Eternally Tied

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After his decision of keeping an eye on Davinia, Adam was frustrated to find someone different there when he went to get his supplies. He was hoping to see Davinia and make sure that she was alright but his plan backfired. Someone else was there and upon asking for the girl, he was simply told that she’d be back within a month.

He remembered where her house was but the risk of going there was possibly too great, even for Adam to give it a try. If Kevin was there things would even be even more awkward given what he had seen and what if Davinia didn’t even open the door? Even still, Adam gave it a shot that same night.

When he arrived to the building, he noticed that Kevin’s car was not there so Adam decided to peek through the same window and relief washed through him when he saw Davinia alone. Her bright pink hair was pinned up in a bun and she was surrounded by text books and sheets with notes on her bed. Adam had no idea that it was exam season.

Ringing the doorbell, the vampire kept his sunglasses on as he waited. He heard footsteps just after a moment and her smell filled his nostrils, making him smile a little by knowing that she was close.

“Just a second!” Davinia called from inside as she finished buttoning up her pants properly. When she opened the door, she was stunned though it took her a second to recognise the person in front of her.

“Doctor Faust?” She asked carefully, hoping that she wasn’t wrong.

“Hello Davinia.” Adam greeted, bowing his head a little as he removed his sunglasses.

He thought it would make her more comfortable if she could see his eyes. His presence there would be uncomfortable enough, especially because they had never seen each other out of the hospital. Also Adam had erased all her memories from the night he fed from her so she’d have no idea of what he looked like without all the hospital gear.

“I hope you don’t think this is rude,” Davinia said softly as he stared at her “But what are you doing here sir? And how did you find my address?”

“That’s not rude at all, Davinia, it’s perfectly normal of you to ask.” Adam answered calmly “I came over merely to check on you. I went to get my usual supplies and you weren’t there tonight or last week so I got a bit worried. I was told that you had gotten sick so I asked for your address. I didn’t think calling would suffice. I hope you are not offended.”

“Oh no, no, I am just... surprised.” Davinia said, still a bit taken back by the man’s presence. She wouldn’t say that they were friends but she was flattered that he had gone all the way there just to check on her. “And I can assure you that it’s not serious sir, I’m doing much better now that I haven’t been in the lab. I’ve been resting more and studying.”

“Studying?” Adam asked, curious to know more.

“Mhm... yes. Exam season starts next week so I need to catch up on a couple of subjects and do well on all my exams before I am allowed back in the lab.”

“Your permit was taken?”

“Yes...” Davinia sighed, a bit embarrassed “My supervisor thought it best to take my access card from me while I have to study. He wants me to focus just on my exams and he knows that I tend to give the lab a lot of attention.”

“I’ve noticed that.” Adam said “Every time I go there, you always seem so busy. May I ask what keeps you so interested in there?”

Davinia smiled politely. She had been asked this so many times that the answer was already at the tip of her tongue.

“I’m merely studying various blood types Sir, for a small thesis I have to deliver by the end of this school year. It’s my project, if we can call it that.”

Adam nodded, though he didn’t really know what to say. He wanted to stay but there was no reason for him to. He knew that mentioning Kevin would be ridiculously stupid so he didn’t do it.

“Well, now that I’ve seen that you’re good with my own two eyes, I should go and let you go back to your studies.” He said, hoping that was the most appropriate thing to say.

The thing about his lack of social skills was that, after years of craving to be alone and isolated, he now desired to keep a conversation and he knew very little about how to do it. He had no idea of Davinia’s interests and that made him feel unfit. If only things were as easy with her and they had been with Eve but he could not compare. Nothing about them was the same, though. Eve and Adam had been together for centuries and now that Davinia was present, the vampire was surprised at the intensity of his feelings though he didn’t want to recognise them, even to himself.

“Thank you for your concern Sir. I’ll be back at the lab by next month. I hope your project is going well?”

“Yes, splendid. Thank you Davinia.” Adam said with a polite smile “Good luck and I will see you soon.”

“Goodnight Sir.” Davinia smiled, her eyes locking with Adam’s for a mere second before he left.

