No where to go
This was probably going to turn into a bad idea.
He knew he wasn't welcome here anymore, Hell he wasn't even sure they'd even open the door, but really what choice did he have? He couldn't take Delilah straight to the hospital, the bruises on her neck and , oh yea the huge crack in her head, would be a bit hard to explain. There'd be too much attention and too many people nosing around where they didn't belong. Normally he would have went to Chryseis...
He squeezed his eyes shut. He wasn't going to think about that right now.
Right now Panos's main concern was Delilah.
Pulling up infront of the Domicile, Panos put the car in park and got out. He was bare foot and bear chested but he didn't even notice. Most of his injuries has began healing but the blood from the wounds was still apparent. Thankfully the dark jeans had absorbed much and hid it well. He still smelled of blood, sweat and anguish.
He hoisted Delilah's body out of the passenger seat and craddled her to his chest. He knew there had to be at least six different camera's that had already spotted them but he didn't care. Knocking on the door, he waited to see if anyone would answer.
"Knock knock, the prodigal son and all that jazz is back."
"No, I suspect I didn't, but then it is what it is."
Resigned, and even happy now with her life, Shay was pretty sure she'd destroy the bastard who killed her, if she ever found out who it had been.
"Well, Ginnie died two years ago this coming October 15th, and I had been a vampire then for almost a year...so it's been nearly three years now."
Looking at her hands while she spoke and computed the time, the shock of how fast the past three years had passed flooded Shay's face with a look of astonishment.
"Seriously...three years..."
Which meant Panos had been gone from Nachton longer than that.
Listening to the man sitting next to her, Shay felt as if he were talking about a stranger. Though she was feeling more connected to him, sitting there talking, it wasn't because anything he was saying felt personal.
She giggled when he compared her to a lunatic. The idea that she hadn't been afraid when she'd met him was something she could relate to. Shay never felt truly afraid of anything. Or she couldn't remember feeling that way, ever. Not for herself anyway.
As Panos smiled, Shay did as well.
"I'm sorry I don't remember."
Reaching over, Shay rested her hand on Panos' arm. Not so long ago Shay had needed a friend, and luck gave her Ginnie, and Alec, and Dayle. She had been Panos' friend before, why shouldn't she be again? If he could see her as a person, even human, and she hadn't been afraid of him, they must have shared a pretty special bond.
"Well I think Ginnie held back from telling me much initially, because she wasn't sure what the truth might do to me. But then I also haven't found anyone who seemed to know me very well, before. She did do some research, and filled me in about my family, and eventually I broke into the house I'd bought, got all my personal effects, and bank records, which I consolidated, and moved to more current places of safekeeping."
Shay waved her hand, and dismissed any further talk about that time in her life. As far as she was concerned, it never happened, and now there wasn't any evidence that it had either.
"And no, I'm not normally prone to hysterics. I guess in that way I must not have changed. Maybe, even if we don't remember, we remain pretty much as we were before we were turned?"
Maybe Panos could fill in more blanks. Shay wanted to ask him about this Mathias person he referred to, as well as a few other things. But remembering her hand rested on his forearm, Shay glanced there now, and slowly withdrew it.
"But rather than go there...why don't you tell me what in the hell happened to your friend tonight, and who, was, Chryseis?"
"No, I suspect I didn't, but then it is what it is."
Resigned, and even happy now with her life, Shay was pretty sure she'd destroy the bastard who killed her, if she ever found out who it had been.
"Well, Ginnie died two years ago this coming October 15th, and I had been a vampire then for almost a year...so it's been nearly three years now."
Looking at her hands while she spoke and computed the time, the shock of how fast the past three years had passed flooded Shay's face with a look of astonishment.
"Seriously...three years..."
Which meant Panos had been gone from Nachton longer than that.
Listening to the man sitting next to her, Shay felt as if he were talking about a stranger. Though she was feeling more connected to him, sitting there talking, it wasn't because anything he was saying felt personal.
