My entry for the Original Vampire Fiction contest, I didn't place. It ranked 12th out of 17.
Summary:
When a newspaper columnist that writes the cuisine section is thrown a high profile story you would think great, right? Not AJ Quinn. She was happy where she was, writing about what she loved...no complaints. She is the only one willing to take the story, but what kind of story could have the rest of the staff saying no before the question is even posed. How about when the reporter has to live in the mansion with the High Count vampire lord for the next three months to learn about their way of life? Even after ten years of vampires being out of the shadows and living normal day lives, that would still scare some people.
AJ hasn't lived a normal life, so dealing with vampires is a walk in the park for her. But when the High Count learns more about her and her secret, her past, present and future will take a sudden detour and she'll have to make a very serious decision...
Stay with the adopted family and life she's known or stay with the man she never expect to love and embrace who she really is.
Chapter 1
By Amanda Smith aka: Kagome Hanyou
Betas: achangeofheart & EnyaCullen4Ever
“This is channel 3 News with an interesting update regarding the integrating of vampires and the High Count Lysander Stuart.
"It has been ten years now since we humans have been made aware of the existence of vampires. Since they have manufactured an alternate source for their food, there have been no unexplained deaths in the world. With the creation of the synthetic blood pills, the High Count felt the need to integrate our races. The blood pills allow them to walk among us in the daylight; they don't need blood and are capable of living a normal life mixed with humans, from going to parks and movies to working a 9-5 job and walking the dog. The only way to pick out a vampire is the light and unusually bright color of their eyes, pale and cold skin and the obvious lack of heartbeat. The High Count has decreed that all human blood is illegal. If convicted it results in community service, Blood Anonymous meetings and seven days in jail.
“Considering tomorrow is the tenth anniversary of peace negotiations between our races, the High Count has offered one of New York’s most esteemed newspapers the right to allow one reporter to stay in his mansion for three months to learn about the day to day life of a civilized vampire.
“There hasn't been information yet as to whom the reporter will be. The High Count, Lysander Stuart has promises that the reporter will be safe under his protection and treated like an equal with full room and board accommodations. He states that he is very eager to share his lifestyle with us and is looking forward to the upcoming experience.
“This will definitely be a learning experience for all of us. Over the last ten years, Lysander Stuart has only granted a handful of interviews and one reporter was privileged to stay one week..."
A loud click echoed in the dark and silent room and the mousey brown haired secretary shut off the television, sending the room into total blackness. It took a about twenty seconds for my eyes to adjust to the minimal amount of light entering from the small window in the CAD room.
"I want you to cover the piece AJ," the short elderly man in a gray suit stated from his reclined position behind his desk, his voice almost a mumble.
"You're joking! Am I on Punk'd or something? I write the Cuisine section, this is totally out of my league!" I stood up and slammed my palms down flat on the tabletop, the bang reverberating in the silent, compact room. "There are a lot of other reporters out there with better credentials than me!" I folded my arms over my chest and gazed at my boss defiantly. If I was at any other job that action would have gotten me fired almost immediately but considering my boss was also my adopted father he only sighed in frustration.
“AJ, we both know you want to expand your horizons and what better way to do that than to take on a huge project.” He laid he hands on the polished oak table in front of him, lacing his fingers together. He turned his gaze briefly to the right before bringing his attention back to me.
My eyes narrowed to slits and I glared menacingly, I knew why he chose me. “No one else is willing to do the assignment are they?” I asked him bluntly, daring him with my eyes to lie.
He wrung his fingers together tightly in nervousness. “I’m sorry, actually you were the third. The others didn’t even give me a chance to finish my question. You’ve always been fascinated with vampires, so I was kind of hoping…”
“Dad, calm down before you give yourself an ulcer. I’ll do it…” I huffed out exasperatedly. I hated to say it, but my dad sure knew how to manipulate me, or I was just too kind hearted.
My dad jumped up from his seat quicker than I thought he was capable of at his elderly age and he rushed around the table and took me in his arms tightly. “Oh thank you AJ, thank you…” He then held me out at arm’s length with a huge smile on his face. “Suzy, please get AJ the information she needs for the assignment.”
