Disclaimer: Twilight is the property of Stephenie Meyer
Sorry this is a week late, and I'm not gonna make excuses. I wasn't in the best of moods last week and my writing suffered. I was staring at the screen not knowing what to write, well hopefully that lethargy has passed and I'll be back to posting every Thursday as usual.
I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Noble, Fadewind, Bibika94, BellaNessieCullen, Alexsandra, Alphabloodwolf, and Lsb123
The rest of the Holidays were a blur. The day after Tony 'kidnapped' me to the Res we spent fixing up the fort with Billie. Mal was fine with it; he even distracted Alec for the day to make sure Billie had Tony and me all to herself. It was a good day and we finished it with a movie night that Mother, Father, Mal and Alec were allowed to attend on Billie's request. Tony returned to the Stables around half past nine for he had work early the next morning.
The next day, the twenty ninth of December, I spent in the pool with Billie, Mal and Alec. I believe Tony would have joined us but Grace was returning at some unspecified time and Tony wished to clean house for her before she arrived home.
In the evening I decided to spend some time alone with Mal. I thought a good way to accomplish this was to take him into Ridgeborough to one of the restaurants I used to attend in my high school days. We were waiting to be seated, when I felt someone tap my shoulder. I turned to find Coach Tulsa smiling at me.
"If it isn't Summers, my best captain ever." She said brightly.
"Thank you for the sentiment Coach Tulsa, but surely Prue is equal if not better than me." I replied.
"Don't be so modest Summers." She replied, socking me on the arm. "So who are you here with?"
"This is my boyfriend, Malachite." I said. "Mal, this is Coach Tulsa."
"Pleased to meet you Coach Tulsa." Mal said holding out his hand.
"Likewise." Coach Tulsa said. "And why don't you both call me Elle. You both here for a meal?"
"Yes." We replied in unison.
"I'm here with Marnie. Her mother's got the little monster over night so we decided to hit the town." Coach Tulsa explained with a fond chuckle. "Ain't done it for a while."
"It must be nice to have a break now and then." I observed.
"It sure is." She stated with a grin.
"How is little Troy-Anthony?" I asked out of courtesy.
"Doing great, but he's not so little now. He's twelve years old." She stated.
"Twelve?" I exclaimed, truly taken aback by this. "My doesn't time fly?"
"It sure does." Coach Tulsa said with a wide smile before leaning closer. "Especially for us humans." She whispered and winked.
I put my finger to my lips to caution silence a moment before the maitre d' cleared his throat and called our attention to him.
"Table for three?" He asked, counting Coach Tulsa in with our party.
"Come on Weltin, you think this young couple are gonna want to hang around with an oldie like me? They want a table for two, then you can find one for Marnie and me after you sort them out." Coach Tulsa declared.
"Yes Coach Tulsa." Weltin barked, before he remembered he was no longer in school and winced in embarrassment. "Table for two? Right this way." He announced and led Mal and I to a table toward the centre of the restaurant.
"Were you a Muse?" I asked as he stopped by a table.
"Yes. It's nothing to write home about." He replied.
"When were you a Muse? In the last ten years?" I guessed when he didn't answer immediately.
"How did you guess?" He said dryly.
"Because you are not willing to admit it." I replied. "All of my contemporaries would wear their Muse status with pride."
"Yeah, but you're Liza Summers, the famous captain who carried the winning streak on from Prue Pearson. What have you got to be ashamed of?" He demanded. "Anyway, that's not important now. I'm the maitre d', I just seat you and hand you the menu. Your waiter will be with you shortly." He stated as he handed a menu to me and then Mal. "Enjoy your meal." He said firmly then walked away.
"Wow. He was pleasant." Mal observed as he perused the menu.
"Yes." I replied. "It makes one wonder how bad the Muses have become that they won't admit to being one."
"It's probably a male cheerleader thing." Mal stated.
"What do you mean?" I asked with a frown.
"Well it's one thing being a male cheerleader in a winning team, quite another when they lose."
"I suppose." I conceded. "Well enough about some bitter former cheerleader we don't even know. What would you like to eat?"
"I don't know. The menu's all in French." Mal said with a slight smile.
"You know French." I stated.
"I know, but I thought it was the best way to say, I don't know, what do you recommend?" He observed as he lay his menu down on the table and placed his arms on top of it as he looked into my eyes.
"The escargot is very good." I stated.
"Would you rally do that to someone who doesn't know French?" Mal asked with a pout and I giggled.
"Then what do you suggest Mr Llewellyn?" I asked.
"Oh. You've never called me that before." He remarked with a grin.
"Do you like that Mr Llewellyn?" I asked, resting my chin on my hand as I ran my toe up his the inside of his shin.
"Very much so Miss Black." He whispered, taking my hand and kissing it. "So what do you recommend?" He prompted, as he kept hold of my hand, entwining his fingers in mine.
"That we leave this place, find somewhere we can be alone and make love for several hours." I whispered.
"Well, that's not on the menu tonight, mostly cause I don't want your first time to be in some sleazy motel, or even a five star hotel. I want it to be somewhere familiar to you and that you find comfortable." Mal stated looking deep into my eyes. "My first time was in a dank, dirty hole and I don't want that for you."
"The first time we make love, shall we wipe your slate clean?" I asked as the thought occurred to me. "State that you are a virgin too."
"Be like the Madonna song?" He remarked.
"The what song?"
"You don't know Madonna? I'll have to show you when we get back to Tregarran." He said with a dismissive shake of his head as if he didn't wish to waste time on the subject at present.
"A music lesson Mr Llewellyn? How delightful." I stated.
"It'll start with music." Mal replied as he ran his foot up my leg.
I couldn't quite suppress my sound of pleasure as I felt the tingles about my body.
"So you still haven't said what we should eat." He stated.
"The soup starter, the fish main, and we'll split the strawberry torte." I stated.
"Sounds perfect." Mal said with a smile.
"Then I will order that." I said returning his smile.