She giggled when he compared her to a lunatic. The idea that she hadn't been afraid when she'd met him was something she could relate to. Shay never felt truly afraid of anything. Or she couldn't remember feeling that way, ever. Not for herself anyway.
As Panos smiled, Shay did as well.
"I'm sorry I don't remember."
Reaching over, Shay rested her hand on Panos' arm. Not so long ago Shay had needed a friend, and luck gave her Ginnie, and Alec, and Dayle. She had been Panos' friend before, why shouldn't she be again? If he could see her as a person, even human, and she hadn't been afraid of him, they must have shared a pretty special bond.
"Well I think Ginnie held back from telling me much initially, because she wasn't sure what the truth might do to me. But then I also haven't found anyone who seemed to know me very well, before. She did do some research, and filled me in about my family, and eventually I broke into the house I'd bought, got all my personal effects, and bank records, which I consolidated, and moved to more current places of safekeeping."
Shay waved her hand, and dismissed any further talk about that time in her life. As far as she was concerned, it never happened, and now there wasn't any evidence that it had either.
"And no, I'm not normally prone to hysterics. I guess in that way I must not have changed. Maybe, even if we don't remember, we remain pretty much as we were before we were turned?"
Maybe Panos could fill in more blanks. Shay wanted to ask him about this Mathias person he referred to, as well as a few other things. But remembering her hand rested on his forearm, Shay glanced there now, and slowly withdrew it.
"But rather than go there...why don't you tell me what in the hell happened to your friend tonight, and who, was, Chryseis?"
"I'm sorry you don't remember too. On the plus side, I remember my life before I was changed and I was a bastard. So at least you get some repreive from all the heartache of the past. I'm pretty much still a bastard so..." He shrugged and grinned. "I'd like to forget alot of things I've done since then as well."
Her hand was warm on his arm and he repressed the urge to reach oer and hug her. One, he didn't want to weird her out already and two, he wasn't a very huggy person now was he. He did have to admit, that this wasn't as bad as it could have been. Had Shay gone to hysteric's on him this evening, he may have had his own mental breakdown.
Silently he thanked the gods for even that little bit.
Slouching lower on the couch, Panos rested his head on the backing.
"Tonight we got the shit kicked out of us, that's what happened. I was sleeping, like I do all so well. It's a bit of a problem I have, but anyways this...thing of a woman came to my home and tried to kill me. Instead, she took Delilah down and killed Chryseis. They both tried to protect me from something I started and I almost lost both of them."
He paused and tried to build the words he needed without either breaking down or tearing into a rage.
"Chryseis was my aunt. She is my aunt. You never met her I don't think but I had told you about her. She is a member of Anantya, whom I'd like to inform of her passing but I might not be a welcomed guest. Chryseis went out on numerous limbs for me that her clan didn't know about plus, my "daughter" lives there and is pretty high in the rankings. Did I mention she hates me? That's all apart of the whole things from the past I wish I didn't remember." His sarcasm was heavy.
"Do you believe that we aren't the only special creatures out there?"
Besides that, if she liked him once, that had to mean something too, didn't it? Shay was a pretty good judge of character, or had been since she could remember. Weren't some things intrinsic? Could she have changed that much since she was turned?
"Some time after you and your friend get through this, maybe we can get together and talk some more? I have a lot of questions but don't think now is really the time."
Now was the time when Panos needed support. He was obviously in a great deal more pain than Shay.
Listening to Panos' story, Shay was immediately taken back to the night Ginnie was killed. So much had happened that night, and so much was colored by emotion, that Shay had often wondered exactly what, and who it was that engineered that slaughter. But with Alec being so torn up after, and Shay avoiding most of the details as a way of helping him heal faster, there were still a hundred questions there too.
But one thing wasn't in question. Someone, no, something else had been there...involved in what went down. Odd shapes had run past her in the night, while she sat alone in that van waiting. At the time she had been consumed with worry about Ginnie and Alec, and why the instruments in the van had stopped working. But later she would recall seeing those four legged creatures in the distance, and realize they hadn't been dogs.
Could Panos have had an encounter with something like that?
