Love Nip (19 page)

“I can’t believe we are reall
y doing this,” I stated.

“Let’s hope it works. I don’t know if you noticed
, but we don’t have too much real magic in our group,” she said as she glanced back at Ezra.

“Hmm, you don’t say?”

We arrived at the cemetery a little past two in the morning. The streetlight was out, which made the road darker than it would normally be. I parked the car in front of the cemetery gate. Axle’s Mustang pulled up behind me. I jumped out of the car and waited for him. I felt bad he would have to carry Ezra through the cemetery, but if our plan worked it would be worth it. I opened the door and Ezra’s body slumped out. Thankfully, he was saved from collapsing to the ground by the seatbelt. Axle reached over Ezra and unbuckled him. Ezra’s limp body came crashing down onto the concrete ground.

“Axle,” I whined.

“Sorry,” he apologized with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes as he picked up Ezra
, flung his body over his shoulder, and began walking. We hiked for ten minutes before Axle started grunting. I turned around to look at him, sweat beading down his face.

“
How much longer?” I asked.

“It
’s just up ahead into the woods,” Dee-Dee whispered.

We walked a little further until we came to the edg
e of the forest. We trekked through the thick brush and trees. I heard a loud snap and then Axle curse. He tripped and fell face first, dropping Ezra’s body. I ran over to help him up.

“I’m ok
ay,” he grumbled as he stood, brushing the dirt off his jeans. He bent down, picking up Ezra’s body, and flung it over his shoulder.

I sighed and turned
to Dee-Dee. She shrugged and continued walking. We finally came to a clearing in the woods. Dee-Dee signaled a spot on the ground for Axle to place Ezra’s body. He plopped Ezra’s down and collapsed next to him panting. I ran over, kneeling down next to him. I placed my hand on his chest, to find his heart was pounding wildly.

“Are you ok
ay?” I asked him, concerned.

He attempted to laugh
, but it came out breathy.

“So where is everybody?” I asked.

Dee-Dee was walking around, picking up sticks and placing them in a pile next to Ezra. “They are on their way now.”

I stood and began helping her. After we had made a large pile of firewood D
ee-Dee bent down and rubbed her hands together. She blew into her hands until smoke seeped from within her fingers. She bent closer to the sticks and blew harder. Suddenly fire started in her palm and she sat her hand onto a stick lighting the stick. She stood and dusted her hands.

I was in shock
. “You really are a witch.”

She smiled in reply, her blue eyes glowing brightly in the darkness. Flames built up and glimmered across her light skin. Axle paced back and forth in the clearing, and his constant movement made me anxious. I looked down at Ezra, his complexion had a slight bleached grey appearance to it.

I could feel the emotion trying to escape
. “What if this doesn’t work?”

Axle stopped pacing and walked over to me. He knelt next to Ezra’s body and placed his hand on my shoulder. “Emily, this will work
,” he ran a hand through his hair and sighed, “and if it doesn’t work then at least we tried everything we could.”

My eyes filled with tears. I nodded.

“Someone is coming,” Dee-Dee announced, sounding panicked.

Axle and I stood together. I took a step closer to De
e-Dee and placed my hand in hers. I could hear leaves rustling and twigs snapping deep in the forest. I focused on the sounds to estimate how many people were coming. The coven members were the only people that knew we were out there, but it still made me nervous. Three unfamiliar men stepped into the clearing.

“What are you doing here?” D
ee-Dee demanded, blocking my view.

“You know them?” I whispered
, before turning to see how Axle was reacting, but he was gone. 

The men didn’t come closer. Their expressions were stone hard and overall they looked dangerous.

“They are the vampires that are in charge of the coven,” she explained in a low voice.

My hea
rt dropped.

“You must be Emily
.” The middle vampire took a step forward. “I am Hessley, and these two are my brothers, Rocko and Buster.”

Panic caused my body to shake violently,
but knowing that Axle was close kept me composed. He would never let anything bad happen. I looked down at Ezra’s lifeless body, and knew I had to help him. The world rested on my shoulders and these three vampires were trying to stop me. Anger concealed the fear.

“I think you should leave,” I spat out with the courage of an Army
soldier.

Hessley la
ughed, as if I had just told a funny joke. “Dear, sweet witch, I will enjoy making you mine.”

The words sent a spiral of shivers down my body and th
rough my limbs. I wasn’t afraid of his words coming true, I feared what I would do if he kept up his act.

“Maybe you don’t reali
ze who I am and what I am capable of,” I tried.

“I am well aware of whom and what you are
.” He shot me a sinful smile that caused my stomach to churn.

I looked over at De
e-Dee, her eyes fixed on the ground in shame. I knew without help we would be lost. 

“I see you brought protection
.” Hessley nodded behind me.

I heard a deep growl before I turned around. The sight made my breath catch in my lungs. A lone
grey and white wolf stood a few feet behind me. A smile tugged at my lips as I realized it was Axle. He was stunningly beautiful, his once brown eyes transformed into crystal blue, and the fur on his back looked as soft as a baby lamb’s. His bared teeth became hidden the moment our eyes met and I could see the shame overtake the animal. I turned back to the enemy with a different demeanor; I knew we had the upper hand. I heard more people approaching and my sudden confidence fell short. There was no way we could win against more vampires. We were even at the moment, but with more on the way I knew the odds were against us. I waited in silence to meet our newest opponents. Into the clearing stepped Ash, along with the other members of the coven. I could feel Dee-Dee’s eyes rising with anticipation. Anxiety poured from her so thick I felt her emotions as my own. Once all of the coven members appeared they all stopped behind the vampires, as if to pledge their allegiance.

