Chapter 8: Mixed Emotions

                                    

                                          
Adrian
     I glanced back at the girl, and her bewildered expression, one last time before moving toward the door. "If you are, who I think you are, you will figure it out on your own." I must admit I was rather nervous, I had said too much. If she was Her she would know. I sighed and shut the door behind me and before making my getaway I was stopped by Maren. She did a small curtsy and looked at me. 
     "Sir Adrian, you look quite stressed if you don't mind me asking, is it about Sage?" She asked in a hushed tone worry flickering in her gaze. I shook my head and nodded toward Fara's door. 
     "I am not concerned with that mutt at the moment, I'm trying to establish something- anything- with her." My voice was more strained than I intended as I shouldered my way past Maren and down the stairs. 
    Even though I wouldn't admit it, I was somewhat concerned about Alpha Sage. If Faraline was the woman I believed her to be, he would find out fast, and when he did he would surely attempt to take her hostage. I knew I had to plan for a defense, before he tried something. I ran my hand through my hair and rushed down the staircase and out the doors without telling anybody where I was going, mostly because I didn't know myself. 
    I made my way into the forest behind the castle. In this section there were many trails through the trees, and I could have some alone time with my thoughts.  That was soon interrupted though when I heard my name being called. Figures. There's no peace to be found around here. 
     "Adrian?" It was a frail voice and I recognized it instantly. I looked up and saw a familiar old woman with long gray hair, wearing an orange sundress, looking back at me. She was humming a familiar tune and smiled at me. I waved to her and attempted to continue on my path but she called after me again. Mother. She always knows. 
     "Adrian, sweetie what's wrong, your eyes are practically glowing with stress." Mother was now approaching me with a frown on her deeply wrinkled face. A large gray and white cat leaped from the undergrowth and followed Mother closely. It looked up at me with its big yellow eyes and meowed. This must be her new Familiar. He seems more pleasant than that old rabbit of hers. 
    I sighed again and began to walk with her down one of the old paths in the forest. This part of my land is otherworldly. The trees touched the clouds and all manner of wildlife could be spotted here. There are curious creatures that I am sure reside nowhere else in the world. I heard a rustle in the treetops above me, a flock of brightly colored birds looked down on me.  One of them tilted its head and parted its beak allowing a cacophony of chirps and screeches to be released. 
     "What's bothering you, and don't tell me it's just the war effort." She said knowingly, placing her hand on my back. 
      "It's the girl, Faraline is her name, she looks just like Her everything about her is right. This one is different Mother, she's had dreams of me! All of those astral projections we sent, they worked and she saw them, she's the only one who's ever seen them. She must be the one." I attempted to remain calm but I knew my voice was itching with excitement. This was not the first time that I was convinced I had found her but I needed to believe that this time was different. I can't handle another loss, another defeat. I can't be wrong again.  Mother gave me a solemn look. 
     "Adrian... Faraline is part werewolf; she could just be trained by Sage and his Witches to know all this and make you fall for her. We can't know for sure, not just yet. You need to be careful my son, Sage has new resources now and we have to act accordingly if we want to win the upcoming battle. I want to believe it's her just as much as you do, but I also want you to be safe." She spoke softly, wisdom evident in her soft tone. I looked down at the floor and felt Mother drape her arm around my shoulders. 
    "Do you remember William, my excellent spy?" I asked her. 
    "Yes of course, he was a sweet thing, and he had a good heart. Why do you ask?" 
  "He was Faraline's father. We know that William was never loyal to Sage, in fact he was killed by a Witch, probably one from the Coven of the Wolves. So I could not imagine that he would work with Fara." I pointed out. Mother nodded and seemed to think to herself for a moment. She gave me a short hug and stepped back. 
     "That does tip things in your favor, but still, just give it a few days, you will know for sure by then. Be safe my son." She attempted to reassure me but it didn't help much. 
    I thanked her and she teleported off along with the cat, leaving me alone on the forest path with only a hint of smoke and the noisy birds above to accompany me. I looked towards the treeline and saw the dark castle towers peeking through them. That's what Fara must have seen before she collapsed outside the doors. She must have been terrified and in such pain, but she saw the astral projection. She heard my call, and she came to the castle. She has to be Her. Or maybe she really is just a trained werewolf ally... I let myself get lost in thought until I realized that I had subconsciously teleported back to my room. I shook my head and walked over to one of my windows. 
    The sun was high above the castle now and I must have been the only one still awake. Most vampires sleep during the day. I've always had a habit of waiting it out until I absolutely had to get some rest. There was a quiet knock at my door and I groaned. What now? 
     "My apologies for coming to you at such an hour, but it sounds like you could use some advice?" The man on the other side knew I was struggling and I told him to come in. He is worse than Mother, I still forget that he can hear me all the time. 
    "I'm sure you heard all that, so what do you think?" I asked, keeping my gaze focused on the village below. 
    "I think you should listen to your Mother, kid. I agree with you that this girl is different, but you need to be sure before you consider the next steps. Once you are sure you know what you need to do, everything will be fine. Quit worrying so much; you are showing weakness. I also agree that you need to sleep, you're starting to sound a little crazed up there" he responded tapping the side of my head gently. 
    I pulled the curtains closed and turned away. I tried to shut out all my scattered thoughts and laid down on my bed. "You'll get through this Prince Charming, if you need me you know what to do. Now get some sleep, seriously." He said with a chuckle before exiting my room. 
   "I suppose I should just listen to them, I'll give it a week, and if this doesn't work I'm done trying." I mumbled aloud to myself before pulling the silk sheets over my head. But, how am I ever going to give up when I know she is out there?