by L.H. Cosway
Pamphrock glances back at me. “That is because nobody yet knows how much of Die Äußerste Macht blood it takes to become immortal. If too much of the substance is consumed it can be poisonous, and the vampire will die within a matter of weeks. Whitfield has been keeping my girl alive for this long because he is still trying to figure out the perfect quantity.”
“So he didn’t just kidnap her because he wanted to blackmail you into stepping down as Governor. He wanted her for her blood as well?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Somehow he managed to discover my daughter’s blood could give him eternal life. He’s been trying to steal her since before this war even began.”
“Is that why the war really started? Because Whitfield wanted Rebecca and not because he wanted to pay tribute to the dead Herringtons?” I might be asking too many questions, but I can’t seem to contain my curiosity.
“Yes,” Pamphrock whispers.
“Wow.” I whisper back.
Pamphrock levels his gaze on Delilah now. “I take it you have decided to switch ranks, my dear.”
Delilah replies with sincerity. “I can no longer abide by my brother’s loyalty to Whitfield. The man is a monster and I will not live under his tyranny any more.”
A thick silence ensues, before Delilah leaves her seat and goes to kneel down in front of Pamphrock, her head lowered deferentially. “I hereby pledge my allegiance to you, Governor Pamphrock.”
Pamphrock lays a hand on Delilah’s shoulder. “Rise child, I accept your allegiance with gratitude.”
“Thank you,” Delilah replies quietly, before returning to her seat as though nothing has even happened. Wow. Delilah’s sided with the North. Ethan is not going to be happy.
Finn pulls the van into the car park of the DOH training compound where I first met Pamphrock. There are other vehicles crowded around the entrance, with injured slayers being helped out and inside the building. The crowd parts to allow Pamphrock entrance, and when we get in there are trainee slayers rushing all about trying to see to the wounded. I spot Rita, Alvie and Gabriel sitting quietly in a secluded corner of the room. Their clothing is all wet but they don’t seem to have sustained any injuries.
I rush over to them and pull Rita into a massive hug. I’m realising how subconsciously worried I’d been about her after the powerful spell she just cast. She hugs me right back, she seems a little bit out of it at the moment.
“What you all did back there was amazing!” I exclaim.
Gabriel has his arm around Alvie, who looks exhausted. It makes my heart melt to see Gabriel make a public display of affection. Alvie is like a small, sleepy bird as he rests his head against Gabriel’s chest.
All of a sudden, Gabriel goes still as a statue, his eyes are focused on someone directly behind me. I find out who it is when he breathes, “Delilah…”
I let go of Rita and turn around to see Delilah standing there, her eyes trained on Gabriel.
“Hello brother,” she replies softly.
Gabriel turns to me in shock. “Why is she here?”
Before I can answer, Pamphrock’s authoritative voice explains, “Delilah has come over to our side now, Gabriel.” He has come up behind her and put a reassuring arm around her shoulders.
Gabriel’s dark green eyes narrow ever so slightly. He speaks to Pamphrock when he says, “Are you certain it’s not a trick? Ethan would never allow her to simply leave.”
“I am my own person,” Delilah snaps, interrupting him. “I have made my own decision to come here, there is no trickery at play.”
Gabriel studies her for a long moment, then a tiny sigh escapes his lips. “Very well then, welcome Sister. I really do hope you are genuine.”
He might have his reservations about her, but I have no doubt that Delilah is here because she truly wants to be. There was no mistaking the fear on her face when Whitfield had made his speech at the party tonight.
Somebody grabs my hand then and pulls me away from the group. When I look up I’m staring into Finn’s bright blue eyes. He’s smiling down at me.
“You did it!” he smiles, before lifting me up into his arms and embracing me. I feel a little bit awkward about it because I can almost sense Delilah’s critical gaze burning into my back. I pull away from Finn and grin smugly. “Of course I did it. Piece of cake.” Sometimes I revert to bravado to cover my embarrassment.
