A Second World: Worlds of Magic Book Five

By Berlinda Ivin

Michelle’s change is complete, she can now finally see

• Language: English
• Publisher: Berlinda Ivin Books
• Release date: Oct 22, 2019
• ISBN: 9781950981137

Berlinda Ivin

Berlinda was born in Sydney. Her childhood was spent moving around Australia with her family. Most of her adult life she has worked with children, and continued her nomadic lifestyle moving around Australia with her own family. In recent years the family made the Southern end of Central Queensland their home. In one of her many moves a work colleague laughingly suggested that she write about the characters and events that made life so interesting. So, using the personalities of close family, friends and even some of the family pets, and then adding a supernatural spin to the story, the journey that is the Worlds series was born.

Book preview

1976

Ben slammed on the brakes to stop the old truck from running into the back of the stationary car in front of them. He heard the shattering of glass over the top of the squeal of the tyres, but the breaking of all of the family’s china was the least of his worries. In the car ahead of him, his wife, daughters and mother were being held captive by the large scaled demon. It was bent down to look into the windscreen of the car, with its scales shaking slightly highlighting their razor sharp edges. The large horns that protruded out of the side of its head had dimmed in colour. The steel pins that were its teeth were hidden behind what looked like a sinister smile.

Ben jumped out and ran to the driver’s side of the car, and behind him his father jumped out and ran to the passenger side where Ben’s mother was. The car that Lillian had been driving was stopped still. In the front seat Lillian sat as still as a statue, the look of furious gut churning anger was still on her face, her mouth was open in a silent scream. Next to her was his mother, with a frozen look of fear on her face and her hand gripping the front dash board. In the back seat his two daughters were crying and banging on the walls of their shimmering fortress.

‘Grandfather, let them go,’ shouted Bernhard.

Ben glared up at the shocked look on the demons face, ‘why did you do this?’

The demon, MarjarGong, pointed at the car, ‘your wife was going to run me over’.

‘Probably because she doesn’t like, or trust you,’ snapped Ben.

‘I have never done anything to her,’ argued MarjarGong.

Bernhard blushed as he looked in the direction of his daughter in law. ‘You’re not helping matters Grandfather. If you ever wanted for her to at least like you, you have not gone about it the right way. The words that are in her thoughts are not favourable’. He then looked in shock at his lover Elspeth, ‘you have also lost any chance of a happy family reunion from my Elsie’.

MarjarGong grunted and stood tall, ‘that woman will only appreciate what I have done for her when I am dead’. He pointed to the back seat, ‘and you must stop changing the memories of those two girls they have to know who they are’.

2012

Chapter One

Michelle

Girls’ night out

Inverness

The thirst that I felt was unbelievable, I couldn’t concentrate long enough though to catch a feed. I couldn’t use my natural instincts, so I missed three deer because I’d scared them all away with my recklessness. There was nothing else around. I could sense that Jack was close, but I didn’t care at that moment I just needed to feed, I was getting faint from my hunger.

I looked up into the trees, higher; if I got higher I’d see more. I’d be able to find feed then. I’d be able to see them and they wouldn’t know I was there. I went as far as I could to the top of the closest tree and looked around. There were two deer in the distance. I went towards them from tree to tree. The wind blew, but I was too high up for them to smell me, they still got nervous and ran anyway. I felt a low rumbling growl develop from deep down within me. I needed them to stop running so I could feed. I was in luck they stopped still, not moving at all. They were now as still as statues. I landed on the biggest, sinking my teeth in and drawing all I could from it. The relief from my hunger went to every end of my body and I groaned loudly with relief. The deer wasn’t struggling at all, so it made my feeding easy. I held it close to me, while I took my time enjoying the feeling that I was getting. My senses were slowly coming back to normal, and my thoughts were clearing so I was able to think properly. There was a part of me that was fully awake in ways that it had never been. I had some realisation of what I could do, but I still could not awaken the missed memories of my childhood.

The other deer was standing close by and it still hadn’t moved. I could see that it was a pregnant doe. A pregnant doe, that was like a statue watching me. The heart of the buck in my arms was starting to struggle to pump I would need to stop feeding so it could live. I still had my arms around it and silently thanked if for feeding me. I wouldn’t need the doe now, I was full. The doe shook its head and ran away. I stood up very slowly allowing the freshness of my feed soak into my body, I felt so alive.

I could smell that Jack was coming up behind me.

‘Michelle, how are you feeling love?’

I looked down at my hands and arms turning them over examining both sides, they looked the same as before they just felt stronger. I put my hand to my chest there was nothing, I felt for a pulse in my neck there was nothing. I bent down to feel the pulse of the deer, it was still there. I felt for my pulse, it was gone. My change was complete I was now a full lamiahaem.

