The Awakening (7 page)

Me: No sorry won’t be able to come out this weekend. Boo!!!

Vicky: Oh, that’s a shame but hope you feel better soon and hope Gavin is taking care of you.

Me: Yeah he’s being good, right better go.

Vicky: OK well get better soon, I’ll text you later in the week.

Me: OK see you soon bye

I felt terrible for lying again, but I needed time to absorb everything that was happening and there was no way of explaining the truth to anyone. Gavin appeared at my bedroom door, or rather their spare bedroom door and came in “You ok? I’ve just got back from work.”

“Yeah not bad just checking into my real life,” I said, as I gestured towards the open Facebook page. “You’ll be back in your real life before you know it Lauren just give it a few more days and I’m sure Annalise will be able to shed some light on the situation and we can move forwards.” Gavin said, as he hugged me. “I feel so guilty for making this happen to you, it’s because of me, but I never knew it was possible and never meant you any harm.” Gavin continued.

“I know you never meant any of this and no one could have predicted what has gone on, but hopefully Annalise can straighten some stuff out soon,” I said, as I logged out of Facebook feeling like I was logging out for my normal life once more.

We spent the next hour trying to keep a level of normality, watched some TV, and had dinner with Alice and Rebecca. Rebecca had come round to see what information would be discovered and to make sure I was feeling a bit more settled. Rebecca seemed like a nice woman and was the mother of Nathaniel Gavin’s cousin, being able to piece together some of Gavin’s family made things seem more normal and seeing how they behaved just like a regular family was reassuring.

That evening Annalise arrived loaded with books and folders; she breezed in like a breath of fresh air and settled herself at the kitchen table. “So how have you been?” she asked me.

“Um ok I guess slowly getting used to all this weird information. I’m not sure how I’m going to behave normally with all my friends and its odd having a vampire boyfriend but you know.” I said in a rush and shrugged. I glanced at all the books on the table wondering what on earth they contained, “What’s all this? Did you find out about my ancestors? Can you turn my powers off? Why has it been passed to me?” I said suddenly, feeling extremely anxious and worried again and fidgeting in my chair. 

“One thing at a time Lauren, yes I have found out about your ancestors and they are an extraordinary bunch and something you should be very proud of.” Annalise said, as she leafed through a battered looking book with curling pages and scrawled writing. “Right let’s get a cup of tea and get comfy I have a lot to explain.” Annalise and Alice walked into the main part of the kitchen, quietly speaking to each other as they busied themselves making tea and looking for snacks. I reached for the book closest to me and flicked through the pages, odd words and names jumped out at me and I felt even more worried and confused “Lauren try not to worry. We’ll just take everything as it comes and work through it.” Gavin said, as he gently reached for my hand and removed the book.

Annalise and Alice returned with a tray laden with cups, sandwiches, and biscuits. Everyone settled around the table. Gavin’s dad Marcus had also arrived by now and looked as interested and concerned as I did as Annalise began to speak “Right well it appears you a descendant from the Moonwick coven, which dates back to the 15
^th
century and the last members were brutally killed; however there is quite an amazing story. Your ancestors were part of the Moonwick coven, which was a powerful group that was well respected and trusted within the normal community and Wiccan circles. Although witchcraft was something people were afraid of, the Moonwick coven only ever practised spells in the course of good and also had extensive knowledge of medicine, which had helped and saved many people within their home town. Their downfall was from trusting a vampire clan lead by a vampire named Alec. Alec was a much travelled and feared vampire who originated from Italy. He was large and well over 6 foot tall with long dark hair and bright blue eyes he knew he was good looking and used his striking looks to draw in young unsuspecting woman. He was also very gifted and could easily influence people’s minds, which had led him to be very successful. He had desires to gain extra strength and powers and make an army of vampires that could dominate large areas and mean that they would not have to run and hide from the hunters. Alec had heard of a vampire that was knowingly feeding less and reducing his skills in order to integrate into the human world and was gaining support from other vampires who were tired of being hunted and continuously moving on to new territories. He thought the vampires integrating were weak and wanted to offer an alternative lifestyle that would control the humans rather than integrate with them. He wanted to be at the top of this powerful pyramid he was hoping to create, but to do this he wanted extra power and skills that no other vampire had. He wanted the added magical powers that the witches possessed and had been gradually integrating himself into the Moonwick coven. The Moonwick witches were not naïve and knew that Alec was not to be trusted, but he was charming and over several months worked his way into their affections. He offered protection from other vampires and hunters and would help them with gathering food and collecting materials. He was also able to get specialist herbs and berries from other parts of the country or abroad and knew that this meant the witches found him useful. He was always on his best behaviour, would only kill and hunt people outside of the immediate area, kept the damage and loses to a minimum. The coven began to trust Alec and wondered if this could be the beginning of a new and powerful allegiance. However, they had under-estimated Alec who was strong and his intentions were rooted in evil. He managed to intensely influence a young witch called Bethany who became his provider, he would feed from her making her weak but able bodied and she became more and more devoted to him and began to turn away from the coven. Alec had an idea that he could make her his slave, she could provide all the magic he needed, and he would therefore not require the rest of the coven. He was tiring of being on his best behaviour and doing tasks for them and now Bethany was under his control his plans were changing and growing by the day. He planned to get Bethany pregnant as he figured the coven would never turn against a child that was born to one of their own and he hoped the half-breed would have his strengths and Bethany’s Wiccan powers, which would therefore give him extra influence in the vampire world and make him a leader and dominant force.

