by G. K. DeRosa
“Of course not,” she said with a playful punch to his arm. “I’m just looking out for my best friend. I want to make sure she’s good enough for you, that’s all.”
“Hmmph. Like I have any say over you dating a vampire?”
“It’s not the same,” she countered defensively.
“Whatever Cel, that’s totally a double standard. I gotta get to practice, so I’ll see you later,” he said and turned to leave.
“Wait,” she said grabbing his arm. “Why don’t we go on a double date?” She regretted it as soon as the words spilled out of her mouth.
“Really? You think that’s a good idea?”
“Yeah, we’re all friends. Why not? I’ll talk to Roman, and you can plan it all.”
Brian looked at her thoughtfully. “Okay, it’s a date.”
As Celeste walked into the house, her phone started ringing. Looking at the caller ID, a big smile spread across her face.
“Natalie!”
“Hi friend! How’s it going?”
“Good! But Oak Bluffs just isn’t the same without you. When are you coming home?” she asked as she plopped down on the sofa, making herself comfortable to catch up with her friend. Natalie had moved to Richmond for college at the end of the summer, and Celeste really missed her free-spirited and fun-loving friend.
“I’ll be back next week. I just have to finish up finals, and I’m on the next train out. I’ve really missed you and everyone,” she said with a hint of sadness. “How’s the crew doing back home?”
“We’re all great! Brian’s been playing basketball non-stop so I don’t see him that often. And Nico’s just fine, if that’s what you’re asking. He spends most of his time hanging out with Roman and me and pining over you.”
Natalie let out a coy chuckle. “Am I that transparent?”
“No, of course not. I just know you that well. I thought things were going great with you two?”
“They are, I think. It’s just hard with the long distance. You’re lucky you stayed in Oak Bluffs with Roman,” she said.
Celeste paused. “Yeah, I guess I am.”
When Celeste got off the phone with Natalie, she thought about their conversation. Everything was great with her and Roman, and all things considered, her life as a Guardian was going pretty smoothly as well. She couldn’t help but wonder why she was still so scared all the time.
Stellan gazed out into the darkening forest as the rickety wooden porch swing creaked noisily. He was flipping through an old book spread across his lap. The Guardian journals took up a large part of his ancient book collection, and they were some of his favorites. Centuries of detailed accounts about various guardian families could be found in these journals. He wasn’t sure exactly what he was searching for, but he was confident he would know once he found it. Unexpectedly, Dani burst out onto the porch and shattered the calm tranquility, carrying a thin, modern-looking notebook.
“This just came by messenger – owl messenger, actually,” she said, shaking her head. “I know I’m a vampire, but I still can’t get used to all this crazy magic stuff.” She stood before him with her hands on her hips, her dirty blonde hair in a messy bun on the top of her head.
Stellan eagerly took the notebook from her hands. Flipping through it, he made a few grunts and other unintelligible noises.
“So what’s in that thing anyway?” she asked, the curiosity killing her. “I know it came from the Council so I guess it’s pretty important, huh?”
“Why, yes it is Dani. And I’m going to need your help with it,” he said, handing the notebook back over to her.
“Really? Okay sure. What do you want me to do?”
“This is a list of all of Celeste’s kills or encounters with demons, vampires, and other supernatural creatures. I need you to go through the names and sort them into categories. I want the most powerful beings at the top of the list.”
“Ugh, sounds boring,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“Dani, this is very important. If you are not going to take this seriously, I’ll have someone else do it,” he scolded, reaching out to take the book away from her.
“No, no! I’ll do it. I can totally handle this,” she said. “You can count on me.”
Stellan smiled and returned to his reading as Dani quickly rushed back into the house. He knew her eagerness to help wasn’t without ulterior motives, but he couldn’t help his growing fondness toward his new quirky vampire housemate. Dani had recently been turned by Magnus, an evil, thousand-year-old vampire hired by Fabian. Magnus had used his blood bond with Dani to get to Celeste. Stellan had taken her in permanently when no one else knew what to do with her. Nico had worked with her for months, and she was now able to control her bloodlust remarkably well. Stellan knew she wanted the ability to day walk more than anything, and as a result she was amenable to doing just about anything to build his trust.
Stellan had taken a quick glance at the names on Celeste’s kill list, and a sense of dread washed over him. There were many powerful supernaturals that could have sent that Bacillus demon after Celeste. He tried to push it out of his mind for now and focused his attention back on the old journals.
***
Sitting on the bench at her bay window, Celeste tried to focus her attention on the Microeconomics book in her lap. She stared at the words on the page while they blurred and mingled together. Frustrated, she slammed the book shut and reached for her phone on the nightstand.
Hey, do you feel like going out for a drive to Stellan’s?
Celeste waited anxiously for Roman’s text back and as always, he responded within seconds.
Sure, why?
I’ll explain on the way.
Celeste didn’t want to tell Roman by text that she wanted to snoop on her best friend’s new love interest. Things were going really well with her and Roman now, but a few months ago he had been pretty jealous of her relationship with Brian. She didn’t want to upset him again. It had taken too many arguments to convince him that he was the only one she truly wanted to be with, no matter the consequences.