It was a good meal and it was most enjoyable. Perhaps it would have been better had Mal and I ordered different meals in order to add some variety, but it was something we would do next time. However, having the same meal did not stop us pretending we had different as we fed each other in a somewhat tongue-in-cheek manner, but still oddly romantic. It was most enjoyable indeed and not disgusting in the least, which is how I would have previously viewed sharing a fork with somebody. But how could I feel queasy about sharing a fork with Mal when I kissed him on a daily basis?
As we were walking hand-in-hand back to the car, Coach Tulsa called my name. Mal and I stopped and turned to her. She approached us alone.
"Where is Marnie?" I asked.
"She's gone to the bathroom but it was getting a bit stuffy in the restaurant so I told her I'd wait outside. Anyway I'm glad I did cause I remember where I saw you before." She said, pointing at Mal.
"You do?" I asked.
"Yeah. You were in Seattle that time with Essie and Tobias. Just before those vamps hit the Res." She stated as if she were remarking on the time they'd stayed on the same holiday resort.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Mal said guardedly.
"Coach Tulsa knows everything." I stated. "She knew I was Mother and Father's daughter after only having known me for five minuets."
Mal looked at me for a moment, then looked to Coach Tulsa.
"Olivia." He stated. "That's it. You were with your girlfriend under the Space Needle."
"You haven't changed one bit." Coach Tulsa said. "How's your sister?"
"Oh, she's not my sister, that was a cover." Mal said with a shrug, although I think he was somewhat relieved to clear that little lie so as not to be associated with Jane in the future.
"Should have guessed. She was passing herself off as Liza's aunt at the finals in LA." Coach Tulsa observed. "Essie warned me not to let on to her that I knew, but you're ok?"
"At the time Mother was unsure of where Jane's allegiances truly lie." I stated.
"And I'm veggie born and bred." Mal said firmly.
"Good to hear." Coach Tulsa stated cheerfully as she slapped Mal on the back. "Well I'll be letting you two get along now, I just needed to ask if that was you or it would have been bugging me all night."
"Hello Liza." Marnie said as she came up beside Coach Tulsa and took her hand. "Are you home for the Holidays?"
"Yes. Every year I come back to visit Mother and Father." I stated.
"How are they?" Marnie asked out of custom.
"They're fine." I stated, as was the expected result.
"Great." Marnie said with a smile.
"We must be going now." I stated.
"Of course."
"Good night Coach Tulsa. Good night Ms Jones." I said with a nod to each.
I turned with Mal and started back toward the parking lot for we had used the multi-story in the middle of town as opposed to the one adjacent to the restaurant. I had chosen the general parking lot for one could never be certain of a space in the one adjacent to the restaurant. Besides, it gave us a chance to stroll. I enjoyed strolling with Mal along the streets, safe in the knowledge that danger from the supernatural was very limited. Only the truly stupid would touch Miss Liza on Black-Hannigan territory.
Nothing happened to us and we reached Tregarran unscathed. Alec was waiting in the garage for us when we returned.
"Your laptop has ceased to work." He stated.
"How?" I asked.
"I have no idea, but it freezes every time I turn it on." He grumbled.
"I will look at it tomorrow." I stated.
"But I wish to go online." Alec protested.
"You will have to do so tomorrow. If you are truly bored then read something tonight." I stated.
"What do you recommend?" He asked and I sighed in slight irritation that he was feigning to be so dependent upon my opinion.
"Take a look in the library for something you know you will like." I stated.
Alec looked unsure and I sighed again, knowing this could go on for a while if I did not help him.
"Follow us." I said, taking Mal's hand and we led Alec up to the library.
"What books do you like?" Mal asked once we were in the library.
Alec shrugged.
"You like dancing." I recalled. "I have many books on the subject." I added as I indicated the appropriate shelves. "Take your pick."
Alec went up to the shelf rubbing his chin as he regarded them thoughtfully.
"May I take all of them?" He asked.
"As long as you place them back in the right order tomorrow." I stated. "And that you are very careful with this book." I added as I pulled it from the shelf. "This was one of the first books I received and I'd be most aggrieved if it was damaged. I will never forgive you, do you understand?"
"This book is important to you. I will take great care of it." Alec promised.
"Very well." I said, handing the book to him.
"May I sit down here in the library while I read?" Alec asked.
"That is not up to me." I stated.
"Of course not." Alec replied.
Then Father appeared.
"I have a wish to read this night, Alec can stay in the library with me." He stated, making no pretence that he and Mother had heard our conversation. "Does that suit you Alec?"
"It suits me fine Tobias, provided I am not keeping you from Essie." Alec replied humbly.
"Billie is out of sorts and wishes to sleep in with Essie tonight but complains I make the bed cold." Father said, and sounded convincing in his story although I knew it to be a lie. "If I am down here regardless, and you wish to read in here, there is no use confining you to your room."
"Thank you Tobias." Alec said, bowing his head.
"With that we shall say goodnight." I said.
"Not too late Vela. Remember New Years Eve is but a few days away and you will wish to have your rest before then." Father stated.
"Of course Father." I replied and kissed his cheek.
"And tomorrow you can tell me about your night. I would very much like to know what you dined on and what you thought of the meal. Is it something you wish to replicate, and how would you go about it?" Father stated.
"I will give it some thought Father and let you know in the morning." I assured him.
Father smiled before tapping my hand.
"Goodnight Vela." He said.
"Goodnight Father." I replied.
"Goodnight Malachite." Father said with a curt nod.
"Goodnight Tobias." Mal replied.
"Night Alec." I said quickly for it was clear that he wished to be included, and I took Mal's hand and pulled him toward the stairs.
We climbed the back stairs and I pulled him toward my room. He stopped by his door.
"I'll go change first." He said.
"Good idea." I replied, and reached up for his cheek and standing on my toes I kissed him. "I will lock the door but you can let yourself in."
"See you in a bit." He said.
"See you in a bit." I replied, and smiled before I walked to my room.
Father had been right in his observation that it was fairly late, therefore Mal and I settled down shortly after we were both dressed for bed. Although we did hold a small discussion before succumbing to sleep.
"Why does Tobias call you Vela?" Mal asked. "I thought I was mistaken the other day, but now I'm sure that's what he calls you."
