Chapter 129 - A sleeping girl

**Zandras pov**

I woke up with a jolt, the vision still clear in my mind. Before, I panicked and was sometimes broken down by my visions, now I knew better, they were the most possible outcome of several, but they could be changed. This one was no different, although the way to change it would be difficult, and require a great sacrifice. I fell back on the pillow and glanced at the clock, I had gotten a few hours of sleep since reluctantly leaving Ambrogio last night. I had helped him calm down, when his appearance was back to normal and he was relaxed I yawned a few times. He became concerned about my lack of sleep and insisted that he was okay and that I should try to rest. With the vision clear in my mind, I wonder if I made a mistake, maybe I should have stayed, spent the rest of the night with him, in his arms, in his bed.
I got out of the shower, I could have stayed longer, the water was so warm and nice, and the heat of the bathroom floor made me happy, there is nothing worse than stepping out onto cold tiles after a hot shower. It was a bit fascinating, actually, that he had such modernities as underfloor heating. I came to think of his comment *“Were you expecting dark curtains and a coffin?”* Maybe he wasn’t so wrong after all. Yes, I had been surprised by the beautiful decor, the light and the plants, his taste in art and modern furniture.
I wrapped a towel around my body and went back into the bedroom. I had to find something else to wear, the clothes from yesterday wouldn’t do it. It was my...war outfit maybe you could call it. I’ve never been one to physically fight, but my skills still require the right clothes. I looked at the coat and caressed the thin soft leather. Besides all the pockets on its inside that could be loaded with witch bags, potions and more, there was a long pocket on the back, for arrows. The bow had always been my weapon, ever since my father taught me to hunt pigeons and pheasants as a little girl. I was really good and I loved archery. The leather in the entire outfit was also enchanted, it could resist all types of magic and most elements, which could be good if I were to get into an argument with another witch or find myself in front of a flamethrower. Lead and other metals also couldn’t get through so it was pretty much bulletproof...however, there was nothing in these clothes that I could use to stop my vision. I heard a click and then a faint knock before the handle on the door between me and Ambrogio’s room was pushed down. Before the door opened, however, I heard a scream of pain. I stifled a laugh and waited.
“Zandra?...may I come in?” I bit the inside of my mouth to hold back the laughter before answering.
“Just five seconds…” I whispered a few words to lift the spell from the door, but it probably took another thirty seconds before he dared try to open it again. I was far too busy holding back laughter to notice how his eyes darkened as he stepped into the room.
“What can I do for you Ambrogio?” I suddenly became aware that I was very unclothed. He didn’t answer but stood as if petrified and looked at me.
"Ambrogio?!” I raised my voice a little and added the mature tone I usually have when talking to the pups in the pack. That made him react.
“Hrm..I wonder if you want to..”He licked his lips a little as if he was dehydrated.
“I’m going to go see Ana..the young woman from yesterday. I wanted to ask if you’d like to join me.”
“Yes..yes absolutely, I want to, can you give me a few minutes, I need to get dressed.”
“Of course…” He didn’t look me in the eyes when he answered but his eyes continued to wander over my body, something that would make most people feel uncomfortable. But not me. Witches are one with nature, and nature does not wear clothes. I myself have always been more dressed than my peers, partly because I wanted to respect those around me, even if the wolves don’t cover themselves as humans either, but maybe also because I didn’t want to attract men’s attention after Ambrogio forced me to to become a woman. But nudity has never bothered me and it didn’t now either.
“Did you plan to watch me get dressed?”
“Would you mind if I did? His reply came quickly, before he could reflect on his mouth forming the words his brain was thinking.
“It’s nothing you haven’t seen before.” My voice had a chilly ring to it as I spoke the words, and it hit him hard.
“Zandra..sorry, I didn’t mean...I was ...” He let out a deep sigh, scratched his head and turned on his heel and went back into his room, probably very embarrassed. When the door was closed I let go of my self-control and let myself blush. Was it because of the nights vision? Because of what I felt for him? I had hated him for so long, for hundreds of years...but somewhere inside me, the flame had been kept in a quiet glow. I closed my eyes and brought up the memories of our walks in the woods, when we shared stories, laughed...when our hands held each other, his lips against my skin as he politely kissed my hand goodnight...our first kiss... before he...I opened my eyes again, cleared my throat and hurried to get dressed.
The few minutes it took to get to the room where Ana was being held were spent in tense silence. The relaxed closeness we had the night before was gone. At first I thought it was because he was embarrassed to have wanted to see me naked but the closer we got to Ana the more tense he got. His breathing became heavier and faster, his hands were clenched and so were his jaws.
“Are you okay?” I put my hand on his shoulder and to my surprise he pulled away from my touch. He didn’t answer but increased the pace of his steps.
“Father!” The trueborn vampire named Claus was standing outside a door in the corridor we arrived at.
“Open the door!”
“Of course Father:” He did as he was told and Ambrogio hurried into the room, seeming to forget I was even there.
I slowly crossed the threshold, the room was dim, the window covered, only a couple of lamps cast a soft glow. I recognized Tony from earlier, he was watching by the girl’s side and when his father entered the room he said nothing but moved to give him his place. Ambrogio sat down on the edge of her bed. She was a beauty that took your breath away. Her brown hair lay low in soft glossy waves around her face, as if someone had been brushing it for hours. Her skin was light brown, not pale and sickly like I’d seen on other vampires. She slept peacefully with her hands resting along her body. Ambrogio took one of her hands in his and stroked her head with his other. I saw him relax and breathe more calmly, as if being around her was all he needed.
“Come with me out for a while.” Tony spoke in a quiet and calm voice.
“Thanks, but I’d rather stay.” I did not recognize Ambrogio’s behavior and I did not want to leave his side, whether the concern was for him or for the sleeping girl in the bed, I did not know.
“I insist.” Tony’s voice was still low but more determined, he wouldn’t take no for an answer and I wasn’t going to cause a scene. I looked towards Ambrogio to see if he had any objection but he was engrossed in Ana, he didn’t hear us, or he had forgotten we were there. I nodded without saying anything and followed Tony out into the corridor.
“Claus, get us something to drink.” Tony gave a command to his brother who nodded and hurried off. He showed me to a small alcove by a window some distance away, where there were a couple of padded armchairs around a small table and we sat down. He looked at me in silence, my guess was that his thoughts were many, as many as the questions in them. Why was I here? Was I a friend or foe? A threat?
“Zandra…the white witch…Great Falls white witch…Aayla’s best friend if I’m not mistaken…what are you doing here?” He wasn’t threatening when he asked the questions but my impression of Tony was that he wasn’t stupid, he wasn’t gullible, he was a son who loved his father dearly and regardless of whether I was here for a roll in the hay or for something of greater importance, he would find out what.