‘I feel, I don’t know how I feel, great seems to be an understatement,’ I smiled. I reached for Jack, and he held me.

Can you still hear me?

Yes Jack, you’re still coming through loud and clear, I smiled. Did you think that I would block you out again?

Jack shook his head and rested his forehead on mine, no love. I was just worried that we’d lose this, that after your second sleep this would be gone.

I tilt my head back and kissed him hard, devouring him. Jack picked me up and ran back to his room. Our clothes never stood a chance. We had ripped them from each other before we made it to our room. We grabbed at each other trying to fill the need that had been dormant for months. He pushed me on the bed, kissing me hungrily. There was a fire in this kiss that reminded us both what we had been missing. I didn’t want him to stop. We were now two full demons, and things were very different. Both of our senses were heightened and were equal, every touch was amplified. This was something that I had never experienced. When Jack bit me, he injected venom that was different than before, it sent shockwaves through me. I felt my own canines grow in response and could taste the venom on their tips, it was unique in flavor. I bit Jack. His rumbled groans of desire took me to a whole new level of yearning. This was fierce, this was violent, this was more intense than I had ever experienced before. We both felt the urgency of it, neither of us holding back. It was a need that neither of us had ever experienced, and it took over all of our senses, and sent us both repeatedly over the edge.

I lay there in his arms both of us trying to get our breath back, ‘why am I out of breath, if I don’t need to breathe?’

Jack tipped my head back kissing me on the nose, ‘reflex action maybe, memories of being human.’

I wanted to ask, but I was embarrassed. Jack smiled, what are you curious about Michelle?

‘We, I mean, I won’t always be out of control like that will I?’

Jack rolled over on his side, moving my hair behind my ears, ‘no, we won’t love.’

I looked down at his chest, to see that I had bruised him with my fingertips. I looked further down, around his hips, arms and chest, there were scratches on his body. I was shocked from what I had done to him. I looked down at my own body to see that I was also bruised in places.

He leant in and kissed me slowly passionately. No, we won’t always be left bruised.

After some time we went and showered, my body felt stiff and sore but in a very good way that made me smile. Together we went to join the family. I was self-conscious because I knew that the family would know what we had been doing for the last few hours. What was worse was the fact that they would have heard us. There was no privacy in this house. Cat ran up to us, howling and wrapping himself around our legs. Nobody was there, the house was empty. I saw a note on the table for me from Taylor that read:

We’ve all gone out. Apparently you can get a bit horny when you wake from your sleep. Ha ha.

Trust my sister to tell it like it is.

We went fishing for Cat. He didn’t care that some major changes had gone on with me. He just wanted to be fed and it had to be now, he was worse than having a child. In some small way it was comforting, the way he didn’t care because I knew he wouldn’t judge or have an opinion. The water was brown and murky, with my human eyes and the eyes of a yearling I could never see this clear, but now I could see the fish deeper in the water than I had before. Then I saw the river ghost swim past, I could see her much clearer now too. She was skeletal with a long flowing white dress. She stopped and turned, her eyes were directed straight at us. She stopped and glared.

I looked up at Jack, she’s dangerous Jack she really worries me.

Jack was able to see her through his own eyes now, and he could also hear her growling.

I couldn’t see her on my own before, I could only see her through your eyes.

She swam off into the depths of the river. Jack watched her leave, and then he began silently humming and was totally lost in whatever was on his mind.

I rested my chin on his shoulder, is she worrying you, or is this a private thought?

He stopped humming, ‘can we talk about it later?’

I wasn’t sure I was happy with this response, he had told me how important it was being inside my head and now he was keeping thoughts to himself.

Jack put his arm around me, and pulled me closer. ‘I just need time to straighten the thoughts I have, and I don’t know if she can hear like we can. Can you trust me?’

I wasn’t too thrilled about it, but I would wait.

Jack cast his rod into the depths of the river where the ghost had disappeared. We sat there for ages, he continued his silent humming, and finally caught a fish.

Cat was on my lap instantly and howling. Jack ripped the fish in half and threw the head back into the water.

Tony walked out from the forest, ‘hello! Our newest full lamiahaem is awake.’ Tony looked at me, ‘you’ll be stuck at home again with those red eyes. What are you two going to do with yourself?’

I didn’t realise that I had ‘the eyes’ again. I didn’t like the idea of not being able to leave Jack’s home or the land for so long. Not that we had left it that much anyway, but now I didn’t have any option, I was stuck here, again.

Jack turned to me, ‘it’s the end of January. Your eyes will be back to normal in a couple of weeks it doesn’t take as long the second time around. This means that we should be able to go to Tannum in about a month, two at the most.’

