Xeranthemum (Discontinued)

Chapter 9

Delphinium- infinite possibilities

~Kira~

Being drained by a vampire is not a pleasant experience. Being called a "little pet" by said vampire, is an even worse experience. Being trapped inside a stupid mansion with said vampire at every corner, is the worst experience a natural hunter like myself could ever have.

But I was without my katana, and something told me he wouldn't fall for the nutcracker a second time. So I was basically a defenseless bloodbag. When I came back to consciousness I wanted nothing more then to go back to that peaceful state of oblivion. Instead I had found Luna hovering over me like a lost kitten.

I wanted to pretend that I was still asleep, but Luna seemed to be the clairvoyant type who knew that I was not actually unconscious anymore.

"I'm sorry, Kira." She whispered. "This was all my fault."

Her voice was choked and strained, as though she had been crying. That was a pretty big feat for her. She was usually the unmovable rock when it came to emotions. But something had changed in her. Something had broken, had cracked and damaged the rock. It was hard to tell whether that was for better or for worse.

Had the rock cracked to reveal bright sapphire gems, or had the rock cracked to reveal sandstone, crumbling away from the inside out?

"Its fine Luna." My voice was hoarse and my thoat was dry and sore. I didn't talk to her afterwards. She kept apologising for things that were out of her control. Sure it was something I had always liked about her, but right now I was suffering from my greatest embarassment. I didn't want to hear the words sorry. I wanted to drag a knife across Ryan's neck.

It took two days for me to recover from the blood loss. Two days of intense dizzyness and pins-and-needles.

By the second day I was so fed up of being in that room that I just got up and walked out.

I wondered the halls of Adrian's mansion looking for something to destroy. Part of me hoped I could find something to fight- something to kill. I wondered down passage after passage until I reached a passage that smelt different.

I could smell old blood that someone had attempted to clean up. It smelt... It smelt like Luna...

I closed my eyes and pictured the events that had happened. A demon child, Luna, Adrian and then rage.

It was odd. Why would Adrian allow a darkened soul into his home? Darkened souls were not known to get along well with vampires. There was something very wrong going on in this house. I could smell it.

"Little pet." Ryan's suprised voice emanated from behind me.

He was another enigma I just couldn't place. He didn't smell like Adrian. Vampires that were close usually had a similar odour. He smelt like... Smoke?

I was lost in thought and didn't notice him moving closer behind me until his arms wrapped around me. My body tensed and I could feel the tickle of his sweet breath against my neck as he buried his face in my hair.

"Who are you?" I asked trying to pretend he had no effect on me.

His reply was a short chuckle followed by; "Your darkest nightmare."

I shoved him off of me and turned so that we were standing face-to-face. I looked him in his blood red eyes. He stared into my gaze in fascination, obviously unused to having eye contact that wasn't broken.

"Fine, let me rephrase. Why are you here and what are you planning." My eyes narrowed to emphasise my suspicion of him.

The humour leaked out of his eyes and was replaced by an emotion I couldn't name.

"To make sure your nightmares stay dreams."

He turned away from me disappearing into the shadows of the corridor.

"What do you mean?" I shouted, but it was too late. He had already left.

My colourful curses echoed throughout the empty corridors surrounding me. This place was a mansion of secrets. The monsters within in it were decieving and strange. Monsters usually killed problems. I was pretty sure Luna and I counted as problems.

Sighing I left my aimless wondering hoping to find something that actually made sense.

~~~

I screamed as the hand whipped forwards hitting me square in the face.

"Not again!" I whimpered in pain.

His leering face curled up in a disgusted snarl. His fists clenched tightly.

"You can't do anything, can you!?" His voice was an enraged scream.

"No!" My voice was pathetic and raw. The tears stung my eyes as I tried to choke back my sobs.

But he was right. I was never able to do anything correctly. I was clumsy and stupid and pathetic and he enjoyed every second of it.

"Stop it! Stop saying those words!"

My hands raked across my face with zealousness. Maybe I could cut out my uselessness. Maybe I could bleed away my pathetic excuse for a life. My nails dug in harder and I screamed.

The man's leering face turned from disgust to fear. Why? Why was he looking at me like that?

~~~

"Kira!"

It was Luna's voice that snapped me from my thoughts.

"Yes?" I replied, not bothering to move from my comfortable position in the library chair.

"There you are." Luna said smiling. She was upside down in my feild of vision and smiling impishly.

"What do you want?" I asked her, allowing tiredness and suspicion to enter my voice.

"I want you to get off your lazy ass and come swimming with me!" She exclaimed.

As much as I absolutely loved swimming, I wasn't sure now was the best time. My thoughts were so pre-occupied with the past, the present and the uncertain future.

"There's a pool here?" I couldn't help my interest. Water was calming. Water supported you and allowed you to block out the world. The ripples and fragmented light that could be seen at the bottom of a pool looking up, was simply breath taking.

But no, I didn't want to go right now... Did I? It might be a good distraction.

"Yes." Luna answered brightly.

I sat a few minutes thinking about it.

"But I don't have a costume..."

"Oh, you don't need to worry about that!" She said, taking my statement as affirmation. She grabbed my hand and tugged me after her.

Maybe a swim is what I need after all.

A.N

I appreciate any and all feedback. (Especially about whether you like the little flower meanings at the begginning) Thank you for reading my story, I appreciate it.