Absent Shadows: Destiny Part 7

'Can't I? You shouldn't set me challenges like that, Sam. I may just have to take young Lili aside and have some real old-fashioned girl talk with her.' Crystal smiled, and when she did, her beautiful face became almost unbearable to look at-like looking directly at the sun.

Then she put her arm around my waist, and started to guide me away, looking over her shoulder at Sam. I was mesmerised, almost in a daze, unable to resist the gentle pressure of her arm.

But after only a few steps she stopped and laughed. Dropping her arm, she turned back to Sam.

'If you could have seen the look on your face, Samuel Benjamin Todd-you looked like you'd seen a ghost! Oh, but then perhaps you had?' She threw her head back, laughing even harder.

When she finally stopped laughing, she looked at Sam and continued, 'You know me better than that. I won't tell your secrets. Besides, from what you've said, I doubt you've many secrets left to tell.'

She looked toward me then, and I felt my anger starting to recede. There was something so likable about her.

She smiled, then turned back to Sam. 'But you're right, she can be trusted. Our secrets are safe. All kidding aside, Lili and I are going to be great friends. I can feel it. But for now, I must run. I told Michael I'd bring him a latte. We've run out of beans, and he's miserable without his morning coffee.'

She laughed again, and the anger or jealousy I was feeling seemed to completely dissolve. I looked over at Sam, and when he caught my eye his face softened.

'I'll see you tonight, then. Tell Michael I'll drop by at dusk,' he said, waving.

I turned to watch her walk away, and it was as if she floated, her delicate feet barely seemed to touch the ground as she headed down the path toward William Street.

I wasn't sure how it happened but somehow I'd gone from jealousy, to anger, to feeling awed, and ended up feeling absolutely ashamed. I hadn't even said goodbye, or that it was nice to meet her or anything.

'Are you alright? You look a bit dazed,' asked Sam. The smile on his face disappeared, and there was concern in his voice. 'It's all been too much hasn't it? I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have burdened you with any of this.'

'No, no. It's not that. It's just ... I mean tell me, who, or should I say what, was she? Is she human? I've never seen anyone so beautiful.'

He sighed deeply. 'Of course, I'm so sorry. I forgot she has that effect on people. Crystal is a dhampira-a female version of Michael. She's Michael's wife, or partner I suppose is a better description. I thought I'd told you about her, but perhaps not.'

'No, you certainly hadn't mentioned her. She's amazing.'

'Yes, she is amazing, in many ways. She appears so delicate and fragile, but I can a.s.sure you, she is very, very powerful.'

'I guess it's lucky that she likes you then.'

'True,' he replied, smiling tentatively. 'So, how are you feeling today ... after ... the weekend?'

'I'm fine, Sam, really. I mean, I guess it still seems ... dreamlike ... I suppose. But I'm not scared, if that's what you're wondering. I guess I'm finding it all, well, sort of exciting. I've never felt so alive.'

'You've never felt so alive,' he repeated my words, thoughtfully. 'Well, I'd like to keep you that way, so I don't want you walking home from work by yourself anymore. I'll meet you when you finish. Promise me you'll wait for me, even if I'm a few minutes late.'

'Uh, thanks, but I'm a big girl, really. And I know a bit of self-defence. You don't know how close you came to getting an elbow in the gut when you came up behind me last week. And I know about not looking like a victim. I'm from California, remember?'

'Yes, well I'm sure you can look after yourself. But humour me-let me walk you home.'

'What are you worried about? Has something happened that you haven't told me?'

'No, nothing in particular, it's just that there seems to be a lot of violence in the city lately. There've been a lot of people getting hurt, or threatened, with knives. The last thing I want is for you to be involved in any of it.'

I thought about that-about the reports we'd seen on the nightly news-about how concerned Debs had been.

'Alright,' I agreed, 'That'll make Debs happy. She's been a bit edgy about me walking home alone.'

'Good. That's settled then. So, what are you getting up to today? We could go for a drive up to the Dandenongs. The view from the top is spectacular. You can see all of greater Melbourne from up there. Well, at least I can. But there are telescopes for those with less keen eyesight,' he said, smiling with such a warm look on his face that all the anger and jealousy I'd felt was completely washed away.

He wanted to spend the day with me. This man, who claims to be a vampire, and who started smiling again since he met me, wants to take me, Lili McIntyre, for a drive. Should I be scared? Because I wasn't-not even a little bit-even though we would be alone together, for the first time.

I must have had a strange look on my face as I weighed it all up, because Sam then put on a very posh accent as he continued.

