by Martha Woods
“I see…” Tessa breathed, having a hard time to process everything Calla had just told her. She was quiet for a while. Calla couldn’t even imagine what all must have been running through Tessa’s mind. “How… how did my parents die?”
“The Calder caught them together. Our clan thinks your mother was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was killed because of it.”
“And your family has kept this secret, all these years after she died? Why?” Tessa asked, her eyes lifting to look at Calla.
She shrugged, “We loved your mother, and we would never want any harm to come to her daughter. It isn’t your fault you were born with Calder blood, so you shouldn’t be criminalized for it. We want you safe.”
Calla could tell Tessa was becoming overwhelmed with thoughts and emotions tumbling around in her head. She could feel Tessa’s gratitude, sorrow, longing, and feelings that didn’t even make sense to Calla. Putting herself in Tessa’s shoes was impossible. She couldn’t begin to understand how Tessa hadn’t actually lost her mind yet. Growing up being told she was crazy for being able to read minds, then within a few short weeks finding out that she’s not only the witch, but the child of a High Priestess and her mortal enemy… Calla would have been in a padded cell for sure.
Tessa stood slowly, a somber look coming over her, “Thank you for telling me all that. I… I think I’m going to go to bed.”
“Good night,” Calla called to her softly.
Tessa walked over to Kristian and nudged him awake. After he woke up, he stood from the couch, put an arm around Tessa and stumbled his way to bed. Calla sighed softly, slouching in her spot. That had been exhausting, but at least they had figured out a solution to her mind-reading dilemma. She was sure that they would continue to work on honing her ability to block thoughts, but for the time being, they could move onto other things that could help her when the Calder arrived.
“You’re so kind to her,” Jared spoke suddenly.
Calla glanced over to him, “How long have you been awake?”
“Long enough,” he replied. Standing from the couch, Calla paced over to him. Jared pulled her down onto his lap, “It amazes me how patient you are with her.”
“I wish I had more patience. I’m not a great tutor,” Calla mumbled.
“Don’t sell yourself short. You’re doing a great job for the amount of time you have,” Jared assured her.
She gave him a small smile, her fingers fidgeting with the top button of his shirt. “Well, thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he purred, “Let’s get to bed.” In a swift motion, Jared stood with Calla bridal style in his arms.
“My legs work, you know,” Calla joked, though she laid her head on his shoulder.
“I don’t need you blacking out again from exhaustion,” Jared defended even though the slight smile on his face told a different story.
* * *
There was a knock on the bedroom door, just a couple of hours after Calla and Jared fell asleep. “Guys, you need to get up,” Tessa called through the door.
Jared lifted his tired head and glanced over at the window, “It isn’t even dark out,” he grumbled, noticing the sunlight illuminating the thick curtains slightly. He then glanced down to Calla, who hadn’t budged at all. His cold fingers glided down her arm, “Calla, you need to wake up,” he purred to her.
A groan escaped from the back of her throat. Exhaustion was like an elephant sitting on her chest. She still hadn’t caught up on her sleep from days ago, and she had a sinking feeling she wasn’t going to until the fight with the Calder was over. That’s if she even walked away from the fight. Before her dark, woeful thoughts could continue, two chilly arms wrapped around her and pulled her from the bed. Calla giggled lightly as he swung her around before placing her feet on the floor. His lips brushed across the side of her neck, a chill running through Calla as it brought flashbacks of him feeding from her just a couple hours ago in their throes of passion. They couldn’t keep their hands off one another for long it seemed.
“I'll sleep one day,” She peeled away from him and dressed in an emerald green skater skirt and a long sleeve black blouse. Calla pulled her hair up in a pony tail and slid on her shoes before walking to the door with Jared.
They walked into the living room to find Ally and three other vampires with her. Before any introductions could be made, Calla felt something shift in the air around them. She looked up to Jared to find his eyes narrowed as he glared straight ahead. Following his line of sight, she noticed the guy with chocolate brown hair and dark brown eyes staring right back at Jared. Calla could feel anger and bitterness radiating from both men, but Jared had some pain as well. Whatever the two fell out over, Jared was not the victor.
