The Last Corvus (completed)

Ch. 6 Isadora

Chapter 6

Isadora

I open the door just as Robert, my neighbor, is about to knock again; knuckles facing me, poised at neck level.

Standing aside, I let him into the war zone-esque living room. With his help I right the love seat; of which he takes advantage of by sprawling languidly in the middle, taking up the only two available seats in the room.

"So, Deedee, I just came over to say happy birthday. How is it that you're always three months older than me?" That joke got old about a hundred years ago but I've never had the heart to tell him. He laughs at his own joke, revealing his lopsided dimples.

"Thanks, Rob. I haven't seen you in a while, how have you been? How's school? You're a... senior this year, right?" Picking up the lime green pillows that in my opinion totally clash with the lavender couch (two words: Aunt Molly), I toss one at his head and the other at his stomach.

Okay, apparently my aim's improved, too. They at least made it in the same direction of the couch. He catches them both deftly with a quiet exclamation of annoyance, followed by a barely stifled groan.

Turning from the kitchen doorway, I see his pained expression. "Oh, get a grip. It can't be that bad, can it?"

He speaks again just as I'm beginning to be concerned. "I would just like to point out the fact that it's completely unfair that you got to graduate early because of Molly's death.

"But you're right, I really shouldn't be complaining. I mean, Brit and I are celebrating six months in a few days, and she's absolutely amazing. Plus I finally made varsity team captain. It's just... classes are torture! I'm practically failing chemistry and English ain't much better."

I know he played the bad grammar card just to annoy me, and I try not to show how much it does. I'm reminded of my ex-boyfriends: all two of them, neither of which lasted more than a month. Yeah, get this; apparently guys don't like it when you constantly correct their grammar. Who knew, right? If you don't want your grammar critiqued... Don't have bad grammar! It's not rocket science! Maybe if I find a rocket scientist... Pft! Good luck with that, self!

"Why haven't you asked for help yet? You know those were my best subjects."

There's a knock at the door followed by a timid second. I ask Rob to get it due to my hands being full of the shards from a broken lamp. "Sorry I took so long, I had to go get something," Linden says as Rob steps back and lets him in. They give each other a once over and Rob, deeming Linden not a threat, returns to sprawling on the couch. "I had to wait for the train. When she wakes up she'll be too far away to come back immediately. We need to sort of hurry, she could run the whole way and be back in half an hour."

It's weird how almost second nature our telepathy is becoming. I motion for him to sit with my elbow and he squeezes into the small space not taken up by Rob's lounging.

"Oh, how rude of me. Linden, this is Robert Bedevere the third, my neighbor and brother for all intents and purposes. Robby, this is Linden... St. Morrisette, my friend from, uh, work." They shake hands and it goes well until their guy instinct kicks in and they start a who-can-sneeze-harder contest. This would be very entertaining if it wasn't for the fact that Linden could pulverize Rob's whole hand without even really trying.

Snapping my fingers loudly, I give them both a stern look and they separate almost begrudgingly. Rob seems unusually annoyed that I introduced him to Linden first, and honestly I have no idea why I did.

Linden shifts uncomfortably. "Talk to him, he won't bite. Well, not if you don't bite him first." I know from experience. My eleventh birthday party comes to mind. "Are you okay? You seem kind of tense."

"I'm fine. I just haven't been around a human in so long. I basically only interact with them when I have to ..."

"Feed?"

"Well, yeah. I know that sounds awful, but it's true. I spend most of my time in the complex, only leaving when I have to feed or run an errand for Doctor Jones. By the way, you're taking the whole vampire thing surprisingly well. I thought you would have run away when I told you yesterday. Then you surprise everyone by giving blood to vampires! You have no idea how dangerous that was!"

"Please tell me you're not hungry."

"No, I ate a week ago. I'm good for a few more days."

"Good, that's... comforting." The idea of him killing someone makes me squirm. He looks at me and I give a small gasp. "Your eyes, they're going back to red. Did you bring extra contacts?" He nods and excuses himself to the bathroom.

Turning to let him go by, we lock eyes for a second and a shiver shoots up my spine. Turning back to Rob, "hey, do you mind being alone for a while? I have to pack."

Folding his arms over his chest he looks at me, around the living room, and then back at me incredulously.

"Fine. You can help; we'll start in here." Going back to the upstairs hallway, I return with the boxes and a roll of packing tape. He hears me return and turns away from the window, dropping the curtain back into place as if it were on fire. I wonder what he was looking at with such awe in his eyes. "Nothing," he says as I hand him a box and get started on the (now half empty) bookshelves.

I wonder how he knew what I was going to ask. Are my powers spreading to humans now? No, that can't be. I've been trying to send him messages the whole time he's been here, to no avail. Really stupid stuff like, 'I want ice cream' and 'your nose is crooked.' He hasn't so much as blinked in confusion.

"So... What's going on between you two?"

"What do you mean?"

"You and what's his name? Linden. You and Linden seem pretty tight. I can tell he likes you and I've only been around him a matter of minutes."

I'm utterly shocked. Linden likes me? Feeling myself start to blush, I try to turn away before he sees me. He lets out a loud guffaw and I know I was too late. "Shut up," I mumble as I try to calm down.

"Hey, guys, what I miss?" Lin turns the corner and almost walks into me. I stand and push against his chest in one movement, sending him flying down the hall and slamming against the stairs. What did I do?!

I rush to him, "are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. How did you do that?"

"I don't know! I'm so much stronger and more coordinated than I was. Do you think its part of being a half vampire?"

"Most likely. We'll try to research it once we get back to the Complex."

"Hey, what was that noise?" Rob rounds the corner into the hall, sees us sitting on the stairs, and gives a knowing smirk. He walks towards us and reaches his hand out for Linden, who then grabs my hand, and he pulls us both up. How long has my hand been resting on his knee? Did Rob see it; is that why he smirked?

Why do I care, it's not like Linden actually likes me (even despite what Rob says), right? No, of course he doesn't, and I don't like him either! He's a vampire for crying out loud! Don't listen to Robert; he's just trying to annoy the living daylights out of you. Unfortunately he's succeeding with flying colors!

"Hey, I'm good, man. Just tripped and hit my head." He rubs the back of his head for emphasis and Rob pats his shoulder sympathetically, obviously trying to decide whether or not to accept the blatant lie. He does and they walk back to the living room together. Ah, male bonding.