by Basia Pike
Everyone gathered around the small church room on the outskirts of Ely. No one knew why we had been gathered there. Low murmurs of chatter filled the air.
“I don’t get why we’ve been dragged here,” Chloe said her arms crossed over her chest.
I rolled my eyes and attempted to ignore her. Chloe was only eighteen, but she seemed to believe she knew best, and was the most irritating witch in our coven.
“Oh, would you pipe down?” her mother asked. Her mother was good friends with Jo’s mother.
I leaned towards my wife. “You honestly have no idea what this is about?” I whispered into her ear.
“Of course not, I haven’t spoken to mom since last week.” The sound of clapping drew my attention and the entire room went silent. Rob and Avery, Jo’s parents, stood at the front of the room.
“Now, I’m sure you’re all wondering why you’ve been called here at such short notice. Unfortunately, we’ve come to believe that a vampires may have taken up residence in Ely and the surrounding towns,” Avery announced. My heart thudded hard in my ears hearing this. I knew that a vampire was in town… My father.
I didn’t want to tell Jo as doing so would scare her and cause unnecessary worry, particularly as she was heavily pregnant. I’d already put a protection spell on the house the moment I’d left him lying in the snow out back. As long as Jo was home I knew she was safe.
Jo must have noticed how tense I was as she gripped my hand tightly. She knew about my past with my father. Nowadays, since it was the nineteen-fifties most witches were born to witch parents. The war between the races and the ruling of the vampire council had made it illegal for vampires to mate with humans anymore.
I remembered the day of my mother’s murder. She had always been happy with my father and he with her. There was no doubt they had been in love. The way she looked at him when she saw him made it evident, even on the day he came home and killed her.
I remember her beautiful beaming smile as she turned to face him. That made it hurt even more. That something inside of him switched that night and the man who she loved ripped her apart.
My mom had been growing sad though because he was constantly drinking and had a temper. The way his face was the day he barged in through the front door was horrible. My mother was laying our dinner table, and I was playing with my toys on the living room floor. I could feel my throat tighten thinking about it.
Ever since my godmother took me in, I had loved living in Minnesota because unlike the south, where I was born, vampires were few and far between. The news that they may be moving into the area was grave indeed.
“We do not wish to scare people, but if this is true then we must be on high alert. Many of us know how vicious vampires can be, and when it comes to witches they’re definitely not our allies. Are there any questions?” Rob asked. There was silence for a moment before Chloe’s hand shot up, and Rob gave her a reluctant nod.
“How do we kill them if we come across one?” she asked. It wasn’t the stupidest question she had ever come up with.
“Chloe, we are a peaceful coven. Unless you are attacked we do not kill creatures for no reason. Witches may be waring with vampires in the south, but we don’t want that here in Minnesota,” Avery said.
“Well why are they here? Surely, they pose a threat?” Chloe asked, her mother trying to pull her back and shut her up.
“We don’t know yet, but we have no intention of starting a war in the north,” Rob said, “they have red eyes, so that’s the main giveaway if you do come across them.”
“Are there any other questions?” Avery asked, a deafening silence filled the room. “Okay, well are there any other matters that need to be discussed while we are all here?”
“The wolves have been up to no good again. We found that they had entered our territory last Wednesday,” Kai said, “And, it’s not the first time.” Kai was the hot head of the coven.
“Did they do anything wrong, other than enter our territory?” Rob asked, his eyes narrowing.
“No, but they broke the pact.” Kai’s hands balled into fists.
Amara and Jackson stepped forward. “I know that tensions between us and the wolves are at a high, but we don’t want a war,” Amara said.
Jackson took her hand in his. “The wolves maybe trying to get a rise from us, but we know deep down that they are no threat to the witches.” A murmur of agreement filled the room from the rest of the coven.
Kai glared at them but took a step backwards.
“Anything else?” Rob asked. A silence filled the room, and this time it seemed no one intend to speak.