“So what exactly is going on?” Kristian asked.
Ally cleared her throat, gesturing to the blonde man, “This is Gabriel,” then pointed to one with olive skin and wavy raven hair, “Antonio,” and finally the brunette who was staring down Jared, “And Nolan. “These guys need a place to stay. My place is filled to the rafters with vampires. I'm assuming it would be okay for them to stay here?”
“Of course. We’ll make it work somehow,” Kristian nodded.
“Is there any sort of exchange policy?” Jared asked Ally, though his eyes never left Nolan.
“Play nice, Jared,” Ally tutted at him. “I’m sure the two of you can put your differences aside for a couple of days, can’t you?”
He sneered, which made Nolan smirk. “I’m willing if you are,” Nolan cooed, his voice laced with condescension.
Jared finally ripped his eyes away, “Fine,” he stifled through gritted teeth.
Calla wondered what all that was about, getting the idea that perhaps Nolan wasn’t to be trusted. There had to be a valid reason why Jared was angry with him. “Now that’s settled, I need to get going. My connections are saying they’re still two days away. We’ll head to the house outside of the city the night before they are meant to arrive.”
“Thank you, Ally,” Kristian nodded.
Ally nodded and headed to the door. As soon as the door closed, Jared moved away from Calla and sat in his usual spot in the corner. Calla figured it best to leave him alone, knowing there was no way he was going to open up about what was going on between Nolan in front of everyone. Clearing her throat, Calla spoke to Tessa, “Is the spell still working?”
Tessa frowned and shook her head, “It had worn off by the time I woke up.”
Ooh, perhaps she could tell Calla what was going on between Jared and Nolan Calla sighed, “I was afraid of that. Want me to show you how to make a charm?” Tessa smiled and nodded. Calla stuck a finger up to tell her to wait a minute. Walking back into the bedroom, she grabbed her bag and moved back into the kitchen. She motioned for Tessa to follow her into the kitchen.
As Calla started to lay the materials out onto the island, the men dispersed, lounging around the living room. It must have been nice to be immortal and be as strong and fast they were. They didn’t have any sort of preparation to do other than gathering to amplify their strength with numbers. Calla had caught word of Kristian and Veronica being on the Calder’s version of the “Ten Most Wanted” list, but they didn’t seem all that worried about their own safety, just Tessa’s. It was sweet, but perhaps a little reckless in Calla’s opinion.
She explained every step she was doing to Tessa as she went about making the charm. Potions and charms had always been where Calla shined. She adored the magical chemistry of it, working just like a recipe. It had to be perfected to be effective. Tessa hung on her every word, even though the heavy bags under her eyes were proof that a couple of hours hadn’t been enough sleep for her either.
Calla had a concoction boiling on the stove top, the aroma of lilacs and copper filled the air. Grabbing a gemstone from her collection, she carefully dropped it into the pot. “The gem will hold the charm. I’m going to put it on a string so you can wear it around your neck for safe keeping,” she explai
ned to Tessa. She knew she would have to end up remaking it, but she didn’t mind. It gave them something to do and she wanted to show Tessa beforehand, that way she wouldn’t have to explain it under the stress of making it before the big fight.
As she added in the last of the ingredients, a raspy voice sounded from just over her shoulder, “Hey there.”
Looking back, Calla noticed Nolan towering over her. His dark brown eyes were practically black they were so dark, reminding her of a shark. It was a little unnerving. “Hi…” Calla muttered, looking back to the pot.
Nolan leaned against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest, “How did you manage to get sucked into this little rat pack?” he questioned.
“I don’t think that’s any of your business,” Calla told him plainly. She didn’t want to devulge her personal information to a man she wasn’t sure she could trust.
“You’re fiesty, aren’t you? I like that,” Nolan grinned.