I smiled, well that would definitely make up for being land bound.

Tony cleared his throat, ‘actually, Charmaine and I were thinking about going over in the next week or two, maybe we can relieve Lillian and Ben until you get there.’

‘Thank you guys, that’ll be great,’ it surprised me that they would want to leave their home and go somewhere that they didn’t really know, for my kids.

We’re one big family you know, thought Jack.

We walked back to the house making plans and talking about what there was to hunt in the Tannum/Boyne area. I had never needed to know before, so I had absolutely no idea. They all knew what was there though, after all the Carter family had all been over there on many occasions and for great lengths of time. Cat trotted happily behind us, he still had some of his fish in his mouth.

Everybody else was home. Mum wrapped her arms around me, ‘how do you feel? You look great.’

I hugged her back, ‘I feel wonderful, you were right everything is so much clearer and brighter just like you said it would be.’

Dad, Tania and Jonathon arrived there were lots of cuddles and congratulations coming from them.

Taylor stood back with Jones, ‘how long are your eyes going to stay like that?’

‘About two, sometimes three weeks Taylor, then they’ll go to hazel like other lamiahaem,’ answered Jones.

‘It’s lucky, you don’t need to sleep anymore those eyes would give you fuel for nightmares. In fact, I think I’ll have nightmares,’ said Taylor.

I only had a week left with her before she had to leave, and I needed to make her see that I was still the same person. There was one positive thing though, like Taylor said, I would no longer have to sleep every night, so there would be no more nightmares.

Jack put his arm around me and grinned, what will we do with all that spare time?

Dad reminded Jack that they had to let the Elders know that I had woken from my second sleep.

‘Why are they interested in when I wake?’ I asked.

Jack squeezed my hand, ‘it’s nothing to worry about. It’s all part of the registration I told you about.’

He walked over to the computer and emailed the Elders to let them know that I was awake. The answering email came back instantly. The Elders would visit us in one month, on the 27th of February. They were to tell me everything that was happening so far.

‘Jack, what’s been happening so far?’ I asked.

He rubbed my arm, ‘let’s go for a walk,’ he whispered.

I looked at them all individually, ‘what’s happened?’

‘Nothing, baby girl,’ whispered Mum. ‘Just go with Jack, he’ll tell you everything.’

We headed up the hill to Jack’s spot which was now our spot. I was really worried about what he had to tell me. Had I done something wrong, maybe this was what had been on Jack’s mind when we were fishing, and he was humming? I went over the last couple of months, I couldn’t remember anything. I’d done my best to stay out of trouble.

We stopped and Jack had me in his arms, while he held his lips to my forehead. You haven’t done anything wrong Michelle, but there is something you need to know. We can tell you now because you have finished your change. He swallowed, and I could feel his nervousness.

‘Will you just listen to me first, listen to the whole story before you yell?’ he asked.

I nodded and wondered why would I yell? I didn’t feel like yelling at the moment, I just felt anxious about what he had to tell me.

‘Vampire venom takes a person’s magic or abilities. There’s a vampire group called the renegade, they’ve been trying for hundreds of years to try and find witches or people with abilities that they can drain in the hope that they could keep the gifts when their turned. Apparently there’s some fable that if they take the blood of a witch they can possess the power that the witch had’.

‘Was that vampire that was with Bird one of them?’ I asked.

Jack nodded, ‘yes love.’

‘Did you know that then?’ I asked.

Jack reached for my hands, ‘Michelle just try and remember that you were in your early yearling stage, there was no point in scaring you.’

I let go of his hands and stepped away from him. I wasn’t a witch anymore. I was a lamiahaem hearer, so they didn’t really need me anymore. But if they did still want to hunt me then I could be a danger for the family. I turned back to Jack, ‘alright, so I know now, and everything will be fine. You can teach me how to protect myself. I could move away from the family so they’re not in any danger? That would be better wouldn’t it?’

Jack put his hand on my cheek, ‘love we are not separating from the family. No matter what, we stay together alright. I will stay with you, and I will keep you safe’. He held onto my hands again and looked at me intently, ‘Michelle, I really need you to listen to what else I have to say.’ He put his finger to my lips to stop my next question, ‘listen to everything I have to say’.

I nodded again, and was starting to feel concerned about what he had to say.

‘These vampire have heard about the children and Taylor, they’re interested in their abilities. The fact that you and Taylor have a witch for a grandmother and then you gave birth to three children with gifts, well they’re really interested in your bloodline. They believe that it may be strong enough to keep their abilities, so they will become a new more powerful breed of vampire’.

