Craving Temptation: Love Of A Vampire

I watch as the doubt fills my beloved's eyes; I do understand that she would think that it has been a scorned lover that has done this awful deed. But it does hurt me a slight bit that she shall think that all problems that we encounter are due to me being a rather unfaithful man. I have had numerous sexual encounters in my years, but not truly all of them hate me so much as to go so far and set fire to my home. This goes far deeper than just a simple act of revenge.

Now, who will carry such a big hatred in their heart? Perhaps it is targeted at us as Vampires and not for one individual. This does bring the question, which of the supernatural creatures is behind this act. I can understand if it is one of Elloise's followers that are displeased about her being stripped of her powers and being a fairy. Though I do highly doubt that they shall, for they know the consequences they will have to face if it becomes known to me that they are behind this.

This can also have been the act of a mortal, but then the question begs, did our presence become known? I always doubted my decision to let David live after he tried to take over the town, but he himself shall not be that foolish to come and take revenge for there are a few demons he wishes to keep away from his humankind which I have no calm in revealing.

So this begs as a rather disturbing question if the purpose of this fire was to kill the inhabitants, shall they be coming back again? I do fear even to have to mention that we are not safe wherever we go. But this mortal or creature shall not have me hiding away in my home. Next time they come, we shall be prepared, that is, if we knew what to look out for.

But how do I calm the fears and questions of my beloved, which is rather far more quiet than usual? Is she still so traumatized by the situation?

"My beloved, are you okay?"

"Sebastian, I am concerned by who will go to such a length, which I am assuming, is to kill us."

"I am afraid that it can be anybody. Two hundred and seventy-nine years does bring an awful lot of enemies."

"Yes, but so does twenty-seven years."

"Mmm, I hate to break this to you, but you cannot count."

"Sebastian!"

"My beloved, I was turned at the age of twenty-nine."

"I am not referring to you."

In an instant, I snap my neck to the right, rather shocked and very amazed at the words that have escaped her lips. This has now sparked my interest; why shall she say such a thing as this?

"Anastasia, why would you say such a thing?"

"I am, I," she stutters at her words, "I am only saying that maybe by some strange coincidence that it shall be a mortal in my past that is seeking revenge?"

"Is there something that you are not telling me?"

"No, Sebastian, I am just stating that it could be possible."

She immediately shuts me off and turns to look out the window. I find her answer and her behavior surrounding the remark rather suspicious, but this is my beloved; I shall not question her. I think she is merely trying to, in her own way, apologize for saying that it is always my fault.

Once we are safely in the comfort of our new home for the next few months, my beloved settles into our room while I meet up with Edward in the study. He, too, looks somewhat rattled; let us hope that he does not also blame me for this incident. But the way I know him, I will have his support no matter which way.

"My dear Edward, please, I beg, tell me if you too think this is revenge from a scorned lover?"

"Oh, Sebastian, the rate you moved around town in your early days would have had all our homes burned down by now."

"Now, you do make me sound like filles de joie. I was merely making us much use with what I was gracefully blessed with."

"You do make screwing around sound like a Sunday pudding."

"Ha! Now there, I can tell you a few tales."

"Let my virgin ears rather not hear it."

"Virgin, my friend? Then you can call me St. Mary."

"Well, St. Mary, what do you think was the purpose of this fire?"

At this mention of this, my mind wanders back to the words my beloved spoke earlier. Does it constitute a mention?

"Edward, I believe something is troubling Anastasia. Did she mention anything during your trip?"

"No, why, what is the matter?"

"Just something she said, guess I am just reading into things that ain't there. Now, onto other business. The contents of the bunker need to be moved before they start clearing out the debris."

"Already taken care of. And I can confirm that all the helpers were rescued."

"Ah, splendid. Then onto council business, is our presence required?"

"In fact, there are a group of rogue Vampires that needs to be heard and sentence. But this can wait until we have settled."

"No, this incident shall not halt our lives; I shall go say goodbye to Anastasia and meet you outside."

