by Lana Melyan
I nodded, then looked into Leia’s eyes.
“We never met in the bathroom, and you have never been here. You were at the party, and you and Jess danced. You had a nice evening together, and now he’ll drive you home.”
Leia’s eyes dimmed.
“Perfect.” Nate smiled. “Leia, Let’s go.”
We headed downstairs, and she followed us.
“It’s done.” Nate glanced at Jess.
“Nate, wait. You can’t be sure.” I glanced at Leia.
“I’m sure. But if you want, we can check.” Nate turned to Leia, staring into nowhere. “Leia, how are you?”
“I’m fine,” she said, turning her glassy eyes on Nate.
“Do you remember what happened today?”
“Yes.” She smiled. “We were at the party. We danced a lot, and Jess was very nice to me.” Jess and I exchanged a glance. “Now he’s taking me home.”
“And so he will,” said Nate, tapping Jess’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, in a few minutes she’ll be the same Leia.”
Jess put his hand around Leia’s waist. “Night, guys.”
“Night,” said Connie and Logan together.
Nate and I walked them to the door, and Nate opened it for them.
“Thanks for your help, buddy.”
Jess nodded and led Leia to his truck.
“See you on Monday,” I threw after them before closing the door.
8
Nate sank into the armchair and pulled me down into his lap.
“Well,” Connie sighed, “that was fun. And it seems my Logan isn’t the only vampire who is attracted to me.” She turned her face to him. “I swear I didn’t mean to create competition for you.”
“I’m sorry I let this happen,” said Logan quietly, and his lips touched her curly black hair.
“You can’t take me to the bathroom every time.” Connie smiled at him. “I’m a big girl, I have to learn to do it myself.”
“You think there’s more of them?” I asked, looking first at Nate, then at Logan.
“We kept one of them alive for a while to find out,” replied Logan. “But we didn’t try too hard with Jess around. The guy had witnessed enough violence for one night already.”
“Logan and I will check the most suspicious areas tomorrow,” said Nate.
“Nicky and I, we were wondering if this is a coincidence,” said Connie. “This is the second time vampires show up in River Stones, and both times the two of us got attacked.”
“Logan and I thought about that too,” nodded Nate.
“Yeah, but the first time we got involved all by ourselves. We were just trying to help that girl.”
“Still,” said Nate, “somehow they were right next to that cafe where the two of you were having coffee. The Order has used vampires before.”
“They have? You never mentioned that.”
“Did any of them show a sign of recognition?”
“No, no sign at all.” I shook my head. “If they were looking for us, or for me, they would at least know my name, wouldn’t they?”
“Not necessarily. They might have been looking for a witch. But even if they were, they’re dead now. So stop worrying. Both of you, okay?”
“Okay,” sighed Connie.
“It’s been a long night, guys,” said Nate. “How about we all get some rest. We can talk about this tomorrow.”
It was too late to drive to the cabin, and we stayed at the mansion that night.
There was one thought I hadn’t shared with Nate yet because it was horrible, and I didn’t want to think about it myself. But in the morning, when the two of us were having coffee at the kitchen, I thought I had better spit it out and hope Nate had a comforting explanation for it.
“Nothing,” said Nate, putting down the newspaper. “No murders, no victims of some mysterious attacks.” When I didn’t say anything, he looked at me. “That's good news.”
“It is,” I said, putting down my mug. “Nate?”
“Yes?” He folded his arms on the table and leaned forward.
“I was thinking.” I paused.
“Yes,” he said again, narrowing his eyes.
“When the vampires showed up the first time . . . right after that, Mom and Dad—”
“No, Nicky.” He leaned back again. “It has nothing to do with the attack on the coven.”
“You said the Order has used vampires before. There are too many coincidences, don’t you think? There have never been vampires here before, and this is the second time in a few months.”
“True. But you’re forgetting that when they showed up the first time, I killed them and buried them. Then I checked the whole town, and when Logan arrived, we checked again. So even if they found out about your dad, or about you, they . . .” His eyes froze for a second. Then he got up and started pacing. “The man in Misty Grove was killed a day before I arrived, and a couple of days before Vincent and Nathalie got here.” He stopped. “It means that those vampires didn’t follow me or your parents. And even if the vampires somehow found out about Vincent, it doesn’t mean they knew about the meeting. And I’m sure they knew nothing about you. If they were sent by the Order, and they knew you were a Callahan, they wouldn’t try to kill you.”
“Well, maybe we’re looking at this the wrong way. Maybe they found out about the meeting first, and then something lead them here.”
“Nicky, except your parents, I was the only one who knew about River Stones.”
“Not the only one.” I pressed my lips together.
“Logan.”
An hour later, Connie, Logan, Nate, and I were sitting at the Grill.
“You’re kidding, right?” Logan stared at Nate. “I arrived here after you and Vincent. And I can assure you I haven’t said a word to anyone.”
“Where were you when I called?” asked Nate.
“In New Orleans. I told you.”
“I mean where in New Orleans?”
“At Sam’s bar. Well, his parents’ bar then.”
