by Kyla Riley
She may have forgiven him for leaving her or putting distance between them, but obviously she would never forget it either. There was a hesitancy in her actions, her words, as if she was waiting for him to disappear again. It had been like this for about two weeks now. Loving each other yet retreating back. It was like watching a pair of boxers entering a match- they would start in their corners, engage each other for an intense period of time and then retreat again.
Conn wanted more in their relationship than just intense, incredible sex with the woman he loved. He wanted Daphne to love him back, but the trust was broken between them and she told him as much.
“I’m scared that you are going to up and leave again for an unknown period of time while I am left here to wait for you.”
“I told you it would happen again and that I couldn’t help it, nor will I endanger you. I will always return when it’s safe.”
“And how long is that? A week, two weeks? Six months again?”
“Daphne…”
Before she could answer, Conn had her hands pinned above her head in just one of his. That was the one thing he adored – how responsive she was to him. Making love to Daphne was incredible. It wasn’t just that they enjoyed the act, but together they craved the closeness. While he was impatient for more, Daphne seemed to be right there with him, matching him in desire. Grabbing her thigh with his hand, he surged into her body, eliciting a groan from both of them. It was Daphne that moved first, bringing a satisfied smile to his face. He loved pleasing his woman and today was no different.
Their conversations would always finish unresolved. She wanted comfort and security that he simply couldn’t provide through any choice of his own. Afterwards as he cradled her in bed, it was the simple things that divided them. He’d asked about planning a getaway so they could spend time together. There was no greater moment for him than holding her in his arms and breathing in her sweet scent. Her words were like someone threw ice water on him.
“I don’t think planning something like that is a good idea because I don’t relish the idea of being left alone if you end up disappearing again. I’m sorry,” she whispered and then got out of bed. He watched her walk silently, naked, through her bedroom to the bathroom just before firmly shutting the door.
Shutting him out.
Sitting up, Conn could hear her weeping softly and it was soon muffled by the sound of the shower. Shutting his eyes and taking several deep breaths, he tried to fight the despair in him that was rising. He wasn’t good for her and Daphne deserved better than him…and he couldn’t let her go. For Conn, Daphne was the only bright spot, his anchor, in his life. She grounded him and made him feel like he finally had a home. She was his everything and he was losing her.
His cell phone rang shrilly on the night stand and Conn rolled over, quickly answering it. Odd, it was his younger brother Fiacha calling early in the morning. It was barely 7 AM here. Clicking accept, Conn felt his face split into a smile momentarily at seeing his brother’s face as he winced.
“Put a shirt on, would ya? No one needs to see your skinny white arse this early in the morning,” Fiacha blustered.
“You called me, so this is what you get.”
“Aye. I’ve got myself in a bit of a pickle and since Brion said you were smooth with the ladies…”
“He said what?”
“Brion said you were doing well in a relationship and happy? I could use some advice.”
“I don’t think I am the best person to give it…” Conn admitted truthfully, looking at the locked bathroom door. “What’s going on?” he asked, suddenly curious.
“I was at the pub and in walks this girl. She’s beautiful, probably the prettiest thing I have ever seen in my entire life and that is saying a lot,” he acknowledged with a wry smile that made Conn grin himself.
“Yes it is.”
“Well, you’ll think I’m being silly or waxing poetic, but I swear there was just something about her that made the room brighter, and her perfume?” Fiacha groaned. “Conn, it was heavenly.”
“Okay, so what is wrong?” Conn chuckled.
“It was her bachelorette party and… Conn, I couldn’t help myself. She was the bride,” he whispered, his face torn with anxiety and dread in the small screen of the phone. “Conn, it was incredible. One minute she was there, then next we were… uh… well, I didn’t even get her full name. I just know that her name is Vanessa and I think I love her.”
“That fast-eh?”
“I know! It’s not possible, is it? She is supposed to be getting married and I took what was rightfully her husband’s. I mean, what did you do to win over your lady love? Does this make me a home-wrecker?”
“I don’t think I have won Daphne’s heart yet,” Conn said softly. “I don’t think it makes you a home-wrecker, Fi…but it definitely makes it a messed-up situation that you need to figure out.”
“Figure out how?”
“Well, you either need to be ready to tell her your intentions or let her go and hope she can be happy. If you love her, set her free and…” Conn got quiet as it suddenly hit him.
He needed to do the same for Daphne. There either needed to be a full commitment, or he needed to let her go so she could move on. That was why she was so upset weeks ago, because he couldn’t/wouldn’t bring the flowers to her himself. He was having someone else do it for him – but reminding her that he was still there lingering in the background. It was wrong of him to ruin her happiness selfishly when he wasn’t ready to say goodbye to her.
Someday he would have to let Daphne go, either through his own willpower or old age would take her – and either way, would he be ready? Would he be strong enough? She deserved an ordinary life and that was something he couldn’t give her. Being with him would mean fear of him losing control, loneliness at times and watching him remain the same age as she withered away.
