Sixty-Four

Fear ate at me, and after last night’s incident, for the first time, dread is lashing at me like punishing whips. I knew the promises I’ve made, but I didn’t know if I’d be able to keep them. Probably not, but what choice did I have? Putting them in danger was overrated, and it wasn’t fair to them. They weren’t regular humans and had unthinkable powers, I knew, but tell that to my heart! I had an idea of the reason the agency betrayed me, but I needed to discover what was going on. I needed a plan, and fast.
My face got covered in kisses, and I loved waking up to his endearing gestures. I hadn’t dared to open my eyes yet, just feeling him beside me and basking in his warmth, because eventually I would break his heart, just like I did with Shane years ago, and thinking about him, I needed to talk to Shane. He was crazy trying to find me, and I hoped he had gotten what I needed.
Vlad knew the moment I was awake, and I couldn’t resist him anymore. I brought him to me, kissing the soul out of him. Only Lord knew how I loved those sinful lips on mine. Then, I felt dad in my head. Dad! Relief flooded my soul, and tears burnt in my eyes.
*Alex, I hope you two are behaving; I don’t want to get there in the middle of nasty things!
Ewe dad. How good it is to hear your voice! Where are you?
Close, very close.*
“Why are you crying and laughing, dragă?” The puzzlement in his voice took me out of my dazedness. I loved his voice. I could hear for days, rough, raspy, but also smooth, and able to send shivers running through my skin and setting in places it shouldn’t.
“Dad is very close, he’s warning us.”
“I see. How long do we have?” he asked, kissing my neck. Gosh, I wouldn’t mind waking up to this for eternity.
“Sorry, Grizzly, we don’t.” I laughed at his frustrated semblance, lacing my fingers in his messy hair and bringing him to me. “Later.”
“I’m gonna kill, Anton!” His raspy, carefree laughter made its way to my ears, and for a little while we just held each other.
“No, you’re not, old friend!” Dad’s firm voice resounded through the house, so different from Vlad’s, taking us from that cozy place we had put ourselves. Happiness crawled into my body. I had to see for myself he was fine, no scratches or anything.
“Move, Vlad.” I said, exasperated, trying to untangle myself from him, until he rolled over on his back and looked at me with mischief. In one leap, I ran to the closet and wiggled into my pajamas, dashing out of the room.
“Dad!” I flew myself into his arms, wrapping my feet behind his back, my arm on his neck, hiding my face on his shoulder as he held me there. Safe in that world, I knew so well. I couldn’t let anything happen to him. His arms closed around my back, locking me to him, and I was once more that lonely child he rescued from the streets years ago.
“I’m sorry, I worried you, pumpkin.” He kissed the top of my head. “It wasn’t my intention.”
As he walked with me to the kitchen, I heard a low menacing growl coming from the door behind us. I peered over my father’s shoulder at him. And boy, he was mad. His eyes were bright golden, glaring at us, but I couldn’t help myself as I raised my chin and one eyebrow to my hairline, sticking my tongue out at him and followed by an impish smirk. I got rewarded with the most beautiful and confused expression ever. I’m sure he never expected this kind of defiance. Well, if he was used to me being a submissive damsel, now he must deal with the 21st century version of myself. Funny, more and more I thought of Liz as myself.
“Vlad, I can feel you grilling my backside. Stop being an ass! She’s my daughter, you perv!” Dad’s soft laughter mingled with mine.
“Yes, Grizzly! Ewe!” I said while dad put me on top of the counter, like old times. Gosh, I missed this. I missed the peace and quiet of the childhood Anton provided me with. I was so broken, but he made his way into my heart and helped me heal.
“Sorry, Liz, but I’m still not used to seeing Anton as a father figure to you. It’s just so out of context for me, please, be patient until I come to terms with it. My mind still doesn’t accept someone who would get a high from chopping off limbs, so fatherly mushy.” Dad shot a nasty look in his direction. “Sorry, Anton!”
“Can I mess with him just a little?”
“Go for it, I wouldn’t mind a bit!” Vlad had done a good job pissing him off, but dad was also in for a surprise.
“Dad knew about my escapades from the castle back then. He caught me wandering around the village one day, telling stories to some children.” Dad’s look was priceless. I had remembered him already, but until last night I didn’t have any specific memory of him. He was there the entire time, but somehow I just let it pass. Vlad said once my soul recognized him, because since I put my eyes on the big, bearded man, I felt safe. When I woke up, it was all there, like it happened yesterday.
“Anton, what do you have to say for yourself?” I shrank behind Anton with a satisfied grin when his voice boomed. I knew I was messing with the devil, but I was having fun at their expense.
“Vlad, she looked miserable and alone. I understood why she did it. She begged me not to tell you, and I couldn’t say no.” He turned to me with an evil smirk. “But I put two of my best men to follow her around. She was never by herself.” I stared at him, outraged, and he gave me a satisfied look. I’ve never suspected someone following me around. “Later on, when things got out of hand, she told you herself. So why bother now?”
“You should have told me, Anton! It’s about loyalty.”
“I know, my friend, but since you brought her to camp that night and I set my eyes on her, she reminded me of my long-lost daughter and I couldn’t help myself, and I’m not sorry!” He hugged me tight. “So, memories are blossoming in this head of yours, huh? Does that feel awkward to you, now?”
“Not at all, it changes nothing, you’re still my father. I met you when I knew nothing about myself or who I was supposed to be. The memories from this life are the stronger ones for now, but I won’t lie to you, the old memories are becoming as stronger as the new ones.”
“You’ve never told me you had a daughter?” Vlad’s indignant tone made us both turn to him. “I’m your friend!”
“This is a very personal and painful subject for me, old friend. I don’t like to talk about it, and I’m not going there now!” he said, turning to me. “Thank you, pumpkin! How about some coffee? We have a lot to discuss.” And he went to the stove, dismissing the matter. Never in all these years he let slip he once was a father. My chest constricted to the possibility of all this pain inside him. I knew how hard it was to lose a family.
“If it helps, you are the most caring and perfect father I could ask for. I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me, and I love you very much.” I embraced him from behind. He needed to know, because sometimes actions are not enough, you need to hear the words.
“Thank you, pumpkin.” They were his only words, but the emotion in his eyes said it all.
Vlad walked to us, pushing me to him and sitting on the high stool with me on his lap in a tight, possessive grip. Dad just gave him the evil eye and smirked, going back to his brewing, and we got into a comfortable silence. But you know the saying *it’s always calm, before the storm?* I knew my father’s ways, and a torment was cooking up by that stove.
Anxiety flooded me, and I had to make myself busy. Soon the delicious aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the kitchen, together with the smell of fried eggs and bacon, making the place even warmer. I untangled myself from Vlad and started setting the table. The silence in the kitchen shifted to creepy. If they thought I wasn’t aware that they were talking to each other, it was plain stupid. When everything was all set on the table, he took his seat and stared at us, but fixed on me. I knew that look. Shit was coming my way.