by Mela Zen
“I already finished it,” she yells back. I follow her voice that leads to the edge of the forest, just overlooking the mountain plains.
“Kenzie, what are you doing?”
“I am making a memoir, like yours,” she smiles as she holds up her book. It was a tiny blank book, the outer cover designed in stars and flowers. A locket on the side that only her has to the key of.
“Where did you find a memoir book.”
“Your brother gave me his. Says he doesn’t need it anymore.”
“I see. Do you have a spell on there already?”
“I have a few healing spells. I have a growing spell for the flowers by my old house if I ever return.”
That is when her smile falters to a sad one.
“What’s wrong?”
“I dont have one that protects me though. What if I get into some trouble and you and Elijah are not there. None of these spells will work.”
“Hmmm, I have one but you promise me you remember it. Right now your brother and I aren’t exactly friends with other vampires and they may come after you. So i am going to teach you this one, alright.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. But promise me you’ll use it carefully.”
“What is it? And I promise!” She grabs her pen and looks at me.
“Magnam tamquam campanis, et excelsum fluctus, nocere lamia in via,” I say softly to not cast it. It’s a very strong spell.
{Translate: Loud as bells, high as waves, hurt the vampires in my way.}
“Slower,” she blushes, “Please.”
“Of course.”
End of flashback
Elijah
Everybody is on their knees, screaming in agony holding onto their breaths. I look at Annabelle who is also in pain but her words cross my mind and I went to Kenzie and Anna. I grab Kenzie, hugging her, letting hold on to me.
“Elijah! What is going on?” Danni comes running towards us.
“We need to get out of here, help me with Anna,” I order in a rush.
“Okay, okay. Zeke is hurting, why is every on the floor?”
“Its a spell that hurts vampires. Annabelle taught me,” Kenzie mumbles through her sobs.
“Lets go!” I rush out.
We get outside the mansion and into the Jeep, where Zeke is covering his ears with some ear muffs. He notices our rush and begins helping Danni with Anna, gently pushing her in the car. After we settled in, we drove off into the distance.
“Stop,” Kenzie mumbles.
“What?”
That is when Zeke takes off his ear muffs, sighing in relief. He puts it on full gear driving away.
“Anna? You good there?” He asks.
“Yeah,” she responds softly.
“Do you know what kind of poison is that?”
“Not the good kind.”
“Elijah, you know how to do a cloaking spell?”
“Yeah,” I respond.
“Do one. That way no one follows us.”
“But-”
“NOW.”
Chapter 23
Annabelle
“Annabelle,” a voice awakes me, but also heavy hands.
“Annabelle.”
“Annabelle.”
“Annabelle.”
“ANNABELLE!” The voice yells then I hear some collision on the side.
“WHAT?! I’M UP!” I scream back, I still can’t hear clearly.
“Help me!” This time the voice clicks in my head and I know who the owner is. Soon everything returned and I realized the situation we are in.
My eyes fix themselves, adjusting to the setting and to the brightness, seeing Jax fighting two of his fellow vampires. Daryl and Lukus are semi knocked out, but I can sense the awakening soon. I shake my head clearing all other thoughts and I got up.
“Any year now Annabelle,” Jax tosses Lorenzo, Lorenzo colliding with the stairs, “You assholes seriously owe me a new house.”
I pulled Amelia away from Jax, knowing Jax would not at full strength hit Amelia. She uses her sharp claws at me, creating a three marks across my cheeks, I hissing the pain. Now I am just plain old angry, so I punched her back sending her flying. I went after her that is when I am pinned to the ground, not by anyone for no one was there.
My head is starting to spin and ring, that spell didn’t help my case much. I look around as best as I can and that is when my eyes caught a little bit of the figure hiding between the shadows. Her curly afro didn’t help her hid the appearance, I know Maggie is aiding from the distance.
“trahere de tulum obumbrate,” I groan through my strained body.
{Translation: Pull thy out of the shadows}
Now her body is being pulled from the corner of the room, her wailing in freight trying to hold onto something but it was no use. Daryl’s big old head shoots up seeing his wife being carried around in the nonexistent wind. Thanks to her not being focused, the spell broke free.
“Jax,” I get up pushing away Lukus who is barely trying to get his ground, “Does this house mean anything to you.”
He gives me a confused look, narrowing his eyes, “What are you planning Annabelle?”
“Oh you know, something a little bit dramatic but also covers up what is going to happen here.”
“Why do you always think about fire?”
“Why don’t you?”
“Damn, and I just purchased this house twenty years ago. How the hell am I going to explain it to them?”
“Thieves?”
“Really?”
“God damn it Annabelle you don’t make anything easy. I just need your fucking body, preferably a dead one!” Daryl yells coming straight for me.
“You have a wife over there that can fucking fuck you,” I yell back.
“You’re just getting them angier.”
“I am already pissed off. So what’s the verdict?”
“Ugh. Burn it.”
“Ignis,” I look to the walls, burning a small hole through it.
