My mom drove me to the airport instead of having the king send me a car. I really wanted her to see me off. What can I say? I'm a big baby. The drive for my mom is going to be in for a long drive. The closest airport that's able to accommodate an Anubis Air Line jet was about an hour and a half away. I looked out the window toying with my silver pentagram necklace thinking about the mission before me. The more I thought about it, the more nervous I starting to get.
"Mom?"
"Yes?" She glanced at me and then back at the road.
"I'm nervous," I told her.
"You're going to be fine." She encouraged me. "You're a powerful witch, and you have been trained to handle a mission like this. I knew that this day was going to come whether or not I was ready for it. But, I think you are ready for this."
"You always said that power doesn't define a witch." I teased back gently. "That it's her intentions."
"Its true." she chuckled. "But, I wouldn't have agreed to let you go if I didn't have confidence in you. You'll be alright." She grabbed my hand. "There is a powerful sister coven in Dallas. They'll are willing to assist if you need it. They have before with others, and I already called them to let them know that we're sending an enchanter to the area."
"What aren't they helping?" I questioned.
"The council is doing this as a personal favor to the vampire Sheriff who's missing. The king has requested our help because this is a special case. "She explained. "The missing vampire helped the founders establish Safe Haven."
"Right." I nodded mentally going through the file again.
I was going to Texas to find the missing Sheriff of Area Nine, Godric, who has been missing for just about two weeks. His lieutenants were taking too long to locate him. The irritated king is worried that if the sheriff is not found soon the vampires that Godric is able to reins in will get out of control. Godric, aka Hades or Death depending on the generation of vampire you ask, received his famous nicknames because of all the people he has killed over the 2 millennia he has lived. The king arranged to have a jet and escort to accompany me to Texas.
"Georgi," my mom said in her serious mom voice, "remember not to reveal your necromancy skills. Necromancy tends to scare vampires into a murderous frenzy. There is one thing I need to tell you. We didn't add it to the file, but the council and king have reason to believe that that fanatic church, The Fellowship of the Sun, is involved. I know that I don't have to tell how dangerous churches are."
She didn't. From a young age, witches and warlocks are taught to be mistrustful of Christians, and maybe we are a little prejudice against Christians but can people really blame us. Throughout the 1700s or the middle-ages, it was dangerous to be a witch. Between hunters and vampire, the witch population was disappearing all over the world. The bad blood between witches and vampire has improved over the centuries, but we were still leery of each other. I'm sure it still has to do with the 2 great wars between the supernatural beings.
"You'll most likely be taken to the sheriff's nest once you arrive." My mom told me. "Don't get caught up in the arguments or drama of Godric's subordinates. You are there because the king has asked for the council's help. You don't answer to them."
I nodded. The rest of the trip was silent. While my mom eased some of my worries, I was still nervous about the task that was set before me. I wanted to prove to my mom and to myself that I can do this - that I was ready for the responsibility. I also wanted to make her proud.
When we arrived at the airport, I saw three planes parked on the tarmac. The small airport appeared very busy this evening, and I knew inside the building was a nut house. It looked like all the flights were trying to leave at the same time. I sure I am going to be waiting a while before I can leave. My mom parked the car, and we went straight to the customer service desk. My escort instructed to do so when we arrived to notify the airport personnel that I was ready to leave. As soon as the receptionist learned of our reason for speaking to her, she jumped into becoming an overly helpful maniac.
"Yes, of course." The receptionist was all of a sudden over eager to help us. "We have been waiting for your arrival. If you come this way with your baggage, we will get you through security and on to your way to your final destination. This way."
The receptionist moved from behind her desk and walked over to ticketing to get someone to escort me through security. While the workers were trying to figure out what to do, I turned to my mom and hugged her.
"You will call me every day?"
I nodded and told her that I would.
"Good evening." A woman in a nice navy blue uniform walked up to us with a smile. "My names is Rachel, and I will be your flight attendant tonight."
"Hi." I smiled back.
"Are you ready to depart?" She took my suitcase from my mother with a big smile. "The plane is on standby waiting for you."
"Yeah, um, just let say good-bye to my mom." I turned to my mom. "I guess this is it. I love you."
"I love you too." She hugged me again. "Don't forget to call.
"I won't. I'll call as soon as I land." I squeezed her a little tighter.
"And you'll be careful?"
"Always."
"Have a safe flight, hon." She kissed me on the forehead.
I followed the flight attendant to the priority line, and I was able to skip ahead of the security line. The flight attendant flashed her badge and walked through. A security agent asked me to empty my pockets and other do the TSA security measures before motioning me to walk through the metal detector. Once cleared, I followed the flight attendant as she directed me to a small terminal and pass a set of doors.
