by Nicole Grane
Chapter 10: Flying
I could feel a cool breeze kiss my face as we stepped out into the night. I snuggled into Marcus's side.
“Ready?”
“Ready for what?” I asked.
I felt a sudden pull at my waist—Marcus's arm was around it, holding me tight. My feet weren’t touching the ground any longer. We were flying!
“Ahahh!” I grabbed onto his body and tried to bury my face in his chest as he shot like a rocket through the air. Marcus was shaking with laughter.
“Phoebe,” he laughed heartedly. “It’s alright.” He pulled me upright so that I was standing. I tapped my toes around . . . I couldn’t feel the earth below me. I peeked out from the safety of his shirt to see that we were well above the redwood trees—suspended in air!
I screamed as I scrambled to twine my legs around his body as if I were climbing a tree.
“You’re still a scaredy cat!”
“How are you doing this?” My voice was muffled through his shirt.
“I can fly, as you so calmly pointed out last night,” he teased. A hint of sarcasm coated his words.
“Yeah, but I didn’t mean fly, fly!” I took a quick peek and buried my face once again. “Are you magic?”
“Magic?” he half-laughed. “I’m a vampire.”
“But you’re flying!”
“I can also swim without breathing; jump from any height and land as softly as a feather; climb any object effortlessly; and move at such speeds that if I didn’t want you to see me, you wouldn’t. It’s part of my immortal make up.” I could hear him grinning. “Phoebe, I won’t let you fall. I promise.”
My death-like grip became tighter. I could feel his cool hands on my cheeks. His fingers gently lifted my chin up, exposing the petrified expression that was on my face. I could feel his stare, though my eyes were glued tight.
His lips surprised me as they moved over mine. I forgot myself for a moment and opened my eyes. His skin gave off its own illumination in the moonlight.
“Watch,” he said, as he pointed to the mountaintop beyond. The moon was just beginning to peek over. It looked so big, so bright, so close . . . I found myself reaching out as if I could touch it.
“Shall I catch it for you?” he whispered across my ear.
I smiled. “I believe you could.”
Without thinking, I rested my chin on his shoulder, watching the moonrise. He didn’t seem to mind that I was still twined around him.
“This is amazing. How long can you do this?” I asked, wondering if we might fall out of the sky at any moment.
“As long as you like.”
I sighed contently.
The night air smelled clean and fresh; we were surrounded by millions of stars, speckling the sky like diamonds. He wrapped his arms around me tighter, trying to shield me as a cold wind embraced us.
“What are you thinking?” He spoke quietly.
“That you’re amazing—I told you you’re a super hero.”
“Ahh, if only that were true,” he mused. “It’s a good thing I am immortal; your grip would squeeze the life out of anyone!” he joked.
“Sorry, but I’m not letting go for anything!”
“I’m counting on that.” There was an odd tone to his words. Was he counting on my fear of heights to bind me closer to him at this moment, or was there something more? Was Marcus afraid that I might one day let him go? Impossible!
“You never could fly well,” he teased, interrupting my reverie.
“I could fly?” I looked at him in disbelief.
“You wouldn’t go higher than a barn,” he laughed. “Even for a vampire, you were always fairly cautious.” “I never had to worry, except when you felt the need to join the hunt.” I could hear the annoyance in his voice.
“I was a hunter too?” I sounded way too excited for Marcus's liking.
“Yes,” he said flatly.
“Was I any good?” I wasted no time. To hear that my former life was fraught with excitement, although this one hadn’t been exactly dull lately, was thrilling.
“You were fair when it came to one on one; you were light and fast on your feet.” he admitted.
“So, did we fight together?” I was beaming at the thought.
“A few times . . .” he admitted hesitantly. Maracus had a look of disapproval on his face. “I couldn’t stand to see you in danger. I begged your father to reconsider allowing you to be a hunter,” his jaw tightened.
“What did he say?” I nearly demanded; my tone became defensive.
“He said his daughter’s place was fighting for the good of the coven. He wouldn’t deny you any longer because he was worried about your safety.”
“Well, he was right,” I said firmly. “I wouldn’t want to be told what I could or couldn’t do; especially as an adult. That should have been my decision anyway.”
“Phoebe, it’s a different life. You do as you’re told. You would have obeyed your father or you would have been punished. Your actions affect the entire safety of the coven.” he spoke seriously.
I tried to let the words sink in. It was still so unimaginable, even here, suspended in mid-air high above the trees. I still couldn’t envision a world with such creatures.
“I thought you said my father wouldn’t allow me to fight?”
“At first he didn’t. Not hunts anyway. Something happened. You were so determined to fight. You had a personal hate for the werewolves that we never understood. Your father had no choice. You were sneaking out on your own, slaying as many of them as you could.” I could hear the concern in his voice. Even now, after hundreds of years, I knew Marcus hadn’t wanted Phoebe to fight.