Closing the door behind her, Davinia sighed. Perhaps it hadn’t been too polite of her to not invite him in but he seemed to want to check up on her so she was sure that he wasn’t offended. Dr. Faust was the person she thought she’d have knocking on her door, not that he wasn’t welcomed, Davinia had nothing against him. He was just the silent type, which she didn’t mind. In truth, she admired the man very much. He seemed to be very intelligent and Davinia could sense a certain aura of mystery around him, it was almost fascinating and the more he tried to hide, the more she wanted to peek in and scratch the surface.

As she prepared a mug of coffee, she stared at the black liquid, the smell filling her nostrils. She’d probably sleep very little that evening once more because she was late on her revision.

It had been the first time that she had seen Dr. Faust outside of the hospital with normal clothes and it had been the first time that she had been able to see his eyes. For the past few months that she could feel the doctor observing her every time they met but she thought that it was a trick her mind was playing on her. Technically, he had sunglasses every time they met so she couldn’t really prove if he stared at her or not. Thinking about it now, she felt herself blush. She had to admit that he was quite handsome.

Snap out of it

Blinking her eyes, the flustered young woman returned into her bedroom in an attempt to focus back on her task at hand. She had no time to lose. She needed to finish off her exams so she could finally return to the lab.

-----

Adam sighed as he entered the loud club, his friend Ian guiding him inside. Ian was a mortal Adam had met because of his music. He had been composing new things and Ian had been Adam’s first connection to the mortal world after centuries. For much of his life, Adam only dedicated his time to music and he still did.

“So will you let me take a demo home later man?” Ian asked as he returned to the booth where Adam and him were sitting.

As always, Adam had refused any drinks while Ian went to get a beer. He was only there because Ian kept complaining about their lack of time together. Adam had been busier with Davinia but he didn’t tell anything about her to Ian or anyone.

“Sure but remember our agreement. My music is only meant to be listened by you. No selling.” Adam said firmly, always bringing this conversation up.

Ian was a music enthusiast so he immediately agreed to keep Adam calm. Ian didn’t know much about Adam, only that he was an extraordinary musician who wanted to keep in the shadows when music like his wasn’t made anymore. Ian hadn’t given up on convincing Adam to go public but that night wouldn’t be his successful night. Getting Adam out of the house had been a miracle in itself so he didn’t push the subject.

“Yes, Adam, I know. Don’t worry it will be safe with me.” Ian said, bowing his head politely, as he sipped on his drink. Music was blasting from a band that was playing live and, as Ian scanned the crowd, his eyes widened “It can’t be.” He murmured.

Following his gaze, Adam raised an eyebrow. He was wearing his sunglasses, mostly for protection, and he slowly removed them when he saw her. The pink hair was too obvious to deny and the vampire found himself getting slightly turned on by the way she was dancing.

He would never guess that he’d see Davinia in a place like this, especially alone. He kept watching her dance, hypnotised by the flow of her hips along with the music. She seemed like she was in her own world and Adam found all of this very strange. He quickly snapped out of it when he saw Ian meet up with her.

Davinia smiled happily and hugged him, the young man patting her back in his friendly yet awkward way. Now this was even more surprising but then Adam froze when Ian pointed towards him and he could immediately perceive that he was inviting her over to sit with them.

Ian met Davinia through Kevin, as most of the people she knew at that place but they rarely saw each other. Unlike most of Kevin’s friends, Davinia actually liked Ian because they had similar tastes in music and she liked to chat with him. Upon that seeing him that night, she was more than happy. Kevin was working but their friends were playing so the young woman had gone on her own. She had just finished her exams so she didn’t exactly feel like staying home. She wanted to go out and have a little fun.

Accepting Ian’s invitation, she walked behind him to the booth he was in and she couldn’t help but to stare in surprise at the man sitting there.

“Ah Davinia, this is my friend Adam. Adam this is Davinia.” Ian said, unable to notice how the other two were just staring at each other.

Davinia smiled a bit. Finally she knew his first name. On the other day, Adam found himself fascinated about this mortal but, before Ian could speak too much, he smiled politely.

