by J. A. Smith
It was a large red brick house, more country style than anything, white shutters and a large wooden door with a frosted glass window. The porch wasn’t huge but big enough for the white wooden couch swing that hung from the ceiling.
Dark wood floors ran throughout the house, the kitchen was large with new appliances; it was only one story so I didn’t have to worry about stairs. A sense of peace that I hadn’t felt in years settled. While the realtor began talking about living room I interrupted her by saying “I’ll take it” She seemed a puzzled before smiling brightly at me. I could hear from her thoughts once I let my shields down that it had been on the market for so long she thought she would never sell it.
Once I had all the proper paperwork done and my house was furnished I went to Portland to find a job, I didn’t want to be alone all the time and the best way for me to reestablish myself in the population was be around humans. I found one as an accountant at a large surveying firm, they were a little suspicious as to why I had no work history but I had told them I had been backpacking in foreign countries; close enough.
It was harder than I thought it would be, being around so many people. I had to shield like crazy, so I learned to multi task not bringing my shield down unless I really needed to. The only time I brought them down was when I was conducting business with clients that owed on invoices. I was so good at knowing what people had in their financial situations that I got a promotion within the first two months. They took me from accounting and placed me in personnel to conduct meetings with potential clients. I had yet to meet the owners since they always seemed to be out in the field; not much for office work Henry would say in annoyance.
“Lana the owners want to meet you, since you have helped them with so many new clients” Henry told me after I was shutting down my computer to go home for the day. I turned around in my chair with a huge smile on my face.
“When” I asked gleaming, this was a good thing in my mind though from the look on Henrys face he wasn’t pleased.
“This weekend at Belladonna’s restaurant at noon on Saturday” The full moon was this weekend, but since this meeting was going to be in the day time I told Henry I’d be and went out to my work truck; I only used the Lotus on weekends.
Today was Thursday so I had two days before I had to meet with the owners; I didn’t even know their names, I would have to ask Henry about that tomorrow.
I had worked for Q&M’s surveying for eight months now, my birthday had passed. One of the girls I worked with was Amanda; she reminded me a lot of amber, quite until you got to know her. The other women in the office didn’t understand why I hung out with her, she smelled a little but she was a hard worker and had a great personality; I met her when I was in accounting. She was a good person, and that was something I needed to be around. Her being a very good broadcaster sometimes had its down falls though; I had to shield a lot more when I was around her. All in all my new life was everything I had wanted.
The next day at work I asked Amanda if she wanted to go out for breakfast on Saturday since I was going to be in town, she said no and that she had made some plans with a really cute guy and needed the extra time to pamper herself. Amanda wasn’t very good with the men, so I was happy to hear she had a date.
“Hey Henry I’m leaving for the night need anything else?” I asked while I stood in his doorway at the end of my shift. He had just gotten off the phone with his current flame and looked really pale from the news he had just been given.
“Hey you ok?” I asked as I went over to him to pat him on the back.
“No, Joanna just found out she’s pregnant” He said staring at his desk like a man lost. Henry was only thirty-four and didn’t have any children yet, I didn’t see what the big deal was but apparently it scared him to near death.
“You don’t seem too happy about this” I said standing in front of him. I couldn’t touch him right now, that little pat on the back brought some heavy emotions right past my shields.
“I just don’t know a thing about babies or how to be a father” he said holding his head in his hands.
“I am pretty sure most men don’t know how to be a father in the beginning” I said in a soothing voice though I had no experience in this department. I doubted my pep talk helped much but this wasn’t my problem, so with a nod I excused myself and let Henry try to figure out his own future. Talking about fathers had me thinking about Mike as I drove home. I hadn’t tried to look him up since I had been free, that was my old life, but the thought of him sent a pang of regret straight to my heart.
Once I got home I went to my closet to find an outfit for tomorrow’s meeting with the owners, I needed something to do with my hands since I had worked myself into an emotional state reminiscing on my childhood with Mike. I missed him along with my cousins, but I couldn’t bring myself to just show up after four years. With a shake of my head I got busy looking for a dress. Belladonna’s was a classy restaurant I hadn’t visited yet but had heard great things about. Tomorrow was going to be a big day so I opened a part of my closet that held all the dresses from when I was with Robert and Amelia. I only slacks and blouses these days, the thought excited me a little that I would get to dress up. I found a cocktail dress that was dark purple and shimmered when I moved in it, it was only one of two dresses that didn’t show my breast to the world; which would be very inappropriate, I thought with a chuckle.
After hanging the garment up in the bathroom, I ate dinner then took my glass of red wine outside to sit on my swing and watch the sunset. Peaceful and calm just the way I liked it. The sunsets in Oregon were beautiful during the summer, orange cascaded across the sky making it look like it was on fire, a hint of purple swirled in. I sat there well into the night thinking about how much I had changed along with my life, I wasn’t the shy little girl I had been four years ago, I was now a woman that had gone to hell and back and survived.
