Second Chances

Circe:

The wail of the police sirens cut through the night air and roused me from my sleep. I blinked and looked around. I saw the paramedics arrive and work on me. My body being taken away. Throughout it all my daughter clung to her father. Her face was pale and her eyes were completely lifeless.

My God Michael, take her way, don’t let her see this!

How could she ever recover? My heart ached. I fell to the ground and wept for all I’d lost.

Then the Grim Reaper appeared. His shoulders seemed to sag a little. Surely he couldn’t be sad? He sighed.

‘This was not how I planned to spend my Friday night.’

I laughed despite myself.

‘Me either.’

‘I’m sorry, poor choice of words. I truly do regret having to come for you so soon. Come along dear, let’s get you where you need to be.’

‘My place is here.’

‘Here? Crying amongst the pond reeds?’

‘My place is here with my family.’

‘You cannot help your family now dear. Seriously get up, you look so pathetic sitting there I’m almost feeling sorry for you. Empathy is not a quality favoured by Reapers.’

I pulled myself to my feet.

‘Whatever. I’m not leaving my family, you can’t make me go.’

‘Actually, yes I can. See the rather large scythe I carry? I use that to send souls to their resting place.’

‘I can’t leave them like this. Look at my daughter. How will she ever come to terms with seeing me die? I need to do something.’

Hesitantly he gazed at Camille, she was in her father’s arms sobbing quietly, her eyes rooted to the spot where we stood. He looked at his feet before snapping back to glare at me.

‘Oh for G-…fine. I shall grant you a boon. Tonight you have the ability to appear to your daughter in her dream state to try to give what comfort you can. Honestly nothing with this family is simple, it’s all intrigue and murder and banshees and vampire rockstars?! Now there’s one for the books. Anyway…Circe Vaughan do you accept my offer?’

‘Yes.’

‘Take my hand.’

‘Really?’

‘Ok my patience is now officially lost.’

‘Fine!’

I took his hand and I felt a jolt go through me.

‘Circe Vaughan, it is time.’

A light so pure and beautiful it made me gasp encircled me and then… I was home.

Distantly I heard the Reaper sigh.

‘It is times like this that I loathe my job.’

One year later…

Officer Jacobs:

This was the call he dreaded making. Every week like clockwork he stopped by the Vaughan residence to update Michael on their progress…or lack thereof. The murder of Circe Vaughan was one that had rocked the station, she had been a regular fixture there either charming leads from the guys or helping them out with a few subtle hints. A lot of officers and detectives alike had lost a good friend and to say they were pissed was an understatement.

The only thing more galling than not being able to find the perp was to have to tell Michael that they were still ‘exploring leads’. Truth was they were stumped, every lead they had was a dead end. He sighed and entered the property. The creak of the old iron gates made Michael look towards him. He had insisted they meet outside, out of earshot from the kids. Michael looked at him and hope flared in his eyes for a few brief seconds.

Better get this over quickly.

‘I’m really sorry Mike, there’s been no further developments.’

Something inside Michael seemed to break.

‘You’re sorry. My wife was murdered within feet of her home, you’ve managed to come up with no viable suspects whatsoever and all you can say is you’re sorry? Sorry isn’t going to give my kids their mother back.’

‘We’re doing everything we can, you have to believe that.’

‘Are you? From where I’m standing it seems like the lot of you have washed your hands of this case.’

‘That is not true!’

‘Oh really? Then tell me what “line of investigation” have you followed this week? Do you even know?’

‘Do I even know? You asshole! Circe was my friend! She introduced me to my wife! Me and every other guy at the station have been bustin’ our asses trying to find any lead, any possible evidence to link someone to her murder. Truth is, the only person of interest we could find has a cast iron alibi for the night of the murder. There was very little evidence left on the body and the murder weapon was never located. So yeah, you want me to be straight with you? Fine. We have no leads but that’s not from lack of tryin’.’

Michael looked stricken.

