Fighting Destiny (Central Coven) (19 page)

“I was under the impression there was something more important on tonight’s agenda than flirting with your boyfriend.” Grey asked over my shoulder. “Yes there is.  And he isn’t my boyfriend.”

“Why are you doing this to me Chloë?  I will not be your second choice every time things fall apart between you and the elf.” “No, you won’t.  Finn and I broke up on Wednesday because he, well, you were there.  And, later I realized I wasn’t being fair to either of you or to myself.  I was falling for both of you. I couldn’t continue on with him, while I still had feelings for you. I’m sorry, if it hurts, but it’s true,” I admitted.

Grey pressed his head against the curve of my neck and shoulder.  He sighed, and I could feel the pain I was causing him.  Anita was right.  I needed to make a decision.  As much as Finn was hurting me, that was how much I was hurting Grey. 

I reached back and touched the strong cool planes of his square jaw.  “I’m sorry I am hurting you.” Grey turned me around, and with one finger caught the single tear rolling down my cheek.  “Please, don’t cry.”  “But, I’m screwing everything up.  I don’t know what I am doing.  I’ve spent a lot of time alone in my life, but I’ve never felt as lonely as I do now,” I said sniffling. 

Grey leaned in close, his lips brushing against my ear, “You, darling, are not alone.”  I gazed into his night dark eyes.  In them I saw compassion, love, trust, and fierce protectiveness.  “I could live here,” I blurted out without thinking.  He smiled, “At the Elks club?” he asked sarcastically.  “Uh, no,” I answered embarrassed to be admitting it out loud, “in your eyes.”  “Then why don’t you?” He asked and gently kissed me on the cheek.  “Mmmhhm, why don’t I?” I murmured back.

Grey grabbed my hands and spun me out onto the middle of the floor.  “How about we start finding some vampires?” He suggested.  “Sounds like an excellent idea, why didn’t I think of it?” I replied somewhat mockingly.  He laughed, and began to guide me rhythmically to the music, through the crowd.  Anyone watching us would think we were the perfect couple, and we were having a good time while we hunted.

The strobe lights were a helpful tool in locating our prey.  As the lights danced around the dance floor, casting its unnatural glow, the unmistakable reflection of a vampire’s eyes was easily visible. Of course Grey can sense his own kind.  I can sense witches, but that doesn’t do any good while hunting vampires.

Grey was right, the vampires were coming out tonight.  Since I had separated from my friends I started seeing them entering the dance floor.  Once we identified one, we marked them with the charm.  It seemed as if we all had some sort of nervous twitch.  I didn’t mind if people thought I was odd, just as long as the vampires did not figure out I was casting a spell on them.  Oddly, none of them seemed to be looking for me. 

“Grey,” I asked scanning the room to make sure no one was near enough to overhear me, “why do you think no one is here looking for
us
.”  “Excellent question.  Alexander has always been a rather cocky sort.  I don’t know her, but if she is at all like him I would gather she is prone to over confidence.  I would imagine they see you as a young, untrained, witch with limited power,” Grey answered.  I dropped my head.  Lately I wasn’t completely sure they were wrong.  Grey shook his head at me, “They are wrong.  But let them think they are right for a while longer shall we?  This misconception of theirs works to our advantage.”

Nearly an hour passed before I even considered checking in with my friends.  Grey and I talked, danced, laughed, and were generally having a great time.  I was really going to have to evaluate why I thought choosing Finn over Grey was a good idea, because at that moment Finn couldn’t have been further from my mind.  I only noticed the time because I began to feel the penetrating gaze of disapproval.

I turned to offer a bitchy comment, to what I assumed could only be Finn.  That was when I saw the fiery brilliance of Simone’s titian waves flying around her head.  Alexander, the source of the glare, was focused on Grey.  I looked Simone straight in the eyes. Hers were a lifeless hazel/gray, while mine switched to jewel colored green.

Her eyebrows rose for a split second, before she recomposed her features.  Unfortunately for her it was not fast enough.  If she wasn’t afraid of me, I could see she was at least concerned.  Grey might want her to underestimate my abilities, but instilling a bit of fear could work too.