“Fi, I don’t think I am the best to give advice and honestly- I am still trying to win over my Daphne. I understand what you mean because I can’t let her go but I…” Conn saw the bathroom door open up and Daphne walked out in her bathrobe. Her long black hair was wrapped up in a towel and she looked as regal as any queen or princess he’d met over the years.
“I need to go brother, I…uh… oh no! Fi, check on Daphne for me…” Conn said hurriedly as he began to fade into nothingness once again. He could see the expression on her lovely face, the stricken gaze that told him it was too much for her.
He was losing her… and himself.
* * *
“Hello? Hello? Conn?”
Daphne was stunned that Conn had disappeared- again. The phone was lying there on the bed they’d just slept in and the FaceTime app was open. One of his brothers was on the phone calling for him and it was almost more than she could bear. Picking up the phone, she clenched the collar of her bathrobe and looked at the face that looked nothing like Conn’s pale visage. Where Conn was blond, his brother was dark haired. They had a similar jaw line and the same shape to their eyes.
“Oh, hey there! You must be Daphne,” the man said with an engaging smile, waving cheerfully into the phone like nothing unusual had happened.
“Hello. You are…?”
“Fiacha Cael. Well, my brother’s call me ‘Fi’ or ‘dork’ because Fiacha is such an old Scottish name. You should hear what they shout out at Starbucks when my drink is ready,” he chuckled merrily and Daphne found herself smiling at the picture of it. This was all so… so… odd.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Fiacha.”
“And you Miss Daphne. Since Conn just did his boo-thing, I’m guessing it’s gonna be a few days or so before he zaps back in… but since you have his phone, he won’t be able to text. Would you be a dear and let us all know when he is safe?”
“Will I be safe?” she retorted absently and saw Fiacha’s frown.
“You should be, I would think…but then again Niall is the only one that has seen him ‘come to’- so I can’t exactly answe
r what my brother is like, only that he’s a huge stick in the mud most of the time.”
“If he is such a stick in the mud, why’d you reach out to him?”
“I still love the big guy, don’t get me wrong – but I called because my bossy brother, Niall, said that Conn was really happy in his relationship and I am having some girl issues,” Daphne saw him shrug. “So, got any big plans while you have some freedom from your guy?”
“Not really,” she admitted and then grinned slyly. “I’m a bit of a stick in the mud too.” His wide smile and wink made her feel included. They talked for a few more minutes and Fi gave her several phone numbers of the different family members in case she needed anything.
“Guess this means I passed a test or something?” she teased.
“The moment you became Conn’s choice, you became one of our own. In case no one has said anything yet – welcome to the gang, Daphne.”
13
Daphne went about her business as if nothing had happened. For her, life went on even though for Conn it was put on hold for a few days. She hoped he was safe and free from the painful hunger he told her about. It sounded like a terrible way to wake or exist for him. Instead, she wanted to welcome him home whenever he returned in order to let him know she would be by his side and support him. After all, that is what friends or lovers did…even if it hurt.
The last few weeks had been blissful for Daphne, more than she cared to admit. While part of her was waiting for this to happen yet again, another part of her wanted to simply enjoy their time together while she could. In fact, Daphne had RSVP’d to a Halloween party at the college, whether Conn could come with her or not. She had to live her life and enjoy her time with him- when he was there.
“Hi there. That’s cute – isn’t it?” a tall, red- haired woman smiled happily, pointing at the costume on the hanger. Daphne had taken the evening to go searching for something appropriate for the Halloween party and while large latex masks seemed to be the ‘it’ thing – she preferred trying for a themed couple, if Conn was there. There was no point in being something that couldn’t function as a singular costume. A plug and socket, a horse head/bottom, etc. – Daphne was looking for something fun, but useable, if she was left to go to the party alone. Glancing down, she saw that the woman had now removed the costume and held it up to Daphne boldly. “Are you looking for something specific?”
“No, just looking around.”
“Ah okay.”
“Do you work here?” Daphne asked suddenly, wondering if other sales people would be hounding her shortly. She typically never dressed up. She just ended up buying a bag of candy and leaving it in a bowl, unattended, on her front porch.
“Oh no, but I do love the holiday! How about this one? You are just cute as a button, aren’t you?” the woman exclaimed. Daphne wasn’t sure whether she was just that nice or if she should run for the hills. “Forgive me, my name is Cairene,” she said extending her hand towards Daphne.
“Daphne,” she replied politely and glanced down at the costume. “Yeah, I don’t think Tinkerbell is my style honestly. There’s too much of the bum hanging out of the back of her dress, you know?”
“Classic girl. I gotcha. This is so fun,” Cairene said excitedly and grabbed another hanger. “I never get to shop anymore with other women and it really sucks being alone all the time. How about something with a bit more fabric? I found an awesome witch costume on one of the other aisles, but that doesn’t really seem to suit you. No, not a Go-Go dancer or hippie chick either. No, no… you need… oh! I’ve got it!”
Daphne watched as Cairene walked over to another display and pulled from it an old-fashioned gown. It had a mock corset around the waist and a large, ballooning skirt. “Is this a gypsy costume?”
