After a while Ethan comes over and wants to know what happened with the Elders. I re-cap everything the Elders told me. Ethan takes everything in with a focused intent until I mentioned the tongue less humans. His face twisted with disgust and disbelief.
“Why would they have tongue less humans? Why cut out their tongues in the first place?” Ethan looks sick to his stomach.
“I have no idea but hopefully we’ll find out.” I feel disgusted myself. I shiver at the thought of having my tongue cut out. I hope the humans were put to sleep at least.
“That’s just so….so-” Ethan’s looking down at his hands shaking his head.
“Yeah, I know. I couldn’t even imagine.”
I start trying to roll up my tongue, thinking about what it would be like without it. No taste buds, no way of communicating, the empty hole in my mouth. Yuck! Ethan catches me playing around with my tongue and looks at me like I’m an idiot.
“What?” I ask him, looking away in embarrassment and shame. This is serious and something that someone really had to go through. It’s not like they did it by choice, or at least I hope not.
Ethan just shakes his head at me with a small smile, “Nothing.”
“Well, anyway whatever is going on it’s pretty bad. God knows how many have died because of these injections. They must be pretty intense if a Witch can’t withstand them.”
I think back to what the Elders had said about Cate. How her body couldn’t handle the pain she was in and just gave out. Another shudder goes through me realizing how many could have gone through this.
“I know. When we get our hand on this sick bastard I’m going to-just-” Ethan pauses looking for the right words.
“Bring the wrath of a thousand deaths as we cut out their tongues and slap them in the face with it while we laugh in mockery,” I finish.
Ethan gives me a wicked half smile, “Something like that.” Then he loses his smile as he looks at the floor, “That’s if we even find this maniac.”
“Don’t worry, we will. I’m not giving up until we do.”
I know it sounds bold and determined but that’s exactly what I am. I would never be able to live with myself if I knew we gave up. I would constantly be wondering if Addie was dead or alive. Where she was? Why this happened? For me, there is no stopping until we find out where and why.
“So, did you find out where all the Witches were taken?” Ethan asks.
I start to answer honestly but decide to bring some life to this doomsday environment. “Oh no! I totally forgot to ask.”
“What?” Ethan looks at me with disbelief. “How could you forget? We could have seen if there was a pattern to it.”
“See that’s why you should have gone with me. I can’t remember everything you know.” I shrug my shoulder as I try hiding the smile that wants to come out. I’ve never had the chance to prank Ethan and although this is a lame prank compared to the one’s he’s pulled on me, I’ll take it anyway.
Ethan looks absolutely furious, though. Jeez, the guy can be so uptight and panicky sometimes. “Yeah, but that’s common sense. That’s general information that could have lead us to….”
Okay, time to interrupt his banter before he burst a blood vessel or goes all wolfy on me. “I’m just kidding. I got all the locations.” I place my hand over my heart as I say, “Your lack of faith in me hurts.”
“Why would you joke about something like that? This is serious you know.” Ethan quickly recovers from his panicky banter to his usual dull anger.
“Really? I thought I was traveling around with you for kicks. You know to make up for lost time.” I know if this doesn’t stop soon it’s going to get rough.
“Why they decided you were the chick for the job is beyond me.”
Oh yeah, it’s going to get rough. Not only did he disqualify me from being able to do this but he also called me a chick. Yes, I’m a girl and proud of it. However, I’m not some poor helpless “chick.” Ethan sees me move but I’m still faster than he is. I grab his arms, pulling them in a twist behind his back, as I push his face into the back of the seat in front of him.
“I’m just a chick huh?” I make sure to elaborate on the chick part by putting a little more pressure on his wrists.
“Let go Racquel.” Ethan twists his body to try and get out of my hold but my grip on his arms won’t allow it. “Seriously.” I can feel his body start to shake as a little tremor runs up his arm to his hands.
“Say you’re sorry.” I don’t release my hold, although a slight fear starts to bubble. What if he phases?
“I’m not apologizing. Let go. Now!” When I don’t let go, Ethan gives in. “Look...I didn’t mean it the way it sounded okay. You’re not some helpless chick, obviously.”
Ethan didn’t apologize per say but it was as close as I’ll probably get. I let go of his arms and stand my ground. Just as suspected Ethan whips around, his face full of fury. Just as he starts toward me, I grab the list out of my back pocket and dangle it between us. “Here’s the list. Are you going to shred it or read it?” A broad smile plays across my face knowing I got him.
Ethan snatches the paper from my hand and looks it over. “These are pretty widespread.”
“I know. I wish we had a world map so we could mark them.” My plan is to find a pattern while looking for any other clues to pin point where the Shadows have been taken.
Danika opens up the cock pit door and enters back into the cabin. As she sits in the chair I had Ethan up against moments ago, I tell her our current hitch. “When we land we need to find a world map.” I inform her.
Without saying anything, Danika gets up and walks to the back. Now where’s she going? I turn around to see what she’s doing. Danika is digging through a cabinet in the back above the mini fridge. I make out some herb jars and a candle before my view is obscured by a freaking map.
