Wicked Casters
Disclaimer: I do not own AHS or Twilight
Chapter 22: The Tracker James
Ginger's POV
I watched Eleanor take a cup of pebbles and toss them on the table. Alice watched Eleanor perform her version of deviation. So far, the purebred showed her runes, tea leaves, and palm reading. Now it is taking information from the elements and spirits. Cordelia stood there asking Eleanor where a specific item belonging to a Supreme was. Eleanor waved her hands over the pebbles then an unknown force jerked her hand to a group in the far corner. She gave her answer, which Cordelia left to confirm this.
As much as I enjoy training, I can't help but worry about what is going on back in Forks. Wondering if Edward and his family are all right. It's been weeks since we left, and there hasn't been any contact.
"What do ya think they're doing?" I asked.
"Carlisle wanted to lead the tracker as far north as possible, wait for him to get close, and then turn and ambush him," Alice answered. "Esme and Rosalie were supposed to head west as long as they could keep the female behind them. If she turned around, they would head back to Forks and watch the people. So I imagine things are going well if they can't call. It means the Tracker is close enough that they don't want him to overhear. There's nothing to worry about, Ginger."
Suddenly I had this dark thought. How does one become a vampire? Edward mentioned venom and how painful it can be. A single bite can change a person, and the pain is indescribable. But if I were to get bitten by the Tracker or another vampire in the Cold One race…I should be prepared.
"Can I ask you something?" I asked.
"Yes," Alice said, walking over to the couch and sitting.
I followed her, "How does one really become a vampire…or at least a Cold One?"
Alice sighed, placing a hand on her temple, "Edward'll be extremely angry if I tell you that."
"Well, it's none of his business. Besides, he gave me a rough draft." I said. "C'mon, aren't we friends?"
Alice sighed, debating about this. It wasn't until Eleanor joined in on the conversation, "You better answer. Otherwise, she will annoy you till she gets what she wants."
Alice chuckled, giving a nod, "All right. I'll tell you. I don't remember it myself, and I've never done it or seen it done…so keep in mind that I can only tell you the theory. As predators, we have a glut of weapons in our physical arsenal…much, much more than really necessary. One of which is that we're also venomous." She pointed to her teeth, how her canines almost looked sharp as fangs but not too noticeable to expose their owner's species. "The venom doesn't kill—it's merely incapacitating. It works slowly, spreading through the bloodstream, so that, once bitten, our prey is in too much physical pain to escape us. Mostly superfluous. If we're that close, the prey doesn't escape. Of course, there are always exceptions. Carlisle, for example."
"And if the prey is still alive with the venom in their system…." I started.
"They'll become vampires." Cordelia finished, walking in to show Eleanor the Supreme talisman. "Am I correct?"
Alice nodded, "It takes a few days for the transformation to be complete, depending on how much venom is in the bloodstream and how close the venom enters the heart. As long as the heart keeps beating, the poison spreads, healing, changing the body as it moves through it. Eventually, the heart stops, and the conversion is finished. But all that time, every minute of it, a victim would be wishing for death. It's not pleasant, you see."
"Oh," I breathed. "Edward mentioned the blood is complicated-"
"Once we taste the blood…or even smell it for that matter, it becomes very hard to keep from feeding. Sometimes impossible." Alice clarified. "So you see, to actually bite some, to taste the blood, it would begin the frenzy."
"And yet you don't remember?" I noted.
"I don't know," Alice sighed. "For everyone else, the pain of transformation is the sharpest memory they have of their human life. I remember nothing about being human."
Suddenly Alice tensed, having another vision. I called out her name, worried when Jasper appeared out of nowhere, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"What is it?"" Jasper asked. "What do you see?"
Alice's face was emotionless. Her golden eyes stared off into the distance, seeing right pass-through Eleanor and Cordelia, who stood across from her. Her hand was twitching, clenching tightly as if she saw something unpleasant.
"The tracker, he just changed course." She answered, slightly out of breath.
