Birthrights

by Butler, Christine M.

  "Yes, but he doesn't know where he's being held. He said my mom's okay. They moved her, so he only gets to dreamwalk with her." Caislyn leaned in a little closer to take some of the comfort Jaxon was offering her.

  "Cais, it's good news." Jaxon was trying to cheer her friend up a little for both their sakes. The depression that was rolling through Caislyn was hard to fight off. "He's dream walking with you, that means he may have some clues or answers for you the next time you two communicate. You just have to remember to make the most of your time with him when you can."

  "So, you believe that I have been talking to him and not just dreaming this stuff up?" Caislyn looked seriously shocked that she was believed so easily. "I mean, I thought I was crazy, myself."

  Jaxon and Seth both laughed before Jaxon answered her. "After all the crap we have gone through together since we met, you expect me to not believe this?" The smile she offered her friend was so genuine that it was contagious. Jax could feel the tension lift from Caislyn a little, which was at least a start. Unfortunately, she had to ask Caislyn some questions while everything was still fresh in their minds. "So, let me get this straight, you are Fey, or part Fey and part witch and I am maybe part witch and part vampire?" She looked to Seth "you're just a vampire, right? You're not going to suddenly become part wolf or anything are you?"

  "No, I'm all vampire. I'd be happy to show you, if you'd like." Seth's eyes were smoldering in their brightest green with the implied proposition. Jaxon realized at that moment that she had been holding her breath just a bit while waiting for his answer. She had not had the greatest experiences with Lycans and she certainly didn't want Seth to be one. That little revelation that he was all vampire struck a nerve in her and she felt her synapses firing off electric impulses all around her body. Unfortunately for her, by the look on Seth's face, he was able to sense the change in her before she could get herself under control.

  "Um, no. That's quite alright. Who needs a refill?" Jaxon jumped up nervously, trying to conceal the fire that had blushed across her cheeks, and headed for the little bar in the corner of the room. Seth grinned as Caislyn gave them both a curious glance.

  "So, you've finally decided to accept that you are a vampire, Jax?" Caislyn asked, appreciative for the distraction from her own issues.

  "Well, no. I'm not a vampire, because I don't need blood to survive, but I have to admit, I have some unique vampire qualities. So, I'm not really sure what to think," Jax answered as she poured herself another drink and rejoined Caislyn on the couch.

  "You definitely have vampire abilities. Not just the small ones, but rather some pretty prominent, unmistakable features." Seth added.

  Caislyn looked from her friend to the vampire sitting in the chair beside her. "Is there something I should know here?" She looked between both of them again, getting the clear impression that she was interrupting some serious chemistry. "I mean, how would you know she has some prominent features? And what kind of features are you talking about?"

  "Jaxon was attacked at the Gallery before we got here, by another vampire." Seth answered nonchalantly.

  "What?" Caislyn yelped, "Oh, crap, Jax," Caislyn looked to her friend and quickly surveyed her to be sure she wasn't hurt. "Here I was rambling about my parents, again, and you were just attacked."

  "Again," Jaxon added. "It seems to happen so much lately, that it doesn't even phase me anymore, especially when I kicked ass."

  Caislyn looked clearly confused so Seth filled her in on what happened at the gallery. "She had everything under control when I got there. She was all vampire when I got there too."

  "Okay, what exactly do you mean by that?" Caislyn questioned.

  "Vampires have the ability to stop their body functions. It helps to conserve energy, which helps us live longer, but we do so mostly when we fight or travel for long periods without access to a blood source. Of course these days with such fast travel and rampant blood supply, that's not really a problem." At the look of impatience Caislyn was giving him, Seth quickly got back on topic. "When we fight, if we get injured it helps us stop the blood loss so that we can recover quicker. It also allows the older vampires to sleep, sometimes for hundreds of years, although, when they sleep too long they generally need help waking up. A blood offering to jump start the system again, is what I have heard, but I don't exactly know since I have never seen a vamp awaken from more than a 50 year sleep."

  "Okay, I am really excited about the vamp history lesson, but I am more concerned with Jaxon and what she is capable of."

