by Martha Woods
Tessa frowned and shook her head, “It had worn off by the time I woke up.”
Ooh, perhaps she could tell Calla what was going on between Jared and Nolan Calla sighed, “I was afraid of that. Want me to show you how to make a charm?” Tessa smiled and nodded. Calla stuck a finger up to tell her to wait a minute. Walking back into the bedroom, she grabbed her bag and moved back into the kitchen. She motioned for Tessa to follow her into the kitchen.
As Calla started to lay the materials out onto the island, the men dispersed, lounging around the living room. It must have been nice to be immortal and be as strong and fast they were. They didn’t have any sort of preparation to do other than gathering to amplify their strength with numbers. Calla had caught word of Kristian and Veronica being on the Calder’s version of the “Ten Most Wanted” list, but they didn’t seem all that worried about their own safety, just Tessa’s. It was sweet, but perhaps a little reckless in Calla’s opinion.
She explained every step she was doing to Tessa as she went about making the charm. Potions and charms had always been where Calla shined. She adored the magical chemistry of it, working just like a recipe. It had to be perfected to be effective. Tessa hung on her every word, even though the heavy bags under her eyes were proof that a couple of hours hadn’t been enough sleep for her either.
Calla had a concoction boiling on the stove top, the aroma of lilacs and copper filled the air. Grabbing a gemstone from her collection, she carefully dropped it into the pot. “The gem will hold the charm. I’m going to put it on a string so you can wear it around your neck for safe keeping,” she explained to Tessa. She knew she would have to end up remaking it, but she didn’t mind. It gave them something to do and she wanted to show Tessa beforehand, that way she wouldn’t have to explain it under the stress of making it before the big fight.
As she added in the last of the ingredients, a raspy voice sounded from just over her shoulder, “Hey there.”
Looking back, Calla noticed Nolan towering over her. His dark brown eyes were practically black they were so dark, reminding her of a shark. It was a little unnerving. “Hi…” Calla muttered, looking back to the pot.
Nolan leaned against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest, “How did you manage to get sucked into this little rat pack?” he questioned.
“I don’t think that’s any of your business,” Calla told him plainly. She didn’t want to devulge her personal information to a man she wasn’t sure she could trust.
“You’re fiesty, aren’t you? I like that,” Nolan grinned.
“I really don’t care,” Calla grumbled.
Tessa cleared her throat and scratched the back of her head, the interaction clearly making her uncomfortable as well. “You’re Kristian’s girl, right? The little psychic he picked up?”
“The one and only,” Tessa stated, giving a forced smile.
Then, Nolan brushed a loose curl behind Calla’s ear, “Can you read minds too?”
Calla leaned away from his touch, her eyes staring down at the pot as she tended to the potion and did her best to ignore him. “Sure can.”
“What am I thinking right now?” he asked with an amused grin.
“I don’t really feel like poking around in your head.”
“Trust me, you don’t want to,” Tessa mumbled to her.
Within the fraction of a second, Jared appeared next to Calla as well. “Leave the girls alone, Nolan,” he instructed firmly.
“What’s wrong with talking to them? I’m here to protect them, right? I should get to know them,” he challenged.
Kristian spoke up from the living room, “Guys, don’t start.”
Nolan was smirking smugly at Jared as he replied to Kristian, “No worries. We’re just having a conversation. Aren’t we, Jared?”
Jared’s stern expression didn’t falter, “Just back off the girls and I’ll leave you alone.”
Nolan tilted his head side to side, as though he was considering Jared’s statement. His eyes then returned to Calla, “You don’t mind me standing here, do you?” he asked her.
“Sort of,” Calla answered, even though she truly wished he would just walk away. Nolan was right in the fact he was there to protect them, so she didn’t want to be too rude to him.
He let out a breathy sigh, “Such a shame.” Nolan gently brushed a cold finger down the side of her neck, “I’ve always wondered what witch blood tastes like.”
