Cyrese Covelli - Witchlock 04 Page 2

  That strange man, Linsey must have had the same affliction for mother didn't mention having seen him upon her return. I am going to rest now as I haven't been feeling at all well this morning.

  Elizabeth

  Chapter Three

  CRIMSON AND COPPER

  “What are you offering, mon etoile de nuit?” He pressed me closer, his fingernails softly scraping the top of my head. I let out a squeak. He leaned closer, brushing lips over my cheek.

  Rubbing his cheek against mine, his eyebrows piqued in interest, his fingers playing over my collarbone. I swallowed the acidic sting of bile at the back of my throat. “When we last spoke, you confessed that you yearn for eternal love. I have come to gift you with this love.”

  Compelled to speak the truth by his strange power that worked like a truth serum, I had told him of my need to be in love, of my fear that it I'd be alone because it would all go away. He pressed his lips against the hollow of my throat making me swallow. I was shaking uncontrollably.

  “What are you thinking, beautiful one?” I bit my lip to keep the words from escaping, but his magic worked as it had the last time, forcing the truth from me.

  “This is what I've always wanted.” Lord Blackthorne kissed the tip of my nose.

  “Of course it is, sweet. Of course it is.”

  “I just... ”

  “Yes, my Phoenix.”

  “I just... I don't”

  “Tell me!” His eyes were wide, their stormy color swirling with rip tides of gray and sapphire.

  “Not with you.” He made a tsking sound, patting the back of my hand.

  “You are very young. You do not yet know what you want, but I will show it to you. I will give you the world by introducing you to mine. Come, now.” His grip was painful, making his magic more potent.

  “You must be completely psychotic if you think I'm going to let you take me anywhere.” Linsey's arm jerked, his grip loosening as the knowledge that I was telling the complete truth hit him.

  “You think me mad? What will you do if I take you?”

  “I'll fight you the whole freaking way.” Linsey's eyes left mine, is cool fingers ticking over the small dip in the middle of my collarbone.”

  “And how long would it be your intent for this to go on?”

  “Every minute.”

  “How do you think you could manage to fight a being such as myself?”

  “I would... hurt you. If I had to.”

  “You would become violent to my person?” My brow furrowed at his odd grasp of English.

  “I would set you on fire. Bite you, scratch, punch, kick you in your... ”

  “Enough!” Linsey let go off my hand and I lifted it to my other, cradling the one that still had the warm feel of his skin. I swallowed, my eyes automatically scanning the living room for something I could use to bash against his face. “You would fight me.” He seemed surprised by my reaction. “You are a strange girl.” I choked back a laugh, still clutching my hand. “Why would you fight me, Ascher?” I don't think he meant for me to answer, but I did anyway.

  “I don't want to leave. I like it where I am.”

  “Alone?” He seemed to take in our surroundings for the first time. “I think not.”

  “I care not.” I closed my mouth so quickly at my words, that I bit my tongue, tasting the coppery flavor of blood coating my tongue. Linsey's eyes grew dark, his nostrils flaring, but whether in anger or hunger I couldn't tell.

  “You will change your mind.”

  “Like hell I... ” I flew backwards, landing so hard against the sofa, it left a dent in the wall. Cadence was gripping Linsey's neck, her arms and legs curled around him like a vampire backpack. His form blurred and I saw her slam onto the carpet, her head twisting to the side with a sharp snap.

  Arms encircled me and I felt the hot press of lips on mine, making my mouth open in a surprised scream. Linsey was holding my face with the tips of his fingers, but I couldn't move at all. I began to feel a heady, light feeling and tasted something spiced, like cider. Cider and copper and something... else.

  Linsey pulled away, smiling in a way that would have made him look almost angelic if it wasn't for the blood smeared around his mouth. When he licked his lips clean, the angelic image became clearer. Blood welled up from two small cuts on his bottom lip, pooling in the full sweep his skin. I knew it wasn't just my blood that I'd tasted.

