by Last, K. A.
I offered her a tight lipped smile and nodded. Charlotte linked her arm through mine, helping me up. I was glad she was there. We walked the red carpet of the long aisle to the back of the cathedral where Seth stood waiting, leaning against the sandstone wall.
“I’m surprised they still let us in here,” he said.
“A house of God is open to all, Seth, you know that.”
He nodded, pushed the door open and held it for us.
“Judgement occurs in Heaven. I haven’t forgotten everything,” he replied.
We walked to the cemetery in silence. The student body had been directed to class for reflection before getting back into the swing of things. “Busy minds don’t ponder,” Mr Gerard had said. How right he was. With my eyes fixed on the ground, I concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other until Charlotte stopped. When I raised my head I locked eyes with Abby.
“I can’t remember if I ever told you how sorry I am, about Emma,” she said.
I didn’t know what to say, so I didn’t say anything. She took this as her cue to keep talking.
“Saturday night was fun. Thanks for putting on a great party.”
“Did you get home ok?” I asked.
“Yeah, Jesse took us back to the dorm, but I don’t really remember leaving.” Abby’s brow furrowed. “Oh well, again, sorry,” she said. I knew she was being genuine, and I was glad to see she was ok.
Emma’s casket sat next to a freshly dug grave. We stood in a semi-circle with Father Michael at the head. After saying a few words and waiting for Mr Shrove to nod, he pushed the button to activate the lowering device. The soft whir of the mechanism was the only sound in the quiet cemetery, even the magpies and cicadas had fallen silent as if out of respect. I watched the box that held my best friend slowly descend into the ground, and that’s when the tears started. Staying strong for Emma’s family was no longer an option; I just couldn’t hold it in.
My knees sank into the soft earth at the edge of the grave, and I sobbed uncontrollably. Archer tried to help but I waved him away. I needed to do this alone. After a few moments, I blinked away my tears and looked up at Mrs Shrove. She knew what I wanted to do.
“Go on, Grace,” she said. Her cheeks were also wet.
Slowly, I got to my feet and took the few steps to the mound of dirt at the foot of Emma’s grave. I dug my fingers into the soft cold soil and took a fistful, closed my eyes, then threw it onto the casket. I felt a little better, like I could actually let her go. She would be in a safe place, even if I could never get back there, at least I knew Heaven would look after her.
“Grace,” Seth whispered at my shoulder. “Look.”
When I opened my eyes, I saw a beautiful white butterfly flutter into the sunshine. I held out my hand and it landed lightly on my palm, where it lingered for a moment. Then it took flight, beating its radiant white wings against the beautiful azure sky.
THIRTY-SEVEN
JOSH
From the shadows of the Moreton Bay fig, I watched Grace walk down the cemetery path, leaning on Charlotte. Seth wasn’t far behind, his hands in his pockets and his head down. I stiffened at the sight of him, wanting nothing more than to run down there and pound him into the ground.
They came to a stop beside a freshly dug grave. Ryan and Archer were pallbearers, and I’d just watched the casket procession before Grace arrived. I felt a pang of guilt for what I’d done to Ryan, but it didn’t last long. I definitely knew one thing, becoming a vampire changes you in ways you never imagined. Sure, you get to run fast and be really strong, but it also hardens your heart.
Grace was on her knees, sobbing over the hole in the ground. Let her cry and suffer. Let her feel pain like I had. At least she lost someone to death, but me, I had to watch as she slowly slipped through my fingers. My blood boiled more as Seth stepped close to her and whispered in her ear. I could see the tiny white butterfly as clearly as my own hand. For a moment I softened when Grace’s radiant smile lit up her face. She turned her gaze skyward until the butterfly disappeared.