"Something you started?"
But he spoke of a woman who had almost killed him, and Delilah, and who had killed his aunt. What kind of special creature could she have been?
Panos' words were starting to lose focus, what with talk of Anantya, and a 'daughter'. Shay wanted him to get back on track of the woman who caused him to be here tonight. Why his daughter hated him needed to wait.
"I do believe there are other...things...out there. I'm not sure what they are, but I've had a brief encounter with something myself. How does this woman who attacked you fit in?"
"Sure, we could do that. I think I would like to get to know vampire Shay, see if your any different than the human version. Sorry if I was a little demanding on you earlier. I'm not in the in with what goes on here and I didn't know. I would have come sooner if I had."
Panos thought back to the night he first ran into Diane in the woods. How many times was it that he had underestimated lone women in the night? Not enough to stop him from targeting them but enough to have learned to be more cautious.
"The woman who attacked us was once a target for dinner. Things went south the first time I came at her and I should have left it at that. Unfortunately I'm too bullheaded for such intelligence. So I sought after her, found out her name her job ectera. We had another fight which I ended up losing again. She actually kidnapped me. Now no random human woman should be that strong. I should have known back then. We had yet another run in and that was when I saw her change into a big ass wolf right in front of me. This last time she came at me and by the end of it she made it perfectly clear that Delilah would be her target next time."
That was a fight her wasn't ready for. He had no idea how to protect the frail little woman against a monster like Diane. Maybe he'd buy Delilah a taser gun to keep with her. That weapon had to work on anyone.
Panos was intrigued to hear that Shay herself had run into something she couldn't explain before. It made him feel a bit more sane. It also sent up warning flags that possibly there were more of these people than he originally thought.
"What did you encounter? Was it anything like what I described? I've only seen one for sure maybe two, she had a wolf with her once and I'm just assuming it had to be like her. How long ago was this?"
Waving off his apology, Shay just smiled. Anyone who had gone through what Panos had, deserved some slack in the deportment department. She imagined after the horrors of the night Ginnie was killed, she probably hadn't been on her best behavior either.
"That does sound a bit stubborn, yes." She quietly commented upon hearing of his repeated seeking out of the woman who bested him.
Shay also found it interesting that Panos seemed to have an attraction for human women, and wondered why. He had befriended her before she had been turned, and now this Delilah woman. It was strange to Shay because she couldn't imagine anything more than a casual relationship with a human now. But different strokes...
"When my mother...Ginnie...was killed, it was a huge mess. I mean there were explosions, and overall pandemonium. She had gone into this building for a meeting with some people, and I was relegated to keeping the van running outside in case things went south. Unfortunately things went south more quickly and 'explosively' than anyone of us could have imagined."
Shay's gaze grew distant for a few seconds, before she caught herself and continued.
"It was dark outside, of course, but I did catch glimpses of what I thought were very large dogs, at the time. It was only later, when I was trying to relive what happened to see if I could have done something different, when it occurred to me that those animals were larger than dogs.
I've checked around since, trying to find out more, but eventually just gave up. It's been too frustrating, and only served to keep the pain inside too fresh. But my suspicions have always been that there was a lot more going on that night than any of us could understand then."
Shay shrugged. Thinking about that night only made her hurt, and she didn't see the point in that. At one time she thought perhaps she and Alec might dig deeper into Ginnie's murder, but when he left, all hope of that disappeared as well. Shay just didn't have it in her to do something like that alone.
"That was over a year ago."
"I didn't really know Ginnie all that well, but she was a good woman seeing as she took care of you when you were attacked. It's a shame."
Shay's description of event's confirmed the suspicion of there being more of these wolf people. It also gave him a even bigger reason to back off of Diane for now. He knew Delilah would always be a target and until he could figure out a better way to protect her, he'd back down.
"I am not comforted in knowing that there could be tons more of these kinds of people. I mean why not, we are not few in numbers so why should they be? Did the clan after look into it or anything that you know of? Also, where in the hell have they been hiding all this time? I was born in 842 and never once have I encountered anything like them."
