Bella Vita

by Jesse Kimmel-Freeman

  “Aw, Em. Don't even think like that. I would never... you're... you're the most important thing.” His face was pained.

  Tears welled up in my eyes.

  You know how important you are. I was lost in a pity party. Lost in thoughts about how to handle the fallout of our choice. Mike's warm hand reached out and took mine.

  “Yeah. Well, you aren't the only one that's in this boat. But you're the only one that seems to have doubts.” A tear streaked down my cheek.

  “Emma Mary Hutchinson, don't even think that I could have doubts about you.” He knelt in front of me, trying to get me to see the truth in his words.

  Mike, we need to have a solid front. Our choices will always be under observation and questioned. But we have to be solid! I desperately wanted him to understand.

  “I know, Em. I realize that now. I'm sorry that it wasn't apparent.” His head hung in shame.

  “Hey, this is going to be a rough road. No one will make the right choices or say the right things all the time.” I smiled at him.

  He nodded.

  “Now, let's see if you have anything deep inside you that might serve to help you.” I took his hands.

  “Do I need to do anything?” He looked from his hands to me.

  “Just relax. I don't know if you're wired different, but hopefully you won't feel anything- just don't try to force me out. If something happens, talk to me.” I tried to remain calm- but the unknown was frightening.

  “Okay. You'll be okay though, right?” His eyes were clouded with concern.

  “Yep.” I pushed down all my feelings and thoughts to ensure it seemed like I believed that.

  Mike nodded and sat in front of me- his hands securely in mine.

  I took a deep steadying breath. I turned my full attention to Mike. His scent was woodsy, strong, vibrant, and welcoming- like home. Locking onto what was Mike was extremely easy- our bond created an easy bridge for me into Mike's subconscious.

  At first I was worried that because he was a werewolf I wouldn't be able to read him as I did the others- but this wasn't the case. Mike was an open book for me. Everything that was Mike was suddenly a part of me. I gasped for breath at the overwhelming flood of information.

  I shut myself off from the flow of information- blocking out all the sensations that I was being assaulted with. A few minutes later I was ready to press forward- this time I knew what to expect. I probed his mind as deep as I knew I could safely go. His shape-shifting abilities were tangible at this point. It was almost as though I could feel the fur springing from my own body.

  Something caught my attention. It was like a singular piece of glitter floating in the wind. It was trace elements of magic, not the kind I knew but like the kind that allowed people to throw crackling balls of energy around. Wow, I've never encountered that before. What else is here?

  I quickly found the source of the energy and realized it had been locked away- or should I say spelled away. The magic was a darkness that tried to black out the glow of the magic within Mike.

  It took me a few minutes of contemplating to decide that nothing should be locked away from someone without their knowledge and I knew Mike didn't know he had such gifts.

  Unlike most things that I could heal, this spell didn't like me undoing it. For every step I moved forward in removing it, I could feel it trying to fight back- tooth and nail. As I didn't know what would happen when the spell was removed, I left a weakened version on so I could finish trying to see if Mike had anything else hidden.

  I mentally sent out a search to reveal what was hidden and another to see if he had any mental abilities that would allow him to guard his new bond from the other wolves. So many things danced behind me, that I thought I'd never see what was important. Then I saw that he could be taught to shield his mind- but I also found spells upon spells. Each one was tied to the master spell that had been placed on his energy. By weakening that spell, it left all the others in a similar state. For once I didn't know what to do. Why is this hidden from him and so tightly spelled away?

  This only lasted a few seconds as I realized that if I were in his place, I would be pissed if someone did that to me.

  I shifted back to the spelled energy, took a deep breath, and broke the spell- releasing the harnessed energy into Mike. The sheer force of the power violently pushed me out of Mike's mind.

  My body jerked off the table as I gasped for breath from the pain in my chest.

  Mike's face was alit with the new glow of his hidden power. His mouth hung open as he stared down at me on the floor- my body still jerked from the shock of the mental blow I had received.

