by CATT
“Case shut up now! Dominick is a friend. He would never hurt Lana. He's done nothing but help us. I don't know what you thought you saw but whatever the hell it was your wrong!”
Dominick drops his head and walks out the door. He never looks at me or anyone else. I don’t know what to think. Had Case really called Dominick a vampire? Was Dominick a vampire? I look at Summer, and she can tell I didn’t know.
“You didn’t know?” She asked me.
“No I didn't know he never told me.” Summer looked at me with sad eyes as she spoke.
“Come on lets you and I go have a talk. Taking my hand, she leads me down the hall to my bedroom. Summer tells Harris to keep an eye on Case. I also notice she looks at Harris like she is mad at him. As soon as the bedroom door closes I asked, “How can Dominick be a vampire. I know he hasn't had blood the whole time he's been here."
“Lana Dominick's different from other vampires he was born for one not made. Plus he’s not really a vampire other than having one for a mother.”
God almighty my head is already in circles then Summer goes and says Dominick’s not really a vampire but the mother that gave birth to him was a vampire at the time she gave birth to him but Case called him a vampire but then again Case is probably being jealous. I thought I would just start asking questions slow and build up to whatever it is Summer is talking about or whatever it is she thinks she talking about.
“I didn't know a vampire could be born. I thought they had to be made?”
“Yes there are vampires born all the time that’s not what makes Dominick different.
“What makes him different then?”
“Dominick was born from a vampire and an Angel. That is what makes him different.”
“What” I said taken back, “how could that happen? I mean Angles are so snotty.”
“Yes your right Angles are snotty. Summer said but this Angel named Malden fell in love with this beautiful young girl named Gabriela. He loved her even though he could never let her see him. One night while Gabriela walked home from work she was attacked by vampires. They turned her, and Malden had to watch he couldn't do anything to stop what was taking place. By the time he called, and Keepers had gotten there it was too late for Gabriela. The Keepers killed the vampires, and Malden kept watch over Gabriela for years grieving for her and the pain she was in. One night Malden appeared to Gabriela told her who he was, and that he would help her, he also told her he loved her. Gabriela and Malden began a relationship.
She had Dominick a year later, and Malden loved him. He was a great farther. The only problem was Gabriela was a vampire, and Malden was an Angel and that’s against everything the Angels’ believe in so, when the Angel council got word of Gabriela and Malden's relationship, they stripped him of being an Angel, and he lived out the rest of his days as a human with Gabriela. By the time he died, Dominick was grown. Gabriela missed Malden so much that two years later she took her on life. Leaving Dominick alone and I mean truly alone. Vampires didn't want him, Angels’ won't let him become a Keeper, and he doesn’t have to have blood to live he eats food just like you, and I do. He is strong very strong he has powers that remind me in some ways of yours. He’s a good kid without a world, I guess you'd say.”
“That has to be one of the saddest stories I've ever heard the Angels’ are wrong he should be a Keeper after all he is part Angel” I said angry.
“I think your right so does Harris but the council does have the final word, and like you said there snooty. Lana as much as I like Dominick you can never have a relationship with him. You’re the princess of the Keeper’s World. If the angels ever found out you were in love with a vampire or anyone other than another Keeper well let’s just say there would be repercussions."
“Who said anything about me being in love with him Summer? I don’t love Dominick."
“Lana honey you're forgetting who you’re talking to. I can see your love for him even if you can't.”
“You’re wrong Summer. I don’t love Dominick. I do have feelings for him, but I love Case.” I had to know so I asked her “is Dominick in love me?”
“Does it matter whether he does or not? It makes no difference it won’t change anything?”
“I know that but I'd still like to know.”
“Yes he loves you and for Dominick that means a lot. He stopped loving or caring for anyone a long time ago when his parents left him alone. He fights for good I've often wondered why he does it with the way he has been treated. The only reason I've ever come up with is his parents raised him to fight for what is right. Harris and I have always tried to be there for him. Harris visits him a lot. Until you, I've never seen him open up to anyone.”
My heart is breaking. What had I done? How in the world can I make this right? No wonder Dominick keeps himself cut off from people. It’s like everyone holds it against him for what he is and they don't care about who he is. He has been hurt by everyone. Now I’m included on that list.
“Hey Summer one more question what did you mean when you said Dominick’s not a vampire? I mean he has to at least be half vampire if his Mom was a vampire right?”
“No Dominick should be at least half vampire because of his mom. I guess because of his dad being an Angel and all holly and his blood over ruled the vampire blood. So Dominick has no vampire in him at all. He is a pure Keeper. But the Angels and the vampires as much as it hurts me to say all the other Neithers and Keepers see him as a half breed. They don’t accept him and he doesn’t accept himself”.
“Summer can you find something for Case to do? I need to talk to Dominick without having to worry about Case starting another fight with him.”
