by Aine Massie
“I am sorry that you’ve been put in such a position with her. I never meant to cause this, please believe me.”
He wrapped one arm around my waist as he led me upstairs to Kayla’s room. “I know. It will work out. Try to relax before we get in there, please.”
“I am, a ghrá.”
Stopping at her door to take a deep breath, and try in vain to centre and relax, I reached out to knock on her door.
Knock–Knock.
“Come in,” Kayla called out.
As we entered, Declán went over to her and sat on the edge of her bed. Wrapping his arm around her protectively, he explained, “It’s just Anya. She’s here to answer all the questions that I couldn’t.” His smile was reassuring and warm, and she seemed to trust his assessment.
“How are you feeling this morning?” I asked quietly.
Kayla motioned for me to sit on the bed with them, facing her. “I’m not sure yet. But, I still want the answers you promised me yesterday.” Her voice was shaky and weak. She was scared of the answers she demanded from me, poor thing.
“Kayla, I am sorry about what happened yesterday. Geoff shouldn’t have done that in front of you. He feels completely horrid for scaring you.”
“I don’t really understand what I saw. Declán tried to explain some of it, but he didn’t give me much either. He said Geoffrey wasn’t a danger to us, to humans. Is that right?” She kept her hands busy twisting and untwisting the edge of the pillow that she was clutching.
“He’s right. Geoff is no danger to you, other than accidentally scaring you.”
“Your brother, what is he?” she whispered so softy I wasn’t sure Declán could even hear.
“Before I explain I want to remind you that he’s never harmed any of you. He’s actually protected your brother more than once.”
She turned to look at Declán, “Is that true? He protected you from some kind of danger?” She was eyeing him with suspicion and annoyance.
“Geoff isn’t dangerous to us. He is different, that’s true enough, but he has protected me. I’ve known about his special nature, but I also know he is good . . . a little stuffy but good. Please, trust me on this,” he nearly begged.
“I do trust you, but . . . I have to know. His teeth, the strange way he moved . . .”
“I know this will be hard for you to understand, but yes, Geoff is not human. We’re not like others of our kind though. He values life and was only trying to protect you and Skye. He just panicked.”
Her eyes widened as she gasped, “Our kind?”
I couldn’t seem to meet her gaze, so I had no idea how frightened she looked. “Yes, our kind. Geoffrey and I are the same.”
“You are not a monster!” she said defensively.
“Yes, by your definitions I–I am.” Allowing my voice to help soothe some, I continued. “Please, stay calm. I know this is a lot to take in, but your brother can attest that we aren’t a threat to you. I’m the same person you knew. Geoff only showed you that because he was afraid for you and Skye. We could tell that you were in danger. You have no idea how bad he feels for scaring you like that.”
“He turned into a monster to protect us? Why?” I could hear the tears in her voice though I still couldn’t bear to look at her, to see the fear and revulsion she would now have for us, for me.
“Yes. The girl that led you away was dangerous. We don’t know what she wanted, but it’s thanks to her that Skye is in the hospital right now. I wish we had been faster, I – I’m sorry. We failed you.”
Declán took my hand but did not release Kayla’s. “You didn’t fail us. Skye will be okay soon and–”
“Declán. You knew she and Geoff were both not normal, and you never told us? Skye’s hurt and we don’t even know why. How could you keep that from us? Anya, how could you not tell us? All this time and you lied about who you are?” She was managing to keep her voice down, but I could tell this was the quiet equivalent of screaming.
“I couldn’t tell you. It’s just not done. Humans aren’t supposed to know the truth about our world.”
“You told my brother!” she hissed. Her hands suddenly balled up into fists.
Taking a deep breath again. “Yes, I did. But he knew there was something different about me and well, I had to tell him if we were going to have a real relationship. And . . . well, um . . . I only told him under coercion.” This was true. Nicholas insisted, as did Declán.
“You didn’t want to tell him?”
“No. I was terrified he would run screaming from me.”
“But I didn’t, now did I?” he said firmly. “It never mattered to me what you are. I love you, period.” His eyes twinkled again. How could Declán do that even with the stress and fear of the moment?
“So, she told you before you two . . .” Kayla asked, looking slightly ill.
“Yes, she told me that she was a vampire before we really started our relationship. A week before she gave me the necklace to be exact.” He squeezed her hand gently.
“A va–va–va–” she stuttered.
“Vampire,” he said again, calmly. “Yes. But, you can’t tell anyone! It’s dangerous for her and for us.”
I waited, not even breathing. What would she decide? Was Nicholas right again – was Peony?
“I’m stunned you are handing this so well. I’m happy, just surprised,” Declán murmured as we headed back to the hospital.
“I’d rather know, no matter how scared I may get, than be lied to. I understand why you two lied but . . . we’re family, Declán, and you are one of my best friends, Anya. You should have more faith in our friendship,” Kayla replied.
“I am going to have to listen to Nicholas more often.” Two humans, no screaming or running. Bizarre.
We had spent a long while talking through different issues with Kayla. She now knew about Nicholas, Peony, Geoff, and me. We had explained about our eyes and our diet. It seems that Kayla had already been working on her own suspicions – she’s just not as observant or curious as her brother. She was nervous still but accepting. I was a little worried about how long until her calm broke and everything came crashing down on her.