‘Fuck man, I’m sorry. This case is fucking eatin’ at me. I can’t even imagine what you are going through. You have to trust me, if any new evidence comes in we will be all over it.’

‘I know, I know. I’m sorry too. You were all good to Circe, she thought herself lucky to count you among her friends.’

‘We will get the bastard. These things just take time.’

‘I know. It’s just without her…I’m lost. Excuse me, I need to get out for a bit, clear my head.’

Jacobs sighed. Yep this case was most definitely going to haunt him.

Circe:

The night air stirred my wedding veil and carried the scent of jasmine with it. I smiled as I took a deep breath. I was Michael’s wife now. Today had been everything I’d hoped for. My family, all happy and healthy were inside mixing with the other well-wishers. Music filtered out from the dining room to be joined by Caitlin’s soaring vocals. She’d offered her services for the night, part of her wedding gift she’d said.

The other part had been an amazing honeymoon vacation to Shang Simla which we were embarking on tomorrow. Tonight was for dancing and drinking with family, a family that was now complete. A footstep sounded behind me and I grinned. I’d asked Michael to meet me here, today had been so hectic we’d barely had time to speak to each other since the ceremony.

I turned and my grin froze in place. It wasn’t Michael standing before me. I felt a searing flash of pain as the first blow came down, the warm spill of blood across my face then…nothing.

I love you Michael.

Michael:

Yet another handshake and slap across the back. I did my best to make small talk before extricating myself from the conversation. Jesus at this rate I’d never get to see my wife. My wife. I smiled. I was liking the sound of that more and more. Tomorrow we’d be jetting off to China and three blissful weeks of relaxation. No one but me and Circe and a luxury suite at a top resort.

I slipped out the dining room door and walked across the garden towards the pond. As I neared the pond I saw Camille. What on earth was she doing outside? Why was she playing with that white rag?

Wait…

Dread overcame me and I began to run. My mind recoiled in horror as it struggled to make sense of what it saw. The rag was her mother’s wedding veil. Camille knelt on the ground, her face completely expressionless as she cradled her mother’s head in her lap.

Oh God no.

Registering my presence she looked up and her bottom lip began to tremble.

‘Daddy, Mommy’s bleeding and she won’t wake up.’

A year later…

Circe:

I know the bride is supposed to be late but this was ridiculous. By the time the car arrived to take us to the church I practically sprinted to it.

I usually hate being the centre of attention but today I didn’t give a damn.

I did get a bit of a shock when I saw Michael. Gone was the guyliner and rockstar hair.

He grinned at my expression.

‘I thought I should make the effort to look more respectable on our wedding day.’

‘You, respectable? Never!’

He chuckled and kissed me. A not so subtle cough interrupted us, it was the priest.

‘Are we ready to begin?’

‘Yes.’ We replied in unison.

Surrounded by friends and family we said our vows before setting off home for the reception.

I was now Ms Circe Vaughan-Casey. It was a bit of a mouthful but I could get used to it.

Circe:

When I answered the door I really didn’t expect my past to stare back at me. Aimee Lefebvre stood on my doorstep, smiling.

‘Would you by any chance be Circe Vaughan?’

‘Yes I am.’

She drew out and slapped me in the face.

‘That is for being a whore. Also please see to it that your bastard offspring does not contact me or my family again.’

I was in mid swing when Michael caught my arm and spoke quietly into my ear.

‘Don’t give the bitch the satisfaction.’

It gave me just enough time to collect myself.

‘I’m not sure why you bothered showing up at my doorstep nor do I care. The one thing you should know is that the only whore in this situation is your husband. He’s the person you should be attacking, because believe me honey, if you’re planning on getting even with every woman he sweet talked into bed, it’s going to take a long, long time. So please, get fuck off my property before I drag you off. Oh by the way tell your husband thanks for the donation, it was the only worthwhile contribution he made to the world.’

‘You cold hearted bitch. I hope he fucking haunts you.’

He’s dead?

Michael slammed the door in her face before she could say any more. I felt my eyes well up. It was out of fury more than anything else. My life was shit right now. Mom was dying, she came back home to be in her own bed ‘when the time came’, as she put it.

