by G. K. DeRosa
“This has nothing to do with her Magnus.” Roman’s fangs fully extended and a chilling gleam crossed his eyes. “Do you think I am stupid? I know exactly who sent you— it was that coward Fabian. He thinks he can hide behind despicable beings like you, but I am tired of hiding, tired of running. Take me to him and let’s end this.” Roman took a step toward Magnus, daring him to make a move.
Celeste had never seen Roman like this. A chill swept up her spine, sending goose bumps over her arms.
“And what, the second I make a move toward you your brother plunges a stake into my back?” Magnus countered. “You underestimate me. I know very well that Nico is lurking nearby. No matter, I could easily take you both down if I wanted, but I am far more intrigued by your friend Celeste.”
Celeste glared at him, tightening her hold on the sword.
He turned to her with a sneer. “As a gesture of good will, I will release your mother. All I ask is that you come with me in her place.”
“Fine,” she said.
“No!” snarled Roman as he lunged at Magnus.
Nico darted out of the foliage and joined the fray, the three vampires rolling into a tangled mess of snarling and biting. Roman and Nico were young and fast, but Magnus had a lifetime of experience on his side. He quickly broke away from them and disappeared into a mausoleum.
The brothers followed him into the foreboding structure. “Are you sure he came in here?” whispered Nico.
“Yes!” hissed Roman as he peered into the dark tomb.
Magnus sprang up from the shadows and with one well-timed punch sent Nico sprawling across the room. Roman reacted quickly, grabbing Magnus by the throat and almost succeeded in snapping his neck, but Magnus was too strong. In seconds, he had Roman pinned against the wall. Nico, recovering from the blow to his head, rushed to his brother’s aid and yanked Magnus off him.
Leaving the fight in the mausoleum, Celeste ran to her mother’s side and picked up her wrist, frantically checking for a pulse. The slow thump beneath her fingers filled her with hope. She was alive and breathing, but still unconscious. She quickly untied the thick ropes around her mom’s wrists and ankles. When Celeste realized there was no waking her, she picked her mother up and started running. As she reached the entrance of the cemetery, the air shimmered, and the portal opened in front of her. Stellan stepped through it appearing in a whirling cloud of matter. With a stern expression on his face, he held out his arms and took her mother’s limp body.
“Please Stellan, take her with you. I have to go back.” Determination glinted in her eyes.
“Celeste, you are going to get yourself killed, and your father will haunt me from the grave for the rest of my days.” He handed Mrs. Wilder back over to her. “Take your mother through the portal, and I will go help Roman and Nico. We will be right behind you. Now go!” He pushed her through the portal before she could object.
Snarling, vicious animal sounds rang out as Stellan approached the Wilder family tomb. Magnus had Nico in a chokehold, trying to snap his neck. Roman quickly thrust a fallen tree branch into his back, missing his heart by inches. Although Magnus was easily able to pull it out of his back, it provided enough of a distraction to release Nico from his grasp. Roman and Nico stood in front of a wild-eyed Magnus ready to strike again, pausing only momentarily from the frenzied fighting at the sight of Stellan’s approach.
“Enough!” A blast of lightning shot out of Stellan’s outstretched hand, sending all three vampires scrambling for cover.
“I was wondering when you would show your face,” said Magnus picking himself up off the ground.
“You are meddling in affairs that do not concern you, Magnus. Believe me, if you choose to come after Celeste again, you will have me to deal with.”
“Well, now I am more convinced than ever. There is something special about that girl, and I will find out what it is. Fabian can come after these two himself.”
Roman leapt at Magnus with a guttural snarl, but he slipped through his grasp and took off into the darkening sky.
Celeste hovered worriedly over her mother as she breathed slowly on the worn leather couch in Stellan’s living room. She ran her fingers through her mother’s fine hair and wiped away a smudge of dirt from her cheek. The deep creases at the corners of her eyes and mouth were smooth now—she looked so peaceful.
