by Avery Kloss
“She’s coming to,” a voice said. “Brie?”
Feeling warm and peaceful, I continued to float in the blackness, although hearing my name became distracting. It reminded me of all the events that had just occurred.
“Brie?”
“She should’ve died. She did die.”
“I told you she has certain powers, Mom.”
Lifting one impossibly heavy eyelid, I glanced at the person staring down at me, seeing Anna. “W-what?”
“Oh, thank God!” She touched my neck. “She’s healed herself. Look at that. Isn’t that amazing?”
“Only vampires are immortal. How’s this possible?”
Fully awake now, I remembered everything, and struggled to sit. “Oh, man,” I muttered, the clothing I wore stained with blood. “If my mom sees me like this, she’ll freak out.” Drops of blood littered the dirt floor, the smell adding a metallic quality to the moldy odor.
Sandra smiled tiredly, her features drawn. “Welcome back.”
“Did you get him?” I ran fingers through my hair, the strands tangled with dried blood.
“We did not,” said Anna. “We underestimated him.”
“If he ran outside, which I believe he did, he’s dead anyway.” Sandra grasped my hand, and helped me stand. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”
I balanced on shaky legs, feeling as if I had just gone five rounds with a professional boxer. “Ugh.”
“He tore out her throat,” said Anna. “She shouldn’t be alive.”
“I watched her disappear. I’ve never seen anything like that before.” Sandra eyed me. “You’ve powers indeed, young lady. You’re going to be helpful.”
“I wish we’d killed him. We’ll never find him now.” I stomped a foot, exhausted and irritated. “Damn!”
“Patience, my dear,” said Sandra. “All things in good time. First of all, I wish to know what you are. I have to know. The mystery is killing me.”
I glanced at Anna. “What’s that? What are you going to do to me?”
“A spell or two should reveal it. Aren’t you curious?”
I swallowed nervously, having had far too many surprises lately. “I guess.”
“We should clean a little first.” Anna picked up the broom. “I’ll sweep dirt over the blood. That should do it.”
I eyed the cot where Thorn slept, dismayed we had not killed him. “Will we find his smoldering carcass outside?”
“We could,” said Anna. “He’s hiding somewhere new now or he’s burnt to a crisp.”
“I’d lay money on the hiding part,” said Sandra. “He’s smart enough to have a contingency plan. They’re slippery creatures, vampires. This one thinks he can disappear for now, but … fate will eventually catch up with him. One way or the other, his nights are numbered.”
I nodded. “I hope so.”
45
The tub stood alone before a large window. I watched Anna light several candles, tossing lavender bath salt into the water, the smell fragrant and comforting. She turned to look at me, and smiled slightly.
“We need you clean for this.”
“I am clean.”
“You smell of musty basement.” She motioned for me. “Take your clothes off. You have vampire blood on them. It’s gross.”
“Yeah.” Anna and her mother planned to work a spell to figure out what I was. The aroma of burning sage filled the house, Sandra cleansing the space. “I’m not used to … getting naked in front of other people.”
She giggled, “You’d be mortified then at what we do during the summer solstice.”
“What’s that?”
“We wear rose crowns … and not much else.” She shrugged, her hair falling over a shoulder. “The female body is beautiful, in all shapes and sizes. It’s to be admired and worshiped. It’s for pleasure and creating new life. There’s nothing to be ashamed about.”
“Yeah, but … I’m not taking a bath with an audience.”
“You’ve never been with a man, have you?”
“I’m so not getting into this with you.”
She considered me carefully. “The spell will work even better, better than I hoped. A virgin’s energy is strongest.”
“Okay, you can go away now.” I crossed arms over my chest. “If you want me to take a bath, you need to leave.”
She laughed, the sound verging on a cackle, with a hint of wickedness. “Oh, my modest little friend. You’re funny.” She glanced at the water. “You can shut it off when it’s a little higher.”
“What am I wearing when I get out?”
