Chapter 10: GJ
HarlowPOV
Thursday 11:00 AM
"This is unacceptable!" Clarabelle Ebony snapped loudly. Her words rang through the quiet house, her red hair matching her fiery words.
Neveah looked stricken as our head Council member stood up, "I didn't know this was going to happen."
My gut wrenched as Clarabelle snarled, "You didn't know?! You can see the future! You should have seen this and alerted us all immediately!"
"The future isn't set in stone!" Neveah protested. My sisters were crowded around the kitchen, Emily looked nervously from the corner.
"Bullshit!" I winced at Clarabelle's curse, "You are supposedly one of the strongest! Emily is giving me all this false hope that you are looking into the future and predicting things every day! And yet you couldn't foresee this?!"
Neveah bit her lip, her head falling, refusing to meet our Council member's hard stare.
"You obviously have no want to help this Coven anymore!" Clarabelle huffed, "Your path has been diverted by that dog! You are nothing to us if you can't do as told!"
Brady growled at the dog comment, and I placed a hand on his arm to calm him down
"My path has not been diverted!" Neveah argued, her fists clenching, "I did not see what was going to happen!"
Smack!
The room went deathly silent, Neveah held a hand to her cheek. Clarabelle snarled, her hand snapping to the side.
"Stop!" I cried out, running over to my sister as she was thrown into the wall.
"Clarabelle, please," Emily pleaded, holding her hands up. "She didn't do this on purpose!"
"You are her Supreme," Clarabelle turned towards Emily, fire in her eyes, "This was the reason Neveah Rose was not chosen as the next Supreme, we all knew that she would hit a wall. And she has."
My throat became thick as Clarabelle turned towards me, "This is unacceptable. You better hope that this thing does not hold you back. You are to be the next Supreme, and you better start proving it," with a final glare she stalked out the house, slamming the door.
I clenched Neveah's hand as she stared at the ground, tears leaking down her cheeks. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
"It's not your fault," I wrapped my arms around my sister, clenching the picture in my hand and shutting my eyes hard, wishing it hadn't ended up this way.
Thursday 1:00 PM (10 Hours Earlier)
There were rare times that Emily would allow us to go to the doctor. Really, the only time I remember going was when Leah had to get her appendix removed. There was a spell and potion for almost ailment. So, having to go to a doctor because there was no magic for this, was kinda nerve wracking.
"How the hell am I supposed to remember any of this?" I bit the cap of the pen, squinting to read the small print on the clipboard.
Brady chuckled, "You're pretty useless with this medical stuff oh great Healer."
I rolled my eyes at the nickname. Just two days ago, I had successfully healed Kim's broken finger. It left me completely drained, but it was a huge accomplishment to finally do some healing.
Currently Brady and I were sitting in the doctor's office, waiting our turn. Every few minutes Emily would text me, anxiously awaiting the news.
"Harlow Crow, the tech will see you now."
My stomach dropped and filled with butterflies as Brady and I followed the Nurse to a small dark room. Laying back, I tucked the paper into my waistband, giving Brady a tight smile.
"It will be fine," he whispered, rubbing my round stomach.
"They're sending Clarabelle," I sighed, "if this doesn't come up the way the Council wants…."
"Hey," Brady kissed my forehead, "we'll figure it out. Let's just say hi to peanut for now."
The ultrasound tech walked in the room smiling. She squeezed the warm gel onto my stomach and began playing peek-a-boo with peanut. For several long moments, she measured and pointed out what was what.
"Were you wanting to find out the gender?" she asked quietly, still poking around painfully.
No, I wanted to say, but I knew that if I didn't I would be in big trouble. Taking a deep breath, I nodded.
"Okay, well if the little one is gonna play nice I might be able to get a look between the legs," the tech went right back to business, moving around. Peanut kicked hard and I couldn't help but laugh.
"Alright, I think I have a good shot!" she started tapping on her keyboard, I closed my eyes hard.
I heard Brady take a gasp and clench my hand hard. Oh please, please please let it be what needed to be.
I slowly opened my eyes, though joy coursed through my veins at the new knowledge of who our little peanut was, I could feel the fear run like cold ice through my veins.
"It's a boy!" the tech handed me the pictures and helped me wipe the goo off before exiting the room.
"Baby don't cry," Brady hushed.
I touched my cheeks, surprised to feel the wetness.
