by K. M. Shea
Since my Ascension ceremony at the very end of summer, my relationship with the magical House had drastically deepened.
Previously I had to guess how it was feeling and what it wanted—which wasn’t too much of a problem since it was very clear on speaking its mind. If it was mad, it might express this by taking away all hot water from me, or by sending a raccoon down a chimney, which it had done once when I was a kid and broke a window but blamed it on the next-door neighbors. (Let me tell you, after that I was an extremely honest child. Nothing traumatizes you quite like taking an angry, sooty raccoon to the face.)
Now, House Medeis could communicate by adding its own little twists to the magic that freely oozed around in the air. That was how it told me that two others had arrived with Gavino—vampires, presumably—and that both Felix and Momoko were escorting them in through the side door by the kitchen.
Thankfully, the House didn’t seem displeased with their presence, though it was paying special attention to them. (I’d have to make sure I warned Gavino about taking off his shoes, or the House might take it upon itself to “teach” him.)
Great Aunt Marraine rattled on, which made me suspicious because she usually went quiet the second I said I needed to speak to the House.
What is she trying to hide?
I heard footsteps in the hallway, and a smile bloomed on my face. “Gavino!” I jogged to the doorway. “I’m so happy you’re…here.”
Gavino—big and hulking—grinned playfully at me as he dragged a rolling suitcase and had a garment bag slung over his shoulder—for his suits, probably.
Behind him, however, were Celestina and Josh.
Chapter Ten
Hazel
Celestina wore her brightest, most inviting grin, and even Josh had dusted off a rusty smile for the occasion.
On a hunch, I swung around to give Great Aunt Marraine an accusatory look.
She beamed sweetly at me and bustled out of the room. “Dear me, I’m turning into an old woman who prattles at inconvenient times. Since our guest has arrived, I’ll take my leave. Though I must say it will be exciting to have such a strapping young man in the House!” She winked as she passed Gavino—who released a bark of laughter.
At a loss, I could only stare at her back as she retreated, her pink, checkered dress a bright spot in the hallway.
“We’ll just leave, too.” Momoko started to sidle away. “We wouldn’t want to cramp your reunion.”
“Oh, no you don’t.” I grabbed Momoko by the hood of her sweatshirt. “Do you care to tell me why neither you, Felix, nor Great Aunt Marraine is shocked to see the Drake Family’s First and Second Knights?” I snarled.
“Uhh, not really,” Momoko said.
Felix, carrying a wooden tray that had several more blood pouches balanced on it, ducked past me to get into the parlor. “It was Momoko’s idea,” he said. “We came up with it when Celestina gave us the tour of Drake Hall.”
“Thanks for the support, Felix,” Momoko growled.
“It was obvious Celestina knew you really well.” Felix set the blood pouches on an antique card table after finding some coasters. “The whole tour was peppered with stories about you. We told them to come with Gavino so they could talk to you since you were obviously avoiding them.”
I glared at my childhood friend, but it was Momoko who whispered, “I think there was a misunderstanding, Hazel. And while I get that they hurt you, I know you love them enough to want to know what really went down. We arranged this for your sake.”
I again glanced at Celestina and Josh, then sighed and released Momoko. “Come on in.”
The three vampires trooped in after Momoko and me. I plopped down in what Momoko had informed me earlier in the day was a “Rococo revival sofa with a mahogany veneer.” Frankly, I didn’t know what that meant besides EXPENSIVE, DO NOT BREAK! (I hadn’t realized how much antique furniture was in the House until I suddenly became responsible for it. I was going to have all gray hair by the time I turned thirty.)
I thought Momoko or Felix would sit next to me, but they lingered by the fireplace, letting the vampires take the seats around the card table.
“Thanks for agreeing to come here to train us, Gavino,” I said once everyone had settled.
Gavino laughed, his steely voice gruff and deep. “It’s my delight. This will be a vacation for me.”
“I certainly hope it will be comfortable enough for you. I have a bedroom picked out for you—I can show it to you once we finish here,” I said.
