor before I would port to another tree. I felt like I was flying! I arrived at the small town in a matter of minutes, I ran around the small two story housing blocks aimlessly, going down one avenue or another with no real purpose in mind. The suburb was pretty typical looking, with identical looking houses placed neatly in rows; everyone's front lawns were mowed and looking prim and proper.
I gathered more energy around me and ran, I followed street after street and it didn't take long to find Sable, the gunshots and cries were a dead giveaway. Looks like Robert was right about the patrols. I ported towards the sound, covering more ground than I ever could by running, and before long I saw what was causing the commotion.
There were around 20 or so soldiers, they were all dressed in standard military uniform, weapons drawn and pointed at the lone girl covering behind some cars. They shot at her every minute or so, a constant stream of bullets that made short work of her hiding spot, yet even though they were obviously outnumbering and out-gunning the girl, they kept their distance. No, it was more like they were afraid. By the looks of the dozen or so bodies on the ground I can see that they had a reason to be so frightened; Sable was fighting back.
I started to run towards her, and that certainly got the attention of several soldiers.
“Sir!” one of them said, “Evacuate the parameter immediately.”
I ignored him, ported to his side and broke his neck instead. Now that really got their attentions. They looked at me, confused, but it only took a couple of seconds for the first sensible man to fire towards my direction. I tried to dodge the bullets, idiotically thinking that my heightened senses would be fast enough to avoid speeding pieces of metal. I was wrong, and was greeted with a hole in my left shoulder; at the very least I avoided a fatal wound.
I cursed under my breath and ported in the direction of Sable. While the soldiers were trying to figure out where I've gone I grabbed Sable by the wrist and ran towards some poor sap's driveway, using their SUV as cover. Hope he had insurance.
“Frank!” Sable said, “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Here to take you back, I heard from Robert that this place isn't safe. Somebody got wind of our escape, and well, this is what they did.”
“Shit! I can't go back yet Frank, I have to report back!”
“What do you mean you have to report back? This place is patrolled harder than the US – Mexico boarder! It's only a short distance back to Robert's place, we can make it if we run.”
“You don't understand,” she said, her face solemn, “Frank... It's important.”
I wanted to force her back with me, but seeing her like that made me decide against it. She seemed desperate to go back, even if that meant putting her life on the line. I was about to say something else when a blast of bullets slammed into the SUV, shattering glass and metal, thankfully nothing serious hit the two of us. Sable hissed under her breath, and wiped some broken glass of herself. I inched back a little and nudged Sable away from the shrapnel.
“Look, if you're hellbent on going, then I'll go with you,” I said, “there's no way I'm going to leave you in this kind of mess.”
“Frank... I'm sorry about this.”
“No worries, it's probably important if you're willing to risk hell to get there. I think you'll owe me another dinner for this. You think we can make it if we run?”
“Thanks Frank... I mean it.” she answered, “But we're not likely to get out if we just run, they've probably got this whole area covered by now. They all came streaming this way after I killed the first three. The second we try to escape we'll be as good as dead. Why don't you just take me and do that teleporting thing you did before?”
“Can't,” I answered with a frown, “I can't port when I'm with someone else.”
Another wave of fire bombarded us, followed by stern footsteps closing in around us. There were maybe 5 or 6 soldiers gathering around, and who knows how many more waiting as backup. It doesn't look like there was any more time to think.
“Shit!” I muttered, “Ok, Sable, I'm gonna try to do something. Get out and run when I say so.”
Without hearing her answer I focused on one of the cars parked a few feet away, I allowed my mind to clear and I concentrated on that vehicle, remembering the feeling I had back in the compound. I remembered the feeling of absolute freedom and control, of the power I held. I felt my mind strain with effort as I willed the car to escape the laws of physics and disappear from this reality. I give the idea a final mental nudge and the car before me simply ceased to be; a few seconds later I heard a loud crashing sound from behind me, followed by screams of agony.
It worked!
“Now Sable!” I screamed, “Run!”
On cue she bolted from her hiding spot. I ran after her, trying to port as much as I could, and although the soldiers closest to us were down, the rest of them were still up and about. They shot at us as soon as the dust cleared, and thankfully none of them was able to hit us. I cursed under my breath and kept running. There was nothing close by that we could use as cover, and the stray bullets were finding their target. I tried my best to get in the way of any shots that looked like it would hit Sable, and grunted as the shots grazed and dug into my skin. I just hoped that that they didn't hit anything vital. It was clear that we couldn't afford to be out in the open for much longer. It was hard for them to hit us, but there were a lot of them and someone only needs to get lucky once. Luckily we were able to escape the location where the majority of the guards were without taking any critical injuries.
“Sable!” I grunted,“We gotta take cover somewhere.”
“Where?” she shouted back.
“Go in that house at the end of the street.” I said, pointing to a two story home down the road.