“Physiological condition.”
“Sorry, was that too pushy?”
“No, I have a lot of conditions, so I’m used to it.”
“Like what else?” He looked at me over his coffee, taking a gulp. I watched as his Adam’s apple moved up and down in response.
“I eat natural foods, nothing processed.”
“Like allergies?”
“Yeah, sort of.”
“What about your family?”
I told him about my absent father, my lack of family, gymnastics, cheerleading, and my strict Mother. Then, he summarized his life. He still lived in the same home and had the same friends he’d grown up with. He played forward on his basketball team.
Holding my finger up, I interrupted him. “Small or power forward?”
“Power. Wow! You really know basketball.”
“I pay attention. Sorry, continue.”
“I have a half brother, but I only see him when my dad’s in town.”
Half brother? Dad? My mind ticked through the possibilities. Still, I started with his mother. “What is your mom like?”
“You mean is she the crazy psychic or fortune teller I inherited this from?”
“No.” I grazed my fingers across his bicep. “Well, maybe.” I bit my lip.
“She’s a nurse. Normal as they come. Yours?”
“She the president of this holdings company?”
“Like investments?”
“Yeah.” I nodded.
“So, not a psychic gypsy?”
“Gypsy maybe, not psychic. How about your dad?” I sipped my tea again, trying to appear nonchalant. My brain itched for information. Anything that would confirm he was half witch. “He acts all nice and sweet, but there’s something off. My brother is that way too. Okay”—he pushed his seat away from the table—“I can’t believe I told a total stranger that.”
“Sorry. I shouldn’t have come back to the library. I feel like I’ve known you forever though.”
“No, you’re right. I’d like to know how this is possible.”
“Me too. Where do we start?”
“Psychology, psychics, clairvoyants, spirituality, God … I don’t know. Maybe we both conjured each other up, and it’s a huge coincidence.”
I bit my lip. “What about Ivy? We knew each other’s names and hers.”
“I’m not a believer in paranormal stuff.”
Surprise, I thought, fighting an eye roll. No sane human really believed in witches or vampires.
“I think we should start with psychology. Let’s go back to the library and do some research. Do you have time?” He stood and swept his bag onto his back.
Checking my phone, I saw it read a few minutes after three. “Sure, the library is open till five.” I gathered my teacup and bag.
On the walk, we talked school and friends. When we were almost at the stairs, he stopped and faced me. “Think of a color.”
“What?”
“Think of a color. Not purple.”
“Okay.” Onyx, I thought.
“Blue?” He asked.
“No.”
He picked up my hands, squeezing them tight. I tried not to react. Vampires didn’t like being tethered, but I took a deep breath and let him hold my fingers. “Think of an animal. Really focus.”
I closed my eyes and brought a picture of a jaguar to mind.
“Cat?”
“What color?” I questioned.
“Tan with stripes.”
“I was thinking black jaguar.”
“Close.”
“Let me try. Think of your favorite food,” I told him, sliding my hands from his grip and wrapping my fingers around his forearms.
“Okay.” He closed his electric blue eyes, took a couple slow breaths, and his pulse rate dropped.
“Pizza?” I asked.
“No, steak.”
“Yeah, that’s not working.” I dropped his arms and turned to face the entrance. “How do you like your steak?”
“Medium well. We could be in some, like, psychological research project. What about like those twins separated at birth that find each other? What if we have the same dad? What if Ivy was our sister too?”
“That would be kinda strange. We both have light skin and blue eyes, though. Ivy had light skin and green eyes.”
“How do you remember that? When is your birthday?”
I ignored the first question. “June twenty-first. We have the same birthday.” Remembering our first meeting, I pulled the fact from my brain.
He stopped halfway up the stairs and turned back to face me. “How do you know that?”
“It’s the first time I saw you, on our third birthday.” I’d discounted that we had the same birthdate, but since he was real, perhaps it held significance.
“You’re kidding, how do you remember that?”
“Photographic memory.” I tapped my temple.
“Since three? Well, okay, that’s something. What year?”
“Nineteen ninety-nine.”
“I was born in 1999 too! Freaky! What hospital?” he asked.
“St. Johns.” I pulled the lie from my brain like it was the truth. In reality, Elizabeth had served as Mother’s midwife and Orm compelled a doctor to issue a birth certificate.
“UCLA Medical Center. That’s where my mom works. But we have summer-solstice-of-1999 and imaginary friends to go on.” He took the rest of the steps two at a time. “You were reading before. Do you have schoolwork to finish? Because I came to get some books for this project I’m doing. I should get those first.” He held the door open so I could walk through the entrance.
“No, I was stalking you. Sounds bad. You get your books, and I’ll look up the others.”
We made our way to the computers. I was glad he seemed as intrigued about our connection as me. It would be easier to work with a willing partner than to try and investigate him from afar. I wondered if I should get his dad’s name and do some digging. What if his mom was a witch and didn’t know it or didn’t tell Hunter? I’d have to meet her to rule it out.
Typing in 1999 and spiritual significance, the search produced several texts. I wrote them down and keyed in hallucinations, noting the interesting books. Next, I searched for psychic connection. I wondered if Fahim would have helpful books in his collection and how I might ask.
