GUNS AND ROSES PART 3-E

`So from what I hear, you are the fire elemental bearer? Correct?', Girra eyed him carefully. He was a good-looking vampire, healthy with clear canines and tout body. It was evident from his constants glace towards Astrid that he loved her.

`Yes, ma'am', he answered. Girra liked the British accent in his tone and his upbringing. Enlil filled him in with Ace's background earlier, so she merely asked questions out of formality. Ace was polite, but she was not convinced of his kind. Manipulative and unforgiving. Enlil knew what her stare meant and spoke something into her ears. She listened and nodded, softening her face at his words.

`There is something I wish to say. Something I want to clarify', Girra treaded on carefully.

`I can see you love my niece, Astrid. But I am quite resentful of your kind, to be honest. You see, I lost a sister, Astrid's mother to a vampire and I do not wish to assist them in any way. I am surprised my father tolerated you until now. I know I wouldn't', Girra continued and Grandpa Jones entered the hall, nodding towards Astrid and motioning her to sit between his legs. She gladly obliged. She beamed at Ace and gripped his knees before scooting over to pop.

Grandpa Jones massaged her scalp and she closed her eyes in content. Ace could not help but feel a pang of jealousy, but he knew it was not warranted. He was her parent, something he could never fill even if he tried. Their relationship required no spoken words, her grandfather seems to know what she wanted. A level of understanding to which Ace has to up his game if he were to reach Grandpa Jones' level.

Ace cleared his throat before speaking `No offence, I apologize if my presence is uncomforting to you. My concern for Astrid is bigger than my existence and she has an enemy breathing down her neck. If I can help to eliminate him, be of assistance in any way I can, I will be forever indebted to you, ma'am'.

Girra was taken aback with his words but composed herself to mask her astonishment. Ace spoke well and his eyes shone with sincerity. `The last guy gave empty promises, knocked my sister up and left her in my father's care. I am not sure if you will end up doing the same thing to her when you are in the face of danger and death',

`I am not the same.' Ace stated.

`I know. I am aware of it. But the apple does not fall far from the tree. Tell me something Ace. What do you plan to do with this power?',

`Frankly, I don't know. I just got to know it about a week ago. All this while I thought of it as a defect of my temper',

`Temper or not. It is a big stone to carry within you. You need to learn how to control it, tap into it. Keeping it locked will do you no good. It will end up eating you, killing you slowly with its flames', Grandpa Jones spoke at last.

`Girra, you have your apprehensions. Keep it aside for now. Teach the boy how to channel the fire. Initiate him. Mulling over something in the past won't help.', he continued.

`But, father what guarantee do we have that he won't-', Enlil cut Girra midway.

`He is not the same Girra. I've been with him, seen how they protect Astrid',

`They?', Girra mused. `So, there are others out here like him, a vampire who requires my help?'

`Ace and his brother, Hadwin. Both are protective and they were hell bend on hitting me when they met me the first time', Enlil laughed.

`She saved my brother's life when he met an accident. I don't think I can ever repay her in this lifetime', Ace spoke quietly and caught Astrid who looked at him with yearning. She mouthed a thank you to Ace.

`It's 4 against 1. I guess I have no choice. Are you coming over tomorrow?', Girra questioned him, sighing heavily.

`Speaking of tomorrow, I'm staying with the Wagner's this weekend', Astrid informed Enlil knowing he will flip if she did not tell him.

`You will be missing 2 days of training. I don't think it's a good idea', Enlil rubbed his jaw.

`I can train with her. I have a gym in my house', Ace offered.

`Sounds more like training under the bedsheet to me', he mumbled under his breath, but Ace caught it and coughed loudly. Astrid offered him a glass of water and he gulped it down before glowering at Enlil. Enlil looked away, pretending not to have said anything.

`Fine. But be back early on Sunday so we can initiate Ace. And bring extra clothes. You will be getting wet. Literally', Enlil told him and stood up.

`I should get going. It's getting late', Ace stood as well and everyone exchange goodbyes, leaving Ace, Astrid and Enlil at the door. Astrid pushed the door open and quickly embraced Ace. She could not get enough of his musky cinnamon scent.

`Astrid, love, you need to let go. I will be late for work tomorrow', he gently pushed her away and she pouted in reply.

`Don't give me that look, babe, I won't be able to stop kissing you', he whispered into her ears.

`Stay for the night. I miss your warmth', she pressed her head on his chest.

`I wish, love, I really wish the same. Let me make it up to you when you come this weekend. I promise', he held her face in his hands and kissed the tip of her nose.

`Okay', she replied and closed her eyes, when he rained her face with kisses.

Enlil who leaned against the outside door looked at the couple and smirked. Young love, untainted, he thought. I wondered if it will lasts once they cross Enki.

Ace strode to his bike and lifted the seat to take a small parcel wrapped in red with a single Rosa Falstaff rose tied into the ribbon.

`What's this?', Astrid asked when Ace passed it to her hands.

`Open it, love', Ace smirked, and Astrid opened the gift, tearing the wrapper away. She opened a box and saw the same gun she was practising in earlier.

`It's a new one, with your name engraved on it and there is also a license inside the box', Ace told her.

`Gosh, how did I get a license? I mean this is huge. But do I need a gun now?', Astrid was stumped with the new gift.

`It can be handy, in case you are in grave danger, love. I have my means of getting a license for you', Ace placed the Glock back inside the box and closed it.

`Well, thank you Ace. I will keep it safely',

Ace hugged her and pecked her lips before wishing her to dream about him and kicked the engine on. He fixes his helmet and rode away, leaving behind a cloud of dust coiling and disappearing in the dense forest air.