I looked at Jack, while what he said was slowly sinking in. I vividly remembered the fear I felt when that vampire was going to kill me, I couldn’t have my kids go through that. That was months ago, so while I was over here in another country playing, my children were over there in danger. They were on their own, and I’d left them when they needed me more. What sort of mother was I? What was worse was that Jack had known about this the whole time, and even worse was that he had kept it from me. The whole family had kept it from me. I had trusted them, and I’d left my children alone, just so I could be with Jack, the man who had told me that he would look out for them while I was playing in the mud, but they had been in danger, and he had kept it from me.

I pushed his hands away and stepped back from him, shaking my head in disbelief, ‘how could you do that?’

‘Michelle, I had to keep it from you, I had no choice.’

‘What happened to trust Jack?’ I yelled ‘They’re my children, my flesh and blood, and all this time they’ve been in danger while I’ve been here. I should’ve been with them, not playing games over here.’

There was a movement in the trees behind me. I turned and was ready to destroy. I calmed down when I saw Taylor getting off Jones’s back.

I pointed at her, ‘Taylor, my sister, she’s in danger too, why wasn’t I told? Was she told?’

I remembered the vampire that hid behind the white mask and the way he had looked at me, the way he said it was a shame that I was now a lowly lamiahaem. I couldn’t have my children go through that. It was something that they would never recover from it’d be in their minds always. They would have a life of nightmares. What if they’d already been bitten? What if they were already vampire? What if they were already dead? Jack took a tentative step towards me. I looked at him and shook my head, I was so angry with him, and disappointed that he hadn’t told me. I could feel my power build, I wanted to release it, and let it loose.

‘Stop it Michelle!’ yelled Taylor.

I put my arms down and looked over at her.

‘What could you have done? I’ve just been told what’s going on, they’ve known about this since you were a week into your yearling stage, the last thing anybody wanted to do was hurt you. What would you have done? Thrown a frog at them, scream until someone exploded what if you had blown up one of your own children?’ She angrily stepped up to me and held my arm, just be reasonable Shell, take a breath, and think about what you were about to do. I could feel your magic building in response you have to learn to control your emotions so you can control it.

I covered her hand that held my arm and looked towards Jack, and knew that he hadn’t heard what she had said while she had hold of me. Maybe I should learn from you Taylor? I looked at her to nod my thanks for her words. She was right, I needed to learn control. Taylor smiled slightly at me and I let go of her hand, she let go of me, and I stepped back and knew that what she said was so true.

‘You can be such a self centred cow at times,’ she continued softly.

I looked down at the ground with all the thoughts going through my head running into each other. I was sure that Jack liked my kids, he says he loves me he wouldn’t have just left them in danger, would he?

Jack took a step in front of me and lifted my chin. I do love you and the kids. They are being watched. We haven’t just left them to fend for themselves. He pulled me closer, ‘they told me about it when you first woke up, there was already protection there with the kids, before I was even told.’

I felt like such a bitch, of course he wouldn’t have left them. ‘I’m sorry Jack I should’ve stopped to think before I went off.’

He put his hand on my waist, ‘I expected you to yell at me. It didn’t matter which way I tried to tell you, it was going to have you yelling,’ he smiled, ‘that’s why I brought you up here. Just in case things started to blow up, or the windows started shattering.’

He thought he knew me so well.

‘I’m starting to,’ said Jack. ‘Come back home now and we’ll tell you what we’ve done to keep them safe.’

Jones pulled Taylor back onto his back and he ran back to the house. They had already given the family a quick rundown of the conversation we’d had and were laughing about the reason why Jack had taken me so far from the house, before we got back. I thought they were being a bit cavalier about the whole thing.

‘Thank you for saving my windows Jack, that was very thoughtful,’ said Mum.

Jonathon sat on a chair and looked at me, ‘to start off with Nikki has a new dog that’s a changeling that never leaves her side.’

I could imagine how happy that would make her. I’d have to get her another dog when this was over.

‘There’s a casanova demon staying with Dillon and Kylie,’ continued Tania.

This had me concerned, ‘wasn’t it a casanova who lured those women in Paris?’

‘Do you remember meeting Tyrone?’ asked Jack. I nodded, ‘do you remember how he made you feel?’

I shuddered, ‘he made me angry he got under my skin, I didn’t trust him at all.’

‘Well apparently it works the same way with Nikki,’ replied Jack.

Jonathon grinned, ‘as well as Kylie and Suzanne. Kylie is always yelling at him to clean up after himself, Jarrod tries the charm and she just yells louder. He went out with Suzanne and James when they were doing something with her horses. Suzanne tried to run him down. Jarrod is feeling a bit down on himself.’

‘I can picture Suzanne running someone down she won’t take any rubbish from anyone, but Kylie was yelling at someone?’ This was hard to believe, she was such a calm person. ‘Does the casanova charm only work on normal humans then?’ I was curious.

