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

by T. M. Franklin

  As we got closer to the vampires I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself. “Hello, Seth, how was school today?” I asked, as calmly as I could.

  “It was really great, Elizabeth, thank you for asking. I need you and Jason to come with us for a little while. John wishes to see you for himself.” He turned towards Isaiah. “You need to leave.”

  Isaiah let go of my hand, and walked off to his car. I wanted to scream and run after him. I felt my heart start to pound, fast. I looked back at Seth. He was smiling at me.

  “It won’t take long, Elizabeth, trust me. John will have this sorted out in a heartbeat, and if all goes well, you will be talking to your boyfriend later. If not, well, he will get over it.”

  The laugh that came out of him was deep and rolling. It sent a shiver straight up my spine. The only thing that made me feel better was the fact that Isaiah would be safe. I glanced over just in time to see his car pulling out of the parking lot.

  I followed Seth to his car. It was large and black, with windows that were tinted so dark you couldn’t see what or who was inside. He opened the back door on the driver’s side and helped me inside. I thought he would get into the driver’s seat, but he motioned for me to move over and he slid onto the seat next to me. The darker skinned vampire got in behind the wheel, and Jason hopped into the front passenger seat. He turned, and smirked at me as we pulled out of the lot.

  Seth touched my shoulder to get my attention. “So, Elizabeth, it seems we have a bit of a problem here. Jason has been telling his family that you are not human. John has decided that he will see you for himself. I’m not sure what to make of you. You are a lovely girl, but I can’t get into your mind. I usually have no problem reading human’s minds. Jason said that he took you to his father twice now, and that Lord Jeremiah came and took you from them.”

  I blinked at him, hoping to look confused. “I have never met Jason’s father. I don’t understand why he would tell you that. I don’t even know where Jason lives.” I leaned closer and lowered my voice. “I think that he is upset because I have a boyfriend. He likes me, I think. He makes up stories, sometimes. Who is John?” I tried to open my mind to my father, and felt nothing. I didn’t understand; that had never happened before. Seth was smiling at me again.

  “Well, once you talk to John things may make more sense, Elizabeth.” He turned away from me, and did not speak for the rest of the drive.

  I sat back and closed my eyes, trying to slow my breathing and my heart rate. I tried to keep my mind open in case Jeremiah could get through whatever was blocking us from each other.

  All too soon the car pulled over, and stopped. I opened my eyes. We were parked in front of an old gray, stone house. The yard was meticulous, with a small shade tree and little circular garden. I saw no house number, and when I glanced around I saw no other houses. There was nothing to send out to Jeremiah. Why had I closed my eyes? I should have been looking around to see where they were taking me. I knew I had messed up, but part of me knew that I didn’t want him to know because it may save him.

  The door opened, and a man who I sensed was another vampire greeted Seth. He whispered something to him as Seth took my hand to help me from the car. As I climbed out, I noticed another man standing in the doorway. He was half hidden in shadows, so I couldn’t see his face. Fear suddenly shot through me, and when it did, Seth turned towards me with eyes that seemed to know all my secrets.

  “Come, it is time to meet John.” Seth leaned down close to my ear. “Please don’t say or do anything stupid, Elizabeth. We need to protect Lord Jeremiah,” he whispered, so softly I was almost afraid I had imagined it. His hand tightened on mine for just a second.

  As we got closer to the door, the man stepped out from the shadows. His face was gentle and kind looking, with the soft features of someone who had grown old and wise over time. His hair was a salt and pepper gray. His eyes seemed to have no true color. I couldn’t tell what shade they were. It seemed that they shifted as he looked at me.

  “Come, Elizabeth, let us go talk for a bit.” He turned and walked into a small sitting room off to the left of the entrance of the house. He motioned for me to sit on the sofa.

  “My name is John. I have come to see you, and speak with you about what Jason and Victor have told me. Do you have any idea why that is?”

