Slayers Fan Fiction ❯ Owner of a Lonely Heart ❯ Three ( Chapter 3 )

Title: Owner of a Lonely Heart

Author: Yugure

Rated: PG-13

Genre: Supernatural/Drama/Angst/Horror/Romance

Disclaimer: If you think Slayers et al belongs to me… please run, not walk, to your nearest mental health facility.

Author Notes: *sheepishly slinks up to soapbox* Um. Hi. *waves* Most of you prolly don't even remember this fic; it was last seen in November and here it's already May. Being a senior, and a lazy procrastinating senior at that, really is not good for fanfic morale. So to make up for my lack of fanfic-writing-ness, here's the next chapter of Owner of a Lonely Heart, all written in ONE DAY. Meh. Enjoy… and please put away the chainsaws, machetes, and frying pans… *slinks away*

Ah… I realize everyone has different views on the hows and whys of vampirisms. Please be open-minded when reading, as I am sure that somewhere you will find something that does not sit well with you. For the record, my main sources of inspiration for the supernatural come from Laurell K. Hamilton and L.J. Smith.

Chapter Three

Zelgadis laughed, a deep sound that seemed to rumble Lina's belly. Oddly enough, Lina felt her heart flutter and jump. Uncomfortable, she pulled a soft afghan into her lap and sipped at her drink.

"It is a story that you may not believe," he said, watching the girl under hooded eyes. He was gauging her reaction as much as she was his.

"Try me."

"To begin, I am not as I appear to be. I am over 200 years old and not entirely human." Zelgadis could tell by the derisive snort and roll of eyes that Lina was not keeping an open mind.

"Sorry," Lina quickly said upon seeing the disappointed look on Zelgadis's face. "I'll suspend my disbelief until you're done."

"Thank you. As I was saying, I am over 200 years old. I am a night hunter, a dark stalker… for all intents and purposes, a vampire.

It was not my decision to become what I am. Someone I once trusted betrayed me and damned me to this eternal hell…"

About 200 years ago…

Zelgadis Graywords wasn't sure if his deviant behavior was a response to his own unbridled passion for Olivia D'Amaro or out of spite of his parents' severe stranglehold grip on his life. Not that it mattered, really, since he was breaking rules in either case and he wouldn't stop for anything.

Zelgadis rounded a corner and darted down an alleyway. He barely noticed the drunks and lepers leaning against the walls or passed out on the cobblestones. He had one destination in mind, and he would get there if it took all night.

Olivia D'Amaro was cruelly beautiful and beautifully cruel. Beauty was a weapon she knew how to wield, and did so without relent. Hardly any man could resist her mesmerizing eyes or shimmering hair, her intoxicating scent and soft, supple body. All women hated her and all men wanted her. She surely would have been the belle of the town if she hadn't been born into and raised by a very disreputable family. Her name and heritage was a curse she could not cast off. Not that she would want to, for Olivia's heart was blacker than the darkest night in the shadow of the moon. She embodied sin and temptation. It was social death to associate with her beyond what was required by law regarding her father and family.

Zelgadis, unfortunately, was enraptured. Never before in his young life had he felt such a beating fervor for another human being. He pined for Olivia for years and years; after meeting her at a mandatory social interaction, he could not let go of her image. Olivia, although wicked and depraved, was also intelligent, and knew exactly how to twist Zelgadis to fulfill her needs.

Of course his father eventually found out about his son's dangerous liaison with Olivia. He forbade all future interaction and pronounced all past developments nonexistent. For the past 2 years Monsignor Graywords attempted to find a suitable bride for Zelgadis, but Zelgadis would have none of it. His heart would always belong to Olivia. Zelgadis proceeded to sneak out of the house at all hours, at all days of the week. Sometimes he would be gone entire days, returning with a feeble explanation of his whereabouts. Although only a select few knew of Zelgadis's dangerous obsession, it nonetheless became increasingly important to curb this unwanted behavior.

Zelgadis slowed as he approached the commons where Olivia was supposed to meet him. He was seething with resentment towards his father, whom he had just run away from after a loud and scandalous fight in front of the new opera house. He was also shivering with barely concealed excitement in anticipation of Olivia. Her telegram had sounded full of promises best left said in the dark. Would she finally confess her undying love for him? Would they decide to elope? Would they… would they…

"Zelgadis, my love, you are late." A shadow stepped out from underneath a tree and into the harsh light cast by the streetlamps. Olivia held out her arm for Zelgadis to take. He did so, gladly.

