I Must Be Dreaming

by Seay, S.

  I opened my eyes and saw Jake kneeling over me. He picked me up and hugged me. “Where is Daymon?” I breathed out. Jake was holding me and Zadok was rubbing my hair. “He is dead my dear. When he fell he was wounded badly; not to mention what you had done to him. I cut his head off; he can no longer hurt you.” I breathed a huge sigh and leaned into Jake some more. Everyone had stopped fighting and was gathering bodies. Only a few of his men got away the rest were killed. Zadok promised they would be hunted down and killed. “No one that resided with Daymon will live to tell about it.” Jake took me back to the tree house so I could rest a bit away from everyone, but I was not tired anymore. I couldn't believe Daymon really was dead and now I only had the future to look to. Zadok came up and sat with me until he thought I was ready to travel. He asked that everyone leave us. He told Jake we had much to discuss on the way to the cabin. He wanted to escort me back so we headed back to his cabin to stay the night. We stayed up talking all night about what had happened and how to help me remember. He told me that if I wanted to come live with him I was more than welcome, he also told me a few things like when I was turning eighteen he and my mom had decided to move us back to the City of Lights. They wanted me to know all my roots and let me decide for myself where I wanted to be. Plus they had hoped I would find a guy and settle down there. But that’s when Daymon killed her. He said he missed my mom greatly and I was a lot like my mom. Of course he was happy about Jake, said he was the perfect match. He also told me that I did have some family still out there and that we would discuss finding them later, he wanted to be selfish for a little bit. I told him I didn’t mind. After a couple of days of resting Zadok said that we had to go back to the City of Lights for one more meeting. We had to tell the events of this fight, they keep everything in books kind of like history books for us. I was a little excited to go back there. We really didn’t get a chance to do anything while we were there. I wanted to go explore around the island more. Plus I wanted to spend some more time with Zadok. A feel close to my mom again.

  FINALLY HAPPY

  I forgot that I didn’t like little boats, we were on the way to the City of Lights again and I was a little sea sick. Zadok had made arrangements for everyone to head back to their families except a select few. He said all of them would be rewarded and the families of the ones who died would receive a big reward and honor for the ones lost. All the bodies had been burned and tossed out at sea. That was a great honor for vampires. Well that is what Jamie told me. I was glad I had Jamie to tell me things that Zadok and Jake normally wouldn’t. I was pretty happy at the way things turned out. I mean don’t get me wrong I would have loved to cut out the whole Daymon thing but if that’s what it took for us to be happy and finally have a family then so be it. All the pain and suffering was at least for something.

  When we made it to the City of Lights I could not have been happier to be on land. If no one would have been watching me I would have kissed the ground. I looked up over that hill and it was just like I remembered it, so beautiful and the lights all still on. I almost could say I missed it. As we walked up the hill a huge white carriage with four white horses was there waiting. Zadok being one of the oldest and one of the richest, you could say he had special treatment. We got in the carriage looking thing and it looked just like a limo on the inside, except all white instead of black. I forget how strange things can be around here. It took us through the country side to Zadok’s home here on the Island. When we turned on the gravel road I saw the house. It was no house it was a mansion. It was three stories high, each level with its own wrap around deck. The yard had a few pecan trees and one big weeping willow tree in front of the house. It was landscaped perfect, all twenty acres. I could swear this was right out of a plantation. The inside was just as stunning as the outside. Chandlers hanging in each room, fireplaces, big screen TVs. The floor even shinned, real hard wood and marble. Zadok told me and Jake the third floor was ours. We walked up the massive stair case and made it to the third floor. We had three bedrooms, three baths, a media room with all kinds of gaming systems, and a projection TV with surround sound. It had a small kitchen that of course was stocked full of blood I'm sure human. Jake grabbed one out while we walked around. As we made our way around the third floor I found the master bedroom and my mouth dropped. The king size bed was absolutely breath taking. “I think this bed belonged to a king or queen.” I looked at Jake as he came in. “How do you know?” He asked and I pointed to the headboard. “It has some kind of seal on it.” Jake pointed to the footboard. "I think your right." “I know I'm right, I remember seeing this symbol on the antique road show. This stuff is worth thousands if not millions.” He grinned at me after I said that. So what if I secretly liked watching that show. He watched reruns of the old batman shows when he thought everyone was asleep. We had a large stone fire place and enough space to be a small apartment just in this room. Zadok was behind me, “I had my guardians get you and Jake some clothes and things you may need. They are in the closets in the bathroom.” I turned and smiled. “This is amazing. You shouldn’t have.” My eyes were still full of wonder. “Isadora I have plenty of money and what is it good for if I can’t spend it on my only daughter?” I turned to him and hugged his neck. A tear ran down my cheek. “What’s wrong Izzy? Did I say something wrong?” I shook my head side to side. “No, not at all. I…I’m just finally happy! I have a father, a family. I have everything.” He smiled back at me and kissed the top of my head. “I love you sweetheart.” “I love you too, dad.” Those words came out so natural. He looked like he was about to cry himself. He gathered himself up fast. “Now you two have the rest of the night and day before we meet with the council. You are free to go explore the city or stay here. Jamie and few others are staying on the first and second floor but you and Jake have the third to yourself.” “Thank you, I think I want to stay in tonight but maybe go explore tomorrow.” “Very well, have a good night.” He said as he looked from me to Jake. Jake bowed his head at him. “Thank you sir.” Jake said to Zadok as he left the room. As soon as he was gone I ran and jumped on the bed. This was a dream come true.

