“I hope so, Seth. Because I will tell you now, if anything happens to any member of my family I will figure out a way to get back at you.” I don’t know why I felt so sure and confident to utter such threat, but something inside of me made me feel confident that I could follow through on it.
He looked at me, surprise spreading across his face, a smile forming on his lips. “You are very much like your father. I believe you would make good on that threat. I promise you, it is something that you will not ever have to do. Stay calm and stay here. Be very quiet; you know, vampires have sensitive hearing.”
“I know it is something that I have started developing as well. What do I do if someone comes?”
“I think we are in a very safe area here. I don’t think anyone has started looking for us. John is still busy, at this point, with Jason and Victor. I am going to get closer to see if I can make any type of contact with Jeremiah. I think the counsel should be here at any time, and I want to be there when John summons me.”
“What will you tell them when he asks you to bring me down?”
He laughed. “I will tell him you are in the restroom. That will give the counsel time to start questioning John.”
I knew I had a confused look on my face, wondering why that was so funny. “I don’t get it; why are you laughing?”
“Vampires don’t use the bathroom. John will have no idea how long it will take you. He doesn’t pay attention because he thinks it is a disgusting trait. He won’t be able to demand that I bring you down right away. It is one of the things about humans that baffles John. Since I was told to wait with you he won’t call me anytime soon.”
“Oh.” I started laughing with him. “I didn’t know that vampires didn’t have to do that. That is something that is a real plus. Sometimes we have to go at the most embarrassing times. Maybe I could develop that trait. What happens when vampires eat?”
“We metabolize food different than humans do, so that is a function that we, thankfully, don’t have.” He shrugged his shoulders.
Suddenly it occurred to me that if Seth could see I was like my father, how long would it take for the other vampires to notice it? I looked at him. “Will anyone else make the same connection that you have?”
“I don’t think so. I have known him for much longer than most of them. John is very self-centered and I don’t think he will notice; he is too worried about Victor making the humans aware of us. That is the one thing that may be his downfall.”
All too soon it was time for him to leave. I found that I was starting to trust him, and even like him. How about that? I now knew that vampires existed, and some of them were actually wonderful beings. I wished I could share this news with Bess. How excited she would be if I could tell her. She would really insist that the fae existed, as well. Why not? Since vampires existed, why not the fae? When I do get to go home, I think Bess and I will have a lot to talk about. “Come back soon, Seth. Please be careful.” I gave him a quick hug.
“I will return soon, I promise.” He smiled at me, looking a little embarrassed over the human show of affection.
“If you are going to be friends with me, you better know that I have a tendency to be a hugger! So, get used to it, Seth.”
He smiled and stepped out of the cave. I listened to him leave until I could no longer hear his quiet footsteps. I knew he would go to my house first so my family wouldn’t be frantic. I prayed that no one from John’s had been there yet. I knew in my heart that if any of them were hurt I would do everything in my power to avenge them. I still didn’t know my full potential, but I had every intention of finding it out, and developing whatever it was.
Waiting had never been one of my strong assets. I had nothing to pass the time with. I sat down and picked up a small stick from the extra firewood Seth had brought into the cave. I found myself drawing pictures in the dirt, first of my family and our home, then of Jeremiah and his home. My mind wandered as I was drawing.
Suddenly, there were images in my mind of John’s house, of people other than him, and my father. John did not look happy. I concentrated harder, trying to see and hear what was going on. My mind showed the images clearer, but I could not hear what anyone was saying. Seth walked into the room and said something. John looked taken aback, and I giggled. I must have been seeing what was going on from Jeremiah’s point of view, and he must somehow have been showing me what was happening.
The angle changed, and I could see a group of people whom I assumed must be the counsel of vampires that Seth had told me about. They looked very stern. John walked over, and was addressing them with a smile on his face. One of them said something. In return, the smile suddenly left John’s face. He pointed to Seth and gestured, as he was clearly explaining something to them.
The oldest of the council looked at Jeremiah; when he did, it was as if he was looking into my eyes. I tried to read his lips but couldn’t. Darn! This is so frustrating. I was glad Jeremiah was showing me that things were okay, and that the counsel was there as Seth had said, but I couldn’t understand why he wasn’t allowing me to hear anything. I sat back against the wall, thinking back to what Seth and I had talked about.
Suddenly, I knew. He wasn’t allowing me to hear because it was too dangerous. If he opened his mind for me to hear, John might have been able to pick up on my thoughts. Heck, I guessed I should just be happy that my mind has developed enough that I could see the images. I wonder what else I am going to be able to do? My mind started to wander a little.
Things seemed to become very intense. John started shaking his head, and backing away from the vampires. Someone else I had not seen when I was at John’s walked in, dragging Jason. One of the vampires stood and walked over, glaring down at Jason who was now lying on the floor, not moving. He looked over at John and pointed at the young vampire, saying something that I figured must be about why he was lying there, looking almost dead. John’s face twisted in anger, and he flew at the vampire addressing him.