A whole new can of proverbal worms had been opened up and Panos sighed before a thought crept up on him. With a wide grin Panos gave Shay a mischievious look.
"I just remembered something you said and I think I missed the best news of all here tonight. You said you hadn't met anyone by the name of Mathias here."
He crossed his legs at the ankles, which like the majority of him, was bare. It was a stretch for a silver linging in the evenings dreariness, but the thought that he wouldn't have to butt heads with that arogant momma's boy put him back in a amusing mood.
"That my fair lady, is very good news to me indeed. We did not get along if you couldn't tell. "
Shay agreed with Panos. While she had no clue just how many such wolves might be in and around Nachton, she never considered their numbers would be too big. Now it seemed they might be, and that didn't please Shay at all.
"I'm afraid I really don't know. There came a time when, for the sake of self preservation, I sort of pulled away from the outside world, except for the sole purpose of survival. Everyone I knew had left, and the pain was so acute that I couldn't make myself to start over...again. Instead of trying to find out more about what had happened, I threw myself into my work, and worked to get by. In the back of my head I think I must have had some hope, or I would have given up completely."
Shay shrugged. Things didn't seem as bleak as they once had, but she still hadn't arrived at the point where she was really excited to rise each evening.
Hearing Panos age didn't phase Shay. She might be a newborn by vampire standards, but she had met and gotten to know some very old members of their race.
"And for all our numbers and years on earth, there are a lot of humans who have no clue about us either..."
Hearing Panos speak of Mathias wasn't the first time for Shay. However, since she didn't know the man, and he didn't seem to be around Nachton for her to meet, she saw no reason to be at all curious. She did find Panos' attitude toward the mystery man funny.
"I'm getting that impression, rapidly. He must have been a true bastard for you to have such an opinion of him. You seem like a level headed man to me."
And for the little bit Shay had seen of Panos, that was her true feeling. For now anyway.
"True, we've coexsisted with the humans for centuries without being detected, but theres always been rumors about us. Hell Hollywood loves making movies about our kind. You were even writing a vampire story yourself. So I guess that could be the case, I just woulda thought that by now a few instances would have cropped up."
He shrugged. Of course there were werewolf movies but for some reason, he had always thought of the vampires being the only supernatural race. It was a arrogant and naive way of thinking, but everyone liked to think they were the top of the food chain.
Shay's assessment of Mathias was hard to handle. Panos trying without success to hide a sly smile that was creeping across his face. If he was really a bastard he could take this opportunity to lie to Shay and make up a new way of thinking about the man who wasn't here to defend himself. In all honestly he could have a grand time of things, fabricating events that never happened. Thankfully, he wasn't that cruel, especially not to someone who had been his friend before and was willing to be his friend now. They both had lost enough and he wasn't about to add to any anguish she may suffer in the future.
"Mathias a bastard? Maybe to me yes. To you no, he was your boyfriend slash lover slash the one for you. He coincidered me dangerous and a threat to you. We could hardly be in the same room with each other without verbally cockfighting."
Hopefully, his admission of her past lover wouldn't put her on edge, but he suspected it wouldn't phase her like the rest hadn't.
"Thus my extreme anger when I found you here answering doors. I thought, naturally, the worst of him and what he may have done to you. Or that you were protecting him. I thought he was a douche bag as the kids say nowadays. I wish I knew what had happened to him. You said you don't remember before your undeath, but do you remember the day? Where you out being looney again walking at night? He was supossed to protect you you know."
He knew as well as the next person that shit happens and on more than one occassion had been incapacitated himself, he just wondered if Mathias knew of Shay's current condition.
"Seriously?! I was writing a book? Now that's one of the most interesting things I've heard in eons! In fact I've found myself keeping a journal lately, for want of keeping track of my life, even as mundane as it is. It's almost been like a compulsion...this need to write. But I didn't give it much thought until right now. I just started writing, and found myself making time each evening to do so."
