Unwanted Blood (13 page)

“Finn, you must keep this to yourself or to only those very close to you that you can trust. This could put a target on her from our enemies,” I hear Edwin whisper to Finn as I walk out the door. What does he mean it could make me a target? Target for what? Like anyone would have a reason to go after me? I stomp over to the SUV and get in with an angry slam to my door as I dig through my purse for my phone. I totally forgot all about my phone because I notice its been off. Hmmm, I think its been off since I hung up on Uncle Reed a few days ago when we got here. Guess I've been distracted. Turning on my phone I noticed I have several missed calls and a voice mail from Presley and that is it. Not that I expected anyone else to contact me, my family never contacts me unless they have a job for me to do and its usually only by e-mail. I dial into my voice mail and hear Presley speak quickly “Alex, its me. Calling to see how your trip is so far”. I decide to call her later when I have time to listen to her go on and on about something trivial. For now though, I need to get down to business so I dial Uncle Reed.

“Alex”

“Hi Uncle Reed. How are you?” I start out nice cause I am on the verge of flipping out

“What do you need?” Uncle Reed asks coldly. What the hell. What is his problem?

“I, ah, have a question. Um.....about my abilities.” I stammer nervously

“Alex, you know we don't talk of such things. Now if you don't have anything important to speak about I have to let you go, I am about to go into a meeting” Uncle Reed replies shortly. Damn it. Why does everyone make me feel like a kid who is doing something wrong just by asking a question? Instead of replying I just end the call. I'm not even sure why I bothered calling him and I know he won't care enough to call me back but I don't get why he is so cold all the sudden to me. He used to at least be the kindest person to me.

Chapter 15

Finn gets in the car and turns to look at me like he wants to say something but I put my hand up to indicate that I just don't want to talk right now. I need to think. Our drive to Finn's apartment in  Edinburgh seems to fly by because the next thing I know we are driving through the most beautiful city I have ever seen. Everything looks so medieval. The streets are made of brick, there is a large clock tower in the distance and tall brick buildings all around me. I probably look like a total tourist with my face pressed to the window but I don't care, this city is unlike anything I have ever seen. Finn's castle I thought was huge, this town seems like one extra large castle by sea. Everyone we pass who is walking on the street seem to be happy, everything is clean and kept in pristine condition. This is nothing like Chicago where the homeless sit on the street corners and trash blows around like tumble weeds. Don't get me wrong, I love the United States and I love the Great Lakes even more, but this place is just so different from where I have come from.

“Wow, Finn, this is great. I can't even make sense of what I am seeing right now” I say in awe as we pass through the center of town.

“I'm happy you find it just as beautiful as I do” Finn says warmly as he squeezes my hand in response. We pull up to a building what looks like it could be hundreds of years old and about ten stories tall. Finn opens my door and helps me out of the car so I can gawk at my surroundings while he gets Egypt and our bags out of the car.

“When you pick your jaw up off the ground we can head to my apartment” Finn laughs

“Alright, lets go. I just can't stop looking at everything. There is just so much to look at” I grumble as I follow Finn and Egypt into the building. Walking into the building is like I walked into another world. I thought everything would be outdated and old like the city but if the lobby is any indication this whole place has been gutted and redone to become so modern that it would put some places in Chicago to shame. Everything is done in sleek black, chrome and gray designs that gives it an edgy look.

“Finn, this is not at all what I expected. Was this recently renovated?”

“Yes, I had it done about a year ago” Finn replies as we breeze through the lobby to the elevator

“What do you mean you had it done? Do you own the whole frickin building?”

“Yes, I purchased it several years ago. It used to be a library but I turned it into apartments. I left the entire top floor for myself” Finn replies with a smile

“Well I guess if you grew up in and are used to living in a castle nothing small would suit you would it?” I mumble snottily. I thought my family was well off, not even close compared to Finn and his family. Its a bit daunting.

