by Lola James
“Just give it to me straight. I don’t need the chaser.” I stood and began to pace the floor, waiting to hear what Dawn had to say. It felt like hours passed before she spoke, although it was only seconds. I waited, knowing that her words could have a huge impact on the decision I was being forced to make.
“Well,” she started, “he told her that he should banish her to Tartus; but since you didn’t die, and became a vampire, that he wouldn’t. He then made her promise to stay away from you. Since you are now immortal, he also took away her dominion over your soul.” Dawn threw her hands up like she had given up and dropped her head towards the ground.
I closed the small space between us in a nano second.
“So she is free? That psycho bitch is free?” I shook Dawn’s shoulders and wanted her to look at me and tell me that my mortal—or rather immortal enemy was still a threat.
“Yes, the bitch is free.” Her voice was low and she wouldn’t face me; but her southern molasses accent seeped out with her words. Without thought, my fangs elongated and my friend suddenly looked delicious to me in her perfect white outfit. Sensing a predatory change in my demeanor, Dawn’s eyes rose to meet mine.
“Toni, you look—uh, well hungry and mad.” She leaned back on the couch to escape my grasp.
“That’s because I am.” I smiled almost wanting her to run. The chase might be fun.
“Calm down. You just need some food.” She inched back father into the couch and away from me.
“No, I just need blood.” I began to slither toward Dawn and she fell back.
“We can get you blood, just not mine, Toni.” Her words were like two fingers snapping in my head. Her tone was distressed, but firm; and I froze in my tracks allowing a nervous chuckle to escape from my lips. I realized I was about to attack her. My lust for blood was about to outweigh my love for my best friend. That was just wrong.
“I’m sorry.” I stood up straight and looked into Dawn’s frightened eyes. I shook the thought of my friend as dinner and I reached out to help her up from her frightened crouch, as a light knock rapped at her front door.
Two
Hades
I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye in a proper way or tell her I loved her. Even in her embarrassment, I wanted her. I understood why she did it. She wanted to try all of her options, even if I was the best one.
But I was pissed. Livid, even.
How dare she fuck him on my desk? I am a God! One of the Big Three, no less, and this is how little she thinks of me? After everything, I’ve done to find her? After all these years… I paced around the office, the motion fueled my rage. This vampire my vampire by the laws of the underworld, leaned away from the desk and crossed his arms over his chest, the scent of Antonia, still wafting off his skin, like perfume. The sweat caused by their sex glistened in the light. I saw a smug smile tugging at his mouth. My vision blackened as I raised my palm. The smile broke from his mouth and he took a step back but stopped abruptly against the desk behind him. Fire licked down my shoulders, racing towards my fingertips, stretching to reach him. He fell to his knees the moment my spell reached him.
Now it was my turn to smile, as the smell of his burning flesh filled the air. I stepped over his engulfed body and sat in my desk chair, enjoying the show he made of “stopping, dropping and rolling”, in an attempt to kill my flames. I snapped my fingers and the fire evaporated and I willed the vampire’s skin to knit itself back together again. I waited until he stood to repeat the process. Twice more. I should kill him—just end his miserable vampire life, but my thoughts went back to Toni. She would kill me.
Her friend came and took her in such haste, leaving me here with the cocky vampire, who thinks he one up’d me. My office still smelled of them and the sex they just had on my desk. I turned up my nose and my lips went to a thin line at the thought of my Antonia sleeping with someone else.
I should have taken her with me and never left her with him. I looked at the overly smug smile Benjamin had on his face. She would have understood if I took her with me to see Zeus, but maybe not the outcome. Zeus had no compassion for mortals, or immortals, unless he was in between their legs. And his paltry slap on the wrist for Persephone was nothing compared to the damage that she had done.
Demeter and Persephone were all too convincing when they spoke with Zeus. Neither should have been able to say anything, seeing that they are a minor goddess’ and co-conspirator in killing my Antonia. Demeter will do anything for my ill forgotten wife, Persephone. She has always been a thorn in my side that I can’t seem to get rid of. Now that my love, my one true love, Antonia, is back in my life, I will have to get smarter about how to get Persephone out of my life.
