The Guest & the Change (19 page)

They were probably safe.

Then why am I trying to convince myself? She thought.

Sarah pulled out her book and tried, ineffectively, to distract herself with an adventure story - while Bea played with toys at her feet.

***

Daniel hit the road and headed for the nearest large airport: Vancouver. 

He finally got there and boarded a plane to New Orleans.  It wasn’t crowded and he managed to get a window seat.  He stared out at the broken clouds without really taking in what he saw, concentrating instead on his thoughts. 

What if there was some trace of Sebastian still lurking around? 

He hoped Sarah wasn’t in danger; that she would be ok. 

Sarah. 

His heart ached at leaving her.  He pictured her in his mind; her beautiful hair and soft skin, her sparkling blue eyes that he got so lost in.  He had not wanted to leave her - but she would never have agreed to come with him; not with her children to look after.

He thought about Heather, the witch he was off to find.  He remembered when he had met her.  He had
been living in New Orleans at the time.  Of course he was there because of Sebastian.  Since Daniel had turned into a vampire, everywhere he had been had been because of Sebastian. 

Daniel had been in yet another dark alley - fighting a vampire that Sebastian had turned.  That one had been strong and Daniel had fallen back.  That was when he had realized someone had been watching them fight.  A middle aged woman with dark curly hair and heavily lined eyes had stepped out of the shadows, stretched out her arms and pinned the young vampire to the wall
. 

Without getting anywhere near him.
 

Daniel had leapt up and slammed the stake into his chest, finishing him off. 

Heather had approached Daniel inquisitively.  She had never met a vampire who fought for good.  She had taken him back to her home to tutor, and shared with him the very basics of magic. 

Daniel remembered her home well.  It was quite the ram-shackled old hut, but she had made it home and it was full of quirk. 

The main spell she had taught him was lighting fires with his mind.  This had taken a lot of concentration - and plenty of mishaps - to learn. 

The downside was he could only use magic when he was strong.  If he was weakened from fighting, or days without blood, he didn’t have enough energy to summon any magical willpower.

What were the chances of her still living in the same place?  It seemed doubtful - but it wouldn’t hurt to check.  He might get lucky and it would mean he would be back with Sarah that much sooner.

***

Sarah looked up at the clock.  It was two thirty - time to get ready to pick up Megan. 

She snuggled into Bea who was sitting on her lap watching children’s television; her eyes fixed on a friendly green dinosaur. 

Sarah reached to the floor for Bea’s tiny pink shoes and strapped them on; as Bea held out her feet ready.  She put her on her feet and wrapped her up in her fluffy coat, hat and gloves.  She was ready to face the chilly outside air.

Sarah found her own jacket and checked the stakes were still
within,
and easy to access.  Just in case. 

Sarah liked to get to school early, to ensure she got a parking space.  If she turned up anywhere near leaving time the car park was so jam packed she would be late in picking up Megan.  Megan would not be happy.  Sarah visualized her face and imagined her saying ‘
All the other
Mommy’s came Mommy, but I didn’t know if you were coming Mommy.’

Sarah picked up her keys and headed for the door.  She picked Bea up and was just stepping out when she saw a young man approaching.  Well, more of a teenager really.  His hair was short and blond and he had youthful stubble on his chin.  A chill crept up
Sarah’s spine in warning, and she hurried to put Bea inside her house. 

‘Stay inside Bea - Mommy will be just here and I won’t be long.’  She didn’t like doing it but she closed the door with Bea still inside.

Sarah looked up at the approaching man and saw his eyes flash black.  They instantly reminded her of Sebastian and she felt nausea threatening to rise.  She swallowed quickly, trying to look confident.

‘Can I help you?’  She asked. 

What was she supposed to do - ignore him?  There were no other houses in sight so he must be there for a reason.

‘Yes Sarah,’ he said leering at her.

Her heart began to race, how did he know her name?  And why did that look remind her so much of Sebastian?  He couldn’t be…

She took a deep breath.  ‘How do you know my name?’

Ignoring her question he continued to advance.  Sarah started to step back, holding onto the door handle.  She glanced inside and Bea was running around the hallway in circles.  She was pretending to be an airplane.

