by Lana Melyan
“Right now?” she said with flirty smile. “Coming here.”
“Hi,” said a voice behind me.
“Hi.” Connie kept smiling.
I turned around.
“Sorry,” said the guy, looking at me. “It seems I alarmed you. Let me introduce myself. I’m Logan.”
“Hi,” I said.
The guy looked normal, but still, something held me back from saying my name. If only Connie could touch him so she could read him. As if she heard my thoughts, Connie held out her hand.
“I’m Connie.” The guy took her hand. “It’s nice to me––” She jerked her hand out of his before she could finish the words. At once, she threw her arm in front of me and pushed me back.
“If you try anything,” she hissed at the guy, pulling the stake out of her bag, “I’ll kill you.”
Oh my God, is he a vampire? Don’t panic. Then I thought that maybe I should panic. Maybe if I panicked, my powers would come back. But I didn’t feel anything except a nervous tingle in my stomach.
“Connie, listen to me,” started the vampire, taking a step.
“Don’t come closer,” I stopped him and pulled out the potion.
“How many of you are there?” Connie shouted.
“Connie,” Logan said in a calm voice, “I’m not here to hurt you.” He raised up both his hands. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t let you read me.”
“What?” Connie gaped at him. “How do you know?”
“If I wanted to kill you, you would be dead already. I know you’re not strong enough to stop me and Nicky doesn’t have her magic.”
“Oh, believe me, we came prepared,” I sneered. “The question is, how do you know who we are? And why were you spying on us?”
“I’m not spying. I’m looking after you.” He dropped his hands down, then said, “Let’s start over, okay? My name is Logan. I’m a friend of Nathan’s.”
“Huh?” was all I could say I was so confused.
“You’re a vampire,” said Connie. “Nathan kills your kind.”
“I’ll explain everything. Just, please, Connie, could you put your stake away because Nicky’s ex-boyfriend keeps looking at us, and we don’t need him to come over here right now.”
I glanced at the dock. Jess stood leaning on the railing and looking toward us. The vampire was right; Jess shouldn’t come here. I didn’t want him to get hurt again. Luckily, he couldn’t hear us because of the loud music. And because Connie stood with her back to the crowd, no one could see her stake.
“Let’s step aside. You go first,” I said to Logan. “Go to that log.”
Logan walked to the log, and the moment he reached it, he sat down.
“Are you here alone?” I asked, stopping before him.
“Yes. Don’t worry, there are no more vampires in town. Nathan and I, we made sure of it.”
Connie gazed at me. “Just because he knows Nathan’s name doesn’t mean what he’s saying is true.”
Logan pulled out his phone from his back pocket. “If you want, we can call him.”
I shook my head. “Where is he?”
“He’s out of town for a moment, and that’s why he sent me to keep an eye on you.”
“He sent a vampire to tail us and didn’t even warn us?”
“He was in a rush.”
“In a rush?” Like my mom and dad. Was this a coincidence? “Where did he go?” I asked.
“He’s not far. Somewhere in the Smoky Mountains. I’m sure he’ll be back soon, and in the meanwhile, I’m around if you need any help.”
“And if we do need your help,” said Connie with irony, “we should what, clap three times, or whisper your name?”
“Is that how you witches contact each other?” said Logan, playing along. “Since I’m no witch, maybe I should just leave my phone number.”
I could tell that the guy wasn’t lying. And it seemed that Connie thought so too.
“So what?” she said in a more relaxed tone. “You’re like a good vampire?” Then, signing a quotation mark, she added, “A vampire with a soul?” She scoffed.
“I’ve heard about that guy.” Logan grinned. “Or those two guys, to be accurate. But my story is a bit different. Nathan saved my life once, a long time ago. And I didn’t want him to regret it. At first, I was just trying to repay the kindness he’d shown to someone like me. But after a while, we got used to each other's company, and we’ve been friends for many years now.”
Something wasn’t right in this tale. Vampires didn’t age after they turned, and if many years ago Logan was already a vampire, it meant he’d been the same age he was now, when Nathan was supposed to be just a kid.
“When did this happen?” I asked, sitting next to Logan. “I mean, when did Nathan save your life?”
“It was in 1933. I was in London . . .”
I gaped at Connie, and Logan stopped talking. He looked at me and Connie staring at each other.
“You didn’t know,” he said quietly. “Nicky, I thought if not Nathan, then your parents. . . . Your father never told you?”
I turned my wide eyes on him. So that was why Nathan talked to my father like they were equals. It also explained the things my dad have said about him.
“Does this mean he’s a vampire too?” asked Connie, looking like something heavy had just hit her in the head.
“No. Of course not. He’s a very powerful warlock, and he found a way to . . .” Logan seemed a bit nervous. He was now choosing his words carefully, but it was too late for that.
“How old is he?” I asked.
“I’m sorry, Nicky. I understand that you want to know more. But I think you should ask Nate. He has to answer those questions himself. I’ve said enough already.”
Nobody spoke for a moment. During that awkward muteness, my thoughts drew me to my conversations with my dad, my mom, and Nathan. When I thought of Gran, who knew how to avoid answers just like her son, I stood up.
