Empath (Book 1 of The Empath Trilogy)

by HK Savage

  Ch. 38

  When we got back to the table everyone was still milling and standing just as we’d left them with the exception of the suspicious cast to my mother’s features, demanding an explanation. James took the lead. “My apologies,” he looked at my dad and then Mom. “My editor called about some last minute details and I had to take the call.”

  Dad looked at me with a raised eyebrow. “Did you need to speak to the editor as well?”

  Seeing my stricken expression James answered for me. “Actually, she did.” He squeezed my hand and smiled warmly. “I need a woman’s perspective on my trip and I’ve invited Claire to go on my next travel assignment with me.”

  Squeezing his hand back, I voiced my objection. His shoulders came up and I saw an apology in his eyes. He was right of course, his explanation panned out and opened the door for everything else we wanted to say to my parents, just moving things forward a little faster than either of us preferred.

  Taking up the torch, I chimed in. “Yes, James and I were talking about his trip to Scotland and I mentioned that I’ve always wanted to go there so he invited me. I hope that’s okay with you two.” I looked nervously from Mom to Dad.

  Mom was concerned. “James, is that okay with your paper? Inviting someone else?”

  Mentioning nothing about his argument with his office on that very subject, James lied flawlessly. “Actually yes, I am allowed to bring a companion on occasion.” He caught my eyes. “This is a first for me, however.”

  I felt my heart give a flutter.

  Dad floored me with his response. “Claire, I’m proud of you for stepping out of your comfort zone and going.”

  “Doug, what are you saying?” My mom gaped at him.

  Dad serenely stared down my mother, challenging her to argue. Seeing she wasn’t going to, he grinned at me. “It’s true. Jeanette, we’ve talked about this for years. Claire you have always been so careful. Don’t get me wrong, we are happy that you have always gotten good grades and grown up so well despite all of our moves and changes. I don’t know what has gotten in to you,” his eyes rested squarely on James and I crooked my neck to see James meeting my dad’s gaze unflinching. “But I for one am happy to see you living your own life, finally.”

  My jaw dropped. I had never heard my father talk so much in my whole life. “Are you serious?”

  Nodding, Dad assured me. “Honey, you are nineteen years old and intelligent enough to make your own decisions. You aren’t traipsing across the world following a rock band. James, as a military man you have to make snap judgments about people’s characters and you seem reasonably trustworthy.” The look that passed between them was pure male. “Don’t prove me wrong.”

  “Doug, I guarantee that I always have your daughter’s safety in mind.” I watched Dad accept his word and Mom drain her second glass of champagne.

  Thankfully, someone tapped the microphone and the toasting began, halting our bizarre interplay for the time being. Finally, someone in a wait staff uniform walked to the father of the bride and whispered something. I was guessing they wanted to serve dinner since it was already seven and they could only hold chicken and fish for so long.

  My instincts proved correct and we were all sitting and being served dinner shortly thereafter, which was good. My blood letting and champagne were beginning to take their collective toll. Our table got along really well, James was an excellent conversationalist and I enjoyed hearing him tell stories about his work for the paper and travels around the world. Again, he proved to be a great bridge builder and he got everyone talking about their own travels. I learned a lot about my parents’ trips before I was born and Dad’s transfers when I was much younger. Angie thought James’ job was glamorous and I could tell it bothered Brad, but he was too good a guy to point it out in front of everyone. I was guessing there would be some discussion later when they were alone.

  Both of my parents watched James like a hawk although Mom was more obvious. I actually caught her gaping at him with her fork hovering, forgotten by her mouth a few times. I had spent so much of my life pushing my mother away, I hadn’t taken the time to see how clued in to me she was. Now that I could be near her, it touched me how well she knew me. She knew something was different, even if she could never have guessed what it was.

  James hid the fact that he wasn’t eating by cutting up his food and pushing it around his plate. Given the number of questions he was answering, I don’t think anyone even noticed that nothing passed through his lips. The entertainment for the night was setting up as we were finishing our dry chicken and over poached fish. I saw cases for a guitar, bass and drums come out with microphones and amps and got excited.

  When dinner was finished, the groom stood and took the microphone. His slurred words hinted at who was responsible for most of the empty champagne bottles at the head table. “Vanessa and I wanted to thank everyone for being here with us tonight and invite you to enjoy the rest of the night with some more friends of mine.” With that, the band kicked off into a short but enthusiastic wedding march. Travis laughed and returned to sit with his new wife while the rest of the plates were being cleared away. It wasn’t long afterward that the wedding ritual moved to its next phase. The first dance between husband and wife flowed into one for the whole wedding party and then other couples began to trickle onto the floor, while some of the wedding party less into dancing wandered off.

  The first song was a slow one and James stood, looking around the table before settling on my parents. “If you don’t mind, I have been waiting patiently all night for this.” When his eyes and smile rested on me, I took his hand and rose from the table.

  Once we reached the dance floor James spun me effortlessly into his arms, poised to lead. The hand against the small of my back pressed me close to him. It didn’t matter that a number of eyes followed us, mine were fixed.

  “They seem to really like you.”

  His brow furrowed for a moment before he answered. “I’m not so sure about your parents. I think your dad is excited to see you doing well but your mother is very protective.”

  I nodded and answered thoughtfully. “I think she isn’t sure how to take it all in. She sees you as the reason I’m different all of a sudden.” I patted his arm. “We just need to convince her that’s a good thing.”

