A Twist of Fate: Chapter 4

The waning heat of August indicated the quick approach of a new school year, and Alexa's seventeenth birthday. William, Heath, and Kourtnie went to the mall to buy birthday presents for Alexa. While browsing in J. Crew, William struck up a conversation about Nicolaus with Kourtnie.

"This Nick kid," he began casually, "what's his deal?"

Kourtnie glanced at Will in between searching through a rack of cute cardigans. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged his shoulders while running his fingers across the tops of jeans hanging from the wall rack. "He's a college kid, a senior to say the least, and he's interested in a girl still in high school. I don't know, it sounds kind of strange to me."

"In other words, you think he has ulterior motives," she summarized his explanation.

"Don't you agree? I mean, I don't know anything about the guy and he always seems to be around despite the fact that he has summer classes. And he talks like my grandfather, which is way too formal for the average college kid."

She thought about his rationalization long and hard before she responded. "I guess he is around a lot. And he does happen to show up miraculously whenever she needs him."

Heath had been eavesdropping on their conversation and joined in. "And how about the way they act around each other? They're like magnets; one moment they're stuck to each other like complete opposites attracting and the next, they're the same exact person and they argue."

"But do you ever see him stare at her? Like he's hungry? It makes my skin crawl sometimes," William shuddered merely thinking about it.

"Ok, guys, you're overreacting now. Give it some time and you'll get used to him. They're not even official yet and who knows? This may only be a summer fling," Kourtnie reasoned. "All we can do is be supportive. And buy her this adorable dress." She handed the fall collection piece to Heath. The three had their purchases rung up and left the mall, with the memory of their conversation still lingering.

***

Alexa walked into the kitchen the morning of her birthday to find her family going about their usual business. Her father was reading the newspaper at the table, while her mother cooked breakfast for everyone. William and Heath were sitting in the family room watching ESPN. She purposely pulled out a stool at the island, drawing attention with the noise. "Good morning, family," she said innocently.

Taryn looked at her daughter. "Hi birthday girl, how does it feel to be seventeen?"

Heath turned around in his seat. "Yea, Lexi, how does it feel to be able to see R-rated movies all by yourself?"

"Ha-ha because you still have an entire two years to do that," she retorted.

"Another year older and you still have a tongue as sharp as a knife," Ephram teased his daughter.

"But a brain that's not the brightest bulb in the box," William joked.

Alexa glowered at her brothers and stuck her nose in the air at them. "You can't rain on my parade. Today, I'm a dancing queen." Everyone laughed at her silly remark when the doorbell rang. "I wonder who that could be," she said while walking to the foyer and looking through the windows. On the other side of the door was Nicolaus smirking back at her. She opened the door and leaned against the frame.

"I believe on this day seventeen years ago, you graced the planet with your presence." The charm in his enchanting voice sent chills right up her spine and goose bumps formed down her arms. "Happy birthday, Alexa." He moved into her body so temptingly close and tenderly grazed her lips with his. When he stepped back she remained dazzled. "Are you going to invite me inside?" he asked.

"Oh, yea, of course, come in," she stuttered trying to formulate a coherent sentence. Alexa allowed Nicolaus to enter the house and closed the door behind him. She led him into the kitchen to see the rest of the family.

"Good morning Mrs. Cornelius, Hello Mr. Cornelius," he greeted her parents.

Ephram peeked up over his newspaper and smiled cheerfully. "Hello, Nick."

"Hey Nick, what brings you out here this morning?" Taryn asked merrily.

He remained standing next to Alexa who was seated at the island again. "Well, today is Alexa's birthday and I hoped to take her out for a few hours during the day, if that is alright with you."

William and Heath irritably glanced over their shoulders at the nauseating scene playing in the kitchen between Nick and their parents.

"No one else has plans with her for today. I don't see why not," replied Ephram. Alexa's eyebrows rose with surprise. Did they actually not plan anything for her birthday?

Taryn beamed enthusiastically. "That's a lovely idea. Lex, you should go have some fun. Be back by dinner."

"Ok then." Alexa got up from the table puzzled and grabbed her purse and shoes from the hall closet. "Let's get going, Nick." She edgily walked out the door.

"Goodbye everyone. I look forward to seeing you all later," Nicolaus spoke before joining Alexa outside. Her mind was shooting daggers at her family for not celebrating her birthday. "Calm down, Alexa."

She was unprepared for his attempt to soothe her. "What are you talking about? I am calm," she lied.

Nicolaus sighed and walked past her to the car. "If you say so. We should hurry if you would like to make the most out of your birthday."

Not like anyone cares, she thought moodily to herself. "Fine, let's go."

The two were on the road in minutes and Alexa was still pouting. "You know you are acting like a child right now," he indicated bluntly.

"Does your family not care about your birthday?" she asked him aggressively.

Technically, his family acknowledges the fact that he has a day on which he was born, but after living for centuries it gets old to continue meaningless celebrations. Vampires stop aging. "Your family cares and you know it. But you are on my time now, so relax and enjoy it...or else."

