Chapter 1
Anaiel
“Please!”
Oh the puppy dog eyes did me in all the time! But this time…
I shrugged off the severely skimpy dress. It showed too much of my neckline not to mention it was too short. I tried desperately to tug it free but Irina kept at it and eventually, I gave up.
Before me were three more dresses which were…well, mostly skimpy and outgoing. I hated this but I would never prevent my sisters from doing anything they wanted to.
Which included tonight’s situation. Ugh…
“Stop squirming Ana.”
Irina scolded and I sighed out. She was one cranky woman when the time came and push came to shove for partying. Not to mention, tonight was a special occasion.
I should be happy because tonight was my birthday. The day I had come into this family as an additional bundle of want, hunger, and sadness. Sadly, no moping was allowed and I could barely cope with the fact of having them do something special for me.
That was until they started to bake me up into a party girl. Yes, I hate partying because it makes me feel irresponsible and seriously there are too many things to care about as is to let things go.
“Ana.”
“Okay,” I sucked in some air for courage as Irina poked at my chest again. The Bra was tight and it made me feel a little out of breath as I slowly tried to loosen my body and relax afterwards.
“Don’t do that. You’ll pop your dress and then everyone will see your boobs.”
“And whose fault would that be?”
I retorted while heading towards the mirror for a better look. In my own world I always looked gorgeous and perfect with flowy dresses. The same wasn’t for tight clothes since they showed off too much.
But tonight was one of those exceptions as I stared at my reflection with wide eyes. The dress hugged my curves generously showing them to advantage. The bra lifted my chest to perfection and the skirt was absolutely perfect for me as I stared in awe.
“Don’t you look hot?”
“I look like a hooker!”
I wasn’t used to complaining but this…this look…wow!
“That’s the way girl! You gotta go with the flow.”
Behind me Irina winked and I saw how different we looked. While she was svelte I was more of shall we say…womanly. Rubenesque would be a generous compliment too if I was being truthful. Yet in the mirror we looked more sisterly than ever. Not to mention, my body looked like it belonged on the runway with the dress.
The thoughts of a runway model being jealous of me, made me feel desired and hot! Just the vibe for tonight if I had to pull off the stunt of actually loving to party…which I was sure was possible along with being miserable.
“Oh cheer up! You look hot! Sexy! Vibrant!” Irina hugged me from behind. “Not to mention good enough for any man to want to eat you up!”
My ears went hot immediately as a blush colored my cheeks peach. Damn, I blushed easy.
“Okay, enough said. Let’s go. The girls are probably dying to see you.”
I nodded. Here went nothing.
Nahariel
“Z!”
Yeah right! Dream on. I am not Z or any other words you call me. I was never a Z.
“Name’s Nahariel, Iven.” I said through a tight jaw.
His expression only grew amused at my disapproving frown as I looked around the pub. Everything was going on as usual. Nothing out of the ordinary…
“Find her?”
“No.”
I shrugged nonchalantly as my body tensed. Iven knew very well I hadn’t found her yet. With the reminder he just made my skin crawl with anger further as I downed the whiskey in one gulp since I was trying to pretend being a human.
Mother of Tsohg’s wise words rang in my ear as I searched the crowd.
To humans, vampires don’t exist. And we must keep it this way since the world you are going to is unlike your own and the slightest change can lead to disastrous results.
Huh, disastrous…whatever.
The chain of disaster had already begun when she sent Isda down into this fragile and harsh part of the universe. Tsohg started to decay as the Queen’s reign stood supreme. People started fleeing to the Mirror dimension. No one could ever stand up to the bitch…or so everyone thought but I knew the truth.
Mother knew it too. She hadn’t thought everything through when she had banished Isda. Now, she needed her more than ever and her powers—heavens damn them—were incapable of finding her out of the proverbial haystack.
It was then the truth had struck Mother.
You two are soul mates. Despite everything you two can never sever the bond! If time survives her then you will be the only one capable of finding her!
Therefore, I—yours truly Nahariel AKA Zariel to everyone—was sent into this horrid part of the universe in order to rescue my soul mate. The love of my life…
My eyes glossed over as I poured myself another scotch on the rocks. Iven looked at me with curiosity. He was always curious…the jester!
1000 years in this human world. I have searched for her relentlessly during the time. 1000 years and no one got my name right including Iven AKA the Jester. 1000 years and not one war had killed me. 1000 years…all…without her.
I gulped desperately as her memory stung my heart like no other.
1000 years without my Isda.
I still remembered the day she was taken from me. I still remembered it every night. The sun’s stinging never did anything to wipe the sorrow away. Nothing killed me in this foreign place. Nothing did anything to me in this wretched world.
“Slow down, tiger.”
“Shut up.”
I wiped my face as my mind searched for food. Temptation was everywhere. But my temptation…she…was nowhere…
“I’m going down. Keep a watch on the biker dude. He seems suspicious.”