Yes I had lost my family, but that was my own doings, I could have contacted someone since I had been released, but I didn’t have the strength to sit there and explain to my family what I had been doing while I was with the vampires. I was indeed the monster Jason had once called me, I had killed my shifters for sport, vanity had gotten in the way of my true self. With shame the size of a mountain settling on my shoulders I went to bed and prayed for a better tomorrow.
My alarm woke me at ten am the next morning, groaning out loud I pushed the snooze button, regretting the wine I had drank last night. My head felt heavy as I burrowed deeper under my blankets; great a hangover on the day I had to get up. Water, and aspirin is what I needed but I didn’t want to leave the shelter of my bed, when the alarm again sounded I hissed loudly before cursing its manufacturer. After washing my face I looked in the mirror, my long hair had changed so much over the years that I had to dye it to my original auburn color. Without the dye I knew it would be black with white highlights, shifting so much while with Richard and Amelia had begun making my human body look like the tiger I held inside. I had to wear contacts now as well, the beautiful blue green that I had from birth had changed to a light gray that seemed to glow; it tended to freak people out so I had bought bluish green contacts to cover up the difference.
After taking care of the marching band that had thought they would make a permanent stay in my head, I got ready for the meeting. It took a good forty-five minutes to drive to town so I was happy I had a fast car, because I had taken longer than expected doing my makeup and hair. Belladonna’s had valet parking to my utter annoyance; I never liked handing my keys over to a stranger. When the kid extended his hand to take my keys, I checked his thoughts, making sure he wasn’t going to try and steal my purple beauty. He loved his job and took it seriously but I still had to warn him,
“If there are any scratches on my car when I get back, I will hold you responsible” I whispered to him as I slowly handed him my keys with a smile. The kid paled a little
but his smile didn’t waver as he said “Of course Ma’am” and drove off to park. Henry was waiting for me at the door when I approached with a huge grin on his face as he looked over my choice of dress.
“You look amazing Lana” I smiled at his compliment; I had felt a little silly dressing up in the day time since I was better accustomed to night activities. “Thank you” I said smiling brightly as I took the arm he held out for me. A tall overly made up blonde bombshell showed us to our table; Poor henry was practically drooling over out hostess as we followed behind her. Our guests had yet to arrive, so Henry and I just ordered drinks. I had a cosmopolitan while Henry ordered a whiskey sour; I probably shouldn’t have been drinking but I found myself being nervous for this meeting. The drinks came, Henry and I toasted to him being a father in eight months; he seemed much more at ease today about the situation. As I sipped the drink, I looked around at everyone in their formal wear eating and drinking, small chitchat and laughs surrounded me.
I noticed a man coming in the doorway before talking to the hostess; he seemed familiar but before I could get a good look a couple obscured my vision. Shrugging it off I took a hearty drink, but once the couple moved I noticed the man was walking towards our table, and worst of all the man was indeed familiar; it was my dad Mike. I spit my drink in a fan spray all over Henry from the shock.
“Hey!” Henry yelled. I didn’t know what to do; but I couldn’t stay here.
“Um I have to go to the bathroom” I said coming up with a temporary plan in evasion. I nearly ran into the bathroom leaving Henry to clean up the mess I made. What was I going to do? Did he see me? I don’t think he did, but with all the changes I had done to my natural appearance; he would know who I was there was no avoiding it. I must have been in the bathroom for a while because Henry came and knocked on the door.
“Hey Lana you ok?” he asked staying on the other side of the woman’s restroom.
“Um… no, I’m not, I um don’t feel good” I said. I wasn’t lying I really didn’t feel good at all.
“Mike believes he knows you from somewhere, and really wants to meet you” Henry stated. Well of course he knew me; I was his daughter for crying out loud. I took a deep breath until my heart rate calmed; I was going to need a lot more alcohol for the meeting I couldn’t avoid any longer.
“Lana you don’t look so good” Henry said when I opened the door, my contacts were causing my eyes to itch and water making me look like I had been crying; which I hadn’t been damnit.
“I’ll be fine; let’s get this over with” Henry raised an eyebrow at my change of attitude but didn’t comment as we made our way back to the table. I stopped at the bar to take shot before I confronted my past.
. My dad looked like he was frozen in place when he saw me and I could tell from his thoughts he knew who I was. He stood up and extended his hand in a shaky motion; at least he was going to be civil. And he wasn’t going to tell Henry about me being his daughter; he was going to leave that up to me. Henry pulled out my chair; I plopped down into it like I was ten years old and didn’t want to be here, well the not wanting to be here was true at least. I felt my dad’s eyes watching as I slouched letting the alcohol take effect.
“This is the woman who had brought you so many good clients” Henry said smiling at me like I was a shiny prize.
“So it is” Dad said in an angry tone, Henry began looking concerned.
“I heard great things about you and am very thankful for your expertise. I apologize but my partner is running late, he will be here shortly” he said with a grin. I had a sinking feeling in my gut that had nothing to do with the shot I had taken earlier
“And who is your partner Mr. Williams” I asked; I could hear the fear in my voice.