"If the Volturi had not been in possession of my parents and they had been here to name Tony and I, then that is what Father would have named me. I would have been Vela, the name of his mother." I explained.
Mal was watching me thoughtfully for a moment, until I laughed self-consciously.
"What?" I asked.
"I can't imagine you with any other name than Liza." He stated.
I chuckle before I snuggled down into his arms.
"And it would be strange should you have any name other than Mal." I stated.
Mal gave a small laugh before his arm tightened about me briefly and he kissed the back of my head, and then we both drifted to sleep.
It was a quiet New Years all things considered. We gathered around as a family, although Tony had opted to see in the New Year alone with Grace. I did not begrudge him this; I believe I would have done the same with Mal if we had somewhere secluded to disappear to.
Regardless, we gathered together to wait for the change of the year as we secretly made our wishes. My wish was to finally know Mal and have the confidence to ask him what we would refer to each other if people were to ask. My other wish was the I would find the strength needed to think before I acted on my feelings, I did not wish to repeat my the mistake of this year which had led to me missing the birth of my baby sister.
I enjoyed myself New Years Eve, but as I awoke New Years Day it was time for the revelry to be over. It was time to pack ready for college, although perhaps not pack too much, I did not want to be over loaded with possessions to bring home at spring break. However the police may not release my possession as of yet. It was rather tricky and I had no idea what to do until Mal pointed out that I could bring the surplus home at spring break and the rest when college finished for good.
I was glad of my foresight to pack come the second when Jane returned with Fred. Alec was most glad to see her, but somewhat upset that she did not have any of his children with her. Jane stated that they were yet to attempt a rescue for they had not formulated the best plan for this. I was somewhat confused however, for I was sure I had heard the sale would take place on New Years Eve. Surely it would make the rescue of all the captured dhampir impossible if they were dispersed? If word spread that the guard were visiting justice on those with illegally obtained dhampir there would be a massacre to avoid detection.
Perhaps the children were angry with their father for trusting their welfare to those who proved less than adequate. Or perhaps they were merely exhausted after their ordeal and Jane wished to give them time to rest up. The latter theory became more likely when Jane informed us of why she had paid us a visit.
It transpires that Jane had similar thoughts to me about what to do with Detective Hickman, as he clearly knew something of our world. Very little perhaps, but the little he knew made him dangerous. To us as a nation, and to himself should he ever reveal his knowledge to a carnivore. Jane wished to recruit him as I had wished to, although it had escaped my mind during the holidays.
With Jane's blessing I was more than happy to pursue this course of action, if only to ensure no future incidents with Hickman. Jane required Mother's help too in case Hickman refused to help us, then Mother could alpha him not to reveal the truth or come near me again. Possibly her alpha command could remove his suspicions of the supernatural. It mattered not, for Mother was needed and she decided that if she were to travel to California to help out with something that wasn't too dangerous, then Billie could come along for the trip. She would stay with Father during the negotiations with Hickman, but afterwards they could take Billie to the beach.
That sounded like a grand plan, and by the evening we were all packed and ready to return to Riverside. Mal and I would travel with Mother, Father and Billie in the RV for our cars were still in Riverside. Possibly still with the police.
Tony wished to help too, but it was for the best that he stay behind with Grace and Prue. Grace would be more than welcome to join us, but for obvious reasons it would not do for Prue to accompany us on this trip and Tony had to concede himself that Grace would be adverse to leaving her sister alone at the moment. Besides, Tony had taken enough time off work of late; if he took anymore it would be kinder to Bob to relinquish his post.
Tony and I had quite lengthy discussion on the subject. He was somewhat disgruntled for he felt inadequate. I tried to cheer my twin, but it was clear it would take time for his woes to resolve themselves, or he find a way to resolve them, before he'd feel comfortable once more. At least we left on amiable terms, although Tony was somewhat dismayed by the suddenness of my departure. I realised I had neglected my brother in not informing him of my timetable before hand.
These thoughts lay heavy in my mind as we rode to California in the back of the RV with a very excitable Billie who chatted non-stop about what she intended to do once she reached the beach. I was not so preoccupied that I could not participate in the conversation, but perhaps I did not give her the due enthusiasm she deserved. I also had to contend with the thoughts of our impending assignment.
Because we would be working within California we had to bring Catalina into our plans. This was one aspect of the plan that I was sure would turn Hickman against us for she was carnivore and showed no intention of changing her diet anytime soon. If we could promise her distance from Hickman it may prove more agreeable to him, but as the resident vampires her clan would work closest with Hickman should he chose to join us.
The only advantage I could see in including Catalina in these plans was if Hickman did choose to join us. For if he did choose such a thing then it would be a favour bought from Catalina. A true mole within the LAPD could prove most useful to her. She would owe us a favour in return, and in the vampire world a favour was the universally acceptable form of currency.
As we had hoped, Catalina was enthusiastic with our plans. She even over looked the presence of Alec for whom she was harbouring a grudge toward for disturbing the peace of her hunting land. So enthusiastic was she that she insisted we set about embarking upon it as soon as possible.
Therefore on the night of the third, or if I am more precise, the early hours of the fourth, Mal and I found ourselves facing a brick wall that led into a one story house in a surprisingly nice suburban area. I had suspected Hickman to be more of an inner city apartment type, but here was his three-bedroom house in the suburbs. From the research Jane had done beforehand I knew this was the best house he could afford on his original salary twenty years ago when he'd been starting on his career with the police force. He had lived here ever since, paying off the mortgage diligently so that he now owned it out-right.
"Are you sure about this?" Mal asked in a whisper as he placed his hand against the brick wall and closed his eyes to gauge the thickness. "I mean, I've only ever got through things with you. I'm not sure I can do it with another person too."
"Mal, you cannot doubt yourself on this." I stated firmly as I took his hand. "I know you can do this. You know you can do this for I will be boosting you."
"I'll do this by thinking positive." He observed.
"By believing in yourself." I stated as I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Shall we?"
Mal kissed my lips before he straightened up, closed his eyes and concentrated. I closed my eyes too as I endeavoured to boost his power. I knew he could very easily walk through the brick. It was a lot thinner than the cave wall had been.
