Everlasting Embrace (Embrace Series)

by Charlotte Blackwell

  “My hero, you came to my rescue. Too bad you bailed right alongside of me.” I give him a little nudge, and we roll around on the fresh snow covered ground. After a few giggles—and tossing around some of the soft cotton-like snow—we get up and walk over to the gazebo where we can sit and relax for a bit. It’s decorated with little white twinkle lights that mimic the stars above. Greenery, with white and red flowers, wraps around each post and banister. I lean in to take in the robust aroma of the roses. At this moment I realize I’ve been set up. With the freezing temperature roses would never have lasted, Ebony must be behind this somehow, and has magickally decorated. It’s the only explanation for the roses being in perfect condition. I let a small smile slip out, but decide to allow the romance behind this special day take hold of me and keep my suspicions to myself. The moonlight shines so brightly above us through the parting clouds that I can see every little detail. Each beam of moonlight glistens off the snowflakes, ensuring each miniature ice crystal’s sparkle. We both sit on the white wooden bench that circles the interior of the gazebo. This is the perfect place, with the perfect man, on a beautiful night.

  “Okay, so I’ll give you that; I’m having a blast.” I chuckle, trying to brush some of the snow off my jeans before it melts.

  “I know, right? Well, I kinda wanna talk to you about something.” Nathanial takes my hand, kissing the back of it and resting it on his knee.

  “What’s wrong? This sounds serious.”

  “Nothing is wrong, but it is serious. See, Luke and I have been talking about Nik and his future. We both want him to have what we had growing up.”

  “Your parents? Look Nate, I know how amazing they were, but you can’t possibly be thinking of raising them from the dead?” I ask with utter shock.

  “Oh, hell no, Sophia! That never even crossed my mind.” I see that he feels insulted at my assumption.

  “Sorry, hun. I should have known better.”

  “No, it’s okay. I should have phrased that better. What I mean is—Luke and I had a wonderful childhood. Our parents were amazing, and loved us more than anything. I…we—Luke and I—want the same for Nik; two loving parents.”

  “Of course you do, and you know we all love him as if he were our own.”

  “I know, but Luke and I thought it may be a good idea for him to have two…official…parents. Well what I mean is…” Nathanial drops to one knee in front of me, sending me into a fairytale. “Sophia, we already have eternity together, but nothing will make me happier than you promising me forever. Our love shines brighter than all the stars in the night sky, and although we share so much already, one thing is missing. I want to shout it to the world that you are mine, and I am yours. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” He pulls out the most magnificent ring, with six of the clearest diamonds—one in the center, with the other five surrounding it—and mounted with pure platinum. The ring resembles the most delicate flower. “I picked this ring because you are like a flower to me, always brightening my day, and I wanted something that resembled how I feel for you.”

  Tears begin to sting my eyes because of his love, his soul. Nathanial is the sweetest, most loving man I have ever met, and I feel so lucky that he has chosen me. Rising from the bench, I pull him up as well. I’m unable to take my eyes off the brightest blue eyes I have ever seen, sparkling brighter than the stars above. Tonight they penetrate my sole like never before, I can’t help but smile. Throwing my arms around him, I brush my lips across his, sinking deeper and deeper into the throngs of love—real love, not the imagined kind that breaks your heart, but the kind that says forever, ‘yes, I’m yours’. As our lips part, just enough for me to speak, I answer him with overwhelming happiness. “Of course I will marry you! Oh my God, I can’t believe this,” I scream with complete giddiness.

  Nathanial smiles, removes the promise ring from my finger on my left hand and moves it to the right hand. He kisses the engagement ring once, and then my left hand as he slips the diamond ring on my finger. “I love you Sophia. You are my love, my future, my life, my eternity—and now, my forever. Thank you for making me the happiest man in the world.”

  “I have to ask you one thing though. What does us getting married have to do with Nik?”

