by Kelly Oram
“Of course!” I said, excited. “They say she was a prophetess. She had visions that helped her in battle. Joan of Arc was a supernatural?”
“Not just a supernatural,” Duncan said. “She was the Oracle. The last the world has ever seen. Her visions led the House of Valois to victory.”
“But if she was so powerful, couldn’t she have saved herself from being killed? Wouldn’t she have seen it coming?”
“Most believe she did. Legend tells she willingly gave her life knowing that her martyrdom would be the fuel the supernaturals needed to win the war. They say she’d seen the future and saw the necessity of her own death.”
“That’s a tragic story and all, but what does any of that have to do with me?”
Duncan smirked. “Of course it’s all about you, isn’t it? You’ve been spending too much time with warlocks.”
“Funny,” I said. “Forgive me if I’m not in the mood.”
Duncan sighed. “All right, all right. I suppose you’re allowed to be cranky today. As they bound the Oracle—Joan—to the stake where she was burned, she gave the world one last prophecy. She said the House of Valois would find victory, but that the war would not be over. She said the balance between supernaturals and humans had been offset, and because of it, the supernaturals would be oppressed for hundreds of years and driven nearly to extinction. The exact words of the prophecy say, ‘On the eve of that last great battle, there would rise up one more powerful than the world has ever known. Without her, Evil will win.’”
It took me a minute to digest this and relate it to myself. “They think I’m the ‘her’ in the prophecy?” Um, yeah. I’m so sure. “Boy are they in for a major disappointment.”
Duncan burst out laughing.
“I don’t get it. How can anyone possibly think she meant me? And what about this great battle? It’s not like we’re in the middle of a supernatural war. I may have been raised human, but I think I would have noticed that.”
“I think that’s what has everyone going so crazy. Yes, the supernaturals have been oppressed for hundreds of years. We’ve been forced into hiding for so long that humans believe us to be no more than myths. There are so few of us left in the world. It would be easy to imagine we could all be exterminated without much effort. But who is the threat? Where will it come from?
“The council believes they were given a miracle with the birth of the Seer. He’s not as powerful as the Oracle was, but he is the first seer the supernatural world has seen in over two hundred years. He’s saved hundreds, possibly thousands of lives with his predictions. No one doubts him. Friday night he had a vision of you. He said you were the girl the prophecy speaks of. It’s got everyone really freaked out.”
“I guess so.”
“So you understand why it’s so important that we get you to safety? Whoever this great enemy is that will wage the final battle knows that you can defeat them. Without you, Evil will win and all supernaturals will die. You can see why the Supreme High Councilor was willing to bring you to the consulate against your will if necessary.”
“It doesn’t mean I have to like it,” I said stubbornly. “And it doesn’t mean that Robert has to be so grumpy.”
“I believe that had more to do with Alexander Devereaux than you,” Duncan said. “We surely did not expect to find him there. Robert can’t be happy about Alexander having had so much influence over you all these years.”
“What?” I gasped. “Why? How do they even know Alex?”
“Alexander Devereaux used to—”
The car door swung open so suddenly that I jumped and hit my head on the roof of the car. “Forgive me for taking so long,” Constance said, popping her head in the door. She handed me a large bag. “I had to guess on the sizes, but they should be close enough.”
“Do you need to use the restroom?” Duncan gave me a look that said our conversation was completely over.
I was dying to know what he meant about Alex, but I knew he’d never tell me the gossip with Robert and Constance hanging around. “Yeah,” I said.
“All right.” Duncan stepped out of the car. “Come on out when you’re dressed and we’ll get you something to eat too.”
It was strange to be in the car alone. I welcomed the privacy. After Duncan’s history lesson I had a lot to think about, but at the same time I immediately felt the absence of all the supernaturals. It wasn’t uncomfortable, I just noticed. The cravings were already getting stronger just like Alex said they would.
With a sigh I opened the bag of clothing. I expected some kind of old fogey wool suit like Constance was wearing, and was surprised to find jeans and a pale pink cotton knit t-shirt. Not what I would have picked, but I could tell she’d tried.
I got dressed, folded my blanket, and then stepped out of the car. Robert, Constance and Duncan were all standing there waiting for me. “Oh, good,” Constance said. “They fit.”
“The shoes are a little big,” I admitted. “But they’ll stay on my feet for now.”
“We’ll take care of it back at the consulate,” Duncan promised.
Robert looked me over and frowned. “You’re still a mess, child. I wish we had time to clean you up before we bring you to the Supreme High Councilor, but I suppose a shower is out of the question right now. Hurry along then, we shouldn’t be stopped for very long. Your aura is strong enough to attract every supernatural for miles.”
“Hang on a second,” Duncan said. “Let me see your hand.”
I wasn’t sure why he was asking, but I trusted him, so I held out my hand. When he took it, a cold wave of energy washed over me, giving me the chills. My hearing sharpened and I felt incredibly strong. There was also a very sweet aroma in the air that hadn’t been there before.
“Huh. It really works,” Duncan mused.
Robert and Constance were staring at me wide-eyed.
“What works?” I asked.
“Alexander’s son said he thought you became a wolf earlier when the other touched your skin. He must have been right,” Robert admitted grudgingly.
