Once Upon A Midnight

by Stephanie Rowe

  “Nice to hear your voice, Valeria, I’ve been trying to get you for a couple of days.”

  “I’m sorry.” Valeria’s soft voice tinkled down the line. “I’ve been travelling to source some items for the Ball. Unfortunately, some of the areas do not appear to have any signal. So, my intense friend, what can I do for you?”

  “We’ve had this discussion before but I’d like to give you a heads up before the gossips get to you.” Cassius took a deep breath. “I’m letting it be known that I don’t agree with the hunting of Witches.”

  He paused, knowing his friend well and she didn’t disappoint, butting in, “You will make some enemies, Cassius. But, of course, you are well aware of that. Aren’t you?”

  “Yes.” Cassius bit the bullet and carried on, “That’s not all. I’m putting it out there that Witches will be safe here. In fact, I’m actively seeking a Witch right now. I have a young woman who’s been injured and she needs a Witch to heal her. If not then she may die and as she was attacked right outside my home I feel responsible.”

  “My dear Cassius, you are too kind for your own good sometimes.” Valeria laughed softly for a moment. “But, as always, I’m in your corner. You know if there’s any throats needing ripped out then I’m your gal.”

  Cassius grinned. “I sure do know that. You are one of the most beautiful women I know as well as being one of the deadliest. I appreciate the support and if you get a bead on a Witch then please let me know.”

  “I’ll put some feelers out for you, honey. Leave it with me.”

  “Again, thank you.” Cassius was just about to say goodbye when she added.

  “I would like to offer you some of my men.” She giggled like a schoolgirl. “Not my men, but my guards. I think you should have as many as you can get your hands on right now.”

  “That’s a good idea. Send them over and I’ll get them settled.” Cassius sighed. “I think there may be a few fights over this and my stance on uniting the species. Best to have as many guards as possible.”

  “My thoughts exactly,” Valeria replied seriously. “We need to unite on this, Cassius. Together we’ll be unstoppable.”

  “I hope so, Valeria.” Cassius let out a long breath. “At times I wonder if it will be possible but then I think on the alternative and my resolve hardens. There is no future for any of us if we don’t make this work.”

  “We can do this. Don’t ever think we cannot.”

  “You always know how to get me back on track.”

  Valeria’s laughter tinkled in his ear as she purred, “Now, if only you were my soul-mate then everything would be perfect.”

  Cassius knew she had feelings for him but he’d always thought on her as a sister. Not once in the hundreds of years had a lustful thought about Valeria entered his head. He also knew it upset her. “I’m sorry.”

  “Nothing to apologize for, Cassius,” she said graciously as his thoughts wandered to the injured woman in his bed.

  “I need to go and check on the patient. Let me know if you can get your hands on someone that can help her.”

  “I will and I’ll see you in about a week. I’ve some other items to source for the Ball but I’m hoping to have them in my hands soon.”

  “Okay, see you soon. Oh, Valeria, take care out there.”

  Her laughter was a little cold this time. “Anyone stupid enough to get in my way will soon find out I am most definitely not the lady I portray. Take care, Cassius, and watch your back.”

  “Same with you. Goodbye for now.” Cassius hung up and thought on everything he wanted to achieve. Knowing his path was a dangerous one but also knowing he had to do it. Nothing was going to stop him from, hopefully, bringing the species together and forging a better world for them all.

  Chapter Ten

  Brendan kept his speed as fast as was safe as they made their way towards New York. He’d been surprised at the way Kuan had coped with the grueling journey so far, and the pace he’d set. Only stopping when absolutely necessary and mostly at the side of a deserted highway. On the few occasions they’d spent some rest time within a building, Kuan had muttered under his breath and assured Brendan that they would be safe.

  The first time Brendan had refused to rest, keeping watch for hours. When he’d heard the approach of some undesirables he almost morphed in case he had to take them on. He watched the very tough looking gang as they stopped right outside the building they were in. Vampires. His eyes locking with the leader as his adrenaline kicked in, readying him for the fight he was certain to come.

