Bloodlines: Alexus Dracula

New Beginnings

I woke in a cold sweat, another nightmare but this time I lost Rome and it wasn't a hunter or a dweller it was me that killed him in a primal rage.  I got out of bed and jumped in the shower as the sun rose and light broke through the forest canopy.  Alexus relaxed in the warm embrace of the running shower water, closing her eyes and relaxing in ecstasy. Today was a new day and the darkness from previous days felt lighter and easier.  Alexus started packing their belongings ready to leave for Auckland.  She needed to pack light to travel easier, she knew that once they reached Pennsylvania, they could buy anything else that they needed.  Dracula and Rome woke shortly after 8 am and sat down to have breakfast. 

"Rome, we have to leave today and we are going to be moving to Pennsylvania with grandfather.  We need to pack light so I have a backpack ready for you in the living room.  Is there anything else you want to do or need before we leave?" asked Alexus as she sat down at the table ready to have breakfast.  "Can we go to our house to say goodbye to Mama before we leave?" asked Rome as a tear ran down his face.  Alexus moved closer to Rome and pulled him into a big, tight hug, "Of course we can Rome.  I think we should pick some flowers on our way home and leave them at the house for Mama too" suggested Alexus. 

"Oh actually before I forget, I got something for you," said Alexus as she got up from the table and walked into her room.  Alexus emerged a second later, walked back over to the table and sat down.  "Here I grabbed this for you," said Alexus as she handed Rome the photo she grabbed from the house yesterday.  "When did you get this?" asked Rome.  Alexus was hesitant to tell Rome that she had gone back to their family home, "Yesterday, when I had that episode and ran off to get air.  I found myself at the edge of the forest outside our family home.  Ended up walking around and looking through the house, I was just about to leave when I found this in a broken photo frame.  I thought that we could take it with us," explained Alexus.  "Thanks, Alex," replied Rome.

After breakfast, Alexus packed the remainder of their things, before they left for the homestead.  Alexus strapped on her mother's swords before putting her backpack over the top.  "I still remember your father making those for your mother," said Dracula.  "I found them yesterday at the house and I vowed at that moment that I will never let anyone hurt my family ever again" explained Alexus.  "You're born of dragon heart so I don't doubt your vow my dear but just remember that you should live your life as well.  Have a family, the warrior's path can be lonely" replied Dracula.  "Your forgetting grandfather, I was promised to someone before birth so I have no choice in the matter and will one day have to settle down and marry Jacob but I will be damned if I just bow down and become someone's wife," stated Alexus.  

The walk home was silent and heavy.  I closer they got to the house the heavier their hearts felt.  Alexus and Rome picked flowers along the path home until they both had big bouquets.  They made it to the edge of the forest, Rome paused and stopped walking.  "What's the matter?" asked Alexus, "I don't know if I can do this?" replied Rome.  "Come on, everything will be okay.  Remember what I said Mama may not be with us but she lives on inside of us," said Alexus as she grabbed Rome's hand and led him into the clearing.  Alexus walked over to the spot where she found her mother's swords and placed her bouquet on the ground.  Rome followed her suit and placed his bouquet of flowers on the ground too. A tear escaped his eye as they both stood there in silence.  "I understand now why you had to do what you did Mama.  I will always miss you and I will never forget the time we had together but rest now knowing that we are in good hands" said Rome.  As Alexus stood there listening to Rome speaking, tears threatened to spill but she quickly pulled herself together. 

Alexus:

After a while of silence, they decided it was time to leave.  They slowly made their way down the driveway but turned for one last glimpse before continuing on.  The next few weeks were a blur as we travelled by air, sea and land constantly making changes in case any hunters were watching our moves or trying to follow us.  We were constantly making changes to our itineraries.  Rome and I were exhausted but grandfather was making all the changes and bookings like he had done this before, everything was paid for in cash and we had different passports for each country we entered or exited.  It was amazing to witness how far our reach was and how extensive the vampire community was.  We were nearly back in Pennsylvania, we only had one more train ride than a car to the mansion.  Grandfather had been busy on the phone making preparations for when we arrived.  Most of the time he discussed needs for Rome and me but one conversation I overheard was with Lady Romanoff, it made me uneasy.  However, at the end of the conversation, I heard that Lady Romanoff and Jacob would be at the mansion to greet us.

Before long we had arrived at the mansion gates, Rome had fallen asleep and I was pretending to be asleep so that I would hopefully be carried straight to my room and not have to deal with Lady Romanoff or Jacob.  "Alexus, I know you are awake," said Dracula.  Alexus remained silent and kept her eyes closed. "Okay, I will play this game but only because I know you are actually probably very tired," said Dracula, "Thanks, grandfather," said Alexus as she slightly opened her eyes to look at him.  Dracula carried Alexus up to the room and tucked her into bed before going back downstairs to get Rome. 

Alexus slowly opened her eyes, checking that there was no one else in the room, before sitting up in the bed to take in what would be her new bedroom.  It was massive and lavish, it oozed sophistication, luxury and class.  It had a walk-in wardrobe and bathroom but the bedroom itself was so big that it had its own seating area and balcony.  As Alexus took in her new life there was a small knock on the door, she quickly laid back in her bed and pretended to be asleep.  The door opened and someone entered before jumping into her bed. Alexus opened her eyes slightly to see it was Rome, "Oh thank goodness it is only you" said Alexus.  "My room was too big and lonely, can I stay in here with you for the night," asked Rome.  "Of course you can" replied Alexus as they both closed their eyes and fell into a deep sleep.  They didn't know how much time they had together but they knew that things would change eventually.