by Toni Goode
“And what? I’m supposed to hate you because of what you are?” She said with a shake of her head. “Well I am sorry, I don’t hate you.”
“But you understand where I am coming from?” He asked.
“So, then you hate me because I am a witch?” She asked quickly.
“No. I don’t live by societies rules.” He said quickly.
“Neither do I.” She smiled. “Who’s Natalie?” She couldn’t help but ask. It was the second time that someone said she looked like someone else. It peaked her interest.
“She um, was…” His words trailed some. He didn’t like talking about Natalie. It stirred up too many negative emotions.
“She was my sister who passed away.” Sam said as he entered the hallway.
“Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t know.” Emma said with a shake of her head.
“It’s ok, it’s been awhile now since she passed but you do look like her. I have a picture of her.” Sam said as he pulled out an old cell phone and Emma’s eyes got wide.
“You had one of those phones?” She said with excitement.
Aidan walked past them as her attention was lost on Sam. “These things caused nothing but trouble back in my day. People didn’t even have normal conversations anymore. Everything was electronic. Texting or emails. People spent more time on their phones then they did on anything else. I guess I am glad that they aren’t being used anymore. It forces people to actually interact with each other.” He said honestly as he got to his pictures and handed her the phone.
“Oh wow.” Emma said as she looked at the picture. She really did resemble Natalie. She wondered if there was more to Natalie and Aidan’s relationship. He seemed to not want to talk about her. “She was beautiful, was she a vampire?”
“She was great and yes she was a vampire. She changed after I did.” Sam began.
“Did he change her?” She couldn’t help but ask.
“No, long story and I wouldn’t necessarily bring it up to Aidan. It’s a sore spot for him.” Sam said honestly.
“Ok.” She said quietly but now she was even more interested to know about Natalie.
“I don’t carry much human food, but I believe I may have some coffee and crackers.” Sam said as she smiled.
“No thanks I’m not really hungry.” She said quickly.
“There’s not really much to eat here in this town considering were all, well you know. Vampires and all.” Sam shrugged his shoulders.
“That’s ok I’m a witch, I have a knack for getting things.” She smiled.
“So how does it work? The wand and everything.” Sam asked inquisitively.
“You never knew a witch?” She asked surprised.
“Well sort of but the witches in my day were a bit different then you all are. You’re more advanced then in my day.” He said honestly.
“That may be true ,but everything sort of works the same. Would you like to see my wand?” She asked, and his eyes lit up.
“Hell, yeah I would.” He beamed.
“Ok but be careful. It can be a weapon if needed.” She said honestly.
“Hey Aidan check this out!” Sam said as he walked in the room with the wand in his hand.
“You need to be careful with that, its not a toy.” Aidan said seriously.
“I know that Mr. Grumpy pants.” Sam smirked at Emma. “ So, is there like a small spell I could try?” He asked.
“Well most spells only work if you’re a true witch but there are a few anyone can do. Here, try this cup for instance. Repeat after me, Into the air we call onto thee. Fill the cup with natures honey. Make it flow and rise to me. Thy aqua is great and so are thee.” She said as Sam spoke after her and he pointed his wand at the cup and it filled with water as he gasped.
“Holy shit Aidan, did you see that! That’s water. I just made water appear! How cool is that!” Sam said with a grin as he handed her back the wand and he picked up the cup. “It’s ok to drink?” He looked at Emma.
“Yes, if your able to drink it.” She said as he sipped it and smiled.
“That’s amazing. You have got to show me more.” Sam said with a huge grin.
“You know there is a reason you’re not a witch Sam.” Aidan said dryly. “I’m sure Emma has better things to do with her time than to show you spells.” Aidan said sarcastically.
“Actually, I don’t mind. I would rather do that than stay cooped up in that room.” She said honestly as Aidan shook his head. Being in the same room with her was becoming increasingly hard. He would have to find a way to keep his thirst in check especially if she was going to be around for a little while.
