[Anthology] The Paranormal 13- now With a Bonus 14th Novel!

by Dima Zales

  Aya took the wine glass and sat at an empty spot at the table, Zac sitting across from her. She took a sip, aware that Zac was watching her closely, pretending to be distracted by something else. “Thank you to Alex for inviting me,” she inclined her head towards him as he came back in from the kitchen.

  “Oh, it was no problem.” He blushed. “Everything's ready if you're hungry now?”

  “If you like.”

  Liz stood abruptly and said, “I'll help you, Alex.”

  “It's a nice wine,” Aya said, swirling the red liquid around the glass as they disappeared into the kitchen.

  Zac slumped back in the chair, almost disappointed.

  “I picked it out,” said Gabby. “I'm the only one who knows what's good. Otherwise we would have got the cheapest one.”

  Sam laughed and agreed as Liz put a plate in front of Aya. When they were all seated, they began to eat.

  “Meatloaf,” Alex shrugged almost apologetically, when Aya raised her eyebrow at him.

  “How American.” She smiled politely and ate a few mouthfuls, making a conscious effort to taste every bite. Everyone but Alex seemed to be watching her. “This,” she said, gesturing to the plate with her fork, “this is delicious.”

  “Great,” Alex beamed. “It's about the only thing I can cook.”

  “Well, you can cook it well, that's for sure,” Liz said.

  Aya couldn't help herself. She coughed loudly, feigning choking on a mouthful of potato. Zac sat forward in his chair, his expression hopeful. She thumped her chest and took a mouthful of wine. “Went down the wrong way,” she smiled brightly.

  As the conversation naturally turned to things that were more familiar to the host, she groaned inwardly. It was fast turning into one of those boring dinner parties where people told annoying personal jokes. Unfortunately, she was the odd one out having only been around a week or so. It reminded her of the formal dinners and cocktail parties she had attended back in the day. The day being somewhere around 1860ish. Empty pleasantries, childish gossip and blatant social climbing. She longed for something interesting to talk about. Murder, mayhem. Those things she was used to.

  After dessert, she excused herself to the bathroom to get some distance and some air. Zac's constant hovering was driving her insane and it was all she could do to tune out the annoying hum of his blood.

  Closing the bathroom door behind her she sighed loudly. Looking at her reflection in the mirror she weighed up the information she’d learnt. After observing them for the last few days, she still didn't have any clue as to their motivation for calling her.

  Walking into the house as she had had certainly thrown them off the scent. The wine and the food had been spiked with something that Zac’d obviously thought would have an effect on her. Silver and garlic? She smiled to herself when she recalled the look of mingled confusion and anger on his face. She had developed quite a liking for infuriating him. He always rose to the occasion, not the other way round and would be furious when he finally caught on that he was the one being played. She couldn't wait to see the look on his face.

  Alex was being very attentive, but she knew without a doubt it was because he was developing a crush on her. He had no idea that his friends were vampires. Especially Liz, who seemed to be a friend of his since early childhood. She felt a little sorry for him, but it could be difficult to understand those that would usually hunt you for food. He would find out sooner or later, when he grew old and she did not. Liz would have to leave town eventually before people started to ask questions about the eternal twenty-one year old.

  Splashing cool water on her face, she wondered what their problem could be. She hadn't sensed anything malicious in the town at all, other than the werewolves. She'd dealt with them easily enough, but the vampires were still sniffing around, trying to expose what she was. Were they working with someone else who was out to get her? Even that didn't sit right. Looking up into the mirror, she jumped as she caught sight of a figure standing directly behind her.

  Without turning, she knew that no one was there. Not really. She glared at the woman and finally understood. She was just as she remembered, the day she had delivered her death sentence. Tall and slim, fiery auburn hair that fell in waves over her shoulders and that same cold calculated expression that never shifted.

  “Katrin,” Aya rolled her eyes. “You don't look a day over a billion, you old hag.”

