Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Carissa's pov

"You know your mother's right. I should go home. I don't want you to feel responsible for me and your mother

does not want me here" I said to Clyde

"Her bark's worse than her bite" he answered

"Well, maybe, but my aunt is right. I...I should be with them. And the coven, they can protect me."

"You can't go back to France. It's not safe amongst the witches"

"I'm not going to go into hiding my whole life. I have to face Mr. Davies at some point, Clyde"

"It's not just about Davies. The photographs of your parents. They were staged...to make it look like a fear of

devil worship, but I examined them. Underneath the debris, there was a chalk circle. A witches' circle. Your parents weren't killed by humans. Your parents were killed...by witches. I'm sorry. Carissa." He called but I didn't want to hear more.

****

I was tired of crying, ai would get my revenge in time. For now, I decided to walk around the castle.

"Didn't my son warn you not to move from his tower?" Clyde's mother asked

"Yes"

"You should listen to him" she advised

"This was your husband's office" I noted

"It's still his office. It always will be"

"How exactly did he die?" I asked

"How dare you ask me that?" She was angry

"My parents were murdered. By witches" I said trying to break her

"Who is capable of anything" she chipped in

"There is good and evil in every species.

My parents were the best. And I'm a witch...who's willing to make up my mind despite the stories I've heard about you"

"Why were they killed?" She asked

"I don't know"

"Whoever did it, make them pay" she advised

"It doesn't take the pain away."

"But it helps."

"Do all vampires love red wine as you do?"

"Most vampires drink a lot more than we do. Our family's known for its restraint."

"About wine perhaps" I noted

"It doesn't have the same effect on us

as it does on warmbloods"

"Thank you for letting me ride Rakasa."

"She's too wilful for my liking. Fiat's more biddable. As I get older, I find that quality admirable in horses. And in sons."

"You didn't need to light that for me," I said curtly

"It's good to have a fire. We haven't

had one in that grate for too long"

"This is a wonderful room for a party" Clyde walked in

"We used to celebrate Christmas here.

We'd invite all the villagers, the family would come too. Do you remember, Clyde?"

"Mm. Louise would dance with anyone and everyone" he answered

"You didn't exactly hold back" She jeered

"Mama. Might I have this dance?" He asked her

"Of course" she answer and they danced for a while

"I'm not sure you'd like this one. Come on. Your turn." He said to me

"I'm not a dancer" I objected

"Neither am I. Come on, just give it a try.

I am not exactly a great dancer either

but it could be fun"

"That's not true," I said. I watched him dance with his mama and he was so good

"All right." I agreed

"The secret is, go back on this one to start with. Pretty good. Let him lead!" His mother offered

"Your dance, at least. Come on, spin. To me. To me. Yes! My God. Carissa. Extraordinary. That's the first time I've seen you enjoying your magic"

"I'm glad it's happening when I'm with you."

"What spell have you put on me?" He asked and I could only blush

Clyde's pov

"She knows who she is. Carissa." I said to my mother

"Does she know?"

"Yes. Yes, I just told her"

"And?"

"Well, she's not falling apart, if that's what you were hoping. One of the reasons I'm drawn to her is her bravery.

She reminds me of you. You were open-minded once. Loved everyone for who they were. Why can't you at least try?"

Ben's pov

"Clyde won't keep the power for himself.

If he gets hold of it, he'll bring her to me" I assured

"Are you sure? He does what he wants. Always has." The vampire's leader said

"I have him under control," I said

"Doesn't seem like it. The witches on the high levels are plotting for more power.

Even the demons have become unruly. We used to rule with an iron fist"

"It's the 21st century. We must at least show a semblance of democracy."

"And Clyde's behavior has weakened us further. Your family affairs are

compromising all of us. After eight centuries of rule. Do you know what I think? I think...the De Barons are finally losing their grip" he finished

"Goodbye" was all I said

Clyde's pov

"Will you please tell me about William Harvey?" She begged

"Well...It's not a particularly interesting story."