Chapter Eighteen
Aidan watched as Sam and Emma interacted. Sam was having the time of his life with that wand. Aidan couldn’t help but think about Natalie now and how at times they would all just get together like this and relax. It was during a less hectic time of course.
“This is insane, you have to see this Aidan!” Sam called out as Aidan walked over to them now as Sam aimed the wand at a dead flower and then he said a chant as it came back to life right before their eyes.
“Impressive. So, you major in healing? Aidan asked.
“I do among other things, but I have always had a liking to healing things and people sometimes.” She said with a soft smile.
“Can you bring people back from the dead?” Sam asked.
“Sam! Seriously, that is not a thing to ask someone.” Aidan said seriously.
“It’s actually a question I get asked a lot but no. I stay away from living things for the most part, well except for plants and flowers.” She said honestly. “I am able to heal what is living though. My friend Tami had broke her toe one day in grade school when she kicked a ball. I was able to heal it immediately.” She said with a smile. “Black magic deals in resurrections but it is forbidden and for good reason. You can’t bring something back from death and not expect it to carry a darkness with it.” She said seriously.
“Man, I would have loved to have you around growing up. I have had so many broken bones that my parents said by the time I was thirty I would probably broken every bone and well, now I guess I will never know.” He said honestly.
“What made you want to change?” She asked Sam who looked at Aidan.
“Long story but if Aidan hadn’t changed me I wouldn’t be here today. I wasn’t necessarily looking to be immortal if that is what you mean.” He smirked.
“What about you Aidan? Did you want to change?” She asked.
“Oh, you mean before or after my family was massacred?” He said dryly, and her eyes got wide.
“What the hell man, she was just making conversation!” Sam snapped. “Don’t mind him, I don’t know what crawled up his ass and died today.” He added.
“Listen I am not trying to be a dick ok but most of us are like this because we had not other choice or because were weren’t given one. It’s not something to celebrate.’ Aidan said dryly.
“Sorry.” Emma began as Sam rolled his eyes.
“Would you like to get out of here and get a drink with me since Aidan over here is in one of his moods?” He asked her.
“Oh, would it be safe?” She asked.
“No, it wouldn’t be. That is a bad idea Sam.” Aidan said quickly.
Sam shot him a look. “Listen he just woke up after a long fifty-year nap. He still doesn’t know exactly how the world works but I wouldn’t bring you out somewhere if I felt you would be in danger because I am not an asshole like some people like to think I am.” Sam said sarcastically as he looked at Emma and then Aidan. “I could probably even find you some food too.”
“Ok.” Emma smiled.
“Can you excuse us for a moment.” Aidan said abruptly as he looked at Sam. “Can you come with me for a minute.” He was annoyed as Sam sighed.
“Be right back, I hope.” Sam said sarcastically as he followed Aidan down the hall.
“Are you seriously trying to get yourself or her killed? What the hell are y
ou thinking man!” Aidan snapped.
“For your information there are places that are witch friendly.” Sam snapped back at him.
“Oh, like those so-called raves that have humans there? Oh, that’s right cause you never told me, thanks for that!” Aidan snapped.
“Listen those raves are dangerous and the people there are freaks.” Sam began.
“Yeah I found that out the hard way.” Aidan said dryly. “Listen you can’t just parade her around town ok. She shouldn’t even be here.
“Well she Is, and she is a guest in my place Aidan, so I can do what I want.” Sam said quickly. “I hate to break it to you Aidan, but life went on without you for fifty years, I think I have this handled.” Sam said sarcastically as he walked out of the room and back into the living room.
“I hope I didn’t cause any problems.” Emma said softly.
“No, its fine. Don’t let him get to you. He is normally more laid back then this.” Sam said with a soft smile. “Lets get out of here.” He said as they took off out of the apartment and Aidan stood there for a moment as he ran his hand through his hair. He then quickly went after them.
