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There was a heavy feeling in Alina’s heart as she packed away her belongings. This flat was the first true home she ever had. It held many memories. But it was not safe for her to stay.
“Hunters are rarely solitary,” Genya said, looking uncharacteristically sober and solemn. “Your Mal is probably a member of a cell. If he does not report back, they will investigate. They can trace it back to our clan.”
Alina did not want to put Aleksander and the rest of them in danger. So she had agreed to move out. She had been worried about breaking the least but of course Aleksander offered to take care of it. She had meant to refuse but he pointed out that it was protecting his family too and so she agreed.
Thinking of family made her more morose. Mal refused to talk to her. He had been awake for two days now according to Fedyor but her best friend had yet to talk to anyone, least of all her. It broke her heart. Aleksander said Mal just needed time. She supposed that was true. At least he had not walked out into the sun yet.
She carefully loaded all Mal’s video games and consoles to send to France. Hopefully, they would lift his spirits up. Her plants had already been transported back to the Manor and now she took one last look at the now empty flat.
“Ready?”
She looked at Aleksander. “Yes.”
She let him tuck her against his side and let his words comfort her. The plan was to let her finish her masters. She only had less than a month left for it. Then after that, well, after that the world was their oyster, really.
*
She contacted the vampires in France daily, hoping that Mal would talk to her. He still had not but everyday that he remained alive, Alina was filled with more hope that he would be okay. She was adjusting well in the Manor. She made use of the solarium during the day when Aleksander was deeply asleep. She basked in the daylight while she worked on homework and finished up her thesis. When the sun went down, she would seek Aleksander out and they would spend time together.
For some reason, the Manor had a kitchen and when she asked why, Aleksander said it was Genya’s idea when she first remodeled the house and he just let her do as she wanted.
Aleksander had been trying to learn how to cook for her and she was touched because he could not even eat or taste it. He was trying really hard. It was a surreal experience observing him in the kitchen with his sleeves pushed up chopping and dicing and reading from a recipe book that was probably older than Alina herself.
“I can cook,” she said, watching him make some kind of stew.
"Yes, but I enjoy taking care of you," he insisted.
She stepped beside him, peeking at the pot. It smelled delicious. “You do take care of me.”
He glanced at her. “Good.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Moya solnyshka,”
“I like that one,” she said, “what does it mean?”
"My little sun..."
“Do you miss the sun?” She wondered.
"I always preferred night... and at this point, I don't recall the sun enough to miss it," he shrugged.
She nodded. Would she ever forget the sun? “I’ve been gardening in the solarium,” she told him.
“What sort of flowers?”
The pot was left to simmer and she pulled him along and showed him the jasmines, moon flower, and evening primroses. She had been planting nocturnal flowering plants so Aleksander could see them blooming at night. Their delicate scent filled the space. There was a soft smile on his face as he touched the blooms.
“These are lovely,” he murmured. “Is this where you spend most of your time?”
She nodded. "I like that it's so bright in the daytime. It makes me less sleepy."
"When we are in our new home, I will make sure there is a floor for you," he decided.
She smiled. "Okay." She wanted to enjoy the sun as much as she could.
Alina tested the stew. It was surprisingly good. “Maybe a little bit more salt but that’s just my preference,” she told Aleksander.
“I’ll take note of it for the next time,”
*
When Aleksander was busy with ‘business’, Alina would hang out with the ‘children’.
David’s workshop and laboratory was a wonder with all sorts of tinctures bubbling and gadgetry in all states of completion. She tried not to touch anything in case they exploded, which was highly likely according to Aleksander and Genya. Alina found David to be an interesting vampire. He was shy but admitted to not liking drinking directly from a living person. He was a horologist before Aleksander turned him into a vampire.
“He saved my life. I had consumption. I think they call it tuberculosis now. It was deadly back in my time as a human.”
Genya liked fashion and design. She hated that they could not see their reflection.
"I'm so glad you and the boss made up," Genya confided in her. “I am so tired of the men outnumbering us women.”
Alina laughed. "I'm glad to be here too. How old are you Genya? If you don't mind me asking?"
"Three hundred and twenty-three," she answered.