“I really don’t care,” Calla grumbled.
Tessa cleared her throat and scratched the back of her head, the interaction clearly making her uncomfortable as well. “You’re Kristian’s girl, right? The little psychic he picked up?”
“The one and only,” Tessa stated, giving a forced smile.
Then, Nolan brushed a loose curl behind Calla’s ear, “Can you read minds too?”
Calla leaned away from his touch, her eyes staring down at the pot as she tended to the potion and did her best to ignore him. “Sure can.”
“What am I thinking right now?” he asked with an amused grin.
“I don’t really feel like poking around in your head.”
“Trust me, you don’t want to,” Tessa mumbled to her.
Within the fraction of a second, Jared appeared next to Calla as well. “Leave the girls alone, Nolan,” he instructed firmly.
“What’s wrong with talking to them? I’m here to protect them, right? I should get to know them,” he challenged.
Kristian spoke up from the living room, “Guys, don’t start.”
Nolan was smirking smugly at Jared as he replied to Kristian, “No worries. We’re just having a conversation. Aren’t we, Jared?”
Jared’s stern expression didn’t falter, “Just back off the girls and I’ll leave you alone.”
Nolan tilted his head side to side, as though he was considering Jared’s statement. His eyes then returned to Calla, “You don’t mind me standing here, do you?” he asked her.
“Sort of,” Calla answered, even though she truly wished he would just walk away. Nolan was right in the fact he was there to protect them, so she didn’t want to be too rude to him.
He let out a breathy sigh, “Such a shame.” Nolan gently brushed a cold finger down the side of her neck, “I’ve always wondered what witch blood tastes like.”
Before anything else could be said, Nolan was tackled to the floor by Jared. Instantly, the two were fighting, growling, and hissing. They moved so quickly that it was close to impossible for Calla and Tessa to keep track of them. The others were on their feet in a heartbeat, going after the two and trying to separate them. Nolan was chuckling sadistically as Gabriel and Kristian managed to peel Jared off of him, Antonio then snatching him up by the arms and holding him in place.
“Are you two going to be like this the whole time?” Kristian snapped.
“Don’t blame me. I didn’t ask Ally to send that piece of shit,” Jared spat.
Nolan continued to chuckle, “Sticks and stones, Jared.”
“I’d love to break your bones,” Jared growled.
“I didn’t realize you were so territorial over a witch bitch,” Nolan cooed.
His lip snarled, “You know good and well there is much more to it than that.”
“Both of you need to calm the hell down,” Kristian demanded. “There is enough going on without us having to worry about the two of you ripping one another’s heads off. I really have no idea why Ally sent you here—”
“I requested to,” Nolan interrupted.
Jared’s brow knitted together, “Why?”
“To make amends, of course. Come on, Jared. You know I’m just ruffling your feathers for fun. You make it so easy,” Nolan explained with a light laugh. “We’re two professionals, we have to get along to make this work.”
Jared was silent, not having a response to that. Calla could sense that he didn’t believe Nolan.
“Do we really need to be held back? We’re over a hundred years old, we can settle this like gentleman. Look, I’m sorry I pissed you off, Jared. I’ll leave it alone.”
“And the witches,” Jared added.
“Fine, and the witches,” Nolan agreed.
After a few moments of silence and tension subsiding, they let the two go. “Both of you need to agree to resolve things, at least long enough to get through the next few days. Shake on it or something,” Gabriel suggested.
Slowly, the two approached one another. Jared was reluctant, but was the first to hold out a hand. As Nolan shook Jared’s hand, a smirk returned to his lips, “You’re fucking the redhead, aren’t you?”
“That’s none of your business,” Jared glared, retracting his hand.
“I’m not judging. In fact, I’m giving you props if anything. She’s a tasty little treat, isn’t she?”
“Okay,” was all Jared replied with, turning to walk away.
“I’d keep her on a short leash, though. From what I hear, witches tend to be big whores. Even worse than Bridget.”
