• Leon Blais strutted down the empty roads of the city. It was dark now; the sun was long gone and the moon cast an eerie glow throughout the city, especially in the dark and wet alleys. He was on a mission; he needed to warn a man of a great danger that would be approaching him very soon. As an immortal, he was able to perceive the future, and he was able to use his ability to help people and do good deeds. Of course there were a few conditions upon being immortal, but he did not like to consider them. He would rather just enjoy the fact that he would live forever at 18 years old.
    The harsh wind began to blow fiercely and Leon held onto his Fedora hat to keep it from blowing away. He could faintly see the great mansion where his client lived. It was a glow with lights, roaring with music and heavy with people and food. Rich people and their parties, He thought. How lucky I am.
    He studied the estate carefully, noting the areas of heavy security. The mansion was easily 10 times bigger than any building in the city except the library. It was built with a Roman architectural style. The mansion belonged to the wealthiest family in Durata della Vita, the honorable Teague Family.
    Leon found an easy entrance into the mansion, so he slipped to the back to the estate and let himself in via the garden gate. He slipped in unnoticed.
    Once inside, his ears boom with the sound of string music and opera. On one side of the large main room, he sees a long table filled with every dish possible. On the floor, couples dance elegantly. The men wear dark tuxedos with bow ties and the ladies wear long dresses of silk and lace and Leon begins to feel slightly underdressed. But his mind soon goes back to his mission, and Leon begins searching for Lord William Teague among the other thousand people.
    As he passed the dining table, someone suddenly offered him a glass of wine and a dish of some sort. People began crowding him to see what he would think of it.
    “Here! Try this, my lad!”
    “No! This is the best dish in all of Durata della Vita! Try it!”
    “Wine, sir?”
    The people were pushing so hard, so he decided to taste some of the food. Besides, it had been so long since his last meal. He started with the wine first and, like the man said, it was delicious. It gave a wonderful and warm sensation throughout his body. He tried the cheese cake next. I was sweet and moist and tasted wonderful. He tried the salad next. Normally, he wasn’t very much a vegetable eater, but the salad tasted good.
    “Try this one, now!” A plump lady offered him a dish he had never seen before, but it looked delicious all the same. The lady smiled a very big smile showing off her huge white teeth. Leon took the fork and dug in, slipping a portion into his mouth.
    “This is quite good. What’s in it?” Leon slipped another morsel into his mouth.
    “Well, let’s see; there are eggs, cabbage, pasta, salt, pepper-“
    “I’m sorry, did you say salt?”
    “Yes, I did. There’s also-“
    “What kind of salt?” panic crept into his expression. As an immortal, the Fairy had forever banned him from eating the salt of the Dead Sea; otherwise, he would lose the gift forever.
    “The expensive kind…from the Dead Sea.”
    The plate fell from his hands and shattered on the tile floor.
    “My heavens! You should be more careful-“
    “Where’s the nearest bathroom!”
    “To the left of that back wall. This dish took me-“
    Leon wasted no time. He violently pushed through the crowds of people making them fall or crash into objects, but he didn’t care. He just needed to get the salt out of his body as fast as possible.
    There was a long line in front of the bathroom door. Leon pushed all of them out of the way. His actions received a lot of insults and yelling as well as some hitting. Leon pulled the last person who was inside out of the bathroom and locked the door. From his front pocket he pulled out a packet of ipecac roots to induce vomiting. He rolled it around in his palm before chewing on them. He felt a small gurgle in his stomach before his dinner made a sudden reappearance in the sink.
    He took a deep breath and gripped his head with his hands and massaged his temples. Another gurgle and reappearance. He washed his hands thoroughly in the sink and ran his fingers through his long hair that he had forgotten to tie back into its usual ponytail. He looked at his reflection in the mirror and saw that his eyes were puffy and red.
    A sudden pounding was heard at the door. Leon cursed under his breath before returning his hat to his head.
    “I’m coming! Wait!” Leon opened the door and the next man in line quickly went inside, only to be greeted by the foul smell of vomit. Leon looked over at the crowds of people who were socializing and dancing and eating and saw a man with dark hair and smile. He could only be Lord Teague.