'Miss McIntyre, it would be my pleasure to show you the sights today. I will be your personal tour guide, if you will do me the honour of accompanying me.'

I laughed, then attempted a posh accent myself, although it was nowhere near as nice as his was. 'Why yes, kind sir, that would be lovely, thank you.'

I looked down at what I was wearing, feeling incredibly inadequate. 'Oh, but I look awful. Have I got time to change?'

'You look fine, but you can change if you want to.'

'Thanks. I can leave a note for Debs while I'm there ... in case she wonders where I've gone. Oh, and she wants us to have dinner together tonite ... she said for me to invite you, if you're free that is.'

He screwed up his face into a sort of mock grimace, and replied, 'Hmmm ... now that you know the truth, well, I don't really eat food the way you do ... I mean, I can, if I need to in order to blend in, but it isn't something I enjoy. If it's all the same I'll pa.s.s on dinner. Maybe we can think of something for another time, something that doesn't involve eating as the main activity.'

'Oh, of course-I'm so stupid. I'll tell Debs you already have plans.'

His car was a lot like him. There was nothing ostentatious about it, and for the casual observer, it wouldn't stand out at all. But I suspected those who knew what they were looking at would be impressed. The sleek and shiny black BMW was big and powerful. It looked brand new to me, but he a.s.sured me it wasn't. He said it was a 1996 model, the last year they made them.

After a short time on a freeway he turned off and we soon found ourselves on narrow winding roads. Canopies of gum trees blocked the light from time to time, and there were steep drops down into valleys first on one side of the road, then the other. It was magical up here. The air was crisp, much cooler than it had been in the city. And it smelled of a mixture of earth and trees and aromatic wood smoke from fires burning in the homes dotted along the way.

When we reached the top of the hill, Sam parked the car and we walked up toward an observatory. First we walked around a small garden, then up to the highest point where we could admire the view back toward the city. Sam stood behind me, with his arms wrapped around me, pointing out landmarks in the distance. He was right, I needed the telescope to see what he pointed at-things he could apparently see quite clearly. His voice was soft and mesmerising, and his breath on the back of my neck sent shivers down my spine. I'm not sure how long we stood there-it could have been a few minutes, or it could have been hours-time seemed meaningless in his presence.

Eventually we went inside to a little cafe gift shop. He sat me down at a table near the window while he disappeared up to the counter. When he returned, he set a small tray in front of me. There was a pot of tea, a plate with two fluffy white m.u.f.fins, and two small bowls-one filled with whipped cream and the other with strawberry jam.

'We can't take you to the Dandenongs without giving you Devonshire Tea. It's traditional. The scones won't be the best in the world, but if you smother them with the jam and cream they should be quite edible.'

He watched me as I ate them, and though I was a bit self-conscious they tasted so wonderful that I ate every bit.

On the way back down the mountain, Sam slowed the car as we reached a young man standing on the roadside beside a table. There was a sign beside him but I could barely read the handwritten scrawl on the rough edged piece of cardboard.

'Roasted chestnuts-I remember them, from ... before,' he said as he stopped the car. 'Have you ever tried them?'

'No, but I've heard of them. I'd like to try them.'

He jumped out, bought a bag and got back in to the car, handing them to me. I was amazed at how normal this all felt. In fact, I couldn't actually remember a better day-ever. I'd been in Australia less than two weeks. I'd known Sam a bit less than that. But already, this felt like home.

We chatted quietly the rest of the way back to the city, and when he stopped the car in front of the apartment building, he turned to look at me, searching my eyes.

'Will I see you tomorrow?' he asked, almost shyly.

'Hmmm ... I think Debs wants to spend the day with me. She mentioned something about an art gallery, and lunch.'

'That should be nice. Guess I'll see you Wednesday then. I'll be there when you finish work, if not before. But remember, if I'm running late, wait for me.' This was an order-much like a parent talking to a small child, and his words made me feel all warm inside.

'Okay. I'll wait for you-no matter what.' I made a face, kind of a pout, but underneath I was thrilled.

He shook his head, a smile just touching his lips. Then he leaned sideways, and putting his hand behind my head he pulled me toward him, and kissed my forehead.

'Good night, sweet Lili. Enjoy your evening, and give my regards to Debs and Ian. I will see you Wednesday, at five, if not before.'

I didn't know how I could wait that long. Every particle of my being screamed out, wanting to be close to him. I wondered if I was falling in love ... if this is what it felt like. I couldn't remember ever feeling this way with David. This was something much, much more. Or was it simply because he was a vampire? Was this some spell he'd cast on me? Could vampires even cast spells?