  Emma? Mike's voice was full of energy as it filled my mind.

  Yep. I wasn't going to give anything away until asked.

  What did you do? It wasn't an accusation- merely an inquiry.

  I fixed something. Part of your potential had been spelled away from you. You are a crafter as well as a werewolf. You can also learn how to shield your mind. I figured it was best to get it all out at once.

  Wait, I'm a what? What do you mean spelled? Can you teach me to shield? The questions flowed to me as soon as they formed in his mind.

  Let's answer the easiest one first. Yes, I can teach you- although I think you can just absorb the information from me. Now, a crafter is like the witches we see in the movies chanting spells and throwing witch energy balls. You have the spells in your mind already and you can throw witch fire or energy balls- whatever you wanna call it. You are going to be upset about what I have to say about the spell. I took a breath and moved to sit next to him on the couch- intertwining my fingers with his.

  Someone, I don't know who as I didn't think to trace it, placed dark complex magic on your energy and the knowledge of your spells- anything that was associated with the magic. I held his hand as waves of anger rolled off him.

  “Why would anyone do that?!” Mike stood up so quickly he pulled me up after him.

  “I don't know. I wish I had more answers. You're unique like me.” I smiled as warmly as I could.

  “Eh. Yeah, unique. So special that someone had to try and pass me off as normal.” He scoffed at it all.

  “Maybe they were afraid of the unknown. I get that a lot.” My sympathy did nothing for him.

  “It was probably someone close to me!” I watched as his fist clenched and unclenched.

  “Um, maybe we need to go outside.” I quickly realized if he hit anything in here, it would break- unless he wanted to spar with me.

  “Yeah.” His body shuddered.

  “I know you're not going to want to hear this- but you can't shift right now.” I pushed at his mind with my words as I said them to ensure they got through.

  “What?” His rage lashed out at me like a whip.

  “You haven't learned to shield. If you shift, they will know about everything!” My temper was beginning to rise; I didn't like being an innocent bystander that had things taken out on them.

  “Em, I don't know if I can stop it.” For a second his anger cooled and panic filled his eyes.

  “I've got an idea, but you won't like it.” I weakly smiled up at him.

  “What is it?” He asked through clinched teeth- clearly struggling to stop his change.

  “Well, I don't think I could teach you how to shield right now- not with the way your mind is raging. But I can offer to fight you.” I beamed my best smile.

  He stared at me in shock.

  “If you don't use some physical force your emotions will keep you close to shifting and stop me from helping you learn to shield. Therefore, we need to release some of that- it's either fight or have sex.” I shrugged like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

  “You... want me... to hit you?” His words broke like he wasn't understanding.

  “Yes. I promise I can defend myself. Do you have a place for sparring?” Clearly I needed to take the helm.

  “Yeah, upstairs.” He gestured to a side door I hadn't noticed before.

/>   I pulled him to the door, but found it locked.

  “Let me get that.” He retrieved his keys and unlocked it. “But Em, before you go up... you need to know that I'm not the only wolf that uses it... and, eh, we... learn how to... eh, you know.” He mimed staking me.

  I tried to swallow down my disgust, but I could feel my face drain of color. I merely nodded.

  His eyes were pained, nonetheless he waved me ahead.

  I walked up the narrow dark steps and my heart began to race. Why did he warn me? What is up here?

  The room was black when I got into it- that didn't stop the scent of old blood from assaulting me. There was a subtle smell of leather as well. Mike flicked on harsh florescent overhead lights and my heart stopped and dropped into my stomach.

  The floor was padded, but the walls held racks and racks of weapons. There was a small amount of gym equipment- it was clustered together in a small corner. This room was obviously a training room. Could it be a vampire killing training room?

  I looked from the room to Mike. The answer was written on his face.

  You've been training to kill vampires? I couldn't keep the hurt out of my voice or off my face.

