Within The Shadows Read online

  “And so was I.” He smirked menacingly.

  Before I left to the room, I walked over to him, and placed a kiss on his cheek. It caught him off guard, and for a moment, he did not react. A small smile soon crept across his mouth, sadness shining within his eyes.

  “You truly are unique. Now go. I need peace and quiet.”

  Smiling, I left him to work on his journals, and walked out into the night.

  * * *

  The night air was hot and sticky. The weather was typical for the time of year, and left me very restless. Although the night had become my day, I found it hard to focus. My dreams left me exhausted, and I pined for a life far from here. I was not happy, but I was trying so hard to accept my new life, none-the-less. What else could I do? Everywhere I turned, there were obstacles in my path. There was no escape.

  Alex avoided talking about anything other than our imminent plans. It was as though our previous life back in Minneapolis had never existed, and I was expected to forget about everything I loved.

  The thought of me conceiving his child scared me beyond imagination. I was not ready for motherhood. I had not even graduated from high school, and trying to talk sense into Alex was a complete waste of time. Our relationship was far from perfect, and I was sure there were many secrets yet to be revealed.

  The one thing that did linger in my thoughts was the file I had found in Afanas’s study. Evie Stokes’ name played over and over again in my mind. There was no escape from that bitch. Baffled by the significance of the file, I was eager to find out, and willing to do just about anything, no matter the cost.

  Alex walked into the garden. His presence was known to me before I could see him. I was in tune with his every move, and my senses were becoming more astute every time I drank from him. He looked radiant, and his eyes were calm and satisfied. He fed more frequently than me, and although I was not happy about some of the feeders, I turned a blind eye. Remembering Leonid’s explanation sobered any jealous rage inside.

  I sat quietly at the fountain, watching the water flow as the moonlight danced between each trickle. I felt his hand slide across the back of my neck as he perched himself beside me. His hands were big and beautiful. I knew how gentle they felt against my naked skin, but I was also aware of how powerful they could be when used as a weapon.

  “So, this is where you’ve been hiding,” he said as he played with the loose hair that fell over my shoulders.

  “I wouldn’t say I’ve been hiding. Just taking a little ‘me’ time. Besides, it’s a gorgeous night. What else is there to do?”

  “Ah, ‘me time’,” he mocked. “We could always find something to do.” He winked at me.

  Playfully, I thumped him on the arm. Wincing, he pulled me into his arms, embracing me tight. I tried to fight back, arching my back away from him, and felt his mouth search for my lips. The heat of his breath lit every fire within my body. Willpower was not my best attribute, and within seconds, I was kissing him forcefully. My tongue explored inside his mouth while his hands caressed the side of my thighs, and we sank into our world of want and greed. He had won again.

  A noise close by caught my attention. Something moved beyond the bush at the far wall, and it paused while Alex and I looked. The solid brick wall stood over eight feet in height, and towered over the boundaries of the estate. It was hard to imagine anything clearing it, and soon my imagination got the better of me.

  “It’s them again, isn’t it?” I shook.

  “Who?”

  “Nothing. It’s just my imagination,” I lied.

  “Tell me, Giselle. I can feel the lie.” His voice became harsher.

  “Them . . . The shadow creatures.” My voice trembled at the mention of their name.

  Alex looked at me. A puzzled expression swept over his face. “How do you know of them?”

  It then dawned on me that Alex never knew about my little excursion down into the valley, my run-in with the shadow creatures, and my rescue by Leonid. Alex would be pissed.

  “A few weeks back, I couldn’t sleep, and went for a walk . . . You know, past the boundaries. Only, I didn’t know then that the walls were boundaries.”

  “You left the safety of estate? Do you know what could have happened to you?”

  “I never knew . . . I didn’t mean to cause trouble. I just needed to escape, you know. So much had happened. I only meant to go for a walk and come back. I didn’t realise those things were watching me, and when they attacked me . . .”

  “They attacked you? That’s impossible! If they had attacked, you would not be here. You would not have survived.”

