The Watcher, page 28
part #1 of Fleur de Lis Series
“I need you...I love you,” I said in a low voice. “For the first time in my life, I know what true love is...it's being with you.”
“I love you too,” Zachary muttered.
“You are awake,” I said and looked up at him.
“I smelled you and felt your hand on mine. Then the words...I love you, woke me up.
“How do you feel?” I asked.
Zachary's eyes were a dim aqua blue. “I feel weak, and I have a splitting headache,” he said and smiled. His soft French accent sounded sexy even though he was slurring some of his words. “I was worried about you. I saw you in my dreams,” he said, and his eyes turned a dark blue.
“Are you thirsty?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“Drink from me,” I said and placed my right wrist to his mouth.
Without hesitation, he pierced his fangs into my wrist and started drinking. I clenched my jaw from the sudden pain. The color in his face started to reappear, and his eyes beamed aqua blue. He breathed heavy and closed my wound.
“Not too much. I don't want to hurt you,” he said and licked his lips.
“You need to stop being so brave,” I said and gazed into his eyes. “I cannot lose you.”
He gently caressed my face as I held him tightly. “After this war is over...we should get married,” he said and leaned forward to kiss me.
He softly moaned in pain when our lips locked. He tasted sweet with an after taste of my blood.
“You need to rest,” I said, holding his neck softly and placing another pillow behind his head.
“No, you can't do that,” he said.
“Do what?”
“Change the subject.”
“So that was a proposal?”
“Yes, my love it was,” he said and looked at me like I was the only person in the world that can save him.
“Then my answer is yes,” I said.
I kissed the side of his face until our lips met, and he whispered, “I will love you forever.”
“And ever,” I said. “Do I get a ring?” I asked.
“Yes, I have the perfect ring for the woman who saved my life...it's in my home in Iceland.”
“And how do you know I saved your life?” I asked.
“Because I am alive.”
I laughed. “Yes, you are alive.”
“What happened after the explosion? Did you get hurt?” he asked, staring at the pink mark on my hand.
“You saved my brother's and my life, by throwing us as far as you did.”
“It was my only option. Is Charlie alive...Vivian and Hazel?”
“Drako attacked us with four vampires. We managed to kill them, except for one. He grabbed Hazel,” I said, feeling a lump in my throat. “He escaped and took her with him.” I began to silently cry, as painful tears ran down my face.
“Fernan must be looking for her?”
“Yes, your brother and Ludivico tried to catch up to them, but they crashed their motorcycles. John is fine and Ludivico is healing from his wounds,” I said, trying to stop myself from crying, and I sat up, facing Zachary.
“Don't cry love...there is only so much you could have done,” he said, wiping my tears. “Who killed Drako?”
“I did.”
“Bravo...my love.”
“I had a chance to save Hazel, but I saw a vision of Adrianna killing Charlie, who was protecting you and Vivian. I ran back to save you.”
“Did you kill Adrianna?”
“My brother and I did.”
“You can't blame yourself for what happened to Hazel. I would have done the same thing.”
“There's more.”
“What happened?”
“Salazar had to turn Charlie...he was dying, and a missile from a bazooka hit the dome, leaving us blind. We can't track Aaron from here.”
“Has Charlie turned?”
“No, but he will soon.”
“The other Covenants can track Aaron. We will find Hazel,” Zachary said.
“I am afraid it might be too late when we do.”
There was a knock on the door. I walked to the door and opened it. John was standing there with a wide smile, holding a blood bag. He was prepared for battle, wearing black Guardian gear.
“These soundproof walls can't keep me from hearing,” John said.
“He's definitely thirsty,” I said.
John walked in. “What's up, Bro?”
“I'm alive,” Zachary said.
“And you look like dried old poop,” John said and chuckled.
“Thanks,” Zachary said.
“Thank God for your girlfriend. Sorry, I couldn't come to your rescue,” John said, handing him the blood bag. It had a straw attached to it.