“Ignis,” I look to the bar and then I repeated the same spell but I look towards the curtains.
Now the whole house and the living area we are in is surrounded by orange and red flames, increasing the temperature. I started heavily at Daryl who mimics the same actions. His wife is next to him along with a half beaten Lorenzo and Amelia. Lukus is just out of place white his limpy body.
“Just us versus you two. I wonder who will win,” Lorenzo smirks and Amelia chuckles, “Well, my love, it is suiting we get to tack down our enemy.”
“I have to kill him,” I whisper.
“Daryl? You bet,” Jax straightens up, “Ready for this?”
“Always been.”
I look to him and smile, then we get into battle form, like the good old days before we discovered we weren’t mates. Apart from Jacqueline, it has always been Jax and I, ruling around people and fighting our ways out of battles. Jax has always kept me down. He fed me and help me control my undeniable thirst for blood.
Our feets move in sync, running towards the group of five. Lukus moved to cover his body while Amelia and Lorenzo stepped out in front, like they have been doing long before. This may have been our thirtieth or fortieth match, who knows we have always fought each other.
But my goal is to take Daryl and I will.
However I must get through Amelia first.
Our bodies collide and we hit the floor hard. She quickly rolls on top of me, I kick her off in response she almost nearly hitting the fire. Only her arm made contact, she hisses then glares at me. I smirk, shrugging at her which sends her over the edge making her way back to me.
Exchanging blows she somehow pins me down, digging her nails along my wrists, something in her nails hurting me badly.
“When we are done with you,” she lowers her lips, caressing my neck, licking the spot.
“Fucking weirdo,” I tried jerking away.
I hear her fangs retract and she resumes licking my neck, “This might sting a littl
e, Annabelle.”
Next thing I knew she fucking bit me! Like hell!
“As I was saying, when we are done with you, we will get that pretty boy of yours, Elijah was it?” I growl and narrow my eyes at her, “Hit a spot? Well, I will get him and PERSONALLY tear him piece by piece, squeezing all the juices from his body and have it locked him where I can only snack on him.”
“Say one more thing and you die, Amelia,” I hiss at her.
“I WILL FUCKING CUT HIM TO PIECES. DRINK EVERYTHING OUT OF HIS POOR LITTLE HELPLESS BODY.”
I felt my rage heat up, not due to our proximity to the fire, but to the fact that this bitch is making me hella mad. That is what triggered my transformation. Pure rage. My bones began twitching and cracking, shaking Amelia off.
At first she was confused. She didn’t know what was happening to me.
Then she saw my nails grow longer, black fur coming out of my skin. I crawl to all fours arching my back and I scream out. My eyes open sharply and internally I smile happily seeing the frighten Amelia cowering back trying to escape the encircling flames.
“No. Annabelle. I didn’t mean any of it,” she begs for her life.
Pathetic.
And it is far too late.
I slowly walk up to her, letting my saliva hit the ground showing my far extended teeth. She finds an opening and runs to it. I follow closely behind seeing Jax fighting both Lorenzo and Daryl while Maggie shoots things at Jax.
“MAGGIE HE-” Amelia yells however I ripped her arm off. I toss it to the flames where it hissing upward, that caught the attention of others.
“LORE-” Her head is now in between my teeth.
If I could smile, I would seeing their faces in pure horror.
“We have to go. Lets go, right now,” Daryl practically drags a devastated Lorenzo. Jax falls to the floor, heaving.
“LET’S GO!” Daryl yells at his wife.
“We should go too, Annabelle,” Jax says softly, “Can you make it.”
I nodded laying my body down so he can climb and hold on. I jump around the flames that is now increasing heavily. I found my way to a window and made a break for it. I whimper slightly feeling my paws burning against the hot floor.
I crash through the window and roll down alongside Jax. My body is becoming rigid and that is when I shifted back. I hunch over, naked feeling the heat escape my body.
“Here,” Jax puts his shirt over me, “Wow you dont cover up?”
“You already seen me naked. A couple hundreds of time.”
“Touche.”
“Where too?”
“Portland.”
“Portland?”
“Yup. Didn’t Zeke tell you about that?”
“I thought it was code.”
“Well,” he picks me up in bridal style fashion, heading out to the lone surviving car while his house is consumed by flames. He puts me safely on the passenger side then makes his way to the driver side, “Time to get going. And we need to stop by walmart to cover you up.”
Chapter 24
Elijah
“Is she asleep now? Is she okay?” Anna says before coughing roughly.
“Yup, she is good. By chance do you think you can tell me where exactly we are going?” I replied holding my sleeping sister in arms. I have to tell her to not do that anymore, she is too heavy and old for that.
“We are heading towards Danni’s small home in Portland,” Zeke answers me.
“My definition of small is a trailer, your definition of small is a huge mansion with lots of windows,” Danni retorts back.
“But you approved, Danni,” Zeke grumbles.
“Does Annabelle or Jax know where this is at?”
