The Eyes Of 'Rah

Young Master Xavier

Xavier scoffed as he sat cross-legged while watching one of his best friends gasped for breath.

"Are you sure you didn't use your powers?" Daniel Manchester asked in between catching his breath.

He shrugged, not batting an eye as he concentrated on the books before him.

Daniel narrowed his eyes, watching him cautiously to see if he could detect if Xavier was lying. They all know how impossible Xavier was to read. He might seem calm with his pretty face and shining blond hair, looking like the young Master of the Manor that he is, but Xavier had earned the respect of all of his friends, being one of the most reliable, trust worthy and attentive young vampires among them. He had the aura of an old person even though he's the youngest amongst them.

Daniel Manchester had made it his life mission to beat him in one of their games which usually involves race and game hunting without using their vampire powers.

His deep thought was interrupted by his feisty twin sister, Diane who insisted on following them around, making the their 'three-best friends' trio become a quartet.

"Remind me of the bastard who came up with the idea of running for that long miles without USING our powers again?" Diana glared at her brother, since he was the one that had always wanted to best Xavier.

"I'm sure you know I'm not a bastard, since we share a striking resemblance unless you mean we both are bastards" grinning, Daniel docked before his sister could hit him.

Xavier smiled as he looked at the Manchester twins, they looked so much like their mother but took after their father in not being gentle.

"Xavier, would you stop putting your nose in every history book you can find? You seem to be doing a lot of it lately. What are you looking for?" Diana asked in curiosity, after emptying the whole jug of blood on the table.

Xavier who was a master at evading questions he didn't want to answer asked instead, "where is Francis?"

The twins looked at one another, just as Diana was about to disappear to search for him, they heard his heartbeat which seemed faint.

Immediately, Xavier sprung into action, carrying his friend and dashed into the bedchamber assigned for his friend.

Since the four best friends are always together most of the times, they all had their private rooms in their various houses.

"Call Herbert, I'm sure he would know what to do" Diana ran out in search for him.

"I knew something like this would happen. I shouldn't have allowed him to run when he insisted" Xavier spoke as he watched his friend.

Unlike the three who are Vampires, a pure blood vampire at that, Francis is a werewolf, who had became fast friends with them. Since they are all still quite young, their powers are not that stable and strong and Francis being a pup, he had not amassed enough strength to run for such a long mile. However, the other three can because they had been used to it.

"Here, have this. It works like magic" Herbert raised his head up to enable him gulp the solution in the cup.

"Give him some time, he would come around" he assured the worried friend.

As they left the room to allow their friend rest, Xavier had noticed the sudden change in Diana, quickly he stepped aside to allow her deliver the blow which sent Daniel flying out the door.

Everyone knew how dangerous Diane gets when she's angry and had always steer clear of her. Xavier hardly seems fazed about a lot of things, however, it amuses him that Diana was the temperamental one who was always ready to roll in the mud with her opponent while Daniel is the one who would rather use his wits to talk his way out of any situation than engage in a brawl.

Herbert had been used to getting things repaired whenever the twins visit, he signalled to one of the male servants to get the broken door repaired. He wished he could speak with the Manchesters' head butler and lean how he deals with Lady Diane's anger. He sighed as he watched the young kids playing around.

Knowing it was going to be a long show of shouts and arguments, Xavier concentrated with his findings, tuning the twins' argument to the background.

Tired of dodging the objects that kept flying his way due to Diane's vexation, he flew to the highest window in the Manor where he took aboard till they settled their fight.

As the sun started to go down, they all went to check on Francis who at that time was coming out to look for them.

"Look, who's up" Daniel chirped, massaging his jaw where he had landed when Diane kicked him, if he had been human, he would have gone to the other side.

"How are you feeling?" Xavier felt his shoulder as they all listened to his heart which had returned to its normal beat.

"Good but I think I'll take a break from competing with you till we're a little older"

Diana stared at Francis a little bit longer nefore clearing he throat, "guys, it's time to go home"

"See you at the party tonight?" Daniel asked Xavier

"No, I think I'll rest tonight."
knowing better not to question him further, he continued, "so, are we still touring the town tomorrow?" Diane asked, smiling in satisfaction as they nodded, "good! See you tomorrow, Xavier" just as the twins disappeared, Francis went down on all fours as he ran home.

Xavier sighed as he made his way to his chamber, books were scattered all over his desk, scattered in an orderly fashion, he had instructed the maid not to arrange them.

He checked the time after he heard Francis usual howl to tell them he had gotten home, guess his parents would be home soon.

As he changed his clothes to put on a lighter one fit for the task ahead, he had long put out the dread he usually feel whenever he prepared to go to the special room. Accepting the fact his fear contributed nothing to his curse, he would rather brace himself than cower.

Feeling the sudden heartbeats of his parents as they drew near, before they could knock the door, he spoke, "come in"

"Hello son, heard the tomboy broke down the door again" Nickolai joked, he and his wife had agreed to never show their remorse nor pity in the presence of their son, seeing how he tried so hard to conquer his fear. It would be unwise to initiate a pity party everytime he prepares to enter the room.

"Apparently, she took offence that Francis almost died because of Daniel's foolish suggestion."

"And what was the suggestion?"

"We were to race without using our ability, trust me, it was not a short mile"

Aliona placed the jar of blood on the table, "could be our little tomboy fancy the pup"

Xavier had known for quite a while that Diane had a special interest in Francis. He had witnessed the way she gets a little bit irritated whenever his twin pick on him and how she's always ready to assist him.

"Seems so" he replied, ready, he turned to his parents, "I'll be going in, in a short while" Nickolai noticed how detached he suddenly became after his announcement, he took his wife's hand and pulled her towards the door.

"Ok, son. See you tomorrow"

As Nickolai closed the door behind him, overwhelmed by sadness,  he sighed, feeling helpless that his son was about to go through another torturous night and nothing he could do about it. He had been doing everything he could for a way to lift the curse.

Aliona put her hands over her mouth to muffle her sob, filled with sadness and guilty on what she brought over her son, she wished she had been the one paying the price. Why must it be her innocent son?

At the other side of the door, Xavier continue to feel the hesitation of his parents as they walked away. He had prefer they all acted as if nothing happened than engage in a crying marathon or pity gathering which would not result to anything.

Feeling as his super sense of hearing started to disappear, a signal that it was time to enter the special room, he took the jar of blood with him and he walked behind the stairs which led to a narrow passage.

Turning the lock behind him, he entered the dark room and placed the jar on the table, looking around the cool, airy and spacious room, he sat on the chair and prepared for what was to come.