Shadows

Chapter Two - Gregori's Point of View

I sometimes hate being a vampire. Everybody thinks that being a vampire is a bed of roses, and its not. Vampiric politics are worse than human politics, and if you don't believe me look at some of your most confounding laws. In all likelihood, some vampire helped write them.

I had lost hope of ever finding a wife. I dated many women over my several lifetimes, and I refused to marry them all. I will only marry once, and only to my destined woman. Centuries passed, and, unfortunately, I am still alone.

I have asked seers over the centuries about the woman I would marry, and all I was ever told was that it would be a witch that was born with Shadow Magic. Natural born Shadow Magic in witches are exceedingly rare. I kept an ear to the ground for the Shadow Mage I will marry.

Twenty years ago, I found out about a Shadow Mage being born. I went to see if by some miracle it was my fated wife. When I finally arrived, I felt the stirrings of a bond. I had found her, but I was caught by the girl's grandmother. I looked into the woman's eyes and she smiled knowingly. I had always respected Vanessa, and she knew what I was and how I tied into her grandchild.

I had found my beloved wife. I vowed that she would want for nothing and she would be protected. I bowed to Vanessa, and stepped into the shadows where I watched the child through the night. I have watched her ever since without her ever knowing.

My name is Gregori Blackstone. I am a vampire, and I have seen centuries of human life. I was turned when wooden ships still sailed the seas. I am also a master of Shadow Magic.

Vanessa's death at the age of 103 truly shocked me, and I was surprised at how resilient her granddaughter, Minerva, was to the death. I watched in horror as Vanessa's house was stripped bare by greedy relatives, and how mistreated her sixteen year old granddaughter was. Emotions I thought long buried resurfaced at the mistreatment, but I finally learned the name of her mother.

I also learned the names of various other members of her family. The one who stayed the longest was called Jonathan, and from what I could tell he was consumed by greed. Bob is an officer whom I know well, and I was able to ask him to watch Minerva's house while I went to do some business elsewhere.

I found out from Bob that Minerva had a protection order and a tresspass order out on Jonathan. I also found out that Minerva was trying to obtain information about her father. All she had was a donation number from a sperm bank in Tennessee. I took up the cause as well.

A couple of months passed before I was able to get the following information:

Tennessee Donor Registry

Donor Number: 1249772

Name: James Clark

Address: 243 Summer Lane, Nashville TN

Age: 33

Race: White

Species: Human

I did some further research into James Clark, and found that he had passed away at 36 in a car accident. I kept the file, and decided to give the information to Minerva upon officially meeting her.

I went home and rested after obtaining the information. I had asked Bob if he would watch Minerva for me for a stipend each month. He agreed and sent me monthly reports. Minerva was healthy, content, and had found work in a small law office. I did what I could from a distance to guard her, a silent sentinel.

One night, four years later, my phone rang and it was Bob. "Gregori, I have a monthly report, and some news. Which do you want first?"

"News then report please." I responded.

"The weather around Dawnford is bad. We are having more storm and tornado activity than usual this year. Murkshore and Science City have already been hit, and Boomtown is reporting tornado damage as well. No tornadoes have hit Dawnford yet, but we have massive flooding. Minerva has been at home for nearly a week due to flooding. She seems to be doing alright for the moment." Bob gave his report.

"I will be down in the next few days. Thank you, and please keep me posted on the weather."

"Will do! Bye Gregori." the line disconnected, and I began packing. She was not going to face the weather alone.

The trip from Moonlight to Dawnford is about five hours via the interstate. It took longer to drive due to the roads being flooded the closer to Dawnford I drove. I finally made it into Dawnford, and went to see Minerva.

Her house was dark when I arrived, and I used my own magic to shadow step close to her bedroom window. It must have frightened her because I suddenly heard music with my enhanced hearing. I then heard the sounds of her getting up and I shadow stepped to another window. I watched as she turned on the TV and found something brainless to watch. She was asleep again within two hours.

I was now content that she was safe. I went to the property I owned in the city and slept. I began keeping a silent vigil over her again. I knew when she was out of the house a week and a half later.

My phone rang as I was beginning to wake up for the night. I answered to hear Bob's voice floating through the phone.

"Gregori, she is out of the house. She's asked me to keep an eye on the place as Jonathan is back in town. She is worried about it"

"Jonathan? Her cousin Jonathan Coldstone?" I ask confused.

"Yes! I just got a call from her. I was by the clinic today and heard Evelyn Brightlight arguing with him about living in her house." Bob told me frustration evident in his voice.

