Alexis's Memories Read online

  Alexis’s Memories

  Melanie Jackson

  Warning: Contains Adult Content

  Cover artwork by: Lin Hsiang

  Edited by: Jennifer M. Rich

  Copyright © 2017 Melanie Jackson

  All rights reserved.

  One

  ALEXIS SHIVERED BENEATH her black fleece-lined trench coat. Piercing cold wind tossed her hair as it blew through London University of Law’s campus promenade. The bright sun offered her no respite from the cold but the birds didn’t seem to notice. They chirped happily from the few naked trees lining the sidewalk. Alexis walked swiftly, pulling her suitcase behind her. She now regretted wearing a skirt and heels. Yawning, she tucked a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear. Her strange dream had awoken her at two in the morning.

  Covered in sweat, Alexis had found scorch marks on her comforter. After disposing of the blanket she searched for the cause and found a half burned incense stick on her bedside table and dubbed it as the source. Moving it to her dresser Alexis returned to her bed but sleep lingered outside of her reach. She lay awake fighting restlessness as the night dragged into morning with little sleep. To worsen matters, Alexis knew her uncle Brian's sweet-mannered secretary, Jasmine, had her scheduled for meetings back to back today. She yawned again.

  “Alexis!” a nearly breathless male voice called.

  Coming to a stop, she turned, her emerald eyes shining. “Richard,” she called, her voice carrying across the campus promenade.

  The blue-eyed, blond man ran towards her, briefcase in hand, and he came to a stop in front of her.

  “You okay?” Alexis asked, patting his back as he tried to catch his breath.

  “I…wanted to say goodbye before you left,” the young man gasped.

  Alexis grinned. “I’m just leaving school. You’ll still see me.”

  “I know,” he said, frowning. “It just won’t be the same.”

  “With Brian being in such poor health, I need to be home, taking care of him and helping with my family’s company.”

  Richard's brows came together. “Is his health really that bad?”

  “He puts on a brave face for me and the board, but I know it’s worse than what he says,” Alexis said, her grip tightening on the suitcase handle. “And those power-hungry vultures are just waiting for him to…”

  He took her into his arms and hugged her. She hugged him back, nestling her face into his chest.

  “I don't know what I’ll do if he dies, Richard. He’s all I have.” She sniffed back tears.

  “It’ll be okay, you'll see,” he replied, stroking her back. “And I’m here if you need anything.”

  Alexis sniffed again and pulled back. “I know, thank you.”

  Richard brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Anytime. I love you.” He kissed her lips.

  Alexis returned the kiss then said, “I know.”

  He took her luggage handle and helped her to the waiting taxi. “Are you still coming by for our date?”

  Alexis grinned. “Of course.”

  “Then I will see you tomorrow morning,” he said, and kissed her again.

  Alexis turned in her seat to watch Richard disappear into the distance. Great, after a long day at work, back to the manor, she sulked, turning back.

  Since the accident, her family’s estate was her least favorite place. Every inch of Hawk Manor was a constant, stabbing reminder of what she couldn’t remember. No matter how many pictures, movies, or news clippings she saw, she remembered nothing from the first seventeen years of her life.

  Her first memory was of Uncle Brian’s worried face and a team of doctors standing over her as she woke from her coma. Those first few weeks were hard, especially coming to terms with the fact that she may never get those seventeen years back. Richard and Brian were supportive as she struggled to learn to live with the unknown.

  Alexis watched the snowy streets pass by her in a blur. “Have an exciting weekend planned?” the cab driver asked, peering back at her in his rear view mirror.

  “Oh yeah, lots of fun,” she replied sarcastically.

  The last thing she wanted to do this weekend was muddle over account balances, summaries, and stock share records. The week had been so gloomy, with a rain and snow mix, which left everything covered in mud and ice. Even one day without gloomy clouds and rain was a day to be outside having fun. However, she knew her uncle was relying on her, as were the thousands of people employed by Forever Trust and Holdings.

