by SF Benson
Later in the evening, Mom brings another stranger to see me. This one, also otherworldly, but handsome in a Gothic sort of way. He takes a seat on an overstuffed armchair—a new addition courtesy of Dad.
“Forgive my intrusion, Antoinette,” the stranger says in a voice so deep it rumbles.
“I’m sorry. Do we know each other?” I ask, pulling the bed covers higher.
His full, deep red lips curve up. “No, but we both know Marc.”
“Ahh… And what are you?”
“Maybe it’s best we keep that a secret.” He winks. “I’m Victor. Victor Duquette.”
“How can I help you, Victor?”
He lifts a hand. “No help needed. I just want to make sure everything is okay with you. Did a scarlet-haired female come to see you?”
“Yeah. Elsbeth was here. Between the two of us, she scares the shit out of me.”
Victor chuckles. “She has that tendency with all of us. The Red Witch has been a fixture in Falls Creek for as long as the town has existed, if not longer.”
If this guy is truly a friend of Marc’s, maybe he’ll be honest with me. “Elsbeth said Marc was set up. Is this true?”
Victor exhales and sits back in the chair, stretching his long limbs and crossing his ankles. “Yes.”
“And the vampire?”
Victor presses his lips together and stays a silent for a long minute. In a lowered voice, he says, “My creator.”
Automatically, my hand goes to my neck. Having a vampire visit me can’t be good.
“Not to worry. I prefer my blood bottled,” he assures.
I sigh and then ask, “And does your creator have something against Marc?”
“Understatement. Marc encouraged others in our community to vote Luc out as our leader. I’m his replacement.”
“So you’re in danger too?”
Victor shakes his head. “Naw. My mother is married to Luc. He wouldn’t dare do anything to me, although he did warn me not to come to the mansion again.” The young vampire rubs his chest. “Let’s just say it’s a warning I’m heeding.”
“One final question?”
He gives me an incredulous look before saying, “It’s not your last, but go ahead.”
“Is Marc interested in me?” A shadow crosses Victor’s face. “Don’t try to protect my feelings. I think I deserve to know. After all, that kiss with the siren seemed genuine.”
Victor leans forward, places his elbows on his knees, and scrubs a hand across his face. “Before I answer your question, tell me something. Are you interested in Marc?”
The dreaded question. The one I can’t easily answer, not without admitting my feelings. “I’m not sure.”
Victor’s gaze rakes over me. “Not true. You have feelings for my friend, but they scare you. Trust me, I understand. Thing is, you don’t have to worry about Marc. He’s definitely interested in you. Hell, even Elsbeth knows it. How she knows is beyond me.”
“If Marc had any real feelings for me, he wouldn’t have kissed that nurse.”
“I won’t make excuses for him, but as long as I’ve known Marc he’s been a disagreeable asshole. But the night he helped you, Marc changed. For the first time, he’s likable. He’s making friends and doing a fantastic job running my club.”
“Your club?” Victor doesn’t look old enough to own a car, let alone a business.
“Trust me, I’m older than I look.” He stands. “Regrettably, Marc can’t come see you tonight. He’s at work and usually doesn’t leave until the wee hours of the night.” Victor reaches into his pocket and pulls out a phone. “Do you have a phone?”
“Yeah. My dad just replaced it.” I point to my nightstand. “It’s in the drawer.”
Victor reaches into it, removes my phone, and hands it to me. I unlock it and pass it back.
“Here’s my number. Text me yours. I’ll make sure Marc gets it. When he’s available, he’ll call you.”
Commonsense tells me to not to venture down this road, but for some reason I trust Victor. Yes, I know he’s a vampire, and I probably shouldn’t, but I send the text anyway.
A pinging sound comes from his device. He glances at the screen and then pockets it. “Okay. I think we’re good. Do you have a message you’d like me to give Marc?”