“I am going to check on Charlie. I will be back,” I said.
Zachary nodded his head, and I exited the room, closing the door behind me.
I walked to room 301. Christian was in the hallway, kneeling on a bench, looking through a glass wall. He was holding a silver comb tightly.
I kneeled next to him. “How's he doing?” I asked.
My brother was in a daze, staring at Charlie, who was starting to look like a vampire with pale luminous skin. Two blood bags were on top of Charlie's nightstand, ready for him to drink, and a Guardian sat inside, reading a newspaper.
“Fernan said, it can take years for a vampire to get used to eating food,” Christian said. “Charlie's last meal as a human was a bite of a peanut butter and jalapeno sandwich, plus a few truffles,” he said with disappointment.
“Don't worry about that,” I said. “I am sure he will be happy to be alive.”
My brother glanced at me and stood up. He paced back and forth in front of the bench, rubbing the silver comb. I've never seen him look so sad.
“I can't stop feeling guilty. I need to get her back. I feel useless waiting here...doing nothing at all,” he said.
“But you are doing something. You are watching her. Do you have any idea where she might be?” I asked, and I stood up to face him.
“She's in a boat, and it's not Aaron's yacht. I'm afraid Zeus is taking her to him. She tried to get away, but he hit her across the face, then tied her up, and placed the bag over her head. I'm going to kill him when I see him.”
“Did you tell Fernan, they are on a boat?
“Yes, vampires from all different Covenants are tracking her, from France, England, Ireland, China, South Africa...you name it. Fernan has vampires everywhere. Some are smaller Covenants, but they have access to the satellite.”
“I am sorry, I couldn't get to her in time. I struggled fighting Drako and Zeus got away. Vivian was right...he threw daggers as fast as bullets.”
“Tell me what happened?”
“Were you debriefed?” I asked.
“I was, three hours ago, but I couldn't tell them what happened to Drako, since I was knocked out when you were fighting him.”
“I saw every dagger aimed at me. I am relieved you weren't conscious at the time. He was extremely fast with them, and he could have killed you,” I said. “I grabbed a dagger and penetrated it into his brain. The bloodsucker kept coming at me. I then grabbed another one of his daggers, this time in midair, and threw it into his balls.”
“Ouch!” Christian chuckled.
“Yeah, he didn't like that very much. Then I took Zachary's sword and decapitated him.”
“I am glad Drako met your wrath and blade. That evil son of a bitch killed the woman who took our photo and the little girl. My heart broke when I saw them taking their dead bodies away. We drove by them in the armored truck. You were passed out,” Christian said.
“I know they are dead...I saw it in my vision before the explosions happened. I wish I had more time to save everyone.”
“You always do this to yourself...you can't always save everyone,” Christian said. “And what happened to Hazel is not your fault. Don't even think it.”
“I'll try not to,” I said and clasped onto my brother. He squeezed me and kissed my forehead. I looked up at him and let go. “Zachary is awake and John is with him,” I said.
“He heals quickly, having Cecile's blood in him. I guess anyone turned by her are blessed in that way.”
“I know, I thought it might take weeks for him to heal. His skull had a huge chunk missing when Charlie and I found him.”
Christian checked his watch. “It's only been nine hours since the bombs went off,” he said.
“Do you think Charlie will have an ability?”
“Maybe...maybe not. Salazar is powerful,” Christian said, raising his eyebrows.
Charlie began to move. “Look,” I said, pointing to the glass wall. “He moved.”
The Guardian got on a radio and announced that Charlie had awakened.
Charlie slowly opened his eyes. He sat up and looked dazed and confused. The Guardian handed him a blood bag with the straw. “You need to drink,” he said.
Charlie looked up at us but didn't seem to notice we were watching him. He began to drink the blood.
“He needs to drink for his senses to begin to work, then he can see you,” Salazar said.
Salazar was standing next to me, wearing modern clothes. He had on a blue three-piece suit with a black scarf tied around his neck. His hair was cut much shorter, and he wore it slicked back. I didn't hear him approach us.
