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Hayden
Kristina finally gets a real break from the wheel as Drake takes it upon himself to drive, with me keeping him company in the front. She sits behind me in absolute silence, contemplating the view of the trees and listening to the music being transmitted through the speakers.
We are close to arriving at our destination, therefore I should be more concerned about Nyall, how he will receive me, and the news I have for him, but I’m troubled over Kristina’s mental state. Does she regret what transpired between us hours ago?
Her part in Castiel’s plan is coming to an end. Does she have reservations as to what will happen from this point on? I would. If she is suspicious, she has a right to be. But I may have jeopardized the mission by allowing myself to care and form a bond with her. Kristina means a lot more to me now than I ever thought possible. Never had I realized the importance of having a relationship with someone, but I stand on the verge of losing that. Of losing her. If she finds out I planned to use her from the beginning, she will hate me.
“I’m assuming you know about the Legion.” Kristina finally speaks, breaking me away from my troubled thoughts. “Are you a part of it?”
“Yes, but the fact that I’m a werewolf has been kept a secret from most.”
“Why is that?”
“Given my nature, it is easy to assume most humans won’t accept me, but even if I were human, I can’t run the risk of being hunted down by those who do find out about me. If there’s one code all supernatural creatures live by, it is to remain in the shadows and not to reveal our identity.”
“It makes sense,” Kristina offers.
If I ever manage to break free of all ties with Gerard and the Institute, do I have to assume I will still have to live in darkness, hidden from humans as if I’m some kind of pest?
“You were a prisoner at the Institute, like Tiger.” At his nod, she says, “Were you created in a lab, too?”
“No. I was born a werewolf. I’m from a long line of purebreds.”
This I could tell by looking at him. He is old, as well, having lived over the 350-year mark.
“There’s such a thing as purebreds?” The disbelief in her voice is palpable.
“There is.”
“Then what is Hayden? He doesn’t know. Do you?”
Drake casts his gaze to me, studying me as if trying to decipher something I have never been able to figure out. “To be perfectly honest, I’m utterly confused by him. I detect werewolf blood in him, yes, but there’s something else there.”
“Werewolf blood?” I gaze at him as he glances away. “Are you sure?”
“What do you mean?” Kristina asks as she straightens up in the seat.
“We werewolves can tell each other apart easily. One whiff and we can identify members of royal blood, those in the hierarchy, elders, and betas. We can also tell purebreds apart from those born of the bite. With...Hayden...all I can tell is that he has werewolf blood in him. On how pure that blood is, I cannot be sure.”
I can feel Kristina’s eyes burning a hole in my head. “None of this makes sense to me.”
“Providing we have enough time, I will clear things up for you.”
I lower my gaze to my hands. Werewolf blood? Is it possible I’m a hybrid, too? Gerard somehow managed to create a handful of hybrids, half-vampire, half-humans, in spite of the odds, and they lived among us. If I am one, it would help explain a lot of things, like why my transformation from human to beast isn’t as prominent as that of a werewolf.
“The Legion...how was it born?”
“It was your grandmother’s idea to seek others like herself. After her parents died, we traveled throughout the country. Finding others like her wasn’t easy, but eventually we learned where to look and what to look for.”
“Were there other escapees?”
“There is the two of us, but a few inconsistencies in the records of the number of inhuman prisoners, may be an indication that there could have been others who fled at some point. However, once you’re in the Institute, the possibility of getting out is slim to none.” He pauses a moment, as if in thought. His expression, however, reveals nothing as to what is going through his head. “Gradually, we found people who claimed to be victims of attacks. A select few reported a family member or two missing. Most of these events left little to no evidence for the police to follow up on. In time, those who reported the incidents became the main suspects during the ensuing investigation, or within months, vanished without a trace. Gerard always follows a pattern, and we learned to identify it.
“We listened when no one else would. We volunteered to help when everyone else turned their backs. The numbers of survivors grew over time, but we lack the manpower to overthrow Gerard’s small army of goons. Not to mention the resources.”
