“I’m going to use the simplest layout three card spread. This shows us the recent past, the present and the future. All I have to do is focus on him and what I want to know.”
“Well, let’s find out about his safety,” I suggest.
“That’s my thought exactly,” Ebony agrees and closes her eyes to focus as she shuffles the deck, once, twice, three times. Then she splits the deck in half and turns one half of the deck 180 degrees, and shuffles three more times before placing the three cards out in front of her. “Okay, some cards look scary, but they need to be read in context, so before you freak out allow me to read and explain them to you. I promise to be honest no matter what I see. Are you ready for me to begin?”
“We understand. Go ahead and start the reading,” Alexander encourages.
Ebony nods and turns the first card; it says ‘judgment’ and is a picture of an angel blowing a horn, with seven notes coming from it, as the angel looks down on a man, woman and child. It is reversed and facing those of us across the table from Ebony. She then turns the second card, placing it just to the right of the judgment card. This one is called the tower with a picture of exactly that, a tower, being struck by lightning and surrounded by darkness; flames pour from the windows of the tower as people dive to their certain death. This card faces Ebony. She is slow to turn the final card, placing it on the far right. The final card is the six of wands; it’s a picture of young man riding a white horse with a crowd cheering him on. My mind is going crazy thinking what all these names and symbols might mean.
“So here, the first card is Caspian’s recent past…now for a vampire the timelines maybe slightly different than with mortals, so I want you to just refer to this as his past. I won’t try to assume how far in the past…maybe we’ll figure it out with the reading. The same goes for the next two cards, the middle card is his present and the final card his future. Do you follow me so far?”
“Yeah go ahead, we get it,” Danika chews her lip with anxiety.
“Okay, Caspian’s past is represented by a reversed judgment card. This suggests he is indulging in self-doubt, causing him to miss out on the brighter things life has to offer him. This card tells me he is not allowing himself to learn from his past mistakes and that he is overly hard on himself. Knowing Caspian’s story, I assume this card has to do with Ashley and his self-chastising. He needs to forgive himself so that he can move forward.” She looks around to all of us that are intently listening to her, and nodding in agreement. Then she continues, “The second card is his present. The tower card suggests that he is feeling afraid, shaken and insecure. He is going through a major issue and it is causing him great amounts of pain, both physical and emotional. His world is being rocked and turned upside down right now. Caspian is suffering; I have to assume the Cerberus is making him pay for his betrayal. Now I know this may worry you but let me explain this final card, his future. The six of wands represents balance and victory. This tells me he will be successful, and the outcome is far greater than he ever imagined. A struggle has been overcome and others will want to celebrate in his victory. I see this card as meaning he comes through whatever he’s facing now in the present and might even mean he’s able to bring down the Cerberus. Good things are going to happen for Caspian, and he will start a new life, with a fresher and more positive outlook.”
I start to crack a smile and Nathanial squeezes me. “This is good then, he will be okay,” I confirm.
“Yes, I believe he will be, we just need to be patient and he will return,” Ebony says with excitement.
Eliza walks over. “Ebony I’m so proud of you. You are really getting good at doing readings.”
“Thanks, I’ve been working hard. I study the meanings almost nightly and do a self-reading every week or two.”
“Well, it seems to be paying off.”
Matilda interrupts, “How about you Eliza, did you have any luck with the book and Ben?”
“Not really; I mean I found some interesting stuff, but not anything that I think pertains to Ben. I have a feeling he’s just maturing and, like most people, are sick of rude, obnoxious little girls that think the world owes them.”
“Amen to that; guess God has sent us an angel,” Matt jokes.
“That is possible, but why does everything have to be male orientated? Maybe it was a goddess that sent him to us,” Eliza jokes back.
We all laugh, knowing that the Triggs family believes in various deities, both god and goddess. Their Wiccan way is really growing on me, so full of life and positivity. They use the natural energy around us to perform their magic. Maybe it’s time for Ebony to teach me a little more about her lifestyle and heritage, now that she’s a little more accustomed to it herself.
Chapter 26
Help
It’s been almost two months since Danika escaped the Cerberus and becoming their queen as they called it. I am quite surprised that we haven’t had any sightings of them. Talking with the family, we have decided to call in the shape shifters. They can help us scout the area to see if the Cerberus has members watching us or Danika again. They know where we go to school, and we know that the older members are self-made day walkers. I remember seeing Drake talking to Danika, shortly after we moved here. So, if he has been stalking her from the start, why would he just stop? Our allies should be here shortly and we can see if they know anything.