  “No, sir, I don’t. Seth told me that Jason has been saying things about me, and that I have met his father, but that is not true. I only know Jason from school, and I have never been over to his house.” I hoped that he would believe me.

  “Victor has told me that you came to his home, and that his son, Jason, has told him that you are part vampire. You have been poking around asking questions, it seems. He also told me that you have the kiss of the vampire on your neck. You don’t know anything about this?”

  “Oh, John, is that what this is about? This past summer I found a book in the bookstore. Someone wrote about vampires in Hyattsville. I read it, and thought it would be fun to do a paper on it for school. I had my boyfriend take me to the library, and we did research for the paper. I don’t believe in vampires or dragons or witches, but they can make for some fun research papers.” I hoped I sounded convincing.

  “As for the mark on my neck, it is a birthmark, and even my mom called it my vampire’s kiss because of the way it looks. I don’t know why Jason would tell you that. Again, I never went with him to his house, I don’t know his father. Why is this so important? Who is Victor, and why is he making such a big deal out of my research paper?”

  “Tsk, tsk. It seems that we have a problem here. You say you don’t believe in vampires, Jason says you are the product of a vampire and a human. I have never seen a vampirdzii in all of my existence. You look like a young human girl to me, but then again, you are very beautiful. Jeremiah says that he looks out for you because of this strange obsession Jason has with you. He says he had to threaten Victor to stay away from you. It makes me wonder why there is all this sudden interest in you.” He got up, and slowly walked towards the fireplace.

  “Jeremiah says that Victor took you, and questioned you in his territory. That he had no right to question a human child, and put you in danger. But now I find that he has people looking into what Victor and Jason are doing. What do you think he has to fear?”

  “I don’t know, sir. Is Jeremiah that man who lives at Tucker’s Hill? My boyfriend and I have been over there a few times. He has been kind enough to show us around, and tell us of some of the history of the house.”

  “Seems we have a predicament here now, don’t we? I have two vampires telling me one story, and my lord vampire telling me something else. You live with humans, but I sense something different about you than other humans’ children. I must talk with Victor, and Jeremiah, and some of the others. I will need to keep you here until we can figure things out.”

  “I can’t stay here with you. I don’t even know who you are. Why are you talking about vampires? Vampires don’t exist. My parents will be worried about me.” I knew I sounded desperate, but I thought most people would in this situation.

  “Jeremiah will be here shortly. I am sure that we can send someone to make sure your parents are not worried.”

  I looked at him, bile rising in my throat. What was he going to do to my family? I couldn’t let anyone hurt them. They knew nothing. “Why do I need to stay here, and why would you send someone to my home?”

  “Everything will become very clear for all of us before this night is over. So just sit back, and relax while we wait for Jeremiah to arrive. I shall return shortly.” A slight breeze disturbed the air where a second ago he had been standing.

  I looked around the room, trying to figure out if I could get out of there without anyone knowing. But what good would it do? I didn’t even know where I was.

  I heard a rattle and turned towards the doorway. Seth was coming through the opening carrying a tray holding a sandwich and pitcher of milk.

  He placed it on the table, and
smiled at me. “John thought you might like something to eat and drink. I hope this is okay.” He picked up the green pitcher, and poured milk into a glass and handed it to me. He whispered, very softly, “Keep up the good work. You are doing fine.” Then stepped back, and said, “Will you require anything else?”

  “No, I think I will be fine. Why did you bring me here?” I asked, trying to play along with whatever he was doing.

  “I was told to bring you. When John asks me to do something, I do it, without question.” He turned and walked out of the room.

  I sat down and looked around me, wondering how I got into this situation. I wondered if Seth was working with John to expose Jeremiah. I closed my eyes, and wondered where Jeremiah was. I still couldn’t reach out to him. I hoped Isaiah was safe at home with his family. Part of me hoped that Jeremiah wouldn’t show up tonight, either, but I knew he would because John ruled over him in the vampire kingdom.