Jared let out a single chuckle before spinning around and punching him in the face. Nolan stumbled, spitting blood from the impact of Jared’s fist. Then, with one lunge, Nolan used all of his force to shove Jared. It sent him flying backward, the entire room gasping as it launched him through the glass door to the balcony. It was still day time.
The other vampires all moved away from the light pouring into the room, terrified of stepping into the sun’s rays. Calla ran to the balcony, noticing Jared laying among the shattered glass and splintered wood. Cuts and gashes covered his body, but that wasn’t what Calla was concerned about. She grabbed his hand and helped him to his feet.
He hadn’t been still because he was gravely injured, but because he was shocked. As he stood, Jared’s eyes raked over his skin. He wasn’t burning or even aching. With wide eyes, he looked to Calla in bewilderment. “It doesn’t hurt… How is this possible?” he whispered. Then, it was like he suddenly connected the dots, his eyes widening and scanning over Calla. With the look in his eyes, Calla knew what he was thinking. The only thing that had done any differently than normal, was drink her blood.
Jared looked inside the apartment, locking eyes with Kristian as he stood in the shadows.
* * *
Nolan and the other visiting vampires were moved to the basement room Kristian had rented. Jared had demanded it, and Kristian didn’t object to it. Gabriel and Antonio were only joining him in the basement to keep Nolan in check.
Calla tried her best not to fidget as she sat in Jared’s armchair. Ally was there, helping hook her up to a blood bag. It was like donating blood, but instead of people in dyer need getting it, a pack of vampires would be using it to go into sunlight. Calla’s eyes couldn’t look away as Ally finished hooking up to the bag and the blood started to drip. It made her stomach churn to see it.
Someone cleared their throat right in front of her. Forcing herself to look away from the blood, she glanced up to see Ally standing before her with a glass in her hand. Calla gently took it, looking down at the light brown liquid. “It’s apple juice. I brought a few bottles of it with me. Keep your blood sugar and fluids up so you don’t get sick. And make sure to eat plenty,” Ally explained. Calla nodded, sipping the juice before setting it on the end table next to her. Ally’s hand appeared over Calla’s, “Thank you for all that you are doing. I know you’re forced to, in a sense, but you seem very kind and courageous.”
Giving a weak smile, Calla replied, “Thank you. I’
m not really being forced, I want to help in any way I can. I want the same thing all of you do.”
“Well… Not all of us, Ally sighed, patting her hand before walking away.
When Ally moved out of her line of sight, Calla’s eyes fell on Jared. He stood across the room, his eyes fixated on the blood bag she was filling up with a grimace on his face. He didn’t like the thought of her being bled for other vampires, she assumed since he looked so displeased and upset. Calla thought maybe it was because the couple of times he had fed from her it had been intimate, and it unnerved him to think of others drinking her blood. It was understandable, but also irrational.
Reaching her hand in front of the machine, she gave a little wave to get Jared’s attention. His posture stiffened as he tried to decide whether or not to go to her. Eventually, he sauntered over to her. He dragged another chair over and sat down next to her. “What’s with the long face?” Calla asked with a soft smile on her lips, her hand extending to his and brushing against his long, cold fingers.
His lips twitched, sucking in a deep breath as he held her hand. “Just in my own head.”
“Don’t make me go in there to find out,” she teased.
“What do you think?” Jared questioned, his eyes fluttering to the blood bag.
“Don’t want to share me?”
“Of course not,” Jared grumbled, his eyes still fixated on the dripping blood.
Calla’s thumb grazed over his knuckles. You know it’s only to help with the fight.”
He sighed, “I know. It just bothers me how it was discovered.”
She nibbled her lip as she worked up the courage to ask Jared about his relationship with Nolan and whoever Bridget was. Calla definitely didn’t want to upset him, but she was dying to know after such an insane explosion of violence between the two. Being careful to word things properly, she asked, “Why do you and Nolan not get along?”