by L. T. Kelly
I chuckled, and three faces spun to view me. I flapped a hand as I finished my hysterics, my sides aching from the unfamiliar exertion of laughing. “The Malapropos?”
Freya dipped her head, her eyes narrowed on me.
“They’re pretty good friends of mine. I think they’ll make excellent protection for this place.”
Obviously, Bartholomew had kept secrets from more than just me. They all stared at me, each one as perplexed as the next.
“I’ll go fetch them. They’ll be awfully pleased to meet you all,” I sniggered, flashing through the door and out to the courtyard before any questions could be asked of me. If they wanted to play the game of showing, why couldn’t I have fun doing the same?
I reached Pearl, still breathless with laughter. “Come on, Pearl. We need to go fetch some people to watch over this place. We’re going to Dublin tomorrow, and Freya is coming with.
“Does anyone have any rope?” I looked at all the witches present, and Grace’s ex-girlfriend jumped up to fetch me some. My question was ignored by the others, who glared glumly into the fire, most likely tripping over their faces upon hearing the news they were being abandoned by their leader.
Pearl’s face lined quizzically as the witch handed me a few meters of rope. “Come on. I’ll explain on the way.”
Once we almost reached the caves, far enough out of Charmion’s magnificent hearing range, I confided my plan to Pearl.
“You’re so funny, Teagan.”
“They’re so stupid. I mean, imagine being afraid of those cute old men.”
Pearl stopped laughing, a faraway look passing over her features. “But seriously… Of course we ought to teach them a lesson and show them who the Malapropos are, but I’d feel bad to leave them open to attack.”
I flapped a hand in her direction. “Honestly, would I do that? I have a plan.” I kept my eyes on her, fishing my cell phone out of my pocket and placing a call as we walked until we reached the dirt path opposite the caves. We climbed the sheer cliff face, as we had the previous time, my stomach fluttered, excited.
“All right, ladies?”
David stood at the opening of the cave, beaming at us as we stepped onto the ledge.
“Hey,” I greeted him warmly and pulled him into an embrace.
“You, er, don’t happen to be bringing gifts, do ya?” he asked, unable to meet our gazes, clearly embarrassed to be asking us for sustenance.
“Oh, we have better than that for you.”
David’s face lit up. “You do?”
“Yes.” Pearl grinned at him. “Can you put some things together for you and Doug? We’re taking you on a little holiday.”
We followed David inside the cave. Doug looked as though he’d gotten worse in the short time since we last visited.
“Who’s this?” he barked as we walked in.
“Oh, Dougie boy, come on now. You met these ladies the other day.”
“But who are they?” He inspected us through narrowed eyes.
“It’s… It’s… Now don’t tell me.” David waggled a finger at me and Pearl before pressing his finger to his lips and looking skyward.
Pearl and I exchanged a sympathetic smile, until he snapped his fingers.
“Pearl and Teagan.”
“Yes, but who are they?” Doug’s voice had reached a crescendo.
Doug looked almost starved. No wonder he was so grumpy.
“Don’t mind him,” David said, his hands on his hips and a sad glint in his eyes, like he knew the end of the line was in store for his companion. “He’s a diva when he’s hungry.”
“Well, this should help a little until he gets some real human blood inside him.”
I fished a small knife from my pocket and sliced into my flesh, placing it to Doug’s mouth. Pearl did the same for David. What we gave them was human blood, but our own bodies had robbed some nutrients from it for our own systems to thrive on. I guess it was like watered-down blood. If we were the makers of these men, it would have a much different effect on them. Your maker’s blood was the most efficacious thing a vampire could ingest. It made you heal quicker and become more agile.
“Doug.” I raised my voice to an unnatural level so the guy could hear me. His eyes flitted to me. He looked better already.
“No need to shout,” he told me, rearing his head back.
I stifled a laugh. “You wanna leave here for a few days?”
He moved his head up and down, a hint of a smile curling his thin lips. He reached up and attempted to smooth his wild hair down in preparation for leaving the shithole.
