Forty-Eight…

Forty-Eight: Freedom Part I

Twenty-one months passed.

The war was over.

It was almost time for Vaclav to come home. Moreover, Lucius prepared for his imminent dethroning, as he knew Vaclav would take his place as leader.

At 4 1/2 years old, Reznik was tall for his age. Katerina had grown into an energetic 2 1/2 year old.

Aubrey couldn’t believe how quickly the last two years had passed.

The coveted talisman nestled upon her chest. She’d worn it since the day Hunter had left.

Hunter. Sometimes she still thought of him… of their heated week together, of their friendship before that. So sad that the friendship had to end along with their love.

She missed him terribly for the first couple months. Gradually it got easier. She filled the empty spaces of her heart with visits to Vaclav. At first, Vaclav didn’t say much. There was a sadness in his eyes that intermittently flashed darkness. He felt betrayed, despondent and angry. But soon that despondency gave way to an acceptance, and a desire to work through their issues.

Aubrey told Vaclav about Jakub’s being alive, and that Lucius didn’t believe her. Vaclav replied mysteriously: “once I’m free, I will repay Lucius for his undying loyalty.”

One evening in early Spring, Aubrey sat upstairs reading a novel.

Then came the slamming of the front door, followed by screams of joy.

She closed the book.

Slowly, she made her way toward the joyful sounds.

Vaclav sat in the chair cuddling the kids. He looked up at Aubrey.

“Honey, I’m home,” he said.

For the longest time, she simply stared at him wondering if her eyes were playing tricks.

“Vaclav.”

She ran up to him, thrusting her arms around his neck.

Her shoulders heaved as she sobbed against him.

“I–I missed you so much,” she cried. “I missed seeing you here–in this house.”

He returned her embrace.

They were together again… that was how it was always meant to be.

Once the kids went to bed, Aubrey and Vaclav cuddled on the sofa. The room fell silent between chatting.

Vaclav gazed at her and she thought he was going to kiss her.

He didn’t.

As the night passed, she wondered why he didn’t initiate a hot lovemaking session. After all, it’d been a long time.

Then it dawned on her. He wasn’t quite ready to forgive her about Hunter. With a little more time, maybe he would trust her again. Even though he’d given her ‘permission’, her betrayal caused a huge rift in their relationship… like its foundation had been nuked.

The following night, she and Reznik awaited Vaclav’s return from the vampires’ nightclub. Supposedly he’d gone there to meet with the top Haas members to discuss his reinstatement to leadership.

“When’s Daddy coming home?” Reznik asked.

“I don’t know. He should be back any time.”

“I want Daddy to come home!”

“Please don’t get mad,” Aubrey said. “Remember what happens when you get angry.”

Suddenly the door flew open.

“Daddy!” Reznik exclaimed.

“Holy shit…”

“What happened to you?” Aubrey questioned.

“Daddy’s got blood all over him!” Reznik chimed in.

“I killed Lucius. He put up one helluva fight.”

“I have to go take a shower,” he added walking away.

Aubrey’s eyes followed him.

“Daddy’s bad,” Reznik said.

That night Aubrey had a nightmare. She shifted in her sleep, then woke up.

Something was amiss…

Aubrey sat up and slipped out of bed.

She glimpsed a note on the night table.

She read the note, stunned at its contents.

“Oh, God,” she groaned.

Aubrey got dressed and tapped the number for a cab.

“I need a ride to the airport.” Her voice trembled as she spoke.

Right before leaving, she stopped.

Should I take off the talisman? It won’t protect me against Jakub… and he’ll just rip it off and it’ll be lost again.

She meandered over to the bureau, taking off the necklace.

Gingerly, she placed it upon the surface.

Minutes afterward, she was in a cab headed for Port Newton in the next city.

She would try to board the next flight to Bordeaux, France.

She tried to ignore the intense anxiety swirling in her stomach. It felt like a fireball, slowly consuming her from the inside out.

Will I die after arriving in France? Will Vaclav already be dead by the time I get there? Are we totally screwed?

The yellow cab raced up the road, veering around each tight curve.

Aubrey waited two hours for an available flight. Finally, the time arrived and she boarded the jet.

As dawn reared its scarlet face, Aubrey found herself in France.

She awaited dusk at a hotel. Then she would search for Vaclav.

Aubrey gazed out the window, her eyes scanning the gorgeous French scenery. Of course she couldn’t really focus on its beauty.

She watched from the window as the sky and landscape gradually edged into darkness. It was a painstaking pace, and she attempted to keep her apprehension at bay.

It was time to find Vaclav. Actually, how would she find him?

Aimlessly, she wandered down the street looking to and fro for any sign of Shawn’s hideout.

She didn’t see the cloaked figure watching her.

His eyes glowed a fiery amber.

She felt those eyes upon her, making her skin tingle.

Meanwhile, Vaclav was trapped in an underground room.

Rocked by a sudden sensation, Vaclav jerked his head to the right.

Then he was seized by a vision…

He felt her confusion and terror.

Aubrey! his mind raged. What the hell are you doing here in France?

He focused all his physical and mental energy onto her, funneling every power he could muster until he could telepathically communicate with her.

‘Fucking go home, Aubrey.’

‘Vaclav?’

‘Yes, it’s me. Fucking go home!’

‘Fuck no, Vaclav.’

‘I mean it! Go home! You’re in danger here!’

‘No. Where are you?’

‘Go home!’

‘NO!’

He sighed, beyond exhausted from using so much mental energy; then he struggled to project an image to Aubrey’s mind…

The numbers on the residence mailbox.

He didn’t have a choice. Either way she was in danger of being killed.

*

To be concluded in the next chapter.  :p  And sorry this chapter was on the short side.

In order not to give away a spoiler, I’ll give credit to the creator of the ‘cloaked figure’ in the next chapter, if that makes any sense which I’m sure it doesn’t.  XD

Oh yeah, I think that torture chamber set came from Garden of Shadows…

EDIT: I should probably clarify that Aubrey left the kids with the butler… hehe (hi Pixxi). Also Aubrey occasionally brought the kids to visit Vaclav in prison, and that’s why they still remembered him (hi Kim)  😛   sorry about not being clear about it before. I’ve been somewhat distracted of late…. >_>  Will definitely try to do better on next chapter…