“We’ve met before. It’s nice to see you Davinia.”

Ian was surprised to hear Adam utter more than two words in such a tone. It was almost as if he was trying to be friendly.

“It’s nice to see you too.” Davinia smiled, thanking Ian as he went to get them drinks while she moved to sit across from Adam.

“Out during exam week?” The vampire asked, feeling somewhat relaxed to be in her company alone.

“I took my last exam today actually.” Davinia replied “And given that my friends are playing,” She explained, motioning for the stage “I decided to drop by.”

“Did you come by yourself?”

“I did, yes. My boyfriend is working until late tonight so I just came for a bit. It was nice to find you and Ian. I had no idea you were both friends.”

“Mhm yes, I met him a few years ago.” Adam said, pondering over telling her about his music but Ian interrupted his thoughts as he arrived with a drink for Davinia but it wasn’t beer, at least Adam saw that it was different from Ian’s.

“So how was exam season, little doctor?” Ian asked with a playful smile as Davinia chuckled, telling them both about it had been hectic but how relieved she was.

Adam listened mostly, his eyes only on Davinia. She was really the purest mortal he had ever seen. Despite Ian’s teasing, she never caved. She was always nice and smiling and he knew there was something on her mind. He could see it in her eyes when they looked at each other.

After about a couple of hours, Ian decided to join a band backstage. He invited both Davinia and Adam but after Davinia declined the invitation, Adam simply shook his head. When Ian was gone, Adam and Davinia glanced at each other and decided to go.

“Do you need a lift anywhere?” Adam asked politely.

Davinia blushed a little and nodded “If you don’t mind?”

Adam shook his head and waited for her so that they could walk back to his car. They were silent as they went but they suddenly stopped when they went around a corner and were surprised to see a group of about five men.

“Ms. Sanford?”

Davinia furrowed her eyebrow as Adam studied them, slightly placing his arm in front of the mortal female as the men seemed to approach them.

“What do you wish?” Adam asked, surprising Davinia as he replied for her. She could see the men inching closer and she pressed to Adam’s side.

“We wish to speak to Ms. Sanford alone.” The man said as they all approached.

“I’m here. What is going on?” Davinia asked as she grabbed Adam’s arm gently. The vampire felt her touch and pulled her close, his blood was beginning to pump.

“We don’t wish you any harm Ms but we need to ask you to come with us.”

“Who are you?”

“All questions will be answered once you come with us and your friend it not invented.” The man said and, with a mere glance, he commanded the others to approach.

Davinia gasped when she felt two men grab her “Adam!”

“Close your eyes Davinia.” Adam told her calmly, staring at the man who was clearly in charge of the bunch.

“What? Why?” The young woman asked as they began to drag her back from the vampire.

“Just do as I say, trust me.” Adam replied firmly.

Davinia was nearly in tears of fear by this moment but she closed her eyes nonetheless, tensing when she heard screams. The moment Davinia closed her eyes, Adam snapped and used his super-speed and fangs to attack the men around them. He snapped their necks easily and pressed their leader to the wall. The rush of the situation was getting to Adam. He hadn’t killed mortals in years and now there he was, defending Davinia from a threat he did now fully understand.

“What do you want from her?” Adam snarled quietly, his fangs still showing menacingly as his eyes became darker.

The man smirked “None of your concern, Count Dracula.” He joked as Adam wrapped his hand around the man’s throat, lifting him from the ground.”

“If you tell me, I will spare you.” Adam insisted but the man refused and so with a roll of his eyes, Adam too snapped his neck.

He then turned to Davinia and he frowned as she stood there shivering, her hands clenched into fists as she kept her eyes closed, clearly trying not to cry. Nobody was grabbing her any more but he could sense the beat of her heart and she was frightened.

“Davinia,” The vampire whispered, standing in front of her. “Calm down, you’re safe.”

Davinia opened her eyes and glanced up “What... What are you?” She whispered “I... I heard their screams and I couldn’t keep my eyes closed. I... I saw you snapping their necks... Adam...”

The vampire looked at her as calmly as he could. Maybe erasing this would be the best for her but then suddenly her hands covered her face.

