by Sara K
"You're pregnant." Clara stared at the other woman in amazement. "So the child will be half human half…" Clara stopped finding the right word.
"Exactly." Cassie looked so heartbroken that Clara took her hand. "It's so complicated. A child of two races can’t live in two worlds. I can’t even go to a human doctor because the baby isn’t entirely human. It would arouse suspicion and can be dangerous." Cassie rubbed a hand over her face. "I feel as though it's growing fast inside me." She rubbed a hand over her stomach.
Clara bit her lips, worried. "You mean you won't carry the baby for nine months."
"Probably not, Justin will take me to the healer of his people. He's certain the healer will help us. We would have gone if we weren’t hunted."
Clara sat up straight. "Hunted."
"He hasn’t told you. Probably didn’t want to worry you." Cassie looked around before back at Clara her voice dropped low. "The three of us are hunted - four including you. If Shea finds you, you won’t be safe."
Clara felt dread creeping inside her. "Who's Shea?"
Cassie realising she can't hide the truth, especially when it concerned Kristine therefore began to reveal all. "She's the queen of vampires. She's very old and not easy to defeat. A while back Dominick’s wife was kidnapped by Shea. She's the most horrible, evil thing you can come across. I'm not very fond of her." Cassie made a face. Clara realised the humour to mask the fear. "Anyway Dominick asked Michael and Justin for assistance. They moved in swiftly to help find Susan and destroy Shea and her crew of vampires. Dominick himself rescued Susan she was hurt and he took her to safety whilst Michael and Justin took care of Shea. She had two children, just like her also vampires. The scene was chaotic, fireballs went off. Dominick from afar destroyed her children, at the same time Michael launched his own fireball. But the younger vampires were already dead."
Michael went deeper into the shadows. His face grave. His eyes as black as death. He clearly remembered that time. The day the curse was thrown amongst their race, leaving no one safe. He noticed Clara had gone still; her heart beat was slow, infrequent as though she was holding her breath. Afraid to breathe. For her sake he allowed his mind to calm, to reach for hers and calm her down.
Clara sucked in a huge breath. "What happened then?"
Cassie's gaze met hers. "It was a terrible time; one no one wants to remember but can't forget. Shea hit the roof, cursing everyone especially the males. Julius and Miranda have some great powers; they joined in to kill the vampires who attached us. Dominick also returned to help. But Shea went crazy with grief. She placed the blame solely on Justin and Michael, threatened them, and threatened their mates. She promised she'd be back with a vengeance, she promised to destroy the women and make the males suffer. Worst of all she promised she would raise an army and wipe out every one of the Immortals."
Cassie stopped talking. Silence filled the air. Michael sensed the uneasiness both women were feeling.
"Now she's back." Clara said quietly, breaking the tension filled silence.
"With a vengeance," Cassie added. "Which was why we came to Havenport? To help and warn Michael."
“Tell me more about the curse.” Clara asked
Cassie twisted her wedding band on her right hand. “Two days later in a battle, Michael was seriously hurt; Shea took this opportunity to kidnap him. She cast an ancient spell and injected him with venom that would continue to grow and consume him unless he finds a way to break the curse.” Cassie lifted her head and her eyes met Clara’s with hope. “You can break the curse by loving him and accepting him for who he is.”
"He can’t love me. He doesn’t know me." Clara said puzzled. What was love anyway? She had never believed in love. Love was a heartbeat away from sorrow. But seeing Justin and Cassie together made her rethink that perhaps love does exist. In some people. Anyway.
"I think Michael wouldn’t agree with that. Has he told you he loves you?"
Clara considered the question. "Yes but…"
"There's no but to it, Clara He's not lying to you. He's been alone for far too long."