I glanced around and spotted a comb, my stomach twisting in knots for him and how he was expected to live out his days in this place. I rushed back to him. He stared at me with twinkling eyes.
“You’re a lovely girl,” he told me sweetly. I bent and combed his wiry grey hair, his smile widening as I did.
“I’m going to get you out of here,” I whispered. “That’s you looking gorgeous.” I stood straight and inspected him.
Pearl and I got to work tying the rope we brought with us around Doug’s middle, then snaking it loosely between his legs, while David gathered a few things for the both of them.
“Don’t forget my books,” Doug barked at David, who rolled his eyes, then made the bag significantly heavier with Doug’s treasured collection of classics that kept him company for as long as he resided there.
Pearl and I tugged on the rope to ensure its security and guided a wobbly Doug to the precipice.
“I’ll go on ahead,” said Pearl scaling down the mossy cliff face.
When she called up that she was ready, I aided Doug to a sitting position, his legs dangling from the rock face, and encouraged him to leave the edge. I would have felt guilty for doing all this to prove a point if Doug had appeared the least bit afraid, but his face beamed like a teenager about to jump on a roller coaster.
“Woohoo!” echoed around the area as I lowered him down. David and I stood at the top, our chuckles mingling with Doug’s gleeful sounds.
“He’s here with me,” Pearl called, amusement laced in her voice.
“Make sure you’re clear,” I warned them before dropping the bag down.
“Are you going to be okay?” I asked David, cocking my head.
He nodded. “Thanks. This is the happiest I’ve seen him in…” David paused thoughtfully. “Well, forever.” His voice cracked.
“Come on,” I urged him before his emotions overwhelmed the man and made it difficult for him to escape the gloomy cave. I moved slowly to make sure David didn’t get stuck along the way. He moved much quicker than I thought he would manage.
Once we all got over the stream to the muddy banks, even Doug appeared fitter, moving rapidly. “Hey! I thought you guys were meant to be unfit.”
“I think it’s the blood,” David mused, looking at Doug’s upright stance. “I ain’t seen him standin’ this straight in ages.”
“Hmm… Maybe vampire blood serves you better than human blood?” Pearl pondered. “Are either of you aware of why you age?”
David shook his head, a grim expression crossing his features. “Your old boy, Barty, reckons we were only half-made. Enough venom to make us inhuman, but not enough to fully turn us. That, or the venom wasn’t strong enough.”
“Makes sense. Listen, we need to slow down. We’re waiting for one other.”
“Where are we going?” Doug asked.
“You’re going to look after the witches for a few days. We need Freya to come to Ireland with us to rescue Barty,” I told them. It had been a long time since I called Bartholomew that. I shortened his name as a joke years ago when I first met him, thinking he’d find it irksome, but by the time he discovered my pet name for him, he found it rather amusing.
“Barty? Rescuing?” David jerked his head back. His crinkled skin displayed his age with full force.
“Yes. The witches in Ireland are a bit of a pain in the ass,” I explained and carried on walk
ing. I didn’t want to talk about it. I wanted to get on with what we had to do and rise with a fighting spirit when darkness fell again.
We approached the woodland surrounding the camp, and I spotted a figure walking ahead of us. I loved it when a plan came together with perfect timing. Something had gone right for a change, and I hoped that was an indication, a sign of better things to come.
Nineteen
When You’re Strange
When You’re Strange
I stepped through the trees with Pearl, both of us finding it difficult to keep our tittering at bay. We asked the others to wait inside the tree line for the grand reveal of the terrifying Malapropos.
Most of the witches had peeled away from the nightly gathering around the fire in the square, Alex, Rose, Ryan, Freya, Grace’s ex-girlfriend and Charmion were all that remained. They stared at us expectantly.
“Well, where are they then?” Alex asked. He cradled a glass of red wine, which appeared to calm his frayed nerves after Freya’s mind control trickery earlier.