“Absolutely Mr. Fitzroy,” his secretary Suzy bent her head downward slightly then left the still dimly lit room.
“Thank you again AJ, I’ll be eternally grateful,” he pulled me back into his arms, hugging me to the point of near suffocation.
“Can’t…breathe…” I managed to gasp out miserably, getting my dad to release me.
“Oh, sorry,” he took a step back, looking chagrined. “You be careful. Since the creation of the blood pills, the vampires have proven they can be trusted around humans but the High Count is still a man and I don’t want you hurt.”
My eyes rolled unconsciously. Did he honestly think I was dumb enough to let myself be hurt by any man, be it human or vampire? The sincerity in his eyes told me he did. “Thanks for the vote of confidence dad. I’m not that pathetic seventeen-year-old girl that they pranked at prom anymore.”
“I know that but you are still my daughter and this is a very big assignment for your first time out…”
“Oh great, just call me the Virgin Reporter,” I mocked and my dad chocked at my declaration.
“AJ!” he scolded in a rough throaty fashion. His face had gone dark red, from mortification or frustration I didn’t know. “Suzy should have the documents ready for you. Just promise me…”
“I will dad, don’t worry,” I said with a smile then kissed his cheek and headed out the door. I nearly ran into Suzy upon exiting and she squeaked in surprise. “Sorry Suzy, I didn’t mean for…” I eyed the manila envelope she was clutching to her chest, her breathing was still heightened and her brown eyes wide. “Are those the documents for my assignment?”
She handed the envelope over to me with still slightly shaking hands. “How are you able to walk so quietly? You’re always sneaking up on somebody.”
I shrugged and accepted the packet. “Sorry, it’s not deliberate,” I looked at her apologetically then headed for my desk as did Suzy. I took a seat in my corner cubicle then opened the packet and pulled out the papers.
As I had expected, there was the agreement and insurance forms for me to fill out along with the summary about what I needed to do during my assignment. I read the requirements; it was pretty much what I had anticipated. For the next three months, I was to live at the High Count’s mansion and learn about the daily lives of vampires. That didn’t sound so hard, all I had to do was follow them around and observe them all day long…okay, that sounds tedious. All of my reporting would be via my laptop from the mansion and all stories held for the next three months, I didn’t even need to come into the office. I continued reading my ‘mission statement’ and learned that the High Count would pay all my rent and bills on my apartment while I was staying at the mansion, now that I liked. I quickly finished reading through all the paperwork then signed everything that needed my John Hancock on it.
“Ms. Quinn,” I looked up when someone called my name and saw Suzy standing over me. “Mr. Fitzroy says it’s alright if you take off early.”
“Thank you Suzy, I think I’ll do that,” I told her and started straightening my desk. After my desk was spotless, I snatched up the job summary, leaving the signed papers behind then made my wait out of the six-story building and to my car.
I drove the ten miles back to my apartment in a daze. I was really going to be working on an enormous piece that involved me getting to know my subject matter. Normally my subject involved testing recipes or finding new cooking tips, this was way out of my norm.
Once I was in my apartment I walked to the kitchen and made myself a cup of tea. I sipped on it as I mentally went over the items I needed to pack, three months was going to entail many clothes. Clothes were obviously the first choice, and it being summertime, I should dress for the weather. I finished my tea and washed the cup then headed into my bedroom to pack.
Before I even started pulling clothes from my closet and dresser, I grabbed the only picture I had of my real parents and me. It was taken shortly after I had turned five and shortly before the house fire that had claimed the remaining three members of my family, my mother, my father, and my grandfather. Even if I went away for a night, this picture went with me. I placed it gently and carefully into my small bag then went to the closet and retrieved my two large duffle bags then started filling them with clothes, toiletries, laptop, camera, audio recorder and books. It took two trips but I finally got my bags loaded up into my small car. On my last trip to the apartment, I made sure to turn everything off then locked the door and headed back down to my car.
I drove my poor beat up 86’ Corolla, which I was trying to restore, in the direction I knew led me to the mansion. I thought my heart had stopped beating or my lungs failed to take in oxygen several times. I still couldn’t believe I was actually going to do this. I was going to be living in a mansion for three months, with vampires, being their watchful shadow. Talk about surreal.