  “But . . . He – He saved me!”

  “Who?”

  “Leonid. Your father rescued me.”

  I knew Alex would be angry, but I never expected him to explode. His eyes flashed amber red, like the fires of hell blazing bright. Staring into my face, the fury I saw in his eyes was like nothing I had ever seen before. It danced across his features. The Alex I thought I had known was gone.

  His fangs were down, and his nails dug deeply into my flesh. His delicious sweet scent had disappeared. In its place, I could smell deep burning sulphur, its suffocating odour hitting the back of my nose like a smoke bomb exploding.

  “My father?” he spat into my face. “You allowed yourself to become the victim!”

  Throwing me to the warm, dry ground, Alex disappeared into the night. Silence surrounded me as I became aware of my rapid heartbeat. I could sense the danger. It filled the night air around me. At that precise moment, I was alone and vulnerable.

  Sitting on the warm, dry ground, I saw yellow feral eyes staring at me through the canopy of the trees. Sitting still and lifeless, they watched me as I froze. My stomach knotted up once I realised there was not another soul outside with me. Getting to my feet, I retreated back to the house, closing the door firmly behind me.

  The shouting was the first thing to grab hold of my attention. I followed the direction of the echoes, stopping outside Afanas’s study.

  Afanas growled. “You dare speak to me like that again, and I can assure you . . .”

  “Don’t threaten me, old man. Remember your position here. Your opinion has never mattered. Why think it is of any importance now?” Alex ridiculed Afanas.

  “Alexander, that is enough,” Leonid bellowed. “Afanas is a much respected member of this lair. His viewpoint is the foundation of our beliefs. Have some respect. It is I with whom you have issues.”

  “Yes, you . . . Do you think it is right for my father to tend to my problems or my wife’s? Did she ask for your help? No!”

  “So I was supposed to allow them to take her?” Leonid sounded surprised.

  “Yes, if that was the will of the Goddess.”

  “Lilith would not have allowed her death. The creatures have had a long suspicion that the prophecy was being fulfilled. Giselle has had no training. She does not understand the dangers of our world.”

  “Why keep it a secret? Why didn’t either of you tell me?” Alex yelled at his father.

  “There was no reason to speak of it. What good would have come from informing you? You would have reacted the same way, losing your head over a minor issue. What is done cannot be undone.”

  “Don’t walk away from me when I am talking to you!” Alex roared at Leonid as he walked towards the door.

  “Alexander, believe me when I say this, if you ever try to manipulate or talk down to either Afanas or me again, you will be banished for a lifetime. I will cut short your very existence. Remember, it was I who gave you life, and it is in my power to claim that life and your bride. You would do well to keep that in mind.”

  He left the room, and walked straight into me. He stood like a giant over me. His monstrous physique was lean and well defined. His blond hair was cut short, allowing his stern expression to dominate his face. He was beautiful. His greenish-grey eyes were large and round. In the dim light of the hall, they simmered. The anger that had consumed them slowly eva
porated, leaving them vulnerable, like glass. They lingered on mine, watching each expression on my face. I became flustered, and blushed, the red burning bright on my cheeks.

  “I’m . . . Sorry, um . . . Have you seen Alex?” I whimpered like a child of four.

  “Don’t pretend you didn’t hear any of that. Alexander needs some time alone to reflect. Come, walk with me. There is someone I’d like you to meet.”

  He directed me away from the door, and like an obedient animal, I followed. We walked east of the main building, heading towards an old stone structure. The tall willows partially enveloped its roof, as if they were shielding it from the world outside. Soft light flickered from the windows, and as we entered, I was shocked by the presence of a frail old man seated in a large chair. His hair was silver with flecks of black streaked through the roots to the ends. It hung long and tidy over his shoulders.

  Leonid walked over, and bent down. He kissed the ring on the old man’s left hand. The man recited something in Slovak. Leonid returned to his feet, and called me over to him.

  “Giselle, this is Vadim, our Prophet.”

  I stood in silence.