  “Hey, you’re Alexis Hawk from the news.”

  Alexis turned her attention to the cabby and smiled. “Yes, sir.”

  “It's a great thing what you did, stepping up, taking over for Mr. Whitmore. Lots of people owe their jobs to you, including my nephew,” the driver said as the cab turned down a narrow street. “See, Frank is a good kid, he just had a bad start in life. We never thought anyone would hire him, especially with his criminal record. When Mr. Whitmore did, it was the best thing that ever happened to him. He's engaged to his girlfriend now and they’re expecting a baby in July.”

  “That's wonderful. Please tell him the Hawk family send their most heartfelt congratulations,” Alexis replied.

  “I will, and please tell Mr. Whitmore that the Thompson family is keeping him in our prayers,” he said as the cab came to a stop outside the towering financial institution.

  She paid the fare, tipping the man generously. “Of course, Mr. Thompson,” she replied then retrieved her luggage.

  Passing beneath the company’s name, Alexis entered the modern forty-six floored tower that housed the company her uncle founded over twelve years ago. Centrally located in downtown London, the company was a shining monument to the twenty-first century: concrete and steel strung together to support the building's enormous windows which reflected light as well as any mirror. The spacious main lobby was alive with activity as she crossed to the reception desk.

  “Morning, Jasmine,” she greeted the busy, blonde, and blue-eyed receptionist.

  Glancing up from her work, she smiled. “Good morning, Lady Hawk.”

  Alexis returned the gesture, then asked, “How is Brian?”

  “Good, Lady. I have followed your instructions to the letter. He’s currently working on the spending reports and employee schedules. Nothing too stressful,” she replied, waving her hand at a man in a sharp tuxedo.

  He crossed the marble floor and took Alexis's suitcase. “Thank you,” she said, slipping out of her coat and handing it to the man.

  “We are happy to do anything we can do to help him recover,” Jasmine said, holding out a stack of papers. “Here are the reports the board asked for and today’s meeting schedule. Your first appointment is Mr. Lessinger. He wants a loan to expand his company into China. If he succeeds in expanding, the company will have a substantial return on its investment. It could double or even triple our return.”

  Alexis nodded her thanks then allowed herself one last moment to wallow in self-pity before she straightened and strode to the lobby’s waiting area. Mr. Lessinger was a short, plump man with neat brown hair and small brown eyes.

  “Mr. Lessinger. Welcome to Forever Trust and Holdings. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting,” she said, stretching her hand out to the man.

  He came to his feet and took her hand in a firm shake. “Lady Hawk, a pleasure. I was saddened to hear about Mr. Whitmore taking ill,” he replied, genuine concern in his voice.

  “Thank you. We’re all keeping him in our prayers,” Alexis replied.

  “When I heard the grave news, I reconsidered my appointment. However when I called, the receptionist said things at Forever Trust and Holdings are still running normally. So I decided to keep my appointment and see for myself,” he said skeptically.

  “Well let me assure you, Mr. Lessinger; Forever Trust and Holdings can and will continue even without Mr. Whitmore attending to every detail within the company. We pride ourselves on being available for our clients twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week,” Alexis said with confidence, despite her own insecurities.

  “I'm relieved to hear you say that.”

  “If you follow me, we can get started on your paperwork,” Alexis said, leading him to the elevator to her office on the top floor.

  The day crawled. Every meeting started with her reassuring clients as she fought back against the mounting rumors regarding her family’s company. It was after five when she finally bid Mr. Thornton from marketing goodbye and went to collect Brian from his office. She found the gray-haired man at his desk, papers spread out in front of him.

  “I don't care. Just because his father sat on the board doesn't automatically grant him a seat and I don't give a damn how much money he has,” her uncle barked into his phone.