He nodded, then glanced at his superiors.
Josh still had his rusty smile on, but Celestina had knit her eyebrows together in her concern. “We’re sorry,” she blurted out. “It didn’t go down the way it was supposed to. We—I—messed up.”
“I assume you’re talking about my escort out of Drake Hall?” I asked.
Celestina winced. “His Eminence was expressively clear that you needed to leave with no strings attached so you’d go win back your House.”
“And the best way to achieve that was to act like a jerk?” I politely inquired.
“I went overboard,” Celestina said. “But I knew why the Eminence didn’t want you around.”
“And you agreed with him?”
“Yes, no.” Celestina made a frustrated sound and rattled a few sentences off in disgruntled Spanish.
“I believe what my superior is attempting to say,” Josh cut in, “is that she was deeply traumatized by the events at the mall.”
I stared at the black-haired vampire, and said, “What,” in a flat tone.
“It’s true, Hazel,” Celestina said. “I don’t think you understand how terrifying it was to have the fae threaten to target you with weapons you couldn’t feel—unlike their magic. Weapons that we would be able to react to, but not in time to save you.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Does the entire Drake Family like to act like haughty know-it-alls and then use heart-twisting motivations to excuse their behavior, or is that just an upper management thing?”
“We’re not trying to excuse our behavior, but rather explain it,” Josh said. “As much as I like to create witty quips and lighthearted statements about the unstoppable hunger of death that will eventually consume the world with its gaping maw, the prospect of losing you was daunting for myself, and Celestina.”
“That’s why we agreed when His Eminence decided to send you away. You’re my friend, Hazel. As selfish as it makes me, I also didn’t want to risk losing you.” The sincerity in Celestina’s red eyes was almost painful to witness as she knit her fingers together and perched at the edge of her seat. “But Josh and I planned for ways to reach out to you! They just all…failed.”
I tapped my fingers on my thighs. “Neither you nor Josh ever came here for guard duty—though I suppose Killian couldn’t do without his First or Second Knight in times like this.”
“It was your sword, actually,” Celestina said. “I purposely left it and the Paragon’s book back at Drake Hall. I planned to take a detour to House Medeis on my way to the Night Court’s stronghold that night so I could give you your katana before you fought Mason. I thought it would give me a chance to explain a little bit of what was going on. And I figured that after you won your House back, I could wait a few days and then bring you the Paragon’s book as my second excuse to connect with you. By then we would have received more intelligence on the Night Court, and I could tell you exactly how Killian was protecting you.”
“I already know about why Killian did everything he did,” I said. “From a very unlikely source.”
Celestina nodded. “I expected as much—particularly once I found out your sword had gone mysteriously missing directly after you left, as had the book.”
“The book was the Paragon’s doing,” Josh added. “But the sword was a surprising act of rebellion in the face of—what did you call us? ‘Upper Management’? Anyway, it was the work of a Drake vampire.”
The duo stared expectantly at me
.
“I’m not saying anything about that,” I said.
Celestina nodded. “As we expected. Regardless, we wish to apologize—we made a grave misstep in handling this matter.”
“It was not our intention to hurt you,” Josh said. “We are sorry for any pain we might have caused.”
I sighed—when they explained it like that, could I really be mad at them? “Next time this happens, would you guys just tell me what’s going on? The mental games aren’t necessary. I’m a pretty reasonable person.”
Celestina shook her head. “There won’t be a next time.”
“That’s hardly realistic. I love you guys, but I know you’ll choose Killian every time—which I can understand. As long as you don’t ice me out again.”
“Agreed,” Josh said. “But he’s not going to let you go a second time.”
“I doubt that.”
“You don’t think he is that desirous of you?” Josh asked.
Gavino had been calmly sipping a blood pouch, but abruptly choked on it and started coughing up a storm.
Similarly, Felix dropped a massive unlit candle he’d swiped off the mantle. It landed on his foot with a painful crack.
