Page 101 of Vampires of Eden: Oliver
ChapterTwenty-Eight
The landscape of Eden is truly beautiful. Our territory is a generous island surrounded by the sea, yielding all sorts of rich resources and vegetation. To the east, the terrain is lined with craggy mountains that become tipped with snow through the winter and into early spring. To the south, where my clan is from, there are sandy beaches and lush coastlines. Artistic sunsets that paint the sky in golden hues.
Alexander drives with confidence, deftly guiding us through condensed and charming country towns one moment, then on narrow roads flanked by vast, breathtaking valleys the next. As he focuses on the road, we engage in casual conversation.
Gradually, I have become painfully aware of how much I’ve envied Alexander throughout our lives, and how my bitterness has contaminated our relationship.
Of course, I’ve always felt resentment—usually in the form of offhand jokes laced with cattiness inside of my head. But after that dream last night and his willingness to help me despite all I’ve done, I’m slowly unpacking my complex feelings toward him.
We were born in the same stifling and archaic aristocracy, but his existence is so different from mine. His house is more comfortable, soft and modern. The way in which he carries himself—with this assured air of freedom and contentment—feels foreign to me. I can’t imagine navigating Eden with such assertion. It’s always seemed unfair. Why should he have this life when I don’t? Why should he have everything that he wants, including me?
“I don’t want you to report Lord Blakeley because I don’t want vampires to feel sorry for me,” I say, continuing our current conversation. We’ve been driving for almost two hours. The landscape is rural now that we’re close to the mountains. “I’d also rather not have my actions and the actions of the vamps who helped me scrutinized. I just… want to move past it and never see him again.”
“Alright, I understand what you’re saying. Personally, I would like to see Lord Blakeley held accountable for what he did to you. He can’t be properly reprimanded if we don’t tell your side of the story.”
Folding my arms, I puff out a breath. “Just make sure he never gets a royal title or a seat on the governing board. That will be punishment enough for him, I promise.”
Alexander chuckles. “Your wish is my command. I’ll see to that.”
“What is his excuse about why I’ve disappeared? What is he saying?”
He shakes his head. “That you’ve ‘fallen ill’ from the stress of the wedding. He’s insane. Nobody is buying that.”
“What about your parents?” I ask, wondering what he’s told them if he’s only exposed the truth to Raphael. “Do they believe Lord Blakeley?”
“They’re just relieved that I’ve stopped openly calling your father a fucking liar and am back to being on my best behavior. Let me worry about them.”
A long beat of comfortable silence rests between us as I gaze out the window. We pass a stretch of brush that’s perfectly organized in symmetrical, parallel rows. Maybe it’s a vineyard? Looks like we’re getting closer to Leoni’s cottage.
“What about the other thing I mentioned?” I ask, interrupting the silence.
“What other thing?”
“The blood clinic. Roland and Kathryn needing support.”
Alexander shrugs, blinking innocently. “I hope they get it.”
I narrow my eyes. “Are you being obtuse on purpose?”
“Listen—this clinic sounds great. Truly. But I don’t stick my nose into controversial things, you know? I’m just like… the fun-loving mascot of Eden. I show up wherever my parents tell me to and make balloon animals. Messy things like ‘blood clinics’ are not my bag.”
“Bullshit.” I turn my head, frowning. “You’ve happily stuck your nose into this mess between me and my father?”
“This is different.”
“How so?”
“Because I—” Alexander shakes his head, visibly bristling as he rolls his shoulders. “Because itjust is.”
Sitting back against the seat, I stare forward and give him a second to compose himself before I speak once more. “What’s the point of being a lovable mascot with power and influence if you don’t use it for anything important? I can’t do anything about the problems of Eden, but you definitely could.”
I know this now, because I dreamt it. Deep down, I have this unequivocal sense of exactly what Alexander is capable of. Whether he knows it yet or not, I’m uncertain.
Alexander sighs heavily as he slows and maneuvers the car into a long graveled driveway. “Just… get off my back, Ollie, alright? Leave me alone, please.”
“You stood up to my father and upset the polite social norms for me. That’s great, and bold. Defiant in a way I really respect. But what about the other vampires in Eden that have terrible situations? That’s all. Think about it.” I watch him, waiting for his response. But Alexander looks through the glass of the windshield intensely, as if driving suddenly takes his full concentration, even though we’re crawling along at a snail’s pace.
“Can you really make balloon animals?” I ask, just to lighten the mood.