She sat back in her car seat trying to hide her smile. "When is your birthday anyway?"

Alexa had been taking her questions to hazardous subjects over the summer, but Nicolaus found ways to answer them without jeopardizing his secret. "I was born on March 12."

"I see. Since you're 21 that would make it of 1988, right?"

He carefully replied, "Yes, it would." Luckily, she didn't catch his underlying meaning that the year would be correct if he was human. "But this is your birthday, so stop thinking about mine or anyone else's for that matter."

"Fine, bossy. Where are you taking me anyway?" She asked while Nick sped down the road.

"Greenwich Point Park," he replied simply.

She glanced at him. "Way to ruin the surprise."

Nicolaus chuckled and shook his head. "I merely responded. If you did not want to know, then you should not have asked."

Her cheeks flushed a deep rose with frustration. "Sometimes I don't understand the way your mind works, Nick."

He smirked at her declaration. How ironic because I do not understand your mind even with my powers, he thought. "The feeling is mutual." The car passed through the park entrance and Nicolaus pulled into the lot. He was glad that Alexa finally knew to wait for him to open her door; he was always a well-mannered gentleman.

"So, what now?" she asked impatiently.

Nicolaus pulled out a small basket from the car and handed it to her. "I ordered it to-go from La Bottega. I assumed you would like it."

Alexa's eyes glistened with tears, but she kept them back. "Thank you...very much. Um...we can sit at a picnic table." She turned her back to him and walked to find a table.

He followed, watching her luscious jet black wavy hair flow in the wind. Her scent hit him full blast and he was glad he had hunted every night leading up to today, or it would have been difficult to resist the urge to attack her.

She found a table with a beautiful view and sat down. "I really appreciate you doing this, Nick. You didn't have to."

He lowered into the seat across from her. "I know, but strange as it is, I actually wanted to do it. How bizarre," he stated with a hint of sarcasm.

She giggled happily, the stress of her mind finally dissipating, and opened up her food container. "There's only one meal in here. Aren't you going to eat?"

"I'm fine. It is for you. Enjoy," insisted Nicolaus.

"You don't eat a lot, do you?" she wondered and took a bite of her pasta.

He gave her a quizzical look. "No, I do. But I will admit I am selective of the food I eat."

"You're not a vegetarian or anything are you?"

Oh, you are so wrong little girl. "Far from it," he replied. "Finish your meal before it gets cold."

Alexa rolled her eyes. "Yes sir," she saluted. Being in his presence was so unnerving that a simple task of eating became a challenge.

Nicolaus was highly amused by her many attempts to pick up the slice of chicken with her fork before she picked it up with her hand. "I swear you belong in a cave at times."

"Hey, I resent that!" she snapped, staring dead into his frosty blue eyes.

He maintained eye contact, admiring the exotic gold flecks in her eyes. "Have your eyes always been like that with the gold?"

She nodded. "Yep. I get it from my dad's side, but it's weird."

"Explain," he said intrigued.

"Well, I did a heritage project and while I was interviewing my grandmother, I noticed she had eyes like mine, too." Alexa revealed and took a sip of her bottled water. "I asked her about it and she told me only the females of the family have it. None of the males have the gold like we do."

There was something oddly familiar about her story, but he could not put his finger on it. "Absolutely fascinating," he replied. "It truly is magnificent."

Alexa's cheeks filled with blood in another blush, which she found herself doing a lot more often around Nick.

Wow, Nicolaus thought. This girl could not know what she did to him with each and every blush. He wanted a taste so badly, it killed him inside despite the fact he fed all week. Her thoughts became a jumbled mess, wondering why he was staring at her so intently. "I'm sorry. It's so rude to stare."

"It's alright," she assured him and laughed. She finished eating and kicked off her shoes, letting her feet feel the earth beneath her toes. "So, is there anything else you have planned for me?"

"Besides taking you back to your house, I think that's all," he coolly answered her.

She held her shoes in her hand and stood up. "Okay, let's go." She stuck out her hand for him to take, already anticipating the cold.

He rose to his feet and grabbed her hand, interlocking his fingers with hers, feeling the warmth envelop his hand. They strolled back toward his car together, hand in hand.

Alexa immediately noticed Brett walking in their direction with some blonde female. You have got to be kidding me, she thought. She held onto Nick a little tighter to prepare herself.

Nicolaus sensed the tension build inside Alexa at the sight of this beastly boy. His mind was as filthy as Evan's and from the memories he stored, he and Alexa had once been intimate. The female attached to him lacked any form of originality or knowledge.

"Long time, no see, Lex," Brett sneered aloofly.

Not long enough. "Hello, Brett," she greeted with annoyance.

He nodded in Nick's direction. "Who's your little friend?"

She began, "This is Nick Dalmaine, my-"

"Her boyfriend," Nicolaus finished her sentence. He saw her eyes widened momentarily, but she recovered before Brett could notice. "And you are?"

"Brett Corbin," he replied. I hope you know she doesn't put out, he thought to himself.

