by C. L. Nelson
“So how come you never told me any of this?” I ask, shaking myself out of that train of thought.
“I wasn’t allowed. Humans are not allowed to know about the hybrids. The penalty for a non-magic human knowing about the hybrids is death for both the hybrid and the human. It is a law made collectively by the hybrid communities.” He explained.
“I have so many questions about hybrids, but I think that is a conversation for another time,” I said as I redirect the conversation back to more pressing matters. “Fin, do you know why I died young in all of my past lives and why I didn’t die yesterday?”
He sighed. “No, love, I left yesterday to ask every witch and fae I know if they have ever heard of a curse or something that would cause your problem? No one had any idea,” he said softly. He was slouching and looking at the floor, but then straightened back up and looked me in my eyes.
I grab his hand and give it a squeeze.
“Something happened this time that has never happened before in any of your lives. I knew something bad was going to happen. It’s like I got a warning and I was compelled to try to get you out of that building. I am not sure if it’s related to why you didn’t die this time, but I have hope that we can change things. I may know a way to save you this time,” he said.
I smile at him. That’s Finlay for you, always coming up with ways to get us in and out of trouble. Here’s hoping this plan just gets us out of trouble.
“With the help of a witch, I can hide you from the reapers and the Ladies of the Waiting. Then we can figure out how to make you a hybrid, so you can live out a much longer life with me.” He looked at me with such optimism.
I thought about his potential solution. I would love to be able to hide from the reapers just in case they decide I need to die, but I am not so sure about a life on the run. And turning into a hybrid? That just seems a bit much right now.
I was about to tell Finlay how I felt about his offer when he was grabbed from behind and flung across the room, bouncing off the wall.
He fell to the floor and vanished.
A yelp sneaks out of me while I turn toward the source of the danger.
A tall pale man laughed. “It looks like your boyfriend left you to fend for yourself. You can never trust a fae. They are all a bunch of self-absorbed cowards.”
I didn’t believe that. Finlay is my best friend and according to him, he has been there for me throughout millennia. There is no way he would just abandon me now.
Suddenly, a thin blonde woman walked out of my bedroom. “So, this is the bitch that is causing all the fuss,” the blonde woman said as she appraised me. “She doesn’t even look worth our time,” she said to the pale bald man.
“That’s not our call, Vita. We have been ordered to kill the girl and take her soul back to our mistress,” he said to the woman as he walked toward me.
I keep my smartass comments to myself. No need to inspire them to kill me right now.
“Well, I think you are awfully pretty, and I believe we have some time to play before I have to kill you,” he tells me as he bares fangs and grabs his junk suggestively.
Gross! Where did Finlay go? I can’t believe he would just leave me here with these monsters.
“I’m bored. I am going to rummage through her room to see if there is anything worth taking. Let me know when you have finished your games, Xander,” the blonde said before going back into my room.
While the man is looking at the blonde woman, I try to run by him toward the front door of the apartment. I don’t get past the man. He grabbed me by the throat before I even knew what was happening. The movement was so fast that I didn’t see it.
I am struggling as much as I can with my feet not touching the ground and not being able to breathe.
“Don’t bother, human,” he said to me. “Vampires are infinitely faster and stronger than humans.” He lowered me to the ground.
He spun me around, so my back was against his chest, jerked my head to the side, and bit my neck before I had a chance to catch my breath.
I screamed from the pain which he seemed to enjoy if his erection was any indication.
The bald vampire took a few large gulps of my blood before he threw me to the floor and yelled. I scrambled across the floor before turning to see him clutch his throat.
He seemed to be in severe pain. “What the fuck is wrong with your blood?” he struggled to say before he started to vomit.
The blonde woman, Vita, came out to see what was going on. “Is everything alright, Xander?” she asked, sounding bored.
Xander stopped vomiting and stood up straight. “I’m fine now. The bitch’s blood is toxic or something. It nearly burned a hole in my throat and stomach, but I am healing now and should be at full strength in a few minutes,” he told the woman.
I am feeling oddly self-conscious about my blood at that moment like I am upset that my blood isn’t tasty or something. Get a grip, Charlie! I think to myself before focusing back on the danger in the room.
The man turned his attention back to me. “Leave me alone, Vita. If I can’t drink her, then I am going to move on to playing with her before we finish our business here.” He glared at me with what appeared to be a mixture of rage and lust.
“Whatever, you know where I am when you are finished.” She rolled her eyes and went back into my room.
I guess Finlay isn’t coming back. I am on my own. How the hell am I going to get out of this alive? I looked around for a weapon while they were talking, but I only managed to find a pen.
The man pulls out a knife from his pocket and is on me before I have a chance to scream. A knee-jerk reaction has me stabbing the pen into one of his eyes without me being consciously aware of what I am doing.
He howled and reared off me, dropping the knife. “You fucking bitch,” he screamed at me before he backhanded me hard enough for me to see stars.
I laid there dazed. I may have lost consciousness for a moment because the next thing I know the vampire is on the floor next to me with a large sword sticking out of his chest, and Finlay is by my side with one hand on my head and the other one over the bite wound on my neck.