It took me about half an hour to reach the mansion. I stared at the enormous Regency style mansion through the cast-iron gate. It reminded me of something out of ‘Gone with the Wind’. The white gravel driveway circled in front of the three-story white house with columns and there was a large courtyard on the left side of the building. Surreal was an understatement…I had no words to describe how I was currently feeling.
Hesitantly, I pulled up to the gate and a voice came over the intercom. “Can I help you?”
“Um, yes, I’m AJ Quinn, I’m the reporter assigned to cover…” before I could finish what I was saying, the gate retracted, allowing me in. Okay…I guess they were expecting me.
Someone could have passed me while walking; I was driving that slowly, not wanting to disturb a single tiny pebble on the immaculate driveway. I drove up the drive, staring fixedly at the house I was approaching, still in awe. I parked just on the left of the main door and exited the car.
A female with short platinum blond hair appeared out of nowhere as I was opening the back hatch of my car. She leaned in and grabbed both of my bags effortlessly then shot her glowing gray eyes at me. “This way,” she said and her rudeness startled me.
I followed the leggy vampire, dressed in skintight pants and a red halter-top through the main gate and we walked into the enormous courtyard. We walked along the brick pathway through the garden. There were trees and low hedges everywhere and the flowers were spaced evenly amongst them. We walked around the large refreshing looking fountain and approached a group of men deep in conversation.
One man in particular caught my attention. I’d seen his picture in papers and on television but they definitely didn’t do the real thing justice. His long dark brown hair that was almost black in color reached to just below his ears, his straight jaw line tapering into a chin with a small cleft, he stood just over six feet tall, with a firm build, and piercing light blue eyes. Gorgeous was an understatement for this particular specimen of a man…well, vampire. I was surprised to see him wearing a casual black fleece jacket, with a dark gray shirt and black pants.
“High Count, this is the reporter assigned to reside here.” The blond vampire spoke rather regally and for this day and age, it was rather strange. She placed my large duffle bags on the ground next to me then returned the way we had come from with a rather large huff.
The one addressed as High Count turned and looked directly down at my five foot four frame. He looked at my long chestnut hair with blond highlights, my green eyes, the charcoal gray ruffles vest and jeans I was wearing, at least his eyes didn’t linger anywhere in particular. He stared at me intently for a good minute before the silence finally wore me down. I extended my hand and waited patiently for him to take it.
“High Count Lysander, I’m AJ Quinn, from the New York Voice; I’m the reporter that was assigned to learn about vampiric life for the next three months.” I spoke confidently and assertively, not wavering in my current position and I stared straight ahead, full of self-confidence and extended my right hand. If my dad thought I could do this and he trusted these vampires with the safety of his daughter…then all I could really do was live up to his expectations and trust the vampires as well.
“You’re AJ Quinn? I thought you were a man!” his voice was incredulous, bordering on cynical. He stared down at me with wide and vibrant, icy-blue eyes.
He slowly reached out and took my hand firmly in his. I shivered, not at the coldness of his skin but because of the sudden surprising wave of heat that warmed my hand, almost scorching it. There was a tightening in my stomach and at the same time, it did a flip-flop. I was reluctant to release his hand but the heat intensified as did his grip, but I forced myself to let go. Why did his hold on my hand strengthen in the first place?
I tossed my small bag over my shoulder and narrowed my eyes at the high-n-mighty vampire. “Like I haven’t heard that one before,” I rolled my eyes irritably. “So am I supposed to sleep here in the courtyard or do I actually have a room to stay in?”
He arched a perfect black eyebrow at my question then scoffed as he shook his head from side to side. He snapped his fingers loudly and a man with red hair and luminous green eyes approached us. “Sebastian, please escort Ms. Quinn to her suite and make sure she is comfortable.” He emphasized my title with a smirk. His eyebrows dropped but his eyes were full of humor. “Ms. Quinn, dinner will be served in an hour.”
I scoffed and followed Sebastian out of the courtyard and he carried my bags. I followed closely behind Sebastian as he led me down a stone corridor, past the ballroom and finally to a long hall with several heavy looking doors. We walked for what seemed like miles when we came to a dead stop at the end of the hall. There were two doors, one on either side of the hallway.