"Are you disappointed?" he asked, staring hard at me.
There were no words to describe how I was feeling. Though it was amazing to finally know that I was feeling my son kick in my stomach, the knowledge I now held was not the outcome that needed to happen.
The drive back to Crow house was silent, Brady continuously stared at me. And I continuously lied about being okay. I wasn't okay, I felt as though the world was both coming together and falling apart at the same time. How was I to explain that instead of being the vessel to the possible rebirth of our magic, I was just like any other ordinary Witch? Sure, there was the chance that he could be a Warlock, but in all reality, I knew that was such a slim hope that it really wasn't worth considering.
"So?" Emily wrung her hands, my sisters crowding the living room the moment we got inside.
I opened my mouth, the ultrasound picture burning in my hands. Nodding, I gathered any courage I had, "It's a boy."
"Awe!" Kim clapped her hands together, "Congratulations!"
"I knew you wouldn't have a girl! You're not the daughter type!" Leah joked in her strange way.
Neveah gave me a small smile, I knew she was happy for me, and would support me in any way. But she, like me, knew that this was not what needed to be.
Emily wiped the shocked look off her face before pulling me into a hug, "Congrats sweetie. He will be a beautiful little boy," The embrace lasted longer than any I had ever received from my Supreme. I could tell from the look in Emily's eyes that she was just as nervous as I was, though she would never admit it. Giving me a small peck on the cheek she clapped her hands together, "Alright let's clean and prepare for Clarabelle!"
EmbryPOV
Most of the pack could still remember when Seth was born, though none of us were old enough to understand everything that was going on, we all knew that it was an exciting and happy time. So, when Brady told us that Harlow and him were going to find out the gender we all got excited. Neveah had warned me that a bad outcome could be possible, but really, how could a baby have a bad outcome?
So 2 o'clock passed on the day of the ultrasound and we all awaited Brady's call, instead all we received was a three-word text message: It's a boy."
Of course, the pack got excited, a new boy for us to help teach and show our ways. Brady hadn't said anything else, only coming home the next day. And honestly, it was a letdown when he arrived.
"Congrats dad! A boy!" Jacob slapped him on the shoulder and handed him a beer.
Brady said nothing, slumping on the couch, and picking at the label.
The ruckus that had been exciting once Brady arrived was immediately snuffed out. I sat down next to him, "What's wrong?"
"The Council sent their 'Head' person to come and get the news of the gender," Brady muttered. The pack came closer, "Clarabelle Ebony, a fucking bitch!" snarling, Brady clenched the beer.
"What happened?" Jacob urged, placing a hand on his shoulder as Brady began to shake.
"She basically told Harlow that the baby was a piece of trash," we all growled as Brady shook harder, "She got into it with the girls and Emily. And then left. It's all a fucking mess!" Brady pulled hard at his hair, "When I left, Emily was trying to calm down Leah and Kim, and Harlow was trying to get Neveah out of the cellar."
"Why is she in the cellar?" I asked worried, fear making a fist in my stomach.
Brady ignored my question, getting silent as Jacob tried getting him to talk.
I sat with my brother as he fumed silently, obviously not in the mood to talk Whatever had happened with that Council member obviously hadn't ended the way it needed to be.
"Boo!" I felt my heart stop as Harlow suddenly appeared in front of the tv.
"Har!" Brady stood and crushed her to him.
"Calm down there dog breath," Harlow winked and accepted the kiss from her imprint, "as fucked up as last night was, I finally convinced our fortune teller to get out of that damn basement finally!"
The pack mocked clapped and Harlow readily accepted it with a bow.
"Why was she in there?" I stood, silently hoping that Neveah would pop into the room as well.
"Clarabelle is a piece of work," Harlow sighed, sitting down, and placing a hand on her stomach, "She blamed Neveah for not seeing the gender before we went. She said she was diverting from her path, and the Council basically said she had nowhere else to go and was of no use to them anymore."
Anger coursed through my body hot and fast, "That's bullshit! Even you said she was the strongest!"
Harlow held a hand up, "And we all still believe that, but Neveah took it pretty hard. She felt guilty that she hadn't seen this outcome. She locked herself in the cellar trying to see any mistake or any new future. It took me until an hour ago, to get her out. She's gone from upset to pissed. Soooo," Harlow grasped Jared's arm and stood up, "Emily has arranged a little outing for the other girls. And I figured you all would like to join."
