When I arrive back at my grandmother’s, I sneak in like a thief in the night or a teenager breaking curfew. I quietly lock up and climb the stairs. Quickly I remove my clothes and put on my pajamas and that’s all I remember. I must have passed out from exhaustion before my head even touched my pillow
I’m woken up by Jasmine in the bathroom; poor thing must have been bursting for a pee since I’d forgotten to take her out last night when I got back, both times.
“Good morning; how are you today?” I call out to her as I clamber out of bed.
My eyes are so bleary I can hardly see through them, and I feel exhausted, but strangely refreshed at the same time.
As the bathroom door opens and no one comes into my room I decide to enter, obviously she needs to speak to me and the bathroom is the safest place, there are no windows so no one can spy on us if she is in human form. Walking in, I spot her sitting on the edge of the bath in the farther corner, so she won’t be glimpsed by anyone in the bedroom. Calmly I close the door, cross the room, and give her a quick hug.
“So how was last night? I’m guessing something happened; so tell me everything, and don’t leave anything out,” Jasmine demands.
Quickly I update her on what had happened last night, including Grandma Eve’s surprise at how Hecate had helped destroy the ward. To be honest it still puzzled me. I tell her about my phone call from Victor and meeting up with him.
“I can’t understand why she was so surprised. I mean her reaction was as if she has never seen Hecate give help, or I don’t know…” I shake my head in puzzlement.
“Maybe she hasn’t, Candi. You have to remember not everyone speaks to the Goddesses of old, let alone regularly and mainly to say hi. Most people if they speak at all, just ask for something and never to say thanks. It makes a difference and it shows. You obviously surprised and maybe made your gran look at her relationship with Hecate.”
Thinking about the first time Jasmine realized I had such a special relationship with the Goddess, I remembered it was quite an eye opener for her. Ever since she made an effort to say hello and ask how Hecate was, until it became no effort, that’s when she finally heard a reply. I still remember the awe on her face the first time Hecate spoke to her. “What about you? Did anything happen here or was it all quiet?”
“No, it wasn’t all quiet. Someone came poking around, but I don’t think they were expecting a dog, because I heard them scuttle back when I started barking and soon after they left.”
Giving a deep sigh, she runs her fingers through her long black hair, before continuing, “Look I think they were snooping around because of you. Especially with how you so easily destroyed a ward, it wouldn’t go in your favor. When are you signing the papers for the old Winters’ house again?”
“Today at two p.m. You’re probably right, the sooner we move out, the better and safer my gran will be.”
It’s sad, but I think she’s right. Whoever was trying to snoop around is most likely trying to find something to use against me. But I decide I will tell my grandma about the snooper, then realize I can’t because it was Jasmine who was here on her own, and as a dog would have no way of telling me about the unwanted caller.
“Damn,” I mutter in frustration.
“Hey, maybe we can look for footprints in the mud, and if we find any, we can give your gran a heads-up, just in case it’s not you causing unwanted attention.”
Giving her a grateful look, I make her turn around, so her back’s to me, so I can pee. My bladder at this stage is about ready to explode.
“Now, for the juicy news. You went out on a date with Victor. I want details.”
“I don’t think you can call it a date, to be honest, I’m not sure what you would call it. We met up, went to The Blue Lagoon Bar, which sells great lager, but is a complete dive. We admitted we’re attracted to each other, and neither of us is majorly happy about it, or knows how to deal with the fact we have never felt so strongly about anyone else. And since Victor is one hundred and ninety-one years old, it’s quite scary,” I admit.
“Wow, one hundred and ninety-one years old? Really?”
“Well, he’s been a vampire for, ummm, one hundred and sixty-six years.”
“Oh my God, talk about mind blowing, and he’s never felt…”
“Wanted, someone as much as he wants me.” I leave out what he confided about his sire’s brother. His trusting me and sharing such information gives me a warm fuzzy feeling, and I like the fact he trusted me enough to tell me. Though I do wonder what exactly happened to his sire’s brother and why he wasn’t rescued.