“I’ll lend you some clothes.”
I felt relief they would not make me do the spell naked. I had already been through enough trauma today as it was. “Okay, great. Go.”
Giggling, she strolled to the doorway. “We’ll prepare everything else. When you’re done, come downstairs.”
“Okay.”
After she left, I stripped off the clothes, and stepped into the heated water, which felt wondrous. Using a floral-scented soap, I scrubbed myself clean, leaning back to relax against the gently sloped tub. With the candles on the windowsill and the sun setting, a soft, yellowish light filled the room. The stress of confronting a hostile vampire drifted away. A feeling of peace settled on me, although the threat of Thorn remained. He would have to be dealt with, but I was safe here, because this house and my house had spells of protection, which discouraged the bloodsuckers.
When I emerged from the bath, Anna brought a pair of yoga pants and a long-sleeved t-shirt, which I wore with knitted socks. The house smelled of incense, Sandra placing candles in every room. Snickers, the cat, rubbed up against my ankle, the animal purring.
“We’re ready,” said Anna. “Come here.” She led me to the living room, where they had moved the coffee table to create space. With a warm fire crackling in the hearth and candles on every surface, it felt cozy and inviting. “We’ll sit here.”
A twinge of nerves got the better of me. “What will you do?”
Sandra entered the room, and smiled. “We sit together and focus our thoughts.”
“That’s all? That’s your spell?”
“We first meditate to clear the mind,” said Anna. “We’ll lead you in it. Don’t worry.”
Sandra sat on the floor, a black and gray carpet beneath her. “Come, Brie. Let’s see what the universe offers up, shall we?”
Lowering to the carpet, I shrugged. “Okay.”
Anna sat next to me, her expression serene. “Have you ever done yoga?”
“Yeah.”
“Just cross your legs and sit with your palms up or down, up for receiving, down for grounding. Close your eyes and breathe, and let go of any thoughts or concerns. Let yourself drift. Sweet messages will come to you then. My mother and I will focus our energy. We’ll wrap it around yours. All you have to do is clear your mind. The goal is to reach the alpha state.”
“The what state?”
“It’s where time doesn’t matter,” said Sandra. “It’s the state of being in the here and now. You have to try to relax completely.”
I sighed. “Okay. I can do that.”
“Thank you, Brie.” Anna grinned, finding me amusing for some reason. “Let’s begin, shall we?”
No one spoke after that, although I peeked at the women, seeing Anna with her eyes shut and hands on her knees facing up. Sandra sat in a similar way, the women entirely still. Closing my eyes, I let go of a deep breath, trying hard to relax, although it took several moments before I did not think of much of anything, ignoring the rumble in my belly that wanted food.
I drifted then, the feeling like floating, seeing a beautiful meadow with wildflowers, the same place I always dreamed of, where I stood beneath the trees. A man appeared in the distance, his face slightly obscured by the rays of the sun. This was my happy place—the place where I felt love and peace, the feeling so sweet. I yearned to know who he was and why I always saw him.
Entirely immersed in the meditat
ion, I stepped into the field and moved silently through tall blades of grass, with yellow and pink wildflowers to my hips. The man approached as well, his strides strong and sure. His face suddenly grew clearer with each step. I gasped, feeling a sense of revelation, as I lifted my chin to gaze at him.
Gabe!
The shock of it brought me out of the meditation, where my eyes flew wide. Anna and Sandra stared at me, having sat quietly waiting.
“What?” I felt a moment of confusion, not sure what had just happened. “What?”
“Oh, my goodness,” murmured Sandra. “Where do we begin?”
“You’ll have to explain it to me too, Mom. What the heck?”
“There are layers here. The first is the most obvious. She’s … she’s deeply connected to Suzie. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she is Suzie.”
Anna frowned, not understanding.
“As in … a past life sort of … thing.”
I wrapped my arms around my knees, and stared at Sandra.
“Have you heard of reincarnation?”