“Did you tell them you were leaving?”
“Yes. But I didn’t say where or why. I just said I had some business to take care of. Besides, I didn’t even know about the coven meeting.”
“If it wasn’t Dad, or you, or Logan, then I think we can all agree those vampire attacks have nothing to do with us,” I said. “And me and Connie being attacked by them both times is just a coincidence.”
“Or maybe the Order was searching for us,” said Nate, “and they were on the right trail, but luckily we caught those vampires and killed them, so all is good.”
Even though Nate said it with a smile and a positive tone, I could tell he had some doubts. And so did I. If it wasn’t one of them, it didn’t mean no one else, or something else, could have pointed the Order in the right direction. There was always a loophole.
“Thank God.” Connie rolled her eyes. “Can we play pool now? How about I kick your ass for interrogating my boyfriend?” She glared at Nate.
“You can try.” Nate smirked. “I’ll even let you break.”
“Nicky, you don’t really think I had something to do with it, do you?” asked Logan when Nate and Connie headed to the pool table. “I’m a vampire, and I understand that—”
“Logan, you’re my friend. I would trust you with my life without a second of hesitation.”
“Thanks.” He smiled, then looked down into his cup for a moment. “I didn’t scare you yesterday, did I? I’m sorry I lost control like that.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. He was a vampire, and he hurt Connie. I understand.” I sighed. “You know, sometimes I wonder . . . I just became a part of this mission, but I’ve already done a few things, and I can feel the changes. I mean, in me. I’ve changed. Nate thinks it’s his fault, but it’s not. Having those powers makes me responsible, and I’ll do anything I can to finish what my ancestors started. Who knows what I’ll become at the end? All I know is I won’t be the same Nicky anymore.”
“You’re afraid the darkness will pull you in,” said Logan quietly.
“Won’t it? Killing and torturing is a part of this job. We can’t avoid it. My dad tried to do it differently. It didn’t work. So I suppose I have to get down and dirty.”
“Nicky, I’m a vampire, which means a monster. But I still found a way to stick to that small part of humanity left in me. Nate has done things in his long life, in this fight against evil, but he didn’t become evil himself. He’s still a good man. It’s all about choices. He didn’t let the darkness consume him. You’ll do what you have to do to win, but you’re a good and strong person. I’m sure when the time comes, you’ll make the right choice too.”
After sunset, Nate drove me home.
“The vampires can’t enter a house without an invitation. You’ll be safe here while Logan and I make sure there’s no more of them snooping around.”
When we told Gran everything that had happened, she got worried.
“You’re right,” she said to Nate. “They’ve used vampires before. Maybe none of you led them here; it’s possible they found the way themselves.”
“I know,” sighed Nate. “Chuck said Connor started researching the Callahan bloodline all over again. Henry was born here, and he lived here for a while, so yeah, they might have come to find loose ends. And after what we did to his witches, he sent vampires instead.” He nodded thoughtfully. “It’s possible.”
“Exactly,” said Gran. “And we can’t be sure that Murphy hasn’t left some tracks as well.”
“Even if those vampires were sent by the Order, I don’t see any reason to panic,” I said as indifferently as I could. I didn’t want the two of them losing their sleeps over something we weren’t even sure about. “The vampires couldn’t have passed on any information because they didn’t know who I was, and they’re dead now, so no harm done.”
After Nate left, I tried to distract Gran from her heavy thoughts. I asked about the store, if she got any new books. Then I helped her sort out the washed clothes. Then she said she had just bought fresh cupcakes, and she put on the kettle.
It was nearly eleven p.m. when we went to our bedrooms. While I was waiting for Nate to come back, I looked through Dad’s grimoire to check out the spells I hadn't tried yet. I wanted to find something that could be useful in situations like one with Connie. I found a page where Dad described how to disable someone with your mind. If I had known this before, I could’ve fried that blond vampire’s blood vessels just by looking at him.
I heard Nate’s car sometime after midnight, and I rushed downstairs.
“Hi.” He hugged me as I let him in.
“Hi. How did it go?”
“There was nothing. But we need to be careful from now on.”
“Are you hungry?” I asked. “I could make something for you.”
“Thanks, but I’m not that hungry,” he chuckled.
“Hey.” I laughed. “I know how to make a good sandwich.”
“I’m joking.” He said kissing me. “Logan and I, we grabbed something at the Grill when we went to check it out.”
We moved to the living room and settled down on the couch.
“Nate, I was thinking. The sword is almost ready, so maybe we should start putting the pieces of the map together.”
“First we need to make sure no one is watching us. Where are they, by the way?”
I bit my lip.
“Nicky, if you want me to come with you, then you’ll have to tell me where they are.”
“Of course you’ll come with me. And of course I’m gonna tell you. But . . .” I knew I would have to tell him that one piece of the map was hidden in his mother’s grave sooner or later. But that would prove Joseph trusted her. It would reopen Nate’s wound, and I had no idea what his reaction would be. “But I think you’re right, we have to wait a bit. It’s late, and I missed you, and right now I want you to kiss me.”
