Magic and Shadows: A Collection of YA Fantasy and Paranormal Romances

by T. M. Franklin

  “Your father’s family lived in Hyattsville. They are well liked by other members of the community, and considered pillars of the town. Your grandmother taught school for many years, and is a very giving person. I wanted those human traits to be strong in you.

  Elizabeth, I don’t know anything about half-human, half-vampire children, I know of none, other than you. Maybe we could learn together? You are coming of age now, and I think that if you have any powers they will start manifesting themselves soon. I don’t think that your human family can help you with that side of your heritage, do you?”

  “No, and I don’t think any of them would believe it, anyway. I haven’t had anything different happen. Except that Isaiah keeps telling me I feel very cold when he touches my hand. I don’t feel cold, but even the water at the pool felt warmer to me this year.” I looked at him, and the entire time in my head I was thinking, What are you doing? This man thinks that he’s a vampire. He’s telling you that you are part vampire, and you are talking to him calmly! What are you doing?

  “Elizabeth, have you ever noticed that you look different than everyone else in your family? That you have completely different skin and eyes, totally different to the others?” I nodded my head, yes, and he continued. “You look like your mother. She had the same eyes as you. I have pictures of her at the house. I could show you.”

  “I’m not going without Isaiah. I don’t think he will believe what you are telling me,” I stated.

  “We will tell him I’m letting you both come to look through the house for research purposes. If he suspects too much, I can make him forget. It doesn’t hurt to do that,” he added quickly, as a look of alarm came over my face.

  “I’ll have to think about all this. I would have to arrange something before I could come. We told my mom that we wouldn’t be long today,” I muttered these things quickly, as I was pushing the chair back from the table. “Do you have a number or some way that I could get a hold of you?”

  “Of course, here is my card, call me anytime.” He stood as well, and reached out to take my hand. “I hope that you will call me soon. There’s still so much to talk about.”

  I shook his hand, and quickly turned to walk to Isaiah. As soon as he saw me walking towards him, he was on his feet, heading toward me with his brows drawn and his mouth turned down into that frown again. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes, we have a lot to talk about,” I said. As I turned and met Jeremiah’s eyes, he seemed to be sending me a warning. “Come on, I need to get out of here.”

  “What did he say to you, Elizabeth? You look so upset. Why did he call you?” He glared at Jeremiah.

  “He owns Tucker Hill. He wants us to come over, and see the house,” I said. “He’s the one that the librarian told about us doing the research. He thought we may be interested in seeing it, as well as learning more about the history.” I hoped I was convincing to him. My mind was racing with all the things this man had said. If Isaiah finds out about anything Jeremiah he will stop me from going. I need to see inside the house. I need to find out more about this man.

  “Hey, that is pretty cool! You have wanted to see inside since you started having those dreams.”

  “I know. I just need to think about this, Isaiah. Remember what happened the last time we drove by? I just need some time to process everything.”

  We rode home in silence. Isaiah always seemed to sense when I needed quiet to think.

  So many things were going through my head. I had always felt that I was different to the other members of my family—that was something I couldn’t deny. I didn’t look like any of them. I had been having dreams of the inside of Tucker Hill, seeing pictures and details that shouldn’t have been there.

  “Oh, what if I go there and everything I saw in my dreams is inside that house, Isaiah?” I said, turning towards him. I was feeling really uneasy about the thought.

  “Elizabeth, if everything is there from your dreams I would be really surprised. I think that once we go, and you see that it’s not like what you dreamed, the dreams will stop.” He reached for my hand.

  I didn’t have the heart to tell him what Jeremiah had said to me. Looking at Isaiah, I couldn’t even began to think of what he would say if he knew this man had told me that he was my father and a vampire. I wanted to tell him, and I wanted him to tell me he would take me far away, but I also wanted to protect him. Something told me that I couldn’t tell him what had been said.

  I smiled, and held his hand tighter. “Do you mind going with me?”