Not knowing what to say, she changes back into dog form, so I jump into the shower. Once I’ve finished we leave the bathroom to billowing steam. Dragging on underwear and a ratty T-shirt, tracksuit bottoms, and my trainers, I pull a brush through my hair before tying it up in a loose ponytail, slap on some moisturizer, and jog downstairs for some breakfast, with Jasmine at my heels.
I quickly get her some fresh water and her breakfast. Once she’s eating, I pop the kettle on and sort out my own breakfast. With a sense of contentment, I cradle my mug and wish my Goddess a happy morning. Finishing my coffee, I take my dishes to the sink, where I quickly wash, dry, and put them away. We head out for our morning run, and a sneaky look around
for any sign of footprints in the mud.
To say our search is uneventful is an understatement. Whoever visited the house last night had left no sign. They had cleaned up after themselves too well, and I mean every print was gone; there should have been paw prints and my footprints.
Whoever had been nosing around last night had wiped our prints with theirs, maybe they hadn’t realized we were there, maybe this was someone trying to spy on my grandmother.
Making up my mind, I decide I will tell her Jasmine had seemed upset this morning, and I had noticed all prints had been wiped. That way I can let her know as much as we do about the unknown caller. With my decision made, we go back inside to get ready to see the solicitors. Finally, it’s Friday and I’m signing for my home today.
Quickly I change into black trousers, heeled black boots, and a black shirt. I tie my hair into a single plait down my back, apply eyeliner, and lipstick. I grab my coat and head downstairs. I lock up, and Jasmine and I climb into my car to head to the old Winters’ house for a final look around before signing for the house.
****
As we arrive I sense the house being happy to see us again, so I climb out of the car and head toward the front door. With a happy feeling, I place my hand on the door and say hello to the house and to my shock, I feel a wave of power and see a series of images.
Men had arrived, after I agreed to buy the house. They had tried to take the bath and some other items, but the house hadn’t let them. They had tried to dump rubbish, and the house and surrounding lands threw it back at them.
“The agreements had been set, and they tried to break them. I will not allow wrongdoing to occur to those who shall live here,” whispered the house in a fog-like voice, gently surrounding me.
“Thank you, now we must go and sign the papers. We will come afterwards and start the renovations. I hope you will like the plans I have.”
Going back to the car, I drive straight to the bank to collect the money, and then to the solicitors to sign and pay for the house. With a feeling of excitement, I enter the office of Jameson and Smyth Solicitors and inform the secretary I’m there for my two o’clock appointment with Thomas Smyth.
Five minutes later, I’m in his office reading the paperwork. After assuring myself everything is as it should be, Mrs. White, old Mrs. Winters’ daughter signs and I sign as well. I take out the money and once counted out to everyone’s satisfaction, I pay my solicitor’s fees, stamp duty fees, land registry fees, and finally the engineer’s report fees for the survey he’d done.
With a sigh of relief and all the keys to the house and photocopies of all documents, I finally leave the solicitor’s office feeling exhausted, but very happy, as I’m now the proud owner of the old Winters’ house.
****
I’d already arranged for my furniture to arrive later that day. Everything is finally coming together smoothly. With a feeling of immense relief, I climb into my car and head for the off license. Today deserves a celebration bottle of champagne.
I decide I’ll give Victor and Kheda a ring, to see if they would like to help celebrate the signing of the deeds to my new home. I realize to do so will cause great problems. How can I explain to my gran I am associating with a vampire and werewolf? I know the dangers, and yes, I am willing to be around them, but I cannot jeopardize my gran’s life by having a party that might put her life in danger.
I will have them over later after dinner for a celebration. I will tell my grandmother I will be having Victor and Kheda over, and she is welcome to stay. But most importantly of all, I will tell her the truth about Jasmine. Well, once I have permission and when we are all at the old Winters’ house just in case the person snooping around Gran’s house left any magical or technical listening devise.
As I climb back into my car, I tell her my plan for the party, and about telling my grandmother about her. After all Jasmine can now stay human if she wants, especially when safely on the property of the old Winters’ house.
With a sigh of understanding and a bark to confirm her agreement, she gives me the permission I need to tell my grandmother the truth. I hope she will understand about her, but also about Victor and Kheda as well.