Nicolae's POV:
Home. I begin to reminisce about what home was like for us all those decades ago. And before I know it we are back at the manor. Once inside Lorie and Layla head straight for the kitchen. Layla quickly prepares Lorie's snack and seats her at the table before returning to the kitchen.
I walk into the kitchen and get a bottle of water from the fridge as Layla begins to wash up the dishes. I watch her for a moment and decide to find out just how much of her memory of me is lost.
"So little immortal one, where are you from?" I ask as I open my water bottle and observe Layla's reaction.
She freeze's instantly upon hearing my words. I notice her reflection in the window and see her frown. I can sense a hint of unease in the atmosphere and I begin to step closer.
"Don't you know what your last name means?" I say in a teasing tone.
Her stiff posture begins to loosen.
"Oh. Of course." She replies hesitantly.
The room fall's silent as Layal washes each dish carefully. I casually lean against the counter next to her.
"So are you going to tell me where you're from?" I say as I place my bottle on the counter next to me.
"I...um. I don't really know where I'm from." She replies as she stares blankly out the window that is just above the sink in front of her.
"How do you not know where you're from? Even us vampires know where we are from." I reply in an amused tone.
"A Lot of my life is a blur. Some things come back in pieces but there is still a lot I can't recall." She replies as she shakes her head.
"Comes back in pieces? Like visions?" I say with a chuckle.
Layla stiffens slightly again and lowers her head. Maybe I shouldn't have poked fun at her. Not remembering your past would undoubtedly leave a sore spot.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to poke fun." I reply.
"I have very vivid dreams and when I wake up sometimes there are new pieces I can remember. There are alot of broken pieces that I don't understand but I've managed." She replies with a forced grin and I can tell there is more that she's not telling me.
Just then Lorie comes running in with her plate handing it to me before declaring she's going out to play in the garden. Layla takes Lorie's dish, cleans it and puts it away. I stand from my leaning position and when Layla turns towards me we almost collide. Our eyes meet and I instinctively grab her. I suddenly can't stop myself from looking deep into the depths of her soul. I want to know the secrets she's holding inside. I lean towards her until our noses are almost touching.
I can feel her breath on my lips as her cheeks become red and her breathing gets heavy. I'm tempted only for a moment as I search every inch of her soul scanning these memories and dreams as she calls them. I suddenly realize that Layla isn't an ordinary witch anymore. I see a recent vision of my mother in the familiar garden in ghostly form and one memory in particular replays over and over. I immediately recognize the scene within the memory. I'm just about to delve deeper into her soul when I hear shouting.
"Nicolae! Nicolae stop!" Lorie shouts as she tugs on my arm.
"Nicolae stop! You're scaring Layla!" Lorie screams frantically.
I lose my focus as Lorie yanks Layla's arm causing her to stumble back into the counter. Layla regains her senses and looks down at Lorie who has tears in her eyes.
"Lorie are you ok?" Layla exclaims as she searches Lorie over and pushes her own emotions to the side.
"What happened?" Layla asks as she brings her hand to Lorie's forehead.
Lorie Turns to me angrily.
"Nicolae! What were you doing!" Lorie says as she starts to throw a tantrum.
I give Lorie a stern look and she immediately starts pouting.
"Come on Layla, let's go outside." Lorie says as she grabs Layla's hand and drags her from the kitchen.
I stand in the kitchen a while longer after they have left. She has seen me in some of her dreams in both my animal and human form. She doesn't remember me or our relationship and who she was and until today she has only ever seen me in her mind. She has no recollection of her death.
I suddenly feel an increasing ache in my chest. What kind of cruel trick is this? I ask myself as I clench my fists. I'll have to be more careful how I get information from her from now on. Lorie, like me, can see into people's souls. She can see their fears, their dreams, their energies, and even their memories though she's never tried to see someone's memories herself or seen it done before. She's still young and has much to learn.
Layla's POV:
I'm laying in my bed staring at the ceiling as I recall the day's events. It's 10 pm and Lorie is already fast asleep in her room. I think about the moment I met Nicolae today. I've seen him before in my visions but who was he to my past self? How did I know him? Does he know who I am? And his eyes, I've seen those eyes so many times in my dreams but how could that be possible? I sigh aloud in the lonely room as I close my eyes and force sleep to take me.