  Chapter Four

  LITTLE MISS FANGY

  At that realization, my hand flew out to slap him, but met with air. He was simply gone. Drying wisps of hair brushed my forehead, curling about my temples in his wake. While still registering Linsey's quick exit, I felt myself being spun in a circle, ending with most of my left side being slammed against the faux palm tree that sat next to our TV. Something sharp stabbed my lower arm, forcing my teeth together to keep from shouting out.

  “You still breathe.” I squinted my eyes and saw the shape of Cadence's face hovering over me, silky threads of spider-web silvery hair tumbling down her narrow shoulders.

  “Ow.” Cadence brushed her chilled fingers down either side of my neck.

  “Lord Blackthorne sought you. And yet you breathe.”

  “Yeah. I'm really quite fond of it.” Cadence lifted me under the arms, leaving my feet dangling for a moment as she held me in the air, the toes of my socks touching the floor even as I looked down at least two feet to her face. Setting me down on the carpet, she began to check my neck, my wrists and inner arms. Too exhausted to care and knowing she was only making sure I was okay, I waited until she'd given me a thorough once over before sagging back into the couch.

  “WTF? Seriously, WTF.”

  Cadence cocked her head to the side, blinking her oddly large grey-blue eyes at me, her head jerking in tight little motions reminding me of an owl.

  “I do not understand this,” she said.

  “I'm just... freaking out here... just a little.”

  “Lord Blackthorne is an imposing being. He stops for no one and nothing, clearing a path of emptiness to eternity, and yet... you breathe.”

  “How did he... how could he get in here. I never invited him, I... hey!” I grabbed a hardcover copy of The Stand by Stephen King from the side table next to the recliner. “I never invited you, either.” Cadence sucked in a great breath of air, puffing her cheeks out so that she looked even younger than the years frozen on her face.

  “I thought none of you guys could come in unless you were invited in.”

  “Did you not hold interludes with one Elliot Ambrose in the very mirrors of this house.” Elliot had come to my house fairly often when things were going well.

  “So?”

  “He was the servant of my master as I am and thus, those invitations garnered by he are partook by all who serve the master.” My head rattled from side to side as I shook it. I was a lover of books, and had read more than my share of Shakespeare, but Little Miss Fangy's old-timey language was giving me a head ache.

  “You're saying every vampire who serves Savian can come into my house now.”

  “I suppose that's true, but none would dare because his orders very clearly state that none should come within several miles of the sisters Rafferty.” A long silence formed between us. I wanted to tell her to hit the dirt, and go the way Linsey had, but part of me wanted her to stay. I knew I was safer with Cadence here and feeling that way was a luxury I couldn't afford much lately.

  “The Master is in a private meeting, but I will contact him when he is through. I'm afraid you will have to allow me to guard you until her advises me on the matter.” I reached towards the tiffany-style lamp on our side-table and pulled the chain to switch on the living room light. Feeling too awkward to exist, I switched on the TV, flipping through the channels. Cadence glanced around, her hands fluttering from being clasped to her hips as she tried to decide what to do with them. When the doorbell chimed moments later she bounded up and I heard two screams stifled at the front door.

  �
�Holy crap-oly!” Slipping on the porcelain tile in the entry way, Cyd came at me, her eyes glinting with mischief. “You're friends with the Lost Maiden?” Cadence stalked past with as much grace as a prima ballerina, her eyes downcast in politeness, though I noticed her jaw clenched at Cyd's nickname for her.

  “I swear to Goddess, Ascher.” Anise had her arms crossed over her dark purple corduroy trench coat, a look of disgust as plain as it had been on my grandma's face, twisting her mouth.

  “Perhaps we should speak of the night's events before we begin flinging the proverbial mud, Anise, daughter of Bruer coven.” Anise's cheeks flushed, as she was reminded of her rank and level of responsibility as diplomat among the supernaturals. Cadence pinched her lips together and sat, using her black leather gloves to smooth down the material of her long, dark red skirt that looked as thought it were sewn from giant rose petals.

  “What are we drinking?” Cadence asked. Cyd's eyes grew round.