“You know what? I don’t feel like partying anymore. I’ll go say hi to Leia, bye to Jess, and head home. If anyone wants to join me, wait next to the car.”
Gran was already home when I arrived.
“You’re back early,” she said, coming down the hallway stairs. “Did something happen?”
“No,” I said, heading to the living room.
“What is it, then?” she asked, following me. “It wasn’t fun?”
“I’m sure it was. For others. But me. . . . You see,” I said, dropping on the couch, “I just sat there, struck by some news that came and found me all by itself. And instead of having fun like others, I was processing another piece of information that hit me like a truck.”
“What information?” Gran stopped next to the coffee table, gazing down at me.
“The one that you could’ve given to me when I came to you with my questions about Nathan.”
“I answered all your questions, didn’t I?”
“You call those answers?
“Why are you so interested in him, anyway?”
“Because Dad said that he wants something from us, and he’ll try to use me to get it, whatever it is. You all talk about him like he’s some enemy. And if he is, I should know as much about him as possible.”
“He isn’t an enemy, he’s just . . . I’m sure your father told you all the important things.”
Realizing that it wasn’t her fault, that it was my father's responsibility to keep me in the loop, I got up.
“Yeah,” I muttered, going back to the hallway. “He just forgot to mention that the guy is immortal.”
“How? Who . . . who told you. . . ?”
“Night, Gran,” I said as I climbed up the stairs.
13
I spent my saturday morning googling Nathan Cain, and I found nothing. Big zero. But it didn’t really surprise me. I didn’t expect him to have a Facebook page or an Instagram account, full of pictures of his food or his face with a dazzling smile.
Though, no doubt his old pictures next t
o his new ones would be priceless for some face lifting cream or surgery comercial:
This is Nathan Cain in 1933, and this is in 2019. With our help, you’ll look forever young like Nathan Cain.
I chortled at the thought.
After lunch, I accompanied Gran on her trip to the grocery store. We had just started unloading the bags at home when her phone rang.
Gran looked at the screen, then put the phone to her ear, said “Yes,” and started toward the living room.
But I could still hear her voice.
“Oh God,” she gasped a moment later, and after that she didn’t speak much, just listened. “Where?” She continued to the backyard and closed the door behind her.
She sounded deeply concerned, and I hoped she wasn’t talking to my dad or mom. I was putting away the empty bags when she returned.
“Gran, you look worried,” I said, holding my breath. “Should I be worried too? Was that Dad?”
“No. No, honey.” She forced a smile. “It was Alan.”
“What did he say?” I breathed out with relief. “Did something happen?”
“Oh, no. It’s nothing. It’s about our meeting yesterday.”
She didn’t sound very convincing, and she didn’t look good. I wished I could comfort her, but if it had something to do with Mr. Lancaster, it most definitely wasn’t my business.
She looked at me absently. Then she headed to the living room, stopped halfway, and came back, still deep in her thoughts. “I need to get something from the bookstore. I have to go. ”
“Gran, are you okay?” I asked warily.
“Oh, it’s . . . I’m fine, honey.” She picked up her car keys and hurried away.
But I didn’t believe her. Whatever was going on with her, I was sure that she left because it was hard for her to hide her feelings and she needed to be alone right now.
The screen of my phone lit up with a message from Connie.
I’m bored. Let’s go to the Grill, play pool or something.
I didn’t have any plans, and I was glad to get out of the house. It would distract me from this sudden anxiety attack for my Gran. I sent a reply.
Be there in ten.
On my way to the Grill, I drove past Gran’s store. All the lights were off, and a closed sign hung on the door. She could be sitting there, alone with her thoughts, but I didn’t exclude the possibility that she was at Mr. Lancaster’s mansion. After all, Mr. Lancaster was the one who called. He knew what was going on, and he would be the right person to turn to if Gran needed a shoulder to lean on.
The Grill was nearly full, and the pool table was already taken. We found a vacant table and ordered coffee while we waited for our turn.
“Is everything okay?” asked Connie. “You look a bit off.”
“I’m fine,” I said, deciding not to talk about Gran right now.
Connie scanned the place, then pursed her lips, looking disappointed.
“Are you waiting for someone?” I asked.
“No.” She shook her head.
As we enjoyed our coffee and talked, I noticed that Connie craned her neck a little too often to look at the entrance. And when it was finally our turn to play pool, she seemed distracted.
“Connie, it’s your turn,” I said with annoyance while she leaned on the pool table and checked out the crowd. “Who are you looking for? Don’t tell me you’re waiting for Neil to show up.”
“What?” She wrinkled her nose. “No way. He can have his Suzy, I don’t care.”
“Then what are you ––” But then it hit me. “You gotta be kidding me. Are you out of your mind?”
“What do you mean?” she said, making a face.
“Are you looking for Logan?”
She shrugged. “I’m just curious. He said he would be looking out for us. If that’s true, shouldn’t he be here?”
“Connie, he’s a vampire.” I whispered the last word. “And if you didn’t notice, it’s three in the afternoon, and the sun is still up and shining.”
