The Stars Above Us

Chapter 27

You walked into the room, where you immediately spotted Ramsay sitting next to his father. He nodded at the seat across from him, indicating you to sit. You gave a quick glance around the table, but all the remaining empty seats didn't seem a better prospect. You sat in the chair.

Well, at least I'm only a few seats away from Ned Stark. You thought to yourself as a server motioned to fill your glass. You tried to avoid looking at Ramsay, who had no shame in staring at you across the table. His gaze made you feel uncomfortable, but it also made you feel a great deal of other things as well, especially in your stomach area. You felt your heart racing and willed it to stop. You looked up to see Ramsay still staring at you, with that damned wicked grin.

Roose Bolton made a noise in his throat. "Ramsay. That's enough. You're scaring the poor girl." It was a whispered threat. Ramsay clucked, annoyed and took a drink from his glass.

Really?! VAMPRIES! You thought with distaste as someone took a seat beside you. You looked over to see Sansa, and smiled at her. She smiled at you before looking daggers at Ramsay, who chuckled.

"You look lovely this evening." Sansa said, turning her attention back to you.

"As do you. Green is a lovely color on you. Perhaps Highgarden would bring out your eyes and hair." You replied, glad for a change of subject.

"I hear it is very beautiful there. I've never been out of the north, except when visiting family at Riverrun." Sansa said, blushing slightly at your compliment.

"Oh yes. It's the best place in the world. In my opinion. The sun is so bright and hot." You shot a cold glare at Ramsay. "And the woods and forests are glorious. The creatures celebrate with wonderful feasts and parties. You must come and see the dance of the dryads. It is so full of life." 

xxx

After dinner had be cleared away and the talking died down you gave a sweeping look around the table. You noticed Ramsay had turned his attention from you to the Greyjoy man. You followed his gaze to see the man looking uncomfortable and forcing laughter at whatever Robb was saying.

Fucking creep. You thought.

"It has come to our attention that an evil has gripped the capitol. Unnatural violence has erupted in the last couple of days." Ned Stark spoke, finally. People shifted in their seats, looking at one another. 

"The cards have displayed so much. But the crystal reveals nothing." You heard your grandmother say from somewhere near the middle of the table.

"I wasn't sure if it was just mine." Catelyn Stark spoke up, giving a grim shake of her head.

"I fear that we will have to make a move on the darkness. The mortals are in an upheaval and Robert is having trouble controlling them." Ned said, sagely.

"Allow me to accompany you. I sent a few of my most trusted men a few days ago, but I've heard nothing since they departed." Roose said in his silky voice. 

Ned nodded. "I am leaving tomorrow evening."

You watched the scene unfold. Many of the men broke out into hushed whispers, Robb and Jon both looked stern, but Ramsay, he looked like Christmas had come early. His wicked smile plastered all over his face.

xxx

There was a knock at the door, you rose to answer it.

"Oh, everything okay?" You said looking at your grandmother.

The old woman gave a brief nod and stepped inside. You closed the door behind her. "I am leaving at first light. Remember, make friendships and find out what you can. We need more information in this before we make a move. The coven will be gathering next week. I will have your ride home arranged by then. I love you, (y/n)." 

You hugged your grandmother, "I love you too nana."

After your grandmother left you retired to the bathroom to change and take off your makeup. You slipped into your flannel pajama pants, slipped on your cami and sat at the desk in your room. You rummaged through your purse and pulled out you tattered deck of tarot cards and began to shuffle them, lost in thought, when a card fell to the floor. You picked it up and turned it over. The Lovers. 

"What kind of garbage is this?" You asked yourself, examining the card. You stuffed it back into the deck and shuffled again. You laid the deck onto the table and pulled a card from the top. The Tower. You frowned and pulled the card from the bottom. Again, The Lovers. You made a frustrated noise and shoved the cards away. You picked up your phone and unlocked it, you opened your messages and stared at the unsaved number. You opened it.

Voodoo Child. You thought bitterly. You weren't sure why it bothered you, but it made you mad.

[You: I don't practice voodoo.]

You set your phone down and opened the book in front of you.

There was another knock at your door. You were shocked to find Ned Stark standing there. "(y/n), I hope I'm not disturbing you. I came to inform you that I am leaving tonight. Things have come up." You heard your phone vibrate on the desk. "However, you are welcome to stay as long as you wish. Catelyn will be here to provide you with everything you may need."

"Of course, thank you." you said, an uneasy feeling gripping you as you shut the door. You made your way back across the room and sat in the chair, picking up your phone.

[Ramsay: Glad to see I'm on your mind.]

