One blood.

Reunited?

Time stands still for the longest of time; i step back in Amelie's embrace and look up into her face; i cannot comprehend the fact she is standing before me; whole and alive.

'My dearest Anastasia.' She whispers running a finger down my cheek. 

'Ma'am? The receptionist says.

'Leave us!' Amelie snaps; both the young receptionist and Chief Moses move off through the doors into the ante-room. 

'Your alive.' I murmur, feeling a genuine happiness building inside of me.

'Oh alive, but all the more whole now your before me.' 

The only person left in the room is another vampire; a man with a severe love of dark clothes and a wicked looking leather duster jacket; his hair is salt and pepper, a dark brown with a array of white sprinkles. I look to him and see a soft smile appear on his lips. Amelie looks behind her shoulder and smiles. 

'This is my sweet is Oliver; Oliver of Heidelberg.' The softness of her voice startles me; as does the soft smile they are exchanging.

'This is Oliver?' I ask.

'Yes, my dear- the one and only.'

'Well from what i know of you, and the trouble you caused i'm gratified to meet you.' I smile, giving him a polite curtsy.

'Dearest Anastasia the pleasure is all mine.' He bows low and captures my hand in his, kissing my knuckles softly. 'Although i am very humbled that you remember me, after so many years.' 

'I thank you, and Oliver even among us you were always very much a warrior of bloodshed...that's somewhat hard to forget.' I smile at him as he rises.

'Alas times have changed, as I am for our Founder and your sister; i am forever at your service dear lady.' He bends to one knee, lowering his head placing his fist over his heart.

I take a deep breath, feeling myself taking back to many a life time ago; as if removed from my own modern body i rest my hand upon his head; and with an authority in my voice that i have not used since the time of Queen Victoria i accept his loyalty; feeling marginally under-dressed for such an occasion. 

-

'You can't sir...sir!' I hear the receptionists gentle cries of alarm seconds before the doors i threatened to break are broken open; swinging back wildly on the hinges; Oliver is already down in a crouch before myself and Amelie; but he slowly rises and steps out of the way of the little ornate couch i have been sat on. 

'Of all that is holy and above...' There he stands our eyes lock and i feel the phantom beat of my heart that long ago stopped. I wonder if one can simply fade away if ones dream all come true. We don't blink nor move; I am frozen on the seat; he is frozen in the doorway- the white-faced receptionist absolutely beyond harassed. I don't know how long we stare into each-other's eyes; but for a long stretch we watch and look and take in every ounce of living that is the other; every part that i know we both thought we would never see again. After some time he walks forward directly to the couch; and drops to one knee; bowing his head; fisting his hand over his heart.

'My beautiful lady; how i failed you...i was supposed to protect you; save you, keep you away from harm and yet i failed all too completely; i bow before you purely for forgiveness, forgive me my sins my lady...' He doesn't look up and i feel my cold heart break, shatter like ice. 

'My warrior...' I whisper. 'You did not fail me, if you had stood in his way you would have fallen, you would be gone...I have nothing to forgive; you have not a sin for me on your conscience- look at me.' He dutifully raises his head, looking me in the eyes and I could be hundreds of years back, when we courted with delicate sweetness.