by E. A. Abel
“Do we really have to talk about this right now? We have plenty of time to argue about this after we’re married.” Chace pulled her back to lean on his chest.
“That’s the thing. I can’t marry you knowing that someday I’ll die of old age.”
“At the rate your going you’ll probably die a lot sooner than that.”
“What’s that suppose to mean?”
“Well you’re always putting yourself in some kind of danger. It’s as if you’re asking for it.”
“Asking for what exactly?”
“Asking for some vengeful person to take your life.”
Alivia slid off the bed and glared at him.
“Listen just because I’m not afraid of anyone it doesn’t mean I’m trying to get myself killed. It just means I am the type of person who stands up for what I believe in.”
“And what do you believe in?”
“I believe that no man or woman should ever back down because they fear what may or may not happen to them.”
“But what about what happened last night with Vanstrauss? He could’ve killed you. What would have happened if I wasn’t there?”
“I was working my way up to kicking him in the balls.”
Chace laughed. “Seriously, what do you think kicking a vampire in the balls would do? I’ll tell you, nothing. The vampire will laugh in your pretty little face and then in one second flat he would snap your neck.”
“Well honestly I never really thought about it that way. Okay, you got a point, but so what. At least I would have died trying.”
Chace leaped off the bed and stood in front of her glaring angrily into her eyes. “Die trying? You don’t have my permission to die. You hear me?”
“Listen here Mr. King of the jungle. You can’t just order me around. I won’t listen to you.” Alivia glared back.
Chace threw his hands up in the air. “I’ve never met anyone like you before. You are so damn stubborn.”
“I am not stubborn,” Alivia said.
“You are too. You’re so damn stubborn, that you don’t even realize that you are so damn stubborn.”
“Real funny, ha, ha, ha, and what about you with that I want, what I want, when I want it, attitude. That’s not being stubborn?”
“No, that’s knowing what you want and going for it because you have nothing to lose. But you, I can’t lose you. I really wouldn’t be able to go on without you.”
“Ah that’s really sweet Casanova, but I’m not falling for your charming ways like I usually do. I’m sticking to my guns and you’re not going to weasel your way out of this conversation by seducing me.”
Chace moved closer to her and placed her hand over his heart. “I’m serious. My heart beats to the rhythm of your heart. This feeling I have for you is more than just love. It took me centuries just to find you. I can’t let go. I won’t let go. I’m never going to survive without you. You stepped out of my dreams and right into my life and you are the one I will love for eternity. So please, I’m begging you to keep yourself safe and stop putting yourself in danger.”
Alivia stared at him.
Chace had put her under a spell. He was dreamy.
He was the most beautiful person she had ever laid eyes on.
Chace leaned in and kissed her lips. “I love you.” Then he butterfly kissed her on the nose. “I want to have as many happy years together as we can get. Do you understand?”
Alivia wrapped her arms around his neck. “I will try for you because I love you too and want to be with you forever.”
“Thank you, that’s all I wanted to hear beautiful.”
Alivia stood up on the tip of her toes and kissed his nose. “But when the time is right for the both of us I want you to promise me that you’ll turn me into a vampire just like you.”
“I can’t promise you that. But I’ll promise you we will talk it over, just not right now.”
“Well that’s better than a no.”
Alivia kissed him lovingly on his lips.
“I’d better jump in the shower. We have a few hours before we have to be at the church,” Alivia said.
Chaces’ smile widened. “Are you inviting me into the shower with you?”
“No, I’m afraid, you my handsome guy, are going to have to wait downstairs for me.”
“You can’t kick a guy down for trying.” Chace pouted.
“See you in twenty minutes.” Alivia walked to her bedroom door and opened it.
Chace sighed.
Slowly he made his way toward her.
“Our usual booth then beautiful?” he asked.
Alivia nodded and shoved a reluctant Chace out the door and closed it in his face.
☼
When Alivia went downstairs, she saw Lawson washing the dishes.
“What are you doing here?” Alivia asked.
“Jules needed help. Really the only thing I can do without being spotted is work back here.”
Lawson stopped what he was doing and wiped his wet hands on the apron.
“I’m happy to see that you’re back in action again.” Alivia wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too.” Lawson hugged her tightly before he gently pushed her away. “But all this mushy stuff has to stop.”
“Okay got it.”
“Hey Livy this thing with Chace, it’s pretty serious right?”
Alivia nodded. “I really love him, Laws.”
“You haven’t called me that for a long time Livy. It must be very serious.”
“He asked me to marry him.”
“And you being the logical sister that you are you said no, right?” Lawson said sarcastically.
Alivia scrunched up her nose at him. “Very funny, buddy.”
Lawsons’ face went serious. “You’re not going to marry him are you?”
“I said yes, Laws.”
“For crying out loud Livy, you need to get your head together. Chace is a freaking vampire. How is that marriage going to work?”
“What marriage?” Jules asked as she walked in with Erica right behind her.
“Yeah, what marriage?” Erica mimicked.
