Enchantment (The Fae Sister Chronicles Book 1)

by Tanya Dawson

  “I’m fae.” I blurted it out, closing my eyes, waiting for him to let go of me and act like I was crazy.

  “I know.” His reply shocked me. His arms still embraced me and his head slowly filled the space next to my ear as he whispered, “I’m a vampire.”

  I bolted back from him against the wall breaking the plaster. He held up his hand to his mouth to shush me so no one would come in. “Now hear me out.”

  “I...I...” All I could do was stutter and try not to faint. He eased back from me and took a seat back at my vanity, motioning for me to sit back on the bed. I obliged but only because I was afraid I would faint and hit the floor. I got on the bed and sat at the very top, ensuring there was more room between us.

  “You have to trust me, Olivia. I have been waiting for you to find out what you are and this whole new world you are now a part of.” He moved to the end of the bench with his elbows on his knees and his fingers intertwined.

  “So what does this mean?” I felt ill and inferior for not knowing this all existed and what my place was in all of it.

  “Your mother was fae. But you are only part fae, Olivia.” He paused, so I could take in what he was saying.

  “I don’t know my father. He must have been human. So I am not as powerful.” I was grasping for anything, and I felt like Henry knew all the answers. I wasn’t afraid to ask him anything anymore.

  “The necklace I gave you. That was his.” Again he gave me a long pause as I processed.

  “Are we related?” Oh gosh! Please tell me I hadn’t been having naughty thoughts about my cousin! Or brother! I jumped up from the bed at that thought.

  “We are not related. Although I can’t guarantee there isn’t some relation going back hundreds of years. I mean we are all related really, if you go back far enough.” I could sense his uneasiness as he let himself ramble on trying to make me more comfortable.

  “The initials?” I cut him off, and the look on his face showed relief.

  “Warren Savoy.”

  “That was his name?” Time seemed to stand still as I learned his name. My mother had never told me anything about him, just that he had died and it hurt her too much to talk about him.

  “Yes. He was a vampire.”

  “Do you know their story? He and my mother?” My words quickened as I felt like I only had a certain amount of time to get the answers that I needed. Did that mean I was a vampire, too?

  “They met when they were very young. There are Treaty Laws in this world of ours, Olivia.” He paused as if looking for the right words to say to me. “They fell in love quickly, but it shouldn’t have happened.”

  “You can’t control who you love.” I defended them.

  “You’re right, but there are some things you shouldn’t test.”

  “What happened? Tell it to me straight and don’t leave out any details.”

  “When they met he wasn’t really in a position to fall in love with anyone else.” He tilted his head towards me like I should understand what he was trying to say.

  “Spit it out.” Was that all I could offer? My brain wasn’t working on its own at this point and putting two and two together was too much work.

  “He was married.” His eyes diverted to the floor and his body stiffened waiting for my response.

  “OK.” I took a few moments to take some deep breaths and was ready to carry on. “So he was married and then met my Mother. Go on.”

  “That’s the minor point. The real issue is that the fae and vampires can’t mate. Shouldn’t mate.” This time he looked me in the eyes.

  “We aren’t animals Henry.” I was annoyed at his description of my parents but needed him to go on.

  “The bottom line is that you are part fae and part vampire. You need to pledge to one side. And soon.” His voice was serious, and his eyes showed concern.

  “What do you mean pledge?” I was going down this hole whether I liked it or not.

  “You have to pick a side and denounce either your fae family or your vampire family.” Henry stood up as if to take a break from this back and forth we were doing, but I needed more answers from him.

  “What if I don’t want to pick a side?” I stood defiantly to him.

  “They will make you, Olivia.” His eyes looked sad for a moment then he turned away from me.

  “Who are they?” I pulled his arm to make him face me again. I needed to see his eyes.

  “I shouldn’t have even told you as much as I have.” He walked towards the window and looked like he was about to leap out.

