300 Years Hiding From The Sun
Arya woke up in her comfortable bed that nearly swallowed her up. The curtains had been drawn so the sunlight didn't peak through. Arya stretched her arms and got out of bed. She felt a burn in her throat, she was hungry. But with all the windows in the Odinson estate she was worried to venture out of the safety of her sunlight proof bedroom. That was until she heard a knock at her door. She quickly grabbed the black silk robe that had been draped over the desk chair and pulled it on.
"Come in." She said then sat on the edge of her bed.
The door opened and Loki walked in. He was already dressed and ready for the day. His hair neatly laying and his black dress shirt and pants pressed with no blemish upon them. He had a blue ring box in his hand. He smiled to himself when seeing Arya. Her hair messy and her eyes tired. She might consider herself to be less attractive at this moment, but not to Loki. He thought her beautiful.
"Good morning." Arya said half smiling, she couldn't get a read on him. He was so stoic around her, rarely showed any emotion other than annoyance. He simply strode up to her and handed her the box.
"Daylight ring. Don't ever take it off." He said then began walking toward the door. "Blood bags arrived. Downstairs when you want them." He said then opened and closed the door behind him.
Arya sat back on the bed and crossed her legs. She opened the box and her face lit up. The ring was beautiful. Silver band with a center marque stone in a shade of moss green. It was unique and vintage looking. A style that fit her personality perfectly. She smiled as she placed it on her middle left finger. Thankfully it fit. She decided to try it out. Couldn't hurt, right? Well, possibly.
As she walked over to the large window she stopped a few feet away. Were the Odinson brothers messing with her? Could she really walk in the daylight? If she burst into flames at least it would solve her vampire issue. But ending her life didn't seem like the right solution for herself anymore. So she decided to indeed give it a try. She walked over to the curtain and held onto the black fabric. After counting to three she slung it open and squeezed her eyes shut waiting for the pain of fire to burn her skin. But no pain came. Instead a warm light embraced her skin. She opened one eye and then another. She walked forward and looked out the window. The sun was blaring down on her and it didn't burn. It was almost as if she was human again. But not quite. She felt overwhelmed. All of these changes were piling onto her at a very fast rate. Could she handle this? Could she leave her old life behind and live like this? A vampire? Only time would tell.
The day went by in a blur. Thor showed Arya how to control her speed and agility. As to not trip or accidently fling herself off a cliff when running one-hundred miles an hour. Brunhild showed her some of her magic. She explained how she made the daylight ring and how her family had also made rings for Thor's family. She didn't see Loki much. He was busy putting the finishing touches on his birthday party that evening. She saw him wander about to grab a blood bag or choose a book from one of the many shelves in the large home. But he rarely spoke to her. A hello there, a nod there, nothing of substance. She began to wonder about the brooding vampire. Why was he the way he was? What made him tick?
Arya sat in the lounge area nursing a cocktail made of half bourbon and half B+. He called it his signature drink. If Arya wasn't a vampire she might have been deeply disturbed by it. The sun had started to set which meant the party goers were probably going to start arriving. Arya thought she should probably get changed into something less casual. Loki told her she could stay in her room all evening if she wasn't up to the challenge. But Thor persisted that she attend, he said he would make sure there was no murder this evening. Arya hoped as much, considering the vampire that had done this to her was still not captured.
She decided on a simple black dress. Velvet, long sleeved, low cut in the front, and a little too short. She pulled her hair into a high ponytail and did simple makeup. She would most likely know a lot of people who would be in attendance. Thor explained that they rarely had gatherings at their home. That this was the first time in nearly three decades. But the Odinson family was a mystery and the small town of Mystic Falls loved gossip. So when the opportunity to party with the town's richest family with the least known about them came up, everyone jumped on it.
Arya walked down the staircase and saw Thor waiting at the end for her. His hair was pulled back in a low pony tail and he wore a dark red button up and black dress pants. He turned his head and smiled that sparkly smile at her. Arya felt her stomach flutter. Did she really like this guy? Was it wrong to feel this way? It was only a crush she told herself. And honestly he was probably only paying so much attention to her because he promised her family he would make sure she wouldn't kill anyone.
"You look lovely." Thor said holding out his arm to Arya, she took it and thanked him.
"You clean up nice yourself." She said and Thor chuckled. As they walked through the house to the lounge area where the main party would be connected to the massive deck and yard outside Arya looked at her ring. "The ring, it's perfect. Thank you." She said and Thor looked to her hand.
"Loki picked it out actually."
"Oh, I'll have to thank him later." She said and Thor sensed her anxiety radiating through.
"He's not so bad, my brother, when you get to know him. He's been through a lot."
"I understand, so have I. I wish I had gotten him a gift or something. For his birthday."
"Just complement his hair. He loves when people complement his hair." Thor said and Arya laughed.