  “Oh, I got so wrapped up in what I was going to say, I plum forgot. Luke and I are wondering if you would consider adopting Nik with me, making him officially our son. This way he has the parents he deserves, and we have the family we always dreamed about.”

  “Wow, are you serious? Luke is okay with this?”

  “It was his idea when I told him I wanted to ask you to marry me.”

  “He knows already? Who else knows?” I chuckle, then hear the snow crunching as footsteps approach, and out from the bushes come Luke with a video camera, along with Eliza, Ebony and my entire family, including Nik and Ebony’s daughter Eyln. “You were all in on this? I can’t believe you? Who is taking care of the school?”

  Elijah chuckles. “My dear, enough with the questions. We have everything under control. Now answer the poor boy! Will you have a family with him and adopt Nik?”

  “Sorry, sorry—of course I will! I already think of him as my little man.” I smile and take Nik from Matilda’s arms. With a soft kiss on his forehead, the tears stream down my face again, as complete happiness flows from every inch of my being. I used to think it was difficult for vampires to cry, but the tears have flowed freely from me over the past few years. I guess I just needed to open my heart to feel real emotion.

  Chapter 5

  Classes

  By the end of the weekend, all of our full-time students have arrived and have settled into their rooms. Now that it’s Monday morning, we are getting ready for classes to begin. Florence has been working hard in the kitchen since the early morning to prepare meals for all twenty-eight students. She opens the magickally-concealed dumbwaiter, placing the food inside and allowing it to be transported to the dining hall. Just as the entrances to the school are magickally protected, so is the dumbwaiter. We can’t take any chances of someone finding out about the school, so each opening requires the same incantation to open.

  “Florence, I think you made way too much food, but it sure looks delicious.” I chuckle as she places fresh made rolls, muffins, pancakes and turkey bacon next to the blood porridge, blood sausage, fresh squeezed orange juice and both blood coffee and regular coffee.

  “Well, my dear Sophia, I do not know these children yet, and I what them to start off the school day with a full belly. I think I have something for everyone. Oh, before I forget, can you grab the fruit platter from the refrigerator please?”

  I do as I’m asked, and we proceed down to the school to enjoy our first breakfast with everyone.

    

  Isaac rings the dinner bell, and everyone files into the dining hall and plops down at the table. With big eyes, they all watch Elijah standing at the head of the table. He smiles. “On behalf of my family, I would like to welcome each and every one of you to our School for the Supernatural. Each one of you are here because you are gifted, and we hope to help you learn how to use your gifts to do good. We are so excited to have you here. For now, though, please enjoy the meal Florence has prepared for you all. The blood food is located at one end of the table and the regular at the other. We want everyone to enjoy, but do not want to offend anyone either. So please—until our relationships become stronger, let’s keep the different meals apart. Now, please help yourselves and mind your manners.”

  A few students switch seats so that they are seated at the appropriate end of the table, then everyone digs in. Florence has created an amazing spread, and it looks as if everyone is happy with what she has made. We only have five more vampires joining us, and we spoke with them upon their arrival about our eating habits, and introduced them to the synthetic blood as well as the animal/human blood mixture. It should be an easy transition for them as they were feeding off donors only and not causing harm to mortals. They ap
pear to be enjoying the meal served to them today. Ebony and I also feed the babies; Elyn is even beginning to feed herself a little. Once everyone is done eating, Elijah pulls three names from a hat, and they are responsible for cleaning after meals for the day. Constance shows them what to do as the others prepare for their lessons.

    

  Walking into the learning annex with Nathanial and my family at my side, I feel a sense of pride at what we’ve accomplished. We walk down the stairs to the front of the class. Looking up, I see the many rows of chairs all equipped with fold down tables. The students begin to get settled in their seats and pull of various types of note books.