“If that is everything we will convene again at our normal time on Wednesday evening,” Avery said. A chatter spread through the coven again and Jo turned to me her eyes filled with concern.
“Are you okay?” she asked, “I mean, after hearing about the vampires?”
I swallowed hard. “Of course, I’ll be fine,” I lied. Ever since that man who I no longer thought of as dad killed my mother I had a particular dislike for vampires.
“Josephine,” Avery said, walking towards us. She took her daughter’s hand in hers and smiled.
“How are you?” she asked.
Josephine instinctively placed a hand on the bump of her stomach. “As well as can be expected. Looking forward to the day now.” Rob followed his wife and placed a hand on her shoulder.
His gaze settled on me. “What do you make of this vampire situation?” he asked.
Why does everyone keep asking me that?
Yes, my father was a vampire which nowadays was incredibly rare. Particularly as vampires mating with humans had been forbidden by the vampire council. But, I didn’t need to be reminded of it constantly.
I ran a hand through my hair. “It’s not ideal. Do we have any idea what they want?” I asked.
Rob’s eyes narrowed. “We don’t know. But, could it be your father looking for you?
I was now faced with lying to my in-laws. I knew he had been in town looking for me, but I didn’t want to load that burden onto Jo or her parents. “I honestly don’t believe he would be looking for me,” I lied. My chest tightening.
Jo took my hand in hers. “We had best get going,” she said, perhaps noticing how tense I had become.
Her mom reached a hand out. “Jo and Elijah, please come over for dinner tonight.”
Jo squeezed my hand. “Of course, that would be nice,” she said.
My shoulders slumped. It didn’t seem we were going to get much time alone at all this weekend.
We pulled up outside Avery and Rob’s house. Smoke plumed out of the chimney blending into the gray sky. Their house was on the outskirts of Ely, and it was on one the nicest roads of the city.
We headed up the steps and Jo knocked the door.
Rob opened the door. “Hello sweetheart.” He planted a kiss on his daughter’s cheek. He turned and shook my hand. “Elijah, would you mind cutting some more wood for me? My back has been playing up today, and we’re getting low.”
I gave him a nod as he passed me the wood basket. “Of course, no problem.” I headed around the back to their wood store. A shiver passed over me making the hair on the back of my neck stand up as I cut the wood.
I stacked the wood into the oversized basket and glanced into the surrounding forest. After last night’s encounter, I didn’t feel too comfortable surrounded by darkness. My father turning up again was the last thing I wanted.
I thought I saw something move in the trees. I squinted trying to get a glimpse of what it was, but couldn’t see. With a heavy sigh, I lifted the basket and went in to join my wife and parents in law.
Ever since I arrived in Winton the Johnsons had been like a second family to me. Jo and I had grown close quickly, and became almost inseparable the first year I arrived. As I opened the door to the house the smell of freshly cooked bread and booyah hit my nostril making my stomach grumble. Avery was an amazing cook, just like her daughter.
“Thank you, Elijah.” Rob took the basket off of me and headed with it into the living room where their large open fireplace was roaring. He tended to the fire.
“Apparently the vampires have already killed five humans,” Avery said, speaking to Jo who was curled on the sofa with a blanket over her. A sinking feeling in my stomach ensued. Was my father killing these people?
I felt guilty. I wished I had killed him last night when I had the chance. If I had those people would still be alive. I tried to push the notion from my mind and settled down close to Jo on the sofa.
“But, enough talk about vampires!” Avery glanced at me nervously. “How is the nursery coming along?” she asked.
I glanced at Jo who’s smile set my heart soaring. “I finished it yesterday,” she said. She was literally glowing. I loved how beautiful she looked.
“How exciting… We actually bought some more things for the baby.” She leapt of the sofa and headed back towards the kitchen.
Jo and I exchanged glances. Her mom had got a little out of hand with buying things for the baby. We knew it was because she was excited, but soon we wouldn’t have the space to store all the stuff. She came back with a bundle of generic clothing and blankets.