“It doesn’t have to be like this,” De
e-Dee cried out. It was forced and I could hear the tears she held in fighting to be released. I knew this was difficult for her, so I squeezed her hand for support. I wanted her to know that I was there with her and we wouldn’t let harm come to her coven.

“Let them go, Hessley. You have no need for them,” I demanded. I knew talking would never work
with the vampire, but I needed to try.

He held
his hands up in surrender. “They are free to go as they choose.”

A few nervous glances were passed around the coven. I could feel the dare in his words. Richie shifted his weight from one foot to the other before stepping forward.

“Well, if it’s okay with you then, I would like to leave. I don’t want no part of this.” Richie’s thick southern accent was not as strong as usual. His voice shook as he spoke.

The two vampires
on the side shot him an evil glance before they materialized in front of him. One bit into his arm just above the wrist while the other sucked on his neck. Richie’s body dropped lifeless to the ground before I could even comprehend what was happening. I covered my mouth with my hand, I couldn’t imagine what Dee-Dee was feeling. Axle growled close by and I took a step back to be closer to him.

“That’s not fair,” De
e-Dee cried out. I knew without even looking at her that she was crying.

H
essley began walking toward Dee-Dee until he was but a foot away. “His pathetic, human life was worthless to me anyways. Now, you on the other hand, I would not let go so easily.” He ran a hand down the side of her face. She didn’t attempt to stop him, but I could tell she wanted to.

“L
eave her alone,” I growled. It sickened me to see him touching her. If he wanted to kill her he could, and there would be nothing that I could do to stop him.

His eyes
snapped to me, and he slowly began stepping toward me. Axle snarled, standing so close we were practically touching.

“I see you ha
ve a pet.” His blue eyes scanned over Axle’s wolf form and returned back to mine.

“Don’t call him
that,” I warned, anger building up inside of me.

“It would
be a shame to lose such a beautiful girl with abilities as your own.” After seeing my confused look he continued, “If you don’t join me that is.”

I realized what he was asking for, he wanted me to join the co
ven and become his witch bitch. “I will never join you,” I answered through gritted teeth.

H
essley took a few steps back, never removing his eyes from mine. “That’s sad, really. Such a waste of raw power.”

I didn’t speak as I watched him move
further and further until he stood in front of the coven members. My eyes shifted to study Ash, but I couldn’t make out her expression. She studied the ground. I wanted to know what she was thinking. Did she really support this vampire?

“Witch,”
Hessley barked as his eyes ceased from scrutinizing my every move.

Ash
snapped to attention. She slowly walked over and stood by his side.

“I need y
ou,” he demanded. I could see Ash’s eyes fill with tears.

S
he practically whispered her reply, “Whatever you ask.”

I could hear the wind flow through the trees. Everyone stood silently as we waited to hear what Hessley would demand of her. My
nerves kicked into overdrive. If he asked Ash to hurt, or even kill us, I was prepared to do whatever it took to keep Dee-Dee and Axle safe.

“Emily Sullivan, I will give you one final offer. Be mine forever and you have my word I will not let any harm come upon your companions,” Hessley spoke
in a voice that said he wouldn’t ask again. Once he realized I wasn’t going to accept, he wrapped his arms around Ash, his teeth extending. He bit down into her neck.

“Wait!” I yelled.

I heard a low growl behind me,
and I looked back at Axle. He knew exactly what I was thinking. I couldn’t imagine being without him, but I really needed to think this over. This was a deal that I couldn’t pass up.  I knelt down in front of the wolf. He cast his eyes down in shame.

“Axle, I have to do what I think is right,” I explained as I scratched his head.

“You can’t be serious,” Dee-Dee finally said behind me.

I stood and walked over to her
, pulling her into a tight embrace. “I want to protect you and I think this is the only way.”

“You can fight,” she begged. As I pulled back I saw a tear slide down her cheek.

“I can’t lose you guys, and I would be taking that risk if we did fight,” I explained to her. I didn’t know what I was in for, but I had no choice. I was proud of myself for staying strong. I didn’t know if I would ever see my friends and family again. “I will go with you, but … I have some demands of my own,” I stated with every ounce courage I could muster.

Hessley scoffed
, tossing Ash to the side. “You are in no position to bargain, my dear.”

“Oh
, I think I am. I’m sure you are aware of my past and what has happened to vampires before that have tried to mess with me. Swear to me that you will never harm my friends or family and we have a deal.” I took a step closer and closer until there was only a foot between us.

Hessley took his time responding. He looked over at Rocko, or maybe it was Buster. The vampire shrugged and looked at me suspiciously. I kept my expression blank, I didn’t want
to give them any reason not to trust me. Finally Hessley sighed as he gave in. “Fine, Emily, your friends may leave in peace.”

“That’s not all,” I told him, “Each person in this coven is my friend so
they also should be left alone. You can no longer have hold on them or ask them to do your bidding ever again.”

“Why would I need them when I have you
?” he answered with a smile.

I could hear Axle’s growl building and I silently begged him not to make a move. “Ok
ay, well also I ask one last thing of you.” I waited to hear his response. Once I knew he wouldn’t argue, I continued, “Let us bring Ezra back and then I will leave with you.”

He thought about it for a moment and finally nodded. I turned to
the coven. “Can you please help us?”

E
ach of the members looked over at Hessley for approval. “Hurry, so we can get out of here,” he responded.