  However, it appeared the man didn’t see him, and Brendan shook his head slightly to see if the movement would catch the Vamp’s attention. Why he did that he wasn’t sure, because it was a certain way to have them attack. But, the man didn’t flinch as he continued to stare through the broken wooden slats of the window where Brendan stood. As if he was invisible.

  If the man’s sight was compromised then surely he’d scent him. Brendan was certain that these were Vamps and they should’ve been able to scent him from streets away. But, again, nothing, no sign that they knew he or Kuan were there.

  Brendan had been shocked and turned to see Kuan sitting up and smiling benignly. When he’d questioned the man, he’d only repeated that they were safe and that Brendan should rest. Very weird indeed and Brendan had looked on the Chinese man differently from that moment on.

  He had power, but what and how much, Brendan had no clue.

  He’d checked in with Seth who’d said he was about three days away from Manhattan and Brendan thought they were about the same. With the pace he’d set they’d made up a lot of time but when they got there he knew he’d need to rest for a full day to regain his strength. His body protesting at the way he was pushing it as his Wolf howled in complaint at not being let loose. He was one of the fortunate Wolves who could morph at any time of the month. Not ruled by the Moon’s cycle, but it also meant his beast liked to roam free every few days and they just didn’t have the time to stop and allow it its freedom.

  Well, it’d just have to bide its time and wait until they reached their destination. He wasn’t stopping for anything other than enforced rest. Even those were only short periods of napping before he urged Kuan back onto the bike and he sped off again. So far, not once had the old man complained. Good. Because if he did Brendan had every intention of leaving him behind.

  His one, his only thought was to get to his daughter as quickly as possible and nothing would stand in his way. Nothing.

  *****

  Rose slowly came awake, her head feeling even worse and her comprehension that something really wrong was going on within her. She couldn’t think straight, her thoughts jumbled and making no sense as she fought to clear the fog. It was dark outside and the room was dimly lit by a lamp in the corner. Her mouth felt bone dry and her lips cracked and sore. As she tried to move she realized something was in her hand. She looked down to see a needle inserted on the back of it, taped on and a thin tube snaking away upwards to a plastic bag full of liquid.

  Panic flared inside as she looked at it, not understanding what it was or what was being forced inside her body. A small moan escaped her as she tried to remove the tape holding the needle in place. Seconds later a hand covered hers as a soft voice tried to soothe her.

  “Hey, it’s okay. Leave it be, Marie, it’s there to keep you hydrated.”

  She sought the owner of the calming words and saw Cassius staring down at her, his hand gently removing hers from her task of removing the needle. “What?” she only just managed to get out.

  “It’s fluid to keep your body hydrated.” Cassius sat down on the side of the large bed, still holding her hand. “The doctor said you’d gone too long without fluids and if it carried on your organs would start to shut down. It’s keeping you alive until we find someone who can help.”

  “How long?” she asked as she tried hard to focus on staying awake.

  “Almost a week.” Cassius said slowly.

 
; “A week?” she asked as shock ran through her.

  “Yes.” He nodded then smiled. “But, we may have someone who can help. We got a rather cryptic message saying that this person could help and he’d be here soon. All you need to do is hang on. Okay? Can you do that, Marie? Can you stay strong for just a little while longer?”

  “Sure,” she whispered.

  “I’ve got so many things I want to talk to you about. Apart from the job that is.”

  “The job?” she asked as she tried to make sense of his words.

  “Yes. You came looking for a job, remember?”

  “No, yes, maybe.” She coughed and as she did the pain in her head intensified.

  “Shh, here, try a sip.” He held another bottle with a straw to her lips and she managed a tiny amount before she had to stop. She was so weak she couldn’t even suck the water up into her mouth.

  “I think I need to tell you something,” she gasped, knowing she was near the point of no return and if she didn’t do a healing spell soon she’d be too far gone.

  “No, don’t talk. You need to just hold on. He’ll be here very soon.”

  “Who?” she asked as she thought she really did have to tell him she was a Witch. Time was running out and she needed to heal herself before it was too late.

  “I’m not sure exactly. I have a name only, Seth, and he said he’ll be here in a few hours.”