Damn, how he infuriated you. You weren't even sure why you wanted to talk to him. You threw caution to the wind as you typed out your reply.

[You: Did you kill all those people?]

[Ramsay: Would you like me better if I said yes?]

[Ramsay: But no. I did not. Something on your mind Voodoo Child?]

[You: Stop calling me that! I don't practice voodoo! But yes, I want answers to what's been going on.]

[Ramsay: get your pretty little self some sleep. I will come to call on you tomorrow. Goodnight. Sleep tight. Don't let the werewolves bite.]

Call on me tomorrow? What does that mean?  you thought to yourself. You frowned and went back to the book. You flipped through the pages of all the magical creatures, reading each attack trait, trying to decipher what had torn your friend to shreds. At three in the morning you finally shut the book, rubbing your tired eyes and yawning. You crawled into bed and pulled the thick blankets around you, almost immediately falling asleep.

xxx

You had woken three short hours later to see your grandmother off.

"Remember what I said, my child. Catelyn Stark will keep you safe. Do what you need to to find answers. I will see you soon." Your grandmother had said as the door to the SUV shut.

Despite the lack of sleep, you found yourself wide awake when you returned to your room. Ramsay had said he would come to call on you today. You glanced out the window and saw the sun rising, not a cloud in the cold sky. Well, i'm sure he won't come until tonight. Vampires can't do daytime.

You showered, dressed, threw your hair in a simple braid, and wandered the halls of the manor until you came across Catelyn Stark sitting alone in the parlor,  sipping tea and gazing into a crystal ball. "May I?" You asked quietly.

"Of course my dear." Catelyn said, looking up from the crystal. You sat in a winged armchair across from her. "Everything alright?"

No.  

"Yes. Just couldn't go back to sleep after grandmother left. So much going on. I'm meeting with Ramsay Bolton later." You said, rushing through the last part.

Catelyn jerked her head up to look at you when you mentioned Ramsay. She peered into your face and studied you for a long time before she spoke. "Be careful, dear. He isn't someone to mess around with. But, having Intel from him may not be bad either. But, keep some silver on you. Have you consulted the cards?"

"Last night I tried to speak to them. During my shuffling I dropped a card. The Lovers. After replacing it and shuffling some more I drew The Tower. Then I drew The Lovers again."

Catelyn nodded, and looked past you towards the door. "Morning son." You turned around to see Robb.

"Good morning. I came to tell you that after breakfast the boys and I are going to the range." Robb said, casually. He was still in his night clothes and hair was a mess. The doorbell rang. "I've got it!" Came Jon's voice from the hall. It was awfully early for someone to come to call. The three of you strained your ears.

"Oh, it's you. What do you want?" You could hear Jon saying.

"Look, I've come on peace terms." You heard Ramsay's voice say. You gasped slightly. Robb turned around and left. You exchanged a look with Catelyn before getting up and peering around the doorway down the hall. You could see Robb and Jon standing in the foyer, shoulder to shoulder. You saw Theon take his place behind them, shoving handfuls of cereal into his mouth from the box and crunching loudly.

"So?" Robb said.

"Come on Wonder Twins, let me in." Ramsay said, an irritated edge in his voice. The front of the house faced east, and the sun was well above the treeline now.

"No." Jon said.

"Would you do it for a Scooby Snack?" Ramsay said.

Robb shifted and you caught sight of Ramsay. He was dressed in jeans, a hooded jacket, a ball cap, gloves, and a pair of sunglasses. He was making himself as small as possible to stay in the little shade the awning still provided.

"Why are you here?" Robb asked.

"I've come to collect (y/n). She had questions, and I mean to answer them. Now, please, grant me entry."

"Jon. Robb." Catelyn hissed, stepping into the hall. "Ramsay, you may enter."

Ramsay made to enter but Robb and Jon blocked him.

"Sure, we'll let you in, but only if you tell us the number of the day." Theon said, pouring the box of cereal onto the floor.

Ramsay ripped the sunglasses off his face and made a distressed noise, shoving past the twins and tackling Theon to the ground where he began to hit every inch of Theon he could. Robb and Jon were bent doubled in laughter.

"BOYS!" Catelyn shouted. Robb and Jon caught hold of Ramsay and pulled him off Theon, who was howling in pain as his nose poured blood like a faucet. Ramsay bit his lip, clearly torn between the blood and the cereal on the floor. Jon roughly picked up Theon and shoved him off down the hall. Robb gave a sheepish look to his mother, who sent sparks flying from her eyes. Robb hurried off after the other two. Ramsay stooped down, pulled his gloves off, and began to count out the cereal, muttering to himself as he moved the cereal into a pile. You walked over to him and bent down, reaching out for the cereal. Ramsay grabbed your hand. A million feelings rushed through you.