The town that Sam lived in was pretty much up and running. The entire place had a makeover and it seemed like any other busy town. The streets filled with people and there were cars too, but they walked to their destination which Sam said wasn’t too far. Emma was just excited to be out even though she sort of wished that Aidan had come along, but she was having fun with Sam.
“So how do you spend most of your days?” Emma asked as they walked. She noticed a few people looking at them inquisitively as they walked but no one confronted them.
“An entrepreneur.” Sam smiled.
“And that would be?” Emma asked.
“Well a club. I run a club downtown.” He said quickly. It wasn’t that he was embarrassed about his line of work because he wasn’t but she looked so much like his sister that it felt odd for him to tell her the truth about what he did for a living. He knew his sister would not agree with his job choice.
“Oh, that’s cool, are we going there?” She smiled.
“No um. There another place that is more species friendly. It’s not far.” He said as they continued to walk.
“So how well did Aidan know Natalie if you don’t mind me asking.” She said as she looked at him.
Sam thought about how to word it. He knew Aidan would be pissed if he told anyone the truth about Natalie. “It was complicated for them.” He finally said.
“Did he love her?” She felt her throat getting tight as she spoke.
“Yeah he did.” He said honestly.
“Oh, that explains a lot.” Emma said seriously.
“How is that?” Sam asked.
“He is just very shut down emotionally and typically it is because of something that happened in ones past.” She said with a soft smile. “I majored in psychology for a few semesters before I changed my mind.” She laughed and so did he.
“You know therapist in this day and age make a lot of money. A lot of PTSD going around and since the majority of us will never die. Well its sort of an on-going thing.” He said honestly.
“Yeah well there are ups and downs to everything. I just happened to like the healing aspect better.” She smiled.
“So, I guess he isn’t dating anyone then?” She couldn’t help but ask about Aidan again. “I saw that girl earlier.”
“Oh her, nah he was just um. Hmm. Being friendly with her.” He finally said with awkwardness. He could tell that Emma liked Aidan and he didn’t want to make it any more uncomfortable then it already was.
“Oh, so he just sleeps with random chicks. Good to know.” She said sarcastically. She hated how jealous she felt, and she didn’t even have a reason to. They weren’t together, so she shouldn’t care at all, but she did.
“Yeah I wouldn’t necessarily say that.” Sam said quickly. “Listen he is always such a grumpy ass and if it makes you feel any better, well I think he likes you too.” He added.
“Oh, I don’t like him like that.” She said quickly, and Sam rolled his eyes and laughed.
“I call bullshit on that sweetheart. Anyone in a hundred-mile radius can see that you have the hots for him.” Sam laughed.
Emma turned bright red now as they walked. “Is it that obvious?”
Sam looked at her now. “You did crash land in his bedroom.” He smirked, and she did too.
“Oh yeah I forgot about that.” She said with embarrassment.
“In all honesty we both needed a quick jolt to show us that were still alive. So, I for one am happy that you crash landed into the bedroom.” He smiled at her and she smiled back. “Cool were here.” He said as he opened up a door to what looked like an abandoned building. The only one on the block that looked that way. It was very out of place there, but the sound of music snapped her from her thoughts. The hallway was dark as they headed down the hall and he stopped at a door where the music was playing loud in the background. “So, I am going to warn you that this place is a bit R rated if you know what I mean.” He said as he opened the door and her eyes got wide as she saw the packed club. There were so many people there and all different species too. It almost looked like that rave from the day before.
There was also swings hanging from the vaulted ceiling and people swung on them. It was an overload for her senses. Some people were barely dressed, and some looked to have sex on the dance floor as they moved around. It was definitely a sight to see. She couldn’t wait to tell Clare and Tami all about it when she saw them next. She wondered when that would be. Maybe she would never go home.
“So, what do you think?” He asked with a nervous smile.
