The Raven and the Witchhunter

by H. M. Gooden

  Backing away from the door, Vanessa gently tugged on Emma Jane's arm. "Let's leave. We'll let them keep the scene intact for the police. I'm sure we're all going to be questioned as to our whereabouts."

  Vanessa sighed and passed a shaky hand over her face, hardly able to process what had happened. "It's so unbelievable, Emma Jane. I was talking to her less than thirty minutes ago. Did you see anyone?" Vanessa looked at Emma Jane pleadingly, but she just shook her head.

  "No. I didn't sense anything unusual. But then again, it's a completely new environment to me, with many people around. If you remember from the bar, I find it draining to try to focus in this kind of situation. It’s difficult to pinpoint just one aura."

  Emma Jane looked frustrated again and Vanessa felt bad for her. This mission wasn’t working out the way she'd thought it would, she knew. Vanessa had completely messed up her usual in and out, no complications way of doing things, and now it sounded like Emma Jane's powers were fritzing on her a bit as well.

  "What do you want to do now? Is it worth looking around more or do you think she's gone?"

  "I didn't feel anything. No scent and no energy signature to follow at the scene. It's almost like she put on a different aura or something." Emma Jane shrugged. "Maybe she went back into the mirror. All I could see was the fading energy near the body."

  Vanessa groaned. This wasn't going how they'd hoped. She saw uniforms out of the corner of her eye and winced. The cops had arrived. Well, that's the end of my shoot for the day.

  "Emma Jane, let's sneak out and go home. I don't want to answer questions again. It's going to start looking suspicious if I'm at every crime scene, especially after Eloise and the guy on the stairs."

  Emma Jane studied her for a moment before she frowned. "Are you going to get in trouble? Will they think it's you?"

  "I don't know if they'll think I'm doing it or not, but I am a little worried they may want to give me protection, which would totally mess up any chance we have of catching the woman."

  "Oh crap. That's a good point. Okay, lead the way."

  Vanessa guided her out. They managed to slip out the side door without being noticed and were half-way back to the apartment before Vanessa processed what had just happened.

  "Emma Jane, that's three deaths in the last few days, all people I know. Four, if you count the attempt at the bar on someone I think looked like me. What the hell is going on? How am I supposed to protect myself when we can't even catch her trail? Is this normal? I thought your powers were able to pick her out of the crowd?"

  Vanessa looked at Emma Jane, covering her mouth with her hand. “Oh my god, I'm sorry! I didn't mean..."

  Emma Jane shook her head, dismissing her apology. "No, you're right. This isn't typical at all. I can usually follow an energy trail without any problem, even with background noise. It's like she's blocking me, or maybe something else is blocking me. My power isn't working right. Or, it's possible she's far more devious than anyone else I've ever come across and she’s able to change her energy signature. I know if I could get close to her again, I'd be able to end this, but I don't know where to look."

  Vanessa felt bad about practically telling Emma Jane she sucked, but she was starting to worry that the witch would find her after all and there'd be nothing they could do to stop her.

  "What did Evelyn tell you about her dream?" Vanessa asked. She was suddenly curious regarding why Evelyn had sent Emma Jane if this was how things were going to go. She must have known something more than they knew right now.

  "She just told me we'd be important to each other and that you were in danger from someone close to you." Emma Jane let out a deep exhale, her frustration obvious. "She didn't say if it was someone physically or emotionally close to you. It could be a coworker, a friend, or anyone."

  Vanessa considered her words carefully. Cat had been on set multiple times since moving to live with her in San Francisco and she’d have mentioned being worried about any darkness she'd seen if it was someone she worked with regularly or that Vanessa was friends with.

  "No, I don't think so. I think Evelyn meant someone in proximity. I don't have any new people in my life, except you," she said, glancing at Emma Jane. "And we've already ruled you out. I think it's someone from the set. Someone new."

  "Let’s say that's true. Would it be possible to get a list of everyone who has access to the set?"

  Vanessa nodded. "Of course. I'll talk to the assistant director. They always have lists for everything and I should be able to charm him into letting me see them. I'll give him a call in a few hours, after the police investigation has died down, then see what the plan is for work tomorrow."