“Quinn Mathews” My heart stopped then went into over drive as I scanned the room.
“Lana are you alright, you look like you’ve seen a ghost” Bob said placing his hands on my shoulder to look me in the eyes.
“It was very nice to meet you Mr. Williams, but I have to get home; I’m not feeling so well.” I said looking at my father while I stood up.
“No please stay” my dad insisted looking at me with a big grin. “He shouldn’t be much longer” he told as he took a drink of his scotch. I sat back down because I knew Henry was getting worried, he was afraid that if I left he wouldn’t be able to get the raise he had been asking for.
“So you live around here?” my dad asked conversationally; I glared at him knowing he was asking for a reason.
“Yes, I do” I said since he knew I must since I worked at the local company office.
“Lana lives up on Mt. Hood, I personally don’t know why she doesn’t like living in the city, but she must have her reasons eh” Henry said smiling at me in a suggestive tone. I just looked in the other direction; I couldn’t believe he had just spilled the beans on where the hell I lived.
“I understand solitude, I like it as well especially on full moon nights” my dad said grinning from ear to ear.” So I take it you live with your man then” I didn’t answer my dad just took a long pull from my cosmo.
“Lana doesn’t date, unfortunately.” Henry said putting his hand on my shoulder, I had told him the first month I had started working that I was celibate due to a really bad breakup so he wouldn’t pursue me any longer.
“Why not, you are a pretty girl” my dad said looking at what I was wearing.
“Don’t want to” I said still looking around the room and not at my dad, I spotted Quinn coming through the front door and the alcohol I had ingested threatened to make a reappearance, I had to close my eyes as the nausea took hold in my stomach.
“Quinn” I heard my dad say, before I heard the scraping of his chair being pushed back. My dad introduced Quinn to Henry and then…
“And this is Lana” he said making me open my eyes, all the men were standing, I was hunched over the chair trying to hide my face, this wasn’t at all professional. I was acting like a child; where was the survivor I had been for the past four years. With determination I stood up and extended my hand, pasting a fake smile on my face; Quinn almost lost it right there. I could tell from his thoughts he was holding onto every inch of his sanity to keep this meeting civil.
Without a word, Quinn briefly shook my hand, and then motioned for us all to sit.
“So we have a new client that wants to build a pretty large house, but were not sure he is what he says he is” Quinn told Henry getting right down to business.
“If he is a fraud Lana will find out, she does amazing things on the computer. She can find out anything about the man in minutes, she truly is amazing at research” I just rolled my eyes, Quinn and Mike both knew I didn’t use the computer to find out things about the clients.
“I bet she can” dad said looking at me as our dinner arrived, I had ordered steak, but the sight of blood had me rethinking that last cosmo I had guzzled.
“So we will send the customer here tomorrow night” Quinn said grinning at me.
“I don’t work on weekends” I said looking at Quinn. He knew it would be a full moon tomorrow night, and he was just being an asshole right now. Though they had a lot of questions they wanted to ask me, they both knew they couldn’t ask them here in a public place, especially with Henry right next to me.
“I can see him Monday morning” I said glaring at Quinn, my appetite was gone and I had done what I came here to do. Tossing my napkin on the uneaten steak I stood up.
“I really must be going, it was very nice meeting the two of you” I said looking at my watch, I was stunned to find out it was nearly Four o’clock; I had to get home. Henry gave me a hug for show I think, but I could have sworn I heard my dad growl. I nodded to Quinn and my dad, picked up my rap and purse and started for the door. I handed the valet my ticket, as I waited there impatiently tapping my foot on the sidewalk I hea
rd Mike, Quinn and Henry exit just behind me.
“You drive your lotus tonight?” Henry asked as he stood next to me. I just nodded my head and kept looking to my right for the damn valet to hurry up. I heard my cars engine reeve up when the valet brought it in front of me. “Here you go” he said handing my keys. I snatched them up, wanting to leave the uncomfortable situation as quickly as possible.
Just when everything in my life seemed to be on track, your past comes back to haunt you. I knew I hadn’t seen the last of them.
Chapter 13
I pulled up into the garage and locked my car, closed the garage door, then ran inside like my life depended on it. I locked my double doors and backed up waiting. I wasn’t long before I heard two trucks pull up into my drive way. I knew who my callers were. I didn’t leave my room; I didn’t let them in when they knocked. I was petrified. Then after a while I heard a knock at my window.
“Lana let us in, we need to talk” my dad say quietly.
“If you don’t get off my property I’m going to call the police!” I yelled. My dad started to laugh.
“The sun is about to go down, so I highly doubt that” I looked at my watch and it was 5 o’clock I still had a good hour and a half before the sunset.
“Don’t make us break your pretty doors please” my dad said in a more calm voice. I could hear him taking deep breaths which he did when he needed an extreme amount of patience.
“I don’t want to talk to you” I said nearly in a whisper, I had so many emotions going through me I didn’t know which path to take. Quinn, well that was a different story all together. They didn’t break down my door, I knew they were waiting in my front yard, they knew I would have to come out sooner or later.
