ISFNE Chapter 32

Allison POV

I woke up early the next morning to start in on the tradition I'd been building for the twins: birthday breakfast pancakes. I carefully took out the different ingredients not letting the cabinet close and started mixing by hand, humming under my breath.

"Can I help, Mommy?"

I jumped and let out a small squeal of surprise at Solomon's voice behind me. "Oh, honey, you startled me." Another vampiric trait, they were stealthy and fast. The two of them learning to walk had been a nightmare. "You should be sleeping still; I'm making a surprise for you guys."

"You mean our birthday pancakes?" he said with a smile.

"What?!" I said teasingly, feigning surprise. "Witchcraft! How did you know?"

He giggled, "Moooom, you make them for us every year. It's not a surprise."

"Hey, mister, you are four years old, how are you so certain I made them every year?"

"Because Grams said so! And I'm five years old now!"

"Are you making birthday pancakes without me?" Ellie suddenly said from behind me.

"You too!" I said in exasperation. "You are both supposed to be sleeping! It's six thirty in the morning! Also, it's a surprise."

"No, it's not, Mommy, you make them every year!" she retorted with a grin.

"You two are the worst surprise-ees ever. What am I going to do with you?"

"Serve us pancakes?" Ellie ventured.

"Brilliant idea!" I said, drawing an "E" and an "S" with the pancake batter on the griddle before spooning more batter on top of them to fill in the rest of the pancake before Ellie and Solomon brought over chairs to stand on so they could watch.

"Can I flip one, Mommy? Please?" Solomon asked eyes wide.

I hesitated for a moment but gave in turning down the heat so they wouldn't burn during the extra time, "Okay, but we have to be very careful." I let him grab the spatula and I put my hand on his elbow just in case. "You want to make sure it comes away from the griddle on all sides, okay? So try to get under the whole thing now, lift it up and slowly tilt and lay it down on the opposite side. Just like that!" I said as he successfully followed my instructions and set the spatula down.

"It has an 'S' on it! Just like my name," he said with barely contained excitement.

I smiled at him and affectionately mussed his dark hair, "Yes, it does."

I was startled to hear another pancake flip and looked to my other side to see Ellie holding the spatula, her pancake flipped as well. She grinned sheepishly, "It was going to get too brown!"

I rolled my eyes lightly and kissed the top of her head, "Go sit down you two, I'll bring them over."

They climbed down from the chairs and pushed them back to the table, making quite a bit of noise along the way as the chairs squeaked against the floor, their previous stealth completely gone.

I heard the footsteps this time and turn to see a sleepy-looking Simon emerge from upstairs, "Why are you all up so early?"

I shrugged, "These two had some crazy idea about birthday pancakes?"

He smiled, "Hmm, never heard of those."

"Simon!" Ellie burst out with a giggle. "Mommy makes them every year!"

"Every year you say?" he asked seriously, "That's ludicrous! You're only four years old. You can't remember that," he said, turning and giving me a wink that let me know he was messing with them.

Ellie laughed harder, "But I'm FIVE today."

Simon feigned shock, "FIVE?! Inconceivable!"

"Me too!" Solomon chimed in.

"You too?" he continued playfully, "They've found some sort of potion, Allison! They were four and now they're five!"

"I don't know if I believe them! Who ever heard of two people turning five on the same day!" I said, bringing over the plates of pancakes, both piled high with whipped cream and strawberries.

They laughed all the more and let out a cheer when I set the plates in front of them.

"Happy Birthday," I said, kissing them both. "I love you both more than you could ever know."

They turned in their chairs and hugged me back. "We love you too, Mommy!" Ellie exclaimed.

I started tearing up as I took the two in as they turned back to their pancakes. Ellie with her honey-blonde hair and her father's eyes; Solomon with his father's black hair and my violet eyes, though his were darker, bordering on a deep blue. They both were so sharp – much smarter than the average five-year-old, and I'd started homeschooling them as a result. Simon and I had desperately tried to figure out what level they were at as they caught on to everything so fast, conversing with us easily and picking up on things like our sarcasm and teasing. They, however, had also developed different talents as well; ones much more difficult to deal with. But as I looked at them now, happily scarfing down their pancakes, I found it was all worth it. They were worth it. Simon came up beside me and put his arm around me, giving me a quick peck on the cheek, "You're so sappy," he said good-naturedly.

"I know, I know," I said wiping away the few stray tears.

He handed me a small box, "I got you something," he said, "seeing as birthdays should really celebrate the people who put in all the work."

I opened it and found two small charms, both hearts and inscribed with the twins' names. "I love it," I said with a smile, turning to kiss his cheek.

