Right Kind of Wrong
By: Delilah deSora

Chapter 4

Shido broke through the border between forest and vale, his head down in thought. He didn’t notice the other vampire until they were nearly toe-to-toe. He stumbled back in surprise, staring up at the ancient before him. His hair was a pale blond, much like Cain’s but missing the full rich color. It made a halfhearted attempt at curls beyond his shoulders but even that seemed lacking.

Something within Shido put him on edge and unconsciously he leaned away from this unknown vampire. There was a strange tinge to his scent that made Shido compare him with his own mate and it took all of his will to keep his lips from pulling back in disgust as he found this other deficient. He must not have hidden his distaste well enough for something slid through the vampire’s light blue eyes and he received a measuring look.

The pale haired vampire sniffed, his mouth opening slightly as though to taste the very air. A strange smile that was not at all friendly curved his lips. “So you were good for something then.” He murmured, his deep voice sending shivers down Shido’s spine.

Shido frowned. “I do not know you.”

A condescending look answered his words. “There was no need for you to know me . . . until now.”

Before Shido could question his words the other vampire turned on his heel and strode away. Shido watched him go in silence, a part of him relaxing as the threat walked away while the other part of him wondered at the strong reactions the man had inspired within him. He pushed the thoughts out of his mind, thoroughly fed up with the sudden changes of mood as he retraced his steps to the balcony by Cain’s hall.

This time he experienced no hesitance as he leapt, easily clearing the railing. The doors were unlocked and he pushed them open. The hall beyond was dark and quiet. Grateful for the silence he made his way back to the rooms he and his mate shared. Adrian sat in the corner, his eyes fixed on the wall as his chin rested on his hand.

Shido passed him by without greeting, well versed in the black haired vampire’s quirks. It was not unusual for any of them to lose time as their memories flooded over them and Shido had noticed that, of all of them, Adrian seemed the most prone to it. Sometimes he would sit staring at nothing for hours. There were even times when he wouldn’t even rise for the night, staying abed, eyes blank as he laid upon his bed. Cain had once told him that his sire’s death had killed a bit of him. It left him open to the ‘little deaths’ as his mate called them.

Upon entering the bedroom he paused at the bedside, suddenly aware of how tired his run had left him. He growled at the weakness but gave into it. Sinking down in the chair by the fire he let his body relax. His mind drifted as he allowed his own ‘little death’ to come over him. Unlike Adrian’s complete memories his was filled with half formed images that left him frustrated as he tried to work them out. Even the memories of his time away from Cain were unsatisfying. Dragging his mind back to present he contented himself watching the flames dance among their stone prison.

Days turned to weeks before blending together into a meaningless web of hours between sleep. Every day seemed to bring a bit more fatigue with it as well as other frustrations. He had no control over his emotions though to his relief he did not suffer from the more embarrassing ones such as uncontrolled crying or grief. Unfortunately it was panic or anger that replaced them.

It was not always so, though. Occasionally there were moments of joy and happiness unlike anything he had experienced in a long time.

All through it his hunger did not change. He could no longer stomach human blood nor did anyone but Cain’s blood call to him. After his killing of the breed no one dared Cain’s wing anymore and he was grateful for it. The only other person he had contact with was Adrian whose company, for some reason, comforted him.

Strangely, thought, there were arguments between his mate and the dark haired vampire. They were careful to keep him from hearing them but as his energy seemed to decrease his senses got stronger. Though he could not hear their words he could clearly hear the emotion in their voices.

His days had become a routine of prowling the upper floors of the castle until fatigue made him return to his seat before the fire. On a few occasions Cain would walk with him in the forest but as time went by he felt less comfortable with the ancient wood. The paranoia had grown until he was reluctant to leave the rooms Cain and he shared unless he had to.

He sighed heavily, staring up at the all too familiar canopy. He was bored and irritated. He was sure that Adrian and Cain were keeping the knowledge of what ailed him a secret between them and that made him furious, though his anger at Adrian was somewhat less for he was sure that Adrian’s silence was at Cain’s insistence. Sometimes, when he was feeling particularly drained, the black haired vampire seemed on the verge of telling him something but always he would catch himself before any words could be spoken.

