“Yes, my light. It is time for introductions. Let us leave this youngling to her rest.”
We stroll side by side over to where Gavin and Jaxx are frozen on the floor. “Children, you may rise and address your Goddess,” my mother tells them in an imperial voice. This is so going to take a while to get used to.
How did you go from being a bowing and scraping worshiper, to being the daughter of a Goddess?
“You are transitioning quite well, my daughter,” she whispers to me in an aside. Shit! She can read my mind as well. Hmm. Not like I can sensor every thought, best not to think about it.
“Do I let the other Vampire Elders in,” I ask, looking out the front window where Sebastian and the other two men are angrily pacing the front lawn.
“Not just yet.” She turns to Jaxx first and holds out her hand which he takes and bows lowly over.
“It is good to meet my daughter’s soul mate in the flesh.”
Ha! Jaxx’s ears just turned pink. I didn’t think anything could make that man blush.
“Your destined suits you, my daughter. He is strong of heart and soul. He will be steadfast and supportive.”
I grin at Jaxx. “I am very lucky, Mother. He is special to me. He is more than just my soul mate. I would have chosen him regardless of the Fates matching us together.” I join Jaxx and wrap my arms around his waist and nuzzle my face into his chest.
Hekate is approaching my brother and he looks a little freaked by her. He bows lowly in a show of respect but seems to be struck mute.
“It is okay child. I’m not here to harm you. You are womb mate of my little light. That makes you precious to me also.” She pulls Gavin into a hug and his shoulders begin to shake.
“I will be a mother to you also. Know that you are loved my child.”
Gavin collapses in on himself, sobbing silently.
I look at Jaxx with wide eyes, not knowing what to do.
“Just let him get it out. He hasn’t been shown much in the way of affection in his short life.”
“Sometimes I forget how old you are. Cradle robber.” I slap his chest with the back of my hand and laugh.
I turn back to my mother and Gavin and see that he has gotten himself together. Hekate has seated herself daintily in a green club chair and Gavin is sitting at her feet while she idly runs her fingers through his hair. If I didn’t already love my mother, I would love her right now for showing my brother that small kindness.
“It is time to let in the Vampires that are waiting outside,” Hekate looks up at me when she speaks.
I wave my hand and the force field surrounding the house disappears. Within moments the front door is sent crashing into the wall and three irate immortal males come flashing in. Seb stops in his tracks at the sight of my mother sitting in the room. He immediately drops to his knees and stays there, eyes prone on the floor.
The other two didn’t notice her presence. She must have muted her power before they made their entrance. They are facing me where I stand, looking at me like they would love to follow through with Moira’s threats. They are both tall. Well over six feet in height with dark hair and muddy brown eyes. Their faces are nondescript and neither is handsome nor overly attractive. They are clearly twins. Their looks are nearly identical.
“Who are you to kill one of our ancients? Some youngling drunk on power!”
I don’t get a chance to respond because my mother decides this is the moment to make herself known.
“Who you are speaking to is my daughter, daughter of my blood, daughter of my light. You will show respect to your betters or I will cull you where you stand.”
“We are ancient Elders of an ancient and noble race. My name is Odar and this is my brother Adar. Who are you to speak to us thus?”
Power unlike anything I have ever seen spills through the room like a tidal wave. It takes all of my stubborn will to remain on my feet. If I wasn’t clinging to Jaxx I would have been mowed over. As it is, we are both holding each other up. The two Vampire Elders finally realize their mistake. They might not know who exactly they’ve just insulted, but they obviously know when they are out matched and out classed.
“I know exactly who you are, Odar, Adar. Twin mortals my once would-be mate decided to make into his play things. I saw the night that he took you whilst you were shoveling muck outside your pathetic little mud hut.”
The look on their faces is priceless.
“We owe no allegiance to you, Goddess,” Odar fairly spits. “You cursed our maker without cause. We did not worship at your alter like these weak Witches.”
