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sandid1970-blog · 7 years

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Hidden truths ( first 4 chapters)

Prologue The night was crisp with the smell of pine and the musk of rotting leaves. It was unseasonable warm for a late september night, the perfect temperature for tonight's ritual which was best achieved skyclad. Our coven was preparing for the Autumn equinox. A time to invoke the Goddess Hecate.The other members of the coven were preparing . Amitola our coven leader helped me set the circle for tonight's ritual. This year was to be special for me. It would be the first time I would lead the ceremony. Normally all ceremonies were lead by the wise woman or wise man which we haven’t had for nearly a century. Amitola Ravenwood, my soon to be mother in law, has been teaching me to take over for the last few years. Normally the wise woman role would pass to Amitola’s daughter but since she has only a son she has chosen to pass this honor to me. Tonight would be my first attempt at leading. My first chance to prove I was worthy of the honor she has planned to bestow upon me. Elemental candles were placed at the five points of my pentagram. A circle of power was traced in salt to ward evil from entering. As I call forth power I ask my fellow coven members to join me in the circle. As Our powers join I feel something that is just a bit off. Like a peak in power. Initially I attempt to rein it in assuming I’ve reached too far in an attempt to prove myself, but I quickly realize the problem isn’t me but there is definitely a problem. Power is being pushed into my circle the likes of which I’d rarely seen. From that moment forward things become fragmented. Flashes of lightning, thunder, and rain followed by blood and pain. I'm trying to level out the power in the circle but it's no use. Strangers appear around our circle. I don't think the power isn’t coming from them but they are not here to help they feel like pure evil. The circle begins to pulse. The area so steeped in power that the night is bright with energy that I'm nearly being blinded .Amitola and Etan are trying to help me control the surge of energy and hold the circle to no avail . The power continues to build overwhelming our circle until it’s too much and the circle can’t hold any longer. Mora the covens newest addition is the first to break . Everyone else quickly follows. The circle members are thrown in every direction from the force. Evil is like a blanket coating my senses as l lay on the ground surrounded by the newcomers. I attempt to recover and defend myself but the strangers are on us before I can begin to defend myself. They are fast and strong. Taking down member after member. Amitola lay bleeding a few feet away Etan stood over his mother throwing fire balls the size of small suns to keep anyone from reaching his mother.He is so focused on the threat in front of him that he is unaware of the threat coming at his back. A large globe of energy is heading straight for him. All I can think to do to help either of them is put myself between the threat and them.Energy hits my chest. My first thought was “ that’s not so bad just numb is all.” As I lay on the ground feeling something warm and wet soaking the ground beneath me feeling quickly returns to my body, letting me know my time here is short. I prayed to the goddess that Etan and Amitola will be spared for our daughter's sake. She deserves to be raised by one of us. 1 I woke to the sound of my pounding heart and the song “Wanted” by Hunter Hayes playing on my cell phone. One glance at the bedside clock told me it was Three in the morning so the chances were pretty good I knew who was on the phone. “Analese what’s going on? Are you alright?” Seslie demanded. Seslie is my younger sister and a clairvoyant, but more than that since we were children we have had this bond that can tell us when the other one is in trouble and if close enough where they are. So my recent nightmares are not only affecting me ,but her as well. “Just the nightmare again, Ses” I attempt to reassure her. “Did you get anything new this time? Any clues as to what this all means or what the warning is about?” she asked. I’d started having what can only be called bad dreams almost two weeks ago. They started with just a feeling of fear and running away from someone or something, and have now progressed to full on night mares with me waking in the grippes of fear so strong it seeps through the bond my sister and I share. “ The same feelings of being chased. The voice that is telling me to act before it’s too late!” “ Sure wish I knew too late for what?” “Because I’m not getting the feeling it’s anything I should look forward to.” “ I did however remember eyes.” “ What do you mean eyes?” “Green eyes. Human eyes