Witches & Werewolves: A Sacred Oath (23 page)

“It’s a lot to process,” Lucas says, as if reading my mind. “It will take time. And you’ve got a lot of that now.”

“Where’s Jen?” I begin to worry. My newfound nose for blood detects a lot of it. I can distinguish between the blood of the two werewolves. And there is a third scent of blood in the air. Human blood. Jen’s blood. My heart races. I hear pounding in my vampire ears.
 
I hear the call and beat of Lucas’s heart. But I don’t hear a third beat.

 
I spring to my feet, effortlessly. Almost like I was pulled up with invisible strings. I scan the forest to pinpoint the direction of the blood. I hone in on the perfumed smell of blood like a beacon. I marched through the brush directly toward the aroma.
 

I stop in horror as I see Jen’s lifeless body on the ground. I rush to her and kneel at her corpse. My eyes run rivers. I break down in jerking sobs, wailing and crying. I have a lump in my throat that burns like fire. My body heaves uncontrollably, and I gasp for breath between sobs.

“Do something!” I shout.

In a flash, Lucas is beside me.
 

I hover over Jen’s body, mortified by the sight. But I feel a disturbing compulsion within me. An almost uncontrollable urge. The smell of her blood is so sweet. My mouth waters at the thought of draining what little blood is left in her body. Especially while it’s still warm. My entire body burns with hunger. At the same time, I am revolted by these urges. I feel ashamed and guilty. It takes all the strength I have, but I resist the temptation to feed on my best friend.

“I’m sorry, there’s nothing I can do,” Lucas says. “I had to make a choice. It was either you, or her.” Lucas puts his hand on my shoulder, trying to comfort me. He smiles softly and gazes at me with compassionate eyes.

 
In a blaze of fury, Ethan grabs Lucas and slams him against a tree, cracking the massive trunk. The tree splinters and buckles. Lucas pushes Ethan away, sending him crashing into another tree. Both trees topple to the ground in a long, crackling drop.
 

Ethan leaps in the air, transforming into a werewolf. He pounces on Lucas, tackling him to the ground. He snarls and snaps at Lucas.

“I didn’t have a choice,” Lucas yells.

“Ethan, stop!” I scream.

 
Lucas tosses Ethan aside. The two square off at each other. Ethan springs forward, slamming Lucas against another tree, pinning him there.

“Ethan, he saved my life,” I say.

 
Ethan growls at Lucas, still holding him against the tree. Both of these creatures flash their fangs at each other.

“Stop it. Please,” I say.

After a moment, Ethan backs down, releasing Lucas. Ethan steps back, shifting into human form.

“He didn’t save your life. You are not among the living anymore,” Ethan says. His eyes are dark and somber.

“Would you rather me dead?” I ask.

“This is worse than death,” Ethan says. “We are mortal enemies now. It is coded in our blood.”

“I refuse to let what I am define who I am,” I say.

“Instinct is a hard thing to fight,” Ethan says.

“Fight it,” I say.

The howl of a distant wolf breaks the silence of the still night air. Another howl responds. Then another, followed by another.

Lucas grabs my arm. “Come on, we’ve got to go.”

Ethan shoves him away. “She’s not going anywhere with you.”

“It will be daylight soon. And she’s not safe with you,” Lucas says.

“And she certainly not safe with you,” Ethan says, blazing at Lucas.

“You know you can’t protect her from the pack,” Lucas says.

Ethan contemplates this. He knows it’s true.

“She’s newly turned. She needs to be with her own kind,” Lucas says.

Ethan’s jaw clenches, and his whole body tenses. The veins in his forehead bulge. “She was never supposed to be your kind.” His voice rings out with fury.

“Yes,” Lucas says. “According to the prophecy, she always was.”

CHAPTER 32

“WHERE ARE YOU taking me?” I ask.

 
Part of me is numb from the loss of my best friend. Part of me is exhilarated with a sense of wonder at this new world. Part of me feels intense guilt.

 
We drive down the mountain road in Lucas’s car. It’s a classic, 1963 split window, Corvette coupe. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear the car was brand-new. It’s in perfect condition. The V-8 engine roars as we race down the mountainside.

“You can’t go home. Right now, it’s not safe for you, or your family,” Lucas says. “There are a lot of things you need to learn. Urges you need to learn to deal with. Not to mention that every werewolf
 
in the state is going to be looking for you.”

“How did you find me?” I ask.
 

“I sensed you were in danger,” he says.

I look at him quizzically.

“I told you I could read minds.”

“What am I thinking right now?” I ask.

“Oh no. I’m not even going to attempt to read your mind right now,” he says. “I’m sure that would make me dizzy with all the things that are swirling around in your brain at the moment.”

We drive a moment in silence.

“I don’t understand what happened,” I say.

“You drank my blood, you became a vampire,” Lucas says.
 

“But I had been bitten by a werewolf.”

“One of two things happen when you get bitten by a werewolf. You either die, if the injuries are extensive enough, or the venom transforms you. But that takes time. Lucky for you, I got to you before either of those things happened,” Lucas says. “Get bitten by a werewolf once you are a vampire and there is nothing anyone can do to save you.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I’m going to take you to my home. You’ll be safe there. But you need to obey the rules,” Lucas says.

“Rules?”

“Yes. We live as a coven, and there are rules. Not many. But they cannot be broken. Do you understand?”

“No, I don’t understand. I don’t even know what the rules are,” I say, flippant.

“Well, the first rule of vampire club is—”

“—You don’t talk about vampire club?” I say.

“Exactly.”

“What’s the second rule of vampire club?”

