—————CHAPTER FOUR—————

Red eyes met the plain ceiling above. Adèle could see every crack and every dust particle that floated by. The light that filtered through the window looked a bit off to her. She then realized that she could see ultraviolet rays.

I can see ultraviolet rays... Adèle thought to herself in awe. She sat up swiftly, almost too quickly. Her hair flowed behind her, it was thicker and smoother than usual and a lot silkier.

Adèle then saw a figure in the corner of the unfamiliar room, leaning against the wall. His topaz eyes watched her with a new sense of happiness.

A smile broke through Adele's pale visage. She threw her legs over the side of the bed she was in and ran to him, engulfing Carlisle in a bone-crushing hug.

"Adèle," Carlisle struggled to get her name out. "You're a lot stronger than me right now."

"Oh," Adèle broke away. "Sorry. This is all so new."

"Well, prepare for what you're about to see," Carlisle took her hand in his and led her to the mirror next to him.

Adèle looked at herself in the mirror. Her face was paler and her eyes were red. Her body has changed too; it was slimmer, but not dramatically. Her curves were accentuated which eliminated the use of a corset. That made her smile.

After examining herself for a minute, she turned to her mate. He looked even more beautiful in her new eyes. Just being in his presence was enough for her.

"You look stunning," Carlisle complimented her. He grabbed the back of her neck firmly, not afraid to be rougher with her now that she was like him. "Absolutely stunning."

He pulled her towards him, connecting their lips in a feverish kiss. He hadn't kissed her ever since that night that she turned.

Adèle broke away first, looking around the light and airy room. "Where are we?"

"We are in a secluded cottage by the Mediterranean. We're far from any humans." Carlisle explained. "Until you can control your thirst, we can't risk it."

"My parents?" Adèle asked him, her eyebrows furrowing. Carlisle took a deep breath.

"They think you're dead," Carlisle watched as Adèle let go of him and turned away. "It's for the best. It may be a while before you can resist human blood, far too long for you to return as the same age as you were when you turned."

Human blood, Adèle thought. Suddenly, her throat caught fire and she gripped it harshly. Her eyes met Carlisle's in a worried glance.

"You need to feed. Don't worry, I have some livestock for you to feed on first. I need to teach you the fundamentals before you can go out and hunt." Adèle pushed her way past Carlisle and he needed to jog to keep up with her.

The cottage wasn't huge, but it felt like a maze as Adèle followed the scent of two sheep. She found the backdoor and flung it open, her eyes resting on the two sheep tied up to a pole.

Before Carlisle could speak, Adèle pounced and drained both of the sheep of their blood in seconds. She stood up, feeling satisfied.

Carlisle watched as her eyes turned dark and then to black. "Satisfied?"

"Immensely," Adèle sighed. "That wasn't very ladylike."

"I doubt being a vampire is either," Carlisle chuckled. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and led her inside the cottage for more lessons.

-

"Some vampires are born with special abilities other than enhanced features." Carlisle explained to Adèle as they say outside of their cottage in the shade. Adèle's eyes were on the ocean before them but her focus was on her mate.

"Were you?" Adèle asked him.

"No," he responded. "But it doesn't matter. I don't need a special ability to enjoy my second life."

Adèle smiled at this. "Do you think I was born with a power?"

Carlisle looked at her for a moment before responding. "Maybe. It's random, so it's never easy to tell. Especially if it doesn't come up in your day-to-day life."

"Maybe we can trigger it," Adèle said. "Say, if I had the ability to move things with my mind, you'd drop something valuable so that I'd have to catch it."

"No, that's too risky. What if you don't have that ability?"

Adèle sighed. "You're right. I'm just anxious to know."

Carlisle reached over and set his hand on her thigh, right over her knee. Adèle smiled at the touch, it felt different from when she was a human. They were the same temperature now so it felt like a human touch.

"Onto a darker subject," Carlisle's tone grew dark. "You need to know how vampires are killed."