“Come on,” she sneered, “he has a powerful warlock for a friend. I’m sure Nathan came up with something to protect him from daylight.”
“Even so, there’s no need to look out for us in the middle of the day at a place full of people.”
Connie heaved a sigh.
“Maybe I should call him? He gave us his number for a reason.”
“Exactly. And the reason is to call him if we need help.”
“I need help. I’m bored.” She grinned.
“Don’t tell me you’re falling for him. Connie, this isn’t Twilight.”
“Of course not. For one thing, I’m sure he doesn’t sparkle.”
Connie was trying to turn this into a joke, but I was now officially worried about her. She was a witch. She belonged to the supernatural world, and the fact that vampires were real didn’t scare her the way it would scare an ordinary girl. Logan was a good-looking guy, and the possibility of becoming a part of those mysterious stories about powerful creatures of the night could be a dangerously tempting bonus.
“Connie, this isn’t funny.” I squeezed the cue in my hand, and as I did so, it cracked. “Holy crap,” I gasped, staring at the smoke rising from the split.
Connie’s eyebrows jumped up.
“Nicky.” she rushed to my side. “Take a deep breath,” she whispered into my ear.
I did as she said, trying to calm down. But I couldn’t understand why this happened in the first place. My magic was gone, and this short spark of anger couldn't be powerful enough to bring it back. I’d had much angrier bursts in the last few days, but none of them turned me back into a witch.
“We need to get out of here.” Connie yanked the cue out of my hand, threw it on the table, and pulled me toward the exit.
We made our way out of the Grill and crossed the street to my car.
“Let’s go to your Gran,” offered Connie.
I shook my head.
“Gran isn’t home. She got some bad news, and she needed some time alone.”
“Where did she go?”
“I’m not sure. And even if I knew, I don’t want to worry her even more.”
“Okay,” said Connie, thinking. “Then we should go someplace safe. Away from people.”
“Right.” I nodded. “You drive.”
“Can you hold it under control for a while? I mean, until we get somewhere.”
“Relax. It’s nothing like before. I don’t feel much. Just some small waves of energy.”
“Then maybe it’s a good chance to learn how to use it. If your magic isn’t that powerful right now, you could practice without doing too much damage. Let’s go to the lake.”
“It’s Saturday. There might be people there.” I thought of the family tree. I haven’t told Connie about it yet. I knew I could trust her, and I wanted to show it to her. “I have a better idea. Wanna see something cool? It’s not far, only a couple of miles away from the lake.”
“Okay. What is it?”
“You’ll see.”
The tingle in my fingers came and went while we drove, like my powers were trying to break through but something kept blocking them. I couldn’t wait to get to the tree. That place was enchanted; it contained a great magical power, and I wondered if I could draw some energy from that ancient oak.
“There’s a car behind us,” said Connie, looking into the rearview mirror. “It’s been following us for a while.”
I looked back. The car kept its distance, and it was hard to see anything through the windshield.
I turned away. We passed a couple of exits, and I checked again. The car was still there. Two seconds later my phone vibrated with a message.
Don’t be alarmed. It’s just me. Logan.
“Perfect,” I grunted.
“What is it?” asked Connie.
“It’s from that car behind us. It’s your dark prince.” I rolled my eyes.
Connie laughed.
“Don’t get too happy. He can’t come wi
th us.”
She glanced at me sideways and pursed her lips.
Logan stopped his car next to ours and got out.
“I’m sorry,” he said as he looked at my face, which probably fully reflected my discontent. “I know it must be annoying, but I’m just keeping my word to Nate.”
“It’s not that,” I said, trying not to sound like some ungrateful bitch. “You can’t come with us. This place . . . It belongs to our family. It has some protective enchantment around it, and I don’t think it would be safe for you to enter these grounds. You should wait here.”
“I will. I’ll be right here. Call me if you need me.”
“Don’t worry.” Connie beamed. “If something goes wrong, I’m sure you’ll hear our screams.”
Smiling, Logan leaned on the hood of his car and crossed his arms over his chest. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
I still didn’t understand why Nathan wanted him to keep an eye on us if, as Logan said, there were no vampires around. Was there some other kind of danger I wasn't aware of?
“See. I told you,” said Connie, as soon as we walked into the woods. “It’s daylight, and I didn’t see him burst into flames.”
“Yay for us,” I muttered under my breath. “We’ll have a shadow no one can step on.”
A few minutes later we stopped in front of the oak.
Connie shivered. I could see the goosebumps on her arms.
“What is this place?” She gaped at me. “It feels like death. And that tree. It has such a dark aura.”
She started toward it, but I stopped her.
“Connie, don’t touch it. With your senses . . . It can get even darker.”
“What do you mean?”
“This is our family tree. When our ancestors planted this oak, they put a spell on it. You can feel this place because you’re a witch and you have this special gift which gives you the ability to feel things way deeper than other witches.”
“I’ll risk it. I want to know.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Can it hurt me?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know all the details. I didn’t even know it existed. Gran showed it to me only a week ago, after I got my powers. Listen, about practicing my magic. Right now all I feel is those small waves go through me. I was wondering if I could siphon some energy from the tree. It might help my powers to break through.”