She’d been here for the past two months and had grown weaker everyday, it wouldn’t be long now. I let Michael draw me into his arms and I cried for the first time since Mom had told us the news.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

When the time did come she was sleeping.

I’d stepped into the room to check on her and watched in horror as she just…slipped away.

I jumped back in shock as a golden light seemed to surround her and I swear to God I could see her soul leave her body.

‘Oh God, Mom please don’t leave me.’

‘I don’t want to but I have to love. It’s my time to go. I’ll be watching over you, just like my mother watched over me. I promise.’

I dissolved into tears as Dad came running in.

‘Cleo!’

‘If I could stay even one more day with you my darling I would, but I am so tired.’

He broke down and sobbed.

‘It’s ok. You’ve been in pain for so long. I love you Cleo.’

She smiled.

‘I love you too Lawrence, with all my heart.’

The room temperature dropped to freezing, then he appeared…The Reaper.

Cleo:

‘Yes, this is all terribly touching but I have a schedule to stick to…’

‘Oh hush, you cranky old thing. They’re distraught.’

‘So am I! I had a date and instead I had to come and collect your soul.’

I grinned.

‘Seriously? Do they have, like, lady Reapers?’

‘No they don’t. It was a rather cute Banshee if you must know. Come, let us move somewhere we can do this thing properly.’

‘Cleo Vaughan, you have led quite the life. Mother.Witch. Astronaut. Killer. Quite impressive. Now it’s time to balance the books so to speak. Hmm, you did kill Lillith Montgomery but that was ok’d by the higher ups.’

‘Really? I thought I’d be left the wander the earth, sent to purgatory or something?’

‘Nope, you were set on your path by The Fates. You did what you were meant to do.’

‘So…The Fates are the higher ups?’

He sighed.

‘Noooo. None of that concerns you…yet. I’m here to guide your soul to where it needs to go. In your case, Heaven.’

‘Thank you.’

He sniffed.

‘No need, it wasn’t my decision. Are you ready to go?’

I looked around at my family. They were heartbroken but they would take care of each other and they would heal eventually.

‘Yes, I am.’

He lifted his arms and spoke in a voice so deep it shook my very core.

‘So mote it be.’

Then…I was free.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Circe:

It had been a horrible year. First Mom, then Dad six months later. I missed them terribly.

A voice sounded behind me.

‘Sweetheart, come inside.’

‘I’m sorry for leaving you to cope with the kids alone, I just miss them so much Michael.’

‘No need for apologies, love. I know how much you miss them, and you’ll continue to miss them but in time you’ll find that the grief is less, tempered by your happy memories of them and the knowledge you’ll see them again someday.’

‘When did you get so smart?’

‘Always been smart darlin’. I just hide it really, really well. Circe, there’s something I need to tell you.’

‘Yes?’

Michael:

I couldn’t do it, coward that I was. I couldn’t tell her what I’d done. She’d already been through so much.

‘I…I was thinking we shouldn’t put off the wedding any longer. I want us to be married as soon as possible.’

She smiled at me for the first time in months.

‘I’ve been thinking the same thing. Registry office?’

‘No, you deserve the whole nine yards. Family and friends, cake, wine, bad disco music. All of it.’

‘Well when you say like that, how I could I possibly say no?’

Circe:

He took my hand.

‘Come on, we have a wedding to organize. The girls will go stratospheric when they find out they’re gonna be flower-girls.’

I let him lead me inside. He was right, when we told the girls they let out a kind of squee that seemed to come from the tips of their toes. I felt guilty for having neglected them for so long. They needed something to lift their spirits, we all did. So this wedding was going to be big.

I’d left the dead and rejoined the living. Mom and Dad would want me to move on. So, I was going to try.

Caitriona:

Maybe it was the whole vampire thing but the last five years have just flown by. Before we knew it Cassandra was a gorgeous little toddler.

Seems like only yesterday we were teaching her how to walk and talk and now she was turning eight years old. I missed being able to pick her up and give her a cuddle.

