The Wanderer

four: Secrets

Akire watched through her other senses as the sky turn from velvet blue to a lovely shade of gray. She inhaled the fresh breath of dawn and savored its flavor. It was the only time that she could taste the sun; feel the soft creeping warmth as its rays emerge sleepily from the horizons.

She inhaled deeply, feeling strength running through her veins. She only had about a minute or two before sunlight becomes deadly. The human blood that Alexis brought helped in recharging her. It would last for a few weeks, depending on how much blood she would shed or energy she would use.

She restored the bandage around her eyes, picked up her weather worn jacket and pulled the hood up. There was going to be a lot of decisions made this morning.

She nudged Alexis with her foot. The sun had crept just high enough to emit its harmful arms, lengthening to reach out and burn her into a crisp. She scooted closer to the inside to avoid the light. She could heal, yes, but why go through the agony when it can be avoided?

“Alex, wake up!” 

The wolf groaned then let out a low growl. She chuckled, what kind of lycan sleeps like the dead? If they were to be invaded at that very moment, Akire might just have to lose all her stored up energy!

“Is he dead?”

Akire turned towards Sam’s voice. He moved and the blanket, which Akire stole from Alexis to replace the jacket that covered the little boy, fell to the floor. It sent enough waves for Akire to see the little prince.

He actually had curly locks that fell in a mad array over his slightly rounded face. He sort of looked like a cherub, only slightly thinner. She wondered what color his eyes were though.

“No, he’s sleeping. Let’s let him catch a few more winks. I’d like to talk to you without him interrupting us.”

“Can I have breakfast first? I’m really, really hungry. Usually, mother would-“ 

Akire waited for a bit and she heard him start to sniffle. She busied herself with Alexis’ bag, trying to fish a decent food to feed the poor child who was now crying silently.

She knew she should go over and put an arm around him or something. But, she did not need this weakness right now. She had to stay firm and not let her heart be swayed otherwise, she would abandon her quest just to take care of this child and see that he gets safely back home.

A rustle of the blanket told Akire that Sam had buried himself underneath it. Something inside Akire’s hollow, unbeating heart stirred. How much of a monster had she become? Surely, comforting a child who just saw her mother die and get burned would need arms to hold him.

Lycan prince or not, he was still a young boy. Akire lost her family but she was already old enough to understand and to feel vengeance. This little one still had a lot of growing up to do and despite her earlier decision to not coddle him, she found herself peeling the blanket away from Sam’s huddled, shaking body.

“Ssh… It’s going to be all right, Sam.” She hesitated but then with resolve, gathered the whimpering boy into her arms. 

She tucked his head under her chin and wrapped her arms around him as she cradled him on her lap.

Last night, she understood why he had to be brave and hide his fear of her. She knew that the boy had seen of the world long enough to know that even someone as innocent as a child will not be spared or shown mercy. 

But today, now that he was rested and did not face any impending danger, he chose to be a child again. By God, it was his right to remain a child. Akire had a wonderful childhood –which she was able to choose for herself. 

Memories of Ouiji came flooding back. She missed her brother and the weight of the guilt and anger she felt for not being able to save him came crashing down on her shoulders. 

She wanted revenge. She wanted the satisfaction of killing the murderous vampire who sired her. But in this moment, there was only Sam. How could she begrudge the boy of affection? If not for Sam, then for Ouiji- Yes, doing right by him would somehow help in atoning for her little brother’s death.

But, what of Atkins?

Akire continued stroking Sam’s head. Charles Atkins has been her target for almost a decade. She knew she was close but then, now that she found out he was one step ahead of her or at least, expecting her, Akire seemed lost.

What was the point of going after somebody who has somehow vanished from the face of the earth? Right now, she didn’t have a clue where to go. 

Are you abandoning your quest for vengeance over this little boy?

Akire growled low. She was not giving up the chase on Charles Atkins. Vampires were pretty stubborn and when they set their mind unto something, the need to see it done will consume them for all eternity unless they achieve it. 