Pearl and I turned in unison, waving our hand toward the trees. “Please welcome the revered, terrifying, feral vampires.” I raised my voice to make the final part of the announcement. “The Malapropos!”
Doug and David ambled out of the tree line in perfect hobbling unison, both of them holding hands against their backs, as though it would help an ache or pain, the speed in which they’d travelled to the camp taking its toll.
“Bloomin’ heck, I ain’t no spring chicken no more,” David told me, shaking his head as he reached where I stood.
I grinned at him and turned to view everybody’s open-mouthed, wide-eyed stares.
“All right, you lot.” David appeared concerned by the crowd’s expression. “I’m David. Pleased to make your acquaintance.” He limped toward them, his liver-spotted, wrinkled hand extended. “And this ‘ere is Dougie.”
“I can speak for my bloody self, you know,” he said, louder than needed. My blood must have started wearing off after all the exercise. His back bent as he struggled over to join David, busily shaking hands with the speechless crowd.
“You gotta’ be shittin’ me.” Ryan scrambled to his feet. “Let me fetch you a chair, mate,” he told Doug soothingly, understanding if the guy got down to the beanbags surrounding the fire, there would be every chance he wouldn’t be able to get back up again.
Ryan zoomed back into view, holding the captain’s chair from behind Freya’s desk. Even she didn’t appear put out by her furniture being utilised by the little old vampire.
“You see.” I glanced between Charmion and Freya. “I honestly cannot fathom what the fuck Bartholomew was playing at when he sent them to the caves to rot.”
Charmion looked to the cobbles, gleaming orange beneath the glow of the fire. My chest ached when I viewed an expression I never saw flicker over her chiselled features before…shame.
“Bartholomew has always possessed a fear of the unnatural,” she muttered in futile defence of her fledgling.
I smiled sadly at her. “Charmion, one day, I want you to visit the caves these men were banished to. Then I want you to tell me if there is any level on which sending them there could possibly be conceived as okay.”
She dipped her chin.
“I agree,” Freya murmured, closely inspecting both of the Malapropos. “Unfortunately, this leaves me in a position that I’m unable to accompany you to Dublin. These men cannot protect the clan.”
David’s lips twitched. I expected this reaction from Freya, but not delivered in a quite so hurtful manner.
“I have that covered,” I told her.
Freya had been clutching at straws, her eyes slanted downward and lips pursed as soon as I made the announcement.
Grace flounced from beyond the trees, her shoulders raised as her eyes fell on the blonde girl and quickly looked away again. “I will protect them.” Grace jutted a chin out.
The blonde girl rushed to Grace, flinging her arms around her neck and brushing her full, pink lips tenderly over her cheek. “I missed you so much.”
Grace’s glance flitted around, her arms remaining by her sides. Bringing Grace back to camp was not something I ever wanted to do again, but we quickly ran out of options. I made her swear to me she wouldn’t give any of the witches her blood again. She readily agreed. I cringed inside. By bringing her here, I knew I sold her secret.
Gabriella followed her daughter from behind a thick, mossy tree trunk, her lips parted as her gaze switched between the young blonde witch and Grace.
“Grace?” Gabriella croaked. It did not require any magical powers to establish the embrace didn’t belong in the friendship category. This was undeniably lovers reuniting.
Grace looked at me, the kind of expression that screamed, Help!
The blonde witch took a step back, seemingly having realised the gravity of the situation.
“Your mom is not as much of a bitch as you think, you know? You can tell her,” I whispered into Grace’s ear and forced a smile. “I mean, she used to be a complete cow, but trust me. She’s mellowed with age.”
Grace drew in a ragged breath and turned to face her mother. “Mom, I need to tell you something. I’m gay.”
Gabriella’s face crumpled. Judging by her expression, she really didn’t know.
“I also need to confess something else.” Grace’s shoulders slumped. “I detest what I am. I hate being a wolf and will do anything to make it go away. This is why I wanted to be here and stay part of the clan. It’s a simple blood exchange, nothing more.”
