The Vampire's Oracle

Shadows of Regonition

★Anastasia★

I stared up at the grand estate of Meadow Brook Château in awe. I hadn't expected the place to be this big or this grand and I certainly hadn't expected to literally feel the energy. I could hear the music coming from inside, but none of that mattered. I hadn't expected the party to be this big. I had assumed it would be something smaller, a bit more private. The mansion itself was breathtaking with its stone façade that gleamed under the soft glow of lanterns that strung across the porch. I took a step toward the door as the nerves took a firm hold on me. When I stepped inside, I was stunned. I had known Marcia was popular, but this was something else entirely. The atmosphere was intoxicating. People were dancing, chatting, laughing and having a good time. Was I late? I maneuvered my way through the crowd and while I noticed that people were all elegantly dressed and holding crystal flutes filled with champagne, I was still surprised. Maybe I had expected more of a college party type of vibe. The music wasn’t too loud, but they were clearly celebrating.

“Marcia?” I called out as I tried to spot her among the crowd. This whole party was for her mysterious brother. Someone I wanted to meet, but I hadn't realized just how important he was. I had to assume that some of these people were his friends. The interior was even more stunning than the outside. Chandeliers dripped with crystals, and the air smelled like expensive perfume and something richer. Something darker. I couldn’t place it, but it stirred something deep within me. A familiarity that I couldn’t quite explain. I needed to find Marcia as I looked around. A moment later, I caught sight of her near the grand staircase. She was with a group of people that I didn’t know or recognize, but relief surged through me as I made my way toward her. Then I saw him. A man stood a few feet away from Marcia, half turned away from me, deep in conversation with another man. His presence sent an immediate chill through me. It wasn’t exactly fear, but it made me pause. He was tall, his frame lean, but powerful. His sharp features were illuminated by the warm lighting. He had the same white-blonde hair as Marcia and while I hadn't been sure what to expect, it wasn’t this. His hair was tousled in a way that looked effortless yet deliberate and when he suddenly laughed, the sound sent a shiver down my spine.

“Anastasia! You made it!” Marcia remarked loudly, but my gaze was still locked on the man who I now knew was her brother. I watched as he turned and when our eyes met, the world faded away. Amber eyes met mine and a flash of something hit me. It was so sudden and intense that I took a step back. The dream. The alley. It was him. Something flared in his gaze, but before I could try and decipher it, it was gone. Replaced by something guarded. I had spent nights haunted by this man. But before I could make sense of any of it, Marcia stepped in front of me and blocked my view. “I’m so glad you could make it,”

“Ah…yeah,” I murmured as I forced a smile.

“Come on, I want you to meet Noah,” she said as she slipped her arm through mine and directed me to the man I already seemed to know. “Anastasia, this is my brother, Noah…Noah, this is my new friend from work, Anastasia,”

“Ah…hi,” I said as I stared at him.

“Anastasia,” he said, his voice was smooth and deliberate. It was also hard for me not to react to the way he said my name. The way it rolled off his tongue like he had spoken it before, countless times. In my dreams. In my nightmares. In my premonitions. Before either of us could say anything else, Marcia pulled me away.

“Come on, I want to introduce you to everyone,” she said, but I barely heard her. My mind was spinning as I tried to wrap my head around what this meant. Noah. He had to be the man in my dreams, right? I could feel his eyes on me while Marcia introduced me to her friends. I felt overwhelmed and out of place, but I did my best to smile and partake in the conversations around me. Marcia never left my side, and I didn’t dare wander off on my own. Still, Noah and I snuck glances at each other throughout the night. There was something between us. Something neither of us understood, but there was no way I could deny the way I felt. I was drawn to him like an invisible thread pulled us together. I had never felt anything like it before.

“Anastasia,” he whispered from behind me, and I spun around to face him. Marcia was distracted by the conversation, but my attention was focused solely on the man in front of me. Without a word, he turned away and I followed him. We slipped away from the crowd and stepped out onto the balcony. The cool night air kissed my skin, and I felt like I could finally breathe easily. “Who are you?” Noah then questioned me and, for a moment, I wasn’t sure how to respond.

“I’m her friend from work,”

“No,” he said firmly as he shook his head. “Who are you?” he asked once again, but I still had no idea how to respond. When I didn’t say anything, he reached out, but before he made contact, he dropped his hand and took a step back.

“Who are you?” I asked him curiously. “I feel like…I know you,” I wasn’t about to tell him that he haunted my dreams, but I couldn’t deny the connection between us.

“I feel like I know you as well,” he replied softly. “I suppose in time it might be revealed,” Noah added.

“Maybe,” I agreed. I should have been afraid, but all I felt was this electrical connection that seemed to pulsate between us. It was overwhelming and intoxicating.

“Anastasia…” he whispered as he took a step closer. “Anastasia…”

“Noah…” I whispered as I stared up at him.

“There you two are!” Marcia exclaimed as she suddenly joined us on the balcony. “Come on,” she reached for me, and I glanced back at Noah. He smiled and nodded once as he watched Marcia drag me away. I reached for him, but he was just out of reach. It reminded me of my dream. Always out of reach.