The car search took longer than I expected. A lot of bus rides and getting lost in this strange city brought me to a little car lot in the middle of downtown. It was the only lot that had the vehicle I was looking for. A Ford Bronco, it was painted gray with light pink and black pin stripping. It reminded me of the Chevy Blazar Miska owned. It is a 4X4 SUV with fun written all over it. I took it for a test drive around the block and fell in love. I took it home that afternoon.
Thank God for small miracles and thank Grans for the large trust fund. No longer do I have to find translators for the taxi at night. No longer do I have to sit next to smelly children and listening to parents scream at them on the bus!! I pulled up to my hotel and parked in front of my room. That's when I saw the old man from the plane sitting inside the lobby of the main office. I got out of my Bronco and I stood there watching, listening, feeling and smelling my surroundings. I don't know how long I stood motionless but it felt like an enterity.
He stood and turned in my direction. He looked straight at me. I panicked and pulled myself into my little bubble. I have this trick I learned when I was eight, I can make myself invisable to the people around me. Papa Rymi told me that it was my hand of power. I don't know what that term meant but hiding from people in plain site is kinda fun. I watched for the man's reaction. He shook his head and then he looked around himself like he lost something. When he couldn't find what he was looking for, he just started walking my way. I wanted to run but I had to find out if there were more people in the lobby and the parking lot. He stopped by the Cherry tree right next to me and said, "Miss Autumn, I know you are still around here. I just wanted to talk to you about entering the college. Just wanted to help." He started to leave, I had only seconds to make up my mind. I need to find "comrades", as Grans had put it in the last e-mail, to help me find my way in the world. I took the gamble, "Professor Grant wait!" I let go a part of myself. I couldn't go that extra step and reveal my true self. Playing Fey/human is the only thing that would help with my servival. He turned around at the doors of the Bronco and smile. "I knew you didn't go far. Would you liked to go somewhere to talk?"
"Yes, I would like to talk with someone."
"Good, there is a place down the street where we can talk. It's such a splendid night for a walk. Would you like to walk?"
"Yes and no," I said.
He gave me the most confused look I have ever seen. I smiled at him, I felt like a little girl with a new toy, "You see I just purchased a new SUV. I have been finding excuses all day to drive it. Let me drive, if you don't mind?"
He looked at me like I was insane. I just gave him my "I am a little girl who has a new toy and still wants to play with it", look. He gave into me. The drive was short. It took us only a block down the street. To a place called Wild Dreams. We walked into the darkness and was greeted with a sreaming voice singing Gene Simon's song Beth. I liked that song very much and now this creature, because that is what he looked like, was on one knee singing to another strange looking person. It was like seeing a porqupine singing to a banshee. The professor looked at me with a guilty face, "I'm sorry. I forgot tonight is Karaoke night." I started to laugh,"You're forgiven,sir. Just promise me that our talk will be done soon so I can correct that song and sing it the way it was ment to be sung."
"You have a deal." He said.
We walked to the back of the room and found a quiet place to talk. He found a way to cut through a lot of steps getting me signed up for college. Since I had been to college back home, I would have no trouble enrolling into my first week at school. I was excieted that he asked if I wanted to join his classes. He gave me all the times his classes started and he expected me to be in three of them the first week of school.
It was an hour after entering the establishment before I could have a turn with the machine. I stood there on stage looking at my selections. I was about to press Beth untill I found Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opra. I pressed that song instead. When the choice is between The Phantom or Gene Simon's? The Phantom wins hands down. I put my heart and soul into the song. It was the best I have sounded in years. Gee, see what happens when one is away from the evil step-father. Applause broke out in a thoundrous roar. I smiled and gave a little cursty, I'm not big on applause. I started to put the mic down when a pale hand reached for it. The hand laid the mic in the stand and the body to the hand faced the audience. "I think this is a once in a life time find. Would all of you like to see this young lady perform here on a regular basis?" He spoke with the sexiest Irish brogue I ever heard.
The audience erupted once more with their answer. The man turned, took my hand and stared at me. I felt a funny tickle inside my head. Then I realized that he was a vampire. I covered my face with my free hand and started to laugh. Not because I let my guard down and almost outed myself as a shapeshifter but because he tried to please his costomers. He wanted to make me believe that I wanted this job, needed this job. When I shook my head to gain control I looked back at him. I pulled a little of myself together and spoke into the mic before he or anyone could figure what I was, "Sure I'll sing for all of you, only if our friendly neighborhood vampire sings a song with me tonight." There no one would suspect a thing about me. The Vamp would think he succeeded with his hypnosis and the audience will get a kick out hearing a vampire sing.