"I'm assuming not by a wooden stake?" Adèle smirked, trying to lighten the mood. Carlisle chuckled and it seemed to work

"No, it's not that easy. Essentially, only a vampire can kill another vampire. I say this because I haven't heard of a case where a human killed one.

"In order to fully kill a vampire, you must rip the pieces apart and burn them until they're ash. That way the vampire can't come back."

Adèle took a deep breath, imagining herself having to do that one day. She didn't like the image.

"I don't think I could kill a vampire even if I wanted to," Adèle admitted. "They're too powerful."

"You forget you're one of us now, love," Carlisle touched her chin in a playful manner with a smirk.

"Okay, well, it's still scary," Adèle shrugged. Carlisle stood up suddenly and yanked on her arm to pull her up with him.

"Come on," Carlisle yanked her towards a grassy open area. His skin sparkled in the sun and Adèle giggled, knowing that hers was doing the same.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm going to teach you fighting basics," Carlisle said as if she should've known. Adèle rolled her eyes.

"This is a bit excessive, don't you think?" Adèle lifted a brow as Carlisle continued to tug her along.

"Nonsense," Carlisle shook his head. "I might not always be around."

"Don't joke about that," Adèle hit his arm. Carlisle didn't say anything. He stopped and turned to face her. They were now standing in the middle of the field.

"Alright, when a vampire is running straight at you, it's best to play defensively than offensively. For example, turn your body away so that they can't grab you."

Carlisle walked a few yards away and Adèle realized that he was going to run to her.

"Ready?" Carlisle called. She nodded, waiting for him to make a move.

As soon as Carlisle left his mark, a set of footprints appeared in front of him as well as the ghost of his body each in a different stage of advance.

Adèle didn't know where all the things came from and she tried to blink them away, but they didn't move.

As Carlisle came closer, she felt as if she knew what he was going to do and how to perfectly counter his actions. She never once took a fighting class, as they were reserved for men only, and yet she felt as if she had centuries of experience.

Before Carlisle was at arms-length, Adèle ran towards him and knocked him over with only her arm. Carlisle flipped in the air and landed harshly on the ground.

He laid in the grass, stunned at what just happened. Adèle was just as stunned, not knowing what took over her.

"That is an example of an offensive attack," Carlisle said.

"Carlisle! I'm so sorry," Adèle bent down to help him up. "I have no idea what happened."

"What did happen? I thought I told you to only step away?" Carlisle asked her.

"I'm not sure. I just suddenly knew what to do," Adèle shrugged. "I could see you attacking before you even did, and somehow knew how to counter."

Carlisle stared at her for a minute, not saying anything. A realization set in his mind.

"You're a Mimic," he told her, finally making sense of the situation.

"A Mimic?" Adèle asked.

"I've only read about them, I've never encountered one." Carlisle murmured. "Mimics are a fighting talent, meaning they can see what their opponent will do in battle and mimic their fighting style. And it's ingrained in the Mimic's brain forever."

"So..." Adèle trailed, trying to make sense of her power. "I have inherited your fighting capabilities?"

Carlisle nodded, not knowing how she'll react. She nibbled at her lip, looking at the grass beneath her feet.

"Let's test it," she said, jerking her head up. "I want to see if I can do what you say I can do."

"I'm not in the mood of being ripped apart," Carlisle chuckled.

"No, you're not in the mood to be defeated by a woman." Adèle smirked at Carlisle's blush. In the distance, a faint sound of human voices could be heard.

"Why don't we go back inside?" Carlisle wrapped his arm around Adèle's waist to lead her towards the house.

"I suppose you're right," Adèle said. As they turned away, the wind blew towards them, carrying the scent of human blood towards the newborn. She inhaled deeply, a certain animosity settling behind her golden irises.

Adèle turned back around and started to sprint forward, only to be caught by Carlisle.

"Adèle! Focus on me," Carlisle said to her calmly. "Focus on my scent."

Adèle looked at him, her eyes aflame. Her face was one of a predator whose next meal was right behind them. Every instinct Adèle had was to completely disregard the vampire in front of her and suck the blood dry from the humans down below.