  “Please. I have no one to talk to about this. I’m scared.” I tried hard, but tears started to roll down my cheeks. I had no control and not enough answers to make a decision, and I certainly didn’t want the decision made for me.

  He pulled me into his arms, and I slid in happily and protected. His body sighed and slumped down on mine.

  “I will never lie to you.” His moist breath heated my cheek against his cold body.

  “I know you won’t.” I believed him. He had told me more than anyone at this point.

  We stood embraced until it became uncomfortable. But he held me while I cried and let me just feel. I finally broke us apart to take a few breaths without his scent.

  “I was born into it.” He leaned back casually against the wall and stared at me. “I’ve never known anything else. It’s not so bad.”

  “So that’s your Amazon review for being a vampire?” I joked to lighten the mood.

  “I guess.” Our gazes synced and I felt a cool warmth take over my inner core. My weakness was disappearing. My strength was coming from him.

  “Come with me.” He walked towards me and grabbed my hands pulling me towards the window.

  “Go with you?” I felt confused and cautious.

  “There is more that you need to know, but I can’t tell it to you.”

  “Who can?”

  “Come and meet the vampires.” His grin was wicked again, and my stomach dropped as he jumped from the window with my body in tow.

  CHAPTER 12: HENRY

  THE COUNCIL OF VAMPIRES had been waiting for our arrival. A look of relief showed on their faces as I entered the room with Olivia. I had done my job. My family greeted me, and for the first time in a long time, my father hugged me.

  “Well done, son.” He whispered in my ear as we embraced. I couldn’t help but feel disloyal to Olivia, but he had promised this meeting was just to tell her about her father’s side so she could make the right pledge.

  I turned back to Olivia who was cowering by the door and grabbed her hand. I watched as she took in the luxury of the room. It was certainly grand. Built underground with several secret tunnels and could only be entered by someone with vampire blood running through their veins. The room had dark stained wood paneling and deep red paint on the walls. It was built like a stadium with predominant leaders at the bottom and peasant vampires leading up to the top. My family had a section at the bottom for generations.

  “It’s alright. You’re safe here.” I whispered into her ear as she leaned against me, likely for support.

  “I hadn’t realized there would be so many people, I mean vampires, here.” She whispered the last part.

  “They are eager to meet you. Many were good friends with your father.” Her body eased as I mentioned Warren. “That is my father and mother in the wheelchair.”

  “I’m so sorry. I never knew.” Her eyes filled with sympathy for me.

  “It’s a spell. We plan on breaking it.” I looked away from her so she wouldn’t see the tears forming in my eyes. This wasn’t the place to tell her about the dark side of our world. In time.

  “Hi. I’m Hannah. This is my idiot brother.” Hannah gave my arm a shove, and I wrapped my arm around her head in a friendly rustle.

  “My hair, Henry!” I let go, and she flipped her shiny black hair back into place. “You’re lucky you don’t have a brother.” Hannah laughed.

  “Hannah has two more to hassle her eve
ry day.” I turned and pointed to Walt and Edwin.

  “I have to claim those two, but not by choice.” Hannah bantered back.

  I could see Olivia slowly settling in and becoming more relaxed. I knew I could count on Hannah to make her feel at ease.

  “It must be nice to have a big family. It was only ever my mom and me.” Olivia said as she crossed her arms in front of her peering past us at the group of vampires staring at her.

  “It is. Sometimes.” She giggled. “And don’t worry. They won’t eat you.”

  Olivia’s mouth dropped as if the thought hadn’t crossed her mind until now.

  “Your father was a great man. He did many wonderful things for the community, and everyone is excited that his blood lives on in you.” Hannah smiled and put one arm around Olivia’s shoulders as she walked past me into the group. I quickly followed behind as I felt like Olivia’s protector.

  “I’m afraid I know very little about him. Just that he died when I was very young.” Hannah stopped short when Olivia mentioned he had died. She made eye contact with me, and I nodded to keep walking. In time Olivia would know what happened to her father, but not right now.