When they arrived to the lounge the party was definitely getting started. Arya recognized a few people but not most. Who she did notice in particular as she looked around the room was Wanda. Wanda was a nurse at the emergency who had been a problem in Arya's work life. She always called out on her shifts. And her excuses were always the same. She was sick, her grandmother died, her other grandmother died, or the most popular of excuses; her dog died. Wanda's dog must have died three times a month it seemed. But although this annoyed the living hell out of Arya, she didn't take it to heart. Wanda must have been going through something to constantly need time off last minute. She felt for her. Because when she did come to work she was warm and kind and worked her hardest to be the best nurse she could be. Arya had a feeling she wasn't just being lazy.
Wanda's eyes met Arya's and she waved to her. She had a surprised look on her face. As if she wasn't expecting to see her. She walked over to Arya and Thor and introduced herself to Thor and hugged Arya hello.
"I thought you were sick?" Wanda asked with a look of concern on her face. Arya did look somewhat sick. She did feel sick. She wasn't used to the new body she was in. Being a vampire had taken it's toll. But she thought she was doing better.
"How's your dog?" Arya asked raising a playful eyebrow at her and Wanda laughed.
"Understood." She said then winked at her. "I have my eye on that blonde over there. I'll see you around!" Wanda said pointing to a tall blonde man with a winning smile beckoning her to him. She walked over, leaving Arya and Thor to their own conversation. The topic, controlling her urge to kill.
"No fear. Just control. Don't allow the hunger to consume you." Thor said leading her to the bar. Arya took deep breaths as she summoned the bartender to her. She looked to Thor with a puzzled expression when she didn't sense the scent of pumping human blood in the bartender's veins. He was tall, long curly hair, and brilliant hazel eyes.
"Vampire." Thor whispered in Arya's ear and Arya nodded.
"Red bourbon?" The bartender asked and Arya nodded knowing exactly which drink he was referring too. "Name is Izak. New here?" He asked and Arya tried her best not to think of the very human person standing next to her at the bar.
"New to this." Arya said gesturing between Izak, Thor, and herself.
"Ah. Well, welcome. Enjoy." He said handing her the drink and Arya guzzled it down. The veins in her face began to sprout and Thor placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Control." Thor said and Arya nodded. Izak handed her another. "Nurse it throughout the party. Walk with me." Thor said and Arya followed him throughout the party.
She nursed her drink as instructed to keep her cravings at bay as Thor introduced her to more vampire friends of his. And even a few humans. Most of the humans at Loki's birthday bash weren't aware about the murderous immortals among them, but some oddly enough did know. And they had no issue with it.
Brunhild was on the back deck with Loki chatting. She looked happy. Arya thought about how she wished she could be happy again some day. With everything that had happened in the past year. Losing her parents, distancing herself from her sisters, and then there was the fact that her entire life changed in a blink of an eye. She was a vampire. A well controlled vampire, surprisingly. She thought the moment she had the taste of human blood on her lips she would turn into a monster. Deep down she hated herself for what she had become, but a small part of her was beginning to accept it.
"Happy birthday brother!" Thor said clapping Loki on the back and he and Arya approached them. Loki gave a small smile and a nod to Arya.
"300 years hiding from the sun." Brunhild said and Arya laughed a little too loud at that. Which caused Loki to smile to himself. Looking away from her. Why was he so quiet all of the time?
"Thank you. Thor said you picked the ring out." Arya said catching his attention again. She held up her hand to show him.
"Not a problem. You look well." Loki said with little to no expression on his face.
"Doing the best I can. Considering..." Arya trailed off and looked away trying not to cry. Her emotions were heightened and it was becoming unboreable to handle. Thor squeezed her arm and she looked up at him.
"All in due time." Thor said and Loki cleared his throat. Becoming a habit of his it seamed.
"I must mingle. Enjoy yourselves." He said then walked off. Brunhild rolled her eyes.
"He's better once you get to known him." Brunhild said.
"So I've been told." Arya replied.
As the party dragged on Arya felt herself grow oddly content. She listened to Thor's instructions and didn't end up killing anyone thankfully. Near the break of one in the morning the party started to die down and the guests began to take their leave. Arya decided to retire for the evening. She hadn't drank too much, not that she planned too, and she felt exhausted from trying not to eat anyone the entire night. She had two more days at the Odinson estate and if she was being honest with herself she was enjoying it. She did start to wonder about Hela though. So before fully going to bed she decided to ask Thor about her.
"Thor, can I ask you something?" Arya asked approaching the slightly intoxicated brit in the kitchen. He was leaning against one of the counters talking to Loki about something funny considering they were laughing hysterically.
"Of course! I shall bid you farewell brother." Thor said bowing dramatically at Loki and Loki rolled his eyes then walked back toward the lounge. "How may I be of assistance?" Thor said way too giddy.
"It's a serious question." Arya added and Thor knit his eyebrows together.
"Of course. Let us sit." He said leading them to the dining room where less prying ears were. He pulled out a chair for her at the large dark wood dining table. She sat and thanked him. He took a seat beside her.