But she didn't want to kill them, she wanted to stay with Carlisle. Instead, she focused on his scent like he told her to. She allowed herself to be engulfed by it, inhaling the smell of leather, parchment and pine.

"Good," Carlisle praised. "Now follow me."

Adèle focused solely on Carlisle as he led them back into the cottage, shutting the door. The scent of humans faded away slowly as they ventured further away from the vampires.

"That was terrifying," Adèle reflected, sitting on the large ledge of the open window that faced the ocean. It was thick and big enough to allow her and Carlisle to sit comfortably.

"Don't worry, with practice it will fade over time," Carlisle caressed her arm, running his fingers along her marble skin soothingly.

"You must think I'm a monster," Adèle said, turning away from him while looking out onto the Mediterranean.

"I could never think that of you," Carlisle said firmly without hesitation. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it hard. When her mood didn't shift, Carlisle got up from the window sill and made his way across the room. He picked up a chess board along with a case for the pieces.

"Here, let's play some chess," Carlisle suggested. Adèle looked over at him with an amused and apprehensive glance.

"Chess?"

"Your mind becomes sharper after you turn," Carlisle explained. "It makes it more fun if there's a challenge."

After Carlisle spread the board out on the sill, he dumped the pieces out on the hard surface. Adèle started to assemble the white pieces on her side while Carlisle took the black ones.

"I take it you haven't played chess in a while?" Adèle asked her mate as she still assembled.

"I haven't played with another person since my human years," Carlisle gave her a small smile. "I've played against myself but that gets boring easily."

"So... you don't have many vampire friends?" Adèle asked him, looking up after she was done. Carlisle placed the pawn in front of his bishop out.

"Not too many. There was one that I met a while ago, his name is Alistar," Carlisle recounted as Adèle placed the pawn in front of her king out in front, like Carlisle. "He mainly kept to himself though, down in the London sewers. He wasn't interested in joining me."

"Joining?" Adèle questioned as Carlisle moved the pawn in front of his knight out two spaces. Adèle tried to hide the quirk of her brow when she saw an opportunity for a checkmate.

"Yes, I want to create my own coven, so I won't ever be alone. I'm glad I found you, we can start our own."

"Would you have turned me even if I weren't dying?" Adèle asked as she swiftly took her queen to f4, then down again to knock out Carlisle's king. "Checkmate."

A small smile adorned Carlisle's face. "Fool's mate," he chuckled.

"And you, my dear, are the fool," Adèle leaned over the board and placed her lips tenderly on his.

"I'm only a fool for you," he whispered, placing a strand of her glimmering hair behind her ear before reconnecting their lips.

"You didn't answer my question," Adèle pulled back a bit, searching Carlisle's golden eyes.

"It's not a question I like to ponder," Carlisle said simply.

"Why not?"

"Because it then begs the question of your choice. If you chose not to turn, then I wouldn't be able to go on. I couldn't live in a world in which you do not exist."

"But you know my choice," Adèle got onto her knees, grabbing Carlisle's neck so that he had to look at her. "I would've said yes."

"The only reason I turned you was because you were dying, Adèle. I don't think I'd be able to turn you if you weren't." Carlisle sighed and Adèle sat back on the sill. Her leg hung freely over the side, letting the sun hit it as it shimmered like diamonds.

"But I would've grown old," Adèle said softly. "I would be old and gray and you'd still be young."

"That's the price I'm willing to pay in exchange for your soul."

"That's not your price to pay, Carlisle! I told you my choice, I don't give two shits about my soul—"

Carlisle stood up in a flash. "Well, you should. As the daughter of a priest, you must know that I have damned you for the rest of your life."

"Carlisle," Adèle placed a hand on his shoulder but he didn't turn around. "You couldn't have damned me. You and I? We're not damned. We are only judged upon our sins and the actions we take after."

"You're only saying that to make me feel better," Carlisle shook his head, still not meeting her gaze.