  Vanessa shook her head at the memory of the body. "Nothing’s going to happen there today for sure, not after that. I'll text Cat as soon as we get home. Maybe she'll have some ideas. And I'll see if I can get ahold of the elusive Evelyn for a change."

  Vanessa wasn't holding her breath on that, given how frequently Evelyn was out of cell range, but it was worth a try. If she could give them more information it would be handy right about now.

  They drove silently for the remainder of the journey, picking up drive-through food on the way. Vanessa felt like eating. She knew it was nerves and not true hunger but she didn't care at that moment.

  When people die in your work place, you get to eat burgers.

  Emma Jane excused herself and went to Vanessa's bedroom, pleading fatigue, which left Vanessa alone to think about the events of the day. She needed to talk to someone, but it was just after eleven and she didn't want to bother Cat, in case she was still in her exam. She took out her phone and punched in the familiar numbers, then waited for the ringing to stop.

  "Hello?"

  The disembodied voice on the end of the line caused Vanessa to close her eyes in gratitude.

  "Mom? It's me." She felt like a small child running home to mommy, hoping she could make her pain better.

  "What's wrong, honey? Is everything okay? It's the middle of the day. Aren't you supposed to be at work?" The confusion in her mom's voice came through loud and clear and Vanessa sniffed back tears.

  "Mom, there's a lot going on right now. I just needed to talk to you. I wanted to hear your voice." Vanessa wiped back a tear that had managed to leak out.

  "Of course, dear. What's going on?"

  Vanessa spilled everything, telling her mom about the evil witch who was stealing youth, beauty, and lives from her coworkers, how she was pretty sure she was the next target, and then she told her about Emma Jane. She shared how special she thought she was, about her powers and her childhood, and how Emma Jane had tried to run away out of fear of hurting Vanessa. By the time she got to the end of her story, she was full on ugly crying.

  "Oh, Vanessa," her mom sighed. "I wish I was there. I'd love to give you a hug right now and I can tell that you need one badly. But I can't tell you what to do, any more than I ever could. It sounds like this Emma Jane is a pretty special person."

  Vanessa gave a watery smile, closing her eyes as she imagined the warmth in her mom’s eyes. "Yeah, she's amazing, Mom. I've never felt like this about anyone before. But I don't know how to make her stay. One way or another, she's going to leave me when this is over and I don't know what to do about it. That's the part that's really killing me right now. All the other stuff, the danger, the witch, even the deaths, that's just more of what we've been dealing with over the last few years. I can handle that stuff."

  Vanessa heard her mom exhale. "I don't have any wonderful advice for you. Just the old cliché, if you love something, you have to set it free. I know it sucks to hear that, but if someone won't stay with you, for whatever reason, you'll only make yourself miserable trying to force it. But that being said, sometimes these things work out, no matter how impossible they seem. If Cat’s looking for a way to help you, I wouldn't give up yet."

  Vanessa nodded then wiped her face, feeling more hopeful. "You're right, Mom. If anyone can find an answer, it's her. S
he's already helping with the side effects of being close to Emma Jane, so I know it's possible. Thanks, Mom. Talking to you has helped, more than you know."

  "You're welcome, dear. Give me or your dad a call anytime you need anything. We always want you to be happy. And hopefully someday soon, I'll get a chance to meet this amazing woman for myself."

  Vanessa smiled and said goodbye. Speaking with her parents always made her feel better. She hadn't thought her mom would have a bad reaction to finding out she was interested in a female, but it was nice to have confirmation that she didn't care, as long as Vanessa was happy. Now that her family was on board, she had to find a way to convince the woman who held her heart that a relationship was something that could be in the cards for them.

  VANESSA FINISHED THE phone call with her mother and was idly flipping channels on the couch feeling bored and lonely, so when Emma Jane came out of her room, Vanessa was surprised and happy to see her. She flung the remote down on the couch.

  "Hey! Come and sit. I'm feeling really out of sorts right now and I'd love to talk. But if you don't want to, I'll understand."