In the meantime Florence and Constance prepare us a wonderful meal; blood and basil soup and a blood tea infused with mint with plasma cake. Florence has been attempting different recipes with blood products instead of just whole blood. It’s been good; the blood products still boost our energy and keep us fed, they just doesn’t last as long as whole blood. This is good in the fact that we can survive as long as we get the various parts of the blood. Isaac has been bringing home different types of blood and blood products. He’s been working downstairs in a lab he built for the last little while. Isaac is trying to invent an organic blood, or manmade blood so to speak. He is hoping that if he can create blood for us, we will no longer need to feed from animals or the blood bank. He is attempting to use expired blood and blood products, but has not been able to get it perfected enough for us to test. If successful, this may be a great discovery for him as a doctor too. To have the blood or parts of blood needed at all times, able to stock this created blood in the hospitals and blood banks could potentially save lives. There would be less concern with transmitting diseases and there would never be a shortage. I commend him for his efforts; I would love to do more than meaningless jobs and school. After dinner everyone just lounges around waiting for the Williams family to arrive.
Danika joins me in the art room. I think it will be nice to do a painting of her for the family.
“Why don’t you sit in the lounge chair by the window?”
Danika takes a seat in the large classic looking chair. I grab my pencil to lightly sketch her outline, but something is wrong…she looks too stiff, too formal. “Danika, try to relax. Just be yourself.”
“How do you suggest I do that?”
“Well first off–is that how you would normally sit in that chair?”
“No, I usually sit here when I read.”
“Okay, so grab a book and just read like you normally do.”
She reaches to the side table and swings her legs over the arm of the chair. I begin by sketching the chair. First the oak legs round and stretching into a point, I do a rough outline of the chair, but then focus on the remaining wood detail–the end of the arms and the top of the chair with the extensive carving detail. Then I add a light sketch of Danika’s body before I finish the chair with the red padded covering. Danika’s legs dangle off the one arm and her ankles are crossed, her upper body shifted so that her back rests on the opposite corner of the chair. I draw her as she sits and reads, one arm resting on the arm of the chair with the book in hand. She really is turning out to be a sweet girl now that I’m giving her half a chance. We still have issues, but what sist
ers don’t? At least now I can call her my sister. As I finish the rough sketch I pull out my pastels and start working on filling in, and bring the portrait to life. She is an easy model to draw, with only the slightest movements as she turns the book’s pages. The entire piece doesn’t take me long at all and right as I finish the doorbell rings. I cover my work to present later, but for now I want to see Dakota and his dad.
***
Danika and I both race out to the entrance. “Dakota,” I yelp as I run to our friend and hug him. “Why’d you stay away for so long?”
“Just busy with school and all, how are things? Is Ebony here?”
I try not to chuckle, knowing he has it bad for Ebony. “No, her and Eliza are busy studying. They’ve been getting demon attacks recently and need to start preparing.”
“Yeah, she mentioned something about that in an e-mail; pretty scary if you ask me.”
Elijah walks to the entrance. “Girls, why don’t you invite our guests in, rather than making them stand in the entry way.”
“Oh…sorry. Please come have a seat. Can I get you a soda or something?” Danika offers as the other family members join us.
“Thank you, I would love just water if you don’t mind,” Tamo requests.
Danika excuses herself to the kitchen and returns only moments later with beverages and cookies for our guests.
Elijah decides its best just to get down to business and fills the shifters in on what has been happening in the past weeks, and even months, since the fight we had with the Cerberus. Elijah summarizes mine and Danika’s fight, Danika running away to Club VC, finding Caspian and saving Danika, the demon attack at the Triggs manor, and finally Caspian returning to Club VC as a spy. He briefly spoke to them when Danika was missing so they could keep an eye out for her, and then when we found her. Now he feels it’s important to give Tamo and the Williams the full story.
“It has been over three weeks and we still have not heard from him; we are not only concerned for him but for Danika too. The Cerberus leaders wanted to make her their queen, and I don’t believe that they would just give up that easily and forget about her. We just want to alert you that there may be some more action and check to see if you’ve noticed anything out of the ordinary.”
“Elijah, we’re so sorry your family has been through so much. I’ll make sure our group keeps our eyes out for unusual behavior. I can’t say that we have noticed anything, but we also believe the Cerberus was destroyed that night.”
“We believed that we destroyed the ones in the New England area, but it appears they’re a much larger group than we expected. I am grateful for your continuing support; please know we’re always here if you need anything.”
Us teens realize we are not needed in the formal conversation and take Dakota out into the yard to toss the ball around. Alexander, Matilda. Danika, Dakota and I are able to goof around. He can handle our strength and speed and hold his own against us. This makes a game of football a little more fun. Once the older members of our group finish discussing the matters at hand, Tamo calls for Dakota to go. “Son, we must get back and inform the tribe. You and the other boys can come hang out later.”
Florence opens the door for our guests as they prepare to leave. “Thank you for coming, and please don’t stay away for so long next time.”
Once again everyone disburses and I sneak off to the art room to put the finishing touches on my drawing of Danika. I think it’s turning out great and will look wonderful on the walls with the rest of the family’s portraits. I’ll present it to the family later; for now I think I’m going to go see what Nathanial is up too. Things have been a little crazy and I just miss relaxing with him. I gather my things and start to head to my car, thinking I’ll surprise him and just show up at his house.
Pulling out of the garage I see Nathanial’s silver car pulling up the long drive, and can’t help but giggle that he has the same idea as me. I re-park my car and run out to the front veranda to meet him.