Nicolaus was revolted by Brett's mind and fumed in anger. "Nice to meet you, man." He shook Brett's hand and squeezed harder intentionally. Brett pulled his hand back and rubbed it in pain. Nicolaus continued. "Anyway, we were just having a quiet lunch for Alexa's birthday, but I think we should get going. Don't you?"

Alexa smiled triumphantly. "I completely agree. Goodbye guys."The two walked past the confused couple, entered Nicolaus' car, and drove away.

Alexa could not stop thinking about the title that Nick had introduced himself as to Brett. She did not deny that the thought of Nick possibly being more than just a friend had crossed her mind, but at the same time she knew he was in college and she was still just in high school. Then again, they do spend a lot of their time together...and the world seems to stop when he kisses her. Oh hell, he takes her breath away. Plus, he must feel something too if he called himself her boyfriend...Or he could have only been trying to help her out of the awkward situation she was in with Brett.

A smile had formed across Nicolaus' face while he listened to her mind endure an endless mental tug-of-war over his simple introduction as her boyfriend. He knew human females could be so unnecessarily critical about small matters, but he was not going to make this easy for her. She was going to have to make the decision herself on how they were to be together.

Her palms became cold and clammy and her mouth suddenly seemed uncomfortably dry. Get a grip, she thought. The worst thing he could say is 'No.' Her heart sank; if he said no, it would be such devastation that she was unsure she could bear. She finally looked at him and took a deep breath.

"Are you OK?" Nicolaus asked solely to break the ice, seeing as he already knew she was an emotional wreck at the moment.

She smiled weakly and her voice trembled. "Yea...I'm fine." She stopped to calm herself and gather her thoughts. "Do you remember how you told Brett you were my boyfriend?"

"Yes, that was only a few minutes ago," he replied.

Alexa laughed nervously. "Yea...right. Well, um, I was just wondering if you were serious...or not?"

Oh no, Alexa, you're not going to get out of this that easily, he thought. "Do you think I was serious?"

"Well, I thought you might be joking," she lied hoping to get a reaction from him. He kept driving with no change in expression. She tried harder. "You were kidding...weren't you?"

He responded indifferently, "If you say so."

"I'm not saying that you were...I mean I just thought..." She trailed off, upset at herself for being so inarticulate.

Nicolaus decided to give her another attempt. "If you want to say something, then just say it," he stated.

Alexa sighed. "I just wanted to say...thank you, for back there." It was no use anyway; she figured it was probably for the best.

Nicolaus, annoyed by her submission, replied apathetically, "You're welcome. I always help a friend in need."

There was the answer she dreaded. She felt the sting of tears behind her eyes and quickly turned away from Nick's view. He drove into her driveway and stopped the car. Time was up; if she left now then she may not have another opportunity like this again. She took a deep calming breath and almost too rapidly like vomit, she announced, "I want to be more than your friend."

"What are you trying to say?" he asked innocently.

She made eye contact with him, almost stricken speechless by the mere sight of his chillingly beautiful blue eyes. "I...want you to be my boyfriend, if you want to be." Her heart was racing with anticipation as she watched him stare back at her emotionless. What was he thinking about? Did he think she was stupid or crazy to ask him that? Without warning, he kissed her softly, only lightly holding her chin. It ended and she slowly opened her eyes to see him grinning.

"It took you long enough," he teased.

"You really put me through all of that on purpose, didn't you?" Alexa questioned unhappily.

He nodded and shrugged. "Guilty."

She got out of the car and stomped towards the door. "You are so evil, Nick." A second later, Nick had his arms wrapped around her from behind.

"You do not know the half of it," he replied seductively and quickly kissed the back of her neck. Any longer and he would lose his control over the urge to bite her.

Alexa wanted to be angry but she couldn't with him like this. "Let's just get inside." She opened the front door and was immediately shocked by a shout of "Surprise!" Her family and friends, who planned a surprise party, were throwing confetti at her and giving her hugs. "Wow, were you in on this?" she asked Nick.

He smiled. "Well, someone had to get you out of the house for a few hours. Happy birthday, Alexa." Nicolaus watched her hug everyone and jump with delight and excitement. She was so immature at times, and she constantly irritated him, but seeing her at her best like this made up for everything else. He only wished he understood why...

Thunder boomed through the sky after flashes of lightning struck down upon the grounds of an Austrian castle. The night sky appeared as gloomy as the inside of one of the castle's bedrooms, currently occupied by two people, a man and a woman.

"Do you feel that?" the woman asked. She had wild curly dark hair that gave the impression of snakes coming from her head. "The blood tie grows stronger each day."

The man, tall, sickly thin and bald, nodded. "How those fools do not already sense what is happening before their eyes, is disgraceful. They deserve to be the firsts to die should this end badly."

Raven walked to the window and looked out into the violent storm. "It should not be allowed to progress to that point. We must get rid of the threat now to prevent any implications in the future."

Thanos went and comforted his wife. "I agree. We shall talk to the rest of the family tomorrow and put an end to it."