“Your black hair would make you a phenomenal gypsy, but no- this is a tavern wench and look! Robin Hood is right next to it. If you’ve got a fellow in your life? You could honestly pretend to be Maid Marian in this get up.”
“Didn’t Maid Marian wear a wimple?”
“Do you really want to have a stuffy cloth crammed around your neck? Besides it’s Halloween. People have fun, get drunk, and just have a good time. I bet this would be a comfortable thing to be in for a few hours at least.”
“True.”
“But hey! It’s up to you,” Cairene said with an exaggerated shrug. “I am going to go try on my costume to make sure it fits and grab a huge bag of candy. I think you should hang onto it, that was the last one and it looks to be your size. Then again, it’s funny how sometimes you lose something only to get it in spades on the return. I’d snatch it up; you could always bring it back later.”
That was true, Daphne thought silently. She could buy both costumes and return them if she ended up not going or if Conn didn’t show up. Nodding, she smiled at the woman who was watching her expectantly.
“Thank you so much, Cairene. I appreciate the help and will take them. Are you sure you don’t work here?” Daphne teased as the other woman laughed. Cairene’s eager smile made her skin crawl.
“Oh no, my work is done for today. I’m heading home in just a few,” Cairene said quietly. “It was very nice to meet you, Daphne. I’m sure we’ll see each other again.”
“Have a good night.”
* * *
Five days later, Daphne was starting to get a bit concerned. She had taken to updating Conn’s family as of yesterday, just a simple text that said he was still M.I.A. She knew that the longer it was that he was gone, the more ‘mindless’ he said that he felt when he returned. This morning, Daphne had gone to an army surplus store and bought a knife, tucking it inside of her skirt in order to hide it. Conn was always so tender with her, but his words kept burning the back of her mind. Arm yourself; when I return I am not myself until the hunger is gone, he had said repeatedly.
Tomorrow was the Halloween party and the last thing she wanted to do was be missing when he returned. Daphne also didn’t want him to show up and think that the party was a buffet or that she was the main course! She knew he would want to feed and that was why Niall had said she was in danger before, but deep down… Daphne wanted to believe that Conn would not hurt her.
Or at least she hoped so.
* * *
The next afternoon, Daphne took her time rolling her hair and getting ready for the party. She stared at the costume hanging on the back of the closet door and sighed. It was getting late and she was putting off the inevitable. Conn was not back and she would be going to the party alone. Part of her was terrified that he would find her at the school, but another part was more scared that something had happened to him or that he was injured. Can you even injure a ghost or vampire?
She should be mad at him for being gone so long, but listening to his stories over the last several weeks, it sounded like he had absolutely no control in when it happened to him. Conn described it once like his whole body was going to sleep at once, just like if you sat on your leg for too long. It tingled and ached, but then nothing. When he awoke, it was nothing but pain and hunger. There was no describing how he came to be – he was just gone one moment and then suddenly there the next.
Distracted by her thoughts, she hurriedly yanked the costume over her head just as there was a knock on the door. Her heart raced as she thought it might be Conn. Putting her army surplus knife on the entryway table, she opened the door and stopped in surprise.
“What the heck?” Daphne blurted out as she recognized the man. Fiacha, Conn’s brother, was standing on her stoop. He had a strange, almost paranoid look on his face and was on the phone.
“You’re in danger,” Fiacha said quickly.
“Are you talking to me or the phone?”
“You. Brion said you are in danger and you need to hide. I’m here to help you.”
“I’m probably in danger from you guys. I am not the town snack you know,” she smarted off and started to shut the door. Fiacha quickly put his foot in the way and Daphne started to kick it so the
door would shut.
“Don’t do that. I’m serious. He’s never wrong and you are one of us now. If Conn knew I let you…”
“Yeah – and where is Conn?” Daphne snapped. “Am I in danger from him? Has he bothered to show up again?”
“Look, I am the closest in proximity to you – so I volunteered to come.”
“And I am beyond weirded out that you know where I live…” Daphne drawled slowly, reaching for the knife beside her.
“That would be Brion again. He knows a lot and it comes in glimpses. Talk to him, please,” he said, holding out the phone. What was it with this family and using FaceTime? As he held up the phone, Daphne saw a man on the tiny phone screen. Brion looked like the California dream guy. Tall, curly hair, dark tanned skin who looked like he lived a playboy lifestyle. Truthfully, he looked like he was a dick in person with that macho attitude.
“Stranger danger- I gotcha,” she snapped. “Can you be a little more specific?”
“Let Fiacha take you into hiding,” he ordered and that just made Daphne’s hackles rise. At least Fiacha looked like he could be easy going and nice. Her initial assessment of Brion was right. A bossy, know-it-all dick.
“I’m good. I’ll lock…” Daphne was cut off abruptly.
“Go! It’s getting closer and I can’t see it,” Brion ordered hotly and Fiacha looked like he was about to flip. He reached out his hand to grab her arm and Daphne jerked the knife upwards to protect herself. Fiacha jumped backwards and looked like he was ready to flip, but not because she had a knife.