  “My dear,” Katrin purred. “I've been looking for you for a very long time. You've been a very naughty little vampire.”

  Aya couldn't help but laugh. ”It was a shame you weren't home when I killed your demon spawn, you murderous bitch.”

  “Oh, but dear, I'm already dead.” Her expression didn't waver. “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that that boy in all his ignorance would deliver you to me.”

  Aya stiffened.

  “Oh, he hasn't told you about his little predicament?” Katrin asked in mock surprise.

  She didn't reply.

  “It's past due that I should send my children to pay you a visit,” Katrin continued. “All four of you together again, how wonderful. Now that we know your location, I'm sure they won't be long. Perhaps I will just send your favorite? I know he is longing to see your pretty face again. After all, he did fall in love with you.”

  “Send them all. I'm collecting the whole set,” Aya snarled. “And I will enjoy killing him most of all.”

  “So be it. You will regret using your power again, little girl. This time it will destroy you.”

  “It's a bit late for that,” she spat.

  “It's only just begun.” The witch’s form began to shimmer and evaporate until Aya was finally alone.

  Taking a deep breath to control her emotions, she hit the bench top with her fist. It would do no good to become angry. She knew that Katrin wouldn't focus on Zac anymore, but would use all of them to get to her. She had unwittingly implicated her new friends in an age old blood feud. She was a much greater prize than an annoying brat of a vampire.

  For the rest of the evening she fought to keep herself in check, exchanging pleasantries with the vampires, the witch and their human host. Her heart wasn't in it, the need for her previous charade slipping. When it was time to say goodnight, she asked Gabby for a ride to town. She needed some alone time with the elusive witch.

  As they filed out of the house and down the driveway, Aya heard the annoying buzz that announced Zac was following them from the house.

  “Aya,” he called. “Can I speak to you a moment?”

  Gabby looked at her, a note of sympathy on her face and kept walking to the car. Aya turned and raised her eyebrows at Zac, who stood with his hands jammed into the pockets of his jeans. He was nervous.

  “I just want to apologize for the other night,” he grimaced.

  She looked him up and down. “You say that like you don't mean it.”

  “I do.” He wasn't even convincing himself.

  “You don't apologize often, do you?”

  He sighed through his teeth.

  “What's your deal, Zac?” Aya prodded, when he didn't say anything.

  “What do you mean?” he frowned.

  “I mightn't know you very well, but I'm switched on enough to tell that you're acting weird.” She crossed her arms. “What do you want?”

  She knew very well that he wouldn't come straight out and ask her the fifty thousand dollar question. It would mean that he had to reveal himself, but she was curious to see what lie he would come up with.

  “I … ” He couldn't bring himself to say anything and it annoyed her more than she thought it would.

  “Why can't you just act like a normal person?” She shook her head in annoyance, speaking more to herself than Zac.

  “Like Alex?” he said like it was an insult.

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but Alex speaks to me because he likes to, not because he wants something. Perhaps you should take a leaf out of his book.” Aya turned on her h
eel and strode to Gabby's car, getting into the passenger seat.

  Gabby glanced at her and started the car. Pulling away from the curb she said, “He's the biggest ass in the entire town. I wouldn't take anything he says to heart. There’s no filter from his head to his mouth.”

  “So people keep telling me.” She wasn't worried that much about Zac and his mood swings. Katrin had unsettled her entirely and it was time to out herself. She knew Gabby would be the most understanding. They were so alike in many ways. “Gabby, there is something that I need to tell you. I think it would be best if you pull over.”

  Gabby glanced over to her, concern etched in her face. The car came to a stop and she pulled the handbrake on, turning off the engine. “Aya, what is it?” she asked warily, the note of fear in her voice. She knew she had more than a notion about what she was going to divulge.

  Aya took a deep breath. “I am the one known as the Witch Hunter and I know it was you and Zac who called me. Not half an hour ago, I was threatened by the witch Katrin. I believe you know who I'm talking about.”