Sebastian opened the door on the right then walked in, carrying my bags and placed them on the floor. “Your private bathroom is over there,” he pointed to a door across the room. “If you need anything else, please let me know.”
“I will, thank you,” I promised, and then Sebastian slipped out of the room, closing the door behind him. I sighed then examined my room.
The floors, walls, and ceiling were all a rich rosewood color. Deep red curtains, deep red rug, and a matching deep red bedspread on a king sized bed beautified the room. Before I grabbed a bag off the floor, I leaned over the side table then smelled the dark red roses and enjoyed the luxurious fragrance. I snatched up a bag and tossed it to the bed then went about unpacking it, making my new residence for the next three months into a home.
Once everything was in its proper place, I glanced at the bedside clock and noticed it had been nearly an hour since I had last spoken to the High Count, which meant it was almost time for dinner. I grabbed my recorder from the desk and headed out the door.
I walked down the long corridor, hoping I wouldn’t get lost in this maze they call a mansion. I glanced down several hallways, but everything looked the same.
“Ma’am, can I help you with something?” I spun around and saw a girl with medium length black hair dressed in an apron.
“Oh thank god, yes you can help,” I smiled and approached her. “I’m trying to find the dining room...”
She giggled quietly then pointed down the hall to the right and started walking, “this way please.”
I followed her eagerly and within a few minutes, I was standing in the enormous dining room. Everything was Victorian paneling except the ceiling, which was the same rosewood as was in my room. The High Count entered from another doorway and a faint smile curled the corner of his mouth the second he saw me. What was that about?
“Ms. Quinn, please have a seat, dinner will be served shortly.”
“Please, call me AJ. Calling me Ms. Quinn for the next three months will get tiresome.” I walked towards the table and the High Count copied me.
“Then you must call me Lysander.” My cheeks warmed at his generous offer.
I placed the audio recorder down on the dining table and took my seat next to Lysander. A small girl came out from behind some swinging doors, carrying two platters with covers. She placed a tray each before Lysander and myself then removed the covers before heading back through the swinging doors quickly. I glanced down and examined my plate – Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo, quite impressive. I smiled as I gazed over at my dinner companion then frowned slightly at seeing his tray. Before him sat a small saucer with two red pills sitting in the center, I guess he wanted to be a chivalrous man and join me for dinner.
I wanted to dive right into the delicious smelling food before me but I wasn’t at my apartment, alone, so I took my time and politely started devouring the food. For a home filled with people that don’t eat, this was the best fettuccini I had ever eaten – I was really impressed.
The clink of a glass got my attention and I glanced up to see that the same small girl had returned and was in the process of pouring red wine into our glasses. I stared dumbfounded as he took the pills between his fingertips and placed them in his mouth. He then took a sip of wine and I watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down as he swallowed. He took another sip of wine then gazed over at me and smiled sheepishly.
“So, tell me about yourself.” The wavering in my voice proved I was flustered and I gazed at his gorgeous face with an interested expression for a moment before returning it back to my plate.
He placed his elbows on the table then rested his chin in his hands and gazed at me oddly. Did I have something on my face? “I like reading and long walks on the beach,” he stated cheerfully and bluntly then smiled. I felt my toes curl inward at seeing his pearly whites and the slight point of his canines. I glowered at him, not amused in the slightest. “That’s not what you meant was it?”
“No, it wasn’t,” I stated bluntly and looked directly into his searching glowing eyes. “I was hoping to learn about you and how this,” I waved my hand in the air above me, “came to be.”
Lysander leaned over the corner of the table, gazing attentively into my eyes. “Is that so, you want to learn about me?”
Perturbed by his words and actions, I matched his actions, leaned toward him as well, and whispered in a sexy whisper. “It’s my job and I know that enchanting doesn’t work on everyone, I’m one of them. Sorry,” I drew out the last five words and Lysander’s eyebrows lowered and he glowered at me then growled. At that moment, I wished I had a camera to capture the look on his face. I scoffed and shrugged as I started with my questions.
“Before the development of the man-made blood tablet, how did you drink from humans without being exposed?”
