Nevermore, the Complete Series by K. A. Poe

that I do not want to think about,” he shook his head. “I won't allow it. You need to avoid it at all costs. It is in your blood to be a hunter; you would not be able to stop so easily.”
    I didn't respond. I wasn't sure what to say. I didn't want to hurt Salem or myself, but at the same time, I hungered for vengeance against the monster that had taken my mother from me.
    “There's another reason,” he broke the silence, and I could tell from the sound of his voice that it wasn't something I wanted to hear.
    “What?”
    “If you kill him, you kill me, and any other vampires he created.”
    “No...” the word was barely audible. “Paul has been searching for him ever since the incident...what if he finds him?”
    “Then I can only hope he doesn't succeed,” Salem frowned. “Had it not been for meeting you, I honestly wouldn't have cared to have died by now.”
    “Salem, what if...” I could hardly get the words to come out, “what if Paul finds you?”
    “He's found me before,” he grinned slyly. “I told you already; I am smarter than he thinks. I imagine Raziel is hardly any different. In fact, he is probably smarter and quicker than I am.”
    “Oh...” I wasn't sure how to respond. I sulked, leaning my head against his shoulder and thinking as I pulled my feet out of the water. “I’ve got one more question.”
    “More?” he laughed. “You are full of them!”
    “I'm sorry. You would be, too, if this were the other way around!”
    “I suppose you are right.”
    “Your accent...it sure doesn't come from anywhere around here,” I commented. “Where are you from?”
    “That is one question I was actually surprised you had not asked yet. While my ancestors may have originated in Massachusetts, I was born and raised in Wales,” he smiled, appearing to be reflecting on old memories.
    “Wales...” I said in awe. “How did you end up here, of all places?”
    “I have traveled most of the world,” he said thoughtfully. “Eventually, I decided to settle down someplace.”
    “But why here?”
    “You wouldn't believe me if I told you, Alexis. I know you will object because you already know my other secrets – but this is something even I cannot quite comprehend.”
    “I think I can handle it.”
    “I am not so sure,” he looked up to the sky. The glow of the moon could barely be seen between the shrouds of trees. “It involves you.”
    I jerked my head up from his shoulder and looked directly into his pale blue eyes. “How could it have anything to do with me?”
    “That is exactly why I don't think you will understand.”
    “Please, just tell me,” I begged.
    “Very well, but promise me you won't laugh.”
    “I promise.”
    “Here, take my hand,” Salem said as he stood up from the log. By now it was already dark, but I reluctantly took his hand and followed him as we began to walk further into the woods along the path. I had to know what he was going to tell me, late for the party or not.
    “I am sure you have heard of Plato in school,” he commented as we delved deeper into the forest.
    “Yeah, sure,” I said, somewhat confused. “What does that have to do with anything?”
    “Let me finish,” he smiled. “According to history, he wrote of humans originally having four arms, four legs, and a single head made up of two faces.” I stared awkwardly at him. “But, in fear of their power, Zeus split them all in half, condemning them to a life of searching for their other half... I don't necessarily believe in that, however...”
    My expression told him I was still unsure where he was going with this. “Alexis, do you believe in soul mates?” I believe his cheeks would have flushed at that moment had he been human.
    “I-well...I had never really thought about it before,” I replied honestly. “But, even so, why would you think I was your ‘other half’?”
    “Raziel, actually,” he grimaced, “he said that when you bite a human, you can see their memories, and