"Oh. Wow. And David asked you to join this clan, right?"
"Yes, although I'm not sure why," she said ruefully.
“Aren’t you two together?" she wondered. Their relationship confused the heck out of Alina.
"I don't think David has feelings like that for anybody," Genya said wistfully.
"Do you ever regret being turned, Genya?"
She smiled a bit sadly. "I wasn't leaving much behind. I was an orphan and an apprentice at the local tailor's. She was hardly a kind woman.”
"Ah. I was an orphan too. I grew up in foster care with Mal." She said, "We were all we had." She sighed thinking about Mal. She still called him everyday but as of now, he still did not want to talk to her.
“Just give him time.” Genya said.
“Aleksander said the same thing.”
“The Boss would know a lot about it.”
"What is he like? For you?" Alina asked, curiously. She knew that how she knew Aleksander was very different to how his children saw him.
“He’s kind, almost indulgent but he can also be extremely terrifying. Nobody wants to be on his shit list. I think other vampires would say he’s ruthless, cold, and aloof. But that’s just because they don't know him. Not the whole of him anyway.”
"I guess you had time to get to know him." Alina said.
"We have had a while," Genya agreed with a chuckle. "I don't think he was very pleased with David when he brought me home, but he never turned me away."
“David disobeying him. Now that I would have loved to have seen. He seemed like such an obedient boy.
"I don't think I've ever seen him disobey the Boss since," she nodded. "He's really so kind."
Later when it was just her and Aleksander in his room, Alina asked him about it.
"How did you react when David brought home Genya?"
He rolled his eyes at the memory. "What could I do? He was so worried about upsetting me, but he'd never brought home anyone else so she had to be important. I just let him have her."
She giggled and embraced him. "You're so sweet. It must have been hard seeing your son grow up." She teased.
"I'm just surprised it took him so long," he insisted.
"So Genya's a daughter in law. If you turn me, would that make you my father?" She laughed. "That's so weird."
"You would have to call me daddy, actually, " he smirked, dropping his hand to smack her rear lightly.
"Aleksander!" She squeaked.
She blushed and kissed him. She looked over the map they had laid open on his table. It was full of little pins indicating all the places she wanted to visit. Her graduation was getting closer and closer and they were planning on what they would be doing after. Alina wanted to travel. To see the world as much as she could. Aleksander said it was a great idea. Before she felt uncertainty looming over her but with Aleksander, it felt like the world had opened up. Her future looked so very different now.
"Did you ever have wives? Or husbands before?" She asked.
"No," he shook his head. "Why?"
"It's just. That's a long time to be alone..." she said. "I always wanted a family of my own. You know? Husband and a couple of kids..."
"I can't give you the human ideals, but we could find children to take in," he offered.
"I know, I know that's not my future anymore," she said, "I just, I want you to know. Children to take in? Like human kids?”
“If you want. There’s always children that need a home. We’ll figure it out.”
She nodded. She liked that idea. She was an orphan after all. She knew the importance of having a family. A good family. “You’re my family now.” She told Aleksander.
“And you’re mine.” He said, leaning in to rest his forehead against hers.
She closed her eyes and felt calmness wash over her.
*
When she graduated, there was nobody in the crowd for her. But Alina did not feel one bit sad about it. It was the middle of the day after all. When the sun set, her family woke up. Aleksander picked her up and spun her around, kissing her. Genya and David crowded her, asking to look at her diploma. They facetimed Ivan, Zoya and Fedyor and she even saw a glimpse of Mal. He gave her a slight nod. The first acknowledgement he had to her since he was turned. Alina once again felt hopeful that he would turn out okay.
The first destination in Alina’s travel itinerary was Aleksander’s home country. Russia. She had never been there before and she was giddy with excitement.
When was the last time you went back home?" she asked Aleksander as they got to the airport.
They were led to a private hangar. Aleksander owned a plane. Of course, he did. Alina looked at it in wonder. Her mouth might have dropped to the ground but he was guiding her up the steps.
"A few centuries," he said as they settled into their seats. "It'll be very different. Perhaps we'll find my mother."
"Your mother is still alive? Is she like your real mother?”
“Yes to both.”
