Dark Charm

Chapter Three

Underlining Threat

Drums.

Melinda's nose twitched instinctively as she listening to the rhythm pound in her ears. Restless and relentless it drummed as the world slowly slid into focus, she the blood began to rush in her head while pins and needles crept up her legs. The sweet scents of perfume and cinnamon washed over her and she flexed her arms just to check she was able to move, not bound and gagged as she had predicted full of dread. Relief poured through her, she was not bound and she was laying on a soft mattress, slowly she blinked an eyelid.

There was a cream ceiling above her head. Feeling quite confident she was alone she sat up feeling her muscles ache and the doldrums in her ears combust as they melted into the fast pound of her heart. She stared around the small yet elegantly decorated room. The walls were a soft creamy colour while a large oak wardrobe stood in the corner. Rolling off the bed she realised with some surprise that she'd been laying a on the largest bed she'd ever seen - a king sized double bed with canopies and curtains and royal blue silken covers.

"Okay…that's just freakin' weird!" Melinda muttered feeling terror seep through her. Whatever had her obviously wasn't going to kill her yet - what was that lesson at Magic School? On enemy territory be quiet, move softly and get out swiftly. Squinting she concentrated feeling her body fade in a haze of blue lights, if she could orb home for back up then she'd be doing well. Just as she felt the room and scenery drift she suddenly collided with a brutal barrier; the air was knocked from her lungs as she collapsed back onto the bed attempting to gain breath, "Oh come on! For cryin' out loud!"

Picking herself up again she felt panic flood through her at this newest predicament. It must be a powerful barrier to prevent her from orbing out - so now what was the plan? She was trapped…caged…glancing around the room she shuddered at the sensuality spelled In those blue silky sheet remembering those smouldering dark eyes and the hot breath climbing her throat. What was her? Some sort of seducer? The last thing she needed. And now she was trapped and bound like a prisoner to his will…feeling a lump rise in her throat she stood in front of the mirror taking in her messy appearance in contrast to the serene bedroom.

"Let the object of objection

Become but a dream

As I cause the seen to be unseen."

An invisibility spell was the best thing she could come up with. It felt almost like cold water was dripping down her skin as she watched with some small astonishment as her body grew more and more transparent until she stood in front of the mirror vanished from sight with no reflection. "Alright this had better not count as personal gain!" No; the last thing she needed was for some sort of repercussion, this was a rescue mission, a need for escape. How else could she serve the Greater Good if she got bled dry by nymphomaniac vampires?

Attempting to sneak quietly she nudged the door open gently as she slipped into the hall. Being hidden from sight did not make her hidden from sound. The dim hallways was lit with soft orange lights to illuminate the beige walls and unfortunately creaky wooden floors. Moving as quickly as possible she cringed internally at each deafening creak and subtle groan. How was she to find Destiny? Approaching a stair case she glanced down at the puddles of yellow light - leaning over the banister she could see figures moving to and thro beneath her.

Descending down the stairs she felt her stomach churn as she tried to move lightly on the balls of her feet. Unlike some of her cousin's she knew only the basics of martial arts preferring to rely on her powers rather than her clumsiness. If she attempted a karate death chop she'd probably only succeed in blinding the warlock temporarily as she fell on the floor to her rear. Her throat felt unpleasantly dry as she mounted the bottom step having to constantly remind herself she was invisible - she felt exposed and naked in front of so many people attempting to sneak them by.

Admittedly she could admire the architecture of the room - the high beamed ceilings made the space feel open and light while the ornate fireplace with flames crackling merrily created a warm cosy ambience mirrored by the intricate stained glass windows allowing cool drops of moonlight to shimmer through the room. Melinda felt her breath hitch as she caught a glance of Destiny laying on one of the soft burgundy sofa's looking pale and sickly as her forehead gleamed with a fresh layer of sweat. Nervously her eyes peeled the room looking at each figure.

A couple with long blond hair like golden wheat stood out from the rest of the dark haired company. The man had the strangest yellow eyes like orbs of intelligent amber while his hair was held in place by a leather thong, the woman equally as lovely was willowy with ivory skin and round blue eyes. Next to them sat another woman with cascading cobalt inky hair and flawless milky skin while standing upright was a handsome man with rich chocolate coloured tresses and keen warm dark eyes. Finally leaning over Destiny was a powerfully built man with harsh aristocratic features and stern steel eyes.