“We would enchant our prey first so they didn’t remember anything. Our teeth release a type of anesthesia when we bite so they don’t feel a thing and our fangs are small enough that the bite mark heals quickly.” He answered matter-of-factly as if it was common knowledge.
“So, how did all of this…fortune and power come about?” I asked professionally. I finished eating while he started his explanation.
After a minute of silence and blue eyes drilling in to me, he finally spoke. “Fortune wise, I’m sorry to say but nearly a century ago vampires would just enchant wealth out of our victims and after four hundred years you learn to save then invest what little money we happen upon. The power story is a bit longer.” I waited patiently when he paused and searched my face for any sign that I didn’t want to hear it, which of course, I wanted to. Happy with his search results, he continued. “I was born in 1600 as Charles, the prince of England. When I was twenty-five, a vampire kidnapped me out of revenge. Back then, my father had been involved in a lot of witch hunts, several vampires were mistaken as witches and burned. One such vampire was the counterpart of the vampire that had kidnapped me. She told me that shortly after my disappearance, my father found a look-alike to take my place beneath the crown. She held me captive for three years, torturing and threatening me before she eventually changed me; I killed her right after I awoke. I had knowledge and experience of how to rule the people and keep them content so I was a shoe-in for support when I decided to overthrow the last High Count.”
“Wow…wait, if you were born Charles, why do you go by Lysander?” I asked, curiously.
“I may have been born Charles but my mother called me Lysander, after her favorite character in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It was my nickname and I prefer it to ‘Charles’. After I was changed, I decided it would be easier to go by Lysander since Charles had already been replaced in my human past life.” I nodded in agreement; he did seem more like a Lysander than a Charles.
“Why did you overthrow the last High Count?” I asked before taking a small sip of wine. I had to be careful, alcohol wasn’t my thing and I can hold less liqueur than a thimble could. Even half a glass of wine and I would start dancing on the table while stripping.
“I didn’t like how he was running things. In the early eighteenth century, when we were supposed to keep our identity secret, there was an outbreak of suspected vampires and deaths. He didn’t care about numbers or secrecy and it was about to cost us our lives so…I removed him from power.” He said casually and shrugged his shoulders indifferently as if it wasn’t anything important.
Something else he mentioned had grabbed my attention. I knew that there were highly restricted guidelines for changing someone into a vampire. It was so restricted that it needed the High Count’s approval and there was only one change a month. Knowing those facts made me wonder about how things happened decades ago.
“Back before the Pyre capsule was created, people were changed how?” the far off blank look that was now present on his face made it difficult for me to remain professional. Had I asked a horrific question? Before I could go back on my inquiry, he spoke.
“Changing someone is considered a very personal and intimate matter. We would bite the femoral artery because it was the most intimate artery. The same liquid we use to numb our prey also brings on the change. Changing someone when a red moon was present in the sky used to be the only time it would work. Normally, a person is changed so we can spend forever with our true match, our bonded one…” his normally brilliant iceberg-blue eyes darkened to midnight, this was a touchy subject and he was getting angry.
Then it dawned on me. She had turned him out of revenge because of his father’s actions not because she wanted him for the rest of their immortality. I downcast my eyes to the now empty table before me. I had unknowingly stumbled upon a landmine.
“Let’s talk about something else,” his voice was detached and chilling. Yep, a well laid minefield that was still active. I knew that it was my job to get all the information, but I couldn’t help but feel bad about the ramifications my innocent question brought out of him.
“Um, okay…other than reading and long walks on the beach, what else do you like?” I attempted to sound strong and not too affected by his earlier admission. I’m sure this was a rather safe topic to discuss.
He threw his head back as a thunderous laugh erupted from deep in his chest. All I could do was gawk at him perplexedly, unsure of what to do in the current situation. After about five minutes of continuous hysterics from the head vampire, he slowly quieted and his laughing gradually came to a halt. “Oh damn, I don’t think I’ve ever laughed that hard in my life…” he gazed at me with his eyes now back to his normal bright sky blue. “Oh, this is going to be an interesting few months,” his voice was light and playful as were his eyes and my stomach did another flip-flop as he smiled tenderly at me.