  “Em, I don't have a choice. Once I have more influence I'm going to push for our balance. But right now, there nothing I can do.” He looked away from me as he confirmed what I feared.

  A rage like no other raised from deep within me. I wanted to break the room and even break him for his weakness. You think I have any power? No! But I still refused to be a spy for the vampires. I would never... The anger took me and I mentally slapped Mike.

  A small trickle of blood oozed out of his nose. His eyes brightened with shock. “You hit me.”

  Believe me, if I had hit you, you'd be a lot worse for wear- physically and mentally. I had a desire for blood now.

  I crouched low to the ground- my fangs slid down in defense. Mike stepped back. He shook his head.

  I don't want to hurt you. His words filled my mind.

  I sent a jolt to his system as I kicked out at his legs. He hit the ground hard- clearly stunned.

  Do not underestimate me, Michael. I growled at him and this seemed to snap him back.

  A low growl escaped from him- had I been any other person, it would have scared me. He rolled over into a similar crouch. His movements were controlled as he began to circle me. It took everything I had not to send more mental energy at him- I didn't want to be scorched by his witch fire in response.

  In a flash of motion, he went in for a strike, but I came to realize that wolves were not as fast as vampires. I clipped him on his arm with my nails as he tried to retreat from the fumbled attack. Every ounce of my vampire attack skills and training were in check to ensure that I didn't seriously hurt him.

  Mike didn't even check the wound that now slowly seeped his warm blood down his arm. The more that came out, the easier it was for me to be distracted. I wanted his blood- the scent lured me in. I darted toward him, as he shifted out of my way, I licked his arm. His blood smeared across my face.

  His eyes lit with knowledge. He knew my current weakness, he turned his injured arm toward me and watched my movements. I tried to keep my focus on the attack, but having tasted his blood my mind had shifted to pleasure. I was no longer stalking my prey for the physical violence- now the hunt was one of want.

  I inched toward the throwing knives on the right wall and grabbed a few. Mike watched with interest- fear never crossed his face. I quickly threw two and they grazed the side of his other arm. His eyes blazed with anger, not realizing that I never intended to hurt him.

  I felt the air crackle around me with energy and knew what was coming before it hit the wall next to me. The ball burned a small hole in the padded part of the wall- but nothing too noticeable. I lurched at him with all my strength and speed.

  We fell to the floor with a thud.

  “You threw a ball of freaking energy at me?!” I felt my temper rise again as I pinned him to the floor.

  “You threw knives at me!” He shifted under me to try and show me the wounds.

  “Not in a way that would hurt you... merely to provide more licking area.” I licked my fangs, the smell of his blood so near was maddening.

  “The energy wouldn't have hit you.” He smiled up at me, I could feel his pulse quicken.

  I bent and kissed him, my fangs nicked his bottom lip. I suckled at the small amount of blood that pooled on the small pricks.

  “Someone has a craving.” He teased and wiggled out from under me, pushing me to the side as he did it.

  “Always, my love.” I bit my bottom lip, accidentally causing a small cut on my own lip.

  “Me too... must be the vampire blood in me.” He grabbed my hair and pulled me to him, taking my lips and blood into his.

  My mind spun with passion and want. I ripped at his tank and it tore away from his well-sculpted chest. I scratched my nails slightly down his back, and he gasped- his hot breath invading my mouth. He tugged my dress off over my head, it pooled by the door. I turned my head and licked at the small knife cuts on his arm- they were almost healed.

  Bite me, Emma. His words were thick in my mind.

  I took my nail and sliced a small cut by my collarbone and pressed his lips toward it. Then I bit him- like every vampire movie has ever shown. His blood flooded my mouth and my senses went blind to the pleasure and desire of him. I could feel him sucking the blood from me as I took it from him. Our moans mixed in harmony.

  I pulled back and trailed kisses along his neck to his waiting mouth.

  “Em...” He sighed out my name.

