We studied late into the night. Axar yawning loudly and thumbing pages furiously as his young mind worked to retain every word he could. We passed the books back and fourth between us two, sharing the knowledge they held between us and arguing points out loud. We sit sprawled on the couches, books shroud the floor.
I sift through my journal of notes and contacts until I find the name of a banshee. Barima! About time! I had nearly forgotten about the woman's existence until I read her name. In notes are her coordinates. We will set out for her in the morning to see of she can mentor or help Axar decipher what he is sensing. Most banshees or hees will have visions later on in life, though I'm not sure what age this typically starts.
"I found a banshee. In the morning, I will take you to her to see if we can barter for her help. In the meanwhile, it is getting late go find Sera. She's cooking for you both. There is a room next to Sera's if you'd like to sleep there."
"Thank you! I really hope she can help me. Did you find anything for Sera?"
"A few things, nothing grand. I intend to mostly go off what I know."
"Did you find chocolate?" I sigh. I'm not getting out of this. I thought he'd forget it by now.
"I will go get it soon, and surprise her. Don't worry."
"Just don't forget. I like spending time with you and I don't want her mad at you forever. She might not let us come back." He whines. I'm restless and be coming hungry again. I'm a man of little patience, even less when I'm even mildly inconvenienced. I urge the kid to go to Sera while I gather my bearings.
Once he's out of my hair I pace for a moment. I've got her here now, and I'm dying for her. I can't hold off forever. I could leave to feed, but it's not the same. Nobody I've drank from, stole energy from or even slept with has been enough since her. I replay our moments together and the hunger flares with vengeance.
I'll take the kid's advice. He is my ticket to her after all. I'll woo her through my actions with the kid. I'll make them sleep, leave to retrieve whatever peace offerings scorned women prefer, then set them by her door. I'll actually enter her dreams tonight and feed then let her be. I turn to the door, determined. That's it. Just enough energy to keep me calm until I get win her over again. I could just manipulate her, but I'd have to work the boy too and possessing two at once would expend as much energy as I could consume safely.
I continue to pace until they finish their meal. Axar scurries back for a book and cautiously asks for a hug.
"I don't know if I can even sleep tonight. I'm so excited! Thank you! I'm going to read some more, if you'll let me take a book with me?" Oh, you are gonna sleep kid. I catch his eyes in the hug and his pupils widen as I trap him into my gaze.
"You are a sleepy boy, a big boy. With your own nice new bedroom." I turn him and place his book in his hand. "You sleep in your nice new bedroom. Hug mommy goodnight." I smirk as he stumbles away rubbing his eyes. I make a mental note to find something nice for him as well. He's growing on me, like a house dog you never wanted but it's so affectionate and persistent that you eventually accept it's love.
I read his mind, just to be sure he was going to sleep and in his own room. I could hear Sera cleaning up as he have her a goodnight hug.
"I love you momma." Sera squeezes him tightly and kisses his head. Warmth spreads through him and he sighs contentedly.
"I love you too! So much! My door is already open, I'll be there after I clean up-"
"I was going to sleep in my own room momma. I've never had my own room before. I've always had to share." She sighs.
"Okay. But if you get scared, you come find me ok? You don't go outside this house for any reason."
"You're bossy!" He laughs and yawns.
"Yes, because I love you and want to keep you safe, noodle boy."
I see her lunge in his mind's eye and she wiggles his lanky arms around. He hugs her once again and I tell him to make her feed. He holds too long and she finally absorbs all the adoration. Once he stumbles into his new room taking everything in and changing into his pajamas I urge him to lay down. He is out in minutes.
I retract my hold on his mind and instead I go to find Sera. Now she needs to sleep. I find her still in the kitchen and I saunter over to her quietly. She looks up from the dishwater, little dots and splotches of water across the front of her shirt. Delicious.
"Seraphine."
"That is me."
"I found a banshee. We will leave to find her in the morning. Axar is very excited."
"He told me. Do you think she will agree to help him? He has his heart set on this and I don't want her to disappoint him."
"She won't." I'll make sure of it. Sera does not relax in the slightest.
"He has sung your praises all throughout dinner. He is a child, he doesn't realize the disappoint you can bring. You let me down, don't let him down too." She rinses the sink and dries her hands.
"I have no intention to let him down. Why would you think that?"
"Because you are a selfish person. You went from wanting to threaten and harm this baby, to acting like an adoring big brother. Zero, to sixty too quickly. It doesn't add up. I know you are using him somehow, you better hope I don't find out how." I snatch her arm and pull her to face me.
"I am selfish, but I am trying to be better. I am trying to act like his big brother, because I know what he means to you. To you, Sera. Look at me." I force her chin up to make her meet my eyes and her gaze is molten, almost a warning of it's own.
"Let me help him. Let me help you. If I am the mistake, allowing me to right myself." I watch her eyes darken and her expression soften as I invade her mind. I brush my thumb along her delicate jawline, and I bend to place my forehead against hers. My body purs and savor the moment. I pull myself away from her and kiss her cheek.
"Let's go to sleep, beautiful." I turn her back to me and I hold her shoulders as I guide her to her room, fighting the urge to put her in mine. I scoop her up and lay her down on the bed, pulling covers over her. Her body is limp, eyes still pliable and blank. "Goodnight. I'll see you in your dreams shortly."
I exit the room on a mission. I waste little time as I focus to transport myself into the empty alley where I had killed Henry. I emerge quickly and briskly pass building fronts, looking to see what all is open and for an appetizer to keep me full until I can feed from Sera. I spot an intoxicated woman outside of a bar and I stalk her for a moment. I vanish from her sight and rattle the trash cans around her.
Her heart picks up and her eyes become frantic. I block the door, and she has no idea why she can't get back inside and she tries to run down the street. I pull her to a bench by a bus stop. She flails, but to onlookers she looks like she's on a good high. They roll their eyes at her as she slumps down to sit. Without her even seeing me, I absorb the terror from her body and I lull her into sleep. I'm the sandman tonight. I grin to myself. Three to sleep in less than an hour. I take some blood, but leave her alive and healthy.
I turn back to the twenty four hour convenience store I had passed earlier. I reappear in an empty aisle and begin my shopping. I grab junk food, a gameboy and several games for the boy. That's what I see kids his age enjoy, and I know he enjoys his food too. I have no idea what will appease Sera, short of my head on a stick.
This is where the hard part comes in. I grab a blank card, a bouquet of purple hyacinth, and chocolate covered pomegranate seeds. It doesn't seem like enough, and I'm thoroughly confused. I grab a red beta fish, a bowl and some fish food then check out.
I hold everything awkwardly as I phase back to my home, the fish staring judgementally as I swing his baggy around and bump him into the box of the gameboy. Once inside I scurry to arrange Axar's things outside his door, and then Sera's too. I dump the fish into the bowl and set him by the other things. I shake a pinch of food for him, but he gives me the same angry look that Sera has all day. I shouldn't have bought him. He is the mistake here. Is it always going to look like that?
I disregard the rude fish and I pass through Sera's door. She rests peacefully on her side, arms cuddling her pillow. Dark, shiny green strands fan out across the pillow and remind me of playing in the high grass in my childhood. I am light as air as I hover on the mattress above her. I slide her silky strands through my hands, and I place my head to hers.
In moments I am in her dreams. I ready myself as I plan this out. This is my ace. My Hail Mary. I'm going to take that one sentence away. I'm going to remind her of our good moments. I'm going to set us right.