“I think Killian is a very wily vampire who is stuck in his ways and prone to thinking he knows best about everything,” I dryly said. “As long as he is so distrustful, it’s only a matter of time before he tries to manipulate me instead of just telling me what’s going on. But that’s between Killian and me.”
Josh looked thoughtful, but Celestina merely shrugged. “If you wish it. But are Josh and I forgiven?”
I smiled a little. “Yeah. I forgive you. But you still didn’t answer me. Next time—”
“If there is a next time, we will choose Killian as you said, but we promise to speak frankly with you,” Celestina said.
“That’s all I want.” I glanced over at Momoko and Felix—who were inspecting Felix’s foot. “Does the peanut gallery have anything to say about this?”
Momoko batted her long eyelashes. “No. Why would we?”
“You felt strongly enough about it to invite them here.”
“And we don’t regret it,” Felix confirmed.
“Should I go tell Mrs. Clark to expect extra guests for dinner?” Momoko asked.
“Good point.” I swung my gaze back to my vampire friends. “You guys can stick around for Gavino’s introduction if you like. After I show him around and the family gets a good gawk at him, we figured we’d have dinner.”
“We would love to join you,” Celestina said.
Josh squinted slightly. “Do you also have a no-weapons rule at the dinner table?”
“No. Why? Do you think you aren’t safe here?” I frowned, disturbed by the idea.
“Not at all,” Josh assured me. “Rather, I have a new hidden dagger I wanted to try wearing, and it’s located inside my boxers—I do not think your family would appreciate such a show.”
It was apparently Felix’s turn to choke. He exploded into a rattling cough.
I tapped my cheek. “What good does the hidden dagger do if it’s in your boxers?”
“That is the point I was hoping to test,” Josh said. “Thus far it has been an unsatisfactory experience.”
“I see. Either way, it’s fine.” I tipped my head as I felt the whispery touch of the House. “Gavino, I’d recommend you finish your blood, because my Great Aunt is about thirty seconds away from barreling through the door with the first round of wizards for you to meet.”
“Yes, Miss Hazel.”
I started to stand, but paused midstep. “Oh, and Celestina, Josh?”
“Yes?” Celestina asked.
“Thanks for coming to apologize.”
The following week Celestina came back to House Medeis to pick me up for my first bi-weekly training session.
“You know, I have a car.” I tightened the laces of my running shoes and glanced at my escort. “You didn’t have to drive me.”
“Nonsense,” Celestina said. “It’s cheaper to carpool.”
“Killian does remember that I’m not staying at Drake Hall this week, doesn’t he?” I asked suspiciously.
“Of course,” Celestina soothed.
Unconvinced, I twisted around in my seat to look behind me.
Momoko sat in the back seat, making a thorough inspection of the car’s fancy leather interior. “Wow. Being old must pay really well.”
I smirked at her. “Not all the Drake vampires have Celestina’s sense of humor, you know?”
Momoko blinked. “But I wasn’t being funny.”
I slightly shook my head and glanced out the rearview window. A black SUV followed behind us—it contained Felix, Franco, and Rupert.
I had hoped the mischievous wizard brothers would keep their mouths shut, but based on the way the car was angrily veering around the road, I’m pretty sure Rupert was close to homicidal.
“Rupert must be having fun,” Celestina chirped with innocence.
“Do you think he’ll refrain from killing them?” I asked.
Rupert’s car abruptly slammed to a stop, then raced after us again moments later.
“He learned his lesson when he harmed you,” Celestina assured me.
“Yeah, except the Clark brothers are about twice as bad as I am.” I reluctantly faced forward again, recognizing the rolling countryside, which was cast in long, blue shadows as the sun hovered just over the horizon. Soon, I could spy the wrought-iron fence that divided Drake Hall from its neighbors.
Fleetingly, I remembered their friendly neighbor who’d given me a ride right after Killian kicked me out. “Hey Celestina,” I said. “Do you think we could stop in and see Leila sometime?”