The rumble of Roman’s Porsche pulling into the driveway made Celeste’s heart skip a beat. The thought of spending the day with him on a road trip to Stellan’s where she had first fallen in love with him made her smile. She patted Rocky on the head, slipped a dagger in her jeans pocket (she never left the house anymore without a weapon), and rushed downstairs.
“Shouldn’t you be studying for exams young lady?” Roman chided as she hopped into the car.
Celeste leaned across the front seat and brushed her lips ever so lightly against his. A thrilling burst of electricity passed through them. He instinctively reacted, his strong arms pulling her toward him. She gave into the thrilling moment and then giggled, and sat back in her seat to buckle her seat belt.
“I knew that would work,” she said smugly.
“I see how it is. We’re playing dirty now, huh? I’ll get you back later,” he said playfully. “So why are we going to Stellan’s?”
“Promise me you won’t overreact when I tell you.”
“Well, that sounds ominous,” he said with a sidelong glance.
“It’s nothing, really. I just want to find out more about fairies.”
Roman raised his dark brow at her. “Fairies in general or a certain cute fairy that has been getting a lot of attention lately from your best friend?”
Celeste should have known she wasn’t going to get off easy on this one. “Okay, okay. Yes I want to know more about Marie. I feel like I’m responsible for Brian. I was the one that told him all about the supernatural world – ”
“Against my better judgment,” he interrupted.
“Right,” she continued. “So I just want to make sure I know what he’s getting into before things get serious.” A smirk crossed Roman’s face, and Celeste glared at him. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing, nothing at all,” he said chuckling.
“Roman, tell me.”
“This just reminds me of our situation a couple months ago. Only I was the one trying to protect you. It’s not so fun being on the other side of it, is it?”
Celeste paused for a second. “That’s totally different. He’s a human and I am the Guardian. I would have to deal with all of this stuff regardless. He doesn’t.”
“I think you’re being a bit naïve, Celeste. Do you really think there is anything you could do to keep Brian out of all of this now that you are involved?” he said, keeping his eyes focused straight ahead. “He may be trying to move on, but he still loves you.”
Ugh, how did I get myself into this conversation again?
Ignoring Roman’s last comment, Celeste continued. “Anyway, I think it’s important that I educate myself on all supernatural beings – don’t you?”
“Yes, of course, it is of the utmost importance,” he said facetiously, then turned his smiling blue eyes back on the road.
“I’m glad you agree, because we’re going on a double date with them tomorrow night.”
“What?” Roman shouted. Celeste gave him a placating smile as he continued to grumble under his breath. She wasn’t positive but she thought she heard a few expletives mixed in there.
***
Walking through the door of Stellan’s home filled Celeste with memories of endless days spent training with Roman, back when Stellan invited her to stay with him for a few weeks after she first found out she was the Guardian. She trailed her fingers along the wall of old books at the entrance and took in the familiar musty smells of burnt wood and mothballs. As her powers grew, she discovered that along with sensing evil and getting premonitions, she could also almost smell magic. It had an intense odor that reminded her of incense and firecrackers. It was incredibly potent here.
“It’s lovely to have you back, my dear,” said Stellan gallantly. His kind gray eyes were filled with a warmth that she didn’t often see in them. “I know you don’t need me now that you are an all-powerful Guardian, but you should come visit me more often.”
She pulled him into a quick embrace and said, “I know, I’m sorry, I’ve just been so busy lately. And actually there is something I need from you,” she said with a sweet smile.
“That’s what I am here for. Come, let’s sit in the living room by the fire. This old house has such a chill in it today,” he said leading the way through the cavernous room. Celeste looked up at the vaulted ceiling and out of the corner of her eye caught a slight movement high up near the mahogany rafters.
“Don’t mind him,” said Dani, descending the grand spiral staircase. “He’s just the owl messenger the Council sent.”
Roman shot Dani an angry glare, after which she quickly retreated to the kitchen.
“What did the Council send over?” Celeste asked, looking at the yellow-eyed creature perched above her head.
Stellan cleared his throat uncomfortably and looked to Roman.
“I asked Stellan to look into something for me,” Roman responded evasively.
“What? And why would it involve the Council?”
“Roman, I feel that it would be for the best if Celeste knew. There is no sense in keeping this from her,” interjected Stellan.
Roman shot him a traitorous glare, and turned to Celeste. She was staring pointedly at him now. “I know we didn’t have a chance to discuss much about the Bacillus demon the other night, but I thought that it would be wise to look into whom may have sent him. It may be nothing at all. I would rest more assuredly if I knew what we may be up against, though.”
“You really think someone sent that demon after me?” she asked, looking to Stellan. She knew Roman could be more than a little overprotective with her.
Stellan pushed the horn-rimmed glasses further up his nose and said, “That’s the thing my dear, we really can’t be sure. Those creatures are known to be trackers, and unless you happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, it is highly likely it was tracking you.”