‘I’m looking for Daniel.  Where is he?’ 

Anger radiated off him and Sarah’s foreboding magnified.

‘He’s not here, he’s gone.’

‘Where is he?’  He repeated.

‘I don’t know.’

Sarah wasn’t going to tell him either.  She wasn’t going to put Daniel in danger.

Her fear was just about to get the better of her, she started to push on the door handle, but before it opened the blond man was before her.

He had moved so fast she hadn’t seen him coming.

‘Where is he?’  He breathed onto her face.

Sarah could smell blood on his breath and she really had to fight her nausea now.

‘I DON’T KNOW.’

He pushed against her, flattening her against the door.

Panic rose in Sarah, she tried to push him away but he was strong.  Tears threatened to fall down her cheeks. 

‘Tell me,’ he glowered.  He touched her chest and ran his hand down over her right breast and around her back.  He grabbed her bum and pulled it hard against him. 

Revulsion and anger coursed through her, and she was overcome as power returned to her.  It swarmed inside her, bursting from her heart through her veins.  It radiated from her cells and she felt strong. 

She had no time to process what was happening, but reacted on instinct. 

She yanked her hands free and pushed hard against his chest. 

He hadn’t been expecting a fight, and was not
prepared; he soared back towards the fence.

This gave Sarah a second to process what was going on.  A small smile graced her face.  She hadn’t lost her power after all.  But the smile soon left as she saw him rise to his feet and look at her wearily.  He was eyeing up the situation, wondering how strong she was. 

Sarah wondered too.  Although it looked like it wouldn’t be long until she found out.  She drew a stake out of her pocket and held it up - she was ready to strike. 

Sarah hoped she would manage better than the last time she had tried.  An image of stabbing a stake into Jo’s side flashed into her mind, and she pushed it aside, concentrating on the here and now.

She heard Bea start to whine inside and her anger at the man increased.  How could he do this while she was looking after Bea?

Sarah stepped down, taking the fight further from Bea’s field of vision.

What was this man anyway?  He obviously wasn’t Sebastian.  He looked completely different, boyish and chubby.  Sebastian had been tall and handsome. 

Was he a vampire that Sebastian had changed?  Was that why he reminded her of him?

That was when he raced in again - taking her feet out from under
her
with a
well placed
leg.  Sarah fell on her butt, feeling her spine jar at the impact. 

She leapt back to her feet and swung around to protect herself from his next assault.

When he came at her again she was ready.  She stuck her foot out and kicked him hard in the chest.  She was astounded at the effect - he flew back instantly; she couldn’t believe her strength.  It gave her the courage to advance while he was still down. 

He had fallen against the grass and was just rising up.  His dark eyes were flashing black.  She felt waves of dark power penetrating towards her. 

She dodged and raced at him - moving faster than she ever had of her own power.  She rammed the palm of her hand up, striking him under his chin, pushing his head back.  She heard a snap and rejoiced as his head lolled and he fell to the floor.  She brandished the stake and slammed it into his heart. 

Blood spurted out and darkness evaporated out of the body.  It came together, swirling, taking shape. 

Sarah watched in horror as it turned into Sebastian.  He looked angrier than she had remembered him in life. 

He swooped into her. 

She struggled against him - he was trying to take over her body.  Power swelled in her cells, pushing back against his dark energy.  She mustered all her energy together and pushed hard against him. 

It worked.

She opened her eyes, which had been closed for the internal battle, and watched as dark mist swirled towards her house.

No!  Bea.

Sarah darted forwards to protect her, but the mist found resistance and didn’t penetrate her house. 

Bea was safe. 

The darkness moved back towards the trees.

Sarah ran into the house and picked up Bea, whom now was crying profusely. 

‘It’s ok my love, he’s gone now.’

She hugged her so tight.  She had been so frightened for that second; she had thought that Sebastian would take her.

‘You will have to stay in for another minute sweetheart.  Mommy has to check something.’

She sat Bea down at the bottom of the stairs, still crying, not wanting her to go.

Sarah walked out to see the body.  She felt nausea engulf her again and this time she couldn’t control it.  She vomited onto the grass, next to the body that was still there. 
The body that hadn’t burst into flames.
 