“Certainly.” Celestina glanced at the clock. “She should be home right about now.”
“Do you really think we could visit her right now?” I asked. “Shouldn’t we call or something?”
“It’s not necessary. Leila and her family are used to unexpected visits from us,” Celestina said. “The dogs know she gives out treats, so if their handler isn’t paying attention, they slip through the fence to visit her.”
She cruised past the dragon gates that barred the way to Drake Hall, and kept on driving.
“Huh, I’m surprised Killian puts up with that,” Momoko said from the backseat.
“I’m pretty sure he doesn’t care what the dogs do as long as they are healthy and well cared for,” I said. “He mentioned he got them just to inflict mental warfare against the local Alphas.”
“Correct!” Celestina laughed as she pulled into a gravel driveway and drove up to a quaint, ranch-style house. A beautiful chicken coop was nestled next to the house, and hens that were a reddish-brown with flecks of white clucked at us in lecturing tones as they watched from the coop door.
Out back I could see pastures marked with white, wooden fences, and a small barn that had to be a stable since Leila—holding a bright blue leadrope—was exiting the building with a beautiful horse in tow.
The horse was a chestnut color with reddish brown hair and stockings on its legs that were so white they practically glowed in the dim sunset. It followed placidly behind Lelia as she waved once we parked the car.
“Hey, Celestina. Did the dogs get out again? They haven’t made their way over here, yet.”
“For once I am not here about our wayward pets,” Celestina said. “I brought you a guest.”
Leila curiously peered at me, then smiled again, making her dazzling. “Hazel!”
Man, that fae blood is dangerous.
“Hi Leila.” I cautiously approached her—that horse she was holding on to was ginormous—and gave her a side hug. “It’s great to see you again.”
“Hello! I assume it’s safe to wish you a welcome back to the neighborhood?” She pointedly tossed her head in Celestina’s direction and watched Rupert park and throw himself out of the car.
“Kind of,” I said. “I’m not staying here, but Killian and I are talking aga
in.”
When Leila had taken me back to House Medeis after Killian kicked me out, we had swapped numbers, and I’d given her a shortened version of our history, so she was vaguely aware of the problems that had stirred up House Medeis, and that I had stayed with the Drakes for a while.
“Why,” Rupert snarled, “are we here?”
“Hey, Rupert!” Leila waved to the red-haired vampire, and curiously watched Franco and Felix climb out of his car. “Hanging with humans, huh? That’s pretty rare for you.”
Rupert gave her a withering glare.
Leila chuckled. “Awww, you’re just as precious as usual.”
Rupert’s eyes bulged, and I wondered if today would be the day one of us pushed him over the edge into a homicidal maniac.
I glanced at the horse again—which was watching Rupert as it twitched its lips—and smiled. “I wanted to thank you again for your help, and let you know I’ll be hanging around.”
“That’s wonderful!” Leila’s grin amplified the brightness of her violet-blue eyes—one of the reasons why I suspected she had fae heritage. “It’s pretty rare for anyone besides vampires to go in and out of Drake Hall, so I’m so happy for the Drakes in particular.”
Rupert’s right eyebrow twitched, but Celestina nodded her agreement.
“Oh, I’m sorry—I’m being rude. Momoko, Felix, Franco, this is Leila. Leila, meet Momoko, Felix, and Franco—they’re wizards who belong to House Medeis.”
“I remember you mentioning her,” Felix said. “Thank you for bringing our Adept back to us.” He offered Leila a glittering smile that rivaled her own.
“Of course! I’m glad I happened to be in the right place,” Leila said.
“You still haven’t visited House Medeis,” I reminded her. “We need to fix that.”
“For sure! Oh, and you should come over sometime if you ever need a break from all the training that goes on over there.” She gestured vaguely in the direction of Drake Hall.
“You could stop in at Drake Hall whenever you wish, Leila,” Celestina chimed in. “You do have an open invitation.”
“Really?” I whipped my gaze back to Leila. “That’s pretty rare.”