“Because I’m interested; do I need a better reason than that?”
“Yes, yes, you do.”
“For the love of Pete, girl, unclench!” He threw his hands up and fell back in his chair. I smiled; I had caught a stronger note of his accent when he said ‘girl’ and I knew he was more Irish than English or American, no matter what he wanted me to think. “Don’t you think it would be nice to talk to someone who knows what you are, to know you don’t have to watch what you say?”
“Oh, I’ve got plenty of people like that,” I said, shrugging one shoulder. I picked up my cup and took a sip of it, savoring the salty sweetness of the toffee. Having successfully unnerved him had a strangely calming effect on me.
“Is that so? Then there are more of your kind around here?” He too picked up his cup and took a sip.
“Not exactly like me, but you and I are not the only…” I struggled for the right word.
“Oddities?” Liam offered.
“Sure.” I nodded. “You and I are not the only oddities around here.”
“Makes sense, considering what type of place this town is.”
“How do you mean?”
“You can’t feel it?”
“I know what I feel, but I want to know what you mean.”
“I think it’s the close proximity of the ocean, fault lines, and forests. They all converge and make this one of the unique places in the world that draws the different oddities of our world here.” I had always thought the same thing, especially with the influx of magical creatures in the last couple of years. It made me think another “big earthquake” was on its way.
“Is that what drew you?”
“I’ve never really settled down anywhere,” he said vaguely.
“So it was only a matter of time before you came here?” I pressed.
“I suppose so.” He stretched his arms up and behind his head, lacing his long fingers together. “And you?”
“And me what?”
“Why are you here?”
“I was born here,” I said, a little confused.
“But why do you stay?”
“Because it’s up to my parents to move. I only just turned eighteen a couple of months ago and I’m still in high school.” It seemed a stupid thing to explain.
“Ah, so your parents are not any of the people who know what you are. I take it they are human then?”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Just trying to understand you, darling.” He lowered his hands and sat up straighter. “If your parents were aware of what you were, I’m sure they wouldn’t try to control where and what you do.”
“What I am? Oh, not this crap again. Dude,” I leaned a little over the table towards him, “whatever abilities I have, I’m still human.”
“Right,” he winked at me in an exaggerated way, “of course you are. Did you know some believe that vampires are simply fallen angels, and that the Morning Star was the first of our kind? Perhaps you just haven’t fallen yet. Yes, I imagine that’s what you are.”
“Okay, you know what?” I pushed my chair away from the table and bent to pick up my purse. “I’m not having this same argument again. If that’s all you want to talk about, then I’m out.” I reached for my cup, but he was faster, sliding it out of my reach, my fingers grabbing at air.
“I’m sorry,” Liam said, his voice steady. I blinked at him in surprise. I thought he was too pompous to apologize so easily. I was frozen stupidly, bent at the waist, my arm extended over the table.
“I mean it,” he continued. “I’m sorry, please sit back down.”
I couldn’t just stand there and I didn’t want to leave without my coffee, so I lowered myself back into my chair, dropping my purse again. I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest, and waited. It occurred to me that he was so interested in my company because, unlike me, he didn’t have anyone he could be himself around. He thought he’d found a kindred spirit in me and expected me to cling to him out of desperation for companionship. It was sad really, and I just wasn’t enough of a bitch to walk out.
“All right, so you obviously don’t like to talk about the idea that you aren’t…” He stopped at the look on my face. Liam pursed his lips, unsure where to go in the conversation.
“Have you ever tried to just have a normal conversation?” I asked after a palpable pause.
“Not in a very long time,” he answered. I was impressed that he just answered rather than trying to rile me with some witty comment.
“That’s a much better place to start,” I said, reaching for my coffee.
“I’m not sure where that is,” he said with an uneasy laugh, staring into his own cup.
“Fine, I’ll start.” I took a sip of my cooling coffee, trying to think of what to say. I felt like I was on an uncomfortable blind date, and with that fleeting thought, I figured out where to start. “So where did you live before you moved here?”
“Oh, lots of places really,” he started. “I haven’t really lived anywhere in a long while. I’ve been traveling for the last few years, not staying anywhere very long.” He sounded surer of himself as he spoke, putting both of us at ease.
“Like where?” I prompted.
“Well, I was in Paris for a few months; from there, I spent almost a year in Turkey. Then I spent just a couple of weeks in Hong Kong. Japan was nice though, I stayed there for over a year.” He paused to sip at his espresso, savoring the bite of the caffeine and his memories.
“A year in Turkey and a little more than a year in Japan? That’s a long time,” I said.
“Not for someone like me,” he said with a smile. I was glad he phrased it like that.
“That’s a good point,” I said with a small laugh. “How old are you?” I couldn’t help myself, I just had to ask.
“Wouldn’t that break your rules of a normal conversation?” he countered, and I shrugged.
“Ballpark it.”
“I remember the Black Death,” he said simply. His voice was even and flat.
