For Centuries - Season 5

Episode 7

"Call My Name", Hyphen Hyphen

"Are you Elise?"

The vampire I had observed since she had entered the club looked at me with soft dark eyes but a determined expression on her face.

"Yes," I said. "How can I help you?"

"I'm Ibtissem. Did Stanislas tell you about me?"

I tilted my head, intrigued. "No, he did not."

She did not seem surprised. "I wanted to ask you to not give up on him. I know he's... difficult. And I know he declined your invitation. But please, insist. This is actually what he wants," she blurted in one breath.

I looked at her quite stunned. Stanislas had a... friend? This was news to me. And this woman was fiery and seemed to have a big heart. I really wanted to know more about her and their story.

"I have no intention of giving up on him," I assured her.

She seemed to relax a little.

"It sounds like you really care about him," I said. "I am glad he has you."

She smiled. "I'm sorry if I came on a little strong. But it's just... Someone has to take care of him, you know?"

This time I chuckled. "Yes, I know."

"He told me a bit about you. So I figured you would understand. You're everything he said you were."

I put my hand on her arm. "Let's sit together and talk. Do you want something to drink?"

She nodded but before she could answer I sensed the presence of a much older vampire in the club and I turned my head towards him. Ibtissem did the same, and she narrowed her eyes while putting her hands on her hips.

Stanislas strode towards us. "What are you doing here?" He snarled.

"Have you been following me?" She replied, not sounding scared in the slightest.

"Not the point."

"It is absolutely the point."

Stanislas huffed. "I don't want you two to talk about me." A flash of fear and pain crossed Stanislas' eyes and for a second, he looked so vulnerable, I gently grabbed his arm. He composed himself quickly and his eyes looked stern again.

Ibtissem crossed her arms. "I'm trying to help you," she said. "But you're so stubborn."

It was fascinating to see how the youngest vampire seemed to take none of Stanislas' bullshit. I refrained to smile, knowing it would get Stanislas even angrier.

"Let me talk to him," I asked Ibtissem. "And maybe we can meet another time?" Stanislas narrowed his eyes. "Not to talk about you," I told him. "I would love to learn more about Ibtissem."

Stanislas rolled his eyes, and Ibtissem searched his face, hesitating. She finally sighed. "Okay. And I would be glad to meet you again, Elise."

She left, and I grabbed two glasses of champagne, before leading Stanislas to my booth.

"So, how pushing everyone away is working for you these days?" I said with a smile.

Stanislas stood up and moved to leave. "Oh come on," I laughed. "Sit down."

He took a deep breath, turned around, and sat down. "You could not possibly have thought that I would come to your little family meeting," he said, looking at his glass of champagne.

"A girl can hope."

He snorted.

"I am glad that you have Ibtissem in your life. She is fiercely protective of you."

"She is delusional." But he lifted his head and looked at me when he said that and there was love in his eyes. It was unmistakable.

I smiled. "Then we are too. Because you have your place with all of us. My invitation was not just to be polite. I meant it. The meeting was to talk about a project: a shelter to help supernaturals. I know that you could be helpful."

His eyes went wide, and after a second he burst into laughter. "Okay, you win the delusional award. Me helping supernaturals? Are you kidding?"

"Yes, you. You have much more to offer than you get yourself credit for. And I also think it could be a healing process for you."

He shook his head. "Stop it. I don't want to hear any of that."

He stood up again.

"Please, think about it," I said.

He looked at me with a mosaic of different emotions before closing his eyes. When he opened them again, there was only pain. He left and this time I did not try to stop him.