We rode in companionable silence to the hospital to visit Skye. I was still very worried about her and how her recovery. Nicholas said there was no danger but why had she been unconscious so long?
Chapter Fifteen
We had to wait before being allowed to see Skye. Kayla wasn’t sure what to tell Skye about what happened. She did not want to keep secrets but was unsure how Skye would handle such news. We were all concerned about that, but I refused to forbid her from sharing such news with Skye – though no one else was to be let in on the secret that is my reality.
“Kids? You three can go in,” said a kindly older woman. “But no being rowdy or loud, please. She needs her rest.”
“Thanks,” Kayla said, looking at Declán and me. “Ready guys?”
Declán took Kayla’s hand and mine and pulled us both towards Skye’s room. “Skye’ll be fine silly. Let’s go cheer her up! C’mon.”
As we entered the doorway to her room, I could see her colour had improved dramatically. She was bright and alert, thankfully.
“Morning sleepy head,” Kayla said as we surrounded her bed.
“What is all that,” Skye asked, gesturing to the balloons.
“Just a little something to brighten your room up a bit. I hear they’re a bit dull in here,” Declán said, presenting her with balloons and flowers we’d picked up.
“Thanks,” she said, beaming happily.
“You had us worried there for a minute. You stayed out so long. Have they said anything yet, the doctors I mean?”
“Yes. Actually, it seems I’ve been sick for a while and didn't know it. Some of the meds I take caused internal bleeding. They changed them and said they repaired most of it. Some will take time though. They said they were surprised I had lost so much but only just now collapsed.
“What happened the o
ther day? I remember Kayla and me going for a walk and running into some girl that wanted help. Past that I don’t remember much . . . worried voices and then the lights and sounds here.”
“We aren’t really sure. I don’t remember much either, hun. You passed out, and then Anya and Geoff showed up. After that, we brought you straight here. We were so worried.” Kayla was editing, and I could hear the stress in her voice. Seems Skye could too.
“What aren’t you three telling me? I can hear it in your voice, Kayla. You’ve never been good a hiding things from me,” Skye said sternly, patiently waiting for her answers.
Kayla looked at Declán and then at me with questioning eyes.
Declán spoke up before Kayla could. “Skye, please be patient. You have gone through a lot between getting sick and all the hospital has done to you. I’m glad that they caught your medical issues at a point they can easily correct them though.”
“Nice try Declán, but I still want to know what secret you three are keeping about what happened yesterday.” Skye crossed her arms and stared between the three of us waiting for one of us to crack.
“Later, please. We will talk about many things once you’re out. You’re right, there is more but here is not the place to discuss everything. Just have a little patience and don’t be too harsh with Kayla about not sharing yet. Okay?” I whispered. “Right now we just want you better!”
“Okay, okay guys. I’ll try to be patient” Skye said with a sigh. “I just hate being left out of the loop,” she pouted. It would’ve been kind of cute if not for the whole thing of Kayla insisting we let her in on the secret.
“So, how long are they keeping you hostage?” Declán asked.
“Oh, they said that I could go home tomorrow as long as everything stays looking how it is now. I’m just going to be so distraught about missing class,” she said with a giggle. “Seriously though, could you guys get whatever materials I need from my teachers? They said it would still be a few days before I could return to school and with finals coming up soon . . .”
We stayed as long as they allowed us. Nicholas stopped by later in the day, as did her parents – they both worked so they were mostly there in the evening. We three had decided the night before that we were going to ditch to stay with Skye that first day.
As we loaded up in my car to leave, Declán looked at Kayla with concerned eyes. “You’re going to tell her about Anya, Geoffrey, Nicholas and all aren’t you?”
“I have to. I can’t lie to her, and she knows something’s up. A relationship can’t be healthy if there are lies and secrets. Wasn’t that the line you used to convince Anya to tell?” She looked so smug.
Laughing despite the tension, I chimed in, “She has you there, love. Not that I want my kind revealed to Skye, but it will hurt their relationship to keep such a secret.” Turning to Kayla, I continued, “But, Skye is the only one we add to the ‘club.’ You do understand that, right?”
“Yes, I know. Who else would I tell that wouldn’t have me committed for the rest of my life? Rubber rooms would clash with my hair,” she teased. “I just can’t stand keeping something like this from her. And, since it looks like you two are a done deal, she will continue to be exposed all this. It would be better if she knew before something else happens.” She turned to glower at Declán a little. “I still can’t believe you hid this from us all this time.”
“I had to Kayla. I accepted it easily, but if you recall, you acted uncomfortable around Anya at first and well, news like this is more than just odd. Plus, she was afraid she would lose her friends.”
“But I wouldn’t,” Kayla interrupted him.
“But we weren’t sure of that. And, well,” he paused looking at me with openly worried eyes. “We weren’t sure if it would even be a point to have to tell. They thought they could keep others of their kind away from us. Sadly, there are many that are after her.”
“Declán! Don’t scare her like that,” I snapped.