Danika walks back toward us, map in hand. “We keep them everywhere. You never know when you might need to scry for something.”
“Right.”
I reach across the aisle and snatch the paper back from Ethan as Danika unrolls the map. I mark each location and look it over. Nothing. Everything’s too wide spread. Unsatisfied, I roll the map up and put it in my bag.
“We may want to get some rest. I made a couple of phone calls and we’ll be meeting with the Vampires as soon as we land. It’ll be night time when we land and we may not get another opportunity to rest for a while.”
“Do you know where to go?” I ask her.
Danika stands, stretching with a yawn she says, “Yes. Now get some rest. I will be in the back in the private room.”
At the mention of a private room by body perks up. “And how many of these private rooms are there?”
Danika stops midway to the back. She turns with an apologetic look on her face. “I’m afraid only one.”
I want to ask why she thinks she’s so special to get it but don’t. She’s been more than helpful. Plus, I know some of that attitude is because I’m so tired. The couch proves to be just as comfortable as any luxury bed as I wiggle my body into the soft plush fabric.
Ethan flips on the TV as he stretches out on the other couch. My belly starts grumbling an image of a juicy hamburger slides across the screen. The last time I ate was this morning and even then it was only a few muffins. I am definitely going to need some food soon. My thoughts stay locked on the thought of food as I slowly drifted off to sleep.
~
I jump up off the couch as cold hands touch me. Danika is standing across from me terrified. Her eyes are bulging as her hands shake at her sides. When I look down at myself, I know why she’s so freaked. My body is crouched like I’m fixing to pounce. My sharp Vampire fangs are extended, a deep growl escapes from deep in my throat.
I recover and give Danika an apologetic look, “Sorry.” I sit back on the couch, resting my elbows on my knees as I try to control myself. I can feel my fangs retract as the growl dies in my throat. “You just scared me.�
��
Danika stands at a safe distance. She quickly tells me we are descending as she backpedals to her seat. I just keep terrorizing that poor girl for no reason.
Danika reaches behind her to shake Ethan’s leg. Instantly he’s alert from her touch and is sitting up. I find the buckles on the couch and strap in. As we descend I look at the twinkling lights below us. The glow of street lights seems to extend forever over the horizon, making the city look never ending.
Once we land I go retrieve my bags. Danika, of course, has already exited the plane. She had placed her single bag in a cabinet by the door. Ethan and I had placed our bags up above the couch I slept on. When I reach up for my bag, I hear Ethan gasp.
“What happened to your back?” I go rigid, then drop my bags to pull my shirt down, covering up my scared back. I quickly turn to exit the plane, not wanting to discuss my scars.
Ethan’s right behind me though, not taking the privacy hint. “I saw-”
I turn quickly stopping him in his track. “It’s nothing.”
I know my voice is harsh and cold but I don’t care. This is something I don’t want to discuss, especially with him. I spin around and exit the plane. Ethan follows a few moments later looking perplexed but doesn’t say anything else.
We get in the limo waiting for us. This is a new experience for me. I’ve never traveled where everything was so easy and luxurious. When I traveled alone, there was a lot of walking and waiting.
Sofia is absolutely amazing. The glow of the street lights illuminate some really beautifully sculptured buildings. I’m sure in the daylight you could see more of their beauty but this is enough for me. The street lights not only light up the buildings, they also make it easier for all the people out on the streets to see. It is quite obvious that Sofia has quite the nightlife.
The booming of music and laughter rings through our deathly silent car. Ever since we left the airport, everyone has been silent. Danika breaks the silence by phoning the driver and telling him where we are going. I hear her say something about an Art Museum.
I look over at her questioningly. Hanging up the phone she says, “That’s where the clan lives.”
Most of the Vampires are probably the original artists and I’m sure most of them are old enough to be in the museum themselves. But still, “At an art museum?"
“No, their headquarters are underneath the museum. You see the museum was originally a palace. It was built in the late 1800’s. The clan moved in a few years after it was built. One of the servants who worked in the palace was turned. He soon left the palace to join the clan downtown.
He told the Sire about the security at the palace and how he thought it would be wise for them to hide under human security and Vampire security. The Sire soon took his advice and with the Witches help they moved in underneath the palace.
After several years of being under the Sire’s command, the servant soon grew tired of his ways. He had lived under human rule while he was human and realized he would have to live under another’s rule for eternity. He killed the Sire and many of his followers. He is now the Sire of the entire Vampire Coven.”
Interesting. “What’s his name?”
“Lord Aldrick. When we meet with him, this is what you will call him. Do not call him Sir, Mister, or any other name. You address him as Lord Aldrick.”
Mental note: no matter how stupid you may think calling someone Lord is, do it anyway.
Soon we arrive in front of an elaborate building that proclaims it as the Art Museum. The beautifully building is sprawled out in the darkness surrounded by a luxurious garden. Its grand design still gives off the feel of royalty.
As we pull around the building, I start scoping out the security. There are a few humans walking around the grounds, and security cameras scan the grounds. I wonder how we’re going to get to the lair without being noticed.