“Mom, you know we have so many clothes already!” Jo protested as Avery set them down on the sofa next to her.
“I did try to dissuade her but it was no use,” Rob said.
“I know… I’m sorry I couldn’t resist!” Jo and I exchanged glances again and laughed together.
I glanced at the window briefly and jumped. Two pairs of eyes staring in at me.
“Are you okay Elijah?” Avery glanced towards where I was looking.
“Oh, that’s only Jinx he wants to come in.” She walked towards the window and let in their little black cat. Jo gave me a questioning look.
“Who’s ready for some dinner then? I’ve made booyah.” I helped Jo stand, and we headed into the kitchen. But, I couldn’t stop my mind from replaying the conversation with my father Friday night.
3
Nightfall drew in on the sleepy little town of Winton, Minnesota, as I approached. It had been a week since my father showed up raving about a curse and the danger it posed to my family. There had been no more murders or signs of vampires since. I felt confident Ely had returned to a vampire free zone.
The snowflakes had stopped falling to the blanketed ground. Christmas lights on every house twinkled, dimly lighting the icy streets. The roar of my engine approaching echoed off the dense forest that surrounded the town.
I chuckled to myself as Mrs. Wilson’s curtains twitched at the sound of my car passing her house; almost like clockwork. I sighed in relief as my house came into view. I had finished my last day at the courthouse until the new year.
I turned in through the gates but the house was dark. As I drove down the long drive worry knotted my stomach. That’s when I saw the front door ajar, swaying in the wind, stained with bloody handprints. Deep black drops lined the snow on the driveway and the stone steps leading to the porch. I flung myself out of the driver’s seat with the engine running.
“Josephine!” I shouted as I ran up the drive and through the front door. The trail of blood only increased as it led me to the kitchen.
“NO!” I cried out. Jo was lying on the floor bloodied and lifeless. I took a few steps toward her, collapsing to my knees. My vision blurred as tears filled my eyes. I gripped her hand and brought it to my mouth, sobbing into it.
I cupped the bump of her stomach. There was nothing, not even a spark of life to save. That morning I had done the same thing and felt our creation full of life, almost ready to be brought into the world. I cried out in despair.
Numbness spread throughout my whole body as I clung to her. My mind was blank. A knock at the door pulled me out of the shocked state I had fallen into.
“Josephine! Elijah! Are you okay?” called Mrs. Meers, our next-door neighbor. I couldn’t speak; my throat was too tight.
“Help,” was all that I could manage. She ran through to the kitchen, stopping in her tracks, a look of shock on her face.
“Elijah? Oh my … I’ll call the police right away,” she said, picking up the telephone and dialing the local police department on the rotary dial. “Hello, please come quick! There has been a terrible incident. The address is 54 Cherry Blossom Road. Please hurry,” said Mrs. Meers, putting the phone down and turning back to face me. “Elijah, w-what happened?”
I couldn’t answer. I shook my head and clutched my wife’s still body. We waited in silence together for what felt like an age. I felt detached from my body, as though I was watching everything from a distance.
As though I was no longer alive.
The sound of sirens approaching drew Mrs. Meers out to greet the police. I remained in the same place. My shirt was covered in blood but I didn’t care. I never wanted to let go.
“Elijah, I’m so sorry for your loss. But, please let go of the victim,” a gruff man’s voice spoke from behind me. “You may be tampering with the evidence.” I looked up to see Deputy John Hammond standing in the doorway, a man I had dealt with him a few time as a clerk at the local courts. I stared at him for a moment before letting go of my wife.
I stood, but didn’t take my eyes off of her. John’s arm went around my shoulder and he guided me out of the house, forcing me to sit down on the low wall outside.
