Raaksha's Story: Chapter Four

Chapter Four1

Both vampires and werewolves gathered in the clearing of the forest as the sunset behind the trees, casting everyone into shadows. The Ancients and The Elders were seated at the front of the gathered guests, seated next to Father’s brother, and myself as Mother stood to speak. 2

“To start the night, I’d once again like to thank you all for coming and showing your respect. Lord Victor would be smiling in the afterlife at the turnout…” Mother said as she stood next to the table, which upon sat the golden urn holding Father’s ashes.3

The silence of everyone seated was a thick blanket over the forest as Mother spoke and we listened. Weeps from the gathered crowed broke the silence every now and then, and I wiped away a few stray tears of my own. 4

I sat silently, hearing what Mother was saying, but not really listening, my mind wandering, thinking of where Damon was.5

I haven’t seen him in a few days now… I hope he isn’t too mad at me.6

Father’s brother, Count, and my Uncle, stood and moved to the front as Mother asked for him to come forward and say a few words. 7

He stood before us all, his shoulder length brown hair drifting on the slight cooling breeze. 8

“As you all know, Lord Victor has done much for both the vampire nation and the werewolf community, being a member of the Council and supporting the treaty made,” he cleared his throat as he continued, “He was respected and loved by all of you who sit here now and show the support you had for him.”9

Count’s voice didn’t quiver as he continued to talk of his deceased brother and not a single stray tear was shown either, but I knew the death of his brother had taken its toll on him. He wasn’t as well kept as he used to be, and I haven’t seen much of him around the Manor in the past few days. 10

Wiping away more tears as I sat listening to him, Mother now sitting by my side, my hand in hers offering what comfort I could at such a time. I handed Mother some tissues as a few ruby tears of her own began to fall.11

Count finished the service and Mother once again stood, this time not to talk, but to scatter Father’s ashes throughout the forest he loved so dearly. 12

As though knowing what was coming the breeze picked up while Mother opened the lid of the urn and emptied the ashes onto the breeze. We all sat in silence, watching as the ashes danced on the breeze, which carried them away through the trees. 13

Mother cleared her throat and standing tall said, “Now if you would all like to begin to move towards the Manor into the dining hall, we may begin the traditional banquet in Lord Victor’s name.”14

With that the service ended and everyone stood, making their way back to the Manor. Following suit I stood, wiping away the last of my stray tears, and started towards the Manor. My breath caught in my throat as my gaze stopped to rest upon Damon. I knew he’d be here, but it was still a shock to see him again. He was standing with two, as I would assume, very old vampires, by the way they were standing, looking down at others. They obviously thought highly of themselves. 15

-Damon?-16

I carefully reached out mind to him, not knowing if he wanted to talk to me yet or was still sore about the way I reacted towards him.17

His head turned and his stone grey eyes came to rest on mine.18

-Raaksha…-19

The soft caress of his thought in my mind was comforting and I couldn’t help but smile, a smile that he returned. I made a move to go to him.20

-No, Raaksha don’t come over.-21

His thought was full of panic and I wondered what it was there for.22

-What is wrong?-23

He turned his gaze away as the male vampire standing next to him, motioned for him to follow.24

-My parents.-25

I froze in mid step. 26

They are his parents?27

I had never met his parents before, and from some of the things I’ve heard about them, I didn’t particularly want to.28

-They are your parents?-29

-Yes, Count and Countess De Noir.-30

I watched as he moved out of my view, following his parents back down the candle lit path that Mother had weaved through the trees.31

-I do not want you meet6ing them, Raaksha. So please, don’t come near me, while they are here.-32

-But why?-33

-I’m sure you’ve heard some of the stories said about them throughout the vampire nation.-34

-I have, yes.-35

-Then you must have heard of their dislike for ‘wolves.-36

A cold chill slithered down my spine.37

-I had.-38

-That is why, dear.-39

-Then can we please meet afterwards? I wish to speak to you.-40

I followed the same candle lit path, drifting my fingers through the glowing flames as I walked past them, their slight warmth caressing my fingertips.41

-Of course. I shall come and find you, when I can get away from them.-42

-Okay then, talk to you soon, Damon.-43

I walked up the steps to the Manor, making my way through the gathered crowed, through the doorway and into the dining hall. Guest were already beginning to fill the two, long tables that were set up on either side of the room, with an isle down the middle for the waiters and waitresses to walk. 44

I took my seat a few down from Mother and found my self seated across from Damon and his parents. I smiled to them as I unwilling caught their attention, and noticed that Count De Noir’s nostrils flared. He was breathing in my scent and a shiver went down my spine as a look of recognition crossed his stone like features. His wife’s, Countess De Noir’s, gaze bored into mine as though she was trying to eat me without moving from her seat. 45

I turned my attention away from them and towards the food, which was being brought out and laid upon the tables. I could feel a headache coming on and caught a few glimpses of past memories. 46