  Vanessa hated how pathetically eager she sounded but couldn't help herself. Conversation with Emma Jane was on the top of the list of stuff she wanted to do for the day, followed closely by being physically close to her. She wasn't confident either of those things would happen and for the first time in years, she felt like a kid trying to break into the cool group. So when Emma Jane sat down right next to her, a flush of excitement infused her.

  "I've been thinking," Emma Jane started, causing Vanessa to grimace.

  "No good sentence has ever started with those words."

  Emma Jane leaned over and put her finger on Vanessa's lips, stopping her from speaking. Vanessa stared, feeling the familiar tingle of energy that any touch from Emma Jane created within her, and the color rose in her cheeks.

  "I overheard some of what you said, on the phone."

  Vanessa closed her eyes. How embarrassing! She must think I'm pathetic, talking to my mother about my feelings for her. Vanessa started to explain, but this time, Emma Jane stopped her words more effectively.

  The kiss came out of nowhere and Vanessa's mouth fell open in astonishment, only to be softly filled a split second later. The kiss was warm and wonderful, soothing all the hurt she'd felt since the moment Emma Jane had run off. Feelings rushed into her chest and throat and Vanessa leaned in, wanting to be even closer. She lost her balance, falling onto Emma Jane’s thighs, her hands gripping her toned legs for stability while their upper bodies almost touched. The kiss went on forever like that, in an awkward half-sitting position, until gravity pulled Vanessa over onto Emma Jane, who fell to lie flat on her back on the couch with Vanessa on top of her. They lay like that, lips entwined, heart to heart, for what seemed like an eternity. Vanessa felt the length of her body cradled by the shorter, muscular curves of Emma Jane. She was home and never wanted to move.

  Emma Jane broke the kiss, a moment or an eternity later, bringing her head to Vanessa’s neck as they lay like that for several minutes more, holding each other while listening to the ragged sounds of their shared breathing. Vanessa was overwhelmed. She was ecstatic, but also baffled. What had changed? Why had Emma Jane initiated such an intense kiss after swearing she’d never touch Vanessa again? Vanessa didn't want to break the moment though so she remained still, holding onto Emma Jane with her thoughts and feelings swirling in a dizzying array of intensity. She was incredibly turned on, left wanting so much more physically, but couldn't move. Vanessa was petrified with fear that anything she said or did would cause Emma Jane to bolt again, so against her own instincts, she did nothing.

  EMMA JANE LAY SPEECHLESS as she savored Vanessa's long, soft body against hers and felt an unexpected moment of peace. This was what she'd been looking for her whole life. She hadn't thought she'd do this, hadn’t thought she’d initiate contact so soon after trying to break things off. It was completely crazy and not at all the way she normally did things, but after hearing Vanessa crying on the phone with her mother, a bolt of clarity had struck her. Who cared if it made sense or if it was safe? Her whole life she'd done exactly what she was supposed to. She'd hunted down the evil that had killed her family, absorbed their power and become stronger from their attempt to defeat her. She’d decimated countless other ancient foes with very little difficulty. Then she'd been guided to this place, to this woman. Sure, it was her job to defend her from evil, but she'd fully expected it to be the usual fight, a win or a loss. Not that she lost, ever. But she'd never expected this.

  She'd never thought she'd find the other half of her soul in the dark blue eyes of an actress, miles from the place where she'd grown up. She didn't want to hurt Vanessa, but after her talk with Cat and knowing the truth in her words, she felt as though maybe they could at least try to have a relationship. Then, when she’d heard Vanessa crying on the phone as she'd shamelessly eavesdropped on her private conversation with her mother, she knew just how deep Vanessa's emotions ran. This wasn't a game for her either. Vanessa was already hurting because Emma Jane wasn’t brave enough to take her up on what she was offering whole-heartedly, while understanding all the risks.