One of the elder witches could sense a deep unsettling future and knew Alec had evil plans so they set about a séance to try and break into his mind. It took great strength from the witches but they managed to uncover his thoughts and desires and the Moonwick witches were furious and tried to get Bethany back but she was too immersed in Alec and weakened by blood loss. She refused to leave him and return to the safety of the coven. Bethany warned Alec that the coven was no longer on his side and he fled with Bethany so he could assess the situation in control and safety and make alternative plans. The coven were enraged and feared for Bethany’s life, they cast spells to locate their where abouts, but whenever they reached the destination Alec and Bethany had always moved on. The Moonwick coven heard unsettling news from other covens and it was believed he had killed her in fury and would return to wreak revenge. Several months passed with no news and the witches hoped Alec had returned to Italy. The coven vowed never to trust a vampire again, mourned the loss of young Bethany, and felt guilty that they had been unable to protect her. The coven was damaged by what had happened but got on with life and warned other covens not to trust a vampire named Alec and to be on guard as he may attack.

One night several months later a heavily pregnant Bethany reappeared in the coven. The witches were delighted that she had returned, but this quickly turned to fear as they realised Alec would not give Bethany up easily and, whilst they were trying to get help and make plans to protect themselves, Alec and a clan of vampires struck. Alec ordered the coven to assist Bethany during childbirth and demanded the baby be handed over to him. He got his vampire clan to round up the witches and lock them up, they resisted but it was futile and they ended up beaten and desolate. The witches were locked in a disused outbuilding in nearby woodland and were left for several days with only a minimum amount of food and water. Alec had removed and destroyed all the witches books, herbs, candles, and medicines believing that this would mean they were unable to cast any spells. However although the witches were in a state of shock and turmoil they knew Alec could not succeed in his plan to create a new vampire army and although they felt wretched at the idea they knew the baby could not survive as Alec would use the additional powers only for evil. They spoke in quiet and calm voices as they made urgent and rushed plans not knowing when Alec or his vampire clan would return. In the dark disused building however, the love and warmth of the coven somehow started to restore some of Bethany’s spirit and she began to conjure her own plan. Later that day Alec returned and unlocked the witches and dragged them into the fading light. A big fire had been lit and Alec had erected some sort of large cross and was standing waving a sword through the air. A feeling of dread and fear spread throughout the coven but they were determined to defeat Alec knowing it would probably result in their own deaths. They were starting to talk in hushed whispers, the fire started to crackle, and hiss when Bethany cloaked in a large hood suddenly ran towards Alec screaming. Alec thinking it was one of the other witches swung the sword in front of him and Bethany ran straight into it and then slumped to the ground. Alec let out a long and triumphant laugh until he realised the dead body in front of him was Bethany and his unborn baby.

The witches, realising Bethany had made the ultimate sacrifice, took the opportunity to strike whilst Alec was off guard and began chanting a spell. The wind howled and great trees shook and cracked and with tremendous force, a branch snapped and flew towards Alec and speared him straight through the chest. The rest of the vampire clan realising what was happening launched themselves at the witches causing the spell to cease immediately; however Alec was already dead. The witches fought bravely on but were outnumbered and did not have the strength to cause much damage and they were slowly killed. After a while, all the witches were dead and several members of the vampire clan remained. They placed Alec’s body and that of two or three other dead vampires on the fire and left the witches bloody bodies scattered across the woodland floor. Without their leader and with the witches dead they quickly fled and separated across the country.” Annalise paused and looked around at all of our interested faces.

