Resurrection (14 page)

“Wait? Did I summon you by mistake?” She searched her mind. She had only mentioned his name, not called out to him.

“Oh my dear, part of the witch’s protective spell alerts me when my name is mentioned. I wanted to ensure I could defend this building and my friends.” He turned to Zoltar. “It is nice to see you again.”

He nodded, relaxing his shoulders and motioning for his men to stand down. “Likewise.”

She looped her arm in his. “Z was just telling me, they’re drinking Ouzo because they are having a difficult time finding absinthe. I remembered you always have it at your parties. Perhaps you could introduce him to your supplier.”

“Well that’s fairly simple, I am the manufacturer.” His fangy grin showed a hint of pride that made her smile. “I would be happy to work out an arrangement. However, for tonight, it’s my treat. I’ll be back in a moment.”

When he vanished the Centaurs jumped once more.

She turned to them. “Listen, Vampires do that. Gustav is a friend. You’ll have to learn to relax a bit. I know it can be disconcerting, someone appearing out of thin air next to you, but really, you can trust him. He has been a great ally to the Belfast pack for years. Much of his money went to build this school.”

He appeared again with an entire case of absinthe.

“Whoa! Goddess! That’s a lot.” Theron leaned over the table to get a better view.

With a smile and a nod, Gustav said, “It is my understanding Centaurs can hold a fair amount of liquor. I didn’t want you to run out.”

She leaned into Zoltar and whispered. “Would you invite him to stay?”

He nodded. “Would you care to join us?”

Wendy swore she could feel the air whip around her with the collective gasp of the herd.

“Oh that would be marvelous! They should really get to know you!” She touched his arm. “Please stay and have a drink.”

“Have you ever known me to turn down hospitality?” He handed the case of liquor to a Centaur standing nearest him, pulling a bottle out. He placed it on the table and smiled at Wendy. “One more trip.” This time, when he reappeared he had a box containing spoons and sugar cubes, sitting on top of a case containing special glasses that had a small bulbous area toward the bottom. “One cannot toss back absinthe like any other spirit.”

He asked for pitchers of ice water then demonstrated the complicated but proper procedure for preparing each glass. He placed a slotted utensil on top of the glass, then a sugar cube on top. He drizzled water on the cube dissolving it into the liquor below. He handed the first glass to Wendy.

The strong anise flavor hit her at once. Then, as it rolled over her tongue she tasted distinctive flowery notes. “Wow!”

“Wow, indeed.” Gustav watched the others as they prepared their drinks, giving instructions to those floundering.

“I thought you set it on fire?” Theron asked.

“Blasphemy!” Gustav bellowed with a laugh. “One does not cook good quality absinthe.” He grunted something that sounded like, “Bohemians.”

She watched the vampire interact with the herd. Their apprehension had subsided and they began their usual banter, teasing. She hadn’t recalled a time when he looked happier. She wondered if he was lonely.

“All of the time, my dear.”
His voice was in her head. She’d heard he had the ability but had never experienced it for herself.
“Thank you for inviting me to stay. I’m having a wonderful time and I seem to be making friends. Do you think they’re less frightened of me?”

She smiled at him, slightly embarrassed that he was listening to her thoughts, but pleased he was in good company.

When you appear and disappear it is a bit startling. Now that you are acquainted, I think they like you. The fact that you’re getting them piss-faced drunk isn’t hurting.

“Perhaps you could mention, at some point, that they don’t smell appetizing to me at all?”

Spitting her drink, she snatched a napkin off of the table to cover her mouth as she laughed. She dabbed at her mouth and then her pants which now had absinthe sprayed all over them.

“You okay?” Zoltar laughed with her.

She wagged her hand. “Yes, yes, I’m fine. A little tipsy, maybe.”

“Come on,” he said as he stood, “let’s get you to bed.”

“Goodnight everyone. Thank you for a wonderful evening.” She looked at Gustav. “Until next time.”

“Please, let me save you the stairs. Absinthe can really affect depth perception.” He walked over to her. “Just picture your hallway. I can have you both outside your door in a second.”

Zoltar looked at her with wide eyes.

“It’s painless. I’ve done it before,” she assured him. She looped her arm in his and took Gustav’s hand. She closed her eyes and envisioned the markings of her hall. Instantly, they were there.

“That was wild!” Zoltar blinked rapidly.

The vampire gave a soft chuckle. “Wild. Yes. It used to be quite fun. Thank you two for a wonderful evening. It has been a pleasure.”

“Thank you! You made it a party.” She threw her arms around him. He stiffened briefly before relaxing in an embrace.

“I do not recall the last hug I received.” He sniffed.