“Hello,” I said, admiring his outfit, and his black pointy shoes.
Salazar hugged me tightly and then embraced Christian. “I've been gone for a while. I had to hypnotize the police department, some government officials, and most of the people that were in Las Ramblas. Everything is taken care of. I am also paying to rebuild it back to the way it was,” Salazar said.
“Where there many casualties?” Christian asked.
“Five humans died, fifty humans were injured, and there were no vampire casualties. The world will think it was a gas leak that caused the explosions, not a terrorist attack.”
“And what will happen to the families of the deceased?” I asked.
“I am paying for their funerals and helping those that need financial assistance. The youngest victim was a four-year-old girl. She died in the explosion with her mother,” Salazar said and stared at us. “Oh, I see, you met them both.”
“Yes, we did,” I sighed, remembering the little girl.
“I will try my best to make it better, Skye. Now let's go greet the new Charlie,” Salazar said as his eyes glowed.
In an instant, I wasn't frustrated anymore but excited to see Charlie. Christian had a smile on his face as he looked at me.
Salazar opened Charlie's door.
“Salazar is the best medicine, who needs a Valium when we have him to take our sorrows,” Christian whispered in my ear.
“But it only lasts while you are with me. I hope that's enough,” Salazar said, holding the door for us to enter.
“It is, thank you,” I said and smiled at him.
“I can't believe how scrumptious the both of you look,” Charlie said as we approached him.
Christian paused with his hands up, and his eyes widened. “He's not going to eat us...is he?” Christian asked Salazar.
“No,” Salazar laughed. “He's joking; I am controlling his hunger. You can treat him as you always have.”
“Good to know,” Christian sighed with relief.
I embraced Charlie.
“Hi beautiful,” he said, hugging me tightly. I couldn't breathe. He suddenly let go. “Sorry, I don't know my own strength yet.”
“It's okay,” I mumbled, trying to catch my breath.
Christian slapped Charlie's hand and embraced him. “This is not fair. Now you are better looking than me. All your wrinkles are gone,” Christian said.
“What are you talking about? I never had wrinkles,” Charlie groused.
“Still living in la-la land,” Christian said, shaking his head.
Charlie stared at his arms. “My tattoos are gone,” he muttered and pulled up his t-shirt.
The fatal wound on Charlie's stomach had disappeared. He rubbed his abdomen. “I lost all my body fat,” he said in shock.
Salazar handed Charlie an oval-shaped mirror. “Yes, you have. All vampires have zero percent body fat,” Salazar said. “Take a look at your new face.”
Charlie stared at himself. His skin was perfect and his gunmetal blue eyes lightly glowed. The designer stubble on his face was barely visible. His facial hair looked blonde.
“And you look ten years younger,” I said.
“Thanks, Skye,” Charlie said, and sat up at the edge of the bed, placing the hand mirror on the nightstand.
Salazar held Charlie's arm quickly. “Let me help you,” he said, pulling him up.
Charlie struggled to stand on his two feet for a minute. Then suddenly, he was moving fast around the room. He grabbed my arm and started dancing with me. He dipped me and smiled.
“Thank you, for saving my life,” Charlie said and lifted me up.
He began to rapidly spin me. I held on to his strong muscles. He stopped and let me down easily. My head spun, and I held on to the bed for support.
“You are welcome,” I said and laughed.
“No, don't even think about it!” Christian shrieked, backing away from Charlie.
Charlie was fast and lifted Christian onto his right shoulder and begun to spin him.
My brother squealed like a girl, “Put me down!”
Salazar and I laughed, while the Guardian in the room stared at Charlie in shock. I have never seen Charlie look so happy and neither had the Guardian. Charlie threw Christian on the bed, making him tumble over and hit the floor.
“I think I'm going to throw up,” Christian complained, holding on to his head, and the edge of the bed.
“Does he have an ability?” I asked Salazar.