"Des…Des can you hear me? Don't move a muscle!" Melinda called out. Telepathy was not something she was gifted with but Destiny would surely hear her internal cry. The seemingly unconscious figure remained immobile however a comforting aura seeped into Melinda while a petrified voice answered her call.

"Mel? Are you okay? I'm so sorry! I don't know what happened, my head felt like it was gonna burst…too many emotions! It's all sore…I can't think…people were murmuring…Melinda get out! You have to go! Go and get my Mom or Auntie Piper or Paige! Where's Pandora?" Destiny sounded alarmed and distressed yet she somehow managed to maintain the façade of being fast asleep. Melinda edged around the room trying to get closer to her cousin without alerting anyone to her presence.

"She got home, I can't orb Des! I tried but they've got some sort of barrier up. Chris! Wyatt! Auntie Paige…somebody!" Melinda voice out her call as a furious despaired yell. Usually it took a matter of seconds for them to answer by orbing into the room in a flurry of lights but nothing happened. There were no lights, she felt like heaving feeling the loneliness grip her with icy talons wrenching her guts. Nobody was coming to help, nobody could.

"Sorry sweetie but if we're not getting out I don't think they can get in," Destiny murmured softly in her mind attempting some humour, "Don't worry, we can do this…just need to kick some serious vampire butt. Tell me what you need me to do and I'll do it." Melinda glanced furtively at each of the vampires taking in their height and strength. This could be quite easy; there were only five and vampires died with flames like the one earlier. Although they must be upper level since they didn't freeze she tried not to let it phase her too much, there was more than one way to skin a cat. Slipping past the sofa she moved timidly up to the dark one leaning over and examining Destiny.

"Stay still, I'm gonna go for the one nearest to you. Once I kill him we can double team the others okay?" Melinda suggested meekly feeling like an understudy suddenly thrust into the limelight. Inhaling deeply she focused her power on her arms until she felt them ripple with energy as goosebumps prickled her skin in the wave of a fluid heat building up until her fingertips sparked. Staring at the back of his head she coiled inside ready to spring as she flung out her arm.

Simultaneously two things occurred.

There was a blur of solid motion as something grabbed her arm as the wave crippling blue lightening missed its target and collided with the portrait on the wall reducing it to cinders. Melinda yelped out against the iron stronghold sending a static shock up her skin - whatever was touching her let go instantly as though burned as Melinda orbed in a flurry of lights placing herself between the vampires and her cousin as Destiny groaned making an bold effort to sit up as she gripped her head in anguish against the pains assaulting her mentally.

"Shit!" Melinda swore aloud in exasperation as she found herself facing six adversaries. From out of nowhere another had appeared, she felt her gut wrench irrevocably as she recognised him as the attractive one from earlier that evening with long waves of black hair and glittering onyx eyes staring transfixed at her. Ignoring the intensity of the gaze she glared trying to find another target - the male with brown hair. Slipping her will upon him she slowly began to crush his airways watching as he choked in front of her.

"Nobody move or I'll choke him!" Melinda threatened wildly as the one she had previously attempted to kill made motions towards her while the black haired lady gave out a pained sob as she dived towards the choking man. Feeling a grain of pity swell inside her she slowly released him before flinging him telekinetically against the back wall feeling a flicker of surprise as he landed with feline grace on his feet looking as though nothing had happened.

"Right. Move and I'll fry your insides!" Melinda demanded feeling a tad foolish as they eyed her calmly as she backed herself against the couch reaching out for Destiny who accepted her hand demurely as she shuddered, "Des, you okay?"

"Will everybody keep their damn emotions to themselves! I can't think straight!" Destiny shouted doubling over clutching her head cutting the blood circulation off in Melinda's hand. The vampire who she had tried to choke raised his hand in a gesture that meant peace.

"We mean you no harm, we were merely trying to help your cousin," He said softly, his voice was fluid and lulling and struck strange harmonics in Melinda's mind as she felt her arms grow heavy from their defensive stance and her resistance grow sluggishly warm under a foggy veil. "I am Mikhail, we are not what you call vampires," He reassured positively.

"Then what are you? Where am I?" Melinda maintained trying to fight the urge to drop her hands which she eventually did.

"You're in Romania, the Carpathian Mountain range to be exact," The brunette lady supplied gently stepping forwards next to Mikhail, "I'm Raven Dubrinsky. These are our friends Aidan Savage and his wife Alexandria, Andre Camilleri and our son in law Gregori Daratrazanoff. We're sorry for taking you so far away from home but we were curious as to what you were and wished you to be safe from those pursuing you." Melinda stood dumbfounded at a severe loss for words. A mountain range in the middle of Europe? She felt as though Raven might as well as slapped her across the face.

