Finding Meridian Ch. 08

"Damn Trinity! I apologize for what she just said." Alex said while shaking her head in horror.

"It was a joke, I'm sure with the way things are nowadays everything is available by delivery. I'm still interested in the hair thing though." Trinity and Meridian were laughing now.

"Damn it Trinity! Don't make me get up from this table and lock you in a room!" Alex was getting ready to stand up.

Logan started to laugh, "The no reflection thing is just folklore made up by Hollywood. I'll let Marcus briefly explain the rest."

"Thank you. I'm just joking about the neighbors. Can't anyone take a joke? I'm supposed to be the naïve one you know. I'm just lightening the mood here." Trinity was still laughing after she said it.

"Don't make me share the virgin sacrifice story! I'll tell them how naïve you are." Alex threatened Trinity.

Meridian just laughed and said, "OK, I have to hear this." Marcus just stared at Meridian until she looked and him and spoke again. "Well obviously it didn't work out because she's here now!"

It took Trinity a minute to get her breath back. "I was dating this guy in High School. He invited us to a virgin sacrifice thing."

"She's leaving out the fact that her boyfriend was in a lame satanic cult and invited me to go with her. She just accepted without even talking to me. If I remember right, I was told it's a theme party!" Alex scowled at Trinity.

"Ok so I misunderstood, it was actually some half assed satanic ritual. Here I'm thinking we were invited to view it. So we're watching them doing this ritual thinking what the hell?" Trinity was trying her best not to laugh while telling the story. "Alex was more concerned than I was. I thought we were invited to just watch. Halfway through it my boyfriend comes over to ask the two of us to enter the pentagram as the sacrifice. Announcing something like 'Will the virgin sacrifices enter the circle' and I didn't know what to say."

"If I remember correctly your eyes got all wide, you scrunched your face and shook your head no." Alex said then started to laugh. "Her boyfriend marches over, trying to act all high and mighty mentioning how she agreed to this."

"I looked at him and said there must be some misunderstanding. I thought we were just guests. He then says well we agreed. I said…umm wee bit of a technicality but you want actual virgins right?" Trinity started to laugh again. "He tells me of course. I have to break it to him that we're not virgins. He becomes dumbfounded and how could we not be virgins. I believe I started to explain how sex works to him when his friend in the satanic circle winks and waves at me. I make the mistake of smiling and waving back."

"Then he looks at me and I told him too bad so sad no virgin here." Alex said and started to laugh again. "It's not like we were 12 for Christ's sake. We were 18."

"Please stop the laughing is killing my broken ribs." Meridian said trying to not fall out of her chair.

Marcus stopped laughing finally and answered Alex. "Yes, we do eat regular food. We brought blood but can have it delivered in 2 hours in almost any city. Sorry Trinity, we won't be snacking away on the neighbors. We appreciate the demented yet sweet offer."

"As for the details, I can give a brief description. We are very ancient so sunlight doesn't hurt us. We do prefer to sleep during the day but either works. We are like extra strong people that self heal. We can be killed with a gunshot to the head or heart or of course dismemberment. We are extra strong and fast. Most of us have special abilities. Some vampires take 200 years for their extra abilities to come out. We need to feed basically every other day but we drink and don't kill people. It's way too much blood at one time. If we do feed from a human we can usually hypnotize the person so it doesn't hurt. Though the bad things you have heard about that tend to be from new vampires that don't know how to do that. Some don't know how to close the wound and some don't care to learn either. Those individuals don't tend to live long."

Alex spoke, "Thank you Marcus. It is very interesting and it is all new to us."

Marcus looked over at Meridian and whispered in her ear. "Are you ok? You're looking pale."

"Please excuse me for a minute," Meridian said standing up from the table. When she stood the room started to spin and her vision became blurred. She tried to grab the edge of the table but her hands missed. Marcus turned to see her starting to fall backwards and he jumped up and caught her. Marcus pulled her up into his arms as he cradled her unconscious limp body as if he were caring a china doll.

"The nurse is upstairs in the room to the right of Meridian's! I'll get her while you take her into her room." Alex said while running up the stairs after Marcus.

The nurse checked out Meridian in her room. "It's not uncommon for her to pass out. Her lungs sound clear. She could have stood up too fast. Let's just wait for a few minutes until she wakes up."

