Chapter Thirty-Seven: Raid Vaziri

Present day

Border of NC and VA

The Halfway House was a colonial tavern hidden within a wooded area. Or maybe a more accurate word would be 'forgotten', since it was a very old, very derelict, very unliveable tavern. Single-fronted, two-storey, tiles falling off the roof, seventeen observable broken or glassless sash windows, now home to moss, foliage and woodland creatures. That kind of tavern. The type that would not be associated with being a meeting place between supernatural councils, particularly not in the evening when it appeared extra creepy.

Raid looked around at the vintage suits Gabe had forced all the guys to wear. Not to be too critical since navy was his color and the suit had made Stef momentarily speechless the moment she saw him in it, but they seriously all got dressed up for this? All except Stef, that is. She wore a sleeveless, empire-waist tank top and jeans, and surprisingly Gabe hadn't even protested against it. Maybe she knew something he didn't because they had to be at the wrong address.

"Now, I know what you're thinking," Phoenix started, stepping closer to Raid.

"That you're going to harvest our organs?" Raid replied.

Adam glanced provokingly towards Zara, who was out of her usual pant suits, now looking stunning in an embellished, belted abaya, and likely suspected what that was doing to him. "I've got an organ Zara can have."

Zara swivelled in his direction, snapping, "How old are you? Seriously?"

Adam grinned, proud at how he hit the target every time. "I meant my heart, habibti, what did you think I meant?"

For a second, Zara actually faltered. He knew exactly where her mind had went. She thrusted her finger under his nose. "Don't 'habibti' me unless you want another shard of glass to your throat."

"I wouldn't want that," Adam agreed playfully. "You looked so scared for me the last time that happened. I couldn't put you through that again."

"I was scared of Stef losing her humanity," Zara argued, bringing her hand down, both now clenching at her sides. Then she suddenly realized something brought on by his words. When he thought he was about to die, he'd immediately looked at her – and not once looked away, not even when he'd been appealing to Raid for his life. He wanted her to be the last thing he saw. She relaxed, conceding a little. "But perhaps I was also scared of... your friends losing you."

Adam smiled. He knew what she was trying to say. He wasn't going to press for more. Not yet. He turned to Phoenix, joining his exchange with Raid. "So I'm guessing there's more to this house than meets the eye?"

"A lot more," Phoenix eagerly divulged. "When the councils were formed, hundreds of witches put a time-altering spell on the Halfway House to protect it. Houses in other regions chose different time periods – most remaining in the 20th Century – but, at Zakariah's request, Gideon chose a little earlier. 1864 to be exact."

"Why that period?" Raid asked.

Phoenix's eyes lit up, his hands together as though in prayer. "Please, oh, please ask Zakariah that question!"

"Please don't," Stef urged dryly.

Barely able to contain himself, Phoenix offered a small clue. "Zakariah knew her father back then. You have to ask him about it."

"Please don't," Stef repeated, the same dry, monotonous tone. She knew it was going to happen. If Raid didn't ask, then Phoenix would, even though he'd already heard the story before. This evening was about to get very embarrassing. "Anyway, change of subject! Everyone wait here. Gabe's going in with me to get permission for everyone to enter, including myself since Gideon's not going to be happy that I'm flouting the dress code."

Gabe unlinked himself from Winifred's arm, kissed her on the cheek, and walked through the woods towards the house with Stef by his side.

When they were far enough away, Stef spoke in a low tone, leaning in to him. "Have you told Winifred?"

Gabe didn't slow his pace. "No, and I see no reason to tell her. There's nothing you could do to put me at risk, Stefanie. If you trust that I know what I'm doing, then so will she."

Stef trusted him, but that didn't mean she had to like his idea. She was sure he was doing this because of Winifred. Being no longer a witch nor immortal, she had perhaps another forty or fifty years ahead of her. He wasn't thinking about what happened to him after that. He didn't care. After reaching the wooden door, Stef looked back towards Raid wondering if she was going to feel the same way when everyone she loved was gone. He seemed to suggest earlier that he might leave after the meeting. Maybe it was for the best if he did. But maybe she didn't want what was best anymore. Tis better to have loved and lost? Absolute horseshit when an eternity meant losing was all you were going to do.

Raid watched Stef and Gabe enter the house. He didn't know how long it was going to take for Stef to convince the council to permit them entry, but after fifteen minutes, he was starting to get concerned. He put his hand on Phoenix's shoulder. "You and Zara can already enter, right?"

Phoenix nodded. "Right."

"Good, because if she doesn't come back out in another five minutes, then you two are going in."

"You may have a protection spell on you, Raid," Phoenix started, "but you still need back up. Give it time."

"Time for what?"