"Where will it take him, Alice?" Jasper asked, then looked at Eleanor. "Paper and writing utensils."
Eleanor nodded as she quickly went to grab what Jasper requested.
"Mirrors," Alice said, still stuck in her vision. "A room full of mirrors."
Eleanor came back, handing the items to Jasper. Jasper then gave Alice the paper and charcoal stick as she drew the location James was heading to.
"I thought the visions aren't always concrete," I stated.
Jasper nodded, "She sees the course people are on while they're on it. If they change their minds, the vision changes."
"So he is heading to a ballet studio?" I asked, staring at the picture Alice had drawn.
Everyone stopped staring at me. Alice's eyes widened, "You've been here?"
"No, but a ballet studio is known for a room full of mirrors," I explained.
Jasper asked Cordelia if she knew this studio. She took the rough sketch analyzing any specific features to name the building or the studio's area. I'm starting to get nervous again. New Orleans may be the brightest and most crowded city. Still, there are a lot of condemned buildings after Hurricane Katrina, and no doubt James would choose one of those buildings to hide.
Alice's cellphone rang as she answered it, "Carlisle. Yes. I just saw him. Yes… Yes."
She then handed me the phone.
Desperately I grabbed it. "Hello?"
"Ginger," murmured in a velvet voice. It was Edward.
Edward," I breathed in relief.
"We've lost the tracker," Edward said disappointedly. "The woman is still in the area. Rosalie and Esme are going back to Forks to protect the people. I'm coming to get you. Then you and I are gonna go somewhere alone. And the others will keep hunting. I'll do whatever it takes to make you safe again."
Oh, Edward, I thought.
We've only been with each other less than two months, and now this push shows how much we care for each other. Never in my life would I fall in love. But now, this confirms it. Not because of my blood that draws to him, but for me in general.
"And where will we go?" I asked.
"Anywhere," he answered.
"Anywhere sounds nice," I replied. "See you soon."
"See you soon." He replied before hanging up.
I held the cellphone close to me, praying for a sign. Alice and Jasper got up to make arrangements to meet Edward at the airport. Cordelia then got up with a surprising look.
"I know this place," she finally spoke. "This building is outside of the city. It was closed down after Katrina, though word has it they are renovating." She gave more detail, and I remember that area where she was talking about.
"We should get packing," Eleanor said, breaking my train of thought.
"Agreed," Jasper replied. "They'll be here tomorrow. We should all get ready."
"I'll inform Zelena of the turn of events," Cordelia said, leaving the room.
Eleanor and I left the ancestry room towards our bedroom. Once inside, we quickly started packing up, putting out things in two separate duffle bags. Eleanor held a dazed expression as we were in the middle of packing.
"What is it?" I asked.
"I have a bad feeling," Eleanor answered.
I took her hands, "I'm sorry I dragged you into this. I get why you are afraid and cautious about vampires."
It is my fault for being a curious person. My fault I'd decided to investigate Edward and discover he is a vampire. I should have left it there once Zelena confirmed this with us. But now, doing research, I wanted to know what kind of Vampire he was. I should have stopped at Vampire and kept my distance. And here we are, in New Orleans, not for a mini-vacation or an educational field trip. No, we are here where the sun is the brightest to protect us, along with other supernatural creatures in the territorial war between the different classes.
Eleanor should be in Forks with our friends. I could see that she flourished outside the Caster Society and the harsh rift she experienced in Salem schools. She was taking the next step after losing her mentor and grandpa. Right now, she should be with Angela and Jessica going over hairstyles and makeup for prom. Not here.
Eleanor pulled her hands away, "What's done is done."
"Where do you think you'll go?" I asked.
She sighed, "Zelena will come for us. We should inform her."
I hesitated, for Edward wanted to take me away somewhere. However, I am bound to stay with my mentor by Caster society until I come of age. That is a little over three years from now. Who knows where I'll be. Hell, Zelena could take us to Europe or Asia, adding more distance from the Tracker.