Hekate narrows her eyes in the direction of the twin Elders. They both drop to their knees in screams. Blood is pouring from their eyes, ears, and mouths.
“Kelian is and was a weak man. If it is he that you show your allegiance to after he cut you loose to survive this troubled world on your own, then you are as worthless as the parasite that my daughter eradicated,” Hekate’s voice echoes throughout the room.
“There is a war coming. All factions will be forced to join a side. Tread lightly. You do not wish to be on the losing one.”
With that bit of advice she releases them from her thrall.
The Elders quickly stand and flash out the door as if the hounds of hell are nipping at their asses. Good riddance and all that jazz. My mother walks to where Sebastian is still kneeling on the floor and bids him to rise. I quickly make introductions.
“Mother, this is Sebastian. He is Jaxx’s uncle.”
“It is a pleasure to finally meet you in the flesh, teacher of my daughter,” her voice is back to tinkling bells.
Sebastian looks flabbergasted. It is a good look for him. I smile into my hand to hide it.
“It is an honor, my lady,” Seb bows low over my mother’s hand.
“Seb, we have healed Jessa. Moira had been torturing her in your absence. That is why...Umm. Why I killed her. I read her thoughts and memories. The things she said and did were horrid. I couldn’t just let it go. Elder or not. I’m sorry if this upsets you.” I hang my head. I love Seb. He is a part of my newly formed family. I don’t want him to hate me.
“I don’t blame you for your actions child. They were wisely done.” Seb turns back to my mother.
“You said something of a war on the rise, my lady. What did you mean by that?”
When Seb speaks to my mother he whispers like he is afraid of her disapproval. I have never seen him so humbled.
“There are certain clans of True Witches that have turned to the ways of darkness. They have turned from me and from the light. They want to eradicate all others who do not follow their new ways,” Hekate whispers with great sadness.
I go to her and clasp my hand in hers to offer what comfort I can.
“They were once my children. Not children of my blood. Not children of my light or soul, but my children all the same. I listened to their pleas and prayers. I led them in the way of the light, the way of the just. They have turned from me. Who they follow now I cannot see. They have cloaked themselves from my sight.”
“Well I don’t think we can rely on the Vampire factions to be on our side in the upcoming conflicts,” I whisper to the room at large.
“There are many factions of Vampires. There are many Elders in each of these factions. The Elders you met tonight are of no consequence. Many of my kind still follow the old ways.” Sebastian nods in my mother’s direction. Then he looks to where Moira’s remains still lay on the floor in a steaming pile of flesh. I had completely forgotten her.
My mother sees the direction of our stares and waves a gentle hand through the air and what remains of Moira just disappears. Well, that takes care of that. I shrug. You either roll with it or drown.
“It is time for me to take my leave from this plane.”
Hekate looks at me, squeezing my hand tighter. “Child, take wisdom from the book I have gifted you. If you have need of me, I will come. You are loved, my little light.”
She steps for
ward and embraces me in a tender hug. When she pulls away I feel as if I am going to weep.
“You have many trials ahead. Danger looms very near.” She closes her eyes and inhales deeply, and then shakes her head in the negative. “This danger is hidden from me. They wear a false face. Someone familiar to you, I think. Tread carefully. Trust only those closest to you.” She looks around the room and the people in it. My new family, people I will gladly kill and die for if I have to.
Hekate backs away from me and green-tinged mist starts to surround her. Once she is fully covered in it there is a bright flash of light and she is gone. I feel her absence keenly, but I have to push it back. There are more pressing matters to attend to at this moment.
Everyone in the sitting room is looking at everyone else’s shell-shocked faces. It isn’t every day that you are in the presence of a Goddess. Seb looks at me with questions in his eyes.
“We healed her, Seb. Jessa will wake sometime tonight.”
“Thank the Goddess,” Seb sighs out.
Jaxx comes over, pulling me close to him and settles us into a vacant club chair with me sitting sideways across his lap. Everyone is silent for a while, taking in the events of the morning. I lay my head on Jaxx’s shoulder and am almost asleep when Gavin speaks. I jump at the sound of his voice.