Clara recalled all the times he held her. Comforted her. Whispered soothing words into her ear. The softness and desire in his lips. The dark eyes that appeared as endless as the ocean. The fierceness of his arousal as he pressed her against him. Claiming her as his own. She remembered her slashing the piece of glass in her skin, the blood that surrounded her. The atrocious pain. He had come to her. Saved her life when she didn’t bother whether she lived or died. How many times had she noticed the desire in his eyes, the way his lips devoured her. The feel of his hands on her skin were tender, gentle. He had said he loved her. He wanted her. She could feel it in the way he looked at her. Then why was she denying him what he craved. Because she didn’t love him. She was too torn inside to feel affection for someone, to feel love. She was broken. Tainted. She didn’t feel love towards him, only fear. When he was near she felt frightened, even intimidated by his size and his strength. His eyes held power, power she was afraid off. Mostly she worried what he would do to her if she denied him his desire. Her throat closed in fear, in her chest her heart pounded rapidly.
"He doesn't deserve me."
"Don't be ridiculous." Cassie said impatiently. "You're the other part of his soul. He wants you more than he wants to live. I can tell you that. Would you rather he waited for the sun to come up."
Her green eyes widened in anguish. "No, No."
"Do you love him?"
"I haven't loved anyone. I don’t know how to love." Clara’s tone was one of pain and regret. Immediately Cassie lowered her head, ashamed.
"I'm so sorry, that was so insensitive of me."
“I care about him. I wouldn’t want him hurt because of me." she said honestly. It was the truth. She would never be able to forgive herself if anything happened to him on her account.
Cassie popped a piece of doughnut in her mouth. "You'll love him in time. For now simply caring about him is enough. I hate seeing him so alone."
"Perhaps I'm not the one he needs."
Cassie rolled her eyes and chewed. "Oh, please stop criticising yourself, Clara. You're the one for him. Just ask him. In fact ask him anything you want, about his’ past, his family. Anything."
Clara looked uneasy "I don't know."
Cassie shifted on her stool, before brushing away her blond hair. "He's lived longer than Justin. Being eight hundred and fifty years old he can only live just before a thousand before he either destroys himself or turns nasty and bloodthirsty from the venom."
Clara’s eyes widened. “What you’re saying is that he will be a danger to humans.”
“Yes, precisely. He’ll be dangerous. Shea injected evil inside him. It’s like a time bomb that will initiate inside and turn him over to the dark side. Every day that continues to grow. It will destroy him, Clara. You have to save him.”
"He can't bind me to him." Clara said severely. "I won't let him." Deep in her heart she knew the power he had over her. He can command from her anything at all. And blindly under his command she would give him. The knowledge scared her. She would never allow him to control her, Brett had controlled her, made her his slave. The men he had brought to his house controlled her, controlled every move they made. They even controlled time to suit them. Not her. Never her. She'd be damned if she let anyone else have that satisfaction of hurting her.
"Binding him to you, physically and emotionally is the only way his soul can be saved. It’s the only way the internal clock or time bomb will stop ticking. I'm worried the battle will be too much to him." Cassie said gently.
Clara repeated the words over and over in her head. She interpreted the meaning; basically if she was intimate with Michael his soul would be saved. She shrugged at the idea. She wasn’t ready for that kind of relationship. Neither did she want to be controlled by an immortal from another universe. Clara rubbed her temples, felt a headache coming on. Cassie was watching her curiously and Clara didn’t want to reveal her
private thoughts. She sure hoped Cassie couldn’t read her mind.
"You're upset." The words were said softly
Clara let out a deep breath. "I'm a lot of things right now, upset wouldn’t be an understatement."
"I'm sorry I piled it on too much tonight."
"I needed to know." Clara said honestly, rubbing her temples. "I've learnt a lot. What will happen next?"
"I don’t know. But I think Shea will come here next. She's searching for us. Revenge is all that she needs." Cassie smiled sadly. "I'm worried myself about how this will play out." she placed a hand over her stomach. "I'm also worried about the baby. If Shea finds out she'll kidnap me. It would be very convenient for her and ironic. Her children die from the opposite hands and she herself manages to kill a child of her enemies."
Clara glace at her worriedly. "Justin's mad to let you stay here. You should go somewhere safe. Where she can't find you."
"No way, I’m not leaving him."
"But you'd rather risk his child."
"I'm not risking anything, I don’t know what's going to happen and I'm going out of my mind with worry." Clara watched the other woman's hand shake in fear.
"And Michael, will he be in danger?"
