The Awakening (10 page)

Over the next few weeks, everything seemed fine and life had returned to a good level of normality. Gavin had a big family occasion coming up, as it was his dad Marcus’s 50
^th
birthday; although he only looked about forty. As a result, some family were visiting and Alice had organised a big meal. I’d managed to duck out of the main affair as I’d explained to Gavin it was somewhat daunting being in a house full of thirty or forty vampires talking about a lot of things I wouldn’t understand, however a smaller party had been planned and they all really wanted me to attend. The big day arrived and I turned up at Gavin’s home, I hadn’t been round for a few weeks and it was nice to catch up with Alice and Marcus. Alice welcomed me warmly, rushed me into the kitchen, and began asking my opinion on the canapés she’d spent the morning making. Gavin had told me that Alice loved having me around as she’s always wanted a daughter and loved spending time with me but I sometimes found Alice’s enthusiasm a bit over whelming. Gavin had told me his dad’s cousin Daniel was visiting who they hadn’t seen for a couple of years. It transpired that Gavin had a close bond to this relative and he was extremely anxious about us getting on, he had warned me that Daniel could sometimes be a bit opinionated but often only did it to provoke a reaction and get a debate going. Although he was Marcus’s Cousin Daniel was actually closer in age to Gavin. Daniel had been living and working in America for the past few years and was over for a month’s visit and to think about the possibility of making the permanent move back to the UK. There were going to be a small gathering of relatives round the house most of which I had met before. Alice and Marcus, Gavin and Nathanial, Rebecca and another cousin called Nicole and the unknown Daniel. Over the next hour, everyone arrived and there was the usual greeting, drinks were poured and I chatted with Nathaniel and Rebecca.

Eventually I heard the sound of a car engine and most of the assembled guests poured into the hallway. I waited in the living room and felt quite anxious, as meeting a new vampire was strange. I’d felt quite cocooned within Gavin’s family and had begun to relax and enjoy there company and worried this new member may not feel as comfortable with me knowing all their secrets. I could hear the door opening, excited voices, and turned to look out the window and gather my thoughts. As I turned, I caught a glimpse of a strange reflection, I focused and the reflection turned into a woman dressed in a floor length coat, gloves and her dark hair pulled back into a tight bun, she had pale skin and piercing green eyes and looked familiar “Lauren is careful. Alec. He will play with your mind.” The woman said. “What? What do you mean? Who are you? Are you Elizabeth?” I said in a great rush “Lauren he has a dark side,” she said. “What Daniel? What do you mean? Elizabeth is that you? Things are ok now vampires have changed.” I said glancing over my shoulder to make sure none of the others had returned. “Beware of the new arrival. I will be watching. No harm will come to you today.” the strange woman said. I was just about to answer when I heard voices in the hallway and Gavin suddenly appeared at the door. I looked around and the image in the window had disappeared “Come on Lauren don’t hide in here. Come and meet Daniel” he said, and crossed the room and held my hand. “You ok? Your hand is freezing, don’t be nervous you’ll get along fine.” and he gently pulled me into the hallway. My head was buzzing and I had so many unanswered questions in my mind. Who was the woman? Was it Elizabeth I’d never actually seen her properly just the odd glimpse or shadow although I had obviously heard a lot about her from Annalise but no one seemed to be able to find a picture. Previously I’d had a warm feeling when I’d heard the voices but this time I felt cold and concerned. She was obviously a ghost, but whom? Why visit now? It had thrown me completely. The woman seemed to dislike Daniel although she had said Alec and what she said had deeply worried me. For the first time since I’d found out, it occurred to me that I was the only human in a house full of vampires; what was I doing, could I really 100% trust them all. I looked at Alice as she came out of the kitchen smiling and carrying a tray of food, and slowly allowed Gavin to lead me outside where several family members were still gathered on the drive way.

As I appeared, Daniel looked up and stared directly at me. I felt his eyes pierce into me and shivered. “You ok Lauren?” Gavin said as he wrapped am arm around me and marched me forward. I felt oddly trance like and wondered if it was because of Daniel or because of what the woman had just said.