The body that hadn’t been a vampire, but was human.

She had killed a human.

Sarah didn’t know what to do - Bea was screaming for her from within the house.  She had to act quickly as she still had to get Megan.  She dragged the body, fighting being sick again, around the side of her house and out of sight. 

She would have to deal with it later.

She returned to Bea and again held her tight.  She picked her up and went with her to the bathroom to clean
herself
up.  She quickly washed out her mouth
and brushed off her clothes, checking there were still more stakes in her jacket. 

She had three left.  She hoped she wouldn’t need them. 

She would get Megan and then they would stay in until Daniel returned.  She wouldn’t take Megan to school again until it was definitely safe.  She would put up with the solitude, and the stress, and she would look after them at home.

She just hoped Daniel would be quick. 

But what if he didn’t return at all?

Sarah bundled up Bea and left the house, quickly getting in the car and driving off.  She picked up Megan without talking to anyone, and returned home in a rush. 

When they were in, and Megan and Bea were playing with their toys, Sarah made sure every door and
window were
locked.  When she was finally sure the house was secure; she let herself crumple to the floor.  She gave in.  Tears streamed down her face and sobs wracked her body.

***

Sebastian screamed as he retreated into the forest.  He had achieved nothing.  He didn’t know where Daniel was and he hadn’t got Sarah.  She had kicked his butt and killed his body.  What was she - a vampire now?  Sebastian shrieked.  He didn’t know and didn’t care what Sarah was, he was just furious she had killed him. 

The power he had gained had dissipated as that body had died.  He would have to start again, and kill more people this time.  Gain more power. 

The darkness in the woods simmered and broiled as Sebastian fumed and thought of death.

CHAPTER 6

As Daniel stared out of the airplane window darkness fell.  He saw city lights glittering ahead as the plane approached the urban sprawl of New Orleans.  He heard a beep as the seat belt lights came on and a flight assistant announced their decent.  Daniel fumbled with his belt and fastened it.  Of course he wouldn’t need it but it would stop the flight attendant drawing attention to him. 

He felt the plane start to descend and watched the city from above.  He could see light reflecting off of the great river and the mass of lights penetrating the darkness from the lively
centre
.  Streams of cars moved over elevated highways as people made their way home from work, and others went out to experience the night life of the city. 

The lights petered off towards the outskirts.  That
was where he would need to head to start his search for Heather - the darker outer regions of New Orleans.

He braced himself as the plane landed, undid his belt and grabbed his bag from the overhead locker.  As he disembarked the plane he was struck by the difference in the air from Canada - it was heavy and warm.  To his enhanced senses it smelt strongly of dirt and pollution.

He entered the bright lights of the terminal and went through the security checks before heading for the under-cover taxi rank.  The cabs were pulled up in a line and he joined the queue.  He was traveling far lighter than the other passengers who were surrounded by cases of luggage and sleepy children.

When it was his turn he climbed in the back and the driver accelerated into the night.  Daniel didn’t remember Heather’s actual address, so he instructed the taxi driver as he went - watching out for sights he recognized.

They wound their way through the hustle and bustle of evening traffic and sped over highways.  As they entered the rougher outskirts he began to see damage from the floods that hadn’t been remedied.  He hoped Heather’s house had fared well.

The driver took a final left and Daniel saw the old structure of Heather’s house still standing.  He laughed to himself as he imagined her staying put during the storm, protecting her house by magical means.

As the taxi stopped he pulled out some notes and
paid the driver well.  He watched the cab retreating, leaving him alone in the dark. 

Turning to face the old house he saw little change - the paint was peeling a little more, but the building still looked sound.  He saw warm light radiating from within, escaping through gaps in the thick curtains.

He felt the sizzle of magical power.  A smile spread across his face as he realized his search would end here, it wouldn’t be long before he would be back with Sarah, and she would be in his arms.

***

Sarah continued to weep as her kids snuggled against her; they were wondering what was wrong with their Mommy.  Sarah hugged them tightly but couldn’t form words to comfort them.  She couldn’t think straight.

There was a body in her garden.

God, what if someone discovered it?