  “Of course I don’t mind,” he said with a smile. “Any time I can spend with you is well worth it, no matter what we are doing.”

  “Well, you have to listen to me, and not question anything that you see or hear, okay?” I looked at him anxiously. “You have to promise me.”

  “I promise. But what could be happening that you would be so worked up about it?” He looked at me his brows drawn together again, searching my eyes for the truth of what was going on. “Maybe we shouldn’t go.”

  “No, I think I have to go. I want these dreams to be done once and for all, and I think the way to do it is by going to the house, just like you said.” I put my head back on the seat and closed my eyes. I needed to think again, and figure out what I was going to tell my mother. My mother I thought, she might not be my mother! I shuddered at the thought.

  When we got to the house Isaiah walked me to the door. I didn’t want to let go of his hand. “Call me when you get home, okay?”

  “I will. Are you sure you want to do this, Elizabeth? You’re shaking.” He looked at me intently.

  I sighed. “I think I don’t have a choice,” I whispered, looking up at him. I searched his eyes trying to see if I could sense any unease in him.

  “I’ll be back in a little while. I’m going to run home and change, but I’ll be back in time to help with the cookout. Is that okay?” he asked.

  “It’s fine, Isaiah, I’ll tell my mother.” I smiled, hoping to reassure him as well as myself.

  I walked into the house and told Mom I was going to read a bit before we started getting things ready for the cookout. I wanted to sit for a bit to try and think.

  Later, when Isaiah came back for the cookout, he had a surprise for my mother. He had brought flowers for her to put on the table. They were perfect, a mixed bouquet of summer beauties that Mom loved. Dad laughed as she gushed, and put them in a vase to set in the center of the picnic table.

  I didn’t taste anything we were eating, and my mind kept wandering back to the conversation I had with Jeremiah at the library. As I looked at my family sitting around the table, sadness washed over me.

  After the meal was over and everything was cleaned up, I walked Isaiah to his car. “I’ll talk to you later.” I held him tightly, not wanting to let go. I had a feeling everything was going to change quickly.

  7

  That night, after Isaiah called me when he got home, it took me forever to fall asleep. As soon as I drifted off the dreams started again. I was walking down the hallway towards the back of the house. I stopped to look at a painting of a beautiful woman, only this time when I looked at her I could see my eyes looking back at me. I felt a hand on my shoulder, and when I turned Jeremiah was standing there, smiling at me.

  “Your mother was so beautiful,” he said. I heard his voice, but his lips were not moving. I looked from him back to the painting.

  I woke suddenly, rolled over, and looked at my clock: four thirty a.m. I groaned, and sat up, knowing that sleep wouldn’t come again for the night. This was starting to become the normal course of things. I sure hoped that going to the house would get me back to my normal sleep and normal dreams.

  I grabbed my robe and notebook, and quietly crept out of the room, trying not to wake Bess. I walked down the hall, and slipped out onto the back porch.

  The moon was bright enough for me to write in my book. I opened to the page I had written on last.

  “I wish that I had ne
ver started researching this stupid house,” I wrote. “What if I find out that everything Jeremiah said is true? What if I am born of a vampire and a human, and these people aren’t my family, what happens then?”

  I stopped and looked at what I’d written, tears filling my eyes. How would I be able to tell my mother? What about my sisters?

  I sat back and closed my eyes, and let the tears roll down my face. I cried for what seemed like hours. When I opened my eyes, the sun was starting to rise. I picked up my book and walked silently back into the house. I knew, at that moment, that I would go meet with Jeremiah, and see for myself if there was even a remote chance that what he said was true.

  I made up my mind that I would call Jeremiah today, and make arrangements with Isaiah to take me back to the library to research the chance of a vampire and human giving birth to a child. Then I would have Isaiah drive me to meet Jeremiah at Tucker Hill, and face whatever was to come.

  With my mind made up, I felt resolved. I went into my room and got Jeremiah’s card out of my purse. I walked into the kitchen and picked up the phone, drew in a deep breath, and dialed the number. He answered on the first ring.