Mum, Charmaine and Tania looked at the ground.

‘No, it works on lamiahaem and other demons as well,’ growled Tony

Tania turned to Jonathon, ‘now tell them the rest.’

Jonathon looked guilty, ‘they all know everything, the boys and I were at the pub and next thing you know I was telling them all about it. They read my mind first though, I didn’t have a chance. They’re not taking it seriously. Dillon’s actually looking forward to a good fight.’

How typical of my sons.

Jack was amused, ‘did you expect anything different?’

Tania continued, ‘there’s also a new witch working with Kylie and a jorgenhan that is attending the University classes with Suzanne, a changeling cat at the shed James works at and Jarrod started working with Dillon, so they’re never on their own.’

‘Is this why you and Tony are going over?’ I asked Charmaine.

She nodded, ‘we’re just waiting for the yes from the Elders.’

‘There’s been nothing so far, no danger at all,’ added Tania.

I really had over reacted, I felt like such a fool. Of course they wouldn’t have left them. Jack had his arm around me. They were never on their own.

‘If the Elders hadn’t sent all of those Guard over, Julie and I would’ve gone with Tania and Jonathon,’ added Dad. ‘I did tell you Michelle that our family went from eight to fifteen the moment you and Jack married. I like having a big family, it’s never boring.’

‘It hasn’t been boring since Jack went to find his mate,’ laughed Tony.

Jack and I sat on the single lounge together. We all sat and talked for ages, Taylor started yawning, so did I. This had to be one of those memory things from when I was human, sort of like the breathing, that I was still doing, and that I apparently didn’t need to.

Taylor got up and went to bed, ‘goodnight everyone, this mere human needs to sleep’.

We all watched her walk up the stairs, Jones followed not long after. Charmaine smiled as she watched them go. I cuddled into Jack with my eyes closed. It felt good knowing that I didn’t need to sleep anymore, so there would be no more dreams I couldn’t remember, and no more tiredness.

Jack kissed the side of my head. I opened my eyes to see that we were on our own. ‘Where did everybody go?’ I asked.

He smiled at me, ‘either hunting or to their rooms.’

We got up off the lounge and walked into our room, got undressed and got into bed. ‘How are you feeling?’ asked Jack. ‘You’ve had a big day.’

I rolled over and kissed him, ‘with all of the news about the kids, it sort of didn’t give me the chance to think about what’s happened to me.’

The children were safe, I knew that now. Taylor was leaving in ten days, and Charmaine and Tony were going back to watch my children. The Elders were coming here to see us. So, all of that was fine, everything was sorted out. Everybody else had sorted that out for me, while I was completing my change, I was lucky to be part of this family.

Now that I had time to think and soak in what had happened, questions were coming to me about the changes that had gone on. I looked down at my arms and realised that I couldn’t remember my skin ever being this clear my legs were the same. I felt my chest again but there still wasn’t any movement there. I had never felt so alive, which was funny really, considering I was meant to be dead or un-dead or something. Everything felt new, now that I could think about it, it really was hard to get your head around the changes that had taken place. I still didn’t know everything about the new me, I knew there was a lot that I could do, but there must be some limitations.

Jack was watching me and smiled. If you think of anything, you want to know, just ask. He leant down and softly kissed my stomach. My body instantly reacted.

I feel the same as I did before, but younger, stronger, things look different clearer somehow it’s weird.

Jack started kissing up my body towards my breast his hands wandered lower. I tried hard to ignore the feelings that were exploding under my skin. I had questions I wanted to ask and to have them answered.

You are the same as you were before.

How do you know which venom is going to be used? I continued. He was making it impossible to ignore him when he was rolling my nipple between his teeth. I mean what happens if I catch a rabbit and I heal it instead of eating it? I groaned. He had made it to my neck and was nipping my ear, his body pressed hard against mine.

‘Then it’s a very lucky rabbit,’ he whispered.

My body’s reactions were giving me away. I gave up and gave in to both our needs, again. He could answer my questions later.

I opened my eyes and was wrapped in Jack’s arms, ‘hey sleepy head,’ he whispered in my ear.

I smiled, ‘good morning.’ I realised what he said, did I sleep? I’m not meant to sleep now.

He kissed me, well you obviously need to. I have a bit of a theory about that.

I looked at him smirking, you sound like your father.

Well thank you, he smiled. Do you remember hunting yesterday when you first woke?

I frowned. Yeah, I made a mess of it. I was so hungry I kept scaring everything away. That was why I climbed up the tree, to try and find something.