A little side-trip would just have to do. She knew it was dangerous to go treading over lycan territory but if Sam is what Alexis claims him to be, that might give her enough protection to go into their place, deposit the little guy and then leave.

But first, she had to get Sam to quiet down so that they could discuss who he really was. She was making assumptions based on a paper. She needed to know this child’s true identity.

“Sam, listen buddy. I know you miss your mom but I need you to stop crying.”

The boy hiccuped and the tears continued. He just hugged Akire tighter. Good thing she was still full of the blood that Alexis gave her so the guy wasn’t in any danger of being a blood bank.

“It’s going to be fine. Sam, I need to know who your father is. I need to know who you really are so that I can figure out what to do with you!”

The boy clearly wasn’t in a listening mood. She sighed and relented, allowing him to continue mourning for his mother.

“Motherhood suits you, love!”

Alexis was clearly up and enjoying the moment. She growled at the werewolf who had the gall to just chuckle at her before rummaging inside his bag again. Sometimes, Akire wondered how they have managed to stay friends and not kill each other.

"Why don't you do something useful and scout the area for your kind? We don't want surprises!" Akire snapped at Alex. 

She hoped that he got the message that she and Sam needed some privacy to talk. Besides, something inside her did not want Alex to listen. She could still remember the look on his face when he found out who or what Sam could be. 

Alexis took a while to get the message. Akire wasn't sure if it was because he was so lost in chewing his beef jerky or he was just that oblivious and dense. She sighed and cleared her throat, still cradling Sam in her arms. She noticed that the little boy had gone unusually quiet.

"Alex!" she hissed. 

"What?" He asked in a garbled voice, his mouth filled with his treat. 

"Can you please take your food outside and scout the area for your kind." Akire repeated as calmly as she could. The entire day looked like it was all set for major exasperations and gritted teeth. 

"Oh. Right." He stood up and then shouted a curse. Akire smelled blood mixed with silver and she smiled. It was cruel but funny at the same time. Serves him right for always trying to tease her. 

"You could have reminded me, you know! Silver leaves a nasty sting, Akire!"

Akire could not help it and her shoulders shook as a giggle escaped from her. She heard Alexis mutter a few more expletives as he grabbed a dagger from his bag and began to carefully disengage the trap she had set up the night before. She heard him yowl with pain and this time, she turned to look at him with concern. 

"I'm fine. The last bit got me by surprise. Again, you could have warned me you doubled the last strings." He muttered. "Well, I'm off. Make sure you stay away from the center of the room, the roof's whacked up. I don't want to catch you turning into barbecue when I get back... or would I?" 

Akire grinned. "I don't know, maybe you'll find out. I might get really clumsy and fall, unconscious."

"No, seriously Akire. Try not to get hurt while I'm not around to save you, okay?"

She nodded and listened as he ran down the cobbled path through the gate and disappear into the city. She turned her attention to the young boy in her arms. She gently nudged him awake. Poor guy, crying must have exhausted him.

"We really need to talk, Sam." She said softly and she felt Sam nod in agreement. 

Akire reached for the beef jerky pack that Alex had left on top of his bag and handed it to the boy. He eagerly stuffed his mouth and Akire could tell with the way he chewed that he was indeed hungry.

"So, who are you really, Sam? Who are your parents? Do you remember anything about home?"

He kept chewing and Akire waited patiently. Soon, after all the food was gone, the boy wiggled out of her arms and sat down in front of her. 

"I want to go home. My papa needs me." He replied. "Mama had always said we needed to run and stay alive for papa. I am special."

"I'm sure you are. All little boys are special, Sam. What else did your mom tell you?"

"Sam is special. Sammy is special to papa."

"Why?"

"Sam is wolf pride. Mama said, I am wolf pride." 

Akire frowned. She now wished Alex were here to translate. What exactly is a wolf pride? Why did this make Sam special? She heard the boy going through Alex's pack and she reached out to stop him. She needed to find out more.

"What is a wolf pride, Sammy? Did your parents tell you?"

He shook his head. He let go of the bag and stood up to walk into the same corner where Akire found him. He sat down and drew his legs up, wrapped his hands around them and rested his head on his knees.