I think or pretty close at least .But nothing to go with them.” “How about you? Are you getting anything from all this ,besides my terror?” “Ana! You know when it comes to us I’m mind blind!” She practically screeched in my ear. This has been a rather sore subject for Seslie ever since she realized at an early age she was clairvoyant. Mind blind means there is a barrier blocking her gift. It can either be internal or external some people are born mind blind so their minds and futures can’t be read . It’s as if their path is unwritten so no one can read them. That’s the internal type. External which is her case is blocked due to personal gain. According to the goddess teachings one's gifts can’t be used for personal gain. Therefore knowing our own future would be cheating fate. Which seems to include me. While it would be handy I guess it's still cheating . “I know, I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean those kind of feelings Sis. I just thought maybe some of what was seeping through our bond may have given you some idea or thoughts on this mess.” “Oh, well I guess I’m always so worried about you I’ve never thought about what I’m feeling. I can’t really think right now sorry.” “ Well that is to be expected little one. As usual I’m sorry I woke you, but your voice always grounds me and helps me think more clearly. So thanks and love you. Muah!” “Anytime, you’d do the same for me. Love you too. Muah!” Seslie said before we signed off for the night. Okay ,Now I know it’s cheesy but it’s been our traditional sign off in text or on the phone since like forever . I honestly can’t remember a time when we didn’t do it . I’m sure you are wondering what Muah even is well It’s pronounced MOO-AH and it’s a kiss noise. I know corny. Which is so us. Of course I couldn’t sleep after Seslie and I hung up so I decided to analyze the dream. To see what I could get from it. Surely there were some answers there I just needed to be calm and rational about figuring them out. So first there’s the running I am always running but am I running to somewhere or away from something? I’m so choked with fear it’s hard to tell. What else? Breathing, heavy breathing it seems to be coming from behind me . That could be why I’m running although I am a witch with several defensive spells at my disposal so why won’t I just use one of those? Or maybe I did and it wasn’t strong enough. Not that I can think of anything strong enough to withstand my strongest spells. But if it did that would sure as hell explain why I was high tailing my ass out of there. Well Ses is the brilliant one when it comes to research I guess tomorrow she gets some homework. Now the voice that I swear feels so familiar. It keeps telling me “you have to hurry.’ ‘Before it’s too late.” And of course the newest “time is running out.” Don’t ya ever just wish things were simple ? Like hey keep your butt away from there today because if not you're going to die. See now that’s a message . Plain simple and to the point . None of the fog and whispers. I abhorre puzzles. Anyway if the voice isn’t gonna out right tell me what do I focus on here besides the migraine that’s starting from brain overload. Fine so lastly we have the green eyes and like I told Ses they seem human although there are many creatures that can pass as so at first glance. However the eyes are not familiar like the voice. And I can’t understand why I only see eyes without seeing any facial features. I mean how weird is that? At some point I must have drifted off to sleep because morning came too soon. With the sound of the alarm and the blessed smell of my preset coffee maker brewing my favorite Steep and Brew Icing On the Cake coffee. I slowly force myself to roll out of bed heading to the bathroom for my normal morning routine. As I finish pulling up my golden locks into my normal work do. I can’t help but recall how everyone is forever comparing Seslie and I. I am Five years older than her at Twenty-five have long pale blond hair with golden highlights. While she has the dark rave hair you would expect of our Cherokee heritage. We both have perfect sun kissed skin year round and the benefit of never getting a sunburn . Thank the Goddess. Our eyes are a golden brown and we both have the same pouty mouth and long dark lashes. We are however vertically challenged at a whopping Five feet Four inches which is why we love us some high heels and stilettos that are made of wood are never a bad thing incase we run into a hungry vampire with no manners one well place stiletto and vampire no more. Not that all vampires are bad in fact for the most part they are good and abide by the rules set forth by the Nonhuman Council. In fact Seslie is currently see a very charming and quite sexy vampire. Yes I know how clique. All vampire are sexy now days according to television and books . Well let me assure you this is not the case here in Illinois. For some reason our vampires seem to think being dead means there’s no longer a need to follow basic rules of hygiene. Which I’m not sure about you but for me BO and halitosis are not in my current list of turn ons and if they ever are please just put a bullet in my brain and put me out of my misery. 