"I will sing with you, lass, if it is an old Scottish fairytale." He brushed his fingers along my arm and sent shivers through out my body. I just smiled. You're not getting out of this one mister. My grandfather immigrated from Scotland.
Gandpa Miller taught me all of his favorite songs when he was a little boy. I had him sing a song about The Dumfrieshire Dwarves. I never had so much fun. Miska and I would hang out together but nothing that could make me laugh so hard. I left the stage and went to the table were the professor was. Only there was no professor just a note that said see you in school. Well, that bites. I wanted to find more out about the local vampire culture here before I met with the M.C. in his office. Well, it's now or never. I picked my fanny pack off the table and went to visit the vamp.
There was a door next to the bar and an employee opened it for me. I thanked him for the job. Grans always told me that should someone offer to help you, you should repay them with kindness. The employee was another vampire a couple inches taller than my 5'2". He smiled more into my chest than at me. I can't help it if I was blesssed with a nicely scluped body. I wanted to slap him and say "I'm not that kind of girl!" but I decieded that being a little sarcastic was better than violence. So I said, "Take a picture, it might last longer." My voice startled him out of his fantasy. I walked past him into the hallway. The vampire walked in after me and then passed me to escort me to the back office. He knocked and the sexy Irish voice answered, "Enter." He opened the door and told the boss I was outside. Then the door opened further and I was let in. The employee hastly rushed back out the door. That was curious. He treated this vamp like a master. Well, I hope not becuase I might be able to hide from a lot of people but I always screw up around the master vampires.
"So your friend decieded he didn't like our performance?" He said. I thought to myself, "How did he know? Tread carefully, Ana."
"Yeah, I guess so. All that was left on the table was a note and my things."
I turned around the room and saw all the Celtic history displayed on the wall. From battle axes to hand woven tapestries of meadows with Fey dancing in the flowers. I smiled because it felt like Grans' house. Then a riple of power hit me and I heared the singing of flowers behind one of the walls. I turned to the vampire and he smiled, "To business, what is your name?"
"My name is Anastasya Autum. What is your name?" I didn't look him straight in the eye because I would cause myself a lot of trouble. So, I watched his soft cupid lips talk.
"I am called Logan. I run this establishment and others."
"You said I could have a job here singing. Will it be part-time or full-time?"
"What ever you want it to be, my sweet. I have not heard a voice like yours for centuries. I will work out a schedule you like most."
"I like evenings. How about something like three hours a night. Would that work?" Three hours would be perfect. No problems of coming up with excuses on why I can't work Full moons.
"I like that a lot." He moved closer towards me and touched my hair. "You have the voice of the sidhe. What I don't understand is why you look so human?" The light touch made me shiver and I wanted so much to ask him to touch my body all over like that. No, I can't let a total stranger touch me sexually. I felt like I was losing control. I needed a distraction, something to focus my mind. So I took a small step closer to the light singing of the flowers. I could feel my hair slowly fall from his finger tips. I took a deep breath and smelled the faint scent of lillies. I turned to ask about the flowers and looked straight into his chest and then I looked slowly up to his face and stared a little into the deep aqua blue of his eyes. For the undead he was built fine.
He stood about six feet. His arms were the size of my waist. I could see him swinging one of those large axes in a battle. His waist was small and tapered to large muscular legs. His legs were built for lifting large stones. He was built like a soldier of old. I wanted to touch his body and see if it was real. Of course it is real! He is a vampire not a ghost. Stop fantasizing, Ana, it won't do you any good. Men don't look at you like a sex toy. You're the kid sister they never had. Why was life so unfair!? At least it won't hurt to enjoy the view. Change the subject before you get your heart ripped out.
"The flowers behind the wall, can I see them?" Logan was startled that I asked about the flowers. His aqua eyes widen a little when I asked the question.
"That was not what you wanted to talk about, Anastasyja." The way he said my name, with that Irish brogue, sent shivers down my body. "What did I want to talk about?" I don't know what promted me to ask the question, maybe it was my curious nature. One of these days my curiosity is going to be my undoing. The only reply I got from him was a small smile before he bent down and brushed a kissed on my lips. He still had the warmth he barrowed tonight because his lips were warm and soft.