“Your father agreed to allow you to be a hunter under the condition you never went alone. Come,” he said suddenly as he wrapped his arm tight around my waist.
We glided through the air once again. If it weren’t for my fearful periodic squeals I made when I decided to sneak a peek, we would have been virtually silent. He moved stealth-like through the night. I tried to imagine how many vampires had flown over my house unknown over the years. The thought was chilling. We landed in my back yard, minutes later.
“You can open your eyes now,” he teased.
I held onto his body tightly as I tapped my foot around on the earth below me.
“Oh come now, it was a little fun wasn’t it?” he asked playfully as he tried to unlock my arms.
“A little,” I admitted, trying to suppress a smile.
“It’s getting late. Why don’t I take you to dinner?”
“Mexican sounds good,” I admitted. “But I’m paying. It’s not like you’ll be eating.”
“Oh no. Ladies do not pay.” He looked like I’d just insulted him.
I grabbed my purse. “Fine, but I’ll provide the transportation this time!” I held up my car keys, jingling them in the air.
The corners of his mouth were turned up. “Agreed.”
I reached for the doorknob and paused. “Marcus?” I turned slightly, whispering as if someone might hear. “Do you have money?”
He laughed hard. “I think I have enough.”
I pursed my lips. “Well, how would I know?” I spoke over his laughter. “Just . . . get in the car!”
Marcus climbed in, still chuckling.
“So, how do you earn a living?” I asked as I started the car. “You can’t possibly get paid for hunting werewolves.”
“My family was extremely well off,” he said as his laughter subsided.
“But that was over seven hundred years ago! You can’t have any money left?” I tried to focus on the road, but the wheels in my brain were spinning at extreme speeds.
“We had a lot of money, and I do get paid for hunting werewolves.” He cut me a sideways glance. “I also make a few financial investments here and there,” he added.
We arrived at the restaurant before I knew it. Time always seemed to slip by when I was with Marcus.
; “Maybe we can just get it to go,” I suggested as we walked hand in hand toward the front door. I could smell the food from outside.
“What’s the matter darling . . . afraid to be seen with a vampire?” he joked.
“No.” I rolled my eyes at him. “It’s just not the most private place to talk.”
“Ah . . . to go, it is.” He opened the door, and the tantalizing aroma of sizzling fajitas greeted us.
“Why humans like to eat this is beyond me,” he wrinkled his nose in disgust.
I huffed. “Not all of us are on a liquid diet.”
“You shouldn’t knock it,” he grinned, his eyes flashing crimson for a moment.
“Stop doing that,” I whispered then looked around me, afraid someone might have noticed him. I caught myself as I subconsciously reached up and held my throat. I gave him an exasperated look.
“Stop doing what? Reminding you that I’m a vampire?” Marcus laughed again. He was clearly enjoying this.
I placed my order and sat at the bar with Marcus, while he pretended to snack on chips and salsa while we waited.
“So, how old was I when we met?” I asked him when the hostess was out of earshot.
“Hmmm, you were one-hundred and ten. I remember it well. It was your birthday.”
“My birthday?” I took a bite of a chip and leaned in closer.
“You had been gone that first year I was turned. I hadn’t met you until your father arranged a party in honor of your return.” His eyes looked far away again as he recalled the memory.
“I do believe you’re blushing,” I teased.
“Impossible, I can’t blush.” He tried to evade my eyes.
“But if you could, you would be!” I smugly pointed out. “You look just like you did when I discovered I was completely naked this morning.” I smiled triumphantly as I watched how sweetly embarrassed he was.
The hostess returned with my to-go bag. Marcus pulled out some cash, instructing her to keep the change.
“That was very generous of you,” I commented as we walked back to the car.
Marcus shrugged.
“So, where had I been all year?” I asked, once we were back in the car.
“You were tracking the wolves.”
“Tracking . . . by myself?” I couldn’t even get the key in the ignition. I was horrified to think I would be doing something so dangerous.
“No. Raymose was with you, as well as a few others. As I said, your father had limits to his tolerance of your duties.” he spoke carefully, bowing his head slightly.
“Duties?”
There was so much I wanted to ask. I didn’t want to waste time with mundane necessities such as eating, but I was starved. I started the car and headed toward the house.
“You were tracking Damen specifically.”
My mouth popped open again. The look on Marcus’ face told me this was not a pleasant topic of conversation—I reluctantly dropped the subject.
The rest of the ride home was quiet. I wasn’t much of a night driver, and with the rain starting to drizzle; it made a terrible glare on the road.
“Would you like me to drive?”
“No, we’re almost there . . .” I was leaned as close to the windshield as I could; straining to see through the pounding rain. I pulled up in front of the house a few minutes later. I turned the car off and sat there for a moment with my hands on the wheel, pondering.
“Marcus, was my father some sort of leader?” I asked off handedly.
“He is thee leader.” I could hear the respect in his voice.