“The plague?” I whispered, feeling my eyes go wide and round. He nodded, but didn’t elaborate. It was a smart answer; it told me just how old he was, but didn’t hint at where he was from. The Black Death, as he called it, ranged all over Europe, reaching even into the remote villages of Ireland. I had already decided he was English or Irish born, but for some reason, I didn’t feel like I could ask. My mind wandered so far, it took me a minute to realize he had just admitted to being over six hundred years old. I felt so small and insignificant just then.
“So,” I cleared my throat, “after Japan?”
“Mexico,” he said. “I spent about a year just traveling around the country. You’d be amazed how many of their towns haven’t been touched by commercialism yet. It’s very refreshing.”
“That’s amazing. So that’s just the last few years?”
“Yes.” He nodded, not looking at me again.
“Kinda lonely though, I imagine.”
“Yes,” he agreed again.
“I haven’t been anywhere yet,” I said, trying to lighten the suddenly heavy mood. “I’ve always wanted to go to Europe though.”
“Anywhere in particular?”
“Ireland definitely.” I smiled, looking past him. “And England; I just have to see Stonehenge before I die.” Liam chuckled at that.
“It is amazing.” He’d finished his espresso, but was still toying with the cup. “I imagine it would be something quite special for you though.” I nodded then; just talking about the place of magic, of worship, sent a chill up my spine.
“But you know, I think I’d be happy to just go anywhere. I really just want to go.” I studied my cup, unsure suddenly where to look. I had wanted us to have a normal conversation, but it felt more and more like a first date. I hadn’t meant for that to happen.
“So Ireland is first on your list?” Liam asked, bringing me back to the conversation.
“Yeah.”
>
“Why? What makes it more special to you?”
“My family is Irish,” I said, trying to sound casual. “My mom even gave me the middle name Brigit.”
“After the goddess.” He nodded with a small smile. That simple comment confirmed to me that he was definitely Irish born.
“Yeah, my mom says she’s Christian, but she still holds with a lot of the old superstitions and customs of her grandmother and great-grandmother. So I’ve always wanted to go there, see where we came from.” I blinked then, realizing how much I had just shared.
“Don’t panic,” Liam said, seeing the shock on my face. “I’ve shared quite a bit in these few minutes; it’s only fair and polite for you to do the same.” I was impressed that he managed to say that without a hint of condescension. He was just being practical. I needed to be the same.
“Sorry.” I glanced at him then. I realized I hadn’t really paid attention to what he looked like, afraid I would be susceptible to his charms. I knew he was annoyingly handsome, but beyond that, I hadn’t taken the time to commit his face to memory. He had rich, chestnut brown eyes that reminded me of Steven’s when he was lost in his magic. His skin was a fair shade that had nothing to do with blood loss and everything to do with the cloudy skies of Ireland. His hair was thick, but he kept it cut close around the sides and back, but modern and messy on top. It would look lighter the longer it grew, but right now it was as dark as his eyes. When it caught the light, I could see amber and gold.
He cleared his throat, bringing me back again. I was staring. I felt the blush heat my whole face, only getting worse when I felt stupid for blushing. I shook my head and closed my eyes, taking a minute to gather myself.
“Convinced yourself finally that I can’t hypnotize you, I see.”
“What?”
“That’s the longest you’ve ever looked me in the face,” he said. “I figured you held with the idea that my kind can hypnotize or mesmerize since you have never really looked at me for more than a couple of moments at a time.”
“No,” I started to argue, but I stopped myself, realizing that yes, I had been afraid of that very thing, especially after seeing what he did with that girl at the bonfire.
“Yeah, all right,” I nodded. “I guess it was stupid.”
“Not really.” He shrugged, sitting back in his chair, setting his right ankle on his left knee. “We can, but not like the movies make it seem.”
“How then?”
“Just to help ease the pain. If the person isn’t willing in the first place though, it doesn’t really work.”
“Huh.” I absorbed that, not knowing what to say to it.
“But you wanted to have a normal conversation, and that is far from normal.” He stood up then, so suddenly that I thought he had decided to leave, but he just walked over the counter and ordered two more coffees for us.
“So what made Turkey and Japan special enough to stay for such a long time?” I asked when he sat back down, setting my sugary confection in front of me.
“Oh, well, their customs, their habits I suppose. They’re so very different from the western world,” he said, and I nodded to urge him to continue. “It doesn’t really matter where you go in the western world; we’re all the same when it comes down to it. Hell, most of us speak the same language. But there, it’s entirely different.”
He continued telling me about Turkey and Japan for another hour. He described the humbling experience he had spending time with the Dervishes and talked about the Japanese sword maker that nearly beheaded him when he realized what Liam was, running him out of town in the middle of the night. I found myself laughing occasionally and completely relaxed. Eventually I all but lost track of the time.
“Wow, I’ve never really thought about going to Turkey,” I said, waving away his offer to refill my coffee a third time.
“Well it’s not on the top of most American’s places to see before you die list.”
“I guess not.” For some reason I felt a little embarrassed that all the places I wanted to see were pretty cliché for an American, as he pointed out. “I suppose it’s because everyone has a desire to see where their people came from and, if it hadn’t been for migrating, where they might still be.”
“Quite true,” he nodded. “Where else would you go?”