I started to shake all over. I didn't know what to do. I have never actually had someone kiss me before. Okay, I got kisses on the cheeks from Miska a lot. He was just a friend, a compainion that I did all my girlly things with. He wasn't up for half of it, if your wondering. I had to do guy things with him. Like work on his Chevy Blazar. Why do you think I like Off-road vehicals so much? Mothers, grandmothers, brothers and other relitives don't count either. This is serious! A kiss on the mouth by someone of the opposite sex. So what if the man is dead and has been for, (what did he say? oh yeah) centuries. SO, what did I do, I stood there like an idiot. He lifted his head and took a step back. He smiled and shook his head, "Okay, I will play by your rules. Your little question about the flowers, push the red and blue flowers on the painting." He pointed to the painting behind me. I pushed on the painting and was greeted by the most wonderous of sights.
A small greenhouse was hidden behind the painting and was filled with Hundreds of Lillies. Many different species and all of them were singing just for me. Don't worry the vampire couldn't hear the song of the lillies because for some reason only I could hear the songs flowers sing. Lots of flowers will sing when I am near and every tree I pass buy will say a word or two. I can't explain it but it happens. I have been living with this for thirteen years. I have never told a soul but, to tell the truth, the seceret is dying to come out. I turned in a circle and all the lilies started to sway with me. I let my magic blocks down and started to fullfil all the wishes the flowers wanted. I have a weak spot with flowers. Many grew two or three inches. Some of them had their pigment darken or lighten. Then there was one that only wanted to be healthy and asked if I will tell its owner to have some girls removed from their watering duties. A strange request but I was compelled to grant it. I walked out of the room. Logan was staring at me with a very blank face but something danced behind his eyes for an instint.
"You won't tell what you saw, will you?" I asked. I never before shown my fey powers in front of people. Papa Rymi dosen't know all of my powers. He is a good teacher but sometimes I'm not sure I could trust him. So I never told him everything I could do. I stood there and watched Logan. I waited quietly until he made the first move. He smiled at me and shook his head like he couldn't believe what he saw. He walked toward me. I started to get nervous. I didn't know if I should run for it or if I should stand there. I just stood there frozen like a squirrel caught buy a car light.
"I was wrong to think you were a human. You are truly what you appear to be,..... a sidhe. My only problem is why do I also sense another being inside you," he got really close to me. I took a step back and ran into a small potting table. He placed a hand on each side of my body, "One of an animal." He said and leaned closer to my face, "I'm leaning more towards.... a leopard. What say you to this, Ana?" He whispered the last question next to my cheek. I took a deep breath and released it in a shudder. I decided to bear all, maybe this master won't be to bad? I say master because only master vampires can have an animal to call. I was betting his was the leopard. "I'll answer you if you promise to protect me and...and that pink lily over there." I pointed to the one that wanted the strange request. He laughed quietly in my ear and then became very serious. "I am the only one who looks after my flowers. Why must I protect that flower?"
"The poor little thing tells me that two females come in here and water it with strange water. It makes the poor thing feel sick. It wants them to stop." I whispered. "What are you talking about?" he hissed at me.
"Look for thirteen years I have been able to communicate with plant life. All forms of plant life. I have some power that can feed them, make them grow stronger and produce more. I am not one of those weird people who worship the plant life has gods. I just help them along. That flower there says some girls called May and April come in here and fed it strange water that makes it sick. I am just doing what it asked me to do. Tell you and hope that it will stop." He walked over to the flower and studied it. He turned and gave me a small bow with a tilt of his head, "You are right, the flower is looking a little sick. I'll get to the bottom of things." Anger flashed across his face and then was gone again.
The little lily became very happy. "Good and the lily thanks you very much. As to your question about me," I took a much needed breath. I'm laying a lot on the line here. I looked down at my hands. They were clenched into a fist, so tight that my knuckles were white.
I forced them opened and shook some of the tension off. Then laid a few cards on the table, "I am a were-leopard with a little sidhe mixed in. My ability to talk to plants came two years before I was attacked." There told the truth without telling to much of my problem. "I am in need of protection. Can you help me?" Great how desperate can a girl get. I try to be brave and hide my life's problem. Then what do I do, I go and blurt out "I need help" like a pathetic little kitten.
He looked at me suspiciously, "What kind of protection dose a were-leopard need?" I couldn't lie because he could tell right away. Well, maybe I should tell the truth and omit a few things. It wouldn't be an out right lie. "I am here in the city without permission. I don't want any trouble with the pard leaders here. Do you think you could protect me?"
"You don't want to be introduce, why?" he asked.
"My last pard was real rough and all I want is to study at school. I couldn't accomplish that with my old pard. Do you understand? I don't want to have to fight off everyone who thinks I am threatening them." There didn't lie and didn't say anything about Adam.
"Understandable, what about the full moon? Don't you need to hunt on those nights?"