His eyes wend wild for a moment as his breath stuttered. Ugh, not again. “Sorry, a ghrá, please relax. I didn’t mean to snap at you.” He immediately relaxed, but I could see a touch of annoyance in his face.
“I really hate that ability, even if it is yours.” Declán looked mildly amused even through his annoyance over my voice.
“I am sorry, a ghrá. You know I wouldn’t do that to you if I could help it.”
“I don’t understand everything guys. Your voice, Anya, is able to cause actual changes in others? And you have trouble controlling it at times?” Kayla, I think, had talked more today than I had heard from her the entire time I had known her. “I don’t get it. Are we really safe from it?”
“Kayla, please understand that I have never meant any harm to you or your family. It has only been since yesterday that you’ve even heard my voice power, really.
“You’re only in danger from me if you are planning to hurt those I love and protect,” I added with a slight giggle, “Like Declán or you or Skye or . . .”
“What about the one that hurt Skye?” she whispered.
“The one responsible is exceedingly lucky that she escaped from Geoff and me.” I shuddered as I recognized the loathing and longing in my own voice. It frightened me to hear the undercurrent in my own words. I knew that if I had caught her there would be nothing left of her now, whoever she was.
“Honestly, I am not sure who poses a greater threat to her for now, him or me.”
Declán interrupted before Kayla could ask the question I saw forming. “Why possibly more from Geoffrey? He’s not as attached to us, is he?”
“For various reasons, Declán. He is exceptionally upset that he scared Kayla, that he – in his opinion – failed to protect you properly, and he feels that he failed me. Honestly, I’m worried he may fear I’ll send him away.”
Almost back to their home, Kayla murmured, “Anya? Could we go to your house for a while to talk? If we are at ours, the parentals will be a problem.”
“Of course. However, are you sure you are up for such a visit? Geoff and Peony, along with Star, are there.” Would she really want to deal with Geoff after just being so afraid of him?
“Yes, part of the reason is I want to speak to Geoff. He shouldn’t be left feeling like that. And, well, I need to learn how to relax around your family.” What a bizarre group of humans.
“Um, wait . . . why would he have failed us, you included?” Declán interjected again.
“He’s my big brother now, even though it is by agreement, unlike how you and Kayla are brother and sister. I am also the head of our House. He still seems to fear that if I get upset, or if he fails me, I will change my mind about forming a House with them. I have tried to reassure him that I won’t do that, but he still worries. It’s very hard for those of us that love humans in our world, it seems.”
I wondered idly how Geoff and Peony were going to react to my bringing them home with me. They’re used to Declán, but Geoff is so worried about Kayla.
Later that evening, after I had dropped Declán and Kayla off at their home, I was trying, in vain, to relax and think through the last forty–eight hours. How things had changed in amazing and bizarre ways. Declán and now Kayla knew of our secret reality and were accepting of us. Kayla had spent an amazingly long time visiting with Geoff while they were over, and while I knew what was said – my hearing being what it is – it still amazed me. Seems the fact that he was trying to protect them gained him much with her. I wondered if it was because he was trying to protect her and her brother, or if the main point was that he was trying to protect her beloved one, Skye.
The more time I spent with humans, the more interesting and peculiar they seemed to me. Self–preservation should be one of the strongest attributes of humans and yet . . . here were two that were willing to look past the fact we are dangerous, even though we are aberrations, and maintain friendships – or more in Declán’s case – with us. I had asked Star about all of this when I first returned from delivering
them home and not even she, of uncountable years, had heard of humans being at such ease so quickly. Well, she did qualify that vile humans sometimes didn’t have a problem with us and even courted us to change them but not sweet, loving humans such as Kayla and Declán.
It was nice not to have to hide or lie to her anymore, but was bringing them even deeper into our world really advisable? What if the one had killed her? What if Ashley had killed Declán, or worse? I couldn’t really protect them all the time and my hunting senses were not as attuned as those that sought me. How am I supposed to protect them when not even bonding Declán to me kept him safe? And what about Kayla and Skye? We’re two small Houses, considered weaker than just because of our numbers because of by being aberrations, trying to protect our weak links, our humans.
“Boo!”
I jumped into a defensive stance at once and was already in full attack mode searching for the cause of the sound when I saw him in my window. “Nicholas!”
“Sorry love. You were so deep in thought, I couldn’t resist. Relax, please.”
It took a minute for me to do just that. My nerves were stretched so thin right then that I had nearly attacked before registering who was in my window. “Don’t do that Nicholas, please. I nearly . . .” I did not want to think about what could have happened.
“Sorry. You’re right, I shouldn’t.
“Calm . . . calm,” he said as he came in and wrapped his arms around me gently. “You’re way too stressed, love. Everyone is safe and protected, I promise.”
“I know. I’m just worried about the others. How am I to keep them safe? Even with Geoff and myself right there, that female lured the girls away and hurt Skye. I’m terrified that they will end up killed, or worse, staying close to us. And, Kayla isn’t helping with her thing of wanting to come over and hang out with Geoff, alone. They don’t seem to have any concept of proper fear or self–preservation.
“What am I supposed to do about them?”