  “They've got ginger ale, Pepsi, orange juice, water and... ” catching herself in fan girl mode, Cyd cast her gaze my way. “It's cool if we get stuff, right?” Sure, please help the vampire to some non-neck dispensed drinkables. “That's fine.” Cyd bounded up from the couch, her hair cast backwards like a red flag of victory. As she turned the corner through the empty dining room, I slumped back into the recliner, Anise narrowing her eyes at me as I switched on the TV.

  “I thought we were going to talk about you buddying up to vampira,” Anise said.

  “Yeah, well. I thought I was going to spend the evening ducking come-ons from various werewolves so, things change. And stop reading my fricking mind!” I doubted she'd come up with the vampire comment herself, and the pink hue of her cheeks after my words, assured me that I'd been right.

  “It doesn't seem right that he retreated so quickly. He never seemed one to back down from anyone.”

  “Maybe he got enough of getting his butt bruised?” Cyd guessed. Cadence blinked slowly, making her look owl-like with the huge, empty predatory gaze. The four of us fell into silence, Cyd alternating between chewing her bottom lip and blowing pink bubbles with her gum.

  I channel-surfed a bit, feeling that almost every selection was wrong somehow. With only a few weeks until Halloween, most of the stations had begun airing scary movies. Cadence carried out various sodas, pausing to hand a glass of orange juice to me, her eyes pausing on the small cut on my lip. Mumbling my thanks more out of ingrained politeness than anything else, I paused for a moment on Bram Stoker's Dracula, a once-favorite of mine, before switching onto the next station where an over-bleached lady shrieked on some game-show.

  Anise was still fuming, her eyes glued to Cadence who pressed black-gloved fingers against her neck, wincing and making me feel guilt punch through my stomach. When she lowered her hand, I could see blood the dark shine of blood coating her fingers.

  “Are you okay?” I asked.

  “I am immortal.”

  “Not really what I asked. Do you need a band-aid or something?” I felt silly asking, but my mother had raised me better than to let a guest bleed on the couch.

  “In the guest bath with the hydrogen peroxide, right?” Cyd asked. I nodded, remembering her patching me up last night after a failed spell had knocked me flat on my butt, scraping a good amount of skin from my elbows. After passing over a few more channels, I settled on the History Channel which was hosting a “Timeline of the Vampire Legend.” Smirking to myself, I upped the volume as Cyd handed Cadence a large Hello Kitty bandage. The vampire blinked at the offering, confusion marring her pretty features. Cyd rolled her eyes, smiling as she took the backing off and gently tilting the vampires head to the side to press the bandage there.

  I heard a mewling noise and turned to see Nicky hurrying towards Cadence. He let out a plaintive mewl, pacing at her feet like he did when he wanted me to feed him. I looked from Nicky to Cadence who was sitting rigidly, her hands folded into her lap, and her eyes looking at the drying cloy of blood sticking to her gloves. Cyd flopped down next to me on the recliner, thought there was hardly room, and I smiled as the lavender scent of her protection charm swirled around me.

  We sat there for a while in mutual discomfort as the television droned one, flashing images of a young woman being chased by bats. The tension was making my right eyelid twitch; I flipped on some reality show and watched pretty girls being yelled at by a once-famous model.

  “You guys move so fast that I didn't even see him bite you,” I remarked.

  “I was taken down while standing guard and awoke in the bushes with this.” As she touched her neck, I could see the two pinpricks were only faint pink shadows, barely visible.

  “I'm just thankful that he wasn't the only one to draw blood. I succeeded at the very least in wounding him, I can smell his blood on you.”

  “Who's blood?” Cyd asked. Anise was agape in horror, two vials of pink liquid grasped in her shaking fingers.

  “Where did it go? Where is it?”

  “Geez, Anise. I know it's gross, but... ”

  “You're going to die, Ascher,” Anise said. She released the potions.

  Interlude

  Diary of Elizabeth Farence, 1761.

  Father went to fetch Doctor Bishop this morning. I have been in bed for six days now and show no signs of getting better. The stew and broths cook brought me to sip remain untouched as I cannot bring myself to drink them, though I am thirsty and feel an odd hunger like I have never felt before in my life.