"Well, maybe not to you, but to this historian it is the closest thing I'll get to meeting the man that discovered that the heart is a pump."

I heard a noise and rushed out.

"Clyde" Dorian called

"Dorian."

"It's been years. When was the last time?"

"In Ferrara? We were both fighting the Pope. I was trying to save Venice."

"You, the Knights Templar." He noted

"Why are you here?"

"Ah! And this must be the witch I've heard so much about." He said to Carissa

"Carissa, go back to the house. Go." I yelled

"I'm not going anywhere" she objected

"Dorian. What an unexpected visit" My mother chipped in

"Ma'am, it's a pleasure to see you."

"How did you know I was here?" I asked

"I smelled you"

"Mama. Take Diana back to the house.

"I think she should stay until I deliver my message. Carissa, you must come before the high levels for questioning

and to hand over her powers"

"You tell the levels that I don't have it. If they want it, they can get it themselves"

"But you must come and tell us how to"

"Carissa will not be going anywhere with you"

"Are you refusing to let me carry out level orders?"

"I am"

"You do know the consequences?"

"Yes, I do!"

"Clyde, please, don't do this" my mother begged

"Ah, it's not about the power, is it?"

"No. It's about her"

"You're breaking the Covenant. What is the Covenant?"

"What is he talking about?" Carissa asked

"She doesn't even know, Clyde. You've lost your mind"

"Take her back, now!" I ordered strangling Dorian

"One twitch and I will rip your head off!

You've delivered your message and you've been answered. Now, leave!"

"We'll hunt you down. I'll kill you both.

Even De Baron can die" he warned

****

"Her power? Why didn't you say?"

"It was what drew me to her. And then it became about something else. Mama. I don't know what to do"

"I can see that. And so can Dorian."

"Give her to them. They won't kill her if you do. They will if you don't."

"What is the Covenant?" Carissa asked

"You don't know?" My mother asked Carissa

"It forbids interspecies relationships" I answered

"That's insane. Why would anyone ever agree to that?" Carissa asked

"There were a lot more of us creatures back then. And we'd grown accustomed

to taking what we wanted. My father decided that if creatures from different species mated it might upset the balance of power. So...the Covenant was drawn up"

"What happens when creatures break it?"

"To my knowledge, it never has been broken. He's gone. There'll be no more visits from the Congregation" I explained

"How do you know that?" Carissa asked

"Because we're not going to break the Covenant."

"You're giving in?" She asked, shocked

"Dorian's visit was a diplomatic mission. The next one will not be"

"Even if we stood up to them, what then? Hm?"

"We'd be opening up old animosities

that would spiral out of control and expose us to humans. I won't let that happen"

"So that's it? We're just going to abide by some ancient, narrow-minded agreement that was made a thousand years ago?"

"Yes."

"No. We are bound together. My magic started coming out when I met you"

"Three weeks ago, you'd never even heard of me. You don't know me! You have no idea what I'm capable of. You don't even know yourself."

"Stop. Stop it. Why are you being like this?" She asked

My ringing phone stopped me from answering her

"Yes?" I answered the phone

"Is there damage? I'll get there as soon as I can" I said and hung up

"Someone broke into the lab. I have to get back to France." I said to my mother and Carissa"

"I'll get my things," Carissa said

"You're not coming," I said

"Carissa should go back to her aunts" mother agreed with her

"She's staying here. Mama, stop making decisions for me. Guard her with your life" I ordered

"Yes, Clyde" mother agreed

"Leaving me isn't the answer. I love you.

Tell me how you feel. Forget the Covenant, forget the levels. How do you feel?"

"You know how I feel" I answered

"Say it!" She screamed

"Let him go," mother said to her

"Witches and vampires can't be together. You cannot put yourself

in that danger"

"I will never leave him"

"The witches will think that you have turned your back on your kind and they will come. I need to show you something. You might not like what you see" mother finished.