Shadowkissed (A Hemlock Grove fan fiction)

life when you're not alive

His next visit is to Olivia. She is watering a thriving hibiscus plant when he comes barreling in through the double doors of the greenhouse, and without turning around she murmurs in a low voice, “Oh, Johann. You’d best calm yourself, because I am not in the best of temperaments this afternoon.”

“Well, it isn’t going to improve any with what I’m about to tell you.” Johann takes a deep breath. “Olivia, your son is fraternizing with Ivana. He’s caught her attention. She’s planning something, I just know it, and she’s going to use your son to help her get it.”

A long silence stretches between them. Finally, after what seems like hours, Olivia turns to face him with blazing eyes. “Not possible,” she hisses. “And of all people, Johann, why Roman?”

“Why not?” he demands. “Roman isn’t exactly subtle. Olivia, that girl is one of the most dangerous Upirs in history. You said so yourself that she nearly killed you, but as far as I can tell you never got a visual on her death.”

Olivia sees in her mind’s eye the young, dark-haired beauty that had been her rival for so long.  Once upon a time they had been friends, but there hasn’t been a time like that for many years. God save us all if Ivana is hungry for blood and destruction. “She’s dead to me.”

“But obviously not dead enough for the rest of us.” Johann exhales irritably. “How long has it been since you’ve seen one another?”

She breathes, “Centuries. She was gypsy trash when she came into her own, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t become strong and powerful in the years since then. She had King Francis I wrapped around her little finger, back when I was in rags and the French Order made the deal with me. Now . . . Well, I’ve got no idea what she’s capable of now.”

Johann contemplates this. “Could it be that she’s targeting Roman in an effort to get to you?”

She shakes her head adamantly. “Not a chance,” she replies. “No one knows I’m still alive; they believe I killed myself, remember? It was the news article you strategically placed. Ivana might have resources, but she’s not a spy.”

“Olivia, she knows about his dreamscaping.”

She doesn’t say anything. Couldn’t if she tried. This, above everything, might be the one thing that tears their entire operation apart. And yet she can’t be any happier to be receiving such incredibly good news. “He’s dreamscaping?” Olivia exhales a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “How remarkable.”

In a fit of frustration Johann’s hand lashes out and collides with a nearby watering can, sending it flying across the room. Olivia watches the movement with impassive eyes. “This is not a time for you to gloat in the victories of your lineage! People are about to die, Olivia. Many people, if your idiot son cannot keep himself together. And Roman will be the first to go. So if you really do give a shit about him, then you might want to figure it out, all right?”

Olivia leans up against the table and looks out to where the sunset is hanging low just above the pines outside. For a moment she sees a flicker of brown and gray in the driveway, a tweed suit here, black rectangular glasses there, but when she blinks the image is gone. She feels stupid for wanting him here in the first place, but his company might give her some peace of mind. Falling in love with humans is such a nasty business.

“I’ll figure something out,” she mutters.

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On the eve of Halloween Roman invites his entire graduating class over for a party. Most of them make it because it’s the start of fall break and everyone who went away for college is back for the holidays, and even a few high schoolers who are interesting enough to run with the big dogs make an appearance. It makes him feel normal for all of five minutes, until he catches himself lusting toward a girl’s wrist. She has her arm draped around his neck and he can’t remember her name, but he can taste the tangy sweetness of her blood though he hasn’t even opened his mouth.