Ouch!
The blonde witch winced in pain and her bottom lip quivered before she rushed into one of the houses in the square. My heart ached for the girl because I knew the last sentence to be untrue. Grace was only eighteen, and her words came across as vengeance for the pain the blonde witch inflicted on Grace before she left.
Gabriella pulled her daughter into a hug. “Don’t sell yourself short. I can’t believe I’ve been so much of a bad mother that you couldn’t tell me any of this a long time ago.”
Gabriella pulled Grace away from her and studied her face. “I understand. It’s not easy being what we are. When I was your age, I hated what I am, too, certain my life was ruined, out of control because of what I was. But, honestly…” She paused, pursing her lips. “You get used to it.”
Well, shoot me down dead. The last person on the planet I thought would admit she struggled with being a wolf was Gabriella Romano.
“As for being gay, not telling me was stupid on every level. You think I care about that shit? Do you know what century we’re in?” Gabriella laughed at Grace’s wide-eyed stare. “But what I do care about is what you just did to that young lady. It was uncalled for, and I didn’t raise you to be a spiteful little bitch. Go apologise.”
Grace’s lips pressed into a thin line, and I held my breath waiting for her to wage war upon her mother. Nothing came. She turned and shuffled off in the same direction as the blonde witch ran off to.
With that out the way, I turned to the crowd around the fire. “Grace will maintain the watch during the day to ensure the clan’s safety. We’re going to need one of you to stay behind.” I passed my eyes over Rose, Ryan and Alex. I caught David’s downturned mouth and rushed to add, “To help David and Doug should they need any.” I wanted to add and keep them well-fed, but I thought it better I keep that one under my belt for now. I wouldn’t allow Pearl to be considered for the task. She was an ever-present element and had been through everything with me. I wanted her by my side.
I expected Rose to volunteer, to avoid having to return to the place that had been so traumatic for her. Instead, she jutted out her chin defiantly. “I’m going. I want to witness Catherine’s suffering.” Her determination had been so fierce she missed the indignant look from Freya.
It struck me as odd, and I considered whether Freya’s protests and excuses not to come with us were down to some sort of witch loyalty rather than the safety of her
clan.
That left Ryan and Alex staring at each other. I smiled, knowing Ryan would have no choice other than to obey his maker’s order.
“Oh, fuckin’ ‘ell!” Ryan exclaimed, stamping his foot like a petulant child. Alex grinned and pulled him close, planting a chaste kiss on his lips.
“Well, that’s that decided.” I clapped my hands together.
“What about me?” Gabriella asked gruffly from behind me.
I spun around to face her, my brow furrowing. I never factored her in to any of this. She wasn’t even meant to be here. She was driving Grace back to university when I called, so they both carried on up together.
“Honestly, I don’t have the faintest idea of what’s going on, but if they are holding Bartholomew hostage…” She stopped and glared at Rose. Much like she had always disliked me, the same could be said of her brother-in-law’s vampire wife. “Have you seen Geo?”
Rose shook her head.
“What’s to say he didn’t go looking for her and ended up taken by them?”
An excellent point. I drew in a sharp breath, scarcely able to believe I failed to consider it as an option myself.
“I’d like nothing more than for you to come with us, but what if Geo isn’t there and we waste time looking for him? Can you make your way back to London, check his house, his workplace, anywhere else he may be?”
Gabriella huffed. “I suppose you’re right,” she mumbled. “I’ll head back now and message you as soon as I know anything.”
*****
As dawn drew closer, we all huddled into Freya’s basement. Charmion had been on a boastful trip down memory lane, telling us how amazing her quarters had been whenever she had visited the clan throughout the ages.
Freya shifted from one foot to the other, as though in desperate need of the toilet when Charmion announced it was time for us to follow her there. A wave of white dust speckled the air in the hallway as Freya pulled up the trapdoor leading into the chambers below.
