For Centuries - Season 1 [Completed]

Episode 11

"King Ghost", Steven Wilson

I had thought a lot about James and Aidan and I did not know what to do. Aidan had disappeared after our last conversation and I wanted to give him the space he needed. It was completely by chance that an event occurred a few days later that could change the situation.

I had decided to walk back home after dinner with some friends near the Tuileries and I was enjoying the river banks and the lights reflecting on the Seine. It was quite late and there were very few people in the streets. I heard some noise, though, coming from under a bridge in front of me, as if some people were fighting. I came closer and I saw three vampires who were beating someone up. The poor man on the ground was trying to protect himself. But then, one of the vampires raised a stake over the man, whom I suddenly recognized. It was James.

I ran to stop the hand of the vampire just before the stake reached James' chest. The three vampires all jumped at me, trying to bite me, but I broke the first one's arm and got back the stake. They were not strong enough to beat me. After I wounded another one of them, they all ran away.

James was still on the floor. He was reeking of alcohol. I gave him a hand to help him stand up but he pushed me away and grunted that he did not need me. "I think you do," I said. His leg was broken. I put the bone back in its right place so that the leg would be able to heal and the vampire to walk. He screamed in pain and looked at me with anger. "I am very sorry for having saved your life and healed your wounds. Next time I will let you die," I said while turning around to walk away.

"Why?"

I turned my head.

"Why did you save me?" He asked.

I rolled my eyes. "Well, who knows? Maybe I do not think that you deserve to die. Being an arrogant ass is not a sufficient reason."

"I put your friends in danger."

"You did. But I know the whole story now and that puts things into perspective."

He frowned. "Aidan told you?"

"He did. I am very sorry for your loss."

He shook his head and stood up.

"Listen," I said, "I have just met Aidan. I do not know you. I really think, though, that you two should talk, because I can feel that you care about him. And he definitely cares about you."

"He lied to me for centuries," he snarled.

"I know. I understand your pain. And it is not my place to tell you what to do."

He put his hand in his hair and stared at the ground while leaning on the wall so as not to fall.

"Anyway," I said, "I hope I will have the opportunity to get to know you under better circumstances for once. For instance, when you will not be drunk if such a thing is even possible. I told you the first time that I am sure you are a great guy and I still mean it. Do you need some help to get back home?"

He shook his head and I started to walk away. "Thank you," he said quietly. I waved at him without turning back so that he could not see that I was smiling.