  “Hello, Elizabeth. How are you this morning?” His voice sounded just as smooth and velvety as I remembered.

  “How am I supposed to be? I didn’t sleep well, and I had that same dream again last night.”

  “I know you did. I’m sorry that you’re going through this unrest, Elizabeth. Are you going to meet me soon?”

  “I’m waiting for Isaiah to call me. I’m going to ask him to take me to the library, and then I would like to have him bring me to your house, if that is all right?”

  “Of course it is. I’m very happy you have decided to come and see for yourself about what I have told you.”

  “Is it safe for Isaiah to come with me?” I asked quietly. “I don’t want anything to happen to him.”

  “Of course it is. Why would you think otherwise?” I could hear the faintest hint of laughter in his voice. “I’m not a barbarian.”

  “Okay, I just don’t want to put him in any danger. I don’t know what I can say to him, or what not to say. How much can I tell him?”

  “At this point, I wouldn’t tell him anything. Let’s get through what we need to as a family, and we’ll decide what he can and cannot know later. How does that sound?”

  “Family? Jeremiah, I haven’t decided that I believe you about us being family yet. You know that, right?”

  “Yes, I know.” He sighed. “But you need to give me time to try to explain, and the thing is, Elizabeth, I need you to believe me_ for your safety.”

  “Okay, let me go. Isaiah is calling me about eight, and I’ll see if we can get to the library by ten. If everything goes as planned, we could be at your house around noon. How does that sound?” Part of me wanted him to say no. I wasn’t sure that I was really ready to face this.

  “That is fine, and I think you are ready to face it, Elizabeth. If we wait much longer I fear that it will put you in danger, and I couldn’t stand that.”

  I gasped when he replied. I hadn’t said anything out loud about not being ready to face any of this. How could he know what I was thinking?

  “I don’t want to scare you more than I already have, but I can hear your thoughts when I want to because I’m your father. Don’t worry about anything. Do your research, and come to the house. We will talk later. Goodbye.”

  Before I could say anything, I heard the faint click of the phone line going dead. I looked at the time. Seven a.m.; good, that gives me time to take a shower and get ready while I wait for Isaiah to come. I hurried to my room and grabbed my clothes, being careful to stash my notebook where I knew my sisters wouldn’t look for it. I headed into the shower, figuring I would be done before anyone else woke.

  Thoughts raced through my mind as I washed my hair. How can Jeremiah read my mind? Could that really be true? How can I keep him out of my thoughts? I couldn’t wait to talk to Isaiah when he arrived. Somehow, I was thinking that he would be able to help me sort through things. I should be able to tell him anything, I thought. I shouldn’t have to keep secrets from him.

  I dressed quickly, still thinking about what the meeting with Jeremiah would bring. It still scared me to think how I would react if I walked in and saw the things I was seeing in my dreams.

  I headed to the kitchen to grab something to eat while I waited for Isaiah to arrive. Most of my family was sitting at the table, eating breakfast. I sat and looked around; everyone seemed so happy. I watched each of my sisters laughing or arguing with the others. How can they not see that I am so different from them? I thought to myself. Mom set my plate down, and smiled at me.

  “Is everything okay, Elizabeth? You seem a little preoccupied this morning,” Mom said, as she softly touched my shoulder.

  “I’m fine, Mom, just thinking about what I want to look up when I get to the library. I have so much research to do still for that paper.”

  “Yes, but you know you only have a few more days of summer vacation left, and you two have been spending a lot of time at the library.” Mom looked so concerned. I hated lying to her.

  “I know, Mom, Isaiah and I decided last night that this was the last trip before school. I promise.”

  “All right, I just don’t want you to work too hard. You have to remember to be a kid, too.” She smiled as she went back to the stove to get another stack of pancakes out of the pan.

  “I will, Mom, I promise.” Sadness overtook me. How can I ever worry about being just a kid again? My life may be changing forever, and by no choice of mine. I ate my breakfast in silence, pondering how fate seals our lives.