  Alexis crossed the room quickly, took it from him, and gave him a frustrated glare as the voice on the other end continued its tirade. “He is set to inherit a quarter of a billion dollars. Your company could greatly benefit from this—”

  “Our company cannot be bought, Mr. Wesner,” Alexis interrupted. “We are privately owned and the only reason we have a board is so that like-minded people can come together to make a positive impact in the world. If the board members continue to press this issue we will dismantle it,” Alexis threatened.

  “You wouldn't dare,” was the man’s harsh reply.

  “Keep pressing the issue, Mr. Wesner, and find out,” Alexis replied coldly. “Now, if you are done power gripping, I have other matters to attend too.”

  “T
his conversation isn't over!”

  “Good day Mr. Wesner.” Alexis hung up the phone.

  She turned to her uncle who was rubbing his temples. “You’re supposed to be resting and staying stress free,” she scolded.

  He grinned up at her and the worry lines on his face relaxed away. “Always looking out for me.”

  Alexis gave him a bright smile. “Always.”

  “Let's go home,” he said, standing.

  Brian gathered up his papers and placed them into his briefcase while Alexis got his coat from beside the door.

  “All moved out of your dorm room?” he asked as they left the office and made their way to the elevator.

  Alexis nodded. “Yes.”

  The elevator opened. “I still wish you wouldn’t have left school,” Brian said as they stepped inside.

  The doors closed and he pushed the button for the ground floor. “Someone needs to look after you. Besides, I can always go back next year,” she replied.

  “Your education is important and should come first.”

  “Family comes first, Brian,” she corrected as the elevator started moving. “Besides, school will still be there next year.”

  “I know, thank you,” Brian said, pulling her into a crushing hug.

  Alexis returned the hug, saying, “Besides, the company really needs me around, especially with Mr. Wesner poking his nose into our affairs.”

  “Oh that reminds me, we are receiving a very special guest tomorrow,” he said, releasing her. “She's going to be staying with us for a few weeks or possibly longer depending on how things go.”

  The elevator dinged and the doors opened. “Who is she?” Alexis asked as they entered the empty main lobby.

  “Her name is Jaden. She’s a good friend and has placed a great deal of time and money into our company.”

  “Brian! A special friend?” Alexis teased.

  Her uncle froze, his eyes wide and mouth open. “What?”

  Alexis nudged his arm. “You know, a girlfriend.”

  “Oh God! No, never!” His loud voice echoed in the empty lobby while his cheeks and ears turned a deep red.

  “If you say so…” She winked at him.

  “God, Alexis! Jaden is gay. She likes girls,” Brian replied, his face still flaming.

  Alexis eyed him for a moment. “So why is she coming here?”

  “Jaden is coming because I asked her to help take over some of my responsibilities, lighten the load. At least for a little while,” he replied.

  “Wait, you're going to let a stranger run the company? Does she even know what she’s doing?”

  “Jaden knows more about the financial world than most seasoned businessmen,” he replied, switching his briefcase to his other hand. “Besides, it will be a nice break from what she’s been doing these days.”

  Alexis sighed, too tired to argue despite her skepticism.

  “Lady Hawk, Mr. Whitmore? I thought you left already,” A sandy-haired teen operating a bulky floor scrubber said.

  Alexis’s uncle smiled at the young man. “We’re just heading out, Frank.”

  “We heard you’re to be a father soon,” Alexis quipped.

  Frank grinned. “Yes, a boy!”

  Brian shook the young man’s hand. “Congratulations, you’re going to be a great dad.”

  “I hope so, Sir,” Frank replied, beaming.

  “And to thank you for your hard work, dedication to our company, and as a gift from us to you, I'm giving you a raise and your maternity leave will start a week early,” Alexis added sweetly.

  Frank's mouth dropped open. “I don't know what to say, besides thank you.”

  “You don't need to thank us. It’s people like you that keep this company going,” Brian stated.

  “Besides, you’re going to need it to pay for that Oxford education,” Alexis added.

  “Thank you! Thank you!” He beamed.

  Brian patted him on the back then they left him to his work. Two doormen in dark blue suits opened an umbrella as they stepped outside into the rain and slid into the back of the waiting limo.

