I stared at him for what seemed like an eternity. I was studying his features, and I knew it may have come off as a tad creepy, but I couldn't help it. I wanted to remember his face. His skin was as fair as I remembered and his eyes were a dark grey, much different than they were last I saw him. I won't lie, he looked like a breathtaking work of art and I found myself more appreciating his features and less studying him.
"So." He broke my concentration. "What do we do now?"
"I have no idea." I quickly frowned. "I didn't think I'd make it this far."
After a few moments, he extended his hand. "Daniel." He smiled.
I shook his hand, a wave of shyness cascading over me. "Sylvia." I responded sheepishly.
"Sylvia." He repeated, making my name sound like the most beautiful word in existence. "I honestly didn't think I'd find you."
"I didn't think you were real," I countered. "I was pretty sure you were a hallucination from blood loss."
He looked a little ashamed of that. "Yeah. I'm sorry about that."
"Well, it wasn't you who attacked me." I crossed my arms, smirking at his embarrassment. "I knew you were connected to this somehow, though."
"I can explain more," He looked around nervously, "but not here."
"Where then?"
"The safest would be my house." He mumbled sheepishly.
"Barely know me and already trying get me home." His stuttering made me giggle. I wasn't usually this forward, but I couldn't help it. It was as if he had never talked to a girl. "Calm down. I was kidding." I couldn't help but laugh. This was entirely too adorable.
His home didn't look like much on the outside. It was very modest in its decoration, but the lawn was immaculate.
"Quaint." I mused, following him inside. I instantly regretted not keeping my mouth shut as I looked around the foyer. French inspired chairs with an ornate gold rimmed mirror decorated the room, with soft lighting all along the walls. I felt as if I had stepped back in time and it was glorious.
He led me into a rather large living room, that used the same lighting. The was a fireplace with two chairs set cozily in front of it. The walls were decorated with various paintings, giving the room quite the elegant feeling.
"This is gorgeous." I said, half to myself.
He chuckled. "Most of this was Edith's doing. It reminds her of – old times."
I caught the pause easy enough, but I didn't really pay it much attention. I walked to the fireplace, gingerly touching the smooth, white stone.
"Who's Edith?" I ventured, completely transfixed on the patterns carved into the stone.
"Me." Came another voice from behind me.
I turned quickly, just now noticing that someone was in one of the chairs behind me. I felt a slight chill go up my spine as I faced my assailant once again. Instinct backed me away from her and I watched as she joined Daniel across the room. He put a hand on her shoulder, and she kept her eyes low.
"This is my little sister, Edith." He began, keeping the distance between us. "Edith, this is Sylvia."
She didn't raise her gaze, but instead shrunk closer to her brother, letting out a small whimper. He looked up at me apologetically.
"She feels really horrible for hurting you." He said, hugging her. "She was just scared. She's a little different." A finger tapped his temple and I nodded, understanding at least that much.
I heard a small sob come from Edith and I immediately cursed my kind heart. With a calming breath, I stepped closer to them. Edith let out another whimper, burying her face into Daniel's shirt.
"Hello, Edith." I said in my calmest and sweetest tone. "It's okay. You don't have to fear me." Slowly, she turned her gaze to me and I smiled warmly.
"E-Edie sorry." She responded quietly.
"I know." I answered. "Like your brother said, you were just scared."
She just nodded, keeping a tight grip on Daniel. I decided to show her my arm, taking care to not make any quick or sudden movements.
"See? It's all better." I reassured her. "It doesn't even hurt anymore."
She finally let her brother go and gingerly reached out to touch my arm. "Sylvie all better?" She asked.
"Edith, her name is Sylvia." Daniel chided gently.
"No, it's okay." I chuckled at him. "I actually like the name." I turned my smile back to Edith. "Yes, Sylvie's all better."
Edith looked at me and finally smiled, revealing a pair of very formidable looking fangs. I did my absolute damnedest to hide my shock, but it was all for naught.
"I guess I have some explaining to do." Daniel sighed heavily.
I could only nod. I foresaw another long night in my immediate future.