"What kind of outing?" Jacob asked, obviously interested.
"Demon hunting," Harlow waggled her eyebrows, "Emily figured it would be a good workout and let Neveah blow off some steam. Of course, you all will be with me on the sidelines behind some safety wards."
"Awesome!" Paul pumped a fist in the air.
"Yeah! I wanna see a demon!" Seth grinned excitedly.
"Hold on guys," Jacob shook his head, "we're supposed to be meeting with the Cullen's to do some training, remember?"
"I was trying not to," I mumbled annoyed. Jacob had scheduled almost daily practices with the leeches to train. He claimed that Carlisle said it was necessary, but I knew it was a load of shit. Jacob always managed to be the one sitting on the sideline with Bella.
"Emily said they can come if they stay behind the wards and don't interfere," Harlow waddled to my kitchen, "Ah! Thanks for these!" she smiled happily as she opened a jar of pickles and bit into one.
"Veah said you needed them," I laughed as Jacob hurriedly called Bella to get the Cullen's to the meeting spot.
"Smart cookie that one," Harlow munched happily as I joined her in the kitchen. Her gaze turned hard suddenly and she dropped her voice, "Neveah is okay, Embry. When you see her hunting though, please don't panic. She can hold her own."
"Why would I panic?" I asked, though Harlow read my lie.
"Sweet gentle Neveah is not so sweet and gentle with demons," Harlow shrugged and bit into her pickled, "Demon hunting sounds like so much fun," pouting she looked down at her stomach, "Kid get out so I can start having some fun again."
I laughed and put an arm around her shoulders, grabbing the pickle jar, "Here, she's gonna want the whole jar I'm guessing," I handed the jar to Brady who laughed when Harlow nodded happily and went for another.
"Alright, I'm gonna have to take you all two at a time, so patience please!" Harlow wiped her hands on her jeans and grabbed Seth and Jared's arms before disappearing.
"So, any names?" I asked Brady as we were the last ones.
"No idea," Brady shook his head and smiled, "I know Harlow is upset and the Council is too, but I'm beyond excited to be having a boy."
I smiled at my best friend, "You should be. You're going to be amazing."
"Of course, he will be," Harlow placed a kiss on Brady's check before we went spinning.
I couldn't help but laugh at the rest of the pack, they all looked sick. None of them had ever Transmuted before, and though my stomach was sometimes rocky, I had gotten used to it with Neveah.
"Hello precious," I walked up to my Witch, dropping a kiss on the top her head.
Smiling up at me, Neveah fastened the buckled on her leather jacket, "Sorry for not answering you back last night."
"No worries, Brady told us what happened," Neveah said nothing as I grasped her hand and pulled her to me, "You didn't need to hide whatever was wrong with you from me."
"I know," she whispered, "I was just really upset."
"I get that," I brushed her lips with my thumb, "and for the record, I don't think you're nothing."
Neveah's eyes sparked and she pulled me down to crash her lips to mine. I held her tight, the electricity burning down my spine, "Thank you."
"Of course, love," I smiled down at her, "Now go kick some ass!"
Winking over her shoulder Neveah stepped into the field just as Harlow lifted her palms. A bright light flashed around us in a circle, a soft hum began from the barrier. It was completely see-through, though I could see small flecks floating through the air.
"What do Demon's look like?" Carlisle asked as the Cullen's walked out from the tree's.
"You're guess is as good as mine," Jacob answered, catching Bella as she threw herself into hiss arm's.
"If I hadn't experienced what she could do first hand, I would say those three girls couldn't do anything," Edward came to stand by me.
I felt my skin prickle as his icy aura reached out. The rest of the Cullen's were spread out between us, obviously interested in what was going on.
Neveah stood between her two sisters, eyes closed and completely still. Leah was flipping a knife between her fingers, and Kim was blowing warm air into her hands.
The sun was already starting to set, the sky slowly bleeding into black.
"Nice to finally meet you Carlisle," Emily held her hand out to the senior vampire.
"And me you," Carlisle smiled as Esme gave Emily a small hug, "It's so fascinating what your kind can do."
"Thank you," Emily nodded, catching Sam's eye and smirking.
"What exactly are they doing?" Edward asked, never taking his eyes off of the three Crow sisters.