With the parting words being said, I walked off towards the crowd. Maybe, finding a quick drink if anyone’s blood came remotely close to freshness. No worries…I would obviously not snap their necks like in the old days…but I would actually use charisma to subtly drink from their neck. Admittedly, the thrill was something else. I loved drinking blood. Because it was the only way I could ever forget her.
Don’t go there again.
But when had I ever listened to logic? Of course, my mind went over her memories again. The scent of her blood…just like spring wind…
Isda.
My heart stopped as if for but a moment as I remembered her. Solemn, true, fiery, and loyal would be nothing to describe her because Isda needed far more qualities to be described properly.
Isda.
Snap out of it.
I straightened and immediately my senses flooded with the musky scent of arousal, passion, and sweat. Abhorrent but better than nothing I supposed. I walked through the crowd with careless steps and danced with men and women without losing my breath.
It was all a game. A game I was tired of playing over and over but never could quit. Seduction was something I had felt tired of but couldn’t help myself at.
There was this girl standing in front of me. Eyes of emerald green, hair fiery auburn and skin that paled in comparison to Isda. Yet, I found her smile alluring and her blood seemed to smell unique and sweet.
Close enough.
I sighed inwardly as my mind argued back and forth on what to do while my heart fanged for Isda. Finally, I let the woman go before doing anything at all. Drinking her blood would never satisfy my heart, nor would it satisfy my body.
After all, it wasn’t like I was starving or anything. My mind groaned as the thrill of the hunt and seduction left me. My heart ached in pain from the thought of separation from Isda. Every time, it was the same. Aching, nagging, and debilitating…yet I stood strong while everyone else danced around.
The smell of passion and adrenaline swarmed me as I felt it sicken my soul. Nothing enticed me. Nothing at all…
I just stood there for moments before my mind ultimately gave up the thought of another chase and I slowly dragged my body through the throngs of people towards the door.
She wasn’t here.
She was probably gone forever.
Maybe even exterminated during the witch hunts era…
I discarded the thought as soon as it came but the pain which followed made me stop on my tracks. This was embarrassing. A vampire with severe depression…bah!
I was just about to start arguing when all of a sudden…I smelled something unlike anything I had ever scented before…
My face whirled towards it as my eyes spotted the source.
Oh My Word!
Right there was a group of ivory girls entering the crowd for the first time. Also right there was another girl entering the crowd for the first time. She was being dragged onto the floor if I was correctly interpreting the distressed pattering of her heart and the scent of fear.
Fearful rabbit pulse coupled with the scent of orange blossom, brown sugar, and fall wind…yummy…
It wasn’t only those things combined but also the strong sense of vitality, magic, the gorgeous caramel coloring of her skin and the voluptuous curves which made my knees buckle as I observed her.
“Come on, Ana!”
Ana
She tried to skitter away again but an ivory hand on her shoulder made her sigh deeply before she finally followed the group together towards the other side of the club, the bar.
Who was she?
I felt my heart flutter and my mind gain interest as my feet navigated me towards a place close enough to observe but far enough to be inconspicuous. If it wasn’t for her fear, I would’ve gone ahead to meet her but she wasn’t settled yet.
From my position I continued to observe as the girls chatted about the various people dancing in the club while Ana listened to the oldest of the girl group talk about catching men.
“Look around, child. I will definitely say someone is at least your type!”
Ana shrugged as the bartender started to pour drinks for the group, “Two Margarita’s please”. Her voice echoed into my mind as I felt some strings being pulled inside my soul. Her voice was melodious and smooth. She was a singer I’d wager. But, I had not much time to pry as Ana’s eyes searched through the throngs of bodies and landed on me.
It was when I saw the glow. The glow of her deep brown eyes which pulled me towards her and without another thought I followed. I heard her sister encourage her on as she barely sipped on the strawberry margaritas the bartender had just deposited.
All of her attention was directed towards me and the thought made me feel powerful and smug as I came closer. I smiled and with one hand forwarded I found her hand reach up to touch mine.
“Hi, would you honor me with a dance?”
She looked at me with a baffled expression before her sister’s poking made her jumpily walk up with me towards the dance floor. I thanked the Creator for small mercies as I gently directed her towards the middle of the club.
She danced with grace and I felt fulfilled as her skin made contact with mine.
“Sorry,” She spoke over the beating music as my extra senses focused solely on her. “My sisters are a bit too pushy for their own good.”
I smiled. “Not really. I was thinking I was being too pushy.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, since I kind of honed in on you and asked for a dance before you could finish your margarita.”
She rewarded me with a peal of laughter which warmed my heart and soul and excited my mind more than anything.
“You’re good. I’m not mad or anything.”
“I hope to stay on your good graces since I would really like to get to know you more.”
She smiled again. “I’m Anaiel. Everyone calls me Ana.”