  Vadim called me forward. His voice was like a thousand knives cutting through the wind as he spoke. “Do not let this pleasant exterior fool you, child. I am, after all, a killer. I am what I am, never forget that. It was you who visited my dreams, and brought hope to our troubled times. You are the key.”

  He held my gaze, and then began to recite some strange poem. “She will walk forth from darkness into light. At the moment of birth into the world, the child we seek, in the name of truth, will lead, and so shall become the first and be the last.”

  The words echoed in my head. Was I to conceive a child who would be some kind of leader, and eventually die? Confused and tired, I sat down close to Vadim. He smelt different from Leonid and Alex.

  His scent was sickeningly sweet. Intoxicating aromas of aged merlot and silky smooth blends of milk and honey sprung from him, making me dizzy. I twitched my nose in disapproval.

  Leonid stood close by, his demeanour calm and relaxed. I had never seen him like this. I could not help but to watch him as he drank wine from a silver lined glass.

  Vadim spoke as I eyeballed Leonid. “I trust that you have consummated the union.”

  Oh, my God! Embarrassed, I blushed. I could feel the heat rising from the back of my neck, hitting my cheeks like a train at a hundred miles-an-hour.

  “Well, yeah!” I replied.

  I was not expecting questions about my sex life. I was uncomfortable, yet relieved, when Leonid interrupted.

  “I can assure you, both Alexander and Giselle are following the agreement of their union.”

  “Very well. I trust you will keep me informed of any developments.”

  Leonid nodded. “Giselle, it is time we left. After all, dawn will be upon us, and I’m sure Alexander will be curious as to your whereabouts.”

  I got up, and proceeded to follow Leonid. Turning back, I looked at Vadim. “My one request is that if I do have this child, I want to be his or her mother, not just someone who gave birth. That is my right.”

  He smiled. “But of course. I would not trust anyone else to raise the child.”

  We left, and walked silently back towards the house. Leonid was clearly deep in thought when I spoke. “Leonid, can I ask you something?”

  “Yes?” he replied, slowing his pace.

  “Why did you save me from the shadow creatures?”

  He stopped, and looked at me, his dark eyes like a pool of juniper berries waiting for me to dive in. “Because I could not stand to see you come to any harm. Alexander is a fool if he cannot see how beautiful and special you are.”

  His words came as a shock to me.

  “Oh!” I could sense his awkwardness. “I guess I’m glad you did. I kinda owe you my life.”

  With his back to me, his voice was barely audible. “You owe me nothing.”

  He continued to walk, and I followed. Nothing more was said between us. Confused, I retreated to my room.

  Alex was already in bed. The sun was beginning to rise, and its golden light crept in through the black, thickly lined drapes that covered the two bay windows. I slipped out of my clothes, and crept in beside him. He did not acknowledge me, and I watched him as he slept. I found myself soon drifting off to dreams of familiar settings, and in the arms of another.

  Marc.

  Chapter Eleven

  MARC RAN AFTER me, pointing the paintball gun at me. I squealed like a child as he got closer. I found overgrowth in the trees in front of me, and crept down, silently holding my breath. I could hear his footsteps, and twigs cracked as he moved closer.

  “Come out, come out wherever you are!” he sang in a dorky voice.

  Excitement built up inside me as I got ready to jump him, and end this game, once and for all. I slowly made my way out from under the branches, aiming the gun at the back of his head. He was standing looking in the opposite direction. My finger rested on the trigger. Calmly, I got ready, aimed, and fired.

  Bang.

  The red splatter of paint hit him right in the back of his left arm. He swung round, shocked. A broad smile spread across his face as he ran towards me.

  “How’d you do that?” he laughed as he pulled me close to him.

  “Ah, now that would be telling.” I pulled the mask off my face.

  Pulling me close to him, Marc planted a kiss on my forehead. “I love you!” he smouldered into my ear.

  “I love you more,” I teased. “Come on, let’s go find the others.” I held his hand as we made our way back to base camp.