I wasn’t the only one feeling the time slipping by. Circe’s two girls had just shot up. Mom and Dad had been home for their birthdays so they did the honours and brought them to the cake.

And now it was Cassie’s turn, Circe threw her a party and brought her to the cake.

The three cousins were the best of friends. Especially Cassie and Camille, they got on like a house on fire.

Camille was a sweet girl, more than a little mischievous though, I’ve lost count of the times I’ve found her poking around in the attic looking for ingredients for spells.

Celeste was a little more strait-laced. She loved studying and sports, in that order.

As for Cecile she was now thirteen years old. She was coming into her power early, both Circe and I could see it. We began to train her up asap and, as we suspected, she was a natural.

She’d become more than a little conceited as she’d gotten older. Then again she was a teenager. I hoped she’d grow out of it.

Cecile:

I always knew I was special but turns out I’m descended from a long line of witches. It was awesome. Mom and Aunt Cat were already training me because of how powerful I was. I overheard them talking a few times…completely by accident of course.

I already knew I was powerful. I could see and communicate with ghosts. One in particular kept bugging me. She said her name was Lillith. It was always around the same time every evening, she would appear and beg to have a word with me. Fine. I was bored anyway.

‘Yes, Lillith for the hundredth time, I hear you. What do you want?’

‘Only to help you dear. I don’t like seeing people being deceived.’

I rolled my eyes.

‘Deceived? And just who is being deceived?

‘You all are. Your adoptive father Michael has been hiding some pretty dark secrets, Cecile.’

‘What dark secret could he possibly be hiding?’

‘You were never told that much about your biological father were you dear?’

‘N-no.’

‘Then you most certainly wouldn’t know about his untimely death…and who is truly responsible.’

‘You can’t mean.’

‘I do. Your real father died at the hands of the one you call Dad.’

‘It’s not true!’

‘I’m sorry love, but it is. Confront him and you’ll see for yourself.’

I ran straight to my room and cried myself to sleep.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

The sun was barely up the next morning when I went downstairs. Michael was up as usual practising with his guitar. I asked him to speak with me in private. We went up to the first floor balcony.

‘Dad, I need to know. Did you kill my biological father?’

His face went ashen with shock.

‘Sweetheart, please hear me out.’

‘What is there to hear? I can see the guilt in your face, you’re a murderer! Does Mom know?’

‘No, I never told anyone. It’s not like you think, I didn’t have a choice! Please let me tell your Mom myself.’

‘You better tell her. Soon. I know she’ll feel the same way as I do, she won’t be able to look at you.’

‘Ceci, please!’

‘Don’t call me that! In fact, don’t ever speak to me again! You disgust me!’

I’d lost two fathers in one day. The only adults I could trust were Mom…and Lillith.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Speaking of Lillith, now that I’d started listening to her, she could speak to me telepathically. She said we had a special bond. She really looked out for me. If I was stuck on a test in school, she’d whisper the answers. She even gave me advice on clothes and make up.

I couldn’t believe how much better I looked afterwards, even with my beaky nose.

She even knew who I liked, which is something I’d never told anyone. Casey, my best friend since forever. He’d grown up into the most handsome guy I’d ever seen, even if he did look a little unusual.

Lillith said not to worry, he felt the same way as I did. He was just too shy to say so. If I wanted anything to happen, I’d have to make the first move. I trusted her judgement, she was beautiful and confident, not to mention glamorous. I’m sure she had guys eating out of the palm of her hand when she was alive.

She said the best way to make sure it all went as planned was to make a love charm. It would help him realise his true feelings she said. She also advised me not to tell Mom or Aunt Cat and I agreed with her. They’d say I was too young for fooling around with boys, but they didn’t understand. This was love.

With Lillith’s help I finished the list of ingredients for my spell. Now I just needed to do a little shopping. Before the week was out, Casey would be mine.