A chill went through Celeste as she remembered the last time something had been sent to find and capture her. Fabian had turned an innocent young guy named Patrick into a vampire just to get close to her. Patrick had almost succeeded in abducting Celeste, but luckily Roman had shown up just before Patrick threw her into the trunk of his car. He and Fabian were both dead now, though, so Celeste convinced herself she didn’t have to worry.
“So what did the Council send over?” she asked again.
Stellan picked up the black notebook from the side table and handed it to her. “This is a list of all the encounters you’ve had with supernaturals since you became the Guardian. It includes all altercations, kills, and those that escaped.”
Celeste looked thoughtfully at the book and thumbed through a few of the pages.
“We thought that if we took a look at the list, we may be able to determine who sent the demon after you,” said Roman. “But really, it’s nothing to worry about. Stellan is taking care of it.” He gave her a comforting smile and slid his arm around her waist.
“Actually, Dani has volunteered to lead this endeavor,” said Stellan, noticing Dani peeking around the kitchen wall.
“Do you really think you should leave such an important task to her?” asked Roman. His dislike for the newly turned vampire was clearly evident in his tone.
With that, Dani burst into the room, “I don’t understand why you hate me so much, Roman. What did I ever do to you?” Tears of anger were threatening to spill over, but she held them back.
“You tried to kill my girlfriend a couple times, in case you’ve forgotten,” he retorted.
Dani looked at Celeste, and she couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. “I’m sure Dani can handle this. Like you said, Roman, there’s nothing to worry about.”
“See, Celeste’s gotten over it, why can’t you?” Dani said, taking a step forward and pointing a finger straight at Roman.
“Dani, get that finger out of my face or you will no longer have one,” he uttered menacingly.
Celeste jumped in between the two of them, placing her hand on Roman’s chest. “That’s enough, both of you. What’s wrong with you Roman?”
Roman shook his head, took a deep breath, and sat down on the worn leather couch. “Just try to find out some information from that notebook, Dani. I’m sure the Council will want it back soon.”
Dani glared at him for a long minute, then turned away and stomped up the stairs with the notebook in hand. Celeste stared at Roman accusingly as she sat down beside him, but he wouldn’t meet her eyes.
“Speaking of the Council, we have been invited to the Induction Ceremony,” said Stellan, breaking the uncomfortable silence. “They have finally chosen someone to take the place of Markus, who as I’m sure you both recall, was killed in the encounter with Fabian and Alek last summer.”
“Do I have to go?” asked Celeste. The prospect of attending a daylong ceremony with the Council members didn’t sound too appealing. She still felt uneasy in their presence, especially when they were all together. She felt as if they were scrutinizing her every move.
“Celeste, it is an honor to be invited to the ceremony – not many young guardians are. This is a centuries-old ritual, and it will be good for you to learn more about these sacred traditions.”
“Okay,” she said with a whiney ring in her tone. “When is it?”
“Next Thursday. Do you think you’ll be able to get us there?”
Celeste looked up at him in surprise. “You mean with my own powers? Without being asleep and being summoned?”
“Yes, exactly,” he said.
“I’m not sure. I’ve never done it before,” she said, looking nervously between Stellan and Roman.
“I’m sure you can do it,” Roman said, squeezing her hand reassuringly.
“Can I take a date?” she asked Stellan with a grin.
Stellan shook his head grimly. “You know that vampires are not permitted in Astor. Though the Council has been very lenient in turning a blind eye t
o your relationship with Roman, it’s best you don’t push your luck.”
Celeste knew he was right. Her relationship with Roman was just barely tolerated, and it was only because of how many times he and Nico had saved her life. But having Roman with her at the ceremony in Astor would have made her feel much more at ease. Not to mention the fact that she wasn’t entirely sure she could get them there on her own. Dante, the head of the Council, had told her that as her powers increased she would be able to come and go into Astor as she pleased, but she still hadn’t tried.
“Anyhow, we’ve gotten a bit off track. You said there was something you needed from me?” asked Stellan, hoping to change the subject.
“Oh yes! I was wondering if you could give us some information about the fairy world,” she said.
“Why? Have they been causing any trouble?”
“No, but we do have one living in Oak Bluffs. And I thought I should learn as much as I could about them.”
“Yes, yes of course. That is very enterprising of you. Though fairies are generally not evil, they can certainly be quite mischievous at times.” Stellan stood and walked slowly to one of the many bookshelves lining the corridor. He pulled a few small leather bound books from the shelf and handed them to Celeste.
She wiped off the dust and looked at the curious gold script on the cover. “What language is this written in?”
“It’s Faerie, the ancient language of the Fey.”
Celeste cracked open the book and flipped through a few pages. “How am I supposed to read it?”
Stellan smiled. “Just try,” he said.
Celeste looked at the strange writing and concentrated on the swirls and dashes. For a time, it all seemed like gibberish. Then suddenly, as if magical blinders had been removed, all of the words made perfect sense. She scanned through one page and the next and soon, to her surprise, she discovered that she could read it all.
“I can read Faerie?” she asked.