2 Pulling into the parking lot at the clinic where, I work at my traditional five minutes late, I’m happy to note that Dr. Jensen has not yet arrived. Before you even think it yes I work at a doctors office. Because besides being a witch I am also a nurse. I do not just make potions and hexes all day long in fact I have never performed a hex in my life and can honestly say that is not the kind of magic I wish to practice. As for the potions well of course any good witch can and does brew them so, I have my fair share on hand but my sister and I rely mostly on expression and ley line magic. Since those powers come from ourselves and naturally powerful places in the earth. Dr. Jensen and Dr. Jameson are my bosses at the Oncology/ hematology clinic. In regular speak that is cancer and blood disorders. They are both semi retired so each one works three weeks then takes three weeks off. This is Dr Jensen’s weeks which means they will be very tense and hurried. Dr. Jensen and Dr. Jameson are like night and day. Dr. Jensen wears a wool three piece suit year still carries a pocket watch and is very, very uptight and likes things to run just so. While Dr. Jameson wears khakis a polo and just tends to take thing as the go. One of my best friends and fellow nurses once compared our weeks with Dr. Jensen as our time “in the sandbox” due to the immature and two year old behaviors displayed during his rotations. Needless to say it has stuck. My day started out as normal checking in patients. Taking blood, vital signs and weights then placing them in exam room to see the doctor. Who speak of the devil arrived just as we were placing the second patient into a room. Wow, and only thirty minutes early he must have decided to give us a break today. Lucky us. Today I’m working in the chemo room with Celia. Celia is a mare. Better known as a horse shifter. However Celia is not your traditional mare. In Horse shifter culture they tend to treat breeding much the same as regular horses one stud to multiple mares and the from an extended family unit sharing this one male and raising all their foul together. Well Celia didn’t find any of this appealing. She and her mate chose a human ceremony swearing themselves to only each other and will only breed with one another. Got to give a women credit where do when one mare can for full all the needs of a randy stallion she is one hell of a woman or horse in this case. Our day was progressing pretty much the way most days in the chemo room do. Place IVs or access ports. A port is just an implanted IV access commonly used when a patient has long term treatment requiring intravenous access with varying times between. So very common in our office. Then running labs and waiting for the doctor see each patient and set the doses of chemotherapy. When I was starting Mrs. Artsons’ first treatment it was well into the afternoon so I was mainly running on autopilot after just the few hour of sleep I had when Celia appeared beside me. Celia just gave me this look that said something wasn’t right. For someone as cool and collected as Celia that’s saying a lot. As I finished with Mrs. Artson and quickly returned to the mixing room of course assuming that is where something had gone wrong which in and of itself is dire. The mixing room is where we mix each Patient chemotherapy based on double and sometimes triple checked calculation. But as I stepped into the room I felt it. Magic the feeling one feels when there is another nonhuman of power near. It’s source wasn’t immediately clear and with a room that is only eight by eight and the mixing hood takes up a third of that. That’s a scary feeling. As I ventured farther into the room I became aware of the pixy hovering above the counter to my right. Now don’t get all excited because pixies are nothing like they are in cartoons and books. This particular pixy goes by the name of Jin . He is about six inches tall with wings that remind me of a fly except the are blue and green . He has an over sized head and big round green eyes that are wide set with a flat pug like nose and sharp pointy teeth. His body is much the same as ours . He currently wears what looks like pants made of a leather like cloth no shirt and a two inch sword in a sheath is strapped across his back. As I fully enter the room I slide the pocket door closed mainly for my peace of mind because humans refuse to see magical creatures or magic of any kind. The