“Hi you must be Lauren,” Daniel said and held out his hand, I shook it and felt a jolt of what felt like electricity flash up my arm “I’ve heard a lot about you. I see Gavin decided to break with family tradition and fall in love with a human; a witch in fact. Makes life more interesting I guess, especially as you know so much about the family now. Hope you are good at keeping secrets,” he continued. Still holding my hand, he raised an eyebrow and stared at my intently “It’s nice to meet you,” he said and dropped my hand abruptly and smiled.

“Daniel be nice,” Alice said as she appeared beside me ushering everyone inside “Gavin can be with whoever he likes, human, vampire, or witch. Lauren is very understanding of our situation and obviously is part of the supernatural world herself now.”

Everyone went inside and gathered in the living room, I followed Alice into the kitchen and moved some trays around; in the pretence that I was actually helping and was needed in the kitchen. “Lauren don’t let Daniel bother you, he just likes to stir things up. He’s had human girlfriends in the past but most of us end up settled down with a vampire, as it’s easier, as we understand each other and sometimes the secret can get too much between a vampire and human. You and Gavin are different though, you both understand each other.” She gave me a quick hug and then grabbed a tray of drinks and went into the living room to join everyone else. I waited in the kitchen for a few minutes wondering if the ghostly woman would reappear but nothing happened and eventually Nathaniel came in to get me and I spent the rest of the afternoon keeping as far from Daniel as I could and trying to keep an air of normality about me. Inside I was just biding my time until I could escape back to my flat and think about everything properly. As the gathering was winding down, I told Gavin I would make a move and called a taxi and gathered my things. I went upstairs to get my bag and as I turned around Daniel was there “Oh hello. I was just getting my stuff,” I said gesturing to my bag.

“You seem to have settled well into the family. Gavin is very smitten,” he said. He sounded polite but his expression was neutral. He stared at me with an unsettling intensity and his eyes seemed cold.

“Yeah well we’ve been through a lot so are very close. I didn’t expect this all to happen but me and Gavin are very happy.” I said and tried to walk past him and down the stairs. As I moved, he grabbed my arm. I felt an odd buzzing sensation and began to feel light headed and worried I might faint. I suddenly saw some images. People were laughing and there was lots of red and then I saw blood. Before I could decipher the images, they faded and Daniel let go of my arm. He looked at me with an odd mixture of pleasure and concern but didn’t ask how I was.

“Lauren I think I’ve made the wrong impression. I’m very happy for Gavin and I don’t mind at all that you are human. It’s just usually humans don’t know all about us and I was just a bit worried but Alice and Marcus have reassured me and I’m sorry I was a bit rude to you earlier.”

“Um….no problem. Thanks.” I said and again began to move away making sure to hold on the bannister as I still felt slightly unsteady.

“I heard about your stunt with the motorway accident by the way. Very clever.” Daniel said with a slight smirk.

“Um well yeah I suppose. I was just glad I was there else it could have been a nasty accident with a lot of people hurt.” I said feeling a bit uncomfortable.

“Yes I saw the news clip. They think it could be the work of angels. How sweet. Perhaps that could be your nickname hey angel.” Daniel said in a sarcastic tone of voice.

I don't think so Lauren is just fine. And where did you see the news clip anyway.” I said feeling a little bolder.

“It’s amazing what you can find on YouTube even in America and Gavin told me all about it he was very proud.” Daniel replied with a slight smile.

“Right. Well, why are you making fun of me then? It wasn’t funny it could have been really serious.” “Keep your hair on. I was just teasing. It was very impressive you are obviously a skilled witch although a little on the serious side.” and this time he smiled kindly and gave a little laugh. “Sorry I’m not making a very good first impression. It really is nice to meet you Lauren.” and Daniel reached for my hand and kissed my knuckles gently. A slight electric shock ran through my body and I felt a shiver as my cheeks blushed.

“Got to go my taxi will be here in a minute. I’m sure I’ll see you soon enjoy your stay.” I said in a rush as I pulled my hand away and rushed down the stairs.