  “Well, soon you will be able to say you know more.” Hannah smiled at her and cocked her head sideways. With her arm touching Olivia she could hear Olivia’s internal thoughts. Olivia would not know how to block her or even be aware of what she was doing.

  “I’ll take her to the den.” I lifted Hannah’s arm off Olivia, and she shot me a disapproving gaze as this was her part in the plan. To gauge what Olivia was thinking and how far we would need to go to get her pledge. But I couldn’t go ahead with that plan. I owed it to Olivia to let her make up her own mind.

  “Are you sure? I wouldn’t mind.” She grinned from ear to ear in hopes that Olivia would reconsider her offer.

  “Aren’t we all going in?” Olivia looked hesitant as we followed the elders into the den.

  “No. Just the elders and my family as we hope that when you pledge you will join the Sabean clan. Unfortunately, the Savoy clan died with your father.” I felt terrible having to lie to her, but knowing what happened to her father wouldn’t change the way she pledged.

  Olivia nodded her head and accepted this as it was coming from me. My stomach turned from lying to her, but I knew she would be safest next to me. She was definitely growing on me. There was something about her that made me want to fight for her.

  We took our seats off to the left in a tiered seating level. The middle of the floor was open and off to the back was a small kitchenette with coffee and tea. It was a first for me to be in this room. Normally my father only took Walt when important matters had to be discussed.

  “Will I have to speak?” Olivia leaned into me, and I caught a whiff of her shampoo. She made it difficult to focus for many reasons.

  “Yes. But you can stay here; you don’t need to go down to the floor.” She shook her head up and down with relief. I put my hand on hers to stop her from trembling.

  “Let’s get started here!” My father called from the main floor clapping his hands. “I am very excited to see you all here tonight and our very special guest. Olivia Savoy!”

  Olivia sat shocked at the use of her father’s name. “Will I have to change names if I pledge to the vampires?”

  “Yes. You will want to keep your father’s legacy going.” I smiled at her to try to ease her nerves. My sister Hannah took the seat on the other side of Olivia and reached for her other hand. It made me uncomfortable, as she would know exactly what Olivia was thinking. That was her job.

  “Now, Olivia is not aware of her vampire roots as the fae have kept it from her.” He looked down at his notes as the other Elders yelled their disapproval and banged on their tables. I looked over at Hannah and saw how nervous she was holding Olivia’s hand, suddenly Olivia pulled her hands from the both of us and shook her head at me.

  “But she is here among us today, and we will guide her decision to pledge with us. We will take her under our wings, as her father Warren will want us to do.”

  “He said will. What does that mean?” Olivia leaned in and whispered to me, but I could only answer by nodding towards my father. Her gaze remained on me for an answer.

  “Warren isn’t dead. The fae have him.” I blurted out as I couldn’t stand lying to her. I could see the color drain from her pretty face as she returned her attention to my father silently.

  “We have little time to prepare her but I pledge, and I ask you all to pledge your wisdom, talents, and support to show Olivia what could be hers by joining our Den in The Stacks on pledge night.”

  Everyone cheered around him and stood to clap their hands and to stomp their feet. The energy in the room was powerful as the lights dimmed and the ground vibrated under our feet. I could feel myself turning as I soaked up the energy in the room. My fangs extended, and so did my nails. I hadn’t wanted to show her myself like this, but I couldn’t help it.

  “What’s happening?” Olivia's face was horrified at my transformation.

  “This is me fully turned.” I licked my lips as I could smell her blood stronger now. How plump her veins looked as her breath quickened.

  “I want to go home now, Henry. Now!” She screamed at me, but no one could hear over the cheering in the room.

  “I can’t do that Olivia,” I muttered. My feelings grew numb when I was turned.

  She looked at Hannah who was in the middle of turning, much like every vampire in the room. Her face was frightened.

  “I have to get out of here.” She ran towards the door but vampires are quicker than humans, and my father beat her to it.

