A/N: And we are back baby! Until the weekend that is lol.
But I do have to say the last couple of day were a nightmare, I really hate taking tests...
[Blood Diary Entry]
Rebekah seemed to take it all very well, as indicated by her cheery smile.
While I don't fully understand why she is so fixated on being near me, I must admit that I don't find the idea unpleasant.
Normally, I would have to walk on eggshells around her, not because she poses a risk to my continued existence—which she doesn't—but because she poses a risk to Mother's safety.
Despite all of that, I actually feel that keeping her by my side would be beneficial—nay, scratch that—I NEED to keep her by my side. Not because she is attractive, which she is… but my kid brain doesn't seem to be able to react to that, or because I liked a fictional depiction of her that may be superficial and totally inaccurate. But because I feel something in me calling to her, like she said before. It feels as if I could close my eyes and still be able to know exactly where she is.
"So where were you planning on going?" Rebekah's voice drew me out from my musings. Though it made sense for her to ask my mother that, she was looking at me, and I unconsciously responded.
"We were planning on visiting family, probably to lay low, but I don't really think that it's feasible with you around now." Rebekah's eyes narrowed to me, while Mom looked at me curiously, seemingly allowing me to take charge. She was more than content in letting me handle the ancient vampire.
"And what do you mean by that, kid?" The way she enunciated the last word somehow irked me, and a vein popped in my forehead.
"I mean, you are not exactly subtle, you know? You draw attention to yourself without much effort." Rebekah flashed a small, happy smile, pleased by what I said. Mother, though, just raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "Besides, if I want to practice my abilities, I will need privacy."
Rebekah nodded, and my mother squeezed my hand.
"In that case, I have a perfect place in mind." Rebekah clapped her hands together.
I tilted my head in curiosity.
"A property I personally own in Norway, a quaint little place, really. Though if I know my brother, it was neglected during my slumber, so we would have to do some cleaning."
Mother spoke up before I could. "Europe? You want us to go to Europe?"
Rebekah just looked her way and asked in a cold bossy tone. "Any problem with that?"
Mother's heart skipped a beat, and she lowered her head and asked in a hushed voice. "No…"
'Sigh… Seems I'll have to do it after all…'
This time, I squeezed Mother's hand, and I narrowed my eyes and could feel them heating up as I stared at Rebekah. "Rebekah," my voice echoed in a cold tone and caught her attention, "you are a guest, you want to be part of my life for whatever purposes-"
"I told you I-" She tried to interrupt me, but as my eyes glowed brighter, she decided to stay quiet.
"While I do not mind your presence and so far, you have been nothing but enjoyable company, you WILL NOT under any circumstances threaten, intimidate, or harm my mother." My face started twitching and contorting, and by Mother's expression, it wasn't anything pretty to look at. Mom clutched my clothes, worried about a fight that could break out at any moment, but I could also see her prideful expression.
"Is that so?" Rebekah asked with a calm voice, her face not betraying any of her thoughts.
Still, I pushed forward as I needed to set some ground rules, lest she walk all over me. She is loyal and a pretty humane girl for a vampire, but that is for those whom she respects or cares for. Mother is neither of those, while I am up for debate.
"It is so. If even a single hair on her head gets harmed by you, I don't care if I make an enemy of your family. I will destroy you. Simple as that." Rebekah smiled coldly, and Mother's heart started beating frantically.
"And you think you can do that?" I didn't even need to think to answer her question.
"I can." My voice sounded wrong, far older and more monstrous than it was supposed to be.
The room was thick with tension; the air was still under sheer pressure.
Her cold face broke out in a smile, one far more genuine than what she had shown me so far. Her eyes held pride and newfound respect.
'Got her,' I thought quietly.
But hiding under the surface, I could see a glint of madness and an obsession that I couldn't really comprehend.
"That is a good attitude to have, Darian. I respect you for that." She nodded to her own words. "But I would be careful with it as well, because if you were talking to one of my brothers, things would have turned ugly really fast."
I laughed a bit, my voice and face going back to their 'natural' state. "Yeah, but you are not your brothers, are you, Rebekah?"
She smirked.
"Indeed, I am not." She paused for a moment, her eyes studying mine. "But I must say I am quite tempted to see if you can make good on your words."
Grinning mischievously, I answered her deranged question. "Isn't that why you are here, asking for permission to stalk me, Miss Stalker?"
Her eyes widened, and she blinked confusedly. By my side, Mother was barely holding in her laughter.
"You- You- I-" She opened and closed her mouth, not really knowing what to say to me.
I burst out laughing. "You should see yourself right now, Rebekah. HaHaHa!"
A vein popped in her temple.
"You're getting mighty comfortable around me, aren't you?" At that, I just raised an eyebrow and flashed a teasing grin.
"Isn't that better for you, Miss Stalker?"
She raised one fist, and her lips thinned into a thin line. I sensed that if I kept on, she would actually attack me, so I raised my hands in surrender.
Rebekah lowered her fist, but her eyes kept narrow.
Before I could apologize or just change the course of the conversation, Mom just grabbed my ear and pulled with as much strength as she could muster. For a second, I thought she would rip off the damn thing.
"Stop teasing our guest, Darian. I taught you better than this." She almost screamed in my ear.
"Ow, ow! Okay, okay, Mom. Stop pulling my ear, you're going to rip it off."
"I ought to do it. Miss Rebekah is trying to help us, and you are poking fun at her."
"I am sorry, now can you let go, Mom?"
"Humph!" Mother harumphed and let me go.
Meanwhile, Rebekah watched us with a warm smile, but I could see—and somehow sense?!—the pain beneath that smile.