"Don't touch them!" He practically screamed at you and a frenzied voice. You glanced at Catelyn who had crossed her arms and had a deep frown on her face. After a couple minutes Ramsay sighed and stood up.

"Two hundred and eighty seven." He declared. You weren't sure whether to laugh or not.

"Ramsay, I am so sorry about my sons." Catelyn said, still frowning.

Ramsay looked at her but said nothing. He then turned to you, and looked out the door, which was still open. "Shall we go then?"

"Yes, of course. Let me just go grab my purse." You said, running back up the stairs. You made a quick swipe for your bag, doubled checked you still had on your necklace, pulled your phone from the charger, and dashed back down stairs were Ramsay stood waiting.

Ramsay hurried you to his car and gave a sigh of relief when he closed his door. The windows were tinted so dark it almost looked like twilight in the car.

"I thought vampires didn't do daytime." You finally said.

Ramsay turned to look at you. His cold eyes searching you, looking for something. "You're right. But as long as the sun doesn't touch our bare skin we are fine. Surely you know that."

You felt your face flush.

"For being intelligent, you lack a lot of knowledge." Ramsay said, turning the engine over, and turning up the radio.

Neither of you said anything on the drive to the Deadfort Manor. You stared out the window and tapped your foot along to the rock music blaring. You were in awe of the manor. It looked as uninviting as one could imagine. you could see all of the curtains drawn, the many stone gargoyles situated around the roof, the black, wrought iron fence. It was classic horror movie perfect. Ramsay pulled into the garage and opened your door. You took his gloved hand. He led you inside. If the outside of the house was horror movie perfect it was nothing to the inside. Your breath rose like smoke, which Ramsay noticed.

"Fire in the drawing room, now." He barked at a servant, who hurried away quickly. Ramsay pulled off his hood, cap, and gloves, throwing it all on the floor. You watched him pull his jacket off, his shirt trying to come with it. You couldn't help but notice how pale and lean he was. You couldn't overlook the tattoos either. You quickly looked away as he freed himself from the jacket and fixed his t-shirt. A simple band tee. He looked very different in normal clothing as opposed to his dinner attire. Now he could be mistaken for someone headed to a rock concert or to the record store. He looked, well, normal.

He offered you his hand. You took it and felt the same surge of feeling flow through you again. You wondered if he felt it too. You felt chilled, reckless, and a few other things you couldn't place or remember ever feeling before. He led you to the drawing room where you immediately flocked to the fire.

"So, what do you want to know?"  

You turned from the fire and looked at him. "How old are you?"

Ramsay scoffed. "Really? The first question is a classic teenage vampire story line? I promise it's not 17."

You couldn't help but laugh. Even if you did find him to be rude, and an asshole, his wit was on point. "No, I just meant like, have you seen these kinds of things happen before?"

"The whole comet murder fiasco? No. Perhaps Mercury is in some serious retrograde." Ramsay said taking a seat at the large, round table. You chuckled and sat beside him.

"is there anyone who has seen the comet before?" you asked.

"Not to my knowledge. Now tell me, what do they teach you about us in your little magic schools?" 

You stared at him for a few moments before answering. "Well you know, things like using garlic to repel vampires. No sunlight. Wooden stakes. Silver. Decapitation. Fire. Immortality. Blood thirsty. Merciless. Savage. Often serial killers."

Ramsay's usual smirk was in place. He placed his finger tips together. "What about doctors?"

"What?"

"You said you were taught we are often serial killers, but did they ever teach you that many vampires are doctors? We helped mortals learn about blood types, how to stop life threatening blood flow, detect blood clots, strokes, hemorrhages on the brain, pregnancy, blood diseases." his voice was cool and his eyes pierced you. You felt your heart race. "And there you go with that nervousness. Do I scare you so badly?"

"Yes." You said quietly, averting your eyes to the table.

"Then why are you here?"

You looked up him, not sure what to say. "I don't know. Why am I here?"

Ramsay tilted his head to the side. "Well, I didn't invite you so I could hurt you." Ramsay stood and walked across the room to pull a large book from the shelf. He placed it in front of you. The fading cover read 'The Creation of Monsters'. You delicately opened the book and examined the first, yellow, brittle page.

'It is not known when the first magical beings were created, or why. But for as long as language has been around, stories of night crawlers have been told. Many speculate each god has their own creature, each for a different cause.'