“So what are we going to do about this upcoming war? It doesn’t seem like this is something that we can put off. Or something that we can handle alone.”
“I agree. There is a gathering coming up in one month’s time. The Wandering,” Jaxx says. When I look at him in question, he explains.
“It is a gathering that True Witches flock to for the chance they might meet their intended mate. Or soul mate.”
“Yes! My boy, I think you have it,” Seb shouts.
“There will be every clan of True Witches present, along with their Clan Elders. We can bring the warnings of the Mother Goddess to them there.” Seb looks at Jaxx like he is a genius.
I snuggle back into the space between Jaxx’s neck and shoulder and decide to doze for a while. The boys can speculate and plan all they want but this morning had wiped me out.
When I wake up a little later, I realize I need to check my phone and email. I need to touch base with the real world for a bit before my uncle and Devon send out the FBI to look for me, even though it’s only been a week since I have spoken either of them. They are most likely freaking the fuck out.
“Has anyone thought about what I’m supposed to say to my uncle and Devon when I decide to contact them again,” I ask the room at large, which is rewarded with weird looks from everyone. “Geez, sorry! It was just a stray thought, but a valid one I think!”
“Your uncle thinks that you are at a boarding school in upstate New York. He won’t be expecting you to be checking in every second Ella. He will be thinking that you are spreading your wings a bit.”
I sigh in relief, close my eyes, and feel my mind begin to drift. Snuggling into Jaxx is my favorite place in the world to be.
“I am so happy to be here with you.” I whisper to Jaxx for his ears alone.
“And I you, little raven. We have much to discuss when you wake, but for now sleep and dream of good things, dream of me.”
If it was only that easy. As soon as I close my eyes I find myself running through that all-too familiar maze. It is made of giant thorns and I can hear the footsteps of the person chasing me gaining ground. I can almost feel their breath on the back of my neck. I remember the part that comes next and I am seriously not looking forward to it.
Good dreams indeed.
Chapter 18.
I wake up to people shouting. I roll over and try to bury my head in the warm pillow my head is nestled against. Unfortunately, I am not lying on a pillow at all. I accidentally head butt Jaxx in my attempt to escape the noise.
“Umph! What are you trying to do, little raven?” He smiles at me while rubbing his chin.
“I’m trying to get away from whoever is downstairs squawking.” I shake my head to clear some of the cobwebs.
“What is all the commotion about anyway,” I ask him.
“Jessa woke up hungry.” He laughs out loud and shakes his head.
I guess that explains why someone is bitching. Just when I am about to ask what she has gotten herself into this time, Gavin charges through the door.
“Knock much?” I scowl at him.
“You wouldn’t bother knocking either if someone just tapped your ass like a juice box,” he yells at me.
“She bit me!”
“Watch your tone, brother,” Jaxx snarls at Gavin.
“You are upset, but don’t take your frustrations out on your sister. You get me boy?”
Gavin looks down at the floor and I notice that he is holding his neck. Blood is dripping down his arm. I throw back the covers and crawl out of bed. Once my feet hit the cold wood floor, I stride over to Gavin. I pull his arm away from the deep laceration that is cut deeply into his neck. He looks like he’s been mauled by a wild animal.
Jesus. I would be pissy too!
I put my palm to the wound and push a gentle trickle of my power into it. I feel a tingling warmth that radiates from the center of my hand. I watch as Gavin’s wound slowly knits itself back together.
“Why didn’t she use her saliva to close the wound herself,” I ask.
“I’m sure she would have if she was in her right mind. The elders weren’t joking when they said she was feral. If Sebastian hadn’t pulled her off of me she would have drained me,” he huffs out a deep breath.
“I’m going out for a while. Call me when you get that she bitch under control,” he snarls as he leaves the room.
I look back at Jaxx reclining on the bed without a shirt. He is a variable buffet for the eyes. I shake my head to get my mind out of the gutter.