“You done?” Hunter asked.
“Yep.” I hiked my bag to one shoulder.
“Okay, I’m going to find these, and I’ll meet you back here?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
As I spun, he caught my hand. “Hey, give me your number, in case we lose each other.”
I typed in his number and sent him a text. Seeing a message from Nick, I guessed I should respond before too much time passed. As I walked to the spirituality section, I read the text Nick had written.
Hi. Had fun dancing and talking Friday night. Would love to hang out some time. Let me know if you are free.
Sorry, just saw this. Studying at the library now. Dinner with my family later. Homework after that. Maybe another time? I sent.
He replied within seconds. We could study together.
My mom’s kind of strict. I don’t want you to think I don’t like you. Study hall tomorrow?
Sure, came his reply. I sighed, thinking the relationship was doomed from the start unless Mother started relaxing her rules. What would it hurt to have a boy over? Sophie came over. We limited human time in our house to keep guests safe. Mother always insisted we never knew when there might be an incident. It seemed overly cautious to me since we’d never had anything happen at our home.
Loading my arms with books, I took the stairs back to the first level. After we’d checked out our books, I hesitated at the exit. I couldn’t be seen with Hunter, and Orm had a habit of showing up in random places.
“So, when will I see you again? Do you want to split up the books and go through them?” Hunter asked.
“I can’t take these books home. My mom woul
d freak.”
“Okay, load me up.” He set his pack on the ground. “We should plan a study session.”
“What time do you have lunch? Can you meet me here tomorrow at eleven forty?”
“Yeah. I can do that.”
“Good. I have cheerleading and gymnastics after school, so my schedule is tight.”
“Okay, I’ll text you to confirm.”
He walked to the door and held it open.
“I’m going to use the ladies room before I head out.” I pointed towards the restroom.
“Oh. Gotcha. See you tomorrow.”
“Okay.” I spun and walked down the hall.
Giving him a few minutes, I used the restroom and then washed and dried my hands. When I exited the building, I found Orm’s truck parked beside the curb.
I slipped into the passenger’s seat. “You’re early, I was about to text you.”
“Your mother has a dinner guest. She didn’t want you too tired.”
“A witch?”
“Yes, a powerful witch. The vice chancellor. And he knew your father.”
The word father had my insides turning out. “But he doesn’t know about me, right?”
“Of course not. He knows Anne has a daughter, that is all. But you will need to be on high alert. You have a strong resemblance to your father.”
I leaned my head against the glass. The dinners were tedious as it was, but having to think about the absence of my father made it worse. “Why didn’t Mother tell me?”
“You know she doesn’t like to talk about your father.”
“Did she really love him?” I asked the question I’d be too scared to voice before.
“In her own way.” Orm glanced at me.
“And he disappeared? Poof?”
“Do we have to go through this every time, madam? Accept your position.”
“I feel like a half person.” I slumped in my seat.
“When you are eighteen, you will belong to my family. Is it not enough to have two families?”
“Yes, Orm. You know I don’t mean you aren’t wonderful.”
We reached the building, and he curved around the garage to our spot. Riding the elevator in silence, Orm pushed the button to lock the elevator as it reached our floor. “I saw the human come out of the library.”
“What human? There are a lot of them everywhere.” I looked straight into his eyes.
“The one your mother thought might be of interest.”
“Really? Well, I guess he goes to the library a lot.”
“You didn’t talk to him did you?” Orm asked.
“No, I was on the top floor.”
“Why do I smell coffee on you?”
“I went to the coffee shop. It was only a block away.” I made bug eyes at him. “What? Didn’t see that with your locator spell?” I put my hand to my hip. “What does it matter? He’s human.”
“Are you sure?” he pressed.
“You saw him, Mother saw him, and I saw him. Did you get anything?”
“No.”
“Okay, nothing to worry about then.”
He removed his hand from the hold button and backed to the center of the space. The doors opened, and I marched into our condo.
Elizabeth appeared in front of me. “Miss Alena.”
I zoomed past her to my room but didn’t get the door closed before she inserted her foot in the doorway. Elizabeth was the last person I wanted to talk to about house guests or suggested attire.
“I know what to wear. Orm updated me. Let me be.”
Orm loped down the hall to us. “Elizabeth, leave her alone. She doesn’t need a hovering vampire right now.”
No, I needed a hot shower and a vat of Orm’s calming oils. Between Fahim, Hunter, and a guest who knew my father, I swam in insecurities.
Dressed in a black lace-covered gown, I walked slowly to the receiving room.
“Alena, you look beautiful.” Mother’s voice lilted through the air. “Come meet our guest.”
Orm and the gentleman stood as I approached. “Good evening.” I bowed my head. “Please excuse my tardiness. My schoolwork takes much of my time.”
“Alena, this is Marcus.” Mother stood to introduce us.
“Nice to meet you.” I shook his extended hand. “Shall we sit?”
As I took a seat beside Mother, Elizabeth entered with a tray of champagne flutes.