human mind is so logical it tricks itself into believing what they are seeing isn’t real. Thereby a six inch man floating over a counter may to them just look like a bottle we are picky up or setting down or in some cases they do not even acknowledge seeing anything . It just doesn’t exist because let’s face it six inch flying men with tiny swords just do not appear at your doctor's office. Yet here he was so the thousand dollar question is why? But just as I was about to ask that very thing Celia snapped “What the hell? Why are you here? This not the time or place for a drop in BUG!” Of course Celia knows Jin is not a bug and that he can only be here to deliver a message or try to barter a bit of knowledge for a potion or two. She has seen him before and I must say the two really do not care for each others company. However Jin can be very resourceful and he does owe both my sister and I for rescuing him from the web of a black witch a few years ago while trying to track missing children for the human world. It turned out the very web Jin was caught in was meant to capture small children for the black witch's sacrifice to raise a demon under lord. So Seslie and I helped him escape after we used him as a bit of bait to draw the old witch out. Now needless to say Jin wasn’t happy about the whole using him thing ,but in the end his life was spared thanks to us so in the Fey world that means he owes us fealty. Which is a life debt. So he keeps us informed and if he brings something really useful we will give him a harmless potion or two for his trouble. Jin hissed back “ None of your business cow you are not why I’m here.” Celia started to reply but I stopped her by asking the obvious question.”So just why are you here Jin and why couldn’t it wait till after I was done working?” Jin’s irritation was apparent by the blue blur of his wings. When pixies are upset or scared they tend to move their wings at a rate that causes them to appear nothing more than a blur of color. Although after his reply I wasn’t sure it wasn’t a little of both fear and anger. “ The Vampire King has requested an audience with you and your sister this eve at sunset.” Jin blurted. Well you could have knocked me over with a feather because that sure was not even in the same realm as anything I could imagine Jin coming here to tell me. First let me make it clear that a “request” from the Vampire King is not truly a request it is a demand and if not followed bad things will happen. So while I had no wish to Visit said king I truly had no choice because while my sister and I are strong witches we can not deal with a whole nest of vampires. No this would definitely be a meeting we couldn’t skip. “So Jin did he happen to mention why he wishes to see us or why he needed both of us?”He could have asked for either of us if he just wished to talk . Wanting both of us there was a bit unnerving. Yet that would be what he would get if for nothing more than to keep from having to battle him and his. This vampire wasn’t one I cared to cross. “Oh , yes, yes he did” Jin stated sarcastically. “We did our hair and talked all about it. NOT!” “Like he tells me anything. I mean really Witch! I thought you were smarter than that.” He continued to rant but I had already tuned him out thinking of the many possible reasons for a meeting none of them good. 3 After sending Jin away with the message the Seslie and I would be at the meeting. I could not put my mind fully back in work mode. So finally I took Celia’s advice and texted Seslie. Just a simple message “call me ASAP”. Then I waited and waited, but no call, no text . So I texted again “ We really need to talk”. No reply. Then I called, and called, and text some more. At some point I began to pace. Becoming more tense with every step, every unanswered call and message. It was so unlike Seslie to fall of the radar like this. She knew I was. Well in her words a “Worry Wart”. After Three hours I could handle no more . I was convinced something was wrong with my sister, with the bond, with everything. I had to get to her and fast.. So I step into the chemo room to quickly let Celia know what I was planning so she could cover for me. It’s our slow part of the day so things should be fine. Being the friend she is knowing me as well as she does she gives me a knowing smile and nods knowing as well as I do there’s no stopping me at this point I’m beyond reason. When it comes to my sister and even my friends I’m unreasonable. I duck into the ladies room and lock the door. Someone finding me unaware is the last thing I need right now. Next comes the hard part freeing my astral self from my body. To allow me to travel the astral plains where I can fine Seslie make myself visible after freezing the room so no one sees what’s going on . Piece of cake right? Not! For those of you