Circe:

Cat’s news was more than a little unexpected, I had no idea that vampires could have kids. According to Alexander it’s not unheard of, but it doesn’t happen that often either. So until Cat gave birth she would be staying with us, to hide her from any prying eyes.

I’d asked if the baby would need to be fed bottles of blood which earned me a derisive look from Alexander. Apparently their child will be pretty much human until he or she reaches adulthood which is when they’ll come into their vampire powers.

Speaking of growing up, my youngest girls had just turned one and were doing their best to start walking already.

Both of them had inherited their dad’s blond hair. The pale blue eyes must be a throw back to one of our grandparents. Camille took after her dad while Celeste looked a little more like me I think.

Seeing how well our little family was chugging along I decided on the spur of the moment that we might as well make it official.

I asked Michael to marry me, while he was standing in his boxers no less.

To my eternal relief he said yes! We haven’t set a date yet, just getting engaged is a huge step.

Besides, I still had to break it to him that I wanted to keep my own name. He had been more than a bit incredulous when I told him about Grandad taking Grandma’s last name.

Caitriona:

Being back at home was wonderful. I’d missed hanging out with little Cecile, she was more than a little excited about my pregnancy. That made two of us.

Sorry, three of us. Alexander was overjoyed. He’d never thought he’d be a father so he was determined to be there all.the.time. I was getting a little weary of it but I didn’t have the heart to bitch at him. Actually, I quite enjoyed the fact that this was one thing he was just as clueless about as me.

Even Circe overcame her initial squeamishness. She even managed to share a few jokes with Alexander.

The baby had given them some common ground, they were slowly warming up to each other.

When I finally went into labour it was Cecile who was with me. I had to send her to fetch Alexander.

We called a cab and headed to the hospital. Our family had taken it over a decade ago, we were guaranteed the utmost privacy.

I spent the rest of the night and most of the next day in labour. At 6pm, I gave birth to a healthy baby girl. We named her Cassandra after my favourite aunt who had recently passed away.

Welcome to the world, Cassandra Page.

Caitriona:

It really didn’t happen the way I’d thought it would. I thought when I finally completed my transformation from human to vampire it would all dramatic and I would be lying in bed, dressed to the nines ready to look at my new awesome vampire self in the mirror. I blame Anne Rice for my unrealistic expectations of the vampire lifestyle.

In reality I was still in my slightly grubby jeans and leather jacket straight out of soundcheck when I turned.

I had just stepped outside into the cold spring night when suddenly my body temperature shot through the roof.

The heat swept over me until I could literally feel the blood boil within my veins.

Distantly, I thanked my lucky stars that there was no one else around.

Sometimes living in a quiet town had its advantages.

Then as quickly as it had started, it was over. I was a vampire. My first thought was LAME. My second was blood.

I was startled by one of my back up singers exiting the theatre. As I really didn’t want to end up nomming on my band, I bolted away from her as fast as I could. Turns out fast for a vampire is super-not-even-a-high-speed-camera-can-see-you kind of fast. Alexander was taken aback when he saw me burst through the door, which made me feel awesome because he is never phased by anything.

He gave me some blood from his stash in the fridge completely silent while he stared at me in what I can only describe as wonder.

‘As a human you were beautiful, but as a vampire you are magnificent.’

Swoon.

The rest of the night was a happy blur.

Circe:

I was getting impatient with my prospective client, a Mr. cYcLoNe SwOrD. He was a dumbass. He wanted me to see if I could catch his girl, Emma Hatch, cheating, even though it was quite obvious to everyone and their dog that Ms Hatch was having it away with anyone with or without a pulse. I was debating whether or not to take the case, it had been a slow month but I had my reservations.

Even without his tell-tale pallor and uncanny eyes I could tell what he was by the awful cold energy that surrounded him. Thanks to my brother-in-law and newly minted vampire sister, I could now tell a vamp from 20ft away. And given Ms Hatch’s yen for the undead, there was a very good chance that one of her new lovers was a vamp. The last thing I needed was to get involved in a supernatural love triangle octagon, it was a very good way to end up dead.