  My breathing slowed and he stroked my hair. I laid my head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat calm. “I love you, Michael O'Shanold.” I whispered into his warm skin, filling my nostrils with his scent.

  “And I, you, Emma Hutchinson.” He fell silent for a minute and then added, “thank you. You knew just what to do to help.”

  “The pleasure was all mine.” I giggled.

  My body hummed with his blood, as I could feel his doing the same. I felt calm and at peace with the world and my choices. I tentatively probed Mike to find out if he was calm enough to learn to shield- he was.

  “Mike, I think it's time for you to learn to shield. I don't think I can stay in Ireland much longer.” I tried to sound relaxed about it all, but the thought of leaving him and this life was more than I wanted to bare.

  “I know. How do I learn it?” He stroked my hair affectionately.

  “I wanna see if I can just transfer the information to you. I could always teach you the way I learned, but I think that might not work as well.” I smiled at the memory of Betty teaching me about my abilities.

  “Okay.” His body tensed slightly.

  “Don't worry, this shouldn't feel like anything. I'm not probing or undoing anything, just feeding your mind info.” It was hard not to laugh at his reaction.

  I thought about what it was like to shield, how I went about doing it, and what the process was like. After I was sure that I had deconstructed the process enough, I sent the information to Mike in a stream of images and steps. I could feel his mind absorb the information. I wasn't sure if he would be able to do it the same way I did, but it was the only way that I knew how to do it.

  “Do you think it'll work?” His words weren't confident.

  “I hope so. We can try and test it. I could try to block out our bond, and not push as hard as I could through whatever shield you're able to construct. I don't think the wolves will know that you're shielding, but I would be leery of everyone because we don't know who the caster was.” I frowned.

  “It's worth a shot. Okay, let's see if I can make one.” He closed his eyes and concentrated.

  After I felt his mind draw a wall between us, I tried to gently push against it- it held. I pushed a little harder, I wanted to test its strength. I knew I could break through it if I went at it with everything, but I was happy that it withstood my small tests. />
  “Good, you should be okay to shift now. You just have to remember to be able to allow some information through, otherwise you'll be blank to them and they will know something is wrong.” I shrugged at him.

  “Right, I had forgotten that I couldn't just be silent. I'll figure it out.” He smiled at me.

  I stood and went to get my dress. I was really going to miss how my life had been in Ireland, even if it had been only a small amount of time. I slipped my dress back on.

  “Mike, I think it's time for me to go back. I've some final papers to go over with Moira, but then I need to get back.” I looked down at my bare feet.

  “Yeah, I understand.” He sat up off the floor.

  “You know I wish I could stay... but... I can't, no matter how much I want to, it's not what I need to do. You get that right?” My voice pleaded for him to understand.

  “Em, of course I do. You know I would spend forever with you, if I could. But we have to take our places. Our bond will keep us together no matter what... hey, maybe they'll both get so upset that they throw us out.” He smirked at me

  “I doubt that.” But a small seed of hope wedged itself in.

  He walked toward me and took my hand- touching the Claddagh ring. “No matter what Em, we will always be a part of each other.” His warm fingers touched my face and traced a line down my cheek.

  “Always and forever.” I kissed his lips gently.

  The small inn that had looked so welcoming, suddenly was foreboding. My steps felt heavy as I walked toward the place I loved. I knew that tonight I would be on my way back to Italy. I swallowed down my self-pity, set my shoulders and walked through the small door.

  “So, there yah are. I was startin' to worry, Emma.” Moira sounded every bit of the mother that she would be.

  “I'm sorry, Tá brón orm.” I felt bad for making Moira worry.

  “Ah, Dún do chlab, shut it, and come give me a hug.” Her laughter was musical and filled the room with a sense of cheer.

  Moira surrounded me in her warmth and smiles as she hugged me as close as she could with her well-grown belly.

  “Yer mate from Italy called. He said a plane would land fer yah around six.” She said as she let go of me.