“You seem to be a vampire now, darling,” Constance said.
I frowned at Duncan. “Was that really necessary?”
“Vampires are nearly indestructible,” Duncan said. “You’re much less vulnerable this way.”
I supposed I couldn’t argue with that.
Duncan and Robert both escorted me into the fast food place we’d stopped at, and it wasn’t at all awkward when Duncan walked right into the women’s room to make sure it was safe before I went in there. I cleaned most of the dried blood off myself, but I’d been swimming in the lake earlier that afternoon. My hair was a hopeless, crusty, frizzy mess.
Robert knocked on the door before I was ready. “For pity’s sake child, hurry up. I’ve ordered you some food already and we really must be going.”
That was the end of my freedom. I was soon back in the limo getting closer and closer to this Supreme High Councilor guy and whatever destiny he had planned out for me.
Not knowing what else to do, I opened the bag of food—a cheeseburger and fries. How original. I popped a fry into my mouth and nearly choked. I spit it out not even caring that it landed on the floor of the limo. I smelled the food in the bag and then handed it to Duncan. “I think it’s rotten.”
Duncan smelled the bag and then burst into laughter. “I’m sorry.” He was laughing so hard there were tears in his eyes. “I forgot you were a vampire right now. Burgers and fries aren’t typically on the menu for our kind.”
“You mean blood?” I gasped. “I am not drinking anyone’s blood!”
Constance offered her hand to me. “Of course not, dear.”
When we clasped hands I changed again. It felt very similar to how I felt with Russ, except calmer somehow. “Why does your magic feel different from Russ’s?”
The question seemed to surprise both Robert and Constance. Or maybe they were still just awed by the change itself. “A witch’s power is magic of the light
,” Constance explained. “It’s a positive energy force that is used for good.”
“Less powerful,” Robert grumbled. Clearly there was no love lost between him and Constance. I remembered what Alex told Russ and me about witches and warlocks not getting along, and smiled at the thought of Robert being repelled by me at the moment.
“Eat your dinner,” Duncan said, but he laughed like he knew exactly what I’d been thinking.
All too soon Duncan was shaking me awake again, only this time I’d been sleeping on his shoulder and my hand was grasping his arm. “It’s all right,” he said when I scrambled away from him horrified. “It’s the cravings. You needed the physical contact.”
“That is going to get really old,” I grumbled.
Duncan laughed at me. “Most supernaturals find the cravings very pleasurable. There’s nothing wrong with a little physical contact,” he explained when I gaped at him. “If you stop resisting and give in to the urges, it can be a very soothing time in your life. You’ll forge special bonds, both physical and emotional, with those around you. It’s only traumatic if you try to deny what you are.”
“I guess that makes a little sense.”
“Come on,” Duncan said. “A lot more will make sense once you meet the council. Hopefully they’ll assign you a good mentor.”
“It’s not going to be Robert is it?”
Duncan laughed. “Get moving, squirt.”
I’d never been to New York before, but I did a report on it once. I researched all the main tourist attractions—Central Park, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Stock Exchange. The building that was supposedly the consulate reminded me of one of those landmarks. “I recognize this place.”
“The Woolworth building,” Duncan informed me. “One of the more famous buildings in Manhattan.”
We walked into a gigantic lobby with massive vaulted ceilings, ornate sculptures, and elaborate mosaics, all in a medieval gothic style. It was lavish, pristine, cold, and deserted. An amazing work of art and yet somehow creepy at the same time.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Duncan whispered as we crossed the lobby toward the elevators.
I looked up at the monstrous faces of gargoyles carved out of the marble above my head and shivered. “If you’re a vampire maybe.”
“I am a vampire,” Duncan noted with a chuckle. “As are you at the moment.”
“Touché.”
I went back to gawking at my surroundings. When we got upstairs everything from the furniture to the paintings to the carpets and window treatments looked hundreds of years old. The only hint that we weren’t actually in some medieval cathedral was the electricity and the fact that we were on the fifty-sixth floor.
We went all the way to the end of the hall, passing several different offices and a kitchen, until we came to a large conference room. Inside was a grand wooden table with a dozen or so chairs around it. Six of those seats were filled.
There were two women. One of them was fiercely beautiful and dangerous looking, much like Duncan but probably closer to forty. The other one was a tiny frail woman who had to be pushing ninety.
The other four were men. All of them were very healthy looking, and all of them younger than Robert. I was a little shocked. When they’d said council, I’d pictured a bunch of stuffy old people.
I pegged one of the men as a werewolf almost instantly. His presence made my body tense and without warning a hiss escaped my lips. Duncan grabbed me by the arms like he expected me to lunge at the man. “Take it easy, Dani-girl. It’s a natural reaction for a vampire, but he’s not really a threat.” He was smiling, but his voice was low and serious.
The werewolf sprung to his feet. “This is an outrage!”
“I think it’s delightful,” the younger of the two women said. She was obviously a vampire.
One of the men rose to his feet and studied me with a smile on his curious face. “It is rather interesting,” he said coming forward to greet us.