There were other random things that Shay had wondered about over the more recent months as well. But like the writing, with no background to indicate any connections to her prior life, pretty much just ignored them. This information gave her the spark she needed to stir up interest in those feelings of deja vu, and she promised herself she would look into them in more depth.
"That's one of the things I'll never get used to I guess...having a family, and friends...boyfriends...that I have no recollection of at all. With Ginnie and Alec we managed to concoct a story to feed to the family, so they wouldn't come looking for me. As far as they're concerned, I'm dead...really dead...not here at all.
And considering this Mathias person has yet to show up..." Shay hadn't given the relationship much thought before now, mainly because she really didn't know much. But thinking about it now...
"I can't see that he cared much for me, if he hasn't tried to get in touch during all this time. So I think the term bastard must be fitting. And come on...anyone who would think you were a threat to me!?"
So okay, Shay still didn't really have much to go on when it came to Panos, other than what he had told her, but the man had drug a half dead human who knew how far, to get her help...how could he be bad?!
She waved of Panos' concerns over Mathia and what he imagined had happened.
"Well its all good now, so don't worry about it any further. I think you have enough to keep you busy worrying about your friend, and that wolf woman."
Shaking her head, Shay told Panos of her earliest thoughts.
"No, I don't remember anything before I woke up on Ginnie's couch. Apparently she had found me, dead, in the park somewhere. It looked like I had been having a picnic, or getting ready to have one, when I was attacked. I've wondered once or twice if I had been there to meeth this Mathia person, and even if there was the tiniest possibility he had attacked me, but the one thing people seem to agree on is that they don't think that was the case. A few people have told me that they had seen us together, and there never seemed to be any indication that the man would have had need or reason to kill me."
But once again that information just didn't support the fact that he hadn't come looking for Shay.
"You know...I finally just quit thinking about it altogether. I had no way to get answers, and the questions were just making me crazy."
Shay offered Panos a sad smile that only lasted seconds, before her face cleared and she was devoid of all sadness.
"So what are your plans now? What will you do with your friend once she's ready to leave the hospital, and do you think you're going to try to find this wolf woman again, and get rid of her once and for all?"
"It looks like you were right. You may have lost your memory but parts of you are still drawn to the same things. I bet you could write some pretty interesting things about vampires now that you are one. What better place to hide than in the truth?"
She teased him about his apparent danger to her as a human and that made him laugh. Reflecting back on his previous behaviors of a few years ago he definately was unstable. If he had been in Mathias's place he would have behaved the same way.
"It took me sometime to realize how to behave in public I guess. It was well known that I was clanless, which paints a target on your back for being a bit 'off'. I can't say I blame him too much. I wouldn't of want you around me either."
His tone was amused. He never really thought of himself as such a bad ass terror or anything. It just had taken along time before both Alexandra and Chryseis had arrived in his life to ground him into some emotional state of normalacy.
"He also worshipped the ground you walked on, and even though I couldn't stand him, I too don't think he do this to you and run. Maybe out of shame but even then..."
Panos didn't have alot of room to talk in this subject. While he hadn't run off on his creation, he had basically acted just as poorly.
Shay's question was one he'd have to give alot of thought to. Normally impulsive, Panos was beginning to learn that sometimes patience and a well thought out plan was the way to go.
"You know, I really have no idea at this point. I have to figure out a way to keep Delilah protected and it almost seems impossible. For starters she listens as well as a child majority of the time, so it's not like I can tell her to stay home. Another thing, this woman is pretty good with things I have no experience with. Survelliance, electronics, all that good shit you see in movies. So I'm sure she's heavily guarded. Then there is the whole 'what if there's more' worry. My luck? I'd trample right on into a whole nest of them and get myself killed for the second time. I was never good with tactical measures, I'm the rush in and kill them kind of guy."
It was a tactic that didn't seem to work against Diane's type.
Looking at Shay and how her head rested on her arm he felt guilty for keeping her from her previously planned evening. Hell the woman obviously had a life here at Tacharan and he had interupted it.