She released him in time to see a bloody tear escape his eye. “That’s horrible. Hugs are nice. No more kissy hand.”
Kissy hand? Yep. I’m drunk.

He must have heard her thoughts because he snickered.

“You’ll get a hug from now on,” she said with a firm nod. “No excuse for any creature not to feel a warm embrace.”

He turned to Zoltar who shocked the vamp with an enormous hug of his own. When he released him, he slapped him on the shoulder. “What? No bloody tears for me?”

The vamp laughed, shook his head and disappeared.

“Okay, that’s one skill I covet,” he admitted.

With a nod, she pushed open her door. “I feel like I could sleep for a week.”

Her apartment looked odd. The walls were wavy as was the floor. “Did something happen? Did we get bombed again?”

His husky laugh startled her. “What?”

“Look at the walls!” Her finger appeared wavy to her as she pointed at the crooked walls.

“Absinthe sort of does that. It’s okay. I promise everything is as it should be.” He bent down and scooped her up. “But I’ll get you in bed safely.”

Tucking her head between his neck and shoulder, she relented. “Okay.” She’d had plans for a
few
drinks and a lot of lovemaking. Instead, she had a lot of drinks and her vision was wonky.

“Tonight, I take care of you,” he whispered as he placed her on the bed.

Looking up at him, even the ceiling above him swirled and curved. She wasn’t sure how she’d make love to him without getting dizzy.

He pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it on the dresser. Placing his hands on the top of her shoulders, he pushed her, yet held on to her, easing her down on the bed. After pulling her shoes and pants off, he stood, smiling down at her. “Roll over, please.”

With less grace that was suitable for a Lycan, she rolled until she was on her stomach. She felt the bed dip as he straddled her hips. His warm hands began kneading her shoulders.

“That feels like heaven.” She moaned as he continued working her sore muscles.

“Good, now just relax.” His voice was low and soft, as if he was afraid to wake someone. His hands moved to her lower back and hips, caressing and massaging.

She’d never had a massage before. It was the most heavenly feeling she had experienced outside of making love to him. Darkness fell on her as she slipped into a dream state.

The aroma of coffee permeated the air. Wendy had to force her eyes to open. Her head felt heavy, fighting against her lifting it off the pillow. “Oh, my head.” There was a slight throbbing behind her eyes. She considered closing them again and resting her enormous head on the pillow. Absinthe.

She cursed the green spirit as she swung her feet to the floor. Looking down she noticed she was still sporting her bra and panties from the day before. After shuffling to the closet and tossing the undergarments in her hamper, she pulled on her robe and tied it closed. After a painful shuffle to the bathroom she made her way to the kitchen where Zoltar stood with a cup of coffee and some buttery toast.

“Oh you’re a godsend.”

“You can have this,” he said holding up the cup of coffee, “after you drink this.” In his other hand was a glass of ice water. “You need to rehydrate.”

If all that stood between her and a cup of coffee was a glass of water, she’d gladly cool her hot pipes. She took the water and swigged it down. “May I have my coffee now?”

He smiled, handing it over. “I said I’d take care of you. I didn’t say you’d like it.” He shrugged. “With your Lycan genes you should feel pretty good once your body absorbs the water.”

“Thank you. Sorry, I’m a bit out of it. Aren’t you having breakfast?” She looked at the solitary plate of toast.

“I finished lunch a few hours ago.”

Spinning on her heel, she turned to face the clock. “Three! I’ve slept my whole day away!”

“You needed it. Let’s have a seat.” He kissed her forehead before walking out of the kitchen. She followed him to the living room.

“I can’t believe I lost a whole day,” she said with a pout.

He tilted his head, his lips curving into a soft smile. “Eat your toast,” he said, nudging her plate.

Picking up the toast, she furrowed her brow and took a bite. It felt like dry sawdust as it scraped against her dry mouth. She choked it down and chased it with coffee. “I can’t believe I’m hung over. I’m sorry you had to see me like that, last night, I mean.”

“You were overly exhausted and absinthe is fairly strong.” He stroked her thigh. “Honestly, you were fine until your vision went a little wonky. Even then, it isn’t like you made a scene.”

She thanked her Lycan genes noting that her headache was already subsiding. She upended her coffee, drinking every drop before returning to the kitchen for more water. “That was wonderful last night, by the way. The massage lulled me right to sleep.” She called out from the kitchen while she poured another cup of coffee. She made her way back, sitting to face him.

“You’re welcome.”

She gazed at him, this man who’d taken care of her, who’d swept her off her feet. Her heart couldn’t grow for this beautiful creature any more or it may burst. “And the dinner, the party, was wonderful.”

He nodded, seemingly pleased to hear it.