“Nice to meet you Ana I’m—
“Zariel!”
Ugh! That man has no—
I closed my eyes before cursing under my breath and swearing to rip his head off. When I opened them, her attention was preoccupied with me.
“Zariel? Is that your name?”
“Only to this world…” I mumbled as she gave me a gorgeous smile.
“Zariel. I like the name. Though I feel like Riel is more to the point.”
I sighed. “Riel would be fine.” She knew just what to say. I felt a smile creep up as we danced on. The idiot could wait.
With the thought of probably punching the wind out of Ivan aside, I finally managed to feel at peace. Was this how I fell for Isda?
I had no clue because for once in the past 3000 years, I had not a care in me and not a feeling of guilt stopping my soul from enjoying this moment in this club far away from my known world. Tonight was my night. Tonight was Anaiel’s night. Our night together…and I wouldn’t want to miss any of it…ever…even for Isda…
Anaiel
He was gorgeous. Locks of midnight hair and bright reddish brown eyes and a body to die for! Damn!
I was going to drool over him if I hadn’t been so upset with Irina. Not to mention grateful.
He danced with me like no one in the world mattered to him more than me. It was surprising how much fun I was having just minutes after coming into a club I was dreading to come into. The rhythm was beautiful and the spunky sound made me want to shimmy.
“You dance pretty well.”
“Not as good as you.”
He smiled at me with shining white teeth and it made my heart flutter. Unlike others, I had never felt this way and the feeling struck me in my place.
Let it go girl. He’s just having some fun with you. No one would ever look at you. You’re too fat.
I couldn’t feel my pulse as the beat suddenly stopped resonating in my mind. Yet again, another one of those thoughts…negative thoughts…
“Something wrong?”
His hand came to rest on my shoulder as I refocused my vision on his handsome face. What was he doing with me? Why did he ask me to dance? What was going on?
“Why did you ask me to dance?”
The question would’ve otherwise made an indent but the least effect would mean something I did not want to think of at the moment. Luckily, his response was that of confusion. I saw it clearly in his auburn eyes.
“Why wouldn’t I ask you? Were you going to dance with—
“No, I don’t mean it that way. I just—I—
Stuttering was not in the agenda but I couldn’t help it. His innocent expression had me feeling like an A-class bitch and it wasn’t like I was doing anything productive. Then what was I doing ruining this good moment?
“I—well, umm…never mind. Let’s get some drinks?”
I tried to change the subject but it only increased the frown in his face. Sensing the change, he gently hooked up my chin and I was closer to his face than I had ever would’ve thought possible. His eyes as I saw clearly now were not auburn at all. Not even close to auburn…
His eyes…they were blood red…like two garnets set in a face of a perfected Greek statue…handsome and dangerous at the same time…
I could clearly see the concern in them but I felt as if he was a deadly man. Dangerous…
What have you gotten me into, Irina?
“Am I bothering you?”
His question hung in the air as I felt myself take in a sharp breath. His scent was amazing. Clean like winter air and intoxicating. Yet a feeling of unease nagged at my mind as I stared into his eyes.
But…but…he wasn’t threatening me…it wasn’t him…it couldn’t be…him…
“N—No…really…It’s just—
A blood curding scream diverted my attention at the very moment and I saw red in my vision. Red…blood…
Just like the other time…
My eyes glossed over as my hand flew to strongly clutch Riel’s. It was like a record being played over and over again in my mind. I pulled with all my strength and with a sudden yelp, Riel gave in. Without a thought, I dragged us out as shots rang out throughout the club.
It was too loud. No one noticed it but somehow I did. My sense of urgency made Riel jump into action and take me towards the nearest exit and come out into the darkness of an alleyway.
The crisp night air did nothing to calm my senses as I dragged him out towards the brick-line of a construction zone concealed from public eye. No one was out tonight. Not odd for this part of town since it boomed in the daylight with construction and brick-making…
Still, the night was just too quiet. My senses tickled as I felt Riel’s breath against my neck coming in short pants. Then, I heard it.
A loud boom and then glass breaking and the smell of burning in the air…burning…
“What just happ—
Riel’s eyes bored into mine but within me was no answer of anything at all. I had no clue what had just happened. I had just acted out again. Just like last time. Just before another disaster had struck…
“Stay here.” I said through clenched teeth as I raised myself from the hiding position and stealthily went towards the alleyway. The smell of burnt materials was everywhere. I felt my skin crawl with unease as I followed it and…
“No.”
My pupils dilated and I saw everything all at once. Irina…my family…
I tried to run but hands grabbed me from behind as I finally crumpled to the ground.
The fire…the club…Irina…
Tears streamed from my eyes but nothing touched me in my heart as I felt empty inside. Nothing touched me. Nothing at all. I was lost. I was lost again. Alice lost in wonderland. Nowhere to go. No home to return to. I was lost…forever…