‘Your definitely Cat’s sister right?’

‘I am.’

‘So you’re ok with working for one of us.’

‘Still not a 100% on that one.’

‘She said you might say that.’

‘What can I say? Cat knows me well.’

‘Well think it over. I can pay.’

‘I’m not hurting for money.’

He sneered.

‘So what, you do this from the goodness of your heart?’

‘Something like that. Nice meeting you. You’ll have my answer by noon tomorrow.’

As I drove home I thought about Cat, it had been a year since she’d been turned. She’d come to see me a few days after she became a full fledged vamp. I’d been right about Alexander being the cause of her transformation but not in the way I’d thought.

She’d gotten some other vamp to turn her out of love for him. She said she wanted to be with him forever. Even though I knew it was going to happen, it was a kick in the teeth nonetheless. I’d found it hard to stay pissed at her though, she seemed like the same old Cat…until the light hit those eyes of hers.

I couldn’t lie, she still freaked me out a little but I’d missed her something awful. So we tried to ease back into each others lives as best we could. She came over with Alexander to play with their nieces which made Cecile ecstatic and I tried my hardest not to stake Alexander with my salad tongs during dinner. It was all peaches and cream again.

They were coming over again tonight. I’d just arrived home to see Michael laying out the table for dinner when the doorbell rang. Before I could even answer it, Cat practically skipped through the door. I looked at the lock which was now hanging off the door. Cat still didn’t know her own strength.

‘Oops, not again! Sorry, will get someone over to fix it asap. Circe, Circe, Circe! I hope you have some baby clothes left over from the twins!’

She rubbed her stomach gently.

‘I’m pregnant!’

What the what now?

Circe:

The last few months of my pregnancy sped by. I missed Caitriona but she had made her choice. She wasn’t returning my calls so I let her be. The news of her moving out caused a bit of a stir, the tabloids had a few snide things to say about our family as per usual. It was water off a ducks back at this point.

The only thing that did get to me was seeing Cecile upset, she missed her aunt terribly. Michael missed Cat too but he would never say so, he didn’t have to. They’d been making music together for over a decade now, they were family long before he met me.

The imminent arrival of the baby was the only things perking him up. We couldn’t wait to meet the newest addition to the Vaughan clan. As it turned out they arrived a two weeks early.

I had just walked home from the bookstore, Michael met me in the garden and gave me a quick kiss hello before bam! a contraction. For the next few hours I went about my business until I had no choice but to head to the hospital. God, how I loathe hospitals, they make my skin itch.

Fifteen gruelling hours later I gave birth to twins which was quite the surprise. We named them Camille and Celeste and after I spent a few days resting, we took them home to meet their sister who spent the rest of the night staring at them in wonder.

Even Caitriona’s absence from our lives couldn’t cast a shadow over our happiness right now.

Michael:

I don’t think I’ve ever been as happy as I am right now. The past few weeks have been chaos, but the good kind. We were both operating on the bare minimum of sleep but those two little girls were worth it. The only thing that stung was that one person I wanted to share it with, my best friend, wasn’t there.

I took a spin on my bike through town and ended up at Central Park. That’s when I saw her. A grin swept across my face until I noticed the pallor of her skin.

Cat had always been beautiful but now she was beautiful in a way that made my skin go cold.

I walked over and sat down beside her. Her smile was infectious, I couldn’t help but smile back.

‘Missed you Casey.’

‘Missed you too Cat. You have two more nieces now: Camille and Celeste.’

Her smile slipped a little.

‘I read about it in the paper. I wish I could have been there.’

‘You could’ve been, you still can be if you choose to.’

She sighed.

‘That will just make it harder. She doesn’t want Alexander in my life but he is my life now. He proposed last month, we’re getting married in a few weeks. He’s not going anywhere any time soon, so until Circe decides to stop being a stubborn jerk nothing will change.’

‘Can you honestly say she was wrong for wanting to stop you becoming one of them? And don’t even try to deny that’s exactly what you’re doing. It’s plain to see, your skin, your eyes, you’re changing Cat.’