"Hey you know what, I'm sure you've got tons of things to do. Please don't feel like you have to stay with me. I was pretty bratty earlier when I thought you were just mad at me but honestly you don't have to sit here and listen to me. I don't want to keep you from your plans."
He was more than glad to have reunited with Shay, and she had already suggested they meet up so he knew he'd see her again. He didn't see any reason to keep her located across from him if she had other things to attend to.
There were probably always going to be questions about her past, but Shay was happy not worrying about it.
"And I'd never do anything to put anyone else in danger..."
The Tacharan had saved her, given her a home, and a purpose.
Listening to Panos talk about being without a clan only reinforced Shay's feelings of gratitude. Though she didn't see why someone should be ostercized for remaining outside the clans if they wanted to live that way.
Further talk of the Mathias man fell on fairly deaf ears. Shay wasn't being obnoxious about it, but it just held no meaning for her. And like all things that fell under that catagory, she saw no reason to concern herself with it. She relaxed a little more once Panos moved onto other subjects.
"Well, I have to admit I would like to find out more about these wolf people...and that might be something I could write about. What do I care if I find out something that would bring harm to them? They did kill my mother after all."
And though Shay had no concrete evidence of her words, for the time being it just all seemed to make so much sense to her. If she could find out something to prove that was what happened, perhaps she'd find a bit more peace.
"Then you definitely should steer clear of hunting them alone. Even though I just met you...well, you know what I mean, I find you to be good company, and I have so little of that these days. I don't particularly want to lose you now."
Thoughts of Panos dying in any way like Ginnie made Shay shiver involuntarily.
"What? Tons of things to do? Nah...all I had planned for the evening was a bottle of wine and some TV. I'm a little tired, but trust me, this has been the most interesting night I've had in ages."
But as if to prove her a liar, Shay also yawned involuntarily, and followed up with an embarrassing giggle.
"I'll stay, if you're sure I'm not boring you. Though I will warn you that the closer we get to daylight, I'm apt to nod off. So if that happens, just give me a nudge. My hours at work are somewhat flexible, so if I sleep in a bit longer I'll be okay."
"Aww why thank you." He teased good naturedly before becomming a little more serious.
"Although you should be just as careful if you do start writing about them. I'm not too sure they'd be pleased with being outted themselves and if your out trying to learn more about them...well, let's just say we've seen what they can do and I don't want you to get mixed up in it."
Panos would lose his mind if more people around him began dropping off like flies at the hands of the wolves. Particularly ones he cared about like Shay. It was obvious going after them wasn't possible for one vampire alone.
"If you do plan on doing some digging I just ask if you would give me a call and let me tag along. Not that I don't think your competent, I'm just saying."
He was being careful not to step on any toes or to lead Shay into believe that he thought she was weak. Truth be told he had no idea how strong or capable she was, he had never seen her in action. His only thought was to be the extra eye and assist her if she needed it.
That was partly a lie, he also wanted to protect her, just in case.
"If this was the extent of some excitment for you in ages then I'll warn you right now, you're gonna turn into an old creepy woman one day. They'll ship you off to Heolfor to live with all the other stuff shirt stiffs over there." He laughed and shook his head.
"Your not boring me at all Shay. You hours of non remembering entertainment at least. Besides, if you leave I'll just sit here and think up how that redhead is probably letting Delilah die and how many way's i can creatively tear her throat out. That's fun in all but it'll just make me angry."
She considered him in more depth, as he spoke, thinking she might gain some insight. Unfortunately no answers came forth.
The man was attractive, and in all truth it had been forever since Shay had looked upon a man that way. In a slightly creepy sense, Shay had 'objectively' seen Alec that way, before she pushed those ideas from her head adamantly. He had been like a father to her, and the fact that he didn't look to be a 'father' age shouldn't have any bearing on anything. She hated it, but in a way she felt lucky that he had left town before she had really had to face those feelings.
And while she had been with Dayle, thoughts of men, or other women for that matter, weren't anything she devoted time to.
But Shay had been alone for some time now. Was it odd that she might start seeing people in a more amorous light? Not that she had any designs on Panos. But he was attractive.