Meridian's eyes fluttered open and it took her a minute to figure out where she was at. "Sorry, I just got a bit dizzy. I'm fine just let me get up."

"No, you're staying in bed," Marcus told her as he looked down at her.

The nurse chimed in, "It looks like just overexertion. You'll stay in bed."

Her sisters chimed in, "You're hurt. You will stay in bed!"

"Alex, could you arrange for me to eat up here with Meridian? I'll stay with you." Marcus asked while running his hand across Meridian's cheek.

"I'm fine really."

"No you're not. You will stay in bed or I'll lock you in! Marcus, not a problem to have dinner sent up. I'll have it sent up right away. Meridian, are you ok with us going and having dinner?"

Meridian stared up at Marcus as she spoke. "Alex, that's fine. Marcus, I'll be fine by myself."

"I don't care if you'll be fine alone. I'm staying." Marcus grabbed the chair and pulled it over to the bed.

"Just call if you need anything. Food will be up in just a few minutes." Alex then ushered everyone else out of the room.

When everyone else returned to the dining room Trinity was the first to speak. "He seems really protective and sweet. Is it because he cheated on her?"

"Jesus Trinity, do you ever think before you open your mouth? Were you not paying attention?" Alex was still reeling that Trinity never thinks before talking.

Logan started to laugh. "Marcus was or is her boss, not her ex-fiancé."

"I'm sorry everyone, I thought he was her fiancé, or ex- fiancé. I got a bit confused. As her sisters, no matter what each of you are to her we appreciate you being here. We've only lightly went over what she's gone through and it's been a hell of a lot rougher than we ever had it. It's a lot of information for one day." Trinity said and smiled at everyone as the food started to be served.

Alex looked at everyone when she stood up, "I will be right back, I'm going to run food up and make sure everything is fine." Tarrin followed her up with the 2^nd tray.

When Alex arrived upstairs she sat Meridian's tray of food on the table at the side of the room.

"Marcus, can I talk to my sister alone for a minute?"

"Of course, I'll be back in a couple of minutes. I need to grab a drink anyways." Marcus exited the room.

"Hey sweetie, Trinity got a bit confused and thought Marcus was your fiancé or ex one that is. It was cleared up downstairs. I'm sorry about that. I've given Marcus the room to the left of you. If both of you decide you want him to stay in here tonight, I won't be upset about it. No matter what he is to you he seems like a good guy who cares. And it looks like he'll help keep your stubborn ass in bed." Alex gave her a light hug.

"I don't know how to thank you for everything." Meridian started to cry. "In never cry, I hate this."

"You don't need to thank me. You're our sister. Just don't cry. Call me if you need anything. I'm just happy to have my Meridian back in our family." Alex left the room.

She met up with Marcus getting a drink in the dining room. "Connor, can you come over for a minute so I can talk to you and Marcus?" Connor stepped over to the bar. "I need to ask you a question. I'm not sure of her normal disposition but she's been a bit emotional since she's been here. I know it's probably normal after everything but I wanted to check. I was given the impression she's not emotional."

Marcus face started creasing with worry. Connor answered her question, "If she's being emotional then she's in pain. Sure, I expect more from her after everything that's happened but I think the injuries have made her in pain and not take meds."

"Ok, I'll call up to the nurse and have her give a shot for pain."

"Well, I'm heading back up to eat with her. If anyone needs me, I'll be upstairs."

Marcus headed back up the stairs and into Meridian's room. Marcus went over to the bed and helped Meridian sit back against the headboard. "I hate needing help," Meridian grumbled.

"You've gone through so much and saved so many lives with that attitude alone. You can let me dote on you." He put the tray over her lap. He then ran his fingers over her cheek. "Do you need anything else?" Marcus kept staring at her lips. After wondering if she was hurt or dead to see her staring at him with those pouty lips just made him want to devour them.

"I'm fine. You can go eat and hang out with everyone. You don't have to babysit me. Not that I don't mind you being here or want to seem ungrateful."

"I'm staying. I thought you were dead then hurt then dead. I'll be here all night keeping an eye on you. I'm not walking away from you now." Marcus leaned down and lightly kissed her with his hands cradling her face.

"Ok, just don't tell me you're planning on sleeping in the chair. You'll sleep next to me in the bed. I'm sure you can behave yourself." Meridian gave him a devious smile.

