Chapter 8

Chapter 8

(A Meeting of the High Levels)

"A strange story came to me today. Clyde Baron harassing a witch in France" the witches' leader had said

"What? If it's true, we should capitalize on it. Bring him in front of the leaders, punish him" another agreed

"It sounds unlikely to me. Did your source tell you who this witch is?" The vampire's leader asked

"Her name's Carissa. I couldn't get more than that. My source was a witch herself"

"Probably lying to you like they all do" the vampire's leader answered

"Why would Matthew leave himself...so vulnerable. There might not be any truth in it, but if there is we can't afford to miss this opportunity. Someone should go over there and find out" the witches' leader advised

Clyde's pov

"Hello, Lillian" I started

"You're craving her" she blurted out

"Lillian, how I feel about Carissa has absolutely nothing to do with you"

"She's a witch. You're a vampire. You know the rules. It's forbidden by the terms of the Covenant. The high levels aren't about to enforce a thousand-year-old rule. Does Carissa even know about it? Because Matthew

doesn't seem to think so"

"Bye, Lillian" I answered and went over to Carissa's.

****

(At the door)

I stood aside, watching him carefully

"Coming. Okay" she screamed from inside when she heard the knock

"Sorry, I'm running..." She stopped when she saw it wasn't me, I was supposed to be at the door, not him.

"Expecting someone?" He asked, it was Mr. Davies

"Get out of my rooms!" She screamed and I was trying hard to control myself

"Feeding him? You shy away from us and yet you seek out vampire company"

"I'm not a bigot like you"

"Yes, just like your father. So open-minded that he put himself and your mother in mortal danger"

"Mr. Davies was just leaving," she said when she sighted me

****

(At the dining)

"Mm. Red deer. A young Highland stag

from the taste of it"

"How could you possibly know that?" She asked, surprised

"Our senses are heightened"

"Oh, so some of the stories are true. Can you fly?"

"No. But we can run and jump very well

which makes humans think that we can fly. And we're efficient, too. Our bodies don't use up much energy so we have an awful lot to draw upon when we need to"

"You don't breathe much" she noted

"Well...our hearts don't beat...very often. I thought you knew about vampires"

"I probably know a little less than most humans do"

"Most legends about us were...dreamed up by humans. Black hats and bats and brooms. Yes. Somewhere in all those stories, there's a speck of truth. Something that frightened humans and...helped them to deny that we were real"

"What do you taste?" She asked as I tasted the next plate

"Flowers and spice. Oh, there are violets in there. Purple sugared ones. Elizabeth Tudor adored them. Ruined her teeth. Also blackberries from hedgerows. Cigar smoke, redcurrants in brandy. I could go on" I smiled seeing the look of shock on her face

"What would I taste like?" She asked

"Don't ever...say that to me" I warned trying to control myself

"I only asked to understand"

"It would take but a moment"

"You wouldn't be able to stop me if I struck and I wouldn't be able to stop myself"

"I'm safe with you"

"The smell of you...Willow sap. Camomile honey. Frankincense. Lady's mantle. Ancient things I thought I'd forgotten. It's not only your scent. I can hear your witch's blood...moving in your veins. When I touch your skin...and it rushes to the surface. Thank you for dinner" I said, stood up abruptly, and left.

Catherine's pov

"Go and find Clyde" father ordered finally letting me out of my cage

"Thank you, Father"

Carissa's pov

"You knew about this!" I screamed

"What? Who are they?" Sarah asked

"My parents"

"Oh, I... I'm so sorry"

"Mr. Davies sent these to me," I said, he sent pictures of the dead pictures of my parents

"Why would he do something like that?

"Where is he?"

"I... I have no idea. This is sick. Please, can we just talk about the... Are you going to give your powers to the vampire?"

"I will understand that power. I'm gonna deal with this myself"

"We'll wait together, shall we?" Mr. Davies says in the background

"Sarah thought you might take your powers out. You see, she understands its importance to us"

"You sent me those photographs"

"I don't want you to end up like your mother. Your father made her turn her back on her kind. Just as you are"

"Don't worry about it. It's fine" I said to a human watching us

"What's going on?" He asked

"It's okay" I answered and Mr. Davies was trying to hurt me when a strong wind overtook me, I don't how that happened

"Hold on, Carissa. Don't hold your breath. Just breathe, Carissa. I've got you. You're safe" it was Clyde, how did he know to be here?

"Sir, are you okay?" I asked the human

Clyde's pov

"Is she okay?" Matthew asked when I brought her home

"No, she's exhausted"

"Not surprising. Witch wind. I've checked on the man. He's fine. And I've sorted out that part of town" Matthew said

"If she wakes up, tell her I'll return soon"

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to fight Mr. Davies"

"If you make a move on him it'll be seen as a direct challenge to the high levels"

"He sent her those photographs. His scent was all over them"

"Are you seriously considering endangering our family just to avenge a witch?"

"Are you questioning my loyalty?"

"I'm questioning your judgment. Think before you do this. Get Carissa out of France, fine, but don't take on Mr. Davies. If you do, it'll be war"

"I've never felt so protective over anyone"

"You can protect her without causing a shit storm. Drop her off with your friend in Scotland. Leave her at the States"

"No. I'll take her to Italy"

"What?"

"You can't put a mother through that. You can't leave a witch at her house"

"It's my house too. And I'm not leaving her there. I'm going with her"

****

"Clyde" Carissa called out

"What time is it?" She asked

"Five o'clock. You've been asleep for ten hours. You were exhausted from the witch wind"

"Witch wind?"

"Mm. No witch has summoned it for centuries. You have to leave France."

"No, I...I can't leave."

"Mr. Davies will come after you."

"I can deal with Mr. Davies."

"Not yet you can't. Your power is extraordinary, but it's undisciplined. You have to come to terms with it somewhere safe"

"I could go to my aunt's"

"No. No, I'm taking you home with me to Italy. No witch would dare trespass on vampire land. You'll be safe there" I concluded.