Behind my closed eyelids I could sense the spaces around me. It wasn't a definite picture but I knew the wall was a foot in front of me and was six inches thick. I could feel my power flow into Mal and flow back to me almost in a figure of eight, the loop of infinity. The build up was such that I knew without doubt Mal would transport us safely into the house, and then safely back out with our target acquired.
Mal squeezed my hand, which was the signal that he was ready, and we stepped forward. There was that sense of resistance and then the cool of air conditioning. It was provided by an old system that was humming somewhere to the left of me. I opened my eyes and looked around to get my bearings. I was standing in a small living room with a threadbare armchair set up in front of a television set that looked around twenty years old. There was a sofa and another chair in the same fabric as the chair and although they were faded with age, they looked as if they had never been used. There was an ottoman in front of the chair that didn't match the furniture and I had the feeling it was a recent acquisition from a yard sale. Next to the chair was a table covered with empty beer bottles and a microwave dinner tray. There was an old laptop resting on the arm of the chair, and although it was close to one in the morning the laptop was still on, as was the television, although the volume was on mute.
There was the sound of a toilet being flushed from the bathroom I knew was located through the door and along the corridor. Mal and I stepped into the kitchen that was separated from the living room by a breakfast bar beneath an arch. We stood in the kitchen, holding our breaths until Detective Hickman appeared and settled down into the chair. He swung the laptop around and started clicking through a couple of pages.
I let go of Mal's hand and stepped into the living room, moving as silently as I could until I was between Detective Hickman and the television. He hadn't sensed me; he was too intent on his work. I cleared my throat.
Hickman looked up and then jumped up with a start, reaching for his gun, but Mal had been ready for this and the gun flew into his hand where he emptied out the bullets into his hand before placing them on the breakfast bar along with the gun.
"What the hell?" Hickman exclaimed.
"I'm sorry Mal had to do that Detective, but I do not appreciate having guns pointed at me." I said calmly.
"What the hell are you doing in my house?" He demanded.
"You wish to know what happened to your Mindy." I stated. "We know people who will tell you."
"What?" Hickman demanded.
"I did some research when I was home for Christmas and discovered something interesting. There are those willing to tell you the truth if you can promise not to reveal it to anybody else." I replied.
"I can't promise that." Hickman said.
"What if your life depended on it?" I asked.
"Are you threatening me?" He demanded with a growl in his voice as his eyes swept the room, looking for a weapon.
"No. But others might if you only have a little knowledge." I stated. "Remember that evening you took me out to the scrubland? Had I been one of the carnivorous southern covens I would have killed you then and there. They believe that the truth should not be known. However my family believe that those who can be trusted can know. We wish to give you a full education so that you do not accidentally kill yourself by confronting others."
"Then what are you?" He asked, his hand moving toward a beer bottle.
"I am not your teacher. I am merely here to transport you to school." I stated as I considered whether to show him my super speed, or wait for a display of strength if he attempted an attack. I decided to wait and met his eyes with a level look as I said, "Now the question is Detective Hickman, do you want to learn?"
"What if I say no?" He asked gruffly.
"Then you will spend the rest of your days wondering what the truth really is and why you did not take the opportunity to find out when you had the chance." I stated.
"That's the hand you're playing with?" He asked doubtfully, the beer bottle now forgotten.
"It is a fine hand Detective." I said with a slight smile. "I will give you a minuet to decide, then you can come with Mal and I, or we will leave and we will never speak of this again."
"A minuet you say?" Hickman asked thoughtfully as he rubbed his stubbly chin. "What if I call in backup?"
"You're not on duty." I stated.
"And your phone won't work." Mal said softly and the picture on the television began to jump as he caused interference.
"How are you doing that?" Hickman asked, more in annoyance than astonishment.
"It is another thing we will reveal if you come with us." I stated. "Now we will wait on a decision." I added, holding up an egg timer. "You have a minuet Detective Hickman." I continued and I turned the timer over and placed it on the breakfast bar where Hickman could view it before going into the kitchen with Mal to give the detective some space.
Mal gave me a small smile of reassurance before he took my hand. I leant my head against his arm and closed my eyes as I counted down the seconds. I opened my eyes to see the last of the grains topple into the bottom bulb. I straightened up and stepped back around the breakfast bar.
"Have you made up your mind Detective?" I asked.
"Yeah." Hickman said gruffly. "I want to know the truth. But I'm not going unarmed." He added, reaching for his gun.
I looked to Mal for a moment then back to Hickman who was loading the gun once more.
"You know that will be of no use." I stated.
"I know. But it'll make me feel better." He stated as he placed the gun in a chest holster.
"Very well. But I advise you against drawing it at any point." I said in serious tones that left no room for argument. "Some may become offended."
"I just feel better with my buddy at my side." He said, tapping the holster.
"Do you have a jacket?" Mal asked.
"Where is your suit jacket?" I asked, and then I realized he was in a state of undress since he had been relaxing in his own home for the night. "And perhaps some pants? I'm sure you do not wish to meet the dignitaries in you boxers, as fetching as they may be."
"Black tie or casual?" Hickman said unamused.
"If you had a meeting with the mayor in regards to your promotion to Police Commissioner what would you wear?" I asked.
"My street suit." Hickman said promptly. "I'm here to tackle crime not play politics."
"Then dress accordingly." I said with a smile.
"How long have I got?"
"Five minuets." I said.
"Ok." He said, and regarded me suspiciously for a moment with his sharp blue eyes. "You're not gonna guard the door?"
"We trust you Detective, we hope you trust us in return." I stated primly.
"I'll go get dressed." Hickman replied and he disappeared to where I knew the bedroom was located.
He emerged moments later dressed in the suit he'd been wearing the first time he had questioned me.
"Let's get going." He said, heading to the door.
"We will not use the door." I stated.
"What, we gonna walk through the wall?" Hickman asked sarcastically.
"Yes." Mal said stepping forward and taking my hand and he held his other hand out to Hickman.
Hickman gave us a disbelieving look.
"Mal can manipulate matter. This allows him to pass through solid objects. He can transport other people too. But you must hold his hand for this to work." I explained.