  Seth came back into the room. “Come, Elizabeth. Jeremiah is with John, and he wants to see you now.”

  I stood and walked out the door with my head held high, refusing to show any fear. We walked down the hall and into a larger room, and I was surprised to see only John and Jeremiah sitting at a long table. Candles illuminated the room, casting eerie shadows in the corners. Dark heavy curtains hung over the windows, blocking out whatever view there was. When they heard me enter, neither vampire turned to look at me. They were watching each other for a reaction. I reached out to Jeremiah, and could still not hear any of his thoughts.

  I stood, waiting for John to say something to me. Finally, he turned to me with a smile on his face. “Elizabeth, I think you know Jeremiah.”

  “Of course I do. He is the man who owns the house in Hyattsville. I went there with my boyfriend to see it.” I turned towards John. “The house is in a book I was reading. Can you tell me what is going on now?”

  John looked at Jeremiah again. “Well, remember I told you that Victor and Jason think that you are not fully human, Elizabeth, and Jeremiah here has been telling me a story about what has been going on with you and them.”

  “I don’t know what you are talking about. I know Jason from school, but I told you I have never met his father. Why would someone say I’m not fully human? I don’t understand.” I looked at him, hoping that I was convincing. I couldn’t take the chance of opening my mind to Jeremiah since he seemed to be preventing me from doing just that. I kept my mind as blank as I could. I waited for John to reply.

  John smiled, and turned towards Jeremiah. “Looks like you did a good job of taking away her memories, or she is very good at pretending. Which is it, Jeremiah?”

  “Like I told you, John, the girl knows nothing but what I chose to let her remember. I don’t know what Jason and Victor are up to, but they have involved humans in this, innocent men, and an innocent child at this point. If you will be so kind as to allow me to escort Elizabeth home, I will take care of her part in this. I think you and I have much to talk about where Jason and Victor are concerned.” He started to rise.

  “Sit down Jeremiah,” John said. “We are not done here, and you will not be taking Elizabeth anywhere. She will stay until we are done discussing this. Tell me of these humans that are involved, and how you know this.”

  “I told you earlier that I was talking to her about the book she found. I was keeping an eye on her, and when Jason took her to his house I followed to see what he was up to. There were four men there who were humans. Victor was scaring them as well as Elizabeth. I warned him to stay away from her, and wiped her memory clean of the incident. I hope that he did the same with the men he has involved.”

  “I need to think about this, and I will speak with both of them. I need to know why he is doing this type of thing. If I find out that you are lying to me about any of this, Jeremiah, you know there will be consequences. We have known each other a long time. I would hate to see that friendship end.”

  I stood very still, holding my head down, listening to everything that both men were saying. I couldn’t tell if Jeremiah was worried, or how much John suspected at this point. I knew I had to be very careful. Each passing moment was growing more intense. “Sir, I don’t understand what is going on here, but you are both scaring me. Why are you saying that Jeremiah took my memory away? I just want to go home, please,” I said, my voice shaking, tears streaming down my face.

  “John, will you let me take Elizabeth home? I will take care of erasing her memory,” Jeremiah said softly. I knew he was talking softly, to make John think I couldn’t hear them.

  “Let me think about that for a few minutes. I was hoping to have her here when we questioned Jason and Victor. Why do you want me to let you take her home?”

  “Because she is not involved, and the more she hears, the more I have to erase from her memory.”

  John got up and walked to the fireplace, his back to both of us. I didn’t look at Jeremiah, knowing somehow that John was waiting for some type of move from one of us that would give away our relationship. I thought of Isaiah and my family, just in case John could get into my mind. I closed my eyes and prayed that God would get us both out of this.

  John turned around, and looked at Jeremiah. “I think that I’m going to keep both of you here until after we speak to Victor and Jason. I want to watch their faces while I question them with her standing here. I think you understand why I want to do that.”