“We don't know yet... it will reveal itself in time, but he is quite strong,” Salazar replied.
“I feel like I can climb Mount Everest, barefoot, and buck naked,” Charlie said.
“Not a pretty sight, my man...you might want to try something less extreme,” Christian said, rising from the floor.
“Let's go see Zachary. He is up and is with John,” Salazar said to Charlie.
“He's another one I have to thank for saving my life,” Charlie said, placing his feet inside brown slippers.
“Yes, but don't spin him. He is still healing from a head injury,” Salazar said.
“Dude, you need to pick up your pants,” Christian said.
Charlie's pastel pajama pants were starting to fall off. He tightened the strings on his waist and tied a knot.
“Where's Hazel and Vivian?” Charlie asked.
Salazar looked at me then touched Charlie's shoulder. “Vivian is fine. She is asleep, but Zeus escaped and took Hazel with him. We are tracking him, but the dome is not operational currently. I have people fixing it as quickly as possible,” he said.
Charlie's face turned paler, and he stared at me, realizing, I made the decision to come back to help him, leaving Hazel behind. “Did you have a vision of me with Adrianna?” he asked me.
“Yes, and she was going to kill you, Zachary, and Vivian,” I said.
“We need to find Hazel,” Charlie pleaded to Salazar.
“And we will. Do not lose hope. “Let's go see Zachary and the rest of the Guardians. They are all anxious to see you,” Salazar said.
We exited the room. “I am going to check on Vivian. I will meet you in Zachary's room,” I said and headed toward the stairs.
“I am coming with you,” Christian said, following me
“She's in room 403, but she's sleeping, so let's try not to wake her up,” I said.
“I'll be as quiet as a silent fart,” Christian said.
“What did you say?” I asked.
“Come on, it's this way,” Christian said, completely ignoring me.
Vivian's door was made of wood, and it had an arch with delicate flowers carved around the edges. “Shhh,” I said, placing my thumb on the scanner.
Christian turned the knob slowly, and we tippy-toed our way toward Vivian's bed. Her room looked like a monastery with ribbed ceilings and murals painted on the wall of bible stories. Noah's ark was carved above her tall wooden bed and candles encased in round colorful glass lit the room. She was covered in a hot pink blanket, and many light pink pillows with ruffles were behind her head.
“Why the pink?” Christian muttered, furrowing his eyebrows.
“She likes pink, okay,” I whispered.
“I heard you coming up the stairs,” Vivian said and opened her eyes.
“You woke her up,” Christian griped.
“You are the one that has heavy feet. You don't even know how to tippy-toe,” I said.
“I'm as quiet as a silent fart...you on the other hand,” Christian grumbled, pointing at me. “You are not a Ninja!”
“Tranquilo,” Vivian said. (Relax)
She giggled as she sat up. “And by the way Christian, I like pink. It brings some color into this serious room.”
“Tell me about it,” Christian said, looking around. “Why did they put you in this room?”
“Zachary was given the only soundproof room near the medical station, and Fernan wanted me to have peace and quiet, so he put me up here, and brought me my pink bedding.”
“How are you feeling?” I asked, hugging her.
“My head feels much better. Fernan told me what happened when I woke,” she said.
Christian gave Vivian a bear hug, and kissed her cheek, making a loud moaning sound while lingering his pressed lips.
“I love you too, Christian,” Vivian said with a laugh.
“Did you ever encounter Zeus before?” I asked.
“I never did, but I've heard of him. Fernan told me you killed Drako and that you used my whip to kill Adrianna,” she said.
“Yeah, but I decapitated that ugly witch,” Christian said.
“I am proud of both of you,” she said. “And how did you kill Drako?”
“I'm sorry I didn't keep him alive for you. I know how badly you wanted to torture him, but knowing that he suffered before he died, should give you peace of mind,” I said.
“She threw a dagger into his dick,” Christian said.
“More like his balls,” I said, nodding my head. “Then I cut his head off.”