  Her heart stopped. Literally stopped. It took a few seconds before it started up again as she processed Cassius words. Seth. It could only be her Seth. Panic seared her insides and she tried to shake her head. As soon as she did her vision blurred as intense pain radiated inside her skull. She couldn’t let Seth come here. She had to stop him and the only way was to cast her own healing spell.

  As she tried to muster the power and words her vision didn’t only blur, it vanished, as darkness sucked her under. She barely heard Cassius’ voice as she sank deeper and deeper into the abyss.

  “Fuck! Valentine! Get out there and find this guy. We need him here now!”

  *****

  “What? Are you fucking nuts?” Brendan cursed when Seth told him he was going into Allarde’s home to heal someone.

  “I have to go, Brendan.” Seth paced back and forth in the ravaged living room of the apartment he’d set up in on his arrival in Manhattan.

  “No, you don’t.” Brendan shook his head as he glared at his friend.

  “Brendan, will you just shut the fuck up and let me explain fully?”

  Kuan laid a hand on Brendan’s arm. “Let him speak.”

  “Shut up,” Brendan spat out. “You don’t get to decide anything here.”

  “I’m not trying to make any decision I am merely saying you need to listen.”

  “Sorry.” Seth looked at Kuan, frowning. “Who the hell are you?”

  “I’m Kuan and I’m here to help.”

  “That doesn’t tell me very much,” Seth said as he glared at the much smaller man.

  Brendan raised a hand, waving it in front of Seth’s face. “Hey, don’t bother about him just now. We need to discuss your suicide mission.”

  “Sit down, Brendan.” Seth pointed to the tatty sofas before going over and sitting down. Leaning forward with his elbows on his knees he waited until his friend was sitting. “Okay, first things first. I have not, repeat, have not been able to contact Rose. That means she is incapable of replying. Second, Allarde put out a request for someone with magic that can do healing spells—aka a Witch. He has this message going out all over the country, in fact farther, it’s everywhere. He states he has a half-wolf who’s sustained a head injury and they are seriously hurt and require help. He’s . . .”

  Brendan shot up, rushing to the window and looking out. “Is it Rose? Seth, is it my girl that’s hurt?”

  Seth sighed. “I don’t know for sure but I think the odds are pretty high it’s her.”

  Brendan swore, panic in his voice. “Fuck, I need to get to her. I need to go get her.”

  “No,” Seth and Kuan said together. Seth raised an eyebrow at the Chinese man but carried on talking to Brendan. “I’ve already contacted and said I can help. He, Allarde, has said that he ensures the safety of anyone that can help. In fact, Brendan, wait ‘til you hear this. He’s broadcasting that this is a safe place for any Witches and that he’ll protect them if they come here.”

  “What?” Brendan looked confused as he stared at his friend.

  “I know it sounds unreal but that’s what he’s saying. I’ve noticed a load of new guards arriving and the area around his hotel is locked down tight. If he’s telling the truth then this may be the start of something huge.”

  “Are you insane?” Brendan snarled. “He’s a fucking Vampire with his own little empire and agenda. He doesn’t care about Witches. I don’t know what his game is but I’m not letting you walk in there. We can try and break in and bring Rose out . . .”

  “Don’t be an idiot.” Seth shook his head, exasperation clear in his face. “He has an army, Brendan, a huge fucking army. We are not breaking in there and staying alive.”

  “Excuse me,” Kuan interrupted, his voice soft and calm.

  “What?” Both Seth and Brendan whirled toward Kuan.

  “I’m the one that needs to go inside.”

  Brendan stalked over to where Kuan sat on the edge of an old armchair. “What are you talking about? If it’s Rose and she’s hurt she needs to be healed and what makes you think you can get in and out of there in one piece?”

  “Brendan,” Kuan’s voice was decidedly calm as he looked up at the angry Wolf. “I am the only one of us that can do this. I can heal her and I can also meet Cassius Allarde and ascertain if his intentions are as noble as they appear.”

  “Are you a Witch?” Seth frowned. “I can’t sense what you are but I don’t know you so why would I put Rose’s life in your hands?”