When I step back beside Delilah she leans down and whispers, “What’s going on with you and the slayer?”
“Nothing,” I answer. “We’re just friends.” Pamphrock is currently debriefing everyone on the events of the night. Hopefully this means we can go home and sleep soon.
“You could have fooled me. Listen, I’m not trying to give you a lecture or anything, but my brother is not going to let you get away so easily. He’s angry now that you’ve betrayed him, and I’ve never known Ethan to allow somebody to stab him in the back and walk away scot free.”
“Wonderful,” I reply, deadpan. I’m doing my best to hold it together, when really all I want to do is spend a good day in bed crying. I imagine my hurt is on about the same level as Ethan’s fury right now. It’s really all self-inflicted though, even if my cause had been noble.
My attention wanders back to Pamphrock, who is still addressing the slayers. “The war is at a stand still for tonight, but make no mistake, there will be retaliations from the South. We need to be ready when they make their next move. For now, go home and get some rest, but I will require each and every one of you who is of sound body to report to me at nine tomorrow morning. There will be preparations to make. You have all fought with bravery and honour tonight, and I thank you for your continuing loyalty.”
At this he steps away, and there are sounds of agreement from those present. I think everybody’s a little too exhausted to clap or cheer at the moment. Slowly, people begin to make their way out of the compound to go home for the night. I follow Finn and the rest of them as they make their way to his van. I notice Gabriel and Delilah are currently engaged in a serious, hushed conversation. The two of them get into Gabriel’s car and quickly pull away.
“Where are those two off to?” I ask Alvie.
He shrugs and answers, “Some new found family bonding I imagine. I’m too tired to care right now.”
I nod and hop in the back of the van, eternally grateful that the night is finally at an end.
Arriving back at Finn’s house, we find Noreen in the living room with Amanda. Rita’s mother has my friend all tucked under several blankets on the couch, feeding her a bowl of soup. I go to sit by her.
“How has she been?” I ask, placing a hand to Amanda’s forehead. Her temperature seems to be okay.
“She woke up about two hours ago in a panic, so I brewed up a pot of my special broth to help ease her withdrawal symptoms.” Noreen answers.
I glance over at the yellow coloured soup in the bowl. “Is it magical?”
Noreen winks. “It might be. I know of some spells that will assist in her rehabilitation. Addiction to the bite of a vampire cannot be overcome naturally. She will die if we don’t incorporate magic into the healing process.”
I listen seriously as Noreen explains herself. “If we use magic, how long will it take for her to be her normal self again?”
“Oh, three or four weeks maybe.”
“That’s good. Thanks so much for caring for her Noreen.” I stand and stretch my arms over my head, a yawn escaping my lips.
“It’s a pleasure Tegan,” she replies, looking back to Amanda who has now fallen asleep.
I retreat upstairs to take a shower, but Finn has already claimed it. I sit down on the edge of the bed in the spare room, my clothing damp and clammy, and wait for him to finish. I soon get a migraine as my brain tries to comprehend everything that has happened. I fish some headache pills out of the drawer beside the bed, and knock several of them back. I fall into the pillows, and find myself drifting off to sleep. Shower be damned.
The next day I wake up
in the late afternoon to the sound of somebody honking a horn outside. I’m still in my dress from the night before, it’s stuck hard and solid to my body. I peel it off and throw on a t-shirt and some jeans, before venturing downstairs to see what all of the noise is about.
As I step outside I’m confronted with the sight of Rita sitting in the driver’s seat of a gigantic RV. She continues honking the horn, laughing all the while. Alvie’s sitting in the passenger seat with his hands over his ears. She stops when I step out and walk over to her.
“You like?” she asks, with a delighted grin.
I put my hand on the vehicle and look it up and down. “Where on earth did you get this from?”
“A client of mine owns a car rental business. He rents these out to holiday makers, but when I mentioned my current homelessness he offered to give this to me on loan until we get the house rebuilt.”
“That’s great. So you’re going to live in this for the foreseeable future?”