You didn’t climb the tree Michelle. You seemed to fly up there and then from tree to tree. When you saw the deer, you wanted them to stop and they did, that’s why you were able to feed so slowly. That’s why I was so concerned that you couldn’t hear me.

I didn’t understand what he was saying. I didn’t remember it happening like that. I thought I had climbed the tree and jumped on the deer.

Jack shook his head, you didn’t love, you are able to still use your magic and you can still hear me, and that is not what normally happens. The venom kills a witches magic, and you just keep one or two abilities, and that’s it.

That’s why you think I need to sleep? I hadn’t known that the venom could do that.

Jack nodded, close your eyes and think about raising the bed, like you did with the lounge in the library that day.

I closed my eyes and concentrated, I couldn’t feel the bed move at all, there was nothing. I think you’re wrong Jack, nothing’s happened.

Michelle, open your eyes.

I did, to see the roof was centimetres from our faces, it startled me, and we fell back to the floor quickly, but I stopped the bed before it crashed to the ground.

‘I think I might need to practice some more on controlling it,’ I whispered.

Jack chuckled, ‘I think you might be right.’

Is this what you were humming about yesterday?

Jack rolled over and kissed me he was excited about this news, yes my clever witch.

I loved it when he was excited.

We got dressed and were going to tell the family what was happening and Jack’s theory. I didn’t want any secrets from them, after everything they were doing for the children and my sister, the last thing I wanted to do was hide things from them. Jack stopped me just before we walked outside, when you gave me your venom after my vampire bite I got a feeling of what you could do. Can you downplay things a bit?

I frowned, what do you mean?

Definitely tell the family that you can still use your magic, just not how much you can use. Wait until you know a bit more about yourself and about what you can do.

I don’t understand why you want me to do that, Jack.

Jack pulled me in closer to him. I just want to wait until after the Elders visit, until we know for sure what they want.

So, it’s more than registration then isn’t it?

Jack looked guiltily at me. It’s more about the kids and the renegade. I’m just worried that if they know too much too soon that they’ll take over our life. They can and will take you if they think that you’re a threat. If they take you from me, from this family, there will be a fight.

I took a step back from the door. Should I just keep things quiet then?

Jack shook his head. No, Jonathon will end up picking it up. It’s better if we let them know up front. We’ll just go down there and you can lift a chair or two a little off the ground, and maybe close the curtains.

I feel like I’m lying to them.

He reached for my hand. It’s just until after the Elders visit and they leave, then you can just do a little more every week.

I nodded, Jack kissed me, squeezed my hand and we went into the dining room where the rest of the family were. We told them the news that I could still use some magic, I closed the curtains and slid Tony across the floor while he was sitting on a chair. They were all very happy for me. Jack told Dad his theory about why I needed to sleep still, and everyone agreed with him.

‘I still think that I should be able to go without it though,’ I argued.

‘Well, its only day two Michelle,’ said Dad. ‘Just take each day at a time.’

I felt like I was betraying them, a feeling that I’m sure Mum picked up, Jonathon kept giving us doubting looks as well. Taylor looked us straight in the eye, liars!

Obviously nobody else had heard her, which I was happy about. Jack was concerned that she knew. Taylors my sister Jack, she knows me better than you do.

‘My father rang during the night,’ smiled Dad. ‘He’s going to be here in a few days, he was hoping to see Taylor before she went back home.’

We quickly settled into a domestic life, without the horror of cooking or anything to do with the kitchen I was happy. I only had nine days left with Taylor, she had seen so much since she got here. When she arrived my ankle was wrapped up, then she went through Jack’s vampire bite and watched me bite him to help him heal. Then I went through my final sleep, and of course she heard about the vampires that were interested in all of us to join their own wacky army. It was lucky that she was a strong person otherwise Taylor would need some serious therapy. The biggest problem she had faced though was falling for a vampire, a vampire who was very old, much older than Dad.

Tony and Charmaine were allowed to go to Tannum. They had to go to the London warehouse first. Jonathon and Tania were taking them into Inverness, where they would catch the train to London, and then fly to Australia this would mean that there wouldn’t be a car left behind. Taylor was going for a drive into town with them, she had some tourist shopping she wanted to do. I couldn’t go because of my red eyes, it’d scare everyone. I spent the morning with Jack. We went fishing for Cat first and then up to our cliff.

With the fishing over, we settled under the tree, Jack had his arms wrapped around me again. Cat snuggled between us; he was full from eating the biggest fish that Jack had ever caught, and was purring loudly.

‘So you work for the Guard? Is there anything else you do?’ I asked.

Jack answered, ‘for now, it’s just the work we do with the Guard. I’ve worked with Tony when he had mechanics workshop years ago, and I’ve helped out with Mum when she gets into her Nursery schemes. I’ve been in the army as a reporter, and a laborer in a saw mill’.