‘I won’t deny it but it’s not like you think. At no point has Alexander offered to turn me and I haven’t asked him to. He’s against the whole idea, he loves my humanity.’

‘Then who is it?’

‘A friend.’

‘I’m sorry but that’s bullshit. I’m your friend and I think what you’re doing is crazy. You’re pretty much killing yourself.’

‘Jesus Casey you’re always so dramatic. When Alexander proposed, it made me think long and hard about our future, how we would only have a few decades together before I grew old and infirm while he stayed the same. It was then I decided that I wanted to become a vampire. I’m not killing myself. I’m just changing from one thing to another and when it’s over I get to stay with the man I love forever.’

‘If you had the chance to do that, wouldn’t you take it? You and Circe together forever?’

‘No, what I want is what I have. A loving family I get to help raise and a wonderful woman I get to grow old with.’

‘Sure, that’s true. You get to grow old and frail and eventually one of you will have to watch the other one die. I’m sorry if the thought of that doesn’t quite appeal to me.’

She got up and walked away without another word.

Circe:

Perhaps I could have handled it better but I simply was not expecting the rush of energy that came from him. It washed over me as soon as I entered the room and it was bitterly cold.

It reminded me of what Sile’s energy felt like but it was infinitely worse. How could Caitriona not feel it? She was just as gifted as I. I felt a rush of anger towards her, she had invited this thing into our home. What has she been thinking?!

Caitriona hissed in my ear reminding me I still hadn’t moved an inch.

‘What the hell are you babbling about. I am so bloody embarrassed right now.’ She tried to move past me but I grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

Alexander stood up and smiled gently at Caitriona.

‘No need for embarrassment dear. Your sister is protective of her family. It’s is an admirable quality.’ He turned his attention to me. ‘I think that after dinner, which smells delicious by the way, we should discuss my intentions towards your sister. Let me say now that I would never hurt her, she is precious to me.’

I could hear no lie in his words but I made sure to sit as far away from him as possible while we had possibly the most awkward dinner I’d ever had in my entire life.

I suddenly wished Sile still lived here. She was bound to know just what this guy was. As we made polite conversation I slipped my phone out of my pocket and sent off a sneaky text to Sile. It went something like:

Cat’s new bf. Looks odd. Feels dead.

What I got back made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

I’m on my way over. He’s a fucking vampire.

Sile:

I could cheerfully throttle Caitriona right now. Of all the supernatural beings she could of invited into her home she had to pick one of the deadliest. What the hell was she thinking?!

Then again, maybe she didn’t know. Very few vamps reveal their true nature to mortals unless they plan to make them one of their own… or kill them.

I shut my eyes and teleported to Circe’s house. I sagged against the front gate for a few seconds to collect myself. It was getting harder and harder for me to do this. I shook my head, now was not the time for self pity.

I rang the doorbell. No need for dramatics, it wouldn’t help the situation any. Michael flung the door open and dragged me inside. As we ran towards the dining room he spoke rapidly in Irish.

‘You need to talk some sense into Circe now.

‘Why what’s going on?!’

‘Looks like she’s about ready to kill Cat’s boyfriend.’

He wasn’t exaggerating. When I went inside I gasped, the room was positively flooded with magic. Circe stood stock still, her eyes wild as she called her power to her.

The red haired vamp stood opposite her, he was just as still but he looked calm, bemused even. Caitriona stood in the middle and was pale with shock.

I walked slowly towards Circe.

‘I don’t think we need to take it this far just yet.’

‘He’s a vampire, a vampire that my sister invited into our home. When I am satisfied that he means me and mine no harm I’ll calm down. Until then if he makes one move that isn’t towards the front door I will fucking end him. Is that quite clear Alexander?’

‘Yes, Ms Vaughan.’

Caitriona gasped.

‘A vampire? What on Earth is she talking about Alex?!’

‘Oh I see, you neglected to mention to the woman that you claim to “love” that you’re not human? Tell me what exactly are your intentions towards my sister?’