"Sam?"

Akire felt like she would receive better response from a rock formation. So, Sam did not know what it meant... or is he keeping it a secret? 

She tasted the air around the boy while he answered her question and there was not change or spike in his pulse. So either he really did not know what "wolf pride" meant or he was a pretty good liar.

Stop thinking that way! He's a little boy! He just lost his mother. He would not have the cunning or the strength to make up a lie. It could be possible that the dead mother did not divulge more to her son. But, there also was that mystery of how the mother died.

No, it was simple. There were wolves after the mother! Somehow, some ordinary lycan learned of their identity and tried to steal the woman's blood. Maybe she managed to escape without biting any of them.  Maybe she would rather die than transform them? But why leave your child alone to fend for himself? 

They were on the run, Akire thought. From what? Who? If the fortress Alexis told her about was truly a stronghold, why did Sam and his mother have to run? 

Then something dawned to Akire. Is it purely coincidental that Alexis was there in time to save her from burning? What was he really doing here? Did he actually follow her all the way across the Atlantic? How did he get here so fast... Unless, he was already here before she arrived...

Akire stood up, sat down beside the boy. She unsheathed her sword and waited for the return of her werewolf friend. Would he bring other werewolves with him?

She did not have to wait that long. Her senses picked up as soon as the wind carried hurried footsteps. At least, it was a week before the next full moon, she did not have to deal with Alexis in his wolf form. Because, although she was definitely stronger than the mutt, a werewolf on a night of the full moon can really mean trouble for her. 

She ordered Sam to hide behind her as she stood up and faced towards the door, her katana out and fighting stand at a ready. She inhaled as soon as Alexis' scent assailed her nostril. She was glad that he was alone but still, there were things that needed to be discussed with her sword standing between them. 

"Whoa! Where's the action?" Alexis huffed as soon as he stepped into the broken down dojo. 

He smelled like he was flushed, his heartbeat was thumping faster than normal but he was as relaxed as a person lying on a beach. 

"Why are you really here, Alex?"

"Huh?"

"Just answer the question!" Akire snapped. Deep inside, she was chanting the words Please don't let me have to kill you over and over. She kept her composure but she was praying hard that Alexis hasn't betrayed her.

"Hey Akire, relax! I told you, I'm here for you love!" She heard the worry in his voice which only strengthened her resolve that something was not right. 

She reached out behind her to pull Sam as she moved a little closer to Alexis, her sword trained directly to his heart. 

"What is this all about, Akire? Really, you're hurting my heart Jap-girl!” 

"How did you find me? Tell me, where you here before my ship even docked? Is this the reason why I could not sense any trace of you in England? I did not have time to thoroughly seek you out but I wanted to say goodbye- I could not find you!"

"I-I was, well, I had to go to the country side. There was a dispute in a pack, some leader died and I wanted to see if i can replace him! I did not know you had this notion of actually coming back to your country and seek out this vampire who sired you!" He replied, taking a step forward, his hand outstretched.

Akire pushed her sword forward, warning him not to come near. She could hear his heart, smell the blood that pumped into his system. Everything around him was buzzing. A trained agent or other vampires, can know if a person is lying however, with Akire and her acute senses, she can sense deeper and keener.

She could feel the heat radiating from his body as he was trying to calm his senses and tell her the lie straight-faced, without any changes in the heart rate or his energy. But Akire had smelled and felt it before he was able to fully get things under control.

"You're lying. I can smell it from you! Do I have to fight you? Drink your blood to know the real story, Alex? Has our friendship come to this then? You'd better start talking right now or I swear, I will not hesitate in ripping you to shreds!"

Alexis growled, low and feral. "You would do that for a stranger's child? For someone who you've just met? You don't even know who he is and yet you are already coddling and protecting him like you're his mother!"

"But you do know him, Alex, right? Even before I showed you that piece of paper..." She felt her hollow heart grow heavy. A vampire can still feel the pain of betrayal, especially if it is from those she has come to trust with her own life.