wondering what on earth an astral plain is. It’s simple, the astral plain is and energy reflection of the real world. A higher plain of existence if you will. A place where normal laws like time space, and gravity are not real. These areas or plains as they are called can be traveled by beings or people if they can train themselves to become energy. I happen to be one of these people Seslie is to a lesser degree only due to her lack of desire. Since I am able to become one of these traveler and because of our bond I’m hoping it will take me to my sister where I can regain form and rescue her from whatever is keeping her from calling. All the times I’ve done this before all I needed to do was just think of Seslie and I’d be by her side but to interact on her plain with her in the natural realm I have to materialize and stop time in the room where she is or risk giving the whole non-human thing away. As my astral self appears next to my baby sister in one of the many auditoriums at her school the relief I feel at finding her safe and sound is quickly replaced by embarrassment. She is furious. Seslie doesn’t care for my astral projection. Which may be one of the many reasons she hasn’t honed her ability. She claims traveling as an energy being brings one too close to the gray fields. The area between heaven and hell where the lost ones reside who cannot or will not move on for one reason or another. While the gray fields are a very dangerous place for a being with a soul to travel unprotected she knows this is never the case with me . While the goddess Hecate protects me in spirit always I also wear her in tattoo form across my upper back to be sure not to mention carrying pink quartz for purity and white ash for strength. Cause as much as I do hate to admit it my kid sister is right to fear the lost ones. They will try to hitch a ride on any unprotected soul passing through the gray fields. That’s how we end up with ghost here in the natural realm some idiot astral projected who didn’t know the rules. Needless to say this is not me but it sure doesn’t keep my sister from biting at me about it but I bite right back. Hey what can I say we are sisters after all! And bite is exactly what she does for a whole other reason when she sees me. So after we both simmer down and I’m relieved to find her unharmed and very pissed of I might add. I decide I best make my exit before the other in the room lose too much time. Leaving people frozen while time passes is always a risk so I try to do so as shortly as possible. Just as I reach the doors however I finally remember the whole purpose of this impromptu visit and I turn before I leave the room to holler back “ We have an appointment with the Vampire King at sunset” and unfreeze the room as the doors swing shut behind me and my astral self snaps back to my body. As I become aware of my surroundings in the office ladies room I drop to my knees. It always takes a few minutes to get my bearing with the sharp pounding in my head and the churning in my stomach I’m quickly reminded why I very seldom make jaunts like this. The after effect are a bitch. Slowly I rise to the basin splash cool water on my face and neck and stare at my pale ashen face. I need chocolate and caffeine. The recipe to always make things better. Leaving the ladies room rather shaky heading straight to the coffee maker. Now our coffee is definitely no where near the quality of my Step N Brew in fact most days it’s more like burnt sludge. Still it is hot and has caffeine throw in a bunch of creamer and some Sweet N Low and I can tolerate it. As an added bonus someone has been so kind as to bring in donuts so I snag a glazed one to go. Not chocolate but sweet would do. Sitting down in the Chemotherapy room on a stool with my coffee and donut. Trying my best to avoid Celia’s “I told you so look”. Which of course is not working at all . That women can bore holes in you with her stare. Heaven help any children she ever has. I didn’t have to endure the stare for long though just as I took the first bite of my donut hadn’t even begun to chew yet but that didn’t seem to matter. She couldn’t seem to hold her tongue any longer. “Well what happen?” Celia demand with hands on her hips and that mommy look in her eyes. Some child was in trouble when she turned that look on him or her later in life. Even I didn’t really care for it and we’re the same age. “Nothing happen.” I stated rather child like I must admit not meeting her eyes and continuing to sip my awful coffee and shuffle papers. “ Don’t give me that nothing business girl you better spill or I’ll be sitting at Seslie’s tonight and she I’m sure would love to tell me.” Celia states with a smile. “ Fine! She was fine just like you said. She forgot her cell phone at home that’s why she wasn’t answering. Now are you