You looked up from the book to find yourself alone. You closed the book and walked it back to the shelf above the antique writing desk. You placed it on the desk and pulled another book. You had flipped through a couple books before the smell of cigarette smoke brought you back to your senses. "That's an unhealthy habit."

Ramsay laughed. "Would be if I had lungs, sweetling."

"So, what keeps you alive?" you asked turning to look at Ramsay. He had his feet propped up on the table, just the same way as when you first saw him two nights ago.

 "Well avoiding sunlight and garlic for a start. Avoiding falling on wooden stakes is another sure way to stay in good health." Ramsay said sarcastically, ticking his fingers off.

You scowled and turned back to the book. "No need for lungs, to eat or drink, no heart." You said.

"Who says I don't have a heart?" Ramsay said in mock horror.

You snorted, "I've heard the rumors. No one with a heart could do what you do for fun." 

Ramsay made a tutting noise and you heard him leave his seat and walk over to you. You felt him come to a halt behind you. You held your breath.

"And voodoo is any better?" He whispered in your ear. You slammed the book shut and turned to him, your faces inches apart.

"I. Do. Not. Practice. Voodoo." You bit out through clenched teeth.

Ramsay's eyes glittered maliciously as they danced over your face. "Why not?"

You narrowed your eyes at him. "Because I'm not a monster."

"Master Ramsay, your presence is requested in the cellar." A voice came from the door way.

"Oh goodie. About time. Show the miss to the library, and bring her refreshment." Ramsay said, turning from you. He took two steps from you when he turned back to you. "House Bolton is at your service. Find the answers you need. I have my own to find. I shall meet you shortly." With that he left you, confused, as he always did.

"Anything else miss?" A woman asked as you spread the jam over your toast.

"Something to write on and with would be spectacular." You said to the woman as she poured the water from the kettle into your cup.

"Right away, miss."

You devoured the toast and tea before setting off to work. These books were more detailed on beasts than any you had yet seen. Some of the details were so informative you found yourself slightly scared and had to turn the page or look around to make sure you were still alone. The monster that stuck to you the most was the wendigo. It surely looked like what could have been causing such a stir, but there were no recently documented incidents for at least 300 years.

You undid your braid and ran your hand through your hair, chewing your bottom lip as you copied words to your paper.

"Enjoying yourself?" Ramsay whispered in your ear.

You squeaked in fright, jerking your hand and spilling your inkwell over the table. "Gods!" You said looking up at Ramsay. He examined your ruined paper.

"300 years since what?" He asked.

"The last reports of wendi..." Ramsay placed his hand over your mouth to stop you.

" Yes. Most beasts like that disappeared after the last dragons died."

"Then why are you still here?" You huffed, pulling your wand from your purse and cleaning up the ink. "And why did you stop me?"

"Such a quick temper." Ramsay chuckled. "We never speak its name. Do you dance?"

"What kind of question is that?" You asked, turning to look at Ramsay. He had changed. While still casual, you couldn't help but wonder why he had changed.

Ramsay shrugged. "Just thought I'd ask. What are you, 20?"

"You know, you are rude as s**t. And I'm 22 if you must know. And now you know my age. What's yours?" You said crossing your arms.

"115. Now, have you ever been dancing?"

You stared blankly at him. 115. "Well, yeah. I've been out dancing with my friends."

"I see. So you've never danced." Ramsay said simply. He turned to the corner of the room where a turntable sat. He rummaged through records before pulling one from its sleeve. 

He held out his hand to you as a waltz tune played. You hesitated. "Come. I'll show you." You took his hand. It's icy touch gone. You noticed he wasn't so pale and his cheeks were slightly flushed. 

"Did you get those answers you wanted?" You asked, watching your feet, so as to not step on his.

Ramsay frowned. "No. You?" He gripped your hip. You flushed and looked up into his face.

"Not really. But I feel a bit further along than I was."

"Why are you here?" Ramsay suddenly asked.

"Didn't we have this conversation earlier?" You said, confused by the randomness of the question.

"No, why are the Starks playing host to you? Why did your grandmother bring you here and then leave you?"

You gave a shaky laugh, "she hoped I'd woo one of the Stark boys and form a solidified bond between us."

Ramsay frowned. "And will you?"

"No. They're nice, but they aren't for me. But what about you?" You said. The longer you danced with him the easier it was to see past him being a monster. Really he wasn't any different than anyone else.

Ramsay laughed. "No. Not worth bothering with. I hate the Starks."

You rolled your eyes. "You know what I meant."