Layla's POV:It's dark and the air is damp. I open my eyes and see a coffin before me. There are people surrounding me wearing all black attire and from the looks of everything it's around the 1800's. I'm confused for a moment as I try to figure out what is going on and where I am. I look around and realize I am inside a large crypt. I see the familiar face of Nicolae that I have seen so many times before. He walks past me and towards a coffin inside the large crypt. He slowly leans over the top of the coffin placing a gentle kiss on it as he lays something down.His face is tear stained and his silver eyes are brimmed with red. His expression is filled with pain and sorrow. I feel my heart tighten in my chest. It hurts me to see him in this much pain but why? And who is in the coffin. One by one everyone begins to leave the crypt until only Nicolae is left. He suddenly slumps to his knees and weeps into his hands. His whole body is shaking and I feel my heart twist in
Nicolae's POV:Layla and I stand in silence for a moment before she clears her throat. I reach out to push her hair back behind her ear but before I can she steps back and looks down."I will not harm you Layla so you can rest easy and I don't want you to be afraid of me." I say as I put my hand back at my side."I'm not afraid of you Nicolae." She replies softly."It just...there's things about myself I've never shared with anyone. I don't know alot about who I am or what I even am and to have someone pry into my soul...to go into the depths that even I dare not enter and try to forget is...it feels intrusive." She continues."I'm surprised you remember what actually happened. No one's ever remembered or been able to describe how it felt." I reply with a smirk."Then again you're not just anyone." I continue with amusement as I remove the small chain from my neck."I want you to have this. I have a feeling this will be more of use to
Layla's POV:I'm rinsing off the dishes when Lorie rushes in and hands me all her dishes before taking off again. I pour myself one more cup of coffee and head back to the kitchen table. After I sit down Nicolae stands and begins to gather up his papers from the table and I feel like I've disturbed him."I can take my coffee to my room if I'm bothering you." I say gently."No, I am done for the morning, and if we are to go out today, I need to start getting ready." He replies.I look at Nicolae standing across from me over the table only half hearing what he said. His hair falls beautifully over his shoulder and the loose fitting v neck tee gives me glimpses of his chiseled chest. He's wearing a pair of black slacks and my eyes begin to scan his body. I shake my head realizing that my face has gone hot."Where are you going?" I ask then take a sip from my cup."We are going to the town festival." He replies emphasizing the we in his sentence
Layla's POV:As we get the sound of music fills the air and as the festival comes into view Lorie gets increasingly more excited. As we head towards the booths and people that are scattered around the streets Lorie tugs on my arm."What is that?" Lorie asks, pointing to some cotton candy hanging in a booth as I let go of Nicolae and crouch down in front of her."That is cotton candy." I reply."Would you like to try it?" I askLorie nods her head at me and I stand back up and turn towards Nicolae to find him chatting with someone."Let's go get you some. We'll be back before he knows it." I say with a smile.Nicolae is nearly a head taller than the average person and would be hard to lose in a crowd. Then again he isn't an average person I think to myself as we make our way to the cotton candy booth. While I'm making our purchase for the cotton candy a few of Lorie friends from school come bounding over. The girls begin to giggle and
Nicolae's POV:"Shall we leave?" I ask."No, not yet." Layla says as she shakes her head."Do you have problems with that boy often?" I ask as I feel jealousy sting my heart."He doesn't know how to take no for an answer." She replies"Well that doesnt make me feel any better." I reply"Anyways, shall we go do something else." I say before she has a chance to answer."I think I'll go sit and watch Lorie play if that's alright." She replies as she starts to release my hand."That's fine with me lets go." I reply as I grip her hand and begin walking towards the play area."Um, if you want to go do something else you can." She replies."I am perfectly alright spending the rest of our time here with you." I say as we step up to a small bench inside the play area."I thought I was the one that was supposed to be doing the babysitting, not the other way around." She replies with a small laugh."This is far
Layla's POV:On the way back out of the dining room I notice Nicolae's coat laying on the floor next to the rack. I look at it suspiciously but go and pick it up anyways. After I hung it back up and straightened it out on the rack I heard a chilling voice behind me."So father gave us another play thing?" The voice says as I turn around."Who are you?" I ask trying to mask the surprise in my voice."You're bold, aren't you? You are standing in my house but yet you have the audacity to ask me who I am." The man says as he closes the distance between us backing me against the door.His hand is suddenly around my neck and his body is pressed into mine. A strong overpowering scent of cologne burns my nostrils and I feel like I can't breath."Hmm, I bet you taste delicious." The man says in a husky voice and my heart begins to pound in my chest.Nicolae's POV:I'm in the study going through a few books I
Nicolae's POV:Once back in my own room I quietly walk over to my bed and sit down on it. I look back over my shoulder at Layla who is sleeping soundly. I turn back and place my head in my hands as sadness grips at my soul.Layla's POV:I'm standing there in a beautiful gown with Nicolae smiling happily in front of me. There are many guests and people who congratulate us as we walk around what looks to be a courtyard. A familiar face suddenly appears before us."Congratulations NIcolae and Layla. I couldn't be happier for you two. As soon as you two are back in town we must get together for dinner." James says with a smile as he shakes Nicolae's hand."That sounds great doesn't it love." Nicolae says as he looks down at me with a smile."Yes it does." I reply with a smile as I look up at him.Soon James walks away leaving Nicolae and I standing there alone and I have a hard time wrapping my head around the scene before me. Was I ever
Layla's POV:Nicolae laughs at my response and inability to form a sentence."I guess I will just have to keep a close eye on you." He says as he stands from the bench and holds out a hand to help me stand."Thank you Nicolae." I say as I stand from the bench with my hand in his."It is my pleasure." He responds as he places a delicate kiss on my hand.A subtle scent suddenly engulfs me as Nicolae removes his lips from my hand."What is that scent?" I ask while Nicolae holds my hand gently against his chest."It's cedar and…" He begins to speak."And cypress. We used to get the herbs from…" I interrupted Nicolae but stopped mid sentence."I'm sor…" I say as I look up at Nicolae who silences me with a gentle kiss.I'm momentarily stunned at his action but soon warmth spreads from my lips to my cheeks then down my neck and throughout my chest. I can feel Nicolae's heart racing under my hand when