Emily smiled, "Neveah's reaching out right now. We know there are Demons around from our tracing spell, but they move around so much we don't know their exact location."
"So, she's pointing them out," I summarized.
"Exactly," Emily nodded approvingly, "And there they go!"
Leah and Kim went running into the woods as Neveah stayed put.
It was silent as we waited for something to happen.
"She's playing around," Harlow sing-songed as she came up and hugged Emily.
"Let her," Emily smiled, "she needs some fun."
"Yes, cause killing a blood thirsty demon is fun," Harlow rolled her eyes as she laughed.
Neveah never moved, her eyes still closed.
"I wish I could read her mind." Edward muttered.
"She'll never let you," I ground out. He didn't need to be in Neveah's mind for one moment.
The ground shook as a blood curdling scream rang through the night.
"Kim!" Jared stepped forward, only to be shocked by the barrier.
"She's fine!" Emily insisted, waving her hand.
Kim came running into the field, her hand shooting fire at whatever was behind her. Leah followed seconds after, laughing loudly.
"Class A Rosie!" Leah yelled.
"On it," Neveah smirked, her hands loosening at her side as she dug her heels in. Leah and Kim stepped backwards, the clasped hands and muttered a few words I had a hard time even comprehending.
"They're setting up a sealing site," Emily explained, "once Neveah kills the demon, we have to seal it away. Class A demons are one of the highest. If we don't seal their energy they'll just go and infect another human."
"Demons take human form?" Esme asked, obviously upset.
"No, they invade a human like a parasite," Harlow never took her eyes off the field. I could tell how badly she wanted to be out there, "they take over the mind and quickly take over any humanity. Soon there is no human, just demon."
"Tag Rosie? So, cruel!" Leah laughed, I had never seen her so happy.
"Gotta keep it interesting!" Harlow yelled clapping her hands and cheering as Neveah suddenly disappeared.
"AUGH!" Neveah suddenly appeared in the middle of the field, her hands were full of a man's hair. She drilled her knee into the back of his neck.
My heart plummeted as the demon threw her off, running towards the barrier.
Harlow placed her hand on the shield, mumbling a few words. The moment the demon hit, it yelped, the electricity sparking as it backed up, snarling.
The Demon was like a maniac. Though he did look like any average guy on the street, the glowing red eyes and fangs pointed out he was anything but.
"He looks like a classic vampy," Harlow mused.
"Count Dracula?" Neveah appeared behind the demon. She flashed forward, I could feel the magic pushing the demon into the barrier. She kept him pinned there as he howled and shook from being electrocuted.
"Alright sweetie," Emily smiled, "I think he's had enough, after all, there is still two more out there. Let's not time."
Neveah nodded, she bent her fingers slowly into a fist and the demon unwillingly fell to his knees.
"Stupid bitch!" the demon's voice was like ice, his words blocked by the blood flowing from his mouth.
Neveah smirked, leaning over, she placed a menacing looking dagger to the demon's throat, "Goodbye." In one fluid swipe, she sliced the demon's throat, blood erupted, covering her shirt, and splattering the barrier in black. The demon howled and fell to the ground.
Leah and Kim reached out, their spell capturing the dark energy flowing in the air and sealing it away.
"The other two are five miles out to the north, together," Neveah wiped the blade on her black jeans, "Newbies, you guys should finish them quickly."
The other two girls quickly took off, I could hear them making bets.
"That's number ten in this area alone," Emily pulled out a pen as a notebook floated in front of her.
"Amazing," Jasper whispered. He stepped forward, the usually quiet Cullen obviously impressed, "The way they battle is very interesting."
"Well we are amazing," Harlow flipped her hair over her shoulder and winked.
"You didn't do anything!" Neveah laughed.
"Uh I filled the barrier with electricity, you're welcome!" Harlow huffed as Neveah stepped through and put the shield down, "Ugh you reek."
"Awe you want a hug!" Neveah forced Harlow into her arms as Harlow slapped and pretended to gag.
"You really do," I pinched my nose as Neveah stuck her tongue out at me.
"Demon blood is very," Edward paused, "Decaying smelling?"
"And you smell like roses leech," I snapped as the pack laughed.
"I think I'll smell just like this when we get married," Neveah teased, trying to get closer to my side.
"Uh no. Shower, ass," I held her at arm's length and laughed as she swiped at me.