“Ah, this is so nice. Thank you, Elizabeth.” Mother took a glass from the tray. “Let us toast our guest.” When we’d all received our drinks, Mother proceeded. “To allies and friends.” She took a sip of the Champagne, and I followed suit, wanting to down the whole glass and sleep for a decade.
Marcus tipped his glass at Mother. “I have to say, Anne, you practice what you preach. After seeing your home and meeting your family, I am impressed.”
“Orm, Elizabeth, and I have been together many years. We were all orphans.”
“And Alena? She is half vampire? What of her father?”
“You know us vampires, especially women.” Mother batted her eyes at Marcus. “We can be, how shall I say, beguiling.”
“So you can. Do you know who she reminds me of? Alec.”
I held my gaze on Mother, waiting for a reaction, some clue that would tip me off.
“Alec. I haven’t thought of him in years. I guess her hair has some red in it. He did have huge blue eyes, didn’t he? When did he last attend the conclaves? In the forties?”
“I believe so. What other comrades can I remember from those meetings? Oh yes, Aidan, Thomas, Alex, and of course Thanatos.”
“Yes, I am sorry Thanatos could not join us.”
“He travels much. But we are boring your daughter.” Marcus swiveled to face me. “Tell me about your schooling. Do you plan to attend college?”
When I named my school, his eyes widened. “She attends human public school?”
“She is only a halfling. We see to her vampire instruction at home. This way she assimilates into human society with ease.
“Well, now I am even more fascinated.”
“I mix oils to calm her nerves. But she rarely needs them now. Her preschool and puberty years were the most intense periods,” Orm offered.
I thought of the time I’d pounced on a bully at school. He so deserved to die. But he sustained just a few scratches on his arms and chest.
“This is very interesting.”
Mother directed the conversation away from me, asking about his family. “Oh, my, I can hardly name them all. I am a grandfather many generations over. I am getting on in years, and my wife and I are happy to see our children and grandchildren have their own children.”
Only the most astute ears, like mine and Elizabeth’s, would have caught the thud of Mother’s heart. But her face remained unaltered. Marcus had the family her father lost, that she lost. “That is wonderful. I am so happy for you.”
Elizabeth stood. “We should eat. You may retire to the dining room, and I will bring the dishes.”
“Thank you.” Mother walked towards the candlelit room, and the rest of us followed.
The dinner conversation bored me, and I fought heavy eyes. They talked human politics, vampire politics, and witch politics until dessert, when Marcus’s attention turned back to me.
“I am sorry we haven’t included you. What are your interests for college?”
“I like California. I’d like to go to Stanford.”
Mother laughed. “We vampires are so predictable. Always wanting to be in the sun.”
“I guess you are.” He chuckled.
I batted my eyes, fighting full out rolling them. “I’m interested in many different subjects, so I don’t know what I will major in.”
“Of course she will go to law school,” Mother interjected.
Law school? Where had that come from? Even with her bombshell, I smiled at Mother. “I have homework to finish. May I be excused?”
“Yes, dear. Elizabeth will save your dessert for you.�
��
“Thank you.” I rose and bowed my head to Marcus. “It was nice to meet you.”
“And you as well, Alena.”
“Thank you.”
Slipping from the dining room, I made my way to Orm’s study. Going straight to The Conclave Chronicle’s volumes, I opened the large journal to the nineteen forties’ entries.
“You are so predictable.” Orm’s voice came from the doorway. “You won’t find pictures in those. It doesn’t matter. Neither Alec nor Aidan nor Alex was your father, they are too careful.
“Fine.” I stuffed the text back in its space.
“Let your life be enough for now. You are young, so enjoy it. Your mother has built a wonderful kingdom where you can be safe and flourish. You will see your children have children and theirs after them.”
“And what of Mother? What will happen when I am exposed? Even if they let me exist.” I flung my hand up for effect. “They will strip her of her power.”
“Your mother knows what she is doing. You must trust her. She will be with you for at least four hundred more years.”
“That is if our theory on my existence is right.”
“Being half vampire gets you to one hundred twenty. With your strength as a half-witch, I would bet you will live as long as a full witch.”
“And what of you? You are older. You’re the only father I have known.”
“Whatever will be will be. But you will have your mother and your family. It will be more than enough.”
A tear sprang to my eye.
Orm squeezed my arm. “Be careful, child. The witch side of you is showing.”
“Yes.” I jutted my chin out high. “I should get to my work.”
I hoped to find a spirituality text, but it would have to wait for another time. Unlike us vampire people, Orm slept heavily, and night tended to be a good time to browse his book collection.
In my room, I used my magic to turn on the light and took my backpack to my desk. Pulling out the phone, I found messages from Sophie, Nick, and Hunter.
Hunter said he skimmed the books, but nothing explained our experience. He’d found a story of Longinus and a spiritualist prophecy of how 1999 was a year of welcoming change for enslaved people. Whatever that means. He ended his text.
I wished I could get to a public computer. It wouldn’t do to have the searches in my browser history. Perhaps I’d have to do some research on erasing browser history too.
The Kingdom Journals Complete Series Box Set Page 10
