Elisha

Even as I tried to read the book in my hands, my thoughts were on an event that happened months ago and Alexander's odd behavior leading up to this predicament. I noticed a lot of fine details but, I still wasn't sure how they came together to create this mess. Vampires starving unable to feed in the city nor the woods. Questions floated in my head with no answers. What happened to Alexander? Why is our coven no longer allowed in any city run by the Black House? Why won't Claire stop pacing?

I could only ignore it for so long. The pitter patter of Claire's feet as she paced around my room. It didn't help that 'The Process of Werewolf Degradation' was such a dry read. The words were beginning to blur. And my thoughts were highly distracting. I softly closed the book and sat it on the side table made by our very own craftsman Kalana. Currently she only had stones and branches at her disposal. It's very impressive what she ca—

"Elisha" said Claire interrupting my thoughts. My eyes withdrew from the finely crafted table to Claire. Her Lilac moondress fluttered as she walked back and forth. She had an agitated expression that I've only seen vampire Claire with once. It was the same expression she wore when I first came across her in the Slum Rocks of Shoeway. A small township outside of Calavein to the west. Back then she was covered in mud, old blood, and black veins beneath her skin appeared to be holding a competition. Which stain stands out against the pale skin the most. Her eyes were hooded and any vampire would realize immediately that they screamed of thirst. It was no wonder though because at the time Claire was still a Vyper.

She had lunged at me with her tinted fangs out and ready to bite, ready for blood. A younger vampire would have dodged after all a Vyper's thirst can be lethal. Chayton also known as Falcon was stood of to the side ready for my deflection. At that time he had no idea that I was much older than him. It would have been so easy I almost handed her off to Chayton the right hand man of the Black House. After all Vyper's were tricky and often given to the Black House until they were stable enough to be on their own. I almost handed her over.

But, alas I had a sense for souls and though hers was broken. I would recognize an old friend no matter how many times they were reincarnated. None were more surprised than Alexander the leader of our house, at the time, when I showed up with Claire attached to my neck. Excepting a ward was a privilege only an Elder had. He was none to happy to find out I was older than him. Vampires often expect the oldest to be the coven leader but, I wanted none of that. I still want none of that. Begrudgingly he accepted it as he had no choice seeing as I couldn't just decide to be younger.And he still needed me for my knowledge. So he decided instead to be happy for me.

'You're to much of a recluse' he had said 'now you have no choice.'

This was true because once an Elder took in a ward he was accountable for their actions until he released them from their side. Claire was stuck with me until further notice.

"Elisha! Are you listening?" yelled Claire.

"Sorry I drowned in my thoughts again. Do you need to feed again?"

I learned early on that she hated the action but, still reluctantly came to me when the thirst became to much.

She plopped down into the chair across from me that was also made by Kalana. Though this time she used the skin from dear. I wasn't quiet sure what she used to stuff the cushions with.

"You always do that" said Claire. I didn't need to look at her to know she was crossing her arms.

"Do what?" I briefly pondered trying my hand at the book again now that she was no longer pacing.

"That!" She exclaimed.

"What?"

"Deflect, reflect, and ignore."

I shook my head "I can't possibly do all three."

Claire laughed "Oh yes you do. And in that order too."

I leaned back in my chair my hand grasping the book I sat down awhile ago.

"How so?"

Claire leaned forward with a smirk she put up one finger.

"First you deflect. And let me tell you you're very good at it."

I couldn't help the twitch of my lip "Oh really."

Claire nodded acting as if she granted me wisdom from Shaylok himself.

"Yes. You react differently depending on the situation and person too. You're deflection can be in the form of jokes, sly remarks, or even pretending to be lost in thoughts."

"I see."

"Second." She held up two fingers. "You reflect."

"Reflect on what? According to you I wasn't listening."

Claire shook her head. "I've never said that. I said you deflect not that you don't listen."

"And these are different?"

Her hands slammed into the armrest of her chair. "Of course they are! And you know it."

I sat the book down on my lap.

"Okay so I reflect?"

"Yes. You take what you've learned from the person and other sources. Depending on what it is your reflecting on you do one of two things."

"One of two things?" I asked leaning back into my chair.

"You either store the information for later use or create a plan."

"A plan? And what would I do with that?"

She squinted her eyes at me and raised three fingers. "That's where number three comes in. You ignore."

I raised an eyebrow at that "ignore."

Claire shrugged.

"The way I see it. It's the most important step. You have a plan probably a good plan. And then. And then you fail to pass it on."

"But, I helped Henery earlier this week."

"That's only because you're worried. It's why you're reading a book on Rognox or rougism what ever you want to call it."

"Don't be Grim and help me out already." Said Claire.

I sighed and let my shoulders slump.

"Claire if you're heart has begun to beat there's nothing I can do to stop it. Even if I want to."

"But it's to early. Every thing's been set to motion prematurely."