  Emma Jane tilted Vanessa's face up again, watching as her flushed cheeks gave her an even more striking beauty and as her lips parted again, begging for her touch. Emma Jane leaned back into the delicious flavor that was Vanessa, trying to memorize every small surface of her lips. She felt Vanessa's arms wrap around her, holding onto her lower back as she moaned into her mouth. Emma Jane pulled back shakily again, her desire threatening to choke her and knew if they went any further, things would quickly spiral too far out of control for her to prevent Vanessa from being hurt.

  "We need to stop now, Vanessa."

  Her words came out in a breathless gasp that didn't sound like her at all and she groaned in response to Vanessa's hands moving lower, holding her close.

  "But what if I can't?" Vanessa moaned against her lips and Emma Jane leaned back to devour them again. She felt herself slowly moving, sinuously rubbing against Vanessa’s warm and accepting body.

  Emma Jane was lost. What if she couldn't either?

  "I don't want to hurt you." She struggled, managing to whisper the words against Vanessa’s mouth.

  She felt Vanessa relax against her, going limp then nodding gently, dropping her head down to rest on her chest. They lay like that, with Vanessa's head on Emma Jane's chest, until their breathing slowly returned to normal. Emma Jane had never felt anything so intense in her life.

  "I don't think I'll be able to stop again, Vanessa. I almost couldn't this time. I...want you more than anything in the world."

  Vanessa sighed again, hugging her tighter. "I feel the same way about you."

  Vanessa snuggled closer and Emma Jane wrapped her arms around her in return.

  "I didn't mean to listen to you on the phone, Vanessa, but I'm really glad I did. I heard you telling someone else that you...care for me,” said Emma Jane, looking at Vanessa shyly. “It convinced me that maybe...we could try. I mean, if we're both going to end up being just as hurt staying apart, at least this way we’ll have some memories if it doesn't work out."

  Vanessa's smile lit up the room. "I'm so happy. I can't wait to tell Cat!” she said, sitting up then wrinkling her nose. “Although I'm sure she'll notice the minute she walks in the room that we've kissed and made up."

  Emma Jane laughed. She felt almost giddy with excitement about the possibilities, but spoke with caution instead of the words she wished she could say. "We'll take it slow. I'd love to continue to lay here like this, but I'm worried you'll get too tired or that we'll get carried away again. Maybe we should take a break?"

  Vanessa sat up reluctantly. "Yeah, you're right. I think I'll go for a walk. I should clear my head a little."

  The sound of someone clearing a throat caused both Emma Jane and Vanessa to startle and they whirled around. They'd been so wrapped up in each other that th
ey’d been completely oblivious to Cat entering the room.

  She was standing behind the couch, a knowing smirk on her face. "Why don't I come with you? I think you two could do with a little space." Cat raised her eyebrows at Vanessa's flushed cheeks, then winked. "Yeah, I heard a little at the end. I'm happy you guys are going to try to work things out, but I agree right now is a good time for a break. Vanessa, come here. Your aura needs a bit of a spit and polish." Cat gave them a look any school-teacher would have been proud of.

  "I'm going to meditate,” said Emma Jane. “I have to center myself to see if I can find any trace of the witch. Vanessa, why don't you spend time with Cat to recover? I'll see you when you get back."

  Emma Jane stood up and waited as Vanessa got up as well, giving her a nervous peck on the lips before she glanced at Cat, who smiled and nodded approvingly at the two of them, then raised one eyebrow.

  "Vanessa? Let's go for that walk. I can work on you while we get some exercise."

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  It was almost dark by the time Cat and Vanessa headed outside for their walk. Vanessa had tried to stand up to leave immediately after Cat had arrived, but had been disturbed to find herself more tired than she'd expected to be after her closeness with Emma Jane. She'd completely lost track of time while they'd been together and had paid for it. It was like a really bad hangover, except that the best cure in this case was not the hair of the dog that bit her. She knew that physical proximity to Emma Jane would eventually wear her down even farther once she stepped away from the distraction of her beauty and how she made her feel, but luckily, Cat was easily able to repair most of the tarnish on Vanessa’s aura with a simple touch, and the rest improved the longer they spent walking. Vanessa waited for her sister to speak, knowing what she'd likely say next.