I stood there watching Eleanor pull out the phone and call Zelena. It took a moment when our mentor answered the phone. Eleanor put Zelena on speaker.
"Eleanor," Zelena greeted. "Is Ginger with you?"
"Yeah, I'm here," I answered.
"Good," Zelena said. "I take it this is not a normal call."
"The Tracker has changed course," Eleanor reported. "Carlisle and Edward are on their way now."
Zelena took a deep breath, "The best course of action is to leave the country and get the Council to notify."
"Where will we go?" I asked.
"To England," Zelena said. "The Magnus Clan has some country estates. We will stay there until I can get the Order involve."
I shuddered and knew that was not good. It's one thing when the Council gets involved. But the Order is another story. As Cordelia explained, the Order is when all the Supremes gather together when times of need. I don't know when the last time the Order was called upon. But the Warlocks and Witches who hold the Seven Wonders and other abilities tend to not get along due to cultural differences and personalities. If not, gender bias.
"I have your passports," Zelena informed. "Eleanor, I will stop by your parents and see if they can help us. We will need Constance's healing ability and Gideon's illusions and others he holds."
"All right," Eleanor replied.
Zelena started speaking to Eleanor in Latin. I tried to make out some of the words since Latin is the primary basis of Spanish. However, the way they said it made it challenging to comprehend.
"You two get ready and do anything necessary to defend yourself," Zelena said.
"Gotcha," I promised.
Once the conversation was done and Eleanor hangup, I looked at her, "What did she tell you?"
Eleanor heaved a heavy sigh, "An emergency plan."
I was about to speak when Spaulding knocked on the door. Silently announcing it was time for dinner. It slightly stung that Zelena has more trust in Eleanor than me. Then again, I am the one who got us in this mess.
.o0o.
The following day was getting ready to leave. Eleanor and I double-checked our bags to ensure we had everything. Along with Cordelia provided us some potions and herbs that can be useful to us. Since Cordelia is a botanist in Caster terms.
As we packed, Eleanor's cellphone rang. She stopped staring at the unfamiliar ringtone. Well, the most common ringtone, but her posture said she isn't accustomed to it.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Nearly everybody in my contacts has a specific ringtone." She explained as she grabbed her phone, looking at the caller ID. I leaned forward to find the ID number unknown. Then it hangs up. We paused, unsure what was happening, when her cellphone vibrated, indicating a text message.
Unsure, Eleanor opens the message.
I found your number.
We gasped in shock before covering our mouths so the vampires in the house wouldn't hear. I told her to ignore it, thinking this guy had the wrong number. We went back to packing. Not even a minute goes by as it rings again.
This time I grabbed it to discover a Florida area number. My stomach did a somersault for only one person I knew who lived in Florida. But here's the problem, why would my mother have Eleanor's cellphone number when she never gave it to her. Panic, I gave Eleanor a pleading look to silence the room. Sensing this, she cast a small silencing spell so no one outside could hear us.
"Mom?" I asked.
"Georgia, where are you?" Betsy asked, panicking as if she was crying.
"Mom, calm down…how did you get a hold of this number?" I asked.
"Georgia, I've been kidnapped." She cried.
"What?" I gasped.
The phone's sound being yanked with Betsy crying in the background could be heard. Soon the next person spoke. "Forks High School doesn't protect its students' privacy very well. Let alone your friends' forgetfulness in keeping their cellphones close. It was just too easy for Victoria to find your mother's address. It's a nice apartment your mom has here. I was prepared to come to your previous address, but then I thought a nice family reunion should be in order."
"Please, leave my daughter alone," Betsy begged.
"Don't touch her!" I cried out.
"You can still save her," James murmured. "But you're gonna have to get away from your friends. Can you handle that?"
I sense no default in James's words. Then again, my ability as a Sybil only works in person more than it does on the phone. So, I had no choice. I looked at Eleanor, standing next to me, hearing the conversation. I asked her silently if there was a way to separate from the others, to which she nodded.
"Where?" I asked.
