I try not to cry, even though my voice is thick with emotion.
Kheda appears shocked, grinding his teeth he jumps up from his seat and starts to pace. “Are you sure?” His voice is demanding, as he swings around to look at me.
I give him a withering glare that could peel his skin from his bones.
“Okay, obviously you’re sure, but how do you know? I mean, your grandmother? Black magick, are you really sure? Because if you are, this is bad.” Kheda trails off, as he sits down heavily in the nearest chair, and puts his head in his hands. Rubbing his face roughly, he looks up and with a big sigh nods. “What do we do?”
Taking a deep breath, I let it out, look at Jasmine, give a nod of my head I come to a decision.
“Jasmine, go upstairs and put some clothes on. There is no need for you to stay in dog form anymore. Kheda, we need all the information on what happened at the hospital, without anyone else knowing. Someone knows something, and they’re hiding it pretty damn well. Victor, have we let Benny go?”
“Is it safe for her to be in human form?” Kheda’s voice changes to concern, as he watches Jasmine leave the room and trot up the stairs, fear and apprehension flicker over his expressive face.
“We need her in human form, and to be honest, it won’t make any difference anymore. If no one knew she was a shapeshifter beforehand, they will now.” A tired sound escapes from me as I watch her climbing the stairs. I hope I’m doing the right thing by insisting she transform back and hope it isn’t just to fulfill my own need to have my friend back.
****
A few minutes later, Jasmine comes skipping down the stairs, wearing tight soft jeans that hug her lean body and worship her long legs, a black vestie top and trainers. Her long black hair is pulled back into a ponytail swishing happily from side to side.
“Okay, how about we all go out for lunch?” she demands, grinning at everyone in pleasure at finally being able to stay in human form.
“Sure, but where?” I look around at the others. Seriously, where would it be safe for a shifter, werewolf, vampire, and witch to go grab a bite, without having The Protectors ready to kill us?
“We could go to my bar, if you want. We do sell food, and the chef is pretty talented.”
“Yeah, sounds good to me,” Kheda agrees, in obvious relief. “No one would look twice at different species being together in a vampire bar, though we will still have to be careful.”
“Okay, let’s go.” I look at myself. “Umm, I’ll meet you there; I need to shower and change clothes.” I quickly head upstairs to strip off what I’m wearing and set out some fresh clothes.
I decide to wear my trainers, just in case I need to move quickly. Heading to the bathroom, I turn on the water, climb in, and have the quickest shower on record. I dry off, dress and slap on moisturizer, before running my brush through my hair and tie it up. It will dry in its own good time.
I hurry downstairs and am about to leave when I decide to cast a quick protection spell on my house and land. I have no interest in black magick being done here. Negativity on that level, I do not want or need. I light a white candle for purification, and cast my spell.
“Let no unwanted guest be allowed To enter or harm my home or land.
Let all be safe, be you animal or human. If upon my place, I protect thee.
Allow my guests safe passage To come and go.
As I wish it
As I have said it So mote it be.”
Blowing out the candle, I collect my wallet, and stuff it into my jacket pocket on my way out, locking my front door behind me. It is so quiet, for a second I feel afraid. Everything is going to shit around me, and I don’t know what to do about it.
Shaking my head, I cross toward my car and decide at the last moment to walk instead. After all, apart from a psycho killer running around, it was a nice day out. Walking at a brisk pace away from my car, I begin to wonder what kind of food a vampire’s bar supplies, when I feel a tingle of awareness shiver up my spine.
Someone is here who shouldn’t be. I pick up my pace a bit more, but not enough for anyone to realize I know I’m being watched. I think about tracking them, but decide against it. I don’t feel any threat just curiosity.
****
After a couple of minutes, I exit my property and arrive on the main road, feeling a bit safer but still rattled. I keep up my pace and finally reach East Bridge and hurry across to the other side. Once my feet touch down on the other side, every bone in my body relaxes. Heading to the free car park, I enter the woods, crouch, and look back toward the bridge.
I spot my grandmother, standing in the middle of the bridge looking around. Shaking her head, she crosses back over and walks toward her shop. Was she following me? Was it my grandmother I’d sensed earlier trying to enter my land? No, it definitely wasn’t her. Could it be a coincidence she’d spotted me?
“Ahhh, enough already,” I mutter in annoyance. I can’t try second-guessing what I just don’t know. It will drive me crazy.
Shaking my head, I stand with a grimace. If anyone had spotted me muttering to myself in the woods, they would definitely think I’m crazy! With a snort of derision, I scurry along to Vlad’s Bar, but keep to the woods.
I feel a strange sense of safety in them; actually, it’s probably a stupid sense of safety, due to the fact I have found three bodies in the woods. With this thought I speed up. With a feeling of relief, I finally arrive at the bar. With a final glance around, I step through the door and straight into darkness.