The elevator glides to a stop on the tenth floor and opens to Finn's apartment which is the size of about five of my houses put together. The floors are hardwood and the floor plan is open so you are able to see the kitchen to the right and the living room to the left. In between the rooms are massive wood columns running from the floor to the cathedral ceilings. This must have been some sort of old renaissance library. The kitchen is a chef's dream and has all marble counter tops and stainless steel appliances, the living room has leather couches and overstuffed chairs with a fire place and bookshelves. This apartment just screams sleek and edgy but also warm and comfortable. I love it immediately.

“Finn, I think I just fell in love with your apartment and I have only just made it past the door” I say quietly as I see Egypt stride forward and start checking the place out.

“I'm happy that you like it. I am more comfortable here than at the castle. I feel this is more my style” Finn responds with a bright smile as he takes my hand and brings me down the hall.

“How big is this place anyway?”

“There are three bedrooms and each have their own in suite bathrooms. I have an office that is connected through my master bedroom as well. The rest I will show you” Finn smiles slyly as we walk down the hall and turn right. My eyes bulge out of my head. There is a lap pool and a huge hot tub in a room with floor to ceiling glass walls with a glass ceiling. I just died and gone to heaven. I love to swim, I have always been attracted to the water. All around the walls are different types of plants that makes it look typical and inviting.

“Finn, I love this” I breathe out. I am so jealous right now. If I lived here I could swim every day. There is just something about swimming that helps me to focus and wakes me up.

“You are welcome to use it anytime you like. In fact maybe later tonight we can use the hot tub after dinner to relax”

“That sounds great. So what are our plans for the rest of the weekend?” I ask Finn tentatively. I've been just waiting for him to bring up what Edwin said to us before we left. I feel like I need answers but I also feel scared to find out those answers. How could I be first or second generation? That would mean that my mother or father is an angel and from what I've always been told angels haven't been to earth in well over a thousand years. And what of my family? Who are the people I thought were my parents? This is just all too freaky to me, I feel like burring my head in the sand and pretending like everything is just dandy might be the way to go in this situation.

“Alex?” Finn snaps his fingers in front of my faces and kicks me out of my inner musings “Ah, there you are. Got a lot on the mind eh? Anyway, I was saying, we could go out to dinner later. I have a friend in town here that I think you would enjoy meeting, if you feel like going out”

“Sure, whatever sounds good. Its your city so I'm game for whatever” Hopefully his friends don't try to bite me like the last one.

“Until we go out how about I show you the rest of the place and we can have some wine and relax?” Finn says as he steps closer to me and pulls my mouth to his slowly. This man I swear is the best kisser, not that I have much to compare to but my god. Finn deepens the kiss as his fingers trail lightly down my neck and arms causing goosebumps to break out. As slowly as the kiss started Finn also ends it slowly, almost reluctantly and whispers in my ear “don't think you are getting away with not talking about earlier” as he steps back pulling me out the door and back into the hall.

Shit, I should have known he wasn't going to let it go. I wouldn't mind talking to him about it except I have no clue where to even begin. I don't understand even the half of it, let alone trying to explain it to Finn. Finn walks me to the other end of the hall and opens a door which looks to bed the master bedroom. It reminds me much of my room at the castle minus the sitting room. Its very much Finn's taste, the bed is huge, across from the bed is a fireplace and wall to ceiling windows with a door that opens up to a patio. The view is amazing. I couldn't imagine waking up to that view every day. There is a leather couch facing the fire place and the windows so whoever sits there could look at both, its so inviting here I probably would never use the rest of the apartment, well except the pool of course. Next to the couch I notice a smaller bed much like the one that was for Egypt at the castle. I look in question at Finn.

“I had my building manager bring this here for Egypt” Finn says as we watch Egypt saunter up to the bed and fall on it with the grace of an elephant.

“So, I assume this means I will be in this room as well? How presumptuous of you Finn” I quirk an eyebrow at him as my face heats up, giving me away. Finn slowly prowls towards me like a predator stalking its prey.

“It wasn't presumption, Alex. It was hope that you would want to stay in here with me. If you like I could stay in one of the guest rooms. I donna mean to make you uncomfortable but I did enjoy sleeping next to you. Nothing will happen that you donna want. I promise you that” Finn says lightly as he tucks my hair behind my ear. He is so hands on with me. Its almost as if he needs to touch me all the time. Even when we were driving here I would notice that Finn would reach over and take my hand at times are brush the hair from my face even though I was in my own thoughts the whole trip.

