Just then, we hear a knock at the door, and we both jump to our feet. I answer the door, and it is Luke.
“Hey, bro. Sorry to interrupt, but Mom and Dad are ready to go. Can I catch a ride home with you? I’m kinda digging this girl named Eliza.” He winks at Nathanial.
“Sure, no problem. Whenever you are ready.” He laughs.
The three of us go back downstairs and say our goodbyes. This is yet another amazing evening spent with Nathanial McCord that I shall never forget! I’m so excited to see what the following months shall bring us. I only hope it is half as good as Christmas and New Years has been. This is better than any dream or movie, I think to myself. I know it’s not movie though, because this will not have a happy ending, but for now, I’ve decided to just go with it and enjoy it while I can. I don’t ever want this to end, but I do not ever want anything to harm Nathanial. I vow to protect him for as long as I am near, for as long as he will allow me continue to be a part of his life.
***
“Luke and Eliza really are growing close. They have been talking for hours,”
Nathanial notes.
“I know. Everyone else has left. They’re locked eye to eye and don’t even notice the cleaning crew working around them,” I reply.
Matilda gives me a look that I know; they have a special bond. I only wonder if things can continue to grow once Luke returns to school this week.
“I’ve never seen my brother this interested in anyone before.”
“Do you think it could go somewhere? Mati believes they are a perfect match,” I whisper.
“It could. Luke is very dedicated to everything he’s passionate about, and he looks pretty passionate to me.”
I watch the two kindred spirits bond. “I hope he can handle her secret as well as you’ve handled mine.”
“I think he will. Mom and Dad always raised us to not judge others based on their circumstances, race, or beliefs. Luke is the fairest person I know, always ready to stand up for the outcast.”
After a little longer, Nathanial interrupts Luke and Eliza’s conversation. “Luke, I’m sorry, man, but even the staff has left. I think it may be time to let Eliza go home with her sister. I bet Mom and Dad are wondering what’s taking us so long.”
“You’re probably right.” Luke turns back to Eliza. “I am so glad we met tonight. I hope we can spend more time together before I go back to school.”
“I would like that. Thank you for keeping me company.” Eliza smiles and Luke leans in for a small kiss on the cheek before leaving.
The boys are the last of the mortals to leave. The family invites the sisters to stay and brush up on our vampire history. We get our journals out and look for all notes regarding the Cerberus.
Elijah has spent most of the night researching the murders from the New York area and trying to figure out which ones and how many could be attributed to the Cerberus.
He also spoke at length to the Renata. Elijah has agreed to work with them to keep the peace and protect the secret. He explains to us, “Isaac, Florence, Constance, and I have faced them before in the previous New York riots, before we found you kids. When we found you, everything changed for us. We were living differently than most of our kind, but with you came responsibilities. You have heard some of the stories, but you have never been involved firsthand before. This is not the kind of fight our family is used to. Our fights are usually within ourselves, fighting our natural urges to feed off the mortals. Our biggest fight has always been our civility. Now we were opening up things that have been dormant in us for over a century. We must all be prepared.”
We all agree that something needs to be done to stop the Cerberus; for human sacrifice is not something we can just sit idly by and watch. We’ve only been in Wenham for less than six months but have never had such a life before. We have never found so many mortals to care about. The townspeople are not only the civilians of Wenham, but they are also our friends, and some are like family to us.
We decide in this moment that it’s not an option to allow the Cerberus to come anywhere near Wenham on their killing spree. We know the only option is to prepare for battle, fight them, and win. This will be difficult and training needs to begin immediately. We’ll need help, but we may not be lucky enough to find it. When things become difficult like this is when I miss Caspian the most. He was always a great fighter and protector. I can feel our entire family longing for him now. I possibly yearn for his return even more since I saw him in the area only a few short days ago. I just don’t believe anything can bring him back, not even the danger that is upon his family.
We are his family and will always be. I hope one day soon he will realize we can help him and that he will join us again.
“We must begin training and preparing. I think Danika is in the most danger here.
Wait...where is she? Does anyone know where Danika is?” Isaac questions.
“Now that you mention it, I don’t recall seeing her when we gathered in the library before midnight. Actually, the last I remember seeing her was when she was greeting our guests,” Matilda says with a hint of panic.
“I cannot reach her. I do not sense her anywhere near us. She must be far if I am not able to link with her mind,” Alexander confirms.
“You don’t think….?” Florence begins to panic.
Once again that girl is driving me batty. We need to find her and begin our training, to ensure our battle is won and Wenham remains safe forever. We finally have a life and I intend on living it to the fullest, for as long as I can. After more than a century, I have found friendship, and love. I have found my other half and am finally complete.
