A vampire's princess

Twenty - one

It was a long ride from the airport to Manhattan. Unfortunately the traffic hadn't gotten any better while I was gone.

My bags were carried away as I entered the Palace. I'd lived with my brother there as long as I could remember. He was often gone which meant I got a whole apartment to myself and my friends.

I couldn't help but think of Emma and Mike without almost bursting into tears.

Now that I was back, everything just seemed to become reality.

I hadn't even told Ian yet.

"I know you're legal now but a call would've been nice."

Ian entered the room and hugged me, then Nate , his best friend since before I was even born.

"I just landed. Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"My whole week is scheduled. I didn't even know you'd arrive this week."

I had never really mind his busy schedule but this was different.

I could hear my voice shiver. "Ian, it's important."

He was just about to leave to another business meeting when he looked over his shoulder at me and stopped the elevator. "I'll tell Jack to cancel. Nate, would you mind? I think my sister and I need a moment."

I was waiting for him on the couch when I heard him get himself a glass of whiskey.

"You've been gone for five months. Just three days after you left off I hear everyone is dead except for one, you. I try to reach you, I put all investigators I know on it, no one can find anything. And now, five months later, you come back, look at me and act like all is fine."  He slammed his now empty glass on the table. Clearly all before was just an act being nice.

"Ian, I.."

"Don't even try to speak right now."

I just looked down as I heard him walk around in the living room.

"You don't know what happened."

He looked at me and raised an eyebrow. "Wild animals, they tore them apart. You, on the other hand, nowhere to be found."

"It's not as simple as you think."

"Then tell me. Try to explain to me where you've been the last few months."

"California."

He sighed, then sat down in one of the chairs, then chuckles.

"A woman saved my life, then took care of me until I turned 18. Her family looked after me. I had no cellphone, I couldn't reach you. I was a mess, and now I'm better. That's why I decided to come back. Come back to you, my real family."

He sighed, then finally stopped looking me stern in the eye. He was wearing his suit which made him look more intimitating than he already was.

"You're grounded for the next sixty years. Now unpack your things. You're not leaving until I'll be back."

Before I left for my bags I turned to him, "I will." He gave me a small smile. He never was the nicest person, but he did have a heart, just for a very little amount of people. And I was one of them, at least for now.
----

When he had finally left the apartment, I called Ivy. She was a very good friend of mine and also Nate's younger sister. Instead of giving me a hard time answering all questions, she just came and brought a big bottle of red wine.

"Aly", she ran to me and hugged me tightly, "you have no idea how much I've missed you." She didn't let me go for a long time.

"I missed you to, Iv. It's been crazy. You've heard about the killings?"

"Yes, the whole town has. I still can't believe they're all gone. I'm so happy you got home safe. You don't even want to get me started on Ian. No one ever assumed the cold hearted businessman of this island could care so much. The first few weeks he was unbearable, even Nate couldn't speak to him. It was when they found out your body wasn't there, he started talking to us again. Mayra is also coming over, by the way. We thought it'd be good for you to have some female company."

I smiled thankfully. "I could really use a good night sleep. You two make yourself comfortable just like old times."

"Of course, don't worry about anything. I'll take care of all."

"Thanks, Ivy."

I closed my eyes and loved the feeling of lying in my own bed again.

"You just left without a goodbye kiss?" I heard Nicks voice who seemed extremely real.
I opened my eyes to see him, holding me in my bed. "You're not really here." "But you want me to." I closed my eyes again. I felt a kiss on my forehead, which made my body shiver and I opened my eyes to find Ian looking at me. With my voice sounding more scared than I expected I asked my brother, "Could you please stay with me until I fall asleep?" He nodded and sat on the bed right next to me until I finally drifted off to sleep.
—-

Things have changed enormously since I had left. Ian had become a man who actually cared for someone other than himself.
I, on the other hand, had become so clingy, I needed to get out.

I was glad I had my own wardrobe back. It was the moment I was just finally dressed, Nate walked into my room.

I heard him lock the door when he walked over to me. "This might make you feel a lot more like your old self."

He got his hands under my dress. "Be a good girl now and stay quiet."

After all this time I had forgotten what his touch felt like. This old secret wouldn't make any difference anyway. Just then a little moan escaped my lips, and I heard his raspy voice in my ear, "hm yes, there you go, love."