Before anything else could be said, Nolan was tackled to the floor by Jared. Instantly, the two were fighting, growling, and hissing. They moved so quickly that it was close to impossible for Calla and Tessa to keep track of them. The others were on their feet in a heartbeat, going after the two and trying to separate them. Nolan was chuckling sadistically as Gabriel and Kristian managed to peel Jared off of him, Antonio then snatching him up by the arms and holding him in place.
“Are you two going to be like this the whole time?” Kristian snapped.
“Don’t blame me. I didn’t ask Ally to send that piece of shit,” Jared spat.
Nolan continued to chuckle, “Sticks and stones, Jared.”
“I’d love to break your bones,” Jared growled.
“I didn’t realize you were so territorial over a witch bitch,” Nolan cooed.
His lip snarled, “You know good and well there is much more to it than that.”
“Both of you need to calm the hell down,” Kristian demanded. “There is enough going on without us having to worry about the two of you ripping one another’s heads off. I really have no idea why Ally sent you here—”
“I requested to,” Nolan interrupted.
Jared’s brow knitted together, “Why?”
“To make amends, of course. Come on, Jared. You know I’m just ruffling your feathers for fun. You make it so easy,” Nolan explained with a light laugh. “We’re two professionals, we have to get along to make this work.”
Jared was silent, not having a response to that. Calla could sense that he didn’t believe Nolan.
“Do we really need to be held back? We’re over a hundred years old, we can settle this like gentleman. Look, I’m sorry I pissed you off, Jared. I’ll leave it alone.”
“And the witches,” Jared added.
“Fine, and the witches,” Nolan agreed.
After a few moments of silence and tension subsiding, they let the two go. “Both of you need to agree to resolve things, at least long enough to get through the next few days. Shake on it or something,” Gabriel suggested.
Slowly, the two approached one another. Jared was reluctant, but was the first to hold out a hand. As Nolan shook Jared’s hand, a smirk returned to his lips, “You’re fucking the redhead, aren’t you?”
“That’s none of your business,” Jared glared, retracting his hand.
“I’m not judging. In fact, I’m giving you props if anything. She’s a tasty little treat, isn’t she?”
“Okay,” was all Jared replied with, turning to walk away.
“I’d keep her on a short leash, though. From what I hear, witches tend to be big whores. Even worse than Bridget.”
Jared let out a single chuckle before spinning around and punching him in the face. Nolan stumbled, spitting blood from the impact of Jared’s fist. Then, with one lunge, Nolan used all of his force to shove Jared. It sent him flying backward, the entire room gasping as it launched him through the glass door to the balcony. It was still day time.
The other vampires all moved away from the light pouring into the room, terrified of stepping into the sun’s rays. Calla ran to the balcony, noticing Jared laying among the shattered glass and splintered wood. Cuts and gashes covered his body, but that wasn’t what Calla was concerned about. She grabbed his hand and helped him to his feet.
He hadn’t been still because he was gravely injured, but because he was shocked. As he stood, Jared’s eyes raked over his skin. He wasn’t burning or even aching. With wide eyes, he looked to Calla in bewilderment. “It doesn’t hur
t… How is this possible?” he whispered. Then, it was like he suddenly connected the dots, his eyes widening and scanning over Calla. With the look in his eyes, Calla knew what he was thinking. The only thing that had done any differently than normal, was drink her blood.
Jared looked inside the apartment, locking eyes with Kristian as he stood in the shadows.
* * *
Nolan and the other visiting vampires were moved to the basement room Kristian had rented. Jared had demanded it, and Kristian didn’t object to it. Gabriel and Antonio were only joining him in the basement to keep Nolan in check.
Calla tried her best not to fidget as she sat in Jared’s armchair. Ally was there, helping hook her up to a blood bag. It was like donating blood, but instead of people in dyer need getting it, a pack of vampires would be using it to go into sunlight. Calla’s eyes couldn’t look away as Ally finished hooking up to the bag and the blood started to drip. It made her stomach churn to see it.