"What if I told you I once loved a woman so beautiful and charming I did everything I could to give her the world, but she ran off with another, causing me to become the monster I am today?" 

You studied his face. "I'd call you a liar."

"And what if I said I'd very much like to love the most beautiful woman in the world?"

You continued to dance with Ramsay even though the music had stopped some time ago. "I'd say there's no room in that nonexistent heart of yours to love her."

Ramsay stopped, and pulled you into him. "But would she let me try if I promised her the world?"

You looked up at him, not sure what to say. Your heart leaped into your throat and you felt your stomach tie itself into knots. "I'm sure she would, if you ever found her."

Ramsay leaned in closer to you. "Good thing I have the rest of forever to find her." He whispered before pressing his lips to yours.

You stood frozen in shock before melting into the kiss and running you tongue along his bottom lip, asking permission, which he granted. The two of you stood, exploring one another's mouths. Ramsay ran his hands up your body to cup your face, but pulled away from you with a hiss as he reached your neck, a fang catching your bottom lip.

My necklace! you thought, groping for the silver chain. Ramsay shook his hand and laughed.

"In case you were wondering, I was bluffing the other night about your necklace." His laugh died as he caught sight of the blood welling on your bottom lip. 

You reached your hand up to you lip and felt the blood smear on your finger. You saw Ramsay's pupils dilate. You sucked your bottom lip in, not sure what to expect. Panic gripped you again and you took a few steps back, eyes darting towards your wand sticking out of your bag.

Ramsay closed his eyes, clenched his jaw, and then sighed. "Don't. I won't hurt you."

"How can I trust you?" You asked, focusing your attention on summoning your wand.

"You can't. But I won't. I'll have someone take you back to Winterfell."

"Wait, what?" You said, as you gave up trying to summon your wand.

"You're afraid. I can hear it. And I don't blame you. You don't belong here. I told you to go home, (y/n). The snow will bury you." Ramsay said turning his back to you.

You finally managed to summon your wand and stomped over to Ramsay. You turned him around and stuck your wand in his chest, clutching his shirt with your free hand. "You are the most rude and horrible person I've ever met. No wonder your lover ran out on you. You don't just kiss someone and then tell them to leave."

Ramsay raised his brows at you. "Says the woman who wears silver, knowing I can't touch it."

"You would too, if you'd heard the rumors I have." You hissed.

Ramsay leaned into you, "I assure you, the rumors aren't nearly as bad as the truth." He whispered, his lips brushing your ear lobe.

You let go of Ramsay and stepped back. His usual smirk was back in place as you looked at him in horror. He brought his hand up to your face and wiped his thumb along your bloodied lip. He brought his thumb to his mouth and sucked it clean. He closed his eyes and made a face. He made a small noise and flung his eyes open. You were rooted to the spot, allowing him to pull you into him. He thread his fingers through your hair and placed his lips on yours, pulling your bottom lip between his teeth.

Again, you felt your heart pound in your chest and clutched Ramsay's shirt, pulling him into you.

"Necklace, please." He murmured against your lips. 

You released him and fumbled with the clasp of your necklace until it finally fell to the carpeted floor with a dull thud. Ramsay lifted you up and sat you on the edge of the table. He kissed along your jaw and down your neck. He took the tender skin of your neck gently between his teeth. You gave a small gasp, as he worried a spot on your neck. You snaked your fingers through his hair with one hand and clutched at his hip with your other.

From beside you, your phone began to ring. You sighed, loosening your grip on Ramsay.

"You should answer that." He whispered, kissing up your neck to you ear.

You pulled your puse to you and rummaged in it blindly until you felt your phone. You saw it was your grandmother.

"Answer it." Ramsay demanded.

You hit the answer button. "H-hello?" You said, drawing a shaky breath and Ramsay took your ear lobe in his mouth.

"Have you heard anything?" your grandmother's voice said.

You felt your breath hitch as Ramsay ran his hand up your shirt. "Not a sound." He growled in your ear. You swallowed a whimper.

"No, nana. What's wrong?"

" Cersei Lannister. That's all I can say for now. Be careful child. I love you." There was a click.

"Nana?" You said as Ramsay pulled away from you. He walked across the room and pulled a book from the shelf, flipping through a few pages and frowning. 

You set your phone down, your mind racing. Was your grandmother alright? What did she mean?

"Come. I'll take you back to the Stark's." Ramsay said holding his hand out to you. You snatched up your bag, and took his hand.

"What is it? Why are you taking me? It noon. The sun...."

"Don't worry about me. I've been doing this awhile. Now come on."

xxx