Lila's Choice

Chapter 12

Vampires are not required to sleep during the day, so there are always people walking about the complex any time of day or night.  I walk past some of the shops owned by the night sleepers, vampires that conduct their lives the way they did when they were mortal, awake by day and sleeping at night; glancing at the window displays but too distracted to focus on what is in front of me.  Suddenly, I feel a hand on my shoulder.  I spin around to see who it is, expecting to find an overzealous newborn, surprised that I did not hear anyone approach.  

It is Aurelio I find standing there.  “My Lila.  What is wrong? You seem so preoccupied.”  His voice is laced with concern.  “It is not like you to be up this early.  You were always one of my children of the night, preferring to sleep during the daylight hours so you are free to roam the streets at night.”

“Oh it’s nothing really.  I just couldn’t sleep.”  He gives me a look that lets me know he doesn’t believe me, but doesn’t press the issue.

“Alright.  But if you feel like you need someone to talk to, I am always here for you, my Lila.”  I look at him and try to smile, but instead I can feel warm tears run down my face.  He pulls me into his chest and wraps me in a hug.

After a moment, I pull myself together.  “I’m sorry.  I do not know where that came from.”  I wipe the last of the tears from my eyes.  He says nothing, just watches me, waiting for me to go on as we begin walking again.  “Did you know that Jack paid me a visit last night?”

“Did he now,” he says, looking straight ahead at nothing in particular.

“He accused me of stealing the project from him so that I can spend more time with Mr. Belo.  I warned you that this would happen, sir.  He is irrational.  He still behaves like a lovesick teenager, acting on impulse alone.  That can be very dangerous for us all.”

“Yes, you were right, my Lila.  I can no longer deny that he will one day go too far and put us all in jeopardy.  We will deal with Jack when the time comes.”  He stops walking and looks down at me.  “Are you sure that is all you wish to discuss?” he asks.

“What do you mean?”

“My Lila.  As much as I know how Jack frustrates you, I also know that you are tough and do not allow his words to reach your soul and upset you so.  They are merely annoying gnats buzzing around your head.  There must be something more that troubles you.”

“Well, after my confrontation with Jack, I had a vivid nightmare.  I don’t know if there is any meaning in it, but it bothers me somehow.” I confide in him.

I explain the nightmare to him in great detail.  Not just what I saw and what happened, but how it made me feel, the fear and the anger that it prompted.  

I am back at the ball, dancing with a masked Julian, but I feel like I am being watched.  Off in the corner, I see Thad.  A wounded look is on his face, his sad gaze following our every movement.  I can feel his pain from halfway across the room and it breaks my heart, but I can’t bring myself to leave the comfort and security of Julian’s arms.  There is an invisible force binding us together and I have no desire to resist it.