Grace, being the faithful friend, sat at the edge of the grave for a while longer. Emma’s family were already gone, and the others were getting ready to leave. I heard their conversation easily with my new hearing. “We’ll see you back at the shed,” Archer said. He gave Grace a quick brotherly kiss then left with Charlotte, passing my mum’s grave as they went. Guilt surfaced as I watched Charlotte’s hair sway across her shoulders. She had wanted to help me and I’d pushed her away. Seth said something about searching for Angelica but I blocked his voice and concentrated on Grace. I needed to talk to her, by herself, and I knew if I thought her name she’d hear me. I waited until she was alone before stepping to the edge of the shadows.
Grace.
Slowly, she raised her head. That’s when I knew Grace wasn’t the one I was angry with. She was beautiful and good, and how could I not love her? Her eyes sparkled with fresh tears, but she didn’t move.
Grace, I know you can hear me. Please, I…
Don’t, she said. I could feel her in my mind.
We stared at each other, Grace crying and me softening more with every tear.
“I can’t do this right now, Josh.” Her voice travelled across the cemetery. “I have to go.” She dropped her gaze and turned away.
“Grace,” I yelled, stepping into the sunshine.
“Please, Josh, it’s my birthday. Just let me deal.”
Her birthday, how could I forget? But how could I remember with everything that had happened? She took a few steps and I decided I wasn’t going to let her go that easily. She was the one that taught me to fight for what I believed in, so I was going to fight.
I reached her side in seconds, but she didn’t stop, so I grabbed her arm to spin her towards me. With one quick movement, Grace hit me and I stumbled backwards, landing heavily. It was good I was a little more resilient after the change, but I couldn’t say the same for my pride. I sprang back to my feet and ran to block her path.
“Please, get out of my way,” she said.
“Why won’t you talk to me?”
Grace looked at her hands and fiddled with her ring. I knew she was thinking over what she was going to say, it was a habit of hers, always trying to put the words in the right order.
“I can’t look at you without hating myself for what I’ve done,” she finally said.
“You were trying to save me, I get that now.”
“But none of this would have happened if I never got involved with you in the first place.”
“What’s happened to us? I’m still here, I’m still me.”
“No, you’re not. Look what you did to Ryan. You’re this angry person I don’t recognise any more,” she said.
“Well, maybe I wouldn’t be so angry if the enemy wasn’t trying to suck face with my girlfriend!”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yeah, yeah, you and Seth have history, but I’m betting he’s already tried one on you, am I right?”
Grace stared at me with wide eyes, and from the look on her face I knew what her answer would be.
“Seth kissed me this morning, and I let him.”
I bit my tongue and blood welled in my mouth as I fought to contain my anger.
Grace stepped around me and walked to the rusty gate of the cemetery. She paused with her back to me, her hand on the latch, and said, “I don’t know how to fix this.”
“Just tell me … tell me you love me.”
“You know I do, but it’s not as simple as that.”
“Why, Grace? Why can’t it be that simple?”
I was ready to forgive her for everything, for ever letting him touch her. All I wanted was to take her in my arms and hold her, for everything to be like it was before Saturday. But she was right, I was different.
I took her by the shoulders and turned her towards me. Her eyes looked haunted, and I wished I could get into her head like she could get into mine, but she’d blocked me. I
needed to understand why we’d got to where we were.
Grace placed her hand on my cheek. I knew she felt cold, hard skin, and not the warmth that used to be there before I was changed. I wondered what she would feel if I kissed her, if it would be different, if I could ever be as tender as I used to be. Maybe now I was a vampire we weren’t supposed to be together. I saw how Charlotte looked at Archer, and even though they weren’t actually together, I knew it was possible. But Charlotte was an exception. She was like an angel trapped in a demon’s body. Could I ever be like that? Could I really give Grace what she wanted, what she needed? I leant in to softly brush her lips with mine. For a brief moment we kissed. Then she misted, and I was left standing in an empty cemetery with no one but the dead for company.
THIRTY-EIGHT
GRACE
Early Monday Night
By the time I returned to the shed it was almost nightfall. After I saw Josh I’d gone to the outcrop, dropped to my knees, and wept. Through my tears I’d watched the sun set over the valley, turning the soft white clouds beautiful shades of pink and orange. The thought of spreading my wings and flying away had crossed my mind, but I couldn’t do it. I needed to stay for Archer, and Charlotte, if not for myself.