“Oh, Paris definitely,” I gushed. “The history and architecture, I’ve always be fascinated by it.”
“Is your family French?”
“No, we’re mostly Irish and English.”
“Paris is an amazing city; just be sure you indulge and eat properly while you’re there. So many people go and how they eat is just a waste.”
“Don’t you worry about that,” I laughed. I heard the bells of the door chime behind me just then and my senses were washed in cloves and spices. I turned and saw Deb. She was as angry as a wet cat.
Chapter 15
“Hey, Deb,” I said brightly, jumping out of my chair and rushing over to her. I tried to hug her, wanting to diffuse the situation before it became worse, but she wouldn’t have it.
“What are you doing with that?” she demanded, one hand on her round hip, the other pointing at Liam. I cringed under her glare.
“We’re just having coffee,” I said.
“That?” Liam said, but his voice was almost lost under Deb’s.
“Shay, do you not know what that is?”
“Yes, Deb, I’m well aware.” I know I hadn’t liked Liam when I first met him and even now I still did not trust him as far as I could throw him, but Deb was just being out right rude. And she was making me feel embarrassed for being seen with him; I didn’t like that.
“What are you doing here?” She turned her attention away from me then, placing both hands on her hips, leaning towards Liam.
“The lady already told you,” Liam said smoothly. His face had completely shut down under Deb’s insults.
“And just what are you trying to do, huh?” she pressed, walking closer to our table, leaning over him now. Liam arched one eyebrow, but didn’t say a word.
“Deb, he’s not trying to do anything,” I said, trying to get her attention back.
“Shayna, do you know what this is?” She jerked a thumb towards Liam.
“Yes, and I have known for a few days now.”
“What?” she exclaimed, her soft brown eyes going wide with shock.
“Yes, we met at a concert a few days ago,” I said calmly. “I know who he is, he knows who I am, and we have an understanding.” I chose my words carefully, unhappy with Deb’s since she was starting to draw attention.
“I just don’t believe it.” She shook her head at me like I had done something completely disappointing.
“Deb, I understand your concern, really I do, but Liam and I have no problems, right?” I leaned around Deb and looked at Liam, willing him not to be an ass and make this worse.
“Of course we do, love,” he said just as carefully. “Shayna and I are on completely civil terms with one another. I do not believe she needs to be treated like a child and publicly embarrassed.” I felt the blood drain out of my face as his comment hit Deb. She turned slowly on her heel to face him again. She leaned in closer to his face, pressing one hand on the table to keep her balance and poking him in the chest with the other.
“You listen to me, buddy,” she whispered. I felt her magic filling the air like electric currents snapping at my skin. “If you touch one hair on her head, I swear it will be the last thing that you do. You get me?” I wanted to be angry, I really did, I wasn’t a child after all, but I understood exactly how she felt, so I kept my mouth shut.
“Yes, we understand each other just fine,” Liam said smoothly. When Deb pushed away from him and turned back to me, I saw the smirk cross his face. I knew he was remembering when I had said almost the exact same thing to him.
“Shayna?” Deb gave me a significant look and I nodded.
“Listen, I need to go,” I said as I stepped around her to fetc
h my purse. “I was actually waiting on Deb.”
“Of course.” He nodded once. When Deb stepped further away, he stood up. For a terrifying moment, I thought he would lean in to kiss me goodbye since this had felt so much like a date. Before it could get any more awkward, I dipped down and snatched my purse from under the table and spun to go with Deb. At the door, I paused, looking back at him, and saw a look of slight disappointment pass over his face. I gave him a half-smile and a small wave before letting the door fall closed.
I was right on Deb’s heels as she stormed back towards The Oak, Ash and Thorn. So close that when she stopped suddenly to spin around and face me, I ran right into her, dropping my purse on the sidewalk and nearly falling after it.
“I’m sorry, sweetie!” Deb yelped, catching me and helping me keep my balance.
“No worries,” I said as I bent to pick up my purse. When I stood back up, I could see she was ready to launch into a tirade about me keeping company with a vampire. I held up a hand to stop her. I made sure my temper was under control before I spoke.
“Deb, you know me very well; I do not need a lecture on who I should and should not associate with.” She opened her mouth again to argue, so I plowed ahead. “No, now I mean it. Don’t do this. I am an adult. I know what he is and what he’s capable of. And if you’re interested to know, he cannot pull his tricks on me. I’m immune to them. So let’s just leave it at that, all right?”
She stared at me in silent amazement, her mouth and eyebrows contracting, wanting to find something to argue about, but finally in the end, all she said was, “Fine.” Her shoulders slumped and her head dropped, but I made her hug me, made her know this wasn’t a rift in our friendship. We would just need to adjust to the fact that we three were technically adults and wouldn’t always need her to rescue us or steer us in the right direction. We were going to do things she didn’t want us to do, just like our parents.
“Cup of tea?” she asked, her voice a little sad and small. After all that coffee, I definitely didn’t want tea, but it looked like I couldn’t say no, so I didn’t. When we were in the back room of the store and Deb had poured our tea, I pulled out her Solstice gift from my purse.
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