Echo - Nicolae/Sebastian

Nicolae allowed Valerya to witness the part of him he kept hidden from all but his siblings. He leapt from the trunk of a tall white cedar tree to the bough of an old eastern hemlock, leaving only a trail of rustling leaves behind him. Valerya attempted to keep up, but her eyes were no match for Nicolae's speed despite the slow healing wound she had inflicted on him. She recognized he could have gotten away from her before she struck him with her poisonous ice blade, but he hadn't then, and he did not seem to have the intention of doing so now. She had been wrong about him, but even so, she could not let her guard down. Valerya had come to trust Nicolae, but she did not trust herself; she did not trust those feelings he had stirred in her that she could all but control. Valerya's heart skipped a beat when she heard his voice and her stomach fluttered when she set her eyes on him, but when he touched her, her skin ached with longing – anticipating the next instance when she'd feel his touch once again.

"You are distracted," Nicolae observed as he surfaced from the forest shrubbery. The pair stood under a large northern red oak tree that had lost most of its leaves and luster as fall approached.

"You're too fast for my eyes," she responded with a half-truth and full pretext. It had been hard to concentrate when all her energy was focused on keeping her distance from Nicolae, against her heart and body's desire.

Nicolae was unconvinced by her response. He knew Valerya kept many cards close to her chest, and he was certain asking her to unburden herself would be a futile effort. 'I don't always play fair,' she'd often state, but for once, perhaps he needn't play fair either. "How about a small stakes mind game?"

"Pardon?"

"You possess the power of expression, I the gift of mentalism. We lay our cards on the table and see who holds the best hand." He had always been good with cards and was confident in his abilities.

Valerya smiled. She knew only a little of poker, but if she was certain of one thing, it was that an echo's powers could surpass a vampire's. "You are sure to lose miserably."

Nicolae chuckled. "You underestimate me. I will not go down without a fight."

"And what of the stakes?" Valerya inquired with a hint of reservation.

"If I have the best hand, you will meet my family," he spoke without hesitation, keeping his hole cards to himself.

Valerya hesitated for a moment. Nicolae had told her they were like him, but she could not help feeling fear creep in like an uninvited guest with dubious intentions. She felt safe around him. Would she feel safe amongst the rest? "If I have the best hand...well, I suppose I'll decide what to do then."

"Very well." Nicolae offered her his right hand to solidify the terms.

As Valerya clasped his hand, she felt the sudden presence of a strong force around her. It was intrusive and persistent yet masked itself with soothing undertones. She could have let the energy lull her into a peaceful oblivion, but it was unlike her to not fight. 'Resist,' she reminded herself while building a wall around her mind and safeguarding her thoughts from the sly intruder. Still, she could feel the bricks of her wall shake and crumble piece by piece as Nicolae showed her that he, too, would not easily give up and give in. She let go of his hand.

Nicolae's lips stretched into a thin smile. The mental link to Valerya had been established with just one touch. She could keep her hands all to herself if she wished, although he preferred her touch. Entering her mind was easy, remaining there proved more difficult. She ejected him like lava spewing out of an active volcano, but his connection shone a light to her weakest point, inviting him back in. Little by little he broke through her barrier and reached the place he had sought – the cause of her distraction. It was concealed in worry and fear. There was frustration and excitement, curiosity and confusion. Valerya felt the world around her with fierce intensity. A plethora of emotions swirled around him, but as he navigated through the fog, he discovered joy and affection. Nicolae clawed his way through, refusing to permanently leave the echo's mind.