"Well I guess there's no one else watching." Hickman grumbled as he took Mal's hand.
"Ok, when I squeeze your hand walk forward and you might want to close your eyes." Mal instructed.
"Your hand is boiling hot. Are you ill?" Hickman asked.
"My temperature is hotter than most people." Mal stated. "Now hush, I have to concentrate."
I closed my eyes and let my power flow to Mal once more, thinking hard that he would walk all three of us through the wall. Mal squeezed my hand and we stepped forward. I felt the resistance of the wall, then the muggy air outside. Hickman was gasping for breath and I was worried to look in case he had become stuck within the wall.
"You kept your eyes open didn't you." Mal stated and I opened my eyes to see him tapping Hickman on the back as he tried to get his breath back.
"You…really…walked…through…the…wall…" He said in gasps.
"Yeah." Mal replied in away that suggested this was nothing out of the ordinary. "Our car is parked a block away."
"Why all this secrecy?" Hickman asked as we led him through the dark morning.
"If you had disagreed we wanted to limit the possibility of you proving our presence here." I explained as we reached the limousine with the blacked out windows.
"This isn't the Mafia is it?" Hickman asked, suddenly cautious.
"No." I said firmly as I opened the door and got inside.
Mal held the door and motioned for Hickman to follow me. Hickman sat on the side opposite me. Mal tapped the top of the car and jumped in, slamming the door and sitting down next to me as the car began moving.
"It will not be a long journey." I stated. "And Mal and I will stay with you at all times."
"What good are you gonna be against people who are bullet proof?" Hickman asked.
"Try putting your hands in front of you." Mal said, holding his hand up.
Hickman tried to lift his hand but he hit a block in the air.
"I can put a shield around the three of us." Mal stated. "And Liza is a war hero and holds a lot of sway with the people we're going to meet."
"You're a war hero?" Hickman asked. "You're only eighteen."
"Yes. However I have always been outspoken and my act of valour was merely to negotiate." I said, feeling somewhat bashful at being called thus.
"Negotiations are brave." Hickman observed.
"Thank you Detective." I replied. "However I doubt I would have been so brave had I not known Mother was there to back me up should they attempt to hurt me. Knowing this I was able to change the mind of the misinformed and therefore avoid the massacre of innocents."
"Where did this happen?" Hickman asked, falling naturally into interview mode.
"You have not heard of the incident I assure you." I stated, as I feared I would say too much if I continued. "For the most part we ensure that incidents in our world do not overspill into yours, but sometimes it is unavoidable."
"Now what world would that be?" Hickman asked, his blue eyes glittering in the low light of the car as he watched our faces for their reaction.
I looked to Mal and he shrugged. Jane had given us permission to reveal all once he had decided to come with us. There was no going back for him now, if he decided against further knowledge then Mother would make it impossible to act on what little he knew before we sent him back.
"If it is in relation to what happened to your Mindy, who do you think we're taking you to see?" I asked.
"I feel so stupid saying this, even if you did just walk us through a wall." Hickman observed.
"You had no such reservations when you accused me before Christmas." I stated.
"I was a little crazy that day." Hickman said by way of an apology.
"Granted, but let us pretend you are as crazy as you were that day. What say you?" I said with a friendly smile.
"Ok. This got anything to do with vampires?" He asked.
"Yes." I replied.
Hickman was waiting for our denial so my honesty caught him off guard.
"Excuse me?" He demanded, and I could see his walls crumbling as he was finally proved right.
"We are taking you to meet representatives of the Vampire Coalition of America and Canada. Or VCAC for short." I stated.
"But vampires?" He said, looking between us, waiting for us to declare the cruel joke we were playing on him.
"Don't worry. We're the good guys." Mal stated. "Our people have banded together to police the vampire world and ensure that no one goes overboard."
Hickman considered this for a moment and he finally accepted it to be true. That everything he had suspected all these years was true. He was not crazy, and never had been. His Mindy had been killed by vampires and he finally had the proof he desired. It allowed him to become more casual with us, and I realised it was his method of gaining the upper hand. He was the police detective still, and if we were police too, then we'd dropped the ball. Those thoughts were so clear that I had to check for a moment that it was still Rea who was driving, and that Mother had not swapped places instead.
"So what happened in sixty-four?" Hickman asked, and I blinked a moment as I rearranged my thoughts.
"That was before the Coalition was began." I stated. "When the whole of the western vampire world was policed by the bad vampires."
"The bad vampires policed the world?" He asked incredulously.
"Yes. They are harsh rulers, wanting all the glory for themselves and no harmony among vampires. The only rule they enforce is the one pertaining to exposure to the human world. If you do not breach that then you may do as you please." I explained.
"Unless you got a gift they're interested in, then they'll stop at nothing to 'recruit' you." Mal growled.
"Is that what they did to you?" Hickman asked, picking up on Mal's anger, although in that moment it was fairly clear.
"They tried, but Liza's Mam was a virtual prisoner there too and she made sure I got away from there." Mal said a little darkly.
"How?" Hickman asked.
"Mother has gifts that breeds caution in those who would anger her." I stated. "She never uses them unless her loved ones are in danger."
"Is your mother a vampire?" Hickman asked, which was a reasonable question.
"No. Mother is something else. She referred to herself as an uncertainty when she was younger, for until her brother was born when she was seventeen she was the only one of her kind." I stated.
"And that kind would be?" Hickman prompted.
"Technically she is dhampir, since that means half vampire. However she has an extra ingredient that marks her as different to most, bar three others."
"What's that?"
"The other way Liza's mam used to introduce herself was like this. I'm Essie Black, the vamp-wolf brat." Mal chipped in.
"Wolf?" Hickman asked with a frown and I feared we might push him to far, but we'd mentioned it now so we had to proceed.
"Are we going too fast for you Detective?" I inquired, to give him a moment to process his thoughts.
"There's werewolves too?" He demanded, looking aghast.
"Is that so surprising? Is it not the next logical step?" I asked.
"Yeah." Hickman replied, looking perturbed.
"It matters not. We have no time to discuss anything further for we are here." I stated as the car slowed to a stop. "Mal and I will stay with you at all times unless you wish us not to."
