Mystic Embrace (23 page)

“
It may be our only option. Maybe you should make some calls,” Sophia suggests.

***

Deciding not to worry about Nik until Elijah has contacted his friends, Alexander starts to question me about my dream visions again.

“
Still having visions of ghosts and angels, Ebony?” he bluntly asks.

“
Yeah, actually I’ve talked to a few of the ghosts. It turns out that they are victims of the supernatural. From everything such as warlocks and demons, vampires, black magic you name it. The ghosts that are coming to me have all died from some form of supernatural evil.”

“
Do you know how to help them yet?” Sophia asks.

“
It appears as though they are having trouble crossing over. I’ve helped a few already, they need to let go of the anger within them, and to be able to feel peace. Others need to make sure that their families can survive without them.” It makes me happy to know that I’m able to help others go in peace.

“
Do you have any more information on the angels yet?” Eliza wonders.

“
I’ve been helping Ebony to learn as much as she can. We still can’t figure out if they are trying to help us or warn us of something. And deep down, I have a feeling that a Nephilim is around and nearing his or her eighteenth birthday,” Matt explains.

“
So, the next thing we need to do is try and figure out who the Nephilim is,” I add. “I have also been practicing meditation and learning realm travel, in hopes that something will help lead me to the Nephilim.” I learned from the book of shadows that any witch can travel through the realms once they train themselves with proper meditation. So I’ve been practicing, I always thought this was a power not a skill.

“
So, if there is a half Fallen Angel and half mortal walking around, would that also mean that a Fallen Angel is amongst us? If that is the case is there a danger to the town’s people?” Eliza questions him.

“
I don’t believe so. Matt and I have been trying to look at all of the adoptions in the area as well as single parents. More specifically, single parents, because they would more than likely be the ones left to care for the child and may even know what their child is. Anyone between the ages of seventeen and nineteen are on our watch list.”

Sophia paces the room. “And what have you found out so far?”

“
Well, there are only about ten people on our list so far that fit the requirements.” Matt pulls out his list. “Do you recognize any of the names on our list?”

Nathanial and Luke, join us. They both appear somber yet settled as though they have come to a decision. We momentarily change focus back to them.

“
So, have you guys come to a conclusion?” Eliza questions as she holds Luke in her arms.

“
Well, I have agreed to go back to school and Nathanial will stay here to help the Pierce family with raising Nik,” Luke says as he gives his brother and disapproving glance.

Eliza looks up at her boyfriend. “Why do I have the feeling there is more to it than that?”

In a sarcastic tone, Luke says, “Nate, would you like to tell them?”

Nathanial smirks his brother, “Thanks bro. I was telling Luke that I thought it may be a good idea for your family to Embrace me. That way…”

“
You can stop that right now, Nathanial McCord. Why on earth do you think that Embracing you can fix everything? I thought you promised me never to bring it up again,” Sophia says with such frustration.

“
Sophia, I know that we have talked about this, and I know what I promised you. What you need to understand is that circumstances have changed. My little brother needs you, just as I need you, but he also needs me. If he is going to have to go through life being half vampire, and half mortal, I think he should have family on either side. Luke will stay mortal. It only makes sense, since his girlfriend is mortal too, although a super powerful witch, she is still mortal. With me, the woman I love is a vampire. You, Sophia Pierce, are the only one for me and I want to be with you. We can’t go on forever with you as a vampire and me as a mortal. You know this just as well as I do. I know this may not be the ideal situation, but it’s something that’ll workout for all of us,” Nathanial argues.

Sophia is visibly upset over Nathanial suggestion, “You know, I don’t like the idea of this. You have no idea what it’s like to never grow old, never complete any one cycle of life. You’re just always stuck is a teenager. Life never progresses; never changes and you can never really call any one place home.”

“
Are you telling me that your life has sucked for the last two years that you have known me? I understand how difficult it could be being alone, but Sophia, we have each other, and this way, we always will.”

As I listen to Sophia and Nathanial argue, I began to think about what my life is going to be now that I too am a vampire. My daughter and husband are still mortal. One day Elyn will be older than I am.

“
Excuse me please, I am just going to the guest house for a bit, if you need me.” I grab a glass of Florence’s blood punch and head to the guesthouse to ponder my existence.

***

Back at the guest house I look around trying to find something to make this a positive situation. It’s been almost six months since I’ve become a vampire, and I never really thought anything of it. As I listened to Sophia and Nathanial arguing about the repercussions of Embracing Nathanial, I can’t help but wonder if anybody thought about my repercussions. Sophia has told me how hard it is to cry as a vampire, but right now I don’t find it so hard, the tears are flowing freely down my face.

Matt comes racing in, “Ebony, are you okay, why are you crying? The way you left, had us all so worried. Alexander was trying to reach your thoughts. He said you were upset about something, but then he got blocked. It must be one of the new powers, you absorbed.”

“
Everything is so wrong. Sophia is right. You and Elyn are going to age, and one day our daughter is going to be older than I am because I’m eternally stuck at seventeen years old, and will never get older. One day, you won’t want to be married to a teenager.”

“
Ebony, there something that I have to tell you, and I am not sure if I make things better or worse for you, but it is time for you to know.”

“
How could things possibly get any worse?”

“
You don’t have to worry about me, growing older than you. I have completed all the guardian training I can as a mortal.”

“
Well that’s good isn’t it?”

“
Well, it can be, yes. The next stage for me to complete is to transform into a guardian and complete my magical training with the great ones. The only way for this to happen is for me…for my mortal body to die,” Matt explains.

