Heliosinclaire

Chapter 11

Eugene's POV

Outside, in a carriage with horses trotting on the road, heading to the Courinar continent where Ariel's home is.

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Ariel, Lucius, Frey, and I were heading to Ariel's hometown.

I had met her family previously but had no chance to speak with them.

Maybe Ariel will give me some time to chat.

"Eugene," Ariel spoke as she looked at me. We were sitting across from each other with Frey by her side.

"Hm?" I smiled back.

"Why did you turn me into a vampire?"

I closed my eyes. Why did I turn her? Frey listened attentively as he viewed the outside scenery with his elbow on the window and his chin rested on his palm. He watched me speak.

"I was a bit lonesome until I met you, Ariel."

I opened my eyes to see her staring at me. She has such clear eyes, untainted.

"Your eyes reminded me of my late family. They all passed away in a fire. It has been about 50 years since I've last seen their smiles."

"Oh," she looked to the side, "I'm sorry."

I turned to where she was facing, "there's no need to apologize, Ariel." There were flowers decorating the field outside. She viewed them pass by longingly.

The carriage slowly came to a halt as Lucius got off of the driver's seat, opening our door, "Master. My lady."

We were welcomed with a busy town, people walking about minding their own business. It has been a few days since my folk and I visited this particular village. The sun was bright.

Frey did not move from inside of the carriage, "don't mind me, Master. I'll just wait here until the sun finally sets." He seemed a bit irritated.

"Lucius will keep you company."

"Yes, my lord." Lucius bowed.

As Frey made a displeasing face, Ariel and I headed into her hometown.

We strolled through the streets. It seemed quite different from when I traveled through it during the evening. Colorful flowers on the sides of the street swayed in the wind, giving a playful feeling to the town and its buildings.

We finally arrived at Ariel's home. She knocked on the door.

I did not hear any footsteps from the door, but we waited until Ariel decided to turn back and head elsewhere.

"Where are they?" she questioned.

I smelled the air and traced her scent towards west, "I can smell them in the direction of the clock tower."

"You can smell them from here? What else can you do?" she was a curious little thing.

"I can hear from far distances as well," I smiled, "let us head to the market. Perhaps we can find your family there."

Just as we were to depart, a young girl dropped her basket of apples. She shouted, "El!"

Ariel turned and replied back, "Anise!" They charged towards each other and embraced.

This one did not smell like Ariel at all. Perhaps my scent etched into Ariel's aroma. I smiled at the thought of it.

"El! We were so worried! Where were you?" Anise began to tear up.

"I was caught up in so many things."

"Who's that?" Anise pointed in my direction. I smiled.

"My name is Eugene Heliosinclaire," I bowed slightly.

"Ah!" Anise froze, "grandma told me that a vampire took you!" She stared at me from head to toe, "he doesn't look like a vampire, though. And he doesn't have red eyes."

With glee, Anise took us back to Ariel's home. It was a cute house with trinkets and knickknacks resting on the sides.

"Anise," Ariel held her sister's shoulders, staring into her eyes, "I have to tell you, grandma, and uncle about something."

"Huh?" Anise seemed puzzled.

"I was actually turned into a vampire."

Her sister stared back in bewilderment, "but you don't have red eyes!"

"I have fangs," Ariel revealed the sharp teeth as her sister gasped.

"Woah!" She touched them in astonishment.

Then, a gunshot crashed into the house, breaking a vase settled near Ariel's head. She turned to see her uncle holding a rifle aimed at her.

He quivered, "Anise, get 'way from 'er."

Anise stepped back. I stepped forward in between Ariel and the man.

"That's a vampire, Anise. Y' don' trust' 'em vampires," his breath was shaky, "Get out."

"Uncle," Ariel reached out, but another gunshot was fired. It broke a nearby window.

"Get out," he breathed out slowly.

I cradled Ariel in my arms and felt her trembling, "Ariel."

She decided to walk, so I lead her towards the exit, watching the old man aim the rifle at us with one eye open.

We exited the building and Ariel turned to see her uncle still aiming his rifle.

"Uncle, I—"

"Never come back ever again," he shut the door, leaving us in silence.

Ariel held her head low, staring at the ground with a fierce gaze.

"We're going back home," she said as she suddenly walked off, heading towards the carriage.

Home.

She is part of the family, now. I felt somewhat relieved. 

I followed her back to the carriage. We arrived to see Frey biting into an apple.

"Back so soon?" Frey watched Ariel jump into the carriage and sit in her seat.

She sat in silence.

"We are heading back," I motioned to Lucius.

"Yes, my lord."

"What happened?" Frey glanced from Ariel to me, apple hovering by his mouth.

She glanced at him, "I thought vampires don't eat food like humans."

"Oh this?" he grinned, "I just wanted to know what it tasted like."

"Give it to me."

Carefully, Frey offered Ariel his apple. She grabbed it quickly and began biting into its juicy flesh.

Frey and I watched as she grimaced, swallowing the fruit.

It must taste horrible to her. Vampires only delight in blood.

"Delicious," she said with a scrunched up face.

Ha ha. She's quite amusing.

Ariel held the apple in her hand gingerly.

I watched the scenery pass by, remembering the old flames which took my family.

Who is after us?

I peered to the side to watch Ariel sit in silence. I held her hand.

She firmly held me grasp.

I will protect her...

I will find out who set my home ablaze years ago.