Annalise reached across the table and took my hand seeing how confused and upset I felt and then continued. “However one witch did remain. More than 24 hours after the battle Elizabeth Astley crept out from under the dead bodies of two of her sisters, she was dazed and distressed but slowly set about digging shallow graves for her entire coven. She wrapped them in their cloaks and managed to gather some candles and flowers and set about a ceremony to help them peacefully pass over. In a state of bewilderment, Elizabeth set about clearing the entire woodland until all trace of the battle, sacrifices of her coven had been erased, and then she returned to the home she had shared with three other witches and slept for an entire day. Upon waking Elizabeth packed some things, set fire to her home and walked for miles to the nearest town, where she stayed in a lodge and then she got a horse and cart and travelled north to Lancaster. Elizabeth settled in Lancaster, found employment as a domestic servant, and slowly went about living her life and forgetting the past. She never again practised magic and had vowed never to trust, speak to, or acknowledge a vampire again. Elizabeth eventually met and fell in love with a man called William and although she was older than was normal in those days they married and had three children in quick succession, two boys, and a girl. Lauren this is where you come into the story you are a direct descendant from Elizabeth Astley and I believe your Wiccan powers have surfaced because you fell in love with Gavin. Elizabeth had cast a very strong protection spell and she vowed she would never again trust a vampire and that spell has been passed through the generations, the voices you heard and strange feelings were Elizabeth warning you to stay away from Gavin. Times have changed however and Lauren you are safe. I do not think your Wiccan side can be erased however as you are aware of too much information and you appear to have already gained a lot of strength and skill. Elizabeth never practised magic after moving to Lancaster but she was from a very strong and well respected coven and after being dormant for generations the Wiccan strengths have surfaced in you.”

Annalise looked up at my dazed face and squeezed my hand, “Lauren you should be very proud to be from such a strong and courageous woman. Elizabeth sacrificed a lot to ensure Alec did not ruin hundreds or maybe even thousands of lives. I’m sure if Alec had succeeded he would have been stopped eventually, but the bravery of the Moonwick coven means that most vampires and witches are not even aware of this story and how close Alec came to creating a powerful army. I had to do a lot of research to uncover this story and had to use the help of my spirit guide. I realise this is a lot to take in Lauren, but you mustn’t be afraid. You are a special young lady and we will all look out for you.”

“I am amazed by Elizabeth’s story, but what I don’t understand is why it has never happened to anyone else. Has no other woman in the family line met a vampire?” I asked Annalise, as I looked at Gavin.

“Well I can’t be certain but it would appear so. You have to remember Vampires now days are in the minority and most vampires do date and marry within their own communities. Your family line does consist of a large number of males so the Wiccan strength from Elizabeth is not passed onto them. It is highly probable that no other female in your family line has met and fallen in love with a vampire although there may be more to it,” Annalise replied.

“What about my sister? Could it happen to her too? What if she meets and falls in love with a vampire?”

“I’m not 100% certain but I think as you are the eldest you have been given the protection spell on behalf of your entire family. You are now entrusted to look after them all and your sister will not have the Wiccan skills,” Annalise smiled kindly and continued. “Lauren I know this is difficult and very unusual, but your Wiccan strength is only for good and can be controlled and I’m sure your sister will be fine. Times have changed greatly since Elizabeth’s day and vampires no longer pose a threat to humanity. I think everything will be fine once you have been given time to adjust to all this information.”

“But what if I wanted children. I can’t now can I, I don’t want to pass this on. If me and Gavin had children it would be a half breed, won’t that be dangerous.” I felt wrapped up in emotions I was only 20 and hadn’t even thought about having my own family, but now it felt like the most important thing in the world and the choice was being removed from me.

“Lauren I would need to do more research but my early findings suggests vampires and witches can have children although it is unusual as vampires usually settle down with their own kind or choose not to have a family. In Elizabeth’s day, Alec wanted to use the baby for harm and raise the child to kill and strike fear into people human and vampire alike. You and Gavin would never behave in this manner and there are regulations in place now days in the vampire community to stop renegade vampires striking out on their own and causing harm and widespread discovery. The vampire council would never allow a vampire to gain the sort of power and control Alec had.” Annalise reassured me.