"How about the abandoned studio outside of New Orleans?" he suggested. "You know where it is?"
"I believe so," I answered.
Saying those words was signing off the plans everyone in our group had. The airport. We were going to the airport to meet Edward and his family. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport: open and probably active for the Casket Girls festival. The conflict was painful. Edward, I realized I won't be able to see him again, not even one more glance. As much as I wanted to be with Edward, I couldn't abandon my mom.
"Good, and I'll know if you bring anyone along." He added. "Poor Mommy would pay the price for that mistake. Though your other friend, Eleanor, is invited."
"Okay," I whispered.
Then clicked. I collapsed on the bed, trying to absorb what had just happened. The Tracker James has my mother. Now I must decide my life or hers. And right now, I'm choosing to give myself up. I'd never given much thought to how I would die. But dying in the place of someone I love seems like a good way to go.
"Put this in your backpack," Eleanor said, handing me a dress.
I got a good look at the gown. The article of clothing was a short ivory dress with a lace-up front, bell sleeves, lace detail, and a chiffon skirt. I grabbed a hat and a veil, putting them in my backpack while Eleanor assembled her outfit. She put on a vintage ivory lux lace swing dress. Once we were packed, there was a knock on the door. Quickly my coven sister took hold of the oyster shells. Afterward, we took our things, heading to the Mercedes.
I hugged Cordelia goodbye, glad to see her for the last time.
"You take care now," Cordelia murmured.
"Yeah," I lied.
Cordelia looked at me. She had this sixth sense regarding the witches under her care. Sensing when something was off. However, she doesn't press into it unless it involves exposing our kind. In other words, Cordelia doesn't hover.
"Bye," I managed to say before joining the others in the car.
Alice and Jasper rode in the front while we witches sat in the back when we got in the Mercedes. We drove for twenty minutes, then looked at Eleanor, wondering how we would separate from Jasper and Alice. She gave me an assured nod, took the Oyster shells out, and started casting a spell. Both tensed and then froze before Jasper or Alice realized what was happening, though Jasper appeared to be on auto-drive.
"Stop," Eleanor commanded.
Jasper stopped the car a moment later, and Eleanor and I got out. Once out, she faced Jasper, "Go to the airport. You will not realize we are gone once you are there and the Cullens meet you."
Jasper and Alice nodded under the spell. Eleanor nodded, closing the door as our vampire friends headed towards the airport. I feel terrible, but it has to be done.
"What now?" I asked.
"We'll change, wait around, and head to the studio," Eleanor answered.
"Why…why are you doing this? Usually, you would freak out and go righteous or something?" I asked.
"Because no one messes with family." She answered. "You are my coven sister; therefore, your mother is a relative by magic."
I swelled up in tears giving her a hug, "Thank you, but I also don't want you to be involved."
"Well, we have something he doesn't know. We're witches, and we're pyromaniacs. So, let's burn some Cold One ass."
"You took the words out of my mouth," I smirked.
The hour was spent getting dressed in veils and vintage shoes. We kept the oyster shells close, masking ourselves from the Cullens. Apparently, Zelena didn't have complete trust in Carlisle and gave these charms to us to escape. Also, under the radar from Alice's vision, even though they know where we are going, they won't make it in time. The plan is simple; we go in to get my mom. Eleanor would take Betsy out while I dealt with James. If things went sour, Eleanor would come.
I just hope we can make it out alive.
So far, we have walked through the French Quarters. The festival was filled with life as people drank, danced, and listened to jazz music to celebrate the Casket Girls. Unable to resist, I grabbed Eleanor's hands, dancing our way through the streets. We danced like there was nothing, taking a picture on our cellphones, stealing a red cup of beer and sharing it between us and a small bowl of gumbo. We were living like we were dying.
For once this past week, we were having fun. Just dancing to jazz in honoring the freedom of women's oppression. It wasn't long before we reached the condemned dance studio. It was twilight, so the Cullens would be leaving the airport now.
So, it's now or never.
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