"You're getting married!" little Alice Cullen ran over to us, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet, "do you need help with the planning?"
"Uh," Neveah deadpanned as she looked helplessly at Emily.
"You're planning my wedding though Alice," Bella reminded the pixie vampire.
"I can do both!" Alice smiled happily.
"We would love the help," Emily smiled gently as Esme nodded appreciatively.
"No, we would not," I muttered, pouting at Neveah as she elbowed me in the side.
Kim and Leah finally reappeared minutes later, both arguing over who had killed their demon quicker. Jared doted over Kim, fussing over her scratches like a mother would. Tired of the Cullen's, I finally persuaded Neveah to leave, only agreeing to go if Harlow could come too. Which of course meant Brady joined as well.
"I'm ordering Chinese!" Harlow yelled as she grabbed a takeout menu from my fridge and went into the living room to order.
I followed Neveah into the bedroom as she went into the bathroom and started the shower.
"I forgot how bad this smelled," Neveah wrinkled her nose as she shrugged off her coat and boots.
"You've smelt worse," I teased.
"Oh thanks," she laughed.
I swallowed hard as she pulled her white shirt off and dropped it to the ground. The blood rang in my ears as she unbuckled her jeans and started kicking them off. Catching my eye, Neveah smirked, sauntering over, and placing a hand on my chest.
"Something you want to say?" she giggled as I opened my mouth like a fish. My eyes hungrily raked her body, my hands reaching around and pulling at the straps of her lacy black bra.
Smirking evilly, Neveah grabbed my hand and started pulling me into the bathroom. I felt my body ignite as she slowly took the rest of her clothes off and stepped into the shower. Poking her head out, her eyes darkened, "You coming?"
I didn't need to be asked twice as I hurriedly stripped and jumped into the shower. Neveah's giggle was quickly cut off as I pushed her up against the tile and attacked her lips. The steam fogged up my brain as I lifted her up, Neveah's legs wrapping around my waist, her head falling back as a moan left her lips and I bit her skin, groaning as I moved against her. Her nails scratched at my back, and I pushed into her hard, capturing her moans with my mouth. Her head fell onto my shoulder and I breathed her scent in, almost feeling as though I was getting high off the smell of her. Neveah's body shuddered against mine, her head falling back and she let out a loud moan. Her legs tightened around my waist and I pushed deep inside of her, biting her shoulder as her body shook. Holding her up with one arm, I raised her eyes to meet mine, nipping at her bottom lip as she smirked.
"We should do this more often," I mumbled into the back of her neck as I slowly let her feet touch the ground.
Neveah rolled her eyes and stood underneath the water, "I'm sure we'd never leave the shower if you had it your way."
I laughed, "That's very true."
Harlow POV
"You have to have some opinion," I pulled the food out of the bag, trying to get Brady to be creative.
"Opinion on what?" Neveah asked as her and Embry finally joined us.
"Good shower?" I waggled my eyebrows, noticing Embry's wet hair, "Must have been since it took you forever."
"Shut up," Neveah stuck her tongue out and sat close next to Embry as he started filling a plate with food.
"I'm trying to come up with a name," I popped a bite of eggroll into my mouth, "Brady has no creative ideas."
"No I said whatever you picked was fine," Brady countered, "I never said I didn't have any ideas."
"Then what's your idea, huh? I challenged.
"Gabriel Joseph Davis," Brady proclaimed, "Joseph after my grandfather, who was big part of our council. And Gabriel, meaning strength. Because, even though your stupid leaders don't think so, I know our son will be strong."
I smiled slowly at Brady, my heart warming, "Gabriel Joseph it is then."
"Really?" Brady's smile could have lit the whole room up.
"Yes, I love it," I leaned against his side and accepted the glass of Sprite handed to me.
Neveah levitated three glasses to the table and allowed Embry to fill them with wine. Lifting his glass, Brady looked happier then I had seen him I awhile, "To Gabriel Joseph! Soon to be born and to be the strongest of any Witch or Shifter there ever was!"
The glasses clinked together as laughter danced through the air. I couldn't help but feel hope that what Brady was announcing would be true. And though I would ask Neveah to search for me, there was a feeling in my gut that knew there was going to be some new change once this little boy was born. I knew it was going to be life altering, and hoped that this time, everything would work out the way I wanted it to.