The smug face of the vampire brought me back to the moment. Her body, in death, changed into a vampire because of him. That is the only bit of gratitude I afford him; for otherwise, she would have been gone forever. The plus side is that now I will never have to watch her age; but the down side is that she will forever be tied to him. She doesn’t know that yet, or at least I hope she doesn’t.
He’ll always be able to influence her, not to mention the bloodlust they have in common. That was a spectacle in itself, watching her wake from death to become a vampire. She instantly killed Annie, the witch who betrayed her, and then kissed the Vampire, with no regard to me or the fact that I was watching.
But now, the only thing that matters is that I love her and must tell her that, before she makes the hideous mistake of choosing the vampire. Maybe I can mind fuck the vampire into sabotaging himself. I mean, I do own his soul; but Antonia would never forgive me if she found out that I used him to win her heart. It’s clear that her friend Dawn, the daughter of Circe, judges me not by my love for her friend, but by the fact that I am tied to Persephone. Perhaps a little self-doubt for the vampire will work in my favor.
“You must know, Vampire that your little dog and pony show in my office will mean nothing to Antonia.” I pushed past him to pick up my journal before I sat in my chair. He spun around to face me with a smug grin still on his face.
I had it in my mind to banish his soul to Tartus, but I knew that Antonia would never forgive me for that, either; and that it might sway her choice to go live with him there. So, I am stuck competing with the likes of him.
“That was no show, Hades. That was the real thing. You’ll see she’ll pick me.” Ben leaned against the desk and ran his finger along the edge, with a sadistic smile to frustrate me. “Your desk is exceptional.”
It took all in me not to snatch the life from his body. Instead, I stood up to leave him with his moment, since that’s all he’ll ever have. Again.
“Wait.” his eyes met mine. “What happened with you dear wife Persephone?” It was like rubbing salt in a wound, hearing someone call her my “dear wife”. Nothing was dear about her.
“It is not your concern, vampire.” I held my journal in my hand and walked toward the door.
“The hell it’s not!” Ben’s voice was loud and a little on edge, then I felt his hand on my shoulder. I was unsure if he meant to provoke me or if he was oblivious to it.
I turned to face him; my lips curled back over my teeth as I grinded them, slowly. A gust of wind slowly swirled at his feet, his hand fell to his side and his body lifted off the ground. He, a mere immortal, had no right to touch me, let alone speak to me as though he were my equal. He said nothing, he did not even scream.
Circe appeared beside me before I had the chance to act on my thought. I couldn’t harm him in her presence. Or could I?
“Oh, Hades, just tell him what Zeus said regarding Persephone; she might choose him.” Her soft voice sounded like a perfectly pitched song and her smile was heartfelt and inviting. Who invited you, let alone asked for your opinion? I calmed the wind and place him back on his feet, before sneering at him.
“Yes, she might,” Ben added. I rolled my eyes and proceeded to walk out the door with both Ben and Circe on my heels.
“You
must understand, vampire.” I began before I stopped in the doorway of the bedroom that I will share with Antonia, someday. “Persephone is a goddess and things aren’t so simple.” I lowered my voice with the last words. Nothing with Persephone was simple. She was the most complicated goddess. Her mother followed behind her as a close second.
“So she’s free to kill Toni— is that what you are trying not to say?” I hated this vampire for putting the words into existence and for calling my Antonia by that stupid nickname.
“No. I’m not saying that Benjamin.” I lied but the very thought made me sick. I have to make it my mission to never let Persephone get an opportunity too close to my Antonia, again. Hopefully, the vampire will do the same.
“What are you saying then, spit it out.” His fist flinched as he fumed.
“My dear daughter where shall I find her,” Circe asked as if she didn’t start the argument between the Vampire and I.
I said nothing, as my tell-tale black smoke began to rise from the ground. I needed to have a little chat with my dear brother, Zeus. I don’t have to answer any of this idiot vampire’s questions.