I misted to the middle of the clearing, and my friends came rushing towards me. There were lots of questions. Seth stayed silent, standing back to let the others help me. He knew I’d wanted to be by myself, and I let him in so he could see everything that happened after they’d left me at the cemetery. He smiled.
“Guys, I’m ok. I just needed thinking time.”
“A lot happened while you were thinking Gracie.” Archer made little speech marks in the air.
“What could possibly have happened? Can’t I stop for just one minute?”
“Good news first?” Seth asked.
“There’s good news?” I scoffed.
“Believe it or not, yes. Angelica has gone home.”
That was good news and one less thing to worry about. I could get back to fighting the bad guys and sorting out my life.
“And the bad news?” I looked back and forth between my friends waiting for someone to continue. “Just spill. If you don’t hurry up I’ll come in and take it anyway.”
“Josh came looking for you,” Charlotte said. “We kinda kicked him out. And, I picked up Cain’s scent in the forest. He’s been very close to the shed.”
Well, fighting vamps was my job. Even if Cain had some of Charlotte’s blood, I could still take him. Besides, I hadn’t dusted anyone in the last day, so there was something to look forward to. Josh, I would have to deal with later.
“There’s more.” Seth stepped closer. “Angelica has gone, but my sources tell me she’s planning to return. You have something she wants.”
Oh boy, that was bad news. My hand went to my pocket and felt Annie’s ring.
“Your sources?” I looked at Seth.
“I know people. Not all Angels of the Light follow the rules. And like I’ve said before, you have a lot to learn.”
I went into the shed to freshen up. After splashing some water on my face and checking my hair, I changed from my uniform into jeans and a black top.
Outside, we armed up before walking the perimeter. I sensed Josh’s presence a split second before Seth did, but it still wasn’t enough to stop the rock from connecting with Seth’s shoulder. The force of the blow spun him sideways and he thumped into me. I managed to hold his weight and prevent us crashing to the ground.
“Ouch,” Seth cried, “that hurt!”
When I looked back along the rock’s flight path, I came face to face with Josh. I thought maybe we’d made some progress this morning, even if I had left him hanging. His once beautiful sparkling blue eyes were now a hard, angry black. Hatred for Seth radiated from him, and you didn’t need to read his mind to know it. I sensed Archer and the others moving in to protect me. There was no doubt Ryan would do anything to help, I could feel his anger, too, and at that point he loathed Josh more than he ever thought possible.
“Do you condemn me by casting the first stone?” Seth stepped forward. “You forget, Joshua, I’m still an angel, and angels don’t throw stones.” Seth spread his fingers and flicked his wrist. “We throw fire.”
I lunged and knocked Seth’s aim off course, sending the flames hurtling towards a tree instead. It went up easily and Archer ran for the hose at the end of the shed. Josh snarled and bared his fangs then went for Seth, but I placed myself between them.
Seth scowled. “Way to go, Grace. You just ruined my punch line.”
I put my hand on his chest and pushed him back a few metres. “We’re on the same side, remember?” I wanted to say something along the lines of, grow up and quit being a baby, but by then the boys fighting became insignificant.
Cain stood just beyond the edge of the clearing.
Suddenly, all I cared about was Josh, but my feet were frozen in place.
“Josh, behind you!” I screamed.
He spun then crouched as Cain sprung towards him. Josh grabbed him below the knees, picked him up and threw him over his shoulder. Cain landed with a thud at my feet. I looked down into his evil black eyes.
“I’ve been waiting for you to show up,” I said.
Cain jumped up and grinned wickedly, parading his own set of sharp, glistening fangs. He threw his head back and laughed. I couldn’t see what was so funny; then I looked around and understood the enormity of the situation. There were at least twenty sets of shiny eyes staring out of the forest. The sun hadn’t set so I presumed they were high on Blaze blood.