"If you're the only faces I'll know in there I'll be grateful if you have my back." Hickman said firmly.
"We'll have your back Detective." I stated.
"Not that there's any reason for us. You're not in any danger, but we'll stay with you. There's nothing worse than going to face figures of authority when you don't even know who they are." Mal observed.
"Is there anything you need to brief me on first?" Hickman asked, stalling as he wished to remain longer in the car before he faced the truth after so many years.
"Don't annoy Jane." I stated.
"Jane?"
"She's the leader of the guard, and although she might look like a sweet kid, she's not." Mal stated. "And Catalina is the vampire leader of California so you don't want to get off on the wrong foot with her."
"And what about your mother?" Hickman directed to me.
"You've met her already." I stated. "And although she was annoyed that you held a gun to me she is willing to overlook that."
"For what?" Hickman asked, worried about the answer.
"For the sake of peace Detective. I wish to finish my education here without further incident, and to do so I think we have to come to an amicable arrangement." I observed.
"Like we stay out of each others ways?" Hickman suggested.
"Something like that." Mal said. "Now let's go before they get impatient."
"Is that likely to antagonise them?"
"Some more than others." I stated before I tapped Mal's leg and he climbed out of the car.
I followed him and we waited a moment before Hickman emerged. He straightened out his suit and made sure his shield was on display. I hadn't realised he'd brought it with him. I should have thought to ask him to bring it, for it was proof of his credentials. Perhaps he had brought it for the false sense of protection it awarded him along with his 'buddy' hidden in its holster.
"I'm ready." He stated.
"This way please, Detective." I said, and led the way into the visiting room of the mansion.
The room had been altered so that it resembled a conference room. I had advised the vampires that Hickman was likely to respond better to this as a sign of our competence. He would see the comfortable set up of the furniture that usually graced this room as an attempt to sway his favour through trappings that the vampires had no need of.
Jane was sat in the middle of the long curved table. Mother was to her right and Catalina to her left. Catalina had only agreed to sit in the lesser spot because of Mother's reputation as a badass. Also present was Fred, who was standing guard behind Jane with Rea. Dirk, Catalina's mate was sat to her left along with their yearling child who was taking in the proceedings with keen interest. Next to Mother were sat Dana Redovalli, a member of the guard who was the main liaison with Catalina, and Jericho Bronson who had been drafted in as the public face of VCAC since he was resident in California.
"Detective Marvin Hickman." Jane said in a clear, formal voice as he neared the centre of the room.
"That's me Ma'am." He said.
"Please be seated." She said, indicating the chair that was opposite the centre of the desk.
Hickman sat down and Mal and I took our places in the two chairs behind his so that we flanked him. I tapped his arm to reassure him of our presence.
"I am Jane Drake, head of the VCAC guard. This is Essie Black, my second-in-command." That title caused Mother to frown slightly. "And this is Catalina Tramayne, vampire leader of California. We three will be conducting your interview."
"This is an interview?" Detective Hickman asked.
"Yes. We wish to judge you of competent mind, for it has been brought to our attention that you know something of our kind." Jane stated.
"Yes." Hickman agreed.
"In the old days you would have been left with only one choice, to die as a human. The only question then was whether you wished to remain dead or be born into a second life where you would never age, never die, you would never be ill again. The latter is still an option now, but we disagree with forcing the loss of the human life. If a human can prove trustworthy then we should not pluck them from their lives, after all you could prove useful." Jane explained.
"Useful how?" Hickman asked suspiciously.
"By working with us to ensure that humans never discover the truth they can not handle and see to it that vampire criminals are dealt with swiftly and efficiently." Jane said promptly.
"You mean cover up vamp business." Hickman translated gruffly.
"If you wish to speak plainly then yes, you will help us cover up vampire business." Jane said in a cool manner, determined not to lose her temper with the policeman.
"I'm not a crooked cop." Hickman said firmly.
"If you were we wouldn't be offering this opportunity to you." Jane stated. "We want someone honest and able to uphold the law. Be that the law of humans or of vampires."
"Can't you keep your own law?" Hickman replied.
"There is only so much we can monitor, and as of yet, the vampires who have the strength to resist flowing blood find more satisfaction in professions of healing than those of law enforcement." Jane stated. "Besides, having a vampire on the force would be like using a bomb to swat a fly. It is much better if we ask the assistance of a human already in law enforcement to notify us of any killings that bear certain characteristics and we can step in and take out the culprit responsible before we see a repeat of the Chiang Shih. Thanks to a deliberate assault on the means in which the Volturi gathers information it was a while before they could act. There were many casualties and quite the public mess before we killed those responsible. Had there been someone on the LAPD in contact with the us, we could have acted sooner."
"Wait a minute. You killed the ones responsible for those sick murders? Those sons of bitches should have been brought to trial."
"It was brought to trial." Jane said calmly. "I tried them myself in my old role as emissary of the Volturi and judged them guilty and they were executed accordingly."
"They should have been put on trial for the public to see." Hickman said through his teeth and I had the feeling we were losing him. "All those poor families deserved to see justice done."
"As true as that might be it would have been impossible." Jane stated. "I put it to you sir, how would you have detained these culprits while you put them on trial? How would you have incarcerated them? How would you have executed them?"
"Vampires are hard to kill." Mother stated. "I'd say impossible for humans. Not to mention the fact that they're super strong and fast. The only way you'd catch a vampire was if they wanted to get caught. If they want to get caught it's usually just for the fun of tearing apart humans as they escape. This is why we're offering you the chance to work with us and bring us in on anything dodgy and we'll take care of it without too many human lives lost."
"What if I refuse?" Hickman demanded.
"That's too bad, we'll have to find another line of communication." Mother said with a shrug.
"You'll just let me go?" Hickman asked doubtfully.
"As long as you promise not to tell anyone about the VCAC." Mother stated.
"What if I do?"
"I'll make sure you can't." Mother said intensely. "I have ways of making people obey me. I don't like messing with free will like that, but it's the best way to keep you safe. Not to mention my daughter. Wouldn't want you pulling anymore guns on her."
"Essie, this is not about personal matters." Jane said calmly.
