7

'It's a pleasure to meet you.' He sounds warm, friendly, but I’m reading him, ravaging him for hints and signs of anything amiss. Charming they may be, but Vampires are from the dark side of our world, and you should never fully trust them.

Cornel has a heavy Romanian accent and an award-winning smile, physical perfection, and strength. All the traits of a mature vampire who was born into his bloodline. He looks mid-thirties but at a guess I would say he’s in his thousands. He’s not a hybrid, he’s an ancestral. Birthed by two vampire parents in the natural way, which only adds to his abilities and need to conceal himself in the human world.

I sense no compulsion or ulterior motive; he’s no threat to me or Cora. Beauty and charm to draw you in and make for easier prey when bedazzling unsuspecting women yet he isn’t attempting it. I look him over without interest, despite his attributes and bore quickly. Vampires are nothing I have ever been attracted to, I’m immune to most immortal tricks.

'Likewise, Cornel. I guess I should invite you over my threshold then. Do come in.' I chuckle at the stereotypical joke made up by humans in their folklore and he smirks. Knowing no such thing is even close to true.

I stand back allowing first Cora then Cornel to enter, knowing a vampire male will always take on the role of gentleman where a woman is concerned. He smiles and nods his appreciation having guessed that I already summarised he is of no threat. He’s easier to read than a book. Shielding nothing from me, which suggests he’s hoping to earn my trust.

Cora is looking older than I remember, maybe early forties now. Fiery red hair that hangs straight and sleek to her shoulders and sparkling green eyes set in an almost childish sweetheart face. Her own accent not so prominent now. It has been many moons since I met her in her homeland Germany. She dresses like a woman of title with fitted dark expensive clothes much like her companions, expensive shoes, and has an air of title about her. Not the wild cottage witch I met in her tumble-down abode so long ago.

I guide them to the large sitting room I was previously residing in and usher them to sit on the couches placed in front of the roaring fire. On the wooden trunk between the chairs I have laid out my mass of books and print outs from recent research at the town library with a tea tray settled on top in anticipation of their arrival.

'So, I guess you invited us here because like us you know something is amiss in the universe?' Cora smiles but humour was never her strong point and her unease is still clearly evident at being caught out by the likes of me.

Cornel admires the carved arm of the suite and then gazes off into the fire, seemingly lost in thought and oblivious to our awkward reacquaintance. I can already tell this one is weak. His eyes are the lacklustre of a vampire who is not feeding on human blood anymore, hence no glow, and his distraction to the topic enforces it. In this simmering light, I can tell by the hue of his skin tone and the tired posture that he’s going cold turkey.

'I was curious as to the spying, Cora. You should know better than that. If you knew I was here, you should have just reached out to me and asked what I was doing.' I cut to the chase, not one to be anything but direct and move to the large chair opposite to sit down. Adjusting my layers and rearranging my bangles. Sweeping my hair back while trying to sense the vibes from Cornel, guess at his story for giving up on blood, while watching Cora fumble with her bracelet. Her nervousness growing with the tick of every second.

'I'm sorry about that, I know it was not a wise move, but my bird was never intended for you, he strayed your way upon finding you here. I didn’t mean to watch you of all people. I wouldn’t intentionally do that.' She too averts her gaze towards Cornel, and I catch the fleeting hint of concern before she turns back to me. It’s obvious Cora has strong emotions for him and is only too aware of the vampire’s lack of strength.

'So, who were you watching? Anyone of interest or just someone who took your fancy? Someone you’re lusting after maybe?' I smile mischievously testing the waters. Cornel frowns at the fire and remains impassive and quiet, still not turning his gaze back at us but his stiff posture is very telling.

Interesting.

Was that a spark of jealousy?

'I was looking for a specific person rumoured to be here, a witch known as Nara but as of yet I have not found her at all. She’s a Mambo.' Cora interjected and lightly places a hand on the man’s arm, a touching gesture that makes his mouth raise at one corner to smile. Checking if he’s okay as he seems to be quiet.

'Then you should have redirected to New Orleans, that's where that voodoo conjurer resides, Cora.' I shrug with one shoulder, knowing exactly who Nara is. A priestess of Haitian Voodoo.

'You know her?' Both Cora and Cornel glance at me quickly, talking in unison, then at one another, a look of question transpiring between them. It seems unusual to them that I would know of another witch in a completely different practice. I supress the urge to eyeroll and instead stare at them pointedly.

'There are not many decent conjurers in this world that I do not know of; you should know that already. If they’re worth anything, then I know them. Nara is not here, but I am curious as to why you think she would be of help, or in Newark?' I lean forward and touch the teapot on the silver tray before me, bringing the water to boil almost instantly. 'Tea? Although I wouldn't recommend it for you Cornel as it's vervain based.' I smile sweetly in his direction and watch him turn my way for a second to smirk. A hint of amusement at my choice of beverage considering I shouldn’t have known a vampire was coming here tonight.

'Please.' Cora accepts the flavoured tea, which is a firm favourite of mine and Cornel just watches. Vampires eat and drink regular human food and beverages when the mood takes them, but Vervain has a very nasty effect on the creatures. It’s as close to an effective poison against Vampires as you can get. Enough to leave them incapable for weeks while they recover. It’s been known to kill weaker hybrids if enough is ingested.

I stand and tend to pouring out some amber liquid into teacups, savouring the strong aroma, dropping in honey for sweetness before stirring a cup and handing it to Cora.

'Nara is meant to be powerful in the dark arts and sight. We figured if anyone would find out what my visions meant it would be her, and if she was having them too, then here she would be. Well, I figured so anyway, and I was unaware you were even close by.'

'Visions?' I pause mid sip, returning to my seat and yet stilled by that little revelation in my thought process. My voice steady and my gaze on Cora's face as I try to extract what she wants to know.

'I keep seeing a man in front of a bright light and this place was the source of my calling, something drew me here.' She adds, raising her brows at me as though expecting me to suddenly have answers.

This surprises me though, a feeling I’m not often subjected to and yet lately it has happened twice.

'With the sun symbol of Hunters burning on his back?' I steady my hand and return my teacup to the table, giving nothing away and tone controlled.

'Yes!' Cora exclaims, leaning in towards me with new inquisitive wide-eyed intrigue. 'So you’ve seen it too? What does this mean? If you had it too, does that give it extra importance?' She can’t conceal her excitement at this finding, knowing the tales of the hunters and having seen the markings in my own grimoires, many moons ago. At a time when I felt compelled to mentor her a little.

'If witches are envisioning him then it means a hunter really is awakening. Our dreams and insights linked in such a way mean's it’s prophecy. My gut led me here many times over the past years but now is the first time it’s held any real meaning. Your presence confirms it, Cora. We are probably not the only witches here now. I need to find him before I can really understand what this means and before anyone with ideas of destruction do first.'

Find him before someone with a masterplan and a hatred for immortals knows how to use him.