‘You were a reporter? Well that explains your obsession with newspapers,’ I smiled. ‘Would you go back to it?’

Jack shook his head, ‘no, it’s too hard to work in the human world. They ask too many questions when you have to go for weeks at a time. You do know that we are right as far as that goes? I have been able to save over the past ninety odd years’

I nodded my head, ‘I wasn’t asking for that reason. You know I want to go back to work. You’ve known that from the very beginning. Actually, I was wondering if I should be able to work in the Guard with you now.’

I could feel him tense up, ‘for now, how about we just be together, and find out a bit more about each other,’ he smiled. ‘That can be your one and only priority. If there’s something you want to do later when everything is normal then we’ll talk about it, and then talk about you working for the Guard.’ He then changed the subject, ‘we need to look into putting Cat into a Cattery while we are away, he’s been spoiled by us so much that he’d starve now.’

We talked about how we were going to be able to provide him with his meals when we were away, obviously we would have to cut up some of our kills and freeze them. I realised that Cat had become more our child then a pet.

‘And to think we all wanted to eat him,’ said Jack, ‘you really did save his life.’

Jonathon, Tania and Taylor were back. Taylor had bought some take away food. I thought I’d miss eating food, but the smell of it didn’t do anything for me. I sat and waited for her to finish eating. Taylor and I were going down to the river. In four days she would be leaving, and we wanted some time to ourselves, I was going to miss her when she left. Jack, Jonathon and Uncle Jones were going into the garage, tinkering with the cars and bikes.

‘How does he get into the garage in the middle of the day?’ I asked.

‘There’s a tunnel, that goes from the laundry and opens up in a wardrobe in the back of the garage,’ answered Tania.

I hadn’t heard Tania come in she looked upset, ‘Taylor and I are going down to the river do you want to join us?’ I asked.

‘I will later,’ she replied. ‘I’m probably not the best company right now, but I will definitely be joining you.’ Tania winked at Taylor.

We sat on the river bank, Taylor hadn’t been here before she was never interested in fishing, but always loved camping. I watched the water as the river ghost swam past. To my surprise Taylor could see her just as clear as I could.

We sat and watched her. It surprised me at how easy it was for Taylor to accept my new unusual life. ‘How well can you hear Jack?’ she asked.

‘We are in each other’s head all the time. I had been blocking him when I went through that terrible teenage stage, but I burnt the door, it was his Christmas present.’ Taylor looked at me totally confused, so I explained to her about the red door, and how I’d done a ceremonial burning on Christmas morning.

‘So, he’s in your head all the time and you’re in his? Isn’t that freaky?’ Taylor sounded shocked.

‘I don’t notice it anymore Taylor, I like him being there it feels natural. I think Jack feels the same?’ I wasn’t going to tell Taylor that Jack had just answered my question with a very positive, I do.

She started shivering, ‘does it ever do anything, but snow and freeze here?’

‘I think I’ve become used to being continuously cold, I don’t seem to notice it as much. It’d be nice to really feel my toes again,’ I smiled. ‘I do miss the heat. We could build a fire, I suppose.’

We both looked around for fire wood, and stacked it, and then Taylor lit it with a look. I went and dragged over two big logs that we could sit on.

‘This was a good idea.’ Taylor grinned, ‘I brought some contraband when we were in town.’ She reached down and opened the bag that she had brought with her. I could hear clinking.

‘What have you got in there?’ I was curious.

Then she pulled out four bottles of wine, and two very large plastic cups.

‘I thought we could celebrate your new life and say goodbye in style. We couldn’t have a girl’s night out because of your eyes, so Tania and I thought we’d have a girl’s night by the river.’

‘You and Tania organised this?’ I wasn’t even sure if I could drink with my new body, Jack was in my head you can, but be careful I will be watching you. Don’t fall in the river.

I smiled and replied with my thoughts you think you know me so well.

Taylor was watching me, ‘what are you smiling about.’

‘I was just thinking about the last time we drank wine.’ I lied.

Taylor laughed hard, ‘eight years ago when we celebrated your divorce. It took me two days to get over that. It’s lucky the kids were at Scott’s.’

I instantly had memories of the hangover that I had afterwards. Did I really want to do that again? We sat and talked about that day and night that we had celebrated.

She poured two cups handing me one then held onto my hand, he can’t hear you when we touch can he?

I shook my head, no.

Have you told him about that part of your life?

Nope, I answered.

Are you going to?

Nope, I answered. I’d rather forget it, and move on.

It’s a bit hard when you have children to the bastard, added Taylor.

Three adult children who are starting their own lives, I reminded her.