“My, my, what ugly ornaments you young witches are wearing these days,” Simone snidely commented.  “This old thing?” I asked, turning the amulet so that it marked Alexander in the process.  Her forehead scrunched while she was trying to comprehend what I was doing.  Then she laughed, “You could have just worn garlic, or some other mythical protection device, for all the good it would do.  That piece of costume junk isn’t going to protect you from me,” she said with confidence.

Now it was my turn to laugh.  Her knowledge of magic outside of necromancy was more limited than I had assumed.  “Simone, you’re making a mistake by underestimating me.  Don’t worry about it though, I will show you the error of your logic soon enough,” I replied. 

“You are eighteen, and I am nearly as old as your mother.  Do not think you can best me, neophyte!” Simone nearly shrieked. 

“You are a necromancer and I am a witch, don’t forget your place in the hierarchy.  And do you think my mother would allow her heir to be uneducated in witchcraft?  I could make you leave here, if I wanted to risk the exposure.”

“Who, you and the supernatural community’s pre-school class?”  “No, I was thinking more like myself and my wand.”  In my open hand the green haze of my magic started swirling, solidifying, and transforming into my wand.  “Parlor tricks wont scare me little witch,” Simone warned.

“Certainly not, nor would I expect them to.”  Grey leaned close to me with an amused look on his face and whispered in my ear.  I smiled broadly, “I wonder what the peak of Mount Rainier looks like at night.  Let me know will you?”  I did not need to speak a specific word or phrase.  In fact, mentioning where she was going was completely superfluous, but it did add to the theatrical effect of our little showdown. 

Simone sneered, but then she must have noticed the glow of the crystal at the end of my wand.  I was channeling the effect of the magic slowly, for personal satisfaction of watching the realization hit her.  She understood what was about to occur about a fraction of a second before I allowed her to become engulfed in the green haze that was summoned to transport her to the top of that frigid, volcanic peak. 

When the smoke cleared, she was gone.  Alexander, completely dumbfounded, hissed.  “How would you like a demonstration? I’m sure I could find a sunny location for you somewhere,” I taunted.  “Some other time witch.  It appears I have some climbing ahead of me,” he spit out.

I realized several things all at once.  First, slowing my magic down, while incredibly satisfying, was also draining.  I felt incredibly tired all of a sudden.  Second, although (luckily) none of the humans clued in to our little skirmish, plenty of vampires did.  They were exiting the Elk’s club at blinding speed.  Finally, I realized it was possible to defeat Simone.  And on a personal note, I finally got to send someone to the top of a glacial covered mountain.  That would certainly save me from
accidentally
sending Cynthia there.

I would need to figure out something other than sending her hours away.  Even if I sent her across the globe, she appeared determined enough to return.  We must move forward with our plans, while she was temporarily absent.  That meant I would not find time to rest right now.  Why hadn’t I sent her around the globe?  Well, it
had
been a long day.

Anita was emerging from the crowd as if she were the bronze image of a revered goddess.  The transfixed glare of men and women bathed her in adoration.   I turned to Grey, “She is doing that on purpose isn’t she.  She is hypnotizing them into worshiping her.”  Grey on the other hand was not amused. 

“Now you see why I have worked so hard to prevent her immersion into my world.  You know she sees me as detached and possibly evil.  My worry is about what havoc she could reap if she ever did turn completely into a vampire.  Alexander and I both to some extent can gain the interest of humans.  He, of course, uses it for hunting, while I use it to hide in plain sight.  Anita, on the other hand, could
force
humans to worship her.  What she would do with that power only she could determine, but the appeal of devotion is strong.”

“I am glad then, that you rescued her.  Why is she so different?” I asked continuing the conversation, not really expecting an answer.  “Hmm, I thought you might have found out by now.  Anita’s father is a wizard.  It has been a while since we have really talked, I still need to tell Anita,” Grey reminded me.  “What? I’m sorry, she’s a witch?” I blurted out shocked.