"I'll be a gentleman, beside you need rest."

Shortly after eating, Marcus was laying back and pulled her over to rest on him. "I can take care of myself; it is ok for you to go hang out with everyone."

"I never suggested you couldn't. Is it so wrong for me to want you right here?"

"No." The nurse knocked on the door and entered her room. Medication was injected into her IV and the nurse left.

Marcus ran his hand down her hair. Despite the television being on, all he could focus on was this tiny strong girl next to him. Only two weeks and he wanted nothing more than to keep her safe and at his side. He couldn't understand how someone of his age would be so taken by her. It's only been two weeks there was no way he could be falling for her. Or was he?

Marcus stared down at her porcelain face accented by her dark eyelashes, lying against his chest. He'd give anything for her to not be hurt; to be able to kiss her deeply all night long. Looking down at her pouty pink lips he couldn't resist. He ran his thumb over her plump bottom lip and then the top lip. She was gorgeous. Her lips parted slightly and he couldn't resist. He ran his thumb on the inside of her bottom lip and leaned down and kissed her. She moaned slightly and curled up against him. He ran his hand over her hair while she fell into deep slumber.

~~~~~~~

Meridian was standing at a funeral dressed in black. She had been here before. This was her grandfather's funeral home. NO! NO! Not Again! I won't let it happen again! She felt like she was standing back screaming to herself.

She saw her sisters and went to talk with them. They ignored her. Marcus he would talk to her! It was as if everyone was ignoring her. Oh God NO! NO! NO! Meridian walked to the casket to see she was inside.

Marcus was finishing a glass of blood in the kitchen at 2 am. He was wondering how he could feel so deeply for this extraordinary human. Then he heard the noise that could peel paint.

Blood curdling screams came out of Meridian's mouth. She was screaming, "NO! NO! NO!"

Marcus ran up the stairs as fast as he could. When he saw she was alone he grabbed her up into his arms, careful not to pull out her IV. "Meridian, wake up little one, it was just a dream. Little one, please wake up," he pleaded with her.

When her eyes opened she started to sob. Her sisters entered the room with looks of fear on their face. Marcus refused to let her go. The nurse came in right afterwards.

"It was just a nightmare," the nurse tried soothing her. "I'm just giving you something to help you sleep, it was just a nightmare."

Meridian stared up at them with fogged eyes and heavy lids. She repeated, "It was just a nightmare. It was just a nightmare."

Her eyelids started to become extremely heavy and she fell into deep slumber.

Marcus tucked her into the bed and noticed Connor, Logan and Drake standing in the hallway.

"What the hell was that?" Drake asked.

The sisters looked at each other and Alex spoke up. "Let's go to the library so we can explain."

Alex handed out drinks then began to talk, "It has to be a premonition she won't tell us about."

Trinity drank her brandy in one gulp and poured another one. "Meridian has had premonitions since she was at least 4 years old. The large ones were of our dad's death, then mom's and then Grandpa's."

"She had a premonition in her dream tonight. We didn't see it, she blocked us out. We can link in premonitions now, but somehow she has learned to walk up and slam a door at us so we can't see." Alex was trying to steady her nerves after she said it. Worried lines were marring her forehead.

Trinity's eyes lit up and she became animated as she spoke, "Let's look at this way. The most common assumption is our plan is wrong so let's change it. Different terrain. We'll try to pay attention to her screaming at night. As it goes on, if we get no screaming then the new plan is a go. Otherwise, we just have to wing it. Add hidden elements of defense. " Trinity started staring at each of them with an angry look on her face. "Stop staring at me like I just grew an arm out of my head. Doesn't anyone have anything to say?"

Connor was the first one to speak, "I think it sounds brilliant. At least the best we have to go on for now."

Alex looked at Trinity, "I'm sorry Trin; sometimes we are just astounded by the brilliance that comes out of your mouth."

"Apology accepted."

"Because most of the time it's fluffy flaky dribble."

"Hey! That is not fair. Just because I use that "fluffy flaky dribble" to get great business deals does not mean I'm stupid! How much fluffy flaky dribble would you listen to until you give up and signed a deal just to escape? Huh?"

Everyone started to laugh. "Well, hopefully we will only have one screaming nightmare tonight." Alex said while putting filling her empty glass on the bar. "Feel free to go back to bed everyone. We'll figure out a new plan tomorrow."

Logan looked at Alex and said, "I'll have another drink with you." Everyone else exited to their rooms.

While exiting the room Drake made a comment to Trinity in the hallway. "You really do come off as completely ditzy."

"It's inconsiderate to insult the family of the hostess! Mr. Needs Anger Management!"

"I do not need anger management! I'm a vampire damn it!" The furious way Drake said it made Trinity start to laugh.

"When you come to your senses you can apologize or snack away on the annoying neighbors to make it up to me."

Drake proceeded to start growling at her. Trinity's face started to change from laughing to serious.

Trinity looked Drake in the eyes and spoke in a high melodic hypnotizing tone. "Drake, listen to me carefully. But first stop trying to read my mind, you can only read when I allow you. I am much more complex than most can comprehend. We are each dangerous in our own right. Now hear this and make sure you tell Marcus, Meridian is scared of letting anyone get too close to her and dying. Even you anger boy. It has to do with our family dying when we were little. She'll try to ditch us if she can. She'd throw her life on the line before she even tried to let us join the fight. She's scared of the depth of caring she has for Marcus. Let him know if she tries to push him away, don't let her. And you remember to treat me with more respect. We wouldn't want you underestimating who I am, would we? We are on the same side."

Alex walked out and looked at Trinity. "Trinity, STOP doing that to Drake." Logan only heard Alex chastising Trinity.

"Alex, I was just telling Drake I wanted to prove to him how brilliant I am." Trinity turned to Drake. Drake was calmer and feeling a bit fuzzy but his head was clearing. "Now, would you like me to prove to you how brilliant I truly am? Do you have your stock portfolio on you?"

They proceeded to walk to Drake's room. He handed her a paper with just the stocks and without the shares on them. She grabbed a red pen from the desk and within 5 minutes the entire sheet was covered in red ink.

She wrote descriptions on the top and explained it to him. "Ok, anything with an X through it is crap. O's are the money makers. If the O has an S next to it that means big money in a short time but don't keep over 6 months. If it has an L next to it that means it will produce money for at least 5 years."

"You actually think I'm going to take advice from you?"

"I'll make you a wager to prove it. First off, only these three stocks for the first round. You invest by 10 am Monday morning then sell by close on Wednesday. If the stocks don't triple; I'll pay you the value of the stocks at the original price but tripled. Now if I win, you get to announce at dinner that night that I am the most wonderful, smart, intelligent, sexy and amazing woman you have ever met human or vampire or otherwise. Then you must treat me nice for an entire week."

"OK, I'll take the bet and add more to it. You will stand in the center of the dining room table during dinner and announce to all. Drake is the most handsome, sexiest, smartest vampire you have ever met. For an entire week, you will address me as Oh Brilliant One!"

"Don't be late in buying the stocks! I'm going to bed, Oh Cranky One!"

"Not a problem. I will thoroughly enjoy your loss! Better practice calling me Oh Brilliant One!"

