CHAPTER SEVENTY
ON THE OTHER SIDE
KATHERINE CALL ( WAS CONSTANTINE )
I placed my precious infant son in his Moses basket beside our bed. Embry was sleeping soundly too. We took turns to do the night feeds. Tonight was my turn. I loved the special closeness of these nights spent with my son, holding him until he fell asleep in my arms. I kissed his soft cheek lightly so as not to wake him up. Then I leaned over and kissed my husband very softly. He stirred slightly but did not wake. Nat would sleep for two hours approximately then awake once again for his bottle of milk. After that I would grab some sleep whilst Embry took over in the morning. I decided I would leave my boys sleeping and retire to the lounge to catch up on my book. Life was just perfect. I had my beautiful husband Embry and my perfect son Nathaniel. To think a few months ago I was at death's door. I would have hated to miss being a wife and mother. It was the best, most rewarding thing in the world. Embry loved me so very dearly, just as I adored him. I still couldn't believe how my life had changed since meeting him. Yes, we'd had bad times but we'd come out fighting even stronger than ever.
I settled down on our comfy sofa and picked up my book. I was reading about angel encounters. Since the night I had come back from beyond the veil I was fascinated in the subject. I was tired though and I felt my eyes continually drifting shut. I shook myself , desperately trying to stay awake. I decided to go into the kitchen to make a coffee. Some caffeine would help. I switched the kettle on to boil and rubbed my sleepy eyes. I was just in the middle of a big yawn when I heard a soft fluttering coming from the lounge. With a quizzical frown I walked back into the other room to find Lukas, the angel sat on my sofa, just as dazzling and handsome as I remembered him from our last encounter. He came to me frequently in dreams but this was the first time he had materialised in the real world. I gasped with surprise.
"Lukas!" I exclaimed with a wide joyous smile. He nodded at me sagely "Hello Katherine. I see Rebecca is pregnant. She is carrying your son's future wife. The girl will be a pure bred shape-shifter named Marisa. She will be very beautiful, strong and determined. They will carry on the precious bloodline." he spoke calmly with a beautific smile. I gasped with amazement. I completely believed that my angel spoke the truth. He had shown and told me things beyond belief. Some people don't like knowing what the future holds, but after what I'd been through it gave me some relief. I sat down beside Lukas. His eyes were deep deep green and his hair was as smooth as black silk. He kept it short, which only drew more attention to his beautiful eyes and his pale flawless skin. He was only young when he had died sadly and tragically in an accident. He wasn't gloomy about his life being cut short though, he was happy to be of use in the after world, helping poor lost souls like me who were stuck in limbo land. "Katherine, I didn't just come to tell you about your future daughter in law. I need your help!" he said quietly. What? An angel needed me? Whatever could he need me for? "My friend Daniel, the one who helped me bring you back to this world, he is in deep trouble. Can you help me Katherine?" he asked as he lightly touched my hand. It felt as soft as feathers landing on my skin. Lukas was from beyond this life but he was as real to me as if he was human. I think it was because of my near death experience. I was now in tune with the other side.
"I would do anything for you dear Lukas, my angel friend." I stated with a smile. "Daniel is now a vampire. Leah Lucier changed him. He has not adapted to the changes successfully I'm afraid . I have known Daniel since we were children, he is not a merciless killer. It doesn't suit him. He is draining Leah's essence, binding her to him, stealing her away from her husband ruthlessly. I have tried to stop him but he is so strong. He blocks me out now, he doesn't listen. Etienne Lucier wants him destroyed!" Lukas sobbed. I reached out to stroke his arm but of course his body was ethereal and could not be touched by someone on the earthly plane. "How can I help?" I asked sincerely. "Daniel must be weaned off human blood and also the blood of his maker. There is a witch in London called Tilly, who owns a little curio shop called Hocus Pocus, close to Tower Bridge. Etienne or Leah must travel there and purchase an item from Tilly. It is an old silver antique box containing an apotropaic which must be used to seal Daniel into a room. Within seven days he will be cured. If this does not work then I agree, he must be destroyed." I nodded excitedly. I had a secret task to perform! I must phone Leah right away. "Can this apotro thingy not be sourced in America?" I enquired. "Apotropaic, Katherine. It means an item which can be used to ward off vampires. It is a part of the hawthorn plant. I know it sounds crazy, but please trust me." I nodded vigorously, "Oh I do trust you Lukas, implicitly!" He smiled his angel smile at me. How I wished I could hug him, he looked so upset.
We said our goodbyes with the promise that he would come visit me again soon. Of course he would be watching to see how events unfolded. I hoped this plan worked. It sounded like Leah and Etienne were having a really hard time and although I didn't know much about vampires, I knew without a doubt that those two were meant to be. Daniel had saved me, so it was my turn to save him. All was quiet from the bedroom so I dialled Leah's number in the kitchen where I wouldn't wake my sleeping boys. Her voice was shaky and hoarse when she answered. I explained what Lukas had told me. She was shocked that I knew about the situation. I could hear Etienne telling her not to underestimate spirits from beyond. She agreed that any situation was better than Daniel's destruction and decided Etienne would fly to London right away. Leah thanked me for the information and sent her best wishes to Embry and our baby son. She promised to visit her nephew soon when all this was sorted. I sat at our large kitchen table and finally drank the cup of hot black coffee I'd been waiting on. This had turned out to be a strange night. I mused again on how much my life had changed. I heard soft whimpers coming from the baby monitor so I padded softly barefoot back to the bedroom.
Nathaniel's blue eyes fixed on to mine in the early morning light. The red numbers on the clock said it was six a.m. Embry stirred when he heard me cooing to our son as I picked him up out of his basket. "Good morning Kat" he beamed at me, his sunshine smile making me instantly glow. He leapt out of bed towards us giving me and Nat a soft kiss each. "Hey beautiful boy" he smiled at our baby. Nat had my eyes but he had Embry's dark thick hair. They were my world. "Go to sleep darling. I'll take over" he said as he ushered me over to my side of our bed. I shook my head, "No Embry, I have to tell you something! I will make us coffee while you prepare Nat's feed" I said excitedly. He raised his eyebrows at me curiously as he took our son from me. "Okay" he nodded with a smile. I shooed my husband away so I could brush my hair and wash my face. I didn't like him to see me when I wasn't at my best although Embry thought I was beautiful at any time of the day. I splashed cold water on my face and applied my moisturiser. Then I brushed my long blonde hair vigorously. Ten strokes in total. It was a ritual I had been performing since I hit puberty. I tied my hair up in a long ponytail and gave a small smile to my reflection. Not too bad. Suddenly the face of my angel appeared in the mirror, although he wasn't actually in the room this time. He smiled at me, that perfect smile which was innocent but immensely wise. "Thank you Katherine. Etienne is already at Vancouver airport waiting to board a flight to London. Daniel is one step closer to being saved! I am indebted to you" he said meekly. I shook my head at his perfect reflection. "Lukas, it was my pleasure to help you!" I stated as his image faded and disappeared. Leah and Etienne would be saved too. I prayed this plan of Lukas's would work.
Everyone, whether angel, supernatural or human deserved to be as happy as I felt now. Simple.