A Sealed Fate (Watty's 2017)

22. Christmas day

Tricia fluttered her eyes opened and groaned softly. The bed was empty but she was naked. Tricia sat up and rubbed her eyes. "What happen last night?" She mumbled as Vladimir walked in from the bathroom. "Good morning sunshine." He smiled as Tricia stared at him. "Why am I naked?"

Vladimir stifled laughter. "I was trying to get you changed and you said, and I quote! 'It's to hot to wear cloths'" he sat on the bed with his back to her. She did have her panties on at least. She moved and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Vladimir stiffened feeling her body against his.

Tricia leaned forward, kissing his cheek. "And you didn't do anything naughty to me?" She'd ask kissing his cheek. He smiled and turned to kiss her lips softly. "My sweet, I'm a gentleman." Tricia raised an eyebrow in suspicion, then gave a laugh. "You totally fondled me in my sleep." And with that said got off the bed. Vladimir rolled his eyes, "don't want fondled, don't sleep naked." He hollered and escaped the room.

Tricia giggled pulling on a red dress with white fluff around the collar. She pulled on the ankle boots and escaped down to breakfast.

The others must've been out hunting. The dining room was empty and bare. A maid brought a plate of food out for Tricia. "If I may ask..." "No, you may not." The maid interjected and walked off. Tricia sighed picking at the food. She suddenly didn't feel like eating. She placed her napkin on the plate and walked to the living area. Nobody.

"For a day of being together. I feel slightly left out." She mumbled and walked to her room to find her art supplies. She gathered it up and made her way to the gardens.

Tricia felt a wave of loneliness crawl through her skin. She found a bench that wasn't covered in snow, and took a seat for herself. The air was oddly warm, the sun made the snow sparkle like diamonds.

She decided that she wanted to draw, but what to draw. She tapped her drawing pencil against the pad... Scribbles. Surely all the great artist get blocked up, and scribbles surely help. She began just scribbling away. Using different colors and blending them.

She laughed at the finished work. "It looks like a unicorn puked on your paper." Came a sweet voice. Tricia turned to see Victoria with her head tilted sideways. "Van Gogh would be proud I'm sure." Came Vanessa's voice next. "Where's the guys at?" Tricia asked trying to peek around Vanessa. "We go after smaller animals, the boys tend to go after the Bears in the mountains." Vanessa urged Victoria inside, taking a seat beside Tricia on the bench.

"You are quite talented, have you ever though of selling your work?" Vanessa flipped through one of the other art books. "I'm not Van Gogh. He had talent. Me? I'm just a wannabe." Tricia smiled and shrugged. Vanessa raised an eyebrow. "This kind of detail, dear. I don't believe the one earred fool could do that." Tricia blushed and hugged her knees close to her chest. "I am sorry." Vanessa sighed closing the art book. Tricia tilted her head, as Vanessa smiled half way. "I'm sorry for everything. I guess my jealousy got the better of me. I admit I was a tad jealous of Sarah even." Vanessa patted the art book in her lap. Tracing her fingers over the cover. "Sarah got to remain as a human, while Victor turned me without my consent. He said he couldn't love a human, that they were weak, and break easily."

She paused and looked to Tricia. "Humans are stronger than any vampire I know. They're resilient and persistent. They're almost perfect. But they're definitely beautiful." Tricia furrowed her brows. "How are humans beautiful?" She'd ask tilting her head. Vanessa smiled. "Humans are beautiful, because they're so flawed. They are broken. It's a tragic beautiful, really." Vanessa paused and yawned slightly. "Beautifully broken, yet whole. I can see why he wouldn't wish to taint you." Vanessa spoke riddles, Tricia thought about it. But couldn't see it.