Vampire Heart 13

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Scroll 14: The Truth
Vicente sat on the bed adjacent to Naoko's bed. She had already fallen asleep and he was far too deep in thought to easily fade. He sighed as he shifted positions in the near darkness of the guest room which surprisingly had two single beds.
He was sitting there, not because he wasn't allowed to sleep with her when they were able to have their own beds, but because he didn't want to wake her during the night as he shifted his weight and changed position as he often does.
His icy eyes kept magnetically finding their way back to Naoko. He wanted to follow her to the end of whatever road they might be headed down, but it was defiantly more than just a charmed necklace that made him want to be with her and protect her. He always felt like that around her, even before the spell was cast and the jewel was dangling at his throat. He crawled into her bedroom to save her from being a meal--something he would have never done for any other human, vampire or other creature.
She was a mysterious girl who made him feel things that he couldn't explain to anybody to save his life. He never blushed until she walked into his life. He was mindlessly drifting through the years and decades that made up his life.
"How do you do this to me?" Vicente asked with a coy smile and red cheeks.
"Love does many things," Bonnie's voice whispered as the door cracked open. The old woman walked across the wooden floor and joined Vicente on the bed.
Vicente stared at the old woman suspiciously, "What makes you think-"
"I don't think. I know. I can see it in your eyes, your tones, your diction, your actions..."
Vicente turned toward Naoko who still hadn't stirred other than her slow breaths and relaxed heartbeat, "Too bad she can't see what you see."
"If you want her to know, show her," Bonnie replied.
"She thinks the necklace is justifying my actions," Vicente said dully with disappointment in his face.
"Prove to her that it's not the necklace, but your own mind," Bonnie whispered.
"Does this always happen?" Vicente asked.
"From what I understand the necklace actually leads you to your soul mate," Bonnie replied quietly.
Vicente blushed and tensed every muscle in his body, "S-soul mate?"
"Does it surprise you that you and my granddaughter are the yin and yang of one another?"
Vicente shook his head, "No."
"Then do you want to prove to her that your love is natural and not the influence of the jewels?"
"Of course I do. I want nothing more than an eternity with her."
"The life I wish I chose..."
"Hmm?" Vicente stared at the older woman expectantly.
"My 'pet', as you're all deemed, and I were madly in love as well. We knew that we were meant to be together eternally. Unfortunately, my marriage was already arranged. My father wouldn't hear anything of me following love. Money was more important to him than my happiness. My pet told me that he would always guard me, no matter what. I removed the necklace and kept it hidden in an ebony box until a few days ago when Naoko looked so sad about a boy standing her up on a date--like all of them did before him. So, I found the box and told her of the necklace. Somehow, I knew that she wouldn't believe the truth, even if I told it to her. And you found her, I'm sure, entirely by a slight chance."
"What kind of a man could turn her down?” Vicente blushed, outraged and appalled. He quickly remembered her previous comment, “You wanted to run away with your pet?" Vicente asked.
"I wanted eternal beauty, grace and life."
"Could you get it now?" Vicente asked.
"I doubt my pet would want me after all these years--even if he is still alive. My youth would be returned and so would his broken heart."
"If he loves you and is still alive, surely he would still be watching over you," Vicente thought aloud. "I mean, I wouldn't ever want to leave her...even if I could be more than ten feet away from her."
"You're a sweet vampire," Bonnie patted Vicente's arm.
"And you're the second greatest human ever," Vicente replied with a boyish grin.
"Just behind Naoko?"
Vicente nodded, "Yes, but if it wasn't for you...I might not have her."
"Are you going to prove love to her?" the old woman gave him an encouraging smile.
"I’m open to suggestions," Vicente replied flatly.
"Be yourself since I can see that you still haven't kissed her."
"I think it's cheesy and cliché to kiss her after a date or when I save her from something. But, how did you know?" Vicente blushed.
"Because your kiss might have proven it to her," Bonnie replied simply. “There are affectionate kisses…a peck on the cheek, and forehead…” she sighed dreamily, “And then there is the romantic kiss…where you can feel the emotion.”
Vicente smiled, "As much as I would love to...I think she'd dismiss any advances as the jewel talking. Wow, what most men would give for that excuse to be perverse and outrageous."
"And here you are not abusing the privilege."
"I'm an honorable type." Vicente stood and walked toward Naoko, freezing when he heard her whisper: "I want you..."
Bonnie stared at her granddaughter in shock, "That doesn't sound like it's a stereotypical dream…"
"She doesn't sleep talk."
"I think she needs your help," Bonnie shook Vicente and set his attention on the black smoky substance that was misting around Naoko's sleeping body.
Vicente stepped toward the smoke and was shocked before being flung against the wall. He growled and stood on his feet quickly, "I've got to get into her dream."
"It's a spiritual vampire."
"Spiritual vampire?" Vicente repeated in a different tone from Bonnie.
"It draws vitality from dreams," Bonnie replied. "And you can't get into her dream without her allowing you in her dream. She will have to pull you into her dream--but to do that, she'll need to know that she's dreaming and in serious peril."

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Vampire Heart 15