happy?” I mumble truly hating the fact that I have to eat crow in front of my friend. Admitting to over reacting leaves a foul taste in my mouth. “How pissed is she? On a scale from one to ten one being she doesn’t speak to you for a couple days like she did when you did in the high school cafeteria and all her friends thought she was talking to herself or ten like she punches you in the face n nearly breaks your jaw like at basic training when you got her and her whole platoon smoked for popping in at three in the morning?” “Somewhere about an eight or nine maybe leave me in the desert for a day with no water and the closest town is fifty miles or strip me naked and set me in a mound of fire ants. Yeah that sounds about right.” Celia just giggles and pats my back “She loves you girl she just wants you to quiet mothering her and it’s never going to happen. You know it. I know it. Hell even she knows it! Doesn’t change a thing. At that we both laughed. The rest of the day was drama free thank heavens. Patients came and went per their normal schedules. Celia and I fell into our normal groove allowing the afternoon to float by with no more worries. Well work related anyway. Upon leaving work and reaching my car my cell phone rang. Seslie calling for that briefing about our meeting at sunset . Needless to say she was just as shocked and upset as I was unable to guess why on god's green earth he’d want a meeting with us and even more worried that her vampire boyfriend wasn’t around to pick his brain for possible clues. Of course in the end she came to the same conclusion I had we’d find out when we got there since there wasn’t a way to get around going. We arranged to meet in the Capital building parking lots far north west corner at eight o’clock tonight sunset wasn’t till eight twenty-six. The King can’t leave his lair below the capital until then and from that vantage point we can see him or his minions coming. What can I say we are not completely naive witches. 4 Driving to this ultra important meeting had me irritated and more than a little pissed off. I know Leon believes he’s all powerful but to me he’s still just Leon .The lowly vampire that needed my grans protection to even survive when he first came to Illinois from France. He had a kill order on his head for unsanctioned kills. That is draining a human who wasn’t being turned. While it happens sometimes for new vampires that’s why newling’s live under their master’s care for the first year or two after being turned so they learn control. Because they say the craving is like a thirst when you’ve been in the desert for days without water. Grams took pity on Leon because he was somehow related on his mother's side. Plus she truly believed it wasn’t his fault he was turned and his master was killed by a hunter shortly after. Leaving nobody to teach him the ways of a good vampire. Grans didn’t hold the kills against him she is a firm believer in rehabilitation. Yet protocol states no vampire may enter another King or Queens territory unless born or made there. Which makes the fact that Leon is now king of Illinios all the more unique. So even though I can remember Leon from way back when I still play the good little witch and come when he beckens. But don’t you think for one minute that I wasn’t going to let him know about it as soon as we were alone. While I respect what he does and who he is I’m in no way beholding to him. Unlike Seslie I don’t have one of his soldiers that I cuddle up to at night. Pulling into the capital parking lot at 8:15 left me a few minutes to enjoy the nice cool evening. I had enjoyed my trip across town in my little red mustang with the top down. I whipped into the north corner to wait for Ses. From my car I could see Anthony Eds better know as Teddy to his friends. He’s the main day guard for the basement entrance to the tunnels under the capital where the vampires make there home. Tony is a mountain of a man at six foot four and a polar bear shifter to boot. He has your typical bouncer body type big and muscled with a head of white blond hair in a buzz cut the army would respect. If you were going by his looks he has mean down pat. But when he knows you and smiles showing off a pair of adorable dimples like he was at this moment as he strides across the parking lot heading for me as I step out of my car to wait for Ses. Believe you me it’s a site any red blooded female would stop to watch so that’s just what I decided to do. There really are too few things as simple as admiring a nice form I mused at Tony’s approach. I was paying so much attention to the view as it were that it took a second to process that Seslie was pulling in the lot until her car stopped near me.As soon as Seslie was out of the car Tony snatched her up in littarely a bear hug sweeping her right off her feet