Someone cleared their throat right in front of her. Forcing herself to look away from the blood, she glanced up to see Ally standing before her with a glass in her hand. Calla gently took it, looking down at the light brown liquid. “It’s apple juice. I brought a few bottles of it with me. Keep your blood sugar and fluids up so you don’t get sick. And make sure to eat plenty,” Ally explained. Calla nodded, sipping the juice before setting it on the end table next to her. Ally’s hand appeared over Calla’s, “Thank you for all that you are doing. I know you’re forced to, in a sense, but you seem very kind and courageous.”
Giving a weak smile, Calla replied, “Thank you. I’m not really being forced, I want to help in any way I can. I want the same thing all of you do.”
“Well… Not all of us, Ally sighed, patting her hand before walking away.
When Ally moved out of her line of sight, Calla’s eyes fell on Jared. He stood across the room, his eyes fixated on the blood bag she was filling up with a grimace on his face. He didn’t like the thought of her being bled for other vampires, she assumed since he looked so displeased and upset. Calla thought maybe it was because the couple of times he had fed from her it had been intimate, and it unnerved him to think of others drinking her blood. It was understandable, but also irrational.
Reaching her hand in front of the machine, she gave a little wave to get Jared’s attention. His posture stiffened as he tried to decide whether or not to go to her. Eventually, he sauntered over to her. He dragged another chair over and sat down next to her. “What’s with the long face?” Calla asked with a soft smile on her lips, her hand extending to his and brushing against his long, cold fingers.
His lips twitched, sucking in a deep breath as he held her hand. “Just in my own head.”
“Don’t make me go in there to find out,” she teased.
“What do you think?” Jared questioned, his eyes fluttering to the blood bag.
“Don’t want to share me?”
“Of course not,” Jared grumbled, his eyes still fixated on the dripping blood.
Calla’s thumb grazed over his knuckles. You know it’s only to help with the fight.”
He sighed, “I know. It just bothers me how it was discovered.”
She nibbled her lip as she worked up the courage to ask Jared about his relationship with Nolan and whoever Bridget was. Calla definitely didn’t want to upset him, but she was dying to know after such an insane explosion of violence between the two. Being careful to word things properly, she asked, “Why do you and Nolan not get along?”
Jared’s gaze finally left the blood and lanced over to her. “He’s a self-involved, manipulatie prick. He’s also happens to be an excellent fighter, which is the only reason Ally keeps him around. Despite my disdain for him.”
“It seemed more than a clash of personalities…”
In attempt to divert from the approaching topic, Jared curled his lips into a charming smile, “Of course it was. I would never stand for him talking to you the way he was.”
She couldn’t fight back the smile that pulled at her lips. He was really cute when he wanted to be, and it warmed Calla’s heart to see he acted that way toward her. She tried to refocus, Calla didn’t want to get distracted from the point of the conversation. “So there’s no personal reason as to why you hate Nolan?” she asked.
The winsome smile disappeared from Jared’s face, his brow creasing slightly. “Why does it matter? I have my reasons, not that I even need them. He’s a vile person, and is someone you should try and streer clear of. Nothing else needs to be said about him.”
“Then who is Bridget?” Calla questioned, not wanting to beat around the bush anymore.
“None of your business,” Jared snapped, standing from his chair.
Guilt immediately consumed Calla. She quickly gripped his hand as though could keep him there with her. “Jared, I’m sorry…”
“I’m not your boyfriend, Calla. You have no right to know anything about me other than what I want to tell you,” he barked.
“Okay, okay. I’m sorry I—”
“I don’t want to hear it,” Jared interrupted before turning and walking into another room.
Her heart thumped painfully in her chest, biting down on the inside of her cheek as she tried not to cry. By no means had Calla meant to upset him so much. She was kicking herself for the way she acted. Jared was right, she shouldn’t expect him to indulge her with every fact of his life. Curiosity had clouded her judgment. It did sting to hear him brush her off by saying he wasn’t her boyfriend. While they didn’t have any kind of label, and she really didn’t see the point in labeling it, he made it sound like they were just sleeping together for the hell of it.