“Chace has asked our little sister here to marry him,” Lawson said sounding exactly like that little tattle tale boy, who use to get her in a heap of trouble when they were little.
“Come on now Liv, that’s just ridiculous,” Jules said, grabbing the trays and began loading the condiment bottles on top of them.
“Well I’m completely happy for you both,” Erica said hugging her.
“Shut up Erica,” Lawson said.
“No you shut up, jerk. What’s wrong with Livy marrying Chace?”
“It doesn’t matter what’s wrong with it, because Alivia isn’t marrying anyone. She’s too young first of all, and second of all, Chace is a damn vampire. No way, it’s out of the question,” Jules said.
“Oh, oh, everyone run. It’s about to get ugly in here,” Lawson said in his annoying sarcastic voice. Alivia wanted to deck him.
“Who died and made you the boss?” Alivia said raising her voice.
Jules stopped what she was doing and whipped around to glare at Alivia.
“What a complete iditard thing to stay,” Jules said eyeing her as if she were about to slap her.
“What’s an iditard?” Erica asked, looking confused.
“It’s an idiot and retard rolled into one,” Lawson explained.
“I didn’t quite mean it like that,” Alivia said. “What I meant to say is that you are not my parent and you don’t get to decide what I do and when I do it.”
“Oh really? Is that what you tell yourself these days? Here’s a news flash, Miss high and mighty.
You’ll do what I say whether you like it or not.”
“Erica you know what’s coming next don’t you?” Lawson said.
Erica nodded.
“Screw you. Ever since mom died, you walk around here on your high horse and boss everyone ar
ound including me. The
Cafe was left to the both of us in mom’s will, not just you miss princess,” Alivia said.
“Well fine then. Start pulling your weight around here and maybe I’ll consider letting you take care of half of this Cafe.”
“Really Jules? I’ve worked my ass off since mom died. I only started taking days off when I met Chace. And FYI, I hired all the extra waitresses while you did nothing. For the first month, Erica ran this place. You were in your own little bubble too for a while. Remember that?”
“Jules, Livy has a point. She could do with some days off too,” Lawson said.
“I wasn’t in my own little bubble. I was too busy helping you with your guilt, remember? Anyway, none of that really matters anymore does it? The past is the past. What I’m saying right now is that there is no way that you’re marrying that freak of nature.”
“Shut your mouth Jules and don’t say another bad word against Chace ever again!” Alivia screamed.
“Don’t you dare raise your voice at me you little ungrateful brat.” Jules glared at her.
Alivia drew in a deep breath. “Okay, why are you acting like such a bitch? Here’s what’s going to happen. I’m going to decide when and where I marry Chace. Like it or not. Get on board with it or go screw yourself,” Alivia said harshly and stormed out of the employee door.
“Nice going Jules.” Alivia heard Lawson say as she went through the swinging door.
Alivia stormed passed Chace and went right through the front door of the Cafe.
She kicked the mailbox at the curb of the street. When it didn’t budge she kicked it over and over again until Chace grabbed her from behind.
“Let me go!” Alivia yelled.
“No, not until you stop,” Chace said holding her tightly.
Alivia stopped struggling and leaned against Chace. The tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Jules was only being protective,” Chace said softly.
Alivia turned and buried her face in his chest and sobbed.
“This will pass. Jules will come around, don’t worry beautiful,” Chace said stroking her hair.
Alivia lifted her tear-filled eyes to meet Chaces’. From the ache that she felt in her chest, she knew she wouldn’t forgive her sister so easily.
“I don’t care what they say or what they think. I’m going to marry you and if they can’t get on board with it then they won’t be a part of our lives.”
Chace placed his hands on each side of her cheeks and wiped the tears away with his thumbs.
He stared into her eyes. “Nothing or no one will ever come between us. Promise me that.”
“I promise,” Alivia said and buried her face in his chest again.
☼
When Chace and Alivia showed up at the church, Demeetrie and Mercy were sitting on the bench in front of the side exit.
Demeetrie smiled at Alivia. “Good morning, Bella.”
“Good morning, Demeetrie,” Alivia said.
Demeetrie then looked at Chace. “I was wondering if I might have a word with you mio ragazzo.”
Chace nodded and followed Demeetrie as he sped down the street and into the woods.
“What’s with all the secrecy?” Chace asked Demeetrie.
They stopped at the top of the hill across from the cemetery.
“There is a situation that I must address,” Demeetrie said.
Chace stared at him and shrugged. “Okay fire away.”
“Do you know everything there is to know about your fidanzata?”
“I know that I love Alivia, What else matters?” Chace eyed him curiously.
“Alivia is what we immortals refer to as a Whiteglider.” Demeetrie paused and seemed to be lost in his own thought.
Chace stared at the headstones in front of him and waited.
Demeetrie cleared his throat and then said, “The whitegliders’ are spirits that can astral travel through the different realms. These astral travelers existed before the time of Adam and Eve.
It is said that the heavens released these angels to protect the all mighty God from the evil fallen angel who had wished to do him harm. The Whitegliders’ eventually discovered a way to possess human bodies and began to produce offspring. These offsprings’ are half human and half angel.”