  I am weak and cannot sleep but for a few moments which are full of dreams spun in horror. I dream of bats and mists and blood. And of that strange man Linsey

  His eyes haunt me, glinting wickedly at me from the shadows of my mind as if they know something that I cannot. Last night, I awoke from fright, screaming to the heavens that I'd been bitten, that Linsey had flown into my bedroom from the window like a bird and had fed on my blood. It terrified poor Catherine and Benjamin who wouldn't stop screaming until Nan fed them each a teaspoon of whiskey.

  Father slapped me to bring me to myself, but was shocked when he saw the pin wounds on my neck had been opened again by some kind of animal bite and there was blood on my bed clothes. He thinks I'm resting now, but I had to write all of this down to try and make sense of it for I am more scared than I have ever been. I feel an evil has come to my home and that this man, Linsey, may be the reason for it.

  Dr.Bishop and father talk softly in the parlor. The sound of their voices is muffled by the armoire. I used to climb inside the armoire as a child, certain that monsters hid beneath my canopy, and it comforts me still, the licking light from the candle flame casting eerie shadows over the dressing gowns I've pushed to either side of me

  Linsey will find me in here, of that I have no doubt. He found his way to me through my dreams and now visits me in the night. He whispers things to me. He makes obscene promises of eternal life if only I will follow him, but I know him for what he is- a demon

  Father Christensen tells of such creatures that work against God and try to corrupt His children. I don't know why he has chosen me, only that he will not stop in his quest for my soul. He has some strange power that makes me still in his presence. Though I tried to scream when he seized me in his arms and kissed my neck, I could not. The last thing I recall is the sharp pain of his teeth as they grazed my skin and then I awoke, alone, in my bed.

  Elizabeth

  Chapter Five

  WITCHSICLE

  Nothing happened. Anise frowned, her arm cocked back, suspended through the air. My hand was zapped with vibration, and I felt the cool pressure of my magic being released. I had a vague thought that I was going to have to buy a new phone, felt my hair rush backwards and then I was staring into an empty palm, a waiting ball of fire, spreading to twist and curl around my fingers.

  “Ascher Rafferty's phone.” My arm jerked in surprise and I reached up to block Cadence from coming closer before I realized she was just reaching out to me. “I took the liberty of takin
g it from you before it could be melted.” Still gaping at her cheetah-shaming quickness, I took the phone, checking the caller-id.

  “Hi Mommy.”

  “Is everything okay, Asch?” My mom's voice had that small, quiet quality it took on when she was sad. Not able to tell her there was a vampire a witch and a... witchsicle in our house, I tried for Partial truth.

  “Yeah, I'm just... some friends and I are watching some TV.” Grimacing at the unnatural rhythm of my words, I bit my lip.

  “Okay, sweetie.” My mom sounded exhausted. “Is Gemma there? I tried her phone, but she didn't answer.”

  “No. Not yet,” I amended. What happened, Mom?” There was a pause. “She's okay, but Grandma had a stroke this morning. The police brought her from the airport to Methodist General.”

  “Is she okay? I mean, it's not bad, is it?”

  “She's stable. They won't know until she wakes up, though, what the extent of the... damage is.”

  “Oh, Mommy. I'm so sorry. Did they say what she was doing there-at the airport, I mean.”

  “I was going to discuss that with you. She had a ticket to Pennsylvania on her. I think she was going to visit her family.” I cleared my throat, eyes blinking to keep the tears back. “I've called aunt Lucy. She's bringing Angelica down to Chicago tomorrow.” The muffled sound of someone in the background talking to my mom was lost in a loud sniffle. “I'm going to stay here until Aunt Lucy comes down in case... they need something. Do you think you can get to school okay?”

  “Yes, mom, I... ” More muffled talking.

  “I've got to go, sweetie. I left a message with Gemma, but tell her when she gets home in case she didn't get it. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” The screen light on the phone died, and I knew she had hung up.

  “Lord Blackthorne's blood.” I placed the phone on top of the hardback, arms wrapping around my middle as I shivered from a chill. “When I smelled his blood... ”

  “Hmm?” I felt my forehead wrinkle, as I tried to concentrate on what Cadence was saying. “... you. I can smell it on your breath.” My stomach lurched.” How much did you drink?”