Coming September 2011
Book Two of the Embrace Series
Forbidden Embrace
Sneak Preview
Forbidden Embrace
Chapter One
Clubbing
I decide to do a quick journal entry before leaving for the big New Year’s party at Club VC. It has been a very eventful week. I have been spotted by at least two of my former family members. While doing a checkup on my family, I noticed Danika, the newest member of the family, conversing with a member of the Cerberus. They were making plans to celebrate the New Year at Club VC together. Young Danika still remains unaware of who she is dealing with. It appears the family is unaware of her power to block others. This is how Danika is able to keep her secrets. This is only a little tidbit I learned at the club. I’m not even sure if she is aware of her power yet.
I am concerned about Sophia seeing me in the park a little more than a week ago. I know that girl. She is as stubborn as a mule, and she will not give up on me. I need to be more careful now that Sophia is aware of my presence. I am sure she has divulged the information to the family by now. I expect her to look for me.
It’s getting late. I should get ready and head for the club, in case Danika does go there. I want to keep an eye on her and keep her out of too much trouble. I have been attempting to disguise myself so Danika will not recognize me from pictures and the Cerberus will not recognize me if they have seen me around.
***
Walking into the club, I look around for familiar faces–either Danika or the guy she has been meeting with. I find a few of the cult members I met during my previous visit here. “Hey, Caspian. It’s nice to see you back here,” greets Cyrus.
I look at the older vampire who had welcomed me nights earlier. “Hi, Cyrus.
Thanks. It is good to be back. Please call my Cas. I feel so free here, no hiding,” I respond with little truth.
“Are you up for a drink?” He points to the bar.
“Sure. That’s why I am here. I am always up for a little fun.”
He leads me through the thick crowd of dancing vampires to the pounding tunes blaring from the speakers. Hundreds of rebellious vampires fill the club; some appear to be fresh out of the wastelands. I notice cages occupied by very attractive young vampires, scantily dressed. Tight leather and small tops appear to b
e the ensemble of choice. I could never understand how women can walk in heels that high. Many of the patrons are very interesting to look at, especially the ones with crazy hairstyles in an array of odd and unnatural colors. I start to think how much fun the club seems to be.
Unfortunately, I know what types of vampires the owners are.
“You wanna tap or shot?” Cyrus asks when we reach the bar.
I look at the bar and see a young woman lying there. The vampires walk up to her and bite her in various spots, enjoying a drink from the poor soul that is barely alive.
“Let’s try a shot,” I respond, attempting to remain collected.
“Hey bartender, two shots please!” Cyrus shouts.
The bartender turns to the back of the bar, where a man lies motionless except for the shallow breathing movements of his chest. There is a type of intravenous needle in his carotid artery. The bartender grabs two shot glass in one hand and holds them to the needle cap. He opens the cap and drains the man’s blood into the glasses, which he then hands to us. “Here you go boys. Enjoy.”
“Cheers!” We clang glasses and take the shot.
I can’t help but wonder what happens to the “donors.” “I have to ask, how on Earth do you get the donors, and what do you do with them once they are drained?”
“We find transients, homeless people, addicts, and prostitutes. They are promised a good meal and a night of partying at a hot V.I.P club. Once we get them here, we clean them up and feed them. We use a sedative so they do not fight us. Some we Embrace, and others we throw back in the streets. The ones we Embrace become our cage dancers. This is our way of keeping control of them until they learn some discipline and won’t get themselves destroyed,” Cyrus explains. “You should go mingle with some of the others a little. We are always looking for new members that have eternal experience.”
“Thank you. I will,” I reply before I begin to roam the club.
I continue to look around and inspect the place. I did not get to see much last time I was here, so tonight is the time to familiarize myself. As I look up to the balconies above, I see Danika, the little brat. She is with the same vampire that has been trying so hard to recruit her. It looks as if the upstairs area is where the top cult members party.
Even with my impeccable hearing, I cannot zone in on what they are talking about over the crowd and music. I need to find a way to get invited upstairs. At least now I know where she is so I can keep an eye on her for my family’s sake.
***
Danika has been here for a while now, and I continue to mingle as I keep a watchful eye on her. I notice her walking down the stairs and decide to test my disguise. I walk toward her and advertently collide with her, making it look like an accident. “Oh! Please excuse me.”
“No worries. My name is Danika, this is my first time here,” she replies, proving she does not recognize me.
“Nice to meet you. I am Cas.”
“Well, Cas, I hope to see you again. It is time for me to leave. I have a little travel ahead of me,” she explains.
“I understand. Sunrise will be upon us soon. I think they’ll be clearing the place out soon. Have a great rest. Maybe we will run into each other again,” I say as we both leave the club.
Raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Charlotte enjoyed swimming, singing (although not so great at it) and writing her thoughts down. She never shared her passion for writing with anyone, and it got put on the back burner. As Charlotte grew, she found a new passion in medicine; she became the athletic trainer for her high school men's basketball team. Helping the team through their injuries are some of her best memories as a teen.
Charlotte has a strong passion for young adult novel especially those in the paranormal or dark fantasy genres.
http://charlotteblackwell.blogspot.com/
Look for the next two releases in the Embrace Series Forbidden Embrace
Mystic Embrace
September 1, 2011
November 1, 2011
Embrace 1 - Immortal Embrace Page 20