In an instant he was surrounded by all of the council members, and being held by his arms. The older vampire who was questioning him was in his face, and I could see fear in his eyes. I smiled seeing that fear there. I knew how it felt to be afraid, and I was glad that he was scared now.
Suddenly the images were gone. I jumped up. Father, what are you doing? Why did you stop showing me what was going on? Are you all right? I tried to open my mind to him, and felt nothing. Anger rose inside of me. I knew in my heart that something had happened, that he did not want me to see, that he probably felt he was protecting me, but I still needed to know that he was safe. Now, all I could do was sit and wait. When we were together again, I was going to have a long talk with him about this.
Hours ticked by. I walked around the cave so many times I was wearing a groove into the floor.
The hairs on the back of my neck suddenly stood up. I stopped, and held my breath, tuning all my senses to listen. I heard footsteps, very far off. I moved back quietly, further into the cave, hoping a shadow was enough to conceal me. As the footsteps got closer, I could tell there were at least two people walking. Neither of them talked, they just moved, quietly and slowly. I hugged the wall as closely as I could. Whoever it was, they were getting closer to the cave. Please, please let it be my father and Seth, I prayed.
Someone was entering the cave. My heart felt like it was going to burst through my chest.
“Elizabeth, it is me.” I heard his voice, which was barely above a whisper. “Come forward; you are safe.”
I slowly moved out of the shadow, and saw my father and Seth standing there. My father opened his arms and I flew into them, sobbing from relief and joy at the same time. “Oh, I was so worried. Why did you stop showing me what was going on?” I felt him tense up. I backed up a little, and looked at him. “What’s wrong?”
Seth walked up and placed his hand on my father’s shoulder. “It is okay, My Lord, I know she is your daughter. She has the human woman’s eyes. Your secret is safe with me
.”
Jeremiah looked at him, and horror filled his eyes. “If you know, who else does? I don’t think it is safe for you here anymore, Elizabeth.” His entire body was actually trembling.
“Sir, I don’t think anyone else will know. You have to remember that I was around when you were with her mother. I saw the two of you together many times before you left for those years. I only put it together because I remembered her eyes from the picture you have in your house.”
“Do you think that is true? You are the only one, other than her family, that knew about us. You never said anything to John about that.” He looked at Seth intently as Seth shook his head, no. “You really are a true friend to me, aren’t you?”
“Yes, sir, always. I would never betray you, or the princess.” He bowed low, and took my father’s hand. “You have my word on that, sir.” He turned towards me, and took my hand. “I went to your family. They will not remember that you didn’t come home for a few days. Your sister, Bess, is really something. She was a little harder to convince than the others. She even went and got your book to show me. I think she is very bright, and if you chose to tell her about some things, I feel she would be able to keep your secret.” He smiled broadly at me. “She wanted to talk to me about the fae. Ha, she thinks that they exist.” He laughed, and walked towards the cave door. “Hey, I’ll see you in school Monday.”
I stood there for a minute, thinking about what Seth had said. Bess was really smart. “Dad, do you think it is okay if I share some of this information with Bess? I share so much with her, and I think it would help me to have someone else know besides the three of us. I know she isn’t my birth sister, but she is my friend.”
To my surprise, Jeremiah smiled. “I think she will be able to keep your secret. I have been watching her, as well as you. She is a true sister to you, in every sense.” His eyes grew distant for a moment as if he was lost in another thought. “Come on Elizabeth, we have been through enough today. Let’s get you home.”
“What about John, Jason and Victor? Will I have to worry about them anymore? I really don’t want to go through something like this again.”
“No, we don’t have to worry about them anymore. Jason and Victor have been sent out of the country, and are banned from coming back. They will not return; they know what the council is capable of if they defy them.
“John will no longer be of any concern to anyone. Please don’t ask what has happened to him, daughter. I feel it is best you do not know.” He reached over and took my hand.
“Whatever you feel is best, but how do I go back to my old life now, knowing everything I know? I don’t know if I can do that. You aren’t going away again, are you?” I suddenly felt afraid that he was going to have to leave now because of everything that had happened.
“No, I am not going anywhere. The council has given me back my rightful title. I am once again in charge of this area. The only people who know our relationship are people that will guard the secret with their lives.
“If you chose to tell Bess some of what you have been through, I think she will do the same. She loves you very much. Seth will never betray us. He has been loyal to me for years. He’s proved that again, these last few days.
“I think we are safe for now. I need to stay, too, because we don’t know what else is going to change with you.” He glanced down at me. “You have to have someone to talk to about those changes now, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do. I just don’t think I could stand it if you left. Is it safe for me to come to visit you at home now as well?” I glanced at him, worried that he would tell me that was not possible.
“I think it will be fine, as long as it isn’t too often. We don’t want anyone to get suspicious about you. I will keep watch over everything, do not worry daughter. Now come, we really need to get you back home.”
19
When I opened my eyes the next morning, Bess was sitting on the edge of her bed staring at me. “Morning, Bess. What are you staring at me for?” I sat up and smiled at her.