  "Well, Jaxon was able to shut her body down in full vamp fashion. Her eyes were pure black and her body functions had stopped completely. The strange thing is, it takes the young vamps a while to be able to control their bodies that well especially under stress. Jaxon was fighting a much older vamp. Frank is somewhere in the ballpark of 150 and Jax tossed him around like he was a human." He looked at her admiringly, "and she did it without any effort. What's more unbelievable is when I started talking to her, she was able to turn it off and appear human again. That amount of control is unheard of before you hit the 100 year mark."

  "Well, Jax, that's some trick." She looked at her friend who was a bit shocked to have heard what Seth just told them. "It makes sense though because you heal really fast too."

  "But, I'm not a full vampire, Caislyn. I don't need blood. And what about my birthmark? I was adopted remember? The only explanation I have is that I'm part witch and part vampire."

  Caislyn sat in silence for a moment as Seth looked on. Suddenly, she remembered something that happened the night she performed her ritual to find her parents. "Oh crap, Mrs. Miller told me that I needed to find 'death's only witch' and that we would find the truth together. That's got to mean you."

  Seth leaned forward once again joining the conversation. "What birthmark?"

  The girls looked at each other and figured it was time they let Seth in on the birthmark, since he already knew that she was a witch anyway. Jaxon stood up pulling her hair over her far shoulder and pulling her shirt down far enough on the other side so that Seth could see the mark. "This is my birthmark." She looked down at her shoulder to the spot and back at Seth. "Caislyn says it comes from an old line of witches that were thought to be extinct."

  "It does." Seth said, nearly dumbfounded. "They obviously aren't extinct." As he continued to think about what this meant something else occurred to Seth. "Find what truth?"

  "Wait a minute, you knew this vampire that attacked Jax?" Caislyn asked as she too got up to fix another drink and change the subject. "Why would he attack Jaxon?"

  "That's what I'd like to know. Not that he'll try doing it again mind you." Jaxon settled further into the couch with a smug grin.

  Seth allowed for a change of subject momentarily. "We work for the same person. He was probably trying to check up on me, and since I've been around you so much lately, he probably thought he could use you for information about how I'm performing my duties. Probably just a ploy to try to get my job. Believe me though, I will be looking into it." Seth's voice held a hint of retribution.

  "I still can't believe you were attacked. Again." Caislyn said sitting back down on the couch with her drink.

  "I know right? I feel like I have a target on my back right now." Jaxon remarked.

  "You might in a round about way." Seth said. "What truth are you two supposed to find?"

  Caislyn and Jaxon looked at each other, wondering whether or not to fully trust Seth. Jaxon nodded and Caislyn turned towards the vampire whose life seemed to become intertwined with their own.

  "I performed a spell to help me find my parents. A long time customer of the bookstore, who is a prophet of sorts, was the last customer I had before I closed up for the evening. She told me to find "death's only witch" and that we would find the truth together. I performed the ritual, and was lead to Jaxon. At the time, I figured Jaxon would help me find my parents, but now that we know about the prophecy, I think it has more to do with that." />
  Seth listened intently as Jaxon continued, "We ran into this crazy old drunk guy on our way to see the demon, Ve. He finished the prophecy for us.” She looked at Caislyn and smiled, “At least I've been thinking that was what that conversation was all about.” She smiled as Caislyn nodded her head and continued, “and it also mentioned something about 'the truth'."

  Seth sat up, "The Old Seer? You saw him? And Ve? Please, tell me you aren't dealing with demons? "

  "Not so sure that's much better than telling you any of this at the moment since you're all smoke and shadow." Jaxon said, starting to feel drained from having to keep up her shield for so long. "I think I'm going to grab some of that special tea you made, Caislyn. Do you want some?"

  Caislyn shook her head and eyed Seth as Jaxon wandered into the kitchen to fix her tea.

  "So when did you become so protective of us Seth? " Caislyn asked.

  "It has nothing to do with being protective, well, maybe it does, but Ve is a demon, Caislyn. A demon! You must know how dangerous they are!"

  "Cool your fangs. We aren't working with Ve. We went there to see if he could give us some weapons but he was busy and couldn't help us." Caislyn explained.