  Jake had been quite all of a sudden. “What’s wrong Jake?” “I’m just worried you won’t leave this to come home with me back to Mobile.” My smile faded fast. “I haven’t even thought of going home.” I lied to him, I had thought about it and I don't want to leave. “He will want you to stay, he is your father and you have a lot to catch up on." He hesitated for a moment. "I have to return after the meeting. I have my duties and I know the crime rate has probably gone up since no one is there to keep the bogyman in line.” He had smiled when he said bogyman. “Jake I don’t know what I will do but staying away from you is not on my to do list. But I do want to stay a few days with Zadok and spend some time learning about the City but I’m not going to live without you.” Jake looked relieved, “I don’t want to be without you either but I don’t want to make you leave this place.” He held his hands out pointing around the room. “I don’t want to discuss this anymore, let’s go take a bath and relax. We are alone you know!” He knew exactly what I was talking about. I’m not sure who was faster taking their clothes off me or him. The rest of the night we laid in bed watched movies and made up for lost time in the woods.

  We slept most of the next day away, “Jake wake up its one o’clock in the afternoon.” He made some noises and rolled over the other way. I saw the tattoo on his arm again, I really need to get that taken off him. He can’t keep that and be away from me. I got up, got dressed and went downstairs. Zadok was entertaining his guest in the den. I walked in and sat down beside Jamie. “Hey Jamie, you busy?” I whispered to her. “No, why is something wrong?” “No just have a few questions if you don’t mind.” She understood I wanted to talk alone so she got up and I followed her out to the kitchen. “I know you know a lot about magic, do you know anything about those protection tattoos?” “I know enough why?” She was getting curious and her eyes squinted a little. “I want t
o take the one off of Jake.” She gave me a confused look. “is something wrong with it? Is he getting a rash?” I almost laughed. “No, he no longer needs it and he won’t be able to leave without taking it off.” She laughed a little this time. “Yes he will, he may have a hard time but not because of the tattoo. The tattoo is not to protect you but to give him like a warning signal of you being in danger.” “Are you sure?” I questioned her. “Yes I’m sure, I’m the one who gave it to him.” “Oh, ok well then never mind. I’m sorry. He told me we could never be apart because of the tattoo.” “ I think he just never wants you to leave him honey. He really does love you Izzy. You’re a lucky girl to have him.” I smiled but inside I was torn. I love him and know I can't live without him but I don't think I can leave this place. “Thank you Jamie. And hey, don’t tell him I asked you to take it off, please.” “No problem.” She winked then turned and went back into the den with the rest of the vamps. I went back upstairs and into the kitchen to grab some blood. Jake was already in the kitchen standing in nothing but boxers. He really was a sight for sore eyes. Looking at his body made me wish we were back in bed. “Wow” He turned fast to see who it was. “Sorry didn’t mean to scare you, but that's twice you know!” I was proud of myself I was not such a clumsy newborn vamp anymore. “You can anytime you want.” "I will hold you to that offer for later. But I think we need to get ready for the meeting though.” I was pulling on his boxers to get him to move. “How about a shower first?” “We had a bath last night.” I was starting to wonder if I smelled that bad. “I know but we haven’t tried the shower out yet.” All I could do was smile. We raced back to the room and I turned on the shower while he was taking my clothes off. I could really get use to this. He picked me up and I giggled as he sat me on his hips. He walked us in the shower, kissing me passionately. The steam from the water or us not sure which; fogged the whole bathroom up. I kissed his neck and his finger slide in me and I made a sound that came from somewhere deep inside me. He was busy with his hands and I found something for mine to do as well. His head leaned up from my breast with a look of wanting more. He was ready and so was I. He entered me and my mind went to that wonderful place where the sun and moon meet. I think Jake had awakened my sexual beast inside and she was ready to ravage