He picked me up again before we arrived, in an instant, at a mansion. "Unfortunately, these witches are vampire hunters, so I can't go with you, but go and ask for Caryn Smoke. Tell them your name and why you're there. You may even want to lean on the door. They're more likely to let you in."
"Thank you."
I kissed him and hobbled to the door. He disappeared and I knocked on the door. A fierce-faced woman with strict blonde hair answered the door.
"How can I help you?" She asked, though her voice was nonchalant.
"My name is Ematrice Arun. I've been injured and was wondering if Caryn Smoke could help."
"Ematrice Arun... you wouldn't be the daughter of Beatrice Arun, would you?"
"Yes."
"Then you are welcome here. Come in, I'll call Caryn."
I walked in to see a brightly lit living room with nice furniture. The woman led me to the couches and then disappeared up the stairs. I shivered, feeling the aura of many witches. Obviously, this mansion housed multiple witches, multiple strong witches.
A moment later, the woman who answered the door returned with a with a girl no older than myself. She was fair-skinned, fragile looking, with angelic blonde hair in soft waves and light blue eyes. This was Caryn Smoke, healer extrordinare?
Well, she does have that gentle look. I thought.
She smiled lightly at me, making her look like an angel without wings. Alright, I admit, she seemed nice enough. Or at least I hoped.
"So what do you need me to heal up?" She asked softly.
"I won't ask you to heal it completely, but I if you could just heal the nerve damage on the back of my legs." I replied. turning my leg some to reveal where the blood was seeping through the bandaging.
"Oh, my gosh. I'll do what I can."
She turned my leg toward her and started to concentrate her chakras. I felt a tingling on the cut and felt it seal. She then did the same to my other leg. It took, maximum, three minutes. I expected her to heal it more like a wiccan, using herbs and things rather than magic. I smiled and thanked her before moving to leave.
"Ematrice." The woman said. "I have a question for you."
"Yes?" I said, trying not to choke on my despair. The door... So close...
"What happened to Beatrice? What killed her?" I inhaled, swallowing my pride and forced myself to tell her the truth.
"She died of an illness. We weren't able to get her in the hospital fast enough and she died."
"And your father?"
"My mother got it from him."
"How long ago was this?"
"Why is that relevant? Why do you need to know?"
"If you have no where to go I can offer you a room here."
"No, thank you. I have a home." I bowed my head and let myself out.
Once outside, I ran to the front of the house. Aubrey was there and smiled. I knew he had heard everything. I hugged him.
(Aubrey's POV)
She came running out after politely excusing herself. I was surprised that she didn't loose it on Dominique. The woman was far too nosey, but that was the average witch for you. Emma ran into my arms and I smiled at her. She looked at me with a pained look on her face.
She must know I heard... I thought.
She hugged me and I looked over her shoulder to see Dominique standing at the window watching us. We locked gazes, but her expression softened(is she capable of that?) when she looked at Emma. As a bit of a challenge to the witch, I bent down and kissed Emma. I watched as her eyes widened when Emma's arms wrapped around my neck. I broke the kiss and suggested that we leave. Emma had seen enough for today.
After a bit of walking, Emma looked at me questioningly.
"Aubrey, what were you looking at over my shoulder earlier?" The question pained me.
"Dominique was looking out the window at us."
"Dominique?"
"The woman who opened the door."
"Oh... Alright then, I was just curious."
"Are you alright? You seem a bit dazed." I observed.
"Just a bit. It was the magic of the house. It got to me a bit."
"Well, I know never to take you to Las Noches."
"Why? What's wrong with it?"
"You wouldn't be able to stand the wall of magic. It's harsh even for some vampires and it's our city."
(Emma's POV)
Aubrey was acting awfully stiff since we left. It was like he wanted to talk, but not to me. Or that he did not want to talk to me at all. It was as if he felt the need to keep me always on edge. I considered mentioning it, but thought better of it. Who knows what he might do.
"Alright, Emma, ask away..." He said offhandedly.
"What?" I asked naively.
"You've been dying to ask, so just ask."
"No... never mind..."
"Fine. I do want to talk, I've just been a little edgy since you were around Dominique. Her aura has combined with yours and it bugs me."
"I'm sorry if its putting you in a foul mood."
"Oh, no! Why are you apologizing? That's my job right now. I'm the one who's being difficult."
"Well, for whatever you'll be apologizing for, you know I forgive you."
I kissed him briefly. His whole mood seemed to change then. At least that discomfort was gone...
We approached my house as 11:00 came around. Aubrey said he needed to get to New Mayhem before noon and that he'd be back by that evening. In a way, I was glad because him being gone meant that I wouldn't have to resist offering him food. (I'm part greek, so its natural) I opened the door to find that Kaleo had left a nice dent in the wall, but was gone. I sat down, figuring that I better do some homework before life totally came to an end.