I think you’re wrong, I think you should tell him, she replied.

I think you should tell me what you’re going to do back in Sydney? I smiled, still holding her hand.

Same as I always do, go back to work live my life. You’re going to get bored here, they don’t do much. Taylor looked up at me, don’t repeat your past mistakes, and come back home if it doesn’t work here, if you’re not being treated right, leave.

I shook my head, Taylor are you trying to cause an argument?

My sister refilled my glass, all this talk about our bloodline and then you and Jack lying the other day, it worries me. Dad and Mum gave me some money to hide for you, if you need to escape. It’s hidden in the mattress of the bed I was sleeping on.

There was a movement behind us, we spun around to see Tania, we let go of each other’s hands.

‘I brought the other bottles of wine Taylor? I asked Mum if she was coming down, she thanked us for the offer but said, no. Mum and Dad have gone hunting, and the boys are working on the bikes and cars still, I was bored, so I thought I’d come down now instead of later.’

Tania had three more bottles, but one of them was half empty, she had already started. Taylor was instant smiles and got a third cup out of the bag, ‘I’m glad you came earlier than you said you would.’

It didn’t take us long to finish the two open bottles, with the three of us drinking. Taylor and I had never been able to handle our alcohol, that’s probably why we didn’t drink too much. Taylor pulled out a packet of smokes, this was something I did miss it was my one big weakness, cigarettes. Jack was in my head instantly don’t you dare, he growled.

I growled back. You’re meant to be my husband not my bloody father.

Taylor looked at me; her eyes looked as if they were going to pop out of her head, ‘what are you growling at me for? You’re not going to suck my neck are you?’

‘You have no idea how hard it is for me to say no to a cigarette, I miss them so much.’ This lying was getting easier, although it wasn’t really a lie.

She put them back in the bag and zipped it up, ‘out of sight out of mind,’ she smiled. We opened the third bottle, three cups were filled and cheers said. I was feeling the familiar light headedness from the wine, and decided to drink a bit slower.

Tania stood up and looked into the river, ‘is that river ghost lady there now?’

Taylor and I both stood beside her and looked, the river ghost was there she wasn’t swimming she was just floating on her back under the surface of the water looking directly at us, and smiling.

Taylor nodded and looked at Tania, ‘yep the evil witch is there and she’s watching us.’

Tania groaned, ‘you can see her too? I can’t see her at all.’

‘I can fix that,’ slurred Taylor as she refilled our cups. She put the bottle down and put her palm on Tania’s forehead. Tania could now see what Taylor was seeing, ‘oh wow! She’s right there, and she doesn’t look very happy, she looks positively evil.’

They were both too close to the edge and both swaying a bit so I pulled them back and we sat around the fire again. Tania looked up at me, ‘can you do that?’

‘Nope,’ I answered. ‘That is a Taylor only gift, she can show what only she can see, and what I can see through her eyes.’

I could hear Jack and Uncle Jones, Uncle was concerned. It appeared that Taylor had been giving him the cold shoulder lately, and he didn’t know what he had done wrong. I’ll ask Taylor what’s going on.

‘Tell us about Uncle Jones,’ I grinned, ‘what’s the story with you two?’

‘Do you remember when Julie said that lemon men were gentleman? Well unfortunately so are vampires. It sucks,’ she grumbled.

‘I thought you two were....’ said Tania

‘No, we are not.’ Taylor finished her drink and refilled their empty cups, topping mine up as well. ‘I do like him heaps though, which is stupid because it can’t go anywhere. Can you imagine him living in Sydney?’

I smiled, ‘with the night life down there, he’d probably fit right in.’

‘He’s not interested anyway,’ mumbled Taylor. ‘You heard him the other day Tania, Vampire venom takes away your abilities, he may as well have shouted at me, I’m not interested so back off hairy legs, so that’s what I’ve done I’ve backed off.’

Taylor’s angry mood suddenly made sense. I felt for my sister, she had never been this interested in anybody before.

‘I think you’re wrong about that Taylor,’ I smiled. ‘I really think you’re wrong, in fact I believe that it is quite the opposite.’

Taylor looked at me and rolled her eyes in her head, ‘you have no idea what you’re talking about Michelle you weren’t there when he told me to back off, because you were sleeping.’

There was a movement in the trees behind us we all spun around, it was Cat, as soon as he seen us, he started howling.

I scratched behind his ears, he was purring instantly. ‘Cat, I didn’t bring my fishing rod, so no food for you.’

I took my jacket off and laid it next to the fire, so he curled up on it and went to sleep.

‘We need more firewood, I’ll get it.’ I stood up and staggered a bit, then straightened up and stood very still. When I was a bit more stable I walked over to grab more wood, after all I didn’t