Suddenly, the room lit up with a bright white flash as the portal opened in the middle of the kitchen. Stellan, Roman and Nico came hurtling through.
“Thank God you’re all right!” Celeste jumped up, trying to get her arms around all three of them. “You’re covered in blood…”
“We’re fine,” assured Nico. “We’re already beginning to heal, see? A nice hot shower and we’ll be good as new.”
“How is she doing?” asked Roman.
“I don’t know. She won’t wake up. I’ve tried everything, but it’s no use.”
“Maybe it’s magic?” Roman stepped closer to the couch.
“Yes, that is what I was thinking as well,” said Stellan. “Let me take a look at her.”
Roman put a comforting arm around Celeste as she watched nervously while Stellan examined her mother.
“It appears that Roman was correct. Mrs. Wilder is in fact under a sleeping spell, but no need to fret my dear. It will wear off soon. And the best part is that she won’t remember any of this dreadfulness.”
“Thank goodness!” She rushed over to hug Stellan. The look of awkwardness on Stellan’s blushing face coupled with the tension of the day must have been more than Nico could handle. He burst into a giggle, and his contagious chuckling spread to the entire room.
Roman carried a still-sleeping Mrs. Wilder up to her bedroom as Celeste made sure that all the windows and doors of their home were securely locked. When he came back down the stairs, he found her sprawled on the couch.
“So are you ready for your big day tomorrow?” He sat beside her.
She yawned, stretching her arms. “I guess so. Graduation hasn’t really been my top priority what with my mom being held hostage and all.”
Roman’s face filled with remorse. “I’m so sorry about all of this Celeste. It’s all my fault. Nico and I never should have come back to Oak Bluffs. All of this could have been avoided.”
“No, it’s not true. I was destined for this—I’m the Guardian. I would have had to deal with this whether you had come into my life or not. And I’m so happy you did. I don’t think I could have gotten through any of this without you.” She reached out her hand to his.
“Of course you would have. You don’t need Nico or me. You have Stellan to guide and protect you. We are just making it worse for you.”
“Don’t say that, Roman. The best part of all of this has been meeting you.” She pulled him closer and kissed him.
His lips were soft and gentle as they moved over hers, seemingly testing the waters. Celeste waited for that ominous feeling to overwhelm her again, but instead only lively sparks ignited where his skin touched hers. She relaxed a bit, and could feel Roman becoming more comfortable as the fiery kiss deepened. His hands ran through her long wild hair as she held on tightly to his well-defined arms, gradually letting all of the madness of the day melt away. For a moment, she completely let herself go and thought of nothing except the intense feelings spreading over every inch of her body. Finally, breathlessly, she pulled away. She kept her gaze locked on his, hoping that he would not back away as he had so often before. He looked guiltily at her as she inched away, but said nothing.
“What are you thinking?” she asked.
“That I don’t deserve you.” He averted his eyes to the floor.
She took both of his hands in hers and forced him to look at her. “How can you say that when you’ve saved my life so many times already?”
“Your life would never have been in jeopardy in the first place if it wasn’t for me.”
“Roman, I am not having this conversation with you again. This is my life too, and with
or without you in it, it would be dangerous.”
“I just couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to you because of me. But for the life of me, I just can’t walk away from you. I know that I should. I heard what Stellan said to you at his house, and he’s right. It would be best for you to keep away from us—to keep away from me.”
“No, he’s wrong. He doesn’t know what’s best for me. He doesn’t know me at all. As terrible as this past week has been, I’ve never felt so alive. Something inside of me has awoken, and a large part of that is because of you. I’ve never been so terrified or so happy as when I’m with you.”
Roman’s blue eyes filled with emotion. “Celeste, in over a hundred years I have never met anyone like you. The feelings that you have stirred inside me, I thought had long since disappeared. What I feel for you is indescribable, and it frightens me that I may not be able to control it.”