"I thought they could maybe join your cross," he said toying with my necklace, "They're small enough that it should work."

"I think that sounds perfect, thank you, Simon," I said, kissing him again.

Davenport POV

"The Dracula's bride is missing?" I asked again in shock.

"Well, as far as you and the rest of world are concerned she never existed," Caleb said pointedly, "But yes. She completely disappeared. Almost foiled everything especially with the whole uprising, though we managed to salvage that."

"But a bride missing and with child? Especially to the Dracula? It's simply unheard of. How does the Dracula not possess the power to have kept her?"

"Well, that's the other secret, Uncle. She's not a run-of-the-mill bride. She's basically the next Mina, something I'm sure you can understand makes this even more frightening."

A runaway vampire's mate with a dhamphir in tow. It couldn't be Allison could it? Bride to the Dracula himself? It was unbelievable. I needed more proof. "What was she like? You said you befriended her for a time."

"She was sweet. Too innocent for her own good if you ask me. Gave Eric hell over his advances, shying away from his attempts to seduce her. But she was powerful too. Never looked like it, but she could do things like throw off his influence and take advantage of their connection." He leaned forward secretively, "During the last battle she even vaporized an enemy without knowing it." He sat back, "She made our lives a hell of a lot harder, especially Eric's. He had to take her by force in the end because she wouldn't fall under his power and he couldn't sway her morals."

"Morals?"

"Yeah, she had a crucifix she always wore at the beginning and she knew a lot of Scripture too that she had no problems quoting. Very religious. A pain to steal away."

"What was her name?"

"Why so interested, Uncle?" he suddenly asked in suspicion.

I quickly deflected though my mind was reeling, "Can you blame me? This is the first gossip I've heard from the community in at least a decade! And something so singular and secret."

"You cannot tell a soul," he stated again.

"Of course, not," I promised once more. Except for Allison, for whom I had about a million questions now. "Are there any other cases like this going around? Runaway mates?"

"None that are high profile enough to be circulating. Yet another reason this all remains strictly secret."

"Amazing," I said under my breath. A small silence fell as I pondered what to ask next before Caleb beat me to the punch.

"So, tell me about this friend you mentioned. Some bookstore worker," Caleb said conversationally. I was wishing desperately I hadn't said anything about Allison. I'd stated something in passing conversation earlier, though thankfully I hadn't given details. Even if Allison wasn't the same girl Caleb was talking about, which I still desperately wanted to believe, I was sure Caleb's ties were unfortunately much too close to introduce them.

"Just a mortal acquaintance who shares my affinity for poetry."

Caleb smirked at me knowingly, "No, that's truly it, my lands, Caleb, she's much too young. Those days are long done for me."

"What about her has so held your attention then, Uncle? You so rarely involve in mortal's lives."

Damn him, he was good at picking up on nuances, which I suppose was part of why he'd been selected to work with the Dracula. I tried to skirt away from Allison carefully, "I don't know," I shrugged nonchalantly, "she has interesting opinions on books every once in a while. And she recommends good things from this century to keep me more current," I said, quickly launching into a description of the albeit very good book Allison had recommended and though Caleb looked confused at first, he accepted the transition and 'the girl from the bookstore' was thankfully not brought up again.

Caleb POV

Uncle's avoidance of this bookstore person was quite confusing. There had to be more to the girl than he was letting on. Maybe he'd made up everything about her age and he didn't want me to know if he was courting a mortal? Maybe it wasn't a lie and he was scared I would go after her? It only piqued my curiosity and I had to investigate, maybe even surprise him. If he was keeping her hidden for the latter reason she must be quite pretty, and I could do with a fling.

The next day we spent together around the neighborhood again, but the next Uncle Edward had to take off for an errand elsewhere in the city, giving me a perfect opportunity to search out the bookstore. I checked for the bookstores in the area and quickly deduced that my uncle would like the quaint little family-owned one much more than the chain. I started off and asked a passerby if I was headed toward the correct place.

"Yes, the bookstore is right around the corner. You must be new around here," she said amiably.

"No, no, just visiting family for the week," I said with a smile.

"Oh you must be Davenport's nephew! He's been talking about you non-stop," she said excitedly.

"Yes, that's me, I didn't know my uncle had friends around here," I said in surprise.

"Oh? A sweet man like him? Of course he does! He always stops by the bookstore and talks with people around here. I'm Pam by the way, Pam Finch," she said extending a hand which I shook.

"Caleb, very nice to meet you, thank you for your help," I said.

"No problem! Say hi to Allison and tell her to wish her little twins happy birthday for me!"

"Allison?"