The doors opened to a small jet plane with the Anubis Air logo on its side. The pilots stood next to a stairway leading up to the jet. The woman left my suitcase with the men and instructed me to continue up the stairs. Gina, the flight attendant, offered me a drink and a snack before the flight. I nodded and told her what wanted. After 20 minutes of waiting, we were finally in the air. I remember falling asleep.
The pilot announced over the intercom that we have begun our descent into Dallas. I blinked my eyes several times trying to wake up. It was another 30 minutes before we landed. Once we were on the ground, the plane was directed into an empty hanger. The flight attendant opened the door and showed me out. At the bottom of the stairs, a man with a light olive complexed, a head full of dark hair, and a noble face. What a tall gorgeous man.
"Welcome to Dallas, Miss Raine." He greeted me. "I'm Hector De la Vega."
"Hello." I offered my hand.
"I am from the king's court. I am here to escort and protect you while you're here in Dallas." Hector kissed my hand which grossed me out a little bit. "I was instructed to take you straight to the Sheriff's nest. The King wants this resolved before it becomes even more rampant."
"Ok." I followed him around the hanger. "And where will I be staying?"
"I have arranged a room at the Hotel Camilla," Hector continued to move to the limo door to open it.
"Great." I slid into the limo. "I will need my suitcase with me when I arrive at the sheriff's house. It has some supplies that I will need to begin the search."
I thought that being here was surreal. I was here on a mission to find someone important, and by failing, I could potentially destroy the peace between the vampires and us. No pressure right? I pulled my cell phone to call my mom to let her know that I had landed. She answered quickly enough, and I was glad that I had called her. I told her the plans, and she reminded to call her every day. I said that I would try.
"Who is your escort?" she asked me.
"Hector De la Vega. He has been nice."
"Hector De la Vega from Texas's court?" she questioned.
She asked to speak to him when I confirmed that it was, but not before saying, "Good, the king is taking your safety seriously."
"Tell your mother," Hector interrupted, "Of course the king takes your safety seriously. You were sent here as a personal favor."
"As the king should." Mom overheard Hector.
"Here, talk to Hector," I handed him my phone.
"Sonora Raine." He greeted my mom over the phone. "I understand, and you have nothing to worry about. Your daughter will be safe under my care." He paused. "If she is anything like you, she will back to you very soon."
I don't know what type of relationship the two had with one another, but I felt like they had some type of relationship in the past. Maybe not a sexual one, but a relationship none the less. It was weird to think that this vampire could have been a sexual partner for my mom. Weird thought.
"Very well, Sonora Raine." He smiled. "Buenas Noches."
Hector handed me the phone back. My mom said her goodbyes and advised me to be careful.
"Your mother is very protective, isn't she?" he smiled at me once I hung up the phone.
"Naturally," I put my phone back into my purse. "This is my first mission so she's a little worried."
"Naturally." He agreed looking out the window.
I tried to come up with a way to question this vampire about my mother. I really hope this guy isn't a past lover of her. Gag me with a spoon.
"So you know my mother?" I avoided looking at him.
"Yes." He explained. "We have had many dealing with one another. I'm the liaison between the Kingdom of Texas and Safe Haven, but before I was the ambassador for the AVL. I remember you as a small child when your mother invited me to her home one evening."
"You were in my house?" I asked shocked.
"Only briefly." Hector chuckled. "She rescinded my invitation shortly after. That was about 15 years ago now. Since then, I have returned to my maker."
"Is it considered rude to ask how old a vampire is?"
"To some, yes." Hector teased. "But I don't mind. I was changed in 1896 at the human age of 32."
"So that makes you?"
"113."
"Holy cow."
Hector continued to tease. "I thought witches were supposed to be spiritual and not Hindu."
"That's crazy." I ignored his jab at my faith.
"Really?" Hector waved his hand dismissively in the air. "I thought that's how the whole magic thing worked?"
"Damn, you're old!"
"Niña, there are vampires who are much older than I am." He tapped my nose with his pointer finger in a playful manner.
"I realize that." I stared at him. "I just never really thought about it until now, you know."
I stared at him a little longer to study his features.
"Don't stare." Hector scolded me in a teasing manner. "Some think it's rude, niña."
I rolled my eyes and looked out the window to see the driver taking the exit off the freeway. I had no idea of where I was or where we were going. I wasn't sure I that this was a good thing or not considering this vamp could kill me at any moment. I know that he won't murder me, but it's that thought that he could. I'm sure that Hector can dispose of and hide a body quite well with all the practice he had in 113 years.