"I know. But Detective Hickman likes people to lay out all their cards where he can see them." Mother explained. "I got no aces up my sleeve Detective, I can promise you that. The reason I'd get you to cooperate is because I'm telepathic and I can plant the suggestion in your mind that will stop you from telling anyone about the vampire world, or even writing it down. That's it, nothing more sinister than that."
"You control people's minds and you don't think it's sinister?"
"I only do it when I have no other option to protect my family." Mother said firmly. "It's not something I do on a whim, it's something I take great care with. I use it as a last resort."
Hickman had been watching Mother carefully and now he nodded his head.
"I believe you." He said. "And I wanted to know the score. If this was do or die I'd rather die. But you're giving me a real choice here, so I'll help you. But nothing dodgy you hear? I'll just hand over any cases that look like they're vamp stuff."
"Shall we hammer out the finer points now?" Catalina asked. "I will introduce you to your liason."
"It won't be my attorneys?" He asked, indicating Mal and me.
"We do not live in California, merely residing here while we attend school." I stated. "We only came to you tonight for you know us and we wished to ease you in gently."
"I see." Hickman replied. "Well I guess you got your rules too."
"I generally stay out of politics regardless. I have a lot of maturing to do before I will feel able to speak on behalf of other people." I stated.
"Which is a more mature view than most politicians I know." Hickman observed.
"I couldn't agree more Detective." Jane said with a wide grin. "Now come, we will get the preliminaries out of the way and Mal and Liza may go find their rest tonight."
"Don't I get to rest?" Hickman asked.
Jane considered for a moment.
"You're human, you need rest." She observed. "I will not deny you. Do you wish to rest here or to return home? We can arrange it either way."
"I think I'll sleep in my own bed if it's all the same with you." Hickman replied.
"Then Mal and Liza will see you home before they return to their college rooms. We will be in contact." Jane said with a nod.
Mal and I stood and I tapped Hickman's elbow, encouraging him to his feet. He stood, and now he was deep in thought as we led him back to the limousine. The limousine was already parked a block from his house when he finally emerged from his thoughts to talk.
"They won't want me to cover up their murders will they?" He asked.
"No Detective." I replied. "Catalina and Dirk are very neat in their feeding habits."
"They still kill people." He stated.
"That is true. However they stick to criminals. Murderers, drug pushers, rapists. The people the world would be a better place without." I stated as if I thought this a good idea, although I had my own reservations about playing god in that way.
"Rapists like Malcolm Donaldson?" Hickman asked, and I realised the connection he was drawing, and he had it wrong.
"If Catalina or Dirk had fed from him you would not have found a body." I stated. "For as I stated previously, they clean up well after themselves."
"Am I supposed to be reassured by that?" Hickman questioned.
"Feel reassured by the fact that although Malcolm was indeed killed by a vampire, the vampire has since been dealt with." I said, careful not to lie.
"So what's with the frame job on Gob Johnson?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"He did everything he confessed to bar murder Malcolm and kidnap us." I confessed.
"Did you know that before you got him to confess?"
"I know a killer when I see one Detective." I stated. "You yourself are a killer, but you work for the law, when you kill it is a service to society. You even take a little joy in knowing you are taking another miscreant off the streets. Yet every kill haunts you always for even though you know the streets are safer without them it is more blood on your hands, more tarnish to your soul. To think what you do is right is a thought you will never truly entertain because that way lies a sense of undue justification that will lead you to 'punish' more for lesser crimes. You are a good man Marvin Hickman and you do not deserve the fate that befell you when the Chiang Shi haunted these shores."
"Can you read minds too?" He asked as he looked into my eyes, as if he was trying to read my mind.
"No. I am merely good at reading people, when I choose to read them." I amended. "I was being stubborn in my surety that Malcolm was my Mal for that whole month, or I would have realised what a bad person he was. Of course he was an angel compared to Gobbo. He is a killer to his core. He relishes in the kill, a lot more than any carnivore I have ever met. Although I had no idea he had already killed and killed so many when I nominated him as a candidate to take my place in your suspicions, but I knew some day he would kill and he would get away with it."
"So your mom made him confess to the Malcolm thing?" Hickman asked to clarify.
"Yes, however we had no idea of the rest before he started confessing to them." I said, disgusted yet again by the extent of his crimes.
"I can't believe he got away with so much." Mal stated.
"He comes from a small town. The police force there is small and mostly made up of his relatives." Hickman stated.
"So if evidence did point toward him they were unlikely to arrest him." I guessed.
"That's exactly it. That's the trouble with those old police families they're either tough as nails on the kids, and disciplining them over every minor infraction and causing them to rebel. Or they turn a blind eye to everything but the most serious of offences they can't bury." Hickman stated.
"Are they investigating the detectives who came here as a 'favour' to Malcolm's family?" I asked.
"I'm not at liberty to discuss that. It's outer-state so outer my hands." Hickman said firmly.
"I understand Detective. We will not ask anything of you that will compromise your position." I promised.
"I'm hoping you won't tell me anything more that will compromise my position if I'm called to the stand in the Malcolm Donaldson murder trial." Hickman said warily.
"We will do everything in our power to ensure you are not compromised." I promised. "Now shall we escort you to your house. We can take you in the way you came out. Or would you prefer to go in through the door?"
"No offence Mal, I'm sure you're a nice young man, but that walking through walls crap is just unnerving. This whole thing is." Hickman shook his head. "I just need to get my head down and sleep. This might make more sense in the morning."
"We will see you to your street." I stated.
"You can't be too careful this time of the morning." Mal added.
"Then let's go, but hang back. I don't want you to be seen around my house until this Gobbo thing is sorted. You're both witnesses and it might harm the case if I'm seen fraternising with you outside of the investigation."
"We will not be seen." I assured Hickman. "Fred will see to that."
"Who's Fred?" Hickman asked.
"Hi." Fred said as he made himself visible toward the front end of the limousine and wiggled his fingers at us.
"So you guys got invisibility too?"
"Only me." Fred said. "As far as we know."
"Weird." Hickman said with a shake of his head. "Well let's get going."
