Xander's Love

Chapter seventeen

I spent the rest of the afternoon walking around the property from the inside libraries to the vineyards. Marcos had told me that I had to be dressed appropriately and in the living room by 7. From my bag I pulled out my nice blue jeans rolled them up to my ankles, I put on my light blue long sleeve button up blouse and put on a navy blue blazer on top. I braided half of my hair creating a crown. After a light amount of makeup and dark brown slippers I walked out to the living room.

Fabio was already waiting in the living room, he was in all black slacks and button up and dress shoes.
"Hey" he said as he looked up. I sat down across from him.
"Hi" I rubbed my palms together and breathed in a sharp breathe.
"Don't be nervous, Alice"
"I'm just worried" what would happen if I stayed here? Would I ever love someone one even if I left Xander? Could I even leave Xander? Fabio opened his mouth but before he could say a word. Marcos walked in.
"Their ready" fuck. I'm not.

We followed him out the door and walked the brick pathway to the back of the property. I already knew where we were headed. The building with the black door.

Marcos opened the door and I took a shaky step inside. There was one long hall going to another set of double doors. Marcos placed his hand on the door knob and I realized I was holding my breath. Once he opened the door there was a long table that was higher up on a stage. The council sat all across in the middle of the table a strange crest in metal was placed. I looked across the row of vampires and spotted Sebastian. He winked at me. In the middle a man cleared his throat.
"Welcome Alice" he spoke.
"I am Dominic, head council member" I don't know if I'm allowed to speak, instead I nodded. I swallowed hard and felt beads of sweat on my neck.
"It's okay, Alice. Don't be nervous" I looked over to a woman smiling over o me. She is so beautiful and I love her hair.
"I love your hair too" she giggled. What the..? Can she read my mind?
"Yes I can" the same as me.
"You are a mind reader?" She stood up immediately scaring me.
"Dedra, please" Dominic said. She looked over to him and sat back down.
"Alice, are you able to control your power yet?"
"I'm afraid not" I responded.
"Since we already have a mind reader on our council, you have two choices" my hands began to sweat. I looked over to Fabio who smiled to reassure me.
"Whatever you choose, you will be trained by Dedra to control your power" I looked over to Dedra and she smiled sweetly at me. I'm glad she's happy by the council member's choice and not feeling burdened by me. She probably just read my mind. Dedra giggled. Yup.
"There is never too much help on the council and we can offer you a spot on our board or you may just be trained and stay at your cult" will it be better for me to leave Xander? Will it be better for him?
"You love someone" Dedra said out loud. I gasped and looked up at her then to Fabio who dropped his eyebrows at me. I guess it was true. I am truly, hopelessly in love with Xander.
"And you don't know if he loves back" I dropped my eyes. I don't know if Xander loves me.
"Can I have time to decide?"
"You are always welcomed to the council" Dominic said.
"Dedra will stay with you at your cult for one week to train you. She shall return and if you decide to become a part of the council, you may return with her"
"Thank you" I turned around and Marcos opened the door for us and I led myself out of the building.

I had never felt so uncomfortable with Dedra next to me on the plane. I would become lost in thought about Xander and us then I'd turn around and she'd be looking at me with puppy eyes. God. She's gotta stop reading my mind, it's invasion of privacy.
"I loved once" Dedra said. When I looked up she wasn't looking into my eyes instead looking straight forward.
"What happened?" She looked down and fidgeted with her thumbs in her lap.
"He disappeared"
"Oh I'm sorry, do you know how?"
"It was about two years ago, rumor was that he was kidnapped by hunters. Doesn't make any sense though since they like public slaughter to send a message. We never even found his body" now that's rough, the feeling of helplessness and unknown. The rest of the trip Dedra stayed in her own mind.

"We have a warm welcome for you, Dedra" Fabio said as the bodyguard drove up to the house. The council ordered for her to have one guard with her at all times since the hunters had been active in our area recently. Dedra looked giddy and very excited, now that I think about she probably hasn't left Greece in a long time or met other vampires. I didn't share in her excitement, all I felt was a terrible stomach pain thinking about seeing Xander again. Fabio opened the door and he was right, everyone was in the kitchen or living room talking and drinking. Their was an assortment of food on the table and I already knew the chef.
"You're back!!" Eva came running and embraced me in a bear hug. Julian and Isabella followed and hugged me as well. I turned to look for Anna and saw her holding hands with Caleb. Well I have a lot to catch up on. She came over and gave me a sweet hug.
"I'll tell you about it later" Anna whispered in my ear and giggled. I scanned the room and Xander was no where to be found. My heart dropped to my stomach.

The others continued to talk to Dedra about what it was like in the council and her power. I sat down in the living room and sipped at the wine Ruby had brought over to me. Eva sat down next to me and gave out a sigh.
"He's upstairs" my head shot up and placed the wine down and walked with a fast pace to the stairs and when no one looked I sped up to his door. I put a hand up to knock but hesitated. Maybe I should wait till he's ready to come out. But no matter what I ached to see him again and have him hold me in his arms. I'll just wait.

To keep my sanity I talked with the others and ended up serving myself another glass of wine. The funny thing is I never liked wine as a human, maybe your taste buds change as a vampire. I walked over to talk to Dedra but stumbled as I tried to sit up but it wasn't the wine. The ringing in my head returned and I gripped the sides of my head. I collapsed on the carpet. Dedra sped over to me and everyone's attention was on me.
"Shhh...." Dedra said soothingly. She laid me down and put my head in her lap. I squirmed at the pain and she closed her eyes. After a few seconds the ringing faded away. I sat up and rubbed at the blood from my ears.
"How did you do that?"
"By reading your mind, I can control the part of the pain"
"That's amazing" she stood up and helped me to my own two feet.
"You should get some rest, we start your training early morning" I nodded.
"I'll show you to your room" Fabio said as Dedra followed out of the living room. Everyone dispersed to their rooms or helped Eva clean the kitchen.

I walked upstairs to my room and Xander's door slightly opened and I looked up. I caught a small glance of his face but the door shut immediately. I let out the breathe, I didn't realize I was holding.

I toppled over to the bed and stared at the ceiling. He hates me. I may love him but he hates me. How could I have been so stupid to think this man/monster could love me?

Xander is unlovable and I was dumb enough to love him.