There was something between them, and Jared knew that. Calla knew he would end up regretting the way he had spoken to her. She knew he wouldn’t have done so in the first place if Calla hadn’t prodded him. Slumping in her chair, Calla rubbed her forehead and tried her best to move on instead of harboring on the poor interaction. It was hard to do when she had nothing to do but bleed into a bag. Tessa was catching up on sleep since Ally had woken them up so suddenly.
Soon enough, Calla herself started to drift to sleep, exhausted from lack of sleep and loss of blood.
* * *
Calla woke up, sitting up in a bed she didn’t recognize. Her eyes scanned around the room, her face screwing up in confusion. Where was she? Standing from the bed, she paced over to the window and noticed she was in a beach house. Weird… Calla hadn’t been to the beach since she was a little girl.
Moving from the bedroom, she noticed the mahogany floors of the home she was in were practically reflective they were so polished. Calla looked around for anyone in the home, or for any clue as to why she was there. Walking downstairs, she maneuvered through all of the rooms. It was a beautiful beach house, and was certainly expensive. There was no way this was a memory of hers. How was she dreaming about somewhere she had never been?
She stepped into the living room, her eyes immediately drawn to the fireplace that dominated the far wall of the room. Calla loved the gorgeous brick it was built with. As her eyes traced the wall, she noticed a figure on the other side of the room. An old woman with silver hair sat in a chunky black armchair, a porcelain tea cup in hand.
Calla slowly walked over to her, wondering who it could be. As she approached, the woman looked up to her with a bright smile and brilliant blue eyes. “Why, hello dear Calla,” she called to Calla, her voice as sweet as honey.
“Hi…” Calla replied, giving a weak smile. “Do I know you?”
The woman stirred her tea as she spoke, “Oh, maybe in another life time. I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure to meet in this one. You can call me Connie.”
What a strange response, but Calla didn’t think too much into it. She figured Connie was just some sort of cooky old lady. “What are we doing here, Connie?” she asked, glancing about the living room.
“We’re here to have a little chat.”
“About
what?”
“Well,” Connie began, pausing to take a sip of her tea before resting the cup in her lap. “I sensed that you’ve been having a lot of turmoil in your life lately. I wanted to come talk to you about it, my dear.”
“How do you even know who I am?”
“I know everyone,” Connie smiled. “Just think of me as... as a guardian angel. Or perhaps a counseling angel,” she corrected herself before letting out a light hearted chuckle. “So tell me what’s on your mind.”
“Oh… okay…” Calla breathed, overwhelmed by the strange concept. “Where do I even begin?” she grumbled to herself.
“How about the beginning?”
Sitting down in the chair next to her, Calla looked to the ceiling and contemplated. She was tired of thinking about Deidre. Really, what happened with her didn’t even bother her that much after her conversation with Jared. “I’m stuck serving this witch a few years younger than me,” Calla stated once she had her thoughts together.
“Oh? What young witch?” Connie asked curiously.
“It doesn’t really matter,” Calla sighed. “It isn’t like I mind her. She’s actually kind as well as appreciative. Besides, it was sort of my unspoken job to protect her since before I ever even met her. This makes it easier to do. Though, I never thought it would be the focus of my life.”
“Is that the problem? That it’s the focus of your life?”
“Part of it, I suppose. There’s definitely more to it.”
Connie made a quiet noise as she pondered, and then asked, “And what would that be?”
“For starters, she’s in a pack of vampires. I loathe the stupid nocturnal thing. I miss the sun. Her boyfriend hates me, and treats me like trash even though I do everything he asks. He’s a good guy, but he’s just so protective over Tessa that it makes him volatile to anyone who has ever come to close to hurting her physically or emotionally. Then there’s Jared…”
Connie’s eyes lit up, “Ooh. Who is this Jared fellow?”