This man looked to be about fifty, and he was handsome in a George Clooney way. He had sandy blond hair and pale grey eyes that crinkled at the edges like he’d spent most of his life smiling. He wasn’t as strong looking as some of the other council members, but he had a presence that felt like it could take up the whole room. “Welcome, Miss Webber. I am so very pleased you could join us.”
“That makes one of us,” I grumbled, folding my arms tightly across my chest.
The man’s eyebrows flew up and Constance stepped forward to put a hand on his arm. “She’s had a very trying day, Councilor.” Constance turned to me then with the same serene smile she’d worn since I met her. “Danielle, I’d like you to meet the Supreme High Councilor.”
This time it was my brows that flew up. “You’re the Supreme High Councilor?”
“Not what you were expecting?” he asked me curiously. It was like everything that came out of my mouth fascinated him.
“Not exactly.”
“Someone more like me perhaps?” the little old lady chirped with amusement. It made me think I might like her.
“Actually I was thinking someone old, crabby, and on a major power trip.” Under my breath I muttered, “Like Robert.”
Several people, including the old woman, choked on laughs and the Supreme High Councilor gasped. “My! But it seems you’ve all had quite the trip.”
Duncan whispered something to me about supernaturals generally having exceptional hearing, but I’d stopped listening because I’d noticed someone else in the room. A boy, my age, maybe a year or two older, was sitting in the corner of the room somewhat hidden by shadows. His eyes were fixed on me.
Russ is hot with his boyish good looks and a smile that is pure trouble, but this guy was beautiful in a way all his own. His style suggested well educated and sophisticated, but something about him screamed innocence.
His eyes—dark to match his dark hair—were the kind of eyes that looked naturally glossy, as if they could tell an entire story in just one look. I was lost in them now and he refused to release the hold he had on me.
Eventually Duncan nudged me and I woke up to find the Supreme High Councilor gesturing to an empty seat at the conference table. I felt the boy’s eyes follow me as I crossed the room and sat down.
I was as thankful that Duncan claimed one of the seats next to me, as I was annoyed that Robert took the other.
“So, my dear Danielle, would you like to tell me about this trying day that has you in such a foul mood?”
“Uh, I was kidnapped?”
“Kidnapped?” The Supreme High seemed to think the idea was impossible. He looked to Robert for answers.
“The child has been raised human and we were forced to leave without much explanation. There had already been an attempt on her life before we got there. A werewolf attack that nearly killed her.”
“A most trying day indeed,” the Councilor agreed sympathetically.
“Sir,” Robert said gravely. “Alexander Devereaux was there. She was with his son when we found her.”
The Supreme High Councilor couldn’t hide his surprise. “Alexander!”
“Yes, Councilor. It appears Alexander has practically raised her. He and his son are the only two supernaturals she’s ever come into contact with. She and the boy are very close.”
“How…interesting,” the Supreme High Councilor mused. He looked me over again, his eyes a little sharper this time. I got the distinct impression that he didn’t find this to be good news. “And Alexander never explained to you who and what you were?”
He’d found a crack in my armor. “No,” I said quietly. “I never knew magic existed until I accidentally stopped time at the Homecoming dance Friday night.”
Aside from my trusty travel companions everyone in the room gasped except the boy in the corner. He still sat, stoic as ever, watching my every move.
“I beg your pardon?” the Supreme High Councilor said.
“Well my date was going to fall in this fish pool and I just
sort of wished I could stop it. The next thing I knew the entire room was frozen except for Russ and me. Alex said I had warlock magic. He said I was something called an anomaly because usually all warlocks are boys.”
All the councilors murmured for a minute but none of them spoke out. They waited for the Supreme High Councilor to say something. “But that is impossible,” he said. “Alexander is no fool, but I can clearly see that you are a vampire.”
“Yeah, and I was a werewolf earlier today and a witch while I ate dinner. Apparently I can’t make up my mind.”
This time the council’s murmurs turned into full on arguments. All of them claiming impossibility and spouting questions at their leader. “I’m afraid it’s true, Councilor,” Robert said gruffly. “We’ve all witnessed her as a warlock, a vampire, and a witch, though we missed the werewolf bit.”
“A shape shifter then. How very rare indeed.”
Beside me Duncan cleared his throat. “Forgive me, Councilor, but I can assure you she is no shape shifter. She is in fact a vampire at the moment. The blood in her veins does not tempt me.”
“Nor I,” the female vampire agreed. “I can smell nothing but the sweet fragrance of a sister.”
“I too can smell her vampire blood,” said the guy I assumed was a werewolf. “I am having a hard time keeping my form at the moment with both of them here.”
“I met a shape shifter once,” Duncan continued. “The bloodlust was strong with him, as it was with her this afternoon. When she was a warlock she had a very delicious smell.”
I was startled by that comment and Duncan chuckled. “Don’t act so surprised,” he teased. “You know you were making Russ’s mouth water too.”
I gasped and felt a hot red blush come up to my face. For some reason I was afraid to look at the boy in the corner no matter how badly I wanted to gauge his reaction to Duncan’s statement. The room went quiet.
After an insufferable silence the Supreme High Councilor said, “I have never heard of anything like this. One cannot simply change species.”