    Celine pulled the brush through her hair once more before a knock was heard on her door.
    “Celine! Celine!”
    “Come in.” the door opened and her mother stood in her doorway.
    “That’s enough brushing, you look fine. Come to the party.”
    “I’m coming mother. Is Isobel there?”
    “Yes, and they’re all waiting for you. Come! I invited your aunt and she wants to see you.”
    “Okay, I’ll be right down.”
    Her mother left and closed the door behind her. Celine Teague put on a gorgeous silver dress with its hem stopping just below her knees. She looked at her reflection one last time. Beautiful. She replaced a hair that was out of place and patted down her glossy chestnut hair. She practiced her winning smile then headed out her bedroom door.
    The music was louder than ever and she smiled. There had been countless parties these days and this one was in honor of her father’s 50th birthday. Once out, a boy about 17 years old suddenly appeared in front of her.
    “Celine Teague?”
    “Yes?”
    “I’m Alexander Hale. Would you like to dance?”
    “No thank you. I was hoping to have the first dance with my father. It’s his birthday today.”
    “I understand. Maybe after?”
    “Maybe.”
    The boy smiled and left her alone. Celine took a glass of wine from one of the caterers and saw her cousins all huddled in a group, whispering among each other. Celine’s high spirits fell; there was no doubt that her cousins were all gossiping about her. Being the “Jewel of Teague” had a fair share of advantages and disadvantages. Advantage: People of high social stature respected you and you were knowledgeable in all aspects of education. Disadvantages: your cousins hated you because they think you’re conceited and stuck-up, which wasn’t true.
    Still, Celine decided that she ought to enjoy the night, and she went off in search of her father. While walking, she was seen by Lady Toinette, one of her father’s business partner’s wife, and Lady Toinette instantly recognized her.
    “Oh, Celine!” Celine bowed her head in respect.
    “Lady Toinette.”
    Lady Toinette grabbed Celine and pulled her into a bear hug as Lady Toinette was quite a plump lady.
    “Oh! You’re so grown up! And so gorgeous!”
    “Thank you. Have you seen my father?”
    “Lord Teague? Oh I saw him not 5 minutes ago. I think he’s over there.”
    “Thank you. Please enjoy yourself, madam.”
    And with another bow, Celine went in the direction Lady Toinette had pointed her to. Sure enough, there he was. Lord Teague was conversing freely amongst his acquaintances and business partners. Celine walked toward him but his expression suddenly changed from happy to worrisome. She followed his gaze to the edge of the room, where a mysterious boy with a black hat was staring at her father and motioning him into a room.



    Leon had finally caught Lord Teague’s gaze. For a moment, he almost felt bad that he was ruining Lord Teague’s cheerful mood at his own birthday party. Leon’s own brown eyes bore into Lord Teague’s. Leon ducks into a dark hallway and into a room, hoping that Lord Teague would take a hint and follow him.
    Within a few moments, Leon was joined in the solitary room by Lord Teague and his mission began.
    “It’s about time, Lord Teague; the room was becoming a little lonely.”
    “Who are you? What do you want?”
    Silence.
    “What do you want? Do you want money?”
    “No. I simply have a warning.”
    “A warning?”
    “Ever heard of Lucas Burns?”
    “He is a serial killer? Why, what doe she have anything to do with this?”
    “He’s coming after you.”
    “H-How do you know?!”
    “I saw it.”
    Lord Teague’s expression then went from shock to understanding.
    “You are Leon Blais, the boy who lives always. Never dies.”
    Leon nodded his head. “I am.”
    Lord Teague sat back into a comfortable chair near the blazing fire. “What can I do?” he asked. Leon leaned back and observed the room. From the tall shelves he could tell that it was most likely a study or a library. The blazing fire cast grotesque silhouettes on the walls as the tongues danced. Even with the fire, the room had a cold air to it. “What can I do?” Lord Teague asked again.
    “Nothing. You need to leave this place.”
    “Leave? This mansion has been my family’s home for over 8 generations. I cannot just leave it so easily.”
    “If you stay Lucas Burns will find you and he will kill you and everything that you hold dear. You must leave!”