  The look that came over Jeremiah’s face frightened me. It was so sinister and cunning that he looked more like John and Victor than he did the man I had come to know. “I understand perfectly, sir. May I have permission to take a few minutes to gather my thoughts?”

  “Of course you may. I sense that Victor will be here shortly. My men will make short work of bringing them in; you can trust me on that. If you will excuse me, I must go check on some other things myself.” He turned to me. “Elizabeth, if you will go with Seth, please, he will escort you to your room. You may want to take some time to rest up before Victor and Jason get here. It could prove to be a very long night.”

  Seth appeared in the doorway, and motioned for me to follow him. I walked to him without glancing at either John or Jeremiah. Fear started rising inside of me.

  Seth had no expression on his face as he walked back to my room with me. He opened the door to my room. “Wait in here, and I will come back to get you when John is ready.” He stepped aside to let me walk in the room.

  “Seth, what is going to happen to me?” My body was shaking uncontrollably. Tears streamed down my face.

  “I don’t know, Elizabeth, I really don’t. But try and keep calm.” His eyes were kind as he said these words.

  I turned my back to him quickly, not wanting to betray my father. I didn’t know if I could trust this vampire or not. I heard the door close, and knew I was alone, alone and afraid to try to reach out with my mind for fear that John would be able to read my thoughts. Instead, I sat quietly, and tried to feel or hear something that might help me.

  I heard numerous clocks ticking close and near, the sound of what must be a mouse scurrying somewhere above me. Suddenly, I heard voices faintly discussing Victor and Jason. I listened harder.

  “Victor had no right bringing humans into his home and involving them in what they considered vampire business. He has always acted irrationally, John, you know that. Now he has his son doing the same thing, accusing this young human girl of things that she knows nothing about. He brings danger to us all. You know I am speaking the truth. Why are they even here?” Jeremiah asked.

  “They are here because Victor had some suspicions about the girl. He did not ask my permission, and for that he will pay. I am curious to see what proof he has about this girl.”

  “What can he have? Do you not think that I would have seen or noticed something? This is, after all, my area, Sir.”

  A strange silence filled the air. “I think that you may be too close to this to have seen anything, Jeremiah.” John’s voice had a menacing tone
that cut right through me.

  He knows! Somehow he knows. I knew my father was in danger, too. In that instant, our fate was changed forever. I kept my ears open, and opened my mind just a little. I nudged just enough to see what he wanted me to do.

  “Do nothing, Elizabeth. He is only reaching at this point. We have not done or said anything to give him what he needs. Let me handle this.”

  All right father. Is it safe to keep my mind open to you? Will John know?

  “No, he won’t. I think it is safe, but don’t open your mind anymore than to me.” I jumped out of the chair, angry now, pacing the room like a caged tiger. How dare these vampires come into our lives and make threats to hurt my family, my father and me. I swear on my life that I will see Victor and his son pay for this! The anger swelled inside of me. When they face me this time, they will see a difference in me. I will not fear them. I promise you, father.

  “Do nothing, Elizabeth! Promise me. It will not end well if you try.”

  I didn’t answer him. I knew he would worry, but I wasn’t going to make a promise that I may not be able to keep. I started looking through the room, hoping maybe I would be able to find a way to get out, or maybe even something I could use against John. Heavy blood red curtains hung on the windows. I pulled one back, only to find bars. I smiled; John had thought of everything. Locked doors, barred windows, things that would keep humans in or out, whichever he needed. But would they keep out vampires? That was something I had never thought to ask Jeremiah.

  I sat down on the bed, wondering what Isaiah was doing. Closing my eyes, I tried to remember how it felt to be a normal girl. I thought of sitting around the table with my family, eating dinner. The sounds and smells of my home rushed into my head.

  I heard a thump. My eyes flew open. The sound of conversation drifted up through the air. Tuning into them was becoming easier. I heard Jason and Victor’s voices. Jumping up from the bed I braced myself, because I knew Seth would be here shortly to get me.