  “So what’s your friend like?”

  He smiled warmly. “She’s smart, beautiful, and resourceful. Although she can be slightly mysterious at times.”

  She nudged him with her elbow. “Are you sure you’re not crushing on her?”

  Brian laughed. “She is more your type than mine.”

  “I have a boyfriend. Besides, she’s a girl.”

  “We’ll see,” he replied, grinning.

  “What do you mean, we’ll see?” Alexis asked, making finger quotations in the air.

  “Nothing,” he replied and chuckled when Alexis scowled at him.

  Two

  FLAMES DANCED AS THEY devoured the Fourth House. Thick, choking smoke reached for the sky, an eerie sight in the soft glow of Italy’s predawn light. Ash flakes fell around me as I charged through the double oak doors into the inner courtyard, spreading the fire further through the castle. I dropped, spun, and lashed out with Ivy's silver blades. They were her gift to me, the last remnant of a great teacher and friend. Colliding with the exposed flesh of a massive leg, they severed it from the human-like creature’s body and he collapsed to the ground screaming and cursing.

  The creature was sicariorim, better known amongst my younger col-leagues as a sicarius. They were more monsters than men—seven feet tall with thick, muscular bodies bred for killing. Another appeared before me, knocking the wind from my chest with his powerful arm. I took flight and my already bruised body landed on the hard-blackened soil.

  “Seer!” A deep male voice called.

  Strong hands appeared from the smoke, grabbed me, and pulled me to the safety of a scorched piece of fallen wall.

  The sicarius screamed as he went up in an orange blaze of fire. “Our position is being overrun. We have to fall back,” my broad-shouldered rescuer said as he shot two flame-wielding humans trying to flank us.

  I met Jeremiah’s brown eyes and replied, “Not yet, we have to give Nathaniel and the others a little more time to draw the rest into the courtyard.”

  An explosion above sent us leaping from cover as chunks of burning wood, stones, and shattered glass crashed down on us.

  He shot a human in the head. “We’re outnumbered.”

  “We just need to give them a few more minutes,” I urged, cutting another attacker down before we ducked behind another slab of wall as waves of angry flames spiraled towards us.

  “Face it, Seer, we are out of time,” Jeremiah insisted, dropping his spent clips to the ground, fire crashing against the stone. “And ammunition. If the sicarii keep coming after us—”

  I grinned at him and shook my head. He was a loyal and steadfast soldier, practical, and not shy about voicing his skepticism regarding my gift. Grabbing his shoulder, I squeezed it reassuringly, saying, “Have faith, Jeremiah.”

  “Faith?” he repeated, as the fire dissipated.

  “We are right on time.”

  He opened his mouth to reply but I gave him a hard shove as two sicarii dropped from the burning second story. They lashed out at me with bloody claws, saliva running from their gaping mouths. I rolled from the safety of the rock and saw Jeremiah throw himself at the wall of armored humans, killing them with fists and speed.

  “Die, betrayer!” a sicarius snarled, his simple mind programed for only one goal—death.

  Setting my jaw, my hold tightening on the black hilts of the swords, I swung them in alternating crescents. The uglier of the two abominations let out an agonized scream, collapsing, blood squirting from what remained of his clawed hand.

  My own inner monster started to snarl and drool in excitement as I cut a deep gash in the assassin’s lower chest, ending him. Suddenly, I was lifted from the ground, slammed into a broken slab of castle wall then tossed to the ground.

  “Let me out, human!” The demon within me screamed as the sicarius raised a powerful leg. “I will tear his limbs from his body.”

  I rolled to the left as he stomped down hard, denting the earth as he tried to crush me. “Let me out!”

  “Gods, shut up!” I demanded rolling to the right, once again avoiding being crushed.

  Gunfire sent the sicarius crashing to the ground, spraying yet another coating of blood across my already stained clothes. A short woman appeared over me, her hand extended. “Seer?”