“That’s what she is?”
“I feel that. She has memories of things that don’t belong in her life, but they belong to Suzie.”
I nodded, because I perceived that as well.
“She’s in love with a vampire. It’s unfortunate, but … it happened with Suzie too.” Sandra sighed, and stared at me. “That’s only the half of it.”
“She has power. Where did that come from? Suzie was human. She died decades ago.”
“I keep seeing birds, lots and lots of birds. I heard bells as well. I’ll have to do a little research on the matter. I’ll have to ask Hecate, the moon goddess, for insight. I always trust her wisdom.”
“She came back after Thorn killed her. Is she immortal?”
“Yes,” she said plainly. “Indeed.”
“And she can be invisible.”
“Which is quite the trick, isn’t it?”
“If I’m immortal, I can live with Gabe forever, can’t I?” Perhaps this wasn’t such a bad thing after all.
“I don't know,” said Sandra. “Would you want something like that?”
“We’ve spoken about it. If he had a choice, he’d be human again, but that’s not possible. I’d … rather be normal. I’d like to get married and have kids and stuff. I don’t want to live forever. It's not made Gabe happy, but if that’s the only way I can be with him,” I shrugged, “I’d do it.”
“Okay, let’s recap,” said Anna. “She’s Suzie reincarnated. She’s in love with a vampire, just like Suzie. She’s immortal. She can make herself disappear. What other powers does she have?”
Sandra reached out a hand. “Let me touch you, my dear. Let me see if I can sense anything else that might be helpful.” She grasped me, holding on tightly. Then she drew in a sharp breath.
I sat still, waiting.
She let go a moment later. “That was interesting.”
“What?”
“There are more powers there, but … they’re not coming to the forefront just yet.” She offered a smile. “You are special, Brie. I’ve never encountered energy quite like this before. There are layers to you. We know some, but not all. It shall be revealed.”
“So, I’m reincarnated?”
“Yes.”
That did make sense, explaining some of the feelings I had over the years, the odd memories of various places, knowing I had been there before. “Okay, not a total shocker.”
“Suzie’s been waiting a long time to be reunited with Gabe. I feel she’s at peace now. My mother regretted the part she played in her death. Thorn tricked her into helping him.”
“But Gabe killed grandmother.”
“He did. He lashed out in grief and anger. I’ve harbored hatred long enough for that man—that vampire.” She sighed, and her shoulders sagged slightly. “We have to move on. We’ve a greater enemy, the one who is responsible for so much heartache. The resentment’s like poison. I feel it. Thorn can’t let go of his grievance from more than a century ago. It’s what drives him to do what he does. Can you imagine how tormented a life like that must be? His sole purpose for living is to make Gabe suffer. I don’t even know what the original issue was, nor is it really important now. That vampire won’t rest until he’s destroyed Gabe and all those he cares about.”
“We tried to kill him,” I said.
“I’m thinking that’s not our job,” said Sandra. “Gabe needs to be the one to do the deed. That would end this chapter of violence and suffering. It would free him to live.” She smiled. “Although he doesn’t live, but you know what I mean. It would allow him to do whatever he wants.”
Anna got to her feet, and blew out a candle. “I think we’re done.”
“So, I thought you guys would like do a spell and stuff?”
Sandra laughed, “Did you think we’d fly around on brooms?”
“This was so … so … normal. I thought you were witches?”
“My dear, we are witches. We don’t need pyrotechnics to prove a point.” She stretched out her legs, and winced. “Oh, I'm stiff.”
“That’s it then?” I eyed them, feeling slightly underwhelmed.
“I’ll do some research,” said Sandra, getting to her feet. “There’s more there, but we’ve done enough for one day. It’s nearly dark. You should go home. Go home and lock your doors. Stay safe.”
“Let me walk you to the door.”
I followed Anna out. “What about my clothes?”
“They’re in the laundry. I’ll bring them over tomorrow.”