‘If you would let me get two words in I shall tell you. I love her. I want to marry her. I was hoping to ask you for your parents address so I could ask for her hand in marriage.’

‘Two reasons I’m calling bullshit on that statement. One: there is such a thing as the internet. if you wanted their address, you would have it already. Two: do you really think my parents would consent to her marrying a vampire?

‘You say that word with so much disgust, like you are so very different. You too are a supernatural, just like me.’

‘I am nothing like you. You feel dead, like a walking corpse.’

He blanched and for the first time real anger showed on his face.

‘Caitriona I swear on my life I was going to tell you soon, after dinner in fact. I wanted to see for myself if the claims you had made about your family was true, that you and your family are of supernatural blood. We vampires don’t just let anyone know of our existence, we have very strict laws that govern this. I needed to know if I could trust you with my secret, my life. Don’t look so hurt darling, when you are a vampire it pays to mistrust everyone until they prove themselves trustworthy. As for you Ms Vaughan, because you know nothing of our kind I will let that insult pass.’

Circe threw a withering glance at Caitriona who looked embarassed.

‘I’m sorry sis, I know it sounds stupid but I know I can trust him. He’s the only person I’ve told about our family’s history. I love him and I know he would never do anything to hurt me or the people I love. Can’t you see that?’

Circe:

When she said those words the world fell away and I did see…something, just a flash and then it was gone. The woman standing before me looked just like my sister, she had the same beautiful face but it was white as bone and lifeless. Her eyes shone with an inner light that no mere human possessed. I felt my heart sink.

I knew then that I had just seen what would come to pass. My sister would become one of them. A vampire.

I shifted my gaze to Alexander.

‘Get out of my house. Now.’

Caitriona began to protest.

‘Haven’t you listened to anything I’ve said?’

‘Yes, I have and I know if you stay around this thing, you will end up just like him.’

The vamp looked shocked.

‘I would never turn Caitriona.’

‘You say that now, but you will.’

Caitriona turned to me and spoke quietly.

‘Circe I love you but if he leaves, I’m going with him.’

‘You do what you have to sis. I love you too, I’m trying to protect you right now but you’re an adult and I have to respect your decision. Believe me when I say my door is always open for you, but not for him. Cat, I want you to tell Alexander he is no longer welcome in this house.’

Caitriona began to cry but she did as I asked. Alexander gasped and blood poured from his mouth as he collapsed. Caitriona ran to him and pulling one of his arms around her shoulders helped him to get to his feet. They left quickly and they didn’t look back.

Caitriona:

I was putting the finishing touches to dinner when the doorbell rang. I jumped and Circe grinned.

‘Go answer the door, I’ll look after dinner.’

I ran to the door and opened it with a wide smile on my face.

Alexander drew me close, kissed me gently on the lips and I promptly forgot how to function.

‘Shall we go inside?’

I blushed.

‘Oh yeah, sorry. Please come in, dinner is just about ready.’

What was it about him that reduced me to a blushing schoolgirl?

Heading into the dinning room, I showed him to his seat and went to join Circe in the kitchen.

She was busy ladling out the soup into bowls while Michael loaded them up on a tray. Finished, she blew the hair out of her eyes.

‘Okay dinner is ready. We have lift off. Commencing judgement of Caitriona’s new boyfriend in three, two, one…’

I swatted her with a tea towel.

‘Stop it, he’ll hear you!’

‘Oh relax Cat, we’re just messing with you. Hmmm, it’s not like you to get all flustered over a guy.’ A sly smirk slid across her face. ‘Could it be, that Miss Caitriona has found…the one?’

‘Say another word and you will be eating this towel!’

Circe and Michael burst into giggles. I sighed. I could tell this was going to be a long night.

We all went back to the dining room with Michael leading the way. Circe stopped dead in the doorway.

She was staring at Alexander. He returned her look, unblinking.

‘I there a problem Ms Vaughan?’ His voice was barely a whisper.

‘Yes, there is. You’re dead.’