"Well, yes and no. I have been a loepard for so long, the urge to hunt isn't as strong. I can lay down on those nights and sleep." He stood there for several minutes thinking.
"Alright, I will protect you on one condition." he said. Here it goes, my life now is going to be hell. Brace yourself girl, "On what condition will you protect me?"
He walked closer to me. Staring me straight in the eyes. Why am I not feeling dizzy? Maybe he isn't as strong as I think. He walked close to my side and said quietly, "The local leopards do not recognize me as the new Master of the City. Since my animal to call are leopards maybe you can show yourself around as my cat to call. This would keep some of my people loyal and my challenges will decrease. What do you say to this, Ana? Will you be my cat to call?" He stood right beside me and was breathing on my neck. It was very light and tickled like crazy. How can one think with all these pleasant distractions? Easy, move away from the distraction. I took two steps away which put me back with the lilies. I took in the fragrance to clear my head.
I thought about this for a few minutes. An animal to call had to do the master's bidding or suffer the consequences. Could I do that? Be at someone's beck and call night and day. If I put some clauses on it, I could, "To let you know first," I started to count on my fingers, "I'm not into casual sex with strangers." Good way to start girl. Don't want the master to laugh at me for still being a virgin. "Second, I need to be able to study. I'm going to finish my education. When you need me here to listen to complaints and all, I will be bringing my books. Third, most important of all, is I don't kill. I mean I won't kill on command. Unless someone's attacking you I'll do my duty and help fight. It's just not in my nature to start fights."
Laughter erupted out of him like a bursting volcano. "Not in your nature to attack or kill. Very ironic coming from a shapeshifter. Everyone that shifts into a beast of prey has the instinict to hunt and kill. What is different about yours?"
I hated this part, how can you explain to someone why your different? I know it could be the fey powers but I don't have that much in me to matter. Well, I'll just say what comes natually, "I am different. I have been a leopard for almost eleven years. I don't know why I do the things I do. I just avoide any confrontations. I hunt only if I need to. I can't explain it any other way. Those are my conditions. If you can accept that, I can accept your offer at being your cat to call." He was staring a me for several minutes before he responded, "Those terms are workable. Or I could force you into being my animal." I think I went white because he started to laugh at me. "Don't worry, wee kitten, I will try and compromise for what I need." He held out his hand, "Then let us seal this pack between us. Come here my kitten."
I walked toward him nervously, "How are we to seal this deal between us?" He grabbed my hands and placed them on his chest. He lifted my head slightly with his index finger and my hair fell back off my shoulder to expose part of my neck. He looked into my eyes. Then he whispered, "We will seal it with power and blood." When the words were said I felt power wrap around my body. His eyes glowed an ocean blue. I let myself relax a little and then I smelt wildflowers in the air. He arched his body and bit hard into my neck. I didn't panic. The pain was madding, though I had to relax myself and let him drink from me. This wasn't the frist time I let a vampire drink from me. Cherry got to drink from me at least once a week. It kept my old master of the city happy. She would think I was Cherry's food source and I got to stay away from the pard on regular basis. Once my muscles stopped fighting, the pain wasn't so bad. I started to get light headed. I wanted to go to sleep. Then I heard his voice whispering ino my ear and power wrapping around my body like a glove. Then what I heard was in stereo a voice by my ear and his thoughts inside my head, "I will know your thoughts and you will know mine. When I call to you, you will answer me. I am now your master and you are now my beast." I could feel him inside my head but his power wasn't the only one. The lilies started to sing and they didn't like what was happening to me. I pushed out an imaginary arm of magic, it's the only way to describe it, to reassure them that I was all right. A gentle breeze started to flow through the room. I was the cause of it. The lilies were swaying to my power and they sent power back. It danced up my body and into the master. I felt him release me but he held me close to his chest. He picked me up and carried me to his desk chair. There he sat and held me like a child, until my strength returned. He opened a vein on his chest and told me it was my turn to drink and I did. It was warm and metallic on my tounge. The taste was maddening. I wanted more and more until there was nothing left. I started to drink his blood like a mad woman. He pushed me away from his chest, "Enough!" he said. Then he laid my head on his shoulder and told me to relax and sleep. I couldn't fight his suggestion. I started to close eyes.
It felt so nice to be in his arms. My mother use to hold me like this before Adam came into the picture. I wish sometimes I could go back to that time. I feel so lonely now. I just want to be a child again. I want to feel love again. My eyes started to get heavy with sleep. I started to doze off listening to the lullaby the lilies were singing. The last thing I heard was Logan saying, in his Irish brogue, "Don't worry, wee kitten, I will protect ye."
Index