Chapter 2: Why?

Hanging up her green apron with a sigh of happiness, Rosa picked up her purse and made her way to the door of the small café that she worked at. I hate the early afternoon shift, she thought. That’s when all the old people who like to complain come in. God I hate this town. I can’t wait to leave.

She’d only taken a single step outside when she was brought up short. Standing a few feet in front of her was the blond man from the house. Dressed in black pants and a black jacket over a black t-shirt with his long blond hair pulled back into a loose ponytail, he looked incredibly handsome as he stood there idly twirling a red rose between his fingers.

“Y-you! What’re you doing here?” Rosa cried.

He smiled at her, taking her hand and drawing her out of the way of the door so as to let the woman behind her pass. “Waiting.”

Rosa refused to ask for what as she pulled her hand out of his grasp. Still smiling despite her silence, he handed her the rose. “Take care. There are thorns.”

Accepting the flower carefully, Rosa couldn’t think of anything to say. Why is he here? What possible reason does he have for seeking me out?

“My name is Evander. Evander Whitlock,” He told her.

“Rosa Turcotte. Nice to meet you,” She replied, extending her hand to shake. Evander looked down at her hand and smiled. Taking it, instead of shaking her hand, he gently pressed his lips against the back of her hand, causing Rosa to snatch it back.

“Will you come for a walk with me?” He asked, grey eyes still as bright as ever.

“I have to head home now.”

“Then may I walk you there?”

“Uh, sure,” Rosa replied not knowing how to refuse and not appear rude. He’d helped her and her friends after all. Starting off down the street, Evander keeping pace beside her, Rosa stayed silent, not sure what to say or why he was even there.

They’d just gotten out of the main downtown area when Evander suddenly said “Blue. The same shade as your eyes.”

“What?”

“For your dress.”

Rosa knew she was going regret it but asked anyway. “What dress?”

“The dress for the ceremony when I formally become your lord.”

The girl stopped to glare at Evander. “You are not my lord. Quite frankly you’re nothing more then the weird guy whose phone I borrowed one day. You’re crazy if you think you’re more then that.”

Evander shook his head as Rosa began to walk away. “Rosa, stop.”

Halting, Rosa turned back around and said “Go away.”

“Rosa, come back,” He called, voice sounding a touch sad.

Rosa didn’t even know her body was moving until she found herself in front of Evander again. “What? How…”

The blond smiled slightly. “I am your lord. You cannot disobey a direct order from me.”

“The hell I can’t! I just wasn’t thinking back there.”

“Would you like me to give you proof then?”

Chin raised in defiance and eyes blazing as they met his, the girl nodded once, sharply. Just because I wasn’t thinking and unconsciously obeyed he thinks he can make me do whatever he wants. Well I’m prepared this time.

“Rosa, give me your hand.”

Despite concentrating on not moving her arms, Rosa was horrified to see her hand outstretched towards him anyway. Evander took it and gently kissed the back, eyes holding hers over it. Flushing, Rosa yanked it back. “That proves nothing,” she snapped, not wanting to believe what had just happened but unable to dismiss the clear proof. She really couldn’t disobey him.

Evander smiled. “I will withdraw for today. You have much to think on, I believe. I will meet with you at a later date. Good day to you Rosa,”

Watching him turn and walk away, Rosa had mixed feelings. On the one hand Evander both disturbed and bothered her. On the other, there was something about him that had a firm hold over her mind and seemingly her body as well. If I’m lucky this’ll all turn out to be a dream. If I’m not…then I’m going to avoiding him as much as possible.

--

“Hey Malcolm, how’s business?” Rosa asked as she walked into the video store.

“Kill me,” The boy replied. “It’s been dead since I got here two hours ago. You’re customer number three.”

Rosa laughed as she walked up to the counter to chat. “That’s your fault for always taking the late night shifts. Are Nathan and Cassie still dating? Has anyone else found out?”

“Yeah they’re still together and I think Dave’s beginning to suspect. Oh and they’re finally starting interviews for your replacement.”

“That only took them bloody forever.”

Malcolm rolled his eyes. “You’re telling me. I’m the one who’s been stuck here, by myself, on busy nights. But you know Woodruff. He takes an eternity to do anything.”

Rosa grinned. “I’m surprised you didn’t end up getting grey hairs before he replaced me.”

The black haired boy smiled and pressed his chin down to his chest to show Rosa the top of his head. “See? No grey hairs for me.”

Chuckling, Rosa reached out and pulled a hair from his head. “I don’t know. This one looks pretty light…”

“Hey!” Malcolm cried, rubbing his head and straightening before suddenly freezing in place. “Your hand…”

Rosa looked down at the appendage, saw nothing out of the ordinary and then raised an eyebrow. “What about my hand? Do you think it’s developed a mind of its own?”

“I…Okay this may sound a little random and out of the blue but do you know Lord Evander?”

“You know him?” Rosa was shocked. Malcolm, a one of the most down-to-earth people she knew, had actually met that kind of weirdo.

“Of course. Lord Evander is…”

Rosa cut him off. “Lord? He actually is some kind of lord? I just thought he delusional.”