“I need time to think about all of this.” To be honest, it’s a lot to consider, requiring me to put aside what I saw. I’d have to ignore my heart and my head and trust my gut. Right now, I’m not a hundred percent sure I can do it.
Yet.
“Understood,” Victor replies. “Just know I believe in Marc. The incident at the hospital is eating away at him. He doesn’t want anyone else but you in his life.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Uraeleus
A much cleaner version of Elsbeth, dressed in a burgundy leather jacket and pants, sits in my office. Once again The Red Witch has changed her appearance, looking no older than one of the millennials still frequenting The Temptation Club. The female drapes a shapely leg over the arm of the chair, bouncing her stiletto-clad foot and twirling a red lock of hair around her manicured finger.
“Are you sure you want to harness yourself to such a creature?” she asks in a crackling voice. No magic in the world seems to disguise the brittleness found there, but when you’ve existed for nearly seven hundred years, time takes its toll.
“Antoinette is not a creature,” I point out while forcing my hand to stay still. Pissing off the witch is ill-advised. Those who do are unequivocally changed forever. Frankly, I like my balls where they are at.
“Neither here nor there. What matters is I think she listened.”
Lifting the bottle of bourbon on my desk, I pour myself two fingers worth. “You mentioned earlier you had something to tell me. What is it?”
“I do, but first, I confirmed what we knew.” Elsbeth lowers her leg and sits up tall. “Cherina did not betray you. What happened was not the work of any of my sisters. That damned vampire Luc Duquette paid the siren to kiss you and lie about her powers being restored.”
“How did you find that out?” I lift my glass.
The Red Witch’s expression pinches. “I spoke to Delaney in person. The siren went along with Luc’s scheming because he threatened to have her cast out of Falls Creek. This is her home. Without her powers, Delaney would be a vulnerable vagabond.”
Drifting through the world without powers would be the death of the siren. She has no way of surviving on her own. I won’t fault her for helping the asshole. The revelation does make me want to punish the vampire though.
I toss back my drink, grimace against the burn, and ask, “What else?”
Elsbeth purses her thin lips. “This concerns the human. When you saved her life, you inadvertently linked the two of you. Your souls and lifelines are forever intertwined. The fate of one becomes the fate of both.”
Sadly, the news is something I suspected but had hoped was wrong. I honestly figured becoming human would break the tether between us. Gritting my teeth, I realize what’s done is done. It’s time to find a way to deal with the outcome. “So what does it mean?”
“Uraeleus, you have created a unique situation. No matter what is done, you two are now meant for each other. Your happiness along with hers is dependent upon your mutual actions. Even if you stay away from the girl, she’ll never be happy with anyone other than you.”
Talk about fucking up on a grand scale. Nobody’s happiness should depend on me. I’m the least dependable human…spirit…ever.
Elsbeth continues, “Because of your intervention, the Fates have determined you belong with each other in life and in death. If you die or become a wraith again, the human will die as well. If she should die for any reason, you will become a wraith, and she’ll share your fate.”
Damn. Not a fate I’d wish on my enemies. My time as a wraith was worse than my first life. Wandering around the world without a real destination and no one to share it with was sheer hell.
Sc
rubbing a hand across my stubbled jaw, I ask, “Does Antoinette know this?”
“No,” the witch admits. “I figured you didn’t want her pity. Just know she isn’t happy with her situation and wants to die. Your human thinks she has no reason to live.”
Before I can ask more, someone knocks at the door, and it swings open. A bear shifter Samson employs for security—a new development since I took over—runs in. The dark-skinned beast of a man bellows, “Sorry to bust in, but the vampire’s here. We’re detaining him at the door.”
The guard is an empty-headed creature—a fault of his species, but he does follow direction well. “Thank you. Stall him for another minute or two, please.”
His head wiggles around like one of those damned bobble-headed dolls as he backs through the door, closing it behind him.
“Elsbeth, maybe you should go?”