  Gabby's face drained of color.

  “You have nothing to fear from me, Gabby. I wish to help you.”

  It took a few minutes for Gabby to work up the courage to speak. “Then we have a lot to talk about.”

  10

  Gabby opened the front door to the manor. It bothered her that the brothers never locked it, but they were vampires. Surely it didn't matter either way. Walking into the parlor, she found everyone assembled, waiting for her. She wasn't sure how she should break the news to them. Aya's confession the previous night had come as a shock, but deep down she wasn’t really surprised.

  She was more than a vampire, Gabby knew this, but what else was a mystery. That much Aya had proved at dinner. They had talked for a long time once she’d admitted who she was. Gabby remembered how much she had said, but how little she’d revealed. It had taken some time to convince Aya to come to the manor to speak with everyone, especially after Zac’s behavior. She still had a lot of questions and was sure everyone else would have just as many.

  “So, what's the big scandal, Gabby?” Zac was lounging back on the sofa, clearly annoyed.

  Gabby crossed the room and dumped her bag on the coffee table, placing her grimoire carefully beside it. It was best she just came out with it. Rip it off like a band aid. “Last night after leaving Alex's, Aya confessed to me that she is the Witch Hunter.”

  “What?” Sam exclaimed, standing up to face her. ”And you believed her?”

  Gabby shrunk back slightly. “She gave me no reason not to. She told me that she had been threatened by Katrin while she was at Alex's. While we were all there in the house.”

  “Katrin was in the house?” Zac had sat forward at this, worry etched on his face.

  “She said she appeared to her in the bathroom mirror. She couldn't touch her, she was only a projection.” Gabby took a few steps back before saying, “I told her to meet us here.”

  Zac was on his feet. “Gabby, be careful what you say next.”

  “She can answer a lot of our questions, Zac.” Sam placed a reassuring hand on his arm. “If she is the Witch Hunter as she says, then we would have no chance against her if she really wanted us dead.”

  Zac glared at Gabby. “Well, she sure has a talent for manipulation. She could be anyone or anything.”

  “Well, she's coming here any moment, so you can ask her yourself.” Gabby crossed her arms across her chest defensively.

  “We don't even know who she is! She could be coming here to kill us all!” exclaimed Liz, who had been listening in horrified silence.

  “I for one don't believe that the spell would be in the grimoire unless we could trust it,” said Gabby. “It hasn't lead me astray yet and now more than ever, I truly believe it was our only option.”

  “Oh, now you agree with the spell,” Zac huffed.

  “Now that I've spoken with Aya, yes,” she said evenly, her eyes narrowed. “Now who's the one with regrets?” Zac snorted and she continued her scolding. ”You begged me to cast the damn spell, Zac. Besides, I don't think she's just a vampire. She can do things that you can't.”

  “And what else could she be? You think she's some kind of super freaky hybrid?”

  “I'm not entirely sure.”

  “Nice work, Gabby. You're a wealth of knowledge.” Zac rolled his eyes and clapped his hands.

  “Oh, shut up, Zac. It's your fault we're in this mess. Next time be careful who you piss off and you wouldn't need my help.”

  “What can I say? I do a lot of things I don't need to do, but I do 'em anyway.”

  “That's enough you two.” Sam's calm voice cut through the tension. “We should hear what Aya has to say first before jumping to any conclusions.”

  Aya had arrived some minutes ago. The front door had been unlocked, as a seemingly abandoned house with two vampires didn't need any security. She remembered the house that had once stood here near the edge of the swamp and its current incarnation was dilapidated. She wondered what had really happened, but she knew that vampires had been responsible for this and much of the destruction in the South. The walls seemed to echo some kind of supernatural interference.

  She could hear raised voices coming from down the hall. Of course they would be arguing. The brothers especially, they seemed as different as night and day. Aya strolled towards the action, taking in the old paintings along the walls, landscapes and portraits of long dead southern plantation owners. Very French.