“So Alivia is half angel? Is that why I can feel her when she touches me?” Chace asked.
“Yes, I knew the minute I walked into the Café, what she was, from searching through your thoughts,” Demeetrie said.
“You can see my thoughts without touching me?” Chace asked.
“Yes, but that’s not what is important here. The thing I want to explain to you son, is that if ever there comes a time when Alivia needs to travel through the realm, don’t be shocked when her physical body stays behind.”
Chace glanced at Demeetrie sideways. “What do you mean stays behind?”
“Well son, her human body will be here, but she won’t be awake,” Demeetrie said.
Chace shook his head, “I don’t quite understand.”
“The spirit inside of her will leave her human body and until it returns Alivia will stay asleep,” Demeetrie said.
Chace stared at him in bewilderment.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because son, Alivia will have to travel through the realm to save your brother Devin when the clan exiles him to Hellsgrave,” Demeetrie said.
“How could you possibly know that for sure?”
“The clan will exile any person that is responsible for interfering in matters which do not concern them. They are infamous for sending these betrayers to Hellsgrave.”
“And there is no other way for Devin to get out of
Hellsgrave?” Chace asked.
“Yes, Devin can wait for the yearly festival and hope he gets the chance to escape.”
Chace couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“I’m only telling you this because you have fallen hard for this girl Alivia. What’s more is when the time does come I know she will decide to travel through the realm and bring your brother back.”
“How do you know that for sure?” Chace stared at him questioningly.
“One, Alivia loves you and would put her own life at risk just to prove that to you. And two, Devin is your brother.”
“What if I decide to keep this information to myself?”
“I’m afraid that Mercy will tell Alivia what she must do when the time comes. And if she does not, then I will. You must understand that just as you are my offspring, Devin is my offspring as well. We must stick together as family no matter what, even if that family member happens to be in love with the same woman,” Demeetrie answered.
Chace nodded.
“Might I suggest that you be the one who breaks this news to Alivia? I am afraid Alivia will be relatively upset if she hears this particular news from someone other than yourself.”
Chace nodded.
“Well, I have taken up much of your time son. Let’s head back to the church.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Alivia and Mercy waited for Chace and Demeetrie to return. Neither one of them spoke. They just sat on the bench at the side of the church and watched the entrance doors.
“Good morning, ladies,” Devin said as he approached them.
“Hey, what brings you by so early?” Mercy asked.
“Just checking up on Vanstrauss and making sure he is right where he is supposed to be,” Devin said and then continued. “After all, it will be me who the clan will send to Hellsgrave. I’m just protecting my own ass.”
“I’d do the same,” Mercy said and smiled approvingly.
Bex walked up the paved driveway to where Alivia and Mercy were still sitting on the bench.
“Hey Bex, what are you doing here?” Alivia asked.
Bex glanced at Devin quickly and then shifted her gaze back to Alivia.
“Devin invited me out for breakfast. I was waiting in the car, but then I began
to wonder why he stopped here at the church and I came to spy on him,” Bex explained.
Chace and Demeetrie walked up and stood beside Devin.
“What’s going on here?” Chace asked.
“Nothing, Devin stopped by for his daily prayer and Bex is here because Devin invited her to breakfast,” Alivia said.
She had to think fast and that was the best she could come up with on such short notice.
“Come on, seriously Livy?” Bex eyed her doubtfully. “You expect me to believe that all of you are here to pray?”
Erica and Tucker joined them. “Who’s praying?” Erica asked.
“Livy here is trying to get me to believe that everyone is here to pray,” Bex said and laughed.
“What are you doing here Bex?” Erica asked.
“I’m with Devin,” Bex replied.
Erica eyed Devin. “Is there something going on between the two of you we should know about?” Erica asked.
Devin shrugged and stared at Chace.
“Devin and Bex hooked up a week ago,” Chace explained.
“Good for you Devin,” Alivia smiled and stood up.
“Well, we’re not exactly boyfriend and girlfriend. We’re more like friends with benefits,” Devin said.
“That is just way too much information Devin. We seriously didn’t need to know that,” Erica said.
“Well,” Tucker said wrapping his arm around Ericas’ waist. “Our little group has become a lot bigger than it was a month ago.”
“Who are these people?” Bex asked and pointed to Demeetrie and then to Mercy.
“This is Demeetrie, my uncle,” Chace said. “And this is Mercy. She owns the Witchittin shop in town.”
Bex glanced at Devin sideways, “Will you be going inside to pray with everyone?”
“No, I’ve changed my mind. I’ll come back later,” Devin said. “Shall we go for breakfast?”
“Sounds good,” replied Bex.
“Maybe we should join you both,” Erica said and looked at Tucker. Tucker nodded his head in agreement. Erica continued, “We haven’t had the chance to hang out lately.”
“I’d like that if it’s alright with you Devin,” Bex said and glanced at him.
He nodded in agreement.
“What about you two? Would you and Chace like to hang out with us too?” Bex asked staring at Alivia.