“The vampire knows the details.” I said, with a wicked grin.
“You bastard, you better not go,” Ben yelled at me; but I casually smiled at him, delighted that my leaving was bothering him. This all seemed like a childish game, but it wasn’t. I needed to have the upper hand. And, I needed to have Antonia.
“Circe, would you mind sending me to San Francisco? I need to warn Antonia, and that is where you will find Dawn is as well,” he pleaded as I faded into the smoke.
My journey, after Mount Olympus, would be to visit my love, Antonia. I can’t let that vampire taint her mind against me, or worse, touch her again.
Three
Antonia
We both turned our heads to face the door and then looked at each other. I snapped my head over my shoulder toward the window. It was dark outside.
“Dawn, I know you’re home. Your car is in the garage.” A soft southern voice echoed in the hardwood floor hallway. I turned to look at Dawn, her brow furrowed and lip pouted out.
“Who is that?” I whispered, unsure if Dawn wanted to or was going to answer the door.
Dawn was seething.
Through her teeth she said, “Gimme me a sec,” just loud enough for the person at the door to hear. The usual rosiness that feathered Dawn’s face was now as red as a beet. Dawn moved toward the door before turning to give me a once over. She looked down at herself, shrieking in horror at our Greek goddess attire. We looked like we had walked out of a random Greek movie. I watched as she simply closed her eyes, my purple gown melted away, and my favorite jeans, that hugged me in all the right places, and a Rolling Stones t-shirt found their way onto my body. Her clothes also changed into some yoga pants and tank, a typical everyday outfit for Dawn.
Dawn rested her hand on the door, took a deep breath, and opened it.
“Amy!” I could hear the forced smile in her voice. Dawn didn’t talk much about her family, but I knew she had two sisters. She was so sketchy on the details about her life in Kentucky, probably because I always laughed at her “Little Miss” pageant life. I did remember hearing the name Amy before, though.
“Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” the brown haired woman said, eying me from the doorway, as Dawn enveloped her into a tight hug. I was intrigued by their reunion until the cool night breeze and salty bay wind blew Amy’s essence my way, creating a burning thirst in my throat.
“Dawn, are you going to introduce me to your company?” the girl whispered in Dawn’s ear. Either my hearing had improved or I had bionic hearing, courtesy of my new found vampire life.
Dawn slowly released the hold she had on her sister and turned to see me gawking at them I hoped saliva wasn’t dripping from the corner of my mouth; my thirst for blood was bordering on ravenous.
“Of course, where are my manners?” The melodic southern accent, that she could so meticulously hide, snuck out as she spoke.
I plastered a fake smile on my face to keep up with appearances. Silently I laughed inside, as the southern belle emerged from Dawn’s protected field.
“Amy, this is my friend, Toni. We work together at the hospital.”
I had momentarily forgotten about Dawn and I being doctors. The “new” lives we led as a witch and vampire just seemed to be more important than our employment.
“Toni, this is my sister, Amy.”
I saw her extended arms to hug me as she moved across the room. I had to pace myself not to move faster than the human eye could see. I casually strolled across to meet her and she pulled me into her arms, determined to squeeze me tight.
“Pleasure to meet you,” Amy said, almost in a whisper.
She was pleasant, beautiful and smelled absolutely delicious.
I quickly pulled back, not wanting to have her for dinner. I noticed the she and Dawn looked nothing alike. Amy’s brown hair was the color of coffee beans and her eyes were an almost hypnotizing green with orange around the pupil. I stood, holding her eye contact as her heart began to race, before Dawn stepped between us.
When Dawn asked if Amanda, her other sister
I assumed, was coming, it broke the trance between Amy and I. The pout on Dawn’s face showed me that she wasn’t happy. Whether about her other sister coming over or my eyeing her sister like dinner—I wasn’t sure.
Amy ignored Dawn’s question with a noncommittal sigh and made hers way on the couch. She sat, crossing her legs at the ankles before she finally answered.