“Luther!”
He nodded his head.
“He’s still alive then?” I asked excitedly.
“Yes . . .” Marcus was watching me apprehensively now.
“Was I very close to him, I mean back then?”
Somehow he knew where I was going with this. “Phoebe, I don’t think this is a good idea,” he warned.
“I’m just curious, Marcus. It’s not like I’m asking to meet him. He’s not my dad—he probably wouldn’t even recognize me. I mean, it’s not like he wants a half human, half werewolf daughter anyway,” I mumbled under my breath.
I felt Marcus's hand on mine, squeezing it gently. “He wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. The resemblance is . . . amazing!”
It was then that I understood the look of awe Marcus had when he looked at me. I gave him a hopeful smile.
“Phoebe, I’m so sorry about your father’s passing. I’m sure he was a wonderful man. I would have been honored to meet him.”
I nodded, giving him a half-smile.
“But you must understand; that if I brought you to Luther . . . you wouldn’t be safe.”
“Do you think he’d kill me?” I gasped. I hadn’t thought of him as a vampire. I thought of him as my father from another time. I missed my dad so badly. Maybe if I could spend time with . . . I shook the idea away. “You’re right. It’s a crazy idea.” I got out of the car and ran to the front door, shaking the rain off my jacket. Marcus beat me there.
“You’re fast!” I exclaimed. I took the bag of food from him and fumbled with the keys, eventually finding the right one and opening the door.
“It’s really coming down, isn’t it?” I set the bag on the coffee table. Small talk was not my forte.
Marcus cornered me against the couch. His hands cupped my face, claiming my attention. “Phoebe, I’m sure Luther would have been thrilled to have you back. He would have given all that he has to have you again, but there are . . . other considerations now.”
“What considerations?” I asked desperately, my hands seeking his. I hadn’t realized how important this was to me.
Marcus's soft brown eyes were staring sadly back at mine. “I can’t bring you into my world; I have to protect you from it. I can’t let them find out about you—ever.”
“Why? Have you changed your mind about me?” my voice cracked.
“No!”
“Then why?” I begged.
“You’re part wolf—they’d kill you on sight.” His eyes were filled with a devastating sadness. My heart was breaking all over again. All hope I’d had, just crumbled before me.
“Oh, I see.” I felt so foolish. “Of course,” I walked over to the couch, picked up a pillow, and held it tightly to my chest as I sat down, sinking into the depths of despair. I didn’t feel so hungry any longer. “He might have wanted me if Damen hadn’t bitten me,” I resided. “We can never be together you and I—not really.” I hung my head. “I’ve lost you all over again, haven’t I?”
Marcus appeared beside me. I sank into his open arms and cried.
“You don’t need to cry.” He held me to him, smoothing my hair softly. “I’ll find a way, I swear it!”
I pulled my head back and studied his face. There was such passion in his eyes. He meant what he’d said. Although, I knew he was making a promise he couldn’t possibly keep. I shook my head.
“I won’t let you go! Do you understand me? Not ever!” His lips collided with mine, as if the force of this kiss would convince me that he could fix anything. I almost believed that he could. Hot tears continued to stream down my face. I would have to burn this moment into my mind forever, for as I feared, my time with Marcus was fleeting.
I put my whole body into that kiss. I rose to my knees, my lips never leaving his. I could feel him gently trying to pull back. I wouldn’t let him. I ran my fingers through his hair, holding his head firmly to mine. His body responded. His hands pulled me closer. I wouldn’t let him go without showing him how much I wanted him, how much I needed him. We should be together—it could work—I just had to help him find a way.
“Phoebe, stop!” His words were sharp as he jerked away from me. He panted, his breathing just as labored as my own.
“You know I can’t make love to you,” he growled in frustration.
“You said when I knew who you were . . . I know who you are! And I don’t care!” I yelled, tr
ying to inch closer.
“Phoebe, we’re not ready,” he rubbed his forehead like he was in pain. “You don’t understand the danger you’d be putting yourself in.”
“I don’t care anymore. I don’t care about any of it. You’re going to leave me anyway! I’d rather die trying than not have had the chance to love you again.”
“I’m not going to leave you,” he said incredulously. “Why would you think that?”
“You said if you took me with you, I’d be killed. You can’t escape your world, and I don’t know how you could hide me from it. What choice do you have?”
“I told you I’d find a way, and I will!” His resolve was strong.
I turned away from him.
“Phoebe. I have to be so careful with you. If another vampire comes across your scent, and I’m not there . . .” he didn’t have to finish, I could hear the dread in his voice.
“What about Damen?” I asked hopelessly. “Are you going to hide me from him as well?”
Marcus’s expression was like steel. “I will do whatever I have to do to keep you safe. Damen could have killed you twice now . . . but why hasn’t he?” Although he said this aloud, the thought was clearly meant for him to consider privately. He looked far away now as his mind mulled the question over and over.