She jumped off her bed, and grabbed me in a huge hug. “I missed you so much! I was really worried that something bad had happened to you.”
Startled, I replied, “What do you mean you missed me, and you were worried? I haven’t been anywhere.” I was so not sure what and how much to tell her. Seth had said he’d erased my family’s memories.
“You were gone for two days, Elizabeth. Where were you?” she whispered. “I was really worried. Seth came, and we talked a bit. Mom, Dad and the girls don’t seem to remember that you weren’t here. I do remember, and I was afraid.”
“Bess, he was supposed to erase your memories, too. Why do you remember, but no one else does?” I grabbed her hand, and looked deep into her eyes.
“I don’t know. I think he tried to make me forget, but I guess it didn’t work. What’s going on? Isaiah hasn’t even called.”
“Oh Bess, I don’t even know where to start. I don’t want to tell you anything that can cause trouble for the family, or for me. You have to really promise me that, whatever I say, you can never repeat it to anyone. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I would never do anything to hurt you or anyone else. You know that! Please explain everything to me.” She sat down beside me. “Is it safe for us to talk here?”
“Yes, just keep your voice down and your mind open. This is going to change our lives forever, I’m afraid.”
After telling her most of what had happened over the last few months I sat back and waited for her to take it all in.
“You’re not my real sister? How can that be? We have been together my entire life. How can Mom and Dad not realize that you aren’t theirs? I don’t get it.” She started to cry.
“Please don’t cry. I will never stop being your sister. We don’t have to have the same blood for that. It’s very sad why Mom and Dad don’t know. I would rather not tell you about that today.
“I love you. I hope you realize I am trusting you with a lot, here. You understand that, right?” It amazed me that, out of everything I had told her, the thing that had upset her the most was that we were not blood related.
She closed her eyes for a minute, sighed very deeply, and, when she looked at me, I saw the strength and determination there that I’d always admired about her. “Yes, I understand. Your secret is safe with me. I promise I will never tell anyone. I love you too, and I think that we have just made that bond even tighter. Do you think I can meet your father, sometime?”
“I will ask him. He would probably like that a lot. He’s a very nice man, and he has been through a lot, and sacrificed so much to keep me safe. I think you will really like him.”
“Do you think he can tell me if the fae are real?” She sat back with a huge smile on her face. “They must be. If you can be half-vampire, then they have to exist, too. I bet Isaiah and Samuel are half-fae. Oh, speaking of Samuel, Stacy broke it off with him. It doesn’t surprise me. Do you think that I can try to get him to notice me, since they are no longer together?”
I smiled, thinking how like Bess this was, accepting and loving, and then changing the subject around to two of her favorite topics: fae and Samuel.
Laughing, I gave her a big hug. “I think you can talk with Jeremiah about the fae, and I guess, since Stacy has called it off with Samuel, it is safe for you to start talking to him if you want. You are something else.”
She smiled back. “Well, let’s go get some breakfast; I’m starving. Mom said she was making pancakes this morning.”
While we were getting ready for school, Bess turned to me. “Do you think that boy Seth will be at school today? I wanted to thank him for taking care of you.”
“I think he will be, but I don’t think you should say anything to him about what happened. Remember, no one else can know, and someone may overhear you.”
“Oh, I guess I wasn’t thinking. Maybe we need to lay some ground rules for me so I don’t mess up. You have had some time to adjust to this.”
“I’m going to really get to meet him? That is awesome!” She threw her arms around me, and gave me the biggest hug I have ever had from her.
Riding the bus to school was not as hard as I thought. I figured having someone on my side that knew a little of what was going on was helping.
When the bus slowed down, I spotted Seth standing near the front entrance. He casually glanced at the bus as it slowed to a stop. I knew that my father had him watching me, and I was very grateful. After everything that had happened, I no longer believed in a safe, normal world. I glanced at Bess, and saw her scanning the crowd looking for someone. I prayed that she never truly knew the real dangers that exist in our world.
As we walked into school I saw Isaiah standing by my locker. He smiled, and waved at me. I could tell from the look on his face that Seth had erased his memory of Jeremiah and the last two days as well. I walked up to him, and he grabbed my hand. “Hey, you ready to go out tonight after dinner?” he asked.
“Where are we going?” I felt a little panicky, because I couldn’t remember what we had a date for.
“You wanted me to take you to the library again, remember?” He looked into my eyes, reached over and touched my face. “Are you feeling okay?”
“I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep well last night. I guess I forgot about going to the library this evening. Would it be okay if we did it another time?”
“Sure, I don’t mind. You sure you’re okay? You look a little out of it this morning.” He bent down to look closer into my eyes.
“Yes, I’m sure. Like I said, I didn’t sleep well. That’s all. Are you walking me to my first class?”
“Sure. I have time. Hey, did you hear that Jason and his family up and moved? Someone said that they just left in the middle of the night. Left everything at their house. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?”
Magic and Shadows: A Collection of YA Fantasy and Paranormal Romances Page 194