I try finding the entrance to the lair as we circle around the complex but my vision is blurred by hedges that spiral around a tall iron fence. Every ten feet or so there are tall concrete pillars, covered in ivy, connecting the iron fencing posts. So where does the hidden door lay?
“The door or should I say elevator is in the third pillar to your left.” Danika gestures to the pillars outside the window.
I look at Danika questioningly, “How did you know-”
“What you were thinking? Easy, you are very curious yet a cautious person. I notice how you take in your surroundings and you never like being surprised. So it only stands to reason that you would want to know the basic information so you know what to expect.”
Well, she’s right. There for a minute I was worried she could read my mind, which she could be covering up with a simple observation. Better make sure. Danika. Danika, can you hear me? Hello? You know you Witches think you’re so superior when in fact you’re so stupid…….Hmmm no reaction.
Well, even if she could read my mind, she wouldn’t blow her cover by remarking on a childish remark. Now I just feel childish myself.
We pull up to the curb not too far from the pillar Danika was pointing at. As we start to exit the limo, I notice once again that Ethan is not following. “So you don’t feel like going to this meeting either I see.”
“It’s not that. I want to go but I can’t.” Ethan’s flexing his jaw as he looks out the window with worry.
“Why not?”
“It‘s forbidden,” Danika replies, “the Vampires have wards up that keep all Lycans out.”
Hmm, I wonder who could have done all that. “Let me guess, all this with the help of the Witches?”
“Yes.” Danika has no shame in her voice but she doesn’t sound proud either.
“Your kind sure does seem generous with their services.” I look around the grounds, noticing the guards are paying no attention to us. I guess they had a hand in that too.
Danika simply looks away toward the pillars. “It doesn’t come without a price.”
There she goes, all glum and quiet about consequences and limitations. I wonder what has happened to make her say these things.
“I bet not.” I mumble and turn back to Ethan. “Well this seems really stupid and I say you’re coming. You’re with us, I don’t care what some blood sucking fend has to say about it. I’ll take responsibility for you, meaning you will be on your best behavior. Who knows I might forget to ask some vital question.” I say with a smile, hoping he gets my lame attempt at a joke.
Ethan doesn’t look moved by my offer, “It is more than just some line you cross that causes confusion. These wards will kill me.”
“What?” Now we have wards that can kill.
“Yes, these wards are very powerful and very deadly.” Danika keeps looking around nervously. “These wards feed off the Vampires’ essence and their initial will that was set in place 200 years ago. Even then they didn’t trust the Lycans. This isn’t something new that’s going to fade with time.”
Danika has a sense of pride in the Witches’ ability, which I am impressed with too. But if it were me, I think I would be more ashamed of this situation considering I am keeping any kind of peace from ever happening between these two clans, packs whatever.
“Don’t you think I want to go in there with you guys? God knows what those creatures will do to you.” Ethan’s fists are so tight his knuckles are white and his mouth is drawn in a straight tight line.
“I’m more worried about you out here by yourself.” I don’t like the idea of leaving a lone wolf in Vampire hunting grounds. Who’s to say what the Vampires would do if they found him out here?
“Don’t worry about him. He’ll be alright as long as he doesn’t provoke anyone. I would also suggest keeping the doors locked.”
I jump and turn around to find this handsome yet deadly person, correction Vampire, staring me straight in the face. And when I say he is in my face, I mean his lips are a mere inch from mine. His fowl breathe clogs up my nostrils making me hold my breath.
“You must be Racquel.” The vamp
says with a sinful smile. I’ll admit he’s cute. He looks to be in his twenties although he’s probably much older than that. He is of average height, has beautiful blond hair, solid black eyes that for some reason are alluring instead of creepy, sculpted cheek bones, and the body of a god. Yes, ladies he is hot.
Yet, his deep eyes have another story of their own. More than just deep beautiful eyes that you can get lost in, that’s just the trap. Once you get past the beauty you can see the blood red specks that linger. You can see the pain he has inflicted on others. The lives he has taken to sustain his own.
“It’s an honor. I am Felton and this is Alton.”
Felton gestures behind him and there stands another Vampire. If I thought Felton was hot, Alton is on fire. He, too, has that endless beauty that many spend thousands of dollars to sustain. With the same dark eyes as Felton, long light blond hair pulled in a loose ponytail, the sculpted cheekbones, all of it.
At least they got something out of becoming a Vampire. I guess good looks are better than nothing, especially when you lose everything else. Even when two Vampires decide to be dedicated to one another, they cannot have a true family, they have to ‘adopt.’ Being a Vampire basically means you’re a good looking shell with nothing on the inside but other people’s blood coursing through your lifeless veins.
Alton shakes his head, scolding Felton with a tsk-tsk sound. “Felton, let’s not scare the girl.”
Wow, even his voice makes me melt. That’s another problem with all these vamps. They’re all beauty to us, while we are all but blood to them. Yuck. That makes for a total relationship killer. I wonder how my grandfather got pass his blood lust to be with my grandmother.
“I’m sure you have had a long journey and would like to get a move on things. If you would just follow us,” Alton says. Turning on his heels, he heads back toward the third pillar.
Uniquely Unwelcome (The Shadow World) Page 8