“You don’t make new vampires without permission,” Lucas says.

“You certainly screwed up there.”

“I know. I will explain the situation, and I’m sure the coven will be understanding.”

“What if they’re not understanding?” I ask .

“You will be chained to a post and exposed to the daylight until you turn into ash,” Lucas says.

“So I can never go out in the daylight again?”

“No.”

“I don’t understand. You walk around in the daylight.”

“I’m special,” Lucas says, grinning.

I roll my eyes at him.

“I was born a day-walker,” he says. “I don’t know how, or why.”

“What about magic daylight rings?” I ask.

“I’ve heard rumors that a witch can make a walking stone, but good luck trying to find witch who would do it,” Lucas says.

“Why is Cerise helping the werewolves?”

“That is something that Vincent can tell you.”

“Who’s Vincent?” I ask.

“Vincent is the oldest vampire in our coven. His word is law.”

The engine growls and the tires squeal as we turn off the main highway onto a side road. Every sensation is heightened as a vampire. I feel at one with the car. At one with the universe. Touch, taste, smell, sight, and sound are all amplified and blended. Inanimate objects seem to come alive with their own personality. The car is no longer a thing, but an entity. The trees that we pass on the highway all seem to have a consciousness. Everything is interwoven into the same fabric. I’ve never felt so connected to my surroundings.

“So, you were born a vampire?” I ask.

“Yes.”

“I didn’t think vampires could reproduce.”
 

“This isn’t the movies,” he says. “Oh, and you’ll want to avoid churches and cemeteries.”

“Why?”

“Hallowed ground. Our powers are vastly diminished there.”

We turn onto a private drive. A wrought-iron gate opens before us. The entire property is surrounded by a twenty foot tall stone wall. We glide down the asphalt drive to a stunning Gothic mansion. Lucas parks the car in the circular drive. In the center of the drive, a fountain spouts water high into the air from angelic statues that serve as spitters.
 

We climb out of the car amid rows of other exotic automobiles.
 

“Wow, could you be anymore obvious?” I say.

“What?” Lucas asks.

“I mean, this place screams
vampire
, don’t you think?”

“Most of us have an affinity for the old ways. I guess, in a way we are all antiques,” Lucas says.

“How old are you?”

“Let’s just say I bought this car new. And it wasn’t my first car,” Lucas says. “I’m young by comparison to most people here.”

“Not anymore, you’re not.”

 
Lucas smiles. “True.”

 
I feel the presence of many vampires inside the house. I’m nervous about entering. My stomach is aflutter. In the short time that I have been a vampire, I’ve noticed my anxieties have shifted. There is no urgency of the moment anymore. I have all the time in the world, now. But it does little to take away the dread I have about entering this new phase of my life.

 
We enter through the large double doors into the foyer. A high vaulted ceiling encloses a grand staircase leading to the second floor. The house is quiet. It’s like everyone is hiding, but I feel their presence.

An older man appears at the top of the stairs. He’s slightly graying, and
 
impeccably dressed. He glides down the stairs to greet us.

“Vincent, I’d like you to meet Madison,” Lucas says.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Vincent says, extending his hand.

“It’s nice to meet you as well,” I say. He clasps my hand and shakes it warmly.

“Madison needs a place to stay. I thought this might be a sanctuary for her,” Lucas says.

Vincent’s eyes survey me. “Well, we have plenty of room. I’m sure you will help her acclimate to her new surroundings.”
 

“Yes, I will,” Lucas says.

Vincent looks to me, maintaining a very cordial demeanor. But inside, I can see the caution and concern. I can tell that he has a lot of questions for Lucas.

“Stay as long as you like,” Vincent says, in a soothing tone.

“Thank you,” I say.

“Until this evening,” Vincent says. He bows gracefully, and disappears into another room.
 

Lucas and I exchange a glance, then he leads me up the staircase. He walks me down a long hallway to a spare room. He turns the antique knob and pushes open the door.

 
The room is opulent and decorative.
 
A wooden, four post canopy bed, with ornate carvings is the centerpiece of the room. Long heavy drapes frame the arched windows. Rich burgundy wallpaper, flocked with velvet accents in a damask pattern, texture the walls. Wrought-iron candlesticks cast a warm glow. Carved stone statues and a heavy area rug complete the Victorian Gothic theme.
 

“This is now your room,” Lucas says.

“It’s beautiful,” I say. I step into the room and look around.

 
Lucas stands in the doorway. “If you need anything, I’m just two doors down on the right.” He starts to leave.

“Wait, what am I supposed to do now?”

“Pull the shades and get some rest. There’s blood in the mini fridge if you get hungry,” he says, stepping into the room. He shows me a small fridge, housed in an ornate wood cabinet. “It’s not quite the same as warm, fresh blood, but it will keep you nourished.”

He opens the fridge, grabs a pack of blood, tosses it to me.

I snatch it from the air. I can smell it through the plastic packaging. Every fiber of my being craves it. I tear open the nozzle and squeeze the sumptuous fluid into my mouth, sucking every last drop. My whole body tingles with a rush of energy. Warm and fuzzy. Blissful euphoria.
 

I crumple the empty plastic bag and toss it into the trash can.

“Try not to empty the entire fridge tonight,” Lucas says. “It’s a little addictive.”

“What am I going to tell uncle Jake? What about school?”

Lucas chuckles. “School is the least of your worries right now. Tell your uncle you’re spending the night with a friend.”

My heart sinks. Jen was my only real friend.

“I’m sorry about Jen,” Lucas says.
 

“You shouldn’t have brought her here,” a woman’s voice says, slithering in from the doorway.