“Oh, love, I am so sorry. I tried to get back here as fast as I could,” he murmured to me as I feel tingling and warmth where his hands are.
The woman, who must have heard the commotion, runs out of my bedroom. “Incompetent idiot,” she said as she looked at the now-dead vampire. “Watch your back, bitch. You have powerful enemies,” she warned before she suddenly fell to the floor.
I am feeling better, so I sit up and stare at the motionless body on the floor. “What happened to her? Is she dead?” I asked Finlay who appeared to be looking me over for more injuries.
“No, the body was possessed by a reaper. She must have hitched a ride with the vampire. She left the body and went back to wherever it is she came from,” Finlay explained.
“Is she going to be okay?”
“The human will be fine. Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere else?” he asked as he slowly pulled me to my feet.
I put my hand to my throat and notice the bite wound was gone. And after thinking about it, my head didn’t hurt either.
“What happened? Why don’t I feel like I just got my ass kicked? Where did the bite wound go?” I asked.
“I healed you. It’s the least I could do since it’s my fault you got hurt. I shouldn’t have left to go get the sword,” he said as he looked at the floor like he couldn’t meet my eyes.
“Fin, I am alright now and the vampire is dead. That is thanks to you. The rest doesn’t matter,” I said and pulled him into a hug. “Thank you for saving me.” I gave him a soft kiss on his lips.
Finlay stopped me before I moved away. He slid his hands in my hair and pressed his lips back to mine for a more thorough kiss.
“Sorry,” he apologized for the kiss. “I am going to drop the woman off at a hospital and come right back,” he said changing the subject and then disappearing with the w
oman.
I stand there stunned for a moment and brought my fingers to my lips. I shake myself out of my daze and look at the remaining body on my floor. “Great. What about the dead guy? Aren’t vampires supposed to turn to dust or something when they die?” I said to myself as I wait for Finlay to return.
I had cleaned up and changed my bloody clothes already when Finlay returned five minutes later, looking determined.
“We have to leave. Whoever wants you dead knows where you live.”
“Won’t they just find me anywhere I go because they can track my soul? And what about the corpse on my floor?” I asked Finlay as he starts to pack my things.
“Only the reaper that was assigned to collect you will be able to track your soul, so as long as he isn’t the one sending people to kill you, you should be able to hide. And don’t worry about the body. I will have someone dispose of it,” he said as he reclaimed his sword from the body.
“Now help me pack a few things, so we can get out of here,” he commanded and then slapped my ass to get me moving.
Chapter 8
FINLAY
As Charlie packed a bag, I decided to make a couple phone calls. Not every hybrid believes in cell phones, but fortunately, the ones who owe me favors do.
The first call I need to make is to a witch that can help me shield Charlie from the reapers and the Ladies of the Waiting. The witch owes me a favor from a few hundred years ago when I donated some of my blood as an ingredient in one of her spells. Witches are mortal like humans with a similar lifespan. This witch has now lived much longer thanks to my blood, but she has now grown old and probably doesn’t have many years left. It should be a quick call; the witch is reliable and should make no arguments against helping me.
“Hello?” she answers after three rings.
“Good evening, Flora. This is Finlay and I need to cash in the favor you owe me.” I said to her as politely as I could while getting straight to the point.
“Of course, Finlay, I would be happy to help you. What do you need from me, dear?”
“I need a shielding spell for my friend. The spell needs to prevent the reapers and the Ladies of the Waiting from finding her.”
“Oh my! That is going to be a challenging spell. This is no small favor that you ask of me, Finlay. I am such an old woman now. My magic is not as strong as it once was,” she said, clearly fishing for something.
I sighed. “If I give you more of my blood, will you be able to do the spell?” I asked, knowing all too well that is what she is after.
“Why yes, that will allow me to recapture my youth and to perform your spell with no problem,” she said, sounding triumphant.
“As soon as you bring me your blood and I am youthful once more, I will do as you ask. I will also need a single teardrop from your friend as they say the eyes are the window to the soul. See you soon, Finlay,” she said and hung up the phone.
Wonderful. Getting a tear from Charlie may prove to be difficult, that girl rarely cries. Hopefully, she is feeling emotional today. I start to grow anxious. That reaper is likely going to be back to collect Charlie sooner rather than later. Getting my blood to the witch is going to delay the shielding spell and I need to hide Charlie as soon as possible. I shake off the anxiety and concentrate on my next phone call.
The second call I need to make is to a werewolf, and I know this call was going to be more difficult than the first. I dial the number and wait for him to answer.
“What the hell do you want, fairy?” he snapped at me.
Weres are so charming. I shake my head and take a deep breath. “Jaxon, I am calling in my favor.”
“Of course, you are. Maybe I don’t feel like helping you today.”
I am losing my patience.
“You owe me a favor and you will help me, or I will hunt you down. You do remember what I can do with my glamour, don’t you?” I warned in a dark tone.
“Jeez, relax. What do you need from me?” he said, sounding a little less tough and slightly more nervous than he did a moment ago.