I got home and finally was able to relax a little and think about what had occurred. I hoped that if I could sit calmly the woman who I assumed must be Elizabeth would reappear but I was too agitated to sit and wait and my mind whirled with possibilities. Why had she said Alec? Was he a threat? Was Alec back or did she mean Daniel? Did Daniel harm humans? Was that even possible? I knew that vampires were governed by their own laws and had a council to impose punishments that could not be dealt with in the normal courts. I had been told of the odd renegade vampire that had injured or killed a human and I knew they had been dealt with although how I was unsure. Gavin and his family had not wanted to go into finer details, although whether this was to protect them or me I had not understood. Was Elizabeth trying to warn me that Daniel was going of the rails or was she being more specific and he only actually meant harm to me? Perhaps he didn’t like that a human was involved in his family. Alternatively, was it more that I was a witch? I felt isolated, as there was no one I could talk too. I felt unable to discuss things with Gavin as him and Daniel were so close and I felt bad that I was keeping a secret from him as we’d always been honest with one another since the early days of our relationship. My friends and family knew nothing about any of this supernatural side to my life and I didn’t want to involve them. I suddenly remembered that Annalise may be able to help, she was the only witch I knew, and I was sure she’d understand. I dived into my room to find the card she had given me with her details on it. I found her number and called her immediately. I was relieved when she answered and surprised by her response “Hi Lauren, I had a feeling I would hear from you.” she said in her calm and reassuring voice.

“But how? Do you know what I want?” I replied.

“I had a feeling you were distressed and would need my help. I’m not sure exactly what it is concerning but the name Daniel has been with me all day.”

“Oh my god! Yes, that is it exactly; I need to talk to you about Daniel. Gavin and the others mustn’t know.” Annalise said she’d pick me up in half hour and we could go somewhere to talk in private.

Annalise arrived and she took me to her store in Market Harborough a half hour drive from Northampton. She ran a shop that sold crystals, tarot cards, jewellery, and other trinkets. We went into the back and she made me a cup of tea and then asked me to unburden myself. “A woman, a ghost I’m not sure appeared when I was at Gavin’s. She was dressed in a floor length coat and had dark hair scrapped back in a bun and green eyes. She appeared in the garden as I was looking through the window and she told me Alec will play with my mind and she was watching and no harm would come to me today. I’m assuming she was Elizabeth and she was actually talking about Daniel. But, I don’t understand? Does she mean Daniel is the same as Alec? Does he want to harm me? Can vampires suddenly turn? ” I garbled everything out in one breath and stared at Annalise.

“I’m not sure Lauren. Doesn’t panic let me consult the spirits? I’ll just gather my candles and book.” Annalise slowly gathered her things and lit her candles and laid out the book, she began to chant and closed her eyes after a few minutes she placed her hands on the table and looked at me. “Yes it was Elizabeth and she believes Daniel may crave power and she fears your Wiccan status will be exhilarating to him. Although she does keep saying Alec, so I can’t be 100% certain. Let me just try a clearer communication.” Annalise whispered and burnt some herbs over the flickering candles. I was mesmerised by the flame when she suddenly spoke making me jump “Elizabeth she says he has dabbled in human feeding but the women were unharmed and were willing to participate. You see Lauren some people find the mythical world of vampires, witches, and ghosts enticing. They believe in the legends and are willing to experiment. There are concealed and secret clubs full of experimental and strange activities. The vampire world is very undercover but some people do know the truth and there have always been pockets of experimental groups and those that crave the power and strength of the old days.” Annalise explained. I don’t think Daniel is harmful but he has a rebellious streak and the fact that you know about everyone and are a witch is exciting to him. I think he wants to push you and test your magic. He is very hypnotic and full of charm, good looks, and money. He has done very well for himself but is easily bored and dabbles in the darker side of life from time to time. As in human life, you always have some people who like to harm others, be it murder, stealing, or verbal abuse. Vampires are the same but it has to be governed in a different way. There are those that would like to return to live human feeding and a higher standing in society. Daniel would never kill or harm anyone but he would experiment and he seems very intrigued by you.”

“What do you mean? Why?” I said.

“I’m not sure Lauren. It may be just because he can’t have you. He can tell you have a strong will and unlike other human girls he has encountered you will not fall for his charm.”