Darkmyth University

Chapter Thirteen

Zander's POV

I walked over to Marissa while Stephanie went to our room to go clean up. When I reached Marissa I asked, "Would you like to join Stephanie and me for dinner tonight?"

"I would consider it an honor sir."

"Please call me Zander. I appreciate that you befriended my mate, Stephanie. Stephanie seems happier with you around. I am glad that we came across paths when we did."

"I like Stephanie. I am glad that we ran across each other to Zander. Would you mind if I went back into town to grab my things?"

"I will send someone to pick up your things if you give me an address. I would rather that you stay here for now."

"Why do you have all of these maps Zander?"

I turn, smile at the wall, and say, "They are maps of the regions where the king and queen have residences in the country." I watched as Marissa nodded and looked at the maps again. "I was thinking that we could hit them during Thanksgiving."

"How do you plan on finding out where they will be?"

"I have my ways," I said with an evil glint. "Now about your things. Where are they?" Marissa told me the address and I said, "Go find a room. By the time you find one they will be back with your things."

Marissa's POV

I was so proud of Stephanie. Stephanie had kept up the charade of her still being under Zander's powers. I walked down the main hall off of the meeting area. As I walked down the hall the rooms seemed to get bigger. I chose one close to Stephanie and Zander's room. As I walked over to the bed there was a knock on my door. I thanked the man that had brought my things to me. I picked out an outfit, went into the en-suite bathroom, showered, changed, and toweled dried my hair. I quickly lay down for a few minutes. I did not want to risk calling Quinten because I had just arrived here and I did not know what else Zander had planned.

As I explored my room there was a soft knock on my door. When I opened it I was a little surprised to see Stephanie on the other side. Stephanie said softly, "Zander tells me that you will be joining us for dinner. He requests that you wear something nice."

"Stephanie, would you like to come in."

"Yes, please."

I step aside to let Stephanie enter my room. I ask softly, "Do you know why Zander has asked me to dinner?"

"Zander wants to make you the leader of one of his other hideouts," Stephanie said just as softly.

"How many other hideouts does he have?"

"I believe that there are two besides this one. Zander will not tell me exactly where the other two are. All I know is that the other two are located in the Rocky Mountains."

"I was looking at the maps on the walls and I found out what the maps are for. Do you think that Zander will reveal some more information at the meeting in twenty-five minutes?"

"To be completely honest I just do not know. I think that Zander will only release enough information to the masses to satisfy them. When we have dinner Zander might tell you more."

"I do hope so." I say louder, "Want to give me a tour?"

Stephanie's POV

"Sure. Follow me." I walked out with a smile on my face. Zander nodded at us as we walked through the meeting room. I say as we enter the kitchen, "This is the kitchen. Jean, this is Stephanie. Stephanie this is Jean our master chef." Marissa nodded at her as we walked down another hallway and I said, "This leads us outside."

Marissa said, "Good to know. How big is the hideout?"

"I will tell you when we get outside." As we walked out onto the small path, I pointed to the peak, pointed down to the bottom, and said, "We seem to be halfway between the bottom and top of the mountain. The hideout is half as wide as the mountain is right here."

"Hang on for a second okay.” I nod my head and then watch Marissa as she runs with more speed than I have seen from most vampires. Marissa was back in a few seconds and said, "The hideout is big."

"It is. Come on let us continue the tour so that we can get to the meeting on time." We finished walking through the hideout while I pointed out some of the things that I thought were of interest. As we walked back into the meeting area everyone was gathering for the meeting. "I will see you at dinner." Marissa nodded and joined the masses as I made my way to Zander's side.

Zander smiled at me as I took his hand in mine. Zander said loudly, "I am happy to tell you that we will be receiving information soon about where the king and queen will be for Thanksgiving. My hope is to hit them then. There are trainers here and I have made a schedule for everyone to train. You can find the schedule on the bulletin board." Zander said pointing at the board. "All meal times have been posted up there as well. We will get into more detail as we get closer to the day of the attack. Keep yourselves well-fed and study the maps on the walls in here. You are all dismissed."

I noticed how most of the people here were under Zander's mind control and just blindly followed what he said. As everyone left Zander pulled me closer to him, kissed me hard, and asked, "How did the tour go?"

"It went really well."

"I am glad. I have a surprise for you once we are done with dinner with Marissa." I smiled at him as he let me go on my way. I went to the library, found a book on mental powers, and began to read.

Zander's POV

Something was different about Stephanie but, I could not figure out what it was. I hoped that after my surprise Stephanie would get back to normal. Stephanie seemed to be pulling away from me and I could not figure out why. I wanted Stephanie to know that she meant the world to me and that I wanted her to be by my side forever. Marissa walked over to him and said, "A penny for your thoughts."

"Maybe you can help me with something."

"Anything for you Zander."

"Stephanie seems to be distancing herself from me and I cannot figure out why. I have planned a movie night for her but; maybe you have an idea for me how to make it more special."

"To me, Stephanie seems like a romantic. This means, wooing Stephanie. Making Stephanie feel like she is being put above anyone and everyone else. I would suggest getting flowers and maybe having a special dessert for Stephanie. You could also give Stephanie a token of your affection. What movie are you watching?"

"I heard that her favorite movie is 'Pretty Woman'."

Marissa shook her head at me and said, "You cannot show Stephanie a movie that she probably has seen a million times Zander. You need to find a movie that shows Stephanie how you feel about her and maybe shows her where you see your relationship going. What about 'Maid in Manhattan'?"

"I have never seen that one but; it sounds like a good one. Thank you for your help, Marissa. I am glad that you and Stephanie are friends." I say as I wander off to find my Stephanie. Marissa was right I needed to spend more time alone with Stephanie. I was putting my revenge above Stephanie and that was not right. I needed to tell Stephanie what happened to me and why I was doing what I was doing. I would do it while we were alone tonight. I needed to prove to Stephanie that she was the only one that really mattered to me.