“My intentions for last night, however, were to have a few glasses of wine by the fire. To tell you I was ready to move forward with our relationship—and that was before the herd’s declaration. It didn’t change my mind, but it certainly solidified my decision.” Leaning forward, she laced her fingers in his. Her gaze traveled from their intertwined fingers up to his eyes. Her mouth fell open when she noticed a tear, glistening in his eye.

“I cannot tell you how happy I am.” He cleared his throat. “I promise to take the best care of you, Wendy. I swear it.”

Fighting back tears of her own, she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “I believe you.”

“I’ll draw you a bath.” He stood from the couch. “By the time you’re ready, we can go to the hall and join the others for dinner. Your stomach should be ready for a proper meal by then. Tonight, we’ll relax with a less aggressive beverage by the fire. How does that sound?”

Draw me a bath? Is he for real? No one has drawn me a bath since I was a child.

* * * *

The noise from the dining hall was much louder when filled with the student body. They took a seat at the staff table next to Roman and Grace. On the other side of Roman sat a sour-faced Barb. Wendy couldn’t imagine what reason she had to be so grumpy.

Conversation was light and cheerful, despite the grump, as excitement for the new school term had built.

“Do you know what you’re going to say at the Pre-Term assembly?” Zoltar addressed Grace as he crammed a chunk of beef in his mouth.

She shrugged. “I’ll keep it short and sweet, introduce the staff and wish them all a successful school year. It shouldn’t be that difficult.”

Gustav appeared behind Grace and Roman, leaned forward whispering something to them. Grace dropped her fork. Roman placed a protective hand on her back as he nodded to the vampire.

She scooted from the table and slowly walked to the head of the room. “Can I have your attention please?” Her voice boomed.

Wendy’s heart gave a start. She’d never heard Grace speak so loudly—didn’t even know it was possible. She wondered if it wasn’t a royal talent.

When the room quieted she gave a nod and put her hands together. “I want to welcome the students and thank you for arriving early to schedule classes. I’m sure it hasn’t been the most exciting few weeks for you, though I am pleased to see most of you used the time to explore and familiarize yourself with the campus. We’ll have a brief assembly Monday at seven thirty. There is a staff meeting in five minutes. Thank you.”

She hurried back to the table. The staff all rose and filed out of the hall, following her to the conference room. Zoltar grabbed Wendy’s hand, offering a gentle squeeze of comfort as they made their way. Once everyone was inside, she closed the door behind her.

Her gaze fell on the floor as she approached the table and took a seat. “There has been a development. The Separatists released a video online showing themselves shift. It’s gone viral.” She looked at Xander, “Kill the Internet and cable and put up the net.”

He pulled a tablet computer out of his bag and tapped the screen a few times. “Done.”

“We anticipated this situation, or something similar. Xander has a net up. It’s an invisible net, that can kill all cellular signals from getting through the property so kids with smartphones can’t access the news. The group that has been hunting the Separatists is doing damage control now. We’ll turn it back on when we can spin it. As of right now, we don’t know how much danger we are in.”

Worried looks flew around the room. True fear. Humans hunted animals and to them, they couldn’t be anything but. They couldn’t come out of hiding. Not until they were organized, with their own system of government established.

“We should consider not doing any spin control,” Zoltar blurted, shocking Wendy with the same thought process. “Instead, let us organize. Let us establish our government and send a delegation into the authorities to attempt coming out as a peaceful and civilized society. Show the humans they don’t have to fear us.”

“Humans fear everything that is different than them,” Ella objected. “They fear other humans who are different. How do you think they’ll accept us?”

Roman cleared his throat. “Ms. Rutger? Any opinions?”

All eyes shifted to one of the few humans in the room. She stood, her face solemn. “Ella is right. Humans do terrible things to one another. But you should prepare yourselves. Even if you make the video out to be a fake, there will be a lot of people who still believe in it. They’ll look for shifters, Pixies and Fae. You can’t hide forever. Not in this day in age. There’s too much technology and not enough places to hide. My advice would be to do your spin control and prepare for the worst. Get your government organized immediately. Even if it’s sloppy. Use the American system here. It’ll make them feel more at ease. Get word to the other countries to do the same, if they wish and follow the leadership structure of everything but a dictatorship. Most find that to be the most brutal and the least diplomatic.” She put her hand on her neck. “And I do not mean any offense to anyone here, but my understanding is that you are only now, after centuries, integrating and becoming a society of one. You’re very much behind the rest of civilization. Your kind didn’t go through the Civil War, Suffrage, and Affirmative Action…none of the human rights that have given them their moral code of today. You can’t expect others to accept you if you don’t accept each other.”