    “And if he doesn’t?”
    Leon smirked and gulped at the same time. “I just might kill you myself.”
    “Lucas has been hunting my family for over a hundred years without any success of killing us. Why would he do it now?”
    “Maybe he’s overdue. You can never understand why he does these things. He’s a villain. You need to leave this place, you and your family. Go to the nearest church and wait for my word. I can find a way to stop Lucas for a small time but after that you need to find some place where he won’t find you.”
    “He will always find us.”
    “There is a way…”
    “There is no way! Like you say, he is a villain, and an immortal one at that! I know Lucas; my great-great grandfather was the one who put that curse on him! He can’t be killed except for an immortal from my family.”
    “There are no immortals in your family.”
    “And either way he wants to kill us! He’s a villain that’s what he does!” Lord Teague sat back down and massaged his temples.
    “I love my family. I wanted to save them.”
    “I can talk to Lucas, from one immortal to another, but until then you need to get them out of here.”
    “No. You can’t talk him out of it. I will.”
    “You’ll die.”
    “If my dying will satisfy him, I will do it.”
    Leon swallowed hard and tried to think of a way to keep him from doing what he wanted to do.
    “I am old. Today I am 50 and my life is over. I have lived for a long time and I’m ready to go. My daughter will take over the company when I am gone.”
    “Quiet.” Leon walked over to the door and swung it open and standing there was a slender girl with blue eyes wearing a silver dress.
    “Do you know the meaning of a private conversation?” he scolded her. She looked scared and he thought that he saw her thin frame shiver.
    “I-I was just looking for my father.”
    “He’s busy. If you have any respect for him or his business you’ll leave now.”
    “I-I’m sorry.”
    Leon looked at her face hard examining her carefully. By the color of her hair and eyes she could only be Lord Teague’s daughter, the “Jewel of Teague.” She should be about 16 now, already a woman. Lord Teague leaned forward in his chair so he could see out the door. “Celine? Is that you?”
    “Yes, father.”
    “What’s wrong?”
    “I-I was going to ask you to dance, but you seem busy right now so maybe another time. Mother was looking for you, too.”
    “Thank you. Tell her I will be out momentarily.”
    “Okay.” She looked up at Leon with pale blue eyes the color of the sky.
    “I really am sorry for interrupting-”
    “Get out!” and she all but picked up her skirts and ran from him. Leon closed the door and returned to the conversation he was having with Lord Teague before that untimely interruption.
    “Your daughter is very impatient.”
    “She didn’t know we were having a conversation. I am sorry.”
    “Take the family to the nearest church and leave the rest to me. I won’t tell you again.” Leon replaced the Fedora hat on his head and went out the door. On his way down, at the bottom of the staircase, Celine stood waiting for her father. When he reached the bottom, Celine averted her eyes away from him.
    “Good night, Celine.” He said and went out the back doors and into the night. Celine’s eyes followed the mysterious boy that interrupted her father’s party as he left but soon lost track of him as he mysteriously disappeared.
    “Good night.” She says to no one.



    Leon walked silently into the night and lit a cigarette. As he let out a puff of smoke, he looked back at the large Teague Estate and remembered his own home, which was no longer existent. The town was dark except for the lampposts and the majestic glow of the full moon. The fierce wind had died down and all was still, as if anticipating a parade.
    It was silent and nothing was heard except the soft thump as Leon’s heels hit the cold stone floor. His ears perked up and he heard someone falling into step behind him. Leon rested his hand on his gun, preparing to shoot at the earliest convenience possible. He felt a hot breath near his ears but he did not turn around to see who it was.
    “You look tired, Leon,” said a vaguely familiar yet mysterious voice.
    “How do you know me?” he answered still resting his hand on his gun.
    “I don’t. You know me.” Leon turned his head, and pulling out his gun, pointed it at the stranger behind him.
    “Hey! Put that away! Someone could get seriously hurt.” The stranger was lanky and had salt and pepper hair that resembled a broom. He was a good four inches taller than Leon and was well on his way to growing a moustache.