  Greg, Aaron, Cassie, and Mandy were already there. The girls laughed fiercely as Greg played out one of his usual shower room pranks. Mandy was Greg’s girlfriend, and had been for a solid two months. It was pretty obvious from their ‘PDA’s’ that they were ‘doing it,’ and when I say ‘doing it,’ I meant third base was no longer on the agenda. It was the whole shebang.

  Aaron saw us first, and prodded, “What took you so long? We were going to send out a search party or something.” He laughed as he farted, holding a lighter to his ass. The flame shot out, and Cassie squealed.

  “I am so not sharing a tent with you tonight, Bozo.”

  “Awe, Babe, I was only getting rid of it. Better out than in. You know you want me!” Aaron grovelled, and he playfully nibbled on her stomach.

  “I don’t know about wanting you, but maybe you can make it up to me.” She laughed, and a hint of mischief blazed through her eyes.

  “I pity you if you have to smell that all night long,” Marc said as he sat down, pulling open a can of Budweiser. He gulped it down in one drink, letting out a belch as he threw the can over his shoulder.

  “Pig!” I muttered.

  He laughed, and handed me one.

  “Nah, not my thing tonight!” I rejected the drink, and happily sat back, watching everyone laugh and joke.

  I was content and happy, and loved every inch of my life.

  * * *

  Alex woke me from my dream. Sleepily, I sat up, rubbing my eyes. He sat opposite me, wearing blue flannel boxers. I observed his face as he battled with some kind of inner turmoil. I did not like it when awkwardness controlled us. I much preferred our usual nonchalant way of doing things.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry for the way I reacted earlier.”

  “It’s okay,” I said, uneasy.

  “No, it’s not. I behaved like a spoiled brat. I don’t know what comes over me. Sometimes, I just feel like my father sticks his nose in everything I do. I mean, I can’t even have you without him knowing every sordid little detail.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He certainly had my attention now.

  “I had to prove to them that I had taken your virginity.”

  “How?” I sat forward on the bed, my heart racing a hundred miles-an-hour.

  He was
clearly uneasy, which made my stomach turn. “By showing them the blood-stained sheet.”

  I shot out of the bed like a bullet. I paced in front of the window, holding my hands to my head, trying to comprehend what he was saying. I could feel the sweat begin to gather on my brow, and felt queasy.

  “I’m so sorry. I know it sounds sick and twisted, but they just needed proof you were no longer a virgin.”

  “Oh, my God! Do they know everything about our sex life?” I cried.

  “Yes, to a degree.”

  He tried to put his arms around me, but I pushed him away. I rejected him. “How could you? I thought it was a union between two people, not me and your whole frigging family!”

  “Giselle, come on. It’s not like that, and you know it.”

  “No! Don’t even try, okay? Just leave me the hell alone. Get out. Get out now. God, I feel sick!” I pushed him towards the door. “Get out, and don’t bother coming back here any time soon. I. Hate. You!”

  Slamming the door behind him, I collapsed to the floor, and cried. Feeling sick to the core, I crumbled inside. I could never forgive them for this. It was like I had been raped by both Alex and his family.

  I hated them.

  Like everything else that was happening in my life, I felt like I had suffered one blow too many. I could not take much more devastation and humiliation. Alex had crossed a line. Yeah, I know that not much of our relationship was based on any strong foundation, but I had thought we’d made some kind of progress. This . . . This was sick beyond anything he had done to me. I felt powerless, and trapped in a world that showed me no mercy.

  Broken, I sat with my head pressed against the door. Warm tears flowed down my cheeks like rain on a summer’s day. Outside, I could hear the distant songs of birds in their full morning glory. I longed for my old life. I ached for the sun to wrap its arms around me, and warm the broken heart inside.

  Caught up within my thoughts, I did not notice the increasing vapour that began to fill the room. Its stagnant smell left me dizzy and disoriented. Before me, a white bearded man began to materialize. In his right hand, he held a staff, and he was dressed in white. His eyes were grey, and his face was a mass of wrinkles. He moved slowly towards me, his expression unreadable.