“I think your father and I can find a lot's of things to keep Case busy. Besides I need to have a talk with my husband."
I didn't even want to know what all that was about. I saw the look Summer had given Harris earlier and whatever it is can’t be good. I'd hate to be him and have to deal with her. We walk out of the bedroom and back to the living room. Harris is sitting on the couch. Case is nowhere in sight.
“I sent superman back to the Keepers' World to do some work for me” Harris said as he notices us looking for Case
“That’s good I think we’re going to find a lot of work for Case. Do you understand me?” Summer tells him.
“If you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to see if I can find Dominick and see if he’s alright."
“Yes honey why don't you do that" Summer said never taking her eyes off of her husband.
“Okay see you guys later, Harris good luck I don't know what you did, but I hope you get out of the dog house before you get too much older” I said smirking at him before walking out the door. He just gave me a small smile and winked at me like he wasn’t worried about it. When I knew as soon as I was gone he would really be all “Oh honey baby I’m sorry I love you I’ll do anything you want just forgive me” he’s such a dork sometimes.
Looking around I found Dominick in the park siting on a bench looking alone. I blink myself to where he is. “How are you doing? Did you get hurt?” I asked wanting to touch him more than anything but knowing I shouldn't.
“I'm fine being a vampire I heal fast.”
“That's good” I said really not knowing how I should reply to his sarcasm, so I decide to ignore it.
"You bet who wouldn’t want to be a vampire?” He said.
“I spoke with Summer, she told me about your parents and you are not a vampire but even if you were so the fuck what. You are still you and I happen to think the man you are… the person you are is pretty great you stood by me, you fought by me you helped me. I thought I was going to have to fight alone and you showed me I wasn’t. Dom you don’t know how much that means to me. You are an amazing guy.” I said with as much passion behind my words as I could put behind them.
“Lana why aren’t you mad at me? I should have told you what I was before we slept together. You had the right to know what you were sleeping with.”
> “I did know what I was sleeping with. It was you Dominick that's the only thing that matters to me. You’re a good man you've been done wrong. We've both been done wrong. It seems like your whole life has been shit and mine has been a fucking lie and to be honest with you I don’t think things are going to get better for either of us anytime soon. So we are going to have to learn to deal with the shit life we both got dealt and deal with it and move on. Oh yeah and just a heads up you’ll really get a kick out of this one I've already been told by Summer that you, and I can never have a relationship. I guess she picked up on the tension between us can you believe that? ”
I left out the part about her saying we loved each other. I see Dominick stiffen up. “It’s alright you don't have worry Summer won’t tell anyone. She likes you a lot. She thinks it's wrong that the angels won't let you become a Keeper. Harris feels the same way about the Angels. He knows nothing about us. I rushed to assure him at the look of horror on his face. He visibly relaxed at my words. Dominick I am sorry, what happened between us it can never happen again. But I'll always remember it. I want you to know that. It will be hard, but I'd like us to be friends.” Dominick stands up and takes my hands in his and brought them to his lips and kissing them.
“Your right we both got screwed in life and there’s nothing we can do about it. I’ve always known we could never be together there's no way the Angels’ would ever let that happen. But I'd like us to be friends. I doubt Case will be too happy about our friendship.”
“You let me worry about Case, all I need to know is that I'll never lose you completely.”
I'll always be there for you Lana and if something ever changes, and I'm made a Keeper I will come for you. I'll fight for you. Lowering his head, his lips touch mine. I kissed him back with everything I had in me.
Chapter 24
Two weeks flew by, and Summer has kept her word. Case has been so busy that the only time I see him is when he slips into my bed at night. He always pulls me into his arms whispers to me how much he loves and misses me, he will kiss me, but he’s never tried to do anything more. We always fall asleep together and when I wake up, in the mornings he is already be gone. Case makes me feel loved and safe and the guilt I feel for cheating on him is killing me. I have to make sure he never finds out about Dominick.
My mom and dad are almost completely recovered well physically anyway. My brothers made it back home, and as soon as they walked through the door they had been put to sleep right along with my parents. Sage is still working with the emotional ramifications of what all my parents had gone through. My dad is back one hundred percent. However it’s taking longer to heal my mom’s mind because of the trauma she had experienced.
Harris told me that both their minds have to be completely healed before we can take away their memories, if not it won’t work right, and their memories could come crashing back at any time. So, my poor brothers have to be made to stay asleep, until we can wipe all their memories and replace them with new ones. I’m sitting on the back deck drinking coffee, when I hear someone come up behind me.
“You know you’re never going to sleep if you don't give that coffee a break. I swear it’s got to where that’s all I ever see you with. Do you ever eat anymore?”
“Are you coming out here to sit or just annoy the hell out of me Dom?” I ask’ jokingly.