The houses were close together, but not too close to where the neighbors could see into the house. The farther we traveled into the residential area the distance between the houses was increasing. Plus the yard and properties were either surrounded by large walls, fences, or hedges (sometimes all three) to offer more privacy. I could tell this is where wealthy people live. As we drove even further out of town, the properties got larger as did the house. They were more spread out, and it was defiantly more private than before. I guess some vampires, like witches, wanted to live more secluded. However, we were still close enough to still be considered Dallas. I could still see the tall building easily enough in the darkness with the bright lights of the city.
The driver slowed down and pulled into a long driveway, and the closer we got to the house, I grew just a little nervous about the task. I'll just have to remember not to start any fights or act unprofessionally in anyway. I am a professional! The driver pulled in front of the home that had a car parked next to the garage.
Huh, this wasn't what I was expecting. I don't know what I was expecting, but this wasn't it. The house was large with bushes and trees scattered over the front lawn with a weird phallic-like shaped sculpture that had a red light shining on it. From what I could see, the property was surrounded by a very tall hedge that concealed a large concrete wall.
When the car came to a stop, Hector turned to me with a sly smirk. "Let's put these underlings in their place, shall we?"
He proceeded to get out the limo. He held his hand out for me to take.
"And people say that chivalry is dead."
"For most humans, it is," Hector replied.
We walked into the house without knocking. I knew that I was going to have to do a location spell in order to begin my search, and if I was lucky, this Godric fella decided to take a spontaneous vacation without notifying anyone. If not, I really hoped that he is not involved with that cult. I really don't want to deal with crazy Christians. Vampires were bad enough.
"There is no reason to wait." A male voice carried throughout the house. "We need to take these fanatics down. Full out attack! Exterminate them like the vermin they are."
"A vampire-hating church group annihilated," My eye rolled back so far I saw my brain. "Geeze I wonder who did it? Real smart."
They all turned to look at us. I felt a sharp pain in my head. It felt like nails were hammered right into my temples.
"I doubt the King of Texas would approve of the destruction of our international political agenda," Hector strolled into the room.
"Hèctor!" A woman dressed in skin-tight white dress greeted him. "Hola."
"Isobel."
Hector and Isabel kissed each other on both cheeks and continued their conversation in Spanish.
"This is Georgianna Raine," Hector turned to me, "of Safe Haven."
"Witch."
The three remaining male vampires hissed at me.
I released the breath I didn't know was holding in a heavy sigh. The vampire silly wannabe cowboy was dressed in a bedazzled shirt and hat bent forward ready to attack me at any moment. The tall blonde vampire joined him. The final vampire pulled a pretty blonde woman behind his back. He glared at me too. They were ready to attack me if I gave them any reason to do so. I would love to see them try. Hector stepped in front of me.
"I suggest you all stand down." He returned their glares. "She is here at the king's request. You, idiots, are taking too long with little to show for your efforts, and he has had enough."
"Great! Another fucking human." The bedazzled cowboy snarled. "We don't need a fucking witch here helping us."
"Excuse me bedazzled asshat," I said insolently. "I am here because you all can't find your sheriff. So it's really your own fault that you have to deal with me."
"This is our investigation." The tall blonde barked.
"We invited you as a courtesy, Eric." Isobel glared. "This is not your territory. You have no power here."
"Yeah, Sheriff." The bedazzled asshat chimed in. "We don't need you or your puppets."
"I am not going anywhere," Eric said darkly.
"And I am nobody's puppet." The blonde woman said with a southern accent.
She reminded me of a lollipop. Too sweet and full of fake sugar.
"What we need is a plan." The companion of the blonde woman said.
"I have a plan." The bedazzled boy insisted.
"It's not a plan; it's a movie."
"Here, I thought vampire was more organized," I whispered to Hector. "No wonder the king sent for help. These guys can't even pull their heads out of their asses for 5 minutes to discuss any real plan."
This brought the attention back to us, and that sharp pain in my head began again. However, this time was more painful than the first. The intensity grew and was as if someone was trying force to - I frozed. Telepath. My eyes shot to the blonde woman who was staring intently at me. That explains why she was here to help. I winced as a large spike of pain shot through my head.
"Bitch," I glared at her getting pissed, "if you keep trying to get into my head, I am gonna fucking break yours."
The pain stops immediately after the threat.
"Is that a threat, witch?" her companion asked ready to defend her.
"It's a fucking promise."
"Señorita Raine." Hector scolded. "Enough."
"The bitch started it."
"Georgianna." He said once more in a more of a warning tone.
He was right. I wasn't acting professional, and I don't think breaking some woman's mind would be considered professional either. Why is this so hard?