Coveted [New/Revised Version]

ROUND THREE

     Iris sat cross-legged on the grass with her eyes shut, listening to the natural noises around her. The soothing sounds did help her meditate a little easier but not by much. She'd ventured so far out in the woods in search of a clear mind, in an attempt to rein in all the erratic emotions whirling inside of her for the sake of her sanity and governance over her powers. Of course, she worried about the vampires but the fact that she had a sort of diplomatic immunity put most of her concerns at ease.

Three uneventful days passed since her maternal family members helped her and Sue put up the ward. Penelope assured them as long as they didn't tamper with it Zairian would have no way of entering the house. Iris didn't mean to be a cynic but it seemed too easy of a fix. Magic wall and an ancient vampire couldn't come in if he wanted?

With a heavy sigh, she opened her eyes to what looked like dusk but was in reality the desolate weather change devouring all rays of sunlight. She dropped her wrists back on top of her knees and shut her eyes again to resume her mediation. Sure, it was a risk being out so openly with flood warnings issued throughout the town. However, she'd had enough of the confines of her home. Besides, it wasn't as though anyone was there. Her father was out working "regular" jobs, which usually entailed the local poltergeists and whatnot. Sue snuck out to do whatever with the rest of the quartet.

He's angry.

The thought leaked into her conscious mind. She didn't know its origins or what possessed her to think it. Her eyes quickly snapped back open and Iris raked her hands through her dark locks in frustration. Everything was growing chaos around her. She didn't need her mind succumbing to the madness too. Slowly, she scrambled to her feet before planting herself on the swing behind her.

Iris pushed herself back and swung once. The usual joy of the act was gone and the touch of metal was icy beneath her fingers. Everything was cold and empty around her, yet so liberating. She was free of anyone's irksome emotions bombarding her.

Iris gripped the chains that held up the swing set tighter as a cold breeze sent her hair fluttering back. Her eyes followed the forming storm clouds on their voyage across the heavens toward each other like wispy lovers desperate to reunite. It was growing rather cold so Iris held her arms hard against herself and they snuggled their way into the safety of her jacket.

She felt a shadow of something, yet when she looked at the ground at her feet, she only saw hers. The hairs on her arms stood up and she knew one of two things was happening. Either someone was behind her or an earthbound spirit still lingered in these neck of the woods. On bated breath, Iris turned.

She jolted up at the impossibly close figure at her back.

It took her a moment to register the signature layered look—plaid button down shirt left open with a white tee underneath, denim jeans, and timberlands. Vladimir. She sighed in relief. There was always something comforting about him, like an innocent childhood memory before the supernatural defiled her life.

"Hey," Vlad greeted her with a smile.

"H-hi," Iris managed to mutter through her subsiding fright. "You scared me."

"No kidding," he said, taking a seat on the swing beside her. "Your dad called."

"You?"

"Yeah, it was... unexpected."

"What did you guys talk about?" Iris mumbled, already drawing a conclusion.

Vladimir pushed himself back and kicked his legs up to swing. He was the one person she knew could manage to keep his shoes from getting scuffed trekking out this far.