  She stood in the doorway of the large sitting room and surveyed the scene. Zac and Gabby were bickering like children in front of the massive fireplace, which was popping away merrily. Sam was being the level headed mediator and Liz was rolling her eyes with frustration. Liz had so much to learn about life, her stupidity made her gag. Although no one had noticed her, she feigned throwing up on the carpet. Silently, she made herself comfortable on the ancient brocaded sofa and watched the show.

  “We at least need to ask her what she knows,” Gabby was saying. “She told me she knew the witch Katrin. If she knows her, she might at least know where we might look next.”

  “I don't trust her,” Zac growled. “She played us for fools.”

  “She's the female version of you,” said Sam, earning himself a menacing glare.

  “And you are a fool,” snapped Liz.

  “Oh, yeah, Liz. Your entire life was my fault,” Zac snarled.

  Liz went to slap him but Sam put his hand on her shoulder to calm her. “Shut it, Zac. I don't care whose fault this is, but you're my brother and that makes it my problem as well.”

  Zac begrudgingly took a step back and raised his hands. “Fine. The sooner we talk to this ancient bitch, the sooner we can kill Katrin.”

  “I wouldn't call her that to her face.” Gabby raised her eyebrows. “I bet she could snap you in half.”

  Aya lounged back on the sofa and watched them argue about her. They still hadn't noticed that she was a mere two meters away. She really was too sneaky for her own good. ”You know,” she quipped. “It's extremely impolite to talk about someone behind their back.” She grinned in satisfaction as they all jumped.

  “Fucking hell, Aya. How long have you been there?” Zac exclaimed.

  She smiled wickedly. “A while.”

  “Do you want us to trust you or not?”

  She paused a second and pretended that she was thinking it over. Shaking her head, she said, “Doesn't faze me. We want the same thing, to a certain extent. Trust is optional.”

  “To you, maybe,” Liz stepped forward. “But it's important to us.”

  “To twenty first century do-gooders, maybe. Trust is not a huge priority when dealing with vampires.” Aya moved forward fluidly, until she was directly in front of Liz. “Is it exhausting holding onto so much of your humanity? Denying what you have become?”

  “Back off,” warned Sam as Liz visibly cringed under her imposing presence.

  Aya glared at him from
under her eyelashes, the light from the fire making her expression almost demonic. “You decided to cast a spell in a moment of desperation not knowing what would happen. Now I am here and here I will stay.”

  “But we don't know anything about you,” Liz said protectively.

  Aya narrowed her eyes at the young vampire. “And what would you know? You've been a vampire less than a year. To me, that's a blink of an eye. A piss in the ocean.”

  “Then, how old are you really?” asked Zac from behind her.

  Looking back over her shoulder she stated, “I think it was about the year forty-six. Anno domini. But I could be mistaken, your mind starts to deteriorate when you're an ancient bitch.”

  Zac narrowed his eyes and didn't say anything.

  “But, that would mean you're nearly two thousand years old,” Sam said in a small voice.

  “Is it really so hard to believe?” It felt good not having to hide herself anymore, letting her anger guide her words. They all looked alarmed at the notion of her being so old. They mustn't know much about their own kind at all. “And how old are you?”

  “Why do they call you the Witch Hunter?” Gabby said, changing the subject before it came to blows.

  “That's self explanatory,” she said sarcastically. “If a witch uses their power for evil, then it’s curtains for them.” Aya dragged her finger across her throat.

  “Why witches?” asked Liz.

  “Why not?” she raised her eyebrows. The tone in her voice suggested that this was her final answer on the subject.

  “And why is Katrin after you?” Sam asked gently.

  “Probably the same reason she's after him.” She pointed to Zac, avoiding his question. “Because we all pissed her off.”

  “And now she knows you're working with us,” huffed Zac.

  “Am I now?”

  “Two birds, one stone,” Gabby whispered, shaking her head.

  “We don't really have an option. That's why they used the spell,” Sam said reluctantly.