“Please... Please answer me Adam.”

“I can’t.” He whispered, gently pulling her hands away so he could look into her eyes “I can’t. Not here.”

“Where then?”

“My house.”

Davinia nodded “Take me there.”

“Davinia... Are you sure?”

“Yes... it’s about time someone explains something to me. Nothing makes sense Adam... nothing.”

With a nod, the vampire guided her back to his car. He couldn’t help but to feel anxious. There was definitely something going on and he was hoping that Davinia had some sort of information for him. Also, Davinia was about to go into his house and he was about to tell her that he was a vampire. If she reacted badly, he would wipe her memory that was for certain.

As they arrived, Davinia couldn’t recognise that part of town. She got out and followed Adam into his old Victorian house. He had no neighbours and everything was very dark. She followed after the tall man, starting to wonder if this was a good idea. He had just saved her and she needed to know what he was, because he was definitely special and maybe he could help her.

Adam opened the door and turned on the lights. He removed his gloves and welcomed Davinia in.

“That way is the living room. After you,” He said, watching her attentively as she stepped forward into his house.

Davinia’s first feeling was of fascination. The house was big but so was Adam’s collection of objects. It was all in piles and in a seeming mess but Davinia was sure that there were interesting things there. Things as interesting as him.

Adam grinned a little as he followed after her. He knew that her scent would stay in the house and that was slightly comforting. He didn’t apologise for the mess as they entered the living room and Davinia didn’t look bothered as they took a seat, facing each other.

“Adam... what just happened?”

“I’m not too sure Davinia.” He sighed “But those men weren’t there with good intentions and I did what I had to do to keep you safe.”

“Why?” She asked in confusion “You could just have handed me and walked away... you don’t feel guilty for killing them?”

“They wanted to harm you and I wouldn’t let them. I did what I had to do and I don’t feel guilty. What did you see?”

“I... I saw you snapping their necks at a speed that was too fast to be possible. And... you had a glint in your eyes.”

“Davinia... I know that this may be shocking to you but I... I’m not mortal.” Adam said softly, slowly letting his fangs show.

He prepared himself for the worst. For her to scream, pass out, anything but she merely widened her eyes and leaned in, to look at his fangs more closely.

“You... You are a vampire.” Davinia whispered, earning a nod from Adam “So that’s why... Is that why you go to pick up blood samples?”

Adam nodded “Yes. I hope you can keep this a secret Davinia. The hospital is my only source of feeding and I don’t feed from humans anymore.” Adam explained, though that was a lie. He had fed from her but he wasn’t going to tell her.

Davinia nodded “We all have our secrets, yours is safe with me. I... I’m sorry but I really never thought vampires were real or so...”

“So what?”

“Mhm... quiet and comfortable with telling a mortal that they’re vampires. I assumed you would hide.”

“I do hide but you’re the only mortal that knows. After tonight, I don’t think it would be fair to keep hiding from you.” Adam explained “Your turn now.”

“My turn?”

“Yes. To tell me your secret. I may not be a doctor Davinia but I know when people lie and you have hidden something from me.”

Davinia sighed “Very well... it’s only fair.” She said, sighing as she explained to Adam that she was in fact studying the components of her blood to discover why she had such resistance to illness.

“I’ve always felt different and I want to know why.” Davinia explained as Adam began to understand a bit more of what was going on.

Those men were definitely after their blood and they could be connected to the man Adam had seen Kevin speaking with. He thought about telling Davinia but he had no proof and this was her boyfriend he was going to accuse, he had to be careful.

“Do you have any idea of who they were? Of what they wanted?”

Davinia shook her head “No.” She replied with a sigh “I’ve never seen them before and I have no idea of who they are.”

Adam sighed, pondering over it. He definitely needed to get his ideas straight and find out more about Kevin and what he was doing.

“It’s been a long night.” The vampire said “Would you like for me to take you home?”

Davinia nodded “Yes, that would be good. Thank you.”

As they both stood up, Adam approached Davinia and tilted her chin up.

“You can trust me Davinia. Your secret is mine and I will keep you safe.”