“Everything will be all right, Roman. I know you, and I know how strong you are. You can control it, and you can protect me. We will get through this together.” She gripped his hands tightly.
“Celeste, are you down there?”
At the sound of Mrs. Wilder’s voice, Celeste and Roman quickly pulled apart. She jumped up and quickly ran up the stairs. Opening her mom’s bedroom door, she saw her sitting up in her bed, and tears of joy began to fall from her cheeks.
“Mom, I was so worried about you!” She leapt onto the bed and wrapped her arms around her.
“What happened? The last thing I remember was getting a page at the hospital, and then I woke up here in my bed.” She rubbed at her head.
“Nothing, Mom, everything’s fine. You’re all right and that’s all that matters.”
“I can’t believe I missed out on all the excitement last night.” Celeste’s mom leaned against the doorjamb of her room.
“Trust me, Mom, it’s better that you did.” She was rummaging through her closet trying to find something suitable to wear under her graduation gown.
“How about this one?” asked her mom, holding up a linen powder blue sundress.
Celeste crinkled her nose and shook her head.
“So I take it the handsome stranger that was in our home last night was Roman?” She folded her arms across her chest. “He looks quite a bit older than you Celeste—how old did you say he was?”
“Yeah, I’m sorry, Mom. With everything that was going on I totally forgot to introduce you,” she responded, purposely avoiding her question about his age.
“I could tell who he was by the way you looked at him. And from how he couldn’t keep his gorgeous blue eyes off of you, I imagine he feels the same way.”
Celeste blushed, hiding her face. “I wish it were that easy, Mom. Things are pretty complicated between Roman and me.”
“Because of our family ‘legacy’ you mean?”
“Yes, that and he’s a vampire,” she murmured into the back of the closet.
Her mom’s eyes widened, and her jaw went slack. “No Celeste! Please don’t tell me that you are in love with a vampire?” She backed away, her face pale. “They are evil cruel creatures that your father and his family has fought against for centuries. And are you forgetting that it was a vampire that took your father away from us?”
Celeste spun around in a rage. “I know that Mom, don’t you think I know all of that? But he and Nico are different; they’re not like the others. They still have their humanity, and they are good.”
“So they don’t drink human blood?”
“Well yes they do, but not directly from people! And they’ve saved my life more than once already.”
“Since when has your life been in danger?” Celeste’s mom’s face paled even more.
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” There was no way she was telling her mother about Patrick, Magnus and especially not about Fabian.
“Just because you’re the Guardian now, it doesn’t mean that you’re not still my daughter. I’m still in charge around here,” Mrs. Wilder said, her voice rising.
“I know, Mom.”
“I don’t like this one bit.”
“Well, there’s not much that you can do about it.”
“Look, I know this is a big day for you, so I’m going to let it go for now, but this discussion is not over.”
“Right,” said Celeste obstinately.
Her mother took a breath and walked over to her. “Are you all right?”
“It’s just graduation. I’m sure I’ll survive,” whined Celeste.
“You know that’s not what I’m talking about.” She raised her hand to her daughter’s face but she squirmed away.
“Yes, Mom I do, but there is nothing I can do about it. I was chosen. I’m the Guardian and now I have to live up to those responsibilities. I was going to tell you after the ceremony today, but I guess there’s no time like the present.”
“Tell me what?”
Celeste steeled her nerves. “Stellan has offered to let me stay with him for the summer so that he can train me, and I will be safe with him in the meantime. I think it’s the best idea for everyone.”
Her mom’s brows knitted together. “I don’t think I like the idea of you spending the summer with a complete stranger.”
“He’s not a complete stranger. He was dad’s trusted friend. And if dad believed in him enough to train me, then you should too.”
“Are you sure about this? Is that really how you want to spend your last summer before college?”
Celeste threw her hands in the air dramatically. “Well, it’s not backpacking across Europe, but I don’t think that’s in my future anytime soon.”