  “Do not be afraid, Olivia. No one here will hurt you. Once you pledge with us, you will have the power to turn at will. It’s like no other feeling.” He whispered in a snake-like rasp as he moved her hair off her neck to look at her veins. I knew what he wanted. He wanted to feed off her to make a bond with him; then she would bend at his will.

  “She’s fine.” I stepped in between them, as I turned back into my human form, making myself weak against my father. Hannah was quickly by my side as well.

  “We were just getting her some fresh air, father. We don’t want to overwhelm her on her first day.” Hannah pouted at father showing her puppy dog eyes, knowing how to get her way with him as his only daughter.

  “Don’t be gone too long. We have a ceremony to begin.” His eyes darkened as Hannah plopped a kiss on his cheek and ran her hand down his arm. He turned to walk away, and Hannah’s eyes quickly shifted to mine to warn me something wasn’t right.

  “Let’s get out of here, and quickly,” I said grabbing Olivia’s arm and Hannah’s. We walked out of the den as casually as we could, to not warn anyone of our true intentions.

  “Henry!” Someone called out from behind me, but I kept on going having the girls in front of me. Suddenly I felt a hand grab my arm and whip me around forcefully.

  “What do you want?” I asked Walt, who was still turned, as he had me pinned to the wall.

  “Where do you think you are going?” He bared his fangs to me knowing he could finish me even before I had the thought to turn.

  “For some air.” I glanced over, and Hannah was already out with Olivia. “Father suggested it, to give Olivia some time to get used to all of this.”

  His eyes searched me over for any clue of defiance. I knew he was on to me, but he wouldn’t defy father.

  “Fifteen minutes.” He pushed me off the wall, and I fell hard to the ground. I got up quickly and walked as calmly as I could to the door.

  Once I was outside, I couldn’t find either of them. I had no choice but to turn to heighten my senses. Being a vampire was never an important thing for me, I would have rather been in a normal family. Luckily for me, Walt and father did all the vampire business which left me having a relatively normal life with minimal vampire time. I hated turning, as each time left me lingering for the next turn.

  I closed my eyes and prepared my body
for the pain it would feel and readied myself.

  “Henry!” I faintly heard Hannah call to my relief. I looked around and could see some movement in the trees; then Hannah ran out. “This way!”

  I ran as fast as I could towards her, and as I got closer I could see blood on her lips and fangs.

  “What happened?” I grabbed her shoulders forcefully as I feared she had done the worst to Olivia.

  “She ran. I don’t know where she is.” Tears fell down her cheeks, and I noticed a gash on her arm. “A vampire followed us out. I tried to fight him off, Henry. I promise I tried my best!” She sobbed.

  “Are you ok?” I asked looking her over.

  “I’m fine. We have to find her before he does.” She pleaded with me.

  “I’ll turn.” I stood back from her, and she nodded fully knowing how much I hated being a vampire. The urge came quickly and the pain was intense, but I was ready to fight anyone that touched Olivia.

  I took a deep breath and caught the scent of her blood. My eyes flew open as I knew she had to be injured for me to smell it that easily.

  “He’s got her, hasn’t he?” Hannah cried looking at my reaction.

  I pounced into the woods after them, topping any tree in my way of getting straight to them. Branches scratched at my skin as I ran faster than any car could ever take me. I sensed I was close. Then suddenly a gust of wind blew past me, but I could still smell her scent in front of me.

  “Olivia!” I yelled as the vampire scent grew weaker.

  I paused for a moment, not wanting to pass over her. Suddenly I could smell her sweetly scented shampoo again.

  “Henry.” I heard faintly to my left. I ran towards the scent and voice.

  There she was. Weak from her attacker and covered in blood. I ran to her side and lifted her up. I didn’t have much time as the bond between Olivia and her attacker would grow stronger each minute. I ran as fast as I could back to Hannah, who immediately started crying and fell to her knees as soon as she saw Olivia.

  “I thought I could protect her Henry!” She yelled at me.

  I walked past her with Olivia in my arms, and she called after me. “Where are you going with her?”