Chapter 7
Two weeks passed. Two weeks was long enough to get painting supplies and new clothes, but apparently not long enough for Felicity's questions. She felt that Demitri was avoiding her. Demitri often left food in the refrigerator for Felicity to heat up, disappearing in the hours Felicity was awake. They didn't talk. Felicity didn't even think about kissing. She was alone with her paints and her cold waffles and she didn't like it.
Felicity set down her paints and her brush, stepping back and surveying her canvas. The picture was not turning out like she hoped. The smell of paint was beginning to get to her. Felicity wished she could have a separate room for her easel; however, the house was small and she didn't feel comfortable asking. Felicity decided now was a good time to go get a glass of water and a breath of fresh air.
She went downstairs and into the kitchen. Her glass of water was forgotten when she heard the banging of a hammer. Demitri, when he was home, fixed things when he wasn't cooking or reading. Felicity leaned on the archway separating the kitchen from the living room.
Demitri was banging on the fireplace with a hammer. The last time they talked, it had been about how he was trying to make the thing fireproof. Felicity didn't see how that was possible, but if anyone could do it, Demitri could. She watched him in silence for a minute or so before clearing her throat to get his attention. Demitri stood, turning to look at Felicity.
"You smell like paint." Demitri said. Felicity frowned. That was all he had to say to her? That she smelled like paint? Well what did he expect! She'd been painting all day. Felicity managed to keep her outside composure, though on the inside she was fuming. She plopped down on the sofa, resting her chin in the palm of her hand.
"I have some questions I need to ask you. Please sit." Felicity said firmly. A peal of thunder seemed to punctuate her sentence. A large thunderstorm was rolling through town.
"You smell like paint." Demitri said. Felicity frowned. That was all he had to say to her? That she smelled like paint? Well what did he expect! She'd been painting all day. Felicity managed to keep her outside composure, though on the inside she was fuming. She plopped down on the sofa, resting her chin in the palm of her hand.
"I have some questions I need to ask you. Please sit." Felicity said firmly. A peal of thunder seemed to punctuate her sentence. A large thunderstorm was rolling through town.
Demitri sat. He stared at the wall. Felicity crossed and uncrossed her legs. She was the one who wanted to ask him questions, but now that she actually had the opportunity she wasn't sure how to start. Felicity didn't want to sound hostile. She exhaled loudly through her nose, frustrated with herself. "Why have you been avoiding me?" she finally asked.
Her questions was answered with silence. So she waited. Demitri didn't so much as move. Felicity uncrossed her legs and stared at the rain pelting the veranda. Silence. He was doing it again.
The silence was broken by the opening of the front door. A surprisingly dry Kennedy stepped inside. The tension in the air was palpable. Kennedy shot Demitri a dirty look.
Demitri stood and smiled at the blond vampire, who was still shooting daggers at him with her eyes.
"Is this a bad time?" Kennedy asked. "I can go."
Felicity let out a short, cynical laugh. "Oh no, not at all. I'll just leave you two alone." Without thinking, Felicity left the house and went onto the porch. Outside was cold and wet, with the wind blowing some of the rain under the covered porch. Felicity wasn't wearing shoes. The feet of her tights got wet as she walked over to the table and sat down in a cahir.
"Is this a bad time?" Kennedy asked. "I can go."
Felicity let out a short, cynical laugh. "Oh no, not at all. I'll just leave you two alone." Without thinking, Felicity left the house and went onto the porch. Outside was cold and wet, with the wind blowing some of the rain under the covered porch. Felicity wasn't wearing shoes. The feet of her tights got wet as she walked over to the table and sat down in a cahir.
Alarmingly enough, she was on the brink of tears. Felicity was just so... so frustrated! She knew that Demitri didn't like to talk, but there was a limit for everything. Felicity was out of the loop, just as she had been for months. The lack of communication and limited freedoms made this place as much of a prison as the last. It was much more comfortable, but still very much a prison. It was an angry, dissatisfied, and rather depressed Felicity that stood and made her way back into the house. She did not say anything to Kennedy or Demitri.