"Well, you can relax. I don't have any desire to put myself into any kind of danger. I think I could still do a little investigating without running that risk, as long as I keep very careful...not putting myself into dangerous situations, like dark alleys, or forests..."
She nodded in agreement.
"And you can count on that. Company would be welcome, and with someone who shares my interest I think I'd be better able to get the information I want quicker."
Plus Shay thought she recognized a bit of the male protective armor that Alec had shown. She wasn't so much of a feminist that she wouldn't acknowledge her weaknesses.
Yes, being a vampire gave Shay strength that another mortal woman her size might not have, but male vampires were equally stronger, as their mortal male counterparts were. It was what it was.
"You know, my education is sorely lacking. While I know several Tacharans, I've yet to meet any Anantyas or Evenhets, though I've heard of several. At least not to my knowledge. Are they really that different?"
Shay had heard about the different clans, and new most of the differences, or those that were blatant. Then to there was her strident loyalty to the Tacharans. Yet she was curious.
"I hope you don't truly feel that way. I can't believe anyone in Tacharan would offer help then not follow through. I will admit I don't know this Kenley woman, but still...I'd think your Delilah is in good hands."
Shay raised her eyebrow at Panos' threat, and shook her head like a mother might when dealing with a young son. For all she knew, Panos might truly do as he stated, but Shay refused to believe that. She would see him in a positive light until she saw him otherwise. It was the way she was.
"You know, I could probably get you the information I have on Diane. I had to do some reconnaissance myself to figure out what had happened to me a while back. Maybe it will help you out. You might be able to dig up something other than I did, I'd admit to being blinded by fury and revenge."
Shay's question about the habits of the other clans had him thinking. For being someone who was at odds with most people he probably wasn't one to get a good answer out of. Each clan had their flaws and in his opinion Tacharan was equally messed up as the other two. It just didn't seem to be in him to conform to laws and by laws and codes of conduct. It was almost as if it was written on paper he was bound to break it.
"Well, for Evenhet I only knew one guy really. He was an ass but I'm not sure he was the spokesman for them. Me and him were sort of on the outs to start with. The Anantya, I guess I just seem them as all like Chryseis. Old as dust, devoid of a good time. I stayed away from there as much as I could though for a few reasons. Mostly I didn't want Chrys to get the shit turned on her. They are pretty rigid around there."
That wasn't entirely true. Fallon was a member there and he was positive that she wasn't an old fuddy duddy or ridgid. In fact she was running the place which was a scarey thought. Maybe all the old ones in Anantya at some point or another lost their minds and lost what was left of them that was alive. He shruddered at that fate that Fallon had chosen for herself. It saddened him a bit, but it was better for her than being rogue like he was.
"Though they aren't all old in Anantya, so I really can't stake much claim in that. I guess that makes me a crap source for info on the other clans." He laughed good naturedly.
He wasn't surprised at Shay's strong belief in her clan but he wasn't as trusting as she was. Too much was at stake and sometimes people, namely those in power, see any sort of weakness or leaverage to use they took it and ran with it. It had been his experience for years and he didn't see why it would be any different now. He kept that opinion to himself mostly because he knew it would be wise.
"I hope you are right. You'll have to excuse my lack of trust right about now I'm a little edgy."
Now that she had an avenue to follow, which might have a connection to her mother's killers, Shay wasn't about to pass it up. Even if it turned out to be a dead end, at least she'd have increased knowledge, and what she found out might help in the future.
"Sometimes it helps having another set of eyes look at something."
Not that she could be totally objective, but given that she and Panos were two different people, her slant on the information could be different too, and as such offer other insight.
Then too there was the emotional coloring. While Shay was still in pain over the loss she'd suffered, time was blurring the sharpness there. Because Panos' own experience was newer, it stood to reason his pain, and anger would be edgier. Shay should be able to be slightly more objective.