Hickman left the car. Mal, Fred and I followed. I stood between the boys and took the hand of each as Fred ensured his shield covered Mal and I completely.
"We're right behind you Detective. Walk as if you are alone." I whispered.
Hickman began to walk and we followed him to the end of his street and watched him to his door. He entered his house and we turned from him and walked back to the limousine. Fred kept the shield about us until we were in the car.
We were driven to the campus and it seemed eerily quiet in these early hours when there was nobody about. It was clear that very few people had returned as of yet. I cared not, I merely wished to go to my room and sleep for the night.
I was so eager to be in the building and away from vampire politics for the night, and perhaps because I was thinking of a nigh on empty building where Mal and I would not be bothered by Alec until morning, that I sent the car away immediately on getting out. I stood holding Mal's hand as we waved Fred away in the limousine; he wished to return to Jane and was not as insistent as he might have been on seeing us to the door. The want of everyone to be alone with their loves proved to be a mistake for Mal and I had sent the car away and now we were locked out. The main door to the building was locked and I frowned at this unforeseen turn of events.
"But they never lock the door." I observed.
"Yeah, but that's usually when everyone's back and fore at all hours." Mal observed. "But if most people are still away it makes sense that they lock it at night."
"Then what are we to do?" I asked, "Perhaps there is an open window we can climb through? Or perhaps we could find somewhere secluded and walk through the wall."
"I'm pretty drained and I don't want to risk walking through a wall right now in case we get stuck. I can't tell you how glad I was when Hickman opted to use his door." Mal stated warily.
"Oh dear, I should have taken more notice of your state." I said in horror at my lack of concern as I turned to him to find that he did indeed look exhausted.
"It's my own fault." He stated. "I pushed it with the force field when I didn't even need to put it up. But I thought it would help with that new born there."
"Yes, Catalina was pushing it a little with the presence of her child." I agreed. "What shall we do?"
"It's a dry night." He said, putting his arms about me, "And we don't feel the cold like humans. Why don't we find somewhere comfy up in the forest. We'll be perfectly ok if we cwtch up together."
"Yes." I agreed, as I embraced him tightly for a moment, then I stepped away and took his hand.
We ghosted up to that sparse line of trees, but it was a sufficient amount that we were able to find concealment. We found a spot that looked comfortable and Mal sat first before pulling me down to lie against him.
"I can lie next to you." I stated. "I don't mind sleeping on the floor."
"Yeah, but I can't cwtch you if you're next to me." He stated, kissing my head. "It would be too awkward."
"Your arms about me would make it easier to sleep in the wilderness." I mused. "Your presence makes it possible to sleep anywhere, even the cave."
"Well I'd hate for you to have to sleep in some of the places I've had to, but I bet it wouldn't have been half as bad if you were there." Mal mused as he pulled me closer and I snuggled into his chest.
"I would have kept you company through all of that." I stated. "I would sleep in a festering crypt if it meant your protection."
"Well I don't know about festering crypts, but I know sleeping out in the woods is nice with you here." He murmured, his lips against my head.
"We can see the stars through the trees." I observed as I looked up to the sky.
"Isn't it supposed to be romantic, sleeping out under the stars?" He asked, his fingers trailing up and down my back for a moment.
"Like a midsummer night's dream in mid-winter?" I mused, reaching up to stroke his cheek gently.
"Well we got the weather for it." Mal observed. "I mean temperature wise it's like mid-summer in Wales. All we're missing is the rain."
"You could say the same about my part of the world." I stated with a smile.
"Then it's settled." Mal said. "This can't be midsummer because it's dry."
I giggled and kissed under his chin.
"I'm going to take you to Wales for midsummer so you can see what I mean." Mal replied as he leant his cheek on my head.
"No. We cannot do that." I stated.
"I won't take no for an answer." Mal said firmly as he ran his thumb along my arm. "I've seen your house, I want you to see mine."
"I want to see your house Mal, but we would be unable to do so at midsummer for we will still be sitting our final exams for the year." I reminded him.
"Then we'll go in August. Wales is always at its soaking best then." He said with a chuckle as he stroked my shoulder.
"And you'll take me to your favourite spot?" I asked, wrapping my arms about his chest and listening to his heartbeat.
"Of course bach. I will share every part of my world with you." He whispered and his thumb stroked my cheek for a moment.
"Thank you." I whispered, kissing the hollow of his neck and he sighed happily.
His hand moved across my back and his fingers worked beneath my shirt and I felt them against my bare back. It stirred something in me that enabled me to sit back and I looked deep into his eyes as I brought my left leg over him so that I now sat across his lap and my body faced his.
I reached out with surprisingly steady hands as I unbuttoned his shirt. I felt his hands move and I knew he would stop me, but all I intended was to unbutton his shirt, nothing more. I caught his eyes and ordered him to keep his hands where they were with a look alone. Mal shivered slightly and I enjoyed the hold I had on him in that moment as he kept his hand to my back as I finished unbuttoning his shirt and pushing it open.
Then I reached the part I knew he would most likely stop me.
"This is survival tactics." I stated as I reached for the top button of my own shirt. "We will stay warmer if our contact is bare skin to bare skin."
"I think I read that somewhere myself." Mal observed as he averted his eyes while I unbuttoned my shirt.
"I would not think bad of you if you look." I stated.
"I know. But I might not stop at just holding you if I watch you strip." He replied.
"I'm not stripping." I stated as I pulled my shirt open. "Merely opening my shirt."
"Try telling that to my brain." Mal said.
"Then I will remove temptation from your brain's sight." I stated as I slipped my arms inside his shirt and around his back as I leant closer to him until my midriff was against his.
"My brain thanks you." Mal said with a laugh as his arms tightened about me, his hand now resting in the small of my back and the warmth that spread from that contact was amazing.
I moved slightly until I was all the more comfortable. This pushed my body closer to his than it had ever been, other than in my dreams, and what a thrill it elicited, although I endeavoured to ignore it. It would not do to listen to my body and follow the rushing into what lay beyond. Instead I hugged myself close, and with my head against his shoulder I drifted to sleep to the soft sound of his snoring.
Thank you for reading
Please review
Gemma x