    “Daniel?” Leon suddenly recognized him as his friend Daniel. Leon and Daniel had been friends from the time when they were both mortal. Before Leon even had time to put his gun away, Daniel had scooped him up in a tight hug. When Leon was finally put down, Daniel was filled with questions and was talking a mile a minute.
    “How have you been? Where did you go? Have you grown you hair out? Where did you buy this hat? Have you kept all the rules? Are you in trouble?”
    “Daniel, slow down; I can’t answer all of those at once. What’s your first question?”
    “How are you?”
    “I’m fine, thank you. Of course if you live forever you have nothing to feel but fine.”
    “Funny. Where did you come from just now?”
    “The Teague Estate. It was the lord’s birthday and I need to tell him something.”
    “Was it bad news?”
    “… Rather…”
    “I see. So where are you going now?” Daniel shook his hair, which was wet since he had probably just come from a splash in the nearby canal.
    “I don’t know. I was thinking about going to a library.”
    “A library? Why?”
    “To read. What else is there to do?”
    “Just so you now, the libraries are closed by now.”
    Leon looked at the sky thoughtfully before stating, “There’s an abandoned library just half a mile form here. Are you coming?”
    “Sure.” Daniel shook some more water out of his dark hair.



    The Regalis Library matched its name very accurately; it reached so high that the library nearly touched heaven and its heavy stone walls were supported by flying buttresses all across its ribbed vaults. It resembled a church of some sort, but it was instead filled with rows and rows of books and manuscripts. In the towers, there were beds where priests and monks used to study overnight.
    The front door was bolted shut, but it was no match for Daniel and Leon’s strength. The door gave way and Leon and Daniel entered the dusty corridors. The books remained untouched and the manuscripts undisturbed. There were even old ink bottles and quills. Whoever abandoned the library wasn’t in very big hurry. They probably even had time to clean it a little.
    Leon took off his coat and threw it on a chair and walked to one of the bookshelves.
    “I can’t believe you actually come here to read.” Answered Daniel who brought out a pack of matches and lit a fire in the hearth.
    Leon flipped through the pages of a book, and when he found that it did not interest him, he placed it back on the shelf.
    “When you’re immortal and the world is slowly moving on without you, all you can do is read. You should try it sometime, Daniel. It’ll do you some good.”
    “Umm…Nah. I’ll just stick by my fire over here.”
    “Are you sure? Because I have Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame here and I know that you love gothic literature.” Leon held up a thick volume by author Victor Hugo. He threw it across the room where it landed near Daniel’s feet. Daniel picked it up and began flipping through it pages.
    “So, do you come here often?”
    “Only when I have nothing to do.”
    “Yeah? Are you still abiding by the rules?”
    “Always am. Why are you asking?”
    “Nothing. I was just asking.” Daniel flipped through the pages again, which Daniel knew he wasn’t reading since the text was upside down. Leon was beginning to get suspicious now. Leon dropped the book he was holding and strolled over to where Daniel was and lifted Victor Hugo out of his hands.
    “Don’t tell me; you’re mortal again?!”
    “I’m going to need that book back.” Leon lifted the book higher so that Daniel couldn’t reach. “What did you do?”
    “I can’t help it!”
    “What did you do, Daniel?”
    Silence. Leon gripped the edge of Daniel’s seat and positioned himself so they he was facing Daniel’s face. “Tell me.”
    Daniel swallowed and took a deep breath. “Love is inevitable, Leon.”
    “My God, Daniel. Don’t tell me—”
    “I just did.”
    Leon gripped his hair and took a deep breath. “Immortality is like a second chance at life; a chance to right the wrongs that we did in our previous one. You and I have made mistakes Daniel and when we signed up for this we both agreed that we would do anything to atone for those mistakes.” Daniel was silent yet again. He picked up Hunchback of Notre Dame and leafed through the pages again.
    “What’s her name, Dan?”
    “Lenore Klytie. I saved her from drowning in Fortis.”
    Leon let go of his frustration and decided to be supportive of his friend. It’s what he would want from his friend if anything happened to him.
    “Is she pretty?”
    Daniel smiled big and looked up at Leon. “She makes roses look like trash.”
    Leon smiled as well and returned to his book hunting.