“Basically, there’s another side to Rose I didn’t know about.” Kristina lets out a breath of air. “I always thought it weird that she knew too much about guns, ammunition, and self-defense, even though she claimed to have been a homebody her entire life.”
“Rose was always prepared and alert. She knew this day would come.”
“Is that why she had mysterious stashes of cash, packed bags, and specific instructions as to what to do and where to go, lying around?”
He responds to her question with a dip of the head. “I’ve been to your Grandmother’s place on several occasions. We were always brainstorming, planning, plotting for your safety as well as hers.”
The Legion, as well as Castiel and the other prisoners at the Institute, have been conspiring for years, preparing for the day I would be strong enough to escape and find Nyall. This is not something I can bring myself to tell Kristina. And given the conversations Ray and Drake have had with us, they have omitted all these minor details as well.
Rose does not want Kristina to know this was all planned in advance. But how can I continue to hide this from her? Doing so is like sending her on a hike blindfolded. I have kept silent thus far, per Rose’s request, and because it was convenient for me. But this has become a burden I no longer want.
“We are here,” Drake announces as he pulls to the side of the road.
“Is that the Putnam Museum of History and Natural Science?” I glance over at the large building across the street from where Drake parked, amazed by how elaborate it is. The world outside of the Institute is full of color, and full of strange, albeit interesting, gadgets I have yet to find out what their use is. There are buildings of all shapes and sizes, remarkable food, and some places are lively, which is a complete contrast to life at the Institute.
As I take a moment to survey my surroundings, I come to understand how much I have missed out on because of the existence forced upon me. Even as I travel from location to location, I’m unable to enjoy the luxury of freedom because it’s an illusion. I’m not truly free. I’m on borrowed time.
“Where will Nyall be?” Kristina taps me on the shoulder to get my attention.
“He will be heading in this direction soon.” Castiel had been specific, assuring me Nyall would come and I should wait for his arrival. He also warned me to be wary of Nyall, for he has a short fuse and rarely tolerates those who are different from himself. “I’m walking in that direction.” I point west of the houses in front of me. “Follow behind me, but give us some space.”
Drake glances over his shoulder at Kristina. “She and I won’t be welcomed.” It is not stated as a question, but a fact. There’s a high probability that Nyall will be upset, not only that I’m accompanied by a werewolf but a human as well, but that it couldn’t be helped.
“Maybe not, but I’m not going anywhere without Kristina.” I open the car door, pausing only to add, “Please, let me do the talking.”
Neither of them says a word as they follow me out of the car.
The street is mostly quiet, with no traffic at this late hour. The only sounds that stand out are the beating hearts of both Drake and Kristina, who keep a safe distance behind me as I trail down the sidewalk and around the corner. I’m not sure at what point Nyall will appear, but I’m vigilant and alert.
Time ticks by as I wait for Nyall. When half an hour has gone by, and he has yet to appear, I’m left wondering whether or not he’s going to show up. Castiel is always very precise and when he sees something, his visions are never wrong. But could it be possible that he somehow miscalculated the timing of Nyall’s nightly strolls?
I stand on a corner, gazing away at the empty street. Behind me, Kristina waits anxiously for any sign of Nyall’s arrival.
“Hayden, maybe we should go back to Drake’s and get some rest. I’m exhausted and I’m sure you are too.” She lays a comforting hand on my right shoulder. “I don’t think he’s coming. I don’t see anyone around.”
I pick up on a distinct heartbeat approaching. The rhythm is different from that of Kristina’s and Drake’s. Whoever this person is, his overall aura differs. Nyall is here. I close my eyes to concentrate on his approach, pinpointing his location to my right.
Sensing his advance, I open my eyes and shift to gaze upon the figure I assume is that of the man I came to meet. But what I see is nothing short of shocking.
Shoulder-length white hair, red pigmented eyes, and pale skin are his most distinguishing features, but his face is what impresses me the most. This can’t be Nyall. How can it be?