~~~~~~

Logan and Alex were in the library after Trinity came in and told them about the bet. She left and went to bed.

"Alex, how the hell am I going to live with his ego? It's bad enough, but him being called Oh Brilliant One!"

"Don't worry. We each have premonitions and have ways to make them work for us. Trinity rocks in the stock market. I'm not interested in it. Meridian's tend to be for bad things happening."

"If you don't mind me asking what does yours pertain to? And can you explain why you were chastising Trinity about not doing something to Drake?"

"In general we are all oracles in our own fashion. We tend to focus on different areas. Think mergers, takeovers and acquisitions for me. I can come up with a basic business idea and tell if it will succeed or fail before putting any money in it. I will be instrumental in the upcoming plan. I can sense problems and fix them before they come to pass. It can be hard to explain. Easiest way to think of it would be you invented a product and plan. I can tell you it will sell or it won't and where the kinks are. After that I can tell you the major downfalls to avoid, making sure you keep making money. I'm like a goal oriented GPS with future connections."

"Now me chastising Trinity is something we'll all have to talk to each other about. Vampires have special abilities and we have to make sure that if we each know our abilities that we're OK with it. Trinity and I have to work with Meridian on hers. There are some legends and such we all need to sit down and discuss. I think sharing makes sense and can say it would add to our ability to make this successful but I need everyone's view on it. I don't want to make assumptions."