“No, don’t get your feathers ruffled. I wouldn’t even be here if you would have answered your phone. You know Daddy worries about you, and my Momma thinks you will be an old maid here in the city of the gays and lesbians.” The sarcasm in her voice seemed to annoy Dawn, who let out an exaggerated breath and rolled her eyes before flopping down next to her sister on the couch.
“God, can’t I just go one day without someone calling and checking in? I mean, I am a grown woman.” Dawn huffed, folding her arms across her chest and falling back onto the couch.
“It’s been three days and Daddy thought you might have been mugged and dead. You should be glad it’s me and not him.” Amy teased. I had to keep my laughter to myself. Amy, the little big sister, was reprimanding Dawn with her southern sass.
I had never seen this quiet and intimidated side of Dawn. She was usually the drill sergeant who didn’t let her patients die; but now she was just a little girl trying to escape her overbearing parents.
Amy eyes lit up at the sight of Dawn’s cowering.
“In fact, let’s call Daddy so he can fuss at you himself.” Amy laughed as she pulled out an iPhone.
“Good, because I have a bone to pick with him.” Dawn fumed as Amy began dialing.
I moved toward the couch, knowing that I probably looked like a frozen statue, in awe at the sister’s interaction. I had sisters, once, and I missed that interaction from a sibling, even if it was arguing.
“Daddy, I’m here,” Amy said in the phone. The click of her tongue aroused my thoughts. I watched her lips as she ran her fingers through her dark locks. The sound of her scratching her scalp, paired with the flutters of her beating heart, created a melody in my ears. My body leaned forward as the carnal desire to drink began to take over.
“I should probably let you two catch up,” I said suddenly, to pull myself out of the moment. That and the fact the sound of their heartbeats was driving me mad. I would have loved to stay to see how this played out between Dawn and Amy, but feared I might kill them both.
“You don’t have to go; we still have so much to talk about.” Dawn was by my side poking out her bottom lip, holding my arm like a toddler.
“She is just at home with her friend, Toni.” I didn’t like the way Amy said friend. “No, it’s a girl, Daddy.” She finished eyeing me.
“There is always tomorrow.” I nodded with a giggle. “Plus, I’m starving.” I said almost in
audibly.
Dawn’s eyes widened as she nodded her head.
I eased towards the door as Amy’s eyebrows perked at my comment.
“Oh I am too. No, I’m not talking to you Daddy.” She paused, listening for a moment. “Toni. Dawn’s friend.” She met my gaze before laughed at something her father said. “Daddy, you are so funny. Okay, let me go. We’re going to grab something that won’t ruin the diet that Dawn should be on.” Another laugh. “Love you too Daddy. Bye.”
I clenched and unclenched my fist. Careful not to incite my anger. I just hated the way Amy talked about Dawn and hated even more how Dawn tolerated it.
She ended the call and turned to Dawn. “Come on, let’s get some food. I want to get to know Toni.”
How did she hear me?
Dawn’s usual glow and smile disappeared with her sister’s words.
“We can’t. Toni is on a special diet and I don’t like the food she eats.” She lied but she was right about the fact that I did eat differently and it might just be one of them, if they didn’t let me leave.
“Ah, come on Dawn. You are trying to keep your friend from me and I know it. You are such a mystery to all of us, Dawn. Even Daddy. You moved away after high school and barely ever come home. I jumped on the first plane here, when I heard you’d gone missing. Now lighten up. You’re alive, the rapist monster momma thought had gotten you didn’t, and now we can show this little city girlfriend of yours how us Southern girls get down.”
I wrapped my hand around my mouth holding in my giggles. No one and I mean no one, had ever talked to Dawn like that—not since I had known her. I was a bit shocked that Dawn seemed almost frightened by her sister’s words. Her wide eyes shot between Amy and me. But the girlfriend part is the one that tickled me the most. Amy had her suspicions about me when I walked in and she just confirmed it.
Dawn marched over to me and in a hushed voice asked, “Now what?”
I looked up and over at Amy who stood tapping one foot on the floor.