Hearing Panos speak of the other clans, Shay tried to hear beyond her own Tacharan prejudices. He didn't really have much to say about the Evenhet, but that in itself reaffirmed what Shay had heard. The Evenhets were reported to be the most 'human' of the clans, preferring to live and work among the humans, in a harmony of sorts. Shay could identify a little with that, since she also worked in an office surrounded by humans. As it happened, her boss was a Tacharan, and had hired her, but their activities outside the office were private, and not known to the human co-workers. It was lucky for them both that the office was operated on a 24/7 basis. Because of that they fit in fine.
The little background Panos gave her on the Anantya also coincided with what she had heard. They were the oldest of the clans, much more regimented to history, and an overall stuffy group. Hearing this made Shay even that much more determined to actually meet some of these other clan members. She never liked using hearsay as gospel, and wanted to form her own opinions from her own experiences.
Shay laughed along with Panos, glad he wasn't one of those people who thought their words were the only ones that mattered.
"I understand how you feel. After Ginnie died, it took me a long time to look at anyone without immediately suspecting them of something. Having that kind of thing happen really shakes a person's entire belief system. But through it all the Tacharan have been there, and given me no reason to doubt them..."
But that didn't mean they were all holy either. Shay wasn't that naive. She wondered briefly what had happened to make Panos feel as he did.
Rolling onto her back, reclining against the sofa, Shay closed her eyes.
"Seems like its taking a long time to take care of your friend. Sure hope she didn't require surgery, or anything..."
Even if Delilah had required surgery, Shay thought someone would have come in and given Panos some sort of update on his friend's condition by now.
Then again, she didn't have much sense of time, nor a watch. Perhaps they hadn't really been out of touch that long yet.
So to speak.
Kenley approached the door and paused to straighten her skirt. With a deep breath, she entered the room quietly. She waited for their attention and then she smiled as sweetly as she could.
'Mr. Mehalitsenos, your friend has been stabilized, but still in critical condition. The doctors do not advise moving her so she is more than welcomed to recoup here.' Kenley tucked a red piece of hair behind her ear and continued. 'Your quarters are still available here within the Domicile, and if you wish to use them, you need only speak with the Leader.'
That was as much as the Leader would say, not that she'd be privy to what he thought of Mr. Mehalitsenos; his file was pretty clear as to his neutrality, and possible disdain, for the clan. Kenley would leave it at that and let him decide for himself.
'If there's nothing else?' Kenley hooked a thumb over her shoulder, redying herself to leave.
"Well, there you go then! Sounds like not only has your friend lucked out tonight, but you have as well."
At least that was how Shay took it, hearing Panos could resume residency at the Domicile. It would offer him a lot more safety than he could obtain on the outside, and of course he would be closer to Delilah, while she recovered.
It might also be good for Shay, having her new friend so close. Perhaps they could spend more time conferring on what might be done about the wolf people. Shay was excited about that prospect.
For Shay, there were no negatives in the offer, but she would obviously defer to Panos' decision.
A premature reaction on his part.
He hadn't expected them to offer his old quaters and the feeling of unease rippled through his stomach. It was the smart choice and Shay was delighted by the news. Right now it was the only place he had any allies, even if they were new and tentative. What was he going to do? Go back to the house where Chryseis's remains were scattered over the floor? Panos wasn't sure he was ready for that just yet.
His gaze shifted to Shay before he looked back to Kenley.
"Thank you Kenley. Tell the Leader I'll speak with them."
Bottom line was the wolves knew where he and Delilah lived. It wasn't safe there anymore, and Diane had the uncanny ability to find him where ever he went. At least here there would be no way she could get in right? Staying here would keep him closer to Delilah while she recovered and Shay also lived here. It was the right thing to do, but for some reason Panos shoulders felt alot heavier.
Pulling her phone out of her skirt pocket, she answered it immediately. The voice was not only familiar, it made her stop in her steps and turn back toward the two vampires in the room. She listened for a moment.
'Yes sir.' Kenley looked up at Panos and added, 'Yes, sir.'
Closing her phone, Kenley turned back toward Mr. Mehalitsenos.
'Excuse me again, Mr. Mehalitsenos, but it so happens that the Leader is here. Now.'