"Your Uncle didn't tell you about her? Those two are thick as thieves!" she asked in surprise.

"He mentioned someone but never by name."

"Aw you'll love her, sweetest girl I ever met, although," she leaned in with a wink, "no use chasing her, she's practically married already to Simon. Engaged but won't set a date!" she gossiped.

I laughed, "I'll be mindful, thank you again," I said waving as I started walking toward the bookstore. This whole thing was getting weirder and weirder. She was young, she wasn't single, she had two kids, why had Uncle Edward turned away my attention so quickly?

I walked into the store front, setting off a cacophony of small bells over the door and tied to the handle. It was empty, though it was unsurprising as it was three in the afternoon on a Wednesday and it was a small shop.

"Sorry! I'll be right out," I heard a feminine voice call out from a room behind the counter. I walked around toward the end of the counter as I heard the door close and the girl came out, smudges of black ink on her hands that she was desperately trying to wipe off with the rag in one hand that also carried an armful of books, "Sorry, just had to finish cleaning up a spill in the back, now what can I-" she stopped short as her eyes finally met mine, the welcoming smile she'd put on falling immediately and her face turning to a look of horror. She let out a shriek and dropped all the books in her arms. I looked at her in confusion, the girl was mortal, and I hadn't done anything to give away my true nature, why was she terrified? And then something made me look again in that split second. She had brown hair, it was darker and much shorter, and she had bangs, but she was the right build, not curvy at all but slim and lithe, she had a crucifix hanging around her neck which was as good a clue as any, and the fear in her eyes was so very familiar although they shone a piercing blue. It couldn't be –

"Faith?" I barely breathed her name.

She was hurriedly gathering the books she'd dropped, "I'm so sorry, Sir, I mistook you for someone else, forgive me."

"Is it really you?" I asked my mind not quite comprehending.

"Sir? Are you feeling alright? I think you have me confused with someone else," she stated slowly.

I walked up closer, caging her in behind the counter and looking her over again in disbelief. It was becoming clearer the longer I looked, but the fear in her eyes truly gave it away, "Fucking hell, it is you. I have to go; I have to tell him-"

"NO!" she screamed in panic grabbing my arm which I pulled away immediately with a hiss as she'd burned me. Curse her crucifix. She put the two together quickly and stepped in front of me blocking my way. I couldn't get around her without touching her.

"It's really you," I said trying to wrap my mind around it, "Over five years, Faith, five years we've been looking for you."

"Yes, I'm well aware," she snapped, "and you are not going to ruin it for me, Caleb."

"Faith, he was so broken after you left, he needs you," I said.

"Yeah, cuz I left in perfect shape," she retorted sarcastically.

"My uncle knows, doesn't he?" I said sharply. She looked surprised and then saddened.

"Davenport is your uncle?" she questioned, I nodded. She looked pensive, "He doesn't know the whole story, but he knew I escaped. That means you're here alone then," she said the last part more to herself than me.

"Let me past, Faith."

"Oh, no, I don't think so. You aren't going to take the life I've so meticulously built away from me today," she said stepping closer. "For the record, I am sorry about what I'm about to do."

Faith POV

Caleb thoroughly cornered, I reached out for the power I hadn't used in so long. "You will tell no one of me, you will leave this store, never return, and forget you ever saw me," I commanded, but the power wouldn't flow. It felt so distant.

Caleb grinned, "Looks like you're out of luck. You don't have anything to access anymore. Now let me leave, Faith."

"You will tell no one of me, you will leave this store, never return, and forget you ever saw me," I said again with more strength, my panic and anger mounting.

"Faith, it's useless," he said softening. He knew I had no recourse, and it made me absolutely terrified and furious. I grabbed either side of his head, ignoring his cry of pain.

"YOU WILL LEAVE THIS STORE, NEVER RETURN, AND FORGET YOU EVER SAW MY FACE, CALEB. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHO I AM," I screamed at him, feeling something flowing out of me and enveloping me, I let go of his head, seeing the angry red welts my hands had left, but they only fueled my rage and fear, I grabbed him by the shoulders, "YOU CAME IN YOU LOOKED AROUND AND FOUND NOTHING. DO YOU UNDERSTAND? NOTHING. YOU DON'T KNOW ME. Caleb? CALEB!" The last part was screamed in sudden fear at what I'd done as he began to convulse and shake, his eyes unfocused as he collapsed to the floor at my feet.

A/N: Oh hi. I'm back I guess. :) Sorry for the impossibly long dry spell. I'm the worst...and leaving you on another cliffhanger. Im simply incorrigible. Hope you enjoy the update though. THE PLOT THICKENS.