  Grinning, he stepped into a more formal distance from me for emphasis. “I’m doing my best to be a gentleman.”

  Pulling myself back in to him, I teased. “How can anyone resist you?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve never met anyone who could.” He sounded so sincere, I leaned back to study his eyes. He laughed with an unusual glint in his eye. “Maybe I could give a little suggestion to Jeannette. She’d never know what hit her and she would be our biggest supporter.”

  I sucked in my breath seeing my mother’s glazed expression in my mind’s eye. He could bespell her so easily.

  “You wouldn’t!” I gawked in shock to hear him say it.

  James shook off his dark joke. “I would never do that to someone, I told you that.” We both were quiet and I knew we were thinking about the same thing. He pulled me close, whispering in my ear, “You know I did that because I couldn’t make the decision for you.” Moving so that he could see my face, “It was that or have to explain to you after the fact that I’d taken your blood without asking.” I saw the genuine concern on his face. “Are you still okay with it?” He referred to the decision more than my body’s performance, though I found the latter easier to speak to.

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” I answered honestly. “I’m clear headed and can move around without holding on to you all the time. Not that I minded having you near me so much. It kept all those other girls off of you.” I teased.

  I saw him duck his head to hide his smirk and his arm tightened around my back, holding me close as we danced.

  We were on our second song when
I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked up from James’ shoulder and saw my father behind me. “Can I cut in?” We stopped dancing and I saw my mom beside him. I guessed she was waiting for James. I let go of James’ hand and had a moment to catch his eye. He let one brow flick up speculatively, teasing just as he took my mom into a formal dance frame. I barely quelled my laughter as my dad pulled me into his arms.

  Dad and I danced for a while without saying anything. He and I were both comfortable with silence and it wasn’t awkward. He broke in first, “Claire honey, I’ve never seen you so happy. Is it him? Was it him at lunch that day?”

  I thought back. It had been him, except even more than that, it had been everything. I felt like I had control over my life for the first time and it was empowering. “James is a big part of it, but I am just really finding my way at school, Dad. My studies are going well, I’m making friends and I think I have some direction for my future.” I managed to tell him the important things without lying. “Does that bother you that I am happier out of the house?” I didn’t want to hurt his feelings.

  He shook his head, his smile fading only a little. “No, I understand that you didn’t get a lot of say in your life up to now. It must feel pretty good to be your own boss, huh?” We shared a smile, and I rested my head on his shoulder. It felt good to do it pain free for once.

  Dad and I danced for one more song and then it changed to a faster number. Dad and I walked back to the table and I saw James and Mom heading back as well. Mom looked happy. I hoped James had worked his non-vampy magic on her. I knew her well enough to know that once she saw that what we had was real, and that he was good to me, she would adore him. I think she considered me socially deficient before so this change was hard to justify against her mental picture of me.

  As we arrived at the table, James asked if Dad would like to help him grab another round of drinks. Mom and Dad both wanted one. The others were on the dance floor now that the alcohol was flowing. I surprised myself asking to have a glass of champagne. James met my eyes before giving me a nod.

  The men left and Mom and I were alone at the table. “So,” I started. “Tell me what you think of him. Do you like him?” It frightened me how important her answer was to me.

  “Claire, he is certainly a charmer and he seems to be well versed in most subjects. I can’t find anything wrong with him.”

  Her tone hinted that there was more she wasn’t saying. “What?”

  She looked up at the ceiling formulating her thoughts. “I don’t know. I can’t put my finger on it, but he is too perfect. There’s something not right, he doesn’t talk about his parents or where he comes from. He only talks about now, and you. No past or future. What’s he hiding?”

  “Mom,” I leapt to his defense. “James lost his parents when he was young. You can’t hold it against him if he chooses not to focus on the past because it’s painful. Living in the now has its advantages. You ought to understand that,” I added, referring to my mom’s perpetual search for a hobby, home or group of friends that would make her happy for the moment. It was something Dad and I usually avoided mentioning.

  Mom was surprised at my boldness. “Claire, what would make you say that?”

  I surprised me too. “I’m just saying that you aren’t the only one who doesn’t have it all figured out yet, Mom.” Over her shoulder, I saw the men coming back with drinks. I stood to take mine from James and he slid his arm around my waist. Dad was well in James’ corner. Mom would come around eventually, I hoped.

  Dad, James and I talked about Europe. Apparently, Dad had been all over Western Europe during his military career. Before long, Mom was drawn in too and I saw her relaxing her guard. It was a pleasure to see her start to enjoy herself. A few times over the next hour, I actually saw her touch James’ arm as she laughed with him. He had done it.

  What a relief. I felt the weight lift off my shoulders and let out a big sigh. James glanced over curiously. My hand tightened on his in response and he impulsively leaned down to kiss my cheek.

  We didn’t stay much longer. I was getting tired and had drunk two glasses of champagne, which should have put me under the table, but thanks to the strength afforded me by James’ consumption, I merely felt light. We were hugging my parents good night when my mother spoke quietly in my ear. “I hope you’re being careful.”

  Nodding automatically I kissed her cheek and let James wheel me out of the room. The champagne in my stomach began to churn.

  Dad shook James’ hand and blinked a few times, sensing that things were changing. “Take care of her.”

  James replied with a firm handshake and a sober nod, “Above all else, Doug.”