“Josh, if you want to live, I suggest you get behind me,” I said. “Now!”
He glanced over his shoulder then his figure blurred as he ran to stand with the rest of us.
“Are they on what I think they’re on?” Archer asked.
“Looks like it,” I said.
“Be careful everyone,” Charlotte called. “They’ll be stronger than you think.”
The six of us formed a line and edged backwards to the centre of the clearing. Six against twenty wasn’t very good odds, but I had faith.
“Back to back when they circle us. And Charlotte, please keep Ryan alive,” I said.
The sound of twenty vampires letting out their war cry was deafening, and I was glad our neighbours weren’t close. We all had weapons except Josh so I threw him a stake.
“Try to stay away from the pointy end; it’s bad for your health.”
“Thanks for the tip, Grace.” Josh smiled, and his fangs extended. He looked just as mean and nasty as Cain but at least he was making jokes with me, one small step in the right direction.
Arms and legs, stakes and fangs, flew everywhere. Within minutes we’d knocked off a third of the pack.
“Where did you get these guys from, Cain, they’re not too bright,” I yelled as I round house kicked a pretty brunette vamp in the face. A quick stab to her chest and she was dust on my boots. I really loved my job.
“Seth,” I called out to him, “let up on the fire balls. You’ll burn the shed down.”
“Not in my nature to let up on anything, Grace.”
Archer and Seth were fighting side by side; if I’d had the time to stop I would have taken a photo or two as proof. Josh was taking his anger out on a rather large vamp with big arms and lots of tattoos, and Charlotte was keeping Ryan out of trouble.
A warm wind rushed through the clearing. I looked up to see Seth in all his glory, wings spread wide, raining fire down on two vamps. He was magnificent. His black feathers rippled under the light of the rising moon, and his tanned skin glowed with the reflection of his own fire. I didn’t want him to have all the fun, so I unfurled my wings, joining him in the air.
Everyone stopped fighting and stared up at us. A few of Cain’s so called followers took the opportunity to make tracks into the forest. That left five against five. Cain stood in the middle of what was left of his troop, and he didn’t look very pleased.
“Nothing like a fair fight, is there, Cain?” I said.
He glowered up at me. “I’m going to…”
“What? Kill me?” I laughed. “I’ve heard that before. What’s your beef anyway?”
“You killed Tyler and Matthew, and I want her blood.” He pointed to Charlotte.
“Actually, just Tyler, Seth killed Matthew, and you can’t have her blood.”
With the flick of my wrist, I formed another ball of fire in my palm and twirled it with my fingers. Cain looked at each of us in turn, sizing us up.
“It’s one on one now, isn’t it?” I said. “I guess you need to ask yourself, do you want to die tonight?”
“Can we quit with the nice chit chat and finish them off?” Seth growled, landing in front of a slender vamp with black hair. She was a little like me if you looked at her from the side, only with fangs. “Boo!” he said, and she jumped. I could hear her tossing up between running and fighting. Seth staked her before she could make a decision.
Cain roared, and we all jumped into the fray. Charlotte took Ryan away to a safe distance. Seth was left with nothing to do after about a minute. Archer had to work a little harder, but he was done quickly, too. That left Josh and me still fighting. Cain was really giving me a run for my money, but I loved every minute. I knew I should just finish him off, but after the week I’d had, it felt good to let it all out. Seth was getting a little antsy with nothing to do, so he strolled over and staked Josh’s opponent in the back.
“Hey, I almost had him,” Josh cried.
“We haven’t got all night. I thought you could use a little help.”
It was probably a good time to get Cain under control, so I dropped to a crouch and kicked his legs out from under him. Then I sat on him. His attitude changed once I had the upper hand. The one thing I hated more than evil vamps was evil vamps that grovel.
“This,” I said, driving my stake into his left shoulder and giving it a twist, making him scream, “is for Charlotte.” He writhed under me, trying to grab at the piece of wood.