“Oh Celeste…”
“Yes Mom, it’s what I want, and it will be for the best.”
Chapter 18
Hundreds of white folding chairs were neatly arranged in rows on the green turf of the St. Alice High School football field, facing a stage with a table covered by stacks of diplomas. The graduating seniors, donning navy blue caps and gowns, were beginning to file in as the A/V guy completed a last-minute sound check. Celeste had left her mother with the Kennedys, and she and Brian went to look for their assigned seats.
“Hey! There you guys are,” shouted Natalie.
“Yup, we made it,” said Celeste. “I can hardly believe it.”
“This is so exciting! In less than an hour, we will be official graduates, and then we will have the entire summer to enjoy together.”
Celeste thought wistfully about a lazy summer. Laying out in the backyard reading her books, evenings hanging out with Natalie and Brian at Ralph’s, maybe even going on a real date with Roman. But that wasn’t what the future held in store for her.
“Hello beautiful ladies, and Brian of course.” Nico sauntered over with two colorful bouquets of flowers.
“They’re gorgeous!” Natalie gave Nico a big kiss on the cheek.
“Yes, they really are. Thank you Nico,” said Celeste with a warm embrace.
“Not as gorgeous as you two stunning graduates.”
Both girls beamed and Brian rolled his eyes. “Laying it on pretty thick, huh, Nico?”
“Why Brian I have no idea what you are talking about.” Nico smirked.
Celeste glanced around the field. “Where’s Roman?”
“I don’t think he’s coming, Celeste, I’m sorry. But he wanted me to congratulate you on his behalf.”
“Thanks,” she muttered, her heart plummeting. She thought everything had been all right between her and Roman when he had left last night. “I’m going to go find my seat.”
“Celeste, don’t forget the graduation after party at Dani Lynn’s!” Natalie yelled after her.
Celeste sat still, lulled into drowsiness by the warm summer day, watching her classmates pass one by one to receive their diplomas. The opening part of the ceremony had been lovely, concluding with a rousing speech from the valedictorian. As much as Celeste tried to focus on her inspiring words about the future, she couldn’t stop worrying
about her own future as the Guardian. As she contemplated how different her life would become to that of her classmates, a throbbing pain pierced through her head.
Celeste clenched her teeth and buried her head in her lap to keep from screaming. A flash of pictures raced through her mind, and she struggled to keep conscious. An image of a large group of people at what looked like a party raced through her vision, then Magnus with blood dripping from his fangs, and then a pale Dani Lynn with eyes as red as burning coals. A surge of panic gripped Celeste as the images continued to flash through her mind in a never-ending spiral. Then without warning, just as quickly as they had started, the flashes stopped. She looked around nervously, hoping that no one had seen her. Apparently, there were some benefits to being the last one in the last row.
What in the world was that?
The rest of the ceremony flew by for Celeste, and before she knew it the majority of her class had received their diploma. It was her turn to walk up on stage. As she marched up to the front, she plastered a fake smile across her face and attempted to enjoy the moment. As she walked, loud whistling came from the audience. She turned back to see Nico jumping up and down, clapping and making a general fool of himself. A real smile pulled at the corner of her lips, and as she spun back around, she caught a glimpse of Roman watching from behind the bleachers.
“What a beautiful ceremony,” said Celeste’s mom as they all crowded around under the iconic St. Alice archway for pictures. “I can’t believe my little girl is all grown up.”
“Oh Mom, don’t you start crying on me.” Celeste rolled her eyes.
“I can’t make any promises.” She shot her a smile. “What are you kids doing for the rest of the day?”
“Jessica’s sister, Dani Lynn, is having a graduation party at her place,” said Brian, “and we’re all invited.”
“Sounds like some good normal high school fun.” Mrs. Wilder shot Celeste a reproachful look.
“Yes, Mom, I’m sure it will be. So no need to worry about me or wait up. I’ll be home later.”