What was she supposed to do - dig a hole and bury it?

She cried harder.  She could not do that.  She couldn’t leave her kids alone.  She couldn’t risk their safety.  She felt unable to act.  Or react.  She was paralyzed by fear and guilt. 

What else could she have done?  He would have killed her, or raped her. 
Or both.

She thought about the darkness that had left the body when she had killed him, that had taken Sebastian’s form. 

So it had been Sebastian all along.  He had
been possessing
the poor boy and now she had killed him.  He had just been an innocent, controlled by an evil he didn’t understand.  Was there something else she could have done?  Some way she could have saved him from Sebastian?

Sarah didn’t know.  All she knew was she longed for Daniel’s return.  She hoped he would find the information he was seeking, and fast, as he didn’t realize the danger they all were in.

***

Daniel walked up the steps to Heather’s porch.  He knocked and waited impatiently; as no-one came hurrying to open the door. 
A couple of minutes ticked by before he tried again.
 

Still no-one answered.

Daniel started to get restless.  He was sure she was in there, why wasn’t she answering?

Daniel got down on one knee and opened the letter box.

‘Heather, it’s me Daniel,’ He shouted in.

He heard feet moving towards the door and stepped back.

The door swung inwards, and there she stood.  She looked older, her hair shot with grey and her skin papery.

‘Daniel!’ She greeted him with enthusiasm.  ‘I thought you’d come back one day.’

She extended her arms in greeting and he stepped
inside and embraced her warmly.

‘It’s good to see you again,’ he said.

Daniel looked about Heathers house.  It was exactly the same as he remembered.  He could have sworn the exact same candles were burning as when he had stepped in there over a decade before.

Daniel wanted to catch up with Heather, but he was worried about leaving Sarah alone for too long.  He needed to get to the point.

‘I’m afraid I’m here on business though - I need your help,’ he said pleadingly.

‘How so?’
  She asked, eyebrows
raised
in query.

‘I cast a spell to destroy a vampire, but I’m worried a residual trace of him may remain.’

Daniel filled her in on the spell he had performed to get rid of Sebastian, while she listened intently, her eyes concerned.

‘That’s a powerful spell - I’m impressed you managed it.’

Heather rose and walked into the kitchen.  She filled a kettle and placed it on the hot stove.  Daniel watched as she rummaged through the herbs and spices in one of her cupboards, bringing out a small selection.

‘I suspect that a trace of Sebastian does remain.  It’s because he has been a vampire for hundreds of years; he has become tied to the Earth.  There may not be anything you can do to defeat him for good.’

Daniel felt his heart plummet - was Sebastian going
to be a problem forever?

‘But I do have an idea,’ she said quickly - sensing his turmoil.  ‘There is a binding spell you could try.  I could teach you.’

‘Please, Heather.  I’m sorry to ask this of you, I didn’t want to bother you.  I didn’t think I’d even be able to find you!’

Heather waved her hand, brushing aside his concerns.

She eyed him as she mixed a blend with boiling water - ‘This will help you gain the power you need without taking blood from humans.  I sense you are filled with power already, that you have taken on the evil committed by Sebastian.  I don’t want to add to your debt by increasing your reliance on blood.  This should be enough.’

She passed him the steaming cup, which he brought to his lips and tasted, wincing.

Heather laughed.  ‘It’s not meant to taste good, everyone would drink it!’

Daniel forced himself to down it.  The second he did Heather filled his cup with wine and he downed that too.  The taste still lingered, but had lessoned. 

‘That was truly disgusting.’  As he said it he felt his body start to buzz as the herbs worked their magic.  It wasn’t the same heady sense he gained while drinking blood, it was less substantial, and less enjoyable.  The buzz escalated and he had to concentrate hard to stay focused on his surroundings.

‘Sit still, it will pass in a minute,’ she looked at him knowingly and winked.

He waited, not replying - hoping that what she said was true.

After what felt like far longer than a minute, the buzzing started to subside.  He smiled at Heather and said, ‘
Thankyou
.  That will also save me time.  Now tell me, what should I do?’

‘First - what have you done with Sebastian’s ashes?’  She asked.