“Thanks.”
We stood before the door. “What did you see in your meditation?”
“A pretty meadow and a man. I’ve had that image before in dreams over the years. It’s always the same, but I never saw the guy clearly.”
“And now?”
“I saw him.” I smiled, feeling a rush of emotion. “It’s Gabe. Turns out, it was always Gabe.”
“You’ll either be lucky or cursed then. A reckoning is coming, Brie. I can feel it. During the meditation, I sensed an approaching storm. Today was only the beginning. We’ve angered Thorn. He’s been hiding—biding his time, but he’s free now to … finish the score.” A shadow darkened the green of her eyes, while worry flickered in their depths. “It won’t be long now.”
46
“Mom, I need to borrow the car.”
She sat at the kitchen table with the laptop in front of her. “And where are you going on a school night?”
“To see Gabe. I need to talk to him.”
“It’s nearly nine o’clock.”
“Yep. It’s kinda important. I could just sneak out and steal the car, but I’m trying something new.” I grinned. “Honesty.”
“I know you’ve done that before, Brie. I’m not stupid.”
“It’s probably time I got my own car.”
“If that’s what you want to spend your college money on.”
“Twenty grand isn’t enough to go to college anyway. It’s like two semesters at the most. I don’t even know if I want to go to college.”
She sighed. “You’re a grownup now. I can’t tell you what to do. I’m just glad you’re in better health emotionally. You’ve had such an amazing transformation.” She smiled. “I’m glad you have a boyfriend. I really like Gabe. He’s … handsome and successful. He seems nice.”
“Does that mean I can borrow the car?”
“Yes, Brie. You can.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Just please be home by eleven. You’ve school tomorrow. Prom’s this weekend. There’s a lot going on.”
“There sure is,” I said, feeling a twinge of unease. Venturing outside in the darkness presented a certain amount of danger. Thorn … was out there somewhere, having escaped from the carriage house. Where was he hiding? Did the sun burn him to a crisp? “I gotta go. I’ll be home in time, I promise.”
“Please do. You don’t want to be exhausted tomorrow.”
&
nbsp; I grabbed the keys. “I’ll be fine. See ya later.” I hurried from the house, feeling slightly nervous about stepping into the night alone, not knowing if Thorn lurked in the bushes.
On the drive to the Bad Bone, I thought about Maven and how her life had been ruined because of her association with me. I did not want to dwell on it too much, feeling guilty and responsible for her predicament. There was nothing I could do to help her.
After parking in a space near the entrance, I withdrew the keys and left the car. I approached the doorman. He knew who I was now, and let me pass without checking my ID.
I spied Clive behind the bar, and he nodded as I passed. Several customers turned to watch me walk by, Reese being one of them, the vampire getting up from a table. She reached me quickly, the two of us in the hallway before Gabe’s office.
“Come to see your handiwork?” She sniffed, inhaling my scent. “You smell good. Too bad you’re impossible to feed on. What are you anyway?”
I sighed, hating how guilty I felt over poor Maven. “Where’s Gabe?”
“He’s not been in yet.”
“Great.” I sighed. “I guess I’ll wait in his office.”
“Don’t you want to know how my sister’s doing?”
“Of course. I feel … pretty awful about the whole thing.”
“Why don’t we go see her?” She lifted her chin slightly, throwing down the challenge.
I swallowed a twinge of fear, and ignored it, trying to be brave. “Okay.”
A hint of a smile appeared, as if she knew how petrified I felt at the prospect of being in the same room with a newborn, feral vampire. “Follow me.”
Several women spilled out of the bathroom, laughing. After they passed, we went into the storage room, and opened the basement door. “I can’t be killed, you know. Just in case you’re thinking of feeding me to your sister.”
She appeared confused. “What?”
“I’m immortal too.” At least that’s what the witches had said. “A vampire already tried to kill me today. As you can see, I’m still here. Whatever you have planned, it won’t work.”