“I enjoyed sleeping with you as well, you kept me warm. That castle is quite drafty” I shrug like I was just using him as a heating pad.

“You can't fool me Alex, but keep trying. You make the chase much more fun” Finn says as he gives me a soft pat on the ass as he walks past me to a door to the side of the room. I think I'm fooling myself more than I am fooling him. I like him but in my mind, sleeping around and having flings here and there with people of our kind is dangerous. There aren't many of us to be in the dating pool, what if I fall head over heels in love with Finn while I'm here and then when I go home it ends? Not only will I once again be alone but what if he ends up with one of my cousins and I have to see him all the time? I would be miserable. I already regret being with Zack, I don't know if I can add another one to the regret pile.

“Alex, are you coming?” Finn asks from the other room as I slap myself mentally and give myself a pep talk that I am thinking way too much about things and need to take things as they come. So new game plan. I will just go with the flow and try not to worry. Right. I doubt I can even follow my own advice, I'm a planner, plotter and schemer. I finally decide to put my internal argument on pause till later and go through the door to find Finn. I walk into the room and find myself in a room the same size as the bedroom next door but it has been transformed into a comfy looking office. There is a grand desk in the corner and high wing back chairs placed in front of it. Again, Finn wasted no wall space for the view as the floor to ceiling windows continue.

“Finn this is great. You whole home is so warm and inviting and your view is amazing. I wish I had a place like this. You should see my tiny old house. I think its about the size of one of your rooms” I sigh wistfully

“What do you mean? Your family must have a fortune much like mine does”

“Ha! My family insists that we work for our money. Even though I work for the family's company, I am still paid by them and that is what I live off from. Its not a bad salary and it probably better than what many photographers make but the city is expensive so my house is the best I could afford. I would have an apartment but I felt that Egypt needed a yard to roam around in” I reply with a fake cheery voice in hopes he doesn't see how my family frustrates me to no end. Its not a matter of wanting their money either. I just see everyone else houses and belongings and feel like I am the poor kid of the family.

“Alex, we work for our money as well. In fact my apartment building I paid for on my own. If I needed money I would be given it from my parents and I all needed to do was ask but if you are an Enforcer of your family you should not only be paid as a photographer but also for your work as an Enforcer. Your family has me greatly worried about you and their treatment of you. I've never seen a clan so careless when it comes to one of their own. Especially after getting to know you and how wonderful you are” Finn says as his bright blue eyes bore into mine.

“Finn, you act like they were abusing me or something. They didn't, they just have a different way of doing things. I do like being independent and not having to rely on them for money. I do feel at times that I don't fit with them because they are all indifferent to me but I can't force them to love me” I say as I look down to the floor. The more I keep thinking about this the more unloved and unwelcome I feel from my family. If I were alone right now I would cry and I hardly ever cry. I am a roll with the punches kind of girl and try not let things get me down but when the backbone of my life, my family, makes me feel they don't want me, it feels like I could fall apart. I don't know what my place in the world is anymore. If I ever were to say anything they would deny it and say I was overreacting.

When it was my 10th birthday I got it into my head that I was going to have a big birthday party like my friends from school always had. I went home skipping excitedly the whole way. When I told my mother that I wanted to have a big chocolate cake and balloons, my mother told me in her ice queen way that our family didn't do those things. I cried and begged, my mother then sent me to my room without dinner because I was “overreacting”. I can't even recall a time that I did anything for my birthday besides celebrate it quietly with Egypt. No phone calls, not even a mention of it being my birthday. I've had enough pity parties by now to know nothing was going to change and I just needed to suck it up as usual. I have a feeling that Finn's family isn't the same. I feel pathetic and unloved but how do you make people love you when they clearly don't want to.

Finn must have seen my internal debate written all over my face because suddenly he is there wrapping me tightly in his arms as my lips quiver in attempt to hold in a sob. I'm not normally the pity party type of girl but there is one day of every year where I feel like I am entitled to mope around a little and tomorrow is that day, my 26th birthday. I guess I am celebrating early but moping right now.