  “I am not a Witch but I can heal her.” Kuan smiled benignly as he looked over at Seth. “You cannot sense what I am because I am, well, unique is the word I’d use. However, the main point is both of you trusting me to do this so how do we resolve that issue?”

  “I’ve no fucking clue,” Seth said looking at Brendan. “You’ve travelled here with him, Brendan. I don’t have a clue who he is or why you’d bring him. So, my friend, tell me why we let him go to help Rose?”

  Brendan paced back and forth, ending up at the window again, his back to the two men. “I can’t explain it but I do trust him, sort of. I also know he has powers but again, I don’t know exactly what. What we do know is if you go in there and it’s a trap then I’ll lose you, Seth. I can’t let that happen. Rose needs you so I guess we let him go and see what happens. If he doesn’t return we’ll know he hasn’t succeeded and we’ll have to go to plan B. If we come up with a plan B that is.”

  “Are you sure about this?” Seth pressed as his eyes stayed glued to Kuan.

  “No.,” Brendan admitted. “I’m not sure of anything about this but I have a feeling. Something inside. Telling me this is what we need to do.”

  “Shit,” Seth swore as he looked between Kuan and Brendan. “Kuan, or whatever your name is, I’m telling you here and now, if you harm her I’ll find you. I’ll find you and you will not like the reunion one bit.”

  “I have no intention of harming her. She is extremely important to the continuation of all species. She is far more important than either of you could understand.”

  “Riddles.” Brendan’s stare locked on Kuan. “He talks in riddles. A lot. Kinda drives me nuts.”

  “If he can help then that’s all I care about.” Seth glowered at Kuan. “You can help, can’t you?”

  “Yes,” Kuan said as he stood. “I need to get on my way now. Rose needs me.”

  “Now?” Seth asked as Kuan almost glided to the door.

  “Yes, now. She grows weaker as we speak so I have to go.”

  “I’ll take you.” Seth stood but Kuan stopped him.

  “That’s okay, I
’ll get there on my own and far quicker than if you took me.”

  “How?” Brendan asked.

  “Like this.” Kuan smiled and promptly disappeared.

  “What the fuck?” Seth ran over to where the man had stood, turning to Brendan. “What just happened?”

  “I’ve no idea,” Brendan muttered. “But if I’d known he could do that I wouldn’t be so shit-faced tired as I am now.”

  Seth looked uneasy as he stared at his friend. “Why is he here and who the fuck is he?”

  Brendan sighed, collapsing onto the sofa. “I’ve got some stuff to tell you. Hope you’re ready to be blown away.”

  Seth gaped as his friend started to relay what Kuan had told him. Rising to pace around before going into the small kitchen to grab two glasses and a bottle of bourbon. “I need a drink.”

  Pouring two large measures he handed one to Brendan. “That’s some story. Do you believe it? Him?”

  “I think I do.” Brendan gulped the amber liquid down, relishing the burn as the liquor slipped down his throat. “I don’t know why but I think he’s the real deal with his ‘prophecy.’ Our Rose is far more important than we ever thought possible.”

  “If this is true she’s not going to be ‘our’ Rose for much longer.” Seth’s voice couldn’t hide his sadness. “I knew she wasn’t mine, Brendan. I prayed she was but deep down I knew.”

  “I’m sorry.” Brendan shook his head. “I wished that too. I can think of no man I’d rather have as her soul-mate, Seth, and I know this must hurt you deeply.”

  “I’ve known all along.” Seth finished his drink, quickly filling the glass again and knocking it back. “She’s too good for me.”

  “Don’t say that!” Brendan almost shouted. “You’re a good man, Seth. One of the best I’ve come across in this shit-awful world. You’ve kept my baby safe for most of her life and I owe you a debt I can never repay. You’re more worthy of her than anyone I know.”

  “I’m not her mate, Brendan. I’ve known it all along and it’s going to be hard letting her go but I knew it was coming. Things have been . . .” Seth almost groaned in pain. “different. Things have been different between us for some time and I knew this was coming. I just don’t know if she knows it.”