"Romania?" Melinda repeated trying to grasp the word as it rolled astonished from her tongue, "I…I need to get home…I have to go…" The witch's eyes darted from Destiny to these other people. Destiny cringed wincing at the full onslaught of emotions riveting through the room. Empathy was new to her and cause uncontrollable side effects if it mounted to such a scale that her cousin could no longer cope. The best thing to do would be to get her back home to her Auntie Phoebe who could help her. The additional stress wasn't helping.

"We don't want to hurt you Melinda, let us help you," Raven persuaded softly, her round blue eyes wide and expressive of her sympathy, "I know how difficult it is to be sensitive to everyone's emotions the way she is. I can help her if you let me." Melinda shook her head doubtfully raising her hands again. A trap; this could just be another trap. You couldn't trust anyone sometimes, for all she knew this could be ploy to get Destiny's powers and even if it wasn't Melinda couldn't make a decision regarding her cousins wellbeing lest she make the wrong one and cause dire consequences.

"No you don't. Stay back!" Melinda shouted desperately waving her hand causing the nearby lamp to combust into flames, "I can kill you all if I want to. Stay away from me and let us go! I have to get her home!" Mikhail waved a hand noncommittally at the burning pyre that had once been a lamp. Instantly the flames ceased burning and melted away into nothing leaving the lamp untouched and unaffected by Melinda's powers.

"Melinda, please sit down. We promise you can trust us and if you don't then by all means incinerate us on the spot," Mikhail said with a good natured smile. Melinda lowered her hands feeling her resistance crumble as she flattered the man with one last defiant glare.

"I can if I want!"

"Warning taken," Raven grinned cheerfully. Melinda collapsed into the sofa wearily stroking Destiny's hair fondly as her cousin rested her head on her shoulder causing chestnut locks to tickle her exposed skin. Truth be known she felt very stupid and foolish for threatening death to perfect strangers. Not everyone in the magic community was evil but sometimes she forgot - sometimes she just couldn't lower her guard the way some of her cousins did. Better witches than her had died from being deceived and hoodwinked into thinking the enemy were really friends until they found themselves dying due to a ceremonial dagger wedged between their shoulder blades. Trust was a commodity not to be taken lightly.

"I'm sorry…it's just sometimes it's difficult to know who to trust," Melinda confessed apologetically as she interlocked her fingers with Destiny's allowing her cousin to fill her being with the calmness and peace she desperately sought turning her away from chaos and confusion. "I dunno if you can do it but it would be real great of you if you could sorta shield your emotions. Des is sensitive."

"This may surprise you little one but we already are," Gregori intoned eyeing Destiny speculatively, "I've never seen somebody with such strong psychic powers."

"She only got the gift of empathy recently, she still can't fully control it," Melinda admitted, "When she gets used to it she'll be able to ignore emotions at her own will but if emotions are too strong or sudden it can still upset her." Privately she knew how much her cousin wrestled with this power that had only made itself known three weeks previous. It didn't come as much of a surprise with Phoebe already being a highly powerful witch with empathy but it would take time for Destiny to adjust to it which was why she relied on having her mother close to help. Being part cupid also did nothing aid the process of adaptation as it made her more vulnerable to peoples inner feelings.

"You speak as though she was not born with it…she can control it?" Aidan enquired.

"She will do eventually, she gets it from her mom my Auntie Phoebe."

"Hang on a second!" Alexandria blurted out in shock, "Are we talking about Phoebe Halliwell as in Ask Phoebe? She's psychic?" A small amused smile tugged at Melinda's lips. Psychic was one way of putting it, she wondered how most of her Aunt's fan base would react if they found their heroine was one of the most powerful witches to ever exist? Probably start a whole new fan mania circulating around her.

"Yeah, she's a witch. Do you want me to get you an autograph?" Melinda offered fighting back laughter at the cowed look on Alexandria's face.

"A witch?" Mikhail inserted quickly with sincerity in his tone, "Can you please correct us in your definition of witch?" Melinda blinked; they were obvious creatures of the supernatural realm yet they'd never heard of a witch before? Under what rock had these people being hiding under for the past ten centuries? Even leprechauns knew what witches were and they were fat little men who travelled by rainbow for heavens sake!