Most infuriating of all was the almost constant babying he received at Cain’s hands. It made him feel weak and needy. He hated it!

With a snarl he forced himself up off the bed. For the first time in nearly a week he dressed. Sitting upon the chair he pulled on shoes, wincing slightly at the discomfort in his stomach and back as he bent to the task. Standing he ran his hand over the front of his shirt to smooth it back, frowning as he did so. He repeated the motion, trying to determine if it was a trick of his mind that his stomach felt more rounded yet firmer than it had once been. He let his hand fall away and stalked into the common room between Cain’s and Adrian’s personal rooms.

As he had hoped Adrian sat among the cushions, his long fingers playing over a piece of marble as he gently chipped away at it, undoubtedly creating yet another small figurine. Their rooms were filled with his creations. The top of the bookcase was a veritable cornucopia of mythic creatures while on the shelves armies of men waited their turn to battle on the checkerboard table.

Golden eyes peered up at him curiously as he reached down and took the tools from the older vampire’s hands.

“Let’s go out.” He said, setting them aside.

A very small frown crossed Adrian’s face. “Are you sure?”

Shido nodded firmly. “I am tired of staring at nothing but Cain’s things. I’m starting to think that one day I’ll be just another furnishing if I don’t do something. Besides, I think we both need some time away from him before we both snap.”

Adrian chuckled softly and stood. “As you like.”

They passed through the castle like shadows, using little known passages on their way outside. Shido breathed in the night air deeply though he no longer needed such things. It reenergized him even as his mind made the open distance greater and far more threatening than he knew it was. Gritting his teeth he forced himself to stride down the wide roadway. Adrian moved with him and he was grateful for the older vampire’s presence though neither of them spoke.

The roadway had not been used in a long time and grass growing between the cobblestone cracks softened their steps. The moon rode high overhead as they walked and lightened their way, though neither vampire noticed it.

Shido sighed and peered up at the stars, a strange sadness coming over him.

“Do you not feel well?” Adrian asked, his soft voice both comforting and seemingly wise beyond the years of any living being.

Shido shook his head. “I feel well enough.”

“Then what makes you sigh so?”

A melancholic smile crossed his face. “I just wonder if this will be the last time I see the night sky.”

Out of the corner of his eye he saw a deep frown cross Adrian’s face. “Why do you say such a thing?”

Shido shrugged. “I do not know what is wrong with me but it can’t be good. I am not getting better, only worse. How much longer can this possibly go on before even Cain cannot support my hunger?”

Adrian’s golden eyes narrowed slightly as he stared ahead. “Do not worry about it. He is strong, he will . . . do what he must for you.”

“What must he do?” Shido pressed.

Pale lips tightened into a straight line. “Whatever he must.”

Shido snorted. “That isn’t an answer.”

“It is. You just do not know it as such.”

Anger flared and Shido stopped, turning fully to face the black haired vampire. “Why will neither of you tell me what’s wrong?”

Adrian sighed. “It is complicated. We don’t want to trouble you, Shido.”

“Trouble me?” Shido asked incredulously, “Don’t you think that the fact that I don’t know what is going on troubles me more than knowing?”

Golden eyes glanced at him with a dry humor. “Telling you would only give you a whole new set of things to worry about.”

“Am I going to die?” Shido blurted out, unable to stop from voicing his main fear.

Adrian’s face turned soft and he reached out to brush his fingertips over Shido’s face. “No. In fact there is nothing wrong at all. Everything is going as it should.”

“Then why do you and Cain argue?”

A sigh that was equal parts annoyance and something else escaped the black haired vampire’s lips. “Because we have different views on how to proceed with this.”

“You want me to go somewhere.” Shido said.

Adrian nodded, a small smile playing over his lips. “Yes. You are uncomfortable surrounded by so many other vampires and breed, are you not?”

Shido bit his lip unconsciously before nodding. “Yes.” He admitted.

“Cain does not understand that. He thinks it is a silly fear that you can overcome but we both know he is wrong. It is something that will only grow with time. It makes you uncomfortable when this is a time when you should be content and rested.”