  Isaac steps forward. “Thank you everyone. Please settle down. I would like to explain how things are going to work here. We’ve ordered homeschooling assignments, tailored to each of your educational backgrounds. We’ll be set up in the main corridor, and first each of you will see someone at table one and will be issued a school ID. Then you will proceed to the next table and get your books and assignments. The following table will issue you a locker and combination; then you may go and put your books in your locker. If you didn’t notice, the lockers are located just down the hall from here, in between the classrooms. When you return, go to table four, where you will receive a Mac-book and your Internet pass code. This will be very important, as most of your assignments are online through a site called Moodle. We also use Rosetta Stone for languages; you will be required to learn at least French, Spanish and Latin. If you wish, you may take on extra language courses as well. The mornings will be allotted for educational training, and there will be instructors at your disposal for any help needed. We’ll be able to contact a certified teacher through the homeschooling department if the help we have to offer does not suffice. Your physical and power training will be in the afternoons. All your fight training equipment is already located in your rooms. If you have not found it yet, I suggest you look in the drawer under your bed. Fight training will consist of learning of other supernatural entities, magickal powers and other training tailored to your unique needs and abilities. We will be taking you in smaller groups after lunch, and you will each receive a proper tour. Anything that you need is located here, and if it isn’t, we can get it for you. You are not prisoners here and will have outdoor time, as well as free time. Does anyone have any questions?”

  We search the wide-eyed students, but everyone is quiet. “Alright then, we will meet you in the front in ten minutes. Thank you for your attention,” Constance adds. Then we proceed back up the stairs and out to the main entrance, where Alexander, Nathanial and Dakota set everything up this morning. Skah and his wife will be here later as they will be helping to run the school. His new wife, Waniyya, majored in mythology in college. Although she is mortal, her knowledge and understanding will be much needed. I think they will both be great assets to the school.

    

  Nathanial and I take the first table and as each student comes up, we ask their name, take their picture and run their ID prints off within seconds, making sure all pertinent information is correct. We check them off the printed roster as well.

  Our new students are:

  Anissa Reed, vampire, age 16.

  Mackenzie Wood, witch, age 19.

  Shilah Williams, shape shifter (cougar), age 19.

  Makaya Williams, shape shifter (hawk), age 13.

  Mika Williams, shape shifter (cougar), age 14.

  Yaneek Canter, fairy, age 19.

  Ben Steel, nephilim, age 18.

  Samantha Adams, changeling, age 15.

  Carlina Johnson, fairy, age 16.

  Russell Murphy, drac, age 14.

  Kaylee Jones, fairy, age 20.

  Shiobhan Lutz, vampire, age 23.

  Xander Phillips, lycan, age 21.

  Enrique Hernadez, demigod, age 13.

  Logan Chase, dalaketnon, age 22.

  Ethan Jensen, future nephilim, age 15.

  Ian Rodes, future guardian, age 20.

  Vaughn Crandel, half demon, age 15.

  Celine Krinke, mermaid, age 21.

  Jorden Black, vampire, age 20.

  Shawnee Ulmer, vampire, age 14.

  Kenya Hayes, pixie, age 14.

  Janae Peterson, skin walker, age 13.

  Zachary Martin, wendigo, age 23.

  Renelle Martin, skin walker, age 18.

  Tanner White, vampire, age 22

  We then take Danika’s picture and hand her the ID card.

  Danika Pierce, vampire, age 15.

  “Are you excited about this, Danika?” I question.

  “I really am, although I think I would rather stay in the dorms with the other students.”

  “That might not be a bad idea. Living in the dorms will help create bonds that you, living upstairs, will miss out on. I’ll talk to Florence and Elijah if you’d like.”

  “Really? I mean—thanks; I’m just a little surprised you agree with me. Wait, unless this is your way of getting rid of me.”

  “Danika, I can’t get rid of you no matter how hard I try. I know we’ve had our rough times, but we are better now, just accept it. We are family now. I accepted it.”

  Danika and I didn’t get along when she first joined our family just a few short years ago. Well, more like I didn’t care for her much. I had a feeling she would be trouble, and I was right, although we have a great family and together we have worked through our issues, even her kissing Nathanial. Through that Danika realized she was a lesbian, and I hope one day she can find someone to be happy with, someone who will accept her for who she is. Now that she isn’t struggling with herself as much, I find her much more tolerable. She’s still a little sister though, and we’ll surely butt heads again from time to time.