“Hope I didn’t interrupt any plans,” he says as he gets out of his car.
“Only a surprise visit to my favorite guy.”
“Really, do I have to go kick some poor guys butt for moving in on my gal?” He gives me his half smile and I run into his arms.
“You know that you are the only one for me, so how about you stop teasing me.”
“Only if you ditch this guy and hang with me for the rest of the day.”
I scowl at him and give him a light punch to the arm. “Fine, be that way. Why don’t we go for a swim and then maybe we can go for a hike.”
“That sounds great, but let’s do the hike first. I am always lazy after swimming.”
We start through the thick woods behind the house; the trees and wild flowers are all in full bloom now, and animals are scurrying on the ground as they search for food after the spring melt. Nathanial and I walk hand in hand down the small worn dirt path. We make our way up the mountain to the meadow, where families are enjoying the nice spring weather and a picnic. I show Nathanial how to track various animals and what the various foot prints belong too.
“This is really interesting; thanks for sharing so much with me.”
“Well I figure since you’re a part of my life you should know about what I do.”
“I just love being up here with you. It’s hard to believe I’ve never been to this meadow and seen the beauty up here before you came. I’ve grown up here my entire life, but whenever my family and I go camping or do outdoors stuff, we drive a little further into the mountains. We should bring my parents up here some time; I think they would really enjoy it.”
“Of course; speaking of your parents, how is your mom doing?”
“She’s good; she still has no clue that whenever you are around her she gets the tired funny feeling. I even heard her tell dad it might be early menopause,” he shivers his body at the thought of his mother’s personal issues.
“I’m wondering if I can convince her that I’m learning Reiki and let me practice on her.”
“What the heck is Reiki?” Nathanial asks with a goofy look on his face.
With a good laugh, I explain, “Reiki is an ancient Japanese technique used for relaxation and stress relief. It also helps promote healing. It’s believed that by touching one can move his or her life force energies into the other to help heal them. This is very true, although not everyone can perform it. When I heal someone this is basically what I do, just on a much larger scale.”
“You know that might just work. We can tell mom you have been studying this and would like to see if it can help her to relax after work.”
“Maybe we should skip the swim and go to your house. Did your mom pick up another overtime shift this weekend?”
“No, but I know she’s been stressed about this whole menopause thing, and bills are getting tight now that dad’s slowed down at work. Not much construction work right now… everyone is taking it easy. I think they’re still concerned about another recession hitting as hard as the one a few years back”
We start back down towards the house. “Why didn’t you mention that your dad needed some work? I know my family would hire him and pay him very generously too.”
“I guess just a family pride thing. Sorry I didn’t tell you.”
We continue going over the options for his dad. I can discuss it later with Florence, Elijah, Constance and Isaac. I know my family will hire him to work around the house and the offices; that’s what friends and family do for each other.
Chapter 27
Caspian’s Torture
Drake and Cyrus have been torturing me since my return; I’m not even sure how long it’s been, only that I’m so thirsty. I’ve heard that when a vampire starves they shrivel up and appear to die, but if they are given blood again they are resurrected. I believe this is what they are doing to me, and this is the most painful thing I’ve ever experienced. It feels as if every nerve ending in my body is on constant fire, like a firework spectacular goin
g off within me. The shackles and even my clothes touching me are like razor blades, or a million paper cuts. Feeling weaker by the moment and finding it difficult to keep my thoughts straight, I hear the door to the chamber open, and although I can no longer sense other supernaturals I know they are here to beat me again. I believe my power of sensing others is depleted due to the starvation. As the footsteps draw closer they hammer into my head from the enhanced super hearing, probably magnified by the starvation as well. I try to block the sound, but am too weak to control any of my original five senses. One of the bad traits of being a vampire; we must be healthy and well fed for the added benefits to work, yet normal human senses that are enhanced due to vampirism are harder to control when weak. The starvation has caused my rapid healing to cease, and due to the beatings I have been receiving my eyes are almost completely swollen shut. I try to peer through the small opening left in my right eye and get a clue of who has come into the room, but no luck; everything is just a blur.
“Cas, you have now endured your 30 days of punishment, and I will now release you and allow you to feed.” The voice I recognize as Drake announces as he approaches me to unlock the shackles.
The pain from his touch is nearly unbearable, but it only takes moments. Still difficult to see, I smell a mortal; my animalistic nature takes over and, like a police dog I sniff out the mortal in the room, pouncing and feeding. As the warm thick blood races down my throat I feel my body beginning to heal and repair itself from her crimson life curing me almost as fast as I drink. Continuing until there is nothing left, I prowl for more and just outside the door I smell another. Barging through the door I attack, tearing at his throat like a wild lion, feeling the man die at my hands as a sense of fullness overtakes me. I realize what I’ve done, what I am becoming; my thoughts become clearer and I slump next to the poor soul, torn to shreds by me and me alone.
Drake walks over, giving me a kick to the side. “Done already Cas, after 30 days of not feeding and the beating you took? I expected a few more mortals to die at your hand.”
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