As I make my way back to our room, where Anastasia is patiently waiting for my return, I cannot help but feel half of a relief that we find ourselves in almost a state of normalness. Would it be the life of Sebastian Belmont if there is not some drama? Well, burning my house down is not quite drama; that, in fact, is a declaration of war. But believe me, the full wrath of my hand shall come down on the one that has done this.

This has not only me, but my entire family scared to the bone. My poor heart can not even imagine what Stefan much be going through, but then again, he was living with the King of the Underworld; nothing should frighten the boy. But frightened is my beloved. As I come to a halt in front of our bedroom door, just as I am about to reach for the knob, I hear her speak inside. She does have a funny habit of talking to herself, but this does not sound like one of these times. So I stop to listen for a second before she becomes aware of my presence.

"Who are you? Stop phoning me!"

I hear her shout in frustration into what I am assuming is her phone. I gently open the door and attempt to make as much as a normal entrance that I can.

"My beloved, are you talking to yourself again? Is something the matter?"

"Oh, you know me, just going a bit stir crazy. There is nothing to worry about."

"Well, I just came to bid you farewell. There is, unfortunately, some council business. I shall not let this act disrupt our lives. Now, will you be fine?"

"Yes, I think I might go check on Zachariah and see how he is feeling."

"Ah, our dear Vampire Hunter. Well, slap him against the head and say my hello."

"Sebastian!"

"Then punch him."

"Sebastian!"

"Fine, tell the man to keep his hands to himself, for I shall cut them off."

"You are impossible; just go."

…Anastasia POV…

The man is impossible, but I can full-heartedly say that I am happy to have him back. But being back to this, this horror that just consumed our lives again, is not something I am not happy to have back so soon in our lives again. I have never experienced anything so terrifying. I fear if I did not leave the room when my instinct told me, then I would have perished in that fire that brought the entire Belmont House down. My heart breaks for Sebastian as well as Edward and Lilith that lost so many memories in a matter of only a few minutes.

To say that I am not scared beyond belief and that I am not feeling safe alone in this house, well, that is a blatant lie. I am making my way out of here and seeking the security of the only other place that I know. But this I shall not tell Sebastian, for then he will have so many questions that I cannot answer at present.

So I make my way out the door the exact moment that Sebastian leaves. There is not one single minute that I want to be alone by myself. As we both get into our cars and I watch him drive off, I make sure to check around me, I don't know what I expect to find there, but I double-check over my shoulders and in the rearview mirror. I check the back seat and to the sides of the car before I speed my way out of the driveway.

Much to my own annoyance, my eyes scan every mirror as I make the drive to Zachariah. I am beyond terrified that there is a danger that is lurking in the corners that my eyes cannot see. I guess terrified is not quite the word to use, but more like paranoid.

In no time, I find myself pulling up in front of Zachariah's home, which quite surprisingly is sitting outside. "Well, you are back so soon; where did he disappear off now again?"

"You, know, Vampire business, I thought I would come to check up on you?"

"Always the caring one. Whose car are you driving?"

"Long story, how about you give me a beer, and I can tell you about it.'

"Mmm, Vampires don't drink. What is up?"

After trying to drag every single bit of information out of me, we get comfortable in the lounge, where I tell him about the exciting evening that I had.

"Damn, this man is really not safe to be around. Do you want to stay here until he has figured out who it is?"

"No. I don't think it is someone that he knows or that he might have pissed off."

"Why do you say that?"

"Well, I think it is me."

I watch as clear shock settle over Zachariah's face; he did not quite expect to hear this. With brows furrowed, he cocks his head in a rather suspicious way.

"What do you mean it is you?"

"There is someone that has been phoning me, and I have had this suspicion that I am being followed too."

"My god, Anastasia! Do you know who it is? How long has this been going on?"

I shyly look down at the beer bottle that I am now clenching with all my force; if I squeeze it any tighter, then it is going to break. After several minutes of gathering the courage, I look up at him from underneath my eyelashes.

"It has been about two months."

"Two months? Did he? Well, I am expecting it is a he, but did he follow you while you were looking for Sebastian?"

"I think he did, but he did call. I thought that he just had an obsession."

"So you think that he set the fire?"

"Yes, I think I did. I am terrified of what he will do next."

"Anastasia, do you know who it is?"