Blood and Roses - Ch. 25

The plane jolted when the tires hit the runway. I looked out my rain streaked window at the all too familiar airport of Baltimore MD, and quietly sighed to myself. I didn't have to say anything; Logan already knew what was on my mind and kept looking in the opposite direction, across the aisle where Tristan and John sat. Guilty conscience…
As soon as the pilot gave the all clear to exit the plane, Logan stood up to retrieve our luggage from the overhead compartment. Of course, the only things Logan needed were a few pairs of spiffy suits. I sighed again, envious that he could pack so simply. Logan raised an eyebrow at me. Yeah-yeah, I know.
Logan chuckled and helped me from my seat. Tristan and John followed behind as we exited the plane to the airport terminal. Silently we walked to a limo parked in front of the airport. Standing beside it was a tall, very pale, man holding a sign that read 'Vise.' The man was wearing a tuxedo better suited for a black tie event with his short black hair slicked back, giving him a very untrustworthy aura. Logan approached the man and set our luggage down; reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out what looked like a passport and handed it to the limo driver. The man opened the tiny booklet and handed it back to Logan. "Welcome back Sir Vise. The council is awaiting your arrival." Logan gave the man a short smile, "then it's best we don't keep the council waiting." The limo driver nodded somberly, and hoisted our luggage into the trunk of the limousine.
I heard John chuckle behind us and Logan shot him a fiery glance. He quickly shut up and avoided eye contact with Logan. I blushed a little bit at how much I enjoyed the powerful effect Logan had on both John and Tristan; it was tantalizing. Logan wrapped an arm around my waist and squeezed me a little bit harder than usual. He looked down at me with a huge smirk on his face. I started to feel very warm when I remembered how he conveniently forgot to mention the location of the vampire council.  Oh no, I haven't forgotten love.  I thought this as hard as I could and Logan's smirk soon turned to a worried frown. He helped me into the limousine and John and Tristan followed suit.
The first half of the trip was spent in awkward silence, until John could take no more.
"Ok, you guys need to kiss and make up or something, because this silent treatment is driving me crazy!" Logan shot him a threatening glance and then smiled politely to me.
"I do apologize my friends. I have no mal intent, however" Logan looked at the driver through the glass divider, "this is not the place nor the time to discuss such matters."
I raised an eyebrow in his direction. Logan cleared his throat.
"However, the matter will be visited in due time. In private." He added.
I was satisfied for the moment; I did understand that in the present company of a strange vampire, such private matters were best kept behind closed doors. I patted Logan's hand to let him know I understood and knew he was slightly stressed, not that I needed to do anything at all. Logan looked down at me with a sweet and loving smile that warmed my heart and for a moment I forgot why I had been perturbed to begin with.
Finally, the limo pulled into a parking garage of what seemed like an abandoned building. The sky was grey and cast an eerie luminous glow upon our surroundings. It grew darker and darker as we drove farther and farther down into the basement of this parking garage. I didn't know parking garages went down this far.
"That's because most of them don't, my love." Logan squeezed my hand as he sensed my unease.
As the limo parked, it was now completely pitch black. I couldn't even see my hand in front of my face. Of course, vampires have heightened senses, so seeing in absolutely no light was no problem for them. I heard the limo doors open and the car sway as someone exited the limo. Logan grabbed my arm and helped me out as well.
"Sir, do you have a flash light for my mistress. She is human, and not able to see as we do."
I heard the trunk close and then some rustling. Suddenly the driver's face lit up in a horrific glow and I stifled a scream as I jumped. I felt moronic as Logan gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. The driver bowed and handed me the flashlight. I grabbed it and turned it towards our surroundings.
We were definitely in an underground parking lot. I hope the whole place isn't like this. How stupid would I look being the only one carrying a flash light?
We began walking in the darkness, the flashlight only lighting our immediate surroundings. Logan kept hold of my hand as the driver led us onward. Our steps echoed in the darkness making the place feel even more empty and lonely. It smelled musty and old, the air felt damp and I felt as though I were to be swallowed up by it. Logan squeezed my hand again, sensing my unease.
Finally we approached a set up double doors. In the dim light cast by the flashlight they looked grey and dirty. Can this really be where the vampire council is?
The driver opened the doors and led us into a hallway just as dark as the parking garage behind us. We walked and walked in silence until we came upon another set of double doors. These doors however were different; they were made of a mahogany colored wood ornately crafted.
The driver opened the doors and led us into a hallway much like Logan's mansion. The carpets were deep red and the walls were lined with dimly lit lamps. Ancient pictures of men, women and scenic landscapes adorned the walls in golden frames set a fire by the reflections of the lamps. It was mesmerizing yet disconcerting. It felt creepy and old, and dangerous. The sudden flicker in Logan's eye proved this to be true. No matter how beautiful it may be, it was not safe and we were not to become comfortable.
The driver led us on ward and stopped in front of two rooms, one across the hall from the other. The driver directed John and Tristan to the right and Logan and I to the left. He set our belongings down and exited the room, quietly closing the door behind him. I let out a deep sigh I had been holding in for the last hour and plopped on the beautiful canopy bed to take in my surroundings. Everything was beautiful and elegant. Tapestries hung from the walls and paintings of lavish forests and farm lands of old hung in gold and mahogany frames. I sat up and walked to the dresser to the right of the bed. It was laden with a silver plated hand held mirror and hair brush. It had a vanity top and several drawers for belongings. I walked to the left of the bed to a door that led to a personal bathroom. I turned and looked at Logan who sat in a chair near a coffee table, watching me closely.
"Every room has one. You are not the first human visitor." Logan said, reading my mind.
I nodded and turned on the light to the bathroom. It was luxurious, with marble cabinets and a claw foot tub. It reminded me of home and my disagreement with Logan.
Instantaneously Logan was behind me wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me to the bed. He sat next to me on the bed and held me close.
"Evelyn my love, I must talk with you." He stopped and thought for a moment before continuing. "I know I should have told you where we were going, my love. However I did not think it pertinent at the time." He looked concerned. I decided I had given him the silent treatment long enough.
"I know Logan. It just would have been nice to know. But I understand. I love you Logan, that will never change," and in my heart I knew this to be true. I knew, even in this foreign place, that I was in love with Logan more deeply than ever before.
Logan held me tight then brought my lips to his in a most passionate kiss. He released me from his grasp, and I reluctantly opened my eyes. He stood and headed for the door.
"I must go and announce my arrival darling, but I will return soon." He bowed and winked then was gone behind the closing door.
I sighed and let myself fall backwards on the bed. It had been a long day and a nap seemed so delightful. I snuggled up to the soft pillows and made myself comfortable. I thought about the day's events and the events that were to come. I sighed again and allowed myself to drift off to sleep, dreams of Logan and our home already filling my slumberous mind.