It was almost dawn by the time we got back to the condo. I was more than a little beat, but at the same time, there was a sense of peace that I hadn't had in a while. Maybe the wolves really did have it right. Mourn when it was time and then move on.
Maybe that was my biggest issue, I had never moved on from Nicholas' death. But tomorrow was a new day and I would start moving on. And by tomorrow, I mean today… when I woke up.
Viktor had walked me to my door before giving me a light kiss on my cheek and walking back to his own place, leaving me to my own devices. I opened the door and looked around. I had spent as much time in this place as I had in my old apartment…that was to say, not much time at all, and nothing really felt like home.
I went to the kitchen, pleased to see that the fridge was fully stocked, and got myself a tall glass of water. Leaning against the counter I tried to figure out where I went from here.
I knew that Vlad was not as innocent as Viktor and Lucas seemed to think he was. It was almost like even after all of these centuries, they were stuck in the same groove as when they were human. As if time stood still.
Maybe it was because I lived a more human life with constantly finding a new identity and a new place to live every 20 years or so that I understood that nothing ever stayed the same.
But even knowing that, it didn't help me figure out where to go next.
Turning around I quickly washed out my glass and put it on the drying rack before getting ready for bed.
Curled up under my blankets, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.
----
"What's the matter, Butterfly?" asked Nicholas as he crouched down in my hiding spot.
"There is just too much to do. I don't know where to start and every moment that I don't start, something new gets added to the list," I whined looking at my brother.
He smiled gently at me and sat down beside me. "Sometimes, when things get that overwhelming, what you need to do is go step by step, even if the first step is something really small and stupid," he said as he started petting my hair. "So what is on this big, long list of things to do?" he continued, not making fun of me.
"I have to get the ingredients for Elena's and Mother's potions. I have to study the Book of Curses and memorize at least 4 of them. I have to do all the washing and make sure that all the meals are prepared on time. I want to have a chance to go to that cave we found the other day and I need to get some fish and veggies to preserve," I said as I started ticking them off my fingers. I was sure that I was forgetting something, but I wouldn't know what it was until Mother yelled at me for not having it done.
Nicholas nodded his head. "That is a really long list for a 5-year-old to worry about. But what do you think should be the first step?"
"Maybe getting the ingredients for Mother?" I asked looking over at him.
"That is a great place to start, but it is still really big isn't it? I mean, there have to be a lot of ingredients that they need. Maybe break step one down even more."
"Find the apples?" I asked, not sure what he wanted. It was really easy to find the apples since we were in an apple orchard.
"Perfect!" he said with a smile and stood up. Offering me his hand, I looked at him in confusion. "Let's get the apples."
Nodding my head, the two of us went off to get the apples needed for one of the potions.
----
My phone rang, startling me out of dead sleep. I was dreaming more and more about Nicholas and I had no idea why. But at least this dream was helpful. Small steps.
My phone stopped ringing, only to restart after a brief pause. I rolled over and grabbed it from the nightstand.
"Hello?" I said, my voice horse from sleep.
"Did I wake you up?" came the voice on the other side. Narrowing my eyes in confusion, I brought my phone to my face and looked at the caller ID.
Private Number. Well, that was helpful… "Yes, you did wake me up," I grumbled rolling back over and pulling the covers up. I put the call on speaker and placed it on the pillow beside my head. "What do you want?"
"Do you even know who this is?" chuckled the voice from the other side.
"Nope, and I am too tired to care. Tell me what you want so I can go back to bed," I grumbled, my heavy eyes already starting to close.
"It's Greyson," said the voice and I groaned. I was not ready to deal with demons right now.
"That doesn't tell me what you want," I grumbled around a giant yawn.
"Out late last night?" he asked, completely ignoring my question. Ass.
"Something like that," I said. "Now, if you don't have anything to actually tell me, I am going to hang up and go back to sleep. You can try calling again at a decent time."
"10 am isn't a decent time?" he asked with a bark of laughter.
"Nope," I replied with a sigh. "Try 2 pm."
"Alright, I'll remember that for next time. But it is something important. Do you have a second?"
"Is the world burning down?" I asked, not really caring one way or the other.
"Nooo…." he said hesitantly.
"Is there a Gypsy performing dark magic in the middle of Times Square and is she trying to summon a demon?" I asked.
"Not that I know of," he said with more than a little confusion.
"Then I really don't care."
"My superior wants to meet with you," said Greyson at last getting to the point.
"That's fine, he can call my secretary and make an appointment. I'm going back to bed." Hanging up before he could even respond, I closed my eyes and went back to sleep. I was much too old to be pulling all-nighters anymore.