“Oh my god!” She exclaimed. “For real? What is she like?”
He pursed her lips. "She doesn't hold back."
“Ah, yes that type.” She smiled. “No wonder you don’t hold back as well.”
"I suppose."
She sighed. “It’s the first time I’ve flown in a private jet. Usually it’s cramped seats and strangers breathing down my neck.” Now they had the whole aircraft to themselves. Alina noticed that the windows were special in this plane, dark, probably to block out the sun.
"Not with me. I'll give you the very best," he promised
They arrived very, very early in the morning or late, late at night depending on who you asked.
It was easy enough to find the hotel, and he settled in bed. Their room was pitch dark. "If you go sightseeing, be careful, my love."
She smiled. "Of course. I won't go too far away."
She, after all, could not speak a lick of Russian. Not like Aleksander. She yawned and settled beside him for a quick nap. When she woke up it was eleven in the morning. She kissed him and decided to go sightseeing. The city was full of history and good food and good people who were fun. She went back to the hotel just as the sun was setting. She was sure that Aleksander was up now.
*
Aleksander woke up alone. He was about to text Alina when she burst into the room, eyes bright with excitement.
He smiled when he saw her. "How was your day?"
"It was great. I had fun." She showed him all the pictures of the people she met and all the food and drinks she had. “ I’m so full from all the food.” She patted her stomach, gleefully. “Too bad David and Genya did not come with us. But I guess they don’t eat too.” She laughed. Sometimes she forgot they were all vampires.
"David would probably try just to see the flavors," he chuckled.
She nodded. "Did you like sweets?"
"I think I did," he said thoughtfully
"Do you not miss food?" She wondered.
"I didn't miss it, but now I think I'd like to be able to have some with you," he answered honestly.
She smiled. "I'd like that too." But if he wasn't a vampire then Alina would have not met him. He would have been dust on the Earth for a long long time.
She showed him a picture of an old lady. "That's Babushka Irina. She owns a syrniki stand. It was so delicious. She said I should come back."
"Do you think she'll still be open?" he asked, pulling her closer and kissing the side of her head.
"Maybe. She's pretty popular. And it's just 6. I'm sure it's still too early to close shop."
"Then let's go tonight," he said, nuzzling her
"What you'll be eating?" She slid on his lap and kissed him. "Did you have a good sleep?"
"Very good. And I'll be eating you."
She blushed. "Awful."
Babushka Irina was quick to greet them when they arrived at her stall. There were many people there, eating her treats. "Ah, this is your boyfriend. He is not bad looking." She spoke in heavily accented English.
Alina laughed and it was music to Aleksander’s ears. “My Alina loves your food," he said indulgently in Russian.
"That she did. What type of boyfriend are you, letting her wander around by herself." She tutted.
"I'm working on it," he said, hand on her lower back.
“Are you two talking about me?” Alina asked, playfully. She ordered syrniki even though she said she was full and ate all of it. Afterwards, she turned to him and said, "Let's go dancing. There's a bar here called the Red Circle. I need to burn off all those calories."
"Lead the way," he nodded, guessing she had found it during her day sightseeing. There was a line already when they arrived. It was very popular with the young crowd. "You fit right in," he chuckled.
When they got in, Alina made a beeline for the bar so she could get some drinks. Aleksander kept an eye on her as she wound through the crowd, welcoming her back and pulling her into his side. "Are those good, Alinochka?"
He watched her downed two colorful drinks that probably contained more alcohol than they appeared.
“Fruity. I think they have vodka in them.” She was smiling at him.
They danced. She taught him how to hold her as she danced close and intimately. He was definitely not complaining about these new dances. Alina got three more of those fruity drinks.
He smirked as he watched her take her last drink. "Is that enough, my little sun?"
“I feel good.” She turned to kiss his neck.
He stroked her hair. "When you're ready to leave, tell me... I don't know this drunken Alina yet,"
She laughed. “You’re entirely too sober, old man.” She poked his chest.
"Am I?" he smiled indulgently, curling his hand around hers.
“Definitely.” She nodded. “One more shot and you should get a little sip from me...” She batted her eyelashes
He raised his eyebrows. "Do you think so?" he asked softly, though he had desperately wanted to have a taste of her since the first moment he saw her.
