Deep Down (UNEDITED)

Blazing Fire

P.O.V AMARA

"Stop giving me that look" Vladimir snarled, his eyes veiled by black sunglasses that kept me from seeing his eyes, but I didn't need them to know he was annoyed with me. A mild summer breeze blew through the small streets of Mykonos. I balled my fists at the thought of how Vladimir had dragged me along like a dog on a leash on this so-called "date." The fact that there were guards breathing down our necks like hungry beasts and that he hadn't spoken a word to me from the car ride until now made it clear that this date was going to be anything but pleasant.

I glanced at Vladimir from the corner of my eye. His black hair, which had been carefully combed back, looked almost light brown in the sunlight. I gritted my teeth, jealous of his sun tanned skin which contrasted sharply with his white shirt of which the top buttons were open. I myself did not tan, I only sunburned.

"What look?" I asked sweetly. I plucked an invisible lint from the sleeve of my red shirt.

"The 'I'm coming to kill you in your sleep with a teddy bear' look, you're always so dramatic. There are people who have it much worse than you." Vladimir snorted as if he could blow my look away. He was right there were people who were starving, having to live in fear of whether they would make it to the next morning. Just because he was right didn't mean I considered admitting it for a second. I shrugged.

"If I were going to kill you I wouldn't do it with a teddy bear" I leaned closer to Vladimir's ear. In the corner of my eye I could see how the guards were becoming rigid. Good, let them be on their guard. "It's more my style to stick a knife in your back" Vladimir's breathing became more irregular, as if what I was saying was triggering old memories to him. His Mouth twitched a little as I backed away.

"Do you see me as a threat?" he then asked acerbically calmly. He wanted to change the subject, that much was clear. A frown appeared on my forehead. 

"Rather like a possible threat" I say after a brief silence. We turn and come to a small bridge that leads to another maze of small streets. The soft gurgle of the water's current echoes softly in the background. Vladimir grins his white teeth as we stand still in the middle of the little bridge.

"What's the difference?" asked Vladimir as he stops abruptly, his hands resting on the teracotta stones of the edge of the small bridge. I follow his lead. The stones feel chilly, the coolness sending shivers throughout my body.

"I see a threat as an enemy, a potential threat as a friend" My gaze rushes to the deep blue water in which you looked like you could drown "The line between the two is as fragile as that of love and hate. You'd be surprised how little it takes to turn a friend into an enemy. The difference between the two is little you know" I have experienced that myself I wanted to add, but didn't. Why? Maybe I was frightened that He would ask questions, and I could miss that. It was silent for a moment, both lost in thought or memories, until Vladimir cleared his throat. He opened his mouth for a moment and then closed it again. For a brief instant I thought he was going to make a confession, but then Valdimir snarled:

"We should go on" I had already given up hope. That may have been the longest conversation Vladimir and I have had without chewing each other out for wild animals. 

We walked the streets for at least another fifteen minutes, the guards behind us like ghosts before we stopped in front of a little restaurant. The white facade was adorned by climbing plants and flowers that spread their silky scent. It looked rather cutesy, familiar. I wanted to go home, yet I couldn't help but feed my curiosity when Vladimir beckoned me to follow him inside. I followed through the narrow doorway and was greeted by a smell of food that made my mouth water. My stomach began to growl at the thought that I hadn't eaten yet today. Vladimir was greeted by a balding man who seemed to recognize him. Valdimir gave him an acknowledging nod as he took off his sunglasses.

"Mr. Davrov, we have been expecting you" The man gave Vladmir a small nod before his gaze landed on me. He seemed to frown briefly before turning his gaze back to Vladimir. "Would you be so kind to follow me?"

I hesitated for a moment, but when I felt Vladmir's hand rest on my lower back I walked after the man. I gave him an angered look, which he clearly ignored as he continued to stare ahead. The small grin that played on his lips, however, betrayed his pleasure. We walked through the restaurant's dimly lit dining room further to the back of the restaurant, through the kitchen where it was bustling chaos. 

"Where is he taking us?" I thought aloud.

"No questions asked just follow" Vladimir declared. He knew well enough that I was not the type to just follow, but his tone left no room for more questions. I fell silent. 

We finally left the crowded kitchen as the man opened two glass doors and we emerged into what seemed to be the private area of the restaurant. The room smelled of incense, the black marble floor gleamed so hard it gave me a headache. The walls were as black as the floor with little golden squiggles painted on them that covered the walls in a sort of spider's web of golden rag. The man led us to a table in the corner of the room. I looked at Valdimir frowning when I saw that there was already a man sitting at the little table. We reached the small table and the man who had led us here was already gone. 

"Sweetheart, I want to introduce you to someone" I blinked for a moment before I realized Vladimir was saying something. "This is Matthew" Vladimir leaned closer to my ear. His warm breathing caressed my neck and made my hairs stand up "He could tell us more about your mother's death" My eyes narrowed to slits.

"What could he know about it" I said more rudely than intended. My comment made Vladimir chuckle.

"Why don't we let Matthew say that himself?" My gaze went to the gruff man sitting at the little table who had been listening intently to our little conversation. "Well, tell her" urged Vladimir.

"I saw how your mother was killed."