"It's about the vampire that turned me. Did Jane tell you anything about her?" Arya asked and Thor rubbed his hand across his face. Seemingly deep in thought.
"She mentioned her. If I am being honest. I didn't ask. Just wanted to make sure you were alright. I understand your situation more than you know."
"How?"
"It's not my story to tell. But what is your question about the vampire?" Thor said. Arya was about to pry more into why Thor would understand her so much but she decided now was not the time.
"She made this huge show about turning me. As if my family should have an idea of who she is and what she wants. But I have never met her. And Jane won't talk. She won't tell me anything these days. I understand why, but that's besides the point." Arya began to ramble. She was starting to feel that familiar feeling of fear in her gut. And although she was now the image of her lifelong fear, she still couldn't put it at bay. Thor reached over his hand and placed it on hers that drummed nervously on the table.
"Your one of us now. Nothing can harm you." He said and Arya nodded her head. She had just met Thor and his family but she felt a kinship with him. And another feeling she wasn't so easily eager to admit to herself just yet. Her emotions were heightened dramatically since she turned and she didn't want to jump to any conclusion. But vampires grew attached to one another easily. Like wolves in a pack, they stay together forever. "Let's start with someone easy." Thor said and Arya nodded trying to regain her composure. "Does this vampire have a name?" Thor asked and Arya's eyes lit up in recognition.
"Hela." She said and Thor dropped his hand from hers.
He immediately sped away and Arya looked around the room in confusion. What would cause him to flee so quickly? And at the mention of a simple name. Did he know this vampire? Was he scared of her? A second later Thor returned with Loki by his side.
"Does her appearance resemble mine?" Loki asked. His dark hair slightly disheveled as he placed his now empty glass of whiskey on the dining room table.
Arya considered his question. Hela did hold a resemblance to the brooding vampire before her. Dark hair, bright eyes, slender form, and an aura that screamed "danger keep back."
"Yes." Is all she said and Loki looked to Thor with worry on his face. An emotion Arya didn't even think Loki could conjure.
"Could it be possible?" Thor asked.
"She hasn't written or called in months."
"Who?" Arya asked cutting off Loki. The brothers looked at each other and ignored her. "Just tell me." Arya said. She could feel herself growing agitated. Why was it so hard for people to be upfront with her?
"Hela is our older sister." Loki said and Arya put the pieces together.
She stood up and abruptly walked through the home to the hallway that lead to her bedroom. Loki and Thor came up behind her as she stopped in front of a newer looking photo of three people. She thought the person standing between Thor and Loki looked familiar. But the smile on their face and the way they dressed was much different than the person she had recently met. It was Hela. Her hair was pulled back and she wore a bright smile as she wrapped her arms around her brothers. They stood in front of the Odinson estate. They looked genuinely happy.
"Hela came back into our lives a few years ago. Then suddenly decided to go back on her own path. It's complicated." Thor explained and Arya read the sadness in his eyes.
"Why would she come back? And why turn me? Be honest, please." Arya pleaded and Thor nodded to Loki to speak.
"Hela had a mate. His name was Sam. He was killed. Jane hunted him believing he was the vampire who killed your parents. She was wrong."
"So she wants revenge."
"Yes."
"And how do you know my sister?" Arya asked and Thor scratched his forehead and his cheeks turned red from embarrassment.
"No..." Arya said realizing.
"She had no idea I was a vampire. It was just one night. I had been drinking. Once I found out she was a hunter I told her immediately and disappeared. I left my phone number with her and left a note to call if she ever needed anything. I should have been scared of her. She should have tried to kill me. But she didn't. I don't know why to be honest. But she called after hunting down Sam. I helped her track down Hela to New York. The last time I saw her was when she asked me to help with you." Thor explained and Arya's mind raced.
How could Jane spew so much negativity about vampires when she had shacked up with one and knowingly asked one for help on multiple occasions? Why would she continue to hunt vampires when it was clear they weren't all murderous criminals? Was her life a lie?
"Hela killed my parents. Didn't she?" Arya asked softly looking back at the photo of the Odinson siblings.
"She did." Loki replied and Arya's eyes filled with tears.
"Will she come after my family again?"
"Yes. She won't stop."
"I'll kill her."
"I don't know if that is the best..." Thor said and Arya shoved him out of the way and ran down the stairs.
"Wait!" Thor yelled after her. He caught her just as she was reaching for the front door handle.
"Let us talk to her first!" Thor begged and Arya looked at him with fire in her eyes.
"Talk!? You want to talk to her!? She destroyed my life! I never wanted this! I hate vampires! I hate myself! She took my family and she took my soul. I will find her and I will kill her."
"You have no idea where she is." Loki retorted, obviously annoyed.
"Jane will know." Arya said then yanked her arm out of Thor's grip and pulled the door open. She slammed the door shut before speeding off to question her family.