“I like to annoy the hell out of you Princess of course." He said laughing.
“Smart Ass” I say, grinning.
Dominick sits down across from me. We got to spend a couple of hours together before he left to go help Harris with something. I’m having a really hard time with this friendship thing we have going on. Every time I look at him I want to kiss him and feel his arms around me. Of course these feelings make my guilt worse. In one way, I wish Dominick would just leave so I didn’t have to see him every day but then the thought of not seeing him scares the hell out of me.
The thought of losing Case makes me feel the same way. How can I feel this way about two guys at the same time? My life use to be so easy I’d go to school hang out with my friends then go shopping. That life is almost a blur to me now. I feel as if I’ve lost control of everything.
Two days later Sage tells us that my mom’s mind is healed, but she needs to be kept asleep until her memories have been completely wiped clean and new memories be put in place. He said that if she wakes before that happens she could lose her mind all over again. The memories of what had been done to her by the demons are too much for anyone to be able to cope with. It kills me to think of what my mom has suffered. It’s like I hurt everybody I come into contact with. I need to wear a big sign around my neck that reads, “If you don’t want your life messed up or to be hurt, then stay away from me.” I’m relieved that Sage was able to save my parents, and I know that after we have them settled someplace with new names with a new life, I will be cutting all ties with them. I will stay as far away from them as I could. I owe them that for everything they have done for me in my life. Never again will anything be able to trace them back to me.
Crying and feeling sorry for myself, I went to bed early that night. Lying in bed I cried for the family I had lost for hurting Dominick and for betraying Case. I must have fallen asleep at some point because I wake up when I feel Case’s arms go around me. Rolling over I buried my face in his chest and start crying again. He holds me and let me cry until I fall back off to sleep in his arms.
When I wake the next morning, I’m still in Case’s arms. He is sleeping so I take the opportunity to watch him. He’s so handsome with his blonde hair and straight nose. He looks peaceful lying there. He has been my rock through everything I have gone through for the last nine months never leaving my side. I don’t deserve his love. He is too good for me. I touch his face running my fingers across his beautifully tanned cheek. He opens his eyes and smiles up at me. I love watching him smile it makes him look like a little boy.
“Good Morning, are you feeling better?”
“All better, guess I was having a pity party last night.”
“You have every right to be upset. You’ve gone through a lot in the last few weeks. I’m just sorry I haven’t been able to be here for you the whole time. Summer has had me doing so much stupid stuff. If I didn’t know better I'd think she was trying to keep me away from you.
I winced at his words knowing he had no idea just how true they were. I asked him how he had managed to be here this morning. He had been leaving on some different kinds of business before the crack of dawn every morning.
“I told Harris I needed a break and wanted to spend some time with the most beautiful girl in the world. He told me to go for it that he thought you needed me right now.”
“I’ll always need you.” I said kissing his cheek then his lips. When I start to pull away Case rolls me on my back then crawls on top of me. Threading his fingers in my hair he let go of my lips, lifting his head and looks down at me.
“You’re beautiful your hair drives me crazy I love it when it hangs down all wild like this. I can’t keep from touching it. Even the color a mix of brown and red is spectacular just like you.” He is rubbing my hair between his fingers looking at it like it like its gold.
“I want you to know I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions that day with Dominick. When I saw him touching you, I thought he was trying to hit on you. I know he is your friend and I respect that. The only thing is I know he has feelings for you. I will do my best to refrain from kicking his ass. I love you and I don’t want to push you away. I will not be the type of person that tells you who you can be friends with. I trust you completely.”
Looking up at Case, I feel like one of the worse people alive. Here, he is apologizing to me when it was me that should be begging his forgiveness. Lifting my hand, I rub the side of his face and tell him he has nothing to be sorry for. I pull his lips down to mine kissing him deeply trying to erase everything from my mind but him. I want to make everything better I want to change everything I had d
one. I want to make Case happy. I pull his shirt up running my fingers up and down his back feeling his muscles tense every place I touch. Lifting his head, he looks me in the eyes asking permission without words. Pulling his head back to mine I whisper “Don’t stop." Case’s lips take mine hard. His hands and lips are everywhere. He tells me how much he loves me, and how long he has waited for me. Our clothes are disappearing fast when someone knocks at the door. Groaning and saying a few choice words Case raises his head from my neck making sure we are both covered he yells “what” towards the door. It’s Cain’s voice that we hear from the other side.
"You guys are needed downstairs now."
Case rolls onto his back breathing hard. “I’m beginning to think something is conspiring against us." Laughing I crawl on top of him and kiss him again. He pushes me away “You have to stop or I may never walk again.”
“My poor baby” I said laughing when he smacks me on the butt. I roll off of him and my feet hit the floor. “Come on we'd better get down there before we get in trouble, and you get sent back off for another job.”