I smile into the phone. “Good doggy. I need a place to hide someone, somewhere secluded.” I tell him. “And then I need you to stay to guard her while I go out to run an errand. Do you think you can manage that?” I asked rhetorically.
“Give me a few minutes and I will call you back.” He grumbled and hung up.
While I am waiting for him to call me back, I check on Charlie to see if she is nearly done packing her stuff.
“Are you almost ready to go? We need to leave before anyone else shows up.” I wrap my arms around her and give her a kiss on her forehead.
She has always fit perfectly in my arms. I am not sure why, but she always looks the same in each incarnation. It’s unusual as souls always assume the appearance of whatever body they are born into. It has caused problems for Charlie when she looked nothing like either of her birth parents. I am usually able to find her before any major problems occur, but one time I wasn’t able to find her fast enough and her parents had already left her to die alone in the forest. I was completely devastated by that death. She didn’t even get a chance to grow up in that life.
I usually feel her soul come back online when she is around six months old. I have no idea why I can’t sense her before then and I never know when she may reappear as the time between reincarnations varies. When I do find her, I place a glamour on her, so she looks like her parents. The glamour would only kick in if people started to question her appearance. People that didn’t know any better would see her real appearance, not the glamour.
I was late this incarnation, really late. By the time I got to her, she was already five years old. Her parents had already given her up for adoption, but I was able to find her a nice family to live with, so she didn’t have to suffer through terrible foster families.
I always keep an eye on her from a distance, glimmering in from time to time. I usually reintroduce myself when she reaches high school, and I win back her friendship all over again.
If I am lucky, I get to be more than her friend, but I never push a romantic relationship on her. Being in her life is all that matters to me and I won’t risk losing time with her. This incarnation has been particularly frustrating as she has been completely oblivious to my attraction to her, though I can sense her lust towards me.
If we manage to keep her alive, and in this incarnation, the best part of all of this will be that I won’t have to pretend anymore. I won’t have to pretend to go to school or work. I won’t have to pretend that I don’t know her. I won’t have to pretend that I don’t know every inch of her body and how to make her orgasm. I can finally put more effort into being more than friends with her because we will have forever to figure it out.
My phone starts to ring. “I have to take this call. Finish packing. We leave in five minutes.” I tell her as I give her another squeeze and then step out of the room.
I answered the phone and Jaxon immediately starts talking. “Alright, I have secured a location and have cleared my plans,” he said sullenly.
“Thank you, Jaxon,” I said politely like he wasn’t being forced to help me. “Text me the coordinates and we will be there in five minutes,” I told him and then hung up the phone.
I receive the information within seconds. I search for the location on my phone, so I know where we are going.
Charlie stepped out of her bedroom with a duffle bag. “I’m ready. Sorry I took so long, but I feel like I won’t be coming back here ever again, so I was making sure to pack a few mementos from my life,” she said wistfully as she took one last look around her apartment, a single tear sliding down her cheek.
I seize the opportunity and collect the tear on a tissue I had in my pocket.
She furrowed her brows, looked at me warily, and then shrugged her shoulders. “So how are we getting to wherever we are going? Can you astralocate me with you?” she asked, finally getting the term right.
“No, love, fae don’t astralocate. Only reaper
s astralocate and it is rather limiting as reapers are unable to travel with another living person. I glimmer, and as you saw earlier, I have no problem taking another person with me when I travel. My only limitation is that I need to know the exact location of where I am traveling to.” I explained as I take her bag from her and then wrap my arm around her shoulders to prepare to glimmer.
“Is it going to hurt?” she asked as she rested her head on my shoulder.
“No, it is actually quite pleasurable,” I said with a laugh. “It is so pleasurable, that with any luck you will finally throw yourself at me when we get to our location,” I joked to lighten the mood.
Charlie laughed and pinched my arm. “Okay, let’s go,” she said with a final glance around her apartment, and in the next instant, we were gone.
Chapter 9
Kian
It’s after midnight when I finally make it back to Charlie’s apartment. I am annoyed that I hadn’t been able to make it back here sooner. My pickups were unusually challenging today, resisting the process, and I don’t know if that is because the Balance is being affected by Charlie’s situation.
As reapers, we try every tactic to get a soul to come with us, including by force. Most understand and willingly if not eagerly go with us to the Waiting, but some fight and try to flee. The ones that manage to flee and stay hidden eventually start to wither away until their soul is no longer able to be reincarnated. That is how you get ghosts.
I astralocated outside of her apartment, so I can knock on her door to announce my arrival. I am trying to be more courteous in the hope of her being more cooperative. I knock and wait a minute for her to answer. I knock again louder when she doesn’t answer. Still no response, in fact, I hear absolutely no noise coming from her apartment. Maybe she is asleep.
I astralocate onto the other side of the door and take in the scene in front of me. There is blood all over the floor and the furniture has been knocked out of place. My body tenses and prepares for a fight. I turn towards the living room and see a dead vampire lying on the floor with a hole in his chest and a pen in his eye.