  Obviously relieved, Seth leaned back in his chair once again. "I'm just surprised, Caislyn. That's all. It just shows how desperate you are to find your parents. Which makes you vulnerable, and if you really are dealing with the prophecy, you can't afford to be vulnerable."

  Caislyn was thinking about what Seth had said when Jaxon came back into the room. She knew that he was right. She had become desperate to find her parents. So much so that she was taking too many risks and endangering Jaxon while she was at it.

  "Ah, this stuff is the best. I swear I think you need to market this tea, Caislyn." Jaxon suggested as she sat back down on the couch.

  Caislyn smiled at her friend. So much had happened so quickly, it was hard to make sense out of it all sometimes. But she knew in her heart that her parents were depending on her, and she was determined to find them.

  "I can't believe you saw the Old Seer," Seth said interrupting Caislyn's thoughts. "I'm not sure anyone has seen him in centuries. Its just another sign that the prophecy is about to unfold."

  "What do you mean?" the girls asked simultaneously, then giggled at each other.

  Seth raised an eyebrow, but explained. "Because the Old Seer tends to have a bad habit of giving his prophecies or visions and then dropping out of sight until it is about to happen. Sort of his way of gloating about his ability to foresee the future."

  "He did seem sort of cheerful, in a weird, drunken, hobo kind of way." Jaxon replied.

  "So you saw him outside of Ve's place?" Seth asked. "Huh, I wonder if Ve had anything to do with hiding him?" Seth looked at both of them, "I'd say it was damn lucky that you two didn't get involved with Ve. He doesn't have the best reputation."

  Caislyn just nodded. "I was thinking he could help us with weapons. I'm sure you've noticed that we seem to be getting attacked every time we step outside."

  "From what I've seen, I'm not so sure you need any weapons, Caislyn. The two of you have a lot of power. More than you probably realize. If I were you, I'd figure out how to use them." Seth suggested as he rose gracefully from his chair.

  Jaxon stood as well and started to walk him to the door.

  "I'm going to go find out what Frank was up to. I think it would be wise for the two of you to stay home, until you hear from me. I'm hoping maybe with my connections I can find out more about what's going on." Seth said as Jaxon opened the door to the apartment for him. He stood looking at her a moment longer before he stepped over the threshold. "Oh, and stay away from demons from now on. I really don't feel like having to fight one of those, ever!" he commented as he started down the stairs.

  Jaxon breathed deeply and closed the door behind him.

  Caislyn sat on the couch and just looked at her friend. "What?" Jaxon asked innocently as she plopped in the recently vacated chair.

  "Don't give me that. You know perfectly well what I'm giving you this look for." Caislyn gave Jax the look, "What is going on between the two of you?"

  Jaxon's eye grew large "Nothing! Nothing, I swear. Why does everyone think there's something going on with us? Geez."

  Caislyn gave Jaxon an exasperated looked and shook her head. "You have a problem with denial Jaxon. I just thought you should know."

  Jaxon retorted with a crude finger gesture and a sweet smile.

  "Seth is right about one thing though. We need to figure out what powers we have, and how to use them." Caislyn stated.

  Jaxon agreed, "Well, I've figured out how to use my vampire ability to fight, thanks to Frank. If you could figure out how to do that whole transport or teleport thing, that could be very useful."

  Caislyn nodded then added, "And that shield we had at the Causeway. We need to figure out how that works too. But I'm exhausted and so are you. We should get some sleep. I have a feeling the next few days are going to be very busy."

  ***

  Getting to Know Him

  Seth walked briskly back to the art gallery where he parked his Escalade. hours ago. Seeing Jaxon's birthmark had completely thrown him for a loop. He had already figured out that Jaxon was part of the prophecy and that Caislyn was as well, but he had not expected to ever see the mark of the Chattox witches again. He had been working under Darren the first time he met a Chattox witch.

  As the next in line to lead the vampire community, Darren had been working on opening the lines of communications with all other supernatural species. Seth had been leaving Darren's chambers when he ran smack into a cloaked figure right outside the door. "I'm so sorry, I didn't see you." He said, realizing that the figure had not been there a moment ago. "Is there something I can help you with?"