"I don’t know if you give him what he needs before then. You can save him. I'm not sure what will happen if he takes her down."
Clara swallowed hard; the fear of the unknown choked her. She felt her stomach muscles clench in tension.
Cassie continued talking. "There's lot to lose here. Please Clara; let Michael give you a new life." Clara saw a pleading sign in those grey eyes. She liked how compassionate and caring Cassie was, she almost thought of her as a friend. She had never had friends before, she never trusted anyone before.
"There must be a way for Shea to be destroyed." Clara asked changing the topic.
"There are, but it'll take a lot of effort. She's dangerous and out for revenge. We can’t forget that. Someone's going to die, Clara" Cassie said remorsefully, “because Shea wants blood and vengeance."
The words sank into Clara heart, weighing it with their enormous pressure. From the corner of her eye she saw a tall figure approaching them. Her eyes darted towards the stranger as he gracefully made his way towards them his eyes scanning over both women. As he came closer, Clara recognised Justin as he placed himself behind Cassie's stool, his hands stroking her shoulders. The terror in Cassie's eyes faded, replaced by joy and love as she gazed up into his eyes, her hand grabbing his and holding tight as if he may fade from her view.
When his gaze rested on her face, Clara felt uncomfortable. She wanted to look away, to walk out of the dinner alone. He was a big man, tall, powerful. And she was alone which made her feel insecure and venerable. Not wanting to appear rude she attempted a small smile.
With the other couple standing up, Clara stood up too. Her hands were sweaty from clenching them together. She clenched the side of the table to keep herself steady, looking around, searching. Suddenly she felt very afraid, panic overtook her and she frantically looked around. Where the hell was he? Why the hell couldn’t he come and take her away from this embarrassment. Her head was aching; her heart raced thousand beats per minute. She felt overwhelmed as she glanced around hopelessly, unable to meet the couple's eyes. The fear inside her was real.
Then familiar hands were circling her waist, strong. Possessive. Without a second thought, Clara buried her face on Michael's chest, feeling uncertain about her earlier panic when he didn’t come for her.
Michael wrapped his arms around her small frame. He had felt her emotions clearly and rushed to her side. She felt venerable in his arms; he kissed the top of her head. His mouth clenched with a sudden desire to protect Clara who he wanted with every cell of his body.
Chapter 13: The Reminisce
She twirled around in her navy cut-out floral dress. A huge smiled plastered on her face. At the age of 12, she glanced into the silver ornate mirror, her reflection glowing back. Her mother’s familiar brightened face smiled at her.
“Oh Clara, baby. You are so beautiful.” Her mother’s voice echoed around the walk in closet. She glanced into her mother’s deep hazel eyes.
“Thanks, mom.” She giggled. “I want to be a supermodel one day, or an actress. Mrs Haywood says I’m really clever in Drama studies. I’m going to make you proud.” A childish vision dreamt by many young girls all over the world.
“Be whatever you want to be, darling. Never stop dreaming.” She turned around and her mother stepped forward, her long jet-black hair flowing freely down her back. She wore a sleeveless ivory satin dress and in her hand, she carried ribbon blossoms, which she tied to Clara’s hair. Clara’s small hand settled on her mother’s round bump. She would be a big sister soon.
“I don’t want to live with dad.” Clara said in a small voice. “I want to live with you and Dan.” Dan would be her new step-dad today when her mother tied the knot in approximately one hour and fifteen minutes.
Rebecca Paige’s eyes narrowed and her lips tightened. She tried to reassure her daughter as much as possible through her ex-husband’s custody battle. God help her if Stuart had access to her daughter. “I know sweetie,” Rebecca touched her daughter’s cheek. “A mother will do anything to protect her daughter.” Rebecca whispered. “Do you trust me, Clara?”
At the age of 12, Clara nodded with sheer certainty and put her trust in her mother’s hand. She believed every single word.
It was February 24th. Little did Clara know that later that day in an act of pure jealously her father Stuart would stab her mother and her unborn child multiple times before committing suicide? Little did Clara know that two weeks later she would end up in the never-ending foster care system that would engulf her?
