A Family Check-Up

In the months following Stefan’s dramatic re-entry into my life, I retreated from the world. Evangeline called often, at first, but I answered only once. The conversation proved too emotionally and intellectually challenging, and after that I destroyed my phone altogether. It was this action that left me completely unprepared when Selena came to visit.

Selena did not knock as Demelza had; she simply appeared in my apartment, as if by magic. At least, it seemed that way to me because I was completely absorbed in my work. I sat at my desk, feverishly writing and sketching in my notebook (Pro-Tip: When I get despondent, I alternate between two states, one of intense apathy and one of frenzied action), planning the demise of my old family in order to save my new one. Accordingly, I did not notice her approach, her presence, or the danger she brought in with her.

You see, if Selena were to somehow discover my relationship with Evangeline, she would doubtless report me to Father, and Father would then put me under intense scrutiny. Such interrogation and investigation would likely bring to light my association, albeit forced, with Stefan. This would stop Stefan’s plan, and Stefan would then make a certain phone call thus destroying my last and greatest valuable.

When I finally registered the cool touch of the wind on my skin, the hairs of the back of my neck rose (Pro-Tip: Vampires have a keen sense of danger, and since there is very little on this earth that is dangerous to us, it is never a good idea to ignore this warning). I spoke without turning, “Yes? What do you want?” Her proud voice cracked like a whip across my back, “Is that any way at all to greet your sister?” I swiveled in my chair, and felt a chill that was not the wind.

“I beg your pardon Selena,” I said, standing, “It seems I’ve quite forgot my manners.”

“Indeed you have.” Her tone was as severe as the rest of her, all hard lines and sharp edges, like a shard of ice.

Selena is beautiful, but not in a way that inspires desire or love. Hers is a dangerous beauty, a weapon that she uses to create fear. Her black, shoulder-length  hair was swept to either side of her face, so as not to impede her vision, and her eyes gleamed, one gold and one silver, from between their dark frame. She wore a leather jerkin with no sleeves, and a long skirt that no doubt concealed a dagger strapped to her thigh. Though she was not tall, her presence was intimidating nonetheless. Everything about her was narrow and lithe, and above all fearsome.

I stammered out another apology, and offered her a chair, but she ignored me.

“I must confess, brother, I’m disappointed in you. I called ahead three days ago, but still you are unprepared when I arrive. Your flat is in disarray, and your own appearance, is decidedly shabby. What has happened to you?” The blasted thing was, she was right. I’d not cleaned my apartment in weeks, and there was now a new carpet of dust covering most everything. As for my personal appearance, something I usually maintain meticulously, a stranger might have tossed a few coins at me had I left the building.

“I’ve been…ill.” I lied, feebly. She ignored that too.

“And what are you so busy writing over there?” She pointed to my desk, which was surrounded by crumpled bits of paper, a to a succession of broken pens on the floor by the trashcan (which was also overflowing with paper).

“I’ve been drafting my report to Father.” I said, putting more effort into this lie than the previous one (Pro-Tip: Quite apart from the plans to topple my Father from his position, various drafts of these essays were on that desk, and it wouldn’t do to have them discovered). “Won’t you please have a seat?”

“No.”

“No?”

“No, I think I will explore your abode a little more closely.” She stepped into the bedroom.

“I’d really rather you didn’t!” I shouted after her, “My place really is quite a mess right now!”

“I know,” she replied, “And that in and of itself is worth investigating.” She began rummaging around in my drawers, tossing things helter-skelter into the center of the room. I stood silently, as she finished the destruction of my room. “Nothing.” She huffed, red in the face. She seemed a little too disappointed not to have some evidence of wrong-doing.

“Of course.” I said, fixing my social armor in place with a smile. “Whatever where you looking for…” But just as I was speaking, I spotted a very incriminating item next to her left shoe. I looked away quickly, but too late. She swooped down like a bird of prey, and snatched it off the floor. It was utterly humiliating to be brought down by…

“A bobby pin!” She cried triumphantly. “You’ve been seeing a girl!” Well, there was no point in denying it.

“Yes.” I said, as bravely as I could, “What’s it to you?”

“Well, nothing.” She purred.

“Nothing?” I asked, suspicious.

“Nothing. It’s not my concern who you spend your time with.” We stared at each other for a few moments, me searching for deceit, and her smiling coldly.

“So you won’t tell father?” I asked, breaking the silence.

“Heaven’s no. You think you’re the first to have a lover hidden away from dear daddy? Even Scott’s had one.”

“Oh.” I was a little disgruntled I’ll admit. I thought I’d been breaking new ground.

“Well, if this is all that’s bothering you, then no matter. But if you don’t pull yourself together—and fast, Father will be the least of your problems.” She tossed the bobby pin at me feet, and when I looked up, she was gone.

“It used to be me who vanished into the night.” I muttered to myself. Maybe I was losing my touch. I turned back to my desk, and took up my pen again.