Malcolm opened his mouth and then shut it. “You didn’t know he…Oh shit.”

“Didn’t know what? Why are you pale all of a sudden? How do you know that nut?”

“I…uh…” Malcolm looked around as if for an escape or excuse before fastening his eyes on the doors, going even whiter, something Rosa had thought was impossible before actually seeing him do it.

Turning to look herself, Rosa rolled her eyes. Evander was opening the door, a slightly irritated expression on his face. “Speak of the devil,” she said as Evander made his way over.

Malcolm winced before bowing to the blond man. “My lord, I’m sorry. I…she had…I thought she knew and…”

Evander sighed and then smiled at Malcolm. “It’s alright. I intended to have this talk with her eventually.”

“Thank you my lord and my apologies again,” Malcolm said, bowing yet again, a bit of colour returning to his face.

Rosa had gone from mildly amused to downright disbelieving. Watching Malcolm bow made the whole scene feel unreal. “Right. So I don’t know how you got Malcolm to go along with this weird little ‘lord’ game but I’m telling your right now I’m not playing.”

Evander turned to her and offered her his hand. “We have much to discuss. Shall we take a walk outside?”

“Oh no. I’m not going off anywhere alone with you in the middle of the night. I’m not stupid,” She replied, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Rosa, I believe it would be best not to discuss private matters in such a public venue.”

“Well as there’s no one here except you, me and Malcolm, and he seems to know what’s going on, I don’t see why you have a problem. It’s not like we won’t see someone coming in before they get here.” Rosa had to admit, she was kind of curious. The way Malcolm had immediately clammed up made it seem like a pretty big secret. Evander’s insistence on privacy was only feeding that belief.

“If that is what you wish,” Evander replied, sighing.

“So how do you know Malcolm?”

The boy in question winced again. “Rosa you should be more respectful.”

Rosa snorted. “Why?”

“Because he’s a lord!”
“Lord of what?”

Malcolm hesitated until Evander said “Please continue.”

“He’s a Vampire Lord.”

For a long moment Rosa stared at Malcolm before she began laughing. “Oh geez, you almost had me. Your poker face is perfect!”

“Rosa, I assure you it is no joke,” Evander said quietly.

The girl raised an eyebrow. “Right so you’re even more delusional then I thought. Besides isn’t it impossible for vampires to come out in the day?”

“That’s true for normal vampires but he’s a Vampire Lord. Lord Evander is immune to sunlight,” Malcolm explained.

“Alright then,” Rosa said, smiling. She’d play along with their silly game for now. “Then why did you say you were my lord?”

Malcolm’s eyes widened and he turned to look at Evander, who smiled slightly. “You are an Arastami.” This made the black haired boy choke.

“And what’s an Arastami?” Rosa asked, quite amused.

Evander shook his head. “We will take this slowly. Malcolm, I will leave you to explain things as you wish. But I ask that you not tell her of the Arastami. One shock is quite sufficient for the night.”

“Of course my lord,” Malcolm replied, bowing once as Evander left.

As soon as the door shut behind the blond man, Rosa asked “Alright how much did he pay you to help him?”
Malcolm sighed. “Nothing. This isn’t a joke. I know it’s a bit hard to believe but vampires are real. I should know.”

“Oh really? And why’s that?”

The boy smiled slightly and Rosa only now noticed his canines were slightly longer then was usual. “Because I am one. That’s why I only take the night shifts. If I went out in the sun I’d be nothing but ash.”

“Ha! Caught you. Evander goes out in the day,” Rosa crowed.

“That’s because he’s a Vampire Lord. They’re immune to sunlight and lacks the allergy to garlic that all normal vampires have.”

“So there’s a difference?” Rosa was interested despite herself. This was one elaborate story.

“Yes. Ordinary vampires, such as myself, can’t go out in the sun and are allergic to garlic. It makes us break out in a horrible green rash hence why we avoid it. However we, unlike the Vampire Lords, can drink animal blood and be fine. It’s probably because since we were once human our body ‘knows’ how to make human blood whereas the Vampire Lords were born vampires. They have to drink human blood.”

“So what about a stake through the heart? Would that kill you?”

Malcolm rolled his eyes. “It’d kill you too. I’m not all that different then you. Except I won’t age.”

“So if I stuck a stake through Evander he’d die?”

“If you could do it yes. Vampire Lords are much stronger and faster then your ordinary human or even ordinary vampire.”

“So what’s an Arastami?”

“Oh no. You’re not getting me that easily. I’m not getting in trouble with Lord Evander because of you.”

Rosa made a face. “So how’d you become a vampire?”

“Lord Evander bit me. Only Vampire Lords can create other vampires.”

“And you really believe you’re a vampire?” Rosa asked, smirking.

“I don’t believe, I know I am,” Malcolm told her, voice irritated, before sighing and continuing more soberly “You don’t have to believe me but if you really are an Arastami you’re going to have to start believing sooner or later. You’re not going to have a choice.”

Rosa flushed and left. There was something about the way Malcolm had said it that had left her no room to doubt him.