“
You’re freaking kidding me? You’re going to die. I can’t do this on my own. When, how long do we have?”

“
No one can tell, it usually happens within one year of mortal training being completed.” He takes me in his arms, using his calming effect to help relax me.

“
It’s not all bad, Ebony. We won’t be torn apart. Once my upper-level training is complete, they’ll return me to you in my human form. Once returned, like you, I will not age. I too will never have a twentieth birthday.”

Chapter
Thirty-Three

Choices

I find myself scared every day that I’m going to lose Matt. I know once he’s done his training he’ll return to me, but no one knows how long that’ll be. I need my husband, and Elyn needs her father, what will we do without him? Thanks to Matt, I have finally found the Nephilim, another thing I could have never done without him. I would’ve never guessed that there are two right under our noses. Wenham has both a good and a bad Nephilim, and we know them both. It is up to Eliza, and I to banish the bad or try to turn her to the good side and then to protect the good. I’ve realized it’s because of my powers, which brought the angels to me. The angels want to conceal the Nephilims. They believe the only way to do so is by killing them, some of the really good hearted ones are protected by an angel called Katherine. She’s one of the twelve as we know them to be called. She trains them to be what she calls venators daemonum, hunter of demons. Though she has trained a few, many more are out there that have yet to be found. It seems that they believe I have the power to destroy them. Something about this doesn’t seem right though. Today I’m visiting with my sister and we are trying to learn as much as we can. It feels nice to be at the manor with my sister, I miss it here.

Eliza and I search the book of shadows for a way to correct this awful injustice. This world is filled with such evil and hatred that we can’t afford to lose yet another good soul.

“
So, have we figured out yet if the Nephilim even know what they are yet?” Eliza asks as she continues to search the book of shadows for answers.

“
I believe Mel knows. I always knew that bitch was evil.” I smirk at the thought of what’s coming to her. Karma is the best payback ever.

“
And what about Ben?”

“
He must know. He is almost nineteen. Matt and Nathanial have gone to spend the day with him in an attempt to get information.”

Eliza laughs. “Like anyone can keep a secret from Nathanial. He is getting stronger at extracting information. Not one of us have been able to keep secrets from Nate, I doubt Ben will be any different.”

We both have a good laugh about that fact. Sophia arrives at the manor. Both Eliza and I can tell how upset she is.

“
Hey Sophia, what happened, hun?”

“
It has been a week since Luke has returned to school, and Nate won’t let up about me Embracing him.”

“
Sophia, nobody can make that decision for you. Although I will say this, when I first heard your argument about why Nate shouldn’t be Embraced, I was devastated. I thought, you were absolutely right for not wanting to Embrace him. My family was going to grow old without me. Nobody gave me a choice. It was done to save my life and make sure that my baby had a mother. I’m grateful that Constance was able to save me. Matt will soon become a guardian, and he will no longer age either. Once he returns, we can be happy together, forever, knowing that we look as though we should be a couple. Nate’s made this choice on his own free will. He wants to be with you and be with his brother to help in raising him. If you Embrace Nate, the three of you will be like your own little family with Nate as a father figure and you as the mother figure.” I begin to pour my heart on to my sleeve.

“
I never really thought of it that way, Ebony. It still worries me because what is done is done, and there is no going back. I’m just not ready yet,” Sophia admits to her true feelings.

Before long, Matt and Nathanial return with Ben. I can’t help but wonder what happens with Mel. When it comes to her, she will get her karma, threefold. She was always so mean to everyone, mean to me, because my supernatural abilities and now she will get what she deserves.

“
Hi Ben, how have you been doing?” I ask with slight concern.

Ben walks over and greets Sophia and I with a hug. “Well, I must admit that it is nice to finally know what’s happening to me. But it’s still shocking. Who knew all this supernatural baloney actually existed.”

Sophia smiles, “If you only knew it all.”

“
So, how is it you are going to protect me from these arc angels?” Ben inquires.

“
Well there’s a few things that we can do. One is get your wings clipped. The other is to prove to them how good you actually are. There is also an angel that helps good Nephilim by turning them into guards for other angels,” I explain.

“
And exactly how do we do that?”

“
That we haven’t figured out yet, but we will,” I ensure.

We decide it is best if we go and take care of Mel first. Pulling out my old yearbook, I cut her picture out and take my pendulum in an attempt to scry for her. We’re able to track her at her mother’s boutique.

***

Entering the shop, it appears as though no one is there. I notice a few black feathers on the ground, and decide to follow them. On the floor behind the counter I see Mel in a pool of blood.

“
She’s over here,” I yell. “I think the arc angels beat us to her.” I notice a large stab wound that looks as if from a sword of some kind, the wound penetrates right through her.

“
I think you are right,” Sophia agrees, “she’s already gone. There is no life essence left.”

“
So what do we do now?” Ben questions with a hint of panic in his voice.

“
Well, first of all, I think we need to call 911,” Nathanial suggests.

“
Nate, why don’t you do that, I’m going to collect these feathers. The arc Angels don’t want anyone to know about them. Maybe they should be a little more careful,” Ben snarks.

After the police and ambulance arrive, we give our statements and are released go back home.

“
You know what sucks most is that I didn’t even get the chance to deal with her,” I complain.

“
Ebony, you are better than that, now so stop it,” Eliza orders.

“
You’re right, I’m sorry. I think I just need to relax a little.”

Eliza wraps her arm around me. “Why don’t you and Matt go to a movie? I’ll watch Elyn for you.”