"Maybe. But like you said, I'm the daughter of a priest. I know what I'm talking about." Carlisle didn't say anything. "You're not damned."

With that, Adèle walked away and out the door. The sun was setting and the moon was peering over the water. Maybe a quick swim would soothe her.

Adèle went down to the sand and looked about. Not a single soul to be found. She took off all her clothing, baring herself to the sea. She walked into the waves, sighing as the cool water lapped over her.

Carlisle was still in the house, mulling over his mate's words minutes before.

"We are only judged upon our sins and the actions we take after... you're not damned."

But that was the problem, he was damned. Because if her words were, in fact, true, then he was damned to the deepest depths of Hell.

He had killed a man just days before and he felt no remorse. Even now, faced with this troublesome question, he felt no remorse. He would do it again if it meant that Adèle would be right here, living and breathing.

Okay, well, maybe not living. But she was still here. He could hear the venom pulse through her veins. He could hear her breaths and the way she moved. She was still here because of what he did.

But that didn't change the fact that he killed a man. It haunted him more than he thought it would. Not even Adele's presence soothed him. He needed to figure himself out. He needed to leave.

He needed to leave Adèle.

But not right now. Right now, he could see her body in the moonlight, playing amongst the waves. He saw her happy and beautiful and he couldn't bring himself to leave right then and there.

He walked out the door and towards where she splashed in the water. On the sand, he saw a bundle of clothes and his hunger for her grew. He removed his and entered the sea, immediately grabbing onto his mate.

"Carlisle," Adèle gasped. She didn't expect him to be with her in the water.

"I want to apologize," he said as he held her in his arms. Her body molded to his perfectly. "For how I acted. You're right, you always are."

Adèle smiled and kissed him, not knowing that he had a bag of his things ready to leave inside the house. He wanted one more second of her, of her love. He wanted one more second of her kisses and her quiet little breaths.

Just one more second.

"I need to get back inside," Carlisle murmured against Adèle's lips.

"Why? Stay with me for another minute." Adèle rested her head on his chest, allowing herself to bask in his presence.

He chuckled, the sound resonating throughout his body and to Adèle who relished in the feeling. "Adèle..."

"Fine," she sighed. "I'll meet you inside. I just need one more second."

"Alright," Carlisle said. He couldn't hide the pained expression on his face as he trudged back to the cottage.

Once inside, he looked out the window once more, just to watch her in the moonlight, before he turned back to where he sat with his quill and paper.

-

Adèle returned inside the cottage fully clothed, expecting her mate to meet her. When she didn't find him in the main room, she searched the bedroom only to find it empty as well.

"Carlisle?" She called out, searching with her eyes for a sign of him. Her eyes fell on something on the unused bed. An envelope addressed to her. She opened it with curiosity. It read:

My Dearest, Adèle,

This is not easy to do, but I fear it must be done. I have decided to leave so that I could not hurt you anymore. I cannot fathom the thought of dragging your innocent soul down to where mine reside. I have killed a man, Adèle, I killed Jean-Pierre. And the worst part? I do not regret it. I need to sort through my thoughts and morals, and to do so around you would only burden you. You need to experience all that a vampire can without the burden of me. I apologize if this seems sudden, but I will come back for you. I will not stop until I have you in my arms again.

I love you,
Carlisle

Adèle hadn't realized that she stopped breathing until she put down the letter. Her breath came out ragged and full of hurt. Tears spilled over the edge of her eyes, causing her to melt down and become a mess on the bedroom floor.

"Carlisle!" She cried out. She knew he was still near enough to hear. She ran out the cottage door and into the night, screaming his name.

"Carlisle!" She screamed, just like she had done the night of her death. It was full of pain and anguish.

Deep in the woods and away from Adèle, Carlisle could hear her pained cries. It was like an animal that had been shot, crying out from the pain.

He remembered that he had once vowed to never let her make that noise again, and found himself breaking yet another one of his promises.

This is the exact reason why he left.