“Nonsense. This is where you get a little payback.” Elsbeth closes her eyes and starts humming an unfamiliar tune. As the melody evolves, her features change. A shadow settles over her hair, darkening and twisting it into a braid hanging down to her waist. Pallor moves across her skin, and her facial features become more refined. Even the leather clothing morphs into a flowing, black dress. When Elsbeth opens her eyes, she’s a dead ringer for Inès—the wife of Luc.
The door slams open, and Luc storms in. He’s about to speak when he takes notice of his wife sitting on the chair. “My love, I didn’t know you were here.”
Fear has me holding my breath. Shock hits me when Elsbeth speaks.
“I was looking for my son.” The witch disguises her voice—something I didn’t think she could do. “I was told he might be here.”
Luc stops short of touching her. He tilts his head and says, “When did you come back?”
Every being in this town knows Luc and Inès don’t travel separately. He’s baiting Elsbeth, checking to see if this is truly his wife. Smart vamp.
“Must we play these charades in front of Uraeleus? You saw me just this morning. Mon cherie, kiss me and know who I am.”
“Whenever we’re apart feels like an eternity.” He sweeps Elsbeth into his arms and kisses her deeply.
I’m not a fan of public displays, but the one unfolding in front of me is worth a box of popcorn. Just as Luc begins to lose himself to the passionate moment, Elsbeth morphs back into her earlier appearance.
Luc’s hand touches her face, and he jumps backward. “What the fuck?”
Elsbeth cackles and taps her foot. “Just giving you a taste of your own medicine.”
Luc’s glowing eyes swing to me. “This is your doing.”
“Next time, I will make sure your wife is around to see your poor judgment,” Elsbeth answers for me.
“You have nothing on me,” exclaims Luc.
It’s a struggle to hold on to the sarcastic words in my mouth. Instead, I smirk while banging a few keys on the keyboard. Seconds later, the security footage from the office camera displays on the screen.
“You’re wrong, Luc.” I swivel the screen around so the arrogant vampire can view it. “Take a look.”
His head draws back stiffly as he watches the scene.
“Interfere in my life again…” I say. “And we’ll find out what Inès thinks about your inability to tell the difference between her and Elsbeth.”
Anger flashes in Luc’s glowing eyes, and he growls, “This is not over.”
“It is over,” Elsbeth replies and walks toward him, her persona changing once again. This time it’s her normal dusty presence with the splintery voice. “Do anything else to this man or anyone he associates with, and you shall answer to me. Have I made myself clear?”
Luc’s jaw clenches and unclenches. “Crystal.”
“Good.” One of Elsbeth’s fingers, like a crooked claw, caresses his tense jaw. “By the way, my dear, you kiss divinely. I look forward to another.”
His amber eyes flash. “Won’t happen again.”
“Don’t heed my warning, and it will happen over and over again. I, too, have been without a good fucking. Screw with Uraeleus, and I shall screw with you.” The Red Witch casts a satisfied look my way. “Good night, Uraeleus. You know where to find me should you need me.”
Elsbeth dissipates right before our eyes. A hazy mist along with a lingering stench is the only evidence, outside of the disgusted twist of Luc’s mouth, the witch was ever here.
Before Luc can say anything, however, I warn him, “Don’t do it unless you really want to spend a few nights beneath Elsbeth. She might let you go after three or four rounds. Who knows? Being around since the fourteenth century, the witch might know some tricks. Perhaps she could teach you a few moves to use with your wife?”
The angular vampire turns as crimson as his favorite beverage then shakes his head and storms out, practically knocking Victor over.
“What the hell is his problem?” Victor asks.
“He got a taste of Elsbeth.” I motion to the black leather chair in front of my desk—a sturdy piece of furniture crafted from white oak.
“Eeeewwww…” Victor grimaces. “I stopped by to let you know I spoke to Antoinette. She’s a pretty girl.”
“You went to see her?” Reaching for the bottle of bourbon, I refill my glass. “That wasn’t necessary.”
“It wasn’t, but I wanted to make sure she understood what happened. Elsbeth can be harsh with her words.”