"You know…a witch? Person born with innate magical ability? Can do spells…potions…has powers? Protects innocents? That sort of thing…how can you not know what a witch is?" Melinda said incredulously at their lack of knowledge.

"We apologise for our ignorance," Mikhail murmured pensively as he gazed intently from Melinda to her cousin, "We just assumed you were exceptionally strong psychics. Forgive us, can you clarify for us exactly what is it witches are capable of?" Melinda eyed him warily feeling small alarm bells jingle in her minds eye. She didn't like this situation at all and although she was dying to correct their assumptions and explain exactly what she was she knew she had to step carefully. Never open your mouth recklessly however after some internal debating it seemed that one way or another they would find out what a witch was - her telling them would only speed up the process.

"That would depend on the witch," Melinda said slowly, "Each of us are unique and have different capabilities depending on the strength of our powers. If you don't mind me asking though, what exactly are you all if you are not vampires?" Fair was fair after all, she'd answered them as honestly as she possibly could so it only seemed fair that they return the favour.

"We are Carpathians," André answered truthfully, "We are immortal and of the earth." Melinda swallowed nervously trying not to look at him but instead she chose to stare at the laminated floor and the patterns of the wood. His voice was smooth and seemed to wrap itself in her mind warm and pure making her think of his eyes. She shuddered, the thought of entertaining such notions made her want to orb for the hills however before he could continue with his explanations everyone was abruptly silent as Destiny jerked upright and inhaled.

"Des? Des?" Melinda called frantically jumping off the couch to kneel in front of her older cousin. Destiny's eyes were wide and empty and her body quaked as she grabbed Melinda's hand. A premonition, the Carpathian's made move towards her but Melinda waved out an arm to stop them. "Don't! She's having a premonition, if you interrupt her then she won't know what's going to happen!" She turned back to Destiny feeling vague fear clench at her viciously. "Destiny? What is it? What's wrong?"

Destiny exhaled slowly closing her eyes as she attuned herself into her vision, "A man…he's old…so old now after so many centuries of waiting hidden for his chance. He wants us…I can see him in a dark place looking at you…oh God Mel, he wants our blood!" After delivering her proclamation out of stress of mind and body Destiny gave a small shudder before she went limp tumbling forwards into Melinda awaiting arms like a heavy leaden rag doll.

"Xavier," Muttered Mikhail. Melinda dismissed the remark initially as she shook her cousin feeling terror seize her in it's brutal claw. Finally she stood up hauling Destiny's lifeless arm around her shoulder so she could better support her cousin's weight.

"I have to go, look I'm sorry I threatened to kill you but I need to get home now! I have too…I have to t-tell my Mom and let Auntie Phoebe know…and…and look I just need to go!" Melinda said shakily feeling as though somebody had just punched her in the gut. Taking a deep breath in she tried to summon what remained of her tattered courage as she faced them. If they lifted the barrier she could get home and get back to safety and sanity. The manor was the only place she'd feel safe now, she badly needed some aspect of comfort no matter how small.

"No. You will stay here, where I can protect you," André ordered. There was no mistaking that tone either, it was a prediction made and set in stone as rigidly with no reprimand or excuse. Melinda glanced up feeling her heart drum in a frenzy as she took a step back feeling her legs press against the couch. Taking in those harsh black eyes with raw heated possessive inclinations tore her in two with one part wishing to run and the other longing to stay.

"N-No…I will go!" Melinda managed to protest just as a familiar voice of determination rang in her head. She felt her heart lighten upon recognising the words being said and the voice saying them. Strangely she was sure the Carpathian's could hear them too as they looked at her doubtfully as white lights began to cluster around her body in a halo.

"Blood to blood I summon thee. Blood to blood return to me."

Melinda closed her eyes feeling her body float away weightlessly into atoms. Something tugged at her almost trapping her to remain but the strong commanding voice of her mother won through and she coughed as she felt her weight smash into ancient wooden floorboards. Regaining her breath she listened to the frantic voices calling out around her as arms instantly sprang forward to help her up.

Prudence Melinda Halliwell was home.

Carpathians? I wonder if they exist in the Book of Shadows? Anyway Melinda has to explain what happened as the 'Charmed Ones' try to decipher Destiny's premonition meanwhile André is understandably a bit take aback by his lifemate as he returns to San Francisco. Chapters might start getting a bit longer now - also Melinda's 18th Birthday approaches!

Somehow I don't think it'll be a nice quiet one.

R&R

Daydreamer!x