“Shh. I meant to tell her first, but…well, look at her. Anita’s mother is human, and her father is a wizard.  His name is Carlos Sanchez.  He left when she was very young.  She doesn’t know why, but from what I have learned he left to conceal his family’s identity.” “So Anita isn’t just half-vampire?” I said, trying to understand what he was telling me.  “That was why I investigated in the first place, because I have never heard of the phenomenon occurring.  Then again, no vampire until Alexander had ever been foolhardy enough to turn a witch, even a half-witch.”  “Is it even possible for a witch to become a vampire?” I still could not get my mind around what he was telling me.

“I do not think so.  We are all magical creatures.  To transform another supernatural creature’s essence with that of a vampire would most likely be toxic.  Anita has never understood the depth to which she was transformed.  It does not take several days to change someone into a vampire.  One night most often does the trick.  That is why Alexander has always been so intrigued by Anita.  I have allowed both of them to continue to believe I saved her.  In truth I only removed her from her surroundings before she had a chance to give in to the life he was trying to force on her.  No, Anita is not half-vampire half-human.  She is half-vampire and half-witch.”

For some reason he felt the need to keep this information from her, and I began to fear her path through the crowd was heading in our direction.  I knew Grey well enough now to trust his judgment on this matter, at least until I had more information.  I scanned the crowd, and didn’t see Anita anywhere near us.  Then I caught sight of Dean’s muscular frame pressed against her on the far wall.  It appeared their relationship was playing around the definition of his “no sex” rule.

I felt drunk, not on alcohol since I hadn’t even drank water, but rather on information.  There was so much data swimming in my brain, I felt I was loosing the floor.  Without realizing it I began to go down.  I opened my eyes a few seconds later to find myself nestled in Grey’s steely arms.

“You need to rest,” he told me.  I shook my head. “I need to get the information on the vampires completed so I can have the charms made,” I reminded him.  “None of these plans will work if you are too tired to control the magic,” Grey whispered seductively in my ear.  “True,” I said, almost yawning.  “Come now, beautiful one, le me get you to bed,” he cooed.  “I think Anita and Dean would like some time alone,” I answered him, still trying to be stubborn.  “I was not planning on taking you home dear one. At least not to yours,” he murmured against my cheek.

“Grey, are you suggesting what I think you are?” I asked, trying not to giggle.  I was truly inexperienced in the ways and desires of men, especially centuries old men like Grey.  “Not tonight.  I want you to sleep where you can be looked after.  I am so old now that sleep, although something I enjoy, is not something I require often.”  “Alright then,” I answered. 

“But if I were to make an advance?” he asked teasingly.  I did not have a mature or seductive response to his flirting.  I certainly did not want him to see me for the innocent girl I was just then.  I looked deep into his dark eyes, placed my warm hand on his cold cheek, and kissed him with as much ardor as I could muster.  “But not tonight,” I reminded him.

Anita saw me heading to the door with Grey, and she ran up to us.  “Where are you going?” Anita intruded.  “Simone might decide to take revenge tomorrow, and Chloë needs to rest,” Grey told her.  “And you will be a gentleman, right?” Anita warned.  “Okay, mom.  Can we go now?” I mocked.  She sighed, pretending to be put out.  “Fine, but be good.”  “And be home at eleven right?” I teased.  “Yeah, right smart ass.  Seriously though, be careful,” she stressed.  I nodded in agreement.

We climbed into his new black BMW, and headed out of town toward the small community of Thorp, WA.  “Why do you live out here?” I asked curiously.  “I like privacy.”  It was a beautiful white farmhouse with a wrap-around porch, complete with a porch swing. 

The only modern element to his home was an automatic garage door that concealed his brand new sports car, and some other classic models I couldn’t concentrate on.  The garage was detached from the house, probably because it was nearly the same size.

Owls called out to us as we climbed the three creaking porch steps. I covered my mouth trying to stifle laughter. “What’s so funny?” I put my hand on the upper part of his arm, while he paused with the key in the door.  I smiled, I hoped reassuringly, and said, “This just isn’t what I expected.  Going home with a vampire.  I mean I know not to expect a crypt, but I didn’t expect an all-American farmhouse, either.  I should have though, it is so completely you.”