“Nope so we have to call them when we get there. It will be hard considering the fact Annabelle always leave her phone somewhere that is not close to her. I bet you right now she left it at the house.”
“Who were they, Daryl’s crew?”
“Amelia Chitae, fourth vampire to ever be created. She is known for her speed but also nimble ability to dodge attacks. Before she was turned, she grew up in a village notorious for hunting as well as fighting. Her husband, Lorenzo, is Daryl’s brother.
Lorenzo is different from Daryl as Lorenzo does not nor does he command strength or leadership. He prefers to follow, occasionally taking charge. To put it bluntly, he is more like the softer side of Daryl, except deadlier. His attacks are more poignant and much more precise. Whereas Daryl is slightly sloppy.”
“Doesn’t Daryl have a wife?”
“Ah yes, Maggie or Margaret Stewart. She is a notorious witch, apart from the Lockwood and Knight family, the Stewart family is known for mind breaking spells, and I mean that literally. Their spells rip minds apart and force things upon people. If she weren’t so nasty, she would have been the greatest hybrid ever. But her soul is nastier than most vampires.”
The car comes to a stop into a dirt driveway, leading up to a two car garage. I grab Kenzie and step outside to face a brilliant house. It is a wooden exterior, giving a cabin vibe but the architectural structure gives it a grandiose feeling. I follow Zeke and Danni, helping a wounded Anna into the house.
“Not really a small house, Zeke,” I chuckle.
“I know. Here, let me show you the room for Kenzie,” he says as he goes upstairs. I follow him closely behind, hearing my sister softly snor.
Once inside the room, I let her on the small bed. I tucked her in gently, taking off her shoes and leaving her to snooze. I put a barrier spell over the room, this time a stronger one in case they ever appear again.
“Who was the other guy?” I ask reaching downstairs.
“What other guy?” Zeke looks up from giving Anna some medication.
“Oh the one with some weird scar on his lips, wearing a black diamond necklace. He was also there, I didn’t smell the vampire scent that they usually give off,” Danni comes in with a cup of water.
“Black diamond? Black diamond. Black diamond? Wait! Did he have like white hair or something?”
“Yeah. White to blonde hair.”
“That must be Lucus. Lucas is married to Madeline who is the witch from the Ruby coven. Lucas had been shunned from the Diamond Coven for years mainly because he grew wicked with his power. He is basically the witch version of Daryl.”
“What is everyone’s deal with the both of you?”
“That is a bit complicated. For centuries my sister and I have been running from them. All because they want her. Not to be friends or anything but her body and her blood, mainly her blood. Genevieve and Madeline’s ancestor was the one who created Annabelle, the tribrid. I guess she is the key to unlocking more...more..of her I guess. At first Annabelle was happy to know that they wanted more of her, but she soon figured out that it means her death or worse.”
“What’s worse than her death?”
“Bringing out demons.”
“Demons?”
“Yup. Demons are essentially what most people see them as. Malevolent beings from down under, servants of Lucifer and basically evil creatures, worse than vampires. One wrong spell can bring them out and they are tough beings to eradicate.”
“How does Annabelle tie into that?”
“Honestly, she has never told me. Before the 19th century, she always worked on spells and curses, everything. I guess she found a spell and it opened her eyes. Since then, she scarcely opens any of her books. Her last book was done before she got married to Henry.”
“Speaking of spells, we need to contact Annabelle and Jax. I bet they hardly know where they are going,” Anna gets up, slowly, her pain on her shoulders increasing.
“Right. I know one that always works,” Zeke disappears quickly as he returns, grabbing out a old flimsy book.
“What is that?” Danni laughs.
“Before I was turned, my mom taught me a few spells as well as my sister. I was a witch. Here, Elijah you do it since Anna is on injured reserve.”
“Okay what do I do?” I
hold the soft material in my hands.
“First lets go outside, I’ll go first. I will turn into my wolf form. You say these words and I will howl. The howl only allows Annabelle and I to hear. It can as far as six states. It’s basically increasing the frequency.”
“That is legit.”
“I know. Come then.”
I waited for a few moments until I could hear Zeke’s giant paws gently scratching against the window. I follow loosely behind seeing his majestic body twirling around. Standing on top of his shredded clothes, I look at the spell.
“Fraterna patiuntur audire nuntium,” I say.
“Fraterna patiuntur audire nuntium,” I repeated again and another three more times.
{Translate: Between brother and sister, allow them to hear their message}
Zeke whimpers a bit but then, like those classic movies, he howls. Howling very strong and very loudly. The first went on for a good minute before he sucked in a deeper breath then letting out another howl.
***
Annabelle
“Old times, huh?” Jax jumps in the car just as I finish putting on some sweatpants.
“Old times? Last time we were together, I rode in a carriage with four horses that hated my presence,” I scoff back.
“Well, it is just you and I now. You owe me big time for burning my house.”
“It was either that your mates death. Now tell me which one would you have preferred.”
“Always so bitter, Annabelle.”
“Hmmm.”
“So you and Elijah?”