I watched him drive off until I could no longer distinguish his car from the others. Then I remembered to breathe again, and went inside.

* CHAPTER NINE *.

I could hardly believe it when I spotted him. He was here to meet me, just as he'd said.

'You make a lovely witch, Lili,' he said, his voice low and soothing.

'Were you watching us?' I asked, embarra.s.sed.

'Just for a few minutes-the kids seem quite taken with you. I think it's this beautiful hair of yours,' he said, stroking my hair softly. The sensation was electrifying.

I smiled, and couldn't resist the temptation to poke him in the side but he was quick, reaching down and grabbing both my hands before I had a chance to get them close to him. 'Behave yourself, Lili. The kids may still be watching you,' he laughed.

I looked around, but we were alone. 'I'll cast a spell on you if you don't release me right now,' I said in the best witch voice I could muster up.

'You already have, Lili. That's my problem.'

I looked into his eyes, expecting to find him laughing at me, but he seemed serious. My heart fluttered.

'Let's go,' he said, releasing my hands, and placing one of his in the small of my back.

We walked along in silence, occasionally b.u.mping up against one another. As we pa.s.sed his house, I looked toward his front door longingly, wishing he'd invite me in. He must have picked up on my feelings, as he stopped, and turned to face me.

'I've got an idea. How about we have a games night, you know, with Debs and Ian? We can play cards or a board game if you prefer. Do you think that would work? I don't want them to think I'm avoiding them.'

'Sure-Debs likes cards, and Ian will go along with anything she asks. I'll mention it tonight. When were you thinking?'

'Whatever suits them, I guess. But make it after dinner ...'

He reached over and took my hand and we continued walking. It didn't matter that we didn't speak; I was content just being in his company.

When we got to the apartment lobby there were a lot of people coming and going, so he simply gave me a quick kiss on the cheek, and said goodnight. And as much as I wanted so much more, I knew I'd have to be satisfied with that-for now.

On both Thursday and Friday nights, Sam met me at work and walked me home. I was becoming more and more comfortable with our little routine, and ached with the antic.i.p.ation of seeing him each night.

Sat.u.r.day morning I knew he'd be busy at the market, but after spending the morning with Debs, I wandered up to the gardens for a run at around three, hoping he'd be on his way home soon after that.

Sure enough, I'd only done two laps when I spotted him making his way up to the top of the hill. He wasn't far from his tree.

He nodded the moment we made eye contact. I suddenly had this image of me running to him and throwing my arms around his neck-and of course it was in slow motion. I shook my head, called myself an idiot, and walked up to him and simply said, 'Hi'.

'Do you have time to sit with me for a few minutes? There's a nice bench over here. I sometimes sit and just watch the world go by.'

'Sure,' I said in as calm a voice as I could muster. I'd have sat on a bed of nails if it meant I could sit next to him for a while.

I followed him to the bench-the same one he'd been sitting on the day I'd met Crystal. There was just a bit of sun peeking through the clouds and it was lovely and warm when the sun's rays. .h.i.t me.

'What a glorious day,' I said, sitting down next to him.

'Isn't it just?' He smiled, and that warmed me even more than the sun.

Neither of us spoke for a few minutes, and I began to wonder whether there was something he wanted to talk about, or if he just wanted to be with me.

'Busy at work today?' I finally asked.

'Yeah, you know ... normal for a Sat.u.r.day. Look, there's someone who wants to meet you, Lili.'

'Okay,' I said, wondering what strange creature was going to turn up next. After meeting Crystal, I didn't think anything could surprise me.

'Close your eyes. Relax, and let your mind just sort of... wander. Think of something calming, like waves rolling in on a beach.'

I looked at him curiously but when he smiled I knew I'd do just about anything he asked. I closed my eyes, and thought about the times Dad had taken me to the beach.

'Now, open your eyes. Tell me what you see,' he said softly.

Standing in front of me was a young girl, probably about ten. She had dark hair, and big blue eyes, and rosy pink cheeks. She wore a dress-like a party dress-of a soft pink that matched her cheeks. There were ribbons in her hair, which hung in old-fashioned ringlets from the sides of her beautiful face. She had a rather curious look on her face as she stared at me, then a slight smile broke out.

I turned and looked at Sam. 'A young girl of course,' I said, frowning at him. Did he think I had gone blind or something?

'Excellent,' he said, pumping his fist in the air. 'Lili, I'd like you to meet Elizabeth, my sister.'

* CHAPTER TEN *.