and kissing her check. As he placed her back on her feet I stepped forward for my turn and returned his hug in kind. When he placed me back on my feet he gave us both a stern glare all fake of course even throwing in a growl for good measure. Letting us both know he felt it had been too long since our last visit. This just made us both giggle. Tony may be hired muscle but we both know we’re not in any danger from him. We have all been friends since junior high. “What?” Ses asked around her laugh. “I never see you two anymore unless it’s at invitation from my boss. What kinda friends does that make you?” he demands. “Now big guy don’t pout. You’ll get wrinkles” I tease. Ses jumps in to play peacemaker to our mock arguing with”now kids play nice.” to Tony she says, “We have missed you too. We’ve just been busy. We promise you haven’t been replaced. You're still our hottest werebear friend” she teased. She almost managed it with a straight face.Which earned her a knuckle rub to the scalp. “You’re so not funny” he teased back. “As much fun as I’m having, Almost as much as you two are” I laughed enjoying the comradery. “We are here for a reason and we all know how lateness makes your boss extra fun. “ I stated starting toward the basement entrance that would take us to the tunnels under the capital to where the vampires made their home. Tony took the lead as we reached the door he had exited. Leading the way through the maze of halls and down two levels to the large open chamber that had been dubbed “ the hall.” There were only a few of the older vamps awake and milling about at this hour as we walked through.Younger vamps require more sleep. No One paid us much mind as we made our way to the small room at the rear of the large chamber. This is where Leon made his office. If he was awake that’s where he would be. Since we were only here because he demanded it he had better be awake. Lord knows hanging out here is not my idea of a good time. I’m a sun and fun kinda girl. Neither of which I was betting I would get in that room. Tony opened the door but did not enter he stepped back to allow us passage and left. Sure enough Leon was at his desk. From the looks of it he had been there awhile. He waved us in and motioned to the chairs in front of him as he wrapped up a call. I took that time to get a better look at him. This is a man who is all about image from his armani suits to his slicked back hair he always seemed to project a calm collected air . I was getting none of that at this moment. His suit was rumpled and looked as if he had slept in it and his hair was sticking up as if he had been running his hands through it . His normal look is uptown chic today I was getting more of a used car salesman vibe. If I wasn’t mistaken he even had a smudge on his tie but I prefered to not think about that. Something must really be up to have him in his current state. The question was what. Leon wasted no time on civilities once Tony shut the door. “Finally” he breathed “I need your help.” “We figured as must,” I said “ But with what exactly?” It took a few moments before he answered. Almost as if he was decided what he wanted to say. I almost thought I was going to have to ask the question again. When he finally did speak it was as if his manors finally kicked in and he said” I’m sorry please do have a seat. This will take a bit to explain so please make yourselves comfortable. Truthfully I’m not even sure where I should begin. Seslie and I allowed Leon to gather his thoughts while we took our seats in the two high back leather chairs. Taking a seat in one of these chairs was downright sinful it didn’t just conform to your body it melted around you till you felt like you never needed to leave. I hated sitting here it made it easy to forget where I was. Of course the whole room screamed luxury from the mahogany desk to the the tiffany lamps it’s what Leon was about. Totally not my thing. Leon seemed to take on last deep breath to fortify himself then he began.”The issue began a little over Three weeks ago.” He stated “ Our first candidate of the month was ready for transformation. Things were completed on schedule and she was placed in her family mausoleum after good byes were said to her old life as is our custom. As you may remember newlings aren’t fit for society for many years and most times are nothing like the person from their old life. If she was going to transition she would return in 24 to 36 hours.” After another deep breath he continued “But she didn’t. We waited 48 hours just to be sure she wasn’t running loose somewhere or unable to get out which sometimes the case . Mostly though the get sidetracked after rising.” That’s vampire PR for they got hungry and went on a killing spree. I thought snidely. Although I was wracking my brain and couldn't for the life of