  She smiles and goes to the next station along with the other students.

  Our total number of students is twenty-seven, for now. I’m sure new students will be added as we find them. The diversity of the group is amazing. Some have major powers, or potential for it, while others are here to learn how to use what they have. We all have one goal though: to protect the innocent. For some of us, this is going against our nature, but it’s so amazing to have us all here.

  The next few hours are spent getting everyone sorted out. We were very careful in room placement as well. Creatures of the same species are housed together, and no one that is a threat to another will stay together; meaning the vampires will not stay with a mortal, like a witch. Some rooms house only one, while we wait for more students to arrive, while another room has the three Williams staying together. The rooms are pretty basic, similar to Ben’s, only with more beds and dressers. Also, the rooms that have more than one bed have single beds. This allows more space.

  Skah, his wife, Dakota and Caspian are the head instructors and will also be living in the dorms, centrally located between the female and male dorms. We all felt it would be safer for Caspian to be magickally protected, in a similar way as Ben, from the Cerberus that may still wish to hunt him down. After the battle in town square, where the McCord’s lost their lives, he has been hiding out. There is no saying what they would do to him after he betrayed them a second time.

  Earlier this year, when Danika ran away to Club VC (a club owned by the Cerberus), Caspian saved her. Drake was determined to make her his queen in ruling the rogue vampires. Caspian turned himself in, to Drake, and was heavily tortured for thirty days. After the torture, he was initiated into their cult and was watched—closely. Now, of course, he is working with us and providing us with information about them. And since Caspian has been helping us all along, he is in danger—and this is the best place for him. The Cerberus is fully aware of his betrayal, and we expect retaliation. Then, again, he will be surrounded by dozens of insufferable teens, which may not be much better.

  Chapter 6

  Surprise Arrangements

  Waking, I roll over and watch the love of my life sleeping. He looks so peaceful. Today Nathanial and I will begin the arrangement
s for our wedding. After his training session with Elijah’s friends, Tryphosia, and her husband Azubah, the Magnificent Ones are going to bless his grad ring. We replaced the stone with a day crystal, a black diamond called veneficus lamia sol solis partonus, which is Latin for ‘magickal vampire sun protector’. Tryphosia and Abzubah have the ability to transfer all their knowledge to others, making training other vampires much faster. They’ve been able to help Nathanial and Nik since Nathanial’s Embrace. They have been working with them for months now, but because of Nik’s age, it takes much longer for the implants to stick. They did intensive training when Nathanial was first Embraced, but now return once a month to reinforce their training. This will continue until Nik is a little older and we are sure he has retained everything.

  Today we are going to look at various wedding stuff. Funny thing is we haven’t decided on a date yet, so I think all the planning is just a little premature. Of course, my family doesn’t seem to agree. Glancing at the clock, I see it’s already 9 A.M., only an hour until our first appointment. As I lean over to kiss Nathanial while he sleeps, his eyes pop open and he rolls, pinning me to our bed.

  “Good morning beautiful. Did you think you could steal a kiss?”

  “Maybe,” I say with a grin.

  “No stealing necessary. You can have them for free.” He lowers himself closer to me, pressing his soft lips to mine. Lifting his hand, Nathanial tucks the loose strands of my hair behind my ears. Then with one hand cupping my head, his lips slowly move for mine, kissing my cheek, then travel towards my neck. Tiny kisses, and a nibble on my ear, send colorful fireworks bursting through every inch of me. I wrap my arms around him and pull him even closer to me. My heart bursts with love and admiration for the man before me. As his tongue wrestles with mine, I feel the platinum rod piercing in his mouth brush against my lips. Nathanial got his tongue pierced after graduation. Just when I didn’t think he could get any sexier, he did something as simple as a small discreet piercing that adds sex appeal I never imagined.