Chapter 31
Negotiating barriers and other obstacles...
It was nearly daylight as they approached the iron gates and fence -- outside the estate. Demetri was startled when a menacing guard-dog appeared out of nowhere, howling and growling like a phantom from hell. The viscous drool from its mouth looked acidic. It continued its noisemaking until the lights on the outside began turning on in series.
"It's all right Marion -- he's with me," Alexis said calmly adding, "I believe you were informed of Demetri's expected arrival?"
It was magical, seeing Marion turning into his vampire state of being. He looked formidable; as rugged as a vampire as he did a dog. Alexis took two or three long strides backwards before running towards the ten foot high iron fence, jumping it with room to spare. Apparently she expected Demetri to do the same -- yeah, right.
"Try it," she said, encouraging him from the other side. He backed up -- twice the distance she did. He looked like a diver, about to attempt a difficult dive -- his uncertainty showing.
"A fine vampire I'll make if I blow this," he thought charging the barrier -- leaping over it easily enough. It was the landing he had difficulty with. He looked liked a B29 Bomber coming in for a landing -- without its landing gear. He landed, skidding on his stomach with arms outstretched in front of him.
"Shit," he said face down, with his nose in the grass. All was not lost as he did well in concealing his embarrassment -- slapping the dirt from his hands before extending the right to shake hands with Marion. Marion looked at Alexis and then him, not understanding, when he hugged Demetri like a bear -- forcing the air from his lungs.
"Welcome brother," he said when Demetri felt the camaraderie typical in the vampire community, for the first time.
The commotion outdoors was heard from within. If Demetri thought he'd been on the ground too much already -- he was mistaken. Katrina, his half-sister came running outside. She went airborne about ten feet from him -- throwing him to the ground with a flying tackle. The two of them rolled around on the ground when she told him who she was -- kissing him all over when they began laughing. She said he was indeed like a puppy. In the meantime, Constance and Isabella came walking out to greet Alexis as did Anastasia and Adrian. It didn't occur to him at the time, but he knew someone was missing.