me remember any recent murders or unsolved deaths in the news.Maybe I just hadn’t been paying enough attention. I tuned back into the story as Leo was saying.”But when my men went back neither of those appears to be the case. She was right where she would have risen in the mausoleum . Yet how they found her was the odd to say the least. Her coffin was open and she was slumped over the side when they found her as if she started to rise then she changed her mind. However after my people found her this way and attempted to place her back to rest that’s when the really odd was discovered. Her chest cavity was ripped , I guess would be the best word, Open and blood was everywhere. As if her heart truly had started to beat again until she met with a tragic and morbid true death. While this was disconcerting it wasn’t of much interest at that point . It’s not as if we don’t have a long list of shall we call them patrons ? Waiting to join our ranks. In truth I hadn’t plan to give that episode much thought. That was until it happened three more times . Twice in mausoleums and once in burial sites. The last of which was a rather high ranking legacy. But the pattern was the same as the first the chest ripped open and bleeding that can only come from a beating heart. Leading us to believe there was something deeper than failed turnings here. As to you might have guessed by now they all were missing something. There have been three more in the last two weeks. Do you have any idea what was missing from everyone?” He finally asked. “I’ll bite” Seslie said, “What?” Leon paused for effect I’m sure then stated “Their hearts.” Well color me surprised. What on earth would want a newly risen vampires heart? So that’s just the question I asked. “That is just the question.” he said “ I don’t know of anyone or anything. That’s why I asked the two of you here. My other sources have lead nowhere and the two of you have avenues open to you I don’t.” Ses and I each other the same look. Yep, we were on the same page. No clue zone! Somehow I doubted that was what he wanted to hear. I went for the more politically correct, “We can look into for you. I can’t personally think of anything that jumps to mind at the moment.” “Yes, I agree.” Seslie said “I’d be happy to do a little research and see what pops.” “I rather knew that would be the case. It was just a hope that you ladies knew something I had missed.Do you have a time frame that I might expect some progress on this matter?” He asked. After a few moments to gather my thoughts I answered honestly with” at the moment no. But we should be able to give you some kind of update to let you know if we have anywhere at all to go with this within forty-eight hours.” “So are we to assume transitions are currently on hold?” Sesli asked. “For the time being, yes. Although that being said I am unsure how long I can keep it that way.” he said “I am sure I need not tell you that it is of the utmost importance that this not get out. Only a select few in my organization are aware. I believe this is for the best. I am sure you will both agree.” Leon finished Because we all knew it wasn’t a question but a statement. It was his secret and we were just being brought in on a consulting basis. “Of course.” we both answered. “It will be handled with the kid gloves it deserves” I add feeling very PR at that moment. Tony was summoned and we were escorted back to our cars. After our normal horsing around and agreeing to all get together soon for drinks Tony headed back to his post. Ses and I took a few minutes to put a game plan together. Going over what we learned, where we planned to start our research and then dividing it up. She got the computer and online research it was really her thing. Seslie is a student at the college there on the GI bill as a member of the Army guard. As fate would have it she met with a few other supernates ( supernaturals) during basic training and they have all become a close net group if it was in computer land and you had enough time they could find it.. Between her and her squad . I as normal ended up with the leg work which suits me fine. I hate sitting on a computer all day looking for a needle in a haystack. My best source for all things strange was always Gran Amitola and any of the elders or coven leaders I might possibly obtain information from. We agreed to tough base the following evening even if we came up with nothing which we were both worried would be the case. While hearts play a role in many a spell or ritual. General of the dark or sinister variety I might add. Neither of us could think of anything that would call for a newlying vampires heart. I mean a vampire heart is a vampire heart . Right? I guess that is one of the questions we were going to need to answer.

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