True promises take years to shape and only seconds to destroy. Her mother would have given her the entire world. However, fate had other plans for her.
In the present, in the real world Clara awoke abruptly with a start and pressed a hand to her forehead. Michael threw back the covers and gathered her in his arms. "Sshh, I’m here now. It’s only a dream." His hands rubbed her back in slow motion; her face pressed against his chest, wet from tears.
"Just hold me, Michael… because I …" another sob escaped her throat. Clara feeling the over pouring emotions buried her face against the silken shirt and wept. She missed her mother so much that it hurt. If she could, she would sell her soul just to have those precious moments with her mother only to hold her tightly and smell the butter and coconut fragrance her mother cherished. Michael cuddled her closer, his heavy arms bringing her small body against his chest. His shirt felt wet, he felt her trembling body, and the way her fists clenched together and rested against his chest. For several minutes, he whispered soothing words to her, hoping the tears would subside. Her tears wrecked his heart, moved him in places he didn’t know existed.
One woman shattered his composure, how was it possible that someone so young could suffer so much. He was only glad that those that hurt her were destroyed. If he had found her when she was a child, he may have prevented the outcome. He would have taken her away from mortals, from the evil nature of human beings. He would have hired a nanny to look after the little child who carried his soul. Who someday would have saved his stained soul? He would have protected her, loved her, he would have formed such strong bonds with the little child that when she reached womanhood she would have recognised him and come to him willingly. A happy and confident woman.
If only the outcome for him had differed. Michael blamed himself for neglecting to find her when she was a child. How could he have known the amount of suffering a child would endure? Michael looked down at Clara in his arms, she had grown quieter, the sobbing ceased, her leg was between his thighs, he noticed the way his huge manhood was pressed against her stomach, whether she felt him or not she didn’t protest or shriek in alarm. He came to the conclusion that she wasn’t aware of it; reluctantly as not to frighten her he separated his lower body from
hers. With one hand rested against her back and the other supporting her head, he gently lowered her onto the mattress. Her eyes had been closed, her lips gently parted, her face wet with tears now as he lowered her and drew himself on top of her, keeping his weight off her she gasped and opened her eyes.
Confusion clouded her enormous eyes as she stared up at him, sniffing. Michael smiled, wiping her tears with his fingers. His eyes rested on the pulse beating rapidly in her neck, he could hear heartbeat like a drum. She was afraid of him. He could hear her blood rushing in her veins, from the heart to her veins. He lowered his watering mouth, wanting to taste her with his tongue, he held back knowing the strength of the beast within him. If he took her blood, he would have to have her body to sedate his everlasting hunger and need. The two combined would be dangerous for her and if he wasn’t gentle he could cause her insignificant harm. Shaking the thoughts from his mind, his lips brushed against her temple, along her jaw when they fastened on her mouth Clara felt electricity spark between them. His lips captured her mouth gently, kissing her softly. She felt his tongue thrust into her mouth and then he took possession, licking, stroking making her gasp into his mouth. The intensity was too much as he became ravenous and then incredibly gentle.
Michael slowed his pace, inserting control over himself. Very gently he pulled back his eyes darting to her face. She was tired, exhausted. Her expression was blank, without warning, he kissed her again ever so gently, his lips lingering on hers feeding her his passion. When his need became too much, he pulled away.
"Sleep now, my love." He whispered, tugging the duvet around her. He took in her blank expression, the way she stared at him, forlornly.
Clara knew now was the right time to confess. "I keep thinking I'm not the one for you. I don't feel anything. I know how much you want me. You say you love me, I want to believe you but can't since I can't return the feeling." Her voice came out as a whisper, tired and shaky. Michael heard her very well; he caught the sadness attached to her words. "I don’t love you, Michael. I'm sorry. I care about you, I didn’t know that until Cassie mentioned the extent Shea would go to destroy you. That's when I realised that I care about you and wouldn’t want you hurt. I can't give you what you want; I don’t think I'll ever be able to. You deserve someone who loves you in return. I gave up on love a long time ago, didn’t think it existed…" her voice trailed off, she struggled to stay awake. "If I wasn’t Clara Paige. I think we may have had a chance.”