“Yes, well I told Finn and he said I could keep it parked here. Just in case the magical families come sniffing around my place again. You want the grand tour?”
Rita shows me the inside of the RV, it has three bedrooms, a kitchen and living room and two bathrooms. Not bad for a glorified camper van. It will be good enough for her, her mum and Alvie to live in for the time being. At least the house will be slightly less crowded now.
I spend the rest of the day taking care of Amanda, and Noreen shows me how to make that special healing broth of hers. My pink haired friend looks better already, some of the colour has returned to her complexion and her eyes are less blood shot.
The days pass by in a haze. I try to keep my mind off Ethan by focusing on searching for my dad. Rita informs me that he must be still alive and being kept in Freemont park because nothing unusual happened during the winter solstice. Whatever ritual has been planned, it must be some distance in the future.
It’s not exactly the most inconspicuous way of searching for him, but I’ve been going door to door with a picture of my dad. I bring Wolf along with me to make the activity less lonely. Most people shake their head and tell me they’re sorry but they haven’t seen him before. Others don’t even bother to answer the door.
I resolve not to go back to my life in Manchester until I have made sure that he’s safe and well. If I could rescue Rebecca from the most powerful vampire in the city, then it should be easy to save my dad from whoever has got him. I call Jeff up at the art gallery and tell him that I won’t be back for a while longer. He’s not quite as understanding this time around, and informs me that if I can’t get back he’s going to have to give my job to somebody else. Tears clog my eyes as I hang up the phone.
A strange living arrangement takes shape at Finn’s house. Rita, Alvie and Noreen stay in the RV out in the front garden, while Finn, Amanda, Gabriel, Delilah and myself reside in the house. Meal times are hectic and crowded, but it makes me feel like we’ve created something of a misfit family.
On the day after Christmas Finn strolls into the living room while I’m watching television, he’s carrying a large brown envelope.
“Somebody pay you off for your silence?” I snicker.
“No,” he replies. “This is for you. Payment from the Governor. He said he put a bit extra in, something about you casting a spell for Rebecca.”
Shit, I’d forgotten all about that. I glance quickly into the envelope and my eyes widen at the neatly packed bunches of notes. I shove it to the side of the sofa before turning back to Finn.
“So, all quiet on the Western front then?” I ask.
Finn sits down beside me and grabs the remote from my lap, switching through the stations.
“I think you’ll find it’s the Northern front we’re defending, but whatever. The vampires have been keeping a suspiciously low profile. There hasn’t been one single attack since the party at Whitfield’s mansion.”
“Do you think they’re planning something?”
“They’re always planning something, but sometimes they like to play the long game. It could be weeks or even months before they make their move.”
“Huh.”
We watch some soap opera in silence for a bit. Then Gabriel and Delilah come storming into the room, in the midst of a serious conversation. Those two seem to be having a lot of serious conversations these days, never letting anyone know what they’re talking about.
They both go strangely quiet when they notice the room isn’t empty. Finn grins up at the both of them. “Well bro and sis, what’s happening?”
Delilah scowls at him, but doesn’t say anything. Gabriel sends her a questioning look, as though asking for permission to tell us what’s going on. Delilah shrugs and nods for him to go ahead.
“Delilah’s had a phone call from Ethan,” he says.
My heart does a somersault in my chest. Ethan has been on my mind far more than I’d like to admit. I hate the fact that I miss him so much.
“And…” Finn prompts.
“He’s been having trouble with Whitfield. The Governor has made no secret of the fact that he plans to replace Ethan in his inner circle because of what happened with Rebecca,” Delilah puts in.
Great. There’s the guilt again, squeezing the air from my lungs.
“Wasn’t he angry about you leaving?” I ask.
“Of course he was. But he seems to have come to understand my reasons. Still, he’s been trying to convince me to come back. I’ve told him I can’t, not with Whitfield still in power.”
I want to ask another question, but I’m afraid of what the answer will be. Oh God, I can’t hold it in, it’s pointless trying. “Did – did Ethan mention me when you spoke to him?”