Amongst other things.
“True,” I agree. “Thanks for your help.”
“You’re welcome.” Victor reaches inside his jacket and removes his phone. He taps on the screen, and then my phone pings. “That’s Antoinette’s number. Contact her when you’re available.”
My phone, resting on the desktop, remains lit up. The inanimate object calls me. Begs me to pick it up and call Antoinette. “No. I won’t call her. What needs to be said should be done in person.”
“How do you plan on making it happen? Antoinette said she needed time to process everything.”
My heart sinks, but I get it. Women haven’t changed much over the centuries. When they’ve been harmed—real or imagined—they need space to deal with it. Determine whether they can handle anything more.
“Then she shall have it,” I say regrettably.
Victor crosses an ankle over his knee. “That aside… When did you become such good friends with Elsbeth? Ever since I came to this town, I’ve been told to stay away from her.”
“Good advice, my friend. The Red Witch has been bringing men to their knees for centuries. But now that you’re head of Council, you should form an alliance with her.”
“Why is that?”
“You’re not from this country, but nearly every supernatural in America has Elsbeth to thank for their creation.”
The young vamp’s eyebrows knit together as he tilts his head to the side.
“You really should hear her story. The Red Witch knows everything there is about Falls Creek.”
Victor drops his leg and leans forward. “That’s all you’re going to tell me?”
“It really isn’t my story to tell, but I’ll give you something to think about. Supernaturals exist because of evil in the world. You screw somebody over and you cast a seed. Cast enough of those seeds, and they start taking shape.”
“So somebody screwed over someone in Falls Creek?”
“Not just somebody. It was Elsbeth. Just make sure you never screw her over, or she’ll make you pay.”
Victor pushes to his feet. “Good to know. I’ve got to get home. You’ll let me know how things go with Antoinette?”
“Yeah.” Unfortunately, I don’t see anything positive on the horizon. “Don’t hold your breath, Victor. I don’t believe anything good will happen there.”
“Keep the faith, Old Man. Stranger things have happened.”
Especially in this town.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Uraeleus
It’s three in the morning, and I can’t sleep.
I w
asn’t focusing much at the Club, so I left Samson—someone who has become a valuable employee—in charge and came home early. My dinner, a burger and fries I picked up along the way, was mostly uneaten and now sits at the bottom of the trash can. Even after a few drinks, I still can’t get to sleep. Tossing and turning has been my only bedtime activity tonight.
Unable to spend another minute in agony, I slide out of bed and slip into a pair of sweats and sneakers. There’s only one place I can go at this hour, but I hope she doesn’t slam the door in my face.
The porch light comes on over my head followed by the wooden door creaking open. Cherina, wearing a sleeveless top and pajama bottoms, has a frown on her face. “What brings you here this late?”
My shoulders automatically hunch. “I couldn’t sleep.”
“Is your conscience bothering you?” she asks, stepping to the side and allowing me to come inside.
Not in the mood for ridicule, I scoff as I drag my feet over the threshold. “Shit no. You know I stopped listening to the bastard centuries ago. He never had a worthwhile thing to say.”
My attempt at humor doesn’t put a smile on her face. As her bare feet pad down the hall, she says, “Come on back to the kitchen. Is this a tea or coffee conversation?”
“Coffee might be the best thing. This is going to take a while.” I pull out a chair and lower myself into it.
Cherina fills the container of her coffee maker with water. As she scoops coffee grounds into a filter, she says, “Elsbeth came to see me.”
“Yeah, I know.” I steel my spine for the onslaught. Coming to Cherina suddenly feels like seeking out advice from my mother about a girlfriend.
My friend finishes preparing the coffee and comes over to me. Leaning over the table, her jaw tightens and she gives me a harsh squint. “How long have we known each other?”
“Twenty…thirty years.” To be honest, I stopped counting a long time ago.
“Closer to forty, but that’s not the point. Have I ever lied to you?”