I remained silent, unsure of how to respond to his laughter or his comments. For the next two hours, I asked him trivial questions such as his favorite color, book, movie, and etcetera. In return, I answered the same questions for him. I was surprised to learn he was a hopeless romantic, ‘While You Were Sleeping’ being his favorite movie. Of course, he also had a list of action and comedy movies. He was amazed when I told him I had never seen the movie ‘The Ugly Truth’, he said it was just the right balance of comedy and romance.
As we were talking about bad made vampire movies, we became immersed in the topic, comparing what was real or fake. They couldn’t fly and silver, garlic, crucifixes, stakes, holy water, and coffins were a fallacy. They had super strength, senses, speed, and slept in regular beds. Another serious question popped into my head. “What’s the best part about being a vampire?”
He stared at me vacantly, his eyes searching mine for what, I didn’t know. “No one has ever asked me that,” he stated truthfully and a bit surprised. He then turned his head from me and looked to the wall on the far side of the room, becoming lost in thought. “I would have to say there are two things. I enjoy watching things develop, change and improve over the years. It’s been crazy watching the changes in the automotive industry. The other thing, vampires are capable of being with their partner for as long as time exists.”
His voice became hollow, distant, and very lonely. “I take it you’re not bonded with anyone?” I asked in a mellow tone, his sadness seeping into me. He kept his eyes diverted from me and held up his left arm then slid his shirtsleeve up, showing me his wrist. “What?”
His eyes darted to me briefly then returned to the spot on the far wall. “We’re capable of having relationships and such but it’s not the same as finding our true companion. When we find our true match, a permanent bracelet tattoo appears on both of our wrists. The tattoos are unique markings only to the matched couple. See anything?”
“No,” I whispered sorrowfully. By the tone of his words and the lost look in his eyes, that was a feature of immortality he longed for, it was easy to see that. “So, to put it simply, vampires mate for life,” I stated frankly and he gave a diminutive and abrupt nod.
“Let me accompany you to your room. The mansion can be spooky at night, with all these vampires walking around and all.” He smirked at my nonchalant shrug. If I were scared of vampires, would I actually be here right now, seriously? I stood up then left the table and Lysander quickly flashed to my side, and together we walked down the ominous corridor.
“Can I ask you a question?” Lysander asked as he led me to my bedroom.
“Technically, you just did,” I stated bluntly. I snickered when he stared forward and scowled down the corridor. “Yes, you can ask.”
He scoffed before finally posing his inquiry. “What does AJ stand for?”
I chuckled softly at his childlike question. “Is that all…its short for Aeryn Jayde, spelled as A-E-R-Y-N J-A-Y-D-E.”
His eyes widened as he turned his head and looked at me. “That’s a really beautiful and unique name.”
“Um, thanks…my parents always said I was unique so should be my name.” I felt my cheeks heat up and I knew there was a bright red blush on display. I normally wasn’t the type of person to blush incessantly but I was finding myself doing it repeatedly today. Was there something wrong with me and I didn’t know it?
We continued down the corridor in silence and for that, I was grateful. After walking past six doors we reached the end of the hall and the room assigned to me.
“Well, good night Aeryn,” his voice was quiet, bordering just above a whisper and there was a hint of fascination in it. There was a pull in the pit of my stomach when I heard my name whispered from his lips.
I stared up into his icy blue eyes, transfixed for a moment. “Good night…Lysander,” I said his name abruptly then swiftly slipped behind the door and into my room, closing the door securely behind me. There is definitely something wrong with me.
This had been a long day and I was finally at the point where I could completely relax. After entering my suite, I bolted the heavy door out of habit. I quickly went over to the dresser and pulled out my pajamas then slipped them on before looking into the vanity mirror. I removed my hair tie and let my ponytail fall in dark blond waves over my shoulders. Then I leaned in closer to the mirror and carefully removed my green contacts. God, it felt great to be free from the lenses. I stared at my reflection and sighed at the shimmering violet irises that stared back at me.
To be continued…
Disclaimer: Drops of Syn and everything in it is mine. While You Were Sleeping and The Ugly Truth are not however they are great movies, if you haven’t already seen them, you have to.