“I missed you too. Maybe we should take this party to your bedroom.” He leaned over me, running his hand up my back.
“We’ll wake Gran.”
“I promise I’ll be quiet,” he whispered, his lips against my neck.
“Yeah,” I pressed my lips to his hair, “but I can’t promise that.”
His smiling black eyes looked into mine. “Then I’ll just hold you, and watch you fall asleep.”
“Sounds perfect.”
9
When I woke up in the morning, Nate was gone. I ran my hand over his pillow and went to the bathroom to get ready for school.
“Good morning.” Gran smiled as I walked into the kitchen. She folded the newspaper and pushed it aside.
“Good morning.” I smiled back and crossed to the coffee maker. “Did you catch him sneaking out?”
“He doesn’t need to sneak, you know. I’ve learned to trust him by now. And I know the closer he stays to you, the safer you are. He can protect you the way I never could.”
“Gran, you lived with me more than Mom and Dad.” I grabbed a mug from the shelves and set it on the counter. “You’ve been protecting me my whole life.”
“Yes. But it’s different now. It’s more dangerous.” She sighed. “Nicky, he shouldn’t leave you alone. Maybe he should move in, and I could go back to my place.”
“What?” I frowned at her and shoved back the coffee pot I had just pulled out. “No way. I’m not letting you away from my side. But,” I raised my index finger, “if you would like to move in with Mr. Lancaster, then yeah, that’s different.”
“Why would I want to . . .” She stared at me. “Did Nathan tell you something?”
“No. Yes.” I shook my head. “No. He just said that Mr. Lancaster has feelings for you, and since you two have been getting so close lately, I thought maybe . . .” I jerked my shoulder.
“I’ve told you a dozen times, there’s nothing going on between me and him.”
“Why? You seem to like him. Is it because of me?”
“There are more important things—”
“Gran, those important things have ruled your whole life. It’s time you did something for yourself. Please, think about it. I’m not saying this because . . . Nate and I, if we wanted to be alone, we have the cabin for that. This isn’t about us. This is about you. I just want you let yourself live a little.”
She looked down and rubbed the tips of her fingers against the wooden surface of the table.
“I don’t think I can . . . he’s younger and . . . I was afraid that you . . .”
“That I what? Gran, you know me better than that. Promise me you’ll think about it.”
She shrugged, then looked up at me.
“Fine.” She rolled her eyes. “I promise.”
When I arrived at school, I saw a police car parked in front of the entrance. The first thing that crossed my mind was that something had probably happened at the party after we left.
Did someone break someone’s nose?
But when I walked into the hallway, there were a lot more grim faces than usual, and a couple of the girls even had tears in their eyes.
Well, this looks worse than I thought.
My stomach squeezed with anxiety. I reached the lockers and saw Connie talking to Jess and Leia.
“Guys, what’s going on?” I looked at their serious faces.
“Bruce was found dead last night,” said Jess.
“Bruce Coleman?” I gasped. Bruce was a senior too, and we had known him for three years. “What happened?”
“He died from blood loss.” Connie gave me a meaningful look .
Oh God. He was killed by a vampire.
I stared at Jess and he slightly nodded, which meant that he was thinking the same thing.
“He was found in the woods behind the school’s parking lot,” said Jess.
I glanced back at Connie.
“I think you should call him,” she said.
She was right. Nate could ask Mr. Lancaster to find out what really happened.
“C
all who?” asked Leia. But nobody answered her.
I pulled out my phone and typed a message.
Are you awake?
The bell rang.
“You go on, guys,” I said. “I’ll catch up in a minute.”
I am now. Hi, came Nate’s reply.
I went to the bathroom, made sure there was no one inside, then called and told him what had happened.
“Nate, this means there are more vampires in town.”
“Nicky, he might have been found last night, but we don’t know when he died,” said Nate. “Did you see him at the party?”
I paused, trying to remember.
“Yeah, but only once, long before we left.”
“I’ll call Alan and let you know as soon as I find out anything.”
I checked my phone every five minutes during class, even though I knew it would take time for Mr. Lancaster to get any information. Nate was right; we didn’t know when Bruce actually died. But the party was two days ago, and if he was killed that night, his parents would have been looking for him. That meant they would have called everybody Bruce knew, his closest friends first.
“We have to ask Neil when he last heard from Bruce,” I said to Connie at lunch.
“Or, here’s a thought.” she gazed at me. “How about you stop freaking out and wait until you hear from Nate?”
“I’m not freaking out. I’m just worried that if there’s more of them out there, they could kill someone else.”
“It’s daylight. You can relax at least until the sun goes down.”
“Really?” I frowned at her. “You know better than anyone that there’s a way around it.”
“Yeah, and you think Nate and Logan didn’t think about that too? Logan has already searched the whole area around the school, and right now he’s in the park next to the town square.”
“And you just, what, forgot to mention that to me?”
“We were in class, Nicky.”
“I’m sorry.” I sighed. “I was just so happy when there were no deaths and I thought we caught them in time, and suddenly this. You’re right, I freaked out.”