“It’s fine. I trust you. Unless you don’t want to?”
"I do," he assured her, drawing her in closer.
“Good. I’ll go get my drink then.” She winked at him.
He reluctantly let her go, once more tracking her movement with his gaze.
His eyes narrowed as he saw someone talking to Alina, her expression looking less than pleased. Winding through the crowd, he frowned when he saw the man had a hand around her. "She said no," he said, stepping behind Alina, voice low and sharp as his gaze.
The man seemed startled, letting go of Alina. She stepped back against Aleksander. “Good night.” She said to the man, pushing Aleksander back.
Aleksander didn't stop glaring at the man even as he allowed Alina to move him away, not until there were several bodies between them. Wrapping his arm around her, he held her close. "Did you get your drink?" his voice only just barely softened and restrained for her
he shivered at his voice. “Yeah.” She nodded. “It was good.” She leaned against him.
He kept his arm tight around her shoulders. "Do you want to stay?"
“Do you?” She asked.
"Whatever you want, Alinochka," he said, though he very much wanted to take her away from it all.
“We can go, sweetheart.”
He held her head in his hands, kissing her deeply. She opened her mouth, responding to him with as much fervor. She smiled when they pulled away.
"Let me take you to our room," he murmured against her lips
Okay, okay,” she said.
*
His arm was iron around her, keeping her tucked into his side until they were back in the hotel suite. "Do you need some water?"
Alina was tipsier than she thought. “Yeah. That would be nice.”
He kissed her before pressing her to sit down on the bed. "Stay," he murmured,
“I’m not a dog, sweetheart,” she pointed out and just to be difficult, she stood up and walked.
He snorted. "I am aware, or I wouldn't have to keep herding you to bed," he retorted lightly.
She giggled. She took the glass of water from him and drank it. “You’re still too sober.”
"A good thing for your friend," he said, catching her chin and tilting her head back
“He was hardly a friend,” she murmured, tilting her head back more.
He hummed and pressed his lips to her pulse point, tongue swiping across it.
"Aleksander..." she murmured.
"You wanted to be a snack, didn't you?" he smirked against her skin, hand spreading across her hip and her back to pull her against him.
"Your snack." She said, biting her lower lip. "I'm sure you'd been thinking about it." She teased.
"I have," he answered without hesitation, walking her backwards toward the bed without conceding any space between them
She giggled. "Hopefully I won't disappoint."
"You could never." He pushed her back onto the bed, his hand curling tenderly around her throat. She inhaled and exhaled, watching him over her. It felt very, very intimate. Almost erotic. His other hand came up to tangle in her hair, pulling her head back.
She felt him scrape her skin with his teeth. Fangs? She drew back to look at them. Sharp.
He let her see his fangs. "Still wish to be my snack?"
She laughed. "Of course, darling." She murmured, offering her neck to him.
He kissed her gently before piercing her skin with his fangs. She gasped but the pain was momentary. She moaned after a moment. "Sasha..."
Slowly he pressed his weight on her until she was laying down and he was on top of her, drinking slowly and pausing occasionally to lick at her skin to draw it out.She squirmed and closed her eyes. It felt nice. God. After a few moments, he stopped, nosing at her jaw before kissing her. She kissed back, feeling a little woozy. Like she had drank more than what she did.
"Still all right?" he murmured, sounding pleasantly tipsy.
She nodded and inhaled. "Perfect. How do you feel?"
"Like I had a very tasty drink," he smiled at her
"That wasn't so bad." He was warmer than before under her hands. "Or is that because I'm willingly letting you feed from me?"
"That helps," he nodded, rolling onto his back and pulling her along to rest on his chest. "And the alcohol, I'd guess."
She kissed his chest and settled down beside him.
"I still plan to ravage you," he mumbled, eyes closed
She laughed. "Well hurry up. I'm getting sleepy."
He opened his eyes to look at her. "You made me sleepy."
She giggled and cuddled against him. “Maybe a quick nap. Then we can go back to ravaging?”
She was halfway asleep but she thought she heard him say ‘I love you’ against her hair.
“I love you too…” she mumbled back.