  The figure looked up at him slowly. Two of the palest blue eyes he had ever seen starred back at him, beneath the hood. A quiet but melodic voice met his ears "I apologize, I was just coming to see Darren on urgent business."

  "Oh. Here, let me escort you to him." Seth offered as his suspicions were rising.

  "No, that's quite alright, I know the way. You needn't be bothered with that task, " she said.

  "Its no bother at all." He replied as he grabbed her arm and lead her to the chamber door. "I'm sure Darren will be most interested in knowing that a witch is using invisibility to sneak around our living quarters."

  Seth opened the door and walked the cloaked witch inside.

  "Darren, I'm sorry to bother you, but I found this witch..." he didn't get a chance to finish before she pulled out of his grasp and ran into Darren's arms.

  Seth stood blinking for a moment, trying to understand what he was seeing. He quickly closed the chamber doors, checking the hallway to make sure it was void of witnesses.

  Darren turned to face Seth as the witch stepped away, shed her cloak and placed it upon the chair.

  "Are you mad sir?" Seth asked. "If anyone finds out, your chances of being the Council Chair are ruined."

  Darren sighed. "Yes, I am aware. That is why she comes in secret." He walked back over to the witch and pulled her close. Seth could see hard lines of his friend's face soften as he looked upon her. He had never seen Darren so happy or at peace.

  "I will understand Seth, if you feel it necessary to break from my support, but please, I beg you carry this secret as you carry your life, eternal. We are in love, my friend, and already cursed with the inability to be together as we wish, having to hide our love in shadows. To tear us apart after so many years, I would beg for death." Darren looked upon his lover and then back to Seth awaiting his answer.

  Seth stood there a moment, too shocked to really speak. Darren had been his confidant and his friend for too long for him to take away the loyalty and bond they shared. "Your secret is safe, Darren. It just comes as a shock is all."

  Darren relaxed visibly but it was the witch who spoke. "Thank you. If you should ever need of anything, Seth, please come t
o me for aid. I will not turn you away. I am Meriwyn Chattox and you have my word."

  Seth stood awe struck. The Chattox witches were the most powerful line of witches the world had ever known. He had learned of these great witches through his studies. They were reputed to be fair and just, but also to be harsh with their retribution of those who betrayed them. Now, not only did one stand before him, but she gave oath to aid him. Seth could do nothing more than nod his understanding. She came and stood before him and held out her hand, smiling. "Do not fear me, Seth. I wish you no harm. I am only here to see my love." She said as she glanced over her shoulder to Darren.

  Seth looked at her outstretched hand and noticed the mark on the inside of her wrist. It was an intricate design of many symbols woven together to create the Chattox mark. He took her hand, lifted it to his lips and kissed it. Bowing slightly, "It is my honor, Meriwyn. And now, " he said straightening, "I will leave you to your cherished moment. Darren, I will see you tomorrow. Be safe, my friend."

  That was the first and last time he saw Meriwyn of the Chattox witches, though, he remembered how devastated Darren had been a few years later when Meriwyn disappeared. That had only been 20 some years ago, and now, Jaxon had that very same mark on her shoulder.

  Seth's mind was racing with possibilities. Meriwyn was the last of the Chattox line. Could it be that Jaxon was Meriwyn's daughter? It would explain why he couldn't find a paper trail on Jaxon before she was adopted. Meriwyn would definitely have the type of power to hide such thing.

  Seth had too many questions floating in his head. He had to focus on the here and now. That meant finding out everything he could about the Seer and why Marc sent Frank after him. The more he thought about Frank attacking Jaxon, the more pissed off he became. But he also knew that Marc wouldn't have sent Frank unless he thought Seth could no longer be trusted. The question was, how much did Marc actually know and how much did he think Seth was hiding from him? By now, he was certain that Frank had crawled back to Marc and reported everything that had happened. That meant that his employer was probably be foaming at the mouth with rage over Seth's actions. He climbed into his Escalade. and immediately dialed Marc's direct office line.