Mother tapped her glass, as everyone was seated and stood.47

“Shall Lord Victor be happy in the afterlife,” she said raising her glass in toast, “Till we meet again.”48

“Till we meet again,” everyone echoed, raising his or her glasses.49

As I ate the meal laid before me, I felt as though I was being closely watched, and each time I looked up, I caught sight of Count and Countess De Noir staring at me. To begin with, it was only a slight bother, nothing too major, but by the time the main course came to the table, I was beginning to get irritated and my headache was getting worse, as those fractured images flashed before me more frequently.50

-Mother, why are the De Noir’s watching me so closely?- I thought to her while poking at the steak on my plate and look over to where she sat at the head of the table.51

She met my gaze and shrugged slightly, -I’m not sure, dear.-52

I look at her pleadingly; -Can’t you do anything about it? I don’t like the way they are watching me, its…. Creepy.-53

-Sorry, dear, but I can’t do anything. Have you tried asking them not to watch you?-54

-Uh,,, No I haven’t…-55

-Then why not ask.-56

I sighed, standing, -Never mind, I’m getting a head ache anyway, might go sit outside for a while.- 57

She watched me; raising an eyebrow, -Alright then, dear.-58

***59

The cool air caressed my face, as I walked down the path to the fountain and sat on the edge, putting my head in my hands. This would have to be the second worst day I’ve had throughout my short lifetime so far. I farewelled my Father, for a second time, my headaches had been getting worse over the past few days and the images were more persistent. Closing my eyes I sat rubbing my temples and listening to the calming rush of the fountain flow. My chest tightened at the thought of having said goodbye for a second time and some more diamond tears slid down my cheeks.60

“Are you alright, Raaksha?” 61

I looked up, to find Mick standing over me, a sympathetic smile on his face.62

“Kind of a stupid question, don’t you think Mick? Considering the circumstances,” I said, moving over so he could sit next to me.63

“Mmm… yes, I guess so, but still… Are you alright?” he asked again, sitting next to me, his spicy sent surrounding me.64

I thought for a moment, then nodded my head slowly, “Yeah, I guess so.”65

“Are you sure? You look terribly pale.”66

As though waiting for their que, more fractured images flashed before me, sending a throbbing pain behind my eyes.67

I nodded though, resting my head back in my hands and mumbling, “It’s just a headache.”68

"Do you want anything for it then?”69

“No thank you, I think I just need some sleep…”70

“Would you like me to accompany you to your room?”71

“Raaksha?” Damon’s voice interrupted before I could kindly refuse Mick’s offer. 72

Mick put a hand on my shoulder, “I’ll see you later Raaksha. Hope your headache is better tomorrow,” he said and stood, brushing past Damon.73

“See you, Mick.”74

Damon sat where Mick had sat only moments before.75

“Who is that?”76

I chuckled lightly, “You know that were’ from the Ball?”77

I looked up to see a puzzled look on his face, “The one whose nose I broke?”78

“Oh, him,” he looked even more puzzled now, “You’re talking to him now?”79

“I am, yes.”80

“Why?”81

“He apologised for the way he acted,” I replied, “Which is what I want to do.”82

Fidgeting with the rings on my fingers, I looked Damon in the eye, and took a deep breath, “I’m sorry for the way I reacted the other night. You didn’t deserve to have your head bitten off the way you did.”83

He shook his head slightly, “Don’t apologise for that, Raaksha. I shouldn’t have asked such a question at such at time. You were upset and I was inconsiderate.”84

I smiled a little and shook my head, “Then we’re even? We both apologise for our actions that night.”85

He chuckled lightly, “I guess so.”86

I chuckled lightly too, but it was half-heartedly as another lot of memories pushed themselves to the surface.87

***88

“Mum! Dad!” I screamed, hitting my fists angrily against the officer’s car window in which he had locked me. 89

Four officer’s wheeled out two stretches from the house, the sight of the black body bags on both making my chest tighten.90

“Let me out!” I snarled, the glass beginning to crack under the force of my fists and tears streaming down my hot cheeks.91

***92

Damon was kneeling in front of me, my head in his hands, “Are you sure it’s just a headache? You look as though you’ve seen a ghost.”93

I nodded slowly, “Though I have seen a ghost in a manner of speaking…”94

He frowned slightly, looking confused.95

Shaking my head I rested my forehead against his, letting his cold brow, cool my heated skin.96

“Why were your parents watching me, Damon?” I whispered.97

“I… I don’t know…” he whispered back, a note of helplessness in his voice.98

“I know they don’t like my kind… but they looked as though they recognised me from somewhere…” I said.99

“You’ve not met them before… so how could they recognise you?”100

I shrugged, looking at him, “Can you tell me of what your parents did?”101

Damon pulled away slightly, his eyes turning cold.102

“Why?” his voice was full of ice.103

“I want to know fact from fiction…”104

He looked to me, then away, running his fingers through his hair and taking a deep breath.105

“I…I don’t know much… of what they did…” he said, looking back to me, “but I will tell you what I know.”106