Finn’s body language tenses beside me. I don’t think he likes the idea that I have feelings for Ethan. He thinks it’s suicide getting involved with a vampire. That Ethan will ruin me just like Lucas ruined Amanda. I don’t think he realises that I would never allow Ethan or any other vampire to bite me. At least not willingly.
Delilah fidgets awkwardly. “No he didn’t mention you Tegan. You hurt him really badly, and my brother has a problem with forgiveness.”
I can’t help scowling. “He forgave you pretty easily.”
“Ethan understands that I did what I did because I was frightened. You chose to actively go behind his back.”
It takes a great effort to hold back my tears at Delilah’s words. I grab my envelope full of money and silently rise to leave the room. Upstairs in my bedroom I dive beneath the duvet, weeping into the pillow. I’m so sad, but I deserve this. Ethan’s hate is my punishment for doing what I thought was right.
There’s no point in feeling sorry for myself, because I know that if I had the chance I’d do it all over again. I know what it’s like to have a loved one stolen from you, and the look on Pamphrock’s face when I returned Rebecca to him might just be worth this heartache.
Chapter Nineteen
Mama, We All Go To Hell
It’s New Years Eve and I still haven’t found my dad. I’m lying on Finn’s couch with my headphones on, listening to The Damned in an effort to drown out the worry in my head. It’s not working much. Rita’s been busy taking clients and helping Finn with various DOH matters, so we haven’t had the chance to perform another spell to try and locate him. I finally get around to asking Gabriel if he knows anything about the rogue magic users I’d encountered, but he only tells me that if they do exist then he isn’t aware of them.
The door opens and Rita flounces in with a massive grin on her face. “Are you up for some excitement tonight?”
I turn off the music to talk to her. “I’m really not in the mood to celebrate the new year Rita, you go ahead though. Have some fun, you deserve it.”
Rita shakes her head and folds her arms over her chest. “I’m not going to take no for an answer. You’ve been moping around for the last week, you need to come out with me and let off some steam.”
I roll my eyes, which Rita does
n’t fail to notice and she rolls hers right back with a little too much sarcasm for my liking.
“Fine. What exactly did you have in mind?”
“Well,” says Rita, a gleam in her eyes because I’ve given in, “there’s this beach.”
“Right, and…” I prompt.
“It’s sort of a magical beach. Well, it’s thought to be a location of concentrated earth magic. It’s called Sycamore Strand and there’s going to be a New Year’s party there tonight and I really, really want you to come with me.”
“Okay, I know that place. I used to go there during the summer when I was a kid. I didn’t know it was a magical beach, but I don’t suppose that will surprise you. Have you asked the others?”
“I have, everyone’s coming except for Mum. Oh and Amanda, she’s not well enough to go out yet. Mum will keep an eye on her while we’re gone.”
“Fine, I’ll come, but I’m going to go take a nap first, so call me when I need to get ready.”
“You’re taking a nap at this time? You really need to get yourself out of this funk Tegan,” Rita says, her shrewd brown eyes all judgemental.
“Whatever. I’m lethargic. And I’ll get out of my funk when I find my dad.”
I leave her then and go upstairs to take the aforementioned nap. When I wake up it’s seven in the evening and Finn is sitting on the bed watching me worriedly. I rub my eyes and sit up.
“What’s your problem?” I ask, all grumpy.
“You’ve been sleeping during the day, again,” he observes.
“Well spotted Holmes,” I reply snappily, getting out of bed to find some jeans and a t-shirt clean enough to wear to Rita’s new-years-beach-thing.
“Are you depressed?” Finn asks, his eyes still trained on me as I continue my search for clothes.
“I’m always depressed, life is depressing. My life in particular.”
“You could’ve fooled me. I mean, you seemed really lonely when I’d been watching you back in Manchester. But ever since you’ve been back you’ve had a bit more of a swing in your step. That was until the whole fiasco at Whitfield’s.”