  After the table was cleared and I helped Mom with the dishes, Isaiah arrived, right on time.

  “Mom, Isaiah is here. I’m going to grab my stuff and go. I shouldn’t be too late.” I walked over to her and gave her a big hug. I didn’t want to let go. “See you tonight, Mom.”

  She looked at me, her eyes searching my face. Grabbing my hand, she said quietly, “Are you sure you’re okay, Elizabeth?” She watched my eyes as she asked me the question.

  “I am Mom, I’m fine, don’t worry.” I turned quickly, hoping that she wouldn’t read the worry on my face or the lie in my eyes. I had never lied to her before, and now I found myself lying to her over and over again. Sadness washed over me once more as I walked out to the car.

  Isaiah was walking toward me. “Elizabeth, what’s wrong? You look ready to cry,” Isaiah said.

  “Nothing, come on, let’s get going. We can talk in the car.” Lying to another person I care about. What is going on with me? I looked at him, and tried to smile.

  Isaiah closed the door, and rushed to his side of the car. He started the car, and looked over towards me. “Something is wrong, I can tell. Please, can’t you tell me what it is?”

  “I don’t know.” I looked over at him. “I want to tell you, I just don’t know if I can. I don’t know if it is safe for me to tell you.”

  “What do you mean, it’s not safe?” he asked. “Did Jeremiah threaten you? If he did, you need to tell me.”

  “No, he didn’t threaten me. I just have to sort some things out. Please don’t ask me anything else until after we talk to him, okay?” I reached for his hand, and gave it a squeeze.

  “Okay, for now,” he replied. He kept glancing over at me, his eyes burning with questions. “Are we going to the library?”

  “No, I want to go to Tucker Hill first. I have to get this over with. I have to see the inside of the house, Isaiah. I want these dreams I’m having to end.” I reached over and took his hand again. “We can go to the library afterwards okay?”

  “Sure, maybe it will be best to go to the house first. We may get new information that we can research at the library.”

  When we pulled up in front of the house, I felt the unease start inside me again. Part of me wanted Isaiah to turn the car around, and drive as far and as fast as he could away from here. Anothe
r part of me wanted to go inside and explore, to demand some answers from this stranger who claimed to be my father. I closed my eyes, and took a deep breath. The car door opened, and Isaiah took my hand.

  “Are you sure you want to do this? You’re trembling. We can leave if you want.” He was searching my face, trying to read me.

  “No, I need to get this over with.” I held his hand tightly in mine, took a deep breath, and started towards the house.

  It seemed to take forever to climb the steps to the front door. As I reached to ring the bell, the door opened, and there stood Jeremiah with a smile on his face.

  “Come in. Welcome to my home.” He smiled, and stepped aside to let us in. “Isaiah, how are you today?”

  “I’m fine, sir. How are you?” Isaiah said, as he looked around the foyer. He turned towards me. “Are you really all right?” he whispered.

  I couldn’t answer him. Here I was, standing in the foyer that I had seen in my dreams. On the wall were the pictures, just as I had seen them. I turned and started walking down the hall to my right, knowing that I would find the picture of the woman Jeremiah said was my mother hanging on the wall. I took the steps just as I had in my dreams, my breath coming faster. When I got to where the picture hung on the wall I turned, and looked up into the face of the woman Jeremiah had said he loved, who had given birth to me and died shortly after. Suddenly, just as in my dreams, he was standing behind me.

  “She is beautiful, isn’t she?” he asked. “You see, Elizabeth, you have her eyes.” He turned me around to face him.

  “Yes, she is beautiful. I do have her eyes, don’t I?” I said looking at him closely, looking for something of me in his face, too.

  “Yes, and you have her wonderful kindness. She would be so proud of you, Elizabeth. It makes me sad that she didn’t live long enough to know you, to see you turn into such a lovely young woman. I miss her so much.” He looked so sad, but also full of love as he looked at her picture.