‘They are under my bed at the hotel up north.  I was going to disperse them as I had a feeling it would stop him returning.  Yet I haven’t had time and I wanted to talk to you first.’

‘Don’t throw them away - you need them for the spell.  Although while they can be found there is a risk Sebastian could return.  You sit here and meditate for an hour, focus on your power and visualize it increasing, strengthening,’ Heather said.  She must have seen Daniel look apprehensive as she added, ‘Don’t worry - the tea will help you.’

Heather left Daniel alone to do as she had asked.

***

Sarah managed to pull herself together and feed her children.  She made them beans and eggs on toast so they would eat without a fuss.  She tried to laugh as Megan told her anecdotes from her day at school, filling her in on all the kiddy dramas.  She pushed aside the memory of what had happened earlier.  She
pushed aside all thoughts of doing anything about it. 

She read Megan and Bea a story about three pigs and tucked them up in their bedrooms, kissing them each goodnight.

After they were in bed she poured herself a large glass of red wine and put on a movie.  Each sip she took made her feel
more sleepy
- she was exhausted by the emotions that consumed her.

Sarah looked up at the picture of her and Jo on the mantelpiece, his arms around her and the children.  In the picture they were all smiles.  It masked the difficulties they had actually experienced; his infidelity. 

But she had also loved him.  She let herself cry at his memory, she cried for herself and for her children, who didn’t yet realize what they had lost.  She cried for his family and the life he had lost.  She cried for herself and the ruin her life was in.

Finally she slept, still clothed, right there on the sofa, vivid dreams disturbing her slumber.

***

Sebastian waited outside the next house he came across - it was situated alone at the edge of the forest.  A fire blazed within and smoke bellowed from the chimney into the cold night. 

The house was large, and through his rage, he sensed eight warm bodies inside.  He could hear clinking and drunken conversations - it sounded like they were having a party. 

He decided he would stay there and wait - the first
person who left the house would be his, and this time he would make good use of the body.  He would not lose it in a fight.

***

Daniel was relieved when Heather returned and he could stop concentrating on his power, or ‘meditating’, as she had called it.  He had done as she said, but it was as hard as he had thought it would be.  He had tried to imagine his power increasing but it kept slipping away from him.  He thought he had probably had some success - he was feeling vibrant with energy, but he suspected that was mainly the strangely magical tea.

Heather smiled ironically at him.  Daniel thought she suspected his lack of luck in the meditating department.  She was carrying a rounded metal jar with a cork stopper attached by a string around its neck.  He raised his eyebrows inquisitively, wondering if it was needed for the spell.

He rose from his position.  He had been sitting cross legged on the tatty rug, adopting the traditional meditation pose - in case that would aid in his success.

Heather had pulled out a chair and sat at the table, so he joined her.  He sat waiting for her to speak.

After a long pause, in which she looked like she was thinking hard about what to say, she spoke.

‘This urn,’ she gesticulated at the metal jar, ‘will be the necessary vessel for Sebastian’s spirit.  You must put some of Sebastian’s ashes in the urn for the spell
to work.  You will need to cast magic to weaken him and to make his spirit take residence in the urn.  Next you will need to insert the cork and cast the binding spell.  This will make sure his spirit is trapped inside.  It will stay there unless someone casts a more powerful spell than yours to release him.  Once bound you must bury the urn deep in the ground to ensure it will not be found.’

Daniel nodded.  That was easy enough to understand.  He suspected conducting the spell itself may be a bit
more tricky
.

‘To weaken Sebastian you will need to fire energy at him.  This will use up your power, but you will have enough left to do the binding spell.’

‘How do I ‘fire energy’ at him?’  Daniel asked uncertainly.  He wasn’t sure if she might have over-estimated his magical ability.

‘That’s not a problem.  Do you remember when I taught you to light fires with your mind?’

‘Yes, I can still do that,’ Daniel said.

He blew out the white candle in the center of the table.  To demonstrate his ability, and to show off just a little, he concentrated hard on the candle, feeding tendrils of power into the wick and sparking it with a focused blast from his mind.

Heather laughed and clapped, ‘I’m glad you remembered that!  Firing energy is similar in principle.  Relax your mind and I will show you.’