Felicity mounted the stairs slowly and deliberately, forcing herself to think about each step. When she got back to her room she would get bak to painting.
Kennedy watched as Felicity walked up the stairs. "What did you do to piss her off, Demitri?" Kennedy asked, crossing her arms and looking sternly at Demitri. Kennedy wasn't too sure about Felicity, but Demitri liked her and that counted for something. Kennedy knew how hard it could be dealing with Demitri so there was some sympathy there as well.
Demitri sighed. "I should probably go talk to her. I haven't told her much. Or anything."
Kennedy narrowed her eyes at Demitri. "Get your butt up there and fix this. You put yourself at risk for her. I'm not going to let you throw that away just because you can't unstick your tongue from the roof of your mouth."
Demitri sighed. "I should probably go talk to her. I haven't told her much. Or anything."
Kennedy narrowed her eyes at Demitri. "Get your butt up there and fix this. You put yourself at risk for her. I'm not going to let you throw that away just because you can't unstick your tongue from the roof of your mouth."
Demitri did as Kennedy said, going upstairs and into Felicity's room. She was painting. That was what she did most of the time. Demitri realized with a pang of guilt that he didn't give her much else to do. He touched her shoulder gently. "I'm ready to answer your questions now." The only response he got was stony silence. Felicity continued to paint, refusing to acknowledge Demitri.
Demitri left Felicity's side, flopping down on the bed. "If you're not going to talk to me, I guess I'll just start from the beginning. My father was a human, as was I, until we were both turned while on the way to trade goods. We were merchants back then, but after our transformations we became part of a coven of vampires that has long since dissipated. Those first few decades are not a time I care to think about. It was one of the only times I completely lost control of myself. I left the group and began to travel alone. Over time I've accumulated more money then I will ever need and my fair share of enemies. I ran into Kennedy about forty years ago. We've been friends for as long. Jackson is another story.
There are some things you need to know about vampires. Some males can reproduce, but only under specific circumstances. Jackson is biologically my half brother. My father tracked me down when Jackson was a kid. Later I found out that my father turned Jackson shortly before he was killed. Jackson sought me out and we stuck together out of convenience. "
There are some things you need to know about vampires. Some males can reproduce, but only under specific circumstances. Jackson is biologically my half brother. My father tracked me down when Jackson was a kid. Later I found out that my father turned Jackson shortly before he was killed. Jackson sought me out and we stuck together out of convenience. "
Felicity listened in silence, continuing to paint as Demitri talked. He paused and watched her work before continuing to speak. "One thing you have to understand is that after a century or so, I became apathetic. I hated what I was, but there was no escaping it. I had no one I loved. I was just existing. That was how I lived until recently. I didn't mind Jackson's conduct because nothing mattered. When I helped you escape... I was planning to wait for the right time, but it never seemed to come. I wanted to make sure that you would be safe and the only way to do that would be to kill Jackson. The world would be better off without the likes of him anyway. He's vengeful and he'll be looking for us. If he finds you alone he will kill you. That's why you have to stay here. It will be harder for him to track us. I don't want you going out alone until I know the threat has been removed."
Demitri fell silent again as Felicity put the finishing touches on her painting. When she was finished she methodically put her paints away. She walked over and sat on the edge of the bed next to Demitri. He sat up and angled so he was facing her, his eyes searching her face.
"Demitri," she said slowly, putting one of her hands on his leg, "Why didn't you wait for the right time? Why did you take me out of there when you did?" Demitri's clear yellow eyes met Felicity's green ones.
More comfortable with actions than words, Demitri pulled Felicity to him and kissed her. Felicity felt her heart pounding in her chest.
When they pulled apart Demitri gently touched Felicity's cheek. She closed her eyes, leaning into his cool palm.
"That's why."
"That's why."