“Well, this is most interesting, if I do say so myself.” He sports a suit, much like I’ve seen Gerard wear, except this man is much more refined and elegant. There’s an air of authority surrounding him, as if no one ever crosses him and those who dare never see the light of day again. “A human, a werewolf, and...what are you?” He directs the question at me, his eyes doing a quick assessment of my person. “Who are you?”
I’m bewildered by the sound of his voice because even that is the same as Castiel’s. There is a difference, I realize now. Castiel is much more soft-spoken, and tolerant.
“You’re not Castiel,” I whisper.
The man lurches toward me unexpectedly, fingers wrapping around my neck before I can register his movements. Startled, Kristina recoils.
“How do you know my brother’s name?” Nyall’s face is but an inch away from mine, his eyes full of undisguised malice as he glares at me. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t gut you right this instant.”
Drake shoves Kristina behind him, stepping forward as if to intervene, but I hold out my palm and he stops, eyes blazing.
“Castiel is a friend,” I reply.
The vampire’s fingers loosen around my neck. “That is not possible. No one has seen or heard from him in years.” He shoves me aside, turning his attention to Kristina. “Why are you accompanied by a human? They bring nothing but problems to us?” He propels his body toward her and my protector instincts kick in.
Moving faster than perhaps any of those present anticipate, I rush around him and block his path. Anger rapidly rising, I challenge him, aware this affront could very well put an end to Castiel’s careful planning, but I won’t let Nyall hurt Kristina.
“Looking at you is like looking at him. You are one and the same,” I add quickly, before this situation gets completely out of hand.
My words appear to hit a nerve because he yields, the ferocity on his face diminishing quickly.
“You have seen him.”
They are twins. That’s the only logical explanation. The similarities are many. However, Nyall has a healthy, undisturbed semblance, so unlike Castiel, who has endured years of torture at the hands of Gerard and his men.
“Where is my brother?” he demands.
“That is the reason why I have sought you out tonight,” I explain.
“How did you know I would be here?”
“Castiel told me.”
“If that is so, why did he not come with you?”
“His absence can be explained,” I tell him.
“Then do so,” he orders with a dangerous glint in his red eyes.
“It will take a while. And I’d prefer we go someplace private to converse.”
Nyall focuses his gaze on Kristina and Drake once more. “I will hear what you have to say, but they will stay behind. Only vampires are welcome on my premises.”
“We talk here, then.”
He defies me with a contemptuous glare. “I will hear news of my brother.”
I refuse to concede defeat. “It is because of them that I have made it this far. I will not go anywhere without her.”
His expression shifts from displeasure to curiosity. “Is that so? Have you a claim on her?”
There is no such claim. I have no rights to Kristina as a person nor do I have any clue as to whether I occupy a place in her heart, but by saying “no” I leave the opportunity open for any vampire to do with her as he wishes. Based on what Castiel explained to me, I have to make it clear I will kill whoever dares lay a finger on her with the intent to cause harm.
“I do.” I regret the words almost as soon as they are out. Even more so after Kristina’s eyes widen in disbelief, but I must establish a safety zone, for her sake. I hope to have sufficient time later to provide an explanation, but for right now, I have to do what is best. “She is with me. So is he.”
“She is human,” Nyall says, as if the mere thought of protecting a human is an aberration. “He is a werewolf.”
“Unless their safety, and mine, is guaranteed, I will not accompany you.”
Nyall ponders my petition a moment before accepting. “As you wish.” He turns to his left as if to walk away, but pauses to say, “You have nothing to fear while in my home. You will be safe, but be warned that have you no news of my brother, or are trying to deceive me in any way, I will chop off all three of your heads and mount them on my mantel.”
Kristina swallows hard, her hands shaking as she glances in my direction. I approach her slowly, embracing her once she is within arm’s reach. She tucks her head into the base of my neck, her breathing labored as she tries to tamp down her fear.
“I have come a long way to find you. Do you think I would waste this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and lie about what brought me here?”
“Follow me,” he says by means of an answer. “I will judge you all once I have received news of my brother.” With that, he begins walking off in the direction from which he came.