"Where did she go?" I ask as I pull out clothing to dress in.

"I do not know, but Coldstone is known for his greed, Gregori. He resented Minerva getting her grandmother's house." Bob said.

"If anyone deserves Vanessa's house its her granddaughter. I will find Minerva. Please keep an eye on her house." I say.

"I will. I hate that cold-hearted son of a mule. He can go take a long walk off of a short pier." Bob growled before he disconnected.

'You really don't like him.' I thought as I dressed quickly.

I left and went to find Minerva. It took almost two hours before I finally tracked her down at a bookstore. She was leaving as I arrived, and she ran into me.

"I am so sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going." She said in a soft voice.

She stepped back and looked up into my eyes. I saw something deep within her eyes glow. She seemed lost in my eyes as well. She finally stepped back further.

"Please don't apologize. I understand. A good book and the prospect of reading it in a comfortable spot is distracting." I say softly.

She reacted by giving me a soft shy smile. I could have died happy with her giving me that smile. She waved goodbye, and left me standing there rooted to the spot.

I could immediately tell that she was a Shadow Mage. She unconsciously made herself part of the background. I may be the first person to truly see behind the veil she hides in. Her black eyes were beautiful pools of obsidian. She was a natural brunette with absolutely gorgeous hair that caught the light in an attractive way.

She was of an average build, but with just enough curves to tease. In a word, beautiful. I stared blankly at the rows of bookcases lost in a daze. Then I again see her soft shy smile. I walk over to the café, and order a tea. I sit and drink the beverage as I contemplate life.

A small side note here. Yes, vampires primarily drink blood. However, vampires occasionally get cravings for other drinks. You can liken it to a person that drinks only plain water getting a soda. Its something different for a change of pace.

I finish my tea, and leave the bookstore. I go to Minerva's house, and I can see immediately that something is wrong. Minerva's car is parked in the driveway, and cop cars are lining the street. I step out of my own vehicle, and walk over to Bob's place.

He is sitting on his porch with a "smokey treat" in one hand, and a bottle of beer in the other. I roll my eyes at the cancer stick.

"May I have a seat?" I ask politely.

"Yup. I have news about Minerva." Bob said blowing smoke into the air.

"What happened?" I ask trying to keep the fear out of my voice.

"She got home and Jonathan was sitting on her porch with a gun. Cold-hearted son of a mule snuck past me. I called the cops, and they arrested him. I don't rightly know what all they are gonna charge him with, but I do know at least one charge. Violation of his protective order."

I am about to ask another question when a soft alto

speaks from the shadows. "Thank you for calling the police, Bob. I really appreciate it."

"You are very welcome, Minerva. I knew something was wrong when you didn't park your car in the garage. I just didn't know it was that son of a mule." Bob told her.

"Oh, I am sorry. I didn't see your friend. I just wanted to say thank you, Bob."

"Minerva, why don't you go stay with your momma tonight? It may be safer for you. At least there's another person in the house."

"I think I will. Thanks again." she turned and left.

Bob turned to me with a raised eyebrow. "Cat got your tongue, Gregori?" he snickered.

I just nod in agreement as I watch her car drive away. I will patrol her house tonight, and make sure there are no other nasty surprises for her. Bob seems to read my mood, and stays quiet as well. We sit like that for a long time before I say my goodbyes, and I start patrolling her house.

It takes me until dawn to search high and low for another nasty surprise at Minerva's house, and I find none. I leave and make it home as the sun is just cresting the horizon. I had noticed that the house next door was for sale, and I decided against inquiring about the price.

I awaken at dusk and prepare myself for another night. I check my phone (who doesn't have a cellphone these days?) to see a missed call, a voice mail, and a text. I check the text first and its a message from Bob. "Call Me!"

I check the voice-mail and its from Bob as well. "Hey when you get this, I need you to call me."

I call Bob to find out what was so important that he called me and texted me to call him. "Bob, its Gregori. You wanted me to call you?"

"Yes. Have you seen the news yet?" Bob asked with trepidation.

"No, I haven't. Why?"

"Turn the news on, and be seated when you do. I will stay on the line."

I flip on the TV and listen to the breaking news report. "Evelyn Brightlight, the renound healer, and her daughter Minerva Nightshade are in the hospital in critical condition. Police are investigating the causes that put the two women in the hospital. If anyone has any information please call the Texarkana police or Crime Stoppers."

"Bob, what do you know? Unofficially?"

"That if Minerva had not shielded herself and her mother with Shadow Magic, both would be dead." Bob said quietly.