Green eyes narrowed as Shido peered at the other vampire. “How do you know this?”

The small smile turned large as Adrian’s golden eyes took on the distant look of memory. “Because I have been where you are now, Shido. This . . . ailment . . . is something I too went though, once.”

Shido blinked in surprise. “Really?”

“Yes. Now come, the night is turning cold and you will be tired soon. Do not be angry with Cain. He is only doing what he thinks is best. I, however, will be angry at him for you, yes?”

Shido laughed. “Alright.”

Andrew waited, forcing himself to be as still as possible as the two vampires turned and walked back the way they came. Every muscle in his body screamed in agony but he forced himself to ignore it. Though he longed to switch positions he knew that the two vampires would heard the movement and he suspected the agony of death would be far worse then a few aching muscles.

Finally they passed beyond his range of vision and he relaxed. As quietly as he could he slunk back through the underbrush. He followed the small marks on the trees back to hunting path before breaking out into a run. His heart was beating but it was more from what he had witnessed than the sudden burst of physical activity.

The village appeared through the growing gaps between the trees and he managed to dig up some more speed. He dug through his pockets until he found the key he needed. As quietly as he could to keep from disturbing any of the other inhabitants of the village he unlocked his door and slipped inside.

Climbing the stairs to the attic he fumbled with the lock until the door opened. He dove for the desk, locking the small camera into its base before he had even sat down. The single picture he had taken loaded up onto the monitor before him and he grinned in triumph. Part of it was for himself but most of it was for the woman he was currently uploading the picture too.

Natalia had given her entire life, as had her father and her father’s father before her to studying the clan of vampires that lived just beyond the town. They had gathered a lot of useful information on the habits and culture of vampires but never had they managed to observe their primary concern.

Until now.

His phone rang and he snapped it open with a wide grin.

Shido murmured in his sleep, trying to bury his face deeper in the covers. With a quiet chuckle Cain kissed the top of his head. Long fingers he had inherited from his father stroked the violet hair until the vampire in his arms relaxed. He let his hands drift lower and, almost reverently, he brushed his hand over his mate’s stomach. There was a barely detectable swell there.

A self-satisfied smile crept across his face as he laid his palm across the pale flesh. He could feel nothing but a distinct firmness but soon he knew he would feel something very different. He longed for that day.

He looked up to find green eyes watching him and he smiled. “Awake, lovely?”

When he moved to kiss his mate Shido rolled onto his side, avoiding his touch. He frowned as the younger vampire slipped off the bed and began to dress. “Where are you going?”

Shido met his gaze. “I want to go home.”

Cain gritted his teeth and rose as well, glad that he was already dressed. “You can’t go home, Shido. You know that you are a danger to those you left behind.”

“And you are a danger to me!” The violet haired vampire shouted.

Cain blinked in surprise as his mate whirled upon.

“Every moment I spend with you I am in danger. Always I lose a little of myself when I am in your presence. Even now! You say you brought me here to heal and yet all you have done is let me languish in this . . . this cage! I will have no more of it! I am leaving!”

“You cannot leave! I have done nothing to you!” Cain growled, moving to block Shido’s path.

The violet haired vampire hissed. “How long will that last? How long until I wake up no longer knowing who I am? How long until you steal what memories are left to me? Or are you planning on leaving me so secluded and bored that I forget them on my own?”

Cain sighed. “I am not going to take your memories. I would never do such a thing for no reason.”

To his surprise Shido seemed to calm somewhat, his eyes bleeding back to green from their gold. When he spoke his voice seemed weary beyond his years. “Tell me then,” he said, “You say you did not take my memories facetiously yet what else am I to believe? Prove it. Prove to me that what you say is true.”

They stared at each other for a few long moments before Cain sighed. “As you wish but I warn you. They are not memories or truths you wish to hear.”

Shido shook his head. “I will take that chance! It cannot be worse than this not knowing! Tell me what you have taken from me and for god’s sake tell me what is wrong with me!”

Cain shook his head. “I am not so sure that is true, Shido, but I will tell you. Come, sit with me.”

He gestured towards his mate as he sat upon the chair by the fire.