“It’s um, interesting.” She said with a smirk as they walked up to the bar and Sam ordered two drinks for them. Shots to be exact.
“Do you drink anything in particular?” He asked her.
“I don’t typically drink so surprise me.” She smiled.
“Now that I can do.” Sam smiled as the bartender walked back over and placed two shots on the counter. Emma was too busy looking around to even notice.
Her eyes locked in on a familiar face in the crowd. It was the pink haired girl from the other night. Lana and she was running over towards them, but she stopped when she saw Sam who handed Emma a drink, but she continued to walk over.
“Hey Lana! Funny seeing you here.” Emma said with a smile.
“I could say the same thing about you. You ok, you just ran off the other night.” Lana said as she purposely ignored Sam.
“Nice to see you too Lana.” Sam said sarcastically as she looked at him and then back at Emma.
“So, like I was saying, what are you doing here besides hanging with Mr. Buzzkill over here.” She smirked.
“Real classy Lana.” Sam said sarcastically.
“Speaking of classy, how is that club of yours doing? Are the hoes behaving.” Lana laughed.
Emma watched the two of them go at it. She couldn’t help but wonder where all of the tension came from and then an idea popped up in her mind. They had been a couple at some point and obviously neither of them had moved on entirely.
“You would know, aren’t they your people.” Sam grinned.
Lana rolled her eyes at him and then looked at Emma. “Let me show you around the place.” She grabbed Emma’s hand and began leading her around before she could protest. Sam sighed heavily as he watched them walk across the dance floor.
Lana showed her the different areas and they got a drink at each one and by the time Lana took her onto the dance floor she was feeling quite buzzed from all the alcohol, but she had to admit that this was the most fun she had in the longest time. Even though she wasn’t the best of dancers, the alcohol had helped to push her past her insecurities and soon she was shaking her hips and waving her arms like Lana was doing. Everyone looked like they were having a blast though Sam stayed at the bar.
Lana and Emma danced with each other until they began to ge
t separated but then they just danced with whoever was in front of them. It was truly a blast as they danced with strangers. The next song came on and it was a slow one as people began to grab their significant others and Emma made her way off the dance floor but not before she saw Aidan walk over to her. She was shocked that he was there and part of her wondered if she was hallucinating from the alcohol, but he got up close and she could smell his scent. He always smelled amazing, it was intoxicating.
She closed in the distance as she smiled at him. He went to say something, but she grabbed his hand instead. “Lets dance.” She said as he shook his head quickly.
“Yeah I um, I don’t do that.” He began to say but she didn’t listen to him as she pushed past people and kept a hold on his hand. “Emma, I don’t.” He began as she stopped now, and he nearly bumped into her and then she began to sway as she stepped on her tiptoes and put her arms around his neck.
“See this isn’t so bad.” She smirked at him.
“Your drunk.” He said as more of a statement.
“Drunk, nah but I did have a few drinks with Lana.” She smiled.
“Oh, she is here too?” He said as he looked around.
“Don’t worry about her, were dancing.” She smiled as he looked at her. He rolled his eyes playfully and then finally gave in and began to dance with her. “So, you followed us?”
“I couldn’t exactly just leave you to fend for yourself.” He said sarcastically.
“I’m not helpless you know.” She began, and he cut her off.
“That depends on who you ask.” He said as he dipped her backwards and then back up again.
She smiled in shock at him. “So, you can dance.”
“I never said I can’t, I just said I don’t.” He said quickly.
“Ok whatever Grumpy pants.” She smirked and then laughed. He smirked a little too.
“And I’m not grumpy.” He added.
“You cant say your not grumpy when you look grumpy saying it.” She laughed.
“Oh great, a beautiful and sarcastic witch.” He rolled his eyes.
“You think I am beautiful?” She said in shock as she looked at him but before he could answer her lips touched his in a surprisingly innocent kiss. She pulled back some but not much as she looked at him.