“How long have I been out,” I ask Jaxx as I throw a blanket over his manly chest. I keep asking him that. I need to stop overextending myself.
“Not long. Just about six hours or so,” Jaxx laughs at me for avoiding the bed with my eyes. The blanket that I covered him with hits me in the side of the head.
“Come back to bed, little raven. I have a present all ready and waiting for you,” his voice is low and growly. When he sounds like that, it always makes me want to forget about my promises to myself. No sex until marriage, or a mating ceremony. Whatever it is called now.
“You know I can’t” I huff out in frustration.
“Besides, I need to check on Jessa.” I sneak one last look at him, regretting that I have to leave my man in bed waiting for me. I turn and head for the door. I am still wearing the clothing that I’d worn earlier this morning. I guess I look presentable. Just a little wrinkled. When I make my way down the stairs and wander into the front room it is like war of the blood suckers. The front room is completely destroyed. Furniture is busted, tables are turned over, and pictures are smashed on the floor. Jessa and Seb are in opposite corners of the room just staring daggers at each other.
“What the fuck,” I shout.
“We are guests in this home. You are both too old for this shit!”
Jessa turns and looks at me when she hears my voice. The shock on her face is almost funny. I guess she didn’t expect to see me here.
“She cannot be controlled. When I try to help her, she acts like someone belonging in Bedlam,” Sebastian snarls at me while staring daggers at Jessa.
I stop cold. No one talks about my bestie like that. That shit got Moira boiled and gutted. I might like Seb well enough, but I love that furious girl in the corner with every inch of my soul.
“Get out, Seb. Go for a walk. Just leave.” My voice leaves no room for an argument.
“It’s your funeral little niece,” he hisses at me through clenched teeth as he slams out the front door.
I turn to Jessa. She hasn’t moved from her space in the corner, but now she huddles and burrows like she is trying to find a place to hide.
“Jessa. Yo
u are safe.” When I get no reaction out of her, I approach her with my palms outward.
When she registers that someone is getting closer to her, she whirls around, hair flying, fangs punching out, and hissing. She crouches down, getting ready to spring for me. I don’t want to use my gifts against her, but I might not have any choice. I don’t want her to hurt anyone else, especially Jaxx. I can hear him moving around upstairs. It won’t be long until he makes his way down. I fling my palm outward and freeze her mid-pounce. I wave my hand toward the sofa and set her down as gently as I am able. The truth is that I basically fling her onto it. I need more practice for finesse. I still have her body in stasis, so I move her into a sitting position. Her eyes are about to pop out of their sockets.
“Yes, Jessa, there is quite a bit that we both need to confess and catch up on,” I tell her gently.
“You know me, though. I would never hurt you.” I shake my head sadly at her. I don’t know what to do to help her. Obviously, judging by her physical appearance, she is healed. Her curves are back, her hair is wavy and shiny, and she doesn’t look like a shriveled husk of herself anymore.
The tiny voice in the back of my head is muttering something. Sometimes I try to block it out. It can get fucking annoying, but I choose to listen to it this time. I need to feed her, it says. She isn’t fully healed. On the outside maybe, but the inside of her mind is still damaged. My life blood should finish healing her fully, poor Seb. He probably thinks he got stuck with a bat shit crazy mate. I reach for my mother’s jeweled dagger that is still sitting where the coffee table used to be. Once I have it, I slice vertically down my wrist, just like I was told to do earlier.
Jessa’s stare is rapt. She can’t pull her eyes away from my blood that is dripping from the wound. I walk to her, carful to keep her in stasis. I force my wrist into her mouth and let my blood run freely.
“This is my gift to give. Take freely with no artifice.” I pull back on the stasis spell a bit so that she can drink. I feel her fangs slash into my raw wound and bite back a curse. With every pull of blood she ingests I can see the sanity returning to her eyes. When she’s had her fill, she gently pulls back from my wrist and runs her tongue over my wound. It closes almost instantly.
The Awakening: A Witch-Vampire Romance: Feel the Heat. Page 19