Shuffling sounds next to her caused Wendy to seek out the noise. She spotted Barb fidgeting in her chair like she was about to piss her pants. Scowling at the woman, she looked back to Grace who also took note of Barb’s odd behavior.

Beauregard shot out of his chair, stormed around the table and grabbed Barb by the shoulders. “You need to go cleans your aura. Try some music.”

Barb squeaked and pushed him away before leaping away like a frightened cat. She shifted into her panther, which had huge chunks of fur missing. She ran to the door and clawed at it. Grace rushed over and opened it allowing her to run through. “It’ll be okay, Barb,” she called out.

Roman stood. “I vote for Beauregard to head our government, to get it established with the cabinet of his liking. Do I have a second?”

“Second!” Zoltar said so loudly, Wendy jumped.

“All in favor?” Roman looked around the room and every hand was raised. “Passed. Now, Grace, I would very much like you to have Xander put everything back on. There are going to be a lot of worried parents attempting to get ahold of their children. Preventing that connection may very well cost us our school. We need to make a brief announcement and assure our students it’s being handled.”

She nodded and looked at Xander. “Do it.”

“Everyone, please return to the dining hall. I’ll make the announcements and dismiss everyone to their rooms for the night.” Grace’s face was long. She and Roman led everyone back to the dining hall. Back at the front of the hall Grace called for everyone’s attention once more.

“Most of you have heard the rumors by now. There is a group that is dead set against integration—against the thought of this very school and your right to an education. They’ve made a strategic move today and uploaded a video that has gone viral. They demonstrate Lycans shifting from human to wolf and back. They warn the human population we’re out here and we’re dangerous. I assure you we have people tasked with damage control, but be prepared. Be vigilant. When you’re outside of the school grounds, take care not to shift. Take care not to let humans see you run faster, jump higher, or appear stronger than you should be. The Royals have devised a plan for us all to come out of hiding eventually, but not until we can ensure your safety. For now, there is no need to worry. You are dismissed to your dorms. Please call your families, as I’m sure if they aren’t worried about you now, they will be when they catch wind of the video. Thank you.”

Zoltar grabbed Wendy’s hand. She gazed around at the student body. She could read confusion and fear over most of their faces, some though…didn’t even look surprised.

“Let’s go have a chat,” she said without looking at him. She walked over to a young blonde who looked rather bored.

“Hello, Headmistress.” She stood, placing her phone face down on the table.

She forced a smile. “I just wanted to walk around and make sure everyone is okay. I’m sorry, I don’t recall your name?” She sniffed. The youngster was Lycan.

“I’m Brittany.” The girl bowed her head slightly. Though the act appeared to be one of respect the lack of depth in the neck bow warned there wasn’t as much deference there as there should be. “It’s good to see you again. And I’m doing fine, I guess.” Bobbing her shoulders up and down to shrug, she looked around. “I guess some of them are freaking out, huh?”

“But not you? How are you staying so calm?” Zoltar asked, squeezing Wendy’s hand.

The girl plopped back on the bench. “Come on, there are shifter videos all over YouTube. This isn’t the first video to surface. People get excited, and then they get bored. Humans aren’t nearly as intelligent or concerned as you think. To them, we’re Bigfoot. Just a myth.”

“Yeah, the video will get a gazillion hits and that’ll be it. There might be a few blog posts but they’re usually by the conspiracy whack jobs and no one pays attention to them.” A young Pixie girl next to Brittany spoke up.

“Very good,” Wendy nodded, though she offered a smile she felt anything but pleased. Something about the girl wasn’t ringing true. When she got a chance she’d have to check future into the young woman’s history. “I hope the rest of the student body shares your viewpoint. Have a good evening, Brittany.”

They spoke to the other students who didn’t react. They all said the same thing—it wasn’t the first video to surface. What the students didn’t know, was it was the first actual Lycan made video. It was real and that was cause for concern. They doubted computers could emulate the shift, the shimmering air, the molecular change. She wasn’t a tech guru like Xander, but she knew film could be examined frame by frame. She’d read enough books to know as much.

She leaned into Zoltar and whispered. “I have one more person to question.” Heading straight for Grace, she contorted her face into a look of concern. “Your friend Barb, is she okay? She seemed to have a mental breakdown or something.”

“She’s been seeing Dr. Jeffrey for a compulsive licking problem. She’s cleaned most of the hair off of herself. She’s very scared and nervous with the violence. Don’t forget, she saw her mother murdered. She was very young and it did some damage. Perhaps you could make an effort to be friends—oh and keep this in confidence.”
Grace’s voice in her head ended on a stern note. Barb was her friend and her emotional state was not to be the topic of rumor.