The door to the house finally opened and Gabe moved aside for Stef to exit. When she still remained inside, Gabe reached in and tugged her by the arm until she finally appeared, shoulders bared, bosom heaving, heavy skirts lifted, wearing a stunning bustle evening dress.

Raid's heart might have stopped working for a moment, but his jaw was definitely not closing and there was the chance he'd forgotten how to speak.

"Aw, doesn't she look beautiful," Winifred commented as Stef started towards them.

"She looks... pissed," Adam contributed nervously.

Stef's attempt at stomping through the clearing turned into hobbling as her heels became stuck in the mud multiple times. When she finally reached the group, she threw down her skirts and said, "Flick, swap shoes with me."

"No," Flick sniffed, bringing her cream-colored flats tightly together and running her hand proudly down the silk and lace dress Gabe had provided her. "My outfit was worn by Lily Elsie."

"You don't even know who Lily Elsie was," Stef hissed venomously.

Gabe came up behind her. "You know the rules, Stefanie. Gideon likes us to look stylish."

"I look like a slaughtered prairie peacock!" she snapped, swiping her hands over the burgundy ruffles. "How am I meant to fight in this?"

"Easy – you don't," Gabe responded. "Zakariah didn't pay for all those combat lessons while you were in England just for you to start a brawl in his council chambers. Now let's go in."

Stef trudged back to the house behind the rest of them, with only Raid lagging behind to keep her company. He was scrambling to think of a compliment that would do justice to how phenomenal she looked in that dress, but his mouth kept opening and closing like a fish. She was the spectacular outside world and he was just the dumb fish staring out from his pathetic bowl at her.

The door was getting closer and he was running out of time. Damn it, just say anything!

"Erm, Stef, you know that dress really does look incredible..."

Stef stopped and turned on her heels, facing him. "Do you want to wear it?" she asked sternly.

Wear it? No. Tear it from her body? Yes. "I would, but, err, I wouldn't like to show up wearing the same outfit twice in a row."

Stef stared at him incredulously, trying to work out why he was so nervously blurting out bad jokes. But then it registered what he'd said. Then she'd pictured it. Then she laughed. Raid tried to not make his sigh of relief too audible as she shook her head, still laughing, and opened the door to the building, leading him into...

...an extremely modern-looking tavern. Playing Lady Gaga.

"I thought this place was supposed to be set in 1864?" Raid leaned in and asked.

"It is set in 1864, but since only vampires and witches can enter, they've modernized it," Stef explained. "Zakariah only wanted a spell that would give him access to the events of this particular year, but just please don't ask him why."

The eight of them stood in what appeared to be an open waiting area, assumingly to be welcomed by either Zakariah or Gideon. Immediately to the left of them was a dance floor and there was a walkway in front of them, with tables and seats either side, that led up towards the bar. A man soon approached them wearing a purple suit with gold embroidery. He looked to be in his mid-forties but had specks of grey around the temples of his perfectly-styled brown hair. He held his arms out, going for hugs. While it initially looked like he was approaching Stef, he swooped straight past her to hug Adam and then Raid.

"Welcome, welcome, gorgeous men! Always in need of more gorgeous men around here! Eye candy to feed the cock and the soul!" Zakariah declared.

After being released from the hug, Raid whispered towards Stef, "Did he just say 'the cock'?"

"He says that a lot," she whispered back by way of explanation. She then spoke directly to Zakariah. "So where's my hug?"

"Oh, darling!" he proclaimed, but ignored her when she stretched her arms out to receive him. "When you start looking as tasty as the men you brought in, you'll get one."

"I'm a vampire-witch," she reminded him indignantly. "I thought I was the favourite? Do I have to settle for being third best now?"

Zakariah raised an eyebrow at her. "My dear, what on earth makes you think you even qualify as third?"

Stef pinched her lips together, shaking her head. "I think I'm going to need a drink to recover from that burn, Zakariah."

Zakariah took a dramatic bow then ushered everyone down the walkway. "Lead the way, Gabriel, and we shall follow! I have much more to talk about with our young new visitors! If this is all overwhelming for you, please feel free to ask any questions."

As Raid began walking alongside Zakariah, he did have one question to ask. "So what's the deal with having this tavern set in 1864?"

Stef, walking behind him, whacked Raid fiercely on the shoulder. He glanced back briefly, grinning mischievously at her.

"Marvellous story, my boy! Marvellous!" Zakariah put his arm around Raid's shoulder as they continued walking. "Let me tell you all about Damon Salvatore's spectacular cock!"

Raid whipped his head over his shoulder, looking wide-eyed at Stef, terrified of whatever tale he'd just unleashed.

Stef shrugged. "I did try to warn you."