Once I was away from her body, my mind raced. Was this my fault? My father had warned me last week, but I hadn’t listened. Who could have lifted the protection spell? I went over everything in my mind. The guilt consuming me was immense. I hadn’t even told Jo about my father’s visit because I didn’t want to worry her… And now she’s dead.
I stood up and headed for my car. I needed to meet with the coven. They could help me find out who did this to her.
“Where are you going?” Captain Jordan asked, who had just pulled up in his cop car. He stood in front of me blocking my path.
“I have to find out who did this,” I said.
“No, that’s our job. You’re not leaving until we’ve questioned you.”
“Yeah, well, you won’t find out who did this. This is paranormal,” I muttered under my breath, my hands balled into fists. I returned to the house. Once inside I paced back and forth. I couldn’t sit; it would only drive me mad.
“Mr. Abbot, please follow us to the station. It would be best to question you there.” Captain Jordan gestured towards my car, which was parked halfway down the drive, the door still open.
I walked through the blood-stained snow to the car and got in. My hands fumbled as I tried to grip the keys and turn them in the ignition. Did the police think I had something to do with this?
I brushed the idea off. Everyone knew I would never do anything to hurt Jo or my unborn child. Tears streaked down my face again as another wave of pain overwhelmed me. Captain Jordan pulled past me in his car and I absentmindedly followed.
I rushed out of the police station and climbed into my car, slamming the door behind me. I glanced at the clock and punched the dashboard. Three hours the cops had kept me in the station questioning me. They hadn’t been able to get hold of my work colleagues to confirm my alibi and gave up in the end.
Avery and Rob were still in there. We’d all spent the past three hours being questioned about who could have done this to Jo. They had offered to take me home, but I needed answers.
I pulled out of the precinct onto the icy roads. It was almost midnight as I sped through the streets of Winton. The full moon in the sky lit the icy road.
Great, just what I need. I gulped as I heard a succession of howls. I checked the streets looking for signs of them.
I didn’t like driving out of town along the forest road at this time of night. It was dangerous. Movement to the left of the road up ahead made me tense, and I increased my speed despite the icy conditions.
Another howl sounded even closer this time. I saw a pair of orange eyes peering through the t
hick foliage. The werewolves and witches of Ely Minnesota didn’t get on, but we kept a peace through a pact. We stay out of their territory and they stay out of ours. I was glad to see the end of the forest up ahead. I sped onto the highway, away from Winton.
I pulled up outside Elise’s house. I knocked on the door and stood, tapping my foot on the wooden porch. What felt like forever passed, and I knocked again, this time louder.
“I’m coming!” Elise shouted. I heard her mumble to herself about the time. The door swung open and her eyes widened when she saw me. “Elijah? What the hell? Whose blood is that?”
“Elise, can I come in?” I asked, and she nodded, stepping to one side.
“What happened?” she asked, clutching her nightgown tightly.
“You’ll want to sit down.” I looked at her through my tears.
“Why? Is it Jo? Is the baby okay?” The mention of her name broke me, and the tears streamed down my face. I shook my head and sank onto the sofa in her front room.
“She’s dead,” I said, through the tears.
“No, she can’t … it’s not possible … she can’t be…” Her shoulders fell and hands let go of her nightgown. “What happened? I saw her only yesterday, and she was fine.” Elise’s voice was hysterical as tears welled in her eyes.
I shook my head. I couldn’t find the words to explain what happened.
She placed a hand on my shoulder. “Elijah, was it the birth?” she asked. Tears streaming down her face.
I shook my head. “No. She was murdered. I came home to find her…” I trailed off as her lifeless body flashed across my mind.
Elise’s body trembled as she sobbed still standing in the doorway. The three of us had known each other for years, but Elise had known her since she was old enough to remember.
She shut the door and walked towards her dresser in the living room. She place a hand either side to steady herself. Her whole body shook as she grabbed a bottle of bourbon and two glasses off the dresser. Her hand slipped and she dropped one of the glasses smashing it on the hard flagstone floor.