"I am terribly sorry. My father dragged me to tonight's opera and detained me afterward," he offered as explanation. Olivia nodded, not as though she believed him, but as though his excuse didn't really matter. They began walking away under the trees.

"Zelgadis, if I told you I was a vampire, would you believe me?" The odd question completely stunned the young man. He nearly tripped on a rock as he shot Olivia a confused look.

"I find it hard to believe in such fairytales," he finally replied. "They are mythical creatures, no more, no less."

"I am, Zelgadis. And if I can make you one too, would you come away with me?

This time Zelgadis completely stopped to focus his full attention on Olivia's face. She seemed to be completely honest, and Zelgadis could not detect a hint of trickery. The more important fact, however, was that Olivia had just asked him to go away with her. To where? For what? It didn't matter, did it, if he was going to be with Olivia?

"I will go anywhere with you Olivia. I will go anywhere for you."

"Good. Excellent." The dark-haired woman fell silent.

"But would you explain to me what this vampire business is?"

"I will show you, Zelgadis Graywords. Prepare yourself. If you struggle, it will be much less pleasurable."

Zelgadis liked the way she said "pleasurable". He liked the hungry way she was looking at him. He liked the way she pulled him into the darkness without making a sound.

He did not like the sensation of teeth piercing his throat.

Present…

"I was a fool then. A fool blinded by love." Zelgadis's countenance had transformed from a poker face to a mask of misery and pain that wouldn't die. "It was stupid to put faith into that terrible woman, but I was young and didn't know better."

"I thought you said you were turned against your will, but to me, it sounds like you gave permission," Lina interrupted. She was surprised to hear her voice subdued. Somehow, in the last few minutes, she had become enthralled with the story. She was even beginning to believe it.

"I admit to making such a mistake. I did not believe in vampires, and I did not believe she would do what she did. However, as I found out later, Olivia would have turned me regardless of what my response would have been. And that is not the betrayal that I speak of."

"I'm sorry, please continue."

"Thank you. It was shortly after my transformation that I met Nathaniel…"

Past…

Zelgadis cracked his eyes open, then immediately wished he hadn't. Although it was dusk, and quickly fading to night, the dim light was harsh on the new vampire's eyes. Not only that, but his raging hunger was rising within him.

"Glad to see you're awake," Olivia stated from her position perched on the edge of the bed. She stood up and took two steps away. Zelgadis sat up and threw his legs over the side. "How are you doing?"

"I feel like hell," Zelgadis ground out, pressing his palms into his eyes.

"As expected," was the smug reply. Zelgadis tilted his head enough to peer at Olivia from between his fingers. Somehow, in spite of what she had done to him, he still loved her. His undead heart would always beat for her.

"Are we hunting now?"

"No… not quite. I want you to meet someone." With a small gesture of her hand, she beckoned someone to step out of the shadows of the room.

A Viking, Zelgadis thought instantly. The man towering over Olivia looked like what he imagined a Viking to look like. Fierce blue eyes focused on Zelgadis from under a mop of unruly blond hair.

"This is your new changeling, child? Such a scrawny specimen, don't you think?" Zelgadis flinched at the gravely voice that grated his sensitive ears.

"Come now, Nathaniel, don't be jealous," Olivia scolded, turning a radiant smile on her comrade. Both older vampires turned to look at Zelgadis.

Zelgadis remained silent, gaze flickering from one face to another.

"I think he's cute," Olivia finally said.

"Your choice, your fledgling," Nathaniel replied, bending to nip Olivia's throat. He nuzzled his nose into the hair behind her ears. Olivia continued to stare at Zelgadis with a content smile on her face.

It was then Zelgadis realized what he had been missing, what he hadn't seen, what he hadn't wanted to understand. Olivia would never be his, of course. Olivia had damned his soul, but not because she wanted him as an eternal companion. She already had a lover. Zelgadis was nothing but a toy, a pet.

Present…

Lina hadn't expected to fall so deeply into the story. She was nearly on the edge of her seat, wanting to grasp every thread of the tragedy. Her cocoa long gone, she clutched the afghan.

"That's terrible," she said, cutting in again, "… but what does this all have to do with me?" Realize she was acting as though she believed the story, Lina slouched back in her seat and glowered at Zelgadis. "And you still have to convince me any of this is real. Without attempting to turn me into a vampire."

"Very well then. Follow me." Without waiting for a reply, Zelgadis stood up and walked out to his balcony.

Lina, not expecting proof of any kind, hesitated. What was going on here? Vampires aren't really… right? Since she had agreed to suspend her disbelief for the time being, she followed.