Jake. Thirty minutes later we both glistening with the afterglow of mind blowing sex outside the shower on the floor of the bathroom. I’m not sure how we got there but it didn’t matter I was still floating in ecstasy. When we finally made it down stairs, to our surprise everyone was gone except the guardians of the house. One came up to us and told us that everyone had gone into town and would meet us there before the meeting. I thought it a little strange but we headed downtown anyways. I wanted to walk to see the sights. Jake seemed fine with it, we had nothing to worry about and nothing hanging over heads. It was a great feeling. All I could do was smile. We could hear a band playing some jazz in the distance. “I really do love it here.” I said looking at all the shops. We made our way to the center of town, I saw Jamie walking into one of the café’s there. We followed her in there. “So you two love birds decide to come out and get some fresh air.” Jamie said with a huge grin on her face. I felt ten shades of red flash my face. “Yes we did.” Was all I could say because I knew she knew what we had been doing. Our group sat there and talked for the next hour before heading to the meeting. I have not laughed that hard in so long it felt great. The stories that they all told made me think how much I had missed not being part of a family or not knowing this one existed.

  In the meeting we all had to speak and tell our part. Mine was a little longer than everyone else’s. I had a lot more questions that the council wanted answered. Some I could not answer but the main point was that Zadok was my real dad. The council had taken mine and Zadok’s blood and found out that he was my father. I could not have been happier. I had to wait to show it though they didn’t like to be interrupted. They deliberated on the matter for I think a couple of minutes. When they came back the council all agreed that we did what we had to do by killing Daymon and his followers. No one was punished and everyone was free go back to their families with a hefty reward. Also Zadok had given them a reward too I don’t know how much but from the look on Jake‘s face I knew it was a lot. Zadok had asked if Jamie could be moved here into his family since she was once and she was my godmother. The council agreed to it. She was to help watch over me and teach me things my mother would have on my powers. I felt a tinge of pain at that thought, she could have helped me. But I couldn't understand why everyone seems to think that I have some secret power. I keep telling them that all I have is the telepath thing that all the royals do nothing special. Anyways the council wanted to speak to me in private, so as soon as everyone left including Jake they began. They wanted me to take Victors place on the council. I was speechless. I didn’t know what to do or say. It was a huge honor to be asked and I would be the youngest to ever be in council. “If I could have some time to think about what this would mean I would appreciate it. I’ve been through a lot in the past months and would like to make a decision with a clear head.” One of the council men stood up. “Don’t be fooled child, yes we need a replacement and we would like to watch you grow into your powers, but take too long and we will proceed with someone more qualified.” I could tell he was not happy about me being asked. “I do understand and thank you for whatever time you give me. I promise I will not take this decision lightly.” They all agreed to give me one week’s time to give them an answer. That was kind of short but any time they would give me was great I did not want to piss them off. They said some more of their business at hand then let me go. Zadok had to stay and talk with them some more about what all had happened. I and Jamie left to go find the others. She had stayed outside waiting so we knew where to meet. Jamie talked small talk with me until we meet up at the same little café we were at before. Jake and the others were very happy with the outcome. They all were talking about how much they received and how their families would react to it. I sat quite; I had a lot to think about. What would this mean for me and Jake? Would I have to live here? I needed to talk to Zadok about this before I made any hard decisions. But Jake knew something was on my mind and his questions had already started. I cut him off quick and whispered "later" to him. This was not the time.